Killing Time Research Articles

New nano-chemotherapeutic chitosans- garlic oil - antibiotics against diabetic foot virulent Proteus spp

Background and Objectives: Diabetes foot ulcer is recognized to have a major side effect that raises the risk of amputation. Diabetic ulcer bacterial infections caused by virulent and resistant bacteria like Proteus mirabilis lead to serious wounds that are incurable with conventional medications. Materials and Methods: In this study, we evaluated the antibacterial activity of a natural product nanochitosan - garlic oil against ten diabetic foot isolates of Proteus mirabilis. Various chitosans (Crab (CScr) - shrimp (CSsh) - squilla (CSsq)) in nano form were prepared and coated with garlic oil (GO). GC-MS analysis was carried out to determine the main compo- nents of the essential garlic oil. The physicochemical properties of GO-NCSsq were analyzed using dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potentials (ZP) and subsequently scan electron microscope (SEM). Additionally, the minimum inhibitory con- centration (MIC) and fraction inhibitory concentration index (FICI) were determined. Results: GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of major palmitic fatty acid. (GO) loaded on nanochitosan squilla (NCSsq) showed high activity. Although SEM showed lower nano-size, average size of the GO-NCSsq was 330.8 nm by DLS and its zeta potential formulation was +39.6 mV. The final formulation represented by GO-NCSsq + Pipercillin (Pi) inhibited the virulence factor of P. mirabilis and reduced the MIC value (p-value > 0.001). Moreover, the killing time at 9 h was found to be significantly higher for GO-NCSsq + pipercillin (Pi) against P. mirabilis. Conclusion: In order to manage diabetic foot infections, GO-NCSsq is a legitimate antibacterial agent that can be coupled with other antibiotics.

Synergistic antimicrobial effect of daptomycin and ethyl lauroyl arginate containing self-emulsifying drug delivery system against bacterial infections

This study aimed to enhance the antimicrobial properties of daptomycin by ion-pairing with ethyl lauroyl arginate (ELA) and incorporation in a self-emulsifying drug delivery system (SEDDS).Daptomycin was ion-paired with the ELA and the hydrophobic ion pair (HIP) was loaded into SEDDS. SEDDS 1 consisted of 15% oleic acid, 5% soy phosphatidylcholine, 10% cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) in medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) at a concentration of 250 mg/ml, 20% benzyl alcohol, and 50% PG-4 caprate. SEDDS 2 comprised 10% soy phosphatidylcholine in MCT at a concentration of 53 mg/ml, 10% CTAB, 20% benzyl alcohol, and 60% PG-4 caprate. SEDDS were characterized regarding droplet size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, and stability. Cytotoxicity was evaluated on Caco-2, HeLa, and SW620 cells. Antimicrobial activity was assessed by agar diffusion studies and time-kill assays with Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans.Both formulations showed a droplet size below 200 nm with a PDI < 0.4, a positive zeta potential, and robust thermodynamic stability. They exhibited low toxicity profiles while maintaining full antimicrobial efficacy on all tested pathogens. Compared to unformulated daptomycin, SEDDS 1 and 2 lowered the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) 5- and 8- fold for S. aureus and 10- and 30- fold for S. epidermidis, respectively. Bacterial killing time was 105 -fold shortened with SEDDS 1 and 106 -fold with SEDDS 2. Furthermore, HIP and SEDDS enhanced antibacterial activity against Candida albicans and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. According to these results, ion pairing of daptomycin with ELA and incorporation into SEDDS is a promising approach to improve the antimicrobial activity of this drug.

Optimization of vine killing date for maximum seed-tuber yield and minimum exposure to late-season aphid vectors in potato

Short-duration and early-bulking potato varieties are well-suited for commercial cultivation in the subtropical Indo-Gangetic plains of India. To maximize seed tuber yield, prevent late-season exposure to aphid vectors, and facilitate the timely planting of wheat crops during the rabi season, it is essential to cut the haulms (vines) of seed potatoes at the earliest possible time. A study was conducted to standardize the optimal vine-killing date for two popular potato varieties in the north-western plains of India, Kufri Pukhraj and Kufri Jyoti, by examining variations in seed yield across different vine-killing dates and assessing the incidence of aphid vectors transmitting potato viruses. Tubers were planted on 15 October for two consecutive seasons, and haulms were cut at 70, 80, and 90 days after planting (DAP), with continuous monitoring of aphid populations. Results showed that total tuber yield and tuber numbers increased with delayed vine-killing. Similarly, the yield and number of oversized tubers significantly rose as the vine-killing date was extended. However, seed-size and undersized tuber yields were largely unaffected, while the number of undersized tubers decreased between 70 and 90 DAP. Further, the gain in total tuber yield and yield of over-sized tubers occurred mainly during 70–80 DAP for Kufri Pukhraj in contrast to Kufri Jyoti where maximum increase occurred between 80 and 90 DAP. Therefore, it is concluded that the optimum time of vine killing for maximum seed tuber yield is directly linked to the tuber growth cycle of individual variety. The period of maximum incidence of aphid vectors varied between the two years. Based on the incidence of Myzus persicae, the seed crops in north-western plains of India should not be extended beyond last week of December although real time monitoring of the aphid incidence is recommended.

Model-based translation of results from in vitro to in vivo experiments for afabicin activity against Staphylococcus aureus.

Translation of experimental data on antibiotic activity typically relies on pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) indices. Model-based approaches, considering the full antibiotic killing time course, could be an alternative. To develop a mechanism-based modelling framework to assess the in vitro and in vivo activity of the FabI inhibitor antibiotic afabicin, and explore the ability of a model built on in vitro data to predict in vivo outcome. A PK/PD model was built to describe bacterial counts from 162 static in vitro time-kill curves evaluating the effect of afabicin desphosphono, the active moiety of the prodrug afabicin, against 21 Staphylococcus aureus strains. Combined with a mouse PK model, outcomes of afabicin doses of 0.011-190 mg/kg q6h against nine S. aureus strains in a murine thigh infection model were predicted, and thereafter refined by estimating PD parameters. A sigmoid Emax model, with EC50 scaled by the MIC described the afabicin desphosphono killing in vitro. This model predicted, without parameter re-estimation, the in vivo bacterial counts at 24 h within a ±1 log margin for most dosing groups. When parameters were allowed to be estimated, EC50 was 38%-45% lower in vivo, compared with in vitro, within the studied MIC range. The developed PK/PD model described the time course of afabicin activity across experimental conditions and bacterial strains. This model showed translational capacity as parameters estimated on in vitro time-kill data could well predict the in vivo outcome for a wide variety of doses in a mouse thigh infection model.

General mass formulas for charged Kerr-AdS black holes

It is well-known that the mass of a non-asymptotically flat spacetime cannot be uniquely defined. Some mass formulas for the Kerr-AdS black hole have been found and used in studying black hole thermodynamics. However, the derivations usually need a background subtraction to eliminate the divergence at infinity. It is also unknown whether the mass depends on the choice of coordinates. In this paper, we provide a more straightforward derivation for the mass formula, only demanding that the first law of black hole thermodynamics and Smarr formula are satisfied. We first make use of the Iyer-Wald formalism to derive a first law which avoids the divergence at infinity. Then we apply this formula to charged Kerr-AdS black hole expressed in the coordinates rotating at infinity. However, the first law associated with the timelike Killing vector field ∂∂t is not integrable. Then, by making use of the gauge freedom of t, we find a favorite parameter t′ which just makes the mass integrable. Applying the scaling argument, we show that the mass satisfies the Smarr formula and takes the form M/Ξ3/2. Moreover, applying the conformal method with ∂∂t′ , we obtain the same mass. By applying the first law to the coordinates which is not rotating at infinity, we find a preferred time T that makes the first law integrable and the mass is just the familiar mass M/Ξ2 in the literature. This mass is also confirmed by the conformal method. We find that the two mass formulas correspond to different families of observers and the preferred Killing times. So our work clarifies the ambiguities of mass in Kerr-AdS spacetimes.

Capture and killing of small cetaceans in the Faroe Islands is inhumane and offers little scope for improvement

The capture and killing of free-living small cetaceans in the Faroe Islands is described. After being driven on-shore by motor vessels, the animals are killed without pre-stunning using officially-prescribed methods that involve severing the spinal cord and the associated blood vessels using a long-handled lance. The claim that this induces near instantaneous unconsciousness and death lacks supporting evidence: it is believed that the animals are simply paralyzed, not immediately rendered unconscious. The cervical and spinal arterial circulation of cetaceans differs from that of terrestrial mammals and it is likely the spinal lance does not completely destroy the supply of oxygenated blood to the brain. In conclusion, the entire process from driving the animals onto the shore, to restraint and to killing stranded cetaceans is very likely to be detrimental to their welfare. Detailed studies would be necessary to determine the veracity of the claimed efficacy of the process. A bespoke humane killer may improve welfare at the time of killing but its development is considered challenging.

Killing versus branching: Unexplored facets of diffusive relaxation.

We analyze the relaxation dynamics of Feynman-Kac path integral kernel functions, in terms of branching diffusion processes with killing. This amounts to the killing versus branching approach to path integration, which seems to be a novelty in the pathwise description of conditioned Brownian motions and diffusion processes with absorbing boundaries. There, Feynman-Kac kernels appear as building blocks of inferred (Fokker-Planck) transition probability density functions. A consistent probabilistic meaning is hereby provided (killing versus branching time rate) to bounded from below Feynman-Kac potential functions, which instead of being positive-definite (a standard killing paradigm), may take negative values on bounded spatial subdomains (that inflicts trajectory branching).

Bacchic Batman?: Batman: Killing Time and Euripides’ Bacchae

ABSTRACT This paper investigates the ways that Tom King’s Batman: Killing Time (2022) blends a telling of Euripides’ Bacchae with the more traditional story of a super-villain bank heist. The heist mobilises characters such as Catwoman and the Riddler against Batman as they try to secure possession of an ancient artefact. This artefact turns out to have ancient Greek provenance and allows King to emphasise how his tale evokes and responds to Euripides’ play. By quoting extensively from the Bacchae and interspersing scenes from the play that resonate with the action in and around Gotham City, King makes the actions of Batman and the supervillains embody the tenets of Classical reception. The shifting interpretations of the characters and the various representations of the ancient artefact reflect the ways that individual readers come to understand a literary or artistic work. The conflict over the artefact mirrors critics’ conflicting interpretations of a text, and Killing Time can be seen as a large-scale interpretation of Euripides’ tragedy. This sequential graphic narrative acts as a creative response to Euripides’ Bacchae and questions that play’s conception of madness, reason, sight, and insight, while fruitfully putting into dialogue the myths of ancient Greece with those of the DC Universe.

Synthesis, molecular dynamics, antimicrobial activity and wound healing application of new methylidene dyes based on pyrrolinone esters

A new methylidene dye based on the direct condensation of an aldehyde derivative with a pyrrolinone ester derivative was successfully prepared as well as its quaternary ammonium salt analogue. The structures of all synthesized dyes were confirmed using NMR, Mass and IR spectra. The absorption and emission spectra of the synthesized dyes were investigated. The synthesized methylidene dye and its cationic form showed high molar absorption coefficients and a significant emission of the cationic dye analogue solution was observed. The antibacterial affinity using the disk diffusion method was investigated for six potential skin infection causing microbial pathogens, including two Gram-negative species (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus mirabilis), two Gram-positive species (Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis), and two fungal species (Candida albicans and Rhizomucor miehei) by recording the inhibition zone as well as studying the killing time effect for the prepared dyes. The in vitro wound healing application and the effect of cationized Dye 2 on the healing progress showed very effective and faster healing at a concentration of 100 µg/mL (IC50). Molecular dynamics simulation studies of Dye 1 and Dye 2 were carried out to compute binding free energies using Generalized Born Surface Area (MM/GBSA) in molecular mechanics. Furthermore, computational studies revealed that Dye 2 showed high affinity toward the active site of DNA gyrase B, which provides a solid framework for new structure-based design initiatives.

Killing Time: The Role of Boredom in Glasgow Gangs

Abstract Boredom may be one of the largest maladies of the modern world. A phenomenon which has increasingly become embedded in our social structures. Yet, as a concept within criminology there is a dearth of knowledge concerning it, despite the influence it has on offending and offending behaviours. Through a constructivist grounded theory (CGT) methodology with gangs in Glasgow, insights are shared, exploring how and in what ways boredom affects gang members and the strategies employed to alleviate it. This paper applies Svendsen’s (2005) existential definition of boredom and explores the concepts of temporality, meaning-making and agency as occurring at the nexus of boredom and excitement-seeking behaviours for Glasgow gang members.

Entomopathogenic fungi-based silver nanoparticles: a potential substitute of synthetic insecticides to counter behavioral and physiological immunity in Aedes aegypti mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae).

Excessive use of synthetic insecticides has resulted in environmental contamination and adverse effects on humans and other non-target organisms. Entomopathogenic fungi offer eco-friendly alternatives; however, their application for pest control requires significant advancement owing to limitations like slow killing time and effectiveness only when applied in higher amounts, whereas exposure to UV radiation, high temperature, and humidity can also reduce their viability and shelf-life. The nanoparticles synthesized using fungal extracellular extracts provide a new approach to use fungal pathogens. Our study focused on the synthesis of Metarhizium anisopliae-based silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and evaluation of their efficiency on various physiological and behavioral parameters of the mosquito Aedes aegypti. The synthesis, size (27.6 d.nm, PDI = 0.209), zeta potential (- 24.3 mV), and shape of the AgNPs were determined through dynamic light scattering, scanning and transmission electron microscopic, and UV-visual spectroscopic analyses (432 nm). Our results showed significantly reduced survival (100% decrease in case of 3.2 and 1.8 μL/cm2 volumes, and 60% decrease in case of 0.8 μL/cm2 volume), phenoloxidase activity (t = 39.91; p = 0.0001), and gut microbiota, with increased oxidative stress and cell apoptosis in AgNPs-challenged mosquitoes. Furthermore, the AgNPs-exposed mosquitoes presented a concentration-specific decrease in flight locomotor activity (F = 17.312; p < 0.0001), whereas no significant changes in antifungal activity, self-grooming frequencies, or time spent were found. These findings enhance our understanding of mosquito responses to AgNPs exposure, and offer a more efficient mosquito control strategy using entomopathogenic fungi.

Antimicrobial Properties and Cytotoxicity of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Synthesized Using Melia azedarach Leaf Extract Against Diarrhoeal Pathogens

AbstractThe high mortality and morbidity resulting from an increasing incidence of antibiotic resistance among pathogens highlight a crucial need for the development of novel alternative therapy. In the quest for alternative therapy, this study was conducted to synthesise nanoparticles (NPs) from ferric chloride hexahydrate (FeCl3.6H2O) via Melia azedarach L. (Meliaceae) leaf extract and evaluate their antibacterial properties against multidrug resistant pathogenic Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, and Vibrio cholerae. Multidrug-resistant pathogenic bacteria were isolated from cattle faeces and characterised by whole genome sequence analysis. The extracts from M. azedarach leaves were used as reducing, capping, and stabilising agents on the precursor metal (FeCl3.6H2O) to produce NPs. The biosynthesised NPs were characterised by ultraviolent visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The NPs were tested against multidrug-resistant bacteria to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and rate of kill. In this study, WGS analysis confirmed the bacteria (E. coli, V. cholerae, and S. enterica) isolates to be multidrug-resistant pathogen and NP that has a spherical shape with an average particle size of 49.75 nm was successfully biosynthesised. The NPs displayed significant antimicrobial activities with MIC of 62, 31, and 62 mg/mL, MBC of 500, 250, and 500 µg/mL, and the lowest killing times of 4, 2, and 3 h against E. coli, V. cholerae, and S. enterica, respectively. Interestingly, the concentrations of the NPs required to inhibit the growth of E. coli, V. cholerae, and S. enterica were not toxic to HEK293 cells. Based on the promising antimicrobial activities of the biosynthesised NPs in this study, they could be useful in important therapeutic applications aimed at combating multidrug-resistant pathogens.

Killing Time: Homosocial Bonding Behind the Front Line in Tim Hetherington’s Infidel

Even in intense combat scenarios, a significant proportion of a soldier's time is spent passing the time. Tim Hetherington was acutely aware of this contradiction; of the 240 pages of Infidel, his account of the time he spent in Combat Outpost Restrepo in the remote Afghan Korengal valley, only about one sixth show soldiers actually in combat. The remaining pages depict soldiers maintaining their base, passing the time playing cards, wrestling each other, and sleeping. This focus on the lacunary moments between skirmishes and contacts marks out the work as attuned to a more complex understanding of the nature of soldiering in front line situations. This paper situates Hetherington's work into a longer historical engagement with the depiction of soldiers ‘killing time’ between moments of combat, and in the context of how the homosocial nature of the proximity in which soldiers live and work contributes to their combat motivation.

Extraction of chrysanthemum oil to produce organic insect repellent

Commercial repellent treatments incorporating plant-based components have recently gained favourable among users due to the fact They are considered “safe” in compared to long-established synthetic repellents however, this is usually not accurate. Many essential oils included in insect repellents and insecticides are very volatile, which adds to their short lifespan as insect repellents. This problem, however, can be resolved by adding fixatives to increase their lifespan. The objective of developing this organic repellent is to give a productive, totally natural preventive solution to repel cold-blooded and harmful insects. The aim of this project is to produce an organic repellent utilizing chrysanthemum oil and chrysanthemum oil + peppermint oil, and to test the efficacy of both end products. The experimental results exhibited that all three-parameter concentration revealed significant influence on 5 ml, 7 ml and 9 ml given the average mortality time of killing was 2.62 min, 2.34 min, and 3.38 min, respectively, as Chrysanthemum oil and Chrysanthemum oil + peppermint oil that the average mortality time of killing was 2.81 min, 3.04 min, and 2.79 min to cold-blooded insects such as cockroach, flies, and ants. As a result, there is a need to analysed natural materials as biopesticides since they are harmless to humans and the environment. Knowledge gained from ethnobotanical studies on traditional repellent plants is a great resource for the creation of new natural products.

Synergistic Efficacy, Antimicrobial and Wound Healing Potentials of Milled Persea Americana Seed / Syzygium Aromaticum Oil Against Albino Rats and Wound Isolates

This study aimed to investigate the effects of oil avocado extracts, vegetable oil, Goya oil, and clove oil and its healing potential on male and female albino rats and their antibacterial activity against surgical wound isolates. The antimicrobial efficacy of avocado seed oil and cloves extract against surgical wound isolates was investigated using the agar well diffusion method and a microplate reader to detect the killing time rate of each isolate against oil extracts applied topically to the wounds of albino rats. The following bacteria were isolated, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella oxytoca, Chrysobacterium meningosepticum, Klebsiella oxytoca, Escherichia coli, Acinetobacter baumannii and Bergeyella zoochelum. The wound healing process was evaluated by measuring the serum and tissue bioassays and tissue repair enzymes. It was observed that Avocado seed oil infused in vegetables has the highest micro-titre reading against Bergeyella zoochelum (0.199) and Avocado oil infused in vegetable oil with cloves (0.100) against Chrysobacterium meningo septicum at 24 and 48 hours, respectively, this denotes bacteriostatics and Avocado oil infused in Goya with cloves against Bergeyella zoochelum (0.046) has the lowest value and Avocado oil infused in n-hexane against Escherichia coli has the highest value (0.080); this denotes bacteriocide activity of extracted oil. It was observed that the surgical wound on the albino rats closed within seven days and the measured tissue and serum bioassay were relatively under standard. The results of this study suggest that avocado seed oil and clove oil have potential natural alternatives to synthetic antimicrobial agents and treatment of wounds and wound infection in albino rats, as the avocado seed oil and clove used in this study inhibited all the surgical wound isolates.

A lattice model based on percolation theory for cold atmospheric DBD plasma decontamination kinetics

The tailing phenomenon, where the survival curve of bacteria shows a slow tailing period after a rapid decline, is a ubiquitous inactivation kinetics process in the advanced plasma sterilization field. While classical models suggest that bacterial resistance dispersion causes the tailing phenomenon, experiments suggest that the non-uniform spatial distribution of spores (clustered structure) is the cause. However, no existing inactivation kinetics model can accurately describe spatial heterogeneity. In this paper, we propose a lattice model based on percolation theory to explain the inactivation kinetics by considering the non-uniform spatial distribution of spores and plasma. Our model divides spores into non-clustered and clustered types and distinguishes between short-tailing and long-tailing compositions and their formation mechanisms. By systematically studying the effects of different spore and plasma parameters on the tailing phenomenon, we provide a reasonable explanation for the kinetic law of the plasma sterilization survival curve and the mechanism of the tailing phenomenon in various cases. As an example, our model accurately explains the 80-second kinetics of atmospheric pressure plasma inactivation of spores, a process that previous models struggled to understand due to its multi-stage and long-tail phenomena. Our model predicts that increasing the spatial distribution probability of plasma can shorten the complete killing time under the same total energy, and we validate this prediction through experiments. Our model successfully explains the seemingly irregular plasma sterilization survival curve and deepens our understanding of the tailing phenomenon in plasma sterilization. This study offers valuable insights for the sterilization of food surfaces using plasma technology, and could serve as a guide for practical applications.

Enzymatic Indicators in Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide Decontamination Cycles: Application-related Research focusing on Fractional Kill Time (FKT) and Reverse Fractional Kill Time (RFKT) Studies

The accepted standard from a regulatory perspective for vaporized hydrogen peroxide (vH2O2) cycle validation is the use of biological indicators (BIs). Novel enzymatic indicators (EIs) are gaining more importance in this field, relying on specific enzymatic reactions for their functionality. The aim of this work is to determine how enzymatic indicators can contribute to the cycle development process. Emphasis was placed on the initial informative study, the fractional kill time study, which is a basis for future studies. The results indicate that enzymatic indicators have the potential to facilitate further development of the cycle. This requires an analysis of the determined data, measured in relative light units (RLU), and aligning it with the BI growth, resulting in Full Kill/ No Kill limits. The use of enzymatic indicators for decontamination cycle development opens new perspectives and holds considerable potential for practical use in the development and validation of decontamination processes.

Konstruksi Makna Kolektor Photocard (Studi Fenomenologi Mengenai Makna, Motif, dan Pengalaman Komunikasi Kolektor Photocard K-Pop)

K-Pop photocards, which are part of K-Pop merchandise packages, have a lot of devotees, so it's not uncommon for photocards to have high selling prices. Photocards are so popular among K-Pop fans that many deliberately collect K-Pop photocards. They do not hesitate to spend money to buy. K-Pop photocard collectors also often receive negative comments from other people because they like to collect K-Pop photocards. This study uses a qualitative method with a phenomenological approach, with the aim of finding meaning, motives, and communication experiences of K-Pop photocard collectors, this study uses Alferd Schutz phenomenological theory and Erving Goffman self-presentation theory. The informants in this study were 3 K-Pop photocard collectors. To get the meaning, motives, and experiences of K-Pop photocard collectors, researchers must research in depth so that informants provide true information. The results of the study show that informants have various meanings in collecting K-Pop photocards, namely as happiness, wealth, and killing time. As for the motives that prompted the informants to collect K-Pop photocards, there were several because motives (motif kerena), namely because of aesthetics, benefits, and dissatisfaction. Meanwhile, in order to motives (motif untuk) were found to be related to 3 things, namely happiness, finance and perfection. Communication experiences also varied, namely communication experiences obtained from parents, friends, and K-Pop Photocard sellers in the form of positive and negative communication experiences.&#x0D; Keywords: Phenomenology, Self-presentation, Meaning, Motives, Communication Experience, Photocard K-Pop&#x0D;

Yellow Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) and Lesser Mealworm (Alphitobius diaperinus) Proteins Slowed Weight Gain and Improved Metabolism of Diet-Induced Obesity Mice

BackgroundHigh-protein diets not only meet amino acid needs but also modulate satiety and energy metabolism. Insect-based proteins are sustainable, high-quality proteins. Mealworms have been studied, but limited information is known about their ability to impact metabolism and obesity. ObjectiveWe determined the effects of defatted yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor)- and whole lesser mealworm (Alphitobius diaperinus)-based proteins on the body weight (BW), serum metabolites, and liver and adipose tissue (AT) histology and gene expression of diet-induced obesity mice. MethodsMale C57BL/6J mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD; 46% kcal) to induce obesity and metabolic syndrome. Obese mice were then assigned to treatments (n = 10/group) and fed for 8 wk: HFD: HFD with casein protein; B50: HFD with 50% protein from whole lesser mealworm; B100: HFD with 100% protein from whole lesser mealworm; Y50: HFD with 50% protein from defatted yellow mealworm; Y100: HFD with 100% protein from defatted yellow mealworm. Lean mice (n = 10) fed a low-fat-diet (LFD; 10% kcal) were included. Longitudinal food intake, BW, body composition, and glucose response were measured. At time of killing, serum metabolites, tissue histopathology and gene expression, and hepatic triglycerides were analyzed. ResultsAfter 8 wk, HFD, B50, and B100 had greater (P < 0.05) weight gain than LFD, whereas Y50 and Y100 did not. Y50, B100, and Y100 had a lower (P < 0.05) BW change rate than HFD. Mealworm-based diets led to increased (P < 0.05) serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and reduced (P < 0.05) serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) concentrations and reduced (P<0.05) LDL/HDL ratio. Mealworm-based diets led to increased (P < 0.05) hepatic expression of genes related to energy balance, immune response, and antioxidants and reduced (P < 0.05) AT expression of genes associated with inflammation and apoptosis. Mealworm-based diets altered (P < 0.05) hepatic and AT expression of glucose and lipid metabolism genes. ConclusionsIn addition to serving as an alternative protein source, mealworms may confer health benefits to obese patients.

Aegle marvels (L.) Correa Leaf Essential Oil and Its Phytoconstituents as an Anticancer and Anti-Streptococcus mutans Agent.

Aegle mamelons (A. marmelos) or Indian Bael leaves possess anti-cancerous and antibacterial properties and are used in the traditional medicine system for the treatment of oral infections. In the present study, the essential oil of the leaves of A. marmelos was explored for its anticancer, antioxidant, and anti-cariogenic properties. The hydro-distilled oil of A. marmelos leaves was analyzed using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Monoterpene limonene (63.71%) was found to have the highest percentage after trans-2-Hydroxy-1,8-cineole and p-Menth-2,8-dien-1-ol. The MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay was used to investigate the anticancer activity of the extracted oil against human oral epidermal carcinoma (KB), and the results showed significantly higher (**** p < 0.0001) anticancer activity (45.89%) in the doxorubicin (47.87%) when compared to the normal control. The antioxidant activity of the essential oil was evaluated using methods of DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)). The results showed a significant (*** p < 0.001) percentage of inhibition of DPPH-induced free radical (70.02 ± 1.6%) and ABTS-induced free radical (70.7 ± 1.32%) at 100 µg/mL with IC50, 72.51 and 67.33 µg/mL, respectively, comparatively lower than standard compound ascorbic acid. The results of the molecular docking study of the significant compound limonene with the receptors tyrosinase and tyrosine kinase 2 supported the in vitro antioxidant potential. The anti-cariogenic activity was evaluated against Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans). Results showed a significant minimum inhibitor concentration of 0.25 mg/mL and the killing time was achieved at 3 to 6 h. The molecular-docking study showed that limonene inhibits the surface receptors of the S. mutans c-terminal domain and CviR protein. The study found that A. marmelos leaves have potential anti-carcinoma, antioxidant, and anti-cariogenic effects on human oral epidermal health, making them a valuable natural therapeutic agent for managing oral cancer and infections.