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The photovoltaic effect plays a significant role in power generation by using solar PV modules. The two most popular types of PV panels majorly available in the market: Glass-to-Tedlar (GT) and Glass-to-Glass (G-G) type. Both G-T and G-G type of modules are rigid in structure due to the involvement of transparent glass cover on the top of the module. In order to have non rigid or flexible type of module, a module structure with aluminum as base and transparent plastic sheet at the top has been taken which is known as flexible type of PV module (F-Al). The use of plastic and aluminum makes these modules more flexible and lighter in weight as compared with G-T and G-G type of PV modules. The advantage of using F-Al PV module is that it can easily be modified into desired shapes. Initially, the mathematical modeling of F-Al PV module has been developed on Simulink. The different set of data for these three types of modules has been taken for analyzing the performance of these modules. The performance analysis of G-T type, G-G type and F-Al type of PV modules have been compared in terms of efficiency, cell temperature, daily energy production. The maximum electrical efficiency has been observed with G-G PV module. It is also observed that being with flexible nature, efficiencies of F-Al PV modules are almost comparable with G-T modules. The cell temperature of F-Al PV module and G-T PV module is found to be larger than G-G module. The daily electrical energy production was found to be more with G-G module in comparison to G-T and F-Al PV modules for a typical day in the month of April, 2019. It is also observed that due to flexible nature of F-Al module, efficiency is also converging faster towards regression line in comparison to G-G and G-T module. Further, efficiency and daily energy consumption of all three modules of PV panel are realized through artificial neural network (ANN). It is observed that least mean square error (MSE) is obtained with F-Al in comparison to G-G and G-T under the implication of ANN. Therefore, additional feature of least MSE for F-Al makes its preferable over others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myostatin (MSTN) is a negative regulator of skeletal muscle growth, thus it was hypothesized that immunization of hens against MSTN would enhance post-hatch growth and muscle mass via suppression of MSTN activity by anti-MSTN IgY in fertilized eggs. This study investigated the effects of immunization of hens against chicken MSTN (chMSTN) or a MSTN fragment (Myo2) on the growth and muscle mass of offspring. In Experiment 1, hens mixed with roosters were divided into two groups and hens in the Control and chMSTN groups were immunized with 0 and 0.5 mg of chMSTN, respectively. In Experiment 2, hens in the chMSTN group were divided into chMSTN and Myo2 groups while the Control group remained the same. The Control and chMSTN groups were immunized in the same way as Experiment 1. The Myo2 group was immunized against MSTN peptide fragment (Myo2) conjugated to KLH. Eggs collected from each group were incubated, and chicks were reared to examine growth and carcass parameters. ELISA showed the production of IgYs against chMSTN and Myo2 and the presence of these antibodies in egg yolk. IgY from the chMSTN and Myo2 groups showed binding affinity to chMSTN, Myo2, and commercial MSTN in Western blot analysis but did not show MSTN-inhibitory capacity in a reporter gene assay. In Experiment 1, no difference was observed in the body weight and carcass parameters of offspring between the Control and chMSTN groups. In Experiment 2, the body weight of chicks from the Myo2 group was significantly lower than that of the Control or chMSTN groups. The dressing percentage and breast muscle mass of the chMSTN and Myo2 groups were significantly lower than those of the Control group, and the breast muscle mass of Myo2 was significantly lower than that of the chMSTN. In summary, in contrast to our hypothesis, maternal immunization of hens did not increase but decreased the body weight and muscle mass of offspring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Telomere length is primarily controlled by the enzyme telomerase, but being chromatin structures, telomeres undergo epigenetic regulation for their maintenance and function. Altered telomere length among cancer cells combined with shorter telomere length in cancer-associated stromal cells, strongly implicated with progression to prostate cancer metastasis and cancer death and providing a novel target for therapeutics. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathways are well-recognized for their role in stromal-epithelial interactions responsible for prostate androgen responsiveness, promoting tumorigenesis. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. We sought to establish a role for TGF-β in the regulation of telomere length in mouse and human prostate fibroblast. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based telomere length measuring methods are widely used due to their repeatability and reproducibility. Using real-time RT-PCR-based telomere length measuring method, we identified that TGF-beta regulates telomere length via increased expression of histone methyltransferase, Suv39h1, which in turn affected histone methylation levels at the telomeric ends. Moreover, treatment of DAPT and non-steroidal antiandrogen bicalutamide demonstrated that notch and androgen signaling co-operated with TGF-ß in regulating stromal telomere length. Telomere variation in tumor cells and non-tumor cells within the tumor microenvironment greatly facilitates the clinical assessment of prostate cancer; therefore, understanding stromal telomere length regulation mechanism will hold significant prospects for cancer treatment, diagnosis, and prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current study aims to identify the mediating role of demographic variables in the relationship between talent development practices and the employees' performance. The data was collected from 660 employees from hotel industry across North India, including budget and chain hotels. Partial regression analysis, was used to analyse the data. Perceived effectiveness of all five Talent development practices namely; Employee Welfare and Compensation, Training & Development, Career Advancement and Planning, and Performance Appraisal except work life balance, was found to be positively and significantly related to the Performance of Hotel employees based on their accomplishment of targets, on time, and overall performance. The study concluded that there is no significant mediating effect of demographic variables on the relationship between effectiveness of Talent development practices and performance of employees in hotels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stromal-epithelial interactions dictate cancer progression and therapeutic response. Prostate cancer (PCa) cells were identified to secrete greater concentration of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) compared to noncancer epithelia. Based on the recognized coevolution of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) with tumor progression, we tested the role of cancer-derived mtDNA in a mechanism of paracrine signaling. We found that prostatic CAF expressed DEC205, which was not expressed by normal tissue-associated fibroblasts. DEC205 is a transmembrane protein that bound mtDNA and contributed to pattern recognition by Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9). Complement C3 was the dominant gene targeted by TLR9-induced NF-κB signaling in CAF. The subsequent maturation complement C3 maturation to anaphylatoxin C3a was dependent on PCa epithelial inhibition of catalase in CAF. In a syngeneic tissue recombination model of PCa and associated fibroblast, the antagonism of the C3a receptor and the fibroblastic knockout of TLR9 similarly resulted in immune suppression with a significant reduction in tumor progression, compared to saline-treated tumors associated with wild-type prostatic fibroblasts. Interestingly, docetaxel, a common therapy for advanced PCa, further promoted mtDNA secretion in cultured epithelia, mice, and PCa patients. The antiapoptotic signaling downstream of anaphylatoxin C3a signaling in tumor cells contributed to docetaxel resistance. The inhibition of C3a receptor sensitized PCa epithelia to docetaxel in a synergistic manner. Tumor models of human PCa epithelia with CAF expanded similarly in mice in the presence or absence of docetaxel. The combination therapy of docetaxel and C3 receptor antagonist disrupted the mtDNA/C3a paracrine loop and restored docetaxel sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genomic changes that drive cancer initiation and progression contribute to the co-evolution of the adjacent stroma. The nature of the stromal reprogramming involves differential DNA methylation patterns and levels that change in response to the tumor and systemic therapeutic intervention. Epigenetic reprogramming in carcinomaassociated fibroblasts are robust biomarkers for cancer progression and have a transcriptional impact that support cancer epithelial progression in a paracrine manner. For prostate cancer, promoter hypermethylation and silencing of the RasGAP, RASAL3 that resulted in the activation of Ras signaling in carcinoma-associated fibroblasts. Stromal Ras activity initiated a process of macropinocytosis that provided prostate cancer epithelia with abundant glutamine for metabolic conversion to fuel its proliferation and a signal to transdifferentiate into a neuroendocrine phenotype. This epigenetic oncogenic metabolic/signaling axis seemed to be further potentiated by androgen receptor signaling antagonists and contributed to therapeutic resistance. Intervention of stromal signaling may complement conventional therapies targeting the cancer cell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prostate cancer is an androgen-dependent disease subject to interactions between the tumor epithelium and its microenvironment. Here, we found that epigenetic changes in prostatic cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) initiated a cascade of stromal-epithelial interactions. This facilitated lethal prostate cancer growth and development of resistance to androgen signaling deprivation therapy (ADT). We identified a Ras inhibitor, RASAL3, as epigenetically silenced in human prostatic CAF, leading to oncogenic Ras activity driving macropinocytosis-mediated glutamine synthesis. Interestingly, ADT further promoted RASAL3 epigenetic silencing and glutamine secretion by prostatic fibroblasts. In an orthotopic xenograft model, subsequent inhibition of macropinocytosis and glutamine transport resulted in antitumor effects. Stromal glutamine served as a source of energy through anaplerosis and as a mediator of neuroendocrine differentiation for prostate adenocarcinoma. Antagonizing the uptake of glutamine restored sensitivity to ADT in a castration-resistant xenograft model. In validating these findings, we found that prostate cancer patients on ADT with therapeutic resistance had elevated blood glutamine levels compared with those with therapeutically responsive disease (odds ratio = 7.451, P = 0.02). Identification of epigenetic regulation of Ras activity in prostatic CAF revealed RASAL3 as a sensor for metabolic and neuroendocrine reprogramming in prostate cancer patients failing ADT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the air pollution and noise generated from fireworks are related to air quality and human health, the regulatory bodies had implemented the eco-friendly "Green Crackers" in megacity Delhi, India, to celebrate Diwali 2019 with the permission of a specific time slot (8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.). The present study was conducted on a residential educational institute campus to evaluate the particle number size distribution (PNSD) of green cracker emissions. During the Diwali event period, the high peak of particle number concentration (PNC) reached 1.7 × 105 # cm−3 with a geometric mean diameter (GMD) of ∼44 nm. The average PNC increment on Diwali day was 138% and 97% compared to pre (October 26, 2019) and post (October 28, 2019) Diwali period, respectively, including 468%, 142%, 65%, 75% on pre-Diwali and 485%, 110%, 32%, 26% on post- Diwali 2019 period in terms of Nucleation mode (10 nm < D p < 20 nm), Small Aitken mode (20 nm < D p < 50 nm), Large Aitken mode (50 nm < D p < 100 nm), and Accumulation mode (100 nm < D p < 1000 nm), respectively. Unlike traditional firework emissions, green crackers had a high UFP/N total ratio of 0.72, including Nucleation mode-0.35, Aitken mode-0.30, and Accumulation mode 0.35, distinguishing it from other pre-and post-Diwali particle number size distribution-dN/dlogDp curves. These observations indicate that green crackers emit more particles with smaller diameters than traditional crackers. Recommendations for using green crackers for Diwali celebrations may be an option if lower size-diameter particle emission could be controlled by changing the material composition of the green crackers. More research studies need to be conducted to assess atmospheric emissions of green crackers and their health impacts to evaluate whether they are better or worse than traditional crackers. [Display omitted] • Green crackers emit more particles on the lower size diameter when compared to traditional crackers. • UFP/N total ratio is higher than 0.7, while traditional fireworks have <0.6. • Green Crackers for Diwali celebrations could be an alternative in years to come. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: There is increasing interest in phytoestrogens as potential alternatives to synthetic selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) in the prevention and therapy of breast cancer. The present study is aimed at determining whether dietary glycine soya (Glycine max seeds; GS), which is rich in phytoestrogens, can enhance the anti breast cancer efficacy of the SERM tamoxifen (TAM) and the effect of TAM and GS, either alone or in combination, on DMBA-initiated hepatocarcinogenesis in rat. For determination of enhancing effect, rats bearing palpable 7, 12-dimethylbenz[α] anthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary tumors were treated with TAM (10mgkg−1/day) while being fed AIN-93G diet with or without added GS (3×104 mgkg−1), and the tumor growth was monitored up to 5weeks of treatment. For determining the effect on hepatocarcinogenesis, DMBA-initiated rats were exposed to TAM and dietary GS as above for 6weeks during promotion stage in a medium-term bioassay, and the development of placental form of glutathione-S-transferase (GST-P)-expressing preneoplastic liver lesions was quantified. Exposure to both TAM and dietary GS enhanced the anti tumor efficacy of TAM via a combination of tumor cell apoptosis (determined by TUNEL) and inhibition of tumor cell proliferation (determined by PCNA immunostaining) and suppressed the growth of GST-P-positive liver lesions. The findings show that dietary GS enhances the therapeutic efficacy of TAM against mammary tumors and minimizes TAM’s hepatocarcinogenesis promotion potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Centchroman is a non-steroidal oral contraceptive and has been found to be a candidate drug for breast cancer exhibiting partial to complete remission of lesions in 40.5% of breast cancer patients. The therapeutic efficacy of centchroman was monitored alone and together with glycine soya on growth of 7,12-dimethylbenz[α]anthracene-induced breast tumor in rat. The tumor regression was monitored at different doses of centchroman alone ranging from 0 to 10mgkg−1 and with glycine soya from 1×104 to 5×104 mgkg−1 per day until 5weeks treatment. An optimum tumor treatment opus was established with varying treatment parameters including doses of therapeutic agents and treatment period. The tumors were found to be static with a strong anti-estrogenic effect. Overall our study shows that both centchroman and glycine soya alone and jointly combat with breast cancer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The chitooligosaccharide (COS) and chlorella polysaccharide (CPS) have been used as feed supplements in the poultry industry for improving growth performance and immunity. However, the benefits of these prebiotics on the gut health of chickens when used in early nutrition are unknown. This study evaluated the effects of in ovo feeding of COS and CPS on the cecal microbiome, metabolic pathways, and fermentation metabolites of chickens. A total of 240 fertile eggs were divided into 6 groups (n =4; 10 eggs/replicate): 1) noinjection control, 2) normal saline control, 3) COS 5 mg, 4) COS 20 mg, 5) CPS 5 mg, and 6) CPS 20 mg injection. On day 12.5 of egg incubation, test substrate was injected into the amniotic sac of eggs in respective treatments. The hatched chicks were raised for 21 D under standard husbandry practices. On day 3 and 21, cecal digesta were collected to determine microbiota by shotgun metagenomic sequencing and short-chain fatty acids by gas chromatography. The cecal microbial composition was not different (P > 0.05) among the treatment groups on day 3 but was different (P < 0.05) on day 21. At the species level, the polysaccharide-utilizing bacteria including Lactobacillus johnsonii, Bacteroides coprocola, and Bacteroides salanitronis were higher in the COS group, whereas the relative abundance of some opportunistic pathogenic bacteria were lower than those in the CPS and control groups. At the functional level, the pathways of gluconeogenesis, L-isoleucine degradation, Lhistidine biosynthesis, and fatty acid biosynthesis were enriched in the COS group. In addition, propionic acid content was higher (P < 0.05) in the COS group. A network based on the correlation between the COS and other factors was constructed to illuminate the potential action mechanism of the COS in chicken early nutrition. In conclusion, in ovo inoculation of COS 5 mg showed positive effects on the cecal microbiota, metabolic pathways, and propionic acid, thus can be used as in ovo feeding to modulate the gut health of chickens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arsenic and chromium are the most common environmental toxicants prevailing in nature. Hence, the present study endeavors to investigate the salutary effects of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), Biochanin A (BCA), and Phloretin (PHL) on the combined neurotoxic impact of arsenic and chromium in the Swiss albino mice (Mus musculus). Sodium meta-arsenite (100 ppm) and potassium dichromate (75 ppm) were given orally in conjugation with CoQ10 (10 mg/kg), BCA & PHL (50 mg/kg each) in accordance with body weight per day for the 2 weeks experimental duration. Weight reduction was figured out in the exposed toxic group of arsenic and chromium in contrast with the comparison group (control), and with the selected anti-oxidants treatment, it rose significantly to the basal status (p < 0.05). The concentration of arsenic and chromium was reduced significantly (p < 0.001) amidst all the natural compounds co-medicated groups. Anti-oxidant indicators, viz. lipid peroxidation (LPO) and protein carbonyl content (PCC), were found elevated, with reduction observed in the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione s-transferase (GST), and total thiols (TT) in the arsenic and chromium, co-exposed mice. The alterations in redox homeostasis were well corroborated with the estimations of cholinesterase's enzymes (p < 0.05) along with DNA fragmentation assay and altered Nrf2 signaling. The administration of CoQ10, BCA, and PHL ameliorated the effects of arsenic and chromium induced oxidative stress in the exposed mice. Our research unfolds the remedial outcome of these natural compounds contrary to the combined arsenic and chromium associated-neurotoxicity in the experimental model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arsenic and chromium are the most common environmental toxicants prevailing in nature. Hence, the present study endeavors to investigate the salutary effects of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), Biochanin A (BCA), and Phloretin (PHL) on the combined neurotoxic impact of arsenic and chromium in the Swiss albino mice (Mus musculus). Sodium meta-arsenite (100 ppm) and potassium dichromate (75 ppm) were given orally in conjugation with CoQ10 (10 mg/kg), BCA & PHL (50 mg/kg each) in accordance with body weight per day for the 2 weeks experimental duration. Weight reduction was figured out in the exposed toxic group of arsenic and chromium in contrast with the comparison group (control), and with the selected anti-oxidants treatment, it rose significantly to the basal status (p < 0.05). The concentration of arsenic and chromium was reduced significantly (p < 0.001) amidst all the natural compounds co-medicated groups. Anti-oxidant indicators, viz. lipid peroxidation (LPO) and protein carbonyl content (PCC), were found elevated, with reduction observed in the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione s-transferase (GST), and total thiols (TT) in the arsenic and chromium, co-exposed mice. The alterations in redox homeostasis were well corroborated with the estimations of cholinesterase's enzymes (p < 0.05) along with DNA fragmentation assay and altered Nrf2 signaling. The administration of CoQ10, BCA, and PHL ameliorated the effects of arsenic and chromium induced oxidative stress in the exposed mice. Our research unfolds the remedial outcome of these natural compounds contrary to the combined arsenic and chromium associated-neurotoxicity in the experimental model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Understanding the mechanism underlying the regulation of the androgen receptor (AR), a central player in the development of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), holds promise for overcoming the challenge of treating CRPC. We demonstrate that the ubiquitin ligase Siah2 targets a select pool of NCOR1-bound, transcriptionally-inactive AR for ubiquitin-dependent degradation, thereby promoting expression of select AR target genes implicated in lipid metabolism, cell motility, and proliferation. Siah2 is required for prostate cancer cell growth under androgen-deprivation conditions in vitro and in vivo, and Siah2 inhibition promotes prostate cancer regression upon castration. Notably, Siah2 expression is markedly increased in human CRPCs. Collectively, we find that selective regulation of AR transcriptional activity by the ubiquitin ligase Siah2 is important for CRPC development. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Despite the unquestionable public health benefits of immunization, rare incidents of Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) remain a cause of concern. Following few deaths after vaccination in a village of Jharkhand, India, an epidemiological investigation was carried out by the experts of a medical college to find out the cause of deaths and recommend state health further to prevent such incidences in future. Materials and Methods: The epidemiological investigation was conducted as a field study which comprised of observational visit of the AEFI site, key interviews of all stakeholders, verbal autopsy and desk review of all related documents to immunization. All relevant laboratory and autopsy investigations were done to exclude or include all possible causes. Results: On investigation, it was noted that there were five children who developed symptoms of severe gastro-enteritis within six hours of vaccination out of the total thirteen vaccines from the single immunization site and four of them died within 24 hr of vaccination suggestive of features of Toxic shock syndrome. All had a common exposure of Measles vaccine and Vitamin A giving hint towards contamination of vaccine during reconstitution or administration of vaccine. In autopsy findings, there was no external injury reported and the laboratory findings of vaccine vial didn't reveal any significant findings. The attack rate of the event was 100% and case fatality rate was 80%. Conclusion: From investigation, it was concluded that the events are due to Immunization error related reaction (a type of AEFI) and causality association tool also classified the event to be consistent causal association to immunization. There is dire need of refresher training for service providers on various aspects of AEFI to avoid recurrences of such events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hemorrhagic cystitis is an inflammatory and ulcerative bladder condition associated with systemic chemotherapeutics, like cyclophosphomide. Earlier, we reported reactive oxygen species resulting from cyclophosphamide metabolite, acrolein, causes global methylation followed by silencing of DNA damage repair genes. Ogg1 (8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase) is one such silenced base excision repair enzyme that can restore DNA integrity. The accumulation of DNA damage results in subsequent inflammation associated with pyroptotic death of bladder smooth muscle cells. We hypothesized that reversing inflammasome-induced imprinting in the bladder smooth muscle could prevent the inflammatory phenotype. Elevated recruitment of Dnmt1 and Dnmt3b to the Ogg1 promoter in acrolein treated bladder muscle cells was validated by the pattern of CpG methylation revealed by bisulfite sequencing. Knockout of Ogg1 in detrusor cells resulted in accumulation of reactive oxygen mediated 8-Oxo-dG and spontaneous pyroptotic signaling. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA), restored Ogg1 expression in cells treated with acrolein and mice treated with cyclophosphamide superior to the standard of care, mesna or nicotinamide-induced DNA demethylation. SAHA restored cyclophosphamide-induced bladder pathology to that of untreated control mice. The observed epigenetic imprinting induced by inflammation suggests a new therapeutic target for the treatment of hemorrhagic cystitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphoesterases are involved in the degradation of organophosphorus compounds. Although phosphomonoesterases and phosphotriesterases have been studied in detail, studies on phosphodiesterases are rather limited. In our search to find novel phosphodiesterases using metagenomic approach, we cloned a gene encoding a putative phosphodiesterase (PdeM) from the metagenome of the formation water collected from an Indian coal bed. Bioinformatic analysis showed that PdeM sequence possessed the characteristic signature motifs of the class III phosphodiesterases and phylogenetic study of PdeM enabled us to identify three distinct subclasses (A, B, and C) within class III phosphodiesterases, PdeM clustering in new subclass IIIB. Bioinformatic, biochemical and biophysical characterization of PdeM further revealed some of the characteristic features of the phosphodiesterases belonging to newly described subclass IIIB. PdeM is a monomer of 29.3 kDa, which exhibits optimum activity at 25°C and pH 8.5, but low affinity for bis(pNPP) as well as pNPPP. The recombinant PdeM possessed phosphodiesterase, phosphonate-ester hydrolase and nuclease activity. It lacked phosphomonoesterase, phosphotriesterase, and RNAse activities. Overexpression of PdeM in E.coli neither affected catabolite respression nor did the recombinant protein hydrolyzed cAMP in vitro, indicating its inability to hydrolyze cAMP. Although Mn2+ was required for the activity of PdeM, but addition of metals (Mn2+ or Fe3+) did not induce oligomerization. Further increase in concentration of Mn2+ upto 3 mM, increased α-helical content as well as the phosphodiesterase activity. Structural comparison of PdeM with its homologs showed that it lacked critical residues required for dimerization, cAMP hydrolysis, and for the high affinity binding of bis(pNPP). PdeM, thus, is a novel representative of new subclass of class III phosphodiesterases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigates the particle number concentrations and size distributions in the ultrafine and fine-sized regimes over a polluted megacity, New Delhi (28.75° N, 77.12° E), India. The experiments were conducted during the periods (April–May 2020) of strict social and travel restrictions (lockdown) imposed by the Government of India aiming to contain the spread of Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic. The different phases of the COVID-19 lockdown witnessed restrictions of varying magnitudes with the significant cessation of anthropogenic sources, viz. , industrial, road, railways, and air traffic emissions. Using this unique opportunity, the impact of varying urban emissions on particle number size distributions and new particle formation events were examined. The mean total number concentrations were in the range of ~ (2–3.5) x 104 cm−3 and depicted a gradual increase (~26%) with progressive unlock of the anthropogenic activities. At the same time, accumulation particle concentrations were doubled. However, ultrafine particles (UFP) (diameter < 100 nm) dominated (50–88%) the total number concentrations during most of the days and several new particle formation (NPF) events resulting in elevated (2–5 fold) UFP concentrations were observed. Subsequently, the particles grew to larger sizes with rates ~3.31–8.37 nm h−1. The NPF events occurred during the daytime, and during the events, a clear enhancement in the concentrations of [H 2 SO 4 ] proxy (2–3.5 × 107 molecules cm−3; 2–3 orders higher than the non-event values) suggesting the role of strong gas-phase photochemistry. Also, some of the NPF events were associated with increased odd oxygen concentrations [O x = O 3 +NO 2 ], indicating the regional nature of the precursors and participation of VOC precursors in nucleation/growth. Interestingly, different classes of NPF events were seen during the strictest lockdown period, whereas more frequent and well-defined NPF events were witnessed when anthropogenic activities were opened up with conditional relaxations. These events demonstrated the competition between source strengths of precursor vapors from anthropogenic activities and primary particles acting as condensation sink restricting NPF. This study highlighted that urban pollution mitigation policies need to consider ultrafine particles emanating from the secondary aerosol formation process from traffic emissions. Temporal variation of particle number size distribution (PNSD) during the study. The arrows on the bottom indicate the new particle formation events. [Display omitted] • The impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on fine and ultrafine particle concentrations is examined over the megacity, New Delhi. • Several new particle formation (NPF) events during the lockdown period were noticed. • NPF events highlighted the balance between precursor vapor sources and condensation sink. • Notable contribution from traffic emissions to UFP bursts with progressive relaxation of lockdown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medicinal or herbal plants are widely used for their many favourable properties and are generally safe without any side effects. Saponins are sugar conjugated natural compounds which possess a multitude of biological activities such as medicinal properties, antimicrobial activity, antiviral activity, etc. Saponin production is a part of the normal growth and development process in a lot of plants and plant extracts such as liquorice and ginseng which are exploited as potential drug sources. Herbal compounds have shown a great potential against a wide variety of infectious agents, including viruses such as the SARS-CoV; these are all-natural products and do not show any adverse side effects. This article reviews the various aspects of saponin biosynthesis and extraction, the need for their integration into more mainstream medicinal therapies and how they could be potentially useful in treating viral diseases such as COVID-19, HIV, HSV, rotavirus etc. The literature presents a close review on the saponin efficacy in targeting mentioned viral diseases that occupy a high mortality rate worldwide. This manuscript indicates the role of saponins as a source of dynamic plant based anti-viral remedies and their various methods for extraction from different sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ECF41 is a large family of bacterial extracytoplasmic function (ECF) s factors. Their role in bacterial physiology or behavior, however, is not known. One of the 10 ECF s factors encoded in the genome of Azospirillum brasilense Sp245, RpoE10, exhibits features characteristic of the typical ECF41-type s factors. Inactivation of rpoE10 in A. brasilense Sp245 led to an increase in motility that could be complemented by the expression of rpoE10. By comparing the number of lateral flagella, transcriptome, and proteome of A. brasilense Sp245 with those of its rpoE10::km mutant, we show here that this ECF41-type s factor is involved in the negative regulation of swimming motility and biogenesis of lateral flagella of A. brasilense Sp245. The genome of A. brasilense Sp245 also encodes two OmpR-type regulators (LafR1 and LafR2) and three flagellins, including Laf1, the major flagellin of lateral flagella. Elevated levels of laf1 transcripts and Laf1 protein in the rpoE10::km mutant indicated that RpoE10 negatively regulates the expression of Laf1. The elevated level of LafR1 in the rpoE10::km mutant indicated that LafR1 is also negatively regulated by RpoE10. The loss of motility and Laf1 in the lafR1::km mutant, complemented by lafR1 expression, showed that LafR1 is a positive regulator of Laf1 and motility in A. brasilense. In addition, upregulation of laf1::lacZ and lafR1::lacZ fusions by RpoE10 and downregulation of the laf1::lacZ fusion by LafR1 suggest that RpoE10 negatively regulates swimming motility and the expression of LafR1 and Laf1. However, LafR1 positively regulates the swimming motility and Laf1 expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]