Photochemical CO Reduction by a Postsynthetically Modified Zr-MOF.

Metal-organic frameworks are an excellent platform for photochemical CO reduction into valuable chemicals. Herein, we report the synthesis and photocatalytic behavior of Ru@MOF-808, a Zr-based MOF, modified with a Ru-polypyridyl complex. The postsynthetic modification was achieved using solvent-assisted incorporation of bipyridine-carboxylate ligands onto the nodes of the MOF-808, followed by the coordination of Ru(II)-terpyridine moiety.

Probing One-Electron Transfer in Selected Trace Elements.

Electron transfer is a key process in many biological redox reactions like photosynthesis, respiration and peroxidases. Several of these processes are mediated by trace elements like transition metals and chalcogens. Although the overall redox reaction often involves the transfer of multiple electrons, it may happen in several steps of single electron transfer processes.

Antioxidant Activity and Cytotoxicity of Selenium Incorporated Biologically Inspired N-Heteroaryl Compounds.

Selenium is one of the essential trace elements in humans and animals. It is incorporated in the redox-active selenocysteine (Sec), the 21st proteinogenic amino acid, which is found in a limited number of proteins/enzymes. The reactivity of the Sec residue in these proteins allows them to perform diverse functions such as reducing oxidative stress, maintaining redox homeostasis, and thyroid hormone metabolism.

Development and Validation of a Three-Step Screening Strategy for Extracellular Salt-Tolerant Nucleases From Marine Bacteria.

This study reports the development of a 3-step strategy that is both cost-effective and quick to screen marine organisms and validate the presence of extracellular nucleases. The assay plates (M9 or Luria Broth [LB] media with 500 mM salt) were overlaid with a thin layer of top agar containing Toluidine Blue as the indicator and salmon sperm DNA as the substrate. Primary screening of halophiles was based on their zone of clearance.

Palladium Catalyst-Controlled Regiodivergent C-H Arylation of Thiazoles.

We report Pd-catalyzed direct C-H arylation of thiazole, where the regioselective outcome is controlled by the appropriate selection of a base and a ligand. Employing Pd/PPh/NaOBu in the reaction with a broad range of aryl halides affords access to C2-arylated thiazoles with high yields. Conversely, a catalytic system comprising a Pd catalyst, Bphen (bathophenanthroline), and KPO provides various C5-arylated thiazoles.

Developing tools for learning immunology using diffusion-based salt precipitation assays: A low-cost alternative for college laboratories.

The Ouchterlony double immunodiffusion technique is used as a teaching tool for studying immune responses and exemplifying differences in antigen-antibody reactions. Although commonplace in undergraduate labs, standardized commercial kits limit learning experiences because they have fixed modalities of use, a low shelf-life, and impose budgetary constraints in the long-term, collectively posing an economic challenge. To mitigate these problems, this study attempts to simulate various types of 'antigen-antibody' reactions using combinations of Mg, Mn, Cu and Ag salts that form a precipitate with BaSO.

Mechanism of flavonoid myricetin modulated aggregation in α-Synuclein and its familial mutants E46K and A30P.

Inhibiting the aggregation of α-Synuclein (α-Syn) and its familial mutants E46K and A30P has emerged as one of the effective therapeutic strategies against Parkinson's disease (PD). The inhibition and modulation of α-Syn/E46K/A30P fibrillation as well as disaggregation of their pre-formed fibrils by a natural flavonoid myricetin (Myr) is studied. The binding of Myr with α-Syn and its mutants with the affinity ranging 10-10 M.

Cyanobacterial KdpD modulates in vivo and in vitro activities of a membrane-anchored histidine kinase.

The prokaryotic KdpATPAse complex, encoded by the kdpABC operon, is an inducible, high-affinity K transporter. In E. coli, the operon is transcriptionally regulated by a two-component sensor-kinase response-regulator system, constituted by the KdpD and KdpE proteins.

Two views on criminal behavior.

The emergence of Vienna as a leading center of medical criminalistics has increased research on the physiological differences between criminals and normal people. In the second half of the nineteenth century, criminologists sought to explain human immorality and criminal behavior. In this regard, the work of Moriz Benedikt was of particular significance.

Breaking barriers in targeted Therapy: Advancing exosome Isolation, Engineering, and imaging.

Exosomes have emerged as promising tools for targeted drug delivery in biomedical applications and medicine. This review delves into the scientific advancements, challenges, and future prospects specifically associated with these technologies. In this work, we trace the research milestones that led to the discovery and characterization of exosomes and extracellular vesicles, and discuss strategies for optimizing the synthetic yield and the loading of these particles with various therapeutics.

A Complete Description of the Ultrafast Proton Transfer Dynamics in the Excited State of D-Luciferin.

Excited-state proton transfer (ESPT) in organic photoacids is a widely studied phenomenon in which D-luciferin is of special mention, considering the fact that apart from its phenolic OH group, the nitrogen atoms at either of the two thiazole moieties could also participate in hydrogen bonding interactions with a proton-donating solvent during ESPT. As a result, several transient species could appear during the ESPT process. We hereby deploy subpicosecond time-resolved fluorescence upconversion (FLUP) and transient absorption (TA) spectroscopic techniques to understand the detailed photophysics of D-luciferin in water as well as in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and ethanol.

From Self-Assembly to Drug Delivery: Understanding and Exploring Protein Fibrils.

It is crucial to comprehend protein misfolding and aggregation in the domains of biomedicine, pharmaceuticals, and proteins. Amyloid fibrils are formed when proteins misfold and assemble, resulting in the debilitating illness known as "amyloidosis". This work investigates lysozyme fibrillation with pluronics (F68 and F127).

Hydroxycinnamic acids mediated modulation of α-Synuclein fibrillation: Biophysical insights.

The fibrillation of α-synuclein (α-Syn) is considered a major contributor to Parkinson's disease (PD). Recent therapeutic measures have focused on inhibiting the fibrillation of α-Syn using various small molecules. We report here the effects of two different hydroxycinnamic acids; chlorogenic acid and sinapic acid on α-Syn fibrillation and have also discussed the mechanistic insights into their mode of modulation.

Unveiling emissive H-aggregates of benzocoronenediimide, their photophysics and ultrafast exciton dynamics.

H- and J-aggregates of many molecules can be considered ordered mesoscopic structures that behave like a single entity. This is due to coherent electronic coupling between electronic excitations of aggregated molecules, resulting in distinct electronic properties compared to the monomer. H-aggregates are generally non-emissive and, due to this property, they are considered unfit for optoelectronics applications, but they have found applications in organic light-emitting transistors.

Dual Emission and Low-Temperature Afterglow in Xanthone-Dibenzoazepine for High EQE Host-Guest OLEDs with Low-Efficiency Roll-Off.

Research has been driven to demonstrate organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) with high efficiency, and in the quest for new materials, thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitters have been employed. Preparation of donor-acceptor (D-A) π-conjugates is a useful guideline for developing TADF emitters. TADF emitters have shown excellent progress and high maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) for OLEDs in the recent past; however, they suffer with substantial roll-off resulting in a decrease in their efficiency.

The mode of action of sorafenib in MDA-MB-231 breast carcinoma cells involves components of apoptotic, necroptotic and autophagy-dependent cell death pathways.

We report the identification of an interesting mode of action by sorafenib (SF) (Nexavar) in triple-negative breast adenocarcinoma MDA-MB-231 cells. The dying cells presented features of apoptosis, such as externalization of phosphatidylserine and cleaved caspase-3, and autophagy-mediated cell death, such as formation of autophagosomes and autolysosomes, the overexpression of LC3-II, and the presence of LAMP1-positive vacuoles, while displaying insufficient autophagic flux. Components of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress; PERK and CHOP) and of necroptosis (p-MLKL) were also elevated considerably.

Enhanced Singlet Oxygen Generation in Aggregates of Naphthalene-Fused BODIPY and Its Application in Photodynamic Therapy.

Several reports are available on aggregation-induced emission and its applications in biomedical imaging and other material sciences. However, enhancement of singlet oxygen generation in nanoaggregates is rarely reported. Here, we report the synthesis of , which absorbs at 661 nm (monomer) with a high molar absorption coefficient.

Se-functionalized ZIF-8 nanoparticles: synthesis, characterization and disruption of biofilms and quorum sensing in.

The majority of research on nanomaterials has been concentrated on metal nanoparticles since they are easily made and manipulated. Nanomaterials have shown a wide range of applications in biology. Nevertheless, their bioactivity declines due to their extreme susceptibility to and novel Se@ZIF-8 by chemical method.

The role of gaming for information, education and communication of AMR: full review of online education resources.

Background: The first objective of the Global Action Plan on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is to improve awareness and understanding of AMR through effective communication, education and training. Towards this several efforts have been made to create AMR awareness resources. The aim of these resources is to inform the public about responsible antibiotic use and drive positive behavioural change.

Plumbagin accelerates serum albumin's amyloid aggregation kinetics and generates fibril polymorphism by inducing non-native β-sheet structures.

The ligand-induced conformational switch of proteins has great significance in understanding the biophysics and biochemistry of their self-assembly. In this work, we have investigated the ability of plumbagin (PL), a hydroxynaphthoquinone compound found in the root of the medicinal plant Plumbago zeylanica, to modulate aggregation precursor state, aggregation kinetics and generate distinct fibril of human serum albumin (HSA). PL was found to moderately bind (binding constant K ∼ 10 M)) to domain-II of HSA in the stoichiometric ratio of 1:1.

Molecular insights into flavone-mediated quorum sensing interference: A novel strategy against Serratiamarcescens biofilm-induced antibiotic resistance".

Antibiotic resistance poses a significant challenge in modern medicine, urging the exploration of innovative approaches to combat bacterial infections. Biofilms, complex bacterial communities encased in a protective matrix, contribute to resistance by impeding antibiotic efficacy and promoting genetic exchange. Understanding biofilm dynamics is crucial for developing effective antimicrobial therapies against antibiotic resistance.

From Gene Editing to Biofilm Busting: CRISPR-CAS9 Against Antibiotic Resistance-A Review.

In recent decades, the development of novel antimicrobials has significantly slowed due to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), intensifying the global struggle against infectious diseases. Microbial populations worldwide rapidly develop resistance due to the widespread use of antibiotics, primarily targeting drug-resistant germs. A prominent manifestation of this resistance is the formation of biofilms, where bacteria create protective layers using signaling pathways such as quorum sensing.

Antiproliferative efficacy and mechanism of action of garlic phytochemicals-functionalized gold nanoparticles in triple-negative breast cancer cells.

Fabrication of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) with phytochemicals is an emerging green nanotechnology approach with therapeutic implications. Garlic, known for its culinary and medicinal properties, has been extensively investigated for its anticancer properties. Here, we report a method to substantially enhance the antiproliferative potency of garlic by functionalizing its phytochemicals to GNPs and demonstrate a possible mechanism of action of these nanoparticles in the triple-negative breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231.

Quasi-integrability and nonlinear resonances in cold atoms under modulation.

Quantum dynamics of a collection of atoms subjected to phase modulation has been carefully revisited. We present an exact analysis of the evolution of a two-level system (represented by a spinor) under the action of a time-dependent matrix Hamiltonian. The dynamics is shown to evolve on two coupled potential energy surfaces (PESs): one of them is binding, while the other one is scattering type.