This study reports on the formation of unique oriented ZnO structures (face oriented hexagonal discs, 3D-trapezoids, rings, doughnuts, and hemispheres) with tunable percentage of exposed polar facets synthesized via a simple hydrothermal route in aqueous base environment. The significance of the synthetic strategy is the generation of exotic structures without using any templates/structure directing agents and successful realization of morphologies with increased polar to nonpolar facet ratio. Detailed investigation reveals that the size and shape of ZnO microstructures can be conveniently tailored by systematically exercising control on the choice of precursor (zinc source), concentration of reactants, use of Trizma as a base (pH control) which is also seen as structure directing agent. The Trizma base with an appreciably short pH range effectively controls the rate of hydrolysis, regulates nucleation, and restrains rapid growth leading to these well-defined ZnO structures. Photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue as a model system was used to showcase the morphology-dependent enhanced photoactivity under UV-light. The enhanced photocatalytic performance could be attributed to the higher fraction of exposed (0001) and (0001̅) ZnO polar facets present.

Chitosan‐stabilized Fe3O4 nanoparticles (Fe3O4–CHI NPs) are synthesized at room temperature in an aqueous medium and gold NPs are decorated on the surface of these nanoparticles by the deposition/precipitation method. The synthesis of Fe3O4/Au NPs is followed by biofunctionalization with lipoic acid and thereafter the carboxy terminated groups of the Fe3O4/Au–lipoic acid composite NPs are coupled to multidentate iminodiacetic acid (IDA) by adopting (1‐ethyl‐3‐(3‐dimethylamino propyl) carbodiimide and N‐hydroxysulfosuccinimide chemistry. These Fe3O4/Au–LA–IDA particles are finally allowed to complex with Cu2+ ions resulting in a net positive surface charge. Detailed physicochemical properties of the synthesized NPs have been carried out by XRD, TEM, FT‐IR, XPS, TOC, AAS, TG‐DTA, and zeta‐potential measurements. The super paramagnetic response is investigated by vibrating sample magnetometry and feasibility of these materials as an efficient MRI contrast agent (r2=(124.3±13.6) mM−1 s−1) have been also demonstrated in a phosphate‐buffered saline suspension. Finally, the Fe3O4/Au–LA–IDA–Cu2+ composite NPs are used as an immobilized metal affinity matrix to separate expressed His6‐tagged protein (>95 % purity) from bacterial lysates and also from a large excess of bovine serum albumin to demonstrate the convenience of using this matrix for rapid purification of heterologously expressed proteins from biological mixtures.

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Phytoestrogens are structurally similar to its mammalian counterparts and are capable of producing estrogen-like effects and non-steroidal in nature. Their affinity to bind to the estrogen receptors, a class of cytoplasmic proteins, is far less in comparison to the natural estrogen hormones found in humans and other animals or even the synthetically prepared estrogen and, therefore, are far less potent. Even so, the usage of phytoestrogen in either dietary or supplemental form in postmenopausal women is gaining interest, as opposed to the conventional estrogen replacement therapy (ERT), which was so far being used to alleviate the postmenopausal symptoms and believed, with little experimental/clinical evidence, to cause a significant reduction in the threat of coronary heart diseases (CHD). This usage of phytoestrogen follows from the fact that the overall health risks exerted by ERT outweigh the benefits, and to a little extent, the perception that synthetically prepared, so-called "prescription estrogen" interferes with what is otherwise a natural process. It is crucial to explore the alternatives that mimic the beneficial effects of ERT, especially with regard to the minimization of the risk of developing CHD and further evaluation of the aforementioned risks in terms of lipid profiling while simultaneously keeping the health risks to a minimum. This review discusses the scope of use of phytoestrogen specifically pertaining to lipid profiling, their possible health benefits, and adverse effects if any.

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Denture fractures are very common, reflecting the fact that both impact strength and flexural strength are barely adequate. Its relatively low young modulus compared with metal renders the material flexible even in thick sections used in dentures. The purpose of this study was to find out and evaluate the impact and flexural strength values of certain brands of commercially available denture base resin and suggest their suitability. A total of 60 specimens (n 5 60) were fabricated using metal dyes and divided into four groups (Group I: PMMA-TREVALON, Group II: PMMA-ACRALYN-HI, Group III: PMMA-TREVALON-HI, Group IV: PMMA-ACRALYN-H) of commercially available denture base resin, with each group containing 15 specimens. All specimens were tested for flexural resistance on the Hounsfield tensometer and for impact strength on Hounsfield balanced pendulum impact machine. Data analysis was done using one-way ANOVA to compare means between the groups. Group IV showed significantly very high impact strength compared to Groups I and II. However, the difference between Groups III and IV was insignificant. Group IV showed significantly very high flexural strength compared to all other groups. Within the limitations of the study, it is observed that Acralyn-H super unbreakable recorded the highest impact and flexural strength.

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