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This research aims to biosynthesize Barium oxide nanoparticles (BaONPs) for biomedical applications, using Spirogyra hyalina as a stabilizing and reducing agent. UV–visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), energy-dispersive X-ray, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to physiochemically characterize the barium oxide nanoparticles, while antibacterial, minimum inhibitory concentration, antifungal, free radicle scavenging, and anti-inflammatory assay were performed to assess the therapeutic potential of the synthesized BaONPs. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed bands at 615 and 692 cm−1 that corresponded to the formation of BaONPs. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the spherical and flower-shaped morphology of BaONPs having an average diameter of 64.01 ± 2.0 nm. Both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial growth was halted by the barium nanoparticles, demonstrating their efficacy up to 19.12 ± 0.31 mm against E. coli, 18.83 ± 0.44 mm against Klebsiella pneumoniae, 17.31 ± 0.59 mm against P. aeruginosa, 16.56 ± 0.37 mm against S. aureus, and 15.75 ± 0.38 mm against S. epidermidis, respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration was 9.0, 6.3, 5.5, 4.5, and 2.0 µg/mL for S. aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, S. epidermidis, P. aeruginosa, and E. coli, respectively. BaONPs were not that effective against fungal strains such as Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium solani, and Fusarium proliferatum. The BaONPs exhibited potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity through inhibiting cyclooxygenases type 1 (43.12 ± 1.21%) and 2 (41.23 ± 1.56%), and DPPH free radicles up to 43.52 ± 0.29% at 400 µg/mL. In conclusion, the biomolecules derived from Spirogyra hyalina have demonstrated remarkable ability to generate stable nanoparticles, offering promising prospects for their utilization as therapeutic agents and coating materials in various biomedical applications.

This study examines the manufacturing, characterization, and biological evaluation of platinum nanoparticles, which were synthesized by Enterobacter cloacae and coated with Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) and Resveratrol (RSV). The formation of PtNPs was confirmed with the change of color from dark yellow to black, which was due to the bioreduction of platinum chloride by E. cloacae. BSA and RSV functionalization enhanced these nanoparticles' biocompatibility and therapeutic potential. TGA, SEM, XRD, and FTIR were employed for characterization, where PtNPs and drug conjugation-related functional groups were studied by FTIR. XRD confirmed the crystalline nature of PtNPs and Pt-BSA-RSV NPs, while TGA and SEM showed thermal stability and post-drug coating morphological changes. Designed composite was also found to be biocompatible in nature in hemolytic testing, indicating their potential in Biomedical applications. After confirmation of PtNPs based nanocaompsite synthesis, they were examined for anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. Pt-BSA-RSV NPs showed higher concentration-dependent DPPH scavenging activity, which measured antioxidant capability. Enzyme inhibition tests demonstrated considerable anti-inflammatory activity against COX-2 and 15-LOX enzymes. In in vitro anticancer studies, Pt-BSA-RSV NPs effectively killed human ovarian cancer cells. This phenomenon was demonstrated to be facilitated by the acidic environment of cancer, as the drug release assay confirmed the release of RSV from the NP formulation in the acidic environment. Finally, Molecular docking also demonstrated that RSV has strong potential as an anti-oxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer agent. Overall, in silico and in vitro investigations in the current study showed good medicinal applications for designed nanocomposites, however, further in-vivo experiments must be conducted to validate our findings.

Incidence rate of cancer is estimated to increase by 40% in 2030. Furthermore, the development of resistance against currently available treatment strategies has contributed to the cancer-associated mortality. Scientists are now looking for the solutions that could help prevent the disease occurrence and could provide a pain-free treatment alternative for cancers. Therefore, efforts are now put to find a potent natural compound that could sever this purpose. Ursolic acid (UA), a triterpene acid, has potential to inhibit the tumor progression and induce sensitization to conventional treatment drugs has been documented. Though, UA is a hydrophobic compound therefore it is usually chemically modified to increase its bioavailability prior to administration. However, a thorough literature indicating its mechanism of action and limitations for its use at clinical level was not reviewed. Therefore, the current study was designed to highlight the potential mechanism of UA, its anti-cancer properties, and potential applications as therapeutic compound. This endeavour is a valuable contribution in understanding the hurdles preventing the translation of its potential at clinical level and provides foundations to design new studies that could help enhance its bioavailability and anti-cancer potential for various cancers.

The growing global threat of antimicrobial resistance endangers both human and animal life, necessitating the urgent discovery of novel antimicrobial solutions. Medicinal plants hold promise as sources of potential antimicrobial compounds. In this study, we investigated the phytochemical constituents and microbicidal capabilities of the ethanolic extract from Nigella sativa (black seed). Gas chromatography analysis (GC) identified 11 compounds, among them thymoquinone, and thymol, contributing to antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Antimicrobial assays demonstrated notable inhibition zones against broad spectra of bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Escherichia coli , Salmonella typhi , Staphylococcus aureus , Enterobacter , and Bacillus subtilis , along with potent antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger , Penicillium , and Candida albicans . Notably, when combined with antibiotics, the extract displayed exceptional synergistic antimicrobial efficacy. The black seed extract demonstrated membrane-damaging activity and disrupted virulence factors that protect microbes from antimicrobial agents, including the formation of bacterial biofilm and protease secretion. Thymoquinone, the primary active constituent of the extract, exhibited similar antimicrobial and ant virulence properties. In silico analysis targeting key regulators of quorum sensing and biofilm formation in P. aeruginosa , such as RhlG , LasR , and PqsR , showed a remarkable affinity of thymol and thymoquinone for these targets. Moreover, the N. sativa extract exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxicity against both the promastigote and amastigote forms of Leishmania tropica parasites, hinting at potential antiparasitic activity. In addition to its antimicrobial properties, the extract displayed potential antioxidant activity at a concentration of 400 μg/mL.

This study examines the manufacturing, characterization, and biological evaluation of platinum nanoparticles, which were synthesized by Enterobacter cloacae and coated with Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) and Resveratrol (RSV). The formation of PtNPs was confirmed with the change of color from dark yellow to black, which was due to the bioreduction of platinum chloride by E. cloacae . BSA and RSV functionalization enhanced these nanoparticles' biocompatibility and therapeutic potential. TGA, SEM, XRD, and FTIR were employed for characterization, where PtNPs and drug conjugation-related functional groups were studied by FTIR. XRD confirmed the crystalline nature of PtNPs and Pt-BSA-RSV NPs, while TGA and SEM showed thermal stability and post-drug coating morphological changes. Designed composite was also found to be biocompatible in nature in hemolytic testing, indicating their potential in Biomedical applications. After confirmation of PtNPs based nanocaompsite synthesis, they were examined for anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. Pt-BSA-RSV NPs showed higher concentration-dependent DPPH scavenging activity, which measured antioxidant capability. Enzyme inhibition tests demonstrated considerable anti-inflammatory activity against COX-2 and 15-LOX enzymes. In in vitro anticancer studies, Pt-BSA-RSV NPs effectively killed human ovarian cancer cells. This phenomenon was demonstrated to be facilitated by the acidic environment of cancer, as the drug release assay confirmed the release of RSV from the NP formulation in the acidic environment. Finally, Molecular docking also demonstrated that RSV has strong potential as an anti-oxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer agent. Overall, in silico and in vitro investigations in the current study showed good medicinal applications for designed nanocomposites, however, further in-vivo experiments must be conducted to validate our findings.

This study examines the impact of vegetation structure on bird species richness and diversity across four urban parks in Chaoyang District, Beijing. Throughout the year, using the Point Count Method (PCM), a total of 68 bird species and 4279 individual observations were recorded, with surveys conducted across all four seasons to capture seasonal variations. The parks with more complex vegetation, such as those with a higher tree canopy cover of species like poplars, ginkgo, and Chinese pines, exhibited higher bird species richness. For example, Olympic Forest Park, with its dense vegetation structure, hosted 42 species, whereas parks with less diverse vegetation supported fewer species. An analysis using PERMANOVA revealed that bird communities in the four parks were significantly different from each other (F = 2.76, p = 0.04075), and every comparison between parks showed significant differences as well (p < 0.001). Variations in the arrangement and level of disturbance within different plant communities likely cause such differences. Principal component analysis (PCA) identified tree canopy cover and shrub density as key drivers of bird diversity. These findings underscore the importance of preserving urban green spaces, particularly those with a diverse range of native tree species, to conserve biodiversity and mitigate the adverse effects of urbanisation. Effective vegetation management strategies can enhance avian habitats and provide ecological and cultural benefits in urban environments.

RNA sequencing has revealed that a substantial portion of the human genome undergoes transcription, yet a minimal fraction of these transcripts translates into proteins. LncRNAs, RNA molecules less than 200 nt in length, once deemed as transcriptional noise, have now emerged as crucial regulators of numerous cellular processes. This review focuses on the lncRNA SNHG6, aiming to elucidate its biogenesis, the pivotal roles it plays, and its mechanisms in facilitating the hallmarks of cancer. A comprehensive literature review and analysis were undertaken to delve into the biogenesis of SNHG6, its roles in cellular processes, and the mechanisms through which it contributes to the hallmarks of cancer. SNHG6 is a notable lncRNA, observed to be overexpressed in various cancer types; its perturbation has been linked to tumor progression, emphasizing its significance in oncogenesis. This lncRNA contributes to a range of cellular aberrations, influencing transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and epigenetic processes of mRNA, ultimately driving cancerous transformations. LncRNA SNHG6 serves as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target due to its association with tumorigenesis. Understanding its mechanism and role in cancer can pave the way for novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Snow leopards (Panthera uncia) are elusive predators inhabiting high-altitude and mountainous rugged habitats. The current study was conducted in the Yanchiwan National Nature Reserve, Gansu Province, China, to assess the habitat suitability of snow leopards and identify key environmental factors inducing their distribution. Field data collected between 2019 and 2022 through scat sampling and camera trapping techniques provided insights into snow leopard habitat preferences. Spatial distribution and cluster analyses show distinct hotspots of high habitat suitability, mostly concentrated near mountainous landscapes. While altitude remains a critical determinant, with places above 3300 m showing increased habitat suitability, other factors such as soil type, human footprint, forest cover, prey availability, and human disturbance also play important roles. These variables influence ecological dynamics and are required to assess and manage snow leopard habitats. The MaxEnt model has helped us to better grasp these issues, particularly the enormous impact of human activities on habitat suitability. The current study highlights the importance of altitude in determining snow leopard habitat preferences and distribution patterns in the reserve. Furthermore, the study underscores the significance of considering elevation in conservation planning and management strategies for snow leopards, particularly in mountainous regions. By combining complete environmental data with innovative modeling tools, this study not only improves local conservation efforts but also serves as a model for similar wildlife conservation initiatives around the world. By understanding the environmental factors driving snow leopard distribution, conservation efforts can be more efficiently directed to ensure the long-term survival of this endangered species. This study provides valuable insights for evidence-based conservation efforts to safeguard the habitats of snow leopards amidst emerging anthropogenic pressure and environmental fluctuations.

The ZnSe semiconductor thin films thermally evaporated on a glass substrate and an ITO substrate are studied and compared for their optical properties. Surprisingly, two different values of band gaps 2.49 and 2.91 eV in ZnSe thin films are observed, respectively deposited on glass substrate and ITO substrate. Similarly, the ZnSe films on ITO substrate has shown a hexagonal crystal structure with higher crystallinity as compared to that of ZnSe on glass. The ZnSe thin films deposited on glass substrate are also annealed at 350, 400, 450 and 500 °C under vacuum conditions, which has been resulted in improvement in crystallinity and increase in band gap energy from 2.45 to 2.54 eV. The ZnSe thin film deposited on ITO coated glass were annealed in vacuum and air at 450 °C. The air annealing has been resulted in a large increase in energy bandgap from 2.9 to 3.21 eV. It is also observed from these studies that the electrical conductivity of the films annealed in vacuum is higher than those of the annealed in air.