Vermiculture-based molybdenum oxide nanoparticles synthesis, optimization, characterization and its impact on seed germination and seedling characteristics in green gram (Vigna radiata)

Here, we report the biosynthesis of molybdenum oxide (Mo5O14) nanoparticles (NPs) by co-precipitation methods using various vermiculture-based extracts and their impact on seed germination in Vigna radiata. The synthesis of Mo5O14 NPs was initially characterized by a color change from yellow to white and a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak at 360 nm in UV–visible spectroscopic analysis. In addition, X-ray diffraction (XRD) data revealed that the Mo5O14 NPs were crystalline with a tetragonal structure and a size of 35.32–41.86 nm. Furthermore, fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis of NPs absorption bands revealed the presence of unique functional groups, such as -OH stretching, CH2 stretching, and primary amide groups, providing strong evidence that the native protein served to a reduce, cap, and stabilize Mo5O14 NPs. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images revealed that the ultrastructural profile of Mo5O14 NPs formed rod particles with an average particle length of 102 nm and width of 33 nm. The energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) pattern analysis confirmed the presence of Mo and O ions. Finally, the effects of Mo5O14 NPs on Vigna radiata seed fresh and dry biomass characteristics, root and shoot length, and seed germination were investigated, and it was found that a significant increase in the seed germination rate of all seven vermiculture-based Mo5O14 NPs was observed at 200 ppm. Consequently, our work provides a step forward in the development of vermiculture-based Mo5O14 NPs as a promising green agrochemical nano-fertilizer

Probiotic potential of exopolysaccharide producing lactic acid bacteria isolated from homemade fermented food products

In the current study, 41 bacterial isolates were obtained from homemade fermented food products (cheese, curd, fermented rice water, yogurt, and buttermilk). Among these bacterial isolates, 4 lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains such as CH4, Sri3, Kri1, and R3 were screened based on their wide inhibitory potential against test indictors by the well diffusion method. Based on the morphological, biochemical and phylogenic characterization, the four selected probiotic LAB strains were identified viz., Lactococcus hircilactis strain CH4, Lactobacillus delbrueckii strain GRIPUMSK, Lactobacillus johnsonii strain PUMSKGRI, and Lactobacillus leichmannii strain SKGRIPUM. These 4 probiotic LAB strains exhibited 62.5–87.5% antibiotic sensitivity, non-haemolytic, thereby confirming their safe status. All of these strains were found to be extremely acid tolerant after 5 h at pH 2–3. These 4 strains were able to withstand 2% high bile salt concentrations for 5 h with a survival rate of 67.40–73.68%. After 5 h, all four isolates demonstrated good auto-aggregation capacity of greater than 40% and strong hydrophobicity towards xylene of greater than 40%. All the four selected isolates have produced antimicrobial metabolites of exopolysaccharides (196.4 U/mL- 217.9 U/mL), H2O2 (0.49–0.71 g L−1) and β-galactosidase (196.4–217.9 U/mL). These strains exhibited the ability to assimilate cholesterol ranged between 12.15 and 79.72%. Moreover, they were found to be highly potential, with a total score of 95.83%, and are now being used to make probiotic food products. Hence, this work affirms the use of selected four LAB strains as safe and highly effective probiotic candidates

Single-use duodenoscope for ERCP performed by endoscopists with a range of experience in procedures of variable complexity

Background and Aims: Expert endoscopists previously reported ERCP outcomes for the first commercialized single-use duodenoscope. We aimed to document usability of this device by endoscopists with different levels of ERCP experience.  Methods: Fourteen “expert” (>2000 lifetime ERCPs) and 5 “less-expert” endoscopists performed consecutive ERCPs in patients without altered pancreaticobiliary anatomy. Outcomes included ERCP completion for the intended indication, rate of crossover to another endoscope, device performance ratings, and serious adverse events.   Results: Two hundred ERCPs including 81 (40.5%) with high complexity (American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy grades 3-4) were performed. Crossover rate (11.3% vs 2.5%, P =.131), ERCP completion rate (regardless of crossovers) (96.3% vs 97.5%, P =.999), median ERCP completion time (25.0 vs 28.5 minutes, P =.130), mean cannulation attempts (2.8 vs 2.8, P =.954), and median overall satisfaction with the single-use duodenoscope (8.0 vs 8.0 [range, 1.0-10.0], P =.840) were similar for expert versus less-expert endoscopists, respectively. The same metrics were similar by procedural complexity except for shorter median completion time for grades 1 to 2 versus grades 3 to 4 (P <.001). Serious adverse events were reported in 13 patients (6.5%).   Conclusions: In consecutive ERCPs including high complexity procedures, endoscopists with varying ERCP experience had good procedural success and reported high device performance ratings. (Clinical trial registration number: NCT04223830.

Late Recurrence of Barrett’s Esophagus After Complete Eradication of Intestinal Metaplasia is Rare: Final Report From Ablation in Intestinal Metaplasia Containing Dysplasia Trial

Background &amp; aimsThe goal of treatment for Barrett's esophagus (BE) with dysplasia is complete eradication of intestinal metaplasia (CEIM). The long-term durability of CEIM has not been well characterized, so the frequency and duration of surveillance are unclear. We report results from a 5-year follow-up analysis of patients with BE and dysplasia treated by radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the randomized controlled Ablation of Intestinal Metaplasia Containing Dysplasia (AIM) trial.MethodsParticipants for the AIM Dysplasia trial (18-80 years old) were recruited from 19 sites in the United States and had endoscopic evidence of non-nodular dysplastic BE ≤8&nbsp;cm in length. Subjects (n&nbsp;= 127) were randomly assigned (2:1 ratio) to receive either RFA (entire BE segment ablated circumferentially) or a sham endoscopic procedure; patients in the sham group were offered RFA treatment 1 year later, and all patients were followed for 5 years. We collected data on BE recurrence (defined as intestinal metaplasia in the tubular esophagus) and dysplastic BE recurrence among patients who achieved CEIM. We constructed Kaplan-Meier estimates and applied parametric survival analysis to examine proportions of patients without any recurrence and without dysplastic recurrence.ResultsOf 127 patients in the AIM Dysplasia trial, 119 received RFA and met inclusion criteria. Of those 119, 110 (92%) achieved CEIM. Over 401 person-years of follow-up (mean, 3.6 years per patient; range, 0.2-5.8 years), 35 of 110 (32%) patients had recurrence of BE or dysplasia, and 19 (17%) had dysplasia recurrence. The incidence rate of BE recurrence was 10.8 per 100 person-years overall (95% CI, 7.8-15.0); 8.3 per 100 person-years among patients with baseline low-grade dysplasia (95% CI, 4.9-14.0), and 13.5 per 100 person-years among patients with baseline high-grade dysplasia (95% CI 8.8-20.7). The incidence rate of dysplasia recurrence was 5.2 per 100 person-years overall (95% CI 3.3-8.2); 3.3 per 100 person-years among patients with baseline low-grade dysplasia (95% CI 1.5-7.2), and 7.3 per 100 person-years among patients with baseline high-grade dysplasia (95%&nbsp;CI 4.2-12.5). Neither BE nor dysplasia recurred at a constant rate. There was a greater probability of recurrence in the first year following CEIM than in the following 4 years combined.ConclusionsIn this analysis of prospective cohort data from the AIM Dysplasia trial, we found BE to recur after CEIM by RFA in almost one third of patients with baseline dysplastic disease; most recurrences occurred during the first year after CEIM. However, patients who achieved CEIM and remained BE free at 1 year after RFA had a low risk of BE recurrence. Studies are needed to determine when surveillance can be decreased or discontinued; our study did not identify any BE or dysplasia recurrence after 4 years of surveillance