Enhancing photocatalytic hydrogen peroxide generation by tuning hydrazone linkage density in covalent organic frameworks.

The conversion of solar energy into chemical energy or high-value chemicals has attracted considerable research interest in the context of the global energy crisis. Hydrogen peroxide (HO) is a versatile and powerful oxidizing agent widely used in chemical synthesis and medical disinfection. HO also serves as a clean energy source in fuel cells, generating electricity with zero-carbon emissions.

Hydroxide Ion Conduction through Viologen-Based Covalent Organic Frameworks (vCOFs): An Approach toward the Advancement.

Alkaline fuel cells rely on the movement of hydroxide anions (OH) for their operation, yet these anions face challenges in efficient conduction due to their limited diffusion coefficient and substantial mass compared to proton (H) transport. Within the covalent organic framework structure, ordered channels offer a promising solution for the OH ion transport. Herein, we synthesized a cationic covalent organic framework (vTAPA) via the solvothermal-assisted Zincke reaction.

Reticular synthesis of two-dimensional ionic covalent organic networks as metal-free bifunctional electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction and evolution reactions.

Bifunctional electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) are the heart of metal-air batteries, fuel cells, and other energy storage systems. Here, we report a series of a novel class of redox-active viologen-based ionic covalent organic networks (vCONs) which are directly used as metal-free bifunctional electrocatalysts towards ORR and OER applications. These vCONs (named vGC, vGAC, vMEL and vBPDP) were synthesized by the well-known Zincke reaction.

Can machine learning models improve early detection of brain metastases using diffusion weighted imaging-based radiomics?

Background: Metastatic complications are a major cause of cancer-related morbidity, with up to 40% of cancer patients experiencing at least one brain metastasis. Earlier detection may significantly improve patient outcomes and overall survival. We investigated machine learning (ML) models for early detection of brain metastases based on diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) radiomics.

Estimated absolute percentage of biopsied tissue positive for Gleason pattern 4 (eAPP4) in low dose rate prostate brachytherapy: Evaluation of prognostic utility in a large cohort.

Purpose: To determine whether a system to estimate Absolute Percentage of Biopsied Tissue Positive for Gleason Pattern 4 (eAPP4) is useful as a prognostication tool for patients with intermediate risk prostate cancer (IR-PCa) undergoing low dose rate prostate brachytherapy.

Methods: 497 patients with IR-PCa and known grade group 2 or 3 disease treated with low dose rate seed brachytherapy (LDR-BT) at a quaternary cancer centre were retrospectively reviewed. Prostate biopsies for each patient included Gleason grading with synoptic reporting that did not include percentage of pattern 4 disease found within the sample.

A phase III, multicenter, randomized controlled trial of preoperative versus postoperative stereotactic radiosurgery for patients with surgically resectable brain metastases.

Background: Postoperative stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a standard management option for patients with resected brain metastases. Preoperative SRS may have certain advantages compared to postoperative SRS, including less uncertainty in delineation of the intact tumor compared to the postoperative resection cavity, reduced rate of leptomeningeal dissemination postoperatively, and a lower risk of radiation necrosis. The recently published ASCO-SNO-ASTRO consensus statement provides no recommendation for the preferred sequencing of radiotherapy and surgery for patients receiving both treatments for their brain metastases.

Leishmania donovani infection induce Extracellular signal-regulated kinase ½ (ERK½) mediated lipid droplet generation in macrophages.

Recently unfolded mechanisms showed lipid droplet helps in pathogen survival and paralyzes host immune response. In the present study, we showed the extent of lipid droplet(LD) generation in Leishmania donovani infection, the signaling involved, and their function concerning pathogenicity. RAW 264.

Doping controlled Fano resonance in bilayer 1T'-ReS: Raman experiments and first-principles theoretical analysis.

In the bilayer ReS2 channel of a field-effect transistor (FET), we demonstrate using Raman spectroscopy that electron doping (n) results in softening of frequency and broadening of linewidth for the in-plane vibrational modes, leaving the out-of-plane vibrational modes unaffected. The largest change is observed for the in-plane Raman mode at ∼151 cm-1, which also shows doping induced Fano resonance with the Fano parameter 1/q = -0.17 at a doping concentration of ∼3.

Symmetry induced phonon renormalization in few layers of 2H-MoTe transistors: Raman and first-principles studies.

Understanding of electron-phonon coupling (EPC) in two-dimensional (2D) materials manifesting as phonon renormalization is essential to their possible applications in nanoelectronics. Here we report in situ Raman measurements of electrochemically top-gated 2, 3 and 7 layered 2H-MoTe channel based field-effect transistors. While the [Formula: see text] and B phonon modes exhibit frequency softening and linewidth broadening with hole doping concentration (p) up to ∼2.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor inhibition as a novel therapeutic approach against triple-negative breast cancer.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), defined as loss of estrogen, progesterone, and Her2 receptors, is a subtype of highly aggressive breast cancer with worse prognosis and poor survival rate. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a pleiotropic pro-inflammatory cytokine aberrantly expressed in many solid tumors and known to promote tumor progression and metastasis. However, its role in TNBC progression and metastasis is unexplored.

Thickness dependent transition from the 1T' to Weyl semimetal phase in ultrathin MoTe: electrical transport, noise and Raman studies.

Bulk 1T'-MoTe shows a structural phase transition from the 1T' to Weyl semimetallic (WSM) T phase at ∼240 K. This phase transition and transport properties in the two phases have not been investigated on ultra-thin crystals. Here we report electrical transport, 1/f noise and Raman studies on ultra-thin 1T'-MoTe (∼5 to 16 nm thick) field-effect transistor (FETs) devices as a function of temperature.

Cannabinoid Signaling in Cancer.

The family of chemical structures that interact with a cannabinoid receptor are broadly termed cannabinoids. Traditionally known for their psychotropic effects and their use as palliative medicine in cancer, cannabinoids are very versatile and are known to interact with several orphan receptors besides cannabinoid receptors (CBR) in the body. Recent studies have shown that several key pathways involved in cell growth, differentiation and, even metabolism and apoptosis crosstalk with cannabinoid signaling.

Inhibition of TGF-β induced lipid droplets switches M2 macrophages to M1 phenotype.

Lipid droplets (LD) are newly characterized dynamic cytoplasmic organelle which is the storehouse of different immunosuppressive cytokines and enzymes like cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase. Tumors are known to modulate the immune system by immune-editing the microenvironment. Immuno-editing comprises of three steps namely cancer immune-surveillance, tumor dormancy and finally escape leading to tumor development.

Clustering, Spatial Distribution, and Phosphorylation of Discoidin Domain Receptors 1 and 2 in Response to Soluble Collagen I.

Discoidin domain receptors (DDR1 and DDR2) are receptor tyrosine kinases that signal in response to collagen. We had previously shown that collagen binding leads to clustering of DDR1b, a process partly mediated by its extracellular domain (ECD). In this study, we investigated (i) the impact of the oligomeric state of DDR2 ECD on collagen binding and fibrillogenesis, (ii) the effect of collagen binding on DDR2 clustering, and (iii) the spatial distribution and phosphorylation status of DDR1b and DDR2 after collagen stimulation.

Bromelain with peroxidase from pineapple are more potent to target leukemia growth inhibition - A comparison with only bromelain.

The natural anti-cancer agent bromelain is found to be beneficial for either single or multi-targeted therapy in gastric and skin carcinoma, by inhibiting cancer cell growth. Importantly, the presence of peroxidase enhances its biological efficiency. We have now evaluated a panel of cancer cell lines with bromelain in presence or absence of peroxidase to identify that the combination has higher apoptosis inducing potential in all those cell lines.

Antimalarial drugs trigger lysosome-mediated cell death in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells.

Lysosomes are the most acidic vesicles within mammalian cells and are promising targets for the treatment of breast cancer, glioblastomas and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Our previous studies have shown that chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells are also sensitive to lysosome disruption and cell death, by siramesine or chemotherapy. In the present study, we screened the antimalarial drugs, mefloquine, atovaquone, primaquine, and tafenoquine, for their effects on lysosome disruption and cytotoxicity in primary CLL cells.

Edible leaf extract of Ipomoea aquatica Forssk. (Convolvulaceae) attenuates doxorubicin-induced liver injury via inhibiting oxidative impairment, MAPK activation and intrinsic pathway of apoptosis.

Ipomoea aquatica Forssk. (Convolvulaceae) is an aquatic vegetable traditionally employed against toxic effects of xenobiotics. The present study has been designed to investigate the molecular mechanism underlying the beneficial role of the edible (aqueous) leaf extract of I.

Para-Phenylenediamine Induces Apoptotic Death of Melanoma Cells and Reduces Melanoma Tumour Growth in Mice.

Melanoma is one of the most aggressive forms of cancer, usually resistant to standard chemotherapeutics. Despite a huge number of clinical trials, any success to find a chemotherapeutic agent that can effectively destroy melanoma is yet to be achieved. Para-phenylenediamine (p-PD) in the hair dyes is reported to purely serve as an external dyeing agent.

Heat Killed Attenuated Leishmania Induces Apoptosis of HepG2 Cells Through ROS Mediated p53 Dependent Mitochondrial Pathway.

Background/aims: Cytotoxic effect of attenuated Leishmania on liver cancer cells by inducing ROS generation.

Methods: Spectrophotometric study to analyze cell death and levels of different active caspases. Flow cytometric study was done to analyze apoptosis induction and ROS generation and levels of different protein.

Attenuated Leishmania induce pro-inflammatory mediators and influence leishmanicidal activity by p38 MAPK dependent phagosome maturation in Leishmania donovani co-infected macrophages.

Promastigote form of Leishmania, an intracellular pathogen, delays phagosome maturation and resides inside macrophages. But till date limited study has been done to manipulate the phagosomal machinery of macrophages to restrict Leishmania growth. Attenuated Leishmania strain exposed RAW 264.

Enhanced protective activity of nano formulated andrographolide against arsenic induced liver damage.

Chronic exposure to arsenic over a period of time induces toxicity, primarily in liver but gradually in all systems of the body. Andrographolide (AG), a major diterpene lactone of Andrographis paniculata, shows a wide array of physiological functions including hepatoprotection. Therapeutic applications of AG are however seriously constrained because of its insolubility, poor bioavailability, and short plasma half-life.

Starch based biodegradable graft copolymer for the preparation of silver nanoparticles.

The synthesis and characterization of a novel biodegradable graft copolymer based on partially hydrolyzed polymethylacrylate (PMA) grafted amylopectin (AP) was reported which was developed for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles from silver nitrate solution by facile green technique. The prepared graft copolymer was biodegradable which was shown by fungal growth. Characterization of silver nanoparticles was carried out by UV-VIS spectroscopy (417nm), HR-TEM, SAED and FESEM analysis.

Antineoplastic impact of leishmanial sphingolipid in tumour growth with regulation of angiogenic event and inflammatory response.

Very often conventional therapy, i.e. chemotherapeutic treatment, develops resistance in cancer cells and fails to be effective against disease states.

A molecular dynamics study of model SI clathrate hydrates: the effect of guest size and guest-water interaction on decomposition kinetics.

One of the options suggested for methane recovery from natural gas hydrates is molecular replacement of methane by suitable guests like CO2 and N2. This approach has been found to be feasible through many experimental and molecular dynamics simulation studies. However, the long term stability of the resultant hydrate needs to be evaluated; the decomposition rate of these hydrates is expected to depend on the interaction between these guest and water molecules.