Kamalanathan Ashok

The indiscriminate use of synthetic insecticides for mosquito control has resulted in significant challenges, such as environmental pollution and growing insecticide resistance. In response, there is increasing interest in eco-friendly alternatives like plant-based larvicides. This study assesses the larvicidal efficacy of Chloris virgate (Poales: Poaceae) extracts against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae), Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae), and Anopheles stephensi (Diptera: Culicidae), and investigates the bioactive chemical compounds responsible for this activity. Soxhlet individual extraction was performed using n-hexane, chloroform, and ethanol, and methanol solvents are used separately to extract bioactive compounds from C. virgata. This approach allows for the selective extraction of specific compounds based on their solubility in each solvent. The extracts were tested on fourth instar larvae, and lethal concentrations (LC₅₀ and LC₉₀) were calculated via probit analysis. The methanol extract exhibited the lowest LC50 and LC90 values against Culex quinquefasciatus, with LC50 at 80.11 ppm and LC90 at 176.22 ppm, suggesting higher toxicity and effectiveness in larvicidal activity. Methanol extracts significantly affected mosquito larvae midguts, causing cytoplasmic thinning, muscle fiber disorganization, and brush border disruption. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis identified major compounds such as stigmasterol, campesterol, and γ-sitosterol. Campesterol, 4.alpha.,14-Dimethyl-5.alpha, and Lanosterol showed strong binding affinities with acetylcholine esterase (5X61), exhibiting multiple hydrophobic interactions with key residues, including TRP 441, TYR 282, and CYS 447. Campesterol also displayed significant binding to Sterol Carrier Protein-2 (1PZ4) and Odorant-Binding Protein (3OGN) with several hydrophobic interactions, achieving binding affinities of − 10.1 kcal/mol and − 9.7 kcal/mol, respectively. This study highlights the potential of C. virgata methanol extracts as a promising eco-friendly larvicide for mosquito population management.

Mosquitoes are among the most significant disease vectors, transmitting dangerous illnesses such as malaria and dengue fever. With the increasing resistance of mosquitoes to chemical insecticides, there is a growing need for effective and environmentally safe natural alternatives. The larvicidal impact of Cyperus rotundus extracts was assessed against three disease-vector mosquito species: Culex quinquefasciatus, Anopheles stephensi, and Aedes aegypti, alongside morphological and histopathological alterations in larvae. Sequential extractions of C. rotundus using methanol, ethanol, chloroform, hexane, and aqueous solvents were tested at various concentrations (50-250 ppm). Amongst the extracts, methanol showed the highest efficacy, with LC₅₀ values of 111.13 for Ae. aegypti, 108.61 ppm for An. stephensi, and 98.46 ppm for Cx. quinquefasciatus. Phytochemical analysis revealed that methanol and ethanol extracts were rich in bioactive compounds like tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, and saponins, contributing to their larvicidal potency. Histological studies revealed significant midgut damage in treated larvae, including epithelial cell detachment, microvillus degradation, and peritrophic membrane disruption. These findings highlight the possible of C. rotundus extracts, predominantly methanol, as promising larvicidal agents for integrated mosquito management programs. Further investigation into the active compounds and their modes of action could contribute to developing eco-friendly, plant-based insecticides for controlling mosquito populations and mitigating disease transmission.

Geranium oil, extracted from the leaves and flowers of the geranium plant, holds a significant position for its potential health benefits. This essential oil has found utility in both traditional and alternative medicinal practices, showcasing its versatility across diverse healthcare methodologies. This study systematically analyzed the chemical composition of geranium oil, identifying a diverse array of compounds. Notably, Aminoacetonitrile, 3-Nitro-2-methyl propene, and 2,6-Octadiene (E,E) emerged as predominant components in the analysis. These compounds, including acetic anhydride, serve as vital precursors in pharmaceutical drug synthesis and other organic compound formations. The antibacterial efficacy of geranium oil against Aeromonas caviae was evaluated, revealing notable inhibitory effects of 17 mm at an elevated concentration of 30 µg/µl. The mechanisms underlying this antibacterial activity may be attributed to bioactive compounds present in geranium oil, such as citronellol, geraniol, and linalool, each known for their antimicrobial properties. Further research is essential to precisely elucidate these mechanisms and comprehensively evaluate the safety and efficacy of geranium oil for potential therapeutic applications.

This study aimed to investigate the phytochemical composition of eucalyptus oil and evaluate its antifungal properties against Candida species. Qualitative phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of various compounds, including carbohydrates, flavonoids, phenols, proteins, quinones, saponins, and tannins. Flavonoids were found to have the highest concentration, followed by tannins and polyphenols. GC-MS analysis identified several compounds in eucalyptus oil, including 2,3-Diamino-2-cyanosuccinonitrile as a major component. Antifungal assays demonstrated that eucalyptus oil inhibited the growth of Candida albigans, Candida tropicalis and Candida kefyr, with varying degrees of inhibition depending on the concentration used. The antifungal activity may be attributed to the presence of bioactive compounds such as 1-Butyne, 3-methyl-, 1-Hexen-4-ol, 1-chloro-3-methyl, N-(Methylphenylamino) methyl) benzamide. Further studies are required to explore the specific role and potential benefits of the identified compounds in eucalyptus oil and to evaluate the effectiveness of eucalyptus oil as an antifungal agent in clinical settings.

Durian (Durio zibethinus L.) grows widely in Southeast Asia. The pulp of the durian fruit contains carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, fibers, various vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids. This study was carried out to elucidate the anticancer mechanism of action of the methanolic extract of the fruit of Durio zibethinus (D. zibethinus) on human leukemia (HL-60) cells. The methanolic extract of D. zibethinus fruits exhibited its anticancer effect on HL-60 cells by inducing DNA damage and apoptosis. The DNA damage was confirmed by comet and DNA fragmentation assays. The methanolic extract of D. zibethinus fruits has been shown to cause cell cycle arrest in HL-60 cells during the S phase and G2/M phase. Additionally, the methanolic extract caused induction of the apoptotic pathway in the HL-60 cell line. This was confirmed by increased expression in pro-apoptotic proteins, viz., Bax protein expression, and a substantial reduction (p < 0.001) in anti-apoptotic proteins, viz., Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL expressions. Therefore, this study confirms that the methanolic extract of D. zibethinus exerts its anticancer effects on the HL-60 cell line, causing cell cycle arrest and induction of apoptosis by an intrinsic mechanism.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has a negative effect on the poor, minority populations, and a wide variety of vulnerable communities because of its unequal distribution in populated regions and its limited ability to be mitigated by the rise in chronic conditions or the lack of access to high-quality healthcare (HC). Furthermore, the pandemic's negative consequences, such as social isolation and travel limitations, disproportionately affect persons in the poorest socioeconomic (SE) groups. We prepared seven national case studies from across the world to address the difficulties of improving health and highlight some of the responses used by government agencies and local groups: Afghanistan (AFGN), Albania (ALB), Algeria (ALGR), Australia (AU), Brazil (BR), China (CN), and France (FR). We encourage academics to continue doing rigorous research and establishing a sound evidence foundation for further scientific inquiries into COVID-19 health equity problems throughout the world. HC organisations may improve their agility, resilience, and learning with the support of insights from complexity science in order to better prepare for unexpected occurrences in the future.

Different types of batteries (BT’s) are also used every day and a significant amount of waste BT’s are created at the end of the day. Waste BT’s can lead to grave contamination of the atmosphere. Currently, the major waste BT processes are incineration and waste disposal, solidification management, manual processing, wet recuperation technology, dry recovery techniques and bio metallurgical (BM) technology. This paper describes many waste BT disposal practises and its impact in recent years.

Plastic ruminal impaction is a disorder that allows the ruminant ruminants to aggregate in indigestible plastic foreign bodies contributing to impacted ruminations, indigestibility, chronic tympani, and many others. The ruminants are fed indigestible plastic waste products without discrimination. In the urban regions of the developed world, the disease is mostly found in stray animals. The chemicals in the rumen, which are absorbed in the food chain by milk or meat products, are steadily discharged in the rumen. The harm to human wellbeing is done by these substances. Currently, the only alternative is to detect and treat ruminal impaction due to plastic materials in ruminants for exploratory rumenotomy. Good animal husbandry methods and proper handling of waste plastic are included in the control mechanisms. The present study examines in detail and illustrates its effect on public health on epidemiology, pathophysiology; detection, care, prevention, and regulation of ruminal impaction caused by ruminant plastics.

CPNPS synthesis is an important engine in biomedical research with a scalable scale and desired functionality. Although these props are focused largely on synthetic methods, the advancement accomplished in this area has reported a direct influence on morphology and biomedical characteristics of synthesis and surface modifiers. Sensing is a significant use of nanomaterial in consideration of small dimensions and their peculiar physicochemical characteristics, but the trend has changed over the last few years towards the "teranotic" combination on a single platform of sensing and therapeutic properties. CPNPSs have been used successfully in vivo and in vitro for identification and targeting, but before commercial implementation, several primary obstacles remain.

Markhor (MK) is a wild goat and one of Pakistan's (PK’s) most stunning wild animal species. The species likes to live on difficult and steep cliffs of the mountains to guard themselves from assaults by snow leopards (Pantheraunica) and wolves (Canis lupus). These high cliffs also offer a safe haven from the hunters who want at least one MK pride in their life of hunting. The male MK is prettier when the horns are long and twisted. These species play an important part in the mountain's food web to ensuring that they remain in shape for nature and for people alike. PK contains 7 Caprinae populations from the hills of the Southern Desert up to the extreme Alpine regions of the Himalayas, with 11 subspecies occupying habitats. The majority of people in Caprinae in the world live in PK at lower altitudes use steep cliffs, open forest covered with cows, providing rock bluffs as escape land. In general, the flare horn MK (C. f.falconeri) and the direct horned MK are split into two categories; (C. f.megaceros).