Search Results (23)

Bilayer electrospun fibers aimed to be used for skin tissue engineering applications were fabricated for enhanced cell attachment and proliferation. Different ratios of PHBV-PLLA (70:30, 80:20, and 90:10 w/w) blends were electrospun on previously formed electrospun PHBV membranes to produce their bilayers. The fabricated electrospun membranes were characterized with FTIR, which conformed to the characteristic peaks assigned for both PHBV and PLLA. The surface morphology was evaluated using SEM analysis that showed random fibers with porous morphology. The fiber diameter and pore size were measured in the range of 0.7 ± 0.1 µm and 1.9 ± 0.2 µm, respectively. The tensile properties of the bilayers were determined using an electrodynamic testing system. Bilayers had higher elongation at break (44.45%) compared to the monolayers (28.41%) and improved ultimate tensile strength (7.940 MPa) compared to the PHBV monolayer (2.450 MPa). In vitro cytotoxicity of each of the scaffolds was determined via culturing MC3T3 (pre-osteoblastic cell line) on the membranes. Proliferation was evaluated using the Alamar Blue assay on days 3, 7, and 14, respectively. SEM images of cells cultured on membranes were taken in addition to bright field imaging to visually show cell attachment. Fluorescent nuclear staining performed with DAPI was imaged with an inverted fluorescent microscope. The fabricated bilayer shows high mechanical strength as well as biocompatibility with good cell proliferation and cell attachment, showing potential for skin substitute applications. Full article

Nitrite monitoring serves as a fundamental practice for protecting public health, preserving environmental quality, ensuring food safety, maintaining industrial safety standards, and optimizing agricultural practices. Although many nitrite sensing methods have been recently developed, the quantification of nitrite remains challenging due to sensitivity and selectivity limitations. In this context, we present the fabrication of enzymeless iron oxide nanoparticle-modified zinc oxide nanorod (α-Fe₂O₃-ZnO NR) hybrid nanostructure-based nitrite sensor fabrication. The α-Fe₂O₃-ZnO NR hybrid nanostructure was synthesized using a two-step hydrothermal method and characterized in detail utilizing x-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). These analyses confirm the successful synthesis of an α-Fe₂O₃-ZnO NR hybrid nanostructure, highlighting its morphology, purity, crystallinity, and elemental constituents. The α-Fe₂O₃-ZnO NR hybrid nanostructure was used to modify the SPCE (screen-printed carbon electrode) for enzymeless nitrite sensor fabrication. The voltammetric methods (i.e., cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV)) were employed to explore the electrochemical characteristics of α-Fe₂O₃-ZnO NR/SPCE sensors for nitrite. Upon examination of the sensor’s electrochemical behavior across a range of nitrite concentrations (0 to 500 µM), it is evident that the α-Fe₂O₃-ZnO NR hybrid nanostructure shows an increased response with increasing nitrite concentration. The sensor demonstrates a linear response to nitrite concentrations up to 400 µM, a remarkable sensitivity of 18.10 µA µM⁻¹ cm⁻², and a notably low detection threshold of 0.16 µM. Furthermore, its exceptional selectivity, stability, and reproducibility make it an ideal tool for accurately measuring nitrite levels in serum, yielding reliable outcomes. This advancement heralds a significant step forward in the field of environmental monitoring, offering a potent solution for the precise assessment of nitrite pollution. Full article

The utilization of heterogeneous catalysts during the production of biodiesel potentially minimize the cost of processing due to the exclusion of the separation step. The (X wt%)Ni–ZrO₂ (where X = 10, 25 and 50) catalysts prepared through a hydrothermal process were tested for the production of biodiesel by the transesterification of waste cooking oil (WCO) with methanol. The influences of various reaction parameters were systematically optimized. While the physicochemical characteristics of the as-synthesized catalysts were examined using numerous techniques such as FTIR, XRD, TGA BET, EDX, SEM, and HRTEM. Among all the catalysts, (10 wt%)Ni–ZrO₂ exhibited high surface area when compared to the pristine ZrO₂, (25 wt%)Ni–ZrO₂ and (50 wt%)Ni–ZrO₂ nanocatalysts. It may have influenced the catalytic properties of (10 wt%)Ni–ZrO_2, which exhibited maximum catalytic activity with a biodiesel production yield of 90.5% under optimal conditions. Such as 15:1 methanol to oil molar ratio, 10 wt% catalysts to oil ratio, 8 h reaction time and 180 °C reaction temperature. Furthermore, the recovered catalyst was efficiently reused in several repeated experiments, demonstrating marginal loss in its activity after multiple cycles (five times). Full article

Eco-friendly preparation of metallic nanoparticles (NPs) is a greatly evolving field of scientific research. These types of NPs have gained substantial recognition from scientists, including chemists, chemical biologists and technologists, who have successfully exploited them for the fabrication of a variety of advanced nanodevices. Herein, silver (Ag) NPs were synthesized by a green approach using the aqueous extract of Vaccinium oxycoccos (cranberry), which not only reduced the silver ions but also stabilized the surface of the resultant Ag NPs. The formation of Ag NPs is confirmed by different analytical techniques, including powder X-ray diffraction, UV analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The UV analysis of the aqueous solution of the reaction mixture demonstrated an absorption band at ~450 nm, which is the typical peak of Ag NPs, leading to the confirmation of product formation. While the XRD confirmed the crystallinity of the sample and the formation of a face-centered cubic (fcc) structure, on the other hand, TEM revealed the presence of spherical NPs with an approximate size range between 5–30 nm. Furthermore, the as-obtained Ag NPs were subjected to thorough investigations to explore the biomedical potential of the sample. In this case, the Ag NPs demonstrated considerable antioxidant and antifungal properties towards various pathogens. In addition, Ag NPs also showed substantial inhibition of spore germination. Full article

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) has been a growing concern in developed and developing nations. Oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation are the most common cause of the development and progression of ALD. Due to paucity in the number and efficacy of hepatoprotective drugs currently available, and with the easy availability of natural therapy and herbal medicines, ALD is managed using a combination of pharmaceutical interventions and herbal medications. However, the effectiveness of these hepatoprotectives is controversial. Preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated that Liv.52 modulates the lipotropic activity of hepatocytes, reduces inflammation, enhances alcohol and acetaldehyde metabolism, and protects the hepatic parenchyma by restoring the antioxidant levels of hepatocytes. Clinical studies further support that there is improvement in the subjective symptoms of patients as well as improvements in liver function test parameters. Studies suggest that Liv.52 is well tolerated and has no reported side effects. Full article

The contamination of toxic trace metals in the food chain is one of the major threats to human health. Milk is part of a balanced diet, which is essential for proper growth, but the ingestion of contaminated milk may cause chronic health disorders. The present study is focused on the assessment of contamination of toxic trace metals in buffalo milk and the associated health risks to the consumers of Abbottabad, Pakistan. Standard analytical methods were employed to quantify the metal contents in the milk samples collected from various shops and homes in the months from June 2021 to October 2021. Health risk assessment was accomplished by computing estimated daily intake (EDI), health risk index (HRI), target hazard quotient (THQ), hazard index (HI), and target cancer risk (TCR). On a comparative basis, the mean concentration of Cr was found to be highest in both shop and home milk samples (101.3 ± 45.33 and 54.11 ± 24.20 mg/L, respectively), followed by Pb, Zn, Ni, and Cd levels. In buffalo milk collected from homes, the highest concentration of the metals was found in October, followed by July, September, June, and August. In shop milk, the increasing trend of metal contents was July > October > September > June > August. Significantly strong positive relationships were noted between the metal concentrations in the milk samples. Multivariate cluster analysis and principal component analysis exhibited significant anthropogenic contributions of the metals in buffalo milk. Mostly, the EDI and HRI values were exceeding the recommended limits; however, THQ, HI, and TCR showed that the intake of these metals through milk consumption was within the safe limit and thus revealed no significant carcinogenic or non-carcinogenic risks to the consumers. It is high time to ensure the continuous monitoring of organic/inorganic toxins in the milk and concerned authorities should take strict measures to control the contamination of milk and other food products. Full article

Cosmetic formulations have evolved significantly over the years. These are no longer viewed merely as beauty-enhancing products. Rather, they are expected to deliver additional benefits to the skin that positively affect the skin health. There is a renewed interest in using herbal extracts and herbal ingredients in cosmetic products since they offer several advantages over synthetic ingredients. Evaluating the cosmetic ingredients for their efficacy and safety is critical during product development. Several regulatory bodies impose restrictions on using animals for testing these ingredients in cosmetic products. This has increased the need for developing novel cell-based or cell-free biological assays. The current article systematically presents in-vitro/cell-based and/or cell-free strategies for validating the efficacies of cosmetic ingredients for skin health and hair growth. The article focuses on details about various assays for the anti-acne effects, hair-growth-promoting activities, anti-aging activities, skin-rejuvenating properties, wound-healing effects, and skin-depigmentation activities of natural ingredients in cosmetic formulations. Full article

ISGylation is an important process through which interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) elicit an antiviral response in the host cells. Several viruses, including the SARS-CoV-2, suppress the host immune response by reversing the ISGylation through a process known as de-ISGylation. The PLpro of SARS-CoV-2 interacts with the host ISG15 and brings about de-ISGylation. Hence, inhibiting the de-ISGylation to restore the activity of ISGs can be an attractive strategy to augment the host immune response against SARS-CoV-2. In the present study, we evaluated several phytochemicals from well-known immunomodulatory herbs, viz. Andrographispaniculata (AG), Tinospora cordifolia (GU), and Ocimum sanctum (TU) for their effect on deISGylation that was mediated by the PLpro of SARS-CoV2. For this purpose, we considered the complex 6XA9, which represents the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 PLpro and ISG15 proteins. The phytochemicals from these herbs were first evaluated for their ability to bind to the interface region between PLpro and ISG15. Molecular docking studies indicated that 14-deoxy-15-isopropylidene-11,12-didehydroandrographolide (AG1), Isocolumbin (GU1), and Orientin (TU1) from AG, GU, and TU, respectively possess better binding energy. The molecular dynamic parameters and MMPBSA calculations indicated that AG1, GU1, and TU1 could favorably bind to the interface and engaged key residues between (PLpro-ISG15)-complex. Protein–protein MMPBSA calculations indicated that GU1 and TU1 could disrupt the interactions between ISG15 and PLpro. Our studies provide a novel molecular basis for the immunomodulatory action of these phytochemicals and open up new strategies to evaluate drug molecules for their effect on de-ISGylation to overcome the virus-mediated immune suppression. Full article

Water scarcity is a major challenge to wheat productivity under changing climate conditions, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. During recent years, different agronomic, physiological and molecular approaches have been used to overcome the problems related to drought stress. Breeding approaches, including conventional and modern breeding, are among the most efficient options to overcome drought stress through the development of new varieties adapted to drought. Growing drought-tolerant wheat genotypes may be a sustainable option to boost wheat productivity under drought stress conditions. Therefore, the present study was conducted with the aim to screen different wheat genotypes based on stress tolerance levels. For this purpose, eleven commonly cultivated wheat genotypes (V₁ = Akbar-2019, V₂ = Ghazi-2019, V₃ = Ujala-2016, V₄ = Zincol-2016, V₅ = Anaj-2017, V₆ = Galaxy-2013, V₇ = Pakistan-2013, V₈ = Seher-2006, V₉ = Lasani-2008, V₁₀ = Faisalabad-2008 and V₁₁ = Millat-2011) were grown in pots filled with soil under well-watered (WW, 70% of field capacity) and water stress (WS, 35% of field capacity) conditions. Treatments were arranged under a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replicates. Data on yield and yield-related traits (tillers/plant, spikelets/spike, grains/spike, 100 grain weight, seed and biological yield) and physio-biochemical (chlorophyll contents, relative water content, membrane stability index, leaf nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium content) attributes were recorded in this experiment. Our results showed that drought stress significantly affected the morpho-physiological, and biochemical attributes in all tested wheat varieties. Among the genotypes, all traits were found to be significantly (p < 0.05) higher in wheat genotype Faisalabad-2008, including biological yield (9.50 g plant⁻¹) and seed yield (3.39 g plant⁻¹), which was also proven to be more drought tolerant than the other tested genotypes. The higher biological and grain yield of genotype Faisalabad-2008 was mainly attributed to greater numbers of tillers/plant and spikelets/spike compared to the other tested genotypes. The wheat genotype Galaxy-2013 had significantly lower biological (7.43 g plant⁻¹) and seed yield (2.11 g plant⁻¹) than all other tested genotypes, and was classified as a drought-sensitive genotype. For the genotypes, under drought stress, biological and grain yield decreased in the order V₁₀ > V₂ > V₁ > V₄ > V₇ > V₁₁ > V₉ > V₈ > V₃ > V₆. These results suggest that screening for drought-tolerant genotypes may be a more viable option to minimize drought-induced effects on wheat in drought-prone regions. Full article

Natural bioactive compounds derived from plant-based products are known for their biological immunomodulatory activities. They possess systemic pleiotropic effects, minimal side effects, and very low toxicities. Plant-based bioactive compounds have tremendous potential as natural therapeutic entities against various disease conditions and act as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-mutagenic, anti-microbial, anti-viral, anti-tumour, anti-allergic, neuroprotective, and cardioprotective agents. A herbal formulation extract including five biologically active compounds: Apigenin, Quercetin, Betulinic acid, Oleanolic acid, and β-Sitosterol can impart several immunomodulatory effects. In this review, we systematically present the impact of these compounds on important molecular signaling pathways, including inflammation, immunity, redox metabolism, neuroinflammation, neutropenia, cell growth, apoptosis, and cell cycle. The review corroborates the beneficial effect of these compounds and shows considerable potential to be used as a safer, more cost-effective treatment for several diseases by affecting the major nodal points of various stimulatory pathways. Full article

Catalytic efficacy of metal-based catalysts can be significantly enhanced by doping graphene or its derivatives in the catalytic protocol. In continuation of previous work regarding the catalytic properties of highly-reduced graphene oxide (HRG), graphene-oxide (GO) doped mixed metal oxide-based nanocomposites, herein we report a simple, straightforward and solventless mechanochemical preparation of N-doped graphene (NDG)/mixed metal oxide-based nanocomposites of ZnO–MnCO₃ (i.e., ZnO–MnCO₃/(X%-NDG)), wherein N-doped graphene (NDG) is employed as a dopant. The nanocomposites were prepared by physical milling of separately fabricated NDG and ZnO–MnCO₃ calcined at 300 °C through eco-friendly ball mill procedure. The as-obtained samples were characterized via X-ray diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Raman, Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and surface area analysis techniques. To explore the effectiveness of the obtained materials, liquid-phase dehydrogenation of benzyl alcohol (BOH) to benzaldehyde (BH) was chosen as a benchmark reaction using eco-friendly oxidant (O₂) without adding any harmful surfactants or additives. During the systematic investigation of reaction, it was revealed that the ZnO–MnCO₃/NDG catalyst exhibited very distinct specific-activity (80 mmol/h.g) with a 100% BOH conversion and <99% selectivity towards BH in a very short time. The mechanochemically synthesized NDG-based nanocomposite showed remarkable enhancement in the catalytic performance and increased surface area compared with the catalyst without graphene (i.e., ZnO–MnCO₃). Under the optimum catalytic conditions, the catalyst successfully transformed various aromatic, heterocyclic, allylic, primary, secondary and aliphatic alcohols to their respective ketones and aldehydes with high selectively and convertibility without over-oxidation to acids. In addition, the ZnO–MnCO₃/NDG was also recycled up to six times with no apparent loss in its efficacy. Full article

Dry direct-seeded rice has been shown to save irrigation water and labor. Nonetheless, irrigation management in dry direct-seeded rice has received very little attention. Here, we examined the potential of different irrigation regimes: aerobic rice (AR), alternate wetting and drying (AWD) and continuous flooding (CF) in dry direct-seeded rice cultivation on two rice cultivars (Pride-1 (hybrid indica) and NB-1 (inbred indica)). Growth, yield attributes, grain yield, total water input, water productivity and benefit cost ratio were measured. Our results showed that AR saved 11.22 and 28.40%, and 5.72 and 32.98% water compared with AWD and CF during 2018 and 2020, respectively. There was a significant difference in grain yield among treatments and cultivars. AWD and CF produced statistically same total dry weight and grain yield, while AR reduced the total dry weight by 31.34% and 38.04% and grain yield by 34.82% and 38.16% in comparison to AWD and CF, respectively, across the years. Except for 1000-grain weight and harvest index in AWD and CF, further differences in total dry weight and grain yield among irrigation treatments were primarily correlated with variations in yield attributes. Among the cultivars, hybrid rice performed better than inbred rice. Over the two-year period, hybrid rice increased total dry weight, grain yield, and water productivity by 9.28%, 13.05%, and 14.28%, respectively, as compared to inbred rice. Regarding water productivity (WP), the maximum percentage (40.90 and 26.53%) was recorded for AWD compared to AR and CF. Among cultivars, more water productivity (14.28%) was calculated for hybrid rice than inbred one. Chlorophyll and carotenoid contents, leaf area index and crop growth rate contributed to higher grain yield of hybrid rice under AWD and CF. In contrast to WP, the maximum benefit cost ratio was estimated to be higher for CF than that of AR and AWD. For the cultivars, the maximum value (2.26 in 2018 and 2.32 in 2020) was calculated for hybrid rice compared with the inbred one. In conclusion, these results suggests that AWD with maximum WP and CF with maximum BCR could be more efficient approaches than AR. Under CF, hybrid rice cultivars with higher yield and yield-related attributes, WP and BCR performed better. Full article

In recent years, the development of green mechanochemical processes for the synthesis of new catalysts with higher catalytic efficacy and selectivity has received manifest interest. In continuation of our previous study, in which graphene oxide (GRO) and highly reduced graphene oxide (HRG) based nanocomposites were prepared and assessed, herein, we have explored a facile and solvent-less mechanochemical approach for the synthesis of N-doped graphene (NDG)/mixed metal oxide (MnCO₃–ZrO₂) ((X%)NDG/MnCO₃–ZrO₂), as the (X%)NDG/MnCO₃–ZrO₂ nano-composite was synthesized using physical grinding of separately synthesized NDG and pre-calcined (300 °C) MnCO₃–ZrO₂ via green milling method. The structures of the prepared materials were characterized in detail using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (EDX), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman, Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and N₂ adsorption-desorption isotherm analysis. Besides, the obtained nanocomposites were employed as heterogeneous oxidation catalyst for the alcohol oxidation using green oxidant O₂ without involving any surfactants or bases. The reaction factors were systematically studied during the oxidation of benzyl alcohol (PhCH₂OH) as the model reactant to benzaldehyde (PhCHO). The NDG/MnCO₃–ZrO₂ exhibits premium specific activity (66.7 mmol·g⁻¹·h⁻¹) with 100% conversion of PhCH₂OH and > 99.9% selectivity to PhCHO after only 6 min. The mechanochemically prepared NDG based nanocomposite exhibited notable improvement in the catalytic efficacy as well as the surface area compared to the pristine MnCO₃–ZrO₂. Under the optimal circumstances, the NDG/MnCO₃–ZrO₂ catalyst could selectively catalyze the aerobic oxidation of a broad array of alcohols to carbonyls with full convertibility without over-oxidized side products like acids. The NDG/MnCO₃–ZrO₂ catalyst were efficiently reused for six subsequent recycling reactions with a marginal decline in performance and selectivity. Full article

Co_xO_y–manganese carbonate (X%)(Co_xO_y–MnCO₃ catalysts (X = 1–7)) were synthesized via a straightforward co-precipitation strategy followed by calcination at 300 °C. Upon calcination at 500 °C, these were transformed to Co_xO_y–dimanganese trioxide i.e., (X%)Co_xO_y–Mn₂O₃. A relative catalytic evaluation was conducted to compare the catalytic efficiency of the two prepared catalysts for aerial oxidation of benzyl alcohol (BzOH) to benzaldehyde (BzH) using O₂ molecule as a clean oxidant without utilizing any additives or alkalis. Amongst the different percentages of doping with Co_xO_y (0–7% wt./wt.) on MnCO₃ support, the (1%)Co_xO_y–MnCO₃ catalyst exhibited the highest catalytic activity. The influence of catalyst loading, calcination temperature, reaction time, and temperature and catalyst dosage was thoroughly assessed to find the optimum conditions of oxidation of benzyl alcohol (BzOH) for getting the highest catalytic efficiency. The (1%)Co_xO_y–MnCO₃ catalyst which calcined at 300 °C displayed the best effectiveness and possessed the largest specific surface area i.e., 108.4 m²/g, which suggested that the calcination process and specific surface area play a vital role in this transformation. A 100% conversion of BzOH along with BzH selectivity >99% was achieved after just 20 min. Notably, the attained specific activity was found to be considerably larger than the previously-reported cobalt-containing catalysts for this transformation. The scope of this oxidation reaction was expanded to various alcohols containing aromatic, aliphatic, allylic, and heterocyclic alcohols without any further oxidation i.e., carboxylic acid formation. The scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) specific surface area analytical techniques were used to characterize the prepared catalysts. The obtained catalyst could be easily regenerated and reused for six consecutive runs without substantial decline in its efficiency. Full article

A facile, one-pot, and proficient method was developed for the production of various 2-arylaminobenzimidazoles. This methodology is based for the first time on a copper catalyst promoted domino C–N cross-coupling reaction for the generation of 2-arylaminobenzimidazoles. Mechanistic investigations revealed that the synthetic pathway involves a copper-based desulphurization/nucleophilic substitution and a subsequent domino intra and intermolecular C–N cross-coupling reactions. Some of the issues typically encountered during the synthesis of 2-arylaminobezimidazoles, including the use of expensive catalytic systems and the low reactivity of bromo precursors, were addressed using this newly developed copper-catalyzed method. The reaction procedure is simple, generally with excellent substrate tolerance, and provides good to high yields of the desired products. Full article