Physicians play a key role in encouraging and helping patients achieve smoking cessation [ 56]. HTN has also been associated with second-hand smoke. According to research done by Bernabe-Ortiz et al. on 897 individuals in Peru in 2021 to assess the association of second-hand smoke with HTN and cardiovascular risk, 15% of adults reported second-hand smoke overall, and this emphasizes the necessity to keep places smoke-free to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease [ 57]. Briasoulis et al., in their meta-analysis of 16 prospective long-term studies, revealed that alcohol consumption of more than 20 g per day increases the risk of HTN significantly in women, whereas consumption of 31 to 40 g in men significantly increases the risk of HTN [ 54]. Nevertheless, a higher risk of HTN was observed in all individuals who consumed more than 20 g of alcohol per day, irrespective of their gender [ 54]. Ozemek et al. revealed in their study that, in persons who consume alcohol, a reduction to two standard drinks or less daily in men and one drink or less daily in women has been shown to reduce SBP by 4 mm Hg in hypertensive individuals and by 3 mm Hg in normotensive individuals [ 11]. A conserved region of merA gene encoding bacterial mercuric reductase enzyme was detected using the above isolated genomic DNA ( Joshi etal., 2021). The PCR reactions were carried out using the primer set F1merA (5’-TCGTGATGTTCGACCGCT-3’) and F2merA (5’-TACTCCCGCCGTTTCCAAT-3’) containing 1 U/μl Taq polymerase (Sigma-Aldrich), 1 × Enzyme buffer, 200 μM of each dNTP (Sigma-Aldrich), 1.25 mM MgCl 2, and 0.5 μM of each primer and 50 ng template DNA in a thermal cycler (Applied Biosystems). PCR reaction was carried out under the following amplification conditions: pre-denaturation step at 94°C for 2 min followed by 30 cycles of 94°C for 1 min, 52°C for 1 min and an extension step at 72°C for 1 min and final extension at 72°C for 7 min as described by Dash and Das, (2014). For the isolates that showed negative PCR reactions with F1merA and F2merA primer set, a re-attempt has been made for amplifying the merA gene by gradient PCR method (annealing at 54 ± 5°C) and by using another set of primer A1F (5′-ACCATCGGCGGCACCTGCGT-3’) and A5R (5′-ACCATCGTCAGGTAGGGGACCAA3-′) as described by De etal. (2008). Amplification of the merA gene was confirmed by visualizing it under the Gel Doc system (BioRad). Confirmation of Hg 2+ to Hg 0 reduction by the isolates

In context to these four isolates, the shift in wavenumbers, changes in peak height, and the appearance/disappearance of new peaks in the presence of Hg 2+; suggest alterations in functional groups (especially -SH group), which might play an important role in the Hg detoxification. SEM analysis of Hg treated and untreated isolates Our preliminary study suggests that the detoxification of Hg 2+ is the immediate result of the GST and merA function as shown in Figure S6. The existence of the glutathione reductase gene in some bacterial mer operons also supports the role of LMW thiols in Hg 2+ detoxification ( Norambuena etal., 2018). The E. coli, together with the integrated merA - GST gene, was able to survive in the high Hg stress environment and transform Hg 2+ to Hg 0 ( Cursino etal., 2000). It is correlated that IOTG may act as Hg(II)-buffering agents and subsequently, Hg 2+ is reduced by merA. In the case of merA, mercuric ion was uptaken by the active process i.e. mer mediated transport (merP and merT) and converted to Hg 0 form by mercuric reductase. On the other hand, the Hg 2+ that was uptaken through the passive process could subsequently be inactivated by GST or conjugated to merA. Thus, an alternative method is proposed via which Hg resistance level may be augmented in bacteria: the sequestering of Hg given a protein-ligand interaction may lead to an improved way for the volatilization process. ConclusionsThe pathogenesis of HTN involves oxidative stress. Another mechanism involved is the decreased bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO) [ 38]. Physical exercise could be a potential lifestyle intervention to treat HTN due to its beneficial effects on endothelial function and oxidative stress [ 38]. Exercise exerts an anti-inflammatory action via the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and via the sympathetic nervous system, thus affecting BP directly [ 9]. The physiologic effects of exercise are further divided into acute, post-exercise, and chronic [ 9]. Aerobic exercises like speed walking, jogging, running, cycling, dancing, and swimming have been shown to decrease resting BP and BP reactivity to stressors [ 9]. A study by Ozemek et al. revealed the following about how diverse types of exercises affect BP: (1) Aerobic exercise of 90 to 150 minutes per week with 65%-75% heart rate reserve has been shown to impact SBP by −5/8 mm Hg in hypertensive individuals and by −2/4 mm Hg in normotensive individuals. (2) Dynamic resistance exercise of 90 to 150 minutes per week with 50%-80% one rep maximum, six exercises, three sets/exercise, and ten repetitions/set has been shown to decrease SBP by 4 mm Hg in hypertensive individuals and 2 mm Hg in normotensive individuals. (3) Isometric resistance exercise of 4 × 2 min (hand grip), 1 min rest between exercises, 30%-40% maximum voluntary contraction, and three sessions per week for 8-10 weeks have been shown to lower SBP by 5 mm Hg in hypertensive individuals and 4 mm Hg in normotensive individuals [ 11]. HG car dashboard cleaner makes the interior of the car look like new. This dash cleaner cleans and protects synthetic materials, plastic, rubber, vinyl and leather. Also, the car dash cleaner intensifies the colour and restores the shine of the polished surface. The HG dashboard spray also leaves a wonderfully fresh fragrance after the treatment, but not a detectable greasy coating. How do you use HG car dashboard cleaner? The health effects of alcohol intake are variable and are based on the amount of intake (low, moderate, or heavy) and intake pattern (acute, chronic, or binge) [ 45- 47]. In the US, the amount of pure alcohol in one standard drink is 14 g, which can be found in 12 oz of regular beer (about 5% alcohol), 5 oz of wine (about 12% alcohol), and 1.5 oz of distilled spirits (about 40% alcohol) [ 48]. Moderate alcohol intake recommendations according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans are the consumption of two standard drinks per day for men and one standard drink per day for women [ 49]. Moderate alcoholic intake has been shown to reduce the risk of chronic disease [ 49]. Weight loss is one of the most important non-pharmacological interventions to lower BP. Numerous interrelated pathophysiologic mechanisms stimulate higher BP in obesity [ 12]. In overweight/obese individuals, accelerated vascular aging can lead to HTN due to inflammation, oxidative stress, and insulin resistance [ 13]. Obese individuals also experience increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system [ 14]. The combined effect results in increased sodium resorption by the kidney, impaired vasodilation, volume expansion, and decreased natriuresis, thus leading to elevated BP [ 15]. Ozemek et al. trials have shown that weight loss helped lower systolic BP in hypertensive individuals by 5 mm Hg and in normotensive individuals by 2 to 3 mm Hg. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), a BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight, and a BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese. In overweight or obese individuals, achieving their ideal body weight is best, but it is good to aim for at least a 1 kg reduction in body weight. The study by Ozemek et al. also revealed that for every 1 kg reduction in body weight, we can expect about a 1 mm Hg reduction in blood pressure.

The modification in functional groups present in the culture pellets was identified by measuring the spectra in the range of 400 to 4000 cm -1 using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy (IR Affinity-I spectrometer, Shimadzu, Japan), as described by Joshi etal. (2021). In brief, 48 h grown cultures in ZMB medium without Hg supplementation were used as a control, whereas cultures with 50 mg/L of Hg supplementation were used as Hg treated. The mixtures (lyophilized cells and 2% KBr) were fixed in the FT-IR spectrometer after compressing them into translucent sample discs, followed by analyzing in ATR-FT-IR mode by following the manufacturer’s protocol. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis of MRB Assorted studies have shown that IF lowers BP. Harvie et al., in their study involving 107 overweight or obese premenopausal women, showed that IF for six months helped lower SBP (p= 0.99) and DBP (p= 0.84) [ 22]. Varady et al., in their study performed for 12 weeks with IF involving 15 overweight individuals (five males, 10 females with a BMI of 20-29.9 kg/m 2 showed that IF helped lower BP with a p-value of 0.51 [ 23]. A study by Bhutani et al. involving 83 obese individuals (three males and 80 females) with a BMI of 30-39.9 kg/m 2revealed that 12 weeks of IF helped lower SBP (p = 0.254) and DBP (p = 0.570) [ 24]. In a study by Eshghinia et al., 15 overweight or obese women with a BMI ≥25 kg/m 2 who followed IF for eight weeks showed a lowering of SBP (p<0.001) and DBP (p<0.05) [ 25]. Teng et al., in their 12 weeks IF study with 28 Malay men with a BMI of 23-29.9 kg/m 2,showed a lowering in SBP (p<0.05) and DBP (p<0.05) [ 26]. Erdem et al., in their study involving 60 participants from the Cappadocia cohort with pre-HTN and HTN with SBP of 120-139 and more than or equal to 140 mm Hg, DBP of 80-80 and more than or equal to 90 mm Hg, revealed that IF helps lower SBP (p<0.001) and DBP (p<0.039) [ 27]. Many studies suggest that mer operon is located on any one of either location such as mobile elements like plasmids, transposons, genomic or chromosomal DNA ( Liebert etal., 1999; Schelert etal., 2004; Zeng etal., 2010). The mer operon contains many functional genes along with the operator, promoter, and regulatory elements. All functional genes encrypt for the diverse proteins that contribute to the detection, transportation, and reduction of Hg ions ( Barkay etal., 2003; Dash and Das, 2012; Naguib etal., 2018). An extremely noteworthy positive correlation was found among the harboring of mer gene with the phenotypic resistance to Hg and concentration of the Hg in the source environment ( Osborn etal., 1997). In this study, we did not find any Hg from the ecosystem (detectable limit - 0.73 µg/L), but the amplification of mer genes and available literature suggested that these are extensively dispersed in a non-highly contaminated or contamination-free environment such as an open ocean, Antarctic sea-ice, high Arctic snow, sea ice brine etc. and plays a key role in the biogeochemical cycle of Hg ( Christakis etal., 2021). Thus, the Hg adaptation by these isolates is reasonably accepted. Confirmation of Hg 2+ reduction by the isolates In our recent study ( Joshi etal., 2021), we isolated and characterized several MRBs from the deeper depth of the Central Indian Ocean and evaluated their ability to remove Hg from the culture media. However, no bacterial strain was observed from the surface seawater samples that were resistant to Hg up to 100 mg/L. Though various bacterial strains have been isolated from the coastal and oceanic region, so far. MRB from the equatorial region of the Indian Ocean (ERIO) is not studied. It is hypothesized that the marine bacteria from ERIO could be a potential resource for the reduction of Hg 2+ as ERIO is highly dynamic in nature due to high current and intense climatological precipitation ( Annamalai, 2010).

Results and discussion

Although weight loss plays a significant role in lowering BP, it may be challenging to stay constantly motivated for long-term results [ 28]. Developing strategies to identify individuals who are unable to maintain lifestyle changes may be crucial to help them stay motivated to achieve weight management goals [ 28]. Furthermore, in recent times, an effective tool to promote the maintenance of healthy lifestyle changes like weight loss can be the use of mobile technology and personal digital devices, especially when individuals no longer have the availability of support and accountability through active interventions [ 29]. In hypertensive individuals with normal weight, other interventions like the DASH diet help lower BP [ 28]. The DASH diet has been funded by the National Institute of Health (NIH) in various research projects to know whether specific dietary interventions helped treat HTN [ 30]. The subjects included in the study have been told to follow only dietary interventions and no other lifestyle modifications to avoid any confounding [ 30]. It was found in both hypertensive and normotensive individuals that dietary intervention alone helped reduce SBP by 6 to 11 mm Hg [ 30]. Since these results, the DASH diet, along with lifestyle modifications, has been advised as the first line of pharmacologic therapy in some instances. Several other clinical trials have shown that the DASH diet helps lower BP, cholesterol, and saturated fats as well as there is evidence that it lowers the risk of adverse cardiac events, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and obesity [ 30]. Therefore, it is crucial for clinicians, nurses, and pharmacists to educate patients about the benefits of the DASH diet [ 30].