Capturing Conformational Transitions of Fluorescently-Coupled Polyelectrolyte Brushes with High Spatiotemporal Resolution.

Polyelectrolyte brushes (PEBs) undergo conformational transitions due to changes in pH and/or ionic strength, which is leveraged as smart surfaces and on-demand drug-release systems. However, probing conformational transitions of functional PEBs has remained challenging due to low spatiotemporal resolution of characterization methods. Herein, fluorescently-coupled PEBs are devised that give rise to Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) intrinsically coupled to conformational transitions of chains.

Emerging Trends in Neuroblastoma Diagnosis, Therapeutics, and Research.

This review explores the current understanding and recent advancements in neuroblastoma, one of the most common extracranial solid pediatric cancers, accounting for ~ 15% of childhood cancer-related mortality. The hallmarks of NBL, including angiogenesis, metastasis, apoptosis resistance, cell cycle dysregulation, drug resistance, and responses to hypoxia and ROS, underscore its complex biology. The tumor microenvironment's significance in disease progression is acknowledged in this study, along with the pivotal role of cancer stem cells in sustaining tumor growth and heterogeneity.

Perceptions of healthcare workers on implementing the 2022 WHO verbal autopsy instrument in rural India through the existing public health system.

Background: Cause-of-death (CoD) information is crucial for health policy formulation, planning, and program implementation. Verbal Autopsy (VA) is an approach employed for the collection and analysis of CoD estimates at the population level where medical certification of cause of death is low and, secondly, for integrating it with the existing public health system by utilizing the grassroots level workforce.

Objective: The study aims to understand the field perspectives on implementing the 2022 WHO VA instrument in rural India through the existing public health system.

Guarding Drinking Water Safety against Harmful Algal Blooms: Could UV/Cl Treatment Be the Answer?

Frequent and severe occurrences of harmful algal blooms increasingly threaten human health by the release of microcystins (MCs). Urgent attention is directed toward managing MCs, as evidenced by rising HAB-related do not drink/do not boil advisories due to unsafe MC levels in drinking water. UV/chlorine treatment, in which UV light is applied simultaneously with chlorine, showed early promise for effectively degrading MC-LR to values below the World Health Organization's guideline limits.

Understanding Efficacy of Using ACEIs and ARBs in Chronotherapeutic Treatment of Hypertension: Which Drug When?

Hypertension, a prevalent global health issue, poses significant risks for morbidity and mortality. The interplay between hypertension and comorbidities like diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD) underscores the urgency for effective management strategies. Chronotherapy, aligning medication administration with circadian rhythms, emerges as a promising approach to optimize treatment outcomes.

Influence of head and neck cancer exosomes on macrophage polarization.

Background: Tumor cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME) release exosomes that influence macrophage phenotypes, either pro-tumorigenic or anti-tumorigenic. This mechanism, especially in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), remains poorly understood. This study investigates the role of HNSCC exosomes in macrophage polarization.

Effect of Music Therapy on Anxiety, Stress and Sedative Requirements in Patients Undergoing Lower Limb Orthopedic Surgery Under Spinal Anesthesia: A Randomized Controlled Study.

Background Music therapy is a safe, non-pharmacological way to help reduce anxiety, especially before surgery. It helps to calm the nervous system, promotes relaxation, and offers comfort by blocking outside noise and distracting from pain. This can be helpful in managing preoperative anxiety and symptoms like hypertension and tachycardia.

Repurposing of Empagliflozin as Cardioprotective Drug: An Approach.

Background: Drug repurposing involves investigating new indications or uses for drugs that have already been approved for clinical use. Empagliflozin is a C-glycosyl compound characterized by the presence of a beta-glucosyl residue. It functions as a sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor and is utilized to enhance glycemic control in adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Cutaneous Wound-Healing Activity of Quercetin-Functionalized Bimetallic Nanoparticles.

Quercetin, a natural flavonol, is reported to have significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, which further aids in its good wound-healing properties via acting on acute as well as chronic inflammatory phases. The current study is focused on understanding the potential of the green-synthesized iron and zinc oxide bimetallic (i.e.

Correction: Psychological distress and burnout among healthcare worker during COVID-19 pandemic in India-A cross-sectional study.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Spin-Selective Charge Transfer-SERS Driven Label-Free Enantioselective Discrimination of Chiral Molecules on Ag Nanoparticle-Decorated Ni Nanorod Arrays.

Enantioselective discrimination is critical in several fields, particularly in pharmaceutics and clinical drug research. Chiral molecules possess unique charge transfer properties, showing an enantioselective preference for electron spin orientation when interacting with the magnetic surface. Here, we developed spin-selective charge transfer (SSCT)-based label-free surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) achiral magnetic substrates for the enantioselective discrimination of chiral molecules without creating asymmetric chiral adsorption sites.

Mobile Health to Improve Efficacy of Interdental Brushing Among Periodontitis Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Aim: Compliance with plaque control measures in open interdental spaces, an essential element in management of periodontitis, is reported to be poor. Mobile health (mHealth) approach is an effective approach for behavior change. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of mHealth in improving plaque control in type 2 embrasures.

Association of Self-reported Depressed Mood and Alcohol or Tobacco Use Among Older Adults in India: A Study Based on Longitudinal Aging Study India Wave-1.

Background: Little information exists about the association between alcohol and tobacco use and self-reported depressed mood, such as feeling sad, blue, or depressed days (SBDD), among older adults in India.

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the association between alcohol and tobacco use and self-reported depressed mood with SBDD among older adults in India.

Methods: This study uses the Longitudinal Aging Study India (LASI) Wave 1 dataset of 10,487 respondents identified with self-reported mood disorders with SBDD.

Utility of Tau PET in the diagnostic work up of neurodegenerative dementia among Indian patients.

Background And Objectives: Tau PET is being increasingly appraised as a novel diagnostic modality for dementia work up. Given limited data among South Asians, we assessed the frequency, patterns, phenotypic associations and incremental value of positive Tau PET scans in clinically diagnosed neurodegenerative dementia.

Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited consecutive patients of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and non-AD syndromes (September 2021 to October 2022, India).

Enantioselective synthesis of α-(3-pyrrolyl)methanamines with an aza-tetrasubstituted center under metal-free conditions.

Construction of a chiral methanamine unit at the C3 position of pyrrole is highly desirable; nevertheless, it remains challenging due to its intrinsic electronic properties. Herein, we present an operationally straightforward and direct asymmetric approach for accessing α-(3-pyrrolyl)methanamines under benign organocatalytic conditions for the first time. The one-pot transformation proceeds smoothly through an amine-catalyzed direct Mannich reaction of succinaldehyde with various -cyclic imines, followed by a Paal-Knorr cyclization with a primary amine.

Modelling of constant and realistic chronic intake scenarios and their implications.

Chronic inhalation intake of radionuclides is possible for radiation workers in the nuclear industry. The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) provides organ retention fractions as well as daily urinary and fecal excretion for chronic intake of various radionuclides. In this study, organ retention fractions and daily urinary excretion for chronic intake were estimated for constant chronic intake (CCI) and realistic chronic intake (RCI) scenarios.

Chitosan-Based Nanoformulations: Preclinical Investigations, Theranostic Advancements, and Clinical Trial Prospects for Targeting Diverse Pathologies.

Chitosan, a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer, has attracted significant interest in the development of nanoformulations for targeted drug delivery and therapeutic applications. The versatility of chitosan lies in its modifiable functional groups, which can be tailored to diverse applications. Nanoparticles derived from chitosan and its derivatives typically exhibit a positive surface charge and mucoadhesive properties, enabling them to adhere to negatively charged biological membranes and gradually release therapeutic agents.

Assessment of natural radioactivity in the Higher and Tethys Himalayan Rocks along Manali-Leh Highway, India.

The Higher and Tethys Himalayan region of NW-Himalaya is less explored from the natural radioactivity mapping assessment, though geologically and tectonically, this region is still active. The concentration of primordial radionuclides (Ra, Th, and  K) in rock samples of the Manali-Leh Highway region of the Himalayas is determined in the present study using the HPGe detector. The radiological hazard parameters are also estimated in terms of radium equivalent activity (Ra), annual effective dose (E and E), hazard indices (H, H, H, and H), and gamma absorbed dose rate.

Surviving the storm: Wave-wise comparison of the pandemic's impact on mental health dynamics, sleep patterns, and preventive behaviors among coronavirus patients in Northern India.

Background: Different clinical manifestations were revealed by the distinct waves of the coronavirus. The pandemic had a multifaceted impact on mental health, sleep patterns, and associated fear.

Materials And Methods: It was an observational online survey using by using Google Forms in the city of Chandigarh between April 2020 and April 2021 across three waves of the coronavirus outbreak (first wave from March 2020 to May 2020, second wave from June 2020 to January 2021, and third wave from February 2021 to April 2021).

Semisynthetic phytochemicals in cancer treatment: a medicinal chemistry perspective.

Cancer is the uncontrolled proliferation of abnormal cells that invade other areas, spread to other organs, and cause metastases, which is the most common cause of death. A review of all FDA-approved new molecular entities (NMEs) shows that natural products and derivatives account for over one-third of all NMEs. Before 1940, unmodified products and derivatives accounted for 43% and 14% of NME registrations, respectively.