Polyethylene Microplastics Affected Survival Rate, Food Intake and Altered Oxidative Stress Parameters in Freshwater Snail Indoplanorbis exustus.

Microplastics have a negative impact on aquatic ecosystems. Gastropod mollusks serve as bioindicators and are good model systems for ecotoxicological studies. To assess oxidative damage, we exposed the ram's horn snail, Indoplanorbis exustus, to various concentrations of low-density polyethylene microplastics (size range 8-100 µm).

Comparative ergonomic assessment of manual harvesting of un-lodged and lodged paddy crops post-tropical cyclone in India.

Objective: In recent times, increased rainfall from tropical cyclones due to climate change affects the agricultural sector, mainly the paddy fields. High windspeed with excessive rain causes lodging of paddy crops, which is difficult to harvest. Mechanized harvesting systems are ineffective in this situation due to waterlogging in the fields.

Occupational ergonomic assessment of MSDs among the artisans working in the Bagh hand block printing industry in Madhya Pradesh, India.

The hand block printing technique practiced in Dhar District of Madhya Pradesh involves highly repetitive tasks with awkward posture, which contribute to the development of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among the artisans, The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of MSDs and the risks factors involved. An observational study and a self-reported questionnaire study were conducted with a sample of 70 artisans. The working postures of the artisans were analyzed using rapid upper limb assessment (RULA) and the occupational repetitive actions (OCRA) method.

Occupational ergonomic assessment of hand pain symptoms among Bagh hand block print artisans of the handicraft textile industry in Madhya Pradesh, India.

Hand block printing is a highly repetitive and precision job involving tasks such as hitting the wooden hand block with the hands as a hammer, causing chronic mechanical trauma to the ulnar side of the palm. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of work-related hand symptoms, to identify ergonomic risks and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and evidence of mechanical trauma among artisans working in Bagh print of Madhya Pradesh. Occupational risk involved in the artisan's wrist area was identified using the modified Dutch musculoskeletal questionnaire (MDMQ) and modified Boston hand evaluation questionnaire.

In Vivo Toxicity Profile of NN-32 and Nanogold Conjugated GNP-NN-32 from Indian Spectacled Cobra Venom.

Background: NN-32 toxin, which was obtained from Naja naja venom and showed cytotoxicity on cancer cell lines. As the toxicity of NN-32 is the main hurdle in the process of drug development; hence, we have conjugated NN-32 toxin with gold nanoparticles (GNP-NN-32) in order to decrease the toxicity of NN-32 without reducing its efficacy, GNP-NN-32 alleviated the toxicity of NN-32 in in vitro studies during the course of earlier studies. In continuation, we are evaluating in vivo toxicity profile of NN-32 and GNP-NN-32 in the present study.

Anticancer potential of nanogold conjugated toxin GNP-NN-32 from venom.

Background: Cancer is the second most common fatal disease in the world, behind cardiovascular disorders in the first place. It accounts for around 0.3 million deaths per year in India due to the lack of proper diagnostic facilities, prevention and treatment.

Cytotoxic activity of NN-32 toxin from Indian spectacled cobra venom on human breast cancer cell lines.

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer which causes significant morbidity and mortality among women worldwide. Lack of medical facilities for early detection, therapeutic strategies for treatment and side effects due to pharmacological compounds have encompassed the need for new therapies mostly from natural sources. A lot of components have been identified from different snake venoms as therapeutic agents.

Genotoxicity and oxidative stress as biomarkers in fresh water mussel, Lamellidens marginalis (Lam.) exposed to monocrotophos.

Monocrotophos (MCP) is an organophosphate pesticide widely used in India for controlling various pests. In this study, we evaluated the oxidative stress and genotoxic potential of MCP on the freshwater mussel Lamellidens marginalis (Lamarck) after 7 days exposure and repair of the damaged DNA after 4 days recovery. The bivalves were exposed to 5.

Assessment of Toxicity of Monocrotophos in Freshwater Bivalve, Lamellidens marginalis, Using Different Markers.

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the toxic effects of monocrotophos, a widely used organophosphorus pesticide, on Lamellidens marginalis with a wide battery of biomarkers consisting of AchE inhibition, lipid peroxidation, the levels of antioxidant enzymes, and histopathological changes. Animals were exposed to monocrotophos (52.36 mg/l) for four days.