Plasma-assisted MnO surface engineered activated carbon felt for enhanced heavy metal adsorption.

This study explores the enhanced adsorption performance of activated carbon felt (ACF) for Cu(II) and Cd(II) ions, achieved using a dual-synergistic approach combining MnO coating and plasma treatment. ACF's intrinsic properties, including a high surface area (~ 1000-2000 m²/g), large porosity, and excellent mechanical stability, make it a promising material for environmental applications. However, its limited surface functional groups hinder its adsorption efficiency for heavy metals.

Impact of Structural Subtleties on Chirality Induction and Amplification in Trizinc(II)porphyrin Trimers.

Herein, we report the precise control of molecular to supramolecular chirality induction at the single-molecule level just upon subtle modification in an achiral 'nano-size' trizinc(II) porphyrin trimer. A slight variation in the projection of the substituent at the periphery of the central porphyrin unit in a porphyrin trimer (host) resulted in pronounced changes in the interchromophoric arrangement, leading to distinct 'open' and 'closed' conformations. While 'open' form generates 'monomeric' complex with low CD amplitude, 'closed' form produces exclusive 'polymer' with large, amplified CD signal with opposite sign due to stronger intermolecular excitonic coupling.

Enzyme fragment complementation driven by nucleic acid hybridization sans self-labeling protein.

A modified enzyme fragment complementation assay has been designed and validated as a turn-on biosensor for nucleic acid detection in dilute aqueous solution. The assay is target sequence-agonistic and uses fragments of NanoBiT, the split luciferase reporter enzyme, that are esterified enzymatically at their C-termini to steramers, sterol-linked oligonucleotides. The Drosophila hedgehog autoprocessing domain, DHhC, serves as the self-cleaving enzyme for the NanoBiT-steramer bioconjugations.

Mitochondria-targeting by small molecules against Alzheimer's disease: A mechanistic perspective.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) poses a considerable worldwide health obstacle, marked by gradual cognitive deterioration and neuronal loss. While the molecular mechanisms underlying AD pathology have been elucidated to some extent, therapeutic options remain limited. Mitochondrial dysfunction has become recognized as a significant factor in the development of AD, with oxidative stress and disrupted energy metabolism being critical elements.

Inverse correlation between Leishmania-induced TLR1/2 and TGF-β differentially regulates parasite persistence in bone marrow during the chronic phase of infection.

Host-tissue preference is a critical aspect of parasitic infections and is directly correlated with species diversity. Even the same species, Leishmania donovani, infects the host's bone marrow, spleen, and liver differentially. The tissue-specific persistence of Leishmania results from host-pathogen immune conflicts and arguments.