A review on the role of nanocomposites for desulfurization of liquid transportation fuels.

Stringent sulfur removal regulations from transportation fuels from typical levels of 500 ppm to ultra-low levels of 10 ppm (BS-6 standard) present a critical challenge for the crude processing industry. This research thoroughly investigates emerging desulfurization technologies, with a focus on nanocomposite (NC) materials that exhibit exceptional sulfur removal efficiency. Advanced nanocomposite catalysts, such as (TBA)PWFe@TiO@PVA, have near-complete removal rates of 96-99% for complicated sulfur compounds like dibenzothiophene (DBT) and derivatives.

Dioxins and their impact: a review of toxicity, persistence, and novel remediation strategies.

Dioxins rank among the most hazardous persistent organic pollutants, presenting a serious threat due to their long environmental lifespan and capacity for bioaccumulation. This comprehensive review delves into the historical, chemical, and toxicological aspects of dioxins, spotlighting significant incidents such as the Seveso disaster and the repercussions of Agent Orange. The review offers a thorough analysis of the sources of dioxin formation, encompassing natural occurrences like volcanic eruptions and wildfires, alongside man-made activities such as industrial combustion and waste incineration.

Emergence of Fluorescent Glycodots for Biomedical Applications.

Carbohydrate-functionalized quantum dots exhibit excellent physical characteristics and enhance the steric interaction with biological cells and tissues. Glycoconjugation of quantum dots promotes aqueous solubility, stability, and reduced immunogenicity. Carbohydrate-protein interactions are involved in various vital processes and provide insight into cellular recognition, cell-to-cell communication, pathogenicity, antigen-antibody recognition, and enzymatic action.

Biofouling dynamics and antifouling innovations: Transitioning from traditional biocides to nanotechnological interventions.

Biofouling is a common phenomenon caused by waterborne organisms such as bacteria, diatoms, mussels, barnacles, algae, etc., accumulating on the surfaces of engineering structures submerged under water. This leads to corrosion of such surfaces and decreases their moving efficiency.

Comprehensive Analysis of the NHX Gene Family and Its Regulation Under Salt and Drought Stress in Quinoa ( Willd.).

: Abiotic stresses such as salinity and drought significantly constrain crop cultivation and affect productivity. Quinoa ( Willd.), a facultative halophyte, exhibits remarkable tolerance to drought and salinity stresses, making it a valued model for understanding stress adaptation mechanisms.

Assessing the potential effects of climate change on the morphodynamics of the tropical coral reef islands in the Gulf of Mannar, Indian Ocean.

Low-lying and small tropical coral reef islands around the world are extremely vulnerable to the effects of global environmental change caused by the combination of anthropogenic climate change and escalating extreme hydrodynamic events. Erosion and inundation are anticipated to physically destabilize the tropical coral reef islands, rendering them uninhabitable within the next century. Therefore, it is crucial to assess the repercussions of these hazardous events on the delicate reef island ecosystem in order to conserve and ensure sustainable management.

Unveiling the risk of marine litter and derelict fishing gear in remote coral reefs of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, North Indian Ocean.

An increasing amount of plastic litter and derelict fishing gear in the global oceans poses significant threats to corals and reef-associated marine biota. In this context, an underwater marine litter survey was conducted along the fringing coral reefs in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands- a remote archipelago in the Bay of Bengal, Northern Indian Ocean. The result revealed entanglement and smothering of coral colonies by plastic and derelict fishing gear.

Chemical characteristics and bioactivity potential of polysaccharide extracts and purified fractions from Arctic brown macroalgae.

Macroalgae growing in the polar regions are exposed to extreme environment conditions and may induce differences in the structural and bioactive properties of their polysaccharides. Six brown macroalgae viz. kelp species - Saccharina latissima, Laminaria digitata, and Alaria esculenta; rockweed Fucus distichus; and filamentous macroalgae - Chorda filum and Chordaria flageliformis, from the Arctic were investigated for polysaccharides and their bioactivity.

Silicone Oil-Functionalized Hydrophobic Nano Silica: A Floating Sorbent for Organic Pollutant Removal in Aquatic Systems.

Meso/microporous nano silica modified with macromolecular polymers produces attractive hybrids that repel water and have a hydrophobic surface, making them highly effective for targeting and eliminating organic contaminants in aquatic environments. In this study, nano silica was functionalized with silicone oil, an oligomeric siloxane derivative, to produce a hydrophobic silica nano hybrid characterized by a non-wetting water contact angle of 139°. This hydrophobic hybrid nano silica showed a sustainable floating nature on water even in turbulent streams.

AS3MT Gene Variant Shows Association with Skin Lesions in an Arsenic Exposed Population of India.

AS3MT, GSTO2, and GSTP1 genes play important roles in the arsenic biotransformation pathway, while CYP2E1 gene has a prominent role in the metabolic activation of xenobiotics. Hence, polymorphisms of these genes might have an effect on arsenic biotransformation and could impact susceptibility to arsenical skin lesions in individuals of chronic arsenic toxicity. The present case-control study, comprising 148 subjects, attempted to evaluate genetic association between nine polymorphisms of AS3MT, GSTO2, GSTP1 and CYP2E1 genes and arsenical skin lesions in a West Bengal (WB) population.

Characterization, Bio-Prospection, and Comparative Metagenomics of Bacterial Communities Revealing the Predictive Functionalities in Wild and Cultured Samples of Industrially Important Red Seaweed Gracilaria dura.

The present study explores the microbial community associated with the industrially important red seaweed Gracilaria dura to determine the diversity and biotechnological potential through culture and metagenomics approaches. In the first part of the investigation, we isolated and characterized 75 bacterial morphotypes, with varied colony characteristics and metabolic diversity from the wild seaweed. Phylogenetic analysis identified isolates in Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria, with Bacillus sp.

Comprehensive Review on Bio-Based Treatments for Polyvinyl Chloride Plastic.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastics are widespread around the globe, and each year, thousands of tons of PVC end up in the environment in the form of micro-/nanoplastics. Literature has reported extensively on the biodegradation of its PVC additives/plasticizers; however, bio-based treatment approaches for its polymers have been scanty. The current review has discussed elaborately all possible PVC degradation processes and the toxicity challenges faced during its mitigation.

The hidden language of plant-beneficial microbes: chemo-signaling dynamics in plant microenvironments.

Plants and microorganisms coexist within complex ecosystems, significantly influencing agricultural productivity. Depending on the interaction between the plant and microbes, this interaction can either help or harm plant health. Microbes interact with plants by secreting proteins that influence plant cells, producing bioactive compounds like antibiotics or toxins, and releasing molecules such as N-acyl homoserine lactones to coordinate their behaviour.

Combined effects of climate stressors and soil arsenic contamination on metabolic profiles and productivity of rice (Oryza sativa L.).

Rice productivity and quality are increasingly at risk in arsenic (As) affected areas, challenge that is expected to worsen under changing climatic conditions. Free-Air Concentration Enrichment experiments revealed that eCO, eO, and eTemp, whether acting individually or in combination with low and high As irrigation, significantly impact rice yield and grain quality. Elevated CO₂ significantly increased shoot biomass, with minimal impact on root biomass, except under low As irrigation conditions.

Suboxic waters of the eastern Arabian Sea shelter secondary chlorophyll maximum dominated by heterotrophic dinoflagellate Pronoctiluca spp. (order Noctilucales).

In the present study, we investigated the dinoflagellate assemblages in the upper water column (< 150-m depth), focusing on the suboxic waters of the eastern Arabian Sea (EAS) along 68°E from 8°N to 21°N during the southwest monsoon 2020 (SWM-2020). Dinoflagellate abundance was higher in the upper water column (0-80-m depth, mean ± SD = 411 ± 903 cells L) compared to deeper waters (80-150-m depth, mean ± SD = 128 ± 216 cells L). Among 11 identified taxonomic dinoflagellate orders, Peridinales were predominant in the upper waters column (71%, mean ± SD = 285 ± 858 cells L).

Assessing cropping system dynamics over three decades: remote sensing and GIS insights in Murshidabad-Jiaganj Block.

Agriculture is a significant contributor to the country's economic development. We used multiple Landsat images from 1990 to 2021 in the Murshidabad-Jiaganj Block to assess changes in the agricultural system and their underlying causes. The Rabi season saw a 10.

Influence of Magnesium Ions and Crowding Agents on Structure and Stability of RNA Aptamers.

Aptamers bind to their targets with exceptional affinity and specificity. However, their intracellular application is hampered by the lack of knowledge about the effect of the cellular milieu on the RNA structure/stability. In this study, cellular crowding was mimicked using polyethylene glycol (PEG), and the crucial role of Mg ions in stabilizing the structure of an RNA aptamer was investigated.

Advances in chemical and microbial source tracking (MST) of fecal pollution in coastal waters: a review.

Coastal waters are the ultimate destination for both point and non-point sources of contamination. The uncontrolled dicharge of fecal waste into the ocean harms natural resources, marine life, and poses health risks to humans. Regular monitoring of coastal water quality and source tracking is important to prevent disease outbreaks.

Bioremediation of catecholic pollutants with novel oxygen-insensitive catechol 2,3-dioxygenase and its potential in biomonitoring of catechol in wastewater.

The oxygenases are essential in the bioremediation of xenobiotic pollutants. To overcome cultivability constraints, this study aims to identify new potential extradiol dioxygenases using the functional metagenomics approach. RW1-4CC, a novel catechol 2,3-dioxygenase, was isolated using functional metagenomics approach, expressed in a heterologous system, and characterized thoroughly using state-of-the-art techniques.

Functional and Genomic Potential of Burkholderia contaminans PB_AQ24 Isolate for Boosting the Growth of Bamboo Seedlings in Heavy Metal Contaminated Soils.

The present study investigated the genomic and functional potential of Burkholderia contaminans PB_AQ24, a bacterial strain isolated from the municipal solid waste dumpsite, for boosting the growth of Dendrocalamus strictus (Male bamboo) seedlings. The isolated strain exhibited high potency for metal solubilization and ACC (1-Aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate) deaminase activity. Its genome harbored diverse genes responsible for nitrogen and phosphorus utilization (trpABCDES, iaaH, acdS, pstABCS, phoAUD, pqqABCDE, kdpABC, gln, and nirBD) and also an abundance of heavy metal tolerant genes (ftsH, hptX, iscX-fdx-hscAB-iscAUR, mgtA, corA, and copC).

Corporate genome screening India (CoGsI) identified genetic variants association with T2D in young Indian professionals.

Rising cases of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in India, especially in metropolitan cities is an increasing concern. The individuals that were most affected are young professionals working in the corporate sector. However, the corporate sector has remained the least explored for T2D risk predisposition.

Epidemiological insights into Childhood vernal keratoconjunctivitis in India: Unravelling clinical presentation and environmental influences - The EPIC VKC study - Fourth report of the ICMR EYE SEE study group.

Purpose: To study the epidemiology and clinical presentation of allergic eye diseases (AEDs) and Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC).

Methods: A cross-sectional- cum-cohort study was conducted in rural and urban areas in different geographical locations (plains, hilly, high-altitude and coastal) in India. Children (5-15 years) were included, information on exposure to environmental factors gathered, participants screened for AED and VKC on torch light, followed by a comprehensive eye examination.

Examining the risk mitigation strategies of farm households in Ghana: The role of community water resources.

Agricultural water is indispensable for fostering resilient and sustainable agricultural practices. However, empirical evidence regarding the relationship between community water resources (CWR) and risk mitigation behaviours among farm households remains scant. Utilising nationally-representative household survey data and geospatial information on household locations, we investigate how access to CWR influences crop diversification and sharecropping.

Identification of bacterial communities associated with needle mushroom () and its production environment.

is an important edible and medicinal mushroom widely cultivated in East Asia, with its quality and health strongly influenced by associated microbial communities. However, limited data exist on the bacterial communities associated with cultivation in Chinese farms. This study investigated bacterial communities associated with and its production environment using high-throughput 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and culture-dependent methods.

Physico-chemical characteristics of fresh faecal matter from a residential apartment: a short-term study conducted at Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.

The study presents findings from physico-chemical and elemental analyses of fresh faecal matter from a residential apartment in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. Samples were taken every 8-10 days over 4 months to account for variability and establish baseline data. The study also examines the influence of dietary patterns and toilet cleaners on faecal sludge properties.