A review on the impact of TRAIL on cancer signaling and targeting via phytochemicals for possible cancer therapy

Anticancer therapies have been the continual pursuit of this age. Cancer has been ravaging all across the globe breathing not just threats but demonstrating them. Remedies for cancer have been frantically sought after. Few have worked out, yet till date, the available cancer therapies have not delivered a holistic solution. In a world where the search for therapies is levitating towards natural remedies, solutions based on phytochemicals are highly prospective attractions. A lot has been achieved with inputs from plant resources, providing numerous natural remedies. In the current review, we intensely survey the progress achieved in the treatment of cancer through phytochemicals-based programmed cell death of cancer cells. More specifically, we have further reviewed and discussed the role of phytochemicals in activating apoptosis via Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand (TRAIL), which is a cell protein that can attach to certain molecules in cancer cells, killing cancer cells. The objective of this review is to enlist the various phytochemicals that are available for specifically contributing towards triggering the TRAIL cell protein-mediated cancer therapy and to point out the research gaps that require future research motivation. This is the first review of this kind in this research direction.

Review of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) Causing Marine Fish Kills: Toxicity and Mitigation

Extensive growth of microscopic algae and cyanobacteria results in harmful algal blooms (HABs) in marine, brackish, and freshwater environments. HABs can harm humans and animals through their toxicity or by producing ecological conditions such as oxygen depletion, which can kill fish and other economically or ecologically important organisms. This review summarizes the reports on various HABs that are able to bring about marine fish kills. The predominant HABs, their toxins, and their effects on fishes spread across various parts of the globe are discussed. The mechanism of HAB-driven fish kills is discussed based on the available reports, and existing mitigation methods are presented. Lapses in the large-scale implementation of mitigation methods demonstrated under laboratory conditions are projected. Clay-related technologies and nano-sorption-based nanotechnologies, although proven to make significant contributions, have not been put to use in real-world conditions. The gaps in the technology transfer of the accomplished mitigation prototypes are highlighted. Further uses of remote sensing and machine learning state-of-the-art techniques for the detection and identification of HABs are recommended.

A systematic assessment of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) application for rapid identification of pathogenic microbes that affect food crops: delivered and future deliverables

MALDI-TOF MS has decades of experience in the detection and identification of microbial pathogens. This has now become a valuable analytical tool when it comes to the identification and detection of clinical microbial pathogens. This review gives a brief synopsis of what has been achieved using MALDI-TOF MS in clinical microbiology. The major focus, however, is on summarizing and highlighting the effectiveness of MALDI-TOF MS as a novel tool for rapid identification of food crop microbial pathogens. The methods used and the sample preparation methodologies reported thus far have been highlighted and the challenges and gaps and recommendations for fine tuning the technique have been put forth. In an era where anything close to the health and welfare of humanity has been considered as the top priority, this review pitches on one such relevant research topics.

A Comprehensive Survey on the Expediated Anti-COVID-19 Options Enabled by Metal Complexes-Tasks and Trials

Contemporary pharmacology dating back to the late 19th/early 20th centuries has benefitted largely from the incorporation of metal complexes. Various biological attributes have been successfully realized using metal/metal complex-based drugs. Among anticancer, antimicrobial, and antiviral applications, anticancer applications have extracted the maximum benefit from the metal complex, Cisplatin. The following review has compiled the various antiviral benefits harnessed through inputs from metal complexes. As a result of exploiting the pharmacological aspects of metal complexes, the anti-COVID-19 deliverables have been summarized. The challenges ahead, the gaps in this research area, the need to improvise incorporating nanoaspects in metal complexes, and the need to test metal complex-based drugs in clinical trials have been discussed and deliberated. The pandemic shook the entire world and claimed quite a percentage of the global population. Metal complex-based drugs are already established for their antiviral property with respect to enveloped viruses and extrapolating them for COVID-19 can be an effective way to manipulate drug resistance and mutant issues that the current anti-COVID-19 drugs are facing.

Anti-COVID-19 Credentials of Chitosan Composites and Derivatives: Future Scope?

Chitosan derivatives and composites are the next generation polymers for biomedical applications. With their humble origins from the second most abundant naturally available polymer chitin, chitosan is currently one of the most promising polymer systems, with wide biological applications. This current review gives a bird’s eye view of the antimicrobial applications of chitosan composites and derivatives. The antiviral activity and the mechanisms behind the inhibitory activity of these components have been reviewed. Specifically, the anti-COVID-19 aspects of chitosan composites and their derivatives have been compiled from the existing scattered reports and presented. Defeating COVID-19 is the battle of this century, and the chitosan derivative-based combat strategies naturally become very attractive. The challenges ahead and future recommendations have been addressed.

The COVID-19 pandemic redefining the mundane food packaging material industry?

COVID-19 pandemic has been the talk of the globe, as it swept across the world population, changing enumerable aspects. The pandemic affected all sectors directly or indirectly. The food sector took a direct hit. The food packaging sector rose to the occasion to serve and feed the pandemic affected, but there were interactions, reactions, and consequences that evolved through the course of the journey through the pandemic. The aim of this perspective is to address the importance of the food packaging industry (from the COVID-19 point of view) and to highlight the unpreparedness of the food packaging materials, for times as these. As the world has been asked to learn to live with Corona, improvisations are definitely necessary, the lapses in the system need to be rectified, and the entire packaging industry has to go through fortification to co-exist with Corona or confront something worse than Corona. This discussion is set out to understand the gravity of the actual situation, assimilating information available from the scattered shreds of reports. Food packaging materials were used, and plastic wastes were generated in bulks, single-use plastics for fear of contamination gained prominence, leading to an enormous turnover of wastes. Fear of Corona, sprayed overloads of sanitizers and disinfectants on food package material surfaces for surface sterilization. The food packages were tailored for food containment needs, never were they planned for sanitizer sprays. The consequences of these sanitization procedures are unprecedented, neglected and in the post-COVID-19 phase no action appears to have been taken. Corona took us by surprise this time, but next time atleast the food packaging industry needs to be fully equipped. Speculated consequences have been reviewed and plausible suggestions have been proposed. The need for extensive research focus in this direction in exploring the ground-reality has been highlighted.

Anticancer Therapeutic Effects of Green Tea Catechins (GTCs) When Integrated with Antioxidant Natural Components

After decades of research and development concerning cancer treatment, cancer is still at large and very much a threat to the global human population. Cancer remedies have been sought from all possible directions, including chemicals, irradiation, nanomaterials, natural compounds, and the like. In this current review, we surveyed the milestones achieved by green tea catechins and what has been accomplished in cancer therapy. Specifically, we have assessed the synergistic anticarcinogenic effects when green tea catechins (GTCs) are combined with other antioxidant-rich natural compounds. Living in an age of inadequacies, combinatorial approaches are gaining momentum, and GTCs have progressed much, yet there are insufficiencies that can be improvised when combined with natural antioxidant compounds. This review highlights that there are not many reports in this specific area and encourages and recommends research attention in this direction. The antioxidant/prooxidant mechanisms of GTCs have also been highlighted. The current scenario and the future of such combinatorial approaches have been addressed, and the lacunae in this aspect have been discussed.

A MALDI-MS-based impact assessment of ZnO nanoparticles, nanorods and quantum dots on the lipid profile of bacterial pathogens

MALDI-MS was used for studying the impact of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanomaterials on Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. The growth patterns of both these bacterial pathogens in the presence of the ZnO nanomaterials and the subsequent lipidomic changes were assessed using an optimized simple, rapid MALDI-MS based methodology. All three nanostructures tested exhibited differential bactericidal activity unique to P. aeruginosa and S. aureus. The results indicated that the ZnO nanomaterials were highly inhibitory to S. aureus even at 70 mg L^-1, while in the case of P. aeruginosa, the ZnO nanomaterials were compatible for up to 10 h and beyond 10 h only marginal growth inhibition was observed. The results proved that the shapes of the ZnO nanomaterials did not affect their toxicity properties. MALDI-MS was applied to study the lipidomic changes of P. aeruginosa and S. aureus after nanomaterial treatment, in order to throw light on the mechanism of growth inhibition. The results from the MALDI-MS studies showed that the ZnO nanostructures exhibited only marginal changes in the lipidomic profile both in the case of P. aeruginosa and S. aureus. These preliminary results indicate that the mechanism of growth inhibition by the ZnO nanomaterial is not through lipid-based interactions, but apparently more so via protein inhibitions.

Mass Spectrometry as an Analytical Tool for Detection of Microplastics in the Environment

Plastic particles smaller than 5 mm accumulate in aqueous, terrestrial, and atmospheric environments and their discovery has been a serious concern when it comes to eco-toxicology and human health risk assessment. In the following review, the potential of mass spectrometry (MS) for the detection of microplastic (MP) pollutants has been elaborately reviewed. The use of various mass spectrometric techniques ranging from gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), liquid chromatographic mass spectrometric (LC-MS) to matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), including their variants, have been reviewed. The lapses in the detection system have been addressed and future recommendations proposed. The challenges facing microplastics and their detection have been discussed and future directions, including mitigation methods, have been presented.

Overviewing the Ground Reality of Microplastic Effects on Seafoods, Including Fish, Shrimps and Crabs: Future Research Directions

While plastics are already notorious for their accumulation in the environment, which poses environmental challenges, invisible microplastics (MPS) are an even greater challenge. This review focuses on consolidating the reports available on MP accumulation in edible marine and freshwater fishes, shrimps, and crabs. The reality as to whether MPs in these edible aquatic organisms are really a cause of high concern is questioned and discussed. While the entrails of aquatic organisms are reported to contain high levels of MPs, because these products are consumed after the removal of the entrails and gut area in the majority of cases, the MP threat is questionable. The existence of MPs in these aquatic sources is validated but their potency in harming humans, aquatic organisms, and other interlinked species is unassessed. To overcome the difficulty in tracing the movement of MPs in a bigger ecosystem, this review proposes laboratory-based pilot studies mimicking real-world conditions, which will help us to understand the kinetics of MPs in the food chain. The effects of MPs on human welfare and health are yet to be assessed, and this is another gap that needs attention.

Scrutinizing the Nutritional Aspects of Asian Mushrooms, Its Commercialization and Scope for Value-Added Products

Mushrooms are the gifts of the non-green revolution; they are not limited by land demand or specific growth requirements. Nearly 14,000 species of mushrooms are on record thus far; of these, only 2200 species are deemed edible. Only 650 species from this list have been cultivated and consumed. Farmed on waste, mushrooms are rich reservoirs of proteins, polysaccharides, metabolites, minerals and vitamins. In the following review, various edible mushrooms have been listed and their nutritional aspects and their associated contributions have been discussed. Furthermore, the commercial mushroom-based products that are on the market have been surveyed. The challenges facing the use of mushroom and mushroom products as foods, functional foods and nutraceuticals have been presented. The need to seek options to troubleshoot the current limitations has also been discussed.

Mushroom Polysaccharide-Assisted Anticarcinogenic Mycotherapy: Reviewing Its Clinical Trials

Of the biologically active components, polysaccharides play a crucial role of high medical and pharmaceutical significance. Mushrooms have existed for a long time, dating back to the time of the Ancient Egypt and continue to be well explored globally and experimented with in research as well as in national and international cuisines. Mushroom polysaccharides have slowly become valuable sources of nutraceuticals which have been able to treat various diseases and disorders in humans. The application of mushroom polysaccharides for anticancer mycotherapy is what is being reviewed herein. The widespread health benefits of mushroom polysaccharides have been highlighted and the significant inputs of mushroom-based polysaccharides in anticancer clinical trials have been presented. The challenges and limitation of mushroom polysaccharides into this application and the gaps in the current application areas that could be the future direction have been discussed.

Antioxidant Activity of Mushroom Extracts/Polysaccharides-Their Antiviral Properties and Plausible AntiCOVID-19 Properties

Mushrooms have been long accomplished for their medicinal properties and bioactivity. The ancients benefitted from it, even before they knew that there was more to mushrooms than just the culinary aspect. This review addresses the benefits of mushrooms and specifically dwells on the positive attributes of mushroom polysaccharides. Compared to mushroom research, mushroom polysaccharide-based reports were observed to be significantly less frequent. This review highlights the antioxidant properties and mechanisms as well as consolidates the various antioxidant applications of mushroom polysaccharides. The biological activities of mushroom polysaccharides are also briefly discussed. The antiviral properties of mushrooms and their polysaccharides have been reviewed and presented. The lacunae in implementation of the antiviral benefits into antiCOVID-19 pursuits has been highlighted. The need for expansion and extrapolation of the knowns of mushrooms to extend into the unknown is emphasized.

Evaluating the Anticarcinogenic Activity of Surface Modified/Functionalized Nanochitosan: The Emerging Trends and Endeavors

Chitosan begins its humble journey from marine food shell wastes and ends up as a versatile nutraceutical. This review focuses on briefly discussing the antioxidant activity of chitosan and retrospecting the accomplishments of chitosan nanoparticles as an anticarcinogen. The various modified/functionalized/encapsulated chitosan nanoparticles and nanoforms have been listed and their biomedical deliverables presented. The anticancer accomplishments of chitosan and its modified composites have been reviewed and presented. The future of surface modified chitosan and the lacunae in the current research focus have been discussed as future perspective. This review puts forth the urge to expand the scientific curiosity towards attempting a variety of functionalization and surface modifications to chitosan. There are few well known modifications and functionalization that benefit biomedical applications that have been proven for other systems. Being a biodegradable, biocompatible polymer, chitosan-based nanomaterials are an attractive option for medical applications. Therefore, maximizing expansion of its bioactive properties are explored. The need for applying the ideal functionalization that will significantly promote the anticancer contributions of chitosan nanomaterials has also been stressed.

Reviewing Chitin/Chitosan Nanofibers and Associated Nanocomposites and Their Attained Medical Milestones

Chitin/chitosan research is an expanding field with wide scope within polymer research. This topic is highly inviting as chitin/chitosan's are natural biopolymers that can be recovered from food waste and hold high potentials for medical applications. This review gives a brief overview of the chitin/chitosan based nanomaterials, their preparation methods and their biomedical applications. Chitin nanofibers and Chitosan nanofibers have been reviewed, their fabrication methods presented and their biomedical applications summarized. The chitin/chitosan based nanocomposites have also been discussed. Chitin and chitosan nanofibers and their binary and ternary composites are represented by scattered superficial reports. Delving deep into synergistic approaches, bringing up novel chitin/chitosan nanocomposites, could help diligently deliver medical expectations. This review highlights such lacunae and further lapses in chitin related inputs towards medical applications. The grey areas and future outlook for aligning chitin/chitosan nanofiber research are outlined as research directions for the future.

Green Synthesized Chitosan/Chitosan Nanoforms/Nanocomposites for Drug Delivery Applications

Chitosan has become a highlighted polymer, gaining paramount importance and research attention. The fact that this valuable polymer can be extracted from food industry-generated shell waste gives it immense value. Chitosan, owing to its biological and physicochemical properties, has become an attractive option for biomedical applications. This review briefly runs through the various methods involved in the preparation of chitosan and chitosan nanoforms. For the first time, we consolidate the available scattered reports on the various attempts towards greens synthesis of chitosan, chitosan nanomaterials, and chitosan nanocomposites. The drug delivery applications of chitosan and its nanoforms have been reviewed. This review points to the lack of systematic research in the area of green synthesis of chitosan. Researchers have been concentrating more on recovering chitosan from marine shell waste through chemical and synthetic processes that generate toxic wastes, rather than working on eco-friendly green processes-this is projected in this review. This review draws the attention of researchers to turn to novel and innovative green processes. More so, there are scarce reports on the application of green synthesized chitosan nanoforms and nanocomposites towards drug delivery applications. This is another area that deserves research focus. These have been speculated and highlighted as future perspectives in this review.

Nanochitosan: Commemorating the Metamorphosis of an ExoSkeletal Waste to a Versatile Nutraceutical

Chitin (poly-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine) is the second (after cellulose) most abundant organic polymer. In its deacetylated form-chitosan-becomes a very interesting material for medical use. The chitosan nano-structures whose preparation is described in this article shows unique biomedical value. The preparation of nanochitosan, as well as the most vital biomedical applications (antitumor, drug delivery and other medical uses), have been discussed in this review. The challenges confronting the progress of nanochitosan from benchtop to bedside clinical settings have been evaluated. The need for inclusion of nano aspects into chitosan research, with improvisation from nanotechnological inputs has been prescribed for breaking down the limitations. Future perspectives of nanochitosan and the challenges facing nanochitosan applications and the areas needing research focus have been highlighted.

Crustacean Waste-Derived Chitosan: Antioxidant Properties and Future Perspective

Chitosan is obtained from chitin that in turn is recovered from marine crustacean wastes. The recovery methods and their varying types and the advantages of the recovery methods are briefly discussed. The bioactive properties of chitosan, which emphasize the unequivocal deliverables contained by this biopolymer, have been concisely presented. The variations of chitosan and its derivatives and their unique properties are discussed. The antioxidant properties of chitosan have been presented and the need for more work targeted towards harnessing the antioxidant property of chitosan has been emphasized. Some portions of the crustacean waste are being converted to chitosan; the possibility that all of the waste can be used for harnessing this versatile multifaceted product chitosan is projected in this review. The future of chitosan recovery from marine crustacean wastes and the need to improve in this area of research, through the inclusion of nanotechnological inputs have been listed under future perspective.

The MUDENG Augmentation: A Genesis in Anti-Cancer Therapy?

Despite multitudes of reports on cancer remedies available, we are far from being able to declare that we have arrived at that defining anti-cancer therapy. In recent decades, researchers have been looking into the possibility of enhancing cell death-related signaling pathways in cancer cells using pro-apoptotic proteins. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and Mu-2/AP1M2 domain containing, death-inducing (MUDENG, MuD) have been established for their ability to bring about cell death specifically in cancer cells. Targeted cell death is a very attractive term when it comes to cancer, since most therapies also affect normal cells. In this direction TRAIL has made noteworthy progress. This review briefly sums up what has been done using TRAIL in cancer therapeutics. The importance of MuD and what has been achieved thus far through MuD and the need to widen and concentrate on applicational aspects of MuD has been highlighted. This has been suggested as the future perspective of MuD towards prospective progress in cancer research.

Azafluorene derivatives as inhibitors of SARS CoV-2 RdRp: Synthesis, physicochemical, quantum chemical, modeling and molecular docking analysis

The crystal structures of 2-(1H-indol-3-yl)-4-phenyl-5H-indeno [( Cheng et al., 2007; Lee et al., 2003) 1,21,2-b]pyridine-3-carbonitrile (Ia) and 2-(1H-indol-3-yl)-4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-5H-indeno [( Cheng et al., 2007; Lee et al., 2003) 1,21,2-b]pyridine-3-carbonitrile (Ib) were determined using single crystal X-ray diffraction. Both the compounds belong to the triclinic system with the P-1 space group. The azafluorene ring system in both the compounds is effectively planar. The intermolecular interactions present in the compounds are discussed using Hirshfeld surface analysis, QTAIM and NCI. Compound Ib formed a strong interaction (−24.174 kJ/mol) with the solvent molecule. Both the compounds were geometry optimized using DFT/B3LYP level of theory. The compound’s drug-like behaviors were studied using HOMO-LUMO analysis. The homology modeling of SARS CoV-2 RdRp was done utilizing the PDB 6NUR_A as a template. The model showed above 99% similarity with its preceder SARS CoV. The molecular docking analysis of the synthesized compounds was carried out along with some suggested drugs for COVID-19 and some phytochemicals. The docking results were then analyzed. The binding free energy of the complexes were calculated using MM-PB(GB)SA and ADMET properties of Ia and Ib were also predicted. Some suggestions are given from this analysis.

The graviola impact on human astroglioma cells: functional significance of MUDENG

Graviola (Annona muricate) is a coveted tropical plant that has been found to be effective against many human cancers. Malignant glioblastoma multiformes are the most common and aggressive malignant forms of astrocytoma in the central nervous system. MUDENG (Mu-2-related death-inducing gene, MuD) is involved in cell death signaling. In this study, we investigated the impact of extracts from graviola leaves (from Korea and Africa), fruits and seeds against human astroglioma cells. Interestingly, graviola leaf extract-Korea (GLE-K), graviola leaf extract-Africa (GLE-A) and graviola fruit extract-Africa (GFE-A) exhibited significant cytotoxic effects on the cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner and altered the MuD expression pattern. Cell cycle analyses revealed that GLE-A and GLE-K triggered no significant induction of apoptosis at concentrations up to 5% in U251-MG cells, while in GLE-K treated cells at 10% concentrations, there were much fewer apoptotic cells (33.64%) compared to those in GLE-A (73.55%) treated cells. In the case of GFE-A treated cells, 5% graviola extract (GE) concentration resulted in predominant cells entering the apoptotic phase (59.31%), whereas almost no significant increase in apoptotic cells was observed in GSE-A treated cells (1.38%) even up to 25% of graviola extract (GE) concentration. While using stable transfectants knock-out (KO)(-)-and overexpressing (OE)-MuD(+), significant and consistent differences in the cell viability (enhanced anti-astroglioma effect of GEs) were observed in KO-MuD(-) cells. This validated the functional consequence of MuD in the anti-astroglioma activity of GEs. Our results confirmed that GFE-A possesses the highest anti-astroglioma activity followed by the leaf extracts (GLE-A/K). This is the first report that highlights the MuD aspect of GEs.

Ethyl 6′-cyano-7′-(p-tolyl)-1′,6′,7′,7a′-tetrahydro-3′H-spiro[indeno[1,2-b]quinoxaline-11,5′-pyrrolo[1,2-c]thiazole]-6′-carboxylate

The title compound, C31H26N4O2S, crystallizes in a triclinic centrosymmetric lattice with two molecules in the unit cell. The five-membered thiazole and pyrrolidine rings adopt twisted and envelope conformations, respectively. The methoxyphenyl and indenoquinoxaline planes are oriented with a dihedral angle of 88.1 (1)° to each other. The crystal structure features C—H...N, C—H...O and C—H...S intermolecular interactions forming two R 2 2(16) ring motifs and a C(11) and two C 2 2(14) chain motifs. The –CH3 group of the ethyl side chain is disordered over two positions with site occupancies of 0.55 and 0.45.

6′-(3-Bromophenyl)-7′-nitro-1′,6′,7′,7a'-tetrahydro-3′H-spiro[indeno[1,2-b]quinoxaline-11,5′-pyrrolo[1,2-c]thiazole]

The title compound, C26H19BrN4O2S, crystallizes in a monoclinicC-centred lattice with eight molecules in the unit cell. The five-membered thiazole and pyrrolidine rings adopt envelope conformations and the bromophenyl and indenoquinoxaline planes are oriented at a dihedral angle of 61.6 (1)° to each other. The molecular structure features an intramolecular C—H...N interaction leading to anS(6) ring motif.C(9) andC(10) chains along thec- andb-axis directions form through C—H...Br and C—H...S contacts, respectively. In addition, C—H...O and C—H...N hydrogen bonds form inversion dimers withR22(10) andR22(14) motifs, respectively. One O atom is disordered over two positions (occupancy ratio 0.63:0.37).

The unequivocal preponderance of biocomputation in clinical virology

Bioinformatics and computer based data simulation and modeling are captivating biological research, delivering great results already and promising to deliver more. As biological research is a complex, intricate, diverse field, any available support is gladly taken. With recent outbreaks and epidemics, pathogens are a constant threat to the global economy and security. Virus related plagues are somehow the most difficult to handle. Biocomputation has provided appreciable help in resolving clinical virology related issues. This review, for the first time, surveys the current status of the role of computation in virus related research. Advances made in the fields of clinical virology, antiviral drug design, viral immunology and viral oncology, through input from biocomputation, have been discussed. The amount of progress made and the software platforms available are consolidated in this review. The limitations of computation based methods are presented. Finally, the challenges facing the future of biocomputation in clinical virology are speculated upon.

Biocomputation in clinical virology.

Exploiting Microbial Polysaccharides for Biosorption of Trace Elements in Aqueous Environments-Scope for Expansion via Nanomaterial Intervention

With pollution sounding high alarms all around us, there is an immediate necessity for remediation. In most cases, the remediation measures require further remediation-the anti-pollutants themselves cause pollution. In this correspondence, the search deepens towards natural biogenic components that can be used for bioremediation. Polysaccharide and biosorption have been themes in discussion for quite some time, where a slow decline in the enthusiasm in this area has been observed. This review revisits the importance of using polysaccharide based materials for biosorption. The need for polysaccharide-based nanocomposites, which hold better promise for greater deliverables, is emphasized as a means of rejuvenating the future perspectives in this area of application.

7′-Nitro-6′-phenyl-1′,6′,7′,7a′-tetrahydro-spiro[indeno[1,2-b]quinoxaline-11,5′-pyrrolo[1,2-c][1,3]thiazole]

In the title compound, C26H20N4O2S, the thiazole and pyrrolidine rings adopt envelope conformations with the respective flap atoms being the N atom and the nitro-bearing C atom. The phenyl and indenoquinoxaline planes are oriented at an angle of 66.72 (1)° to each other. The molecular structure features two intramolecular interactions,viz. C—H...N and C—H...O. In the crystal, the molecules are connected through C—H...N and C—H...O interactions, forming ring motifs [twoR21(7),R22(14),R22(22) andR22(16)]. These ring motifs are connected through aC(9) motif chain.

Nature nominee quercetin's anti-influenza combat strategy-Demonstrations and remonstrations

Nature's providences are rather the choicest remedies for human health and welfare. One such is quercetin, which is nature's nominee for cancer cure and recently demonstrated against influenza attack. Quercetin is highly recognized for its anticancer applications. This review emphasizes on yet another gift that this compound has to offer for mankind, which is none other than combating the deadly evasive influenza virus. The chemistry of this natural bioflavonoid and its derivatives and its modus operandi against influenza virus is consolidated into this review. The advancements and achievements made in the anti-influenza clinical history are also documented. Further, the challenges facing the progress of this compound to emerge as a predominant anti-influenza drug are discussed, and the future perspective for breaking its limitations through integration with nanoplatforms is envisioned.

The ethanopharmacological aspect of carbon nanodots in turmeric smoke

Smoke manifested ever since our ancient's lit fire; today it has evolved to become an environmental concern. However, medicinal smoke is still part of man's natural remedies, religious and cultural practices too. The Asiatic household practice of burning turmeric rhizomes to relieve nose and chest congestion is a well known yet never scientifically authenticated or studied practice. For the first time we investigate the components of these turmeric smudges, validate their antimicrobial and anticancer properties and their cell compatibility. With smoke there is always nanoparticulate carbon and turmeric smoke is no exception. If so, what is the role of the nano carbon (NC) in the turmeric smudge effect? This study isolated, characterized and exposed these secret natural NC undercover agents in turmeric smoke. Their unequivocal role in the ethanopharmocological activity of turmeric smudging has been demonstrated. This work opens a new avenue for use of such nano components of smoke for harnessing the ethanopharmacological property of various medicinal smokes, by excluding the smoke factor, through extracting the nano carbon material in them. This is a possibility to realizing the use of such naturally available nanomaterial, as an eco friendly substitute for the notorious anthropogenic nanomaterials.

Autochthonous self-assembly of nature's nanomaterials: green, parsimonious and antibacterial carbon nanofilms on glass

The development of thin film coatings has been a very important development in materials science for the modification of native material surface properties. Thin film coatings are enabled through the use of sophisticated instruments and technologies that demand expertise and huge initial and running costs. Nano-thin films are yet a furtherance of thin films which require more expertise and much more sophistication. In this work for the first time we present a one-pot straightforward carbon thin film coating methodology for glass substrates. There is novelty in every single aspect of the method, with the carbon used in the nanofilm being obtained from turmeric soot, the coating technique consisting of a basic immersion technique, a dip-dry method, in combination with the phytosoot-derived carbon's inherent ability to self-assemble to form a uniform and continuous stable coating. The carbon nanofilm has been characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDAX) analysis, a goniometer and X-ray diffraction (XRD). This study for the first time opens a new school of thought of using such naturally available free nanomaterials as eco-friendly green coatings. The amorphous porous carbon film can be coated on any hydrophilic substrate and is not substrate specific. Its added advantages of being transparent and antibacterial in spite of being green and parsimonious are meant to realize its utility as ideal choices for solar panels, medical implants and other construction applications.

An agile, simplified and sonication mediated one-pot aqueous extraction and antibacterial assessment of predominant Korean mushrooms

Rapid sonication based aqueous extraction of antimicrobials from mushrooms.

State-of-the-art nanoplatform-integrated MALDI-MS impacting resolutions in urinary proteomics

Urine proteomics has become a subject of interest, since it has led to a number of breakthroughs in disease diagnostics. Urine contains information not only from the kidney and the urinary tract but also from other organs, thus urinary proteome analysis allows for identification of biomarkers for both urogenital and systemic diseases. The following review gives a brief overview of the analytical techniques that have been in practice for urinary proteomics. MALDI-MS technique and its current application status in this area of clinical research have been discussed. The review comments on the challenges facing the conventional MALDI-MS technique and the upgradation of this technique with the introduction of nanotechnology. This review projects nano-based techniques such as nano-MALDI-MS, surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization, and nanostructure-initiator MS as the platforms that have the potential in trafficking MALDI-MS from the lab to the bedside.

One-step, ultrasonication-mobilized, solvent-free extraction/synthesis of nanocurcumin from turmeric

One step ultrasonication for direct recovery of water soluble nanocurcumin from turmeric.