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A simple, sensitive, precise, and cost-effective high-performance thin-layer chromatographic method has been developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of Amlodipine and some Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonist drugs, including Olmesartan, Telmisartan, Candesartan, Losartan, and Irbesartan, in spiked human plasma. The HPTLC analysis utilized a mobile phase consisting of toluene: ethyl acetate: methanol: acetone: acetic acid (6:1.5:1:0.5:1, v/v/v/v/v) on an aluminum-backed layer of silica gel 60 F254. Amlodipine demonstrated a linear relationship within the range of 60-600 ng/band, while the AIIRA drugs showed linearity within the range of 90-900 ng/band. The proposed method exhibited good linearity, with correlation coefficients (r) ranging from 0.9939 to 0.9998 for all five studied mixtures. The method was validated according to International Council for Harmonization guidelines for linearity, accuracy, precision, robustness, and detection and quantitation limits. Amlodipine and the investigated Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonist drugs were successfully detected and quantified in both bulk drug and plasma samples, yielding high recovery percentages and low standard deviation values. The greenness of the proposed HPTLC method has been evaluated using the standards of greenness profile (AGREE and GAPI) and Eco-Scale.

DNA is one of the primary intracellular targets for various anticancer drugs. Insight into the ligand-DNA interactions is critical for developing novel, promising bioactive molecules for therapeutic use. This is greatly aided by interpreting the interaction mechanism between small molecules and natural polymeric DNAs. The binding of small molecules to the DNA alters the mechanics of the strands, resulting in the inhibition of replication and transcription, providing information on the influence of gene expression. Xanthoxylin (XAN) is a phenolic compound recognised for various therapeutic activities, including anticancer; however, its mode of interaction with DNA has not been elucidated yet. This study investigated the interaction between XAN and calf thymus DNA (Ct-DNA) using docking simulation and spectroscopic techniques. Before DNA-binding studies, XAN was subjected to in silico ADMET analysis using SwissADME and pkCSM web servers. ADMET predictions are crucial to assess the drug-likeness and the safety profile of the bioactive molecules early in the development phase. XAN demonstrated acceptable physicochemical properties, conformance to drug-likeness, and a low risk of toxicity. Docking analysis revealed two distinct binding modes: intercalation and possible minor groove binding. Hyperchromic shifts observed in absorption spectroscopy confirmed the complex formation between XAN and Ct-DNA, with an estimated association constant (K_a) in the order of 10⁴ M^-1. The thermodynamic parameters indicated a spontaneous and exothermic binding process, involving van der Waals forces and hydrogen bonding. Dye dislocation studies revealed that XAN binds via the minor groove. Circular dichroism and thermal denaturation profiles further manifested the groove binding mode of XAN. However, molecular docking studies were inconsistent in predicting the precise binding mode, only partially corroborating the in vitro findings. Plasmid nicking assays indicated that XAN does not induce DNA damage and is not a prooxidant. Conversely, it significantly reduced DNA lesions induced by the Fenton reaction, suggesting its role as a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-scavenging agent. These computational and in vitro results evinced that XAN has drug-relevant attributes and can act as a DNA-binding agent and an antioxidant.

Arsenic contamination poses a major threat to ecosystems and human health. Microorganisms have developed diverse resistance mechanisms to manage arsenic toxicity, primarily through the function of arsenic resistance (ars) operons. These gene clusters, often located close together in the genome, operate synergistically to regulate and enhance arsenic resistance. The ars genes encode proteins involved in arsenic transcriptional regulation, transport, reduction, and methylation, leading to arsenic detoxification and also the formation of complex compounds such as arsenosugars and arsinothricin ((2-amino-4-(hydroxymethylarsinoyl)butanoate, AST). Cooperative ars gene interactions have been involved in coordinated expression and regulation, working together to improve the organism's capacity to decrease arsenic toxicity, resulting in more effective detoxification processes. Within ars operons, in addition to individual single-function genes, there are also fusion genes, which are genetic sequences formed from the merging of two distinct ars genes. These fusions provide microorganisms with novel capabilities that enhance their adaptability and survival under arsenic exposure. This review explores the diversity and organization of ars operons across microbial species, emphasizing the cooperative interactions between ars genes, including fusion genes, and their role in the synthesis of complex arsenic compounds. These processes illustrate the evolutionary adaptation and ecological significance of the mechanisms of arsenic biotransformations. Understanding these synergistic interactions not only highlights microbial survival strategies but also offers insights into potential applications for arsenic-based antibiotics development and environmental management.

Land consolidation (LC) activities are important for sustainable agricultural management, as they help improve irrigation, create more productive agricultural parcels, and increase yields. Combining small irregular parcels into larger, regular soil plots enables more efficient and sustainable agricultural practices. Fragmented land reduces productivity and contributes to irrigation inefficiency and soil erosion. This study analyzed the impact of LC on vegetation cover and moisture retention in agricultural land parcels across four villages in the Kızıltepe District of Mardin Province, which is located within the GAP region of Türkiye. This study evaluated changes in agricultural land parcels between 2015 and 2019 (pre-LC) and 2020 and 2024 (post-LC) for three different months (April, May, and June) using Sentinel-1 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and Landsat-8/9 remote sensing datasets. Changes in the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), the normalized difference moisture index (NDMI), and the modified normalized difference water index (MNDWI) were observed, and their relationships with the SAR change data were checked using 944-pixel samples by Pearson's correlation coefficients. NDVI and NDMI changes showed strong positive correlations (> 0.70), while MNDWI changes showed weak correlations with Sentinel-1 SAR data for all 3 months. The results show that LC has positively affected agricultural productivity, particularly by improving water retention and plant health at the beginning of the agricultural season. Significant positive changes were seen in April. These indicate more suitable conditions for plant growth following LC and improved irrigation management. However, declines in vegetation health and moisture retention in May and June highlight ongoing water stress. Despite the positive effects of LC on improving irrigation infrastructure, further improvements in water management and sustainable practices are needed to fully alleviate moisture stress and ensure long-term agricultural sustainability. This study provides insight into the influence of LC on agricultural parcels and supports continued implementation of the GAP project to improve agricultural practices and water management in the southern Anatolia Region of Türkiye.

Polyethylene terephthalate microplastics (PET-MPs) function as endocrine-disrupting agents that interfere with steroidogenesis and folliculogenesis, potentially contributing to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This study integrates computational toxicology and machine learning to delineate the mechanisms linking PET-MP exposure to PCOS pathogenesis. We conducted systematic multi-omics analysis by merging PET-MP-associated targets from ChemBL, PubChem, SwissTargetPrediction, SuperPred, and GeneCards with PCOS-related genes from GeneCards and the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database. Differential expression and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) were then applied to ovarian transcriptome datasets (GSE106724 and GSE137684). LASSO regression was used to prioritize hub genes, which underwent validation via diagnostic nomograms, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, single-cell expression analysis, immune microenvironment profiling, and pathway enrichment. The results identified 22 overlapping genes connecting PET-MP exposure to PCOS, with RAB9A and MAOB highlighted as potential diagnostic biomarkers that appear to influence inflammatory responses, disrupt steroid hormone homeostasis, and induce mitochondrial dysfunction. Single-cell analysis revealed hub gene enrichment in ovarian granulosa cells (GCs), indicating targeted impacts on the follicular microenvironment, while immune profiling showed macrophage and γδ T cells as possible mediators of PET-MP-induced PCOS. Molecular docking and dynamics simulations demonstrated stable binding affinities of PET-MPs to RAB9A and MAOB. Overall, these findings position RAB9A and MAOB as environmental susceptibility biomarkers associating PET-MP exposure with PCOS development, providing molecular insights for targeted interventions.

Visualization of latent fingerprints (LFPs) on metal surfaces using curcumin (CUR) remains a largely underexplored approach. Here, CUR was applied for LFP visualization on brass, steel, Al, and Cu plates and on real-life metal objects (keys, coins, and knives). Fingerprint quality was assessed by stereomicroscopy and characterized in detail using profilometry, SEM/EDS, and vibrational spectroscopy (IR and Raman). Profilometry and SEM/EDS revealed substrate-dependent differences in CUR layer morphology, roughness, and aggregation, indicating that papillary ridge contrast is governed by interactions between fingerprint residues and the underlying surface. Vibrational spectroscopy confirmed the preferential interaction of CUR with lipid-rich LFP components rather than non-specific adsorption on metal substrates and revealed compositional differences in fingerprints deposited on brass and stainless steel. The practical applicability of CUR on real-life metal objects demonstrated that fingerprint persistence and visibility met the legal requirement for forensic usability in the Czech Republic (> 10 minutiae). Overall, these results demonstrate that, under appropriate surface conditions, CUR provides a reliable and environmentally sustainable strategy for targeted LFP visualization on metal substrates.

This study evaluated the water quality of the Rio do Campo watershed, located in the municipality of Campo Mourão, Paraná State, through the analysis of physicochemical parameters and the quantification of total concentrations of trace metals (Cu, Zn, Mn, and Fe) using atomic spectrometry procedures following the Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater (24th ed.). Sampling was carried out at five points with different land uses and occupations, in urban and rural areas, over a 6-month period. Data were summarized using median values and analyzed using non-parametric statistical approaches. The results indicated statistically significant differences between rural and urban areas, with higher trace metal concentrations and turbidity at urban sites, attributed to the input of effluents and increased surface runoff. Parameters such as pH, BOD, COD, and DO exhibited variation consistent with the land-use gradient. Principal component analysis revealed overlap among rural, urban, and intermediate sites, indicating the presence of a continuous environmental gradient along the basin. All concentrations remained within the limits established by CONAMA Resolution No. 357/(Tundisi 2005). Nevertheless, the observed spatial distribution reinforces that the system is sensitive to local anthropogenic pressures, particularly in urbanized sections, highlighting the need for continuous monitoring to prevent potential future changes in water quality.

Background: Competitive anxiety is a common psychological challenge among athletes and can negatively affect sports performance. Although several psychological interventions have been shown to reduce competitive anxiety, their relative effectiveness has not been well established. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of different psychological interventions in reducing competitive anxiety in athletes.

Methods: We searched the Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science from inception to March 2025, with additional screening of Google Scholar and reference lists. Randomized controlled trials published in English were eligible. Risk of bias was evaluated using the revised Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. A Bayesian random-effects network meta-analysis was conducted using the 'multinma' package. Subgroup analyses examined anxiety dimensions and competitive level. Effects were expressed as standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% credible intervals (CrIs).

Results: A total of 46 trials involving 2,049 participants were included. Mindfulness-Acceptance-Commitment (MAC) showed the largest overall point estimate for reducing competitive anxiety (SMD = - 1.33; 95% CrI: -2.31 to - 0.43). Across anxiety dimensions, relaxation was associated with the largest point estimate for reductions in cognitive anxiety (SMD = - 1.54, 95% CrI: -3.31 to 0.21), while MAC showed the largest estimated effect on somatic anxiety (SMD = - 1.24, 95% CrI: -1.57 to - 0.90). Intervention effects appeared to vary by competitive level: imagery showed the largest point estimate among elite athletes (SMD = - 0.88, 95% CrI: -1.84 to 0.14), MAC among semi-elite athletes (SMD = - 1.37, 95% CrI: -3.11 to - 0.17), and biofeedback among junior athletes (SMD = - 1.07, 95% CrI: -2.26 to 0). Exploratory study-level mediation analyses suggested that reductions in competitive anxiety were associated with improvements in sports performance.

Conclusions: MAC showed the highest estimated effects overall; however, uncertainty remains substantial given the wide credible intervals and limited data for several intervention nodes. Psychological interventions were associated with improved sport performance, and changes in competitive anxiety may be one contributing factor. These findings support the potential value of tailored psychological training approaches for athletes, while underscoring the need for more robust comparative evidence.