Glutathione Modified Fluorescent CdS QDs Synthesized Using Environmentally Benign Pathway for Detection of Mercury Ions in Aqueous Phase.

An adept, rapid and novel water-soluble glutathione functionalized CdS quantum dots (GSH@CdS QDs) were fabricated using green pathway for sensing of heavy metal contamination prevalent in industrial wastewater. GSH@CdS QDs were facilely synthesized in an aqueous phase reaction and were effectively characterized using FT-IR, XRD, FESEM, HRTEM and EDX techniques. The distinct fluorescence characteristics of GSH@CdS QDs were explored and the QDs showed selective sensitivity towards mercury ions with a low limit of detection of 0.54 nM under optimal conditions. The detailed interaction between GSH@CdS QDs and Hg2+ and the probable fluorescence quenching mechanism were established in this study. In comparison to already reported fluorescent probes, GSH@CdS QDs showed high sensitivity, biocompatibility, long fluorescence stability and convenient removal of mercury ions. Graphical Abstract Facile green route for the fabrication of glutathione capped CdS quantum dots for fluorescence-based detection of toxic Hg2+ ions.

Melatonin modulated autophagy and Nrf2 signaling pathways in mice with colitis-associated colon carcinogenesis.

Colon carcinogenesis is long known to be associated with ulcerative colitis (UC), a chronic gastrointestinal disorder. Various pre-clinical and clinical studies have shown that melatonin (MEL) has beneficial effects in cancer. However, elucidation of the detailed molecular mechanisms involved in MEL-mediated protection against the colon carcinogenesis deserves further investigation. The present study was aimed at deciphering the effect of MEL on autophagy and Nrf2 signaling pathways in a mouse model of colitis-associated colon carcinogenesis (CACC). For the induction of CACC, male Swiss Albino mice were administered a single ip injection of 20 mg 1, 2-dimethylhydrazine dihydrochloride (DMH)/kg bw, followed by 3 cycles of 3% w/v dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in drinking water treatment initiated 1 wk after DMH injection. One week after the initiation of DSS treatment, MEL was administered at the dose of 1 mg/kg, bw, po for 8 and 18 wk. Mice were sacrificed at 10 and 20 wk after DMH injection. MEL treatment decreased the progression of CACC by down regulating the process of autophagy as revealed by the expression pattern of various autophagy markers such as Beclin-1, LC3B-II/LC3B-I ratio and p62. These findings were accompanied with the increased expression of Nrf2 and the associated antioxidant enzymes, NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase (NQO-1) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in the colon of mice with CACC. MEL intervention reduced autophagy by ameliorating inflammation and oxidative stress in the colon of mice with CACC. We conclude that MEL treatment attenuates the progression of CACC in mice by modulating autophagy and Nrf2 signaling pathways.

Functionalized magnetic nanomaterials for rapid and effective adsorptive removal of fluoroquinolones: Comprehensive experimental cum computational investigations.

Alarming growth of pharmaceutical residues in aquatic environment has elevated concerns about their potential impact on human health. Taking cognizance of this, the present study is focussed on the coating of cobalt ferrite nanoparticles with different functionalities and to use them as adsorbents for pharmaceutical waste. The thickness of the coating was analysed using Small angle X-ray scattering technique. Thorough study of the isotherms and kinetics were performed suggesting monolayer adsorption and pseudo kinetic order model, respectively. To get an insight of the interactions liable for adsorption of fluoroquinolones over the functionalized magnetic nanoparticles computational studies were undertaken. The results demonstrated substantial evidence proposing remarkable potential of these nanostructures as adsorbents for different pollutants with an additional advantage of stability and facile recoverability with a view to treat wastewater.