Alagarsamy Santhana Krishna Kumar

The cGAS‐STING pathway plays a central role in detecting cytosolic DNA in addition to initiating immune responses against tumor cells. The present study investigates the efficacy of Aescin‐loaded chitosan nanoparticles (AESC‐CSNPs) in enhancing DNA damage and associated cGAS pathway in A549 lung cancer cells. AESC‐CSNPs were synthesized using the ionic gelation method, and characterization was performed to analyze the particle size, surface charge, and encapsulation efficiency. A549 lung cancer cells treated with AESC‐CSNPs displayed augmented levels of DNA damage indications, such as γ‐H2AX, signifying more DNA double‐strand breaks. Western blotting showed higher levels of cGAS, STING, and phosphorylated TBK1, specifying the initiation of the cGAS‐STING cascade. Furthermore, the increase of mainstream cytokines, such as IFN‐β and IL‐6, was confirmed by qRT‐PCR, indicating a pro‐inflammatory response by the immune system. Annexin V/PI discoloration and flow cytometry further displayed that AESC‐CSNPs induced apoptosis in association with DNA damage. These results suggested that AESC‐CSNPs could induce damage in the DNA of A549 lung cancer cells, contributing to an initiation of cGAS, with its associated anti‐tumor response. Thus, this study identifies AESC‐CSNPs as a promising strategy to affect the A549 cells to immune shadowing and apoptosis by the associated cGAS‐STING pathway.

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most prevalent internal modification of eukaryotic mRNA and a central regulator of plant development and stress adaptation. The plant m6A writer complex requires two MT-A70 family proteins, the catalytic subunit MTA70 and its non-catalytic partner MTB, yet the evolutionary basis and structural logic underlying this functional division remain unresolved across land plant lineages. Here, we present an integrative computational analysis of MTA70 and MTB across 15 phylogenetically representative species spanning bryophytes, lycophytes, charophyte algae, monocots, and dicots. Phylogenomic reconstruction resolved three strongly supported clades, namely MTA70, MTB, and an intermediate MTA70-like group, demonstrating that catalytic-to-regulatory divergence predates the separation of major land plant lineages. MTA70 proteins exhibited strict conservation of gene structure, catalytic motifs, and domain architecture, reflecting selective constraint at functionally critical residues, whereas MTB showed extensive divergence in exon–intron organization and surface-exposed residues, consistent with relaxed structural constraints. AlphaFold2-based structural modeling and data-driven protein–protein docking predicted a stable MTA70–MTB heterodimer with a buried surface area of 1435 Ų and a binding free energy of −8.1 kcal/mol, with Lys746 and Lys637 of MTB identified as primary interface hotspots by computational alanine scanning. Expression profiling across six species revealed preferential MTB accumulation in reproductive tissues, while promoter analysis identified statistically significant enrichment of jasmonate-responsive elements (TGACG-motif) in MTB promoters (Mann–Whitney U, p = 0.025) and a 3.4-fold higher abundance of ABA-responsive elements (ABRE) in MTB relative to MTA70, suggesting potential responsiveness to multiple phytohormone signals. Together, these findings establish an evolutionary and regulatory framework for MTB as a conserved scaffold coupling m6A deposition to developmental and environmental signaling in land plants.

Fly ash, an industrial by‐product generated from coal combustion, poses significant environmental and health hazards. However, its remarkable adsorption behavior for various toxic pollutants can be further enhanced through physical and chemical modifications. Converting fly ash into zeolites not only mitigates disposal challenges but also transforms waste into valuable materials for industrial applications. In this study, fly ash‐derived zeolite was modified with poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI) and subsequently used as a template for loading Fe ₃ O ₄ nanoparticles (NPs). The synthesized Fe ₃ O ₄ NPs‐decorated PEI‐modified zeolite was incorporated with polymeric materials, including polystyrene sulfonate (PSS), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and chitosan, to fabricate a magnetic thin film (Fe ₃ O ₄ NPs@PEI‐zeolite film). The resulting magnetic and non‐magnetic films demonstrated excellent functionality and durability in removing para‐nitrophenol ( p‐ NP), a toxic and carcinogenic contaminant. The adsorption mechanism primarily involved electrostatic interactions between protonated functional groups, such as amino groups from chitosan and PEI (N, NH, NH₂), and hydroxyl groups from FeOH, facilitating efficient p‐ NP removal. Notably, the films exhibited high adsorption efficiency over a broad pH range, indicating their practical applicability. Kinetic studies revealed that the magnetic film followed a pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model, with faster sorption kinetics than previously reported materials. Furthermore, the adsorption behavior conformed to the Langmuir isotherm model, suggesting a homogeneous monolayer adsorption process. The magnetic film exhibited superior sorption capacity compared to earlier studies, highlighting its potential for effective p‐ NP treatment.

The study and development of drug delivery nano systems for cancer treatment are attracting great attention in recent years. In this work, we explore the synthesis and application of Fe ₃ O ₄ @PEI‐CUR‐NPs, magnetic iron oxide (Fe ₃ O ₄ ) nanoparticles (NPs) encapsulated in a matrix with polyethyleneimine (PEI) and curcumin (CUR) for targeted drug delivery system. Fe ₃ O ₄ NPs were synthesized by using on biogenic method utilizing Hylocereus undantus fruit extract and subsequently functionalized with PEI to form Fe ₃ O ₄ @PEI‐ NPs, further loaded with CUR to obtain Fe ₃ O ₄ @PEI‐CUR‐NPs. The synthesized Fe ₃ O ₄ @PEI‐CUR‐NPs exhibited uniform morphology, confirmed by SEM and TEM analyses, with sizes ranging from 20 to 30 nm. EDS spectra confirmed the elemental composition, indicating the presence of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, chlorine, and iron. Magnetic property analysis revealed saturation magnetization values of 62.3 emu/g for Fe ₃ O ₄ @PEI‐CUR‐NPs. Thermal stability was demonstrated through TG, indicating a residual mass of approximately 42.5% for Fe ₃ O ₄ NPs and 11.6% for Fe ₃ O ₄ @PEI‐CUR‐NPs at 500 °C. Drug encapsulation efficiency was determined to be 89.10% under acidic conditions. In vitro release studies showed pH‐responsive drug release, with rapid release at pH 5.2 attributed to PEI degradation. Moreover, Fe ₃ O ₄ @PEI‐CUR‐NPs exhibited anti‐inflammatory activity with an IC ₅₀ value of 18.10 µg/mL and significant cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines, with IC ₅₀ values ranging from 85.23 to 193.40 µg/mL. These findings suggest the potential of Fe ₃ O ₄ @PEI‐CUR‐NPs as a promising platform for targeted drug delivery and cancer therapy, addressing the limitations of conventional chemotherapy.

Dye wastewater poses significant risks to human health and aquatic ecosystems, necessitating efficient remediation strategies. This study developed a magnetic Fe₂O₃ nanocomposite (MNC) derived from phosphoric acid-treated walnut shell biomass carbon to remove Alizarin red S (AR) dye from polluted water. Characterization techniques confirmed the nanocomposite’s mesoporous structure, superparamagnetic properties (61.5 emu/g), and high crystallinity. Optimization using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) revealed a maximum adsorption efficiency of 94.04% under the following optimal conditions: A pH of 2, AR dye concentration of 85 mg/L, adsorbent dose of 1.5 g/L, and particle size of 448.1 nm. Adsorption followed pseudo-second-order (PSO) kinetics (R² = 0.9999) and Langmuir isotherm models (R² = 0.9983), with thermodynamic studies indicating spontaneous and endothermic chemisorption. The intra-particle diffusion model, Bangham, and Boyd plots describe the adsorption process, and external boundary layer diffusion of AR dye molecules in the aqueous phase limits the adsorbate removal rate. Regeneration tests demonstrated reusability over three cycles, with a desorption efficiency of 50.52% using 30 mM HCl. The MNC exhibited a maximum adsorption capacity (Q_max) of 115.35 mg/g, outperforming other adsorbents, making it an efficient and sustainable alternative solution for AR dye removal from water bodies.