Application of character based DNA barcode: a novel approach towards identification of fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) species from cucurbit crops.

Background: The Tephritidae family, commonly referred to as true fruit flies, comprises of a substantial group within order Diptera. Numerous species within this family are major agricultural pests, with a tendency to infest a wide array of fruits and vegetables in tropical and sub- tropical regions, leading to considerable damage and consequent reductions in the market value of the crops.

Methods And Results: The current study was aimed to propose a promising solution to the menace posed by fruit flies by offering rapid, accurate and reliable species identification by using character-based DNA barcode methodology.

Social influence and consensus building: Introducing a q-voter model with weighted influence.

We present a model of opinion formation where an individual's opinion is influenced by interactions with a group of agents. The model introduces a novel bias mechanism that favors one opinion, a feature not previously explored. In the absence of bias, the system reduces to a mean field voter model.

Targeting breast cancer stem cells in ER-positive breast cancer by repurposing the benzoporphyrin derivative verteporfin as a YAP/TAZ small molecule inhibitor.

Background: Current treatment strategies for hormone-dependent breast cancers, including adjuvant endocrine therapy, often fail due to persistence of breast cancer stem cells (brCSCs), which are significant contributors to tumor recurrence and treatment resistance. Therefore, gaining deeper insights into the molecular regulators driving breast cancer aggressiveness is important. Moreover, given the complexities and expenses involved in developing new pharmacological agents, the strategic repurposing of existing FDA-approved drugs to target these key molecular pathways presents a compelling approach for identifying novel therapeutic interventions aimed at mitigating tumor refractoriness.

Challenges in "probing spectroscopic probes" for noninvasive simultaneous disease diagnosis.

Noninvasive diagnosis of human diseases relies on the detection of molecular markers (probes) in a painless manner. Although extrinsic and intrinsic molecular markers are often used, intrinsic disease probes (molecular markers) are preferable because they are naturally present in our body, and deviation in their concentration from normal levels clearly indicates anomalies in human bodies, that is, diseases. In this study, we report noninvasive spectroscopic measurements of total haemoglobin (Hb), bilirubin, and the ratio of oxy- and deoxyhaemoglobin as disease markers for anaemia, jaundice, and oxygen deficiency, respectively, using a meticulously designed optical fibre probe.

Dual neutralization of TGF-β and IL-21 regulates Th17/Treg balance by suppressing inflammatory signalling in the splenic lymphocytes of Staphylococcus aureus infection-induced septic arthritic mice.

Septic arthritis (SA) caused by Staphylococcus aureus is a severe inflammatory joint disease, characterized by synovitis accompanied with cartilage destruction and bone erosion. The available antibiotic treatment alone is insufficient to resolve the inflammation that leads to high rates of morbidity and mortality. Among the CD4 T helper lymphocytes, the Th17 and Tregs are key regulators of immune homeostasis.

Therapeutic Scrutiny of Lentinus polychrous with Attention to Its Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Anticancer Attributes.

Mushrooms, being a source of therapeutically active compounds, are of great interest to researchers due to their historical usage in traditional therapies and the significant role that natural products have played in the development of contemporary medications. Lentinus polychrous is one underutilized mushroom species collected from the laterites of West Bengal, India. Our study aims toward its taxonomic validation, deciphering the secondary metabolic fingerprint, and testing its efficiency in countering many clinical issues, including oxidative stress, growing microbial drug resistance, and cancer.

Sustainable Synthesis of Medicinally Important Heterocycles.

Sustainable chemistry and nature-friendly protocols are not only luxury but has become essential requirement for the modern society as it progresses towards a more responsible future. To match the current needs of the community, industries and in particular chemical industry is looking for novel and cheap strategies that have less adverse effects on the environment. Heterocyclic compounds are one particular motif, which is prevalent in nature.

Novel Cationic Bolaamphiphiles for Protein and DNA Binding, Gene Delivery, and Antimicrobial Applications.

In this study, we have designed and developed a cationic bolaform C-(2,3-dihydroxy-N, N-dimethyl-N-(2-ureidoethyl)propan-1-aminium chloride) (C(DDUPAC)) that is derived from biocompatible molecules. The bolaform C(DDUPAC) has hydroxyl (OH) functionality at both the cationic head groups. The impact of head group structure on the self-assembly and effectiveness of gene transfection and antimicrobial activity was investigated and compared with that of the hydrochloride salt C-(N, N-dimethyl-N-(2-ureidoethan-1-aminium chloride) (C(DUAC)) of its precursor molecule.

Influence of puberty on high intensity exercise induced skeletal muscle damage and inflammatory response in sedentary boys.

The present investigation examined the influence of age and pubertal transition on magnitude of muscle damage and inflammatory response following high intensity incremental treadmill running till volitional exhaustion in sixty-four sedentary prepubertal ( ​= ​32) and postpubertal ( ​= ​32) boys who were randomly recruited in the study. Muscle damage and inflammatory markers like creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotranferase (AST), C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) were estimated before and after exercise. Serum CK, LDH, AST, ALT, CRP and IL-6 levels significantly increased after exercise in both the groups in comparison to respective pre-exercise values.

Smart Luminescent Materials for Emerging Sensors: Fundamentals and Advances.

Smart luminescent materials have drawn a significant attention owing to their unique optical properties and versatility in sensor applications. These materials, encompassing a broad spectrum of organic, inorganic, and hybrid systems including quantum dots, organic dyes, and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), offer tunable emission characteristics that can be engineered at the molecular or nanoscale level to respond to specific stimuli, such as temperature, pH, and chemical presence. Recent advancements have been driven by the integration of nanotechnology, which enhances the sensitivity and selectivity of luminescent materials in sensor platforms.

Investigating the association of VHL gene variants with disease risk and clinicopathological outcomes in ccRCC patients from West Bengal, India.

Background: Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is a prevalent and aggressive malignancy, with the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) gene playing a critical role in its pathogenesis. However, the association between VHL gene variants and sporadic ccRCC risk remains unexplored in the Indian population. This study aimed to investigate the somatic and germline variants of the VHL gene in sporadic ccRCC patients from West Bengal, India, and their association with disease risk and clinicopathological parameters.

A Comprehensive Review of the Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Therapeutic Efficacies of Black Cumin ( L.) Seed Oil and Its Thymoquinone.

Black cumin ( L.) (family Ranunculaceae) is a largely utilized therapeutic herb worldwide. This comprehensive review discusses the pharmacological benefits of black cumin seed oil, focusing on its bioactive component thymoquinone (TQ).

French marigold () flavonoid extract-based priming ameliorates initial drought stress on var , cultivar Satabdi (IET4786): a sustainable approach to avoid initial drought stress.

Drought stress remains a serious concern in L. var , cultivar Satabdi (IET4786) production, particularly during the earliest growth phases, ultimately affecting yield due to the recent trend of delayed rain arrival in West Bengal, India. This study aimed to develop a cost-effective strategy to improve the drought tolerance capacity of rice seedlings by priming the seeds with flavonoid-enriched extract (FEE) of French marigold () petals to withstand the initial drought milieu.

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.

Impacts of variable magnetic field on ternary Casson nanofluid flow through ciliated arterial walls incorporating interfacial nanolayer.

The current investigation explores tri-hybrid mediated blood flow through a ciliary annular model, designed to emulate an endoscopic environment. The human circulatory system, driven by the metachronal ciliary waves, is examined in this study to understand how ternary nanoparticles influence wave-like flow dynamics in the presence of interfacial nanolayers. We also analyze the effect of an induced magnetic field on Ag-Cu-/blood flow within the annulus, focusing on thermal radiation, heat sources, buoyancy forces and ciliary motion.

Solvent-Driven Self-Assembly of Discrete Ni(II)-Azide Complexes: Unraveling Unusual Behavior in Mimicking Jack Bean Urease.

The well-known inhibitory strength of 3d metal Schiff base complexes against urease enzymes has long been acknowledged, but their untapped potential to act as ureolytic mimics of active metallobiosites remained unexplored. To break the new ground, we present pyrrolidine-based mononuclear Ni(II)-azide complex {[NiL(HL)(N)]·1.5(HO)} using the N,N,O donor ligand, namely ()-4-bromo-2-(((2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)ethyl)imino)methyl)phenol.

Effect of Nutmeg () and Tea Tree () Essential Oils on the Oxidative and Microbial Stability of Chicken Fillets During Refrigerated Storage.

The current study investigated the impact of nutmeg essential oil (NEO) and tea tree essential oil (TTEO) on the preservation of raw chicken fillets during nine days of refrigerated storage study. The primary aim was to explore the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of these essential oils (EOs) and assess their ability to extend the shelf life of poultry meat. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was utilized to identify the chemical compositions of NEO and TTEO, revealing the presence of compounds like myristicin and terpenoids, known for their antimicrobial and antioxidant activities.

Novel Variants of IGF2 Gene Are Linked With Neural Tube Defects-An In Silico to Clinical Approach in West Bengal, India.

Background: Neural tube defects (NTDs) are defined as an incomplete closure of the neural tube (NT), with a prevalence of 1.2 per 1000 live births around the world. Methylation of the maternally imprinted gene Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) is one of the epigenetic mechanisms that contribute significantly to the development of NTDs.

Microplastics can alter structural configurations of human non-canonical G-quadruplex DNA.

Microplastics (MP) with a diameter of less than 150 μm can enter the lymph and bloodstream systems, induce cellular toxicity and damage DNA. G-quadruplexes (GQs) are tetraplex DNA secondary structures found in the human genomes that play important roles in replication, transcription and genomic integrity. Comprehending the biological and molecular processes underlying the activities of MPs could aid in estimating potential hazards to humans.

β-Caryophyllene attenuates oxidative stress and inflammatory response in LPS induced acute lung injury by targeting ACE2/MasR and Nrf2/HO-1/NF-κB axis.

Acute lung injury (ALI) and its severe form, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), is a clinical syndrome that can cause pulmonary edema, inflammation, oxidative stress, and immunological dysregulations. β-Caryophyllene (BCP), a natural bicyclic sesquiterpene, possesses a variety of pharmacological properties and has the potential to be a therapeutic agent. This study aimed to comprehend the effect of BCP on Nrf2/HO-1/NF-κB and ACE2/MasR axis in a rat model of ALI by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the underlying mechanisms during this process.

Imagine, Discover, Inspire: Proceedings of the 4th International Conference of the Trisomy 21 Research Society.

Down syndrome (DS) or trisomy 21 (T21) is present in a significant number of children and adults around the world and is associated with cognitive and medical challenges. Through research, the T21 Research Society (T21RS), established in 2014, unites a worldwide community dedicated to understanding the impact of T21 on biological systems and improving the quality of life of people with DS across the lifespan. T21RS hosts an international conference every two years to support collaboration, dissemination, and information sharing for this goal.

Aging of disposable face masks in landfill leachate poses cyto-genotoxic risks to Allium cepa: Perils of uncontrolled disposal of medical waste.

The accumulation of disposable face masks (DFMs) has become a significant threat to the environment due to extensive use during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this research, we investigated the degradation of DFMs after their disposal in landfills. We replicated the potential degradation process of DFMs, including exposure to sunlight before subjecting them to synthetic landfill leachate (LL).

Dissecting sequence-structure-function-diversity in plant cryptochromes.

Ubiquitous to every stratum of life, cryptochromes regulate numerous light dependent functions in terrestrial plants. These include light-dependent transcription, circadian rhythm, inhibition of hypocotyl elongation, programmed cell death, promotion of floral initiation, mediation of gravitropic response, responding to biotic and abiotic stress etc. There have been quite a few seminal reviews including on plant cryptochromes, focusing mostly on the detailed functional aspects.

HPO promoted reactions of thioamides with 2-substituted benzyl alcohols.

In this study, we have investigated the reactivity of thioamides with alcohols by utilizing HPO as a low-toxicity, cost-effective Brønsted acid catalyst. This report includes a methodology for the synthesis of thioesters from thioamides and 2-hydroxyaryl alcohols. Thioesters are emerging as a notable class of organic molecules due to their biological relevance, extensive use in drug discovery, and industrial applications.