INTRODUCTION:Chronic and acute wounds remain a significant burden in clinical settings, frequently complicated by infection, delayed healing, and poor patient adherence. Traditional dressings primarily act as protective barriers and provide minimal active support to the wound environment. In recent years, herbal- based polymeric films have gained attention as innovative dressings that combine the therapeutic benefits of plant-derived compounds with advances in biomaterial design. METHODS:A systematic review was carried out in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Science Direct. Relevant studies on herbal-loaded polymeric films for wound healing were selected based on predefined criteria, and findings were qualitatively analyzed due to variations in study design and materials. RESULTS:A total of 101 studies met the inclusion criteria. Overall, herbal-based polymeric films showed encouraging outcomes, with reported wound closure rates of 75-95% within 14 days. Improvements included better collagen formation, faster epithelialization, and antimicrobial activity with inhibition zones ranging from 15-25 mm against common pathogens. Advanced platforms such as electrospun nanofibers, 3D-printed scaffolds, and stimuli-responsive systems demonstrated controlled drug release and enhanced tissue repair. DISCUSSION:The combined effect of polymers and herbal bioactives appears to strengthen antimicrobial action, regulate inflammation, and promote tissue regeneration. However, concerns regarding standardization, formulation stability, regulatory pathways, and limited clinical trials remain important challenges. CONCLUSION:Herbal-based polymeric films offer a promising and sustainable approach to modern wound management, though further refinement and clinical validation are necessary for routine clinical adoption.

Developmental block remains one of the major hurdles that makes it hard to develop embryos in vitro more efficiently. In ruminants, it is predominantly observed during the 8-16 cell stage, coinciding with the maternal-to-zygotic transition (MZT) and embryonic genome activation (EGA). In addition, reducing maternal transcripts and initiating embryonic transcription correctly is a major reason for developmental arrest. A broad array of molecular mechanisms has been implicated, encompassing incomplete epigenetic regulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, improper cell cycle progression, and dysregulated apoptosis. During this process, several key genes, including ZAR1, NPM2, DPPA3, DNMTs, Cyclin B1, BCL2, and antioxidant enzymes (SOD1, GPX1, and CAT) have been recognized as essential regulators of the block. External factors, especially poor in vitro culture conditions, high oxygen levels, and the secretion of harmful metabolites, make developmental failure even worse. Recent research has underscored the significance of antioxidant supplementation, epigenetic modulators, and enhanced culture systems in mitigating developmental barriers. Therefore, the current review summarises the contemporary insights into the factors and molecular mechanisms responsible for ruminant embryonic developmental block, focusing on MZT, oxidative stress, and epigenetic regulation. It also addresses potential strategies to enhance the developmental competence of ruminant embryos in vitro.

Oxidative stress critically affects cellular viability and function under in vitro culture conditions, often compromising physiological integrity of somatic cells used in livestock biotechnology. This study aimed to investigate hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced oxidative stress in buffalo fibroblasts and evaluated the cytoprotective effects of melatonin, focusing on redox homeostasis, mitochondrial function, apoptosis, and antioxidant defence. Fibroblasts were exposed to graded concentrations of H2O2 (100-1000 µM) for 2 h, followed by treatment for 72 h in culture media with and without melatonin (10-9 M). Oxidative stress markers, including GSSG/GSH ratio, ROS generation, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and apoptosis, were assessed using flow cytometry and biochemical assays, while antioxidant (GPx, SOD, CAT) and apoptotic (BAX, Caspase 9) gene expression was analyzed by qPCR. H2O2 exposure induced a dose-dependent increase in oxidative stress, evidenced by elevated ROS, redox imbalance, mitochondrial depolarization, and enhanced apoptosis. Severe oxidative damage was observed at higher H2O2 (500-1000 µM) concentrations. Melatonin (MT) significantly (p ≤ 0.05) alleviated oxidative stress under mild to moderate conditions (100-200 µM H2O2) by restoring redox homeostasis, preserving mitochondrial integrity, suppressing ROS accumulation, enhancing antioxidant defence, and reducing apoptosis. However, its protective efficacy was lost under severe oxidative stress, indicating a defined redox threshold beyond which cellular damage becomes irreversible. These findings suggest that melatonin exerts cytoprotective effect against oxidative stress within a limited oxidative window and provide mechanistic insights for improving fibroblasts culture systems in livestock biotechnology and regenerative applications.

An effective system for isolating and regenerating protoplasts is crucial for research in genome engineering. This study focused on refining a protocol for the isolation and regeneration of mesophyll protoplasts from the leaves of Solanum tuberosum cv. Kufri Jyoti. Key factors influencing protoplast yield and viability, such as dark pretreatment, pre-plasmolysis, enzyme concentrations, and osmoticum levels, were thoroughly assessed and optimized. The highest protoplast yield and viability were achieved with an enzyme mixture of 1.0% cellulase R-10 and 0.5% macerozyme R-10 after 16 h of incubation. Furthermore, culturing on a Murashige and Skoog-based medium (MSPI) without ammonium nitrate, enriched with an osmoticum concentration of 0.4 M and a carefully adjusted auxin-to-cytokinin ratio, successfully facilitated protoplast division, microcalli proliferation, and minicalli formation. Callus proliferation and shoot induction were accomplished on MS13K medium supplemented with naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and zeatin riboside. Root initiation and elongation were promoted on MS basal medium supplemented with indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) at 1 mg/L. The regenerated plantlets were subsequently acclimatized and hardened under controlled greenhouse conditions. This robust protoplast-to-plant protocol serves as a crucial resource for the introduction of ribonucleoprotein complexes into plant cells, facilitating accurate, transgene-free genome editing.

INTRODUCTION:Argemone mexicana, commonly known as the Mexican poppy, has earned significant recognition in the traditional healing systems of the Eastern Indian region, where it has been used for centuries as a folk remedy for a variety of diseases. The study was based on search or identified through Pubmed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, etc. Meta-analysis: Phytochemical analysis has demonstrated that the alkaloids present in A. mexicana exhibit potent antimicrobial properties, making the plant an effective natural remedy for treating infections caused by bacteria, fungi, and viruses. In addition, the plant's flavonoids and phenolic compounds are recognized for their strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, which play a crucial role in alleviating pain, reducing inflammation, and promoting tissue repair. Furthermore, A. mexicana has shown significant analgesic effects, which support its traditional use as a pain reliever. The integration of ethnobotanical knowledge with modern pharmacological research is essential for fully unlocking the therapeutic potential of A. mexicana. Future Scope: Future studies must focus on comprehensive clinical trials, toxicological evaluations, and in-depth mechanistic investigations to validate the efficacy and safety of A. mexicana in human populations. CONCLUSION:This review highlights the urgent need for further research to bridge the gap between traditional knowledge and contemporary scientific understanding. By advancing the study of A. mexicana, there is a significant opportunity to develop novel, cost-effective, and sustainable therapeutic agents that could serve as alternatives to synthetic drugs, particularly in regions where access to modern healthcare is limited.

Reproductive efficiency and female fertility are crucial for productive and sustainable reproductive outcomes in buffalo. Endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) produced by Gram-negative bacteria initiates a series of inflammatory cascade events which affect ovarian steroid production, impact oocyte and ultimately hamper the developmental competence of the embryo. The objective of the current study was designed taking endometritis as an in vitro model to elucidate the molecular pathway through which LPS affects embryo competence. To achieve this objective, buffalo ovaries were procured from a nearby slaughterhouse and oocytes were aspirated via the follicular aspiration method with an 18-gauge needle fitted with a 10 mL syringe. After searching and washing, good quality (A and B grade) oocytes were subjected to IVM, IVF and subsequently IVC, with media supplemented with 5 μg/mL of LPS based on previous laboratory standardisation. Our results demonstrate that LPS exposure reduced cleavage rate, blastocyst formation rate, total cell count, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), trophectoderm: inner cell mass (TE: ICM) ratio while significantly (p < 0.05) increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and apoptotic rate in blastocysts. Furthermore, LPS exposure significantly (p < 0.05) upregulated the relative mRNA expression of inflammatory (TLR4, CD14, RPS27A) and apoptotic gene (Caspase 3) whereas it downregulated the expression of antioxidant (GPX1) and pluripotent gene (Oct4) in blastocysts. Based on these findings, we concluded that although a concentration of 5 μg/mL LPS is minimally harmful to the oocytes, its presence during IVC adversely affects embryonic development.

Lignocellulosic straw from cereal crops such as wheat, rice, maize, and barley constitute one of the most abundant yet underutilized agricultural residues globally, offering a renewable, low-cost feedstock for ruminants nutrition. However, its high lignin content limits microbial access to cellulose and hemicellulose, while the limited capacity of the rumen microbiome to degrade lignin contributes to poor feed efficiency, reduced animal productivity, methane emissions, and crop-residue burning. This review explores the potential of genetic engineering to develop genetically modified ruminants capable of producing synthetic lignin-degrading enzymes in saliva, thereby facilitating lignin breakdown in the oral cavity and enhancing straw utilization. The biochemical challenges to lignocellulose degradation, existing lignin-degradation mechanisms in ruminants, and proof-of-concept evidence from transgenic models are examined, with emphasis on their implications for feed efficiency, livestock productivity, and environmental sustainability. The available evidence indicates that expressing lignin-degrading enzymes in ruminants could improve the utilization of crop residues by making cellulose and hemicellulose more accessible, thereby reducing feed costs, improving animal productivity and promote environmental sustainability. With proper safety evaluation and suitable feeding and management practices, this approach could offer a promising strategy for better and more sustainable utilization of cereal crop residues in ruminants.

The study aimed to separate X and Y buffalo sperm using R848, a TLR7/8 agonist. Semen from three Murrah buffalo bulls were collected and divided into aliquots for swim-up in modified human tubal fluid (mHTF) medium with varying concentrations of R848 (0, 0.03, 0.3, and 3 μM). After the treatments and swim-up, the uppermost and lowermost layers of semen were assessed using computer-assisted sperm analyser (CASA) and flow cytometry. TLR7/8 receptors were found present in approximately 50 % of sperm as determined by immunofluorescence assay. Sperm velocities (VCL, VAP, VSL) decreased with increasing R848 concentrations, whereas mitochondrial health (mitochondrial membrane potential and superoxide production) remained unaffected. Based on sperm velocity, sperm treated with 0.3 μM R848 was selected for in vitro fertilization. The cleavage and blastocyst production rates were normal across the groups, ranging from 69 % to 76 % and 21 %-26 %, respectively, indicating the treatment does not affect cleavage and blastocyst production rates. In this study, the efficiency of separating X and Y sperm was determined using embryo sexing. The blastocysts produced from the uppermost and lowermost layers of semen through IVF resulted in 75 % male and 75 % female, respectively. Thus, the study develops a simple new method for efficiently separating X and Y sperm in buffalo, enabling the selective production of male or female progeny.

This study aimed to optimize an intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) for in vitro embryo production in black bengal goats and compare its efficiency with in vitro fertilization (IVF). A total of 744 oocytes were retrieved from 269 slaughter house-derived ovaries, with an average recovery rate of 2.76 oocytes per ovary. Only grade I and II oocytes (n = 534) were selected for maturation, of which 376 (70.41%) reached metaphase II. For ICSI, epididymal sperm with broken tails were microinjected into mature oocytes using a 5 µm micropipette, yielding a high survival rate (83.21%) and a low degener ation rate (17.78%, p < 0.05). Chemical activation using ionomycin, cycloheximide (CHX), and 6-DMAP resulted in a 74.44% cleavage rate (p<0.05). Developmental rates in the ICSI group (n = 90) were: 74.44% (2-cell), 63.33% (4-8 cell), 44.44% (8-16 cell), 23.33% (morula), and 14.44% (blastocyst). A comparative analysis revealed that ICSI resulted in higher early cleavage rates (73.40 ± 3.12%) compared to IVF (64.06 ± 2.44%). In contrast, IVF produced a greater pro portion of morulae (37.90 ± 3.15%), while ICSI resulted in 23.20 ± 2.73%. Similarly, blastocyst formation was higher in the IVF group (21.05 ± 2.09%) than in the ICSI group (14.56 ± 1.75%). These findings suggest that ICSI is equally effec tive as IVF in generating competent embryos. With ICSI achieving higher early cleavage rates and IVF supporting better development at later stages. ICSI can therefore be considered a practical alternative to IVF for goat embryo production; however, it requires further study with larger cohort. Additionally, the study demonstrates that using a fine 5 µm micro pipette for ICSI, offers a precise, efficient, and cost-effective technique, especially well-suited for utilizing oocytes from slaughterhouse sources and sperm retrieved from the epididymis.

Despite having strong pedigree records, passing breeding soundness evaluations, and receiving appropriate management and nutrition, some breeding bulls consistently underperform in similar environmental conditions where other bulls thrive. These underperforming bulls are economically unsuitable for semen stations that produce semen doses. Our study aims to predict the performance of breeding bulls based on hair cortisol and testosterone concentrations. We also measured these hormones in buffalo calves. Furthermore, we assessed seminal plasma cortisol and testosterone concentrations in poor-quality and good-quality ejaculates. To evaluate bull performance, we categorized the bulls into two groups based on ejaculate discard rates: consistent (n = 9) and inconsistent semen quality bulls (n = 6). The breeding bulls' hair cortisol and testosterone levels were evaluated at two-month intervals for one year. We analyzed the semen from both groups for motility and kinematic parameters using a computer-assisted semen analyzer and acrosome integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential, and superoxide production through flow cytometry. The bulls that exhibited consistent semen quality had higher (P < 0.05) hair testosterone concentrations than those with inconsistent quality; however, there was no difference (P > 0.05) in hair cortisol levels between the two groups. Additionally, the ejaculates from bulls with inconsistent semen quality met minimum standards, showing no differences (P > 0.05) in sperm motility. However, mitochondrial membrane potential and superoxide production were compromised at the subcellular level. Acrosome integrity was also lower (P < 0.05) in bulls with inconsistent semen quality than those with consistent quality. In poor-quality ejaculates, regardless of the bull group, cortisol and testosterone concentrations were higher (P < 0.05) than in good-quality ejaculates intended for cryopreservation. Additionally, hair testosterone concentration increased with age in male calves, while hair cortisol levels were higher during July-August and lower from March to April. In conclusion, bulls that exhibited consistent semen quality appear stress-tolerant, while those with inconsistent quality are more stress-susceptible. Our findings suggest that hair testosterone is a better indicator of stress in breeding bulls than hair cortisol.

Background: The Delphi consensus statement has accepted the new fatty liver disease nomenclature. Steatotic liver disease (SLD) is an overarching term that encompasses various etiologies of steatosis. The name chosen to replace nonalcoholic fatty liver disease was metabolic dysfunction-associated SLD (MASLD). Patients having SLD along with underlying cardiometabolic risk factor(s) are labelled as MASLD. We carried out a cross-sectional study of patients with fatty liver visiting the gastroenterology department of a tertiary care hospital to determine the association of cardiometabolic risk factors with significant fibrosis. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, adults with evidence of fatty liver on abdominal ultrasonography with no history of heavy alcohol use were enrolled. Participants with evidence of chronic liver diseases (including chronic hepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, and drug-induced hepatitis), people living with HIV/AIDS, and those with disseminated or advanced malignancy were excluded. Anthropometric assessment and hematological and biochemical tests were done, and all participants underwent transient elastography of the liver using FibroScan™. Results: All 135 patients were classified as MASLD as per the new nomenclature accepted by the Delphi consensus. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), serum triglycerides (TG), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol were found to have a significant association with liver stiffness measurement (LSM) (adjusted r 2 0.23, P < 0.001). 32.5% of participants ( n = 44) were found to have significant fibrosis on transient elastography. LSM was significantly higher in patients with metabolic syndrome. Conclusion: Metabolic syndrome is an important risk factor for significant fibrosis. Among various cardiometabolic risk factors, BMI, WC, and serum TG are associated with higher LSM. HDL levels correlate negatively with LSM. The new nomenclature focuses on these cardiometabolic risk factors and has broader applicability.

For cattle bulls, only ejaculates with a sperm concentration of 500 million/mL or higher are selected for sperm cryopreservation. There is no established ejaculate’s minimum sperm concentration threshold for buffalo semen cryopreservation. Therefore, the first objective of the study was to determine the percentage of ejaculates of buffalo bulls having concentrations lower than 500 million/mL, the percentage of ejaculates suitable for cryopreservation across different concentrations of donated ejaculates, and to estimate the impact of ejaculate concentrations on the production of semen doses. The second objective was to evaluate the post-thaw sperm quality of ejaculates that initially met the criteria for cryopreservation. After analyzing 5,347 ejaculates from 31 buffalo bulls, it was found that 9.96% of the buffalo semen ejaculates had a sperm concentration of less than 500 million/mL. Of these, 48% qualified the minimum criteria, mainly based on sperm motility. The maximum semen doses (8.79%) were produced by the ejaculates with a sperm concentration between 1,101 and 1,201 million/mL. For the second objective of the study, the ejaculates were categorized into four groups: <300, 300–400, >400- < 500, and ≥ 500 million sperm/mL, diluted to a final concentration of 80 million sperm/mL and cryopreserved. The frozen–thawed sperm of different groups were evaluated by a computer-assisted sperm analyser (CASA) and a flow cytometer. Remarkably, it was found that sperm motility, integrity of plasma and acrosome membrane, and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) significantly decreased (p < 0.05) when the ejaculates of category <300 were cryopreserved, despite being qualified in subjective motility analysis compared to the other categories. Except for the category <300, in all the other three categories, there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the percentage of spermatozoa in MMP. The highest and lowest percentages of spermatozoa with high mitochondrial superoxide were found in categories <300 and ≥500, respectively. In conclusion, buffalo semen ejaculates with a concentration greater than 300 million sperm/mL should be considered for cryopreservation.

Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) holds promise for animal cloning but remains limited by low efficiency and phenotypic abnormalities, often attributed to incomplete nuclear reprogramming. This study presents an integrative genomic and epigenomic analysis of cloned buffaloes and their respective donors using long-read Oxford Nanopore sequencing. Our results showed a high degree of genomic similarity between clones and donors, with most variations located in non-coding regions and structural variants (SV) distributions highly correlated at the chromosomal level. Gene and protein level overlap of SV-affected loci revealed 70.9-73.3% gene-level and 69.7-72.5% protein-level similarity. Despite this genetic similarity, DNA methylation analysis identified differentially methylated regions (DMRs), particularly in intergenic and promoter regions. Clones exhibited slightly lower CpG methylation than the donors. The DMRs in donor vs. clone comparisons indicated higher hypomethylated regions than hypermethylated regions. Functional enrichment of DMR-associated genes highlighted pathways linked to mitochondrial function, oxidative phosphorylation, and reproductive processes. Although clones showed moderate genome-wide methylation correlation with donors, key differences in methylation suggest incomplete epigenetic reprogramming. Despite these epigenetic differences, all clones were phenotypically normal and healthy into adulthood. This study offers the first comprehensive SV and methylome profile of SCNT-derived buffaloes and emphasizes the role of epigenetic mechanisms in clone development and health, providing valuable insights to enhance cloning efficiency.

This study investigated the effect of season, age and period on semen traits in buffalo bulls. Data collected during the year 2010-2021 for seven semen traits viz. ejaculate volume (VOL), sperm concentration (SPC), mass activity (MA), initial motility (BFM), post-thaw motility (PTM), number of sperms per ejaculate (NSP) and number of motile sperm (NMSP) from Murrah buffalo bulls (n = 45; aged: 24-75 months). A general mixed model was applied to obtain the R2 value which was the proportion of variation in semen variable. With study period, the highest SPC was obtained during 2012; with the season, the highest VOL (ml) in hot humid and the highest SPC during the hot-dry season and with age, higher VOL, SPC, NSP and NMSP was obtained in older bulls. This study showed that factors i.e. period, season and age had a significant effect on semen traits viz. VOL, MA, SPC, BFM, PTM, NSP and NMSP in buffalo bulls.

Background & objectives: High-altitude headache (HAH) and headache in acute mountain sickness (AMS) are common among lowlanders ascending to the high altitude and are often confused with one another. A pilot study was undertaken to analyze HAH and AMS cases in Indian lowlanders ascending to Leh city (3500 m) in western Himalayas. Methods: A total number of 1228 Indian lowlanders, who ascended (fresh and re-inductees) by air and acclimatized, participated in this pilot study. The intensity of headache was assessed by the Visual Analogue Score. The parameters of HAH as per the International Classification of Headache Disorders-3 and 2018 Revised Lake Louise Questionnaire (LLQ) were used to differentiate HAH and AMS. Results: Out of 1228 cases, 78 (6.4%) cases had headache, of which 24 (1.95%) cases were HAH only, 40 (3.25%) cases AMS only and 14 (1.14%) cases were defined as both HAH and AMS. There was a significant difference in heart rate [F (2,51) = (4.756), P=0.01] between these groups. It also showed a difference in the correlation between the parameters within the groups. The Odd's Ratio of AMS in fresh and re-inductees was found to be 4.5 and for HAH it was 4.33. Interpretation & conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that LLQ has a tendency of overestimating AMS by including HAH cases. Furthermore differential parameters exhibit differences when AMS and HAH are considered separately. Re-inductees showed a lower incidence of HAH and AMS.