Nano-biocatalyst: Bi-functionalization of protease and amylase on copper oxide nanoparticles.

There are reports that co-immobilization of enzymes on solid supports can circumvent the problem of loss of enzyme activity in a soup of enzymes. To understand the mechanistic pattern by which solid support can ensure enzyme stability. Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO Nps) were employed to immobilize protease and amylase.

Physicochemical characterization and self-assembly of human amniotic membrane and umbilical cord collagen: A comparative study.

The diverse application of collagen has created a need to discover renewable and economical sources with prevailing/improved physico-chemical properties. To address this scenario, the present study has extracted collagen from Human Amniotic Membrane (AM) and Umbilical cord, which are treated as medical waste and compared its physico-chemical properties. Collagen was extracted by pepsin solubilization using various salt concentrations (1 M, 2 M and 4 M).

Performance of Force-Field- and Machine Learning-Based Scoring Functions in Ranking MAO-B Protein-Inhibitor Complexes in Relevance to Developing Parkinson's Therapeutics.

Monoamine oxidase B (MAOB) is expressed in the mitochondrial membrane and has a key role in degrading various neurologically active amines such as benzylamine, phenethylamine and dopamine with the help of Flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) cofactor. The Parkinson's disease associated symptoms can be treated using inhibitors of MAO-B as the dopamine degradation can be reduced. Currently, many inhibitors are available having micromolar to nanomolar binding affinities.

Strikingly different molecular organization and molecular order of tetracatenar mesogens in columnar mesophases revealed by XRD and C NMR.

For a successful design of functional mesogens, it is paramount to understand factors that contribute to molecular organisation such as molecular shape, the non-covalent interactions of the constituent moieties as well as nanosegregation of incompatible molecular parts. In this study on four tetracatenar mesogens, we show that by a slight change in the length of the terminal chain, the molecular organization changes from lamellar to columnar phase and that the orientational order experiences profound change between the lamellar, the center rectangular columnar and the hexagonal columnar mesophases. We consider here, mesogens that exhibit lamellar and columnar mesophases with five phenyl rings in the central rod-like core which are subjected to XRD and high resolution solid state C NMR investigations in their mesophases.

NMR investigations on binding and dynamics of imidazolium-based ionic liquids with HEWL.

Molecular level insights on protein-ionic liquid (P-IL) interactions are beneficial for assessing protein stability, binding and dynamics. In the present work, interactions of ILs, namely, 1-butyl 3-methylimidazolium methyl sulfate (IL1), 1-butyl 3-methylimidazolium octyl sulfate (IL2) and 1-butyl 3-methylimidazolium chloride (IL3) with hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL) protein were investigated using solution-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. To ascertain the binding and dynamics from the perspective of both protein and IL, various ligand based NMR approaches such as selective and non-selective nuclear spin-relaxation (R and R), saturation transfer difference (STD), difference of inversion recovery rate with and without target irradiation (DIRECTION), Cl line-shape and spin-relaxation, and protein back bone amide chemical shift perturbations (CSPs) from H-N HSQC were utilized.

Polymeric scaffold of Gallic acid loaded chitosan nanoparticles infused with collagen-fibrin for wound dressing application.

The present study explores the curative efficacy of collagen-fibrin scaffold with Gallic acid loaded Chitosan nanoparticles (GA-CSNPs) in wound healing. GA-CSNPs were synthesized by ionotropic gelation and the incorporation of GA was confirmed with Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy (FTIR). Change in the crystal structure of GA was confirmed by X-ray Powder Diffraction (X-PRD) and Differential Scanning Colorimetry (DSC).

Impact of precipitation disparity on groundwater fluctuation in a semi-arid region (Vellore district) of southern India using geospatial techniques.

In the present study, impact of precipitation disparity on groundwater level fluctuation was carried out in Vellore district, Tamil Nadu, India, using geospatial techniques. There are five rain gauge stations in the study area in which three rain gauge stations, namely Alangayam, Jolarpettai and Pernampet, receive more precipitation when compared with the average annual precipitation of Tamil Nadu state (920 mm). The other two stations, namely Madanur and Natrampalli, receive less than 920 mm of precipitation annually.

Molecular Order of Topologically Variant Flexible Mesogens by C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance.

C nuclear magnetic resonance investigations in the nematic phase of mesogens comprising a rod-like core with three phenyl rings connected to a fourth phenyl ring via a flexible spacer are reported. The molecules are abbreviated as monomer, dimer, and trimer as they comprised one, two, and three pairs of core and spacer combinations linked to ring IV, respectively. Hot-stage optical polarizing microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry studies confirmed that all of them exhibit an enantiotropic nematic phase with additional monotropic or enantiotropic smectic mesophases.

Diosgenin inhibits TGF-β1/Smad signaling and regulates epithelial mesenchymal transition in experimental pulmonary fibrosis.

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a grave disease characterized by abnormal wound healing associated with chronic, progressive, irreversible fatal lung disease, leading to persistent injuries to the alveolar epithelium. A consequent disturbance of fibroblast proliferation and apoptosis results in subsequent release of pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic mediators coupled with accumulation of extracellular matrix within the interstitium. Inexorable distortion of lung alveolar architecture leads to respiratory failure with a median survival rate of 3-5 years.

Inhibitory efficacy of lutein on adipogenesis is associated with blockage of early phase regulators of adipocyte differentiation.

A comprehensive molecular mechanistic role of lutein on adipogenesis is not well understood. The present study focused to evaluate the effect of lutein at the early and late phase of adipocyte differentiation in vitro using a 3T3-L1 cell model. The effect of purified carotenoid on the viability of normal and differentiated 3T3-L1 cells was analyzed by WST-1 assay.

Thermodynamically stable vesicle formation of biodegradable double mPEG-tailed amphiphiles with sulfonate head group.

The development of efficient, biodegradable and biocompatible surfactants has become a pressing need because of adverse effects of surface-active compounds on the aquatic environment and human health. Cleavable surfactants containing a labile functional group have the ability to eliminate some of these problems. Consequently, PEGylated amphiphiles have found widespread applications in pharmaceutics, household purposes, and drug delivery.

Effect of Extremely Low Power Time-Varying Electromagnetic Field on Germination and Other Characteristics in Foxtail Millet (Setaria italica) Seeds.

The ability of extremely low, time-varying electromagnetic field (EMF) to improve germination efficacy was studied in Foxtail millet (Setaria italica) seeds using response surface methodology. An optimal factorial central composite design was chosen to optimize the EMF with three critical factors, viz. frequency, intensity, and duration.

Esterification of Polymeric Carbohydrate Through Congener Cutinase-Like Biocatalyst.

Cutinase-like enzymes (CLEs) are bi-functional hydrolases, which share the conserved catalytic site of lipase and consensus pentapeptide sequence of cutinase. Here, we have genetically replaced the canonical amino acids (CAA) by their non-canonical fluorinated surrogates to biosynthesize a novel class of congener biocatalyst for esterification of polymeric carbohydrate with long-chain fatty acid. It is a new enzyme-engineering approach used to manipulate industrially relevant biocatalyst through genetic incorporation of new functionally encoded non-canonical amino acids (NCAA).

A novel isatin-based probe for ratiometric and selective detection of Hg and Cu ions present in aqueous and environmental samples.

A novel isatin derivative (1) is UV-Visible active and displays about 90 nm bathochromic shift upon interaction with only Hg and Cu, but not with other common metal ions. Also, the colorless probe 1 turns to brick-red and yellow in the presence of Hg and Cu, respectively. Addition of increasing amounts of Hg or Cu to 1 leads to the emergence of a new absorption at ~470 nm (due to LMCT), with a concomitant decrease in the intensity of absorption of 1 at ~380 nm, and thereby provides a ratiometric response.

Improved filtration for dye removal using keratin-polyamide blend nanofibrous membranes.

Dyes from industrial wastewaters represent one of the most hazardous pollutants as they are not effectively biodegradable. The present work is focused to study the novel properties of keratin-polyamide blend nanofibrous filtration membranes for treating wastewaters containing dye. Keratin protein was extracted from goat hair, a tannery waste through sulphitolysis process.

Chromium-catechin complex, synthesis and toxicity check using bacterial models.

Chromium-catechin complex was synthesized by reacting [Cr(HO)] (hexa-aqua) with catechin as a ligand. Toxicity studies were carried out for the complex using bacterial models for safer application of this complex in the future as a drug. Chromium-catechin complex was characterized using ESI Mass spectrometry, electronic spectroscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry.

Insights of structure-based pharmacophore studies and inhibitor design against Gal3 receptor through molecular dynamics simulations.

Our present work studies the structure-based pharmacophore modeling and designing inhibitor against Gal3 receptor through molecular dynamics (MD) simulations extensively. Pharmacophore models play a key role in computer-aided drug discovery like in the case of virtual screening of chemical databases, drug design and lead optimization. Structure-based methods for developing pharmacophore models are important, and there have been a number of studies combining such methods with the use of MD simulations to model protein's flexibility.

Fabrication and characterization of collagen-oxidized pullulan scaffold for biomedical applications.

Pullulan, a naturally occurring polysaccharide was oxidized using sodium periodate and converted into its aldehyde derivative and used as a bio crosslinker for stabilizing collagen. The crosslinking mainly occurred due to Schiff's base reaction between amino group of lysine or hydroxylysine present in collagen with the aldehyde groups of oxidized pullulan. A known concentration of collagen was crosslinked with different concentrations of oxidized pullulan and scaffolds were prepared by freeze drying method.

Detailed studies on microbial adhesion and degradation of polystyrene foam wastes (PSFW) for clean environment.

The present study explores the efficient management of non-degradable polystyrene foam wastes (PSFW) by transforming into a microbial responsive material for an effective biodegradation process. In brief, the study involves three steps, viz., (i) preparation of citrus fruit peel extract from peel wastes; (ii) dissolution of PSFW using the extract and transform to polystyrene sheet (PSS) and characterization of the sheet formed and (iii) finally the microbial adhesion and biofilm formation on PSS.

Coronavirus disease - COVID-19: new perceptives towards epidemic to pandemic.

The sudden outbreak and uncontrolled spread of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has shocked the world to a degree never seen before. Due to the wide spread transmission of the virus, the number of infected cases worldwide has surpassed 16,421,958 and global death toll has spiked up to 6,52,308 from December 2019 to 27 July 2020. The virus has been labelled as a pandemic by the WHO.

Vernodalin induces apoptosis through the activation of ROS/JNK pathway in human colon cancer cells.

Colorectal cancer is one of the most leading death-causing cancers in the world. Vernodalin, a cytotoxic sesquiterpene, has been reported to possess anticancer properties against human breast cancer cells. We aimed to examine the anticancer mechanism of vernodalin on human colon cancer cells.

Nano fibrous carbon produced from chromium bearing tannery solid waste as the bitumen modifier.

Bitumen binders play a major role in reducing the aging and oxidation property of bitumen. Carbon nanomaterials act as an effective bitumen modifier due to its stiffness and strength. Thus, nano fibrous carbon (NFC) was prepared from Chrome Tanned Buffing Dust (a solidwaste generated from leather industries) with proper care of avoiding oxidation of Cr(III) to Cr(VI) through pulse pyrolysis system.

Bacterial cellulose matrix with in situ impregnation of silver nanoparticles via catecholic redox chemistry for third degree burn wound healing.

In the present study, bacterial cellulose (BC) based nanocomposite dressing material was developed for third burn wound management by polydopamine (PD) coated BC with in situ reduction of silver nanoparticles (BC-PDAg). BC-PDAg nanocomposite was characterized to understand the morphological, physical and chemical properties. Antimicrobial activity of BC-PDAg against burn wound specific pathogens were significant.

Lutein inhibits breast cancer cell growth by suppressing antioxidant and cell survival signals and induces apoptosis.

Reduced risk of breast cancer upon intake of lutein-rich food supplements creates an interest to investigate the molecular mechanism underlying the growth inhibitory potential of lutein in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. Lutein purified from Spinacia oleracea was identified by high-performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The cell viability was measured by water-soluble tetrazolium-1 assay.

Evaluation of chromium in vegetables and groundwater aptness for crops from an industrial (leather tanning) sector of South India.

The main objective of the present study is evaluation of groundwater aptness for crops and chromium concentration in vegetables from an industrial (leather tanning) sector of South India using geospatial techniques. Seventy groundwater samples were collected from the open and tube wells during November 2017, February 2018, May 2018 and September 2018 to represent northeast (NE) monsoon (October-December), post-monsoon (winter) (January-February), pre-monsoon (summer) (March-May) and southwest (SW) monsoon (June-September) seasons, respectively. In addition, vegetables were also collected during the above-mentioned seasons from the market to assess the level of chromium content in them.