Gate-Tunable Multiband van der Waals Photodetector and Polarization Sensor.

A single photodetector with tunable detection wavelengths and polarization sensitivity can potentially be harnessed for diverse optical applications ranging from imaging and sensing to telecommunications. Such a device will require the combination of multiple material systems with different structures, band gaps, and photoelectrical responses, which is extremely difficult to engineer using traditional epitaxial films. Here, we develop a multifunctional and high-performance photosensor using all van der Waals materials. The device features a gate-tunable spectral response that is switchable between near-infrared/visible and short-/midwave infrared, as well as broad-band operation, at room temperature. The linear polarization sensitivity in the telecommunication O-band can also be directly modulated between horizontal, vertical, and nonpolarizing modes. These effects originate from the balance of photocurrent generation in two of the active layers that can be manipulated by an electric field. The photodetector features high detectivity (>109 cmHz1/2W-1) together with fast operation speed (∼1 MHz) and can be further exploited for dual visible and infrared imaging.

A Review of the Therapeutic Importance of Indole Scaffold in Drug Discovery.

Indole is known as a versatile heterocyclic building block for its multiple pharmacological activities and has a high probability of success in the race for drug candidates. Many natural products, alkaloids, and bioactive heterocycles contain indole as the active principle pharmacophore. These encourage the researchers to explore it as a lead in the drug development process. The current manuscript will serve as a torchbearer for understanding the structurally diverse class of indole derivatives with extensive pharmacological activity. The current manuscript describes the intermediates and their functional groups responsible for superior biological activity compared to the standard. The review is written to help researchers to choose leads against their target but also to provide crucial insight into the design of a hybrid pharmacophore-based approach in drug design with enhanced potential. The present reviews on the indole derivatives correlate the structures with biological activities as well as essential pharmacophores, which were highlighted. The discussion was explored under challenging targets like dengue, chikungunya (anti-viral), antihypertensive, diuretic, immunomodulator, CNS stimulant, antihyperlipidemic, antiarrhythmic, anti-Alzheimer's, and neuroprotective, along with anticancer, antitubercular, antimicrobial, anti-HIV, antimalarial, anti-inflammatory, antileishmanial, antianthelmintic, and enzyme inhibitors. So, this review includes a discussion of 19 different pharmacological targets for indole derivatives that could be utilized to derive extensive information needed for ligand-based drug design. The article will guide the researchers in the selection, design of lead and pharmacophore, and ligand-based drug design using indole moiety.

Selective inhibition of histone deacetylase 3 by novel hydrazide based small molecules as therapeutic intervention for the treatment of cancer.

A promising hydrazide based small molecule lead as a potent and selective histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) inhibitor has been developed from a small series of synthesized novel chemical entities. The lead compound (4e) displayed high HDAC3 inhibitory potency (IC50 = 15.41 nM) and a minimum of 18-fold selectivity over other HDAC isoforms. It also exhibited potent cytotoxicity against several cancer cell lines with minimal toxicity against normal cell lines tested. Compound 4e also enhanced acetylation levels on H3K9, H4K12 and H3K27 both in vitro and in vivo. It also induced cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase in B16F10 and 4T1 cells. It caused significant apoptosis and upregulated the expression of caspase-3, caspase-7, cytochrome c and downregulated the expression of BCL2 in tumour tissue. In addition, the downregulation of CD44, EGFR and Ki-67 suggested the potential of compound 4e in reducing cell proliferation and metastasis in mice. Further, a marked decrease in the tumour volume was observed with no general toxicity in the major organs when treated with 4e in the 4T1-Luc xenograft mouse model. Therefore, compound 4e is a promising candidate selectively targeting HDAC3 with a significant antitumour activity that can be evaluated further in preclinical and clinical evaluation.

High-Performance Mid-IR to Deep-UV van der Waals Photodetectors Capable of Local Spectroscopy at Room Temperature.

The ability to perform broadband optical spectroscopy with subdiffraction-limit resolution is highly sought-after for a wide range of critical applications. However, sophisticated near-field techniques are currently required to achieve this goal. We bypass this challenge by demonstrating an extremely broadband photodetector based on a two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals heterostructure that is sensitive to light across over a decade in energy from the mid-infrared (MIR) to deep-ultraviolet (DUV) at room temperature. The devices feature high detectivity (>109 cm Hz1/2 W-1) together with high bandwidth (2.1 MHz). The active area can be further miniaturized to submicron dimensions, far below the diffraction limit for the longest detectable wavelength of 4.1 µm, enabling such devices for facile measurements of local optical properties on atomic-layer-thickness samples placed in close proximity. This work can lead to the development of low-cost and high-throughput photosensors for hyperspectral imaging at the nanoscale.

Observation and Manipulation of a Phase Separated State in a Charge Density Wave Material.

The 1T polytype of TaS2 has been studied extensively as a strongly correlated system. As 1T-TaS2 is thinned toward the 2D limit, its phase diagram shows significant deviations from that of the bulk material. Optoelectronic maps of ultrathin 1T-TaS2 have indicated the presence of nonequilibrium charge density wave phases within the hysteresis region of the nearly commensurate (NC) to commensurate (C) transition. We perform scanning tunneling microscopy on exfoliated ultrathin flakes of 1T-TaS2 within the NC-C hysteresis window, finding evidence that the observed nonequilibrium phases consist of intertwined, irregularly shaped NC-like and C-like domains. After applying lateral electrical signals to the sample, we image changes in the geometric arrangement of the different regions. We use a phase separation model to explore the relationship between electronic inhomogeneity present in ultrathin 1T-TaS2 and its bulk resistivity. These results demonstrate the role of phase competition morphologies in determining the properties of 2D materials.

Design, synthesis and structure-activity relationship studies of novel spirochromanone hydrochloride analogs as anticancer agents.

Aim: Literature reports suggest spirochromanone derivatives exhibit anticancer activity. Methodology: The authors designed and synthesized 18 spirochromanone derivatives (Csp 1-18). The compounds were characterized and evaluated for anticancer activity against human breast cancer (MCF-7) and murine melanoma (B16F10) cell lines. Results: The anticancer activity ranged from 4.34 to 29.31 µm. The most potent compounds, Csp 12 and Csp 18, were less toxic against the human embryonic kidney (HEK-293) cell line and ∼ two/∼fourfold selective toward MCF-7 than B16F10 in comparison to the reference, BG-45. Csp 12 caused 28.6% total apoptosis, leading to significant cytotoxicity, and arrested the G2 phase of the cell cycle in B16F10 cells. A molecular docking study of Csp 12 exhibited effective binding at the active site of the epidermal growth factor receptor kinase domain. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of spirochromanones as anticancer agents.

Effectiveness of community-based treatment programs for treatment of uncomplicated severe acute malnourished children aged 6-59 months using locally produced nutrient dense foods: protocol for a multicentric longitudinal quasi-experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is a major underlying cause of mortality among children. Around one third of the world's acutely malnourished children live in India. The WHO recommends community-based management of acute malnutrition (CMAM) for managing children with SAM. In India, different states are implementing community-based SAM treatment programme, hereinafter called CSAM, using varieties of locally produced nutrient dense food items with different nutrient compositions. The study will assess the effectiveness of these state specific CSAM interventions. METHODS: The longitudinal quasi-experimental study will be undertaken in two purposively selected blocks of one district each in the four intervention states and one comparison state. From each state, 200 SAM children identified using weight-for-length/height z-score (WHZ) < - 3 criteria will be enrolled in the study. Their anthropometric data and skinfold thickness will be taken on admission, at sixth week and at discharge by trained field investigators. Other child details, incidence of morbidity and socio-economic details will be collected on admission. To assess food consumption pattern including consumption of locally produced nutrient dense food supplements, dietary assessment, using 24-h dietary recall will be conducted on admission, at sixth week and at discharge. In addition, body composition parameters will be assessed for a sub-set of children using bio-electrical impedance analysis on admission and at discharge to analyse changes in total body water, fat-free mass, and fat mass. Post discharge, all study participants will be followed up monthly until 6 months. Atleast 10% of the sample will be checked for quality assessment. The study's primary outcome is cure rate defined as children attaining WHZ ≥ -2. Secondary outcomes include mean weight gain, mean length of stay, body composition parameters, relapse and mortality rates. Additionally, process evaluation and cost effectiveness analysis will be conducted. DISCUSSION: There is a shortage of robust evidence regarding the effectiveness of locally produced nutrient dense food supplements provided as part of the CSAM intervention in India. This study will contribute to evidence on effective strategies to manage children with uncomplicated SAM in India. The study protocol has all necessary ethical approvals. Written informed consent will be obtained from caregivers of the children. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study is registered with Clinical Trial Registration of India (Registration No.: CTRI/2020/09/028013 ) Date of registration 24/09/2020.

Design, synthesis and binding mode of interaction of novel small molecule o-hydroxy benzamides as HDAC3-selective inhibitors with promising antitumor effects in 4T1-Luc breast cancer xenograft model.

Histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) is one of the most promising targets to develop anticancer therapeutics. In continuation of our quest for selective HDAC3 inhibitors, a series of small molecules having o-hydroxy benzamide as the novel zinc binding group (ZBG) has been introduced for the first time that can be able to produce good HDAC3-selectivity over other HDACs. The most promising HDAC3 inhibitors, 11a and 12b, displayed promising in vitro anticancer activities with less toxicity to normal kidney cells. These compounds significantly upregulate histone acetylation and induce apoptosis with a G2/M phase arrest in B16F10 cells. Compound 11a exhibited potent antitumor efficacy in 4T1-Luc breast cancer xenograft mouse model in female Balb/c mice. It also showed significant tumor growth suppression with no general toxicity and extended survival rates post-tumor resection. It significantly induced higher ROS generation, leading to apoptosis. No considerable toxicity was noticed in major organs isolated from the compound 11a-treated mice. Compound 11a also induced the upregulation of acH3K9, acH4K12, caspase-3 and caspase-7 as analyzed by immunoblotting with treated tumor tissue. Overall, HDAC3 selective inhibitor 11a might be a potential lead for the clinical translation as an emerging drug candidate.

Polymeric micelles of a copolymer composed of all-trans retinoic acid, methoxy-poly(ethylene glycol), and b-poly(N-(2 hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide) as a doxorubicin-delivery platform and for combination chemotherapy in breast cancer.

Delivery of combination chemotherapeutic agents to the tumor via nanovesicles has the potential for superior tumor suppression and reduced toxicity. Herein, we prepare a block copolymer (mPH-RA) composed of methoxy-poly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG), b-poly(N-(2 hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide) (pHPMA), and all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) by conjugating ATRA to the pre-formed copolymer, mPEG-b-pHPMA(mP-b-pH). Doxorubicin-loaded micelles, Dox@mP-b-pH, and Dox@mPH-RA were characterized by determining particle size, zeta potential, % DL, EE, Dox release, hemolysis study, and by DSC. The Dox@mPH-RA micelles (mPH-RA: Dox ratios of 10:0.5-2) displayed nano-size (36-45 nm), EE. 26-74%, and DL. 2.9-5.6%. Dox@mPH-RA micelles displayed the highest penetrability and cytotoxicity than free Dox and Dox@mP-b-pH micelles in breast cancer cell lines. Dox@mPH-RA exhibited the highest induction of apoptosis (94.1 ± 3%) than Dox (52.1 ± 4.5%), and Dox@mP-b-pH (81.7 ± 3%), and arrested cells in the highest population in G2 and S phase. Dox@mPH-RA increased the t1/2 and Cmax of Dox and demonstrated improved therapeutic efficacy and highest Dox distribution to the tumor. The Dox@mPH-RA increased the levels of apoptosis markers, caspase 3, 7, Ki-67, and caused the highest DNA fragmentation. The presence of RA improved the micelles' physicochemical properties, Dox-loading ability, and the therapeutic potential in Dox@mPH-RA via the combination therapeutic strategy.

Synthesis, biological evaluation, and molecular docking analysis of novel linker-less benzamide based potent and selective HDAC3 inhibitors.

A series of novel linker-less benzamides with different aryl and heteroaryl cap groups have been designed, synthesized, and screened as potent histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors with promising anticancer activity. Two lead compounds 5e and 5f were found as potent and highly selective HDAC3 inhibitors over other Class-I HDACs and HDAC6. Compound 5e bearing a 6-quinolinyl moiety as the cap group was found to be a highly potent HDAC3 inhibitor (IC50 = 560 nM) and displayed 46-fold selectivity for HDAC3 over HDAC2, and 33-fold selectivity for HDAC3 over HDAC1. The synthesized compounds possess antiproliferative activities against different cancer cell lines and significantly less cytotoxic to normal cells. Molecular Docking studies of compounds 5e and 5f reveal a similar binding mode of interactions as CI994 at the HDAC3 active site. These observations agreed with the in vitro HDAC3 inhibitory activities. Significant enhancement of the endogenous acetylation level on H3K9 and H4K12 was found when B16F10 cells were treated with compounds 5e and 5f in a dose-dependent manner. The compounds induced apoptotic cell death in Annexin-V/FITC-PI assay and caused cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase of cell cycle in B16F10 cells. These compounds may serve as potential HDAC3 inhibitory anticancer therapeutics.

PEGylated N-(2 hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide polymeric micelles as nanocarriers for the delivery of doxorubicin in breast cancer.

In the present study, polymeric micelles constituted of N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA) and methoxypoly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG)-based copolymer, mPEG-b-HPMA was studied for the delivery of an anticancer drug, doxorubicin (DOX) by physically loading the drug into its core. A series of mPEG-b-HPMA copolymers of different molecular weights (MWs, ∼4000-25,000 Da) by using various initiator: monomer feed ratios (1:25/75/125/175) were synthesized by radical polymerization technique. The DOX-loaded micelles were prepared at different drug to polymer ratios by thin film hydration method. Block copolymers were structurally characterized by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), 1H-NMR spectroscopy, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and critical micelles concentration studies. The DLS and SEM studies indicated that the micelles were spherical with diameters ∼20-100 nm. The DOX-loaded mPEG-b-HPMA micelles, P6-M1, prepared by the polymer synthesized using initiator: monomer feed ratios of 1:175 and at polymer to drug ratios of 10:1 exhibited low particle sizes (∼46.8 nm), highest drug loading and encapsulation efficiencies (5.6 %, and 63.3 %, respectively) compared to the other tested formulations. Confocal microscopy study indicated that the P6-M1 was taken up by breast cancer cell lines, 4T1, MCF-7, and MDA-MB-231in a time-dependent manner. P6-M1 displayed lower half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) compared to free drug in all tested treatment durations compared to free DOX. P6-M1 was safe in hemolysis studies with sustained DOX residence in circulation compared to free DOX. The results indicated that mPEG-b-HPMA could be utilized to load DOX effectively, and the optimized nano-micelles, P6-M1 could serve as a promising nanomedicine to treat breast cancer.

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of 7-(5-((substituted - amino)-methyl)-thiophen-2-yl)-spiro-[chroman-2,4'-piperidin]-4-one hydrochloride analogues as anticancer agents.

A series of thirty-one novel 7-(5-((amino)-methyl)-thiophen-2-yl)-spiro-[chroman-2,4'-piperidin]-4-one hydrochloride analogues (Cst 1 - 31) have been designed, synthesized and characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR and MS spectral analysis. Here, we evaluated the anticancer potential and biological results of low-molecular-weight bridgehead oxygen and nitrogen-containing spirochromanones on proliferation and apoptosis of the human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) and Murine melanoma (B16F10). The anticancer activity ranged from 2.9 to 35.0 µM. The most potent compounds Cst-22, Cst-24 and Cst-31 were found to be less toxic against human embryonic kidney (HEK-293) cell lines. Cst-24 and Cst-31 were found to be causing significant cytotoxicity through apoptotic cell death and also G2 phase arrest of cell cycle in B16F10 cells. In-silico ADME prediction stidies of the titled compounds were found within the rules outlined, and these compounds may not face any pharmacokinetic associated issues in the mere future upon developmental stage. These conjugates may serve as a lead for the discovery of potential anticancer drug candidate with better therapeutic profile.

PT3: A Novel Benzamide Class Histone Deacetylase 3 Inhibitor Improves Learning and Memory in Novel Object Recognition Mouse Model.

The importance of HDAC3 in transcriptional regulation of genes associated with long-term memory is well established. Here, we report a novel HDAC3 inhibitor, PT3, with an excellent blood-brain barrier permeability and ability to enhance long-term memory in mouse model of novel object recognition (NOR). PT3 exhibited higher selectivity for HDAC3 over HDAC1, HDAC6, and HDAC8 compared to the reference compound CI994. PT3 has significant distribution into the brain tissue with Cmax at 0.5 h and t1/2 of 2.5 h. Treatment with PT3 significantly improved the discrimination index in C57/BL6 mice in the NOR model. Brain tissue analysis of mice treated with PT3 for NOR test showed significant increase in H3K9 acetylation in hippocampus. Gene expression analysis by RT-qPCR of the hippocampus tissue revealed upregulation of CREB 1, BDNF, TRKB, Nr4a2, c-fos, PKA, GAP 43, PSD 95 and MMP9 expression in mice treated with PT3. Similar to the phenotype observed in the in vivo experiment, we found upregulation of H3K9 acetylation, CREB 1, BDNF, TRKB, Nr4a2, c-fos, PKA, GAP 43 and MMP9 expression in mouse neuronal (N2A) cells treated with PT3. Thus, our preclinical studies identify PT3 as a potential HDAC3 selective inhibitor that crosses the blood-brain barrier and improves the long-term memory formation in C57/BL6 mice. We propose PT3 as a candidate with therapeutic potential to treat age-related memory loss as well as other disorders with declined memory function like Alzheimer's disease.

Photocurrent Imaging of Multi-Memristive Charge Density Wave Switching in Two-Dimensional 1T-TaS2.

Transport studies of atomically thin 1T-TaS2 have demonstrated the presence of intermediate resistance states across the nearly commensurate (NC) to commensurate (C) charge density wave (CDW) transition, which can be further switched electrically. While this presents exciting opportunities for memristor applications, the switching mechanism could be potentially attributed to the formation of inhomogeneous C and NC domains. Here, we present combined electrical driving and photocurrent imaging of ultrathin 1T-TaS2 in a heterostructure geometry. While micron-sized CDW domains are seen upon cooling, electrically driven transitions are largely uniform, indicating that the latter likely induces true metastable CDW states, which we then explain by a free energy analysis. Additionally, we are able to perform repeatable and bidirectional switching across the intermediate states without changing sample temperature, demonstrating that atomically thin 1T-TaS2 can be further used as a robust and reversible multimemristor material for the first time.

ABSOLUTE MEASUREMENT OF 14.57 MeV NEUTRON FLUENCE RATE USING PROTON RECOIL NEUTRON TELESCOPE.

A single stage vacuum-type proton recoil neutron telescope (PRT) was used for accurate measurement of 14.57 MeV neutron fluence rate from an indigenously developed D-T neutron generator at Purnima, BARC. The telescope consists of a polyethylene radiator having 4 cm diameter and CsI (Tl) scintillation crystal having thickness 1.5 mm and 4 cm diameter separated by 20.5 cm kept in a vacuum chamber. The neutron detection efficiency of the telescope for 14.57 MeV neutrons was calculated analytically using n-p scattering cross section data from Evaluated Nuclear Data File VII and also evaluated using fluka simulation. The relativistic transformation of n-p differential scattering cross section from centre-of-mass to laboratory system was used for calculating the efficiency of PRT. The 14.57 MeV neutron fluence rate was also measured using copper foils. The comparison of fluence rate measured using PRT and copper foil activation techniques is presented in this paper. The total uncertainty in measurement using PRT and copper foil activation technique is found to be 3.93 and 6.97%, respectively.

Disruption of the Key Ca2+ Binding Site in the Selectivity Filter of Neuronal Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels Inhibits Channel Trafficking.

Voltage-gated calcium channels are exquisitely Ca2+ selective, conferred primarily by four conserved pore-loop glutamate residues contributing to the selectivity filter. There has been little previous work directly measuring whether the trafficking of calcium channels requires their ability to bind Ca2+ in the selectivity filter or to conduct Ca2+. Here, we examine trafficking of neuronal CaV2.1 and 2.2 channels with mutations in their selectivity filter and find reduced trafficking to the cell surface in cell lines. Furthermore, in hippocampal neurons, there is reduced trafficking to the somatic plasma membrane, into neurites, and to presynaptic terminals. However, the CaV2.2 selectivity filter mutants are still influenced by auxiliary α2δ subunits and, albeit to a reduced extent, by ß subunits, indicating the channels are not grossly misfolded. Our results indicate that Ca2+ binding in the pore of CaV2 channels may promote their correct trafficking, in combination with auxiliary subunits. Furthermore, physiological studies utilizing selectivity filter mutant CaV channels should be interpreted with caution.

Identification of structural requirements and prediction of inhibitory activity of natural flavonoids against Zika virus through molecular docking and Monte Carlo based QSAR Simulation.

There has been growing interest in the research of flavonoids due to their potential antiviral activities. Recently, some natural flavonoids have shown potential inhibitory activity against zika virus NS3-NS2B protease. In order to accelerate the drug discovery efforts using flavonoids, a Monte Carlo simulation-based QSAR method has been applied to find out the structural requirements for the inhibitory activity. The best QSAR model was obtained using SMILES descriptors and HSG descriptors with 1EC connectivity with the following statistical parameters: R 2 = 0.9569 and Q 2 = 0.9050 for the test set. The best model was further utilised for the prediction of inhibitory activity of some other natural flavonoids. Four flavonoids (amentoflavone, fisetin, isorhamnetin and theaflavin-3-gallate) have shown higher predicted inhibitory activity and further validated by performing docking analysis. This study may help in understanding and performing natural flavonoids-based drug discovery against zika virus.

One Million Percent Tunnel Magnetoresistance in a Magnetic van der Waals Heterostructure.

We report the observation of a very large negative magnetoresistance effect in a van der Waals tunnel junction incorporating a thin magnetic semiconductor, CrI3, as the active layer. At constant voltage bias, current increases by nearly one million percent upon application of a 2 T field. The effect arises from a change between antiparallel to parallel alignment of spins across the different CrI3 layers. Our results elucidate the nature of the magnetic state in ultrathin CrI3 and present new opportunities for spintronics based on two-dimensional materials.

Monte Carlo based modelling approach for designing and predicting cytotoxicity of 2-phenylindole derivatives against breast cancer cell line MCF7.

Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancers among the variety of cancers in woman all over the world. Compounds with phenylindole scaffold were found to execute promising cytotoxicity against breast cancer cell line MCF7. In the present study, a Monte Carlo based QSAR analysis was performed on a dataset containing 102 phenylindoles in order to accelerate the efforts to find out better cytotoxic phenylindoles against MCF7 cell line. The statistical qualities of the generated models were found to be quite good as far as the internal and external validation were concerned. The best models from each split (Split 1: R2 = 0.6944, Q2 = 0.6495; Split 2: R2 = 0.8202, Q2 = 0.7998; Split 3: R2 = 0.8603, Q2 = 0.8357) for the test set were selected and Y-scrambling test and applicability domain analysis were also performed to ensure the robustness of these models. Among these models, model from split 3 obtained by using hybrid descriptors (combination of SMILES and HSG with 0ECk connectivity) was used to identify and classify the structural attributes as promoters as well as hinderers of cytotoxicity for these 2-phenylindole derivatives. Results from the analysis were further used to design and predict some probable new 2-phenylindole derivatives having promising cytotoxicity (IC50 < 55 nM) against MCF7.