Engineering the decay time of TiCTMXene by gold nanoparticle decoration.

MXenes, specifically TiCThaving peculiar structural and electronic characteristics display not only high surface area, and excellent thermal and electrical conductivity but also have the potential for functionalization. The primary focus of this research is to control the decay time of gold nanoparticle (NP) (Au NP) decorated multilayer TiCTMXene (Au-TiCT) synthesized by a simple two-step selective etching technique. Incorporation of Au NPs in the multilayer TiCTMXene leads to lattice expansion, micro-strain reduction, and crystallinity improvement, as confirmed by x-ray diffraction analysis.

High performance humidity sensor based on a graphene oxide-chitosan composite.

In this study, we have proposed an advanced humidity sensor based on a composite of chitosan (CS) and graphene oxide (GO), prepared by the drop casting method. Graphene oxide-chitosan (GO-CS) films with varying volumetric ratios, along with pure GO and CS films, were prepared and extensively characterized using XRD, Raman, FTIR, SEM, XPS, and water contact angle to study their structural and morphological properties. Comparative analysis of humidity sensing parameters of all prepared films revealed that the film with a volumetric ratio of 4 : 1 (GOCS-2) performs best among all of them, which is attributed to the synergistic interaction between GO and CS.

Secondary nucleation guided noncovalent synthesis of dendritic homochiral superstructures via growth on and from surface.

Secondary nucleation is an emerging approach for synthesizing higher-order supramolecular polymers with exciting topologies. However, a detailed understanding of growth processes and the synthesis of homochiral superstructures is yet to be demonstrated. Here, we report the non-covalent synthesis of dendritic homochiral superstructures using NIR triimide dyes as building blocks via a secondary nucleation elongation process.

Insight into the Structure of the Neutral Amino Acid Transporter BAT2 Enabled the Discovery of Tiagabine as an Inhibitor.

The sodium-dependent membrane transporter SLC6A15 (BAT2) belongs to the SLC6 family, which comprises carriers of amino acids and monoamines. BAT2 is expressed in the central nervous system (CNS), including the glutaminergic and GABAergic system. SLC6A15 supplies neurons with neutral amino acids.

Assessing the overflowing pile-up effect on the photoluminescence lifetime of nanomaterials.

The tunable complex emissive states with nanosecond to microsecond lifetimes in nanomaterials, arise due to their structural heterogeneity, enabling them with a wide range of advanced optoelectronic applications. However, understanding the complex photoluminescence lifetime in these nanomaterials is critically challenged by the overflowing pile-up effect, which occurs due to the high repetition rate of the light source in the time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) technique. Here, we provide a quantitative lifetime analysis, especially in metal nanoclusters, metal complexes, and semiconductor quantum dots, which suggests that the same experimental parameters can mislead the lifetime data interpretation for long-ranged luminescent nanomaterials.

Molecular basis of inhibition of the amino acid transporter BAT1 (SLC6A19).

The epithelial neutral amino acid transporter BAT1 (SLC6A19) is the major transporter for the absorption of neutral amino acids in the intestine and their reabsorption in the kidney. Mouse models have demonstrated that lack of BAT1 can normalize elevated plasma amino acids in rare disorders of amino acid metabolism such as phenylketonuria and urea-cycle disorders, implying a pharmacological approach for their treatment. Here we employ a medicinal chemistry approach to generate BAT1 inhibitors with IC-values of 31-90 nM.

Cryo-EM structure of ACE2-SIT1 in complex with tiagabine.

The pharmacology of amino acid transporters in the SLC6 family is poorly developed compared to that of the neurotransmitter transporters. To identify new inhibitors of the proline transporter SIT1 (SLC6A20), its expression in Xenopus laevis oocytes was optimized. Trafficking of SIT1 was augmented by co-expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) in oocytes but there was no strict requirement for co-expression of ACE2.

One-Pot Synthesis of 1, 2-Dihydro [1,2,4] Triazinium Salt by Copper-Assisted Unprecedented Cyclization Reaction: Applications in DNA and Protein Interaction Studies.

Copper catalyzed intramolecular annulation of 2-((2-benzylidene-1-phenylhydrazineyl)methyl)pyridine derivatives was described. It was found that Cu(II) is reduced under the reaction condition to Cu(I). Synthesized 1,2-dihydro [1,2,4] triazinium salt showed fluorescence activity in the solid state.

Intercondylar T-Type Distal Humerus Fracture in a 10-Year-Old: A Case Report.

Case: A 10-year-old, postmenarchal girl presented to the emergency department with a closed, displaced, intercondylar T-type distal humerus fracture. Open reduction and internal fixation was performed 3 days following initial presentation. The patient healed but experienced elbow stiffness in the 7 months following the procedure.

NIR-emissive carbon nanodots as a tool to mark ribosomal RNA and nucleolus components using super-resolution microscopy.

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) plays a key role in protein synthesis and ribosomal biogenesis. The exclusively used commercial dye for RNA staining is SYTO RNASelect, which works in fixed cells only. To overcome this constraint, we synthesized NIR-emissive, highly photostable, and biocompatible carbon nanodots (CNDs) as a fluorescent biomarker for rRNA.

Noncovalent synthesis of homo and hetero-architectures of supramolecular polymers via secondary nucleation.

The synthesis of supramolecular polymers with controlled architecture is a grand challenge in supramolecular chemistry. Although living supramolecular polymerization via primary nucleation has been extensively studied for controlling the supramolecular polymerization of small molecules, the resulting supramolecular polymers have typically exhibited one-dimensional morphology. In this report, we present the synthesis of intriguing supramolecular polymer architectures through a secondary nucleation event, a mechanism well-established in protein aggregation and the crystallization of small molecules.

Synergistic microwave and acidic deep eutectic solvent-based pretreatment of Theobroma cacao pod husk biomass for xylooligosaccharides production.

The bioconversion of lignocellulosic biomass into novel bioproducts is crucial for sustainable biorefineries, providing an integrated solution for circular economy objectives. The current study investigated a novel microwave-assisted acidic deep eutectic solvent (DES) pretreatment of waste cocoa pod husk (CPH) biomass to extract xylooligosaccharides (XOS). The sequential DES (choline chloride/citric acid, molar ratio 1:1) and microwave (450W) pretreatment of CPH biomass was effective in 67.

Tuning the plasmonic resonance in TiN refractory metal.

Plasmonic coatings can absorb electromagnetic radiation from visible to far-infrared spectrum for the better performance of solar panels and energy saving smart windows. For these applications, it is important for these coatings to be as thin as possible and grown at lower temperatures on arbitrary substrates like glass, silicon, or flexible polymers. Here, we tune and investigate the plasmonic resonance of titanium nitride thin films in lower thicknesses regime varying from ~ 20 to 60 nm.

evaluation of -adenosyl-L-homocysteine analogs as inhibitors of nsp14-viral cap N7 methyltranferase and PLpro of SARS-CoV-2: synthesis, molecular docking, physicochemical data, ADMET and molecular dynamics simulations studies.

A series of -adenosyl-L-homosysteine (SAH) analogs, with modification in the base and sugar moiety, have been designed, synthesized and screened as nsp14 and PLpro inhibitors of severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus (SARS-CoV-2). The outcomes of ADMET (Adsorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion, and Toxicity) studies demonstrated that the physicochemical properties of all analogs were permissible for development of these SAH analogs as antiviral agents. All molecules were screened against different SARS-CoV-2 targets using molecular docking.

Super-Resolution Microscopy Unveils Synergistic Structural Changes of Organelles Upon Point Mutation.

Ethyl methanesulphonate (EMS), is a widely used chemical mutagen that causes high-frequency germline null mutation by inserting an alkyl group into the nucleotide guanine in eukaryotic cells. The effect of EMS on the dynamics of the aneuploid genome, increased cellular instability, and carcinogenicity in relation to benign and malignant tumors are reported, but the molecular level understanding of morphological changes of higher-order chromatin structure has poorly been understood. This is due to a lack of sufficient resolution in conventional microscopic techniques to see small structures below the diffraction limit.

Chitosan-Based Highly Sensitive Viable Humidity Sensor for Human Health Monitoring.

We report a sustainable resistive-type humidity sensor based on chitosan (CS) film deposited on an interdigitated Ti/Au electrode coated SiO substrate using a simple drop cast approach for human health monitoring. The sensor revealed remarkably high sensitivity (5.8 MΩ/%RH), fast response/recovery time (21 s/25 s), low hysteresis (∼9.

Tracking the super resolved structure of mitochondria using red emissive carbon nanodots as a fluorescent biomarker.

Herein, we report new red emissive highly photostable and water-soluble carbon nanodots (TPP CNDs) to visualize mitochondrial dynamics using super-resolution radial fluctuations (SRRF) microscopy. The TPP CNDs were synthesized in a one-step method, using 3-(carboxypropyl)triphenylphosphonium bromide (TPP) and -phenylenediamine (OPDA) as precursors. The obtained crystal structure, NMR, and mass data suggested the presence of [3-(1-benzimidazol-2-yl)propyl](triphenyl)phosphonium bromide (CHNPBr) as a molecular fluorophore (MF) on the surface of the TPP CNDs.

Insights into the recent advances of agro-industrial waste valorization for sustainable biogas production.

Recent years have seen a transition to a sustainable circular economy model that uses agro-industrial waste biomass waste to produce energy while reducing trash and greenhouse gas emissions. Biogas production from lignocellulosic biomass (LCB) is an alternative option in the hunt for clean and renewable fuels. Different approaches are employed to transform the LCB to biogas, including pretreatment, anaerobic digestion (AD), and biogas upgradation to biomethane.

Unveiling the Long-Lived Emission of Copper Nanoclusters Embedded in a Protein Scaffold.

Protein-conjugated coinage metal nanoclusters have become promising materials for optoelectronics and biomedical applications. However, the origin of the photoluminescence, especially the long-lived excited state emission in these metal nanoclusters, is still elusive. Here, we unveiled the underlying mechanism of long-lived emission in albumin protein-conjugated copper nanoclusters (Cu NCs) using steady state and time-resolved spectroscopic techniques.

Molecular signalling during cross talk between gut brain axis regulation and progression of irritable bowel syndrome: A comprehensive review.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic functional disorder which alters gastrointestinal (GI) functions, thus leading to compromised health status. Pathophysiology of IBS is not fully understood, whereas abnormal gut brain axis (GBA) has been identified as a major etiological factor. Recent studies are suggestive for visceral hyper-sensitivity, altered gut motility and dysfunctional autonomous nervous system as the main clinical abnormalities in IBS patients.

Correction: Infrared sensitive mixed phase of VO and VO thin-films.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1039/D3RA00752A.].

Infrared sensitive mixed phase of VO and VO thin-films.

We report an infrared (IR) sensitive mixed phase of VO and VO thin films, grown by cathodic vacuum arc-deposition on glass substrates at relatively low temperatures. We have found that the mixed phase of VO and VO can be stabilized by post-annealing of amorphous VO between 300-400 °C, which gets fully converted into VO after annealing at higher temperatures ∼450 °C. The local conversion from VO to VO has also been demonstrated by applying different laser powers in Raman spectroscopy measurements.

Development of lignocellulosic biorefineries for the sustainable production of biofuels: Towards circular bioeconomy.

The idea of environment friendly and affordable renewable energy resources has prompted the industry to focus on the set up of biorefineries for sustainable bioeconomy. Lignocellulosic biomass (LCB) is considered as an abundantly available renewable feedstock for the production of biofuels which can potentially reduce the dependence on petrochemical refineries. By utilizing various conversion technologies, an integrated biorefinery platform of LCB can be created, embracing the idea of the 'circular bioeconomy'.

Post-synthetic π-extension of perylene conjugated porous polymer APEX reactions: tunable optical and gas storage properties.

Double post-synthetic modification is used for the π-extension of perylene based conjugated porous polymers (CPPs) using sequential annulative π-extension (APEX) reactions. This approach enabled us to synthesize new CPPs rendered with donor-acceptor rigid π-systems such as benzoperylene anhydride (BPA-CPP) and benzoperylene benzimidazole (BPBI-CPP) with distinct optical properties. Despite its low surface area, BPBI-CPP shows good CO uptake and pH responsive behaviour owing to the presence of benzimidazole rings.

Design and synthesis of novel palladium cyclometallate-based fluorescent probe: Studies on interaction with cell membrane by confocal and fluorescence lifetime imaging.

Coordination complexes offer great potential as cellular imaging probes, which allow to examine specific cell organelle structures in their physiological conditions to better understand the biological system. Understanding the heterogeneous nature of the cell membrane could unveil details of their functionality. Here, we have developed a new anthracene conjugated fluorescent palladium(II) cyclometallate [PdLCl] where LH = [2-(2- (anthracen-9-ylmethylene)-1-phenylhydrazineyl)pyridine] (H stands for dissociable proton), which not only specifically stains the cell membrane, but could be utilized to visualise the membrane by the confocal and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM).