A one-pot synthesis of 2,3-dihydrobenzofurans, benzofuran-2(3)-ones, and indoles a [4 + 1] annulation reaction of -substituted -quinone methides and bromonitromethane.

Under mild and metal-free reaction conditions, a facile one-pot synthesis of oxygen- and nitrogen-containing benzoheterocycles has been achieved through [4 + 1] annulation of -quinone methides, followed by an oxidation/elimination sequence, efficiently synthesizing functionalized 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran, benzofuran-2(3)-one, and indole derivatives in moderate to good yields (up to 72%). A novel functional group tolerant oxidative Nef reaction utilizes DDQ without a base.

Rapid evolution leads to extensive genetic diversification of cattle flu Influenza D virus.

Influenza D virus (IDV), the cattle flu virus, is a novel multi-host RNA virus, circulating silently worldwide, with widespread seropositivity among US cattle, reaching up to 80% in some areas raising a potential threat of cattle-to-human transmission. Currently, five genetic lineages of IDV have been described, but their evolutionary dynamics have not been studied. Although IDV was first identified in 2011, our comprehensive analysis of all known IDV genomes suggests that the earliest ancestors of IDV likely to have evolved towards the end of the 20 century and D/OK lineage appears to have emerged in 2005.

Metal-Free Regioselective Oxa-Michael Approach to Access Spirooxindole-Fused Tetrahydrofuran/Tetrahydropyran through [3 + 2]/ [4 + 2] Spirocyclization of Methyleneindolinones with Haloalcohols.

An efficient one-pot metal-free, base-catalyzed method has been developed for the regioselective [3 + 2]/[4 + 2] annulation reactions of electrophilic methyleneindolinones with haloalcohols to furnish spirooxindole derivatives under mild reaction conditions. This reaction afforded the corresponding products with two contiguous stereocenters including a quaternary center in good to excellent yield (up to 95%) with moderate to good diastereoselectivities (up to 12.5:1 ) with complete regioselectivity.

Bisindole-based small molecules as transmembrane anion transporters and potential anticancer agents.

Few synthetic ion transporters have been reported incorporating indole as the core moiety. We have developed a novel bisindole-based transporter capable of efficient transmembrane anion antiport. This system induced cytotoxicity in MCF-7 breast cancer cells chloride ion homeostasis disruption and the associated ROS generation, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, and lysosomal deacidification.

IDV Typer: An Automated Tool for Lineage Typing of Influenza D Viruses Based on Return Time Distribution.

Influenza D virus (IDV) is the most recent addition to the family and cattle serve as the primary reservoir. IDV has been implicated in Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex (BRDC), and there is serological evidence of human infection of IDV. Evolutionary changes in the IDV genome have resulted in the expansion of genetic diversity and the emergence of multiple lineages that might expand the host tropism and potentially increase the pathogenicity to animals and humans.

Metal-Free Approach for Oxa-spirocyclohexadienones through [3 + 2]/[4 + 2] -Cyclization of -Quinone Methides with Halo Alcohols.

A facile one-pot metal-free, base-mediated formal [3 + 2] and [4 + 2] dearomative -cycloaddition of -quinone methides (-QMs) with halo alcohols has been designed for the efficient construction of 2-oxa-spirocyclohexadienones in excellent yield under mild reaction conditions. The commercial availability of the bases, reagents, and convenient reaction procedure makes it an attractive method for -cyclization.

NAD(P)H:Quinone Acceptor Oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) Activatable Salicylamide H /Cl Transporters.

NAD(P)H:quinone acceptor oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), a detoxifying enzyme overexpressed in tumors, plays a key role in protecting cancer cells against oxidative stress and thus has been considered an attractive candidate for activating prodrug(s). Herein, we report the first use of NQO1 for the selective activation of 'protransporter' systems in cancer cells leading to the induction of apoptosis. Salicylamides, easily synthesizable small molecules, have been effectively used for efficient H /Cl symport across lipid membranes.

Cu(II)-Metallized Three-Layered Cu-8HQ Complex with Hierarchical Crystallite Morphologies Synthesized via Reaction-Diffusion.

Self-organization of regular band patterns of the precipitate via a reaction-diffusion (RD) framework is called Liesegang phenomenon. This non-equilibrium system is emerging as an efficient method for synthesizing materials with unique morphologies that may have desired properties. The formation of continuous precipitation inside a band with poor control over the shape and size of sparingly soluble salts has been well documented.

Metal free, one pot 1,6-Conjugate Addition of Diol on para-Quinone Methide followed by ipso cyclization: An Approach to Spiro 1,4-Dioxane cyclohexadienone Derivatives.

A novel one-pot transition metal-free and Brönsted acid mediated 1,6-conjugate addition of bisnuleophilic diol on biselectrophilc para-quinone methide followed by ipso cyclization assisted by NBS has been developed under mild reaction conditions, offers a new approach to synthesize spiro 1,4-dioxane cyclohexadienone derivatives. This strategy features broad substrate scope of p-QMs with high functional group tolerance and good yields of spirocyclic scaffolds (60-92 %). N-Bromo succinimide an important role in an ipso spirocyclization with high efficiency.

Effects of herbivory on carotenoid biosynthesis and breakdown.

The carotenoid content of plants may be impacted by stress with major consequences for photosynthesis and photoprotection. Most carotenoid stress research, however, has concentrated on abiotic stresses, and we know little about how biological stresses, such as herbivory, alter profiles of plant carotenoids and their degradation products. For example, carotenoid derivatives such as β-cyclocitral and β-ionone have been recently shown to act as signals in plant growth and protection against oxidative stress and herbivory.

Bioactive properties of ZnO nanoparticles synthesized using leaves.

Unlabelled: Biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles has been reported using leaf (CNL) extract along with estimation of their antimicrobial potential before and after calcination using different micro-organisms. UV-visible spectra of ZnO nanoparticles showed absorption maxima at 383 nm and 363 nm, respectively, with 3.237 eV and 3.

Non-antimicrobial and Non-anticancer Properties of ZnO Nanoparticles Biosynthesized Using Different Plant Parts of .

As traditional cancer therapy is toxic to both normal and cancer cells, there is a need for newer approaches to specifically target cancer cells. ZnO nanoparticles can be promising due their biocompatible nature. However, ZnO nanoparticles have also shown cytotoxicity against mammalian cells in some cases, because of which there is a need for newer synthesis approaches for biocompatible ZnO nanoparticles to be used as carrier molecules in drug delivery applications.

Circulation and Evolution of SARS-CoV-2 in India: Let the Data Speak.

The COVID-19 pandemic is a global challenge that impacted 200+ countries. India ranks in the second and third positions in terms of number of reported cases and deaths. Being a populous country with densely packed cities, SARS-CoV-2 spread exponentially.

Iron-Catalyzed Ring Opening of Cyclopropanols and Their 1,6-Conjugate Addition to -Quinone Methides.

A novel iron-catalyzed ring opening of cyclopropanols and their 1,6-conjugate addition to -quinone methides for accessing substituted phenols is disclosed. In this protocol, various cyclopropanols are converted to alkyl radicals and undergo 1,6-conjugate addition to -quinone methides toward C-C bond formation. The salient features of this methodology include operationally simple and mild reaction conditions, environmentally benign protocol, high efficiency, inexpensive catalyst, good to excellent yield, and a wide range of substrate scope.

Antibacterial Activities of Biosynthesized ZnO Nanoparticles Using Leaf and Fruit Extracts of .

Zinc oxide nanoparticles have been biosynthesized with the help of leaf and fruit extracts. ZnO nanoparticles were tested for antibacterial activity before and after calcination against Gram positive () as well as Gram negative micro-organisms () within the concentration range 0.625-10 mg/mL with the help of well diffusion technique.

Non-Antibacterial and Antibacterial ZnO Nanoparticles Composed of Different Surfactants.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles were synthesized using different surfactants such as SDS, CTAB, Triton X-100, PVP K-30 and ethylene glycol. ZnO NPs were tested for antibacterial activity before and after calcination against different micro-organisms like and (Gram negative) as well as and (Gram positive). Antibacterial activity was observed in SDScapped ZnO NPs only against .

Use of nanotechnology in combating coronavirus.

Recent COVID-19 pandemic situation caused due to the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) affected global health as well as economics. There is global attention on prevention, diagnosis as well as treatment of COVID-19 infection which would help in easing the current situation. The use of nanotechnology and nanomedicine has been considered to be promising due to its excellent potential in managing various medical issues such as viruses which is a major threat.

Synergetic Strategy for the Fabrication of Self-Standing Distorted Carbon Nanofibers with Heteroatom Doping for Sodium-Ion Batteries.

Currently, the limited availability of lithium sources is escalating the cost of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Considering the fluctuating economics of LIBs, sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) have now drawn attention because sodium is an earth-abundant, low-cost element that exhibits similar chemistry to that of LIBs. Despite developments in different anode materials, there still remain several challenges in SIBs, including lighter cell design for SIBs.

Human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) - a curse in type II diabetes mellitus: insights from structure and toxicity studies.

The human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) or amylin, a neuroendocrine peptide hormone, is known to misfold and form amyloidogenic aggregates that have been observed in the pancreas of 90% subjects with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Under normal physiological conditions, hIAPP is co-stored and co-secreted with insulin; however, under chronic hyperglycemic conditions associated with T2DM, the overexpression of hIAPP occurs that has been associated with the formation of amyloid deposits; as well as the death and dysfunction of pancreatic β-islets in T2DM. Hitherto, various biophysical and structural studies have shown that during this process of aggregation, the peptide conformation changes from random structure to helix, then to β-sheet, subsequently to cross β-sheets, which finally form left-handed helical aggregates.

Myricetin protects pancreatic β-cells from human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) induced cytotoxicity and restores islet function.

The aberrant misfolding and self-assembly of human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP)-a hormone that is co-secreted with insulin from pancreatic β-cells-into toxic oligomers, protofibrils and fibrils has been observed in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The formation of these insoluble aggregates has been linked with the death and dysfunction of β-cells. Therefore, hIAPP aggregation has been identified as a therapeutic target for T2DM management.

Insights into the Inhibition Mechanism of Human Pancreatic α-Amylase, a Type 2 Diabetes Target, by Dehydrodieugenol B Isolated from .

Use of human pancreatic α-amylase (HPA) inhibitors is one of the effective antidiabetic strategies to lower postprandial hyperglycemia via reduction in the dietary starch hydrolysis rate. Many natural products from plants are being studied for their HPA inhibitory activity. The present study describes isolation of dehydrodieugenol B (DDEB) from leaves using sequential solvent extraction, structure determination by one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) NMR analyses, and characterization as an HPA inhibitor using kinetics, binding thermodynamics, and molecular docking.

Repurposing of genistein as anti-sickling agent: elucidation by multi spectroscopic, thermophoresis, and molecular modeling techniques.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a major medical problem in which mono-therapeutic interventions have so far shown only limited effectiveness. We studied the repurpose of genistein, which could prevent sickle hemoglobin from polymerizing under hypoxic conditions in this disease. Genistein an important nutraceutical molecule found in soybean.

Exogenous β-cyclocitral treatment primes tomato plants against drought by inducing tolerance traits, independent of abscisic acid.

Drought is the most devastating stress for crops. Intensity and duration of drought determine the magnitude of plant damage; similarly, plant ability to counteract drought determines its tolerance capacity. Recent studies revealed that exogenous apocarotenoid treatment confers abiotic stress tolerance to plants.

Cytokine saga in visceral leishmaniasis.

In humans, infection with Leishmania manifests into a spectrum of diseases. The manifestation of the diseases depend on the resultant evasion of the parasite to immune responses namely by macrophages, which is an exclusive host of Leishmania. The B cells valiantly mount antibody responses, however, to no avail as the Leishmania parasites occupy the intracellular niches of the macrophages and subvert the immune response.

Sol-gel-derived transparent metal oxide flexible field effect transistors.

ZnO and ZnO:Al thin films have been successfully synthesized by simple solution processable method at low temperature. Highly crystalline (002) preferentially oriented, uniform, and smooth ZnO:Al thin films are produced. The electrical, J-V and C-V, measurements revealed higher current flow and more carrier concentration, respectively, for ZnO:Al samples compared with pristine ZnO.