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The novel SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2) is spreading, as the causative pathogen of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). It has infected more than 1.65 billion people all over the world since it was discovered and reported 3.43 million deaths by mid of May 2021. SARS-CoV-2 enters the host cell by binding to viral surface glycoprotein (S protein) with human ACE2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme2). Spike protein (contains S1 and S2 sub-domains) molecular interaction with the host cells is considered as a major step in the viral entry and disease initiation and progression and this identifies spike protein as a promising therapeutic target against antiviral drugs. Currently, there are no efficient antiviral drugs for the prevention of COVID-19 infection. In this study, we have analyzed global 8719 spike protein sequences from patients infected with SAR-CoV-2. These SAR-CoV-2 genome sequences were downloaded from the GISAID database. By using an open reading frame (ORF) tool we have identified the spike protein sequence. With these, all spike protein amino acid sequences are subjected to multiple sequence alignment (MSA) with Wuhan strain spike protein sequence as a query sequence, and it shows all SAR-CoV strain spike proteins are 99.8% identical. In the mutational analysis, we found 639 mutations in the spike protein sequence of SARS-CoV-2 and identified/highlighted 20 common mutations L5F, T22I, T29I, H49Y, L54F, V90F, S98F, S221L, S254F, V367F, A520S, T572I, D614G, H655Y, P809S, A879S, D936Y, A1020S, A1078S, and H1101Y. Further, we have analyzed the crystal structure of the 2019-nCoV chimeric receptor-binding complex with ACE2 (PDB ID: 6VW1) as a major target protein. The spike receptor binding protein (RBD) used as target region for our studies with FDA-approved drugs for repurposing, and identified few anti-SARS-CoV2 potential drugs (Silmitasertib, AC-55541, Merimepodib, XL413, AZ3451) based on their docking score and binding mode calculations expected to strongly bind to motifs of ACE2 receptor and may show impart relief in COVID-19 patients.

Vehicles have made extraordinary commitment to the development of current culture by fulfilling the requirements for more prominent portability in everyday life. The development of Internal Combustion Engine has contributed a ton to the car area. In any case, a lot of harmful discharges as carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), unburned hydrocarbons (HCs, etc have been messing contamination up, a dangerous atmospheric devation, and annihilation of the ozone layer. As the current pattern proposes, this method of transport is probably going to supplant inside burning motor (ICE) vehicles soon. Every one of the primary EV segments has various innovations that are at present being used or can get conspicuous later on. Improved control assignment approach strategies are fit for securing ideal force taking care of, obliging framework errors, and fitting ongoing applications can fundamentally improve the powertrain productivity at various working conditions. Rule-based techniques are just organized and effectively implementable continuously; however, a restricted optimality in force dealing with choices can be achieved. Enhancement based strategies are more fit for achieving this optimality at the cost of expanded computational burden. Over the most recent couple of years, these improvement based strategies have been being worked on to suit continuous application utilizing more prescient, recognitive and man-made reasoning apparatuses. This paper presents a conversation about these new patterns continuously improved control assignment approach. Consequently HEVs give better fuel economy contrasted with ICE based vehicles/regular vehicle. Energy management techniques are the calculations that choose the force split among motor constantly to improve the fuel economy and advance the presentation of HEVs.

Generally, plant growth, development, and their productivity are mainly affected by their growth rate and also depend on environmental factors such as temperature, pH, humidity, and light. The interaction between plants and pathogens are highly specific. Such specificity is well characterized by plants and pathogenic microbes in the form of a molecular signature such as pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) and microbes-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs), which in turn trigger systemic acquired immunity in plants. A number of Arabidopsis mutant collections are available to investigate molecular and physiological changes in plants under the presence of different light conditions. Over the past decade(s), several studies have been performed by selecting Arabidopsis thaliana under the influence of red, green, blue, far/far-red, and white light. However, only few phenotypic and molecular based studies represent the modulatory effects in plants under the influence of green and blue lights. Apart from this, red light (RL) actively participates in defense mechanisms against several pathogenic infections. This evolutionary pattern of light sensitizes the pathologist to analyze a series of events in plants during various stress conditions of the natural and/or the artificial environment. This review scrutinizes the literature where red, blue, white, and green light (GL) act as sensory systems that affects physiological parameters in plants. Generally, white and RL are responsible for regulating various defense mechanisms, but, GL also participates in this process with a robust impact! In addition to this, we also focus on the activation of signaling pathways (salicylic acid and jasmonic acid) and their influence on plant immune systems against phytopathogen(s).

The present investigation reports, the bacterial cellulose (BC) a high-purity polymer produced from isolated strain ZKE7. BC production was optimized by Plackett–Burman and central composite designs yielding 18.5 g/l BC with a 4.5-fold enhancement. BC composites functionalized with antibiotics, BC-gelatin hydrogel, BC-Chitosan hydrogel and BC silver nanoparticle composites were developed and evaluated for water retention capability, moisture content and protein adsorption. The drug release behavior of the composites was consistent for controlled drug delivery. Composites were assessed for functional characteristic such as antimicrobial properties. BC composites functionalized with Neotericine exhibited antifungal activity against Candida albicans. Other composites showed pronounced antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Micrococcus luteus. Structural and thermal characterization of BC composites was carried out by FTIR, SEM with energy dispersive X-ray analysis, TGA and differential scanning calorimetry analysis. The results reveal high BC production with excellent properties that can be employed in biomedical field.

Chronic exposure to environmental carcinogens like tobacco smoke and smokeless tobacco increases the CYP1A1 gene expression. The CYP1A1 gene polymorphisms and overexpression have been linked to oral cancer. Non-synonymous polymorphism in the gene coding region affects the structural stability and function of the CYP1A1 protein due to the substitution of amino acids. We screened all the 1693 polymorphisms reported for the CYP1A1 gene and filtered down to 25 Non-synonymous SNPs (nsSNPs) that are relevant in cancer. Further, we investigated all 25 SNPs using various in silico methods, to predict whether any of these SNPs cause changes in the structure and possible function of the protein. Among the three substitutions, the T461N (rs1799814), I462F (rs1048943) were found to be deleterious and functionally significant, whereas I462V (rs1048943), reported as functionally significant in some populations, but observed as a tolerated neutral variant by in silico analysis. Furthermore, by molecular dynamics simulation, it was observed that T461N and I462F variants lead to structural changes when compared to the native protein and I462V variants. Eventually, these nsSNPs in CYP1A1 would provide prior information for identifying the functionally valid SNPs as a genetic risk factor and may be targeted for cancer prevention studies and therapies.

Background and aims: Effects of alcohol consumption on blood glucose levels is unpredictable and more so with a known type 2 diabetic. Since type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition with impairment of glucose metabolism, influence of excess alcohol consumption in such a derailed metabolism is ought to be investigated. Our aim was to understand the interpolating relationship between the metabolisms of glucose and alcohol, by investigating the biochemical and biophysical changes in plasma and erythrocytes respectively. Methods We performed a clinical study with 20 human subjects wherein non-alcoholics, non-diabetics were considered as controls and the test subjects were categorized as alcoholics, diabetics and alcoholic diabetics. Findings were analysed against the control group. Results Increased plasma AST, ALT, ALP, and LDH enzyme activity; higher levels of nitric oxide, thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) both in plasma and erythrocyte lysate; higher fasting and postprandial glucose, glycated haemoglobin levels (Hb1Ac) levels; elevated levels of erythrocyte membrane total cholesterol / phospholipids (C/P) ratio and altered erythrocyte membrane fluidity in the alcoholic diabetics was noted. Conclusion Alcohol induced oxidative and nitrosative stress during its metabolism and its worsening effects in type II diabetics leading to a failure in the overall metabolic homeostasis is evident from the study.

The association between oxidative stress and endocrine status with respect to the role of Pterocarpus santalinus (PSE) against alcohol-induced neurotoxicity in rats was investigated. Male albino rats were divided into, control, alcohol treated, alcohol + PSE treated, and PSE treated group. Twenty percent of ethanol (5g/kg body weight/day) was given with and without PSE (250 mg/kg body weight/day) for 60 days. Decreased plasma testosterone, estradiol, thyroid hormones (T3 and T4), and increased cortisol concentrations in alcohol treated rats were observed. Besides, elevated lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyls, NADPH oxidase (NOX), and cytochrome P-450 (CYP-450) activities, with mitochondrial dysfunction were noticed. Moreover, increased protein expression of the phosphorylated protein kinase C (p-PKC), phospholipase C (p-PLC), and NOX2 with decreased antioxidant status was also noticed in alcohol ingested rats. Administration of PSE to alcohol treated rats reduced oxidative stress by increasing antioxidant status, also modulated mitochondrial dysfunction and protein expression of p-PKC, p-PLC and NOX2. In conclusion, ROS generated via mitochondrial dysfunction causes activation of NOX activity through PLC and PKC dependent pathways leading to more ROS generation, which in turn alters the circulating hormonal levels. The phytocompounds present in PSE confer therapeutic efficacy by scavenging ROS and thereby offer protection.

In the proposed research article, polymer nanocomposites on the basis of thermoset polymer resultant blends (epoxy/polyester) having wollastonite powder are prepared by high shear mixer (mechanical), followed by an ultra-sonicator for uniform dispersion of wollastonite particulates in the final blend matrix. Wide range percentages of modified wollastonite nano-particulates with 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 wt. % were incorporated into the epoxy/polyester blend matrix in order to evaluate the effect of nanofillers on nanophase morphological structure and to study material properties. Various thermal parameters of the nanocomposite were evaluated using thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry techniques. Further, the scanning electron microscopy images have been employed to know fractured surfaces of the titled compound. From the experimental data it was found that uniform miscibility of epoxy/polyester blend mix and homogenous dispersion of wollastonite nano particulates in the blend matrix was noticed. From the TGA studies, 8 % weight loss and 4 °C rise in decomposition temperature was observed with addition of 5 wt. % wollastonite when compared with the 0 wt. % wollastonite combination of epoxy/unsaturated polyester resin blend. DSC results further revealed that the modified wollastonite nanoparticles is major responsible for the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the nanocomposites.

Viral outbreaks had been a threat for the human race for a long time. Several epidemics and pandemics have been reported in the past with serious consequences on human health and subsequent social and economic aspects. According to WHO, viral infections continue to be a major health concern globally. Novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 (Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2) causes the most recent infectious pandemic disease, COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease-19). As of now, there were 249 million infections of COVID-19 worldwide with a high mortality of more than 5 million deaths reported; and the number of new additional cases is drastically increasing. Development of therapies to treat the infected cases and prophylactic agents including vaccines that are effective towards different variants are crucial to curtail the COVID-19 pandemic. Owing to the fact that there is a high mortality and morbidity rate along with the risk of virus causing further epidemic outbursts, development of additional effective therapeutic and preventive strategies are highly warranted. Prevention, early detection and treatment will reduce the spread of COVID-19 pandemic. The present review highlights the novel mutations and therapeutic updates associated with coronaviruses along with the clinical manifestations—diagnosis, clinical management and, prophylactic and therapeutic strategies of COVID-19 infection.

In this study, a cell-wall-associated extracellular electron transfer (EET) was determined in the thermophilic Geobacillus sp. to utilize iron as a terminal electron acceptor. The direct extracellular transfer of its electrons was primarily linked to the cell wall cytochrome-c and diffusible redox mediators like flavins during the anoxic condition. Based on the azo dye decolouration and protein film voltammetry, it was revealed that, in the absence of surface polysaccharide and diffusible mediators, the cell-wall associated EET pathway was likely to be a favourable mechanism in Geobacillus sp. Because, the permeability of such redox molecule is primarily limited to the cell wall, the electron transfer occurs by direct contact with cell wall-associated cytochrome and final electron acceptor. Furthermore, transfer of electrons with the help of redox shuttling molecules like riboflavin from cytochrome to cells, vice versa indicates that Geoabcillus sp. has adopted this unique pathway during an anoxic environment for its respiration.

In this study, a cell wall-associated extracellular electron transfer (EET) was determined in the thermophilic Geobacillus sp. to utilize iron as a terminal electron acceptor. The direct extracellular transfer of its electrons was primarily linked to the cell wall cytochrome-c and diffusible redox mediators like flavins during the anoxic condition. Based on the azo dye decolouration and protein film voltammetry, it was revealed that, in the absence of surface polysaccharide and diffusible mediators, the cell wall-associated EET pathway was likely to be a favorable mechanism in Geobacillus sp. Since the permeability of such redox molecule is primarily limited to the cell wall, the electron transfer occurs by direct contact with cell wall-associated cytochrome and final electron acceptor. Furthermore, transfer of electrons with the help of redox shuttling molecules like riboflavin from cytochrome to cells, vice versa indicates that Geoabcillus sp. has adopted this unique pathway during an anoxic environment for its respiration. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-021-02917-2.

In the era of globalization, the conservation of energy has become important. Refrigeration is a process in which heat is removed from low temperature body to high temperature body. Heat rejected from the condenser of refrigeration system possess considerable amount of energy. In this work, an effort is initiated to recover the desolated heat from the condenser and used to heat the water and supplied to the washroom, cleaning, etc. The main aim of this project is to reduce the losses and to recover waste heat of the condenser. A heat exchanger of shell and tube was used and replaced the air cooled condenser. A mathematical model also presented for replacing a water-cooled condenser in spite of an air-cooled condenser. The temperature of water at the exit of heat exchanger lies in the temperature range of 44 to 480C. The proposed waste heat recovery system increases the overall Coefficient of Performance (COP) of the system. The objective of this work is to develop a system that can recover waste heat from the condenser unit of refrigeration system. Process and mathematical model for changing air-cooled condenser into water cooled condenser have also been presented. The proposed system has no notable effect on refrigeration with integration; and which increases the performance of refrigeration system.

The present study is an attempt to check the protective effect of fresh wheatgrass juice (WJ) as a potential therapeutic agent against alcohol-induced oxidative/nitrosative stress leading to nephrotoxicity in rats. Administration of 20% ethanol (5 g/kg b.wt/day) for 60 days resulted in a significant rise in the plasma concentrations of urea and creatinine with decreased levels of uric acid. Besides, a significant decrease in plasma electrolyte/mineral levels along with decreased activity of Na+/K+

Background Alcohol is a widely abused drug with many health implications, mainly caused by the oxidative and nitrosative stress on different body parts. Ayurvedic herbalism authenticates the multiple therapeutic applications of Terminalia arjuna bark due to its rich phytochemical repertoire. Objective To observe the extent of oxidative damage caused to erythrocytes by alcohol and assess the protective ability of T. arjuna bark powder aqueous extract (AETA) against the damage. Materials and methods Wister albino rats were categorized into four groups of eight rats per group; first group (control) was fed with glucose, second group was given alcohol at a dose of 20% v/v; 5g alcohol/kg b. wt/day, third group was co-administered with AETA (0.5 g/kg b. wt/day) and alcohol and the fourth group was kept on bark extract alone. Blood samples were collected and evaluated for different biochemical parameters after the completion of the treatment period. Results Alcohol significantly increased the erythrocyte membrane protein carbonyl and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, along with a concomitant decrease in the membrane antioxidant status, when compared to the control group. Chromatographic analysis of the alcohol-treated rat erythrocyte membranes revealed altered membrane individual phospholipid contents and fluidity properties. Alcohol-induced morphological changes in the erythrocytes and its effect on decreasing the resistance of hypotonic shock induced by NaCl are evident from the hemolysis curves. However, AETA administration to alcoholic rats beneficially modulated the membrane properties anvd protected erythrocytes from damage. Conclusion Results suggest that AETA protects erythrocytes from alcohol-induced oxidative stress, biophysical, and biochemical changes very effectively.

Purpose To investigate the reproducibility of gray and white matter glutamate contrast of a brain slice among a small group of healthy volunteers by using the 2D single-slice glutamate CEST (GluCEST) imaging technique. Methods Six healthy volunteers were scanned multiple times for within-day and between-day reproducibility. One more volunteer was scanned for within-day reproducibility at 7T MRI. Glutamate CEST contrast measurements were calculated for within subjects and among the subjects and the coefficient of variations are reported. Results The GluCEST measurements were highly reproducible in the gray and white matter area of the brain slice, whether it was within-day or between-day with a coefficient of variation of less than 5%. Conclusion This preliminary study in a small group of healthy volunteers shows a high degree of reproducibility of GluCEST MRI in brain and holds promise for implementation in studying age-dependent changes in the brain.