High-Throughput Screening and Initial SAR Studies Identify a Novel Sub-micromolar Potent Human cGAS Inhibitor.

Cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) has emerged as a promising therapeutic target of several human diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative disorders. As a cytosolic DNA sensor, cGAS generates an innate immune response to promote neuroinflammation by producing an endogenous agonist of the stimulator of interferon genes (STING), 2'3'-cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP), which activates the cGAS-STING pathway. We have performed a high-throughput screening of a chemical library containing over 300K small molecules at the Fisher Drug Discovery Resource Center (DDRC), Rockefeller University (RU), to identify multiple hit inhibitors of human (h)-cGAS.

Quasiperiodic potassium adlayer on decagonal Al-Ni-Co quasicrystal.

Quasiperiodicity in free-electron-like metals is a subject of significant interest within the scientific community. In this work, utilizing scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), low energy electron diffraction (LEED), and density functional theory (DFT), we demonstrate the formation of a quasiperiodic potassium monolayer on the tenfold surface of decagonal Al-Ni-Co quasicrystal. A dispersed growth comprising of isolated K adatoms is observed at sub-monolayer coverage, which coalesce with increasing coverage and forms pentagonal and decagonal quasiperiodic motifs.

Cupressuflavone Isolated from Cupressus torulosa Ameliorates Diabetic Nephropathy by Inhibiting Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Through Nrf-2/NF-κB Signalling Axis.

Cupressuflavone (CTM-01), a potential biflavonoid isolated from exhibited antimicrobial, analgesic, cytotoxic and wound-healing properties. The present study aims to evaluate the renoprotective effects through and models as well as elucidate the underlying mechanisms of its nephroprotective action under diabetic conditions. The effects of CTM-01 on cell viability (25, 50, and 100 µM) and intracellular ROS production were evaluated in cultured normal rat proximal epithelial cells (NRK-52E) grown under high glucose conditions (30 mM) while streptozotocin (STZ) induced rats were treated with CTM-01 at 25 mg/kg for four weeks and the effects on different biochemical, histological, and molecular parameters were studied.

Role of white rot fungi in sustainable remediation of heavy metals from the contaminated environment.

Heavy metal contamination has severe impacts on the natural environment. The currently existing physico-chemical methods have certain limitations, restricting their wide-scale application. The use of biological agents like bacteria, algae, and fungi can help eliminate heavy metals without adversely affecting flora and fauna.

Imaging the microstructure of lithium and sodium metal in anode-free solid-state batteries using electron backscatter diffraction.

'Anode-free' or, more fittingly, metal reservoir-free cells could drastically improve current solid-state battery technology by achieving higher energy density, improving safety and simplifying manufacturing. Various strategies have been reported so far to control the morphology of electrodeposited alkali metal films to be homogeneous and dense, but until now, the microstructure of electrodeposited alkali metal is unknown, and a suitable characterization route is yet to be identified. Here we establish a reproducible protocol for characterizing the size and orientation of metal grains in differently processed lithium and sodium samples by a combination of focused ion beam and electron backscatter diffraction.

Precision nutrition-based strategy for management of human diseases and healthy aging: current progress and challenges forward.

Currently, the treatment of various human ailments is based on different therapeutic approaches including traditional and modern medicine systems. Precision nutrition has come into existence as an emerging approach considering the diverse aspects such as age, sex, genetic and epigenetic makeup, apart from the pathophysiological conditions. The continuously and gradually evolving disciplines of genomics about nutrition have elucidated the importance of genetic variations, epigenetic information, and expression of myriads of genes in disease progression apart from the involvement in modulating therapeutic responses.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Plasma Cystatin C and Renal Resistive Index for Acute Kidney Injury in Critically Ill Patients: A Prospective Observational Study.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a quite common problem in critically ill patients. Serum cystatin C has emerged as a marker of AKI. This study was aimed to evaluate the diagnostic ability of serum Cystatin-C and Renal Resistive Index in prediction of AKI among critically ill patients.

Chitosan nanoemulsion incorporated with Carum carvi essential oil as ecofriendly alternative for mitigation of aflatoxin B contamination in stored herbal raw materials.

The present investigation entails the first report on entrapment of Carum carvi essential oil (CCEO) into chitosan polymer matrix for protection of stored herbal raw materials against fungal inhabitation and aflatoxin B (AFB) production. Physico-chemical characterization of nanoencapsulated CCEO was performed through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, X-ray diffractometry, and scanning electron microscopy. The nanoencapsulated CCEO displayed improved antifungal and AFB suppressing potentiality along with controlled delivery over unencapsulated CCEO.

An Update on Pharmacological and Phytochemical Aspects of D. Don - A Promising Anti-diabetic Plant.

Background: The genus Costus is the largest genus in the family Costaceae and encompasses about 150 known species. Among these, D. Don (Synonym: ) is a traditional medicinal herb used to treat diabetes and other ailments.

Revealing the seed microbiome: Navigating sequencing tools, microbial assembly, and functions to amplify plant fitness.

Microbial communities within seeds play a vital role in transmitting themselves to the next generation of plants. These microorganisms significantly impact seed vigor and early seedling growth, for successful crop establishment. Previous studies reported on seed-associated microbial communities and their influence on processes like dormancy release, germination, and disease protection.

Encapsulation of carvone in chitosan nanoemulsion as edible film for preservation of slice breads against Aspergillus flavus contamination and aflatoxin B production.

Aspergillus flavus is a common fungus causing bread spoilage by aflatoxin B (AFB) production. Essential oil components are considered as effective antifungal agent; however, volatility and oxidative-instability limited their practical applications. The aim of this study was to fabricate novel chitosan nanoemulsion film incorporating carvone (carvone-Ne) for protection of bread slices against A.

Biocontrol Screening of Endophytes: Applications and Limitations.

The considerable loss of crop productivity each year due to plant disease or pathogen invasion during pre- or post-harvest storage conditions is one of the most severe challenges to achieving the goals of food security for the rising global population. Although chemical pesticides severally affect the food quality and health of consumers, a large population relies on them for plant disease management. But currently, endophytes have been considered one of the most suitable biocontrol agents due to better colonization and acclimatization potential.

Anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative and anti-psoriatic potential of apigenin in RAW 264.7 cells, HaCaT cells and psoriasis like dermatitis in BALB/c mice.

Aims: Psoriasis is an immune-mediated skin disease characterized by keratinocytes hyperproliferation, abnormal differentiation and inflammation. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate in-vitro and in-vivo anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative activity to evaluate anti-psoriatic potential of apigenin.

Main Methods: For in-vivo study, 5 % imiquimod cream was used to induce psoriasis-like skin inflammation in BALB/c mice to mimic human psoriatic conditions.

Charge density wave induced nodal lines in LaTe.

LaTe is a non-centrosymmetric material with time reversal symmetry, where the charge density wave is hosted by the Te bilayers. Here, we show that LaTe hosts a Kramers nodal line-a twofold degenerate nodal line connecting time reversal-invariant momenta. We use angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, density functional theory with an experimentally reported modulated structure, effective band structures calculated by band unfolding, and symmetry arguments to reveal the Kramers nodal line.

An attempt to construct an indole-fused azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane framework radical cyclization.

The structural motif of an indole-fused azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane is common in many biologically significant indole-based natural products.

One-Pot Tandem Aldol-Cycloetherification Protocol in the Enantioselective Synthesis of Davanoids.

Total synthesis of and diastereomers of prenylated davanoids like davanone, nordavanone, and davana acid ethyl ester was achieved in an enantioselective strategy. Various other davanoids could also be synthesized using standard procedures from the Weinreb amides derived from davana acids. Enantioselectivity in our synthesis was achieved employing a Crimmins' non-Evans syn aldol reaction that fixed the stereochemistry of the C3-hydroxyl group, while the C2-methyl group was epimerized in a late stage of the synthesis.

Chitosan based encapsulation of Valeriana officinalis essential oil as edible coating for inhibition of fungi and aflatoxin B contamination, nutritional quality improvement, and shelf life extension of Citrus sinensis fruits.

In this study, a novel chitosan nanoemulsion coating embedded with Valeriana officinalis essential oil (Ne-VOEO) was synthesized in order to improve the postharvest quality of Citrus sinensis fruits against infesting fungi, and aflatoxin B (AFB) mediated nutritional deterioration. The developed nanoemulsion was characterized through SEM, FTIR, XRD, and DLS analyses. The nanoemulsion showed controlled delivery of VOEO responsible for effective inhibition of Aspergillus flavus, A.

Microalgal Carotenoids: Therapeutic Application and Latest Approaches to Enhance the Production.

Microalgae are microscopic photosynthetic organisms frequently found in fresh and marine water ecosystems. Various microalgal species have been considered a reservoir of diverse health-value products, including vitamins, proteins, lipids, and polysaccharides, and are broadly utilized as food and for the treatment of human ailments such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, allergies, and immunodeficiency. Microalgae-derived carotenoids are the type of accessory pigment that possess light-absorbing potential and play a significant role in metabolic functions.

Halophytes for the sustainable remediation of heavy metal-contaminated sites: Recent developments and future perspectives.

Increasing land degradation by high level of metal wastes is of prime concern for the global research communities. In this respect, halophytes having specific features like salt glands, exclusion of excess ions, heavy metals (HMs) compartmentalization, large pool of antioxidants, and associations with metal-tolerant microbes are of great promise in the sustainable clean-up of contaminated sites. However, sustainable clean-up of HMs by a particular halophyte plant species is governed considerably by physico-chemical characteristics of soil and associated microbial communities.

Pesticide contamination in agro-ecosystems: toxicity, impacts, and bio-based management strategies.

Continuous rise in application of pesticides in the agro-ecosystems in order to ensure food supply to the ever-growing population is of greater concern to the human health and the environment. Once entered into the agro-ecosystem, the fate and transport of pesticides is determined largely by the nature of pesticides and the soil attributes, in addition to the soil-inhabiting microbes, fauna, and flora. Changes in the soil microbiological actions, soil properties, and enzymatic activities resulting from pesticide applications are the important factors substantially affecting the soil productivity.

High speed homogenization assisted encapsulation of synergistic essential oils formulation: Characterization, in vitro release study, safety profile, and efficacy towards mitigation of aflatoxin B induced deterioration in rice samples.

Application of essential oils to mitigate aflatoxin B (AFB) contamination in food is a current research hotspot; however, their direct incorporation may cause toxic effects, and changes in food organoleptic properties. This work aimed to synthesize novel synergistic formulation of Pinus roxburghii, Juniperus communis, and Cupressus sempervirens essential oils by mixture design assay (PJC) and encapsulation of PJC formulation into chitosan nanocomposite (Nm-PJC) with an aim to protect stored rice (Oryza sativa L., prime staple food) against fungi and AFB mediated loss of valuable minerals, macronutrients, and fatty acids.

Chitosan encompassed essential oil as innovative green candidate for antifungal and antiaflatoxigenic activity in millets with emphasis on cellular and its mode of action.

The present study demonstrates first time investigation on encapsulation of essential oil into chitosan nanoemulsion (AREO-CsNe) with the aim of improvement of its antifungal, and aflatoxin B (AFB) inhibitory performance in real food system. The GC-MS analysis of AREO revealed the presence of linalool (81.46%) as a major component.

Co-encapsulation of Pimpinella anisum and Coriandrum sativum essential oils based synergistic formulation through binary mixture: Physico-chemical characterization, appraisal of antifungal mechanism of action, and application as natural food preservative.

The present study aimed to co-encapsulate binary synergistic formulation of Pimpinella anisum and Coriandrum sativum (PC) essential oils (0.75:0.25) into chitosan nanoemulsion (Nm-PC) with effective inhibition against fungal proliferation, aflatoxin B (AFB) secretion, and lipid peroxidation in stored rice.