Biocompatible cellulose acetate supported ammonium based ionic liquid membranes; way forward to remediate water pollution

Dyes contaminated water has caused various environmental and health impacts in developing countries especially Pakistan due to different industrial activities. This issue has been addressed in present study by fabricating biocompatible ionic liquid (IL) membranes for the remediation of Crystal violet (CV) dye from contaminated water. Novel ammonium-based IL such as Triethyl dimethyl ammonium sulfate ([C3A][C2H6]SO4); (A2) was synthesized and further functionalized with hydroxyapatite (HAp; extracted from refused fish scales) resulting in the formation of HA2. Furthermore, A2 and HA2 were then used to fabricate the cellulose acetate (CA) based membranes with different volume ratios. The physicochemical properties of membranes-based composite materials were investigated using FTIR, XRD, and TGA and used for the adsorption of CV in the closed batch study. In results, CA-HA2 (1:2) showed higher efficiency of 98% for CV reduction, after the contact time of 90 min. Kinetic studies showed that the adsorption of CV followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model for all adsorbents. The antibacterial properties of the synthesized membrane were investigated against gram-positive strain, S. aureus and CA-A2 (1:1) showed better antibacterial properties against S. aureus. The developed membrane is sustainable to be used for the adsorption of CV and against bacteria.

In vitro biological assessment of 1,3,4-oxadiazole sandwiched by azinane and acetamides supported by molecular docking and BSA binding studies

The 1,3,4-Oxadiazole is an aromatic heterocyclic moiety recognized in drug research for its low lipophilicity. The multiple functionalities, heterocyclic azinane, sulfonamide, 1,3,4-oxadiazole and acetamide, are combined collectively to enhance the bioactivity potential of synthesized molecules. All the compounds were acquired by following microwave assisted and conventional techniques in a comparative way. The synthesized derivatives were screened for their antibacterial and enzyme inhibition potential. Furthermore, BSA binding analysis was executed to infer about the interaction with serum albumin. The spectral data of IR, EI-MS, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR were used to elucidate the final structures of compounds. The synthesized compounds had a modest antibacterial potential. Compound 8f bearing 2-methyl-4,5-dinitrophenyl group was the most active one against all the bacterial strains taken into account and α-glucosidase enzyme. Compound 8d bearing 4-nitrophenyl group was the best acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor and 8i bearing phenylethyl group was the best urease inhibitor.

Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of Boswellia serrata oleo-gum-resin essential oil extracted by superheated steam

Oleo-gum-resin is a complex mixture of essential oils, polysaccharides, and resin acids. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the variation in chemical components and antimicrobial activity of essential oils extracted by superheated steam at various temperatures. The optimum essential oil yield was obtained at the highest superheated steam temperature (210 °C). In total, twenty-one compounds were quantified by GC-MS with α-pinene as the major compound, followed by α-thujene, trans-verbenol, β-thujone, p-cymene, m-cymene, and sabinene. Antimicrobial activity was performed by disc diffusion, resazurin microtitre-plate and micro-dilution broth susceptibility assays in which essential oil extracted at 150 °C and 180 °C revealed the highest antibacterial and antifungal activity, respectively. It is concluded that superheated steam is an effective method for the isolation of essential oil from oleo-gum-resin that improves the recovery of essential oil as well as antimicrobial activity.

FROM Qutn TO Bt COTTON: DEVELOPMENT, ADOPTION AND PROSPECTS. A REVIEW

Cotton has unique history of domestication, diversification, and utilization. Globally it is an important cash crop that provides raw material for textile industry. The story of cotton started from human civilization and the climax arrived with the efforts of developing transgenic cotton for various traits. Though conventional breeding brought steady improvement in developing resistance against biotic stresses but recent success story of gene transferfrom Bacillus thuringiensis into cotton showed game changing effects on cotton cultivation. Amongst various families of insecticidal proteins Bt Cry-toxins received more attention because of specificity against receptors on the cell membranes of insect midgut epithelial cells. Rapid Bt cotton adoption by farmers due to its economic and environmental benefits has changed the landscape of cotton cultivation in many countries. But the variable expression of Bt transgene in the newly developed Bt cotton genotypes in tropical environment is questionable. Variability of toxin level in different plant parts at various life stage of plant is an outcome of genotypic interaction with environmental factors. Temporal gene expression of Cry1Ac is also blamed for the epigenetic background in which transgene has been inserted. The presence of genotypes with sub-lethal level of Bt toxin might create resistance in Lepidopteron insects, limiting the use of Bt cotton in future, with the opportunityfor other resistance development strategies to get more attention like gene stacking. Until the farmers get access to more recent technology, best option is to delay the development of resistance by applying Insect Resistance Management (IRM) strategies.

Immotile-cilia syndrome with azoospermia: a case report and review of the literature

A case of immotile-cilia syndrome associated with azoospermia is presented. This diagnosis is based on a typical history of bronchitis, sinusitis, situs inversus, impaired nasal mucociliary clearance and characteristic ultrastructural defect in the respiratory tract cilia and in the sperm tail. Semen analysis showed azoospermia with no evidence of obstruction in the epididymis or vas deferens; there was normal spermatogenesis.