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The drawbacks inherent to traditional antibacterial therapies, coupled with the escalating prevalence of multi-drug resistant (MDR) microorganisms, have prompted the imperative need for novel antibacterial strategies. Accordingly, the emerging field of piezocatalysis in semiconductors harnesses mechanical stress to drive chemical reactions by utilizing piezo-generated free charge carriers, presenting a promising technology. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to provide a comprehensive overview of the eradication of pathogenic S. aureus bacteria using few-layer black phosphorus (SCBP) piezo catalyst under mechanical stimuli, along with the exploration of temperature dependent dielectric properties. The synthesis of the piezo catalysts involved a one-step cost-effective sonochemical method, and its structural, morphological, elemental, optical, and overall polarization properties were thoroughly characterized and compared with the traditional method-derived product (TABP). The synthesis-introduced defects, reduced crystalline diameters, modified bandgap (1.76 eV), nanoparticle aggregation, photoluminescence quenching, along with interfacial polarization, synergistically contribute to SCBP's exceptional dielectric response (4.596 × 107 @40 Hz), which in turn enhanced the piezocatalytic activity. When subjected to soft ultrasound stimulation at 15 kHz, the piezo catalyst SCBP demonstrated significant ROS-mediated antibacterial activity, resulting in a ∼94.7% mortality rate within 40 minutes. The impact of this study extends to cost-effective energy storage devices and advances in antibacterial therapy, opening new dimensions in both fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-term exposure to nicotine severely affects the immune system. Nicotine-addicted women suffer more to diseases because of their history to several disorders or susceptibility to nicotine-related morbidity and mortality. The beneficial uses of nano-curcumin in nicotine-addicted women are still unknown, possibly due to its poor pharmacokinetics and limited bioavailability. Nanocurcumin is administered to study the immune-protective effects in nicotine exposed female rats. Female albino rats of Wistar strain (Rattus norvegicus) are nicotine injected (2.5 mg/kg bodyweights s.c., daily) for 21 days. Three hours later nanocurcumin is administered by oral gavages (4 mg/kg bodyweights/day). The dose and period of nanocurcumin is adopted from our earlier publications elsewhere. Animals are eradicated after the treatment period and immune-related cytokines, apoptotic markers, sex hormones and other parameters are measured from individual serum. Molecular docking, as well as, in vitro interactions of nanocurcumin with nicotine and some specific cellular proteins are measured for understanding the mechanism of action of nanocurcumin. Nanocurcumin reduced protein oxidation, augmented the immune system by regulating the expression of immunity-related cytokines and apoptotic markers. It helps maintaining the healthy levels of sex hormones and protein content of cells under nicotine-stressed condition. Molecular docking and in vitro interactions reveal that nanocurcumin possesses higher binding ability to nicotine and several cellular proteins. Cytokines, apoptotic markers and steroidogenic hormones are severely affected by nicotine exposure. Bio-soluble nanocurcumin acts as significant immune-modulator, which offers better protection than curcumin to female rats from nicotine-induced complications. Heightened therapeutic effects of nanocurcumin are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amid rising water contamination from industrial sources, tackling toxic dyes and pathogens is critical. Photocatalysis offers a cost-effective and eco-friendly solution to this pressing challenges. Herein, we synthesized Te4+ and Er3+ doped ZrO 2 photocatalysts through hydrothermal method and investigated their efficacy in degrading Congo red (CR) and pathogens under visible light. XRD and Raman Spectroscopy confirm monoclinic and tetragonal mixed-phases without any impurities. Doping-induced defects, reduced crystalline diameter, high surface area, modified bandgap (2.95 eV), photoluminescence quenching, coupled with interfacial polarization, contribute to EZO's excellent dielectric response (1.149 × 106), for achieving remarkable photocatalytic activity, verified by photoelectrochemical measurements, LC-MS and phytotoxicity analysis. Under optimal conditions, EZO achieves 99% CR degradation within 100 min (TOC 79.9%), surpassing ZO (77%) and TZO (84%). Catalyst dosages, dye concentrations, and solution pH effect on EZO's photocatalytic performance are systematically assessed. Scavenging experiment emphasized the pivotal role of · OH in CR degradation with 96.4% efficiency after 4 cycles, affirming its remarkable stability. Moreover, EZO demonstrates ROS-mediated antibacterial activity against E. faecalis and E. coli bacteria under visible light, achieving >97% and >94% inhibition rate with an inhibition zone > 3 mm. Hence, the nanoparticle's dual action offers a practical solution for treating contaminated wastewater, ensuring safe irrigation. This work demonstrates the successful synthesis and physicochemical properties analysis of doped ZrO 2 nanoparticles and their potential applications in visible light driven photocatalytic azo dye degradation and pathogenic bacterial eradication. [Display omitted] • Te4+ and Er3+ doped ZrO 2 photocatalyst is prepared via hydrothermal method. • Bandgap, defect states and dielectric properties are modulated with particle size. • EZO exhibits 99% CR degradation within 100 min under visible light. • EZO shows potent photo-antibacterial activity (>94%) with > 3 nm inhibition zone. • First report on temperature dependent dielectric properties and a.c. conductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unavoidable cracks cause a significant reduction in the strength and longevity of concrete. Water and several harmful ions seep through the cracks, initiate corrosion of the reinforcement, and affect the self-life of concrete. Self-repaired concrete will stand for a longer period and thus is gaining interest for constructions purposes. This work was an attempt to design a microbial protein (∼28 kDa) that incorporated self-healing cementitious material for future construction needs. The protein was isolated from an alkaliphilic hot spring bacterium (BKH4) of Bakreshwar, West Bengal, India. The prepared control and protein-amended cementitious mortar samples were subjected to simulate cracks and cured under water for several days. Images and microstructures of the control and protein-incorporated samples were analyzed, which established that there was a tiny fingers-like crystalline substance developed on the cracked surfaces. The developed substance was identified as a silicate phase (Gehlenite) by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopic analysis. The microbial protein enhanced the mechanical strengths and durability of the protein-incorporated samples that were supported by the increments of ultrasonic pulse velocity, compressive strength, and sulfate resistance as well as reduction of water permeability and slow water movement (sorptivity test) of the experimental samples. This self-healing phenomenon is eco-efficient and developed due to the bio-silicification action of the microbial protein that was incorporated in mortar samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The self-bioremediation in cementitious composite material is one of the most interesting avenues relating to damage management and self-life of constructions, which needs to be cogitated. The self-bioremediation of a microbial protein-impregnated cementitious material has been explored in this work. The bioremediase protein was isolated from a hot spring bacterium (BKH1) and incorporated at three different concentrations into commercial Pozzolana cements that are widely used for mortar sample preparation. Artificial cracks were generated within the mortar samples by applying partial breaking load (50 %) and the samples were cured under water for different days. Image analysis by Crackscope and microstructure analysis by field emission scanning electron microscope ascertained the formation of irregular crystalline healing material within the cracks of the test samples. X-ray diffractometer and energy dispersive spectra analyses confirmed that the irregular crystalline structures were due to the deposition of new silicate phase (Gehlenite) within the cracks. Increase of ultrasonic pulse velocity and compressive strength, augmentation of sulphate resistance, decrease of chloride permeability and water absorption capacity revealed that there were overall improvement of mechanical properties and durability of the protein-incorporated mortar samples compared to the control (without protein incorporation) mortar samples. This cost effective and eco-friendly self-bioremediation phenomenon observed in mortar is evolved due to the biosilicification activity of bioremediase protein when amended in mortar samples. The exceptional potential of the microbial bioremediase protein for self-bioremediation attribute may add a new dimension in self-healing construction technology in near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Nicotine causes oxidative and genotoxic damages in the tissues leading to several diseases. Any strategy through natural diet that prevents or slows the progression and severity of nicotine toxicity has a significant health impact. This work is designed to investigate natural antioxidants that play effective protective role against nicotine-induced toxicity. Experiments were conducted on male albino rats by injecting nicotine tartrate (3.5mg/kg body wt./day for 15days) subcutaneously and thereby supplementing sesame lignans (0.1g/100g diet and 0.2g/100g diet) orally to them. Significant (P <0.01) increase of total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol, VLDL-cholesterol, decrease of HDL-cholesterol, decrease in antioxidant enzymes and increase in concentration of lipid peroxidative product has been observed in plasma due to nicotine toxicity. Significant (P <0.01) decrease of total DNA contents and highly significant (P <0.001) DNA damage of liver tissue is also observed on nicotine treatment. Sesame lignans minimizes the above mentioned effects. The nicotine-induced oxidative and genotoxic damages on the tissues can be effectively attenuated by sesame lignans supplemented diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ayurveda classifies human populations into three predominant groups as Vata, Pitta, and Kapha based on their "Prakriti'. Any disturbance in the equilibrium of Prakriti can cause various diseases. Objectives: The aim of the study was to link genotoxic variation among the three Prakriti having type 2 diabetes. Design: Type 2 diabetic patients and healthy individuals belonging to three predominant Prakriti were selected through the Prakriti Questionnaire screening as per the guidelines of the CSIR-TRISUTRA unit modified for type 2 diabetes disease. Settings/Location: Sixty individuals from three predominant Prakriti, each consisting of 10 diabetic patients and 10 healthy individuals, were chosen. Subjects: Clinically diagnosed outdoor patients of JBRMCH suffering from type 2 diabetes for 5 years (fasting blood glucose >140 mg/dL; HbA1C > 7.0) and healthy individuals were the subjects for study. Inclusion Criteria: Age limit: 30–70 years, Sex: Both, Habitant: Participants residing in West Bengal for the last five generations, Religion: Unspecified, Social entity: Both urban and rural, Education: High school to college, Economic status: Lower middle to middle classes. Exclusion Criteria: Participants were nonsmokers and nonalcoholics. An individual having a medical history of long-term illness or dwandaja Prakriti type was excluded here. Outcome Measures: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, blood DNA content, DNA damage, apoptosis of blood cells, and interaction of DNA with various carcinogens were observed. Results: The yield of ROS and total cell damage were significantly higher in the diabetic Vata (p < 0.001) group compared with other Prakriti Decreased DNA content and increased DNA damage were observed in type 2 diabetic patients who belonged to Vata (p < 0.01) Prakriti. DNA of Vata Prakriti was more prone to lead and arsenic. Conclusions: The diabetic Vata Prakriti is a genetically susceptible group as it has a tendency to get affected by increased DNA damage, which could help in creating personalized management of diabetes among individual Prakriti. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Diabetes mellitus occurs due to either deficiency of insulin or resistance to insulin. Synthetic drugs and insulin therapy against diabetes possess numerous drawbacks. Diabetic people are advised to choose low-glycemic food and herbal products to control diabetes. This study aims to examine the synergistic effects of aqueous root Salep ofGymnadenia orchidis Lindl and pumpkin seed powder on Streptozotocin induced diabetic mice.Methods: Out of 6 groups, animals in 2 groups were kept as control and rest 4 groups were made diabetic by Streptozotocin. Animals in one diabetic group were supplemented with effective dose (200 mg/kg of body weight) of root Salep, one with pumpkin seed powder (5%) mixed food, and another with Salep and pumpkin seed food. Changes in various biochemical parameters, DNA damage and liver and kidney structures were noted after 21 days treatment.Results: Salep with pumpkin seed supplementation significantly normalized the alterations of different biochemical parameters of diabetic mice. The DNA damage in blood cells of diabetic mice was recovered by this supplementation. Terpenoids of root Salep and anti-oxidants of pumpkin seed may play the active role against diabetes.Conclusion: The root Salep and pumpkin seed synergistically prevent diabetic complications and could be better supplementation against type-2 diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Curcumin, a nontoxic bioactive agent of turmeric significantly reduces nicotine-induced toxicity both at cellular and genetic levels. The clinical implication of native curcumin is hindered in the target cells due to its low aqueous solubility, poor bioavailability and poor pharmacokinetics. The problem was tried to overcome by preparing nanocurcumin with a view to improve its aqueous solubility and better therapeutic efficacy against nicotine-induced toxicity. The prepared nanocurcumin was characterized by Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy; Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM); X-ray diffraction (XRD); and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Female albino rats of Wistar strain were daily exposed to effective dose of nicotine (2.5 mg/kg, injected subcutaneously) and supplemented with effective dose of curcumin (80 mg/kg body weight orally) or nanocurcumin (4 mg/kg body weight orally) for 21 days. The preventive efficacies of curcumin and nanocurcumin were evaluated against the changes in liver function enzymes, kidney function parameters, lipid profiles, lipid-peroxidation, anti-oxidant status, and tissues damages etc. Results revealed that nanocurcumin more effectively ameliorated the nicotine-induced toxicities at much lower concentration due to its higher aqueous solubility and more bioavailability. The nanocurcumin can be used as a potential therapeutic agent for better efficacy against nicotineinduced toxicities than native curcumin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A unique protein, bioremediase (UniProt Knowledgebase Accession No.: P86277), isolated from a hot spring bacterium BKH1 (GenBank Accession No.: FJ177512), has shown to exhibit silica leaching activity when incorporated to prepare bio-concrete material. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry analysis suggests that bioremediase is 78 % homologous to bovine carbonic anhydrase II though it does not exhibit carbonic anhydrase-like activity. Bioinformatics study is performed for understanding the various physical and chemical parameters of the protein which predicts the involvement of zinc encircled by three histidine residues (His94, His96 and His119) at the active site of the protein. Isothermal titration calorimetric-based thermodynamic study on diethyl pyrocarbonate-modified protein recognizes the presence of Zn in the enzyme moiety. Exothermic to endothermic transition as observed during titration of the protein with Zn discloses that there are at least two binding sites for zinc within the protein moiety. Addition of Zn regains the activity of EDTA chelated bioremediase confirming the presence of extra binding site of Zn in the protein moiety. Revival of folding pattern of completely unfolded urea-treated protein by Zn explains the participatory role of zinc in structural stability of the protein. Restoration of the λ in intrinsic fluorescence emission study of the urea-treated protein by Zn similarly confirms the involvement of Zn in the refolding of the protein. The utility of bioremediase for silica nanoparticles preparation is observed by field emission scanning electron microscopy. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, we demonstrated oral immunizations with single serotype outer membrane vesicles of Vibrio cholerae induced serogroup specific protective immunity in the RITARD model. In our present study, we advanced our research by formulating multi-serotype outer membrane vesicles, mixing the OMVs of five virulent V. cholerae strains. Four doses of oral immunization with cholera pentavalent outer membrane vesicles (CPMVs) induced V. cholerae specific B and T cell responses. CPMVs-immunized mice generated long lasting serum IgG, IgA, IgM as well as mucosal sIgA and also elicited a higher percentage of CD4+ T cell distribution in spleen. Our study revealed that in vitro CPMVs-activated dendritic cells were secreting T cell polarizing cytokines, IL-12p40, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-1β. Moreover, purified splenic CD4+ T cells of immunized mice also secreted IL-4, IL-13 and IL-17 cytokines, indicating the initiation of Th2 and Th17 cell mediated immune responses. CPMVs immunized adult female mice and their offspring were significantly protected from heterologous challenge with wild type V. cholerae . CPMVs could be exploited for the development of a novel non-living vaccine against circulating cholera in near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A green technique of silica nanoparticles (SiO 2 -NPs) formation by using a thermophilic bacterium (BKH1) as biological template is demonstrated here. SiO 2 -NPs are synthesized from inorganic (magnesium tri-silicate), and organic (tetraethyl orthosilicate) precursor with the help of BKH1 bacteria. BKH1 derived SiO 2 -NPs are subjected to Atomic Force Microscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy, and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy equipped with Energy Dispersive X-ray Analyzer to establish nanoparticle morphology. In addition, Infrared Spectroscopy reveals the presence of chemical and functional groups in SiO 2 -NPs samples and X-ray diffraction, the amorphous nature. The Zeta potential ( ζ ) reveals substantial stability of bacteria derived SiO 2 -NPs in the aqueous environment. Presence of two intense luminescence peaks in the UV and visible regions merits the bacteria derived SiO 2 -NPs for use as an optical probe in biomedical applications. This novel mode of bacteria derived SiO 2 -NPs formation is eco-friendly and ambient temperature synthesis approach. It avoids the complex protocol of multi-steps synthesis of silica nanoparticles, hence likely to be cost-effective. In-depth translation research is suggested for the synthesis of silica nanoparticles in large quantities using thermophilic BKH1 template. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Nicotine is mainly metabolized in liver. Its abuse elicits acute phase response by activating macrophages to produce pro-inflammatory cytokines, which play critical role in apoptosis or cell proliferation. The protective pharmacological mechanism of curcumin against nicotine-induced toxicity on protein malnourished liver is still remaining unclear. This study investigated the ameliorative mechanism of curcumin against nicotine-induced toxicity and also fate of liver particularly under protein restricted condition. Female Albino-rats maintained under normal/protein-restricted diets, were subcutaneously injected with nicotine tartrate (2.5mg/kg body weight/day) and orally supplemented with curcumin (80mg/kg body weight/day) for 21days. The animals were then sacrificed to dissect out liver and proceed with further experiments. Interactions of nicotine with DNA both in vivo and in vitro were observed by thermal denaturation and DNA laddering assays. Effects of nicotine on hepatic cells were monitored by differential staining, comet assay, cytokine profiling, mRNA and protein expression. Nicotine caused more intense DNA damage, promoted hepatic cell death through up-regulating pro-apoptotic proteins and signaling molecules in protein malnourished individuals. Through up-regulation of anti-apoptotic proteins and proliferation promoting molecules, nicotine dysregulated homeostasis in normal protein condition. Curcumin significantly ameliorated the nicotine-induced toxicity in both conditions and regulated the imbalance between cell survival and death induced by nicotine. The protein content present in the nicotine induced hepatic cell decides either cell-survival pathway or cytotoxic pathway. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A novel hot spring bacterial strain was isolated and characterized from Bakreshwar, West Bengal, India. Phylogenetic analysis of partial 16 S-rRNA gene sequence (697 nucleotides) suggested that the isolate was affiliated with the family ‘Firmicutes’ and 99.8% homologous with Thermoanaerobactor thermohydrosulfuricus. A unique thermostable and high pH tolerant protein (28kDa) secreted by the bacterium was isolated whose N-terminal partial sequence (25 AA) suggested that the protein was similar to mammalian carbonic anhydrase-II. This bacterium or its unique protein both increase the compressive (>25%) and tensile (>20%) strengths, hardness and elastic modulus of cementitious material when incorporated to the cement/cement–sand mixture. The protein (named as bioremediase) possesses silica leaching activity, which is increased by calcium ions. No esterase and/or proteolytic activities are present in the protein. The use of such isolated bacterium or its protein in concrete technology develops new construction material that may be used for self-healing concrete in future. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]