International Journal of Advanced Biological and Biomedical Research
Volume:11 Issue: 4, Autumn 2023

Pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella Saunders (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is one of the most economically devastating pests of cotton globally. Chemical control is the first line of defense, but has become ineffective in reducing yield losses caused by this pest. New management strategies against pink bollworm is urgently needed. Field evaluations were conducted using the six pesticides were tested in two cropping seasons at a single dose, corresponding to their maximum recommended field rate of cotton in Egypt either with or without the egg parasitoid Trichogramma evanescens, TE (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae). Treatments were applied to plots of cotton in 27th and 20th of July, 2021 and 2022, respectively, against pink bollworm, and efficacy was calculated based on the plant damage caused by the larvae through the yield. The highest reduction in pink bollworm larval numbers along with the least boll damage were found in azadirachtin, chlorantraniliprole, or hexaflumuron + T. evanescens (TE) plots. During both years, it was observed that plots treated with biological control agent and some pesticides led to a significant increase in cotton yield. The parasitism rates were 28.88, 24.19, 23.66, and 20.13% in the plots treated with azadirachtin, hexaflumuron, chlorantraniprol, and spinosad and only 2.80 and 1.57% in the plots treated with lambda-cyhalothrin and profenofos versus 33.62% in the control plot, there was difference significantly among treatments (p ≤ 0.05). These findings underscore the potential use of TE combined with pesticides (mainly azadirachtin) to control pink bollworm larvae. The promising results were achieved when combined TE with azadirachtin, the combined treatment significantly decreased the population of the pink bollworm and crop damage.

Laccases are a class of multi-copper oxidases that can catalyze the oxidation of various phenolic substrates while reduacing molecular oxygen to water. Although only a few bacterial laccases have been studied to date, recent advances in genome research suggest that these enzymes are widespread in bacteria. Due to their ability to oxidize a broad range of phenolic compounds, laccases have numerous biotechnological applications. The aim of this study was to isolate the gene encoding laccase (CotA) from recombinant Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) containing the Bacillus licheniformis LS04 CotA-laccase gene and investigate its properties. The bacterial strains, vectors, and growth conditions were used in the study, and also the recombinant and expression host strain construction was described. Plasmid isolation, PCR amplification, gel electrophoresis, and protein purification were also carried out. SDS-PAGE was used to visualize the protein bands and plasmid stability was analyzed. In addition, this study characterized the CotA laccase by evaluating its optimum temperature, pH, thermal stability, and activity after bathing at 50 °C for 10 min. The results showed that the CotA laccase produced a protein with a molecular weight of 65 kDa, and the plasmid was stable in the absence of antibiotic pressure for 200 generations. The pH profile for laccase activity showed a peak at pH 7.4, and the optimal temperature was found to be 45 °C. However, the pH and temperature stability of the CotA laccase was lower than that of the spore laccase. The purified recombinant CotA-laccase showed high stability towards alkaline pH, high temperatures, and a broad pH range for catalyzing substrates. Nevertheless, the study demonstrates that CotA-laccase has the potential for industrial use due to its high stability and broad substrate range.

Nano-biochar is produced by the process of ball milling and pyrolysis has more significant application in comparison to biochar. Biochar are carbonaceous material which are generated by the anaerobic digestion of organic matter in the absence (pyrolysis) or partial presence of oxygen (gasification). Solid material which is obtained after the pyrolysis has micro-pore for greater sorption characteristics, large specific surface area, and numerous functional groups which bears oxygen. The sorption properties are enhanced several times because of nano-enable properties such as numerous oxyl groups, large surface area, and high reactivity. The biochar conjugated with nanomaterials have also wide applications such as conjunctions of magnetic nanoparticles on biochar enhance its recycling and separation from reactions. Biochar and nano-biochar has great role in remediation of contaminants and toxicants from the soil and water environment. Biochar plays major role in carbon sequestrations, reduced the emission of greenhouse gases, management waste, and amendments soil. Its modified functional groups which bear oxygen can enhance sorption properties. Biochar have wide application in agriculture as it improves soil fertility, enhance growth of crops, and also increase the mobilization of nutrients and minerals, and makes availability higher amount of nutrients to the plants. Compared with biochar, nano-biochar has potential application in the environment management.

T-lymphocyte-derived cytokines, including TNF-α, play a critical role in regulating cellular functions, particularly the immune response to pathogenic infections. This study investigated the frequency of TNF-α gene 308 promoter alleles and measured the serum cytokine levels in both control and patient groups. The study was a case-control study that included 84 COVID-19 positive patients from Kerman's Afzalipur Hospital, Iran, and 84 healthy individuals with negative coronavirus test results as the control group. It was used bioinformatics analysis and the PCR-RFLP technique to determine the TNF promoter region's genotype and the ELISA test to measure the cytokine's serum level. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS software (Version-20) with a significance level of P<0.05. It was found that the TNF promoter region's 308 SNP genotype was associated with TFII-I transcription factor binding predictions. However, there was no significant difference in allele frequency between the control and case groups in the TNF-308 promoter (P<0.05). Patients with COVID-19 had higher serum levels of TNF-α compared to the control group (P<0.05). The study also revealed that elevated levels of TNF-α, LDH, ESR, and CRP in the serum can predict severe outcomes in COVID-19. Although the study did not identify significant differences in TNF-α allele -308 frequencies between COVID-19 patients and the control group, the results suggest that TNF-α alleles may impact the infection severity. As a result, measuring serum TNF-α levels and identifying TNF-α alleles in COVID-19 patients could be valuable for predicting disease severity and developing targeted therapies.

This study delves into the investigation of the physicochemical characteristics and solubilization patterns of AR-27 dye within micellar environments containing the cationic surfactant CTABr, in conjunction with various electrolytes. The primary aim is to explore the augmented sequestration of AR-27 dye and its interplay with CTABr micelles through the utilization of UV-Visible Spectroscopy. The outcomes reveal a substantial enhancement in dye entrapment when electrolytes are introduced into CTABr micellar solutions compared to CTABr alone. Specifically, the partition coefficient (𝐾𝑥) for AR-27 dye in CTABr media devoid of salt stands at 5.29 x 105, whereas in combination with NaCl, KCl, and NH4Cl, the 𝐾𝑥 values escalate to 1.46 x 106, 1.84 x 106, and 2.57 x 106, respectively. Furthermore, the binding constants (𝐾𝒃) for CTABr, CTABr/NH4Cl, CTABr/KCl, and CTABr/NaCl are determined as 4.8 x 103, 4.4 x 104, 2.6 x 104, and 1.84 x 104 dm3/mol, respectively. Lower Gibbs free energy values indicate a deeper penetration of dye molecules into the micelles. To sum up, this research underscores the pivotal role of incorporating electrolytes into CTABr micellar media in augmenting the sequestration of AR-27 dye. These findings offer valuable insights into the physicochemical attributes and solubilization dynamics of AR-27 dye within CTABr micellar environments, enhancing our comprehension of the interactions between the dye and micellar structures.

The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was spreading rapidly in 2020, and researchers and medical professionals were working around the clock to develop effective host-directed treatments and prevent it from causing the coronavirus illness 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

This was done in an effort to prevent the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 from causing COVID-19. In 1989, Dr. Stephen combined the terms nutrition and pharmaceutical to create the phrase "nutraceutical," which was described as a dietary component or nutrient that, in addition to its nutritional value, also has health benefits, such as those that promote health and fight disease.

The nutraceuticals are helpful for both preventing and treating COVID-19; therefore, they serve a dual purpose. COVID-19 is caused by the same virus that causes SARS-CoV-2, which is a severe acute respiratory syndrome. The signs and symptoms of COVID can vary, but they frequently include fever, coughing, headaches, exhaustion, problems breathing, and a loss of taste and smell.

To treat and prevent the symptoms of the Corona virus, nutraceuticals like minerals, antioxidants, dietary fibers, and various vitamins are used.

Many seaweeds, most notably brown algae, are suitable for human consumption. These plants have various possible biological actions and significant phytochemical components. The ethylacetate and dichloromethane extracts of Sargassum flutans were examined for their phytochemical composition and in vitro antioxidant activities in our research. The antioxidant capacity was evaluated using the DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrasyl) method and the reducing power. The DPPH radical scavenging activity of an antioxidant is a well-known indicator of its capacity to eliminate free radicals. Sargassum flutans ethylacetate extracts had demonstrated effective DPPH radical reducing capability. The extract's capacity to eliminate DPPH radicals increased with concentration. The typical antioxidant and positive control employed was ascorbic acid. Ethylacetate extracts from Sargassum flutans showed more reducing power than dichloromethane. The phenolic content was also determined using the Folin-Ciocalteau reagent to evaluate the extracts' impact on total antioxidant activity. The results show that the percentage of phenolic compounds of the Sargassum futans DCM extracts was higher than that of the ethylacetate extracts. Finally, it is also noteworthy to mention that, the DPPH scavenging, reducing power, and phenolic content in these extracts of maritime macroalgae were remarkably concentration dependent.