A robust phylogenetic framework for members of the order Legionellales and its main genera (Legionella,Aquicella, Coxiella and Rickettsiella) based on phylogenomic analyses and identification of molecular markers demarcating different clades

Antonie van Leeuwenhoek - The order Legionellales contains several clinically important microorganisms. Although members of this order are well-studied for their pathogenesis, there is a paucity of...     

Two new species of Garudinia Moore (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae: Lithosiinae) from India

Two new arctiid species, Garudinia pseudosimulana sp. nov. and G. conjuncta sp. nov. are described and illustrated from India.     

Sources and Levels of Trace Elements Influence Some Blood Parameters in Murrah Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) Calves

Biological Trace Element Research - Sources of supplemental minerals in the diet of animals are of important significance. Bio-availability of organic sources is believed to be more in the body as...     

Genetic variations in ABC transporter genes as a predictive biomarker for toxicity in North Indian lung cancer patients undergoing platinum-based doublet chemotherapy

ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters are expressed in various human tissues and play a vital role in the efflux of various chemotherapeutic drugs. The current study has assessed genetic variants of ABCB1, ABCC1, ABCC2, and ABCG2 genes in 407 lung cancer patients undergoing platinum-based doublet chemotherapy. The association of ABCB1 (C¹²³⁶T, C³⁴³⁵T, and G²⁶⁷⁷T/A), ABCC1 (G³¹⁷³A and G²¹⁶⁸A),ABCC2 (G⁴⁵⁴⁴A), and ABCG2 (C⁴²¹A) polymorphisms with chemotherapy-induced adverse events were assessed, and statistical analysis was conducted. Our data showed that patients harboring heterozygous (GA) genotype for ABCC1 G³¹⁷³A had an increased risk of developing leukopenia (odds ratio [OR] = 1.88, p = 0.04) and anemia (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.70, p = 0.03). For ABCC2 G⁴⁵⁴⁴A polymorphism, patients harboring one copy of the mutant (GA) allele showed an increased risk of developing anemia (OR = 4.24, p = 0.03). After adjusting with various confounding factors, the heterozygous (GA) genotype showed a 5.63-fold increased risk of developing anemia (AOR = 5.63, p = 0.03). The ABCB1 G²⁶⁷⁷A (OR = 0.37, p = 0.008) and ABCC1 G³¹⁷³A (OR = 0.54, p = 0.04) polymorphism showed a lower incidence of developing nephrotoxicity. In ABCG2 C⁴²¹A polymorphism, patients harboring heterozygous (CA) genotype had a lower incidence of having diarrhea (OR = 0.25, p = 0.04). An increased risk of having diarrhea was observed in the heterozygous genotype (GA) for ABCC1 G³¹⁷³A polymorphism (AOR = 2.78, p = 0.04). An increased risk of liver injury was found in the patients carrying heterozygous genotype of the ABCC1 G³¹⁷³A (OR = 2.06, p = 0.02) and ABCB1 C¹²³⁶T (OR = 1.85, p = 0.01). This study demonstrates the role of polymorphic variations in ABCB1, ABCC1, ABCC2, and ABCG2 in predicting hematological, nephrotoxicity, gastrointestinal, and hepatotoxicity.     

How much is soil nitrous oxide emission reduced with biochar application? An evaluation of meta-analyses

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) is the third important long-lived greenhouse gas next to carbon dioxide and methane and croplands are considered biogeochemical hotspots of soil N₂O emissions. To reduce soil N₂O and other greenhouse emissions, climate-smart agricultural practices including biochar application have been applied. Many studies have been conducted with biochar application but results from these studies are not conclusive. To address this issue, meta-analysis, a quantitative review that synthesizes results from multiple independent studies, has been widely used. The results from different meta-analyses also differ but are seldomly evaluated. In this study, we evaluated meta-analyses on the effects of biochar application on soil N₂O emissions. A grand mean response ratio (RR) was further proposed to estimate an overall effect and the impacts of experiment setting, properties of biochar and soil, and agricultural practices. We found 18 meta-analysis papers were published between 2014 and 2022. Sample size (publications or experiments) varied from less than 30 to more than 1000, with a mean sample size of 275. RR was calculated in all studies except one. While four meta-analyses did not find a significant effect of biochar application on soil N₂O emissions, all others reported reductions of soil N₂O emissions, but the magnitude ranged from −10.5% to −54.8%. Synthesizing all results from these meta-analyses, we found that biochar application overall significantly reduced the soil N₂O emissions by 38.8%. The impacts increased with experimental duration till one and half years and reduced after that. Biochar application rate and C:N ratio had large influence on the effects of biochar application on soil N₂O emissions. This study demonstrated that while meta-analysis provides a more comprehensive and better estimation, the inconsistence among these studies may need to be further evaluated. A grand mean RR based on meta-analyses could be more accurate and representative than single meta-analysis.     

Rapid eco-friendly synthesis,characterization, and cytotoxic study of trimetallic stable nanomedicine: A potential material for biomedical applications

In the current scenario of the fight against cancer Integration of potential elements seems to be the best alternative since it overcomes the weaknesses of individuals and the combination of elements makes them formidable in the fight against the cancer war. Inspired by this objective and trusting our knowledge of paddy straw grown oyster mushroom, Pleurotus florida (Pf) mediated synthesis; a first-of-kind approach has been developed for the rapid synthesis of Au–Pt–Ag trimetallic nanoparticles (TMNPs). The developed method was successful, which was confirmed by Ultraviolet–Visible, X-ray diffraction, Transmission Electron Microscopy, Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy. Specifically, prepared TMNPs have been studied for their stability and size as a primary prerequisite for nanomedicine. Finally, the stable nanomedicine developed has been assessed for its performance against the highly metastatic breast cancer cell line (mda-mb-231). The performance was assessed using MTT assay and morphological readings, which were integrated with the cell viability data. We also determined the IC50 value, which was far superior to individual components and motivated us to postulate the possible breast cancer cell killing mechanism of TMNPs. The present study unlocks the new paths for the mushroom-mediated environmentally friendly, economic synthesis of trimetallic nanoparticles, which can be effectively used in cancer nanomedicine.     

Mental illness in people who kill strangers: longitudinal study and national clinical survey

Objectives To establish changes over time in the frequency of homicides committed by strangers, and to describe the personal and clinical characteristics of perpetrators of stranger homicides.Design Longitudinal study and national clinical survey.Participants People convicted of homicide in England and Wales between 1996 and 1999 and whether the victim was known to the perpetrator.Setting England and Wales.Main outcome measure Characteristics of perpetrators of homicides according to whether victims were strangers or not.Results Stranger homicides increased between 1967 and 1997, both in number and as a proportion of all homicides. No increase was found, however, in the number of perpetrators placed under a hospital order after homicide, whether all homicides or stranger homicides only. 358 of 1594 (22%) homicides were stranger homicides. In these cases the perpetrator was more likely to be male and young. The method of killing was more likely to be by hitting, kicking, or pushing (36% (130 of 358) for victims who were strangers to the perpetrator compared with 14% (145 of 1074) for victims who were known). Perpetrators were less likely to have a history of mental disorder (34%, n = 80 ν 50%, n = 142), a history of contact with mental health services (16%, 37 of 234 ν 24%, 200 of 824), and psychiatric symptoms at the time of the offence (6%, n = 14 ν 18%, n = 143). They were more likely to have a history of drug misuse (47%, n = 93 ν 37%, n = 272); alcohol (56%, n = 94 ν 41%, n = 285) or drugs (24% n = 44 ν 12%, n = 86) were more likely to have contributed to the offence.Conclusions Stranger homicides have increased, but the increase is not the result of homicides by mentally ill people and therefore the “care in the community” policy. Stranger homicides are more likely to be related to alcohol or drug misuse by young men.