Ultrasmall copper-metal organic framework (Cu-MOF) quantum dots decorated on waste derived biochar for enhanced removal of emerging contaminants: Synergistic effect and mechanistic insight.

This study proposes a novel one-pot hydrothermal impregnation strategy for surface decoration of waste derived pisum sativum biochar with zero‒dimensional Cu‒MOF Quantum dots (PBC‒HK), with an average particle size of 5.67 nm, for synergistic removal of an emerging sulfur containing drug pantoprazole (PTZ) and Basic Blue 26 (VB) dye within 80 min and 50 min of visible-light exposure, respectively. The designed Integrated Photocatalytic Adsorbent (IPA) presented an enhanced PTZ removal efficiency of 95.23% with a catalyst loading of 0.24 g/L and initial PTZ conc. 30 mg/L at pH 7, within 80 min via synergistic adsorption and photodegradation under visible-light exposure. While, on the other hand, 96.31% VB removal efficiency was obtained in 50 min with a catalyst dosage of 0.20 g/L, initial VB conc. 60 mg/L at pH 7 under similar irradiation conditions. An in-depth analysis of the synergistic adsorption and photocatalysis mechanism resulting in the shortened time for the removal of contaminants in the synergistic integrated model has been performed by outlining the various advantageous attributes of this strategy. The first-order degradation rate constant for PTZ was found to be 0.04846 min-1 and 0.04370 min-1 for PTZ and VB, respectively. Adsorption of contaminant molecules on the biochar (PS‒BC) surface can facilitate photodegradation by accelerating the kinetics, and photodegradation promotes regeneration of adsorption sites, contributing to an overall reduction in operation time for removal of contaminants. Besides enhancing the adsorption of targeted pollutants, the carbon matrix of IPAs serves as a surface for adsorption of intermediates of degradation, thereby minimizing the risk of secondary pollution. The photogenerated holes present in the VB is responsible for the generation of •OH radicals. While, the photogenerated electrons present in the CB are captured by Cu2+ of the MOF metal center, reducing it to Cu+, which is subsequently oxidized to produce additional •OH species in the aqueous medium. This process leads to effective charge separation of the photogenerated charge carriers and minimizes the probability of charge recombination as evident from photoluminescence (PL) analysis. Meanwhile, PL studies, EPR and radical trapping experiments indicate the predominant role of •OH radicals in the removal mechanism of PTZ and VB. The investigation of the degradation reaction intermediates was confirmed by HR‒LCMS, on the basis of which the plausible degradation pathway was elucidated in detail. Moreover, effects of pH, inorganic salts, other organic compounds and humic acid concentration have been investigated in detail. The environmental impact of the proposed method was comprehensively evaluated by ICP-OES analysis and TOC and COD removal studies. Furthermore, the economic feasibility and the cost-effectiveness of the catalyst was assessed to address the potential for large scale commercialization. Notably, this research not only demonstrates a rational design strategy for the utilization of solid waste into treasure via the fabrication of IPAs based on MOF Quantum dots (QDs) and waste-derived biochar, but also provides a practical solution for real wastewater treatment systems for broader industrial applications.

Developing In2S3 upon modified MgTiO3 anchored on nitrogen-doped CNT for sustainable sensing and removal of toxic insecticide clothianidin.

Herein, the study introduces a novel bifunctional In2S3/MgTiO3/TiO2@N-CNT (IMTNC) nanocomposite, which is poised to revolutionize the detection and removal of clothianidin (CLD) from aquatic environments by synergistic adsorption and photodegradation. Confirmation of the material's synthesis was done using structural, optical, morphological, and chemical characterizations. An outstanding sensitivity of 2.168 µA/nM.cm2 with a linear range of 4-100 nM and a LOD of 0.04 nM, along with an exceptional elimination efficiency of 98.06 ± 0.84% for about 10 ppm CLD within 18 min was demonstrated by the IMTNC nanocomposite. Extensive studies were carried out to appraise the material's effectiveness in the presence of various interfering species, such as cations, anions, organic compounds, and different water matrices, and a comprehensive assessment of its stability throughout several cycles was made. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) study was used to determine the ideal removal conditions for improved performance. In addition, the catalytic performance in removing various other pollutants was also analyzed. Adding In2S3 and developing N-doped Carbon Nanotubes (N-CNT) increased conductivity and higher electrochemical sensing skills, improving charge transfer and increasing photocatalytic activity. This research underscores the potential of the IMTNC nanocomposite as a promising candidate for advanced environmental sensing and remediation applications.

Enhancing photodegradation of thiamethoxam insecticide using SnS2/NCL as a photocatalyst: Mechanistic insights and environmental implications.

The current research highlights the fabrication of a novel SnS2/CO32-@Ni-Co LDH (SnS2/NCL) by precipitating Ni-Co LDH over hydrothermally synthesized SnS2 nanoparticles for the enhanced degradation of thiamethoxam (THM) insecticide through the advanced oxidation process. The effect of several reaction parameters was optimized, and a maximum degradation of 98.1 ± 1.2 % with a rate constant of 0.0541 min-1 of 10 ppm THM was reached at a catalyst loading of 0.16 gL-1 using 0.3 mM of H2O2 within 70 min of visible light irradiation. The effect of metal cations, inorganic anions, dissolved organic matter, organic compounds and water samples on the photodegradation performance of SnS2/NCL nanocomposite was also examined to evaluate the prepared photocatalyst's suitability for use in actual wastewater conditions. The metal cations blocked the active sites of the photocatalyst and reduced the degradation efficiency except for Fe2+ ions, since it is a Fenton reagent and increased the production of hydroxyl radicals. Inorganic anions are the scavengers of hydroxyl radicals and hinder photocatalytic activity. Meanwhile, lake water containing varying degrees of co-existing ions shows the lowest degradation efficiency among other water samples. The SnS2/NCL nanocomposite could be reused for five cycles while maintaining a photocatalytic efficiency of 83.6 ± 0.3 % in the fifth run. The prepared SnS2/NCL nanocomposite also showed excellent photodegradation of several other emerging organic pollutants with an efficiency of over 80 % under optimum conditions. Incorporating Ni-Co LDH with SnS2 helped to delocalize photoinduced charges, leading to increased photocatalytic activity and a slower electron-hole recombination rate. The present research highlights the photocatalytic activity of SnS2/NCL photocatalysts for the photocatalytic degradation of emerging contaminants from wastewater.

SIRT1-activating butein inhibits arecoline-induced mitochondrial dysfunction through PGC1α and MTP18 in oral cancer.

BACKGROUND: Mitochondrial dysfunction associated with mitochondrial DNA mutations, enzyme defects, generation of ROS, and altered oxidative homeostasis is known to induce oral carcinogenesis during exposure to arecoline. Butein, a natural small molecule from Butea monosperma, possesses anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and anti-cancer effects. However, the role of butein in the mitochondrial quality control mechanism has not been illuminated clearly. PURPOSE: This study aimed to explore the role of butein in preserving mitochondrial quality control during arecoline-induced mitochondrial dysfunction in oral cancer to curtail the early onset of carcinogenesis. METHODS: Cell viability was evaluated by MTT assay. The relative protein expressions were determined by western blotting. Immunofluorescence and confocal imaging were used to analyze the relative fluorescence and co-localization of proteins. Respective siRNAs were used to examine the knockdown-based studies. RESULTS: Butein, in the presence of arecoline, significantly caused a decrease in mitochondrial hyperpolarization and ROS levels in oral cancer cells. Mechanistically, we found an increase in COXIV, TOM20, and PGC1α expression during butein treatment, and inhibition of PGC1α blunted mitochondrial biogenesis and decreased the mitochondrial pool. Moreover, the fission protein MTP18, and its molecular partners DRP1 and MFF were dose-dependently increased during butein treatment to maintain mitochondria mass. In addition, we also found increased expression of various mitophagy proteins, including PINK1, Parkin, and LC3 during butein treatment, suggesting the clearance of damaged mitochondria to maintain a healthy mitochondrial pool. Interestingly, butein increased the activity of SIRT1 to enhance the functional mitochondrial pool, and inhibition of SIRT1 found to reduce the mitochondrial levels, as evident from the decrease in the expression of PGC1α and MTP18 in oral cancer cells. CONCLUSION: Our study proved that SIRT1 maintains a functional mitochondrial pool through PGC1α and MTP18 for biogenesis and fission of mitochondria during arecoline exposure and could decrease the risk of mitochondria dysfunctionality associated with the onset of oral carcinogenesis.

Nanocosmos of catalysis: a voyage through synthesis, properties, and enhanced photocatalytic degradation in nickel sulfide nanocomposites.

Nanomaterials play a decisive role in environmental applications such as water purification, pollutant monitoring, and advanced oxidation-based remediation processes, particularly in semiconductor and metal sulfide-based photocatalysis. Metal sulfides are ideal for photocatalysis because of their unique optical, structural, and electronic characteristics. These properties enable the effective use of solar energy to drive various catalytic reactions with potential uses in environmental remediation with sustainable energy production. Among them, nickel sulfides (NiS) stand out for their narrow band gaps, high stability, and cost-effectiveness. This review thoroughly analyzes recent advancements in employing nickel-sulfide-based nanostructures for water decontamination. It begins by addressing environmental material needs and emphasizing the properties of nickel sulfide. To improve photocatalytic performance, controlled processes that affect the active structure, shape, composition, and size of nickel sulfide photocatalysts are examined, along with their synthesis methods. The heart of the review article is a detailed analysis of the modification of NiS through metal and non-metal doping, heterojunction, and nanocomposite formation for enhanced photocatalytic performance. The discussion also includes metal-modified nanostructures, metal oxides, and carbon-hybridized nanocomposites. This study underscores notable advancements in the degradation efficiency of NiS photocatalysts, rivaling their costly noble-metal counterparts. The analysis concludes with potential future directions for nickel sulfide-based photocatalysts in sustainable environmental remediation.

Advances in boron nitride-based nanomaterials for environmental remediation and water splitting: a review.

Boron nitride has gained wide-spread attention globally owing to its outstanding characteristics, such as a large surface area, high thermal resistivity, great mechanical strength, low density, and corrosion resistance. This review compiles state-of-the-art synthesis techniques, including mechanical exfoliation, chemical exfoliation, chemical vapour deposition (CVD), and green synthesis for the fabrication of hexagonal boron nitride and its composites, their structural and chemical properties, and their applications in hydrogen production and environmental remediation. Additionally, the adsorptive and photocatalytic properties of boron nitride-based nanocomposites for the removal of heavy metals, dyes, and pharmaceuticals from contaminated waters are discussed. Lastly, the scope of future research, including the facile synthesis and large-scale applicability of boron nitride-based nanomaterials for wastewater treatment, is presented. This review is expected to deliver preliminary knowledge of the present state and properties of boron nitride-based nanomaterials, encouraging the future study and development of these materials for their applications in various fields.

RSM approach for process optimization of the photodegradation of congo red by a novel NiCo2S4/chitosan photocatalyst.

The current study reported a facile co-precipitation technique for synthesizing novel NiCo2S4/chitosan nanocomposite. The photocatalytic activity of the prepared nanocomposite was evaluated using congo red (CR) dye as a target pollutant. The central composite design was employed to examine the impact of different reaction conditions on CR dye degradation. This study selected the pH, photocatalyst loading, initial CR concentration and reaction time as reaction parameters, while the degradation efficiency (%) was selected as the response. A desirability factor of 1 suggested the adequacy of the model. Maximum degradation of 93.46% of 35 ppm dye solution was observed after 60 min of visible light irradiation. The response to surface methodology (RSM) is a helpful technique to predict the optimum reaction conditions of the photodegradation of CR dye. Moreover, NiCo2S4/Ch displayed high recyclability and reusability up to four consecutive cycles. The present study suggests that the prepared NiCo2S4/chitosan nanocomposite could prove to be a viable photocatalyst for the treatment of dye-contaminated wastewater.

Enhanced thermoelectric properties of In-filled Co4Sb12 by dispersion of reduced graphene oxide.

Uniform dispersion of nanosized secondary phases in bulk thermoelectric materials has proven to be an effective strategy to reduce the lattice part of thermal conductivity and improve the thermoelectric efficiency. In this work, reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was uniformly dispersed in the In0.5Co4Sb12 bulk material by ultrasonication. The formation of impurity phases of InSb and CoSb2 in the In-filled Co4Sb12 is inevitable, as observed from XRD and EPMA analyses. The Raman spectra of the nanocomposites showed broad peaks suggesting phonon softening and additional peaks corresponding to rGO. Electron transport was not affected by rGO addition, resulting in little change in the electrical resistivity and Seebeck coefficient. The lattice thermal conductivity of the bulk material was significantly reduced by the addition of a small amount of rGO, primarily attributed to the interface scattering of phonons. Hence, the highest zT of ∼1.53 at 773 K was achieved for the In0.5Co4Sb12/0.25 vol% rGO composite in the temperature range from 723 K to 773 K.

Anticancer activity of Bacopa monnieri through apoptosis induction and mitophagy-dependent NLRP3 inflammasome inhibition in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Bacopa monnieri (BM) is traditionally used in human diseases for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. However, its anticancer potential has been poorly understood. AIM: The aim of this study was to explore the detailed anticancer mechanism of BM against oral cancer and to identify the bioactive BM fraction for possible cancer therapeutics. RESULTS: We performed bioactivity-guided fractionation and identified that the aqueous fraction of the ethanolic extract of BM (BM-AF) had a potent anticancer potential in both in vitro and in vivo oral cancer models. BM-AF inhibited cell viability, colony formation, cell migration and induced apoptotic cell death in Cal33 and FaDu cells. BM-AF at low doses promoted mitophagy and BM-AF mediated mitophagy was PARKIN dependent. In addition, BM-AF inhibited arecoline induced reactive oxygen species production in Cal33 cells. Moreover, BM-AF supressed arecoline-induced NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation through mitophagy in Cal33 cells. The in vivo antitumor effect of BM-AF was further validated in C57BL/6J mice through a 4-nitroquinolin-1-oxide and arecoline-induced oral cancer model. The tumor incidence was significantly reduced in the BM-AF treated group. Further, data obtained from western blot and immunohistochemistry analysis showed increased expression of apoptotic markers and decreased expression of inflammasome markers in the tongue tissue obtained from BM-AF treated mice in comparison with the non-treated tumor bearing mice. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, BM-AF exhibited potent anticancer activity through apoptosis induction and mitophagy-dependent inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation in both in vitro and in vivo oral cancer models. Moreover, we have investigated apoptosis and mitophagy-inducing compounds from this plant extract having anticancer activity against oral cancer cells.

A combined experimental and modeling approach to elucidate the adsorption mechanism for sustainable water treatment via In2S3-anchored chitosan.

A novel Chitosan/Indium sulfide (CS/In2S3) nanocomposite was created by co-precipitating Chitosan and InCl3 in solution, resulting in In2S3 agglomeration on the Chitosan matrix with a remarkable pore diameter of 170.384 Å, and characterized it for the physical and chemical properties. Under optimal conditions (pH = 7, time = 60 min, catalyst dosage = 0.24 g L-1, and dye concentration = 100 mg L-1), the synthesized nanocomposite demonstrated remarkable adsorption capabilities for Victoria Blue (VB), attaining a removal efficiency of 90.81%. The Sips adsorption isotherm best matched the adsorption process, which followed pseudo-second-order kinetics. With a rate constant of 6.357 × 10-3 g mg-1 min-1, the highest adsorption capacity (qm) was found to be 683.34 mg g-1. Statistical physics modeling (SPM) of the adsorption process revealed multi-interaction and multi-molecular adsorption of VB on the CS/In2S3 surface. The nanocomposite demonstrated improved stability and recyclability, indicating the possibility for low-cost, reusable wastewater dye removal adsorbents. These results have the potential to have practical applications in environmental remediation.

A smart and sustainable pathway for abatement of single and binary mixtures of dyes through magnetically retrievable Ca4Fe9O17 anchored on Biochar matrix.

In this work, the author developed Ca4Fe9O17/biochar (CFB) via a green method through a facile co-precipitation procedure involving egg shells as calcium precursor and investigating its performance in single as well as binary solution of methylene blue (MB) and rhodamine B (RhB). The CFB nanocomposite was characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, XPS, Raman, FTIR, BET, and VSM. ESR studies show the presence of hydroxyl (·OH) and superoxide (O2·¯) radicals, which are primary radical species for pollutant degradation. The average crystalline size of CFB nanocomposites was found to be 32.992 nm using XRD, whereas TEM analysis indicates a particle diameter of 35-36 nm. The degradation efficacy of MB and RhB dyes was achieved at 99.2% and 98.6%, respectively, in a single solution, whereas 99.4% and 99.2%, respectively, in a binary solution within 36 min. Additionally, an iron cluster was formed during the degradation process of MB dye. The degradation of organic contaminants and generation of iron clusters from the degraded dye products were both expedited by the remarkable extension effect of the Ca4Fe9O17 in the CFB nanocomposites. The three processes were achieved using CFB nanocomposite: (1) the advanced oxidation process; (2) degradation of MB and RhB dye in single as well as binary solution with enhanced efficiency, (3) the production of the iron cluster from degraded products. Thus, these three steps constitute a smart and sustainable way that leads to an effective effluent water treatment system and the generation of iron clusters preventing secondary pollution.

Metal sulphides and their heterojunctions for photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes-A comprehensive review.

Water pollution caused by organic dyes is one of the greatest threats to the ecosystem. The removal of dyes from water has remained a challenge for scientists. Recently, metal sulphides have emerged as a potential candidate for water remediation applications. The efficient charge transportation, greater surface-active sites, and low bandgap of metal sulphides make them an excellent choice of semiconductor photocatalysts for degradation of dyes. This review summarises the potential application of metal sulphides and their heterojunctions for the photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes from wastewater. A detailed study has been presented on the synthesis, basics of photodegradation and heterojunctions and photocatalytic activity. The effect of the use of templates, doping agents, synthesis route, and various other factors affecting the photocatalytic activity of metal sulphides have been summarised in this review. The synthesis techniques, characterisation techniques, mechanism of degradation of organic dyes by Z-scheme heterojunction photocatalyst, reusability and stability of metal sulphides, and the scope of future research are also discussed. This study indicates that Scopus-based core gathered data could be used to give an objective overview of the global dye degradation research from 2008 to 2023 (15 years). All data (articles, authors, keywords, and publications) is compiled in the Scopus database. For the bibliometric study, 1962 papers relevant to dye photodegradation by sulfide-based photocatalysts were found, and this number rises yearly. A bibliometric analysis provides a 15-year evaluation of the state-of-the-art research on the impact of metal sulfide-based photocatalysts on the photodegradation of dyes.

One-pot synthesis of CdS/CeO2 heterojunction nanocomposite with tunable bandgap for the enhanced advanced oxidation process.

Herein, a binary nanocomposite CdS/CeO2 has been fabricated via a one-pot co-precipitation method for the degradation of Rose Bengal (RB) dye. The structure, surface morphology, composition, and surface area of the prepared composite were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Brunaur-Emmett-Teller analysis UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The prepared CdS/CeO2(1:1) nanocomposite has a particle size of 8.9 ± 0.3 nm and a surface area of 51.30 m2/g. All the tests indicated the agglomeration of CdS nanoparticles over the surface of CeO2. The prepared composite showed excellent photocatalytic activity in the presence of hydrogen peroxide under solar irradiation towards the degradation of Rose Bengal. Near to about complete degradation of 190 ppm of RB dye could be achieved within 60 min under optimum conditions. The enhanced photocatalytic activity was attributed to the delayed charge recombination rate and a lower bandgap of the photocatalyst. The degradation process was found to follow pseudo-first-order kinetics with a rate constant of 0.05824 min-1. The prepared sample showed excellent stability and reusability and maintained about 87% of the photocatalytic efficiency till the fifth cycle. A plausible mechanism for the degradation of the dye is also presented based on the scavenger experiments.

Hydroxyapatite-based composites: Excellent materials for environmental remediation and biomedical applications.

Given their unique characteristics and properties, Hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanomaterials and nanocomposites have been used in diverse advanced catalytic technologies and in the field of biomedicine, such as drug and protein carriers. This paper examines the structure and properties of the manufactured HAp as well as a variety of synthesis methods, including hydrothermal, microwave-assisted, co-precipitation, sol-gel, and solid-state approaches. Additionally, the benefits and drawbacks of various synthesis techniques and ways to get around them to spur more research are also covered. This literature discusses the various applications, including photocatalytic degradation, adsorptions, and protein and drug carriers. The photocatalytic activity is mainly focused on single-phase, doped-phase, and multi-phase HAp, while the adsorption of dyes, heavy metals, and emerging pollutants by HAp are discussed in the manuscript. Furthermore, the use of HAp in treating bone disorders, drug carriers, and protein carriers is also conferred. In light of this, the development of HAp-based nanocomposites will inspire the next generation of chemists to improve upon and create stable nanoparticles and nanocomposites capable of successfully addressing major environmental concerns. This overview's conclusion offers potential directions for future study into HAp synthesis and its numerous applications.

Solar light-based advanced oxidation processes for degradation of methylene blue dye using novel Zn-modified CeO2@biochar.

Herein, a novel nanocomposite, namely, Zn-modified CeO2@biochar (Zn/CeO2@BC), is synthesized via facile one-step sol-precipitation to study its photocatalytic activity towards the removal of methylene blue dye. Firstly, Zn/Ce(OH)4@biochar was precipitated by adding sodium hydroxide to cerium salt precursor; then, the composite was calcined in a muffle furnace to convert Ce(OH)4 into CeO2. The crystallite structure, topographical and morphological properties, chemical compositions, and specific surface area of the synthesized nanocomposite are characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, XPS, EDS, and BET analysis. The nearly spherical Zn/CeO2@BC nanocomposite has an average particle size of 27.05 nm and a specific surface area of 141.59 m2/g. All the tests showed the agglomeration of Zn nanoparticles over the CeO2@biochar matrix. The synthesized nanocomposite showed remarkable photocatalytic activity towards removing methylene blue, an organic dye commonly found in industrial effluents. The kinetics and mechanism of Fenton-activated dye degradation were studied. The nanocomposite exhibited the highest degradation efficiency of 98.24% under direct solar irradiation of 90 min, at an optimum dosage of 0.2 g l-1 catalyst and 10 ppm dye concentration, in the presence of 25% (V/V) 0.2 ml (4 µl/ml) hydrogen peroxide. The hydroxyl radical generated from H2O2 during the photo-Fenton reaction process was attributed to the nanocomposite's improved photodegradation performance. The degradation process followed pseudo-first-order kinetics having a rate constant (k) value of 0.0274 min-1.

Bio-inspired sustainable synthesis of novel SnS2/biochar nanocomposite for adsorption coupled photodegradation of amoxicillin and congo red: Effects of reaction parameters, and water matrices.

This study aims to fabricate a novel integrated photocatalytic adsorbent (IPA) via a green solvothermal process employing tea (Camellia sinensis var. assamica) leaf extract as a stabilizing and capping agent for the removal of organic pollutants from wastewater. An n-type semiconductor photocatalyst, SnS2, was chosen as a photocatalyst due to its remarkable photocatalytic activity supported over areca nut (Areca catechu) biochar for the adsorption of pollutants. The adsorption and photocatalytic properties of fabricated IPA were examined by taking amoxicillin (AM) and congo red (CR) as two emerging pollutants found in wastewater. Investigating synergistic adsorption and photocatalytic properties under varying reaction conditions mimicking actual wastewater conditions marks the novelty of the present research. The support of biochar for the SnS2 thin films induced a reduction in charge recombination rate, which enhanced the photocatalytic activity of the material. The adsorption data were in accordance with the Langmuir nonlinear isotherm model, indicating monolayer chemosorption with the pseudo-second-order rate kinetics. The photodegradation process follows pseudo-first-order kinetics with the highest rate constant of 0.0450 min-1 for AM and 0.0454 min-1 for CR. The overall removal efficiency of 93.72 ± 1.19% and 98.43 ± 1.53% could be achieved within 90 min for AM and CR via simultaneous adsorption and photodegradation model. A plausible mechanism of synergistic adsorption and photodegradation of pollutants is also presented. The effect of pH, Humic acid (HA) concentration, inorganic salts and water matrices have also been included.The photodegradation activity of SnS2 under visible light coupled with the adsorption capability of the biochar results in the excellent removal of the contaminants from the liquid phase.

Autophagy for secretory protein: Therapeutic targets in cancer.

Autophagy, a classical cellular degradative catabolic process, also involves a functionally discrete non-degradative role in eukaryotic cells. It imparts critical regulatory function on conventional and unconventional protein secretion (degradative and secretory autophagy with distinct lysosomal degradation and extracellular expulsion, respectively) pathways. The N-amino terminal leader sequence containing proteins follows a conventional secretion pathway, while the leader-less proteins opt for secretory autophagy. The secretory autophagic process ensembles core autophagy machinery proteins, specifically ULK1/2, Beclin 1, LC3, and GABARAP, in coordination with Golgi re-assembly and stacking proteins (GRASPs). The secretory omegasomes fuse with the plasma membrane for the expulsion of cytosolic cargos to the extracellular environment. Alternatively, the secretory omegasomes also fuse with multi-vesicular bodies (MVBs) and harmonize ESCRTs (Complex I; TSG101) and Rab GTPase for their release to extracellular space. Autophagy has been associated with the secretion of diverse proteins involved in cellular signaling, inflammation, and carcinogenesis. Secreted proteins play an essential role in cancer by sustaining cell proliferation, inhibiting apoptosis, enhancing angiogenesis and metastasis, immune cell regulation, modulation of cellular energy metabolism, and resistance to anticancer drugs. The complexity of autophagy regulation during tumorigenesis is dependent on protein secretion pathways. Autophagy-regulated TOR-autophagy spatial coupling compartment complex energizes enhanced secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and leaderless proteins such as HMGB1. In conclusion, the chapter reviews the role of autophagy in regulating conventional and unconventional protein secretion pathways and its possible role in cancer.

Stonin 2 activates lysosomal-mTOR axis for cell survival in oral cancer.

Aberrant expression of various genes is associated with the progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma. Stonin 2, an endocytic protein, has a prominent role in clathrin-associated endocytosis. Its position in oral cancer is still unknown. Here, we report that STON2 expression increases with an increase in the grade of the oral cancer tissue. Further, STON2 overexpressed cells possess a higher rate of proliferation and migraton in oral cancer cells. STON2 helps maintain lysosomal functions by preserving the lysosomal membrane integrity. It activates the Akt-mTOR axis and retains the mTOR on the membrane of the lysosomes. Further, we have identified an inhibitor of STON2, i.e., Trifluoperazine dihydrochloride (TFP), which targets the lysosomal axis by disrupting the Akt-mTOR pathway and causes lysosomal membrane permeabilization. Intererstingly, TFP shows a decrease in cell vaibility on the oral cancer cells and it was observed that cell viability is restored in TFP-treated STON2 overexpressed cells. Moreover, the lysosomal activity and the Akt-mTOR expression are restored in STON2 overexpressed cells co-treated with TFP, establishing TFP targets STON2 to showcase its anti-cancer effects in oral cancer. In conclusion, STON2 might serve as a potential biomarker in oral cancer, and its inhibition could functions as a novel anti-cancer mechanims against oral cancer.

Green and environmentally sustainable fabrication of SnS2 quantum dots/chitosan nanocomposite for enhanced photocatalytic performance: Effect of process variables, and water matrices.

Concerns over the availability of clean water and the quality of treated wastewater are significant problems that call for an appropriate solution to improve the water quality. The present work emphasized the synthesis of novel SnS2 quantum dots (QDs) deposited on chitosan via a facile green precipitation method involving neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf extract and investigating its photocatalytic performance for the degradation of Crystal violet (CV) dye under varying reaction parameters, other organic and inorganic salts and water matrices. The crystal structure, surface morphology, and elemental composition of the prepared SnS2 (QDs)/Ch composite were evaluated by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), photoluminescence (PL) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX) techniques. The average size of SnS2/Chitosan nanoparticles was calculated to be 8.8 nm using XRD, with the average diameter of SnS2 QDs to be 3.3 nm from TEM. UV-visible spectroscopy was used to investigate its optical properties. The direct band gap of SnS2/Chitosan estimated from Tauc's plot came to be 2.5 eV. The prepared novel SnS2/Ch composite showed outstanding photocatalytic activity for the degradation of CV through the Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP). The fabricated photocatalyst caused 98.60 ± 1.34 % degradation of CV within a short period of 70 min under optimum conditions. The photodegradation reaction followed pseudo-first-order rate kinetics with a rate constant of 0.0815 min-1. Furthermore, the photocatalyst showed high stability and was reusable for up to four cycles. The present work fulfils the aim of designing a novel, green, and efficient visible light-active nano-photocatalyst.

Fabrication of ZnO-SnO2 nanocomposite and its photocatalytic activity for enhanced degradation of Biebrich scarlet.

The n-n-type ZnO-SnO2 nanocomposite was fabricated using malic acid following a simple one-pot co-precipitation method. The fabricated ZnO-SnO2 nanocomposite was employed as a photocatalyst in the degradation of Biebrich scarlet dye under UV254 light. TEM, SAED, XRD, XPS, EDX, FTIR, and UV spectra have been recorded to characterize the synthesized ZnO-SnO2 nanostructures. TEM studies found that the average particle size was 10-12 nm, and the SAED confirmed the polycrystalline nature of the synthesized nanocomposite. It was found that 97% of 10 mg/L Biebrich scarlet dye was degraded by 25 mg/L of photocatalyst within 40-min irradiation of UV254 light at an optimum pH of 6. Further studies showed that the degradation followed pseudo-first-order kinetics with a rate constant of 5.48 × 10-2 min-1. The fabricated ZnO-SnO2 nanocomposite was reusable up to 8 times; hence, it proved to be an efficient catalyst for the photodegradation of Biebrich scarlet dye.