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Capsicum is one of the most perishable fruit which undergo rapid loss of commercial value during postharvest storage. In this experiment our aim is to evaluate the effect of photoactivated TiO2 nano-particle complexed with chitosan or TiO2-nanocomposite (TiO2-NC) on extension self-life of Capsicum fruit and its effect on related morphological, physiological and molecular attributes at room temperature (25 °C). Initially, TiO2-NC coated fruits recorded superior maintenance of total soluble solids accumulation along with retention of firmness, cellular integrity, hydration, color etc. On the extended period of storage, fruit recorded a lower bioaccumulation of TiO2 in comparison to metallic silver over the control. On the level of gene expression for ethylene biosynthetic and signaling the TiO2-NC had more regulation, however, discretely to moderate the ripening. Thus, ACC synthase and oxidase recorded a significantly better downregulation as studied from fruit pulp under TiO2-NC than silver. On the signaling path, the transcripts for CaETR1 and CaETR2 were less abundant in fruit under both the treatment when studied against control for 7 d. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) was also correlated to retard the oxidative lysis of polyamine oxidation by diamine and polyamine oxidase activity. The gene expression for hydrolytic activity as non-specific esterase had corroborated the development of essential oil constituents with few of those recorded in significant abundance. Therefore, TiO2-NC would be reliable to induce those metabolites modulating ripening behavior in favor of delayed ripening. From gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis profile of all tested essential oil constituents suggesting positive impact of TiO2-NC on shelf-life extension of Capsicum fruit. Our results indicated the potentiality of TiO2-NC in postharvest storage those may connect ethylene signaling and ROS metabolism in suppression of specific ripening attributes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dermatophytosis has recently emerged as a major public health problem in the Indian subcontinent, most cases becoming chronic and recurrent. Aims: Assessing the clinico-epidemiologic and mycologic profile of treatment naïve, chronic, recurrent and steroid-modified dermatophytosis. Materials and Methods: We conducted across-sectional study involving 111 cases of dermatophytosis. Detailed epidemiology, clinical parameters, treatment history and other host factors were assessed along with scraping for potassium hydroxide (KOH) and fungal culture. Results: Among 111 patients,(F: M 1.7:1; mean age 44.4 ± 18.2 years), 51.4% were treatment naïve, while 34.2% and 14.4% presented with chronic and recurrent tinea respectively. Family history and sharing of fomites among infected family members was commoner in the latter groups (P = 0.001). Topical steroid application was reported in 49.5%, however only 7.2% presented with steroid modified tinea. Tinea corporis et cruris (41.4%) was the predominant clinical type followed by tinea corporis (34.2%) and tinea cruris (27.9%). KOH mount and culture were positive in 62.2% and 39.6% cases respectively; commonest isolates being Trichophyton rubrum, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes complex in 15.3% cases each. Trichophyton rubrum was the commonest etiology for treatment naïve and recurrent cases, while Trichophyton mentagrophytes was the commonest isolate from chronic and steroid-modified cases (P = 0.0003). Interestingly, T.mentagrophytes complex and T. rubrum were the commonest causes of tinea corporis and tinea cruris respectively (P = 0.07). Conclusion: Trichophyton rubrum was the commonest organism in treatment naïve and recurrent cases, while Trichophyton mentagrophytes complex accounted for most cases of chronic and steroid modified tinea. The difference in predominant species seems to be a major contributory factor for chronicity and recurrence. However, several host factors like topical steroid use and sharing of fomites also play additional roles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arecoline has biomedical importance, but it has untoward side effects on endocrine functions. The aim is to investigate its role on adrenal activity under thermal stress by ultrastructural and hormonal parameters in mice. Cold (4 °C) or heat (37 °C) stress, or arecoline (10 mg/kg body wt), each for 7 days in cold or heat stress stimulated adrenocortical activity ultrastructurally with an elevation of corticosterone level. Adrenomedullary activity was suppressed in cold stress with depletion of catecholamine levels. In heat stress, adrenomedullary activity was stimulated ultrastructurally with an elevation of catecholamine levels. Arecoline treatment alone, or in cold or heat stress suppressed adrenomedullary activity, judged by ultrastructural and hormonal parameters. Arecoline treatment caused hypoglycemia with an elevation of glycogen level, but cold or heat stress, or arecoline treatment in thermal stress caused hyperglycemia, with a fall in glycogen profile. Thus, arecoline in thermal stress plays a dual role on adrenal function and glucose-glycogen homeostasis in mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arecoline is known to cause endocrine dysfunction. In the current article role of arecoline on pineal–testis activity was investigated in hypothyroid rats induced by propylthiouracil (PTU). PTU treatment caused thyroid dysfunction ultrastructurally with a fall in T3 and T4 levels followed by a rise of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level. Pineal activity was impaired by PTU treatment, as evident from degenerated synaptic ribbons and mitochondria of the pinealocytes with depletion of pineal and serum N-acetyl serotonin and melatonin levels. Leydig cell function was suppressed, evident from reduced smooth endoplasmic reticulum and depletion of testosterone level. Sex accessories function was impaired by showing scanty rough endoplasmic reticulum with depletion of fructose and sialic acid levels. Arecoline treatment that caused pineal dysfunction and testicular stimulation in control rats, suppressed both pineal and testis functions after PTU treatment. The findings suggest that arecoline inhibits pineal–testis function in experimentally induced hypothyroid rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present experiment, Zea mays L. was evaluated for its C4 modality through oxidative stress responses. Moreover, under variable concentrations (0, 50, 100µM) of hydrogen peroxide, the impacts were variable and modulated with titanium dioxide nanoparticle (TiO2-NP). Plants scored with elevated concentrations of H2O2 and superoxide (O2.-) maximum by 1.31 & 1.52-fold respectively over 0µM H2O2. TiO2-NP recovered those maximums with 8.69 & 7.89% as compared to control plants. The effects of H2O2 were moderated with malondialdehyde and carbonyl content by peak values 7.45 & 5.91% under TiO2-NP treatment respectively. A depletion in proline content recorded under H2O2 stress but recovered through highest 1.23-fold with TiO2-NP application. TiO2-NP recorded NADP-ME activities up-regulated in concentration gradient of H2O2. Oxidative exposure was also documented by in-vivo detection of H2O2 and O2.- by 3,3'-diaminobenzidine and nitroblue tetrazolium staining. For the anti-oxidative cascades superoxide dismutase activity had induced by 1.42-fold under H2O2 when pre-treated with TiO2-NP. However, glutathione reductase activity was differentially modulated under H2O2 through interaction with TiO2-NP. Activity of guaiacol peroxidase was significantly up-regulated by 1.07-fold when TiO2-NP applied. The inductions of oxidative stress recorded more evident when a distinct polymorphism for GPX protein resolved variations in band intensities, but not in number. Activity of catalase experience a down-regulated trend all through the H2O2 exposure and had significant sensitivity to TiO2-NP. The results depict the nature and reactivity of C4 modules under oxidative stress that would be the selection pressures and that might be modulated with TiO2-NP application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Betel nut of Areca catechu is chewed by millions of people for increased capacity to work and stress reduction, but it contains arecoline that causes hypothyroidism. The aim is to investigate the role of arecoline on thyroid activity in cold stress in mice. Arecoline treatment (10 mg/kg body wt/day, for 7 d) caused a reduction in thyroid weight and ultrastructural degeneration of thyro-follicular cells with depletion of T3 and T4 levels compared with the control mice. Cold stress (4 °C for 2 h, twice daily, for 7 d) stimulated thyroid activity ultrastructurally with an elevation of T3 and T4 levels. Arecoline treatment in cold stress suppressed thyroid activity by showing reversed changes to those of cold stress. In contrast, TSH concentrations were consistently increased under all experimental conditions. The findings suggest that cold stress causes hyperthyroidism which arecoline can ameliorate in mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work is emphasised with the herbicidal tolerance of Azolla pinnata R.Br. and its modulation with TiO2 nano-particle. Both carbohydrate and nitrogen metabolism were effected with 2,4-D as herbicide and in few cases TiO2-NP had recovered few detrimental effects. From the nutrient status in Azolla it recorded the recovery of nitrogen as well as potassium by TiO2-NP but not in case of phosphorus. However, a conversion of nitrate to ammonium was more induced by TiO2-NP under herbicidal toxicity. Similar results were obtained for inter-conversion of amino acid-nitrate pool, but no changes with glutamine synthase activity with TiO2-NP. Initially, the effects of 2,4-D was monitored with changes of chlorophyll content but had not been recovered with nanoparticle. Photosynthetic reserves expressed as both total and reducing sugar were insensitive to TiO2-NP interference but activity of soluble and wall bound invertase was in reverse trend as compared to control. The 2,4-D mediated changes of redox and its oxidative stress was ameliorated in plants with over expressed ADH activity. As a whole the Azolla bio system with TiO2 supplementation may be useful in sustenance against 2,4-D toxicity through recovery of nitrogen metabolism. Thus, Azolla-TiO2-NP bio system would be realised to monitor the herbicidal toxicity in soil and its possible bioremediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Millions of people consume betel nut for increased capacity to work and for stress reduction. The nut contains arecoline, which has multiple side effects on endocrine functions. Objective of the work is to investigate pineal–testicular responses to noise and after arecoline treatment in noise in rats. Noise exposure (100 dB, 6 h daily, 10 days) caused pineal stimulation ultrastructurally and at indoleamines level. Leydig cell dysfunction with fall of testosterone level and suppression of sex accessories were noticed. In contrast, pineal activity was inhibited and reproductive functions were stimulated after arecoline administration, confirmed from reversed changes to those of noise. Arecoline treatment in noise exposure showed same results as in noise both in pineal and in reproductive functions. It is concluded that noise causes testicular dysfunction probably by gonadotropin suppression induced by pineal melatonin in noise. Furthermore, arecoline cannot prevent it in noise in rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]