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Scientific investigations on levels of Organochlorine Pesticide (OCP) residues in plants largely consider the edible parts (crops, vegetables, and fruit plants). Though the non-edible parts of plants are not eaten by human beings directly, these parts are consumed by livestock and other animals, thereby facilitating the flow of chemical residues through the food chain. The objective of the present investigation was to evaluate the concentration of OCP residues in non-edible plant parts to provide insights on their potential ecotoxicological impacts. Eighteen OCP residues were extracted in nine different plant species (banana Musa acuminate, brinjal Solanum melongena, Casuarina equisetifolia , Eucalyptus globulus , lotus Nelumbo nucifera , paddy Oryza sativa , sugarcane Saccharum officinarum , tapioca Manihot esculenta , tomato Lycopersicon esculentum ) following QuEChERS method. The concentrations of OCP residues in plant extracts were determined using Gas Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS). The OCP residues, namely: γ -HCH (lindane), heptachlor epoxide isomer, dieldrin, endrin, endrin aldehyde and endrin ketone were found predominantly in seven plant species. Residues of γ-HCH (lindane) were reported in different parts of plant species such as stem (581.14 ng/g in paddy and 585.82 ng/g in tapioca) and leaf (583.3 ng/g in tomato). Seven samples contained residues of heptachlor epoxide isomer (512.53 to 1173.8 ng/g). Dieldrin was found in paddy stem (489.97 ng/g), tapioca stem (490.21 ng/g) and tapioca leaf (490.32 ng/g). The detected OCPs in the present study were 10–50 times higher than the Maximum Residue Limits (MRL, 0.01–0.1 mg/Kg) as prescribed in the Codex Alimentarius of the FAO/WHO. Their elevated concentrations in the plant parts therefore pose risk of contamination to the consumers in the food chain, including human beings those are dependent on the animals as source of protein. The findings of this study are the first report on residue levels of OCPs in non-edible plant parts in the agricultural landscape of Puducherry region, India. Since, this study assumes significance for the strategic location of Oussudu Lake, an interstate lake spread over Puducherry and Tamil Nadu states, regular monitoring of OCP residues in different environmental segments in strategic locations in both the states is suggested, which will help the authorities in devising a comprehensive environmental management plan aiming at the ecosystem at large.

Sediment contamination jeopardizes wetlands by harming aquatic organisms, disrupting food webs, and reducing biodiversity. Carcinogenic substances like heavy metals bioaccumulate in sediments and expose consumers to a greater risk of cancer. This study reports Pb, Cr, Cu, and Zn levels in sediments from eight wetlands in India. The Pb (51.25 ± 4.46 µg/g) and Cr (266 ± 6.95 µg/g) concentrations were highest in Hirakud, Cu (34.27 ± 2.2 µg/g) in Bhadrak, and Zn (55.45 ± 2.93 µg/g) in Koraput. The mean Pb, Cr, and Cu values in sediments exceeded the toxicity reference value. The contamination factor for Cr was the highest of the four metals studied at Hirakud (CF = 7.60) and Talcher (CF = 6.97). Furthermore, high and moderate positive correlations were observed between Cu and Zn (r = 0.77) and Pb and Cr (r = 0.36), respectively, across all sites. Cancer patients were found to be more concentrated in areas with higher concentrations of Pb and Cr, which are more carcinogenic. The link between heavy metals in wetland sediments and human cancer could be used to make policies that limit people's exposure to heavy metals and protect their health.

We study the prospect of heavy singlet neutrinos as a dark matter (DM) candidate within a neutrinophilic U (1) model, where the Standard Model (SM) is extended with a U (1) gauge symmetry, and neutrino mass and oscillation parameters are explained through an inverse see-saw mechanism. The lightest of the heavy neutrinos plays the role of the DM, while the newly introduced scalars and the extra gauge boson Z ′ act as mediators between the dark sector and the SM sector. We show the range of model parameters where this DM candidate can be accommodated in the Weakly Interacting Massive Particle (WIMP) or Feebly Interacting Massive Particle (FIMP) scenario. The observed DM relic density (DMRD) is achieved via the new gauge boson and singlet scalar portals in the WIMP scenario, whereas within the FIMP scenario, these two particles assume a distinct yet pivotal role in generating the observed DMRD.

Purpose: The research activity in pediatric glaucoma (PG) was qualitatively and quantitatively evaluated using a scientometric approach. Methods: The \"Web of Science\" database was accessed for primary bibliometric data regarding PG using search terms \"pediatric glaucoma,\" \"paediatric glaucoma,\" \"congenital glaucoma,\" and \"childhood glaucoma.\" The data was analyzed for total research productivity, citations, and scientific output in terms of journals, countries, institutions, and authors. The results were further characterized for coauthorship links and visualized by VOS viewer software. Also, the top 25 cited articles were reviewed with the above bibliometric characteristics. Results: One thousand two hundred and sixty-nine items were obtained from our search query from 1955 to 2022; these received 15,485 citations, originated from 78 countries. The top-3 contributing countries were the United States of America (n = 369), India (n = 134), and China (n = 127). LV Prasad Eye Institute (n = 58), Duke University (n = 44), and King Khalid Eye Specialist Hospital (n = 42) were the top-3 productive institutes. The top-3 prolific authors were Mandal AK (n = 53), Freedman, SF (n = 36), and Sarfarazi, M (n = 33). Journal wise, \"Investigative Ophthalmology\" (n = 187), \"Journal of Glaucoma\" (n = 92), and \"Journal of AAPOS\" (n = 68) were the journals in which the most articles were published. The top-25 cited documents received 3564 citations and were published between 1977 and 2016. The key areas of interest were basic sciences (genetics of childhood glaucoma) and surgical management. Conclusion: United States of America, LVPEI, Mandal AK, and \"Investigative Ophthalmology\" were the top rankers as far as the productivity and publications related to PG are concerned. Articles on molecular genetics in PG have received interest among the ophthalmology community.

Particulate Matter (PM) pollution is a prime component of air pollution and poses a substantial risk to human health, including the eye. This work envisioned to show the impact of PM 2·5 pollution on the Ophthalmic disease prevalence in India. This national-level observational-based cross-sectional retrospective study included the hospital-reported ophthalmic outpatients in 2019-20. The sector-wise high-resolution (0·1° × 0·1°) PM 2·5 emission data along with the annual average PM 2·5 concentration data for 2019 from NASA is adopted for the risk factor analysis. Nearly 32·6 million footfalls are recorded in various hospitals due to ophthalmic morbidity in 2019, out of which surprisingly ~ 80% of cases are registered in rural India. Half of the total ophthalmic disease burden comes from the top 100 districts out of the total 720 districts in India. The inferential analyses depicted a statistically significant positive correlation ( r  = 0·54, 95% CI 0·48 − 0·59, P  < 0·001) between the PM 2·5 emission and ophthalmic outpatients. The risk of eye disease in the exposed rural population is 4 times higher than the unexposed population 4·19 (4·19 − 4·2). The PM 2·5 emission from household cooking activity shows a greater correlation (r 2  = 0·28, 95% CI 0·22 − 0·35, P  < 0·001) with the occurrence of ophthalmic cases in India followed by incense stick and mosquito coil burning (r 2  = 0·28 (0·22 − 0·34)), and transportation (r 2  = 0·24 (0·18 − 0·29)). The meteorological parameters like temperature and humidity show very little association and precipitation shows a negative correlation with the number of ophthalmic outpatients in India. This study suggests that surface emission data could be a potential tool to link prevailing diseases in India.

Terahertz time-domain spectroscopy has been used to study the THz optical properties of polyvinyl alcohol–graphene oxide–silver (PVA–GO–Ag) composite films with varying weight fractions of silver nanoparticles in the range of 0.0–0.64%. The measured THz AC conductivities are analyzed using the formalisms based on universal dielectric response and Drude-Smith models. The outputs from the analysis of these two formalisms are compared and used to get accurate physical insights into charge transport. The samples being lightweight and flexible and having sub-100 μ m thickness, show electromagnetic interference shielding efficiency (SE) of ∼ 2–3 dB below 1 THz that increases linearly between 4 and 8 dB above 1 THz. These SE values are found to arise mainly from the absorption and they are estimated to increase to ∼ 10–50 dB of magnitude when the thickness is ∼ 500 μ m indicating potential application of these composite films as THz shielding materials and THz filters.

Biomaterial research has been going on for several years, and many companies are heavily investing in new product development. However, it is a contentious field of science. Biomaterial science is a field that combines materials science and medicine. The replacement or restoration of damaged tissues or organs enhances the patient’s quality of life. The deciding aspect is whether or not the body will accept a biomaterial. A biomaterial used for an implant must possess certain qualities to survive a long time. When a biomaterial is used for an implant, it must have specific properties to be long-lasting. A variety of materials are used in biomedical applications. They are widely used today and can be used individually or in combination. This review will aid researchers in the selection and assessment of biomaterials. Before using a biomaterial, its mechanical and physical properties should be considered. Recent biomaterials have a structure that closely resembles that of tissue. Anti-infective biomaterials and surfaces are being developed using advanced antifouling, bactericidal, and antibiofilm technologies. This review tries to cover critical features of biomaterials needed for tissue engineering, such as bioactivity, self-assembly, structural hierarchy, applications, heart valves, skin repair, bio-design, essential ideas in biomaterials, bioactive biomaterials, bioresorbable biomaterials, biomaterials in medical practice, biomedical function for design, biomaterial properties such as biocompatibility, heat response, non-toxicity, mechanical properties, physical properties, wear, and corrosion, as well as biomaterial properties such surfaces that are antibacterial, nanostructured materials, and biofilm disrupting compounds, are all being investigated. It is technically possible to stop the spread of implant infection.

Background Understanding genetic diversity and population structure is crucial for strategizing and enhancing breeding efficiency. Wheat, a globally cultivated crop, is a significant source of daily calories for humans. To overcome challenges such as extreme climatic fluctuations, stagnant yields, and diminishing genetic variation, it is essential to develop diverse germplasms with new alleles. Triticum sphaerococcum , an underutilized ancient hexaploid wheat species, shows promise for contributing beneficial alleles. However, the genetic diversity of its germplasms remains unstudied. This is the first report where we have examined the genetic diversity and population structure of 116 T. sphaerococcum accessions using a 35 K SNP Array. The objective of this study is to apply these findings to improve wheat breeding programs. Results Analysis of the population’s genetic structure identified four potential subpopulations, which was supported by principal coordinate analysis. Allele neutrality tests showed an abundance of intermediate genotypes, suggesting that many beneficial alleles are maintained through balancing selection. Among the three subgenomes, subgenome B exhibited the highest genetic diversity. AMOVA (Analysis of Molecular Variance) revealed significant variation both among (35%) and within (65%) the four subpopulations. The high genetic differentiation between subpopulations was corroborated by a moderate level of haploid migrant numbers (Nm = 1.286), indicating sufficient gene flow. SP4 emerged as the most diverse subpopulation, showing the highest values for allelic pattern indices due to its larger size and higher percentage of polymorphic loci. The D subgenome displayed a faster linkage disequilibrium (LD) decay rate compared to the A and B subgenomes. Haplotype block analysis identified 260 haplotype blocks of varying sizes distributed across the genome. Conclusions This research demonstrates that Indian dwarf wheat accessions, sourced from three distinct gene banks and local collections, possess considerable genetic diversity. These germplasm collections offer valuable opportunities to investigate their unexplored genetic potential. They can be utilized in wheat improvement initiatives to tackle both present and future breeding challenges. Furthermore, these accessions can introduce new alleles to broaden the genetic base of modern wheat varieties, enhancing their overall diversity.

Phytoextraction is an economic, environment-friendly and growing technology for clean-up of metal-contaminated soil. Several factors play pivotal role in making phytoextraction a successful technique. Soil fraction is an important parameter that may affect phytoextraction potential. There has been an increased realization on the role of chelates in accelerating metal uptake by plants. Thus, the present study examined the influence of different soil fractions, spiked metal concentrations and chelate dosages on Cu accumulation by Helianthus annuus L. (common sunflower), Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek (mung bean) and Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. (pearl millet). To mimic the mill tailings of various mined-out sites in India, five soil fractions containing different proportions of garden soil and silica were prepared (S1: 100% soil; S2: 75% soil + 25% silica; S3: 50% soil + 50% silica; S4: 25% soil + 75% silica; and S5: 100% silica) and each fraction was spiked with known Cu (100, 250, 500 and 1000 mg kg −1 ) concentration. Upon maturity of the plant, EDTA and NTA in different dosages (0.25, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 g kg −1 ) were applied to each pot. Bioconcentration factor (BCF), bioaccumulation coefficient (BAC) and translocation factor (TF) were estimated for each set. The accumulation of Cu by H. annuus , V. radiata and P. glaucum indicated direct relation between soil fractions and harvesting periods. Better plant growth and Cu uptake were observed in pots with silica <  50% of fraction, whereas growth was arrested in pots with silica >  75%. The Cu accumulation varied significantly ( p  < 0.05) among the species, spiked metal concentration, chelate dosages and plant parts. Best accumulation was reported in pots with 50% soil and 50% silica either under 1.0 g kg −1 EDTA or 2.0 g kg −1 NTA. Irrespective of the combinations of various variables, the harvesting time affected Cu accumulation considerably. Among the species, H. annuus emerged out to be the most efficient for Cu translocation. Apparently, soil amendments facilitated enhanced uptake thereby playing an active role in improving the BAC and TF. Assisted phytoextraction is still a need until full-fledged alternatives are established in the market. The future of chelate-assisted phytoextraction seems to be limited to ex situ condition.

In vitro disease modeling using pluripotent stem cells can be a fast track screening tool for toxicological testing of candidate drug molecules. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is one of the most commonly used solvents in drug screening. In the present investigation, we exposed 14- to 21-day-old embryoid bodies (EBs) to three different concentrations of DMSO [0.01% (low dose), 0.1% (medium dose) and 1.0% (high dose)] to identify the safest dose that could effectively be used as solvent. We found that DMSO treatment substantially altered the morphology and attachment of cells in concurrence with a significant reduction in cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. Gene expression studies revealed a selective downregulation of key markers associated with stemness (Oct-4, Sox-2, Nanog and Rex-1); ectoderm (Nestin, TuJ1, NEFH and Keratin-15); mesoderm (HAND-1, MEF-2C, GATA-4 and cardiac-actin); and endoderm (SOX-17, HNF-3β, GATA-6 and albumin), indicating an aberrant and untimely differentiation trajectory. Furthermore, immunocytochemistry, flow cytometry and histological analyses demonstrated substantial decrease in the levels of albumin and CK-18 proteins coupled with a massive reduction in the number of cells positive for PAS staining, implicating reduced deposits of glycogen. Our study advocates for the first time that DMSO exposure not only affects the phenotypic characteristics but also induces significant alteration in gene expression, protein content and functionality of the differentiated hepatic cells. Overall, our experiments warrant that hESC-based assays can provide timely alerts about the outcome of widespread applications of DMSO as drug solvent, cryoprotectant and differentiating agent.