Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) is a private university located in&nbsp;Tamil Nadu, India. Founded in 1984, as Vellore Engineering College, the institution offers 20 undergraduate, 34 postgraduate, four integrated and four research programs. It has campuses in Vellore, Amravati, Bhopal and Chennai.

VIT is one of the top ranked private universities in India according to NIRF, THE and QS Rankings.&nbsp;Govt. of India has recognized&nbsp;VIT, Vellore as an&nbsp;Institution of Eminence. This has allowed VIT to take independent quality initiatives and move up in world ranking.

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VIT University

Department of Chemistry

World University root node

School of Advanced Sciences

Vellore Campus

Journal of Materials Research

Investigation on bioactivity, mechanical stability, bactericidal activity and in-vitro biocompatibility of magnesium silicates for bone tissue engineering applications

In this work, we report two novel solid-state opto-chemosensors that proffer exclusive <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/selectivity">selectivity</a> and excellent sensitivity for the naked-eye detection of ultra-trace Co2+ ions. The opto-chemosensors are concocted using structurally engineered porous silica and polymer <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/monoliths">monolith</a> templates that are uniformly arranged with a chromoionophoric probe i.e., (Z)-2-mercapto-5-(quinolin-8-yldiazenyl)pyrimidine-4,6-diol (AQTBA). The probe anchored monolithic opto-chemosensors induces sequential color transitions, from yellowish-orange to dark brown, with incremental addition of Co2+ ions. The optimized ground state structure of the AQTBA probe and its AQTBA-Co2+ complex are analyzed using a gaussian 16 program at B3LYP level, with a 6–311+ G (d, p) basis set. The structural and surface morphology of the opto-sensors are characterized using various microscopic, spectroscopic, and diffraction techniques, which discloses a uniform pattern of pore network that proffers rapid ion diffusion kinetics to the probe chelating sites. The proposed monolithic sensors exhibit a high degree of tolerance towards various foreign cations and anions, thus revealing its exclusive selectivity in targeting ultra-trace concentrations of Co2+. The silica and polymer monolithic sensors exhibit a broad linear response range of 0–200&nbsp;ppb, with a detection limit of 0.35 and 0.07&nbsp;ppb for Co2+ ions, respectively. The unique features of the proposed sensors are their faster response kinetics (120&nbsp;s), greater reusability (nine cycles), excellent chemical and thermal durability (pH&nbsp;≤&nbsp;12.0; T&nbsp;≤&nbsp;200&nbsp;°C), with reliable data reproducibility (recovery ≥99.3&nbsp;%; RSD ≤2.3&nbsp;%). The proposed solid-state opto-chemosensors paves way for maximum waste reduction strategy, along with the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/feasibility">feasibility</a> for real-time monitoring of environmental and industrial water samples.

Environmental Research

Probe tethered monolithic architectures as facile solid-state chemosensors for the on-site colorimetric recognition of Co(II) in aqueous and industrial samples

Fluorescence spectroscopy is an ideal and powerful methodology for the potent and reliable study of protein-ligand interactions. Enhanced susceptibility accompanied with comparative easiness forms the prominent key factor for the application of fluorescence techniques in these studies. In fluorescence technique, protein-ligand interactions are often studied at very low concentrations compared to other optical methods with a thousandfold higher sensitivity. In this method, we measure the variation in quantum yield upon ligand binding, by observing variations in ligand fluorescence, intrinsic protein fluorescence, or fluorescence of covalently or noncovalently bound fluorescent probes that are sensitive to ligand binding. Sensitivity of a fluorescent ligand to the environment, energy transfer from protein to ligand producing reduction in protein fluorescence or amplification of ligand fluorescence, a conformational change in protein/ ligand on binding to the protein, etc., contribute to the changes in quantum yield upon ligand binding [1–3]. This chapter will outline a sketch of steady-state fluorescence techniques for defining molecular interactions and calculation of binding constants.

<a href="https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-16-4550-1_3">Steady-State Fluorescence Spectroscopy as a Tool to Monitor Protein/Ligand Interactions</a>

ChemistrySelect

Conversion of Biowaste into Larnite by Sol-Gel Combustion Route for Biomedical Applications

Nature produces materials using available molecular building blocks following a bottom-up approach. These materials are formed with great precision and flexibility in a controlled manner. This approach offers the inspiration for manufacturing new artificial materials and devices. Synthetic artificial materials can find many important applications ranging from personalized therapeutics to solutions for environmental problems. Among these materials, responsive synthetic materials are capable of changing their structure and/or properties in response to external stimuli, and hence are termed "smart" materials. Herein, this review focuses on alginate-based smart materials and their stimuli-responsive preparation, fragmentation, and applications in diverse fields from drug delivery and tissue engineering to water purification and environmental remediation. In the first part of this report, we review stimuli-induced preparation of alginate-based materials. Stimuli-triggered decomposition of alginate materials in a controlled fashion is documented in the second part, followed by the application of smart alginate materials in diverse fields. Because of their biocompatibility, easy accessibility, and simple techniques of material formation, alginates can provide solutions for several present and future problems of humankind. However, new research is needed for novel alginate-based materials with new functionalities and well-defined properties for targeted applications.

Topics in Current Chemistry

Alginate-Based Smart Materials and Their Application: Recent Advances and Perspectives

A simple and novel methodology has been developed for the synthesis of 1,3-bis(carboxymethyl)imidazolium chloride [BCMIM][Cl] salt. The ionic salt [BCMIM][Cl] catalyzed the reaction among arylaldehydes; the substituted 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds and urea/thiourea at 80 °C with 5 mol % under neat condition provided the substituted dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-one/thiones in the synthesis step with yields of up to 96%. In addition, we synthesized the commercially available drug Monastrol by employing this methodology. The new synthesis method employs the benefits of a broad substrate scope, short reaction time, and high atom economy along with low catalyst loading in neat conditions, and is devoid of chromatographic purification. The ionic salt [BCMIM][Cl] was recycled and reused up to six cycles without substantial damage of its catalytic efficiency. &nbsp;

Fulltext

ACS Omega

1,3-Bis(carboxymethyl)imidazolium Chloride as a Sustainable, Recyclable, and Metal-Free Ionic Catalyst for the Biginelli Multicomponent Reaction in Neat ConditionPrabhakara Madivalappa Davanagere, Barnali Maiti*

Heterocyclic moieties are basic skeletons for 80% of commercial medicines according to the US retail market in 2014–2015, yet many actual synthetic methods are not sustainable, calling for eco-friendly strategies. For instance, microwave-assisted synthesis produces molecules rapidly in excellent yields using less energy. Similarly, in nanoparticle-catalysed synthesis, the use of metal-impregnated nanoparticles provides benefits such as recyclability of catalysts, excellent yields and short reaction times. Other sustainable methods include solvent-free synthesis, ionic liquid-supported synthesis, organic synthesis in water, sonochemical synthesis and combinatorial synthesis. Here, we review the application of microwave irradiation for organic synthesis, organic synthesis in water and solvent-free synthesis in a combined manner. We present the synthesis of complex heterocyclic molecules using nanoparticles as catalysts. We emphasize green aspects of synthetic procedures.

Environmental Chemistry Letters

Green synthesis of biologically active heterocycles of medicinal importance: a review

The process of ageing accompanies several metabolic diseases. With ageing, fats accumulate to increase the visceral and 
abdominal adiposity leading to hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, obesity and several other diseases. Drosophila melanogaster is often used to study the ageing process and its related disorders. Therefore, in this study, we performed an in silico analysis to relate the process of ageing and insulin resistance. We analysed the data of insulin-resistant Drosophila from the GEO database and compared it with the data from the literature survey. We observed that 98 genes were common in both the models, and they showed gene modulations related to metabolic pathways, fatty acid metabolism, insulin resistance and neural receptor&ndash;ligand binding pathways. Analysis of the REACTOME database against human data revealed that the TRKB signalling pathway is commonly affected. The TRKB-mediated BDNF pathway is a major regulator of memory loss. We further analysed the common genes in Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease and compared the fly data with human data to identify the diseases related to these common genes. Then, we performed a literature survey to provide protective mechanisms for the TRKB signalling pathway activation, mediated through polyphenols. We treated the flies with sesamol-conjugated lipoic acid derivative (a phenolic compound) at hormetic doses to evaluate its effect on the memory of flies. 
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Journal of Molecular Neuroscience

In Silico Analysis to Link Insulin Resistance, Obesity and Ageing with Alzheimer’s Disease

N-acyl amino acids (NAAs) are amphiphilic molecules, with different potential fatty acid and head group moieties. NAAs are the largest family of anandamide congener lipids discovered to date. In recent years, several NAAs have been identified as potential ligands, engaging novel binding sites and mechanisms for modulation of membrane proteins such as G-protein coupled receptors (GPRs), nuclear receptors, ion channels, and transporters. NAAs play a key role in a variety of physiological functions as lipid signaling molecules. Understanding the structure, function roles, and pharmacological potential of these NAAs is still in its infancy, and the biochemical roles are also mostly unknown. This review will provide a summary of the literature on NAAs and emphasize their therapeutic potential.

Chemistry and Physics of Lipids

<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0009308421000670">Function and therapeutic potential of N-acyl amino acids</a>