Search

•Theoretical investigation on CsPb(I1-xBrx)3(x = 0, 1, 2, 3).•These perovskites have good dielectric constant and high refractive index.•They have also excellent thermoelectric performances.•The mixing of Br produces increment in the power factor.•These materials can be used as alternative source of energy in heat generators.

ABSTRACTIntroductionDespite cancer treatment strides, mortality due to ovarian cancer remains high globally. While immunotherapy has proven effective in treating cancers with low cure rates, it has limitations. Growing evidence suggests that both tumoral and non-tumoral components of the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) play a significant role in cancer growth. Therefore, developing novel and focused therapy for ovarian cancer is critical. Studies indicate that TIME is involved in developing ovarian cancer, particularly genome-, transcriptome-, and proteome-wide studies. As a result, TIME may present a prospective therapeutic target for ovarian cancer patients.Areas coveredWe examined several TIME-targeting medicines and the connection between TIME and ovarian cancer. The key protagonists and events in the TIME and therapeutic strategies that explicitly target these events in ovarian cancer are discussed.Expert opinionWe highlighted various targeted therapies against TIME in ovarian cancer, including anti-angiogenesis therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors. While these therapies are in their infancy, they have shown promise in controlling ovarian cancer progression. The use of ‘omics’ technology is helping in better understanding of TIME in ovarian cancer and potentially identifying new therapeutic targets. TIME-targeted strategies could account for an additional treatment strategy when treating ovarian cancer.

In the present work, perovskite oxides XReO3(X = Rb, Cs, Tl) have been reported using density functional theory (DFT) for structural, electronic, mechanical, elastic, and thermodynamic properties. Structural optimization has been carried out using local density approximation (LDA) and generalized gradient approximation (GGA) in the scheme of Perdew, Burke, and Ernzerhof. Electronic properties have been calculated using GGA, and all the three materials were found to have metallic nature. From the elastic constants, all the three compounds were found mechanically stable in cubic structure. Poisson’s ratio (ν), Cauchy’s pressure (C12–C44) and Pugh ratio (B/G) present the ductile nature of RbReO3and TlReO3, whereas CsReO3was found to establish a brittle nature. These compounds were found to have an elastically anisotropic nature. The calculated melting temperatures were found to be 2851 ± 300, 2814 ± 300, and 2924 ± 300 K, respectively, for XReO3(X = Rb, Cs, Tl). Using quasi-harmonic Debye approximation, we have calculated the pressure- and temperature-dependent variation in cell volume, bulk modulus, Debye temperature, and specific heat capacity.

Quorum sensing (QS) is an inter-cell communication between bacterial populations through release of tiny diffusible compounds as signalling agents, called auto-inducers, abetting bacteria to track population density. QS allows bacterial population to perform collectively in coordination to wide phenotypes like alterations in expression of virulence genes to achieve advancement over their competitors, drug resistance and biofilm formation. Several classes of autoinducers have been described that are involved in bacterial virulence. This review gives an insight into the multitudinous QS systems in Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria to explore their role in microbial physiology and pathogenesis. Bacterial resistance to antibiotics has clinically become a super challenge. Strategies to interrupt QS pathways by natural and synthetic QS inhibitors or quorum quenchers or analogs provide a potential treatment. We highlight the advancements in discovery of promising new targets for development of next generation antimicrobials to control infections caused by multidrug resistant bacterial pathogens.

•Temperature dependent electronic, mechanical and thermal properties of BaNpO3oxide have been investigated.•The calculated value of different lattice parameters is found to be consistent with the experimental results.•BaNpO3is a ductile material and changes to brittle at higher pressures.

Background:Diarrhoeagenic Escherichia coli(DEC) is associated with early death of children in developing countries and are being identified now as an important evolving pathogen. The objective of this study was to perform multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for simultaneous detection of six categories of DEC in two sets of PCR reactions using 11 virulent genes. Materialsand Methods:During 1-year study period, forty isolates each from outpatient, inpatient and healthy groups were collected from children. E. coliwas identified using conventional biochemical methods. DNA extraction was done using kit, and the extracted DNA was used as a template for multiplex PCR. Results:Virulent genes of DEC were detected in 106 (88.33%) samples. Overall, eltand estwere detected in 8.33% and 30.83% of specimens; typical, atypical enteropathogenic E. coliand bfpwere detected in 13.33%, 29.16% and 19.16% specimens; eaggwas detected in 39.16% and east in 13.33% specimens and stxand hylawere isolated in 1.66% specimens each. While diffusely adherent E. coliand enteroinvasive E. coligenes were not isolated. Conclusion:Multiplex PCR is a rapid method for the simultaneous detection of 11 virulent genes of DEC at a time and it will provide a platform in understanding the diarrheal diseases in a more improved manner.

We investigated spinel chalcogenides HgLa2(S/Se)4by using density function theory, and scrutinized the structural, optical, electrical, mechanical and thermoelectric transport characteristics of HgLa2(S/Se)4spinel chalcogenides. The enthalpy of formation, energy of cohesion, and energy volume optimum plots were used to obtain the stability as well as the perfect ground state of these materials. The ductility of these materials was the best illustrated with the help of Poisson's and Pugh's ratios. The band gap results were obtained using Trans and Blaha modified Becke-Johanson potential (TB-mBJ). Both the materials present semi-conducting nature with direct band gap equal to 1.449 and 0.892 eV respectively for HgLa2S4and HgLa2Se4. Calculations were also made for optical characteristics with the values of dielectric function, absorption coefficient, optical conductivity, reflectivity, and refractive indices. According to the findings, both of these materials are suitable for infrared optoelectronic applications. These materials were found to have promising optoelectronic and thermoelectric applications after their optical properties and transport aspects were evaluated. Despite tiny levels of temperature conductivities, substantial amounts of power conductivities, the figure of merit (more than unity), as well as Seebeck coefficients all point to the potential use of both the materials in thermoelectric power generators.

Intermetallic compounds are innovative materials and are far superior to conventional metals and alloys. These intermetallic compounds have a great potential in industrial and technological fields because most of the intermetallic compounds are stronger as well asstiffer at elevated temperature and provide far better corrosion resistance than conventional metals and alloys.Over the past few years the scientific interest in the study of these intermetallic compounds emanates greatly because of their high-tech applications. Our motivation of the present studyMgTl mainly consernedon the physical data generation in context with its possible vast applications .We used a theoretical approach within the local density approximation method to study the structural and electronic properties of MgTl by calculating total energy. As far as our calculations are concerned, the band structure shows the overlapping of conduction and valence band thus itis clear that MgTl in its pure form is a good conductor of heat and electricity and falls in the category of metals. We have also calculated lattice parameters, bulkmodules, first order derivative electronic and lattice heat coefficient and Debye temperature.

Worldwide around 2 million deaths occur every year due to diarrhoeal illnesses among children less than 5 years of age. Among diarrhoeagenic Escherichia coli, Enteropathogenic E. coli(EPEC) is highly prevalent in both community and hospital settings and is one of the main causes of persistent diarrhea in children in developing countries. EPEC remains underdiagnosed in India due to lack of conventional tools for identification.