Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as effectual diagnostic and therapeutic tools for cancer.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a class of multifunctional organometallic compounds that include metal ions combined with assorted organic linkers. Recently, these compounds have received widespread attention in medicine, due to their exceptional qualities, including a wide surface area, high porosity, outstanding biocompatibility, non-toxicity, etc. Such characteristic qualities make MOFs superb candidates for biosensing, molecular imaging, drug delivery, and enhanced cancer therapies. This review illustrates the key attributes of MOFs and their importance in cancer research. The structural and synthetic aspects of MOFs are briefly discussed with primary emphasis on diagnostic and therapeutic features, as well as their performance and significance in modern therapeutic methods and synergistic theranostic strategies including biocompatibility. This review offers cumulative scrutiny of the widespread appeal of MOFs in modern-day oncological research, which may stimulate further explorations.

Supramolecular Chemotherapy with Cucurbit[n]urils as Encapsulating Hosts.

The cucurbit[n]urils (CB[n]) belong to the field of relatively young supramolecules which act as containers for a large variety of guests and are being explored extensively for their numerous biomedical applications. This includes drug formulation and delivery, controlled drug release, photodynamic therapy, sensing for bioanalytical purposes, etc. These supramolecular host-guest systems have distinctive recognition properties and have successfully been shown to enhance the in vitro and in vivo utility of various chemotherapeutic agents. The CB[n]s are tailored to optimize their application in payload delivery and diagnostics and in lowering the toxicity of existing drugs. This review has listed the recent studies on working mechanisms and host-guest complexation of the biologically vital molecules with CB[n] and highlighted their implementation in anticancer therapeutics. Various modifications in CB-drug inclusion compounds like CB supramolecular nanoarchitectures along with application in photodynamic therapy, which has shown potential as targeted drug delivery vehicles in cancer chemotherapy, have also been discussed.

Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Pathways to Photoluminescent Carbon Quantum Dots (CQDs).

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs), a new family of photoluminescent 0D NPs, have recently received a lot of attention. They have enormous future potential due to their unique properties, which include low toxicity, high conductivity, and biocompatibility and accordingly can be used as a feasible replacement for conventional materials deployed in various optoelectronic, biomedical, and energy applications. The most recent trends and advancements in the synthesizing and setup of photoluminescent CQDs using environmentally friendly methods are thoroughly discussed in this review. The eco-friendly synthetic processes are emphasized, with a focus on biomass-derived precursors. Modification possibilities for creating newer physicochemical properties among different CQDs are also presented, along with a brief conceptual overview. The extensive amount of writings on them found in the literature explains their exceptional competence in a variety of fields, making these nanomaterials promising alternatives for real-world applications. Furthermore, the benefits, drawbacks, and opportunities for CQDs are discussed, with an emphasis on their future prospects in this emerging research field.

Insight into the Tubulin-Targeted Anticancer Potential of Noscapine and its Structural Analogs.

Cancer is known as a notorious disease responsible for threatening millions of lives every year. Natural products which act by disrupting the microtubule assembly and dynamics have proven to be highly successful as anticancer agents but their high toxicity owing to lower selectivity has limited their usage. Recently, Noscapine (NOS), a known anti-tussive, has come out to be an effective anti-tubulin candidate with far lesser toxicity. Since its first report as an anti-mitotic agent in 1998, NOS has been extensively studied and modified by various groups of researchers to optimize its anti-tubulin activity. In this review, the recent advancements about the potential of these therapeutic candidates against various cancers have been compiled and analyzed for their inhibitory mechanism in distinct health conditions. It has been observed that the non-polar substitutions (e.g., halides, aryl groups) at specific sites (9-position and N-sites of isoquinoline ring; and modification of a methoxy group) have an enhanced effect on efficacy. The mechanistic studies of NOS and its modified analogs have shown their inhibitory action primarily through interaction with microtubules dynamics thus disrupting the cell-cycle and leading to apoptosis. This review highlights the latest research in the field by providing a rich resource for the researchers to have a hands-on analysis of NOS analogs and the inhibitory action in comparison to other microtubule disrupting anti-cancer agents. The article also documents the newer investigations in studying the potential of noscapine analogs as possible anti-microbial and antiviral agents.

Improving the air quality with Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes: Sensing and remediation applications in the real world.

With the world developing exponentially every day, the collateral damage to air is incessant. There are many methods to purify the air but using carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as adsorbents remains one of the most efficient and reliable methods, due to their high maximum adsorption capacity which renders them extremely useful for removing pollutants from the air. The different types of CNTs, their synthesis, functionalization, purification, functioning, and advantages over conventional filters are deliberated along with diverse types of CNTs like single-walled (SWCNTs), multiwalled (MWCNTs), and others, which can be functionalized and deployed for the removal of harmful gases like oxides of nitrogen and sulphur, and ozone, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), among others. A comprehensive description of CNTs is provided in this overview with illustrative examples from the past five years. The fabrication methods and target gases of many CNTs-based gas sensors are highlighted, in addition to the comparison of their properties, mainly sensitivity. The effect of functionalization on sensors has been discussed in detail for various composites targeting specific gases, including the future outlook of functionalized CNTs in assorted practical applications.

Chalcone Scaffolds as Anticancer Drugs: A Review on Molecular Insight in Action of Mechanisms and Anticancer Properties.

Cancer is the deadliest disease worldwide and the development of safer chemical entities to treat cancer is one of the major challenges of medicinal chemistry. The emergence of new cases every year and the development of multiple drug resistance against available molecular entities have turned the focus of researchers towards natural products. Chalcones are pharmacologically active compounds, present in plants, which have been derivatized and screened by many researchers for the treatment of cancer. Chalcones, consist of 1,3-diaryl-2- propen-1-one, is one such class exhibiting broad anticancer activities against various cancerous cell lines. The objective of this review article is to analyze the antitumor activity of the reported chalcones via distinct mechanisms adopted by these molecules underlying their inhibitory activity. The primary focus of this review is to bring the attention of researchers towards the latest and important chalcones and their derivatives having potent anticancer activity adding their possible action of mechanisms against cancerous cell lines The recent literature was surveyed and it was found that chalcone analogs with electron donating groups, indolyl, quinolone, pyrazol-ol, hydroxyaminobenzamide, hydroxamic acid and pyridyl- indole groups have shown promise as potential anticancer agents following various mechanisms. Most chalcones were found to induce significant cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase hence leading to apoptosis. A number of synthetic chalcones exhibited higher efficacy due to their ability of potent tubulin polymerization as well as dynamic enzyme inhibitory activity. This review is an immense compilation of research regarding the mechanism of action of chalcones and their identification as a promising anticancer agent for future drug developments. Thus, this review article would pave the way and provide ample opportunities to design future generations of novel, highly efficacious anticancer molecules with minimal toxicity.

Emerging theranostic gold nanostructures to combat cancer: Novel probes for Combinatorial Immunotherapy and Photothermal Therapy.

The application of gold nanoparticles in immunotherapy has emerged as one of the most effective therapeutic strategy for eradicating cancer by releasing antigens, oligonucleotides, adjuvants, immune-stimulating agents into the body. Gold nanoparticles are found to be a superior choice, for generating attack on oncogenic cells, due to their low toxicity, better target specificity, diagnostic capabilities, and enhanced cellular uptake rate. This review focuses on the efficiency of several functionalized gold nanoparticles of diverse shapes and sizes as delivery vehicles to desired target cells through effective immunotherapy, along with a brief discussion about photothermal therapy.

Functionalized gold nanoparticles: promising and efficient diagnostic and therapeutic tools for HIV/AIDS.

Functionalized gold nanoparticles are recognized as promising vehicles in the diagnosis and treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) owing to their excellent biocompatibility with biomolecules (like DNA or RNA), their potential for multivalency and their unique optical and structural properties. In this context, this review article focuses on the diverse detection abilities and delivery and uptake methodologies of HIV by targeting genes and proteins using gold nanoparticles on the basis of different shapes and sizes in order to promote its effective expression. In addition, recent trends in gold nanoparticle mediated HIV detection, delivery and uptake and treatment are highlighted considering their cytotoxic effects on healthy human cells.

Functionalized gold nanostructures: promising gene delivery vehicles in cancer treatment.

Surface-modified gold nanoparticles are recognized as promising gene delivery vehicles in the treatment of cancer owing to their excellent biocompatibility with biomolecules (like DNA or RNA) and their unique optical and structural properties. In this context, this review article focuses on the diverse transfection abilities of the gene to the targeted cell on the basis of different shapes and sizes of gold nanoparticles in order to promote its effective expression for cancer treatment. In addition, recent trends in gold nanoparticle mediated gene silencing, gene delivery, detection and combinatory therapies are highlighted considering their cytotoxic effects on healthy human cells.

Comparison of shear bond strength of resin-modified glass ionomer to conditioned and unconditioned mineral trioxide aggregate surface: An in vitro study.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to compare the shear bond strength of resin modified glass ionomer cement to conditioned and unconditioned mineral trioxide aggregate surface. MATERIALS AND METHOD: White Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (WMTA) and Resin Modified Glass Ionomer Cement (RMGIC) were used for the study. 60 WMTA specimens were prepared and stored in an incubator at 37° C and 100% humidity for 72 hrs. The specimens were then divided into two groups- half of the specimens were conditioned and remaining half were left unconditioned, subsequent to which RMGIC was placed over MTA. The specimens were then stored in an incubator for 24 hrs at 37° C and 100% humidity. The shear bond strength value of RMGIC to conditioned and unconditioned WMTA was measured and compared using unpaired 't  ' test. RESULTS: The mean shear bond strength of value of RMGIC to conditioned and unconditioned WMTA was 6.59 MPa and 7.587 MPa respectively. Statistical analysis using unpaired t-test revealed that the difference between values of two groups was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: During clinical procedures like pulp capping and furcal repair, if RMGIC is placed as a base over MTA, then conditioning should be done to increase the bond strength between RMGIC and dentin and any inadvertent contact of conditioner with MTA will not significantly affect the shear bond strength value of RMGIC to MTA.

An optimized procedure for preconcentration, determination and on-line recovery of palladium using highly selective diphenyldiketone-monothiosemicarbazone modified silica gel.

A novel, highly selective, efficient and reusable chelating resin, diphenyldiketone-monothiosemicarbazone modified silica gel, was prepared and applied for the on-line separation and preconcentration of Pd(II) ions in catalytic converter and spiked tap water samples. Several parameters like effect of pH, sample volume, flow rate, type of eluent, and influence of various ionic interferences, etc. were evaluated for effective adsorption of palladium at trace levels. The resin was found to be highly selective for Pd(II) ions in the pH range 4-5 with a very high sorption capacity of 0.73 mmol/g and preconcentration factor of 335. The present environment friendly procedure has also been applied for large-scale extraction by employing the use of newly designed reactor in which on-line separation and preconcentration of Pd can be carried out easily and efficiently in short duration of time.