Tactical tuning of the surface and interfacial properties of graphene: A Versatile and rational electrochemical approach.

Designing a versatile and rational method for the tactical tuning of the surface and interfacial properties of graphene is an essential yet challenging task of many scientific areas including health care, sensors, energy, and the environment. A method was designed herein to tackle the challenge and tune the surface and interfacial properties of graphene using a simple electrochemical tethering of arylamines that provides diverse reactive end groups to graphene. This method resulted in the preparation of graphenes with thiol, hydroxy, amine, carboxyl, and sulfonate surface functionalities respectively.

Amalaki rasayana, a traditional Indian drug enhances cardiac mitochondrial and contractile functions and improves cardiac function in rats with hypertrophy.

We evaluated the cardioprotective effect of Amalaki Rasayana (AR), a rejuvenating Ayurvedic drug prepared from Phyllanthus emblica fruits in the reversal of remodeling changes in pressure overload left ventricular cardiac hypertrophy (LVH) and age-associated cardiac dysfunction in male Wistar rats. Six groups (aging groups) of 3 months old animals were given either AR or ghee and honey (GH) orally; seventh group was untreated. Ascending aorta was constricted using titanium clips in 3 months old rats (N = 24; AC groups) and after 6 months, AR or GH was given for further 12 months to two groups; one group was untreated.

Bis(3,5-diiodo-2,4,6-trihydroxyphenyl)squaraine photodynamic therapy disrupts redox homeostasis and induce mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in human breast cancer cells.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a clinically established and highly evolving treatment modality for cancer. PDT utilizes a light responsive drug called photosensitizer that selectively destroys tumor cells upon light irradiation. Squaraines are a class of dyes possessing all favorable characteristics of a photosensitizer and have been considered to be a potent candidate for next generation PDT.

Impurity-induced peroxidase mimicry of nanoclay and its potential for the spectrophotometric determination of cholesterol.

A green version of the "Fe" impurity-induced peroxidase mimicry exhibited by simple and cheap substrate "nanoclay (NC)" along with the highly sensitive amperometric and spectrophotometric determination of cholesterol is demonstrated. The "Fe" impurity can act as the catalyst center for hydrogen peroxide reduction similar to the horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-catalyzed reaction. The Michaelis-Menten constant for the NC-catalyzed reaction is found to be lower than that of the HRP-catalyzed reaction indicating high affinity for the substrate.

Dual enzyme mimicry exhibited by ITO nanocubes and their application in spectrophotometric and electrochemical sensing.

The dual enzyme mimicry (peroxidase/catalase-like activities) exhibited by ITO nanocubes (ITO NCs) was investigated by spectrophotometric and electrochemical methods. The peroxidase mimic was successfully applied for the electrochemical detection of H2O2 and spectrophotometric biosensing of glucose. Further, the detection could be extended to the detection of glucose in real samples.

Proliferation of dinoflagellates in Kochi estuary, Kerala.

Phytoplankton community structure and dynamics of Kochi estuary (bar mouth) have been studied seasonally. Three seasonal samplings namely pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon were made, and a wide variation was observed in phytoplankton community with respect to nutrients and other physicochemical parameters. Contrary to other seasons, dinoflagellate cell density increased during pre-monsoon season though species diversity was less pronounced (D > 0.

A diagnostic system for electrical faults in a high current discharge plasma setup.

A diagnostic system to detect electrical faults inside a coaxial high current discharge device is presented here. This technique utilizes two biconical antennas picking up electromagnetic radiation from the discharge device, a voltage divider sensing input voltage, and a Rogowski coil measuring the main discharge current. A computer program then analyses frequency components in these signals and provides information as to whether the discharge event was normal or any breakdown fault occurred inside the coaxial device.