Finerenone and diabetic renal disease: a narrative review.

Overactivation of mineralocorticoid receptors occurs in cardiorenal diseases. Many patients with type 2 diabetes often progress to chronic kidney disease (CKD) and require dialysis. Finerenone is the first oral non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) antagonist used in patients with diabetic kidney disease and heart failure.

Luminescence "Turn-On" Sensing of Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) - Dilated Cardiomyopathy Biomarker Based on the MoS Nanosheet Quenched Terbium Citrate Complex.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), known as myocardial metabolic dysfunction, is recognized as a clinical condition characterized by left ventricular dilation or improper contraction of cardiac muscles in the absence of coronary atherosclerosis and hypertension. It is an independent risk factor for cardiac function caused by a hyperglycemic condition in diabetic patients leading to heart failure (HF), which renders the early diagnosis of DCM highly challenging. Hence, detection of early diagnostic biomarkers in blood serum to identify DCM conditions is quite requisite.

A Novel Combinatorial Regimen Using Sorafenib and Uttroside B, A US FDA-designated 'Orphan Drug', for the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Introduction: Sorafenib (Sor) is the first-line treatment option in clinics for treating advanced unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, acquired chemoresistance and adverse side effects associated with Sor monotherapy limit its clinical benefits. We have previously reported the exceptional anti-HCC potential of uttroside B (Utt-B), a furostanol saponin isolated in our lab from Linn.

Removal of anionic dye from textile effluent using zirconium phosphate loaded polyaniline-graphene oxide composite: Lab to pilot scale evaluation.

Efficient filtering of dyes is essential for the protection of ecosystem and human health due to the considerable water pollution caused by the effluents released from the sector. We present a simple, scalable UV radiation-assisted method for treating methyl orange dye-polluted water from the textile industry using zirconium phosphate-loaded polyaniline-graphene oxide (PGZrP) composite. The new material was synthesized by sonochemically incorporating a polyaniline-graphene oxide composite with hydrothermally synthesized zirconium phosphate.

Assessment of knowledge, attitude, and practices toward malaria in the Lunglei district, Mizoram, North-East India.

Background: The western districts of Mizoram (Lunglei, Mamit, and Lawngtlai) are malaria hotspots. Understanding the knowledge, attitude, and practices of the tribal communities in Mizoram's western districts will aid the development of specific interventions.

Methods: An explanatory sequential mixed-method study was conducted from April to November 2023 in the Lunglei district.

DOTAP Modified Formulations of Aminoacid Based Cationic Liposomes for Improved Gene Delivery and Cell Viability.

The liposomal systems proved remarkably useful for the delivery of genetic materials but enhancing their efficacy remains a significant challenge. While structural alterations could result in the discovery of more effective transfecting lipids, improving the efficacy of widely used lipid carriers is also crucial in order to compete with viral vectors for gene delivery. Herein, we developed formulations of commercially available lipid, 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium-propane (DOTAP) with synthetic amino acid based cationic lipids.

Thermal lens technique's surrogacy unveiled: A novel tool for microplastic detection and quantification in water.

The escalating usage of paper cups and packaging materials with plastic coatings has evolved into a substantial environmental and health concern, evidenced by the report of microplastics in human blood. This research introduces an innovative laser-assisted thermal lens (TL) technique for the precise detection and measurement of microplastics, specifically those leaching from the inner plastic coatings of paper cups. Employing a multipronged approach encompassing scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy, atomic force microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV-visible, and Raman spectroscopy, a comprehensive investigation is conducted into the leaching of microplastics into hot water from paper cups.

Balancing Health-care Privatization in Kerala: The Imperative of Public Sector Intervention.

This article addresses the escalating privatization of health-care services in Kerala, an Indian state. While Kerala's public health-care system has been consistently lauded for its commendable strategy of providing high-quality and affordable health care, recent developments have seen the emergence of large commercial multispecialty hospitals and the integration of private insurance into the public health sector, transforming health care into a profitable industry. This situation underscores the significance of equity, accessibility, and affordability in the health-care sector.

Cardioprotective effect of Robinin ameliorates Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Apoptosis in H9c2 cells.

Robinin is one of the glycosyloxyflavones that has been less explored for its therapeutic application, especially in the field of CVD. Herein, we explored the cardioprotective efficacy of Robinin by using HO and Doxorubicin (DOX) - treated H9c2 cells as an in vitro model. HO and DOX treatment resulted in severe cellular damage to the cardiomyocytes, which was followed by apoptosis.

Architectural Decoration of Bioleached NiFeP Surfaces by CoO Flowers for Efficient Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Generation.

In the quest for sustainable hydrogen production via water electrolysis, the development of high-performance, noble-metal-free catalytic systems is highly desired. Herein, we proposed an innovative strategy for the development of an electrocatalyst by refining the surface characteristics of a NiFeP alloy through microbiological techniques and subsequent enrichment of active sites by tailoring 3D hierarchical flower-like structures with intact and interconnected two-dimensional (2D) CoO. The resultant 3D CoO@NiFeP-5/24h has a porous structure comprised of intercrossed nanoparticles covering the entirety of the catalytic surface.

Impact of the annular solar eclipse on December 26, 2019 on the foraging visits of bees.

Solar eclipse has remarkable effect on behavior of animals. South India experienced a 97% magnitude annular eclipse on December 26, 2019 during 08:04-11:04 h with the totality phase appeared during 09:25-09:30 h. We investigated whether the foraging activity of the bees was limited by the eclipse, what bees are affected most, and which part of the eclipse was critical for bee activities to understand how a group of insects that rely the Sun, the sunlight, and the sun rays for their navigation and vision behaves to the eclipse.

Triggering Redox Active Sites Through Electronic Structure Modulation in rGO Encapsulated Mixed Transition Metal Oxides Hybrid for Alkaline Hydrogen Evolution.

Designing and developing noble-metal-free catalysts are of current interest in clean hydrogen generation via water splitting. As carbonaceous species are ideal choices as templates for various electrocatalysis, an improved synthetic route and an in-depth understanding of their electrochemical performance are essential. Herein, we have investigated the catalytic performance of rGO-encapsulated Mn and V mixed oxide hybrid structures (MVG) on a NiFeP matrix, focusing on their potential for catalyzing hydrogen evolution in an alkaline environment.

Sulforaphane inhibits histone deacetylase causing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in oral squamous carcinoma cells.

Background: Biologic compounds have recently generated interest in cancer chemoprevention. Sulforaphane (SFN), an isothiocyanate from cruciferous vegetables, has profound epigenetic actions. Since epigenetic aetiology is crucial for oral cancer, this study evaluated the role of SFN in oral cancer prevention.

Understanding testicular single cell transcriptional atlas: from developmental complications to male infertility.

Spermatogenesis is a multi-step biological process where mitotically active diploid (2n) spermatogonia differentiate into haploid (n) spermatozoa via regulated meiotic programming. The alarming rise in male infertility has become a global concern during the past decade thereby demanding an extensive profiling of testicular gene expression. Advancements in Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) technologies have revolutionized our empathy towards complex biological events including spermatogenesis.

Bioprospecting of exopolysaccharides from the endophytic fungi AMFS4, for its structure, composition, bioactivities and application in seed priming.

The endophytic fungi, AMFS4 was investigated for its metabolic components and composition of bioactive exopolysaccharides (EPS). Metabolic analysis of the ethyl acetate extract majorly detected sugars derivatives such as, 4-Cholesten-3-one semicarbazone (20.9%), d-Fructose (18.

Cinnamon essential oil induced microbial stress metabolome indicates its active food packaging efficiency when incorporated into poly vinyl alcohol, engineered with zinc oxide nanoparticles and nanocellulose.

In the study, Poly Vinyl Alcohol (PVA) films engineered with the nanoparticles and essential oils have been developed as efficient alternative to the currently used food packaging materials. For this, impact of cinnamon essential oil (CEO), on the metabolomic profile of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Aspergillus flavus was analysed. Subsequently, PVA based nanocomposite films CEO, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs), and nanocellulose (NC) were synthesised and characterized by FT-IR analysis.

Luminescent carbon dots quantum dots and gold nanoclusters as sensors.

Ultra-small nanoparticles, including quantum dots, gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) and carbon dots (CDs), have emerged as a promising class of fluorescent material because of their molecular-like properties and widespread applications in sensing and imaging. However, the fluorescence properties of ultra-small gold nanoparticles (, AuNCs) and CDs are more complicated and well distinguished from conventional quantum dots or organic dye molecules. At this frontier, we highlight recent developments in the fundamental understanding of the fluorescence emission mechanism of these ultra-small nanoparticles.

Temperature-programmed reduction method for stabilization of the inorganic framework of SAPO-37 materials: promising catalysts for MTBE production.

A temperature-programmed reduction method was developed to stabilize SAPO-37 and molybdenum-(oxy)-carbide-loaded SAPO-37 (SAP-37MoCR). The inorganic framework (Faujasite type SAPO-37) was retained for the first time even after treatment at 550 °C and was confirmed through powder XRD and SEM analysis. SAP-37MoCR exhibits strong acidic sites and is a promising catalyst for MTBE synthesis.

Synthesis of Novel Benazepril-Derived Trizole Compounds Assisted by Ultrasound: In Vitro and In Silico Analysis for Potential Anticancer Properties.

Benazepril-based novel trizole derivatives are being explored as potential anticancer agents, designed with an N-substituted 1,2,3-triazole moiety linked to Benazepril's N-1 position via a methylene bridge. An ultrasound irradiated CuAAC method was used to prepare all these compounds and evaluated their anti-proliferative activities against cancer and drug-resistant cell lines. While some of these compounds demonstrated anti-proliferative activity towards leukemic cancer cell line K562, two of them displayed complete inhibitory activity.

The Amphibian Genomics Consortium: advancing genomic and genetic resources for amphibian research and conservation.

Amphibians represent a diverse group of tetrapods, marked by deep divergence times between their three systematic orders and families. Studying amphibian biology through the genomics lens increases our understanding of the features of this animal class and that of other terrestrial vertebrates. The need for amphibian genomic resources is more urgent than ever due to the increasing threats to this group.

Exosome theranostics: Comparative analysis of P body and exosome proteins and their mutations for clinical applications.

Exosomes are lipid-bilayered vesicles, originating from early endosomes that capture cellular proteins and genetic materials to form multi-vesicular bodies. These exosomes are secreted into extracellular fluids such as cerebrospinal fluid, blood, urine, and cell culture supernatants. They play a key role in intercellular communication by carrying active molecules like lipids, cytokines, growth factors, metabolites, proteins, and RNAs.

Diabetes Health Literacy, Drug Adherence and Factors Associated with Them among Urban Patients in Kerala, India.

Aims: The study aimed to assess diabetes health literacy, adherence to diabetes medication, and its associated factors in Kerala, India, the most advanced Indian state in epidemiological transition with the highest literacy level in India.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a community-based cross-sectional study among 280 diabetes patients (mean age 62 years, male 42%) selected by multistage cluster sampling. Information on sociodemographic variables was collected using a pretested structured interview schedule.

Targeted Protein Degradation (TPD) for Immunotherapy: Understanding Proteolysis Targeting Chimera-Driven Ubiquitin-Proteasome Interactions.

Targeted protein degradation or TPD, is rapidly emerging as a treatment that utilizes small molecules to degrade proteins that cause diseases. TPD allows for the selective removal of disease-causing proteins, including proteasome-mediated degradation, lysosome-mediated degradation, and autophagy-mediated degradation. This approach has shown great promise in preclinical studies and is now being translated to treat numerous diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases, infectious diseases, and cancer.