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Green nanotechnology is currently a very crucial and indispensable technology for handling diverse problems regarding the living planet. The concoction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has opened new insights in cancer therapy. The current investigation caters to the concept of the involvement of a novel eco-friendly avenue to produce AgNPs employing the wild endolichenic fungus Talaromyces funiculosus. The synthesized Talaromyces funiculosus–AgNPs were evaluated with the aid of UV visible spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The synthesized Talaromyces funiculosus–AgNPs (TF-AgNPs) exhibited hemo-compatibility as evidenced by a hemolytic assay. Further, they were evaluated for their efficacy against foodborne pathogens Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis, Listeria innocua, and Micrococcus luteus and nosocomial Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Vibrio cholerae, and Bacillus subtilis bacterial strains. The synthesized TF-AgNPs displayed cytotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner against MDA-MB-231 breast carcinoma cells and eventually condensed the chromatin material observed through the Hoechst 33342 stain. Subsequent analysis using flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy provided the inference of a possible role of intracellular ROS (OH−, O−, H2O2, and O2−) radicals in the destruction of mitochondria, DNA machinery, the nucleus, and overall damage of the cellular machinery of breast cancerous cells. The combined effect of predation by the cyclopoid copepod Mesocyclops aspericornis and TF-AgNPS for the larval management of dengue vectors were provided. A promising larval control was evident after the conjunction of both predatory organisms and bio-fabricated nanoparticles. Thus, this study provides a novel, cost-effective, extracellular approach of TF-AgNPs production with hemo-compatible, antioxidant, and antimicrobial efficacy against both human and foodborne pathogens with cytotoxicity (dose dependent) towards MDA-MB-231 breast carcinoma.

From many decades, emerging infections have threatened humanity. The pandemics caused by different CoVs have already claimed and will continue to claim millions of lives. The SARS, Ebola, MERS epidemics and the most recent emergence of COVID-19 pandemic have threatened populations across borders. Since a highly pathogenic CoV has been evolved into the human population in the twenty-first century known as SARS, scientific advancements and innovative methods to tackle these viruses have increased in order to improve response preparedness towards the unpredictable threat posed by these rapidly emerging pathogens. Recently published review articles on SARS-CoV-2 have mainly focused on its pathogenesis, epidemiology and available treatments. However, in this review, we have done a systematic comparison of all three CoVs i.e., SARS, MERS and SARS-CoV-2 along with Ebola and Zika in terms of their epidemiology, virology, clinical features and current treatment strategies. This review focuses on important emerging RNA viruses starting from Zika, Ebola and the CoVs which include SARS, MERS and SARS-CoV-2. Each of these viruses has been elaborated on the basis of their epidemiology, virulence, transmission and treatment. However, special attention has been given to SARS-CoV-2 and the disease caused by it i.e., COVID-19 due to current havoc caused worldwide. At the end, insights into the current understanding of the lessons learned from previous epidemics to combat emerging CoVs have been described. The travel-related viral spread, the unprecedented nosocomial outbreaks and the high case-fatality rates associated with these highly transmissible and pathogenic viruses highlight the need for new prophylactic and therapeutic actions which include but are not limited to clinical indicators, contact tracing, and laboratory investigations as important factors that need to be taken into account in order to arrive at the final conclusion.

In the present age of technological advancement, nanotechnology and its associated applications have been able to gain attention because of their ability to create a revolution in the field of modern science. There is no denying of the fact that nanomaterials synthesized by different methods, especially bio-synthesized ones, have provided numerous benefits to mankind in different fields like agriculture, medicine, industry, manufacturing etc. as they possess distinctive properties. Their size, surface characteristics and chemical composition are the major factors which contribute to their wide range of applications, while these are the same properties that are responsible for their toxic and hazardous effects. The present review tries to bridge an existing gap in literature – huge no. of research material is available of the technological advancements and applications of nanomaterials, paving the path for future research in this area, yet very limited information is available on their possible toxicity of living forms (plants, animals, humans alike) as well as the environment. This review acknowledges the tremendous advantages and positive effects of metal-based 11 NP: Nanoparticlesnanoparticles (NPs) on plants, but highlights on the phytotoxic effects of some of the most widely used NPs globally viz. ZnO NPs, TiO2 NPs, and AgNPs. Lastly, emphasis has been laid on the adverse effects of nanomaterials on different environmental conditions (soil and aquatic environment) and ecological topography.

Background From the start of the twenty-first century up to the year 2021, RNA viruses are the main causative agents of the majority of the disease outbreaks the world has confronted. Recently published reviews on SARS-CoV-2 have mainly focused on its structure, development of the outbreak, relevant precautions, management trials and available therapies. However, in this review, we aim to explore the history, evolution of all coronaviruses and the associated viral outbreaks along with the diagnostics for COVID-19 in the twenty-first century. Main body We have focused on different RNA viruses’ viz. SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2, their classification, and the various disease outbreaks caused by them. In the subsequent section, the comparison of different RNA viruses affecting humans has been made based on the viral genome, structure, time of the outbreak, mode of spread, virulence, causative agents, and transmission. Due to the current mayhem caused by the rapidly emerging virus, special attention is given to SARS-CoV-2, its genome updates, and infectivity. Finally, the current diagnostic techniques such as nucleic acid testing (real time-polymerase chain reaction and loop-mediated isothermal amplification), CRISPR-based diagnostics (CRISPR based DETECTR assay, CRISPR based SHERLOCK test, AIOD-CRISPR, FELUDA, CREST), chest radiographs (computed tomography, X-ray), and serological tests (Lateral flow assay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, chemiluminescent immunoassay, neutralization assay, nano-sensors, blood test, viral sequencing) with their pros and cons, and future diagnostic prospective have been described. Conclusions The present gloomy scenario mandates clinical manifestations, contact tracing, and laboratory tests as important parameters that need to be taken into consideration to make the final diagnosis.

In the present work, nanoparticles of copper and silver synthesized via pulsed laser ablation of the respective targets in distilled water are applied to cellulose filter paper to check their effectiveness in the annihilation of bacteria from contaminated water. The treatment of the filter paper with the nanoparticles is found to be an excellent way to get rid of two common bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, from contaminated water. The spread plate method on agar, employed to test the antibacterial efficacy of the nanoparticle-treated papers, clearly shows the absence of bacterial growth upon coming into contact with the nanoparticles in the filter paper. These results were further substantiated by the growth kinetic study of the bacteria that exhibited slow growth of the bacteria that were exposed to the nanoparticles. The morphology of the bacteria that came into contact with the nanoparticles is found to be adversely affected by the nanoparticles. Both copper and silver nanoparticles show a similar extent of antibacterial activity.

Food production is considered as one of the sensitive fields of application of nanotechnology. Nanotechnology has made a revolution in agriculture through novel tools for the cure and diagnosis of diseases, intelligent delivery systems, sensors and improved management devices. However, the quick progress of nanotechnology can lead to the development of several designed nanoparticles, which can cause adverse effects on edible plants. This review provides the recent findings on the applicability of nanotechnology in agriculture and its allied sectors, the role of nanofertilizers, nanosensors, crop protection, pollution control, waste management, and pesticide detection. However, the detrimental effects imposed by nanoparticles on edible plants are also discussed.

Genetic structure was evaluated among wild Alpinia nigra (Gaertn.) B.L. Burtt, populations. The information of genetic relatedness was developed using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) and barcoding loci (plastid and mitochondrial). The order (high to low) of Shannon's information index (I) and Nei's gene diversity (h) from the populations was: "IIT Guwahati" > "Amingaon" > "Saraighat". Genetic diversity decreased and genetic differentiation increased among the three populations. We observed no isolation by distance thus lower amount of gene flow was observed. Narrow range of genetic distance among the three populations and appearance of two distinct clusters strengthened the geographical isolation in dendrogram and principal component analysis. No mutation among the three populations was observed for seven plastid loci and two mitochondrial tested suggesting the taxonomic homogeneity. The phylogeny based on nine barcoding loci supported our observation that individuals of IIT Guwahati were partially isolated from the outside populations. Our study will provide a backbone for developing strategies to resist habitat fragmentation of Zingiberaceous plants.

The vibrational characteristics of a labdane diterpene, (E)-labda-8(17),12-diene-15,16-dial, have been studied using FT-IR, FT-Raman and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). A good yield of the compound has been sourced and isolated from the seeds of Alpinia nigra. Experimentally obtained vibrational modes of the compound obtained by IR and Raman were verified by theoretical calculations at density functional theory (DFT) level using Gaussian 09 software package. Copper nanoparticles have been used to enhance the inherently weak Raman signals of the compound. In the SERS spectra, intense enhancement (up to 103 fold) was observed in the bands at lower wavenumbers, corresponding to the in-plane deformations, which indicated perpendicular orientation of the compound on the metal surface. However, some bands were weakened by the proximity of the metal surface. This interaction was assessed by IR and visualized by electron microscopy, revealing that Cu nanoparticles lie in the vicinity of the compound, which is responsible for the SERS phenomenon.

(E)-labda-8(17), 12-diene-15,16-dial has been isolated from the seeds of

Alpinia nigra (Gaertn.) B.L. Burtt is one of the most easily available culinary items as well as medicinal plants of Northeast (NE) India. Physico-rheological characterization of the colloidal seed extracts of A. nigra and an isolated compound molecule, labdane diterpene-(E)-labda-8 (17), 12-diene-15, 16-dial- is carried out in the current study. Ideally, studies on the rheological or physical properties (which are important for industrial application) of plant derived secondary metabolites are lacking. In this context, the present study has been taken up. The optimum seed-to-solvent ratio for maximum yield of seed extracts is found to be 1:6. Contact angle value indicates the hydrophobicity of these plant samples; labdane diterpene being the most hydrophobic. All the samples exhibit specific rotation and hence, optical behavior. The DSC results suggest the lack of crystallinity of the samples; the compound exhibits the characteristic behavior of diterpenes like drimenol, cninin etc. The plant extracts and compound show a high degree of thermal stability. The viscosity of the samples shows an increasing trend with concentration but a decreasing trend with temperature; labdane diterpene exhibits the highest viscosity at all temperatures. The results obtained provide interesting insight towards the application of the A. nigra-derived extracts in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

The antibacterial activity of three kinds of silks viz. Eri, Pat and Muga treated with silver and copper nanoparticles is reported in this paper. The nanoparticles have been synthesized by pulsed laser ablation of the respective metal targets in distilled water. Treatment of the silk pellets with the synthesized nanoparticles exhibited definite antibacterial activity whereas no such activity is observed in the untreated silk pellets.