Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University, formerly Amravati University, named after Sant Gadge Baba, is a public state university located at Amravati in the Vidarbha region of the state of Maharashtra, India. Today, it is one of the largest University in the country with 382 affiliated colleges and about 3.50 lac students..
We report the synthesis of undoped and Cd doped CuS nanoparticles (NPs) using L-alanine as a surface passivating agent via simple co-precipitation method. Powder samples of CuS NPs and thin films of poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)-CuS NPs, prepared by spin coating on glass substrate, were investigated for their structural, morphological, linear and nonlinear optical (NLO) properties. Powder X-ray diffraction confirmed the formation of covellite CuS with average crystallite size of 5-20 nm. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) validated the sample purity, while high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) revealed uniform morphology of NPs. Linear optical studies using ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) absorption spectroscopy showed localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) in the wavelength range 600-680 nm. A pronounced blue shift in the absorption wavelength and an optical band gap up to 2.28 eV was observed for 1 wt% Cd doped CuS NPs. Thin film samples (undoped and Cd-doped) were further characterized by z-scan technique, which revealed thermally stimulated third-order NLO effects in Cd doped CuS-PMMA nanocomposite thin films, attributed to non-local thermal contributions from surface states, dielectric effects, and photoacoustic interactions.
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is characterized by amyloid-β (Aβ) deposits and neurofibrillary tangles containing phosphorylated tau protein. Around 57 million people worldwide were estimated by the World Health Organization to have dementia in 2021, with AD being the most prevalent type. The burden of AD is still rising. By 2036, there will likely be close to 20 million AD cases worldwide, according to projections that show a sharp increase brought on by population aging. Normal neural transmission is disrupted with Aβ plaques and hyperphosphorylated tau tangles, eventually resulting in the death of neurons and cognitive impairment. Currently, no therapies provide a cure; available treatments are symptomatic. The main focus of scientists has been on targeting Aβ and tau proteins. A number of anti-Aβ and anti-tau monoclonal antibody therapies targeting the buildup of Aβ and tau in the brain have been discovered recently. An announcement was made in September 2022 regarding the phase 3 research, suggesting Lecanemab had achieved its main objective of slowing the progression of clinical dementia. The CLARITY AD Phase 3 trial, which was published in the New England Journal of Medicine on January 5, 2023, assessed lecanemab, a monoclonal antibody, in patients with early-stage Alzheimer's disease or Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) brought on by Alzheimer's disease who had biomarker evidence of amyloid pathology. Lecanemab showed a statistically significant, although clinically modest, slowing of decline on the Clinical Dementia Rating-Sum of Boxes (CDR-SB) in the 18-month double-blind, placebocontrolled trial. Clinical worsening was reduced by 27% when compared to placebo (mean difference of -0.45; 95% CI: -0.67 to -0.23). Similar modest benefits were observed across quality of life and daily functioning measures, and all primary and secondary cognitive and functional endpoints were met. The change in CDR-SB fell short of the minimal clinically significant difference that is frequently mentioned for this patient population, and the observed clinical benefit is typically characterized as small to moderate. Crucially, lecanemab-treated participants had a higher incidence of amyloidrelated imaging abnormalities (ARIA) such as edema and microhemorrhages (about 21.5%) than the placebo group (about 9%). Although the majority of ARIA events were controllable, there were a few documented instances of severe consequences, especially when anticoagulation was used. On 9th June 2023, an FDA advisory group unanimously decided that Lecanemab demonstrates clinical benefits for therapy of early Alzheimer's disease, marking the opening door for full approval. The results demonstrate lower Aβ and tau, a real therapeutic advantage, going beyond simple alterations in biomarkers, representing a major breakthrough in the treatment of AD. This review provides a summary of mechanisms, results of the clinical trials of anti-tau and anti-Aβ antibody treatments up to February 2024, as well as recommendations for their future developments.
Cannabis is the most widely used illicit substance globally, with its psychoactive compound, Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), exerting significant systemic effects. Upon consumption, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) rapidly enters the bloodstream, affecting multiple physiological systems. This review synthesises current evidence on the acute and chronic health effects of cannabis use. A comprehensive search of electronic databases (PubMed and Google Scholar) was employed to identify peer-reviewed studies and conference proceedings within the last 25 years. Keywords were utilized, e.g., ‘cannabis’, AND ‘THC’, AND ‘systemic effects’ and related terms. Acute adverse effects include hyperemesis syndrome, impaired coordination, anxiety and psychotic symptoms. Chronic cannabis use has been associated with mood disorders, exacerbation of psychotic conditions, withdrawal syndrome, neurocognitive impairments, cardiovascular complications, immune suppression and reproductive dysfunction. The nervous system is particularly vulnerable, with evidence linking cannabis to altered cognitive function, increased risk of psychiatric disorders and neuroinflammatory responses. Cardiovascular risks include arrhythmias, myocardial infarction and stroke, while immunosuppressive properties may heighten susceptibility to infections. In addition, cannabis use has been implicated in reproductive health issues and pregnancy complications. Despite ongoing debates regarding its therapeutic applications, concerns remain over its long-term impact, especially with increasing legalisation. Current research is limited by confounding variables such as polydrug use and genetic predisposition, making causality difficult to establish. Further longitudinal studies and clinical trials are necessary to delineate the risks and benefits of cannabis use, inform public health policies and guide evidence-based regulations. This review highlights the importance of standardised dosing, potency control and public awareness campaigns in mitigating adverse health consequences, particularly among vulnerable populations.
Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) have emerged as promising nanomaterials in cancer therapy because of their unique physicochemical properties. This review comprehensively analyzes the roles of GQDs in cancer diagnostics and treatment, highlighting their biocompatibility, tunable photoluminescence, and surface functionalization capabilities. GQDs exhibit minimal toxicity, efficient cellular uptake, and favorable biodistribution, making them suitable for targeted drug delivery, photothermal therapy (PTT), and photodynamic therapy (PDT). Their intrinsic fluorescence also enables real-time bioimaging, supporting theranostic applications. This study explores their mechanisms of action, including reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, heat-induced ablation, and pH-responsive drug release. GQDs have demonstrated efficacy across various cancers, such as breast, lung, brain, liver, and pancreatic cancers, through enhanced drug/gene delivery, biosensing, and image-guided therapy. Despite encouraging preclinical results, challenges related to toxicity profiling, standardization, regulatory frameworks, and scalability remain significant barriers to clinical translation. This review emphasizes the therapeutic versatility of GQDs and underscores the need for further research to overcome translational hurdles and realize their full potential in personalized cancer care.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a progressive autoimmune disorder marked by synovial inflammation and cartilage erosion. Conventional methotrexate (MTX) therapy suffers from poor joint targeting and systemic toxicity. This study developed exosome-mimicking liposomes (EMLs) for precision MTX delivery. The optimised formulation (F8), as determined by a 32 factorial design, had vesicle size of 101.4 ± 2.3 nm, encapsulation efficiency (EE) of 82.6 ± 2.4% and a zeta potential of -30.7 ± 1.2 mV. For 24 h, EMLs gave a consistent release pattern (73.4%), matching the kinetics observed using the Korsmeyer-Peppas model (R2 = 0.991). MTX taken up by cells was increased approximately 6-7 times higher than free MTX in RAW 264.7 cells. An in vivo study found that EMLs reached a Cmax value of 9.6 ± 0.48 µg/mL, had an AUC0-∞ of 54.3 ± 2.8 µg h/mL and showed 76.8% reduction in paw oedema in collagen-induced arthritis animals. Histopathology analysis found that joints were better protected and there was decreased inflammation and cartilage damage. The results show that EMLs are a reliable and biocompatible way to carry out safe, effective and targeted treatment of RA.
