Anti-hyperlipidemic potential of natural product based labdane-pyrroles via inhibition of cholesterol and triglycerides synthesis.

Hyperlipidemia is the clinical condition where blood has an increased level of lipids, such as cholesterol and triglycerides. Therefore controlling hyperlipidemia is considered to be a protective strategy to treat many associated diseases. Thus, a novel natural product derived pyrrole, and pyrazole-(E)-Labda-8(17),12-diene-15,16-dial conjugates with cholesterol and triglycerides synthesis inhibition potential was designed through scaffold hopping approach and synthesized via one-pot selective cycloaddition.

Ligand-Controlled Electrochromic Diversification with Multilayer Coated Metallosupramolecular Polymer Assemblies.

Designing surface-confined molecular systems capable of expressing changes in functional properties as a result of slight variations in chemical structure under the influence of an external stimulus is of contemporary interest. In this context, we have designed three tetraterpyridine ligands with variations in their core architecture (phenyl vs tetraphenylethynyl vs bithiophene) to create spray-coated electrochromic assemblies of iron(II)-based metallosupramolecular polymer network films on transparent conducting oxide substrates. These assemblies exhibited molecular permeability and spectroelectrochemical properties that are in turn dictated by the ligand structure.

Design of novel enzyme biocatalysts for industrial bioprocess: Harnessing the power of protein engineering, high throughput screening and synthetic biology.

Biocatalysts have wider applications in various industries. Biocatalysts are generating bigger attention among researchers due to their unique catalytic properties like activity, specificity and stability. However the industrial use of many enzymes is hindered by low catalytic efficiency and stability during industrial processes.

Raman Imaging: An Impending Approach Towards Cancer Diagnosis.

In accordance with the recent studies, Raman spectroscopy is well experimented as a highly sensitive analytical and imaging technique in biomedical research, mainly for various disease diagnosis including cancer. In comparison with other imaging modalities, Raman spectroscopy facilitate numerous assistances owing to its low background signal, immense spatial resolution, high chemical specificity, multiplexing capability, excellent photo stability and non-invasive detection capability. In cancer diagnosis Raman imaging intervened as a promising investigative tool to provide molecular level information to differentiate the cancerous vs non-cancerous cells, tissues and even in body fluids.

Development of an eco-friendly biodegradable plastic from jack fruit peel cellulose with different plasticizers and Boswellia serrata as filler.

Pure nanocellulose was extracted from agricultural waste material namely jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) peel through acid hydrolysis. The extraction method utilizes soapnut solution as an eco-friendly bleaching agent in order to avoid environment polluting chlorinated chemicals. Various thin films were prepared by solvent casting nanocellulose and different plasticizers namely glycerol, polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, triethyl citrate along with novel filler, Boswellia serrata commonly known as frankincense.

Tweaking a BODIPY Spherical Self-Assembly to 2D Supramolecular Polymers Facilitates Excited-State Cascade Energy Transfer.

Excited state properties such as emission, exciton transport, electron transfer, etc., are strongly dependent on the shape, size and molecular arrangement of chromophore based supramolecular architectures. Herein, we demonstrate creation and control of distinct supramolecular energy landscapes for the reversible control of the excited-state emission processes through cascade energy transfer in chromophore assemblies, facilitated by an unprecedented solvent effect.

Exosomes and exosomal RNAs in breast cancer: A status update.

Improved treatment of breast cancer, the world's second most common cancer, requires identification of new sensitive prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers. Exosomes are lipid-bilayer extracellular vesicles of size 30-150 nm, released by all cell types, including breast cancer cells. Cellular communication is the primary function attributed to them.

Recent advances in microbial biosynthesis of C3 - C5 diols: Genetics and process engineering approaches.

Diols derived from renewable feedstocks have significant commercial interest in polymer, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, flavors and fragrances, food and feed industries. In C3-C5 diols biological processes of 1,3-propanediol, 1,2-propanediol and 2,3-butanediol have been commercialized as other isomers are non-natural metabolites and lack natural biosynthetic pathways. However, the developments in the field of systems and synthetic biology paved a new path to learn, build, construct, and test for efficient chassis strains.

A single benzene fluorescent probe for efficient formaldehyde sensing in living cells using glutathione as an amplifier.

Formaldehyde (FA), a simple reactive carbonyl molecule, is endogenously produced in the cell at various physiological condition. At elevated level, FA causes severe cell toxicity as well as damage in macromolecules such proteins and DNA. For detecting FA in living cell, we identify a small but effective fluorescent turn on probe comprising single benzene-based orothophenylenediamine compound.

Highly selective chemosensor for reactive carbonyl species based on simple 1,8-diaminonaphthalene.

Reactive carbonyl species (RCSs) including one carbon formaldehyde (FA) and dicarbonyl compounds such as methylglyoxal (MGO) and glyoxal (GO) are produced during demethylase reactions and various glucose metabolic pathways respectively. Elevation of the RCSs concentrations in cells is due to abnormal DNA damage, glycation adducts with macromolecules that lead to various neurotoxic diseases. Hence, regular monitoring of these RCSs with an easy tool is of utmost interest.

Advanced glycation end-products (AGE) trapping agents: Design and synthesis of nature inspired indeno[2,1-c]pyridinones.

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are implicated to be the key players in most of the diabetic complications. The AGE's interfere with the proteins heterogeneously, thereby rendering denaturation and the consequent loss of function and accumulation. Thus, a novel natural product inspired indeno[2,1-c]pyridinone (4a-4ad) molecular templates with AGE's trapping potential was designed through scaffold hopping approach and synthesized via facile two-step synthetic route.

Regulating Back Electron Transfer through Donor and π-Spacer Alterations in Benzothieno[3,2-b]indole-based Dye-sensitized Solar Cells.

Three metal-free organic D-π-A dyes with benzothieno[3,2-b]indole as electron donor, cyanoacrylic acid as both electron acceptor and anchoring group with benzene (BID-1), thiophene (BID-2) and furan (BID-3) as π-spacers were designed and synthesized for application in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). A planar and electron-rich heterocycle such as benzothieno[3,2-b]indole offers better backbone rigidity and improves charge transport properties in comparison to indolo[3,2-b]indole donor, previously reported from our group. Additionally, we synthesized a benzothieno[3,2-b]indole donor grafted with longer alkyl chains which efficiently prevented the approach of oxidized species in the electrolyte coming closer to semiconductor thereby arresting recombination.

Silicon Shadow Mask Technology for Aligning and Sorting of Semiconducting SWNTs for Sensitivity Enhancement: A Case Study of NO Gas Sensor.

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are incorporated in different device configurations such as chemiresistors and field-effect transistors (FETs) as a sensing element for the fabrication of highly sensitive and specific biochemical sensors. For this purpose, sorting and aligning of semiconducting SWNTs between the electrodes is advantageous. In this work, a silicon shadow mask fabricated using conventional semiconductor processes and silicon bulk micromachining was used to make metal contacts over SWNTs with a minimum feature of 1 μm gap between the electrodes.

Targeted Theranostic Nano Vehicle Endorsed with Self-Destruction and Immunostimulatory Features to Circumvent Drug Resistance and Wipe-Out Tumor Reinitiating Cancer Stem Cells.

The downsides of conventional cancer monotherapies are profound and enormously consequential, as drug-resistant cancer cells and cancer stem cells (CSC) are typically not eliminated. Here, a targeted theranostic nano vehicle (TTNV) is designed using manganese-doped mesoporous silica nanoparticle with an ideal surface area and pore volume for co-loading an optimized ratio of antineoplastic doxorubicin and a drug efflux inhibitor tariquidar. This strategically framed TTNV is chemically conjugated with folic acid and hyaluronic acid as a dual-targeting entity to promote folate receptor (FR) mediated cancer cells and CD44 mediated CSC uptake, respectively.

Studying glauconite of the bakchar deposit (Western Siberia) as a prospective sorbent for heavy metals.

Glauconite is one of natural clay minerals that are low-cost and readily available. Its specific characters, including potassium cations activity, layered structure and absorption capacity, explain the comprehensive interest to this mineral. It is especially prospective in regard of water treatment.

Mechanical-Bending-Induced Fluorescence Enhancement in Plastically Flexible Crystals of a GFP Chromophore Analogue.

Single crystals of optoelectronic materials that respond to external stimuli, such as mechanical, light, or heat, are immensely attractive for next generation smart materials. Here we report single crystals of a green fluorescent protein (GFP) chromophore analogue with irreversible mechanical bending and associated unusual enhancement of the fluorescence, which is attributed to the strained molecular packing in the perturbed region. Soft crystalline materials with such fluorescence intensity modulations occurring in response to mechanical stimuli under ambient pressure conditions will have potential implications for the design of technologically relevant tunable fluorescent materials.

Semi-synthetic diversification of coronarin D, a labdane diterpene, under Ugi reaction conditions.

The prevalence of 5-hydroxydihydrofuran-2(3)-one moiety in natural products is exploited for the first time using coronarin D, a labdane diterpene, to afford Ugi reaction product and interrupted Ugi product . The potential of the Ugi reaction was further extended to l-phenylalanine, 2-aminopyridine, and d-glucosamine, which afforded Ugi reaction products , , and , respectively. Cytotoxicity studies in RAW cells reveal that compounds and were non-toxic up to 50 µM, and these compounds were able to reduce the LPS stimulated NO production in RAW cells in par with the standard anti-inflammatory drug dexamethasone.

Valorization of food and kitchen waste: An integrated strategy adopted for the production of poly-3-hydroxybutyrate, bioethanol, pectinase and 2, 3-butanediol.

The present investigation gives an insight on the potential of food and kitchen waste as a suitable feed stock for the production of biopolymer, biofuels, enzymes and chemicals. Media engineering improved poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) production from 0.91 g/L to 5.

Dienaminodioate based multicomponent reactions with post-benzylic oxidative transformations mediated by DDQ.

Multicomponent reactions (MCRs) using dienaminodioate with post-benzylic oxidative transformation mediated by DDQ that afforded a diverse array of products are described. An unprecedented rearrangement of 1,2-dihydropyridines (1,2-DHPs), 3CR products, to 2-pyridones in good yields with a broad substrate scope by DDQ-mediated benzylic oxidation via a pyridinium intermediate is reported. Treatment of the pyridinium intermediate with tert-butyl isocyanide afforded isomerized 1,2-DHPs, analogous to Ritter amides.

Helical supramolecular polymers with rationally designed binding sites for chiral guest recognition.

Since various helical supramolecular polymers became available, their application to molecular chirality recognition have been anticipated but not extensively studied. So far, only a few examples of chiral reactions have been reported, but none for chiral separation. Here, we report the application of a helical supramolecular polymer to the enantio-separation of chiral guest molecules.

Heterologous expression of genes for bioconversion of xylose to xylonic acid in Corynebacterium glutamicum and optimization of the bioprocess.

In bacterial system, direct conversion of xylose to xylonic acid is mediated through NAD-dependent xylose dehydrogenase (xylB) and xylonolactonase (xylC) genes. Heterologous expression of these genes from Caulobacter crescentus into recombinant Corynebacterium glutamicum ATCC 13032 and C. glutamicum ATCC 31831 (with an innate pentose transporter, araE) resulted in an efficient bioconversion process to produce xylonic acid from xylose.

Aza-BODIPY nanomicelles as versatile agents for the in vitro and in vivo singlet oxygen-triggered apoptosis of human breast cancer cells.

Herein, we synthesised four aza-BODIPY dyes (1-4) with the singlet oxygen generation quantum yield values of ca. 65-85%. Furthermore, we formulated a nanomedicine by encapsulating these dyes into an amphiphilic micelle, DSPE.

Surface charge modulates the internalization vs. penetration of gold nanoparticles: comprehensive scrutiny on monolayer cancer cells, multicellular spheroids and solid tumors by SERS modality.

Precise control over the dynamics of nanoparticles (NPs) in a tumor microenvironment is highly warranted for the development of an efficient nanotheranostic agent. Even though inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry can provide a quantitative assessment regarding the uptake efficiency of metal NPs, enumeration of deep tissue penetration capacity remains as a challenge. Herein, we have demonstrated an accurate tracking of the uptake efficiency and penetration phenomenon of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs: 40-50 nm) with respect to three different surface charges in monolayer (2D) cells, multicellular spheroids (3D) and in vivo tumors by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS).