Pervasiveness of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease in tribal/rural population of India: a review

Diseases classified as non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are those that are often caused by unhealthy behaviors rather than by infection or by contact with others. One of the main NCDs causing many fatalities is cardiovascular disease (CVD). Recent research has shown that the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (Mets) associated CVDs among tribal populations is increasing in rapid pace. In this review, we have included studies investigating the components of Mets and the relationships between Mets and CVDs. From the assessment of studies, we may predict a significant association between Mets and CVDs as a whole. Our evaluation of these studies revealed that carrying at least three Mets risk components, like hyperglycemia, obesity, dyslipidemia, and high blood pressure, significantly enhances the risk of CVDs. Undernutrition, smoking, and a low intake of fruits and vegetables in the Indian tribal population are the main risk factors for managing Mets associated CVDs. Furthermore, various studies have also shown that Mets may be influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Finally, healthy habits such as a balanced diet and frequent exercise should be introduced from a young age in individuals, to prevent Mets progression. In order to combat the Mets associated CVDs, functionally upgraded primary health centers and special IECs (Information, education and communication) programs may play a beneficial role. Furthermore, strengthening public healthcare systems and focusing on prevention, early identification, and treatment using medical and social interventions can be of immense help in managing the metabolic risk factors that can lead to CVDs

Perspectives on dual-purpose functional nanomaterials for detecting and removing fluoride ion from environmental water

Fluoride (F–) is a unique analyte because when in small quantities, it is beneficial and harmful when in larger or negligible quantities, leaving it essential for dual-purpose detection and removal from a water sample to prevent fluoride-caused health risks. F– detection and removal using organic molecules and hybrid materials are extensively reported in the literature, but very few reports discuss dual-purpose detection and removal. Functional nanomaterials (FNM) based on nanoparticles, metal-organic frameworks, and carbon dots conjugated with fluorophore moiety are largely used for these purposes. Functional groups on nanomaterial surfaces exhibited various interactions such as agglomeration, electrostatic, hydrogen bonding, ion exchange, coordination and π-π stacking interactions, enabling dual-purpose detection and removal of F–. These materials offer unique properties such as tunable pore structure, size, and morphology coupled with large surface area and high thermal/chemical stability. Further, this perspective review discusses prospects for sustainable technologies and describes the advantages and disadvantages of using FNM based on its optical properties for detection and removal efficiency. We believe this is the first account that summarizes the single FNM that can be used for simultaneously the selective detection of F– in aqueous media and its efficient removal

A Study of [2+2] Cycloaddition–Retroelectrocyclization in Water: Observation of Substrate-driven Transient Nanoreactor Induced New Reactivity

Organic solvents limit [2+2] cycloaddition-retroelectrocyclization (CA–RE) in biological fields. We examined the formation of 1,1,4,4-tetracyanobuta-1,3-dienes (TCBDs) through CA–RE reactions and their unusual reactivity to produce N-heterocyclic compounds when surfactant nature and concentrations were varied in the aqueous phase. An environment in which transient self-assembly (vesicles) was induced by substrate and surfactant molecules initiated new reactivity through H2O addition on the TCBD generating enol form of the intermediate which results in the formation of the 6,6-dicyano-heteropentafulvene (amidofulvene) compound while lamellar sheets at higher concentrations favored TCBD generation. Interestingly, the amidofulvene underwent a clean transformation to 6-membered-heterocycles via keto-enol tautomerism mediated by a polar aprotic solvent which resembles cardiotonic drugs (milrinone, amrinone), opening up a new avenue for drug discovery. Unlike organic solvent-mediated CA–RE reactions, the present nanoreactor-mediated approach enabled the selective production of TCBDs as well as new heterocycles using H2O as a green solvent. Besides the widely explored organic electronics/materials, we believe that this study would help overcome the long-standing limitation of CA–RE reaction applicability in biological fields