Despite ample literature on the toxic impact of lead on the environment and health, the exact mechanism of pathogenesis/toxicity is not clearly known. Because it is well established that lead induces ...oxidative stress, it is assumed that exposure to antioxidants may reduce the toxic impact of lead. In this study, we evaluated the impact of coadministration of the methanolic root extract of a plant Abutilon indicum (50, 100, 200 mg kg
−1b.wt.) in mitigating the toxic impact of lead on the reproductive system of rats. In brief, Wistar rats were exposed to lead acetate in drinking water with or without coadministration of plant root extract and compared with that of control animals. After 45 days of exposure as outlined above, the animals were killed and the reproductive toxicity was assessed by sperm parameters, hormone and antioxidant enzyme assays, and testis histopathology. Significant reduction in testis weight, sperm count, testosterone levels, and antioxidant enzymes levels such as Superoxide Dismutase, Catalase, and Glutathione peroxidase was seen in lead‐treated animals, confirming the toxic impact. The coadministration of A. Indicum (100 and 200 mg kg
−1b.wt.) was found to bring the studied parameters close to the levels seen in untreated (control) animals. Our findings are indicative of the protective nature of A. Indicum against lead‐induced reproductive toxicity in a dose‐dependent manner. However, further characterization of the root extract is required to elucidate the probable mechanism of protection.
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•TAGAP gene plays an important role in Rheumatoid arthritis.•Single nucleotide polymorphism in TAGAP makes individuals susceptible to diseases.•Genotyping of SNPs in TAGAP in Indian ...population was done using HRMA technique.•Rs 1738074 were obtained in the RA samples while novel rs759674898 was not obtained.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory disease that causes inflammation of the synovium, cartilage, and deformity of the bones. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) at 5′UTR rs1738074 (A/G) and a novel candidate non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphism (nsSNP) rs759674898 (G/A) of TAGAP gene were studied for its association with RA in the Indian population. Real-time PCR coupled with High Resolution Melting analysis technique was employed to detect SNPs. The resulting outcomes were confirmed using the “traditional” Sanger's sequencing method. From this study, we identified that rs1738074 SNP was associated with RA. The odds ratio (OR) obtained for the AG genotype was 3.3379 (Confidence Interval (C.I) 1.7881 to 6.2350); for AA genotype 0.5510 (C.I 0.3043 to 0.9979) and GG genotype 0.5609 (CI 0.3062 to 1.0275). The study also confirmed that AG heterozygous condition had more significant association with RA than AA and GG genotypes. The obtained relative risk (RR) for the AA genotype was 0.676; for AG genotype (RR = 2.253) and GG genotype (RR = 0.6741). The novel candidate nsSNP rs759674898 had only the G allele, and the A allele was not detected in the population studied. In conclusion, this study emphasizes that the rs1738074 SNP in the TAGAP gene's 5′UTR is substantially linked to RA in the Indian population.
The largest continental shelf Oxygen Minimum Zone (OMZ) in the world is formed along the Indian western shelf in the eastern Arabian Sea during the Southwest Monsoon (SWM); June–September, which is a ...natural pollution event associated with the coastal upwelling. This study examines the composition, abundance, and distribution of copepods during the Northeast Monsoon (NEM); November to February and SWM in 50 m depth zones along the Indian western shelf in the eastern Arabian Sea. The NEM was characterised by warm, stratified, and low-salinity waters in the southeast Arabian Sea and cold, high-salinity, and well-mixed waters in the northeastern Arabian Sea. During the SWM, cold and Dissolved Oxygen (DO) deficient waters (<22 μM/0.5 ml L−1), which are the signs of coastal upwelling, were evident all along the study zone, but with more intensity off Kochi, Mangalore, and Goa in the south than off Mumbai and Okha in the north. The zooplankton total biomass and abundance showed seasonality with a general decrease during the SWM (av. 3.68 ± 1.29 ml m−3 and av. 5711 ± 3096 Ind. m−3, respectively) compared to the NEM (av. 7.37 ± 2.17 ml m−3 and av. 14,473 ± 4966 Ind. m−3, respectively). At the same time, the abundance of Polychaeta and Siphonophora showed an increase during the SWM (av. 1187 ± 1055 Ind. m−3 and av. 169 ± 119 Ind. m−3, respectively), probably a result of the DO deficient waters associated with upwelling. Two striking seasonal features in Copepoda community were evident in this study: (a) a compositional shift from Cyclopoida dominant during the NEM to Calanoida dominant during the SWM, and (b) the coastal OMZ along the Indian western shelf during the SWM was dominated by Calanoida, which include oceanic OMZ species such as Pleuromamma indica, Lucicutia flavicornis, L.paraclausii, Eucalanus elongatus, Subeucalanus pileatus, S.subcrassus, and Clausocalanus furcatus. This forms a clear imprint for the extension of the oceanic OMZ into nearshore waters during the SWM due to coastal upwelling.
•Considered Copepoda as an indicator of coastal hypoxia along the Indian western shelf.•A compositional shift of Copepoda was evident during different seasons.•Many Copepoda of oceanic OMZ were found in the coastal hypoxic zones.•The study shows the biological continuity of the coastal and oceanic OMZ.
The neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) is involved in memory and cognitive functions, which normally decline with age. In this chapter, we describe qRT-PCR and immunohistochemical protocols for ...measurement of muscarinic ACh receptor M1 (m1AChR) levels in the brains of middle-aged rats, with and without administration of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) and exercise training. The analyses revealed that the interventions led to an increase in m1AChR mRNA and protein levels in the CA1 subfield of hippocampus. This would be expected to enhance Ach levels at synapses and thereby boost cognitive ability. The protocols can be applied to m1AChR measurements in neurodegenerative diseases and dementia.
Bioethanol produced from 2nd generation biomass comprising of agricultural residues and forest wastes is a viable alternate fuel. Besides fermentation and biomass gasification to syngas and its ...further conversion to ethanol, a direct chemocatalytic conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into ethanol is being investigated as a viable route which avoids the emission of greenhouse gases. In this work, a detailed configuration of chemocatalytic route is simulated and optimized for minimizing the cost of ethanol production. The economic feasibility of ethanol production through the chemocatalytic pathway is analyzed. The techno-economic analysis is conducted in terms of ethanol selectivity and ethanol production cost. The obtained results show that biomass feedstock and catalyst have major contributions to the production cost. The proposed route is found to be giving a lower ethanol selling price as compared to the well-researched routes of biomass fermentation to ethanol and biomass gasification followed by syngas conversion to ethanol.
Graphic abstract
The expression level of T cell activation Rho GTPase activating protein (TAGAP) gene is higher in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients compared to healthy individuals. Vitamin D receptor element (VDRE) ...sequences present in the regulatory region of TAGAP gene are targeted by vitamin D dependent Vitamin D receptor (VDR) - retinoic acid X receptor (RXR) heterodimer complex to regulate the TAGAP gene expression. Reduction in the expression of the TAGAP gene can prevent different severity of RA disease conditions. Calcitriol is a proven vitamin D supplement prescribed to patients with RA. However, it is involved in causing hypercalcemia. Maxacalcitol, an analog of vitamin D, is shown to have less hypercalcemic activity when compared to calcitriol. This study was done to analyze and compare the binding modes of calcitriol and maxacalcitol with VDR. We also studied the interactions of these compounds with the VDR-RXRα heterodimer complex. In addition, the binding of the ligand-activated heterodimer complexes with VDREs of the TAGAP gene was also analyzed to comprehend the binding affinities of calcitriol and maxacalcitol to the gene. The current work utilizes in silico molecular docking and simulation analysis to understand the mechanism in each complex formation.
Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma
A series of spiro-indoline-3,3′-pyrrolizin/pyrrolidin-2-ones,
4
,
5
and
6
were synthesized in a sequential manner from Cu-TEMPO catalyzed dehydrogenation of alkylated ketones,
1
followed by ...1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides
via
decarboxylative condensation of isatin,
2
and
l
-proline/sarcosine,
3
in high regioselectivities and yields. The detailed mechanistic studies were performed to identify the reaction intermediates, which revealed that the reaction proceeds
via
dehydrogenative cycloaddition. Additionally, the regio and stereochemistry of the synthesized derivatives were affirmed by 2D NMR spectroscopic studies. The synthesized derivatives were explored further with molecular docking,
in vitro
antioxidant, and anti-diabetic activities.
A series of spiro-indoline-3,3′-pyrrolizin/pyrrolidin-2-ones were synthesized from Cu-TEMPO catalyzed dehydrogenation followed by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides
via
decarboxylative condensation, resulting in high regioselectivities and yields.
Type-2 diabetes, characterized by hyperglycemia causing various symptoms of metabolic disorders in the heart, kidneys, and brain, has many underlying molecular mechanisms leading to functional ...insufficiency of these organs. We describe protocols wherein we have optimized conditions for maintenance of hyperglycemic H9c2 cell lines and design to assess the effect of a water-soluble vitamin, Trolox, on the apoptotic pathway. Primarily, the design provides researchers to analyze apoptosis by flow cytometry.
A high global prevalence of diabetes and its implications on the heart in vivo and in vitro tools have been pursued to alleviate the complications of high glucose. This chapter oulines the methods ...used for maintaining H9C2 cardiomyoblasts in vitro and for stimulating hyperglycemic situation. In addition, we present a method to assess cellular GLUT-4 expression using qRT-PCR. This cellular model also allows us to examine the therapeutic approach of an antioxidant, Trolox, for upregulating GLUT-4 and uptake of glucose under hyperglycemic condition.
•Phytoplankton size responses in the Eastern Arabian Sea are being investigated.•Distinctive size responses exist to varying nutrient levels of winter convection and coastal upwelling.•Winter ...convection promoted nanophytoplankton.•Coastal upwelling favoured micro and mesophytoplanton.•These can be attributed to their differences in nutrient entrainment mechanisms.
Even though the seasonal pattern of phytoplankton biomass distribution in the seas around India is reasonably well understood, there is relatively little information on phytoplankton size classes. The current study shows how phytoplankton of different size classes respond to nutrient enrichment caused by vertical convective mixing during the Northeast Monsoon (NEM) November-February and coastal upwelling during the Southwest Monsoon (SWM) June-September in the Eastern Arabian Sea (EAS). In the Northeastern Arabian Sea (NEAS), phytoplankton biomass Chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) and primary production (PP) were moderate and comparable during both the NEM (Chl-a av. 21 mg m−2 and PP av. 601 mg C m−2 d-1) and the SWM (Chl-a av. 27 mg m−2 and PP av. 516 mg C m−2 d-1). The Southeastern Arabian Sea (SEAS) was oligotrophic (Chl-a av. 12 mg m−2 and PP av. 197 mg C m−2 d-1) during the NEM due to strong surface stratification, but due to coastal upwelling, it turned into a very productive system along the shelf waters during the SWM (Chl-a av. 45 mg m−2 and PP av. 1201 mg C m−2 d-1). Interestingly, the subsurface Chl-a maximum (SCM) was almost absent in the NEAS during both seasons. Similarly, SCM was absent in the entire coastal upwelling zone of the EAS during the SWM. In these areas and situations, Chl-a was found to accumulate in the nutrient-rich surface layers of the shallow euphotic zones.The nutrient enrichment of the coastal upwelling along the shelf waters in the EAS favoured the growth of larger micro-and meso-phytoplankton during the SWM av. 43.8 mg m−2 (av. 65.9% total Chl-a), whereas the entire NEAS favoured the growth of nano-phytoplankton during the NEM av. 13.9 mg m−2 (av. 64.8% total Chl-a). Differences in the physical processes enabling the entrainment of nutrients (Nitrate (NO3), Phosphate (PO4) and Silicate (SiO4) into the euphotic layer could explain the observed differences in the phytoplankton size fractions. The convective mixing in the NEAS during the NEM erodes the bottom of the mixed layer (50–120 m), resulting in only moderate enrichment of NO3 (av. 0.62 ± 0.45 µM) and SiO4 (av. 3.01 ± 0.83 µM), and low level of PO4 (av. 0.49 ± 0.13 µM) in the mixed layer (av. 60 m). This caused N -limitation in the NEAS, which favoured the dominance of nano-phytoplankton. Alternatively, coastal upwelling during the SWM drives deeper subsurface waters (75–150 m) into the shallow surface mixed layer (av. 30 m) in shelf water, causing significant enrichment of NO3 (av. 11.02 ± 3.55 µM), SiO4 (av. 18.34 ± 11.37 µM) and PO4 (av. 1.15 ± 0.21 µM). The enhanced nutrients in the coastal upwelling zones favoured the dominance of larger micro and meso-phytoplankton. However, during the SWM, the oceanic waters of the entire EAS showed low nutrient concentration compared to the shelf waters, which favoured the dominance of nanophytoplankton. In conclusion, our work reveals the large contribution of nano-phytoplankton in Chl-a biomass across the entire EAS, underlining their ecological relevance in both N-limited and N-enriched environments.
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