m6A RNA methylation regulates mitochondrial function.

RNA methylation of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is emerging as a fundamental regulator of every aspect of RNA biology. RNA methylation directly impacts protein production to achieve quick modulation of dynamic biological processes. However, whether RNA methylation regulates mitochondrial function is not known, especially in neuronal cells which require a high energy supply and quick reactive responses.

Naturally Derived Carbon Dots In Situ Confined Self-Healing and Breathable Hydrogel Monolith for Anomalous Diffusion-Driven Phytomedicine Release.

Fluorescent nanocarbons are well-proficient nanomaterials because of their optical properties and surface engineering. Herein, -derived carbon dots (ACDs) have been synthesized by a one-step hydrothermal process without using any surplus vigorous chemicals or ligands. ACDs were captured via an in situ gelation reaction to form a semi-interpenetrating polymer network system showing mechanical robustness, fluorescent behavior, and natural adhesivity.

Ultrasonic-assisted synthesis of lignin-capped CuO nanocomposite with antibiofilm properties.

Under ultrasonication, cuprous oxide (CuO) microparticles (<5 µm) were fragmented into nanoparticles (NPs, ranging from 10 to 30 nm in diameter), and interacted strongly with alkali lignin (Mw = 10 kDa) to form a nanocomposite. The ultrasonic wave generates strong binding interaction between lignin and CuO. The L-Cu nanocomposite exhibited synergistic effects with enhanced antibiofilm activities against E.

SMN Is Physiologically Downregulated at Wild-Type Motor Nerve Terminals but Aggregates Together with Neurofilaments in SMA Mouse Models.

Survival motor neuron (SMN) is an essential and ubiquitously expressed protein that participates in several aspects of RNA metabolism. SMN deficiency causes a devastating motor neuron disease called spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). SMN forms the core of a protein complex localized at the cytoplasm and nuclear gems and that catalyzes spliceosomal snRNP particle synthesis.

Cuprous Oxide Nanoparticles Decorated Fabric Materials with Anti-biofilm Properties.

Considering the global spread of bacterial infections, the development of anti-biofilm surfaces with high antimicrobial activities is highly desired. This work unraveled a simple, sonochemical method for coating CuO nanoparticles (NPs) on three different flexible substrates: polyester (PE), nylon 2 (N2), and polyethylene (PEL). The introduction of CuO NPs on these substrates enhanced their surface hydrophobicity, induced ROS generation, and completely inhibited the growth of sensitive ( and ) and drug-resistant (MDR and MRSA) planktonic and biofilm.

Cellulose Nanocrystals (CNC)-Based Functional Materials for Supercapacitor Applications.

The growth of industrialization and the population has increased the usage of fossil fuels, resulting in the emission of large amounts of CO This serious environmental issue can be abated by using sustainable and environmentally friendly materials with promising novel and superior performance as an alternative to petroleum-based plastics. Emerging nanomaterials derived from abundant natural resources have received considerable attention as candidates to replace petroleum-based synthetic polymers. As renewable materials from biomass, cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) nanomaterials exhibit unique physicochemical properties, low cost, biocompatibility and biodegradability.

Microbial inhibition and biosensing with multifunctional carbon dots: Progress and perspectives.

Carbon dots (CDs) and their doped counterparts including nitrogen-doped CDs (N@CDs) have been synthesized by bottom-up or top-down approaches from different precursors. The attractiveness of such emerging 2D‑carbon-based nanosized materials is attributed to their excellent biocompatibility, preparation, aqueous dispersibility, and functionality. The antimicrobial, optical, and electrochemical properties of CDs have been advocated for two important biotechnological applications: bacterial eradication and sensing/biosensing.

Exploring differences in the physicochemical, functional, structural, and pasting properties of banana starches from dessert, cooking, and plantain cultivars (Musa spp.).

Banana starch, with its nutritional and functional properties, opens up new opportunities for the food industry, which is seeking new starch sources to fulfil rising demand. Herein, physico-chemical, and functional properties of banana starches isolated from dessert, plantain, and cooking cultivars were investigated. Starch yield was higher in Popoulu (30.

Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Dyes and Antimicrobial Activities by Polyaniline-Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Dot Nanocomposite.

Nitrogen-doped carbon nanodots (N@CDs) were prepared by hydrothermal processing of bovine serum albumin (Mw: 69,324 with 607 amino acids). A polyaniline (PANI-N@CDs) nanocomposite was then synthesized by ultrasonication and used to degrade Congo red (CR), methylene blue (MB), Rhodamine B (RhB), and crystal violet (CV) four common organic dyes. The PANI-N@CD nanocomposite simultaneously adsorbed and concentrated the dye from the bulk solution and degraded the adsorbed dye, resulting in a high rate of dye degradation.

Effect of fins and silicon dioxide nanoparticle black paint on the absorber plate for augmenting yield from tubular solar still.

The present study aims at enhancing the yield of tubular solar still (TSS) by employing fins and coating the absorber plate. We doped the SiO nanoparticles into black paint at the weight concentration ranging from 10 to 40%. The solar still was tested in a bright sunny climatic condition of Chennai, Indian (lat.

Green Synthesis of Multifunctional Carbon Dots with Antibacterial Activities.

Carbon dots (CDs) were obtained from medicinal turmeric leaves () by a facile one-step hydrothermal method and evaluated for their bactericidal activities against two gram-negative; , , and two gram-positive counterparts; , . The CDs exhibited spherical shapes with a mean size of 2.6 nm.

Applications of N-Doped Carbon Dots as Antimicrobial Agents, Antibiotic Carriers, and Selective Fluorescent Probes for Nitro Explosives.

The synthesis of nitrogen-doped carbon dots (N@CDs) was accomplished by a hydrothermal process using - phenylenediamine as a source of carbon and nitrogen. As prepared N@CDs exhibited bright blue color fluorescence emission (λ = 340 nm and λ = 420 nm) with a quantum yield of 12%. Gram-negative and Gram-positive were eradicated by N@CDs with a minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) of 1 and 0.

Antimicrobial Properties of the Polyaniline Composites against and .

CuO, TiO or SiO was decorated on polyaniline (PANI) by a sonochemical method, and their antimicrobial properties were investigated for two common Gram-negative pathogens: (PA) and (KP). Without PANI, CuO, TiO, or SiO with a concentration of 220 µg/mL exhibited no antimicrobial activities. In contrast, PANI-CuO and PANI-TiO (1 mg/mL, each) completely suppressed the PA growth after 6 h of exposure, compared to 12 h for the PANI-SiO at the same concentration.

Antimicrobial Properties of Polyaniline and Polypyrrole Decorated with Zinc-Doped Copper Oxide Microparticles.

Polyaniline (PANI) and polypyrrole (PPY) were synthesized by carbon dots (CDs) under UV irradiation and then sonicated together with zinc acetate and copper acetate to form the PANI-Zn@CuO and PPY-Zn@Cu composites. The former consisted of agglomerated spherical particles with diameters of 1-5 µm, whereas the latter displayed irregular stick shapes with similar diameters. The bacterial potency of the composites against and was enhanced remarkably with Zn doping in the CuO matrix, designated as ZnCuO, at 0.

FMRP Modulates Neural Differentiation through mA-Dependent mRNA Nuclear Export.

N-methyladenosine (mA) modification of mRNA is emerging as a vital mechanism regulating RNA function. Here, we show that fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) reads mA to promote nuclear export of methylated mRNA targets during neural differentiation. Fmr1 knockout (KO) mice show delayed neural progenitor cell cycle progression and extended maintenance of proliferating neural progenitors into postnatal stages, phenocopying methyltransferase Mettl14 conditional KO (cKO) mice that have no mA modification.

Impact of energetic neutral nitrogen atoms created by glow discharge air plasma on the physico-chemical and rheological properties of kithul starch.

The changes in physico-chemical and rheological properties of kithul starch by the impact of energetic neutral nitrogen atoms produced by the glow discharge air plasma with novel technique were analysed. Here, treatment was carried out at different power levels (5 W & 15 W) and treatment time (30 min & 60 min). Decrease in amylose and moisture content and increase in swelling index and solubility of plasma treated kithul starch were observed.

Smn-Deficiency Increases the Intrinsic Excitability of Motoneurons.

During development, motoneurons experience significant changes in their size and in the number and strength of connections that they receive, which requires adaptive changes in their passive and active electrical properties. Even after reaching maturity, motoneurons continue to adjust their intrinsic excitability and synaptic activity for proper functioning of the sensorimotor circuit in accordance with physiological demands. Likewise, if some elements of the circuit become dysfunctional, the system tries to compensate for the alterations to maintain appropriate function.

Regulation of Survival Motor Neuron Protein by the Nuclear Factor-Kappa B Pathway in Mouse Spinal Cord Motoneurons.

Survival motor neuron (SMN) protein deficiency causes the genetic neuromuscular disorder spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), characterized by spinal cord motoneuron degeneration. Since SMN protein level is critical to disease onset and severity, analysis of the mechanisms involved in SMN stability is one of the central goals of SMA research. Here, we describe the role of several members of the NF-κB pathway in regulating SMN in motoneurons.

Synaptotagmin-2, and -1, linked to neurotransmission impairment and vulnerability in Spinal Muscular Atrophy.

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is the most frequent genetic cause of infant mortality. The disease is characterized by progressive muscle weakness and paralysis of axial and proximal limb muscles. It is caused by homozygous loss or mutation of the SMN1 gene, which codes for the Survival Motor Neuron (SMN) protein.

Can Be a Bimetal Oxide ZnO-MgO Nanoparticles Anticancer Drug Carrier and Deliver? Doxorubicin Adsorption/Release Study.

Bimetal oxide ZnO-MgO nanoparticles were synthesised by precipitation method at low temperature and characterised by analytical techniques such as XRD, SEM and FT-IR. In order to know the efficiency of uptake and release of anticancer drug, the adsorption and release of doxorubicin, on bimetal oxide nanoparticles was performed in dark room at room temperature. The adsorption models such as Henry, Freundlich and Langmuir models were validated with obtained experimental data.

Graphene Oxide Synthesis from Agro Waste.

A new method of graphene oxide (GO) synthesis via single-step reforming of sugarcane bagasse agricultural waste by oxidation under muffled atmosphere conditions is reported. The strong and sharp X-ray diffraction peak at 2θ = 11.6° corresponds to an interlayer distance of 0.