9-fluorenone-based synthetic sulfonamide compounds as dual inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 Main-Protease and Papain-like Protease.

Tilorone, a 9-fluorenone scaffold-based molecule, is a known broad-spectrum antiviral with an IC of 180 nM against SARS-CoV-2, but its mechanism is not known. In the present study, we found it to have weak activity against PLpro (IC = 30.7 ± 7.

Anthropogenic climate change may reduce global diazotroph diversity.

Climate change impacts microbial community structure and function, thus altering biogeochemical cycles. Biological nitrogen fixation by diazotrophs is involved in maintaining the balance of the global nitrogen cycle, but the global biogeographic patterns of diazotrophs and their responses to climate change remain unclear. In this study, we use a dataset of 1352 potential diazotrophs by leveraging the co-occurrence of nitrogenase genes (nifHDK) and analyse the global distribution of potential diazotrophs derived from 137,672 samples.

Functional (re)annotation of proteome using integrative sequence and AI-based structural approaches.

Functional annotation of proteins is crucial in understanding the basic biology of organisms. In the context of pathogens, it can provide valuable insights towards its functional landscape contributing to understanding the molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis and survival. In this study, we explored the applications of sequence and AI-driven structure-based methods to functionally (re)annotate (MAB).

Subtractive Proteomic Approaches to Identify Drug Targets: An Analysis on Hypothetical Proteins of Multidrug-Resistant .

is a Gram-negative pathogen responsible for nosocomial infections. The exploration of novel therapeutic targets within its proteome is essential for developing successful therapies for combating infections caused by this organism. Employing in silico approaches, this study aims to identify drug targets from hypothetical proteins of .

Optimization and Characterization of Bioactive Metabolites from Cave-Derived C1.

Extremophilic microorganisms offer an untapped potential for producing unique bioactive metabolites with therapeutic applications. In the current study, bacterial isolates were obtained from samples collected from Chamalang cave located in Kohlu District, Balochistan, Pakistan. The cave-derived isolate C1 () exhibits prominent antibacterial activity against multidrug-resistant pathogens (MDR), including , , and .

Lipid Nanoparticles for the Delivery of mRNA.

The development of lipid-based nanoparticles (LNPs) has significantly advanced the field of drug delivery, particularly for nucleic acids, such as mRNA being clinically used in the vaccines against COVID-19. This chapter explores the structural composition and functional properties of LNPs, including key components, such as ionizable cationic lipids, neutral/helper phospholipids, cholesterol, and lipid-anchored polyethylene glycol (PEG) constructs. The discussion includes the role of these components in improving the stability, biocompatibility, and delivery efficiency of LNPs.

The quintessence of algal biomass in bioplastic production: insightful advancement and sustainable use.

Plastics are essential components of modern life, and their global demand is increasing daily. They are gaining recognition as a sustainable source for bioplastic production due to their rapid growth, carbon fixation ability, and capacity to utilize various waste streams. It seems that landfill, incineration, chemical treatment, and plastic recycling are not the best options for minimizing plastic pollution.

Streptomyces lothianensis sp. nov., an Antibiotic-Producing Strain Isolated From the Indian Sundarbans Mangrove Forest.

Strain KLOTTS4A1 was isolated from the soil sediment of the mangrove forest of Lothian Island, Sundarbans, West Bengal, India. The chemotaxonomic and phenotypic characteristics of the strain indicated that the isolate belongs to the genus Streptomyces. 16S rRNA gene analysis revealed that the strain was most closely related to the strains Streptomyces indicus IH32-1 (97.

Multi-omics evidence supporting the role of Halomonas enrichment contribution to high-salinity denitrification.

High-salinity wastewater poses a significant challenge for nitrogen removal becauase microbial communities must adapt to extreme osmotic stress while maintaining their functional efficiency. Marine bacteria, naturally adapted to saline environments, offer a potential solution through the rapid enrichment of salt-tolerant and halophilic species. This study comparatively evaluated activated sludge (AS) and marine sludge (MS) as inocula for high-salinity denitrification systems.

The role of amino acid composition in the antibacterial activity of laterosporulin analogs.

Aim: This study aimed to compare the antimicrobial activity of the structural analogs of a class IId bacteriocin, laterosporulin.

Methods And Results: The antimicrobial peptide laterosporulin3 (LS3), produced by a Brevibacillus sp. strain SKR3, showed 96% identity to earlier described laterosporulin (LS) and 60% to laterosporulin10 (LS10) in amino acid composition.

Gut-organ axis is more fragmented in ulcerative colitis: a metaproteomics study.

Aims: The study aims to assess the gut microbiota function and the status of bidirectional relationship of gut with other body organs in ulcerative colitis (UC).

Methods And Results: The proteomic analysis of fecal samples revealed the presence of 2072 microbial proteins and 243 human proteins. Microbial proteins for pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) increased significantly in UC samples; whereas, decrease in proteins related to energy metabolism, transmembrane transporters and membrane proteins, and protein folding was noted.

A review on microbe-mineral transformations and their impact on plant growth.

Mineral-microbe interaction is a driving environmental changes, regulating the biogeochemical cycling of elements, and contributing to the formation of ore deposits. Microorganisms are fundamental to mineral transformation processes, exerting a profound influence on biogeochemical cycles and the bioavailability of critical nutrients required for plant growth. In this review, we delve into the various mechanisms by which microbes facilitate mineral dissolution, precipitation, and transformation, with a particular focus on how these processes regulate the availability of both macronutrients and micronutrients in soils.

Molecular dynamics of select missense mutations of Apolipoprotein E and their implications in Hyperlipoproteinemia type III.

Apolipoprotein E (Apo E) is involved in lipid metabolism and plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of lipoprotein interactions within the body. Mutations in the Apo E protein have been associated with Hyperlipoproteinemia type III, which is characterized by abnormal lipid accumulation in the body. This work explores the structural and functional consequences of seven missense mutations (R154C, R154S, R160C, R163C, R163H, K164E, and K164Q) of Apo E protein associated with Hyperlipoproteinemia type III.

Targeting Ferroptosis Restores the Antiviral Activity of CD8 T Cells During Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection.

Background & Aims: CD8 T cells play a crucial role in antiviral immunity; however, hepatitis B virus (HBV)-specific CD8 T cells become dysfunctional during chronic HBV (CHB) infection. Blocking inhibitory pathways only partially restores efficient antiviral responses, suggesting that the mechanism underlying CD8 T-cell dysfunction is complicated. This study aimed to investigate whether HBV-specific CD8 T cells undergo ferroptosis, examine its correlation with T-cell dysfunction, and elucidate the underlying mechanism and potential intervention strategies.

Characterization and genome analysis of a novel lytic phage vB_ntSalS-cftriSP11 infecting Salmonella typhimurium.

Background: In response to rising antibiotic resistance, bacteriophage application is gaining renewed attention, marking a paradigm shift in managing bacterial infections, especially foodborne pathogens. Non-typhoidal salmonellosis remains a major global health burden. In this context, a novel lytic bacteriophage targeting Salmonella typhimurium was isolated and characterized.

The impact of educational interventions on food label comprehension and food choices among adolescents: a scoping review.

Background: Over the past few years, there has been a global shift in the food consumption pattern from traditional home cooked meals to ultra-processed packaged foods (UPFs). Adolescents are the most avid consumers of UPFs, with these foods comprising nearly 16.2% of total daily energy intake among Indian adolescents.

Dual regulatory role of cyclic di-GMP via the DgcY/HhmR complex in salt response of Y2.

Unlabelled: Bis-(3'-5')-cyclic dimeric guanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP) is a key second messenger synthesized by diguanylate cyclases (DGCs) and regulates diverse bacterial behaviors. While many DGC modules are integrated within complex regulatory cassettes to ensure precise control of cellular processes, simpler DGC-containing cassettes are also widespread across bacteria, despite the regulative modes of their DGC activity remaining to be explored. In this study, we characterized a unique regulative network within a simple DGC cassette in Y2, DgcY, which comprises a six-transmembrane domain and a GGDEF domain lacking the canonical autoinhibitory site.

Differentiating α-synuclein aggregates using charge-sensitive gold nanoclusters.

The accumulation of α-synuclein (α-syn) aggregates in the brain is associated with Parkinson's disease, making it a promising biomarker for understanding the disease's pathogenesis. Distinguishing between oligomeric forms of amyloidogenic proteins is crucial, as their toxicity depends on conformation. This study leverages surface charge differences to distinguish α-syn monomers from amyloids.

Loop Dynamics Perturbation Enhances the Catalytic Stability of GH18 Family Chitinases.

Enhanced thermostability is crucial for industrial biocatalysts, yet it often compromises the catalytic activity by restricting functional flexibility. Loop regions, with their intrinsic structural flexibility, have become key targets to improve thermostability while maintaining catalytic efficiency. In this study, we revealed that the dynamics of heat-sensitive loop2 and loop4 played a critical role in regulating the catalytic stability of GH18 chitinase Chi18A by molecular dynamics simulations coupled with alanine scanning, providing a basis for function-driven enzyme optimization.

Strategy development for enhancing Trichoderma longibrachiatum biocontrol efficacy based on integrated functional omics.

Biocontrol using beneficial microbes like Trichoderma is an eco-friendly strategy for plant disease management but is limited by poor soil colonization and low secondary metabolite production. This study isolated Trichoderma longibrachiatum Tr-8, which shows strong cellulose degradation and resource competition. Integrated omics revealed Tr-8's preference for cellulose-based carbon, promoting polyketosynthase gene expression.

Deciphering transcriptomic signatures in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder.

Schizophrenia (SCZ), Bipolar Disorder (BD), and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) are severe psychiatric conditions that share overlapping clinical symptoms, yet they differ in their underlying molecular mechanisms. Despite extensive research, the biological foundations of these disorders remain incompletely understood. In this study, we performed a large-scale transcriptomic analysis by integrating 557 publicly available RNA-seq datasets from post-mortem brain tissues, spanning multiple regions, to better understand the shared and distinct molecular features of these disorders.

Genomic and Functional Characterization of Multidrug-Resistant : Insights into Resistome, Virulome, and Signaling Systems.

Genetic plasticity and adaptive camouflage in critical pathogens have contributed to the global surge in multidrug-resistant (MDR) infections, posing a serious threat to public health and therapeutic efficacy. Antimicrobial resistance, now a leading cause of global mortality, demands urgent action through diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics. In India, the Indian Council of Medical Research's surveillance network identifies as a major cause of urinary tract infections, with increasing prevalence in human gut microbiomes, highlighting its significance across One Health domains.

Gut dysbiosis influences the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis: A case-control study from North India.

Background And Objectives: Alterations in gut microbiota have been linked to pathophysiology of immune-mediated diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS). This study was undertaken to characterise the gut microbiome profile in North Indian MS patients and to evaluate gut health using biomarkers like zonulin (intestinal permeability) and calprotectin (intestinal inflammation).

Methods: 84 Patients with relapsing-remitting MS patients (RRMS) of 18-75 years of age with an expanded disability status scale (EDSS) score less than or equal to 5.

A review of biofuels and bioenergy production as a sustainable alternative: opportunities, challenges and future perspectives.

Biofuels and bioenergy production are increasingly being viewed as viable alternatives to conventional energy sources because of their renewable nature and ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Waste products, lignocellulosic materials, and agricultural residues are some of the feedstocks that can be used to create biofuels, including biodiesel, bioethanol, and biogas. The production of biofuels not only promotes sustainable energy but also addresses environmental problems.