Improvement of Early Maturing and Climate Resilient Chickpea (<i>Cicer arietinum</i> L.) Cultivars Suitable for Multiple Environments in Bangladesh

Ensuring food security for the rapidly increasing population and changing climatic scenarios are requisites for exploiting the genetic divergence of food crops. A study was undertaken to sort out an early maturing chickpea variety for fitting easily between rice-rice cropping systems in the Eastern Indo-Gangetic Plain of Bangladesh. The trial was comprised of eight elite lines of chickpea and executed at various localities in Bangladesh from 2014– 15 to 2017–18. The result explored the chickpea genotype, BARI Chola-11 remained superior to the rest of the elite genotypes for having a short maturity period (100–106 days), and lesser days to 50% flowering (47– 55 days). The same genotype was recorded to have robust vegetative and reproductive yield attributes including plant height (49–57 cm), podsplant⁻¹ (37–50), and optimum 100 seed weight (19.5–20.6 g). Owing to better yield attributes, BARI Chola-11 resulted in the maximum seed yield (1200–1500 kg ha⁻¹ ) of chickpea and might be recommended for general adoption in the region for boosting nutritional security status through improved productivity under changing climate.     

Exosomes for angiogenesis induction in ischemic disorders

Ischaemic disorders are leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. While the current therapeutic approaches have improved life expectancy and quality of life, they are unable to “cure” ischemic diseases and instate regeneration of damaged tissues. Exosomes are a class of extracellular vesicles with an average size of 100–150 nm, secreted by many cell types and considered a potent factor of cells for paracrine effects. Since exosomes contain multiple bioactive components such as growth factors, molecular intermediates of different intracellular pathways, microRNAs and nucleic acids, they are considered as cell-free therapeutics. Besides, exosomes do not rise cell therapy concerns such as teratoma formation, alloreactivity and thrombotic events. In addition, exosomes are stored and utilized more convenient. Interestingly, exosomes could be an ideal complementary therapeutic tool for ischemic disorders. In this review, we discussed therapeutic functions of exosomes in ischemic disorders including angiogenesis induction through various mechanisms with specific attention to vascular endothelial growth factor pathway. Furthermore, different delivery routes of exosomes and different modification strategies including cell preconditioning, gene modification and bioconjugation, were highlighted. Finally, pre-clinical and clinical investigations in which exosomes were used were discussed.     

Synthesis of New Bis(pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines) Linked to Different Spacers as Potential MurB Inhibitors

An efficient protocol was adopted to efficiently prepare three new series of bis(pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines) linked to different spacers. The new bis(pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines) were prepared in 80–90 % yields by reacting the respective bis(enaminones) and 4-(4-substituted benzyl)-1H-pyrazole-3,5-diamines in pyridine at reflux temperature for 5–7 h. The new products showed a wide spectrum of antibacterial activity against six different bacterial strains. In general, propane- and butane-linked bis(pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines), which are attached to 3-(4-methyl- or 4-methoxybenzyl) units, had the best antibacterial activity with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values up to 2.5 and 5.1 μM, respectively. Additionally, the previous products demonstrated promising MurB inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ values up to 7.2 μM.     

Analysis of phase stability,elastic, electronic,thermal, and optical properties of Sc1-xYxN via ab initio methods

Journal of Molecular Modeling - The recent advances in the application of machine learning to drug discovery have made it a ‘hot topic’ for research, with hundreds of academic groups...     

Unveiling the Anthelminthic Potential of Merremia vitifolia Stem through in Vitro and in Silico Approach

This study aimed to assess the anthelmintic activity of methanol extracts from Merremia vitifolia stems using a combination approach encompassing experimental, in vitro, and in silico evaluations. Despite the well-recognized pharmacological properties of M. vitifolia, its potential as an anthelmintic agent remained unexplored. This plant's anthelmintic potential was assessed on adult earthworms (Pheretima posthuma), revealing a dose-dependent reduction in spontaneous motility leading to paralysis and eventual mortality. The most effective dose of M. vitifolia (200 mg/ml) for anthelmintic effects on Pheretima posthuma was identified. Complementary in silico investigations were also conducted, employing Autodock PyRx 0.8 for docking studies of reported M. vitifolia compounds. Notably, quercetin emerged as a promising candidate with superior binding energies against β-tubulin (−8.3 Kcal/mol). Moreover, this comprehensive research underlines the anthelmintic potential of Merremia vitifolia stem extract and highlights quercetin as a noteworthy compound for further investigation in the quest for novel anthelmintic agents.     

Exploring the Therapeutic Properties of Alga-Based Silver Nanoparticles: Anticancer,Antibacterial, and Free Radical Scavenging Capabilities

The current study was designed to evaluate the antioxidant, anticancer and antimicrobial activities of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) biosynthesized by Spirulina platensis extract. The biosynthesized silver nanoparticles were characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The antioxidant activity of the biosynthesized AgNPs were determined via DPPH radical scavenging assay while its anticancer activity was determined using the MTT assay. The antimicrobial activity of the biosynthesized AgNPs were analyzed by disc diffusion method. Spirulina platensis acts as a reducing and capping agent. The efficacy of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in inhibiting the growth of Gram-negative bacteria, specifically Acetobacter, Klebsiella, Proteus vulgaris, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, was assessed by the utilisation of the diffusion method. The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) against many strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria. The findings of the study revealed that when administered in doses of 50 μl, 75 μl, and 100 μl, the largest observed zone of inhibition corresponded to measurements of 10.5 mm, 14 mm, and 16 mm, respectively. A zone of inhibition with dimensions of 8 mm, 10.5 mm, and 12 mm was detected during testing against Acetobacter at concentrations of 50 μl, 75 μl, and 100 μl, respectively. The findings also indicate that there is a positive correlation between the concentration of AgNP and the DPPH scavenging ability of silver nanoparticles. The percentage of inhibition observed at concentrations of 500 μg/ml, 400 μg/ml, 300 μg/ml, 200 μg/ml, and 100 μg/ml were recorded as 80±1.98, 61±1.98, 52±1.5, 42±1.99, and 36±1.97, respectively. In addition, it was observed that the silver nanoparticles exhibited the greatest antioxidant activity at a concentration of 500 g/ml, with a measured value of 80.89±1.99. The IC-50 values, representing the inhibitory concentration required to achieve 50 % inhibition, were found to be 8.16, 19.15, 30.14, 41.13, and 63.11 at inhibition levels of 36±1.97, 42±1.99, 52±1.5, 61±1.98, and 80±1.98, respectively.     

Induction of programmed cell death in a dorsal root ganglia × neuroblastoma cell line

Growth factor-dependent neurons die when they are deproved of their specific growth factor. This “programmed” cell death (PCD) requires macromolecular synthesis and is distinct from necrotic cell death. To investigate the mechanisms involved in neuronal PCD, we have studied the sequence of events that occur when a neuronal cell line (F-11: Mouse neuroblastoma X rat dorsal root ganglia) is deprived of serum in a manner analogous to growth factor deprivation from neurons. Protein synthesis was inhibited within the first 8 h of serum deprivation, while DNA cleavage into nucleosome ladders was prominent by 24 h. The DNA cleavage could be inhibited by cycloheximide, consistent with a requirement for protein synthesis. In contrast, mitochondrial function was not compromised by serum deprivation. Rather, the cells appeared to be metabolically activated after serum removal as shown by an increased reduction of MTT by mitochondrial dehydrogenases and an increase in cellular autofluorescence, which is thought to be due to elevated levels of NADH and flavoproteins. Assessment of cell viability by propidium iodide staining showed no indication of cell death within 24 h. After 48 h of serum deprivation, cells decreased in size and increased propidium iodide uptake. Thus, serum deprivation activates PCD in F-11 cells and may be a useful model to study the intracellular events responsible for PCD. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Novel Miscanthus hybrids: Modelling productivity on marginal land in Europe using dynamics of canopy development determined by light interception

New biomass crop hybrids for bioeconomic expansion require yield projections to determine their potential for strategic land use planning in the face of global challenges. Our biomass growth simulation incorporates radiation interception and conversion efficiency. Models often use leaf area to predict interception which is demanding to determine accurately, so instead we use low-cost rapid light interception measurements using a simple laboratory-made line ceptometer and relate the dynamics of canopy closure to thermal time, and to measurements of biomass. We apply the model to project the European biomass potentials of new market-ready hybrids for 2020–2030. Field measurements are easier to collect, the calibration is seasonally dynamic and reduces influence of weather variation between field sites. The model obtained is conservative, being calibrated by crops of varying establishment and varying maturity on less productive (marginal) land. This results in conservative projections of miscanthus hybrids for 2020–2030 based on 10% land use conversion of the least (productive) grassland and arable for farm diversification, which show a European potential of 80.7–89.7 Mt year⁻¹ biomass, with potential for 1.2–1.3 EJ year⁻¹ energy and 36.3–40.3 Mt year⁻¹ carbon capture, with seeded Miscanthus sacchariflorus × sinensis displaying highest yield potential. Simulated biomass projections must be viewed in light of the field measurements on less productive land with high soil water deficits. We are attempting to model the results from an ambitious and novel project combining new hybrids across Europe with agronomy which has not been perfected on less productive sites. Nevertheless, at the time of energy sourcing issues, seed-propagated miscanthus hybrids for the upscaled provision of bioenergy offer an alternative source of renewable energy. If European countries provide incentives for growers to invest, seeded hybrids can improve product availability and biomass yields over the current commercial miscanthus variety.     

Eicosanoid synthesis and Helicobacter pylori associated gastritis: increase in leukotriene C4 generation associated with H. pylori colonization.

The importance of pro-inflammatory leukotriene C4 in Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) associated gastritis in man is unknown. Fresh gastric biopsy specimens from 28 dyspeptic patients were obtained: 10 showed normal antral histology with no evidence of H. pylori, the remaining 18 patients exhibited histological gastritis and were H. pylori positive as assessed by histology, culture and urease test. Twelve of these 18 patients received 240 mg twice daily colloidal bismuth subcitrate for four weeks before re-endoscopy. Gastric biopsies from H. pylori positive patients were incubated under basal and Ca(2+)-ionophore mediated conditions: Radioimmunoassay analysis of the supernatant showed basal release of prostaglandin E2 and leukotriene C4 was slightly but not significantly elevated in H. pylori positive mucosa. However in H. pylori positive mucosa there was an 85% increase in leukotriene C4 synthesis when biopsies were incubated with ionophore, compared to only 13% increase in H. pylori negative mucosa (p less than 0.02). After eradication of H. pylori by colloidal bismuth subcitrate, there was a clearance of inflammatory cell infiltrate as assessed by histology and a significant reduction in ionophore-mediated leukotriene C4 formation compared with before treatment (p less than 0.02). These results suggest that H. pylori gastritis is associated with increased capacity to generate leukotriene C4, which may amplify the damaging effects of the bacteria on gastric mucosa.