Glycolipid Metabolite ß-Glucosylceramide Is a Neutrophil Extracellular Trap-Inducing Ligand of Mincle Released during Bacterial Infection and Inflammation.

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are implicated in host defense and inflammatory pathologies alike. A wide range of pathogen- and host-derived factors are known to induce NETs, yet the knowledge about specific receptor-ligand interactions in this response is limited. We previously reported that macrophage-inducible C-type lectin (Mincle) regulates NET formation. In this article, we identify glycosphingolipid ß-glucosylceramide (ß-GlcCer) as a specific NET-inducing ligand of Mincle. We found that purified ß-GlcCer induced NETs in mouse primary neutrophils in vitro and in vivo, and this effect was abrogated in Mincle deficiency. Cell-free ß-GlcCer accumulated in the lungs of pneumonic mice, which correlated with pulmonary NET formation in wild-type, but not in Mincle-/-, mice infected intranasally with Klebsiella pneumoniae Although leukocyte infiltration by ß-GlcCer administration in vivo did not require Mincle, NETs induced by this sphingolipid were important for bacterial clearance during Klebsiella infection. Mechanistically, ß-GlcCer did not activate reactive oxygen species formation in neutrophils but required autophagy and glycolysis for NET formation, because ATG4 inhibitor NSC185058, as well as glycolysis inhibitor 2-deoxy-d-glucose, abrogated ß-GlcCer-induced NETs. Forced autophagy activation by tamoxifen could overcome the inhibitory effect of glycolysis blockage on ß-GlcCer-mediated NET formation, suggesting that autophagy activation is sufficient to induce NETs in response to this metabolite in the absence of glycolysis. Finally, ß-GlcCer accumulated in the plasma of patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome, and its levels correlated with the extent of systemic NET formation in these patients. Overall, our results posit ß-GlcCer as a potent NET-inducing ligand of Mincle with diagnostic and therapeutic potential in inflammatory disease settings.

Nano-bioremediation: an eco-friendly and effective step towards petroleum hydrocarbon removal from environment.

Global concern about petroleum hydrocarbon pollution has intensified and gained scientific interest due to its noxious nature, high persistence in environmental matrices, and low degradability. One way to address this is by combining remediation techniques that could overcome the constraints of traditional physio-chemical and biological remediation strategies. The upgraded concept of bioremediation to nano-bioremediation in this direction offers an efficient, economical, and eco-friendly approach to mitigate petroleum contaminants. Here, we review the unique attributes of different types of nanoparticles and their synthesis procedures in remediating various petroleum pollutants. This review also highlights the microbial interaction with different metallic nanoparticles and their consequential alteration in microbial as well as enzymatic activity which expedites the remediating process. Besides, the latter part of the review explores the application of petroleum hydrocarbon degradation and the application of nano supports as immobilizing agents for microbes and enzymes. Further, the challenges and the future prospects of nano-bioremediation have also been discussed.

An endophytic Schizophyllum commune possessing antioxidant activity exhibits genoprotective and organprotective effects in fresh water fish Channa punctatus exposed to bisphenol A.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress is responsible for the onset of several chronic and degenerative diseases. Exogenous supply of antioxidants is reported to neutralize the effects of oxidative stress. Several synthetic antioxidants suffer from various side effects which necessitates the exploration of antioxidant compounds from natural sources. Endophytic fungi residing in the plants are gaining the attention of researchers as a source of novel antioxidants. Majority of the research conducted so far on endophytic fungi has been restricted to the members of phylum ascomycota. Basidiomycota, inspite of their immense bioactive potential remain relatively unexploited. This study aimed to assess the ameliorative effects of an endophytic Schizophyllum commune (basidiomycetous fungus) against oxidative stress associated altered antioxidant levels, genotoxicity and cellular damage to different organs in bisphenol A exposed fresh water fish Channa punctatus. RESULTS: Good antioxidant and genoprotective potential was exhibited by S. commune extract in in vitro studies conducted using different antioxidant, DNA damage protection, and cytokinesis blocked micronuclei assays. In vivo studies were performed in fresh water fish Channa punctatus exposed to bisphenol A. A significant decrease in the considered parameters for DNA damage (% micronuclei and comet assay) were recorded in fish treated with S. commune extract on comparison with untreated bisphenol A exposed group. The S. commune extract treated fish also exhibited an increase in the level of antioxidant enzymes viz. catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase as well as histoprotective effect on various organs. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of 3-n-propyl-2,4-pentanedione, n-heptadecanol-1, trans-geranylgeraniol, 3-ethyl-2-pentadecanone, 1-heneicosanol and squalene as some of the compounds in S. commune extract. CONCLUSION: The study highlights the significance of an endophytic basidiomycetous fungus S. commune as a source of antioxidant compounds with possible therapeutic potential.

Genomic Characterization of Cisplatin Response Uncovers Priming of Cisplatin-Induced Genes in a Resistant Cell Line.

Cisplatin is a chemotherapy drug that kills cancer cells by damaging their DNA. In human cells, this damage is repaired primarily by nucleotide excision repair. While cisplatin is generally effective, many cancers exhibit initial or acquired resistance to it. Here, we studied cisplatin resistance in a defined cell line system. We conducted a comprehensive genomic characterization of the cisplatin-sensitive A2780 ovarian cancer cell line compared to A2780cis, its resistant derivative. The resistant cells acquired less damage, but had similar repair kinetics. Genome-wide mapping of nucleotide excision repair showed a shift in the resistant cells from global genome towards transcription-coupled repair. By mapping gene expression changes following cisplatin treatment, we identified 56 upregulated genes that have higher basal expression in the resistant cell line, suggesting they are primed for a cisplatin response. More than half of these genes are novel to cisplatin- or damage-response. Six out of seven primed genes tested were upregulated in response to cisplatin in additional cell lines, making them attractive candidates for future investigation. These novel candidates for cisplatin resistance could prove to be important prognostic markers or targets for tailored combined therapy in the future.

High-risk health behaviors predict depression among school-going adolescents: the need for integration of mental health with school health program in India.

Our objective was to estimate the prevalence of depression and to determine whether high-risk health behaviors were associated with it among school-going adolescents, thereby assessing the need to integrate mental health services with the school health program. We conducted a cross-sectional study among 260 adolescents in schools of Bhavnagar city (western India) during January-October 2017. To assess depression, Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) was used and high-risk health behaviors were assessed by the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) tool. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to assess whether high-risk health behaviors were independent predictors of depression. The prevalence of depression was found to be 43%. Among high-risk health behaviors, adolescents carrying a sharp weapon to the school was the lowest (4%) and not eating breakfast was the highest (88%). On multiple logistic regression, feeling unsafe at school, self-perception regarding overweight, being a female, not living with both parents in the same house, being unhappy with school performance, having illness/seriously injured, and immediate family member being seriously ill/injured were found to be the significant predictors of depression among the adolescents. There is a need to address mental health issues like depression and high-risk health behaviors under the school health program through screening interventions.

Subcellular dynamics of variants of SG2NA in NIH3T3 fibroblasts.

SG2NA, a WD40 repeat protein of the Striatin subfamily, has four splicing and one messenger RNA edit variants. It is fast emerging as a scaffold for multimeric signaling complexes with roles in tissue development and disease. The green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged variants of SG2NA were ectopically expressed in NIH3T3 cells and their modulation by serum and GSK3ß-ERK signaling were monitored. The 87, 78, and 35 kDa variants showed a biphasic modulation by serum till 24 h but the 52 kDa variant remained largely unresponsive. Inhibition of phosphatases by okadaic acid increased the levels of the endogenous 78 kDa and the ectopically expressed GFP-tagged 87 and 78 kDa SG2NAs. Contrastingly, okadaic acid treatment reduced the level of GFP-tagged 35 kDa SG2NA, suggesting differential modes of their stability through phosphorylation-dephosphorylation. The inhibition of GSK3ß by LiCl showed a gradual decrease in the levels of 78 kDa. In the case of the other variants viz, GFP-tagged 35, 52, and 87 kDa, inhibition of GSK3ß caused an initial increase followed by a decrease with a subtle difference in kinetics and intensities. Similar results were also seen upon inhibition of GSK3ß by small interfering RNA. All the variants showed an increase followed by a decrease upon inhibition of extracellular-signal-regulated-kinase (ERK). These variants are localized in the plasma membrane, endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, and the nucleus with different propensities and no discernable subcellular distribution was seen upon stimulation by serum and the inhibition of phosphatases, GSK3ß, and ERK. Taken together, the variants of SG2NA are modulated by the kinase-phosphatase network in a similar but characteristic manner.

Molecular cytogenetic characterization of two Turner syndrome patients with mosaic ring X chromosome.

PURPOSE: In the present study, we reported two cases of TS with mosaic ring X chromosome showing common clinical characteristics of TS like growth retardation and ovarian dysfunction. The purpose of the present study was to cytogenetically characterize both cases. METHODS: Whole blood culture and G-banding were performed for karyotyping the cases following standard protocol. Origin of the ring chromosome and degree of mosaicism were further determined by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Breakpoints and loss of genetic material in formation of different ring X chromosomes r (X) in cases were determined with the help of cytogenetic microarray. RESULTS: Cases 1 and 2 with ring chromosome were cytogenetically characterized as 45, X [114]/46Xr (X) (p22.11q21.32) [116] and 45, X [170]/46, Xr (X) (p22.2q21.33) [92], respectively. Sizes of these ring X chromosomes were found to be ~75 and ~95 Mb in cases 1 and 2, respectively, using visual estimation as part of cytogenetic observation. In both cases, we observed breakpoints on Xq chromosome were within relatively narrow region between Xq21.33 and Xq22.1 compared to regions in previously reported cases associated with ovarian dysgenesis. CONCLUSIONS: Our observation agrees with the fact that despite of large heterogeneity, severity of the cases with intact X-inactive specific transcript (XIST) is dependent on degree of mosaicism and extent of Xq deletion having crucial genes involved directly or indirectly in various physiological involving ovarian cyclicity.

Selective elimination of younger erythrocytes in blood circulation and associated molecular changes in benzo (a) pyrene induced mouse model of lung cancer.

Background: Anemia is a common feature in cancer patients. The present research was conducted to explore the mechanisms of induction of anemia in a mouse model of lung cancer. Methods: The lung cancer was induced by treating orally with BaP (50 mg/kg body weight, twice a week for four weeks). The erythrocyte kinetics were studied using a double in vivo biotinylation (DIB) technique. ROS production and apoptosis analysis were done by staining with the CMH2DCFDA stain and anti-mouse Annexin V antibody, followed by flow cytometry. The expression of antioxidant, apoptotic, anti-apoptotic and inflammatory genes was analyzed by quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Results: BaP-induced tumour reduced body weight and induced persistent haemolytic anaemia. The kinetics data suggest that, though reticulocyte production was enhanced, the proportion of young erythrocytes did not increase in the same proportion. The young aged erythrocytes were selectively eliminated from blood circulation, but intermediate and old aged erythrocytes persisted for a longer duration. The tumour progression leads to a significant increase in ROS production and apoptosis in the erythrocytes. The molecular data suggests that the expression levels of antioxidants (SOD1, catalase, and GPX1) and erythropoietin (Epo) were significantly increased. The anti-inflammatory genes Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Interleukin-10 (IL-10) were significantly decreased.Apoptotic genes Bax, and caspase 3 were significantly decreased while Bcl 2 was significantly increased in the blood of tumour-bearing mice. Conclusions: The overall data suggest that erythrocyte turnover is severely modulated with the progression of tumor. The apoptosis, ROS levels, antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and Epo gene expressions were increased, but proapoptotic and anti-inflammatory gene expression were suppressed.

Halotolerant and plant growth-promoting endophytic fungus Aspergillus terreus CR7 alleviates salt stress and exhibits genoprotective effect in Vigna radiata.

Soil salinity is one of the major environmental stresses that results in reduction of cultivable land and decreased productivity. In the present study, halotolerant and plant growth-promoting endophytic fungi were isolated from Catharanthus roseus, and their effect in mitigating salt stress in Vigna radiata was evaluated. An isolate CR7, identified to be Aspergillus terreus, showing plant growth promotion activities, viz. IAA production (23.43 ± 0.79 µg/ml), phosphate solubilization (133.63 ± 6.40 µg/ml), ACC deaminase activity (86.36 ± 2.70 µmol α-ketobutyrate/h/mg protein) etc. and ability to grow at 15% NaCl was selected for further in vivo studies. Colonization of CR7 was carried out in V. radiata which was subjected to different concentrations of salt (150, 200, and 250 mM NaCl). Under salt stress, A. terreus CR7 inoculated plants showed substantially improved root and shoot length, biomass, chlorophyll content, relative water content, phenolics, protein content, and DPPH scavenging activity. Endogenous IAA level was enhanced by 5.28-fold in treated plants at maximum salt stress. Inoculation of A. terreus CR7 affected oxidative stress parameters, exhibiting an increase in catalase and superoxide dismutase and reduction in proline, electrolyte leakage, and malondialdehyde content. Fluorescent microscopic analysis of roots revealed improved cell viability and decreased levels of glutathione and hydrogen peroxide under salt stress in treated plants. The isolate A. terreus CR7 also protected against DNA damage induced by salt stress which was evaluated using comet assay. A decrease in DNA tail length, tail moment, and olive tail moment to the extent of 19.87%, 19.76%, and 24.81%, respectively, was observed in A. terreus CR7-colonized plants under salt stress. It can be concluded that A. terreus CR7 can be exploited for alleviating the impact of salt stress in crop plants.

Sustainable adsorbent frameworks based on bio-resourced materials and biodegradable polymers in selective phosphate removal for waste-water remediation.

Phosphorus to an optimum extent is an essential nutrient for all living organisms and its scarcity may cause food security, and environmental preservation issues vis-à-vis agroeconomic hurdles. Undesirably excess phosphorus intensifies the eutrophication problem in non-marine water bodies and disrupts the natural nutrient balance of the ecosystem. To overcome such dichotomy, biodegradable polymer-based adsorbents have emerged as a cost-effective and implementable approach in striking a "desired optimum-undesired excess" balance pertaining to phosphate in a sustainable manner. So far, the reports on adopting such adsorbent-approach for wastewater remediation remained largely scattered, unstructured, and poorly correlated. In this background, the contextual review comprehensively discusses the current state-of-the-art in utilizing biodegradable polymeric frameworks as an adsorbent system for phosphate removal and its efficient recovery from the aquatic ecosystem, while highlighting their characteristics-specific functional efficiency vis-à-vis easiness of synthetic and commercial viability. The overview further delves into the sources and environmental ramifications of excessive phosphorus in water bodies and associated mechanistic pathways of phosphorus removal via adsorption, precipitation, and membrane filtration enabled by biodegradable (natural and synthetic) polymeric substrates. Finally, functionality optimization, degradability tuning, and adsorption selectivity of biodegradable polymers are highlighted, while aiming to strike a balance in "removal-recovery-reuse" dynamics of phosphate. Thus, the current review not only paves the way for future exploration of biodegradable polymers in sustainable cost-effective adsorbents for phosphorus removal but also can serve as a guide for researchers dealing with this critical issue.

In vitro antibacterial and anti-biofilm potential of an endophytic Schizophyllum commune.

The emergence of antibiotic resistance in pathogens is one of the major health concerns facing mankind as different bacterial strains have developed resistance to antibiotics over the period of time due to overuse and misuse of antibiotics. Besides this, ability to form biofilms is another major factor contributing to antibiotic resistance, which has necessitated the need for exploration for novel and effective compounds with ability to inhibit biofilm formation. Endophytic fungi are reported to exhibit antibacterial and anti-biofilm potential and could serve as a potent source of novel antibacterial compounds. Majority of the bioactivities have been reported from fungi belonging to phylum Ascomycota. Endophytic basidiomycetes, inspite of their profound ability to serve as a source of bioactive compounds have not been exploited extensively. In present study, an attempt was made to assess the antibacterial, anti-biofilm and biofilm dispersion potential of an endophytic basidiomycetous fungus Schizophyllum commune procured from the culture collection of our lab. Ethyl acetate extract of S. commune showed good antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica and Vibrio cholerae. Minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of the extract were in the range of 1.25-10 mg/ml against the tested bacterial pathogens. The mode of action was determined to be bactericidal which was further confirmed by time kill studies. Good anti-biofilm activity of S. commune extract was recorded against K. pneumoniae and S. enterica, which was further validated by fluorescence microscopy. The present study highlights the importance of endophytic basidiomycetes as source of therapeutic compounds.

Aflatoxin B1 administration causes inflammation and apoptosis in the lungs and spleen.

Aflatoxin is a naturally occurring mycotoxin that has numerous toxic effects. The main aim of the present study was to evaluate the toxic effects of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on the lungs and spleen. Mice were repeatedly exposed to AFB1 (0.3 mg/kg body weight) on alternate days for four weeks via oral route. The histopathological data in AFB1-treated mice show alveolar epithelial hyperplasia with inflammation and the presence of numerous alveolar macrophages with minimal hemorrhage. There was an increase in vascular neutrophils and interstitial inflammation. The branching of vessels was plugged with neutrophils. AFB1 administration also causes splenomegaly. The AFB1-treated spleen shows the tingible body macrophages (TBM) scattered within the splenic white pulp. Apoptosis may lead to atrophy in a selected region of the white pulp area. There is a decrease in cellularity within the periarteriolar lymphatic sheath (PALS). The inflammation causes the congestion of red pulp with the increase in nuclear debris, and vacuoles are also visible. The flow cytometry data further suggests enhanced apoptosis in lung and spleen cells.

The BMP2 prodomain promotes dimerization and cleavage of BMP6 homodimers and BMP2/6 heterodimers in vivo.

Bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) and BMP6 are key regulators of systemic iron homeostasis. All BMPs are generated as inactive precursor proteins that dimerize and are cleaved to generate the bioactive ligand and inactive prodomain fragments, but nothing is known about how BMP2 or BMP6 homodimeric or heterodimeric precursor proteins are proteolytically activated. Here, we conducted in vitro cleavage assays, which revealed that BMP2 is sequentially cleaved by furin at two sites, initially at a site upstream of the mature ligand, and then at a site adjacent to the ligand domain, while BMP6 is cleaved at a single furin motif. Cleavage of both sites of BMP2 is required to generate fully active BMP2 homodimers when expressed in Xenopus embryos or liver endothelial cells, and fully active BMP2/6 heterodimers in Xenopus . We analyzed BMP activity in Xenopus embryos expressing chimeric proteins consisting of the BMP2 prodomain and BMP6 ligand domain, or vice versa. We show that the prodomain of BMP2 is necessary and sufficient to generate active BMP6 homodimers and BMP2/6 heterodimers, whereas the BMP6 prodomain cannot generate active BMP2 homodimers or BMP2/6 heterodimers. We examined BMP2 and BMP6 homodimeric and heterodimeric ligands generated from native and chimeric precursor proteins expressed in Xenopus embryos. Whereas native BMP6 is not cleaved when expressed alone, it is cleaved to generate BMP2/6 heterodimers when co-expressed with BMP2. Furthermore, BMP2-6 chimeras are cleaved to generate BMP6 homodimers. Our findings reveal an important role for the BMP2 prodomain in dimerization and proteolytic activation of BMP6.

Prevalence and Determinants of Low Birth Weight among the Newborns in Dadra and Nagar Haveli: A Community-based Study.

Background: The world is not on track to meet the World Health Assembly (WHA) global target on Low Birth Weight (LBW). To estimate the prevalence and to identify the associated determinants of LBW among the newborns. Material and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among the 364 mothers registered under the all government health facilities of Dadra & Nagar Haveli (DNH) during November 2021 to January 2022. Results: The prevalence of LBW was found to be 39%. On uni-variable logistic regression, live in relationship, caste, weight of mother, Body Mass Index (BMI), weight gain <5 kg in 2nd and 3rd trimester, high-risk pregnancy, complication present in previous pregnancy and preterm delivery, while on multi-variable logistic regression, weight gain <5 kg in 2nd and 3rd trimester (AOR 2, 95% CI 1.007-4.2) and having high-risk pregnancy (AOR 2, 95% CI 1.1-3.0) were found to be the significant predictors of LBW among the newborns. Conclusions: We conclude from the study that the prevalence of low birth weight among the newborn was high. There is a need to address maternal and child health issues like low birth weight, malnutrition and high-risk pregnancy under the RMNCAH+N program through various effective interventions. Future research should evaluate the feasibility of collaborative activities between RMNCAH+N program and the UNICEF in India.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Viral Escape on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy: Analysis from Single Tertiary Care Centre.

HIV-infected individuals receiving regular antiretroviral therapy (ART) can present with a high viral load in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) at times when it is suppressed in blood. This study presents data of HIV-infected patients who had undetectable or low plasma viral load in blood but presented with neurological signs and symptoms and were diagnosed to have CSF HIV viral escape. Records were reviewed for clinical manifestations, details of opportunistic or coinfection, and HIV viral copies in plasma and CSF at time of diagnosis of CSF escape. A total of 10,200 HIV-infected individuals were registered in HIV care till December 31, 2021. Nineteen individuals (14 virologically confirmed and 5 clinically) were diagnosed with high viral copies in CSF from June 2014 to December 2021. Mean age was 41.5 ± 9.2 (median, 39.5; range, 30-62) years. Average duration of antiretroviral treatment received at the time of diagnosis of CSF escape was 10.1 years. Median plasma HIV-viral copies were 2,469.8 (undetectable to 29,418) and in CSF were 12,773.7 (n = 14, range, 1,340-48,530) copies/mL. HIV viral copies in CSF were significantly higher than in plasma at the time of presentation (p = .003). ART regimen switch was done after identification of HIV CSF escape. Seventeen patients were alive with a regular follow-up of average 35 (range 7-66) months. All had documented clinical improvement with reversal of neurological impairment after ART switch. There was one death and one lost to follow-up. Early identification and timely intervention in CSF viral escape could revert severe neurological impairment and improves treatment outcome.

Aflatoxin B1 administration induces reactive oxygen species production and apoptosis of erythrocytes in mice.

Aflatoxin is a naturally occurring mycotoxin that has various toxic effects to humans and various other animals. In the current study, we have investigated the toxic effects of Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on erythrocytes in the blood circulation of mice. Mice were administered orally with repeated doses of AFB1 (0.3 mg/kg of body weight three times a week for four weeks). AFB1 administration resulted in sustained anemia and a significant reduction in blood erythrocyte number as well as hemoglobin level was seen at different time schedules. Body weight, erythrocyte count, and Hb were significantly decreased on days 30 and 45 post-AFB1 administration. The reticulocytes proportion in circulation was analyzed by staining the cells with anti-mouse CD71 monoclonal antibody and flow cytometric analysis. The ROS level and apoptotic cell proportion were determined by staining with CM-H2DCFDA and Annexin V antibody. AFB1 treatment leads to an increment in reticulocytes production. A significant increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptotic cells were also observed in erythrocytes.

From Soma to Synapse: Imaging Age-Related Rod Photoreceptor Changes in the Mouse with Visible Light OCT.

Purpose: Although the outer nuclear layer (ONL) and outer plexiform layer (OPL) each exhibit a complex internal organization, near-infrared OCT depicts both as monolithic bands. Here, using visible light OCT in the C57BL/6J mouse retina, sublaminar age-related changes in photoreceptor features were imaged and interpreted. These features were (1) oscillations in reflectivity, or striations, in the ONL and (2) a moderately reflective subband in the OPL. Design: Cross-sectional study. Participants: Pigmented mice (C57BL/6J, n = 14). Methods: A 1.0-µm axial resolution visible light spectral/Fourier domain OCT system was used for in vivo retinal imaging. Light and electron microscopy were performed ex vivo. Linear mixed effects models or regression were employed for statistical analysis. Main Outcome Measures: Comparison of OCT subbands with corresponding histological features, as well as quantification of subband thickness and reflectivity. Results: Corresponding histological comparisons confirm that striations in the ONL arise from the rowlike arrangement of photoreceptor nuclei and reveal that the moderately reflective OPL subband arises from rod spherules. Compression of outer ONL striations with age suggests changes in soma organization. Thinning of the moderately reflective OPL subband with age supports a reduction of synapses in the OPL. Critically, the ONL somas are tightly correlated with the purported spherule layer but not with the rest of the OPL. Conclusions: Visible light OCT imaging of the mouse OPL resolves postsynaptic and synaptic differences. Visible light OCT can study rod photoreceptor changes from the soma to the synapse in the living mouse retina. Financial Disclosures: Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.

Solvatochromism as a Novel Tool to Enumerate the Optical and Luminescence Properties of Plastic Waste Derived Carbon Nanodots and Their Activated Counterparts.

Herein, we have developed a one-pot methodology to synthesise three types of C-dots and their activated counterparts from three different types of waste plastic precursors such as poly-bags, cups and bottles. The optical studies have shown the significant change in the absorption edge in case of C-dots in comparison to their activated counterparts. The respective variation in the sizes is correlated with the change in electronic band gap values of formed particles. The changes in the luminescence behaviour are also correlated with transitions from the edge of the core of formed particles. The obtained variations in the Stokes shift values of C-dots, and their ACs were used to explore the types of surface states and their related transitions in particles. The mode of interaction between C-dots and their ACs was also determined using solvent-dependent fluorescence spectroscopy. This detailed investigation could provide significant insight on the emission behaviour and the potential usage of formed particles as an effective fluorescent probe in sensing applications.

New insights into APCVD grown monolayer MoS2 using time-domain terahertz spectroscopy.

In modern era, wireless communications at ultrafast speed are need of the hour and search for its solution through cutting edge sciences is a new perspective. To address this issue, the data rates in order of terabits per second (TBPS) could be a key step for the realization of emerging sixth generation (6G) networks utilizing terahertz (THz) frequency regime. In this context, new class of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have been introduced as potential candidates for future generation wireless THz technology. Herein, a strategy has been adopted to synthesize high-quality monolayer of molybdenum di-sulfide (MoS2) using indigenously developed atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (APCVD) set-up. Further, the time-domain transmission and sheet conductivity were studied as well as a plausible mechanism of terahertz response for monolayer MoS2 has been proposed and compared with bulk MoS2. Hence, the obtained results set a stepping stone to employ the monolayer MoS2 as potential quantum materials benefitting the next generation terahertz communication devices.