The emergence of beta-lactamase producing multidrug-resistant (MDR) gram-negative bacteria presents a significant challenge to effective treatment of infections. This study focuses on the isolation, amplification, and molecular characterization of β-lactamase genes from clinical strains of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Seven new partial gene sequences, including novel variants of blaOXA and blaNDM, were identified after screening 108 clinical samples and submitted to NCBI GenBank. In silico analysis revealed considerable diversity and distribution of these resistance genes among different strains of bacteria. Gene structure predictions using GENSCAN showed that blaOXA genes typically contain single exons with moderate GC content, whereas blaNDM genes feature longer exons with higher GC content. Multiple sequence alignment showed that NDM and OXA β-lactamases were highly similar, with only slight differences in a few amino acids. The study also analyzed the physico-chemical properties, functional domains, and phosphorylation patterns of the β-lactamase proteins. Secondary structure prediction indicated a dominance of beta sheets, contributing to protein stability, while tertiary modeling provided insights into their 3D structure. Overall, these findings provide critical insights into the genetic diversity and potential mechanisms of β-lactamase-mediated resistance, offering valuable information for the development of novel therapeutic strategies and surveillance programs.

Introduction: A new heterocyclic oxovanadium(IV) quinoxaline Schiff base complex, ((VO)L2) with a square pyramidal geometry around vanadium (IV) (where ‘L’ is the azomethine Schiff base formed by the condensation of 3-hydroxyquinoxaline-2-carboxaldehyde with 2-amono-phenol), has been prepared and characterized. The elemental analysis, molar conductance, magnetic measurement, FT-IR, UV-Visible, EPR, TG-DTA-DTG and cyclic voltametric studies confirmed the coordination of oxovanadium with the two molecules of ligands. Catalytic activity of the oxo-vanadium complex was tested in the liquid phase oxidation of cyclohexene with H2O2 as the oxi-dant. The catalyst has a turn over frequency 251 h-1 with 7.50 × 10-6 mol catalyst, 18.170 × 10-3 mol of H2O2 at 80°C and the cyclohexene conversion was estimated to be 19.10% with product selectiv-ity of cyclohexene oxide (6%), cyclohexanol (34%) and cyclohexanone (60%). Catalytic results yield cyclohexenol and cyclohexenone as the major products, along with a minor cyclohexene oxide product. These results suggest both the allylic C−H bond and the olefinic C=C bond activation dur-ing the process of catalysis by the complex. Methods: Condensation reaction of 3-hydroxyquinoxaline-2-carboxaldehyde and 2-aminophenol in the presence 2 or 3 drops of concentrated HCl resulted in the formation of the azomethine Schiff base. The complexation of the Schiff base with vanadium and the geometry of the resulting complex were determined by employing various physico-chemical measurements like elemental analysis, molar conductance, magnetic measurement, FT-IR, UV-Visible, EPR, TG-DTA-DTG and cyclic voltametry. Catalytic property of the synthesized oxovanadium(IV) quinoxaline Schiff base com-plex in cyclohexene oxidation was studied in a simple glass reactor and the progress of the reaction was monitored gas chromatographically. Results: A square-pyramidal oxovanadium(IV) quinoxaline Schiff base complex, ((VO)L2), was synthesized and characterized. Catalytic oxidation of cyclohexene with the complex gave cyclohex-enol and cyclohexenone as the major products, along with minor cyclohexene oxide. The experi-mental findings predict the formation of both allylic C−H bond and the olefinic C=C bond activation during catalysis. Conversion of cyclohexene, product selectivity and H2O2 efficiency were calcu-lated under various reaction conditions. Conclusion: A new square-pyramidal oxovanadium(IV) quinoxaline complex with the general for-mula (VOL2) was prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductance, magnetic measurement, FT-IR, UV-Visible, EPR, TG-DTA-DTG and cyclic voltametric studies. The utility of the oxovanadium(IV) complex as a catalyst in the oxidation of cyclohexene in acetonitrile with H2O2 was studied under various reaction conditions. Catalytic observations predicted the formation of cyclohexenol and cyclohexenone as the major reaction products, along with minor cyclohexene oxide. Cyclohexene conversion, product selectivity and H2O2 efficiency values were calculated for this reaction under various conditions. Under the optimized reaction conditions, the oxovanadium complex catalyzed the cyclohexene oxidation with 19.10 % conversion with a turnover frequency of 251 h-1. conclusion: Catalytic activity of a new oxovanadium (IV) quinoxaline Schiff base complex in the liquid phase oxidation of cyclohexene with H2O2 as oxidant was studied. Under the optimized reaction conditions at 30 % HP (18.70 × 10^(-3) mol), temperature (80 °C), time (2 h), catalyst (7.50 × 10^(-6) mol), and cyclohexene (1.97 × 10^(-2) mol) and acetonitrile (30 mL), the complex showed 19.10 % cyclohexene conversion.

Heterogeneous catalysis is considered as a suitable alternative to conventional organic synthesis for the selective production of industrially significant fine chemicals. The development of supported catalysts by dispersing minimal quantities of active component can reduce production costs and enhance energy efficiency. The current work reports the development of Deep eutectic solvent (DES) modified multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) system and its activity in the Knoevenagel condensation reaction. The catalytic system was developed by grinding a very low concentration (0.83mM) of DES with desired amount of MWCNT. Various interactions of the three component DES with MWCNT were analysed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The reaction favoured a novel compound selectively with yield around 92% in solvent free medium. Anti-cancerous studies of the synthesized compound demonstrated a strong IC50 value of 15.62µg/ml and a statistically calculated IC50 value of 9.8µg/ml. Acridine orange/ Ethidium Bromide (AO/EB) dual fluorescence staining studies revealed that the test ligand with lowest concentration of 7.8µg/ml was capable to induce apoptosis in 100% of MCF-7 cells. It is evident from the studies that the synthesized compound is a strong anticancer agent with potential to be investigated further.

Abstract In this study, copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) suitable for biological applications, including the degradation of organic dye, were synthesized through green approach using Phyllanthus Emblica as the reducing as well as stabilizing agent, and copper acetate as the precursor. The obtained nanoparticles were characterized by different techniques including X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-visible spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, FESEM and STA. The diffraction peaks in the XRD pattern for all samples are found to be of monoclinic crystal structure of CuO nanoparticles with size less than 9 nm for samples annealed at 600°C. Optical band gap of samples annealed at 600°C is determined as 2.1 eV, which is much wider than the bulk value of 1.7eV. FESEM analysis revealed the formation of small spherical nanoparticles, agglomerated in random fashion to form a coral like highly porous structure with a regular morphology. Annealing at higher temperature is found to be much influencing the morphology. FT-IR spectroscopy was used to identify the functional groups present in the materials. Thermogravimetric analysis indicates the stability of the annealed samples. The weight percentage decreased only by 3% in the temperature range 100 to 800°C.

Abstract Environment friendly green methods of synthesis of metal oxide have become focus of attention due to benefits of environmental sustainability, simplicity, and low price. In the present work zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles of size less than 10 nm have been synthesized by incorporating techniques of green synthesis using gooseberry extract into conventional co-precipitation method. The obtained nanoparticles are characterized by employing different techniques including X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-visible spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, FESEM and STA. Structural investigations revealed the formation of hexagonal structure corresponding to ZnO crystal lattice. Morphological analysis using FESEM studies revealed the formation of highly porous spongelike morphology constituted by randomly oriented piles of nanosheets. Effect of annealing temperature on the optical band gap of samples are also investigated. The various characteristic functional groups associated with the synthesized nanoparticles are recognized by employing FTIR analysis. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated the significant role of annealing temperature in the stability of the prepared ZnO nanoparticles.

Abstract Dendrimer‐based cross‐linked hydrogels are an advanced class of smart materials with exceptional mechanical properties, crucial for diverse biological and environmental applications. This study presents a novel strategy to optimize the physical and chemical smart properties of a hydrogel significantly enhancing mechanical strength and pH‐induced self‐recovery. We synthesized polymer hydrogels (PAM) with a peripherally modified poly(amido amine) dendrimer backbone, chemically cross‐linked using poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate. By varying the concentration of a secondary cross‐linker, we achieved tunable tensile stress ranging from 250 to 480 kPa. These hydrogels exhibit superior multifunctionality, including strong self‐adhesion to materials such as skin, metal, glass, wood, and even polytetrafluoroethylene, even underwater, attributed to abundant hydroxyl groups. Their dynamic cross‐linked network enables outstanding pH‐induced self‐healing efficiency (90%–95%) and an extraordinary swelling ratio of 20,000. Moreover, the hydrogels demonstrate high selectivity and efficiency (90%–95%) in removing perchlorate anions from contaminated water, outperforming conventional materials. These findings establish PAM hydrogels as a groundbreaking advancement in smart materials, with superior mechanical resilience, pH‐responsive self‐repairing ability, and high environmental remediation potential, surpassing existing hydrogel technologies. Their multifunctionality paves the way for next‐generation biomaterials, sensors, and water purification systems.

This study aims to assess region-wise host-parasite interaction and diversity indices of bomolochid species infecting marine fishes along the Kerala coast. Also, it aims to generate COI barcodes and analyse the phylogenetics. Marine fish species along the Kerala coast were sampled for the period 2016-2023 and examined for parasitization by bomolochid copepods. Host preference, prevalence, site-specificity, mean intensity, and biodiversity indices of recovered parasite species were assessed specifically in northern and southern regions of this coast. Mitochondrial COI sequences from bomolochid species were also generated, and their phylogenetic relationships were assessed with those of their counterparts found in the NCBI database. Among the sampled fishes, 21 species from 20 genera and 14 families showed parasitization with 20 species of bomolochids. Four host families: Sciaenidae, Acanthuridae, Engraulidae, and Sillaginidae were recorded as new to the bomolochid infection along the Indian coast. Recovered bomolochid species, including nine Bomolochus species, six Nothobomolochus species, two Pumiliopes species, and one each of Pseudorbitacolax, Ceratocolax, and Orbitacolax species, with overall prevalence ranging from 0.28% to 57%. 65% of species prefer single-host, and 35% rely on two or three host species. The northern region encompassed all 20 bomolochid species, whereas only 10 species represented the southern region. Six species showed no region-specific host preference, but their prevalence showed marked differences (4.8-73.8%). The host preference of some bomolochid species spans multiple fish species within the same genus or family, as well as across different genera and families, with a varying degree of prevalence, either region-dependent or independent. The northern region displayed the highest species richness and diversity index compared to the southern region. However, the evenness values from both regions were found to be similar. The mitochondrial COI sequences from five bomolochid species signify the reliability of COI DNA barcoding for the identification of bomolochids at the species level. The analysis of phylogenetic relationships with those of its counterparts found in the NCBI database revealed that Bomolochidae constituted a biphyly topology that is distinct from that of the outgroup, i.e., Harpacticoida. The generated information on bomolochid new host record, host preference, prevalence, site specificity, seasonality, diversity and genetic divergence forms the basis not only for further exploration of the species diversity and genetic variation of bomolochids but for analyzing the ecological and evolutionary aspects of species diversity and genetic variation of bomolochids and new host record along the Indian coasts and Indo-pacific region as well.

Using the annual dataset from 1991–2020, the present investigation aims to analyse the impact of climatic factors such as average yearly rainfall, average yearly temperature and carbon dioxide emission, as well as non-climatic factors such as fertiliser usage and area under production, on horticulture production (HP) in India. The auto-regressive distributed lag model was employed in the study to verify long and short-term cointegration. The results of the bound testing method validated that the underlying variables have a stable and long-term relationship. According to Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model estimations, short-term and long-term rainfall improves HP with coefficient value of 0.18 and 0.24, respectively. On the other hand, carbon dioxide emissions have a detrimental long-term impact (0.04), whereas area, temperature and fertilizer have a negative impact on horticultural production in the short run with a value of -0.32, -0.20 and -0.12 respectively. These results have significant policy ramifications for India. To lessen cultivation of horticulture susceptibility to these above-mentioned factors, for instance, better varieties of crops should be introduced through formal institutions under relaxed conditions and low borrowing rates. Policymakers should encourage climate-resilient crop types through low-interest loans and institutional assistance in order to increase horticulture resilience. Promoting organic agricultural methods can improve soil health over the long run by lowering reliance on chemical fertilisers. Furthermore, horticultural output may be sustained in the face of changing environmental and climatic difficulties by investing in carbon capture technology in agriculture.