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Dixon RA, Dickinson AJ. A century of studying plant secondary metabolism-From "what?" to "where, how, and why?". PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 195:48-66. [PMID: 38163637 PMCID: PMC11060662 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiad596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Over the past century, early advances in understanding the identity of the chemicals that collectively form a living plant have led scientists to deeper investigations exploring where these molecules localize, how they are made, and why they are synthesized in the first place. Many small molecules are specific to the plant kingdom and have been termed plant secondary metabolites, despite the fact that they can play primary and essential roles in plant structure, development, and response to the environment. The past 100 yr have witnessed elucidation of the structure, function, localization, and biosynthesis of selected plant secondary metabolites. Nevertheless, many mysteries remain about the vast diversity of chemicals produced by plants and their roles in plant biology. From early work characterizing unpurified plant extracts, to modern integration of 'omics technology to discover genes in metabolite biosynthesis and perception, research in plant (bio)chemistry has produced knowledge with substantial benefits for society, including human medicine and agricultural biotechnology. Here, we review the history of this work and offer suggestions for future areas of exploration. We also highlight some of the recently developed technologies that are leading to ongoing research advances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard A Dixon
- BioDiscovery Institute and Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76203, USA
| | - Alexandra Jazz Dickinson
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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Du NH, Xiong RL, Zhu TT, Liu XY, Zhang JZ, Fu J, Wang HL, Lou HX, Cheng AX. Efficient Production of Flavonoid Glucuronides in Escherichia coli Using Flavonoid O-Glucuronosyltransferases Characterized from Marchantia polymorpha. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2024; 87:228-237. [PMID: 38266493 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.3c00880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
As a model liverwort, Marchantia polymorpha contains various flavone glucuronides with cardiovascular-promoting effects and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the related glucuronosyltransferases have not yet been reported. In this study, two bifunctional UDP-glucuronic acid/UDP-glucose:flavonoid glucuronosyltransferases/glucosyltransferases, MpUGT742A1 and MpUGT736B1, were identified from M. polymorpha. Extensive enzymatic assays found that MpUGT742A1 and MpUGT736B1 exhibited efficient glucuronidation activity for flavones, flavonols, and flavanones and showed promiscuous regioselectivity at positions 3, 6, 7, 3', and 4'. These enzymes catalyzed the production of a variety of flavonoid glucuronides with medicinal value, including apigenin-7-O-glucuronide and scutellarein-7-O-glucuronide. With the use of MpUGT736B1, apigenin-4'-O-glucuronide and apigenin-7,4'-di-O-glucuronide were prepared by scaled-up enzymatic catalysis and structurally identified by NMR spectroscopy. MpUGT742A1 also displayed glucosyltransferase activity on the 7-OH position of the flavanones using UDP-glucose as the sugar donor. Furthermore, we constructed four recombinant strains by combining the pathway for increasing the UDP-glucuronic acid supply with the two novel UGTs MpUGT742A1 and MpUGT736B1. When apigenin was used as a substrate, the extracellular apigenin-4'-O-glucuronide and apigenin-7,4'-di-O-glucuronide production obtained from the Escherichia coli strain BB2 reached 598 and 81 mg/L, respectively. Our study provides new candidate genes and strategies for the biosynthesis of flavonoid glucuronides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ni-Hong Du
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Natural Products, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Rui-Lin Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Natural Products, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Ting-Ting Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Natural Products, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Xin-Yan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Natural Products, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Jiao-Zhen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Natural Products, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Jie Fu
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Natural Products, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Hai-Long Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Institute of Microbial Technology, Helmholtz International Lab for Anti-infectives, Helmholtz Institute of Biotechnology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Hong-Xiang Lou
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Natural Products, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Ai-Xia Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Natural Products, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
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Pande S, Patel CA, Dhameliya TM, Beladiya J, Parikh P, Kachhadiya R, Dholakia S. Inhibition of Uridine 5'-diphospho-glucuronosyltransferases A10 and B7 by vitamins: insights from in silico and in vitro studies. In Silico Pharmacol 2024; 12:8. [PMID: 38204437 PMCID: PMC10774253 DOI: 10.1007/s40203-023-00182-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Uridine 5'-diphospho-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) have been considered as a family of enzymes responsible for the glucuronidation process, a crucial phase II detoxification reaction. Among the various UGT isoforms, UGTs A10 and B7 have garnered significant attention due to their broad substrate specificity and involvement in the metabolism of numerous compounds. Recent studies have suggested that certain vitamins may exert inhibitory effects on UGT activity, thereby influencing the metabolism of drugs, environmental toxins, and endogenous substances, ultimately impacting their biological activities. In the present study, the inhibition potential of vitamins (A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, D3, E, and C) on UGT1A10 and UGT2B7 was determined using in silico and in vitro approaches. A 3-dimensional model of UGT1A10 and UGT2B7 enzymes was built using Swiss Model, ITASSER, and ROSETTA and verified using Ramachandran plot and SAVES tools. Molecular docking studies revealed that vitamins interact with UGT1A10 and UGT2B7 enzymes by binding within the active site pocket and interacting with residues. Among all vitamins, the highest binding affinity predicted by molecular docking was - 8.61 kcal/mol with vitamin B1. The in vitro studies results demonstrated the inhibition of the glucuronidation activity of UGTs by vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B9, C, D, and E, with IC50 values of 3.28 ± 1.07 µg/mL, 24.21 ± 1.11 µg/mL, 3.69 ± 1.02 µg/mL, 23.60 ± 1.08 µg/mL, 6.77 ± 1.08 µg/mL, 83.95 ± 1.09 µg/ml, 3.27 ± 1.13 µg/mL and 3.89 ± 1.12 µg/mL, respectively. These studies provided the valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying drug-vitamins interactions and have the potential to guide personalized medicine approaches, optimizing therapeutic outcomes, and ensuring patient safety. Indeed, further research in the area of UGT (UDP-glucuronosyltransferase) inhibition by vitamins is essential to fully understand the clinical relevance and implications of these interactions. UGTs play a crucial role in the metabolism and elimination of various drugs, toxins, and endogenous compounds in the body. Therefore, any factors that can modulate UGT activity, including vitamins, can have implications for drug metabolism, drug-drug interactions, and overall health. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40203-023-00182-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonal Pande
- Gujarat Technological University, Ahmedabad, India
- Department of Pharmacology, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, 380009 India
| | - Chirag A. Patel
- Department of Pharmacology, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, 380009 India
| | - Tejas M. Dhameliya
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 382 481 India
| | - Jayesh Beladiya
- Department of Pharmacology, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, 380009 India
| | - Palak Parikh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Ahmedabad, 38009 India
| | - Radhika Kachhadiya
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Ahmedabad, 38009 India
| | - Sandip Dholakia
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Ahmedabad, 38009 India
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Liu Y, Li Y, Liu Z, Wang L, Bi Z, Sun C, Yao P, Zhang J, Bai J, Zeng Y. Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis revealed altitude-related regulatory mechanisms on flavonoid accumulation in potato tubers. Food Res Int 2023; 170:112997. [PMID: 37316022 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2023.112997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Not least because it is adaptable to a variety of geographies and climates, potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is grown across much of the world. Pigmented potato tubers have been found to contain large quantities of flavonoids, which have various functional roles and act as antioxidants in the human diet. However, the effect of altitude on the biosynthesis and accumulation of flavonoids in potato tubers is poorly characterized. Here we carried out an integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic study in order to evaluate how cultivation at low (800 m), moderate (1800 m), and high (3600 m) altitude affects flavonoid biosynthesis in pigmented potato tubers. Both red and purple potato tubers grown at a high altitude contained the highest flavonoid content, and the most highly pigmented flesh, followed by those grown at a low altitude. Co-expression network analysis revealed three modules containing genes which were positively correlated with altitude-responsive flavonoid accumulation. The anthocyanin repressors StMYBATV and StMYB3 exhibited a significant positive relationship with altitude-responsive flavonoid accumulation. The repressive function of StMYB3 was further verified in tobacco flowers and potato tubers. The results presented here add to the growing body of knowledge regarding the response of flavonoid biosynthesis to environmental conditions, and should aid in efforts to develop novel varieties of pigmented potatoes for use across different geographies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhui Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Aridland Crop Science/Agronomy College, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China.
| | - Yuanming Li
- State Key Laboratory of Aridland Crop Science/Agronomy College, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Zhen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Aridland Crop Science/Agronomy College, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Potato Research Center, Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou 075000, China
| | - Zhenzhen Bi
- State Key Laboratory of Aridland Crop Science/Agronomy College, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Chao Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Aridland Crop Science/Agronomy College, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Panfeng Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Aridland Crop Science/Agronomy College, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Junlian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Aridland Crop Science/Agronomy College, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Jiangping Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Aridland Crop Science/Agronomy College, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Yuting Zeng
- Tibet Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Lasa 850000, China
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Yu A, Jiang X, Sun Y, Hu Q, Zhu X, Kang J, Chen L, Liu L, Hao L, Yang Q, Long R, Li M. Genome-wide identification, characterization, and expression analysis of UDP-glycosyltransferase genes associated with secondary metabolism in alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.). FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:1001206. [PMID: 36254261 PMCID: PMC9568668 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1001206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Uridine diphosphate glycosyltransferases (UGTs) are enzymes that catalyze glycosylation modifications and play an essential role in regulating plant metabolism. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is the most important legume in the world due to its high yields and protein content; however, the UGT genes in alfalfa have not yet been studied. Identifying UGT genes with metabolic roles in alfalfa is essential for identifying and modifying genetic traits that are relevant to yield and quality. In this study, 90 of the 239 UGT genes identified from the alfalfa "Zhongmu No. 1" genome database were found to be related to secondary metabolism, and a series of gene family characterization analyses were conducted on each. The results demonstrated that all 90 UGT genes were unevenly distributed on eight chromosomes with few introns and that tandem duplications were the crucial driving force expanding the UGT family in alfalfa. Notably, the 90 UGT genes can be clustered into ten evolutionary groups which contain specific PSPG motifs, and genes in these ten groups have specific tissue expressions. This suggests that the UGT genes in each group could have similar glycosylation roles corresponding to analogous secondary metabolites in alfalfa. Additionally, multiple cis-acting elements found in MsUGT promoter regions, such as phytohormone and flavonoids, indicate that 90 UGT members could be induced by these features, which are also related to secondary metabolism. Therefore, our study identified 90 UGT members inten evolutionary groups that are likely related to glycosylation modifications with secondary metabolites in alfalfa. These findings help uncover pivotal regulatory mechanisms associated with secondary metabolism in plant yield and quality and contribute to genetic modification and breeding in alfalfa and other plant species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andong Yu
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Xueqian Jiang
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Sun
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Qiannan Hu
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoxi Zhu
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Junmei Kang
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Chen
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Liu
- Bayannur Institute of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Linfeng Hao
- Bayannur Institute of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Qingchuan Yang
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ruicai Long
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Mingna Li
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
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Adolfo LM, Burks D, Rao X, Alvarez‐Hernandez A, Dixon RA. Evaluation of pathways to the C-glycosyl isoflavone puerarin in roots of kudzu ( Pueraria montana lobata). PLANT DIRECT 2022; 6:e442. [PMID: 36091880 PMCID: PMC9438399 DOI: 10.1002/pld3.442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Kudzu (Pueraria montana lobata) is used as a traditional medicine in China and Southeast Asia but is a noxious weed in the Southeastern United States. It produces both O- and C-glycosylated isoflavones, with puerarin (C-glucosyl daidzein) as an important bioactive compound. Currently, the stage of the isoflavone pathway at which the C-glycosyl unit is added remains unclear, with a recent report of direct C-glycosylation of daidzein contradicting earlier labeling studies supporting C-glycosylation at the level of chalcone. We have employed comparative mRNA sequencing of the roots from two Pueraria species, one of which produces puerarin (field collected P. montana lobata) and one of which does not (commercial Pueraria phaseoloides), to identify candidate uridine diphosphate glycosyltransferase (UGT) enzymes involved in puerarin biosynthesis. Expression of recombinant UGTs in Escherichia coli and candidate C-glycosyltransferases in Medicago truncatula were used to explore substrate specificities, and gene silencing of UGT and key isoflavone biosynthetic genes in kudzu hairy roots employed to test hypotheses concerning the substrate(s) for C-glycosylation. Our results confirm UGT71T5 as a C-glycosyltransferase of isoflavone biosynthesis in kudzu. Enzymatic, isotope labeling, and genetic analyses suggest that puerarin arises both from the direct action of UGT71T5 on daidzein and via a second route in which the C-glycosidic linkage is introduced to the chalcone isoliquiritigenin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laci M. Adolfo
- BioDiscovery Institute and Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of North TexasDentonTexasUSA
| | - David Burks
- BioDiscovery Institute and Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of North TexasDentonTexasUSA
| | - Xiaolan Rao
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life SciencesHubei UniversityWuhanHubei ProvinceChina
| | | | - Richard A. Dixon
- BioDiscovery Institute and Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of North TexasDentonTexasUSA
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Srivastava P, Garg A, Misra RC, Chanotiya CS, Ghosh S. UGT86C11 is a novel plant UDP-glycosyltransferase involved in labdane diterpene biosynthesis. J Biol Chem 2021; 297:101045. [PMID: 34363833 PMCID: PMC8427245 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Glycosyltransferases constitute a large family of enzymes across all domains of life, but knowledge of their biochemical function remains largely incomplete, particularly in the context of plant specialized metabolism. The labdane diterpenes represent a large class of phytochemicals with many pharmacological benefits, such as anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and anticarcinogenic. The medicinal plant kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata) produces bioactive labdane diterpenes; notably, the C19-hydroxyl diterpene (andrograpanin) is predominantly found as C19-O-glucoside (neoandrographolide), whereas diterpenes having additional hydroxylation(s) at C3 (14-deoxy-11,12-didehydroandrographolide) or C3 and C14 (andrographolide) are primarily detected as aglycones, signifying scaffold-selective C19-O-glucosylation of diterpenes in planta. Here, we analyzed UDP-glycosyltransferase (UGT) activity and diterpene levels across various developmental stages and tissues and found an apparent correlation of UGT activity with the spatiotemporal accumulation of neoandrographolide, the major diterpene C19-O-glucoside. The biochemical analysis of recombinant UGTs preferentially expressed in neoandrographolide-accumulating tissues identified a previously uncharacterized UGT86 member (ApUGT12/UGT86C11) that catalyzes C19-O-glucosylation of diterpenes with strict scaffold selectivity. ApUGT12 localized to the cytoplasm and catalyzed diterpene C19-O-glucosylation in planta. The substrate selectivity demonstrated by the recombinant ApUGT12 expressed in plant and bacterium hosts was comparable to native UGT activity. Recombinant ApUGT12 showed significantly higher catalytic efficiency using andrograpanin compared with 14-deoxy-11,12-didehydroandrographolide and trivial activity using andrographolide. Moreover, ApUGT12 silencing in plants led to a drastic reduction in neoandrographolide content and increased levels of andrograpanin. These data suggest the involvement of ApUGT12 in scaffold-selective C19-O-glucosylation of labdane diterpenes in plants. This knowledge of UGT86 function might help in developing plant chemotypes and synthesis of pharmacologically relevant diterpenes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Payal Srivastava
- Plant Biotechnology Division, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CSIR-CIMAP), Lucknow 226015, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Anchal Garg
- Plant Biotechnology Division, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CSIR-CIMAP), Lucknow 226015, India
| | - Rajesh Chandra Misra
- Plant Biotechnology Division, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CSIR-CIMAP), Lucknow 226015, India
| | - Chandan Singh Chanotiya
- Phytochemistry Division, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CSIR-CIMAP), Lucknow 226015, India
| | - Sumit Ghosh
- Plant Biotechnology Division, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CSIR-CIMAP), Lucknow 226015, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India.
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