Aspergillus terreus (Trichocomaceae): A Natural, Eco-Friendly Mycoinsecticide for Control of Malaria, Filariasis, Dengue Vectors and Its Toxicity Assessment Against an Aquatic Model Organism Artemia nauplii

Vector-borne diseases like malaria, filariasis, and dengue are transmitted by mosquitoes and they cause global mortality and morbidity due to an increased resistance against commercial insecticides. The present study was aimed to evaluate the neurobehavioral toxicity, knock-down effect, histopathology, ovicidal, adulticidal, and smoke toxicity effect of Aspergillus terreus extract against three mosquito species, namely Anopheles stephensi, Culex quinquefasciatus, and Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae). The isolated fungal strain was identified as A. terreus (GenBank accession no: KX694148.1) through morphological and molecular (phylogenetic) analysis. The morphological changes in the treated fourth instar larvae shown the demelanization of cuticle and shrinkage of the internal cuticle of anal papillae. The time duration of extract exposure against the larvae determines the level of toxicity. The extract treated larvae were displayed excitation, violent vertical and horizontal movements with aggressive anal biting behavior as the toxic effect on the neuromuscular system. The results of the biochemical analysis indicated that a decrease in the level of acetylcholinesterase, α-carboxylesterase, and β-carboxylesterase in extract treated fourth instar larvae of all tested mosquito species. The findings of histopathological investigation shown the disorganization of the abdominal region, mainly in mid, hindgut, and gastric caeca, loss of antenna, lateral hair, caudal hair, upper and lower head hairs in the mycelium extract treated An. stephensi, Cx. quinquefasciatus, and Ae. aegypti. The ovicidal bioassay test results showed the mosquito hatchability percentage was directly related to the concentrations of mycelium extract. Nil hatchability of mosquito eggs was noticed at 500 μg/ml concentration. The adulticidal activity of fungal mycelia ethyl acetate extract resulted in a dose-dependent activity (15 and 30 min recovery periods). The higher concentration of extract (1000 mg/L) acted as a repellent, the adult mosquitoes showed restless movement, uncontrolled/anesthetic flight at last died. The better adulticidal activity was observed in the ethyl acetate extract against An. stephensi, Cx. quinquefasciatus followed by Ae. aegypti with the best score of LD50 and LD90 values and nil mortality was found in the control. The results of smoke toxicity assay of the mycelia extract exhibited significant mortality rate against Ae. aegypti (91%), Cx. quinquefasciatus (89%), and An. stephensi (84%). In addition, the present investigation reported the stability and toxic effects of A. terreus mycelium ethyl acetate extract on Artemia nauplii. The swimming speed (0.88 mm s-1) of A. terreus was reduced with ethyl extract 24 h treatment whereas, the control A. nauplii showed the normal speed of 2.96 mm s-1. Altered behavior and swimming movement were observed in the 8 h A. terreus mycelium extract treated A. nauplii. A pale yellow color substance (metabolites) was found in the mid-gut region of the mycelial extract exposed A. nauplii. The outcome of the present study, suggest that the A. terreus metabolites might serve as an alternative, cost-effective, eco-friendly, and target specific mosquitocidal agent in the future

Larvicidal, Histopathological, Antibacterial Activity of Indigenous Fungus Penicillium sp. Against Aedes aegypti L and Culex quinquefasciatus (Say) (Diptera: Culicidae) and Its Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition and Toxicity Assessment of Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Fungal metabolites are considered to be most efficient tools to overcome the issues related to insecticide resistance and environmental pollution. The present study focus on the evaluation of the mosquito larvicidal efficacy of metabolites of seven indigenous fungal isolates (Penicillium sp. Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, A. parasiticus, Rhizopus sp. Mucor sp. and Aspergillus sp.) on the larvae of Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus under the laboratory condition. The preliminary screening of the isolate, Penicillium sp. showed better larvicidal effect when compared to other fungi. The fungus was grown on Potato Dextrose Broth (PDB) in the laboratory (at 25°C) and maintained in the relative humidity (at 76 ± 4% for 15 days). Larvicidal potency of mycelial ethyl acetate extract (MEAE) of Penicillium sp. was performed against 1st to 4th instars larvae of Ae. aegypti and Cx. quinquefasciatus using four different concentrations (100, 200, 300, and 500 μg/ml) that showed better larval mortality values (μg/ml) of LC50 = 6.554, 5.487, 6.874, 6.892, and the LC90 = 11.486, 10.366, 12.879, 13.865 for Ae. aegypti and LC50 = 7.000, 13.943, 18.129, 25.212 and the LC90 = 12.541, 23.761, 30.923, 41.696 for Cx. quinquefasciatus. Exposure of metabolite to larvae resulted in behavior changes i.e., excitation, up and down with aggressive movement, anal papillae biting behavior. Further, the larvae treated with Penicillium sp. metabolite exhibited significant reduction in the levels of acetylcholinesterase. The 4th instar mosquito larvae treated with the 500 μg/ml mycelia extract showed severe histological damages. During the antibacterial analysis of Penicillium sp.- mycelium the maximum growth inhibition zone was recorded in Shigella dysenteriae (31.2 mm) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (31.1 mm) followed by others. In addition, to check the toxicity of Penicillium sp. MEAE against embryos of Zebrafish, a model system, using different concentrations of metabolites (1.0, 0.5, 0.125 mg/ml, 30, 3.0, and 0.5 μg/ml) and life-stage parameters were observed at 124 hpf. Furthermore, the Fourier Transformed Infrared and GCMS spectrum analysis of mycelium reflected several chemical compounds. The outcome of the study clearly shows that Penicillium sp. metabolites could serve as an ideal eco-friendly, single-step and inexpensive source for the control of Ae. aegypti and Cx. quinquefasciatus larvae

Investigation on thermophysical properties of multi-walled carbon nanotubes enhanced salt hydrate phase change material

Thermal Energy Storage (TES) is a valuable tool for improving the energy efficiency of renewable energy conversion systems. One of the most effective methods for harnessing thermal energy from solar sources is through energy storage using phase change materials (PCMs). However, the thermal performance of PCMs is hindered by their low thermal conductivity. This research focuses on enhancing the thermal performance of salt hydrate PCM using multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and surfactants. Through experimental investigations, a salt hydrate PCM with varying concentrations of MWCNTs (ranging from 0.1% to 0.9%) was prepared using a two-step technique and their thermophysical properties were thoroughly characterized. Various techniques such as field emission scanning electron microscope, thermal conductivity analyzer, ultraviolet-visible spectrum, thermogravimetric analyzer, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were utilized to study the effect of surfactant on the nanocomposites and examine their morphology, thermal conductivity, optical properties, thermal stability, and chemical stability. The results indicated that the inclusion of MWCNTs with salt hydrate significantly improved the thermal conductivity by 68.09% at a concentration of 0.7 wt %, compared to pure salt hydrate. However, this enhancement in thermal performance was accompanied by a reduction in optical transmittance in the developed nanocomposite PCM. Additionally, the formulated nanocomposite demonstrated excellent thermal and chemical stability up to temperatures as high as 468 °C. As a result, this nanocomposite shows great promise as a potential candidate for solar TES applications, offering favourable characteristics for efficient energy storage from solar sources

Yoga-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation After Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Randomized Trial

Background: Given the shortage of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs in India and poor uptake worldwide, there is an urgent need to find alternative models of CR that are inexpensive and may offer choice to subgroups with poor uptake (e.g., women and elderly). Objectives: This study sought to evaluate the effects of yoga-based CR (Yoga-CaRe) on major cardiovascular events and self-rated health in a multicenter randomized controlled trial. Methods: The trial was conducted in 24 medical centers across India. This study recruited 3,959 patients with acute myocardial infarction with a median and minimum follow-up of 22 and 6 months. Patients were individually randomized to receive either a Yoga-CaRe program (n = 1,970) or enhanced standard care involving educational advice (n = 1,989). The co-primary outcomes were: 1) first occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) (composite of all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, or emergency cardiovascular hospitalization); and 2) self-rated health on the European Quality of Life–5 Dimensions–5 Level visual analogue scale at 12 weeks. Results: MACE occurred in 131 (6.7%) patients in the Yoga-CaRe group and 146 (7.4%) patients in the enhanced standard care group (hazard ratio with Yoga-CaRe: 0.90; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.71 to 1.15; p = 0.41). Self-rated health was 77 in Yoga-CaRe and 75.7 in the enhanced standard care group (baseline-adjusted mean difference in favor of Yoga-CaRe: 1.5; 95% CI: 0.5 to 2.5; p = 0.002). The Yoga-CaRe group had greater return to pre-infarct activities, but there was no difference in tobacco cessation or medication adherence between the treatment groups (secondary outcomes). Conclusions: Yoga-CaRe improved self-rated health and return to pre-infarct activities after acute myocardial infarction, but the trial lacked statistical power to show a difference in MACE. Yoga-CaRe may be an option when conventional CR is unavailable or unacceptable to individuals. (A study on effectiveness of YOGA based cardiac rehabilitation programme in India and United Kingdom; CTRI/2012/02/002408)

Cu (59; 24.37 & 80.96; 47.72 mg/kg -1 ), Fe (2207.33; 1590.33 & 2207.33; 1354.33 mg/kg -1 ), Ca (4548; 2732 & 64.99; 31.75 mg/kg -1 )

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to assess the physicochemical properties of mine soil. The waste dumps of magnesite (pH 8.19

Larvicidal, Histopathological Efficacy of Penicillium daleae against Larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes aegypti Plus Biotoxicity on Artemia nauplii a Non-target Aquatic Organism

Mosquitoes can transmit the terrible diseases to human beings. Soil-borne fungal products act as potential source for low-cost chemicals, used for developing eco-friendly control agents against mosquito-vector borne diseases. The prime aim of study was to check the larvicidal potential of fungus mycelia (by ethyl acetate solvent) extract from Penicillium daleae (KX387370) against Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes aegypti and to test the toxicity of brine shrimp Artemia nauplii, by observing the physiological activity. The ethyl acetate extract of P. daleae mycelia (after 15 days) from Potato dextrose broth (PDB) medium revealed better result with least LC50 and LC90 values of I-IV instars larvae of Cx. quinquefasciatus (LC50 = 127.441, 129.087, 108.683, and 93.521; LC90 = 152.758, 158.169, 139.091, and 125.918 μg/ml) and Ae. aegypti (LC50 = 105.077, 83.943, 97.158, and 76.513; LC90 = 128.035, 106.869, 125.640, and 104.606 μg/ml) respectively. At higher concentration (1000 μg/ml) of extracts, mortality begins at 18 h of exposure and attained 100% mortality after 48 h exposure. Overall, the activity was depends on the dose and time of exposure to the extracts. The stereomicroscopic and histopathological analysis of Ae. aegypti and Cx. quinquefasciatus larvae treated with mycelium ethyl acetate extract showed complete disintegration of abdominal region, particularly the midgut and caeca, loss of cuticular parts and caudal hairs. Morphological characterization of the fungi was performed and taxonomically identified through 5.8s rDNA technique. The phylogenetic analysis of rDNA sequence was carried out to find out the taxonomic and the evolutionary sketch of isolate in relation to earlier described genus Penicillium. Behavior and swimming speed alteration was analyzed together with mortality. The results of the experiment indicates that swimming behavior recorder (SBR) is a appropriate tool to detect individual swimming speed of the A. nauplii organisms, since the values have been obtained in accordance with control monitored results showed the 2.75 mm s-1 and after 24 h treated found to be 0.72 mm s-1, respectively. The extract-exposed to A. nauplii showed changes in body structures, i.e., intestine enlargement, eye formation, outer shell malformations and loss of antennae. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the toxicity of the ethyl acetate extract of P. daleae on A. nauplii larvae by performing the mortality, behavior and alterations in swimming responses. This is the first time report on the larvicidal efficacy of P. daleae ethyl acetate extract against Cx. quinquefasciatus and Ae. aegypti larvae

<i>Lawsonia inermis</i> flower aqueous extract expressed better anti-alpha-glucosidase and anti-acetylcholinesterase activity and their molecular dynamics

Lawsonia inermis (henna) has been used in traditional medicine throughout the world and biological property of its flower has been least explored. In the present study, the phytochemical characterization and biological activity (in vitro radical scavenging activity, anti-alpha glucosidase and anti-acetylcholinesterase) of aqueous extract prepared from henna flower (HFAE) was carried out by both Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy revealed the functional group of the phytoconstituents such as phenolics, flavonoids, saponin, tannins and glycosides. The phytochemicals present in HFAE was preliminary identified by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. The HFAE showed potent in vitro antioxidant activity and the HFAE inhibited mammalian α-glucosidase (IC50 = 129.1 ± 5.3 µg/ml; Ki = 38.92 µg/ml) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE; IC50 = 137.77 ± 3.5 µg/ml; Ki = 35.71 µg/ml) activity by competitive manner. In silico molecular docking analysis revealed the interaction of active constituents identified in HFAE with human α-glucosidase and AChE. Molecular dynamics simulation for 100 ns showed the stable binding of top two ligand/enzyme complexes with lowest binding energy such as 1,2,3,6-Tetrakis-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose (TGBG)/human α-glucosidase, Kaempferol 3-glucoside-7-rhamnoside (KGR)/α-glucosidase, agrimonolide 6-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (AMLG)/human AChE and KGR/AChE. Through MM/GBSA analysis, the binding energy for TGBG/human α-glucosidase, KGR/α-glucosidase, AMLG/human AChE and KGR/AChE was found to be −46.3216, −28.5772, −45.0077 and −47.0956 kcal/mol, respectively. Altogether, HFAE showed an excellent antioxidant, anti-alpha glucosidase and anti-AChE activity under in vitro. This study suggest HFAE with remarkable biological activities could be further explored for therapeutics against type 2 diabetes and diabetes-associated cognitive decline. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma</p

Antioxidant and Antiproliferative Potential of Bioactive Molecules Ursolic Acid and Thujone Isolated from Memecylon edule and Elaeagnus indica and Their Inhibitory Effect on Topoisomerase II by Molecular Docking Approach

The present study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and antiproliferative potential of ursolic acid and thujone isolated from leaves of Elaeagnus indica and Memecylon edule and their inhibitory effect on topoisomerase II using molecular docking study. The isolated ursolic acid and thujone were examined for different types of free radicals scavenging activity, the antiproliferative potential on U-937 and HT-60 cell lines by adopting standard methods. Further, these compounds were docked with the active site of the ATPase region of topoisomerase II. The findings of the research revealed that ursolic acid harbor strong antioxidant and antiproliferative capacity with low IC50 values than the thujone in all tested methods. Moreover, ursolic acid shows significant inhibition effect on topoisomerase II with a considerable docking score (−8.0312) and GLIDE energy (−51.86 kca/mol). The present outcome concludes that ursolic acid possesses significant antioxidant and antiproliferative potential, which can be used in the development of novel antioxidant and antiproliferative agents in the future