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Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles with Antimicrobial Properties Using Phyla dulcis Plant Extract
No full textFoodborne illnesses caused by the consumption of food contaminated with foodborne pathogens at infectious doses are becoming a common health issue throughout the world. Metal nanoparticles with potential antimicrobial properties are an area that can be explored to discover novel antimicrobial agents. The traditional synthesis methods of metal nanoparticles involve the use of toxic chemicals and the generation of harmful byproducts. In this study, a greener method to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with potential antimicrobial properties was investigated. The aqueous extract of the medicinal plant Phyla dulcis Trev. (verbenaceae) was used as the reducing and stabilizing agent to synthesize AgNPs using microwave irradiation. The formation of AgNPs was confirmed using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy by the appearance of characteristic surface plasmon resonance peaks in the 430-440 nm wavelength range. The size and stability of the AgNPs were studied using Zetasizer nano-series for 5 weeks after synthesis. The average particle size remained between 63 and 76 nm during the first 4 weeks and increased to 114 nm in the fifth week showing possible aggregation after the fourth week. The zeta potential remained between -20 and -24 mV throughout the 5 weeks showing relatively good stability. Scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy showed the association of phytoconstituents with the AgNPs. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis confirmed the formation of metallic nanoparticles starting from silver nitrate. Finally, the AgNPs were tested to be effective against Escherichia coli O157:H7 (ATCC 43888), Salmonella Typhimurium (novobiocin and nalidixic acid resistant strain), Listeria monocytogenes (4b; ATCC 19115), and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) strains, which are known to be common foodborne pathogens
Estimating reference crop evapotranspiration under limited climate data in West Texas
No full textStudy region: West Texas, USA Study focus: Estimation of crop reference evapotranspiration (ETo) is essential for many aspects of water resources planning and management such as irrigation scheduling. Available widely used methods for calculating ETo include American Society of Civil Engineers’ Standardized Reference Evapotranspiration and Food and Agriculture Organization\u27s Penman-Monteith equations (FAO-ETo). These methods use complete climate datasets to estimate daily ETo, whereas simple evapotranspiration models based on radiation and temperature use limited climate data. In this study, daily ETo estimated using the temperature based Hargreaves-Samani (HS) equation were compared and evaluated with those estimated using the standard FAO-ETo at different stations of West Texas Mesonet. New hydrological insights for the region: The results showed that the HS equation with original coefficients underestimated daily ETo values as compared to FAO-ETo data. New coefficients of the globally, monthly and regionally calibrated HS equation against FAO-ETo data were derived and proposed for more accurate daily ETo estimates in West Texas. Based on the results of global, monthly and regional calibration scenarios, ETo estimated by the calibrated and validated HS equation using fitted month-specific coefficients showed better agreement with FAO-ETo both within and outside the calibration region. No significant improvement in ETo estimation was observed for the HS equation using interpolated coefficients derived from station-specific calibrated coefficients as compared with commonly calibrated coefficients derived based on datasets of all selected meteorological stations in West Texas
Chebyshev Type Inequalities Involving the Fractional Integral Operator Containing Multi-Index Mittag-Leffler Function in the Kernel
Get PDFRecently, several authors have investigated Chebyshev type inequalities for numerous fractional integral operators. Being motivated by the work done by earlier researchers and their numerous applications in probability, transform theory, numerical quadrature, statistical problems and its significance in fractional boundary value problems. We aim to evaluate Chebyshev type inequalities involving fractional integral operator containing multi-index Mittag-Leffler function in the kernel. Admissible connections of the results mentioned in this article to those associated with previously established familiar fractional integral operators have been pointed out
Identification of Phytotoxic Levels of Copper and Nickel in Commercial Organic Soil Amendments Recycled from Poultry Farms and Municipal Wastes
No full textCommercial-scale recycling of agricultural and municipal wastes into organic soil amendments facilitates safe disposal of waste and reduces environmental contamination. However, phytotoxicity of commercial organic amendments to crops is a major concern to farmers. Consistent with this, commercial chicken manure and Milorganite (recycled from municipal waste) were found to be phytotoxic. Chicken manure aqueous extract contains 10.8 ppm Cu and 0.7 ppm Ni. The level of Cu and Ni in Milorganite is lower. The current study identified an aqueous solution containing 5 ppm Cu, lower than in chicken manure aqueous extract, was highly phytotoxic to mustard seeds germination. Therefore, phytotoxicity of chicken manure is in part due to Cu. An aqueous solution containing 1 ppm Ni was not phytotoxic; whereas 0.125 ppm Ni was phytotoxic when 62.5 ppm Na, which is nontoxic, was added to the solution. Therefore, synergistic effects of chemicals in the organic amendments may induce phytotoxicity
Shade signals alter the expression of circadian clock genes in newly-formed bioenergy sorghum internodes
No full textStem internodes of bioenergy sorghum inbred R.07020 are longer at high plant density (shade) than at low plant density (control). Initially, the youngest newly-formed subapical stem internodes of shade-treated and control plants are comparable in length. However, full-length internodes of shade-treated plants are three times longer than the internodes of the control plants. To identify the early molecular events associated with internode elongation in response to shade, we analyzed the transcriptome of the newly-formed internodes of shade-treated and control plants sampled between 4 and 6 hr after the start of the light period (14 hr light/10 hr dark). Sorghum genes homologous to the Arabidopsis shade marker genes ATHB2 and PIL1 were not differentially expressed. The results indicate that shade signals promote internode elongation indirectly because sorghum internodes are not illuminated and grow while enclosed with leaf sheaths. Sorghum genes homologous to the Arabidopsis morning-phased circadian clock genes LHY, RVE, and LNK were downregulated and evening-phased genes such as TOC1, PRR5, and GI were upregulated in young internodes in response to shade. We hypothesize that a change in the function or patterns of expression of the circadian clock genes is the earliest molecular event associated with internode elongation in response to shade in bioenergy sorghum. Increased expression of CycD1, which promotes cell division, and decreased expression of cell wall-loosening and MBF1-like genes, which promote cell expansion, suggest that shade signals promote internode elongation in bioenergy sorghum in part through increasing cell number by delaying transition from cell division to cell expansion
Primary school-based nutrition education intervention on nutrition knowledge, attitude and practices among school-age children in Ghana
No full textThis study was performed to evaluate the effect of a six-week nutrition education intervention on the nutrition knowledge, attitude, practices, and nutrition status of school-age children (aged 6–12 years) in basic schools in Ghana. Short-term effects of nutrition education training sessions on teachers and caregivers were also assessed. Pre-post controlled design was used to evaluate the program. Intervention groups had significantly higher nutrition knowledge scores (8.8 ± 2.0 vs. 5.9 ± 2.1, P \u3c 0.0001) compared to controls in the lower primary level. A higher proportion of children in the intervention group strongly agreed they enjoyed learning about food and nutrition issues compared to the control group (88% vs. 77%, P = 0.031). There was no significant difference in dietary diversity scores (4.8 ± 2.0 vs. 5.1 ± 1.4, P = 0.184) or in measured anthropometric indices (3.6% vs. 8.2%, P = 0.08). A marginally lower proportion of stunted schoolchildren was observed among the intervention group compared to the control group (3.6% vs. 8.2%, P = 0.080). Nutrition knowledge of teachers and caregivers significantly improved (12.5 ± 1.87 vs. 9.2 ± 2.1; P = 0.031) and (5.86 ± 0.73 to 6.24 ± 1.02, P = 0.009), respectively. Nutrition education intervention could have positive impacts on knowledge and attitudes of school children, and may be crucial in the development of healthy behaviors for improved nutrition status
Application of proteomics to identify fertility markers in angus bull sperm
No full textThe goal of the study was to ascertain sperm proteins as fertility markers in Angus bull sperm using proteomics and validating the markers through comparative sperm biology between Angus and Holstein bulls for which there are reliable fertility data available. We aimed to determine proteins differentially expressed in sperm from Angus bulls with different fertility phenotypes. Two-dimensional differential gel electrophoresis with mass-spectrometry, functional gene clusters, canonical pathways and protein networks, using integrated discovery bioinformatics software and ingenuity pathway analysis were used to identify and analyze sperm proteome. We identified 80 proteins that were differentially expressed in sperm of our experimental population. Using computational biology approaches we demonstrated involvement of structural proteins such as outer dense fiber of sperm tails 2 and enzymes including kinases, and phosphatases having functions in essential pathways in glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and free scavenging. The results are significant because analyzed proteins in Angus sperm are determinants of fertility, gene-environment interactions, as well as potential biomarkers for animal breeding
Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles with Antimicrobial Properties Using Phyla dulcis Plant Extract
No full textFoodborne illnesses caused by the consumption of food contaminated with foodborne pathogens at infectious doses are becoming a common health issue throughout the world. Metal nanoparticles with potential antimicrobial properties are an area that can be explored to discover novel antimicrobial agents. The traditional synthesis methods of metal nanoparticles involve the use of toxic chemicals and the generation of harmful byproducts. In this study, a greener method to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with potential antimicrobial properties was investigated. The aqueous extract of the medicinal plant Phyla dulcis Trev. (verbenaceae) was used as the reducing and stabilizing agent to synthesize AgNPs using microwave irradiation. The formation of AgNPs was confirmed using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy by the appearance of characteristic surface plasmon resonance peaks in the 430-440 nm wavelength range. The size and stability of the AgNPs were studied using Zetasizer nano-series for 5 weeks after synthesis. The average particle size remained between 63 and 76 nm during the first 4 weeks and increased to 114 nm in the fifth week showing possible aggregation after the fourth week. The zeta potential remained between -20 and -24 mV throughout the 5 weeks showing relatively good stability. Scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy showed the association of phytoconstituents with the AgNPs. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis confirmed the formation of metallic nanoparticles starting from silver nitrate. Finally, the AgNPs were tested to be effective against Escherichia coli O157:H7 (ATCC 43888), Salmonella Typhimurium (novobiocin and nalidixic acid resistant strain), Listeria monocytogenes (4b; ATCC 19115), and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) strains, which are known to be common foodborne pathogens
Reciprocal influence between posttraumatic stress and posttraumatic growth approximately one year after hurricane harvey: A bivariate latent change score modeling approach
No full textThe current study examined reciprocal effects of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and posttraumatic growth (PTG) at 16, 17, and 19 months after Hurricane Harvey. The final sample included 443 adults who were physically residing in the area when Hurricane Harvey made landfall on August 26, 2017. Bivariate latent change score modeling was conducted to examine the nature of the time-sequential associations between PTSS and PTG. A result from the latent change score modeling revealed a unidirectional coupling effect from PTG to change in PTSS, indicating that individuals with higher levels of PTG were more likely to experience decreased prevalence of PTSS. However, the unidirectional coupling effect from PTSS to change in PTG was not supported. The current study suggests that disaster survivors with higher levels of PTG may experience decreased prevalence of PTSS, raising the importance of tailoring a treatment incorporating PTG to alleviate future PTSS
Interface compositions as determinants of resveratrol stability in nanoemulsion delivery systems
No full textThe incorporation of hydrophobic ingredients, such as resveratrol (a fat-soluble phytochemical), in nanoemulsions can increase the water solubility and stability of these hydrophobic ingredients. The nanodelivery of resveratrol can result in a marked improvement in the bioavailability of this health-promoting ingredient. The current study hypothesized that resveratrol can bind to caprine casein, which may result in the preservation of the biological properties of resveratrol. The fluorescence spectra provided proof of this complex formation by demonstrating that resveratrol binds to caprine casein in the vicinity of tryptophan amino acid residues. The caprine casein/resveratrol complex is stabilized by hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds. Hence, to study the rate of resveratrol degradation during processing/storage, resveratrol losses were determined by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) in nanoemulsions stabilized by bovine and caprine caseins individually and in combination with polysorbate-20. At 48 h oxidation, 88.33% and 89.08% was left of resveratrol in the nanoemulsions stabilized by caprine casein (αs1-I)/polysorbate-20 complex and caprine (αs1-II)/polysorbate-20 complex, while there was less resveratrol left in the nanoemulsions stabilized by bovine casein/polysorbate-20 complex, suggesting that oxygen degradation was involved. The findings of this study are crucial for the food industry since they imply the potential use of caprine casein/polysorbate-20 complex to preserve the biological properties of resveratrol