Publications by authors named "Surasree Rakshit"

The euglenatides are a family of hybrid polyketide-nonribosomal peptides produced by the unicellular algae Euglena gracilis. These compounds have antiproliferative activity against fungal pathogens and mammalian cancer cell lines. Analysis of E.

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We investigate the aging transition in networks of excitable and self-oscillatory units as the fraction of inherently excitable units increases. Two network topologies are considered: a scale-free network with weighted pairwise interactions and a two-dimensional simplicial complex with weighted scale-free pairwise and triadic interactions. Without triadic interactions, the aging transition from collective oscillations to oscillation death (inhomogeneous stationary states) can occur either suddenly or through an intermediate state of partial oscillation.

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Recent experimental realizations of bilayer boron materials motivated us to study the structure and properties of α-sheet-based bilayer borophenes with interlayer covalent bonds. As shown here, at least three stacking variations are possible: AA, AB, and [Formula: see text]. The on-top AA-stacking has been obtained experimentally supported on a metallic substrate.

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Peptidyl prolyl cis/trans isomerases (PPIases), a ubiquitously distributed superfamily of enzymes, associated with signal transduction, trafficking, assembly, biofilm formation, stress tolerance, cell cycle regulation, gene expression and tissue regeneration, is a key regulator of metabolic disorders and microbial virulence. This review assumes an integrative approach, to provide a holistic overview of the structural and functional diversity of PPIases, examining their conformational dynamics, cellular distribution, and physiological significance. We explore their intricate involvement in cellular processes and virulence modulation in both eukaryotic and prokaryotic systems.

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The synthesis of (iso)quinoline-indole hybrids by reacting (iso)quinoline -oxides with -alkynylanilines in the presence of a combination of copper(II) catalyst and a bidentate 2,2'-bipyridine ligand is described. The utility of this method was demonstrated through site-selective functionalization of the synthesized products. A plausible reaction pathway for site-selective amination followed by annulative indole formation was elucidated by a series of mechanistic investigations.

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Enteric fever is one of the important causes of tropical fever with a prevalence of 11-21 million cases worldwide annually. It encompasses both typhoid and paratyphoid fever. Typhi is the causative organism for typhoid fever, manifesting as an uncomplicated febrile illness to life-threatening sepsis with multiorgan dysfunction.

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is an intestinal nematode. It is widely distributed in the tropics and sub-tropics of the world. It can cause a wide array of illnesses ranging from asymptomatic autoinfection to a severe form of hyperinfection and disseminated strongyloidiasis.

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Article Synopsis
  • Trained immunity enhances innate immune responses through cellular reprogramming, differing from adaptive immunity, which relies on memory T and B cells for long-term pathogen-specific responses.
  • While there's evidence supporting the concept of trained immunity and its role in personalized medicine, significant gaps remain in understanding the mechanisms and identifying specific microbial triggers.
  • The review discusses infection-induced pathways in macrophages and natural killer cells, examines the biochemical basis of trained immunity, and reflects on its therapeutic potential, risks, and future research challenges.
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The rate of spontaneous action potentials (APs) generated by sinoatrial node cells (SANC) is regulated by local Ca release (LCR) from the sarcoplasmic reticulum via Ca release channels (ryanodine receptors, RyRs). LCR events propagate and self-organize within the network of RyR clusters (Ca release units, CRUs) via Ca-induced-Ca-release (CICR) that depends on CRU sizes and locations: While larger CRUs generate stronger release signals, the network's topology governs signal diffusion and propagation. This study used super-resolution structured illumination microscopy to image the 3D network of CRUs in rabbit SANC.

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Tailoring the aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristics of well-defined metal nanoclusters (MNCs) is highly sought after for numerous practical applications. Studies have primarily focused on assembling AIE-type MNCs using monomorphic molecules. Achieving polymorphic assemblies, with different molecular arrangements could provide valuable insights into the role of external molecular matrices on the photoluminescence (PL) behaviour of these NCs.

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Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess fine motor skills and reading proficiency in adults with amblyopia and/or strabismus, and to determine how these relate to clinical measures of vision and self-reported vision-related quality of life.

Methods: Fine motor skills (Manual dexterity - Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency [BOT-2]) and reading performance (International Reading Speed Texts [IReST]) were assessed in 23 adults with non-strabismic amblyopia, 20 with non-amblyopic strabismus, 52 with both amblyopia and strabismus, and 19 with normal visual development. Visual acuity and binocular function score (BFS), obtained from stereoacuity and presence/absence of suppression, were also determined.

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Article Synopsis
  • * The study introduces a new photocatalyst design using in situ dopamine polymerization to create gold superclusters (AuSCs) that enhance hydrogen generation by minimizing electron recombination.
  • * The resulting AuSCs@PDA structure outperforms others with the highest hydrogen evolution rate of 3.20 mmol g h, demonstrating significant improvements in photocurrent density, stability, and charge transfer efficiency.
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The study aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of a chitosan-coated fisetin nanoformulation in an experimental Alzheimer's disease (AD) model, focusing on improving fisetin's pharmacokinetics and exploring its impact on both brain and colon pathology. AD was induced in mice by intracerebroventricular administration of Aβ. Mice were treated with either fisetin or a fisetin nanoformulation (5 mg/kg/day, orally) for 21 days.

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The circadian clock plays a vital role in modulating the cellular immune response. However, its role in mediating pro-inflammatory diabetogenic β cell injury remains largely unexplored. Our studies demonstrate that the exposure of β cells to IL-1β-mediated inflammation alters genome-wide DNA binding of core circadian transcription factors BMAL1:CLOCK enriched for genomic sites important for cellular response to inflammation.

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Objective: The primary cause of memory loss is Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recent studies have shown that natural compounds like apple cider vinegar (ACV) have anti-Alzheimer's capabilities. Essential components of ACV, such as gallic acid and chlorogenic acid, may be in charge of the drug's pharmacological effects.

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Engineered nanoparticles (NPs) are extensively used in the food industry, yet safety concerns remain. The lack of validated methodologies is a bottleneck towards resolving this uncertainty. Hence, the current study aims to compare two cell models by examining the toxicological impacts of two food-relevant NPs (SiO and Ag) on intestinal epithelia using monolayer Caco-2 cells and full-thickness 3D tissue models of human small intestines (EpiIntestinal™).

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Phase separation within cellular membranes, a critical process underpinning diverse cellular functions, is significantly influenced by transmembrane proteins. Therefore, elucidating the behavior of a transmembrane protein in its phase-separated state is of utmost importance. Our study explores mucin behavior in the cellular milieu, aiming to determine the role of crowder chain length and excluded volume in phase separation.

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Article Synopsis
  • A series of 7-(trifluoromethyl)indolizine derivatives (4a-4n) were synthesized through a specific reaction, and their structures were analyzed using various spectroscopic methods.
  • These compounds were tested for their effectiveness against Anopheles arabiensis larvae, with four compounds showing particularly high mortality rates, indicating potential as larvicides.
  • Additionally, the analysis of how these compounds work revealed that certain chemical substitutions enhance their effectiveness, particularly targeting a key protein involved in mosquito development, making 4a and 4b promising candidates for controlling mosquito populations.
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Bacterial infections impede wound healing and pose significant challenges in clinical care. There is an immediate need for safe and targeted antivirulence agents to fight bacterial infections effectively. In this regard, bioderived nanovesicles have shown significant promise.

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Introduction: Carbon dots (CDs), by virtue of their electrical and optical properties, emit intense light and fluorescence. They have attributes like photostability, high quantum yield (QY), high emission, and scalability. In the recent past, theranostic-CDs have been widely used in sensing, imaging, and medication administration.

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Sulfur dots (S-QDs) hold promise as a new category of metal-free, luminescent nanomaterials, yet their practical application faces challenges primarily due to a limited understanding of their structure and its impact on their optical properties. Herein, by employing a spectrum of aliphatic and aromatic ligands, we identify the surface structure and composition of S-QDs while delineating the pivotal role of ligands in inducing photoluminescence. Thiol-functionalized ligands, such as 4-mercapto benzoic acid and glutathione, notably promote the formation of both green and blue luminescent S-QDs, boosting a high quantum yield of up to 56%.

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Stimuli-responsive hydrogels (HGs) have shown promise for smart drug delivery applications. Specifically, glucose-responsive HGs having phenylboronic acid (PBA) functional groups are extensively pursued for insulin delivery in hyperglycemia. Current polymeric glucose-responsive HGs are cumbersome to fabricate and show a limited insulin release profile.

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Article Synopsis
  • The text discusses the historical significance and modern scientific applications of coinage metals (CMNMs), emphasizing their monetary, ornamental, and metallurgical importance.
  • It reviews the characteristics of CMNMs, including their visual, electrical, chemical, and catalytic properties, which are influenced by their size and shape.
  • The review highlights various synthesis techniques, including green and sustainable methods, while exploring the promising applications of CMNMs in fields like antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer uses.
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Introduction: The emergence of disinfectant resistance has become a severe threat due to reduced effectiveness. This study was undertaken to determine how bacteria adapt to survive exposure to disinfectants in the busiest section of a tertiary care hospital in Varanasi, India.

Methods: Four isolates (two , Kp1 and Kp2; two , Pa1 and Pa2) were obtained from chlorhexidine (CHX)-based handwash during microbiological surveillance of "in-use disinfectants" in hospital.

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is a global priority respiratory pathogen that kills over a million people annually. The pore-forming cytotoxin, pneumolysin (PLY) is a major virulence factor. Here, we found that recombinant PLY as well as wild-type pneumococcal strains, but not the isogenic PLY mutant, upregulated the shedding of extracellular vesicles (EVs) harboring membrane-bound toxin from human THP-1 monocytes.

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