Effect of green and UVA spectra, and pre-harvest treatments on biomass and metabolite yields of indoor cultivated stevia rebaudiana.

Stevia rebaudiana is a high-value crop due to the strong commercial demand for its metabolites (steviol glycosides, SG) as an organic low-caloric sweetener with up to 300 times the sweetness of conventional sugar. Two experiments were conducted in this study. In the first experiment, treatments with varying green (GR1 & GR2), UVA (UV1 & UV2) and treatments that had both (UVGR1, UVGR2) were used.

Biosynthesis and biophysical elucidation of CuO nanoparticle from Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Linn Leaf.

Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) synthesis using an environmentally benign approach, as well as their antibacterial properties. Copper sulphate pentahydrate (CuSO.5HO) of different concentrations (2 mM, 5 mM and 10 mM) and aqueous Nyctanthes arbor-tristis leaf extract were used to make the CuO NPs.

Beyond the PAR spectra: impact of light quality on the germination, flowering, and metabolite content of Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni).

Background: Stevia rebaudiana is a high value crop due to the strong commercial demand for its metabolites (steviol glycosides) but has limited geographical cultivation range. In non-native environments with different daylength and light quality, Stevia has low germination rates and early flowering resulting in lower biomass and poor yield of the desired metabolites. In this study, artificial lighting with light-emitting diodes (LEDs) was used to determine if different light quality within and outside of the photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) range can be used to improve germination rates and yields for production of steviol glycosides for the herbal supplement and food industry.

Nitric oxide boosters as defensive agents against COVID-19 infection: an opinion.

In the prevailing covid times, scientific community is busy in developing vaccine against COVID-19. Under such fascination this article describes the possible role of nitric oxide (NO) releasers in aiding the immune system of a human body against this dreadful pandemic disease. Despite some prodrug antiviral compounds are in practice to recover the patients suffering from covid-19, however, co-morbidity deaths are highest among the total deaths happened so far.

Narrative critical care: A literary analysis of first-person critical illness pathographies.

Background: Life-threatening illness can be devastating for patients as they experience shifting levels of consciousness, recurrent delirium, and repeated setbacks. Narrative Medicine and its sub-discipline Narrative Critical Care increase healthcare professionals' understanding of the patient perspective, and interpretation of their stories is a means to improving practice.

Purpose: We aimed to investigate book length first-person accounts of critical illness to gain a deeper understanding of universal and individual patient responses and to provide an example of Narrative Critical Care.

Development and Validation of an Evaluation Tool to Measure the Effectiveness of a Smoking Cessation Training among Healthcare Providers in Malaysia: The Providers' Smoking Cessation Training Evaluation (ProSCiTE).

: In line with Article 14 of the Framework Convention for Tobacco Control, we have witnessed vast developments in smoking cessation training for healthcare providers, offering help for smokers. However, there is no specific evaluation tool to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of these programs for future enhancement and sustainability. : To develop and validate a new tool for evaluating smoking cessation training programs for healthcare providers called the Providers' Smoking Cessation Training Evaluation (ProSCiTE).

A cobalt oxide nanocubes interleaved reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite modified glassy carbon electrode for amperometric detection of serotonin.

Cobalt oxide nanocubes incorporated with reduced graphene oxide (rGO-CoO) was prepared by using simple one-step hydrothermal route. Crystallinity and structural characteristics of the nanocomposite were analyzed and confirmed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman analysis, respectively. The cubical shape of the CoO nanostructures and the distribution of CoO nanocubes on the surface of rGO sheets were identified through field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) mapping analysis, respectively.

Nitric oxide functionalized molybdenum(0) pyrazolone Schiff base complexes: thermal and biochemical study.

This work describes the synthesis and characterization of three molybdenum dinitrosyl Schiff base complexes of the general formula [Mo(NO)(L)(OH)], where L is -(dehydroacetic acid)-4-aminoantipyrene (dha-aapH), -(4-acetylidene-3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one)-4-aminoantipyrine (amphp-aapH) or -(3-methyl-1-phenyl-4-propionylidene-2-pyrazolin-5-one)-4-aminoantipyrine (mphpp-aapH). The complexes were formulated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses, elemental composition, magnetic susceptibility measurements, molar conductance behaviour and determination of the respective decomposition temperatures. A comparative experimental-theoretical approach was followed to elucidate the structure of the complexes.

Density functionalized [Ru(NO)(Salen)(Cl)] complex: Computational photodynamics and in vitro anticancer facets.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment that uses photosensitizing agents to kill cancer cells. Scientific community has been eager for decades to design an efficient PDT drug. Under such purview, the current report deals with the computational photodynamic behavior of ruthenium(II) nitrosyl complex containing N, N'-salicyldehyde-ethylenediimine (SalenH), the synthesis and X-ray crystallography of which is already known [Ref.

Patents on Endophytic Fungi.

Background: Endophytic fungi are taxonomically and ecologically heterogeneous group of organisms, mainly belonging to the Ascomycotina and Deuteromycotina. Endophytes usually produce the enzymes necessary for the colonization of plant tissues. Endophytes are able to utilize components of plant cells without disturbing host metabolism, which is confirmed by isozyme analysis and studies on substrate utilization.

Allergy genuflection? It's surmount with special focus on ear, nose and throat.

The system that protects body from infectious agents is immune system. On occasions, the system seldom reacts with some foreign particles and causes allergy. Allergies of the ear, nose and throat (ENT) often have serious consequences, including impairment and emotional strain that lowers the quality of life of patients.

Molecular aspects of metal oxide nanoparticle (MO-NPs) mediated pharmacological effects.

Metal oxide nanoparticles (MO-NPs) are the multidisciplinary nano-scaled molecules which are being used in the diagnosis and treatment of the challenging diseases including cancer. Evidence suggest that antimicrobial formulations in the form of MO-NPs can be possibly used as effective antimicrobial agents. In addition, MO-NPs are known to target various cellular signaling pathways associated with apoptosis, angiogenesis, metastasis and inflammation of cancer.

Molecular aspects of melatonin (MLT)-mediated therapeutic effects.

Hormones are a class of molecules, which mediate their effects by regulating a variety of signalling pathways. Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine), a pineal gland hormone, is one among the categories of compounds having various therapeutic and pharmacological effects. Melatonin has many intracellular as well as extracellular targets including apoptosis, metastasis, angiogenesis and inflammatory pathways.

Enzyme-Enhanced Extraction of Antioxidant Ingredients from Algae.

Marine algae are not only a rich source of dietary fibre, proteins, vitamins, and minerals, but also contain a great variety of secondary metabolites with diverse biological activities. Marine macroalgae are a rich source of various natural antioxidants such as polyphenols, especially phlorotannins (made of polyphloroglucinol units) derived from brown algae, which play an important role in preventing lipid peroxidation. In recent years, a number of potent antioxidant compounds have been isolated and identified from different types of edible seaweeds.

Global renewable energy-based electricity generation and smart grid system for energy security.

Energy is an indispensable factor for the economic growth and development of a country. Energy consumption is rapidly increasing worldwide. To fulfill this energy demand, alternative energy sources and efficient utilization are being explored.

Synergistic effect of BAP and GA3 on in vitro flowering of Guizotia abyssinica Cass.-A multipurpose oil crop.

Apical and axillary buds of Guizotia abyssinica Cass., isolated from seedlings raised in vitro, were cultured. High frequency of shoot regeneration was achieved on MS medium with BAP (1 mgl(-1)).

Pharmacological and therapeutic potential of Cordyceps with special reference to Cordycepin.

An entomopathogenic fungus, Cordyceps sp. has been known to have numerous pharmacological and therapeutic implications, especially, in terms of human health making it a suitable candidate for ethno-pharmacological use. Main constituent of the extract derived from this fungus comprises a novel bio-metabolite called as Cordycepin (3'deoxyadenosine) which has a very potent anti-cancer, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.

Induction of somatic embryogenesis in endangered butterfly ginger Hedychium coronarium J. Koenig.

An efficient protocol has been developed for regeneration of complete plants through somatic embryogenesis in H. coronarium. Creamish white, pale yellow and brown calli were obtained on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of auxins [2, 4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2, 4-D), Indole-3 acetic acid (IAA) and 1-Naphthylacetic acid (NAA)] after 4 weeks.

Development of Transformation System of Verticillium lecanii (Lecanicillium spp.) (Deuteromycotina: Hyphomycetes) Based on Nitrate Reductase Gene of Aspergillus nidulans.

A heterologous transformation system was developed for V. lecanii based on the complementation of a nitrate reductase mutant. Nitrate reductase mutants were obtained by resistance to chlorate in a rate of 23.

Two antifungal active triterpenoid saponins from the seeds of Lathyrus plants.

Two novel triterpenoid glycosides have been isolated from butanolic seeds extract of two varieties of Lathyrus plants, i.e. Lathyrus ratan and Lathyrus aphaca.

Vibriocidal activity of certain medicinal plants used in Indian folklore medicine by tribals of Mahakoshal region of central India.

Objectives: Screening of the medicinal plants and determination of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio parahaemolyticus.

Materials And Methods: A simple in vitro screening assay was employed for the standard strain of Vibrio cholerae, 12 isolates of Vibrio cholerae non-O1, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Aqueous and organic solvent extracts of different parts of the plants were investigated by using the disk diffusion method.

Antibacterial Activity of Medicinal Plants Against Pathogens causing Complicated Urinary Tract Infections.

Seventeen Indian folklore medicinal plants were investigated to evaluate antibacterial activity of aqueous, ethanol and acetone extracts against 66 multidrug resistant isolates of major urinary tract pathogens (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus faecalis) by disc diffusion method. Ethanol extract of Zingiber officinale and Punica granatum showed strong antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli. Ethanol extracts of Terminalia chebula and Ocimum sanctum exhibited antibacterial activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of Shigella spp. with reference to its virulence genes and antibiogram analysis from river Narmada.

Water samples of the river Narmada from the source to the mouth were analyzed for the presence of shigellae and the Shigella isolates from 180 water samples were characterized by biotyping, serotyping and molecular typing. Out of all the 40 isolates, 23 were identified as S. flexneri, 10 as S.

Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of Shigella spp. with reference to its virulence genes and antibiogram analysis from river Narmada.

Water samples of the river Narmada from origin to end were analyzed for the presence of shigellae. Analysis of 40 water samples by biotyping, serotyping, and molecular typing were done. Out of all 40 isolates, 23 were identified as Shigella flexneri, 10 as Shigella sonnei, and seven as Shigella dysenteriae.