Harnessing the potential of microalgae-based systems for mitigating pesticide pollution and its impact on their metabolism.

Due to increased pesticide usage in agriculture, a significant concentration of pesticides is reported in the environment that can directly impact humans, aquatic flora, and fauna. Utilizing microalgae-based systems for pesticide removal is becoming more popular because of their environmentally friendly nature, ability to degrade pesticide molecules into simpler, nontoxic molecules, and cost-effectiveness of the technology. Thus, this review focused on the efficiency, mechanisms, and factors governing pesticide removal using microalgae-based systems and their effect on microalgal metabolism.

Antibiotic occurrence, environmental risks, and their removal from aquatic environments using microalgae: Advances and future perspectives.

Antibiotic pollution has caused a continuous increase in the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs) in aquatic environments worldwide. Algae-based bioremediation technology is a promising eco-friendly means to remove antibiotics and highly resistant ARGs, and the generated biomass can be utilized to produce value-added products of industrial significance. This review discussed the prevalence of antibiotics and ARGs in aquatic environments and their environmental risks to non-target organisms.

Prospective in vitro A431 cell line anticancer efficacy of zirconia nanoflakes derived from Enicostemma littorale aqueous extract.

Biomedical applications of zirconia nanomaterials were limited in biological systems. In this research, 8-15 nm size zirconia nanoflakes (ZrNFs) were fabricated and their nature, morphology, and biocompatibility were evaluated. The synthesis was carried out using Enicostemma littorale plant extract as an effective reducing and capping agent.

Assessing the potential for nevirapine removal and its ecotoxicological effects on Coelastrella tenuitheca and Tetradesmus obliquus in aqueous environment.

Remediation of the antiretroviral (ARV) drug, nevirapine (NVP) has attracted considerable scientific attention in recent years due to its frequent detection and persistence in aquatic environments and potential hazards to living organisms. Algae-based technologies have been emerging as an environmentally friendly option for the removal of pharmaceutical compounds, but their ARV drug removal potential has not been fully explored yet. This study aimed to explore the ecotoxicity and removal potential of NVP by two microalgal species, Coelastrella tenuitheca and Tetradesmus obliquus.

Health-related quality of life in patients with substance use disorders enrolled to the residential treatment in Sri Lanka: a retrospective cross-sectional study.

Purpose: Substance use disorder (SUD) is a serious public health concern that requires continuum care with effective treatment modalities such as residential rehabilitation. Improvement in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is one of the determinants of treatment and rehabilitation effectiveness. Therefore, a retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out in seven residential rehabilitation centres in Sri Lanka to determine the HRQoL of the rehabilitees with SUD.

The Pattern of Substance Use and Characteristics of the Individuals Enrolled in Residential Treatment at Selected Rehabilitation Centers in Sri Lanka: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction: Substance use becomes censorious when it leads to harmful effects on individuals, their families, and the community. The nature of substance use in Sri Lankan context is poorly understood and empirical evidences are sparse. The study aimed to describe patterns of substance use and characteristics of the individuals enrolled in residential treatment at selected rehabilitation centers in Sri Lanka.

Co-functioning of 2AP precursor amino acids enhances 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline under salt stress in aromatic rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars.

Aromatic rice (Oryza sativa) fetches a premium price due to the pleasant aroma. The major aroma compound 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (2AP) has been found to be enhanced under stress. This condition can be considered to study the genes, precursors, enzymes, and metabolites involved in elevated levels of 2AP biosynthesis.

Insights into the potential impact of algae-mediated wastewater beneficiation for the circular bioeconomy: A global perspective.

Algae-based technologies are one of the emerging solutions to societal issues such as accessibility to clean water and carbon-neutral energy and are a contender for the circular bioeconomy. In this review, recent developments in the use of different algal species for nutrient recovery and biomass production in wastewater, challenges, and future perspectives have been addressed. The ratio and bioavailability of nutrients in wastewater are vital parameters, which significantly impact nutrient recovery efficiency and algal biomass production.

Valorization of poultry litter using Acutodesmus obliquus and its integrated application for lipids and fertilizer production.

Microalgae are recognized as potential candidates for resource recovery from wastewater and projected for biorefinery models. This study was undertaken to evaluate the potential of poultry litter and municipal wastewater as nutrient and water sources, for the cultivation of Acutodesmus obliquus for lipids production for biodiesel application. The efficacy of lipid extracted biomass (LEA) as fertilizer for mung bean crops was also assessed in microcosm.

Algae-mediated processes for the treatment of antiretroviral drugs in wastewater: Prospects and challenges.

The prevalence of pharmaceuticals (PCs), especially antiretroviral (ARV) drugs in various aquatic ecosystems has been expansively reported, wherein wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are identified as the primary point source. Consequently, the occurrence, ecotoxicity and treatment of ARV drugs in WWTPs have drawn much attention in recent years. Numerous studies have shown that the widely employed activated sludge-based WWTPs are incapable of removing ARV drugs efficiently from wastewater.

Prospective options of algae-derived nutraceuticals as supplements to combat COVID-19 and human coronavirus diseases.

The outbreak of the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 that has created huge trepidation worldwide, has a mortality rate of 0.5% to 1% and is growing incessantly. There are currently no therapies and/or vaccines that may help abate this viral disease, but the use of masks and social distancing can limit the spread.

Mint leaf derived carbon dots for dual analyte detection of Fe(iii) and ascorbic acid.

Highly luminescent carbon dots (CDs) are obtained from mint leaves adopting a simple and cost effective route devoid of additional chemical reagents and functionalization. The as-synthesized CDs are characterized by TEM, FE-SEM, XRD analysis, FTIR, Raman, UV-visible and photoluminescence spectral studies. The results reveal that the CDs have an average diameter of 4 nm with a hydroxyl-rich surface.

Microalgae as multi-functional options in modern agriculture: current trends, prospects and challenges.

Algae are a group of ubiquitous photosynthetic organisms comprising eukaryotic green algae and Gram-negative prokaryotic cyanobacteria, which have immense potential as a bioresource for various industries related to biofuels, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and feed. This fascinating group of organisms also has applications in modern agriculture through facilitating increased nutrient availability, maintaining the organic carbon and fertility of soil, and enhancing plant growth and crop yields, as a result of stimulation of soil microbial activity. Several cyanobacteria provide nitrogen fertilization through biological nitrogen fixation and through enzymatic activities related to interconversions and mobilization of different forms of nitrogen.

Gold and Silver Nanoparticles Biomimetically Synthesized Using Date Palm Pollen Extract-Induce Apoptosis and Regulate p53 and Bcl-2 Expression in Human Breast Adenocarcinoma Cells.

Recently, several attempts have been made to use the phytopharmaceuticals from plant extracts as reducing, capping and stabilizing agents for the biomimetic synthesis of various metal nanoparticles conjugated to the phytopharmaceuticals. These biogenic metal nanoparticles are non-toxic and can be used as contrast agents, drug delivery vehicles and photothermal agents for cancer therapy. Herein, we report the synthesis of both silver and gold nanoparticles using the pollen extract of Phoenix dactylifera (Date Palm), characterization using UV-visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, quantitation of phytochemicals capping the nanoparticles using Folin - Ciocalteu's method, cytotoxicity studies on MCF-7 breast cancer cells, cancer cell death analysis using fluorescent microscopy, and modulation of expression of the pro-apoptotic p53 and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins.

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factors for choroidal neovascularization secondary to choroidal osteoma: Long-term results.

Choroidal osteoma is an uncommon benign osseous intraocular tumor typically seen unilaterally in young women. Visual loss can occur due to choroidal neovascularization (CNV) complicating osteoma. We report a rare case of bilateral choroidal osteoma with secondary CNV in a young male and the long-term results following anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy.

Exploring the efficacy of wastewater-grown microalgal biomass as a biofertilizer for wheat.

Microalgae possess the ability to grow and glean nutrients from wastewater; such wastewater-grown biomass can be used as a biofertilizer for crops. The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate two formulations (formulation with unicellular microalgae (MC1) and formulation with filamentous microalgae (MC2); T4 and T5, respectively), prepared using wastewater-grown microalgal biomass, as a biofertilizer (after mixing with vermiculite/compost as a carrier) in wheat crop (Triticum aestivum L. HD2967) under controlled conditions.

Determination of some minerals and β-carotene contents in aromatic indica rice (Oryza sativa L.) germplasm.

39 aromatic indica rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars were characterized for Iron, Zinc, Calcium, Magnesium, Copper and β-carotene contents. The β-carotene contents were ranging from 1.

Doxorubicin loaded polymeric gold nanoparticles targeted to human folate receptor upon laser photothermal therapy potentiates chemotherapy in breast cancer cell lines.

The current research focuses on the application of folate conjugated and doxorubicin loaded polymeric gold nanoparticles (GNPs) for the targeted treatment of folate receptor overexpressing breast cancers, augmented by adjunctive laser photothermal therapy. Herein, GNPs surface modified with folate, drug doxorubicin and polyethylene glycol were engineered and were used as vehicles for folate receptor targeted delivery of doxorubicin into cancer cells. Subsequently, the GNPs were photo-excited using laser light for mediating hyperthermia in the cancer cells.

Influence of cyanobacterial inoculation on the culturable microbiome and growth of rice.

Rice plants are selective with their associations with bacteria that are beneficial for growth, nutrient uptake, exhibit induced resistance or antagonism towards pathogens. Cyanobacteria as bioinoculants are known to promote the growth and health of rice plants. The present investigation was aimed at understanding whether and how cyanobacterial (Calothrix elenkinii) inoculation influenced the rice plant growth and the culturable bacterial populations and identifying the dominant culturable "microbiome" members.

Growth, spectral, thermal, optical, mechanical and etching studies of l-lysine semi-maleate (l-LSM) single crystals.

Organic nonlinear optical material, l-lysine semi-maleate (l-LSM) single crystals were grown by slow cooling solution growth technique. The crystal system of grown l-LSM was confirmed by single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction analyzes. Functional groups of the grown crystal have been identified by Fourier Transform Infrared spectral analysis.

Structural, optical, mechanical and dielectric studies of pure and doped L-Prolinium trichloroacetate single crystals.

In the present work, pure and metal substituted L-Prolinium trichloroacetate (LPTCA) single crystals were grown by slow evaporation method. The grown crystals were subjected to single crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD), powder X-ray diffraction, FTIR, UV-Visible-NIR, hardness, photoluminescence and dielectric studies. The dopant concentration in the crystals was measured by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) analysis.

Redox properties and catalytic activity of CuO/γ-Al₂O₃ meso phase.

Copper oxide based systems are well appreciated for their oxidation activity. The present piece of work discusses the redox properties and catalytic activity of CuO impregnated on mesoporous alumina support. A series of catalysts with copper loading varying from 2.

Ameloblastic carcinoma: Report of a rare case.

Ameloblastic carcinoma is a rare odontogenic tumor exhibiting histological evidence of malignancy in the primary or recurrent tumor. It is characterized by rapid, painful expansion of the jaw, unlike conventional ameloblastomas. The tumor most frequently involves the mandible.

2-(4-Fluoro-phen-yl)-4-(thio-phen-2-yl)-2,3-di-hydro-1,5-benzothia-zepine.

In the title compound, C19H14FNS2, the seven-membered thia-zepine ring adopts a slightly distorted twist boat conformation. The dihedral angle between the benzene rings is 53.6 (1)°.