Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) - Is it an Emerging Risk Factor for Coronary Artery Disease?: Preliminary study in a local Indian population

Objectives: The objective of this study was to identify the presence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: 149 patients were selected, who had been referred to the Institute of Cardiology, Banglore, India, between January 2007 and June 2009 and diagnosed with CAD. Four patients did not participate in the study. Venous blood samples were taken from these cases, and age-matched healthy controls who came for a master health check-up (N = 100). All were subjected to routine liver function tests including serum transaminases, enzyme immunoassays for plasminogen activator inhibitor I (PAI-I), C reactive protein (CRP), and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Using ultrasonography and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, the presence of NAFLD in CAD patients was reported. Results: CAD patients with NAFLD had significantly higher liver enzymes and marginally higher A1C levels compared to control subjects. Levels of TNF-α and PAI-I were higher in CAD patients with NAFLD compared to both female and male controls (P <0.1 and P <0.05). Levels of CRP (P <0.01 in both groups) and uric acid were increased in both group of patients (P <0.05 and P <0.01 in male and female patients, respectively). Levels of adiponectin were significantly reduced in the patients compared to the controls (P <0.05 and P <0.001) in male and female patients respectively. Conclusion: The increased serum levels of PAI-I and TNF-α reflected the proinflammatory status in these CAD patients which may be due to the presence of NAFLD. This could contribute additively to the development of cardiovascular events (CVD).

Synthesis of phosphorus related nanoparticles by using microorganisms as an option for increasing bioavailability

Phosphorus is a nonrenewable mineral and essential macronutrient for all living organisms. Nevertheless, sustainable utilization of phosphorous is questionable due to the low bioavailability of phosphorus. Nano formulation is a cutting-edge option to increase the bioavailability of phosphorus. If various chemical and physical techniques are available for the nano formulation, the biological route is a great concern due to its simple, eco-friendly and cost-effective nature. Among biological methods, microbial synthesis is a currently focused way due to the smart ability of microbes to synthesis nanoparticles. Microorganisms are consisted of potential materials to synthesize well-defined stable and pure phosphorus-related nanoparticles. Due to the tiny size and stability, microbially synthesized nanoparticles increase the bioavailability of phosphorus. Microbial synthesis of phosphorus-related nanoparticles is not well studied up to now and the area is open for plenty of studies. Deep discovering of the nano formulating mechanism at the genetic level is highly required for the development of nanoparticle synthesis by microbes. Scaling up the technique for mass production is required. Toxicological assessments of phosphorus-related nanoparticles are highly required before the application in the agricultural sector to confirm the safety. If in-depth studies can thorough the knowledge in the field and minimize the existing limitations, microbial synthesis of phosphorus-related nanoparticles would be revolutionized the agricultural sector

Increasing the Bioavailability of Phosphate by Using Microorganisms

Phosphorous (P) is a nonrenewable and one of the most important macronutrients for all living organisms. The formation of complexes with cations such as Al, Fe, and Ca reduces the solubility of P leading to limiting the absorption of P by plants. Therefore, we need to apply excessive amounts of P through conventional fertilizers. However, plants can use only a small portion of P of these added fertilizers whenever those become unavailable. Therefore, utilizing excess amounts of phosphate as fertilizers can lead to various environmental issues like eutrophication. Phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms (PSM) have the ability to solubilize soil phosphate through the production of organic acids, inorganic acids, enzymes, protons, siderophores, and exopolysaccharides resulting in the absorption of P by plants. The application of PSM has the potential to be used as an efficient, eco-friendly, and sustainable approach that can replace traditional fertilizers. This review aimed to give an overview of the diversity of PSM, methods of P solubilization, current trends, and technological advances that can assist in using PSM to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)