Unlocking the Catalytic Potential of Anionic Micelles: Insights into the Ce(IV)-Directed Phenylalanine Oxidation Kinetics in Asymmetric Hydrophobic Environments.

The oxidation kinetics of phenylalanine (Phe) by Ce(IV) have been examined in both the absence and presence of aqueous micellar media with asymmetric tails, specifically using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and sodium tetradecyl sulfate (STS) surfactants. The reaction progress was monitored by observing a decrease in absorbance using UV-vis spectroscopy. Interestingly, the kinetic profile revealed a consistent increase in the observed rate constant values as the concentration of the surfactant increased.

Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency and Its Association With Anthropometric and Hematological Parameters Among Infants at a Tertiary Care Center in Meerut, India: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction: Vitamin D is crucial in calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism, and its deficiency is widespread even in sun-rich regions like India. The present study sought to elucidate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in infants and its potential association with various anthropometric and hematological parameters.

Methods: The study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in northern India (in 2013-14) and involved 77 nine-month-old infants.

Prospects of nano-theranostic approaches against breast and cervical cancer.

The bottleneck on therapeutics and diagnostics is removed by an alternate approach known as theranostics which combines both therapeutics and diagnostics within a single platform. Due to this "all in one" nature of theranostics, it is now extensively applied in the medicinal field mainly in cancer treatment over the conventional therapy. Recently, FDA approval of lutetium 177 (177Lu) DOTATATE and 177Lu-PSMA-based radionuclide theranostics are clinically used and very few theranostics specific to breast cancer are in clinical trials.

Ni(0)-Catalyzed Efficient, Regioselective Synthesis of Dibenzo[,]oxepines and Dibenzo[,][1,2]oxathiepine 6,6-Dioxides: Mechanistic Study by DFT Calculation and Docking Interactions.

Herein, a nickel-catalyzed divergent reductive-Heck reaction of 1-bromo-2-((2-(aryl/alkyl ethynyl)phenoxy)methyl)benzene and 2-(aryl/alkyl ethynyl)phenyl 2-bromobenzenesulfonate derivatives has been demonstrated through the regulation of reducing agents and solvent systems. This scalable protocol offers regio- and stereoselective access to functionalized dibenzo[,]oxepine and dibenzo[,][1,2]oxathiepine 6,6-dioxide scaffolds in high to excellent yields under a mild set of reaction conditions. This methodology offers a predictable route for the synthesis of medium ring oxygen heterocycles and demonstrates wide substrate scope and outstanding tolerance to various functional groups like hydroxyl and, of course, practical instance via the synthesis of doxepin and nordoxepin molecules.

Exploring monocyclic core: Discovery of pyrrol-2-one derivatives as a new series of potent MCHR1 antagonists with in vivo efficacy.

With an objective to improve the profiles of the 1st generation non-basic MCHR1 antagonists, a lean design approach of replacing the bicyclic thienopyrimidine core with a monocyclic pyrrol-2-one chemotype was examined in the context of reducing aromatic ring count, while also contemplating enhanced flexibility as a means of decreasing flat character. The new compounds exhibited potent antagonism up to the sub-nanomolar range, thereby implying that the monocyclic ring could effectively serve as an effective bioisostere of the bicyclic system. The prototype compound 2m offered benefits like improved potency, reduced half-life, and enhanced solubility, while also demonstrating >5% reduction in weight gain in rats, thereby providing proof-of-concept for this new class of compounds as anti-obesity agents.

A novel one-dimensional thiocyanate-bridged cobalt(III) complex: synthesis, crystal structure characterization and Hirshfeld surface analysis.

A new one-dimensional thiocyanate-bridged cobalt(III) Schiff base complex, namely, catena-poly[[[4-bromo-2-((Z)-{[2-(thiophen-2-yl)ethyl]imino}methyl)phenolato-κN,O]cobalt(III)]-μ-thiocyanato-κN:S], [Co(SCN)(CHBrNOS)] or [Co(μ-SCN)L] (1), where HL is 4-bromo-2-((Z)-{[2-(thiophene-2-yl)ethyl]imino}methyl)phenol, a bidentate Schiff base prepared from the condensation reaction of 5-bromosalicylaldehyde and 2-(thiophen-2-yl)ethylamine, has been synthesized by stirring Co(ClO)·6HO, the Schiff base HL and ammonium thiocyanate (in a 1:2:1 molar ratio) in ethanol medium. The complex was characterized by FT-IR, electronic spectra and single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SC-XRD) studies. The SC-XRD data suggest that the compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pca2.

Eligibility for antiamyloid treatment: preparing for disease-modifying therapies for Alzheimer's disease.

Background: Disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for Alzheimer's disease (AD) have early evidence of efficacy. Widespread delivery of DMTs will require major service reconfiguration. Treatment pathways will need to include triaging for eligibility, regular infusions and baseline and follow-up MRI scanning.

Surveillance of mosquitoes harnessing their buzzing sound.

Mosquito surveillance for vector-borne disease management relies on traditional morphological and molecular techniques, which are tedious, time-consuming, and costly. The present study describes a simple and efficient recording device that analyzes mosquito sound to estimate species composition, male-female ratio, fed-unfed status, and harmonic convergence interaction using fundamental frequency (F) bandwidth, harmonics, amplitude, and combinations of these parameters. The study examined a total of 19 mosquito species, including 3 species of Aedes, 7 species of Anopheles, 1 species of Armigeres, 5 species of Culex, 1 species of Hulecoetomyia, and 2 species of Mansonia.

Bioacoustics in population control of insects of medical importance: A review.

Vector transmitted diseases are accountable for more than 17% of all infectious disease cases worldwide according to World Health Organization. Insect vectors play a key role in transmitting diseases and loss of lives. Modified and advanced vector control strategies with chemical insecticides are needed as vectors are resistant to a particular insecticide.

Effect of the Built Environment on the Cumulative Incidence of Acute Diarrheal Diseases: A Community-Based Cohort Study From Underprivileged Areas of Bhopal, India.

Background Diarrhea is a major public health problem in under-five children worldwide. Various sociodemographic, environmental, and behavioral factors play a role in the occurrence of diarrheal disease in children under the age of five. This study aims to estimate the cumulative incidence of acute diarrheal diseases during a one-year study period and examine its association with the built environment factors among children under the age of five in selected underprivileged areas of Bhopal.

A fluorescence based dual sensor for Zn and PO and the application of soft computing methods to predict machine learning outcomes.

A phenolphthalein-based Schiff base, 3,3-bis-{4-hydroxy-3-[(pyridine-2-ylmethylimino)-methyl]-phenyl}-3-isobenzofuran-1-one (PAP), has been synthesized and used for selective fluorescence 'turn on' and 'turn off' sensing of Zn and PO respectively. The limit of detection using the 3 method for Zn is found to be 19.3 nM and that for PO is 8.

A Cross-Sectional Study on the Prevalence of Depression and Associated Factors in Tuberculosis Patients in the Vidisha District of Madhya Pradesh, India.

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health problem in the developing world. Depression affects medicine adherence in TB patients. There is a scarcity of data regarding the prevalence of depression among TB patients from any city in central India.

Effect of charge transfer on the first hyper-polarizability of N,N-dimethylaniline and julolidine: a DFT based comparative study.

Context: Quantum mechanical calculations involving electron correlation, frequency dispersion, and solvent effects were carried out to examine the second-order nonlinear optical response of various acceptor, X (-CF, -CN, -NO) substituted in N,N-dimethylaniline (DMA) and julolidine(JLD). Here, both DMA and JLD acts as donor and the three substituted groups, X (-CF, -CN and -NO) at the para position of both the ring systems as acceptor. The NLO response (βHRS) of -CF and -CN substituted DMA and JLD is relatively lower compared to DMA-NO and JLD-NO.

A comprehensive review on production of bio-surfactants by bio-degradation of waste carbohydrate feedstocks: an approach towards sustainable development.

The advancement of science and technology demands chemistry which is safer, smarter and green by nature. The sustainability of science thus requires well-behaved alternates that best suit the demand. Bio-surfactants are surface active compounds, established to affect surface chemistry.

Synthesis of Fluorophore Based Functional Material for Selective Detection of Al Ion in Water and Decoding the AIEE Property of Its Hydrosol.

A designed aggregation-induced emission enhancement (AIEE) active fluorescence probe 2,3-Bis-[(2-hydroxy-napthalen-1-ylmethylene)-amino]-but-2-enedinitrile (L) was synthesized via one step condensation method. The probe shows swift sensitivity and selectivity toward Alover other relevant metal ions and also exhibits significant AIEE phenomena in methanol/water mixture. Significant enhancement of fluorescence intensity is triggered via chelation-enhanced fluorescence through complex (Al-L) formation.

Fluorescence 'Turn-on' Dual Sensor for Selective Detection of Cd and HAsO in Water.

A multi responsive fluorescent probe, N',2-bis(E-4-(diethylamino)-2-hydroxybenzylidene)hydrazine-1-carbothiohydrazideV(HL) has been synthesized through one step condensation method. Probe, HL shows 'turn-on' dual sensing properties towards Cd and HAsO at two distinct wavelength. The probe (HL) is spectroscopically characterized and the chemo-sensing mechanism has been demonstrated through H NMR, absorption, steady state and time resolved emission study.

A Recent Review on Bio-availability Enhancement of Poorly Water-soluble Drugs by using Bioenhancer and Nanoparticulate Drug Delivery System.

Background: Intravenous route of drug administration has maximum bioavailability, which shows 100% of the drug reaches blood circulation, whereas the oral administration of drugs, are readily undergoing pre-systemic metabolism, which means the poor bioavailability of the drug and limited amount of drug reaches the target site.

Introduction: Bioenhancers are substances having medicinal entities which enhance the bioavailability and efficacy of the active constituents of drugs. The enhanced bioavailability of drugs may lead to dose reduction, which may further reduce the cost and undesired side effects associated with the drugs.

Evaluation of health impacts of the improved housing conditions on under-five children in the socioeconomically underprivileged families in central India: A 1-year follow-up study protocol.

Unacceptable housing conditions prevalent in Indian urban slums adversely affect the health of residents. The Government of India initiated the Basic Services to the Urban Poor (BSUP) as a sub-mission under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), to provide basic services to the urban poor. As per the available scientific literature, the health effects of such improved housing schemes for the poor have not been studied so far in India, especially in under-five children (0-5 years old) who spend most of their time indoors.

Preservatives in Pharmaceuticals: Are They Really Safe?

Preservatives are the ingredients that are utilized in order to improve the shelf life of products (Medicines, food). These tend to slow down or stop the degradation or decomposition processes, therefore, enhance the shelf life of the products. These agents either interfere with the chemical reaction or check the growth of microorganisms in the products.

Ecological variations in adult life table attributes of Aedes aegypti (L.) from the desert and coastal regions of India.

The ecological variation in biological and adult life-table attributes of two populations of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) from the desert (Jodhpur) and coastal (Kolkata) regions of India are assessed to understand the reproductive and survival strategies. The results showed that females lived longer than males in both strains. The desert strain was more r-strategist because of its higher intrinsic rate of increase (r  = 0.

Novel Formulation Approaches used for the Management of Osteoarthritis: A Recent Review.

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) causes economic, social, and health difficulties in patients. Approximately 10% to 15% of all persons above the age of 60 have some degree of OA. OA is more common in women than in males.

Foam-Based Drug Delivery: A Newer Approach for Pharmaceutical Dosage Form.

Foam is a dispersal of gas in solid foam or liquid foam. Solid foams are generally formed through quick curing of liquid foams. Because of their positive characteristics, simplicity of application, and improved patient acceptability/compliance, foams are an appealing and promising delivery strategy for medical, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical, applications.

Spatiotemporal evaluation and assessment of shallow groundwater quality for irrigation of a tropical coastal groundwater basin.

The present study aims at analyzing groundwater quantity and quality simultaneously to identify its availability and suitability for irrigation. Various water quality indices were used to assess (i) origin of the groundwater sources (Gibbs diagram); (ii) salinity, alkalinity, and sodium hazard (sodium adsorption ratio, exchangeable sodium percentage, Kelly's ratio, US Salinity Laboratory diagram, Wilcox diagram); (iii) magnesium hazard (magnesium absorption ratio); (iv) carbonate and bicarbonate hazard (residual sodium carbonate); (v) hydro-chemical facie and evaluation (Piper diagram and Expanded Durov diagram); and (vi) statistical relationship among the variables, sample sites, and spatiotemporal grouping (principal component analysis and cluster analysis). The overall objective is to quantify the irrigation suitability of groundwater reserves.

Life table, survival and fecundity parameters of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) strains from desert and coastal regions of India.

The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1895) is the anthropophilic and day-biter mosquito, residing in peridomestic habitats and is responsible for vector-borne diseases, i.e., chikungunya and dengue.