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The present study is to design an eco-friendly mode to rapidly synthesize selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) through Ceropegia bulbosa tuber’s aqueous extracts and confirming SeNPs synthesis by UV–Vis spectroscopy, FT-IR, XRD, FE-SEM-EDS mapping, HR-TEM, DLS and zeta potential analysis. In addition, to assess the anti-cancer efficacy of the SeNPs against the cultured MDA-MB-231, as studies have shown SeNPs biosynthesis downregulates the cancer cells when compared to normal HBL100 cell lines. The study observed the IC 50 value of SeNPs against MDA-MB-231 cells was 34 µg/mL for 48 h. Furthermore, the SeNPs promotes growth inhibitory effects of certain clinical pathogens such as Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli . Apart, from this the SeNPs has shown larvicidal activity after 24 h exposure in Aedes albopitus mosquito’s larvae with a maximum of 250 g/mL mortality concentration. This is confirmed by the histopathology results taken at the 4th larval stage. The histopathological studies revealed intense deterioration in the hindgut, epithelial cells, mid gut and cortex region of the larvae. Finally, tried to investigate the photocatalytic activity of SeNPs against the toxic dye, methylene blue using halogen lamp and obtained 96% degradation results. Withal computational study SeNPs was shown to exhibit consistent stability towards breast cancer protein BRCA2. Overall, our findings suggest SeNPs as a potent disruptive agent for MDA-MB-231 cells, few pathogens, mosquito larvae and boosts the photocatalytic dye degradation.

Aromatase enzyme plays a fundamental role in the development of estrogen receptors, and due to this functionality, the enzyme has gained significant attention as a therapeutic for reproductive disorders and cancer diseases. The currently employed aromatase inhibitors have severe side effects whereas our novel aromatase inhibitor is more selective and less toxic, therefore has greater potential to be developed as a drug. The research framework of this study is to identify a potent inhibitor for the aromatase target by profiling molecular descriptors of the ligand and to find a functional pocket in the target by docking and MD simulations. For assessing cellular and metabolic activities as indicators of cell viability and cytotoxicity, in-vitro studies were performed by using the colorimetric MTT assay. Aromatase activities were determined by a fluorometric method. Cell morphology was assessed by phase-contrast light microscopy. Flow cytometry and Annexin V-FITC/PI staining assay determined cell cycle distribution and apoptosis. This study reports that CHEMBL708 (Ziprasidone) is the most promising compound that showed excellent aromatase inhibitory activity. By using better drug design methods and experimental studies, our study identified a novel compound that could be effective as a high-potential drug candidate against aromatase enzyme. We conclude that the compound ziprasidone effectively blocks the cell cycle at the G1-S phase and induces cancer cell death. Further, in-vivo studies are vital for developing ziprasidone as an anticancer agent. Lastly, our research outcomes based on the results of the in-silico experiments may pave the way for identifying effective drug candidates for therapeutic use in breast cancer.

Summary In recent years, concerns about the use of glyphosate‐resistant crops have increased because of glyphosate residual levels in plants and development of herbicide‐resistant weeds. In spite of identifying glyphosate‐detoxifying genes from microorganisms, the plant mechanism to detoxify glyphosate has not been studied. We characterized an aldo‐keto reductase gene from Pseudomonas (PsAKR1) and rice (OsAKR1) and showed, by docking studies, both PsAKR1 and OsAKR1 can efficiently bind to glyphosate. Silencing AKR1 homologues in rice and Nicotiana benthamiana or mutation of AKR1 in yeast and Arabidopsis showed increased sensitivity to glyphosate. External application of AKR proteins rescued glyphosate‐mediated cucumber seedling growth inhibition. Regeneration of tobacco transgenic lines expressing PsAKR1 or OsAKRI on glyphosate suggests that AKR can be used as selectable marker to develop transgenic crops. PsAKR1‐ or OsAKRI‐expressing tobacco and rice transgenic plants showed improved tolerance to glyphosate with reduced accumulation of shikimic acid without affecting the normal photosynthetic rates. These results suggested that AKR1 when overexpressed detoxifies glyphosate in planta.

Rice bean is a less-known underutilized legume crop with a high nutritional value among members of the Vigna family. As an initiative to compose rice bean ( Vigna umbellata ) genomic resource, the size of 414 mega-base pairs with an estimated identification of 31,276 high confidence index genes via 15,521 scaffolds generated from Illumina and PacBio platform 30X coverage data has achieved 96.08% functional coverage data from Illumina and PacBio platform. Rice bean genome assembly was found to be exquisitely close to Vigna angularis (experimental control/outgroup), Vigna radiata , and Vigna unguiculata , however, Vigna angularis being the closest. The assembled genome was further aligned with 31 leguminous plants (13 complete genomes and 18 partial genomes), by collinearity block mapping. Further, we predicted similar discriminant results by complete coding sequence (CDS) alignment. In contrast, 17 medically influential genomes from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences-National Institutes of Health NIGMS-NIH, when compared to rice bean assembly for LCB clusters, led to the identification of more than 18,000 genes from the entire selected medicinal genomes. Empirical construction of all genome comparisons revealed symplesiomorphic character in turn uncovering the lineage of genetic and functional features of rice beans. Significantly, we found deserving late-flowering genes, palatably indexed uncommon genes that regulate various metabolite pathways, related to abiotic and biotic stress pathways and those that are specific to photoperiod and disease resistance and so on. Therefore, the findings from this report address the genomic value of rice bean to be escalated via breeding by allied and applied approaches.

Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and main protease (MPro) are significant target proteins, mainly involved in the attachment of viral genome to host cells and aid in replication of severe acute respiratory syndrome‐coronaviruses or SARS‐CoV genome. In the present study, we identified 11 potent bioactive compounds from ethanolic leaf extract of Ipomoea obscura (L.) by using GC‐MS analysis. These potential bioactive compounds were considered for molecular docking studies against ACE2 and MPro target proteins to determine the antiviral effects against SARS‐COV. Results exhibits that among 11 compounds from I. obscura (L.), urso‐deoxycholic acid, demeclocycline, tetracycline, chlorotetracycline, and ethyl iso‐allocholate had potential viral inhibitory activity. Hence, the present findings suggested that chemical constitution present in I. obscura (L.) will address inhibition of corona viral replication in host cells.

Study Design Observational comparative study. Objective To study the role of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and T2 relaxometry (T2r) as imaging biomarkers for identifying early lumbar disc degeneration. Methods We evaluated 236 discs in normal volunteers and 215 discs in low back pain (LBP) patients by MRS and T2r to document the molecular spectra of various metabolites as well as disc hydration and collagen content, respectively. All volunteer discs were Pfirrmann grade 1 (PF1), whereas patients with LBP had PF 1 (n = 156) and PF 2 (n = 59). The study population was compared in three age groups: A (20-30 years), B (30-40 years), and C (40-50 years). Results T2r, an indicator of collagen and hydration, was higher in volunteers (121.8 ± 31.1), compared to PF 1 patients (110.68 ± 23.96) and PF 2 patients (90.15 ± 25.81) (P = 0.001). Proteoglycan assessed by MRS was more stable for volunteers (3.39 ± 1.69) and PF 1 patients (3.6 ± 1.69) but reduced in PF 2 patients (2.86 ± 1.47), showing that structural molecules did not alter within the PF 1. However, lactate and other metabolites showed a difference even within PF1 between volunteers and LBP patients. We were able to identify a unique subset of PF 1 that had a normal value of proteoglycan and T2r but altered metabolite distribution, which may represent early disc degeneration (DD). Conclusion MRS and T2r can be used as imaging biomarkers for early DD by identifying altered metabolic activity with an intact matrix.

Since vitamin D's discovery, strenuous efforts to investigate its physiological exploit and deficiency on human health were done. Our body synthesizes fat‐soluble vitamin D when get exposed to sunlight. In recent years, experimental data indicate that sunlight exposure and an adequate level of circulating vitamin D can reduce the incidence of cancer. Several in vitro and in vivo studies also suggest vitamin D as a potentially valuable supplement for cancer treatment and prevention. Nevertheless, there need to be adequate clinical studies performed to substantiate the suppressive ability of vitamin D concerning cancer incidence. Thus, understanding the cellular mechanisms of vitamin D can be advantageous for preventing several chronic diseases. Consequently, this review concentrates on different studies that have been conducted to characterize the outcome of vitamin D in reducing cancer incidence and its medication by cellular progression mechanism. Vitamin D regulates most important functions in our body, including homeostasis of calcium and phosphorous, normal growth and development of bones and teeth, regulate normal functions of our immune system. It also improved resistance against certain diseases, in particularly cancer.   

As early as 1974, reports have confirmed the anticancer activity of pterin deaminase isolated from fungi. The enzyme has also been reported in bacteria, fungi and slime mold genera, but the enzyme characterization was effetely done. The present study attempted to purify and characterize pterin deaminase enzyme from NCIM 3458. The protein was extracted from the extracellular extract by using the ethanol precipitation method. Partial purification of pterin deaminase enzyme was achieved by ion exchange chromatography (Hi-Trap QFF) by fast protein liquid chromatography (AKTA purifier). The molecular weight of the protein was apparently determined by SDS-PAGE, and the presence of pterin deaminase was confirmed by activity staining. The purified enzyme was further biochemically characterized. Molecular docking studies showed higher binding affinity towards folic acid interaction. The structural characterization of this protein may open the windows for new drug targets for cancer therapy.

Seed, being a truly static period of the plant's existence, is exposed to a variety of biotic and abiotic shocks during dormancy that causes many cellular alterations. To improve its germination and vigor, the seed industry employs a variety of invigoration techniques, which are commonly referred to as seed priming procedures. The treatment with an exogenous H2S donor such as sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) has been proven to improve seed germination. The H2S molecule is not only a key contributor to the signal transduction pathway meant for the sensation of seed exposure to various biotic and abiotic stresses but also contribute toward the alleviation of different abiotic stress. Although it was initially recognized as a toxic molecule, later its identification as a third gaseous transmitter molecule unveiled its potential role in seed germination, root development, and opening of stomata. Its involvement in cross talks with several other molecules, including plant hormones, also guides numerous physiological responses in the seeds, such as regulation of gene expression and enzymatic activities, which contribute to reliving various biological and non-biological stresses. However, the other metabolic pathways that could be implicated in the dynamics of the germination process when H2S is used are unclear. These pathways possibly may contribute to the seed germinability process with improved performance and stress tolerance. The present review briefly addresses the signaling and physiological impact of H2S in improving seed germination on exposure to various stresses.

The limitations of graft material, and surgical sites for autografts in bone defects treatment have become a significant challenge in bone tissue engineering. Phytocompounds markedly affect bone metabolism by activating the osteogenic signaling pathways. The present study investigated the biocompatibility of the bio-composite thermo-responsive hydrogels consisting of chitosan (CS), and methylcellulose (MC) encapsulated with veratric acid (VA) as a restorative agent for bone defect treatment. The spectroscopy analyses confirmed the formation of CS/MC hydrogels and VA encapsulated CS/MC hydrogels (CS/MC-VA). Molecular analysis of the CS-specific MC decamer unit with VA complex exhibited a stable integration in the system. Further, Runx2 (runt-related transcription factor 2) was found in the docking mechanism with VA, indicating a high binding affinity towards the functional site of the Runx2 protein. The formulated CS/MC-VA hydrogels exhibited biocompatibility with the mouse mesenchymal stem cells, while VA promoted osteogenic differentiation in the stem cells, which was verified by calcium phosphate deposition through the von Kossa staining. The study results suggest that CS/MC-VA could be a potential therapeutic alternative source for bone regeneration.