Wet-chemical methods involving the coreduction of HAuCl 4 and AgNO 3 have been proven particularly suitable for producing stable Au−Ag alloy NPs with controllable structure−property relationship. However, very poor-solubility of AgCl in aqueous medium and intrinsically different surface energies of Au and Ag remained detrimental-factors in synthesizing so-called "alloy" NPs above the solubility-product of AgCl. Here, we report a robust coreduction procedure for producing citrate-stabilized "homogeneously alloyed" Au−Ag NPs of average size sub-10 nm at room-temperature upon simultaneously overcoming the detrimental factors by a simple reagent NH 4 OH. The alloy NPs revealed a high-degree of crystallinity, composition-tunable surface plasmon resonance (SPR) behavior, controlled-catalysis, biocompatibility, surface enhance Raman scattering (SERS) activity and high-chemical stability. The alloy NPs could withstand corrosive chemical environment and be easily transferred from aqueous medium to various organic media. Fusion of NPs under high-energy electron-beam suggested an inertial coalescence. Our method may lead to the developments of metallic and bimetallic alloy NPs in the fulfillment of various applications in the future.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has reached epidemic proportions and is associated with peripheral insulin resistance. The currently used therapies aim to delay progression of T2DM. Their efficacy could drastically be improved if implemented at earlier stages. Classical diagnostic markers (blood glucose and HbA1C) are generally detected once metabolic imbalance has already set in. Therefore, development of biomarkers for early diagnosis would help identify individuals at risk for developing T2DM. Along with genetic predisposition, epigenetics also plays a major role in T2DM development. In this review, we discuss the potential role of early diagnostic markers such as circulating miRNAs, studies done so far and challenges to be considered while taking into account the novel role of miRNAs as prognostic biomarkers.
The human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) or amylin is the major constituent of amyloidogenic aggregates found in pancreatic islets of type 2 diabetic patients that have been associated with β-cell dysfunction and/or death associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Therefore, developing and/or identifying inhibitors of hIAPP aggregation pathway and/or compound that can mediate disaggregation of preformed aggregates holds promise as a medical intervention for T2DM management. In the current study, the anti-amyloidogenic potential of Azadirachtin (AZD)—a secondary metabolite isolated from traditional medicinal plant Neem (Azadirachta indica)—was investigated by using a combination of biophysical and cellular assays. Our results indicate that AZD supplementation not only inhibits hIAPP aggregation but also disaggregates pre-existing hIAPP fibrils by forming amorphous aggregates that are non-toxic to pancreatic β-cells. Furthermore, AZD supplementation in pancreatic β-cells (INS-1E) resulted in inhibition of oxidative stress; along with restoration of the DNA damage, lipid peroxidation and the associated membrane damage, endoplasmic reticulum stress and mitochondrial membrane potential. AZD treatment also restored glucose-stimulated insulin secretion from pancreatic islets exposed to hIAPP. All-atom molecular dynamics simulation studies on full-length hIAPP pentamer with AZD suggested that AZD interacted with four possible binding sites in the amyloidogenic region of hIAPP. In summary, our results suggest AZD to be a promising candidate for combating T2DM and related amyloidogenic disorders.
The two component room temperature thermoluminescence (RTL) from γ-irradiated crystals is attributed to such electrons as get stuck up at varying distances from holes, some within, and others outside the Onsager radius. The former recombine with holes fast, following first order kinetics, while the electrons lying farther away do so more slowly, following a pseudo-first order rate law. Side by side, the conduction-valence band gap is continually lowered to about 4 eV in the defect region by the clustering of interstitials around F centres. Resulting recombination TL is in the continuum, consistent with this model. Repeated regeneration of thermoluminescence (RRTL) induced by F light is due to the release of electrons from F centres. Once the F centres are completely bleached RRTL would cease.
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