COVID-19 (coronavirus disease of 2019) occurs due to the highly contagious severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It uses angiotensin-converting enzyme- 2 (ACE-2) as its ...primary receptor to enter the host cell. Recent reports suggest that this pathogen also has a large impact on the CNS alongside other organs. Various inflammatory mediators, such as cytokines, chemokines, and numerous metabolites, are poorly regulated during infection as well as in several psychiatric diseases, which leads to conditions of hypoxia and cytokine storm. The persistence of COVID-19 infection may also result in aggravation of the already present neuro-psychiatric symptoms in patients.
We systematically searched various sources of journals and assessed the varied neurological routes of propagation and pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 neurotoxicity, like ACE2-mediated neuroinvasion induced hypoxia and the cytokine storm syndrome. Several case studies were also referred to obtain a better idea of the current mental health scenario as a consequence of infection and inflammation due to SARS-CoV-2.
Several risk factors for the causation of mental health issues during as well as after the infection include female gender, presence of necrosis, and pain in avascular regions. Most psychiatric disorders are directly associated with the socioeconomic and psychosocial changes that have occurred as a consequence of the pandemic. These psychiatric manifestations have only started to unravel, which calls for the development of faster means of diagnosis and integrated pharmacological and epidemiological studies to curb the growing rate of neuronal complications as well as mortality.
A novel iron-coordinated conducting polymer is synthesized, followed by the preparation of Fe3N nanoparticle-embedded sulfur and nitrogen-doped carbon (Fe3N/SNC) nanostructures via a one-step polymer ...pyrolysis strategy, which can exceptionally catalyze the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in both alkaline and acidic media, and the oxidation of catecholamines. To synthesize the metal coordinated polymer, FeCl3 is used as an oxidant and metal source for the polymerization of 3′,4′-diamino-terthiophene (DAT) to form poly-FeDAT. It is subsequently pyrolyzed at 900 °C to attain the Fe3N/SNC catalyst. The Fe3N/SNC electrocatalyst exhibit a more positive onset (0.985 V vs RHE), half-wave potentials (0.848 V), a higher limiting current density (5.47 mAcm−2), alcohol resistance and durability than the benchmark Pt/C in 0.1 M KOH, and it is comparable to Pt/C in 0.1 M HClO4. It also displays exceptional performance for the catalytic oxidation of catecholamines and AP, which results in simultaneous detection of DA and AP in trace amounts (the detection limits were 110 nM and 270 nM (S/N = 3) for each species, respectively). The unique catalytic activity is ascribable to the presence of pyridinic-N, graphitic-N, and Fe–N along with thiophene-S in the carbon, resulting in catalytically enhanced electron transfer from Fe3N to N, S doped carbon.
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•Fe3N NPs embedded S/N doped carbon is synthesized by a facile, one step polymer pyrolysis strategy.•The catalyst possesses extraordinary catalytic activity for oxygen reduction reaction and catecholamines oxidation.•The catalyst can simultaneously detect dopamine (DA) and acetaminophen (AP) in human urine samples.
Cadmium (Cd) is one of the most phytotoxic elements causing an agricultural problem and human health hazards. This work investigates whether and how silicon (Si) ameliorates Cd toxicity in Alfalfa. ...The addition of Si in Cd-stressed plants caused significant improvement in morpho-physiological features as well as total protein and membrane stability, indicating that Si does have critical roles in Cd detoxification in Alfalfa. Furthermore, Si supplementation in Cd-stressed plants showed a significant decrease in Cd and Fe concentrations in both roots and shoots compared with Cd-stressed plants, revealing that Si-mediated tolerance to Cd stress is associated with Cd inhibition in Alfalfa. Results also showed no significant changes in the expression of two metal chelators MsPCS1 (phytochelatin synthase) and MsMT2 (metallothionein) and PC (phytochelatin) accumulation, indicating that there may be no metal sequestration or change in metal sequestration following Si application under Cd stress in Alfalfa. We further performed a targeted study on the effect of Si on Fe uptake mechanisms. We observed the consistent reduction in Fe reductase activity, expression of Fe-related genes MsIRT1 (Fe transporter), MsNramp1 (metal transporter) and OsFRO1 (ferric chelate reductase and Fe chelators (citrate and malate) by Si application to Cd stress in roots of Alfalfa. These results support that limiting Fe uptake through the down-regulation of Fe acquisition mechanisms confers Si-mediated alleviation of Cd toxicity in Alfalfa. Finally, an increase of catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase activities along with elevated methionine and proline subjected to Si application might play roles, at least in part, to reduce H2O2 and to provide antioxidant defense against Cd stress in Alfalfa. The study shows evidence of the effect of Si on alleviating Cd toxicity in Alfalfa and can be further extended for phytoremediation of Cd toxicity in plants.
The development of a simple and fast cancer detection method is crucial since early diagnosis is a key factor in increasing survival rates for lung cancer patients. Among several diagnosis methods, ...the electrochemical sensor is the most promising one due to its outstanding performance, portability, real-time analysis, robustness, amenability, and cost-effectiveness. Conducting polymer (CP) composites have been frequently used to fabricate a robust sensor device, owing to their excellent physical and electrochemical properties as well as biocompatibility with nontoxic effects on the biological system. This review brings up a brief overview of the importance of electrochemical biosensors for the early detection of lung cancer, with a detailed discussion on the design and development of CP composite materials for biosensor applications. The review covers the electrochemical sensing of numerous lung cancer markers employing composite electrodes based on the conducting polyterthiophene, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), polyaniline, polypyrrole, molecularly imprinted polymers, and others. In addition, a hybrid of the electrochemical biosensors and other techniques was highlighted. The outlook was also briefly discussed for the development of CP composite-based electrochemical biosensors for POC diagnostic devices.
Lactate is one of the major biomarkers to assess the physical fitness of human in clinical or sports medicine. The proper and well‐timed lactate determination can avoid some exigent conditions ...including hemorrhage, respiratory distress, sepsis, and hypoxia. Therefore, rapid, facile, selective, and reliable detection of lactate have gained appreciation lately. Among the various lactate detection methods, electrochemical method is the most rapid, convenient, and sensitive technique. Specifically, nanomaterial‐based nonenzymatic electrochemical lactate sensors are much desirable to solve the demerits and stability issues of enzymatic lactate sensors. Numerous materials including metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, metal–organic frameworks, molecularly imprinted polymers, and carbons were used as electrocatalysts to achieve highly sensitive lactate sensors. This present review mainly focuses on the recent developments of these materials for enzyme‐free lactate oxidation and the future prospective of electrode modification catalysts for lactate sensors.
This review summarizes recent trends in the development and applications of electrochemical nonenzymatic lactate sensors based on nanostructured materials including metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, metal–organic frameworks, and molecularly imprinted polymers and carbons. In addition, the analytical performance such as dynamic range, sensitivity, detection limit, and so forth is also highlighted. Detection challenges and future perspective are briefly discussed for development of the lactate sensors toward miniaturization and commercialization purpose.
The present study was conducted in crossbred ewes to compare the efficiency of different artificial insemination techniques with natural tupping following fixed time artificial insemination using ...fresh semen. Crossbred ewes (n=29) were randomly divided into three groups with 10 animals in natural tupping (NT) and laparoscopic artificial insemination (LAI) groups and nine animals in cervical artificial insemination (CAI) group. Ewes in all the treatment groups were subjected to the same estrus induction protocol: insertion of intravaginal progesterone sponges for 10 days followed by an intramuscular injection of 500 IU eCG at the time of sponge withdrawal. Immediately after removal of sponges, animals of NT group were kept with proven breeding rams up to 72 h. Fixed time cervical or laparoscopic insemination was done at 48 h after sponge removal. The insemination was repeated 12 h later in CAI group. The pregnancy and lambing rates were significantly higher in NT group (90%, 90%), than CAI group (55.5%, 55.5%) and LAI group (20%, 10%). The prolificacy rate was significantly higher in CAI group (180%) than NT group (111.1%) and LAI group (100%). The serum progesterone concentration was higher in pregnant ewes on day 10, day 17 and day 35 than non-pregnant ewes. The fixed time cervical insemination following intravaginal progesterone sponges for 10 day+eCG protocol resulted in better pregnancy rate and prolificacy rate in crossbred ewes during breeding season.
Stem cell factor (SCF) plays important roles in primordial follicle activation, oocyte growth and survival, granulosa cell proliferation, theca cell recruitment, and ovarian steroidogenesis. The aim ...of this study was to investigate the effect of SCF on in vitro growth of buffalo oocytes. Oocyte-granulosa cell complexes (OGCs) were dissected from early antral follicles of slaughtered buffalo ovaries and cultured for 6 days in media supplemented with 0, 50 or 100 ng/mL SCF. In vitro grown oocytes were further cultured for in vitro maturation for 24 h. The results showed that SCF significantly (P < 0.05) increased oocyte diameter in vitro. The percentages of surviving oocytes were 60, 81 and 92 in 0, 50 and 100 ng/mL SCF supplemented group, respectively. SCF promoted formation of antrum-like structures in culture. The results also showed that SCF enhanced the maturation of in vitro grown buffalo oocytes. Here, 14% in vitro grown oocytes reached metaphase II (MII) stage in 50 ng/mL SCF supplemented group, whereas the percentage was increased to 26% in 100 ng/mL SCF treated group. These results show that SCF supports the growth, viability and nuclear maturation of buffalo oocytes in vitro.
•SCF promotes growth of buffalo oocytes in vitro.•SCF enhanced the maturation of in vitro grown buffalo oocytes.•SCF supports survival rate of buffalo oocytes in vitro.
Lung cancer is among the most life-threatening diseases, as it is by far the leading cause of death around the globe. However, plentiful studies have been reported with satisfactory results employing ...electrochemical biosensors, which make this method popular in lung cancer diagnosis. In assembling the sensing platforms, different materials of the sensor interfaces are utilized in electrode surface modification to enhance performance. A natural biopolymer chitosan (CS) is an outstanding material for the development of electrochemical biosensors. The unique physiochemical features exhibited by CS facilitate the preservation of its innovative traits and promote its secure adhesion onto the electrode surface. It also has inherent characteristics, such as high adsorption ability, good biocompatibility, eco-friendliness nature, greater heat stability, improved permeability, mechanical potency, outstanding layer-forming capability, and ease of availability. In combination with conductive materials, CS enables the modified electrodes to perform the best analytical results. This review is focused on the importance of CS in sensor configuration, advancements of CS-based electrochemical biosensors for detecting lung cancer biomarkers, and future prospects.
This experiment investigated the effects of dietary supplementation of single-strain probiotic (SSP) containing Bacillus subtilis 2 × 109 cfu/g and multi-strain probiotic (MSP) containing ...Lactobacillus acidophilus 3 × 107–108 cfu/g, Bacillus subtilis 3 × 107-108 cfu/g, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae 106–107 cells/g on ISA Brown layers' productive performance and egg quality traits for 26 to 51 wk. Eighty-four birds were reared in cages of an open-sided house. SSP was fed either at 0.375, 0.50, or 0.625 g/kg feed or MSP either at 0.75, 1.00, or 1.25 g/kg feed, and a control group were maintained. Each dietary treatment was replicated 6 times, having 2 birds each. Egg production increased linearly with dose increment in the MSP-fed birds. Both SSP and MSP caused an improvement in egg weight, egg mass, and FCR. Feed intake and body weight gain were not affected by probiotic feeding. At 37 wk, MSP-fed birds had a higher shell percentage, whereas the value was higher for both SSP and MSP at 49 wk. Shell thickness rose linearly by MSP at 37 wk and followed a similar trend at 49 wk along with SSP. Haugh unit also increased in both weeks with SSP and MSP. Due to MSP feeding, the predicted yolk index dose was 0.67g/kg at 37 wk and increased linearly at 49 wk. The yolk percent varied with doses of SSP and MSP, while albumen percent with MSP doses at 37 wk. In conclusion, MSP increased egg production, and both SSP and MSP positively influenced other laying performances and egg quality, notably shell and albumen quality.
Yield, dry matter production, nitrogen (N) uptake and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) dhan29 were investigated during two consecutive dry (Boro) seasons of ...2009-10 and 2010-11. The experiments were set up in a randomized complete block design with three replication having six nitrogen (N) levels of 0, 40, 80 120, 160 and 200 kg ha
−1
. Nitrogen fertilization increased yield characters, dry matter production and N uptake. The economic optimum rate of N was 166 and 155 kg ha
-1
in first and second year, respectively, with corresponding yield of 7.1 and 6.5 t ha
−1
. NUEs were higher in the first year, decreased with increasing N rates in most cases. Gross return over fertilizer reached the highest Tk 692 in 2009-10 and Tk 489 in 2010-11 with 160 kg N ha
-1
. The results suggest that BRRI dhan29 should receive an average of 160 kg N ha
−1
for economic optimum yield.
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