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We report an enhanced magnetoelectric (ME) effect in spin–phonon coupled single-phase La1−xSmxYFe2O6 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1). The structural, electric, magnetic, and ME properties have been investigated to establish their interplay leading to magnetoelectricity. X-ray diffraction study suggests the facilitation of the P21nm phase (double perovskite lattice arrangements) formation and improved structural order due to the substitution of Sm in the lattice. Antiferromagnetic (AFM) transition ∼700 K along with a spin-reorientation transition around room temperature (RT) and below is observed in the thermomagnetic curve. The indication of short range ordering in the magnetization data in the form of a non-Griffiths-like phase (nGP) is observed. The short range ordering could be minimized along with consequent improvement in AFM ordering, due to Sm substitution. An enhanced (∼31% with respect to x = 0) RT first-order ME coupling coefficient ∼0.59 mV cm−1 Oe−1 in x = 0.75 composition is observed. The findings reported here open the door to exercise spin-reorientation transition in the spin–phonon coupled double perovskites for spintronic device applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil erosion is a serious threat to agriculture and environmental sustainability in the risk‐prone rainfed Himalayan ecosystem. Hence, runoff and soil loss mitigation ability of four maize‐based intensified systems; maize (Zea mays) + turmeric (Curcuma longa), maize + ginger (Zingiber officinale), maize + colocasia (Colocasia esculenta), and maize + sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) were tested against the sole maize. The study recorded 41 erosive events during the 2020–2022 monsoon season. A principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to transform correlated rainfall parameters into orthogonal principal components. A two‐dimensional biplot analysis examined the relationship between PCs, rainfall events, and rainfall parameters. The rainfall events were divided into three regimes based on cluster analysis using PC. Rainfall regime 1 was characterized by low rainfall, I30, rainfall erosivity (E), and moderate rainfall duration (D), regime2 with moderate rainfall, short duration, high I30, and E, and regime3 with high D, I30, and rainfall erosivity. The soil loss of regime‐3 was 9.29 and 3.24 times higher than regime‐1 and regime‐2, respectively. Cover crops reduced runoff by 21.5%–69.3% and soil loss by 54.1%–77.0% over control. Redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that rainfall parameters (I30, I60, D, and E) had a significant direct influence across the systems, explaining 37.7%–54.9% of response variable variance, with E being the most influential (47.4%–54.9%), indicating varied impacts on runoff and soil loss. The sweet potato was best suited with maize as an intercrop to minimize soil erosion and maximize the system's profitability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the notion of soft normal int-field over a field has been introduced. We have established a correspondence, called Soft Galois correspondence, between the soft intermediate int-fields of a finite Galois extension and the soft intgroups of the Galois group corresponding to the field extension. We have generalized some results of Galois theory in the environment of soft set theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detection of gas molecules and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) using efficient, low cost sensors has fetched significant attention in environmental monitoring, safety measures and medical diagnosis. In the present work, nickel ferrite (NFO) nanoparticles are explored as p‐type semiconducting metal oxide (SMO) sensor for detection of five different organic vapors namely methanol, ethanol, n‐propanol, iso‐propanol and acetone which often cause severe damage to human body under prolonged exposure. The sensing studies in presence of the aforementioned five vapors are carried out by varying the sensor operating temperature (225–300 °C) and vapor concentrations (10–1000 ppm). Developed NFO sensor demonstrated best performance in terms of sensing (~10 ppm), response time (<10 s), excellent repeatability and selectivity towards ethanol among all other considered gas species. The repeatability of the sensor response is verified and the underlying reasons for the variation in the response of NFO sensor due to the change of operating temperature, analyte type and concentrations has been discussed. The synthesis of NFO through auto combustion method and study on their formation behaviour, oxygen vacancy evolution, band gap calculation, crystalline nature as well as microstructural features provides here the comprehensive information about the potential application of NFO nanoparticles as gas sensor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report an enhanced magnetoelectric (ME) effect in spin–phonon coupled single-phase La1−xSmxYFe2O6 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1). The structural, electric, magnetic, and ME properties have been investigated to establish their interplay leading to magnetoelectricity. X-ray diffraction study suggests the facilitation of the P21nm phase (double perovskite lattice arrangements) formation and improved structural order due to the substitution of Sm in the lattice. Antiferromagnetic (AFM) transition ∼700 K along with a spin-reorientation transition around room temperature (RT) and below is observed in the thermomagnetic curve. The indication of short range ordering in the magnetization data in the form of a non-Griffiths-like phase (nGP) is observed. The short range ordering could be minimized along with consequent improvement in AFM ordering, due to Sm substitution. An enhanced (∼31% with respect to x = 0) RT first-order ME coupling coefficient ∼0.59 mV cm−1 Oe−1 in x = 0.75 composition is observed. The findings reported here open the door to exercise spin-reorientation transition in the spin–phonon coupled double perovskites for spintronic device applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract\nHIGHLIGHTSHygroscopic nature of alkali metal chloride salts makes attaining mono-sized dried particles from their aqueous precursor solution an engineering challenge for conventional co-current or counter-current spray driers. Conventional spray driers offer better thermal utilization in either the spray zone or dried particle zone depending on their configuration viz. co-current or counter-current, respectively. In this work, an alternative prototype named induction heating based pulsed spray drier (IH-PSD) is proposed to obtain dry alkali metal chloride salt powders with narrow particle size distribution. Laser diffraction analysis is carried out for initial droplet size distribution whereas scanning electron microscopy and sieve shaker analysis is carried out for studying the particle morphology and particle size distribution of dried powder for all the selected salts. The resultant particle properties emphasized in the present work are the dried particle to initial droplet diameter ratio and the wet basis moisture content. It has been observed that the ratio of mean volume diameter of dried particle to sauter mean diameter of initial droplet lies in the range of 0.4–3.6 meanwhile the wet basis moisture content of dried powder lies in the range of 1.4–3.6 for the selected salts. Artificial neural network (ANN) model is applied for inferring the influence of IHPSD process parameters on the above mentioned dried particle properties and satisfactory convergence with experimental values has been achieved.Spray drying prototype coupled with Induction heating and mechanical pulsationScanning electron microscopy for morphological study of spray dried particleLaser diffraction for initial droplet size distribution analysisSieve shaker experiments for size distribution analysis of spray dried particleArtificial neural network for prediction of droplet to dried particle size ratio [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introducing kosmotropic salts enhances protein stability and reduces solubility by withdrawing water from the protein surface, leading to 'salting out', a phenomenon we have mimicked in supramolecular polymers (SPs). Under the guidance of Ag + , folic acid (FA) self-assembled in water through slipped-stacking and hydrophobic interactions into elongated, robust one-dimensional SPs, resulting in thermo-stable supergels. The SPs exhibited temperature and dilution tolerance, attributed to the stability of the FA-Ag + complex and its hydrophobic stacking. Importantly, FA-Ag + SP's stability has been augmented by the kosmotropic anions, such as SO 4 2- , strengthening hydrophobic interactions in the SP, evident from the enhanced J-band, causing improvement of gel's mechanical property. Interestingly, higher kosmotrope concentrations caused a significant decrease in SP's solubility, leading to precipitation of the reinforced SPs─a 'salting out' effect. Conversely, chaotropes like ClO 4 - slightly destabilized hydrophobic stacking and promoted an extended conformation of individual SP chain with enhanced solubility, resembling a 'salting in' effect.

In the modern environment conscious era, there has been a huge demand for the effective green method to fabricate biomaterials for sustained transdermal release of diltiazem hydrochloride to treat hypertension and cardiac failure. In this vein, the present study explores the amination of waste jute sourced nanocellulose (ANC) and its effect as a reinforcing filler to design electrospun polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/chitosan based polymeric nanofibrous scaffold for drug delivery. The characterization results of FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) confirm the successful chemical modification of nanocellulose (NCC). SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) results indicate the morphological modifications in ANC due to grafting. ANC enhances the mechanical properties of scaffold and sustains the release of the loaded drug to 67.89±3.39% as compared to the pure PVA/chitosan scaffold of 92.63±4.63% over a period of 72 h as shown by the results of in-vitro drug release study. Moreover, the incorporation of 0.5 % ANC improves the anti-bacterial activity against both gram-positive (97.4±4.87%, reduction in viable cells count) and gram-negative bacteria (98.5±4.93%, reduction in viable cells count). Further, the skin irritation and MTT assay authenticate the biocompatibility of the developed scaffold. The overall findings hence prove the efficacy of the engineered scaffold as a potential transdermal patch for sustained drug delivery applications., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Phosgene, diphosgene, and chlorine are called choking agents due to their acute toxicity to the respiratory system by directly attacking through inhalation and causing acute hypoxia, asphyxia and death. For these reasons, small-molecule fluorescent probes have been developed for their detection to ensure public safety. In this regard, two thiophene-based chemodosimetric fluorescent probes TCAO (( Z )-3-(4-(dimethylamino)phenyl)thiophene-2-carbaldehyde oxime) and HMBT (( Z )-4-(2-((hydroxyimino)methyl)thiophen-3-yl)benzonitrile) were designed, synthesized and characterized using 1 H-NMR, 13 C NMR, FT-IR spectroscopy and HRMS methods. Probe TCAO exhibited higher selectivity and sensitivity for detecting phosgene than probe HMBT. The electron-donating group (EDG) and electron-withdrawing group (EWG) play a crucial role in detecting phosgene. TCAO, bearing EDG, exhibited a fluorescence 'turn-on' response by the NGP-assisted conversion of aldoxime to the cyano group in the presence of phosgene; whereas HMBT, bearing EWG, did not show any fluorometric response. Therefore, further studies were conducted on TCAO, and the quantum yield changed from Φ = 0.043 to Φ = 0.155 in the presence of phosgene. The limit of detection for TCAO was estimated to be as low as 51 nm. In addition, onsite monitoring for visual detection was performed using the easy-to-handle paper-strip method.

Short hyperglycaemic episodes trigger metabolic memory (MM) in which managing hyperglycaemia alone is not enough to tackle the progression of Diabetic nephropathy on the epigenetic axis. We used a structural similarity search approach to identify phytochemicals similar to natural epigenetic modifiers and docked with SIRT1 protein and did ADME studies. We found that UMB was 84.3% similar to esculetin. Upon docking, we found that UMB had a binding energy of -9.2 kcal/mol while the standard ligand had -11.8 kcal/mol. ADME showed UMB to be a good lead. 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay showed it to be a good antioxidant with IC 50 of 107 µg/mL and MTT stands for 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) showed that it does not promote cell death. Oxidative biomarkers in vitro showed UMB was able to ameliorate glycemic memory induced by high glucose. Western blot revealed decreased histone acetylation under hyperglycaemic conditions and upon treatment with UMB along with DR, its levels increased. This led us to check our hypothesis of whether concomitant diet reversal (DR) together with UMB can alleviate high-fat diet-induced metabolic memory and diabetic nephropathy (DN) in SD rats. UMB was able to decrease blood glucose, lipid, renal, and liver profile concluding UMB was able to ameliorate DN and MM by increasing the histone acetylation level.

B(C 6 F 5 ) 3 and the corresponding anion [B(C 6 F 5 ) 4 ] - are ubiquitous in main group and transition metal chemistry. Known derivatives are generally limited to the incorporation of electron donating substituents. Herein we describe electrophilic fluorination and dearomatization of such species using XeF 2 in the presence of BF 3 or Lewis acidic cations. In this fashion the anions [HB(C 6 F 5 ) 3 ] - , [B(C 6 F 5 ) 4 ] - and [(C 6 F 5 ) 3 BC≡NB(C 6 F 5 ) 3 ] - , are converted to [FB(C 6 F 7 ) 3 ] - , [B(C 6 F 7 ) 4 ] - , and [(C 6 F 7 ) 3 BC≡NB(C 6 F 7 ) 3 ] - , respectively. Similarly, the borane adducts (L)B(C 6 F 7 ) 3 (L=MeCN, OPEt 3 ) are produced. These rare examples of electrophilic attack of electron deficient rings proceed as [XeF][BF 4 ] acts as a frustrated Lewis pair effecting fluorination and dearomatization of C 6 F 5 rings., (© 2024 The Authors. Chemistry - A European Journal published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Growing concerns over water availability arise from the problems of population growth, rapid industrialization, and human interferences, necessitating accurate streamflow estimation at the river basin scale. It is extremely challenging to access stream flow data of a transboundary river at a spatio-temporal scale due to data unavailability caused by water conflicts for assessing the water availability.Primarily, this estimation is done using rainfall-runoff models. The present study addresses this challenge by applying the soil and water assessment tool (SWAT) for hydrological modelling, utilizing high-resolution geospatial inputs. Hydrological modelling using remote sensing and GIS (Geographic Information System) through this model is initiated to assess the water availability in the Ganga River basin at different locations. The outputs are calibrated and validated using the observed station data from Global Runoff Data Centre (GRDC). To check the performance of the model, Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE), percent bias (PBIAS), coefficient of determination (R 2 ), and RSR efficacy measures are initiated in ten stations using the observed and simulated stream flow data. The R 2 values of eight stations range from 0.82 to 0.93, reflecting the efficacy of the model in rainfall-runoff modelling. Moreover, the results obtained from this hydrological modelling can serve as valuable resources for water resource planners and geographers for future reference., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

The increasing demand for clean hydrogen production over fossil fuels necessitates the development of sustainable piezoelectrochemical methods that can overcome the limitations of conventional electrocatalytic and photocatalytic approaches. In this regard, existing piezocatalysts face challenges related to their low piezoelectricity or active site coverage for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Driven by global environmental concerns, there is a compelling push to engineer practical materials for highly efficient HER. Herein, monoelemental 2D tellurium (Te) is presented as a class of layered chalcogenide with a non-centrosymmetric crystal structure (P3 1 21 space group). The refined Te nanosheets demonstrate an unprecedented highly efficient H 2 production rate ≈9000 µmol g -1  h -1 under ultrasonic mechanical vibration due to built-in piezo-potential in the system. The remarkable piezocatalytic performance of Te nanosheets arises from a synergistic interplay between their semi-metallic nature, favorable free energy landscape, enhanced electrical conductivity and outstanding piezoelectricity. As a proof of concept, the theoretical approach based on Density Functional Theory (DFT) validates the findings due to the gradual exposure of active sites on the Te nanosheets leading to a self-optimized catalytic performance for hydrogen generation. Therefore, mechanically driven Te emerges as a promising piezocatalyst with the potential to revolutionize highly efficient and sustainable technology for futuristic applications., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Water-processable hybrid piezo- and thermo-electric materials have an increasing range of applications. We use the nanoconfinement effect of ferroelectric discrete molecular complex [Cu(l-phe)(bpy)(H 2 O)]PF 6 ·H 2 O ( 1 ) in a nonpolar polymer 1D-nanofiber to envision the high-performance flexible hybrid piezo- and thermo-electric nanogenerator (TEG). The 1D-nanoconfined crystallization of 1 enhances piezoelectric throughput with a high degree of mechano-sensitivity, i.e., 710 mV/N up to 3 N of applied force with 10,000 cycles of unaffected mechanical endurance. Thermoelectric properties analysis shows a noticeable improvement in Seebeck coefficient (∼4 fold) and power factor (∼6 fold) as compared to its film counterpart, which is attributed to the enhanced density of states near the Fermi edges as evidenced by ultraviolet photoelectric spectroscopy and density functional based theoretical calculations. We report an aqueous processable hybrid TEG that provides an impressive magnitude of Seebeck coefficient (∼793 μV/K) and power factor (∼35 mWm -1 K -2 ) in comparison to a similar class of materials.

Exploring a convenient, scalable, yet effective broadband electromagnetic wave absorber (EMA) in the gigahertz (GHz) region is of high interest today to quench its expanding demand. Ni-Zn ferrite is considered as a potential EMA; however, their performance study as a scalable effective millimeter-length absorber is still limited. Herein, we investigated EM wave attenuation properties of Ni 0.5 Zn 0.5 Fe 2 O 4 (NZF) samples substituting Mn ion in place of Fe 3+ as well as Zn 2+ within a widely used frequency range of 0.1-9 GHz. Through composition optimization, Ni 0.5 Zn 0.4 Mn 0.1 Fe 2 O 4 (NZM0.1F) EMA demonstrates excellent microwave absorption performance accompanied by simultaneous maximum reflection loss (RL) of -50.2 dB and wide BW of 6.8 GHz (with RL < -10 dB, i.e., attenuation >90%) at an optimum thickness of 6 mm. Moreover, the attenuation constant significantly increases from ∼217 to 301 Np/m with Mn doping. The key contribution arises from magnetic-dielectric properties synergy along with enhanced dielectric and magnetic losses owing to cation chemistry and site occupation in spinel NZF. In addition, porosity is induced in the system by a controlled two-step heat treatment process that promotes total loss with multiple internal reflections of the EM wave. Furthermore, RL is simulated by varying incident EM wave angles for the NZM0.1F sample displaying its angle insensitivity up to 50°. Our results reveal NZM0.1F as a futuristic environment-friendly microwave absorber material that is suitable for practical high-frequency applications.

Anisotropy in mechanical, optical and thermal sensors in a spatial direction has many applications in health care, robotics, aerospace, and tissue engineering. In particular, wearable and implantable sensors respond to stretching and bending strains that probe mechanical energy and track physiological signals. Hence, the development of anisotropic pressure sensors with true piezoelectric (PE) signals is of utmost importance to achieve efficient devices. Herein, a simple and efficient method is developed for high longitudinal and transverse responses, with an approach to isolating a true piezoelectric signal. The electrospun (ES) polarity of oriented dipoles inside flexible fibers gives rise to a high longitudinal/transverse PE response of both lateral and transverse strains. Nanofibers of poly(vinylidene-chlorotrifluoroethylene) copolymers contain poled dipoles, up to 86%, that promote an enhanced PE coefficient of 42 pm V -1 in the case of negative polarity-based electrospinning. It is 40% higher in composition than the commonly adopted positive polarity-biased electrospinning process. We demonstrated the advantage of such a high PE coefficient by the enhanced sensitivity of the longitudinal ( V Ls = 0.3 V kPa -1 , I Ls = 0.07 μA kPa -1 ) as well as transverse ( V Ts = 1.0 V kPa -1 , I Ts = 0.8 μA kPa -1 ) PE response. To counter the ambiguity of high transverse response as compared to longitudinal in electrospun fiber-based devices, a facile method is proposed to isolate the ferroelectret, triboelectric and piezoelectric signals in a fiber-based hybrid device with their independent charge generation mechanisms.

This study examined the impact of personalizing muscle vibration parameters on trunk control. We assessed how altered trunk extensor muscle (TEM) proprioception affects seated trunk control in healthy controls (HCs). To explore the link between altered TEM proprioception and impaired trunk control in chronic low back pain (cLBP), we performed equivalence testing between HCs undergoing TEM vibration and cLBP without vibration. Twenty HCs performed active joint reposition error (AJRE) testing to determine personalized vibration parameters. Each participant maintained balance on an unstable chair with eyes open and closed, with and without TEM vibration. We compared trunk control between HCs and twenty age- and sex-matched cLBP participants, using mean velocity and 95% confidence ellipse area of center-of-pressure changes to quantify trunk postural control. Equivalence was examined by comparing mean difference scores to minimal detectable change values and calculating between-group effect sizes. Personalized vibration parameters led to larger lumbopelvic repositioning errors (d = 0.89) than any single vibration frequency (d = 0.31-0.36). In healthy adults with no back pain, vision had large effects on postural control (η p 2 = 0.604-0.842), but TEM vibration had no significant effects ( p > 0.423). Between-group effect sizes (d = 0.32-0.51) exceeded our threshold for performance equivalence (d < 0.2). Muscle vibration altered position sense during AJRE testing, and personalizing parameters amplified this effect. However, TEM vibration had minimal impact on seated trunk postural control in adults with no back pain and did not lead to performance degradation comparable to that in cLBP.p > 0.423). Between-group effect sizes (d = 0.32-0.51) exceeded our threshold for performance equivalence (d < 0.2). Muscle vibration altered position sense during AJRE testing, and personalizing parameters amplified this effect. However, TEM vibration had minimal impact on seated trunk postural control in adults with no back pain and did not lead to performance degradation comparable to that in cLBP.

Phagocytic macrophages are crucial for innate immunity and tissue homeostasis. Most tissue-resident macrophages develop from embryonic precursors that populate every organ before birth to lifelong self-renew. However, the mechanisms for versatile macrophage differentiation remain unknown. Here, we use in vivo genetic and cell biological analysis of the Drosophila larval hematopoietic organ, the lymph gland that produces macrophages. We show that the developmentally regulated transient activation of caspase-activated DNase (CAD)-mediated DNA strand breaks in intermediate progenitors is essential for macrophage differentiation. Insulin receptor-mediated PI3K/Akt signaling regulates the apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (Ask1)/c-Jun kinase (JNK) axis to control sublethal levels of caspase activation, causing DNA strand breaks during macrophage development. Furthermore, caspase activity is also required for embryonic-origin macrophage development and efficient phagocytosis. Our study provides insights into developmental signaling and CAD-mediated DNA strand breaks associated with multifunctional and heterogeneous macrophage differentiation., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests The authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Plants combat dehydration stress through several adaptive measures including root architectural changes. Here we show that when exposed to varying levels of dehydration stress, primary root growth in Arabidopsis is modulated by regulating root meristem activity. ABA in concert with auxin signalling perceives the stress level and adapts primary root growth accordingly. ABI3, the ABA responsive transcription factor stands at the intersection of ABA and auxin signalling and fine tunes primary root growth in response to dehydration stress. Under low ABA or dehydration stress, induction of ABI3 expression promotes auxin signalling by decreasing expression of SHY2, a negative regulator of auxin response. This further enhances the expression of auxin transporter gene PIN1 and cell cycle gene CYCB1;1, resulting in an increase in primary root meristem size and root length. Higher levels of dehydration stress or ABA repress ABI3 expression and promote ABI5 expression. This elevates SHY2 expression, thereby impairing primary root meristem activity and retarding root growth. Notably, ABI5 can promote SHY2 expression only in the absence of ABI3. Such ABA concentration dependent expression of ABI3 therefore functions as a regulatory sensor of dehydration stress levels and orchestrates primary root growth by coordinating its downstream regulon., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Experimental Biology. All rights reserved. For commercial re-use, please contact reprints@oup.com for reprints and translation rights for reprints. All other permissions can be obtained through our RightsLink service via the Permissions link on the article page on our site—for further information please contact journals.permissions@oup.com.)

In the current situation, peroxynitrite (ONOO - ) is drawing the increasing attention of researchers for its pivotal role in diverse pathological and physiological processes on grounds of robust oxidation and nitrification. Herein, we have successfully designed and synthesized a phenanthrenequinone benzyl borate-based chemosensor for fast and selective detection of ONOO - . The probe PTDP itself had an orange fluorescence, which was changed to strong blue fluorescence upon the addition of ONOO - , indicating the ratiometric response of the probe. This is so because of the cleavage of the benzyl boronate-protecting group of PTDP upon the addition of ONOO - with simultaneous releasing of pyridinyl-based chemosensor PPI . The PTDP showed outstanding performance in the various photophysical studies such as good selectivity, excellent sensitivity with a very low detection limit of 2.74 nM, and a very fast response time (<15 s). Furthermore, for practical applicability, it was successfully applied in the ratiometric detection of ONOO - in osteoblast precursor cells.

Synthesis of non-platinum transition metal complexes with N,O donor chelating ligand for application against pathogenesis of cancer with higher efficacy and selectivity is currently an important field of research. We assessed the anti-cancer effect of a mixed ligand Ni(II) complex on human breast and lung cancer cell lines in this investigation. Mononuclear mixed ligand octahedral Ni(II) complex [Ni II L(NO 3 )(MeOH)] complex (1), with tri-dentate phenol-based ligand 2,4-dichloro-6-((4-methylpiperazin-1-yl) methyl) phenol (HL) along with methanol and nitrate as ancillary ligand was prepared. Piperazine moiety of the ligand exists as boat conformation in this complex as revealed from single crystal X-ray study. UV-visible spectrum of complex (1) exhibits three distinct d-d bands due to spin-allowed 3 A2 g→3T1 g (P), 3 A2 g→3T1 g(F) and 3 A2 g→3T2 g(F) transitions as expected in an octahedral d 8 system. Our study revealed that Complex (1) induces apoptotic cell death in mouse and human cancer cells such as mcf-7, A549 and MDA-MB-231 through transactivation of p53 and its pro-apoptotic downstream targets in a dose dependent manner. Furthermore, complex (1) was able to slow the migratory rate of MDA-MB-231 cells' in vitro as well as epithelia -mesenchymal transition (EMT), the key step for metastatic transition and malignancy. Over all our results suggest complex (1) as a potential agent in anti-tumor treatment regimen showing both cytotoxic and anti-metastatic activity against malignant neoplasia., (© 2024 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

A unique fluorescent molecule (ND-S) was obtained from Eosin Y in two simple yet high yielding steps (1). ND-S has special metal ion sensing ability, such that it can selectively detect toxic Hg 2+ present in very low concentration in aqueous solutions in the presence of other competing metal ions. The host-guest complexation is ratiometric and is associated with significant increase in fluorescence during the process. Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) experiments provided thermodynamic parameters related to interaction between ND-S and Hg 2+ . Using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), the Hg 2+ (aq) removal efficiency of ND-S was estimated to be 99.88%. Appreciable limit of detection (LOD = 7.4 nM) was observed. Other competing ions did not interfere with the sensing of Hg 2+ by ND-S. The effects of external stimuli (temperature and pH) were studied. Besides, the complex (ND-M), formed by 1:1 coordination of ND-S and Hg 2+ was found to be effective against the survival of Gram-positive bacteria (S. aureus and B. subtilis) with a high selectivity index. Moreover, bacterial cell death mechanism was studied systematically. Overall, we have shown the transformation of a toxic species (Hg 2+ ), extracted from polluted water by a biocompatible sensor (ND-S), into an effective and potent antibacterial agent (ND-M)., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

In view of the depletion of natural energy resources, harvesting energy from waste is a revolution to simultaneously capture, unite, and recycle various types of waste energies in flexible devices. Thus, in this work, a spin-charge-regulated pyro-magneto-electric nanogenerator is devised at a well-known ferroelectric P(VDF-TrFE) copolymer. It promptly stores thermal-magnetic energies in a "capacitor" that generates electricity at room temperature. The ferroelectric domains are regulated to slip at the interfaces (also twins) of duly promoting polarization and other properties. An excellent pyroelectric coefficient p ∼ 615 nC·m -2 ·K -1 is obtained, with duly enhanced stimuli of a thermal sensitivity ∼1.05 V·K -1 , a magnetoelectric coefficient α me ∼8.8 mV·cm -1 ·Oe -1 at 180 Hz (resonance frequency), and a magnetosensitivity ∼473 V/T. It is noteworthy that a strategy of further improving p (up to 41.2 μC·m -2 ·K -1 ) and α me (up to 23.6 mV·cm -1 ·Oe -1 ) is realized in the electrically poled dipoles. In a model hybrid structure, the spins lead to switch up the electric dipoles parallel at the polymer chains in a cohesive charged layer. It is an innovative approach for efficiently scavenging waste energies from electric vehicles, homes, and industries, where abundant thermal and magnetic energies are accessible. This sustainable strategy could be useful in next-generation self-powered electronics.

MXene-inspired two-dimensional (2D) materials like Ti 3 C 2 T x are widely known for their versatile properties, including surface plasmon, higher electrical conductivity, exceptional in-plane tensile strength, EMI shielding, and IR thermal properties. The MXene nanosheets coupled poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) nanofibers with d 33 ∼-26 pm V -1 are able to capture the smaller thermal fluctuation due to a superior pyroelectric coefficient of ∼130 nC m -2 K -1 with an improved (∼7 times with respect to neat PVDF nanofibers) pyroelectric current figure of merit (FOM i ). The significant enhancement of the pyroelectric response is attributed to the confinement effect of 2D MXene (Ti 3 C 2 T x ) nanosheets within PVDF nanofibers, as evidenced from polarized Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning probe microscopy (SPM). In subsequent studies, the practical applications of self-powered pyroelectric sensors of MXene-PVDF have been demonstrated. The fabricated flexible, hydrophobic pyroelectric sensor could be utilized as an excellent pyroelectric breathing sensor, a proximity sensor, and an IR data transmission receiver. Further, supervised machine learning algorithms are proposed to distinguish different types of breathing signals with ∼98% accuracy for healthcare monitoring purposes.

In this article, we present a meticulous computational study to foresee the effect of an oxygen-rich macrocycle on the reactivity for C-H activation. For this study, a widely studied nonheme Fe(IV)O molecule with a TMC (1,4,8,11-tetramethyl 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane) macrocycle that is equatorially attached to four nitrogen atoms (designated as N 4 ) and acetonitrile as an axial ligand has been taken into account. For the goal of hetero-substitution, step-by-step replacement of the N 4 framework with O atoms, i.e. , N 4 , N 3 O 1 , N 2 O 2 , N 1 O 3 , and O 4 systems, has been considered, and dihydroanthracene (DHA) has been used as the substrate. In order to neutralise the system and prevent the self-interaction error in DFT, triflate counterions have also been included in the calculations. The study of the energetics of these C-H bond activation reactions and the potential energy surfaces mapped therefore reveal that the initial hydrogen abstraction, which is the rate-determining step, follows the two-state reactivity (TSR) pattern, which means that the originally excited quintet state falls lower in the transition state and the product. The reaction follows the hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) mechanism, as indicated by the spin density studies. The results revealed a fascinating reactivity order, in which the reactivity increases with the enrichment of the oxygen atom in the equatorial position, namely the order follows N 4 < N 3 O 1 < N 2 O 2 < N 1 O 3 < O 4 . The impacts of oxygen substitution on quantum mechanical tunneling and the H/D kinetic isotope effect have also been investigated. When analysing the causes of this reactivity pattern, a number of variables have been identified, including the reactant-like transition structure, spin density distribution, distortion energy, and energies of the electron acceptor orbital, i.e. , the energy of the LUMO (σ* z 2 ), which validate the obtained outcome. Our results also show very good agreement with earlier combined experimental and theoretical studies considering TMC and TMCO-type complexes. The DFT predictions reported here will undoubtedly encourage experimental research in this biomimetic field, as they provide an alternative with higher reactivity in which heteroatoms can be substituted for the traditional nitrogen atom.

The flood of Damodar river is a well-known fact which is used to the whole riverine society of the basin as well as to the eastern India. The study aims to estimate the spatio-temporal probability of floods and identify susceptible zones in the Lower Damodar Basin (LDB). A flood frequency analysis around 90 years hydrological series is performed using the Log-Pearson Type III model. The frequency ratio model has also been applied to determine the spatial context of flood. This reveals the extent to which the LDB could be inundated in response to peak discharge conditions, especially during the monsoon season. The findings indicate that 36.64% of the LDB falls under high to very high flood susceptibility categories, revealing an increasing downstream flood vulnerability trend. Hydro-geomorphic factors substantially contribute to the susceptibility of the LDB to high magnitude floods. A significant shift in flood recurrence intervals, from biennial occurrences in the pre-dam period to decadal or vicennial occurrences in the post-dam period, is observed. Despite a reduction in high-magnitude flood incidents due to dam and barrage construction, irregular flood events persist. The effect of flood in the LDB region is considered to be either positive as well as negative in terms of wholistic sense and impact. The analytical results of this research could serve to identify flood-prone zones and guide the development of flood resilience policies, thereby promoting sustainability within the LDB floodplain., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Ferroelectric switching and retention performance of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) thin films improve by the incorporation of unmodified smectite montmorillonite (MMT) clay nanodielectric. In the present study, an intercalated PVDF (clay/PVDF) thin film with edge-on β-crystallite is fabricated via a heat-controlled spin coating (HCSC) technique. This provides an efficient and simple way to fabricate the edge-on oriented crystallite lamellae with an electroactive β-phase, facilitating nanoscale ferroelectric switching at a lower voltage compared to the face-on orientation. Here, we demonstrate the polarization retention for periods longer than 20 days (∼480 h, i.e., 1.8 × 10 6 s), with no degradation in switched nanoscale domains. In addition, by maintaining the relatively high dielectric constant, the incorporation of nanoclay effectively lowers the leakage current by 10 2 factors. The obtained memory window in the edge-on orientation is 7 V, approximately twice the memory window obtained in the face-on orientation. In short, our findings provide a simple and promising route to fabricate edge-on oriented PVDF thin films, with ultralong retention, high dielectric constant, and improved leakage current.

Understanding belowground plant-microbial interactions is important for biodiversity maintenance, community assembly and ecosystem functioning of forest ecosystems. Consequently, a large number of studies were conducted on root and microbial interactions, especially in the context of precipitation and temperature gradients under global climate change scenarios. Forests ecosystems have high biodiversity of plants and associated microbes, and contribute to major primary productivity of terrestrial ecosystems. However, the impact of root metabolites/exudates and root traits on soil microbial functional groups along these climate gradients is poorly described in these forest ecosystems. The plant root system exhibits differentiated exudation profiles and considerable trait plasticity in terms of root morphological/phenotypic traits, which can cause shifts in microbial abundance and diversity. The root metabolites composed of primary and secondary metabolites and volatile organic compounds that have diverse roles in appealing to and preventing distinct microbial strains, thus benefit plant fitness and growth, and tolerance to abiotic stresses such as drought. Climatic factors significantly alter the quantity and quality of metabolites that forest trees secrete into the soil. Thus, the heterogeneities in the rhizosphere due to different climate drivers generate ecological niches for various microbial assemblages to foster beneficial rhizospheric interactions in the forest ecosystems. However, the root exudations and microbial diversity in forest trees vary across different soil layers due to alterations in root system architecture, soil moisture, temperature, and nutrient stoichiometry. Changes in root system architecture or traits, e.g. root tissue density (RTD), specific root length (SRL), and specific root area (SRA), impact the root exudation profile and amount released into the soil and thus influence the abundance and diversity of different functional guilds of microbes. Here, we review the current knowledge about root morphological and functional (root exudation) trait changes that affect microbial interactions along drought and temperature gradients. This review aims to clarify how forest trees adapt to challenging environments by leveraging their root traits to interact beneficially with microbes. Understanding these strategies is vital for comprehending plant adaptation under global climate change, with significant implications for future research in plant biodiversity conservation, particularly within forest ecosystems., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Maitra, Hrynkiewicz, Szuba, Jagodziński, Al-Rashid, Mandal and Mucha.)

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an insulin-dependent autoimmune condition. Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are volatile fatty acids with 1-6 carbon atoms that influence glucose storage in the body and can reduce appetite, potentially decreasing T1D risk. Alpha-lipoic acid (α-LA), a type of SCFA, has previously been used to treat diabetic neuropathy and inflammation due to its antioxidant properties. This study aims to assess α-LA's protective effects against T1D and associated kidney damage in rats induced with streptozotocin. Diabetic rats were treated with α-LA orally for 15 days, resulting in improved blood glucose (56% decrease) and kidney function markers like blood urea nitrogen, creatinine and uric acid. α-LA also showed significant antioxidant effects by decreasing LPO as well as improving activities of antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione-S transferase and alleviated kidney damage caused by diabetes. Docking experiments suggest that α-LA may regulate diabetes-related changes at the epigenetic level through interactions with the SIRT1 protein, indicating its potential as a target for future antidiabetic drug development., (© 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

The degeneration of neurons due to the accumulation of misfolded amyloid aggregates in the central nervous system (CNS) is a fundamental neuropathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). It is believed that dislodging/clearing these amyloid aggregates from the neuronal tissues could lead to a potential cure for AD. In the present work, we explored biocompatible polydopamine-coated piezoelectric polyvinylidene fluoride (DPVDF) nanospheres as acoustic stimulus-triggered anti-fibrillating and anti-amyloid agents. The nanospheres were tested against two model amyloidogenic peptides, including the reductionist model-based amyloidogenic dipeptide, diphenylalanine, and the amyloid polypeptide, amyloid beta (Aβ42). Our results revealed that DPVDF nanospheres could effectively disassemble the model peptide-derived amyloid fibrils under suitable acoustic stimulation. In vitro studies also showed that the stimulus activated DPVDF nanospheres could efficiently alleviate the neurotoxicity of FF fibrils as exemplified in neuroblastoma, SHSY5Y, cells. Studies carried out in animal models further validated that the nanospheres could dislodge amyloid aggregates in vivo and also help the animals regain their cognitive behavior. Thus, these acoustic stimuli-activated nanospheres could serve as a novel class of disease-modifying nanomaterials for non-invasive electro-chemotherapy of Alzheimer's disease.

Background: Clinical, molecular, and genetic epidemiology studies displayed remarkable differences between ever- and never-smoking lung cancer., Methods: We conducted a stratified multi-population (European, East Asian, and African descent) association study on 44,823 ever-smokers and 20,074 never-smokers to identify novel variants that were missed in the non-stratified analysis. Functional analysis including expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) colocalization and DNA damage assays, and annotation studies were conducted to evaluate the functional roles of the variants. We further evaluated the impact of smoking quantity on lung cancer risk for the variants associated with ever-smoking lung cancer., Results: Five novel independent loci, GABRA4, intergenic region 12q24.33, LRRC4C, LINC01088, and LCNL1 were identified with the association at two or three populations (P < 5 × 10-8). Further functional analysis provided multiple lines of evidence suggesting the variants affect lung cancer risk through excessive DNA damage (GABRA4) or cis-regulation of gene expression (LCNL1). The risk of variants from 12 independent regions, including the well-known CHRNA5, associated with ever-smoking lung cancer was evaluated for never-smokers, light-smokers (packyear ≤ 20), and moderate-to-heavy-smokers (packyear > 20). Different risk patterns were observed for the variants among the different groups by smoking behavior., Conclusions: We identified novel variants associated with lung cancer in only ever- or never-smoking groups that were missed by prior main-effect association studies., Impact: Our study highlights the genetic heterogeneity between ever- and never-smoking lung cancer and provides etiologic insights into the complicated genetic architecture of this deadly cancer., (©2024 The Authors; Published by the American Association for Cancer Research.)

Trisindoles are of tremendous interest due to their wide range of biological activities. In this context, a number of methods have been reported in the past to synthesize 3,3',3''-trisindoles. However, most of the methods are only able to produce symmetrical 3,3',3''-trisindoles. Herein, we develop a sustainable and efficient approach to synthesize symmetrical as well as unsymmetrical 3,3',3''-trisindoles in a very selective manner using the α-amylase enzyme as a catalyst. Furthermore, various differently substituted isatin and indoles were used to prove the generality of the protocol and symmetrical or unsymmetrical 3,3',3''-trisindoles were obtained in 43-97% isolated yields. Next, a probable mechanism is proposed and investigated using molecular dynamics (MD) investigation to gain more insight into the role of residues available in the active site of the α-amylase enzyme. These studies revealed that Glu230, Lys209, and Asp206 in the active site of α-amylase play an important role in this catalysis. Moreover, the DFT studies suggested the formation of bisindole and alkylideneindolenine intermediates during the transformation. We synthesized four different biologically important 3,3',3''-trisindoles on a gram scale, which proved the robustness and scalability of this protocol.

Postsynthetic modification (PSM) of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) provides access to functional materials and advanced porous solid engineering. Herein, we report the reversible PSM of a multivariate isoreticular MOF by applying dynamic furan-maleimide Diels-Alder (DA) chemistry. The key step involves incorporating a furan group into the MOF via "click" PSM, which can then undergo repeated cycles of modification and de-modification with maleimides. The structural integrity, crystallinity, and porosity of the furan-appended MOF remained intact even after three consecutive PSM/de-modification cycles using three different functionalized maleimides., (© 2023 The Authors. Angewandte Chemie International Edition published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

A comprehensive density functional theory investigation has been presented towards the comparison of the C-H activation reactivity between high-valent iron-oxo and ruthenium-oxo complexes. A total of four compounds, e.g. , [Ru(IV)O(tpy-dcbpy)] (1), [Fe(IV)O(tpy-dcbpy)] (1'), [Ru(IV)O(TMCS)] (2), and [Fe(IV)O(TMCS)] (2'), have been considered for this investigation. The macrocyclic ligand framework tpy(dcbpy) implies tpy = 2,2':6',2''-terpyridine, dcbpy = 5,5'-dicarboxy-2,2'-bipyridine, and TMCS is TMC with an axially tethered -SCH 2 CH 2 group. Compounds 1 and 2' are experimentally synthesized standard complexes with Ru and Fe, whereas compounds 1' and 2 were considered to keep the macrocycle intact when switching the central metal atom. Three reactants including benzyl alcohol, ethyl benzene, and dihydroanthracene were selected as substrates for C-H activation. It is noteworthy to mention that Fe(IV)O complexes exhibit higher reactivity than those of their Ru(IV)O counterparts. Furthermore, regardless of the central metal, the complex featuring a tpy-dcbpy macrocycle demonstrates higher reactivity than that of TMCS. Here, a thorough analysis of the reactivity-controlling characteristics-such as spin state, steric factor, distortion energy, energy of the electron acceptor orbital, and quantum mechanical tunneling-was conducted. Fe(IV)O exhibits the exchanged enhanced two-state-reactivity with the quintet reactive state, whereas Ru(IV)O has only a triplet reactive state. Both the distortion energy and acceptor orbital energy are low in the case of Fe(IV)O supporting its higher reactivity. All the investigated C-H activation processes involve a significant contribution from hydrogen tunneling, which is more pronounced in the case of Ru, although it cannot alter the reactivity pattern. Furthermore, it has also been found that, independent of the central metal, aliphatic hydroxylation is always preferable to aromatic hydroxylation. Overall, this work is successful in establishing and investigating the cause of enzymes' natural preference for Fe over Ru as a cofactor for C-H activation enzymes.

The mechanical/piezoelectric and/or thermal/pyroelectric energy harvesting efficiency is observed to be extremely good in multi-component ferroelectric inorganic oxides in their single-crystal form rather than in their polycrystalline counterparts (pellets and thick/thin films). However, growing such multi-component single crystals is a challenging and cost-intensive process besides the difficulty in tuning their long-range ferroic ordering and the involvement of toxic heavy elements. Instead, discrete inorganic metal complexes can be potential alternatives for which one can overcome these caveats by an appropriate design strategy. Herein, we report a biocompatible and an above room temperature ( T c > 380 K) molecular ferroelectric [Cu 2 (L-phe) 2 (bpy) 2 (H 2 O)](ClO 4 ) 2 ·2H 2 O single crystal (1) with profound anisotropic piezo- and pyro-electric responses along different unit cell axes. Energy harvesting data at room temperature reveal that the highest possibility of scavenging mechanical energy (∼30 μW m -2 ) is preferentially along the b -axis. This is attributed to the large spontaneous polarization ( P s = 2.5 μC cm -2 ) and piezoelectric coefficient ( d 33 = 23.5 pm V -1 ) observed along the b -axis, compared to those along the other two axes. The highest output voltage (7.4 V cm -2 ) and pyroelectric coefficient (29 μC m -2 K -1 ) obtained for the single-crystal device are impressively higher than those of most of the reported materials. Such a molecular anisotropic single-crystal piezo-/pyro-electric nanogenerator (SC-PENG) with excellent mechanical and thermal energy harvesting competence is reported for the first time.

The article presents the design concept of a surface acoustic wave (SAW)-based lab-on-a-chip sensor with multifrequency and multidirectional sensitivity. The conventional SAW sensors use delay lines that suffer from multiple signal losses such as insertion, reflection, transmission losses, etc. Most delay lines are designed to transmit and receive continuous signal at a fixed frequency. Thus, the delay lines are limited to only a few features, like frequency shift and change in wave velocity, during the signal analysis. These facts lead to limited sensitivity and a lack of opportunity to utilize the multi-directional variability of the sensing platform at different frequencies. Motivated by these facts, a guided wave sensing platform that utilizes simultaneous tone burst-based excitation in multiple directions is proposed in this article. The design incorporates a five-count tone burst signal for the omnidirectional actuation. This helps the acquisition of sensitive long part of the coda wave (CW) signals from multiple directions, which is hypothesized to enhance sensitivity through improved signal analysis. In this article, the design methodology and implementation of unique tone burst interdigitated electrodes (TB-IDT) are presented. Sensing using TB-IDT enables accessing multiple frequencies simultaneously. This results in a wider frequency spectrum and allows better scope for the detection of different target analytes. The novel design process utilized guided wave analysis of the substrate, and selective directional focused interdigitated electrodes (F-IDT) were implemented. The article demonstrates computational simulation along with experimental results with validation of multifrequency and multidirectional sensing capability.

The use of robots has revolutionized healthcare, wherein further innovations have led to improved precision and accuracy. Conceived in the late 1960s, robot-assisted surgeries have evolved to become an integral part of various surgical specialties. Modern robotic surgical systems are equipped with highly dexterous arms and miniaturized instruments that reduce tremors and enable delicate maneuvers. Implementation of advanced materials and designs along with the integration of imaging and visualization technologies have enhanced surgical accuracy and made robots safer and more adaptable to various procedures. Further, the haptic feedback system allows surgeons to determine the consistency of the tissues they are operating upon, without physical contact, thereby preventing injuries due to the application of excess force. With the implementation of teleoperation, surgeons can now overcome geographical limitations and provide specialized healthcare remotely. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) aids in surgical decision-making by improving the recognition of minute and complex anatomical structures. All these advancements have led to faster recovery and fewer complications in patients. However, the substantial cost of robotic systems, their maintenance, the size of the systems and proper surgeon training pose major challenges. Nevertheless, with future advancements such as AI-driven automation, nanorobots, microscopic incision surgeries, semi-automated telerobotic systems, and the impact of 5G connectivity on remote surgery, the growth curve of robotic surgery points to innovation and stands as a testament to the persistent pursuit of progress in healthcare., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag London Ltd., part of Springer Nature.)

Detection of gas molecules and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) using efficient, low cost sensors has fetched significant attention in environmental monitoring, safety measures and medical diagnosis. In the present work, nickel ferrite (NFO) nanoparticles are explored as p-type semiconducting metal oxide (SMO) sensor for detection of five different organic vapors namely methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, iso-propanol and acetone which often cause severe damage to human body under prolonged exposure. The sensing studies in presence of the aforementioned five vapors are carried out by varying the sensor operating temperature (225-300 °C) and vapor concentrations (10-1000 ppm). Developed NFO sensor demonstrated best performance in terms of sensing (~10 ppm), response time (<10 s), excellent repeatability and selectivity towards ethanol among all other considered gas species. The repeatability of the sensor response is verified and the underlying reasons for the variation in the response of NFO sensor due to the change of operating temperature, analyte type and concentrations has been discussed. The synthesis of NFO through auto combustion method and study on their formation behaviour, oxygen vacancy evolution, band gap calculation, crystalline nature as well as microstructural features provides here the comprehensive information about the potential application of NFO nanoparticles as gas sensor., (© 2023 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a fundamental process driving cancer metastasis, transforming non-motile cells into a motile population that migrates to distant organs and forms secondary tumors. In recent years, cancer research has revealed a strong connection between exosomes and the EMT. Exosomes, a subpopulation of extracellular vesicles, facilitate cellular communication and dynamically regulate various aspects of cancer metastasis, including immune cell suppression, extracellular matrix remodeling, metastasis initiation, EMT initiation, and organ-specific metastasis. Tumor-derived exosomes (TEXs) and their molecular cargo, comprising proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates, are essential components that promote EMT in cancer. TEXs miRNAs play a crucial role in reprogramming the tumor microenvironment, while TEX surface integrins contribute to organ-specific metastasis. Exosome-based cancer metastasis research offers a deeper understanding about cancer and an effective theranostic platform development. Additionally, various therapeutic sources of exosomes are paving the way for innovative cancer treatment development. In this Review, we spotlight the role of exosomes in EMT and their theranostic impact, aiming to inspire cancer researchers worldwide to explore this fascinating field in more innovative ways.

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is a major public health concern and a continuously growing chronic disease worldwide. Diabetes mellitus is one of the modifiable, independent, and major risk factors of ischemic stroke. This study aimed to find the prevalence of diabetes mellitus among patients with acute ischemic stroke admitted to the Department of Medicine in a tertiary care centre., Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among patients with acute ischemic stroke admitted to the Department of Medicine from 19 July 2023 to 19 November 2023 after obtaining ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee. Detailed clinical history, random blood sugar and glycated haemoglobin were used to define diabetes mellitus. A convenience sampling method was used. The point estimate was calculated at a 95% Confidence Interval., Results: Among 80 patients, diabetes mellitus was seen in 25 (31.25%) (21.09-41.41, 95% Confidence Interval). Among them, 19 (76%) had previously diagnosed and 6 (24%) had newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus. The poor glycemic control was seen in 11 (44%)., Conclusions: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus among patients with acute ischemic stroke was found to be higher than in studies done in similar settings., Keywords: diabetes mellitus; glycated hemoglobin; ischemic stroke.

Reactions of ( t BuO 2 CN) 2 with Lewis acids and FLPs have previously been shown to prompt the formation of diazene compounds. In this work, we show that the reaction of ( t BuO 2 CN) 2 with 9-BBN leads to a bicyclic heterocyclic product ( t BuOCO(BBN)CN) 2 1. In contrast, the reactions of ( t BuO 2 CN) 2 with BF 3 or [Et 3 Si][B(C 6 F 5 ) 4 ] lead to the isolation of [ t BuNHNH 2 t Bu][BF 4 ] 2 and [ t BuN(H)N t Bu][B(C 6 F 5 ) 4 ] 3, respectively. The mechanism for the formation of 2 is probed computationally, demonstrating that steric and electronic considerations of the Lewis acid impact the reaction pathway.