Influence of Magnesium Ions and Crowding Agents on Structure and Stability of RNA Aptamers.

Aptamers bind to their targets with exceptional affinity and specificity. However, their intracellular application is hampered by the lack of knowledge about the effect of the cellular milieu on the RNA structure/stability. In this study, cellular crowding was mimicked using polyethylene glycol (PEG), and the crucial role of Mg ions in stabilizing the structure of an RNA aptamer was investigated.

Probing the synergistic effect of metal-organic framework derived Co-Nx rich interwoven hierarchical porous carbon tube encapsulated dual redox active nanoalloy for high-performance Zn-air battery and supercapacitor applications.

Rechargeable zinc-air batteries (ZABs) with high-performance and stability is desirable for encouraging the transition of the technology from academia to industries. However, achieving this balance remains a formidable challenge, primarily due to the requirement of robust, earth-abundant reversible oxygen electrocatalyst. The present study introduces a simple strategy to synthesize Co-N rich nanoalloy with N-doped porous carbon tubes (NiCo@NPCTs).

Tubules, Rods, and Spirals: Diverse Modes of SepF-FtsZ Assembling.

Z-ring formation by FtsZ, the master assembler of the divisome, is a key step in bacterial cell division. Membrane anchoring of the Z-ring requires the assistance of dedicated Z-ring binding proteins, such as SepF and FtsA. SepF participates in bundling and membrane anchoring of FtsZ in gram-positive bacteria.

Ethidium Bromide Degradation by Cold Atmospheric Plasma in Water and the Assessment of Byproduct Toxicity for Environmental Protection.

Ethidium bromide (Et-Br) is a widely used fluorescent dye in molecular biology and biotechnology laboratories for visualizing nucleic acids in agarose gel electrophoresis. However, concerns have been raised about its environmental impact and potential health risks due to its persistence and toxicity. The potential accumulation and long-term effects on the environment necessitate the removal of Et-Br from water.

Molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensor based on APTES-functionalized indium tin oxide electrode for the determination of sulfadiazine.

An electrochemical sensor was developed for the sensitive and selective detection of sulfadiazine (SDZ), based on a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) film formed on an indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode through a self-assembly process. The SDZ-imprinted ITO electrode (SDZ-MIP/APTES-ITO) was prepared through in situ polymerization using sulfadiazine, methacrylic acid (MAA), ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA), and 2,2'-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as the template, functional monomer, cross-linker, and initiator respectively. Before polymerization, the ITO electrode was functionalized with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) to promote covalent attachment of the polymer to the electrode.

An MXene-supported cobalt-MOF nanocomposite-printed electrochemical sensor with high sensitivity for blood creatinine detection in point-of-care settings.

2D MXenes have been used as electrochemical sensor materials, but their output current signal remains weak in point of care (PoC) settings. To address this issue, here we report a novel MXene-supported cobalt-MOF-based nanocomposite, which is used with a carbon black (CB) ink and 3-D printed as the CoMOF-MXene@CB layered electrode structure for the development of a sensor electrode and a PoC chip for electrochemical detection of blood creatinine with an enhanced current range, specificity, and sensitivity. The limit of detection (LOD) and sensitivity of the fabricated sensor were found to be 0.

Jasmonate signaling modulates root growth by suppressing iron accumulation during ammonium stress.

Plants adapt to changing environmental conditions by adjusting their growth physiology. Nitrate (NO3-) and ammonium (NH4+) are the major inorganic nitrogen forms for plant uptake. However, high NH4+ inhibits plant growth, and roots undergo striking changes, such as inhibition of cell expansion and division, leading to reduced root elongation.

Unique Multi-Hetero-Interface Engineering of Fe-Doped Co-LDH@MoS-NiS Nanoflower-Based Electrocatalyst for Overall Water-Splitting: An Experimental and Theoretical Investigation.

Herein, a self-supported, robust, and noble-metal-free 3D hierarchical interface-rich Fe-doped Co-LDH@MoS-NiS/NF heterostructure electrocatalyst has been prepared through a controllable two-step hydrothermal process. The resultant electrode shows low overpotential of ~95 mV for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), ~220 mV for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), and the two-electrode system requires only a cell voltage of ~1.54 V at 10 mA cm current density, respectively.

Development of correlations between various engineering rockmass classification systems using railway tunnel data in Garhwal Himalaya, India.

Engineering rockmass classifications are an integral part of design, support and excavation procedures of tunnels, mines, and other underground structures. These classifications are directly linked to ground reaction and support requirements. Various classification systems are in practice and are still evolving.

Non-thermal plasma modulated l-tyrosine self-assemblies: a potential avenue for fabrication of supramolecular self-assembled biomaterials.

Aromatic amino acids (AAs) have garnered particular interest due to their pivotal roles in numerous biological processes and disorders. Variations in AA self-assembly not only affect protein structures and functions, but their non-covalent interactions such as hydrogen bonding, van der Waals forces, and π-π stacking, yield versatile assemblies vital in bio-inspired material fabrication. Tyrosine (Tyr), a non-essential aromatic amino acid, holds multifaceted significance in the body as a protein building block, neurotransmitter precursor, thyroid hormone contributor, and melanin synthesis regulator.

Robust Zeolitic Tetrazole Framework for Electrocatalytic Dopamine Detection with High Selectivity.

A novel zeolitic tetrazolate framework (ZTF-8) has been synthesized by solvent-free heat-assisted (70 °C) mechanochemical grinding of zinc acetate and 5-methyl tetrazole in the presence of NaOH powder. The structure of ZTF-8 adopts the zeolitic sodalite (SOD) topology with uncoordinated N-heteroatom sites and resembles the structure of the well-known zeolitic imidazole framework ZIF-8. ZTF-8 is exceptionally stable in 0.

Wild Edible Flowers of Western Himalayas: Nutritional Characterization, UHPLC-QTOF-IMS-Based Phytochemical Profiling, Antioxidant Properties, and Bioaccessibility of Polyphenols.

Four edible flowers commonly consumed in the Western Himalayan region, namely, (Kachnar), (Nasturtium), (Chamomile), and (Marigold), were characterized for their nutritional and phytochemical composition. Through the UHPLC-QTOF-IMS-based metabolomics approach, 131 compounds were tentatively identified consisting of phenolic acids, flavonoid glycosides, terpenoids, amino acids, and fatty acid derivatives. Kaempferol and quercetin glycosides for Kachnar, apigenin glycosides and caffeoylquinic acid derivatives for Chamomile, patulin and quercetin derivatives for Marigold, cyanidin and delphinidin glycosides for Nasturtium were the predicted marker metabolites identified through non-targeted metabolomics.

Effective Distribution of Gold Nanorods in Ordered Thick Mesoporous Silica: A Choice of Noninvasive Theranostics.

Porous silica coated gold nanorod core-shell structures demonstrate a multifunctional role in bioimaging, drug delivery, and cancer therapeutics applications. Here, we address a new approach for effective distribution of gold nanorods (GNRs) in a mesoporous silica (MS) shell, viz., one nanorod in one silica particle (GMS).

Active Site Engineering and Theoretical Aspects of "Superhydrophilic" Nanostructure Array Enabling Efficient Overall Water Electrolysis.

The rational design of noble metal-free electrocatalysts holds great promise for cost-effective green hydrogen generation through water electrolysis. In this context, here, the development of a superhydrophilic bifunctional electrocatalyst that facilitates both oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in alkaline conditions is demonstrated. This is achieved through the in situ growth of hierarchical NiMoO @CoMoO ·xH O nanostructure on nickel foam (NF) via a two-step hydrothermal synthesis method.

Comparative Chemical Composition and Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) Inhibitory Potential of Cinnamomum camphora and Cinnamomum tamala.

Cinnamomum species have applications in the pharmaceutical and fragrance industry for wide biological and pharmaceutical activities. The present study investigates the chemical composition of the essential oils extracted from two species of Cinnamomum namely C. tamala and C.

AIEE activated Pyrene-Dansyl coupled FRET probe for discriminating detection of lethal Cu and CN: Bio-Imaging, DNA binding studies and prompt prognosis of Menke's disease.

In present work a pyrene-dansyl dyad functionalized chemoreceptor, DPNS is unveiled towards ultrasensitive chromo-fluorogenic detection of heavy and transition metal ions (HTMs) like Cu and pernicious CN. It demonstrated distinct chromogenic responses; colorless to faint yellow (Cu), intense yellow (CN) from contaminant aqueous sources. Cu instigated alteration in DPNS fluorescence from feeble emission to sparkling green with LOD: 37.

Anion-directed structural tuning of two azomethine-derived Zn complexes with optoelectronic recognition of Cu in aqueous medium with anti-cancer activities: from micromolar to femtomolar sensitivity with DFT revelation.

Herein, two novel mononuclear transition metal Zn complexes [Zn(HL)(N)(OAc)] (NS-1) & [Zn(HL)(ClO)] (NS-2) have been synthesised using a tridentate clickable Schiff base ligand, HL (2-methyl-2-((pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amino)propan-1-ol), and the polyatomic monoanions N and ClO for NS-1 and NS-2 respectively. Interestingly, NS-1 and NS-2 have been explored for the detection of Cu with an LOD of 48.6 fM (response time ∼6 s) and 2.

Chemical Bridge-Mediated Heterojunction Electron Transport Layers Enable Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells.

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) emerged as potential photovoltaic energy-generating devices developing in recent years because of their excellent photovoltaic properties and ease of processing. However, PSCs are still reporting efficiencies much lower than their theoretical limits owing to various losses caused by the charge transport layer and the perovskite. In this regard, herein, an interface engineering strategy using functional molecules and chemical bridges was applied to reduce the loss of the heterojunction electron transport layer.

Strategies and tools for the biotechnological valorization of glycerol to 1, 3-propanediol: Challenges, recent advancements and future outlook.

Global efforts towards decarbonization, environmental sustainability, and a growing impetus for exploiting renewable resources such as biomass have spurred the growth and usage of bio-based chemicals and fuels. In light of such developments, the biodiesel industry will likely flourish, as the transport sector is taking several initiatives to attain carbon-neutral mobility. However, this industry would inevitably generate glycerol as an abundant waste by-product.

Metal-Organic Framework-Derived Mesoporous B-Doped CoO/Co@N-Doped Carbon Hybrid 3D Heterostructured Interfaces with Modulated Cobalt Oxidation States for Alkaline Water Splitting.

Heteroatom-doped transition metal-oxides of high oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activities interfaced with metals of low hydrogen adsorption energy barrier for efficient hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) when uniformly embedded in a conductive nitrogen-doped carbon (NC) matrix, can mitigate the low-conductivity and high-agglomeration of metal-nanoparticles in carbon matrix and enhances their bifunctional activities. Thus, a 3D mesoporous heterostructure of boron (B)-doped cobalt-oxide/cobalt-metal nanohybrids embedded in NC and grown on a Ni foam substrate (B-CoO/Co@NC/NF) is developed as a binder-free bifunctional electrocatalyst for alkaline water-splitting via a post-synthetic modification of the metal-organic framework and subsequent annealing in different Ar/H gas ratios. B-CoO/Co@NC/NF prepared using 10% H gas (B-CoO/Co@NC/NF [10% H ]) shows the lowest HER overpotential (196 mV) and B-CoO/Co@NC/NF (Ar), developed in Ar, shows an OER overpotential of 307 mV at 10 mA cm with excellent long-term durability for 100 h.

Pharmacophore & QSAR Guided Design, Synthesis, Pharmacokinetics and Evaluation of Curcumin Analogs for Anticancer Activity.

Background: As a part of our discovery of plant-based lead molecules, we provide a helpful tool, which helps in identification, designing, optimising, structural modifications, and prediction of curcumin, to discover novel analogs with enhanced bioavailability, pharmacologically safe, and anticancer potential.

Methods: QSAR (Quantitative structure-activity relationship) and pharmacophore mapping models were developed and further used to design, synthesize, pharmacokinetics, and in vitro evaluation of curcumin analogs for anticancer activity.

Results: The QSAR model yielded a high activity-descriptors relationship accuracy (r) of 84%, a high activity prediction accuracy (rcv) of 81%, and external set prediction accuracy of 89%.

Naringenin-Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles and Their Role in α-Synuclein Stabilization.

Misfolding and self-assembly of several intrinsically disordered proteins into ordered β-sheet-rich amyloid aggregates emerged as hallmarks of several neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Here we show how the naringenin-embedded nanostructure effectively retards aggregation and fibril formation of α-synuclein, which is strongly associated with the pathology of Parkinson's-like diseases. Naringenin is a polyphenolic compound from a plant source, and in our current investigation, we reported the one-pot synthesis of naringenin-coated spherical and monophasic gold nanoparticles (NAR-AuNPs) under optimized conditions.

A strategically synthesized arseno-discriminatory tetra-phenoxido hetero-trinuclear complex envisioned for the recognition of iAs and oAs from sp. and aquatic crustaceans.

A heterotrimetallic [Mn(Cu)(CHNO)] complex VBCMERI has been unveiled herein to monitor its synergistic propensity towards aqueous phase As3+ (iAs and oAs) detection. VBCMERI was structurally probed by numerous analytical tools like ESI-MS, FT-IR, and SCXRD. The aqueous phase selective chromogenic alteration of the sensory probe from greenish-yellow to colorless was observed owing to interaction with As (cationic form, iAs).