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Minor millets regarded as storehouse of proteins, dietary fibres, minerals, vitamins, fatty acids and phytochemicals have nutrigenomic role in human health. Determination of such components is an essential approach to choose highly efficient millet grains. Hence, this study has estimated and compared the mineral composition, proximates, functional properties, phytochemical and in vitro pharmacological properties of the seed grains of Setaria italica (Foxtail millet), Echinochloa frumentacea (Barnyard millet) , Paspalum scrobiculatum (Kodo millet) , and Panicum sumatrense (Little millet) cultivated in Kolli hills of Tamil Nadu, India. Mineral analysis revealed the presence of calcium, copper, magnesium, manganese, iron, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc. Occurrence of high content of protein, carbohydrate and vitamin E were also ascertained. The proximate composition (moisture, ash, crude lipid, and crude fibre) and functional features (water and oil absorbing capacity, bulk density, foaming and emulsifying property) of these millet flours have demonstrated their potential in food product formulation, particularly weaning foods. Total phenolic content was ranged between 53.28±0.71 and 110.42 ± 1.42 mg GAE g−1 of dried extract; and total flavonoid content was in the range of 23.80±1.09 to 65.1 ± 1.23 mg QE g−1 of dried extract in the studied millets. Significant free radical scavenging and enzyme inhibition activity was observed in P. sumatrense (IC 50 of 128.92±1.18 µg mL−1 in DPPH assay), E. frumentacea (IC 50 of 120.89±1.46 µg mL−1 in ABTS assay and 126.52±0.78 µg mL−1 in tyrosinase inhibition assay), S. italica (IC 50 of 119.94±1.40 µg mL−1 in SO radical scavenging assay) and P. scrobiculatum (IC 50 of 101.59±1.27 µg mL−1 in α-amylase enzyme inhibition assay and 94.63±0.78 µg mL−1 in α-glucosidase enzyme inhibition assay). The findings highlight the nutraceutical ability of these minor millets which can be employed as a valuable ingredient in food product preparation. [Display omitted] • Four minor millets cultivated by the tribal communities were studied for nutritional and pharmacological profiling. • Nutritional analysis revealed all the studied millets recorded the presence of minerals. • Significant free radical scavenging and enzyme inhibition activity was observed in P. sumatrense. • P. scrobiculatum was recorded with notable α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzyme inhibition effect. • The recorded phytochemicals were highly correlated with antioxidant and antidiabetic activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globodera rostochiensis (Woll.) and Globodera pallida (Stone), two potato cyst nematodes (PCNs), are significant pests worldwide. The first PCNs from North Himalayan regions of India were detected in 2010 in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh (HP). Despite a domestic quarantine, succeeding surveys in the mountainous regions of North India have shown the presence of PCNs in numerous districts of HP, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand. The seed plot technique is utilized in North Himalayan regions of India to create virus-free seed and the state agricultural departments distribute it to farmers in other parts of the nation. Therefore, the entire nation should be concerned about the emergence of such a significant potato seed location as the primary sites for large PCN populations. Inorganic pesticide based nematode management is an effectual way to address this biotic stress but improper use of chemicals can have a negative impact on the environment. Therefore, the farming community must prefer the employment of potential biocontrol agents, this might aid in fending off regulatory and environmental pressure. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) enabled control of PCNs can be environmentally benign. In light of this, we undertook an extensive and thorough review of the available literature pertaining to PGPRs. Our analysis uncovered that PGPRs can greatly assist in enhancing plant resilience to various stressors that can impede their growth and yield. However, achieving these benefits will require successful development and commercialization efforts. Furthermore, before PGPRs can be widely employed, it is crucial to tackle the challenges related to their selectivity and restricted range of activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green pit viper bites induce mild toxicity with painful local swelling, blistering, cellulitis, necrosis, ecchymosis and consumptive coagulopathy. Several bite cases of green pit vipers have been reported in several south-east Asian countries including the north-eastern region of India. The present study describes isolation and characterization of a haemostatically active protein from Trimeresurus erythrurus venom responsible for coagulopathy. Using a two-step chromatographic method, a snake venom serine protease erythrofibrase was purified to homogeneity. SDS-PAGE of erythrofibrase showed a single band of ~30 kDa in both reducing and non-reducing conditions. The primary structure of erythrofibrase was determined by ESI LC-MS/MS, and the partial sequence obtained showed 77% sequence similarity with other snake venom thrombin-like enzymes (SVTLEs). The partial sequence obtained had the typical 12 conserved cysteine residues, as well as the active site residues (His57, Asp102 and Ser195). Functionally, erythrofibrase showed direct fibrinogenolytic activity by degrading the Aα chain of bovine fibrinogen at a slow rate, which might be responsible for causing hypofibrinogenemia and incoagulable blood for several days in envenomated patients. Moreover, the inability of Indian polyvalent antivenom (manufactured by Premium Serum Pvt. Ltd., Maharashtra, India) to neutralize the thrombin-like and plasmin-like activity of erythrofibrase can be correlated with the clinical inefficacy of antivenom therapy. This is the first study reporting an α-fibrinogenase enzyme erythrofibrase from T. erythrurus venom, which is crucial for the pathophysiological manifestations observed in envenomated victims. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Soybean, an important oilseed crop of India, is rich in protein, oil, vitamins, isoflavones and minerals. Being an oilseed crop and the inherent physiological and biochemical properties, soybean seeds looses itsviability andvigour rapidly during storage, resultinginto poor stand establishment and productivity, upon subsequent planting. The current study aimed to understand the mechanism of antioxidants and antioxidant enzymes in soybean seed longevity. Methods: Ten good storer and ten poor storer, identified after storing for 8 months in ambient laboratory condition, were phenotyped biochemically to understand the mechanism of antioxidants [tocopherols (4 isomers) and isoflavones (12 isomers)] and antioxidant enzymes [catalase (CAT), peroxidise (POX), superoxidedismutase (SOD) and glutathione reductase (GR)]in seed longevity. Result: Good and poor storer genotypes recorded a mean initial germination of 99 and 96%, decreased to 91 and 67%, respectively upon eight months of laboratory ambient storage. Significant differences were observed in the activities of SOD, CAT, GR, alpha (α- T) and delta (δ-T) tocopherol between good and poor storer genotypes. Isomers of tocopherols ie. α-T and δ-T were found to beeither negatively (r= -0.55) or positively (r= 0.60) associated with seed longevity, indicated the role of individual tocopherol isomer than those to total tocopherols in seed longevity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endophytes represent a diverse domain of microorganisms with immense biotechnological potentialities. Metabolites from endophytes, especially fungi, are useful in industrial as well as pharmaceutical aspects. Here, endophytic fungal isolates of Andrographis paniculata collected from the Tapobon, Junglemahal region of West Bengal, India, have been studied for their hydrolyzing enzyme production abilities. Out of eighty-one isolates, twenty-one were positive for amylase, protease, lipase, laccase, and tannase action. Microscopic features of positive isolates revealed that the enzyme producers were Aspergillus sp., Fusarium sp., Alternaria sp., Trichoderma sp., Exerohilum sp., Nigrospora sp., Curvularia sp., Cladosporium sp., Cochliobolus sp., Tricothecium sp., Penicillium sp., Verticillium sp., and Cephalosporium sp. The amylolytic activity was remarkable in the case of endophytic Aspergillus sp. and Fusarium sp. Also, Aspergillus sp. and Alternaria sp. had proteolytic activity. Aspergillus sp., Mycelia sterilia-2, and Trichoderma sp. were potent lipase producers. Along with Exerohilum sp. endophytic Aspergillus sp. had positive laccase activity. The tannic acid degrading activity was highest for Aspergillus sp. APL11 followed by Helicosporium sp. and Fusarium sp. Tannase producing ability of Aspergillus sp. was optimized and an incubation time-96h, incubation temperature-29°C, initial medium pH-6.5, carbon source-glucose, and nitrogen source-NaNO3 exhibited a two-fold scale-up of (2.83±0.05 u mL-1) in tannase action. These enzymes offer eco-friendly and efficient solutions across a wide range of industrial processes including food production, textile processing, and pharmaceutical synthesis. Fungal endophytes of medicinal plants act as an alternative source for hydrolysing enzymes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To evaluate the relationship of thigh MRI (t-MRI) with manual muscle testing-8 (MMT-8), muscle enzymes and autoantibodies. To determine the causal and mediating factors resulting in poor recovery of MMT-8 in inflammatory myositis (IIM). Methods This was a single-centre retrospective study in IIM patients. t-MRI was semi-quantitatively scored for muscle oedema, fascial oedema, muscle atrophy and fatty infiltration. Spearman correlation of t-MRI scores was done with muscle enzymes at baseline, and MMT-8 at baseline and on follow-up. Causal mediation analysis was performed with age, sex, symptom duration, autoantibodies, diabetes and BMI as independent variables, follow-up MMT-8 as dependent and t-MRI scores as mediating variables. Results Baseline evaluation was done on 59 and follow-up on 38 patients. Median follow-up of the cohort was 31 (10–57) months. Baseline MMT-8 negatively correlated with muscle oedema (r = –0755), fascial oedema (r = –0.443) and muscle atrophy (r = –0.343). Creatinine kinase (r = 0.422) and aspartate transaminase (r = 0.480) positively correlated with muscle oedema. Follow-up MMT-8 correlated negatively with baseline atrophy (r = –0.497) and fatty infiltration (r = –0.531). On follow-up, MMT-8 males had positive total effect (estimate (95%CI)) via atrophy [2.93 (0.44, 4.89)] and fatty infiltration [2.08 (0.54, 3.71)]. Antisynthetase antibody had a positive total effect via fatty infiltration [4.50 (0.37, 7.59)]. Age had a negative total effect via atrophy [–0.09 (0.19, –0.01)] and fatty infiltration [–0.07 (–0.15, –0.01)]. Disease duration had a negative total effect via fatty infiltration [–0.18 (–0.27, –0.02)]. Conclusion Baseline fatty infiltration and muscle atrophy resulting from older age, female sex, longer disease duration and absent anti-synthetase antibodies, partly mediate muscle recovery in IIM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bell pepper is an important cash crop of small farmers of Himachal Pradesh state of India. The present study was carried out in two consecutive years comprising seven treatments, as T1 being 100% recommended dose of nutrients alone and T2 to T7 included 90, 80, 70, 60, 50 and 40% RDN respectively; along with PGPR and fermented folk liquid formulations (panchagavya, jeevamrut and amritpani) which were replicated thrice in randomized block design. The recommended doses were given by vermicompost and poultry manure on nitrogen equivalence basis. Results of the study concluded that the application of PGPR with 90% RDN along with fermented folk liquid formulations significantly influenced bell pepper growth, quality, and yield parameters as well as soil organic carbon and available nutrient status including soil microbiological properties over the T1. The 90% RDN with PGPR and fermented folk liquid formulation also resulted in higher benefit cost ratio in comparison to T1 with 100% RDN, alone. Hence, it may be recommended to use conjoint application of PGPR, bulky manures and fermented folk liquid formulations to boost sustainable bell pepper production, higher economic returns and maintaining soil fertility status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parthenium hysterophorous, a widespread weed in India, contributes a substantial amount of lignocellulosic biomass. The key objective of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of producing xylanase enzyme from P. hysterophorus weed biomass using the fungus Aspergillus niger. The impact of various physiological factors was confirmed through a two-step approach: first, a one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) investigation, and subsequently, employing the RSM-based CCD method in statistical design. This research revealed that the RSM-based model led to the optimization of enzyme activity, resulting in a value of 2098.08 IU/gds for xylanase. This was achieved with an incubation time of 4.5 days, a medium pH of 6, and a cultivation temperature of 32.5 °C. Additionally, a pretreatment involving 1% NaOH and a 30-min autoclave treatment was found to alter the chemical composition of lignocellulose substrates (cellulose 43.87% and xylan 28.7%), thereby enhancing the efficiency of enzymatic hydrolysis. Moreover, fermentable sugars were produced by autoclave-assisted alkali pretreatment (NaOH-1.0% w/v) at rates of 219.6 ± 2.05 mg/gds−1 by utilizing the crude xylanase from A. niger and 291.3 ± 1.2 mg/gds−1 from commercial xylanase enzyme. Our study revealed that P. hysterophorus served as a viable and affordable substrate for fermentable sugar liberation, and xylanase is a rate-limiting enzyme in enzymatic saccharification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In the Indian setting, antimicrobial resistance in A. baumannii is a considerable problem, especially in intensive care units (ICUs). Due to the limited data, clinicians are left with very few choices except polymyxins for treating serious infections caused by A. baumannii.There is sparse data regarding the local mechanisms of resistance. Given the current therapeutic challenges, it is critical to know the local enzymatic patterns and antibiograms. Materials and methods: A retrospective analysis of 50 episodes of bacteremia caused by CRAB. We analyzed the enzyme patterns and the susceptibility rates to various antibiotics. Results: The resistance rates for amikacin, tigecycline, minocycline, and fluoroquinolones were 88, 82, 50, and 88% respectively. OXA-23 was the most commonly isolated enzyme (86% of the isolates produced OXA-23) followed by OXA-51 and NDM. The overall mortality was high (58%). On univariate analysis, pneumonia, and higher Pitt's bacteremia score were significantly associated with mortality (p = 0.04 and p = 0.001 respectively). Of the total patients who received combination therapy, a majority (58%) received polymyxin plus meropenem. Combination therapy using polymyxins as a backbone was not associated with reduced mortality (p = 0.1). Conclusion: A. baumannii is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, as shown in our study. The rates of resistance for aminoglycosides were very high, and minocycline showed better susceptibility rates in comparison with tigecycline. In our study, OXA-23 and NDM remained the most important enzymes. The routine use of the combination of polymyxin and meropenem may not offer a significant advantage over monotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To study the neurological manifestations of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD 65) autoimmunity in Indian patients. Methods: Retrospective study conducted in a tertiary care referral hospital in South India. Patients who tested positive for GAD 65 antibodies from February 2013 to July 2019 were included. Results: We identified 922 patients who underwent GAD 65 testing, of which 81 tested positive (8.78%) [mean age 55.42 years (SD 17.39, range 9-86 years, median age 57 years)]. Males (n = 47) outnumbered the females (n = 34). All the GAD values measured were <5000 IU/ml. There were 34 cases (42%) of atypical parkinsonism (16/34, 47% fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for autoimmune atypical parkinsonism) in our series forming the most common group with GAD 65 positivity, followed by autoimmune encephalitis (8 cases, 9.88%). Men were more affected with atypical parkinsonism (22/34; 64.70%), stiff person syndrome (2/3; 66.66%), and neuropathy (4/7; 57.1%) while women were more with autoimmune encephalitis (6/8; 75%). Eighteen (22.6%) had underlying autoimmunity (three had type 1 diabetes mellitus). Six (7.4%) had underlying neoplasm. Thirty three out of 43 patients responded to immunotherapy (76.74%). Five had spontaneous improvement. Conclusion: Glutamic acid decarboxylase65 antibody values were much lower in our study population. Male dominant autoimmunity was seen unlike that in Western literature. The most striking was the high preponderance of atypical parkinsonism in GAD 65 positive patients. We also found that GAD 65 positivity is a useful marker for a positive response to immunotherapy in suspected autoimmune neurological syndromes irrespective of their titers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: One of the most important research activities around the world is the screening of various plant components for novel anticancer medicines. The anticancer activities of Aconitum heterophyllum were studied in human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells in this study. Since tumorigenesis is thought to be the result of a series of progressive gene alterations, including oncogene activation and tumour suppressor gene in-activation, the expression of genes like p53, p21, STAT, and Bcl-2, which are thought to be important in tumorigenesis and cell death, was determined. In the present study there was an upregulation in the level expression of p53and p21 and down regulation in the expression of BCL2 and STAT. However, there is increase and decrease level of gene expression in Aconitum heterophyllum roots loaded Phyto-Niosomes (nEEAH), when compared to ethanolic root extract of Aconitum heterophyllum EEAH extract treated MDA-MB-231 cell lines. Methods: The enzymatic antioxidants such as CAT, SOD, GR, GST, and GPX as well as non-enzymatic antioxidants such as glutathione, Vitamin E and Vitamin C were estimated in the treated MDA-MB-231 cells at the end of incubation. The RT-PCR technique was performed to study the expression patterns of apoptotic genes such as p53 and p21 and anti-apoptotic genes BCL2 and STAT in the drug treated MDA-MB-231 cells Results: In the present study there was a significant (p<0.05) increase in CAT and glu-tathione levels and a decrease in Vit C, Vit E and SOD, GR, GST, GPX levels in the untreated MDA-MB-231 cells. Increased apoptotic gene expression and decreased anti-apoptotic gene expression suggest the anti-proliferative nature of the drug extract was comparable to the doxorubicin the positive drug used in the present study. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the ethanolic extract of Aconitum heterophyllum roots loaded Phyto-Niosomes (nEEAH), when compared to ethanolic root extract of Aconitum heterophyllum EEAH extract treated MDA-MB-231 cell lines exert its anti-cancer activity by activating the apoptotic genes, suppressing anti-apoptotic genes as well as modulating the antioxidant enzymes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metals have an immense impact on aquatic ecosystems, and their toxic effects are transferred to the inhabiting organisms. Experiments were conducted to investigate the health of snow trout Schizothorax esocinus inhabiting Dal Lake. Heavy metals (Cd > Ni > Cu > Cr) were found to accumulate in the major immune organs of the fish (head kidney, liver, spleen, thymus) which led to change in the overall physiology. The head kidney, liver, and spleen of a fish contain high amount of these metals. The least accumulation of these metals was found in the blood, whereas Cd and Ni were completely absent in the integument. Hepatic marker enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP)) were normal, while the renal marker enzyme creatine kinase showed marked difference in its value. The cortisol level was normal, while immunoglobulin M showed elevated level representing active immunity. At a cellular level, the histopathology of immune organs showed marked damage. Metallothionein (MT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) genes showed variable expression pattern in the immune organs with the head kidney showing the highest expression of both the genes, and blood showed the least. We observed that the aquatic plants (Nelumbo nucifera and Trapa natans) inhabiting the lake played an important role in phytoremediation. An integrated approach involving biochemical, hematological, genotoxic, and histopathological studies can provide a valuable information to understand fish adaptive patterns and monitor water quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genome sequence and identification of specific genes involved in the targeted secondary metabolite biosynthesis are two essential requirements for the improvement of any medicinal plant. Commiphora wightii (Arnott) Bhandari (family: Burseraceae), a medicinal plant native to Western India, produces a phytosterol guggulsterone, which is useful for treating atherosclerosis, arthritis, high cholesterol, acne, and obesity. For enhanced guggulsterone yield, key genes involved in its biosynthesis pathway need to be predicted, for which the genome sequence of the species is a pre-requisite. Therefore, we assembled the first-ever hybrid draft genome of C. wightii with a genome size of 1.03 Gb and 107,221 contigs using Illumina and PacBio platforms. The N50 and L50 values in this assembled genome were ~74 Kb and 3486 bp, respectively with a guanine–cytosine (GC) content of 35.6% and 98.7%. The Benchmarking Universal Single Copy Ortholog (BUSCO) value indicated good integrity of assembly. Analysis predicted the presence of 31,187 genes and 342.35 Mb repeat elements in the genome. The comparative genome analysis of C. wightii with relevant orthogroups predicted a few key genes associated with phytosterol biosynthesis and secondary metabolism pathways. The assembled draft genome and the predicted genes should help the future variety development program with improved guggulsterone contents in C. wightii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tetranychus gloveri, a recently introduced mite species in Kerala, India has now established in the state as a predominant mite pest on ornamental plants. In this study, the status of acaricide resistance and the activity of detoxification enzymes were investigated in the populations of T. gloveri collected on Adenium plants from six different commercial horticultural nurseries of Thrissur district, Kerala, India. Adulticidal bioassays were performed for fenazaquin and dicofol, while nymphicidal bioassays were conducted for spiromesifen to estimate the LC50. The field populations showed resistance ratios in the range of 1.66–14.38-fold for fenazaquin, 1.06–27.31-fold for spiromesifen and 1.22–3.65-fold for dicofol, compared to the laboratory-maintained reference population. Enzyme assays of detoxifying enzymes revealed enhanced activity of carboxylesterase by 1.03–3.52-fold and cytochrome P450 monooxygenase by 1.01–2.08-fold in the field populations. However, the role of glutathione S-transferase in the development of resistance in different field populations was insignificant. The study recorded the development of resistance in the spider mite, T. gloveri to new generation acaricides spiromesifen and fenazaquin for the first time and also confirmed the significant role of the carboxylesterases and cytochrome P450 monooxygenases in imparting resistance in T. gloveri. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article conducted an advanced and comprehensive scientometric analysis of worldwide trends in decolorizing synthetic dyes by laccase. Articles were collected, analyzed, and classified according to the different substrates, enzymes, supports, immobilization procedures, and reactors involved. These studies were carried out in 200 institutions across 58 countries, with only 10 concentrating 88% of the total publications. China, India, and Turkey were identified as the main contributors to this research theme. Additionally, 26% of the institutions surveyed published only one article in the analyzed period. The results of the presented analysis encompassed data generated from 1999 to 2021, spanning more than two decades of specialized research. A ranking of article publications in scientific journals involving laccase, immobilization, enzymes, and dyes is listed. Also listed are the ranking of the 10 most prolific countries in the area of immobilized enzymes and the 10 most cited articles on the immobilization of enzymes with dyes. This analysis includes information related to the methods of support and costs of manufacture involving enzyme and immobilization routes. Finally, a discussion is presented exploring the fact that innovative technologies have been developed to render enzyme production more sustainable and economically viable. • Laccase for the decolorization of dyes is assessed via the bibliometric method. • China, India, and Turkey are the main contributors to the decolorization of dyes via laccase. • Support and manufacturing costs involving laccase immobilization routes are presented. • Biotechnology and Applied Microbiology were the most common research topic. • A growing application of laccase in the commercial area was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The term 'toddy' represents a group of different varieties of mild-alcoholic palm beverages of coastal and inland India, produced from the fresh saps of various palm trees through uncontrolled natural fermentation. In this study, we analysed the successional changes of microbial abundances and various physico-chemical parameters during natural fermentation (0 h to 48 h) of taal toddy, prepared from Palmyra palm, and khejur toddy, prepared from date palm of West Bengal and Jharkhand in India. Microorganisms from different successional levels were isolated and grouped using repetitive element sequence-based PCR (rep-PCR) technique and identified by the sequencing of 16S rRNA gene and D1-D2 region of 26S rRNA gene for bacteria and yeasts, respectively. Enterococcus faecalis, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei and yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae were identified during natural fermentation of toddy. During the natural fermentation, the average pH and total sugar content in the samples of both taal and khejur toddy decreased, whereas a gradual rise was observed in the contents of acidity, total alcohol, total ester and total protein. Bio-active potential (presence of phenolics and flavonoids) of toddy was also analysed (0 h to 48 h), where contents of total phenolics, flavonoids and resulting anti-oxidant activity were found higher in the end-product than the fresh palm sap, indicating toddy as a functional low-alcoholic drink. Lastly, it can be concluded that the inter-variable dynamics and microbial interrelation, which in turn depend on a number of local factors, regulate the overall fermentation dynamics and determine the product quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Susceptibility to phosphine was compared in 15 populations of lesser grain borer (Rhyzopertha dominica) collected from grain storage godowns across India. A high level of resistance to phosphine was noticed in R. dominica collected from northern India compared to those collected from northeastern regions of India. The median lethal concentration values varied from 0.024 mg/L to 1.991 mg/L, with 1.63 to 82.96-fold resistance compared to laboratory susceptible checks. Antioxidant enzymes have been reported to negate the reactive oxygen species generated upon encountering the fumigant phosphine. Distinct differences in the activity of antioxidant enzymes were noticed in the field populations exposed to phosphine. Peroxidase activity varied between 1.28 and 336.8 nmol H2O2 reduced/min/mg protein. The superoxide dismutase inhibition rate was between 81.29 and 99.66%, and catalase activity varied between 6.28 and 320.13 nmol H2O2 reduced/min/mg protein. The findings of our investigation show that the activities of peroxidase and superoxide dismutase are positively linked (p < 0.01) with an increase in resistance ratios, whereas catalase was found to have a negative association with resistance to phosphine. The reported results elucidate the differential activities of principal antioxidant enzymes in scavenging the oxyradicals (O2•−, H2O2,•OH) associated with tolerance to phosphine in R. dominica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) is an autosomal recessive lysosomal disorder due to the deficiency of arylsulfatase A enzyme. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of all clinically suspected MLD cases and confirmed by genetics, enzyme assay, and/or nerve biopsy between June 2015 and May 2020 at a tertiary care center. The clinical profile, enzyme levels, nerve conduction studies, MRI of the brain, and variants of ARSA gene causing MLD were analyzed. Results: Out of the 19 cases of MLD, four were juvenile, and the rest were late infantile variants. Eleven were male. The mean age of presentation in the late infantile variant was 28.4 months, and that of the juvenile variant was 44.5 months. The clinical features of the late infantile variant were developmental delay (30.75%), neuroregression (100%), spasticity (66.6%), dystonia (66.6%), small head (60%), whereas the juvenile variant presented with gait difficulties and neuroregression in all (100%), and seizures in 3 (75%). MRI of the brain showed bilateral symmetrical confluent white matter T2 hyperintensities with sparing of subcortical-U-fibers in all cases. The tigroid pattern was seen in two cases. Normal enzyme level was seen in one, but this child had a pathogenic variant PSAP gene resulting in saposin B deficiency. The targeted next-generation sequencing was done in 11/19 cases and showed ARSA gene variant in 10 and PSAP gene in one child. Nerve conduction studies were done in 12 children, and all showed features suggestive of demyelinating motor polyneuropathy. Nerve biopsy showed metachromatic granules in four children. Conclusion: MLD can present with a developmental delay with or without regression, with or without seizures, with normal or small head. MRI and nerve conduction studies are helpful in diagnosis. Normal enzymes do not rule out MLD. Nerve biopsy may be useful in non-affordable families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

'Patharnakh' (Pyrus pyrifolia Burm.) (PN), a hard pear and 'Punjab Beauty' (Pyrus communis L. × Pyrus pyrifolia Burm.) (PB), a soft pear are dominant low-chill pear cultivars of subtropics of India. Present investigation reports the changes in sugar metabolism and related enzymatic activities in fruits of 'PN' and 'PB' cultivars harvested at different developmental stages from 45 to 150 days after fruit set. Total soluble sugars, fructose, and sucrose contents were higher in 'PB' as compared to 'PN' during fruit growth and maturation stages. Total phenols and flavanols increased initially and then showed a decreasing trend towards maturity. Sucrose synthase (SS) and sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) activities strongly correlated to sucrose content in 'PN' but SPS was weakly related in 'PB' fruits. Acid and neutral invertases showed a negative correlation with sucrose content in 'PN', and a reverse trend in 'PB' cultivar was observed. It is concluded that SS and SPS are crucial for sucrose accumulation in 'PN', but invertase enzymes are also important for sucrose accumulation in 'PB' fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Activity of defensive enzymes in the leaves of seven chilli germplasm collections of whicch two were resistant and five were moderately resistant to chilli thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood was studied in comparison to susceptible germplasm at Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India. The resistant chilli germplasm viz., BC-7-2-1, BC-25 and moderately resistant chilli germplam viz., BC-27-2-2, BC-21, BC-79-1, Utkal Abha and BC-406 had 5.84-8.23 μM min-1 g-1 peroxidase, 0.1-0.2 μM min-1 g-1 poly phenol oxidase and 7.39-14.16 μM min-1 g-1 catalase in the leaf sample respectively, as against 1.42-4.42 μM min-1 g-1, 0.03-0.08 μM min-1 g-1 and 3.18-6.36 μM min-1 g-1 protein in the leaves of susceptible chilli germplasm(LCA-620, BC-78-1-2 and BC-24-1) and highly susceptible check chilli germplasm (Byadagi kaddi), respectively. A significantly inverse relation existed between the activity of defensive enzymes viz., peroxidase (-0.984**), polyphenol oxidase (-0.965**), catalase (-0.965**) and the incidence of S. dorsalis. The multiple linear regression analysis revealed that all these defensive enzymes together influenced the population of S. dorsalis to an extent of 97.81 per cent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detoxification of insecticides involving major metabolic/detoxifying enzymes and target-site insensitivity is among the two most important mechanisms of biochemical resistance. Variation in the enzymatic activity highlights upon the prevalence of insecticide resistance pattern in different regions. As such, in order to study the insecticide resistance pattern in the lymphatic filariasis vector, Cx. quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae), field populations were collected from four districts of West Bengal, India, and quantitative enzyme activity of three major detoxifying enzymes was assessed. The enzyme activity of field collected populations was higher than that of the laboratory reared susceptible population and also differed among the study sites. Highest esterases activity was recorded in HCP (Harishchandrapur) of Malda district. DLK (Dalkhola) in Uttar Dinajpur district with a value of 3.016 nM mg protein−1 showed highest monooxygenases activity and MEK (Mekhliganj) showed highest GSTs (glutathione-S-transferases) activity (70.20 × 10–4 mM mg protein−1 min−1). This suggests varying insecticide resistance patterns in most of the studied populations. The finding of this study will be helpful in selecting an effective mosquito control strategy in the endemic districts during outbreaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This work aimed at determining the pathogenicity, molecular characterization, host range and rapid detection of Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. brasiliense (Pcb) causing soft rot disease in radish. Methods and Results: The four isolated isolates were inoculated to radish, typical soft rot symptoms were observed and Koch's postulates were proved. The most virulent strain RDKLR was morphologically and biochemically distinct. Pcb showed a positive potato soft rot test and elicited hypersensitivity response on Nicotiana tobaccum. The genes Pel2 and pmrA were used for subspecies characterization of Pcb. It has a wide host range and infection was observed on slices of carrot, tomato, radish, potato, cauliflower, cabbage, chilli, knol‐khol, bell pepper and cucumber. Infectivity was also seen in seedlings under glasshouse conditions. Pcb produced cell wall degrading enzymes in semi‐quantification assay and is a strong biofilm producer. The LAMP technique was standardized to help rapid detection and take prophylactic measures to manage the disease. Conclusion: This work reports Pcb as a new soft rot causing organism of radish in India. Pcb is highly virulent with a broad host range. The LAMP technique helps in rapid detection. Significance and impact of the study: Pcb‐induced soft rot causes significant yield loss, decreased market value, damage in transit, storage and the market. Disease characterization and early identification aid in disease management and prevention in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ganga is the largest river in India, serves as a lifeline for agriculture, drinking water, and religious rites. However, it became highly polluted due to the influx of industrial wastes and untreated sewages, leading to the decline of aquatic biodiversity. This study investigated the microbial diversity and plastic-xenobiotic degrading enzymes of six sediment metagenomes of river Ganga at Prayagraj (RDG, TSG, SDG) and Devprayag (KRG, BNG, BRG). The water quality parameters, higher values of BOD (1.8–3.7 ppm), COD (23–29.2 ppm) and organic carbon (0.18–0.51%) were recorded at Prayagraj. Comparative analysis of microbial community structure between Prayagraj and Devprayag revealed significant differences between Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, which emerging as the predominant bacterial phyla across six sediment samples. Notably, their prevalence was highest in the BRG samples. Furthermore, 25 OTUs at genus level were consistent across all six samples. Alpha diversity exhibited minimal variation among samples, while beta diversity indicated an inverse relationship between species richness and diversity. Co-occurrence network analysis established that genera from the same and different groups of phyla show positive co-relations with each other. Thirteen plastic degrading enzymes, including Laccase, Alkane-1 monooxygenase and Alkane monooxygenase, were identified from six sediment metagenomes of river Ganga, which can degrade non-biodegradable plastic viz. Polyethylene, Polystyrene and Low-density Polyethelene. Further, 18 xenobiotic degradation enzymes were identified for the degradation of Bisphenol, Xylene, Toluene, Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, Styrene, Atrazene and Dioxin etc. This is the first report on the identification of non-biodegradable plastic degrading enzymes from sediment metagenomes of river Ganga, India. The findings of this study would help in pollution abatement and sustainable management of riverine ecosystem. [Display omitted] • Metagenomic study of microbial communities in sediments of river Ganga stretches. • Highest concentrations of Mn, Fe, and Cr were observed in the polluted sites. • Bacteroidota and Chloroflexota were predominant in all sediment samples. • First report reveals the presence of 13 plastic & 18 xenobiotic degradation enzymes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oats are being promoted as health food ingredient for its functional attributes due to high β-glucan content. There is immense scope for utilization of oats, in formulation of high fiber food products that confer health benefits, however its utilization in Indian cuisine is limited. This study aimed to explore the use of oats as a functional ingredient in an Indian traditional food and study its sensory acceptability and starch digestibility profile. The product was formulated by replacing rice with oats at a level of 20% and evaluated for sensory acceptability and starch fractions of nutritional importance through controlled enzymatic digestion involving enzymes such as amyloglucosidase, invertase and pancreatin. In addition, estimation of rapidly available glucose and starch digestibility index was carried out. Sensory analysis revealed that the product was acceptable, with no noticeable differences observed between control pongal (CP) and oats integrated pongal (OP) in terms of color, appearance, texture, aroma, mouthfeel, after taste, and overall acceptability. The addition of oats led to a substantial decrease in total starch and resistant starch content, whereas rapidly digestible starch (RDS), slowly digestible starch (SDS) and rapidly available glucose (RAG) increased significantly. The starch digestibility index of OP was 31, which was significantly greater than the starch digestibility index of CP, which was 16. These findings suggest that incorporation of oats helps in value addition of Pongal in terms of enhanced digestibility with increased soluble dietary fiber content that aids in healthy gut microbiome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In recent years, it has been revealed that potassium delivers drought stress tolerance in many crops. This nutrient is not yet tested for sweetcorn. Therefore, this study investigated the impact of drought and soil applied potassium on water relations, antioxidant enzymes and yield attributes of two sweet corn genotypes in India. Research Method: The factorial experiment was set-up with 5 replications in complete randomized block design. Factor one comprised of two genotypes (Sugar-75 and NSC 901B), factor two had six different water treatments and factor three with two different potassium levels. This investigation was designed with two genotypes of sweet corn to study the interaction between various water deficit conditions and soil applied potassium. Findings: Drought stress significantly decreased the water potential, osmotic potentialand relative water content and caused osmotic stress in sweet corn plants. Antioxidant enzymes activities were found to be upregulated under drought stress while yield attributes were adversely affected by water deficit. Application of potassium increased the adaptation to water deficit stress by positively modulating the tested parameters. Results procured from this study suggested that exogenously applied potassium mitigated the drought mediated constrains on sweet corn and enhanced drought tolerance. Research Limitations: The experiments were carried out in polythene pots to provide a uniform soil condition which was the main limitation when compared to field trials. Originality/value: Results of this experiment revealed that exogenous application of potassium can alleviate the damaging effect of drought stress on sweet corn. However, more research on other crops is needed to ensure its long-term sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Termites are found to digest a wide variety of lignocellulosic biomass including wood with high lignin content by the aid of unique cellulolytic and hemicellulolytic microorganisms. A research gap is realized in works associated with termite gut enzyme activities in India. Therefore, the present work is focused on the comparison of termite gut enzyme activities among epigeous, subterranean, arboreal termites and the physicochemical properties of respective mound soils collected from Sambalpur University Campus, Odisha, India. The mound building termites (subterranean and epigeous) showed significantly more cellulase, xylanase and phosphatase enzyme activities than the arboreal termites. The enzyme activities showed efficient correlation with organic carbon, total nitrogen, available potassium and water holding capacity of respective mound materials. This particular study has provided new information regarding the contribution of three distinct termite species towards soil fertility status. Further, a high quantity of nutrients accumulated in subterranean termite mound soils along with high enzyme activities by subterranean species, O. obesus in the current study, can be considered a hotspot for microbial concentration, which can be exploited for biofuel production, and mound soil as soil amendment, bioremediation and bio-filtration purpose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCL) constitute a group of gray matter neurodegenerative disorders characterized by the accumulation of ceroid lipopigment in lysosomes in neurons and other cell types. There are very few published studies on NCL from India, especially in children. Methods: A retrospective study of confirmed patients of NCL diagnosed over a period of 10 years from January 2019 to December 2019. Results: Fifty children had a definitive diagnosis of NCL based on enzymatic studies or genetic testing using next-generation sequencing. Around 15 children were diagnosed to have CLN-1 (ceroid lipofuscinoses, neuronal-1) based on palmitoyl protein thioesterase-1 deficiency; 24 children were diagnosed with CLN2 (ceroid lipofuscinoses, neuronal-2) based on deficient tripeptidyl-peptidase-1 activity; three patients were diagnosed as CLN6, five patients as CLN7, one case each of CLN8, CLN11, and CLN14 based on genetic testing. Clinical presentation was quite varied and included refractory seizures, developmental delay/regression, and abnormal movements. Visual failure was not common in the present case series. Neuroimaging patterns in different types of NCL were different. All children had a progressive downhill course resulting in death in many over a period of 5--10 years of disease onset. Conclusion: NCL is not uncommon and diagnosis can be suspected based on clinical investigations and neuroimaging findings. Diagnosis can be confirmed by enzymatic assays or genetic testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cockayne syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by biallelic mutations in ERCC6 or ERCC8 genes.Aims: To study the clinical and mutation spectrum of Cockayne syndrome.Setting and Design: Medical Genetics Outpatient Department of Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow. This was a prospective study from 2007 to 2015.Materials and Methods: Clinical details were recorded, and sequencing of ERCC6 and ERCC8 were performed.Results and Conclusions: Of the six families, one family had a homozygous mutation in ERCC8 and the other five families had homozygous mutations in ERCC6. Novel variants in ERCC6 were identified in four families. Phenotypic features may vary from severe to mild, and a strong clinical suspicion is needed for diagnosis during infancy or early childhood. Hence, molecular diagnosis is needed for confirmation of diagnosis in a child with a suspicion of Cockayne syndrome. Prenatal diagnosis can be provided only if molecular diagnosis is established in the proband. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kendu (Diospyros melanoxylon Roxb.), an underutilized seasonal fruit of India, is a rich source of many medicinal and nutritional properties. However, due to lack of proper postharvest practices, the fruit remains unutilized. The present work is aimed at the optimization of enzyme assisted juice extraction process based on selected quality characteristics of the final product. Pectinase enzyme was used to extract the juice. Box-Behnken design in response surface methodology (RSM) was adopted to optimize the three process variables viz. incubation time (30–90 min), incubation temperature (30–45 °C), and enzyme concentration (0.01–0.1%, w/w). Various quality parameters of the product, such as juice yield, clarity, pH, viscosity, titratable acidity, and total soluble solids were characterized, and the process was optimized. An acceptable quality juice was obtained at the optimal conditions of 30 min incubation time, 30 oC incubation temperature, and 0.053%, w/w enzyme concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

WCK 771 (INN: levonadifloxacin) is a novel antibacterial agent belonging to benzoquinolizine subclass of fluoroquinolones which is under clinical development as a parenteral formulation and its prodrug WCK 2349 (INN: alalevonadifloxacin) as an oral option. Both the drugs have been approved recently in India based on phase III trial completed for ABSSSI. In vitro CYP inhibition potential of levonadifloxacin and its sulfate metabolite (WCK 2146) were assessed in this study. The inhibitory effects of levonadifloxacin and its sulfate metabolite were assessed for seven key human liver CYP isoforms 1A2, 2B6, 2C8, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6 and 3A4 using human liver microsome (HLM) employing validated LC-MS/MS method. The results showed that levonadifloxacin and its metabolite did not inhibit enzyme activity of any of the key CYP isoforms (1A2, 2B6, 2C8, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6 and 3A4) even at supra therapeutic concentrations (12–24X, Clinical Cmax: 25–35µg/mL). These in vitro CYP inhibition studies of levonadifloxacin and its sulfate metabolite indicate lack of potential for pharmacokinetic drug interactions of levonadifloxacin when co-administered with drugs which are substrate of these isoforms. Therefore, further clinical studies evaluating CYP mediated drug–drug interactions are not warranted for levonadifloxacin and alalevonadifloxacin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phalaris minor Retz. is a major weed of wheat crop in northern parts of India. Resistance of P minor to clodinafop-propargyl -- an ACCase inhibitor is widespread in northern India. A pot study was conducted to evaluate the effect of clodinafop-propargyl application on membrane leakage, phenols and antioxidant enzymes in two P. minor Retz. populations- one susceptible and other resistant to this herbicide. Clodinafop-propargyl resistant population exhibited no plant mortality at 2X dose of clodinafop but in susceptible population, there was significant reduction in plant density due to X and 2X doses of clodinafop. The membrane leakage increased with increase in clodinafop dose in susceptible and resistant P minor populations. However, resistant P minor population exhibited reduction in membrane leakage 10 days after spray (DAS). The phenol content was significantly higher in the leaves of clodinafop-propargyl susceptible biotype than resistant biotype and herbicide application at various doses caused significant increase in the phenol content in a dose-dependent manner in both the biotypes. At 20 DAS, catalase activity exhibited significant decrease due to X and 2X doses of clodinafop in susceptible population but its activity was at par with control when clodinafop was applied at 0.25X and 0.5X doses. Application of clodinafop at X and 2X doses decreased the catalase activity at 1-7 DAS but no significant differences in activity were observed at 10-20 DAS in case of resistant population. Activities of superoxide dismutase and peroxidase exhibited an increase in susceptible P minor population immediately after herbicide application but were decreased after 7 DAS indicating stress levels exceeded the plant defense limit and ultimately led to plant mortality. In resistant P minor population, there was increase in SOD and POD activity up to 20 DAS indicating its oxidative stress tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial sources are regularly used as reliable biocatalysts sources which are often used in the process and production industry. Demands for such organisms with greater capacity of intended enzyme production are on the rise. Lipase is important enzyme used in the biotechnological process of hydrolysis of fats in almost all the relevant industries We have utilized the local oil-contaminated soil resources to search for efficacious bacterial strains that have excellent lipase activity. We were successful in identifying two such bacterial sources, namely, Bacillus subtilis strain RCPS3 and Bacillus fumarioli strain RCPS4, responsible for lipase production from oil effluent contaminated soil of Telangana. This is the first report of these two strains from this part of India that are involved in lipase production. The strains were isolated, optimized, and purified using standard microbiology protocols and were characterized at the molecular level using the biomarker 16s ribosomal RNA genes of the strains. The identified and isolated bacterial strains were confirmed as Bacillus subtilis strain RCPS3, and Bacillus fumarioli strain RCPS4 through molecular and computational characterization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.) is a good source of bromelain (B) and also contain peroxidase. The objective of this study is isoaltion of bromelain plus peroxidase (BP) from the pineapple fruit to evaluate the anticancer activity of BP from the pineapple fruit of Tripura, compared to commercial bromelain against ascitic Dalton's lymphoma cells (DLA) in mice. Methods: By acetone precipitation BP was isolated from the pineapple. Animals bearing DLA, receive B and BP orally for 15 alternative days. Apoptotic proteins are assayed using western blot. Results: BP treated mice showed recover of hemoglobin and WBC count compared to control lymphoma animal. The animal showed significant reduction of body weight due to reduced tunor load and elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, elevated levels of vitamin C and vitamin E and other antioxidants in blood after BP treatment. Histology of liver and kidney also shows restored architecture in BP treated animal compared to only B treated group. BP treatment upregulates the cytochrome C, BAD, and BAX protein and downregulates the Bcl-2 and NF-kβ occuring upon BP treatment in the DLA cells collected from lymphoma animal. This induce the apoptosis of DLA cells in lymphoma animal and reduce the tumor load. Conclusion: The present findings suggest that BP from pineapple improves the survival of the induced lymphoma animal compared to only B which may be used as therapeutic target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:Pancratium L. (Amaryllidaceae J.St. Hil.) is a monocot genus with bulbous habitat and about 20 species worldwide have significant medicinal properties. The present envision aims to investigate the potential ability of Pancratium species for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition as a remedy for Alzheimer disease (AD). Different Pancratium species were screened for the inhibition of AChE enzyme from various localities across India. Prominent species was further studied for anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, metal chelating and UHPLC-QTOF-MS analysis.Methods: Nine different species collected across India were examined for AChE inhibition and for binding affinity studies using Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR). Highest inhibition species was subjected to Response Surface Methodology (RSM) to accomplish the effective conditions for maximum extraction of phytomolecules in accordance with the inhibition of the AChE. Further, extract under optimized conditions were used to study anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, metal chelating and UHPLC-QTOF-MS analysis for tentative identification of phytomolecules.Results: Amongst different species collected, P. parvum Dalzell exhibited maximum inhibition 93.30 ± 1.71% with promising IC50 20 ± 0.22 µg/ml value. In addition, binding affinity toward AChE and β plaques using SPR technique showed a higher binding response toward the enzyme. RSM study resulted that water extracts at 50 °C and 5.46 hours heating executed maximum inhibition. Other studies showed prominent anti-inflammatory and metal chelating ability with low antioxidant property.Conclusion: By using UHPLC-QTOF-MS compounds were tentatively identified for the concerned activities mentioned above. This work reports for accounting the detailed study of P. parvum and which can be further entailed for the treatment of various neurological disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial communities provide useful information about any chemical and physical changes in the environment and play an essential role in maintaining soil fertility. Biolog® eco-plates method was used to study the functional diversity of microbial communities, and their correlation with soil organic carbon (OC), microbial biomass and activities, under three different soil conditions of Sukinda chromite mining area of Odisha, India during August 2016. The OC, available nitrogen, available phosphorus and available potash were significantly (p < 0.05) lower in in situ and overburden soils as compared to forest soil. The average development rate of average well color development values decreased with incubation time in all soil conditions. The utilization of six categories of carbon sources by soil microbes decreased with the increase in chromium load and biplot analysis suggested that carbohydrate, polymer and amino acid utilizing microbes were dominant in mining soils. The ecotoxicological status of chromite mine soil would be useful for formulating strategies of possible bioremediation program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents the exploration of laccase-like enzyme produced by thermophilic bacterial strains present in the Tattapani hotspring located in Chhattisgarh, India. Two bacterial isolates namely TPNR1 and TPNR6 were found to be positive for laccase-like enzyme production on screening with guaiacol as a substrate. The biochemical and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that the isolates have similarity with Bacillus licheniformis strains and, thus, named as B. licheniformis TPNR1 and B. licheniformis TPNR6. The activity of crude enzymes was estimated using 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) as a substrate and measured as 3.1 U/mL and 7.1 U/mL for TPNR1 and TPNR6, respectively. The SDS-PAGE of purified enzymes showed that the enzymes are monomers with molecular weight of 44 (TPNR1) and 38 (TPNR6) kDa. The native-PAGE technique followed by activity staining using ABTS confirms the presence of purified active enzyme with laccase-like activity in both cases. Kinetic studies displayed that catalytic efficiency of the enzymes was higher for the substrate ABTS than 2,6-dimethoxyphenol for both enzymes. The maximum enzyme activity was observed at 50°C for both enzymes while the optimal pH for TPNR1 and TPNR6 was 5.0 and 6.0, respectively. The TPNR1 exhibited half-life of 4 h at 70°C and was stable at 60°C for 180 min with a residual activity of 79%. Similarly, the TPNR6 possessed half-life of 3.1 h at 70°C and retained 88% of its activity at 60°C for 180 min. In addition, the catalytic efficiency of the enzymes was tested by decolourization of toxic dyes which showed that the both enzymes are highly potential to degrade them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yamuna river is one of the most important rivers of India and is highly polluted. The river water and the adjacent soil are contaminated with various pollutants including heavy metals. Soil enzymes play important role in various bio-geochemical cycles and help in maintaining nutrient availability of soil. They are very sensitive toward changing environment and therefore act as a key indicator of soil health. In the present study, effects of seasonal variations and heavy metals contamination in Yamuna river water were observed on physicochemical properties and enzyme activities of soil. Soil samples were collected from ten different locations, along the course of the Yamuna river in Delhi–NCR, in three different seasons, i.e., summer, rainy and winter. These sampling sites were divided into three segments, up, middle and lower streams. The concentrations of heavy metals were found to be higher than their safe limit at all the ten sampling points. The total organic carbon content and soil respiration was significantly higher in lower stream. Dehydrogenase enzyme activity was higher in winter season, while urease and arginine deaminase enzyme activity was higher in summer season. Dehydrogenase, arginine deaminase and nitrate reductase enzyme activities were higher in lower streams, while urease enzyme shows maximum activity in the up stream. Thus, we conclude that the continuous application of Yamuna water for irrigation may degrade the soil quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chlorpyrifos is a widely used organosphosphate insecticide in India. Residue of the insecticide is frequently detected in trace to moderate concentration in food grains and in surface water of different freshwater ecosystems of the country. In this study, 96 h LC50 of the technical grade (94% a.i.) and commercial formulation (20% EC) of chlorpyrifos to freshwater fish Oreochromis niloticus were determined as 90.0 and 42.0 µg/L based on 2 h actual concentration of chlorpyrifos in water. About 96 h exposure to sublethal concentrations (0, 12.0 and 25.0 μg/L) of the commercial formulation (20% EC) of chlorpyrifos reduced the level of hepatic glycogen, activities of alkaline phosphatase, acetylcholinesterase, and catalase in liver and elevated the level of plasma glucose and activities of hepatic acid phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase in O. niloticus. About 28-day exposure to these sub-lethal concentrations caused anemia in fish, while 90 days exposure reduced growth of the fish and carcass concentration of crude protein and crude lipid as compared to control. It was concluded from this study that commercial formulation of chlorpyrifos (20% EC) was highly toxic to O. niloticus. Exposure to sub-lethal concentrations of the insecticide could induce oxidative stress and anemia resulting in reduced growth of the fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mutations in PRKN (PARK2) are commonly encountered in early-onset Parkinson disease (PD).Objectives: To screen for PRKN mutations in a clinically well-characterized cohort of early-onset PD patients with a family history (FEOPD; ≤50 years at onset) or sporadic (SEOPD; ≤50 years at onset) and late-onset familial patients (FLOPD; >50 years at onset).Methods: A total of 97 patients including 52 SEOPD and 45 familial PD (FEOPD: 23; FLOPD: 22) were screened for variants in PRKN by PCR- Sanger sequencing. PRKN dosage and variants in known PD genes were screened by qPCR and whole-exome sequencing in a subset of samples.Results: A total of 25 (25.77%) patients (SEOPD: 12, FEOPD: 6, and FLOPD: 7) were positive for PRKN variants. Of these, two patients manifested homozygous variants; while one patient was carrying three PRKN variants and two patients were carrying two PRKN variants. But, we could not examine their parents or relatives and their genotypes remain unknown. The remaining 20 (80%) patients were carrying heterozygous variants only. 32% of these variants were in exon 2, including a novel truncating homozygous variant (c.97C > T:p.Arg33Ter) in a SEOPD patient.Conclusion: In our cohort, a novel homozygous variant (c.97C > T:p.Arg33Ter) in a patient with hyperhidrosis expands the spectrum of PRKN associated mutations. Furthermore, ~80% of the PRKN variants being heterozygous in this study cohort, implies the utility of the cohort for identification of additional novel/known causative PD gene(s). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine actinobacteria are less explored than their terrestrial counterparts as potential source of natural products. The present study was aimed to elucidate the bioactive potential of metabolites produced by marine-derived actinobacterial strain Streptomyces sp.SCA29 isolated from Havelock Island, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. The potential isolate SCA29 was identified as Streptomyces sp. by phenotypic, genotypic (16S-rRNA) and phylogenetic analyses. The crude bioactive compound was extracted using organic solvents. The compounds were subjected to separation and purification by column chromatography which yielded six fractions. Each fraction was assayed for inhibition of α-glucosidase and α-amylase enzymes, antagonistic activity against bacterial pathogens, and cytotoxic activity against various cell lines. The fraction F3c was considered to be highly active owing to its significant inhibition potential against α-glucosidase and α-amylase enzymes with IC50 values as 44.26 and 53.19 µg/mL, respectively. The active fraction showed antibacterial activity against test bacterial pathogens with the MIC value ranged from 3.90 to 31.25 µg/mL. The compound also exhibited concentration-dependent cytotoxicity on various cell lines without significant effect against human normal cells. The bioassay-guided fractionation of extract led to the identification of 4-methoxyacetanilide, an acetamide derivative. The structure of the bioactive compound was confirmed by HR-MS, NMR (1H and 13C) and FT-IR spectra, and by comparison with literature data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A feeding trial was conducted to study the effect of dietary protein (DP) levels on the enzyme activities of different stocks of Macrobrachium rosenbergii juveniles, fed two diets prawn type diets either at optimum (ODP, 32%) or sub‐optimum (SDP, 27%) dietary protein. The activity of key enzymes: glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, amino acid catabolism, pentose phosphate pathway, and energy metabolism was examined on different stocks of M. rosenbergii juveniles in various tissues (muscle, hepatopancreas, and gill). Wild juveniles of M. rosenbergii were collected from the west coast of India, Gujarat (G), Maharashtra (M) and from the east coast of India, Andhra Pradesh (A), and raised in culture ponds of 200 m2 at 1 juvenile m‐2. The experiment was conducted for a period of 60 days. A Visible Implant Elastomer (VIE) Tag was injected into different prawn juveniles' stocks A, (3.06–3.10 g), M, (0.80–1.01 g) and G (0.90–1.06 g) for the individual identification of each class. All the animals were acclimatized for 7 days before being released into the pond. Each of the two diets, the first with 27% SDP, termed the sub‐optimum level (S), and the second 32% DP, termed the optimum level (O), was fed in triplicate ponds. The weight gain of stocked prawn was significantly higher for G stock (3.03 ± 0.18 g) compared to M stock (2.53 ± 0.25 g) and A stock (1.33 ± 0.10 g). In addition weight gain in ODP was significantly higher (3.05 ± 0.22 g) compared to SDP (2.11 ± 0.17 g). Furthermore, both protein level and stock type had a significant (p ≤ 0.05) effect on the survival rate, specific growth rate, and feed conversion ratio of the prawn. A significant interaction was recorded between metabolic enzyme activities and the variation of dietary protein levels and differences in M. rosenbergii stocks, in which stock "G" and "M" exhibited healthier enzyme physiological status than stock "A". The findings presented here may conclude that the enzymes quickly respond to dietary protein manipulations of cultured shrimp. The results can be useful in identifying the optimum stock (genotypes) in a given culture condition and subsequently higher production may be achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Culex quinquefasciatus is a vector of lymphatic filariasis and vector control strategies normally involve the use of synthetic insecticides targeted against them. Extensive and uncontrolled use of these synthetic insecticides has led to the development of insecticide resistance in the mosquito vectors. In this context, to study the resistance status of Cx. quinquefasciatus, field populations were collected from three districts of Northern part of West Bengal and tested against insecticides (5% malathion, 0.05% deltamethrin, 0.05% lambdacyhalothrin,0.75% permethrin, 0.1% propoxur, 4% DDT and Temephos). Qualitative and quantitative enzyme assay was also conducted in order to find the role of detoxifying enzymes behind the development of insecticide resistance. This study revealed the presence of widespread resistance amongst the field populations of Cx. quinquefasciatus throughout the studied regions. Moreover, the result of native PAGE and biochemical enzyme assay may be linked to some extent in the involvement of the detoxifying enzymes in conferring resistance against insecticides in most of the tested Cx. quinquefasciatus populations. The present study involving the survey of resistance status may be of immense help during the implementation of vector control strategies throughout this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this study was to investigate the involvement of a tropical Indian estuary in the emergence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs)-harboring hypervirulent E. coli of global significance. A total of 300 E. coli isolates was tested for antibiotic susceptibility to β-lactams, aminoglycosides, chloramphenicol, quinolones, sulphonamides, tetracyclines, and trimethoprim. The E. coli isolates were screened for the presence of antibiotic resistance genes (blaTEM, blaCTX-M, tetA, tetB, sul1, sul2, strA, aphA2, catI, dhfr1, and dhfr7), integrase (int1, int2, and int3), Shiga toxin genes (stx1 and stx2) and extraintestinal virulence genes (papAH, papC, sfa/focDE, kpsMT II, and iutA). The highest prevalence of antibiotic resistance was observed for ampicillin, followed by tetracycline, and nalidixic acid. Among E. coli isolates, 64% were resistant to at least one of the 15 antibiotics tested, and approximately 40% were multiple antibiotic-resistant (MAR). More than 40% (n = 122) of E. coli isolates had ARGs. Integrase 1 (int1) was found in 7.6% of E. coli isolates. Among E. coli isolates, 16.3% (n = 49) were extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC), and approximately 34.6% (n = 17) of ExPEC had ARGs. A hypervirulent ARGs-harboring STEC was isolated. The prevalence of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) was low (n = 1). The prevalence of ARGs-harboring pathogenic E. coli isolates was higher in stations close to the City (urban area), than that of other stations. ERIC-PCR (enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus sequence polymerase chain reaction) analysis revealed a high degree of genetic diversity among the ARGs-harboring E. coli isolates. The results demonstrate a high prevalence of ARGs-harboring E. coli in estuarine water and confirm the need for a better wastewater treatment facility and proper control measures to reduce the discharge of sewage and wastewater into the aquatic environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacillus species have been identified as effective bioagents and plant growth boosters in rice. Currently, there is limited research on the effectiveness of Bacillus strains in managing the sheath rot disease of rice caused by Sarocladium oryzae , a significant threat to rice-cultivating areas in India. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Bacillus spp. to control the sheath rot disease and promote growth in rice plants. We investigated the in vitro antagonistic activity and growth-promoting potential of eighty-four Bacillus spp. against S. oryzae. Ten efficient strains were carefully selected and analyzed at the molecular level based on their capacity for antagonism and growth promotion. A PCR study of the potential strains has revealed the presence of lipopeptide genes that produce bacilysin, bacillomycin, iturin, surfactin, subtilin, subtilosin and fengycin. Among the strains, RBS-57 had the highest mycelial growth inhibition (74.44 %) of the pathogen as well as the highest number of antibiotic genes (6). The efficacy of talc and liquid formulations of Bacillus strains BS-5, RBS-57, and RBS-3 was further tested against sheath rot disease. Results indicated that a combined application of seed treatment + seedling dip + foliar spray of RBS-57 liquid formulation under pot culture conditions, showed a considerable reduction in the incidence of sheath rot disease, followed by BS-5 and RBS-3. Similarly, a significant increase in the plant growth attributes and yield was observed with RBS-57, when compared to the other treatments. Enzymatic activities such as PO, PPO, PAL, CAT and SOD were induced in the rice sheath by B. cereus (RBS-57) treatment. Real-time expression analysis was performed to validate the fold changes in defense enzymes and reactive oxygen species. The effectiveness of RBS-57 liquid formulation in reducing disease incidence was demonstrated when applied as a combination of seed treatment @ 10 ml/l + seedling dip @ 10 ml/l + foliar spray @ 10 ml/l. Moreover, higher defense enzyme activities, maximum plant growth promotion and higher yield were reported with RBS-57 treatment. This study has the potential to be exploited to manage sheath rot disease in an eco-friendly and sustainable manner. • We evaluated the efficacy of Bacillus spp. against Sarocladium oryzae in vitro. • Bacillus strains RBS-57, BS-5, and RBS-3 increased the rice growth in vitro. • We evaluated the presence of antibiotic biosynthetic genes using gene specific primers. • The liquid RBS-57 formulation effectively reduced sheath rot disease in rice. • We investigated the defense enzymatic activities in host-pathogen-bioagent interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil microbial activity (SMA) is vital concerning carbon cycling, and its functioning is recognized as the primary factor in modifying soil carbon storage potential. The composition of the microbial community (MC) is significant in sustaining environmental services because the structure and activity of MC also influence nutrient turnover, distribution, and the breakdown rate of soil organic matter. SMA is an essential predictor of soil quality alterations, and microbiome responsiveness is imperative in addressing the escalating sustainability concerns in the Himalayan ecosystem. This study was conducted to evaluate the response of soil microbial and enzyme activities to land conversions in the Northwestern Himalayas (NWH), India. Soil samples were collected from five land use systems (LUSs), including forest, pasture, apple, saffron, and paddy-oilseed, up to a depth of 90 cm. The results revealed a significant difference ( p < 0.05) in terms of dehydrogenase (9.97-11.83 TPF µg g -1 day -1 ), acid phosphatase (22.40-48.43 µg P-NP g -1 h -1 ), alkaline phosphatase (43.50-61.35 µg P-NP g -1 h -1 ), arylsulphatase (36.33-48.12 µg P-NP g -1 h -1 ), fluorescein diacetate hydrolase (12.18-21.59 µg g -1 h -1 ), bacterial count (67.67-123.33 CFU × 10 6 g -1 ), fungal count (19.33-67.00 CFU × 10 5 g -1 ), and actinomycetes count (12.00-42.33 CFU × 10 4 g -1 ), with the highest and lowest levels in forest soils and paddy-oilseed soils, respectively. Soil enzyme activities and microbial counts followed a pattern: forest > pasture > apple > saffron > paddy-oilseed at all three depths. Paddy-oilseed soils exhibited up to 35% lower enzyme activities than forest soils, implying that land conversion facilitates the depletion of microbiome diversity from surface soils. Additionally, reductions of 49.80% and 62.91% were observed in enzyme activity and microbial counts, respectively, with soil depth (from 0-30 to 60-90 cm). Moreover, the relationship analysis (principal component analysis and correlation) revealed a high and significant ( p = 0.05) association between soil microbial and enzyme activities and physicochemical attributes. These results suggest that land conversions need to be restricted to prevent microbiome depletion, reduce the deterioration of natural resources, and ensure the sustainability of soil health., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (© 2023 Mir et al.)

Genetic polymorphism in xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes (XMEs) is associated with various malignancies. However, the association of esophageal cancer with XMEs is mixed. The current study was aimed to explore the association of genetic polymorphisms of cytochrome(CYP) 2C19andCYP2D6genotypes with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) risk in Kashmir, India. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and sequencing methods were used for genotyping of 492 ESCC cases and equal number of individually matched controls. Conditional logistic regression models were used to assess odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals. Increased ESCC risk was observed in subjects with variant genotypes ofCYP2C19(OR = 3.3) orCYP2D6(OR = 2.1) and risk was higher (OR = 4.6) in subjects who harbored both the genotypes. Almost same but higher risk turned when subjects were smokers and carried a variant genotype ofCYP2C19(OR = 4.4) orCYP2D6(OR = 4.7). Risk was appreciably increased in subjects who had family history of any cancer and also harbored a variant genotype of eitherCYP2C19(OR = 15.5) orCYP2D6(OR = 9.7). Subjects harboring a variant genotype ofCYP2D6showed an added risk when they used biomass as fuel (OR = 4.6). In conclusion, variant genotypes ofCYP2C19andCYP2D6are associated with an increased risk of ESCC. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Ethnopharmacological relevance Chronic arsenic poisoning due to contaminated subsoil water is a threat to society in West Bengal, India and in Bangladesh. The human being may also be affected by the exposed cattle from the affected area by consuming milk, egg, meat and others. In Ayurveda, several herbs like Haridra (turmeric), Shunthi (dried ginger root) and others are used for the management of arsenic poisoning. Aim of the study The study was conducted to find out the ameliorative effect of turmeric and ginger powder against experimentally induced arsenic toxicity in calves. Materials and methods Twenty four calves were divided into four groups (group I, II, III and IV) having six animals in each group. Animals of group I, II and III were orally administered with sodium arsenite at 1 mg/kg body weight for 90 days and in addition group II and group III animals were treated orally with turmeric and ginger powder respectively at 10 mg/kg body weight from 46th day onwards. Group IV animals were given food and water without drug and served as control. Arsenic content was estimated in faeces, hair, urine and plasma in every 15 days. Bio-chemical, haematological and anti-oxidant parameters were also assessed. Results Turmeric and ginger powder significantly (P<0.05) reduced the plasma and hair arsenic levels through increased excretion via faeces and urine. Haemoglobin level, TEC and TLC were decreased in groups I, II and III, however these were improved significantly (P<0.05) from 75th day onwards in turmeric and ginger treated groups. Increased activity of AST and ALT were significantly decreased (P<0.05) from 75th day onwards in group II and III. Blood urea nitrogen and plasma creatinine were also significantly decreased (P<0.05) in group II and III than group I from 60th day onwards. The SOD and catalase activity were significantly (P<0.05) reduced in groups I, II and III, but these were restored at the end of the experiment in turmeric and ginger treated groups. Conclusion The test drugs are found significantly effective not only to eliminate arsenic from the body but also give protection from possible damage caused by arsenic exposure, it may be concluded from the present study that turmeric and ginger can be helpful in the therapy of chronic arsenic toxicity in calves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]