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Objective: To evaluate the effect of trigonelline on bleomycin-induced idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and to explore its underlying mechanisms using network pharmacology. Methods: IPF was induced in C57BL/6 mice by a single intratracheal instillation of bleomycin (5 mg/kg). Trigonelline was administered at doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg/day orally from the 2nd day post-bleomycin induction up to the 14th day. In IPF-induced mice, lung coefficient, immune cell infiltration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and oxidative stress were measured. Histological alterations in lung tissues were also assessed. Moreover, network pharmacology approach was conducted to reveal molecular interactions of bleomycin and trigonelline with targets of IPF. Results: Trigonelline treatment reduced bleomycin-induced oxidative stress and immune cell infiltration, and mitigated physiological changes in the lung tissues of mice. Moreover, trigonelline alleviated bleomycin-induced histological alterations in lung tissues. Network pharmacology analysis showed that bleomycin and trigonelline interacted with IPF targets, such as NFKB1, HDAC2, HIF1A, and TLR4. Conclusions: The interaction of trigonelline with key IPF targets and its ameliorative effects on lung damage and oxidative stress highlight its potential in treating IPF. It may be considered an antifibrotic agent for further clinical development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spatial self-phase modulation based on the optical Kerr effect has gained momentum in recent years to analyse the nonlinear optical properties of 2D inorganic nanomaterials. In the present work, we investigate the strong light–matter interaction of organic semiconducting materials based on SSPM, by developing Cu-phthalocyanine (CuPc) nanotubes via a solvothermal technique. The low bandgap of CuPc facilitates the study of its nonlinear optical properties for a broad spectrum range from 671 nm to 405 nm. Intense laser light passing through the CuPc dispersion produces concentric diffraction ring patterns at the far field from which high n2 and χ(3) values, 3.667 × 10−5 cm2 W−1 and 2 × 10−3 esu, respectively, are obtained for the 405 nm laser. This strong nonlinear optical response of CuPc has been utilized to realize non-reciprocal light propagation by constructing a CuPc/SnS2 hybrid structure, which makes an effective all-optical photonic diode. In addition, the all-optical switching is presented using CuPc nanotubes based on the spatial cross-phase modulation technique. In this technique a phase change is induced in the weak signal beam modulated by the strong controlling light beam, which helps to produce all-optical logic gates and all-optical switching devices. The experimental findings of this work unravel the potentially powerful applications of CuPc nanotubes in all-optical information transmission and all-optical photonic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An active collimator has been designed to replace the heavy metal collimator of the BGO anti-Compton shield to improve the performance of the hybrid Indian National Gamma Array (INGA) at TIFR, Mumbai. The active collimators of the 24 clover detectors, along with the BGO anti-Compton shields and 18 LaBr3(Ce) detectors, can act as a γ-ray multiplicity filter. This configuration will be beneficial for studying weak band structures decaying by high γ-ray multiplicity events. In addition, the energy deposited in all the detectors can be added to get the sum energy for certain measurements aiming to use the hybrid array for calorimetric application. We have characterized an active collimator coupled with one of the anti-Compton shields and an HPGe clover detector with various radioactive sources. The peak-to-total ratio for the active collimator configuration is similar to the standard design with the heavy metal configuration with the 60Co source. Additionally, we have evaluated the Compton cross-talk between the clover HPGe detector and the anti-Compton shield/active collimator. The total multiplicity distribution for a cascade of eleven γ-rays with an energy range of 702000 keV has been obtained through GEANT4 simulation. The simulation results indicate the possibility of conducting a meaningful study of decay chains with a multiplicity of twelve.

The γ-ray detection efficiency of a detector decreases over time due to factors like radiation damage or an increase in the thickness of the inactive dead layer. For large γ-ray detector facilities, it is crucial to assess the health condition and performance of the inner regions of the detector crystals over time. In this study, we have introduced a method using GEANT4 simulation to detect defective regions within thick γ-ray detectors. In the experimental phase, a scanning setup was employed, comprising a single-crystal High Purity Germanium (HPGe) detector and a position-sensitive GAGG:Ce detector for coincidence measurements, using a 22Na source. The 2D images were reconstructed from the front-face and side-face scans of the single-crystal coaxial HPGe detector, employing an energy gate set at 511 keV. A position gate applied to a specific section of those 2D images allowed for the mapping of γ-ray interactions along a conical path within the HPGe detector. The methodology involved the comparison and analysis of histograms generated from various sector gates, facilitating the identification of the defective region’s position. In the GEANT4 simulation, a defective region was defined within the crystal, and that was effectively represented in the corresponding scanned image, which exhibited reduced efficiency. It’s important to note that this method’s effectiveness is restricted by the absorption profile of the 511 keV γ-ray, limiting its applicability to a depth of approximately 4 cm from the surface of the HPGe crystal. However, this approach can offer a swift and convenient method for inspecting γ-ray detectors, making it a valuable tool for the detector industry.