PRELIMINARY MYCOCHEMICAL, GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY–MASS SPECTROSCOPY ANALYSIS, AND ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES OF CALOCERA VISCOSA (PERS.) FR.

Objectives: Calocera viscosa, commonly called as the yellow stagshorn, is a jelly fungus, belongs to the family of Dacrymycetales, unknown for its medicinal properties and biological activities. Method: The sporocarps of C. viscosa (Pers.) Fr. were collected from Agumbe, Karnataka. Mycochemical and Gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (GC–MS) analysis done by standard procedures and antibacterial activity was done by agar well diffusion method. Results: Physicochemical was analyzed and results revealed the highest percentage of alcohol-soluble extractives were present followed by ash content. Alcohol-soluble extractives were 20.76%, total moisture content (10.9%), and foreign matter (0.5%). Extraction was done by Soxhlet apparatus using petroleum ether, chloroform, and ethanol and subjected to qualitative mycochemicals analysis both petroleum ether and chloroform extract confirms less mycochemicals, whereas ethanolic extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, sterols, glycosides, terpenoids, and phenols. GC–MS analysis of ethanoic extract showed many known bioactive compounds in that, 19 compounds were unknown and 21 compounds were known for its medicinal properties, most of them were food additives and flavoring agents. Antibacterial potentials were studied against pathogenic bacteria revealed that ethanolic extract showed appreciable zone of inhibition against pathogenic bacteria, in that maximum zone of inhibition showed against Klebsiella pneumonia followed by Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Conclusion: C. viscosa (Pers.) Fr. sporocarp can be explored for potential antibacterial with rich full of useful mycochemicals

COMPUTER-ASSISTED DRUG DESIGNING OF TRIAZOLE DERIVATIVE OF NOSCAPINE AS TUBULIN-BINDING ANTICANCER DRUG

Objective: Microtubule-interfering drugs are commonly used to treat malignant disorders owing to indispensable role of this cytoskeletal element. These drugs include paclitaxel, docetaxel, and the Vinca alkaloids; however, owing to their non-selective action and overpolymerizing effects, these chemotherapy drugs are confounded by complications with serious toxicity (particularly, peripheral neuropathies, gastrointestinal toxicity, myelosuppression, and immunosuppression) (by taxanes) or depolymerizing effects (by Vincas) on microtubules. Thus, there is urgent need to explore novel tubulin-binding agents that are significantly effective and comparatively less toxic compared to currently available drugs for the treatment of human cancer. The current study focuses fusion of two novel anticancer compounds with low toxicity, i.e., noscapine and triazole to generate a new ligand derivative.Methods: Using computer-aided drug designing approach and molecular docking, molecular interaction of these derivatives with αβ-tubulin heterodimer was confirmed and investigated by molecular docking along with dynamics simulation.Results: A greater affinity of the newly designed ligands for binding to tubulin was predicted. The predictive binding free energy (Gbind,pred) of these derivatives (ranging from −10.5178 to −16.8473 kcal/mol) based on linear interaction energy method with a surface generalized born continuum salvation model showed improved binding affinity with tubulin as compared to the lead compound. natural α-Noscapine (−5.505 kcal/mol). The binding energy of ligand determined using LigX, i.e., MM/GBVI was found to be −23.208 kcal/mol.Conclusion: We found that designed derivative compounds have better efficacy as compared noscapine and triazole

UV Induced Photodegradation of Direct Green dye by Tb-doped La10Si6O27 Catalyst

Due to the expansion of industry, the world's population growth has led to increased air and water contamination. Because they are poisonous and non-biodegradable, organic dyes are a significant source of this contamination. Studies have concentrated on photocatalysts to transform organic dyes into innocuous compounds in order to lessen the harm that organic colours cause. In this study, solution combustion technique was employed to prepare rare-earth metal (terbium (Tb)) doped lanthanum silicate phosphor (La10Si6O27) using lanthanum nitrate and fumed silica were utilized as precursors, oxalyldihydrazide was used as fuel, and terbium nitrate was used as a dopant. The photocatalytic activities for the Direct Green-23 (DG23) dye degradation under UV irradiation were studied and found that 59.05% of dyes degraded at 120 min. These findings shows that, La10Si6O27 is a promising material for industrial dye degradation since 59.05% of the dyes were absorbed by the material in 120 min.This work was supported by Qatar University through a National Capacity Building Program Grant (NCBP), [QUCP-CAM-2022-463]. The publication of the article was funded by Qatar National Library

Clinicosocial profile of people who inject drugs receiving opioid substitution therapy at New Delhi

Introduction: Injecting drug use is a public health concern due to its clinical, social, economic, and legal consequences. Objective: (1) To evaluate the prevalence of infections associated with injecting drug use; and (2) To assess the social profile of substance users and high-risk behaviors among people who inject drugs (PWID) receiving opioid substitution therapy (OST). Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 PWID who were deemed eligible using inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were collected through an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire after obtaining informed written consent. Results: The results revealed that 14% of PWID had human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), 7% had tuberculosis, and 2% had hepatitis B virus (HBV). None of the PWID self-reported hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Importantly, 71% of PWID were living on the streets (i.e. homeless), and 41% of PWID had a history of sharing needles with other users in the preceding 3 months. Unmarried or single PWID had significantly increased risk of homelessness (χ2 = 4.570; P = 0.032) and reported high-risk sexual practices with commercial sexual partners in the preceding 3 months (χ2 = 4.163; P = 0.041). Homeless PWID had significantly increased frequency of injecting practices (P = 0.020). Conclusion: Despite the higher global prevalence of HCV compared with HBV and HIV among PWID, HCV testing is not currently conducted at most OST centers in India. Access to free needles and syringes should be enhanced to reduce the morbidity associated with injecting drug use

The E-shaped patch to enhance the bandwidth of printed monopole antenna for UWB

In this Paper, a printed monopole antenna (PMA) with an E-shaped patch has been proposed for UWB applications. The conventional PMA is designed with the center frequency of 6.77 GHz with wide bandwidth. The bandwidth is enhanced to cover the UWB band by modifying the rectangular patch in to E-shape. The rectangular slots in E-shape generates the resonating modes and it will help to enhance the bandwidth to cover UWB. The simulations demonstrate more than 3.99 dBi peak gain with UWB bandwidth (3.1- 10.6) GHz and excellent monopole radiations in both principal planes. A prototype has been fabricated using commercially available low-loss dielectric material FR4 (glass epoxy) with dielectric constant (εr)= 4.4. The experimental validation of predicted simulation results is under process

Comparative analysis of the effect of post-annealing on CeO2 and DC Magnetron Sputtered WO3/ CeO2 nanorods thin films for smart windows

This study investigates and evaluates thin films of WO3 (Tungsten Oxide) coated CeO2 (Cerium Oxide) Nanostructure (NR) for electrochromic applications. Using CH4N2O (Urea) and Ce(NO3)3.6H2O (Cerium Nitrate Hexahydrate) on a fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) base, cerium oxide nanorods were produced hydrothermally. Cerium Oxide nanorods were coated with a thin coating of WO3 using DC magnetron sputtering under argon gas at room temperature. In a three-electrode electrochemical system, thin sheets of manufactured WO3/CeO2 nanorods (NRs) served as the working electrode, saturated Hg/HgCl2 served as the reference electrode, and platinum wire served as the counter electrode. To produce the 0.5 M electrolyte, the H2SO4 solution was diluted in deionized (DI) water. Electrochromic tests revealed a 12.15 cm2/C coloring efficiency for annealed 10 µL HCl CeO2/WO3 film. A scanning electron microscope (SEM), an electrochemical analyzer, an X-ray diffraction spectrometer, and an ultraviolet-visible spectrometer were used to study the optical properties, composition, surface morphology, and electrochromic property of the generated thin films. Due to its high charge capacity and optical transmission properties, CeO2 nanorods with WO3 coating have proven to be a practical material for electrochromic devices (ECD)

Energy storage, sensors, photocatalytic applications of green synthesized ZnO: Fe3+ nanomaterials

ZnO nanomaterials doped with Fe3+ ions at concentrations ranging from 1 % to 7 % were synthesized using an environmentally friendly combustion technique. These materials were then analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and UV–Visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV–Visible DRS). The resulting crystallite size was determined to be between 20 nm and 25 nm. By applying the Kubelka-Munk function, the band gap was calculated and found to vary from 2.55 eV to 2.99 eV. For the investigation of electrochemical properties, modified carbon paste electrodes containing ZnO: Fe3+ (1–7 mol%) were subjected to cyclic voltammetry (CV) and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). Notably, the ZnO: Fe3+ (1 mol%) electrode demonstrated promising characteristics for supercapacitor applications. This same electrode was also utilized for detecting paracetamol and glucose at concentrations ranging from 1 mM to 5 mM using CV and chronoamperometry techniques, underscoring its potential as an electrochemical sensor. Moreover, the photocatalytic capability of ZnO: Fe3+ (1 mol%) nanomaterial was assessed through the degradation of Methylene Blue and Acid Orange-8 dyes. The results were impressive, with this particular photocatalyst achieving 94.45 % degradation of Methylene Blue and 96.29% degradation of acid orange-8 dye. These outcomes validate its efficacy for applications in photocatalytic dye degradation. In conclusion, the ZnO: Fe3+ (1 mol%) nanomaterial synthesized via environmentally friendly means exhibits substantial promise for diverse applications in electrochemical and photocatalytic domains

Synthesis and biological evaluation of some new 2,5-disubstituted 1,3,4-oxadiazoles from 3-(arylsulfonyl) propanehydrazides

208-211Methyl acrylate on treatment with aryl thiols gives methyl 3-(arylthio) propanoates. The latter on oxidation with hydrogen peroxide followed by reaction with hydrazine hydrate gives 3-(arylsulfonyl) propanehydrazides. Two new series of 2,5-disubstituted-1,3,4-oxadiazoles from 3-[(4-chlorophenyl)sulfonyl] propane hydrazide and 3-[(4-methylphenyl)-sulfonyl] propane hydrazide have been synthesized and tested for antimicrobial activities. Some of these compounds have shown good antimicrobial activity

Flavonols have opposite effects on the interrelated glucosinolate and camalexin biosynthetic pathways in Arabidopsis thaliana

Naik J, Tyagi S, Rajput R, et al. Flavonols have opposite effects on the interrelated glucosinolate and camalexin biosynthetic pathways in Arabidopsis thaliana. Journal of Experimental Botany. Accepted: erad391.Flavonols are structurally and functionally diverse biomolecules involved in plant biotic and abiotic stress tolerance, pollen development, and inhibition of auxin transport. Despite the ubiquitous nature and multifunctionality of flavonols in land plants, their effects on global gene expression and signaling pathways are unclear. To explore the roles of flavonol metabolites in signaling, we performed comparative transcriptome and targeted metabolite profiling of seedlings from the flavonol-deficient Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) loss-of-function mutant flavonol synthase1 (fls1) with and without exogenous supplementation of flavonol derivatives (kaempferol, quercetin, and rutin). Our RNA-seq results indicated that flavanols modulate various biological and metabolic pathways, with significant alteration in camalexin and aliphatic glucosinolate synthesis. Flavonols negatively regulated camalexin biosynthesis but appeared to promote the accumulation of aliphatic glucosinolates via transcription factor–mediated upregulation of biosynthesis genes. Interestingly, upstream amino acid biosynthesis genes involved in methionine and tryptophan synthesis were altered under flavonol deficiency and exogenous supplementation. Quercetin treatment significantly upregulated aliphatic glucosinolate biosynthesis genes compared to kaempferol and rutin. In addition, expression and metabolite analysis of the transparent testa7 mutant, which lacks hydroxylated flavonol derivatives, clarified the role of quercetin in the glucosinolate biosynthesis pathway. This study elucidates the molecular mechanisms by which flavonols interfere with signaling pathways, their molecular targets, and the multiple biological activities of flavonols in plants

Synthesis and characterisation of diastereomeric (<i style="">E</i> & <i style="">Z</i>) vinylsulfides and vinylsulfones from <i style="">p</i>-tolylphenylacetylene

765-769The addition of p-methylbenzenethiol to p-tolyl­phenyl­acetylene results in the formation of a mixture of diastereomeric (E) & (Z)-1-(4-methylphenyl)-2-phenyl-1-[(4-methyl­phenyl)thio] ethylenes (1 and 2) and (E) & (Z)-2-(4-methylphenyl)-1-phenyl-1-[(4-methylphenyl)thio] ethylenes (3 and 4). The configurations of these compounds have been established by 1H NMR studies, by their preparation from benzyl p-tolyl ketone and p-methylbenzyl phenyl ketone, and by the oxidation of the thioethylenes 1, 2, 3 and 4 to the corresponding sulfonylethylenes 5, 6, 7 and 8 respectively