Government of Kerala

Introduction: The continued exploration of natural resources holds great potential for identifying novel and effective anticancer compounds. In this study, we aim to analyze the anticancer potential of the methanol extract from the rhizome of the ethnomedicinal plant Corallocarpus epigaeus against skin cancer. Methods: A methanol extract of the rhizome (CME) was prepared by successive solvent extraction of the dried powder using a polarity gradient. Anticancer potential of CME was assessed by MTT (3- (4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) - cell viability assay. Antiproliferative activity of CME against skin cancer cells was confirmed by fluorescent microscopy and in vitro scratch assay. The cell death mechanism exhibited by CME was analysed by FACS (Fluorescence- Activated Cell Sorting) and Western blot analysis. Results: The MTT assay revealed a significant cytotoxic effect of CME against skin cancer cells, especially the melanoma skin cancer cell line (IC50 0.15 μg/mL), and its non-toxicity towards normal fibroblast cells. In vitro scratch assay and acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining confirmed the cytotoxic effect against the melanoma cell line, A375. FACS analysis of CME-treated A375 cells stained with FITC-Annexin V/PI revealed that the cytotoxic effect was mediated through apoptotic cell death. Additionally, immunoblot analysis revealed the activation of p53 and upregulation of the Bax protein, indicating the involvement of the p53-mediated apoptotic pathway. Discussion: The present study highlights the potent anticancer efficacy of a bioactive extract (CME) from Corallocarpus epigaeus against both melanoma and NMSC skin cancer cells, with preliminary evidence of apoptosis induction in melanoma. Ongoing work in our lab aims to isolate the active compound(s), characterize the phytochemicals, elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the anticancer activity, and explore the potential of CME as a topical chemotherapeutic agent for treating melanoma. Conclusion: Our study provides evidence for the potential of CME against skin cancer cells, particularly melanoma, and warrants further exploration of its chemotherapeutic efficacy against melanoma.

The Arabian Sea is ecologically and environmentally significant due to its high biotic diversity and its potential role as a reservoir of emerging resistance determinants. However, molecular-level insights into the taxonomic composition, functional potential, and resistome of sediment associated communities from deep-sea seamount sediments remain limited. A metagenomic approach was employed to investigate the biotic composition, metabolic potential, resistome profiles, and physicochemical characteristics of two seamount sediment samples (SM1 and SM7) collected from the Arabian Sea. Distinct environmental conditions were observed, with SM1 enriched in inorganic nitrogen, whereas SM7 exhibited higher organic carbon content and pigment concentrations, indicating differences in substrate availability. These variations were consistent with differences in the community structure, with SM1 harbouring a less diverse assemblage dominated by Actinomycetota and fungi, while SM7 supported a broader community comprising Actinomycetota, diverse fungi, protists, metazoans, and a richer viral component. Functional annotation revealed enrichment of nitrogen metabolism pathways in SM1, whereas SM7 showed increased representation of carbohydrate metabolism and a higher proportion of novel gene content. Both sediment samples encoded antibiotic and heavy metal resistance genes; however, SM7 exhibited greater abundance and diversity of putative resistance-associated genes, including resistance to mupirocin, triclosan, and sulfonamides, along with broader metal resistance and stress response genes. The results based on two samples demonstrate pronounced sample specific variation in community structure, metabolic potential, and resistome profiles across Arabian Sea seamount sediments. These findings highlight Arabian Sea deep-sea sediments as important molecular reservoirs of microbial diversity and adaptive potential shaped by local environmental conditions.

Abstract Graphene oxide (GO)–incorporated tin oxide (SnO 2 ) nanocomposites have attracted significant attention due to their tunable structural, optical, and biological properties. In this work, pristine and GO-integrated SnO 2 nanocomposites were synthesized via a co-precipitation method with varying GO concentrations to investigate their physicochemical characteristics and antibacterial performance. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the formation of a tetragonal cassiterite SnO 2 structure with an average crystallite size of approximately 26 nm. FESEM and TEM studies revealed well-distributed GO–SnO 2 nanocomposites, while HRTEM analysis confirmed their crystalline nature with d-spacing values consistent with XRD results. Raman spectroscopy identified characteristic vibrational modes (A 1 g, B 2 g, and Eg), indicating structural integrity and defect-related features, whereas FTIR spectra exhibited prominent Sn–O stretching vibrations at 604 and 462 cm −1 . TGA/DTA analysis demonstrated good thermal stability with minimal weight loss beyond 400 °C. UV–Visible spectroscopy and Tauc analysis revealed a reduction in band gap upon GO incorporation, attributed to the formation of interstitial energy levels and enhanced electronic interaction. EDS analysis showed increased carbon content and notable variations in the Sn–O ratio with increasing GO concentration, suggesting modified surface reactivity. Antibacterial activity evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus , Escherichia coli , Klebsiella sp., and Pseudomonas sp. showed a significant enhancement for GO-integrated SnO 2 samples, with a maximum increase of approximately 66.7% against Pseudomonas sp and 37.5% against E.coli , calculated from zone of inhibition measurements. This enhancement is attributed to increased reactive oxygen species generation and effective bacterial membrane disruption induced by GO incorporation. The study highlights the potential of GO–SnO 2 nanocomposites as advanced antibacterial materials, contributing to Sustainable Development Goals SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).

Growing skull fractures (GSF) are a rare but serious complication of pediatric head trauma. The condition primarily affects children due to the weak, thin skull, and tightly adherent dura, which is more prone to tearing. GSF can present in various ways, including seizures. We report a case of a 1-year-old girl who presented with seizures and a right-sided scalp swelling. The swelling was found to be due to a GSF, resulting from a previous head injury when the child was 2 months old. The child was managed with surgery, during which the dura was repaired along with osseous reconstruction. Neglected cases of GSF can lead to long-term neurological impairments, underscoring the importance of early recognition and intervention. This case highlights seizures as an important presentation of GSF and emphasizes the need for timely treatment.

Lichens, symbiotic associations of fungi and photosynthetic algae, are rich sources of bioactive compounds with significant ecological functions and considerable pharmacological potential. This review provides an integrated overview of the morphological, ethnobotanical, structural and functional diversity of lichen metabolites. Most lichen species produce structurally diverse secondary metabolites with antimicrobial, anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and enzyme-inhibitory effects. Despite centuries of traditional use, challenges persist in isolating individual metabolites because of their complex thallus structure, low solubility and sensitivity to conventional extraction methods. However, modern advancements, including axenic cultivation, genome mining, molecular networking and next-generation analytical technologies, have enabled the discovery of previously undetectable metabolites and provided deeper insights into their biosynthetic pathways. Advancing lichen research by combining traditional knowledge with modern biotechnological innovations will be pivotal for identifying new, sustainable therapeutic molecules that meet emerging global healthcare demands.

The present study describes a new species of the deep-water munidopsid squat lobster genus Leiogalathea Baba, 1969. Leiogalathea samudragiri sp. nov. resembles L. achates Rodríguez-Flores, Macpherson & Machordom, 2019, L. evander Rodríguez-Flores, Macpherson & Machordom, 2019, and L. laevirostris (Balss, 1913) by the unarmed hepatic margin of the carapace. However, the new species differs from these congeners mainly in having uninterrupted mesogastric and mid-transverse ridges on the carapace and the presence of six transverse ridges on the posterior half of the carapace.

Abstract This article presents an experimental setup designed to automate the measurement of the thermal sensitivity of diodes using the ExpEYES-17 computer-interfaced test and measurement system, with the motivation of developing a modern pedagogical tool for physics laboratories. The experiment focuses on the temperature dependence of the knee voltage in P–N junction diodes, a critical phenomenon in semiconductor physics. A key feature is the integration of a PT-100 temperature sensor with Python-based automation, allowing continuous, high-resolution data logging of the forward I – V characteristics as the diode cools down after being heated to a predefined temperature. The results obtained from the experiment are in close agreement with established theoretical values, validating the effectiveness of this method. Numerical analysis techniques, specifically the use of linear extrapolation and linear regression, are employed to extract the thermal sensitivity coefficient precisely. This approach introduces students to modern techniques of data acquisition and analysis while reinforcing fundamental concepts in semiconductor physics, making it an ideal, scalable experiment for a physics practical course in an undergraduate or postgraduate physics curriculum.