University of Madras

ABSTRACT Microplastics are a major environmental pollutant, threatening ecosystems and human health. This study investigates microplastic contamination and its associated ecological risks in the sediments of Wular Lake, Kashmir—a Ramsar-designated site. Sediment samples collected from 32 locations were analyzed for microplastic abundance, composition, and pollution hazard. Microplastics were present at all sites, with concentrations ranging from 300 to 1,280 particles per kilogram of dry sediment (p/kg dw) and a mean of 835.6 p/kg dw. Hotspots exceeding 1,000 p/kg dw included sites WL19, WL5, WL2, WL10, and WL20, with the northeastern region being the most contaminated. White (26.9%) and blue (25.5%) particles were predominant, and fibers constituted 74.7% of all morphotypes. Raman spectroscopy identified nylon/polyamide as the primary polymer type (74.7%), followed by polypropylene (18.1%) and polyethylene (6.2%). Pollution Hazard Index (PHI) values ranged from 515 to 15,926, indicating significant contamination and high ecological risk at the majority of sites. These findings reveal widespread microplastic pollution in Wular Lake sediments, characterized by distinct hotspots and elevated environmental risk. The results underscore the urgent need for improved waste management, stronger regulatory measures, and continuous monitoring to protect the ecological integrity of this critical Himalayan wetland.

Abstract Mangrove wetlands serve dual roles, acting as both sources and reservoirs of various pollutants. This study assessed the current status of trace element contamination and textural characteristics of surface sediments from Muthupet mangrove region. A total of 25 surface sediment samples were collected, and their textural characteristics, potential ecological risk indices, and statistical analyses were applied to evaluate contamination levels. Sediment textural analysis revealed a predominance of mud (silt + clay) followed by sand, indicating a low- to moderate-energy environmental condition. The distribution of organic matter and calcium carbonate was influenced by mangrove vegetation and shell fragments. Trace element concentrations of Fe and Mn in the sediments likely originated from riverine inputs and geogenic processes. The overall order of trace element concentrations was: Fe > Mn > Pb > Zn > Cr > Ni > Co > Cu > Cd. Compared to the Upper Continental Crust (UCC), sediments were enriched in Pb, Zn, Cd, and Co and depleted in Fe, Mn, Cr, Cu, and Ni. Sediment quality guidelines, contamination factor, geoaccumulation index, enrichment factors, sediment pollution index, and pollution load index indicated sediment conditions ranging from uncontaminated to moderately contaminate. Potential ecological risk assessment suggested low to moderate risk levels. Statistical analyses indicated that both natural and anthropogenic sources influence heavy metal delivery in the mangrove environment. Co, Ni, and Pb was primarily associated with nearby industrial activities and their effluents, representing the main anthropogenic source. Cd, Co, and Zn were linked to cement columns used in oyster farming, as well as agricultural runoff and pig farming discharges, representing a secondary agricultural source. Multivariate statistical analyses further supported that anthropogenic inputs are the dominant contributors to heavy metal accumulation in this mangrove ecosystem.

The AI technology causes a big change that affects all the old ways of making herbal medicine. The evaluation study employs three scientific methodologies: molecular docking, network pharmacology, and predictive modeling, to ascertain the application of AI technology in scientific research. AI can fix structural gap problems thanks to the deep learning as a whole system and AlphaFold technology. This technology lets users look at large sets of phytochemical substance data. Systems that target multiple pathways along with show how herbal mixtures interact can help researchers find new drugs. Companies are changing ADMET research with AI-based prediction modeling because this method lets them find possible toxicity and metabolic syndrome. stability issues early in the product development process. The AI technologies link modern precision medicine methods with older ethnopharmacology methods by fixing problems with data standardization and "black-box" evaluation. The two groups work together to study the therapeutic uses of botanical materials, which helps them come up with new multi-component solutions for complicated health problems more quickly.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) threatens global health, and inappropriate antibiotic use in companion animals accelerates the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) organisms. Pet birds, maintained in close human contact, represent potential vectors for AMR transmission. We report a fatal case of MDR bacterial and fungal infection in a one-year-old budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus) following unsupervised administration of enrofloxacin and tetracycline by its owner. The bird presented with anorexia, watery diarrhea, lethargy, reduced vocalization, dehydration, and weakness. Microbiological examination (based on colony morphology, Gram staining and biochemical characteristics) of cloacal swabs revealed bacterial isolates and yeast that demonstrated resistance to amoxicillin, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, cefotaxime, amikacin, tetracycline, and enrofloxacin via the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Despite evidence-based antimicrobial and antifungal therapy with supportive care, the bird showed progressive clinical deterioration and died. This case report demonstrates the severe consequences of unsupervised antimicrobial administration in exotic pets, including MDR pathogen selection, gastrointestinal dysbiosis, therapeutic failure, and death. Urgent regulatory intervention to restrict non-prescription antimicrobial access, coupled with enhanced client education on responsible medication practices, is essential to mitigate AMR proliferation at the human-animal interface.

ABSTRACT Insects have evolved a wide range of innate immune responses as a result of the variety of substrates they consume and the settings in which they reside. For this reason, they represent a nearly limitless source of biologically active compounds that possess unparalleled applications. Of particular interest in our current review are the lectins, the key elements of membrane‐bound or extracellular pattern‐recognition receptors (PRRs). Lectins are proteins that specifically recognize and interact with glycans non‐covalently. Besides their crucial role in insect immunity, lectins are at the pinnacle of research owing to their prospective applications. This is attributed to their capacity to discern subtle variations in the cell surface carbohydrate structures that are crucial for protein‐carbohydrate recognition. This review focuses on emerging trends in research on insect lectins with the objective of emphasizing the significance of further investigation that can perhaps help in the exploration of their probable applications.

Herein, we report a direct, visible light‐induced synthesis of quinoxalinones from diazoacetates and o ‐phenylenediamines under mild reaction conditions. This versatile protocol enables the controlled selective synthesis of 3,4‐dihydroquinoxalinones or quinoxalinones by tuning of acid–base conditions. In mechanistic studies, both singlet oxygen ( 1 O 2 ) generation and single‐electron transfer plays a crucial role in quinoxalinones synthesis. The gram‐scale synthesis of 3,4‐dihydroquinoxalinone and quinoxalinone affords a moderate yield, which proves the practicability of the reaction conditions.