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In response to the growing need for eco-friendly flame retardants, researchers have developed bio-based solutions for applying flame-retardant finishes to cotton cloths. The current work presents an innovative phosphorus-functionalized chitosan-banana pseudo-stem composite (P-CBPS), which is applied to cotton cloth through a layer-by-layer technique (P-CBPS-C). P-CBPS-C was well-characterized using XPS, SEM, TGA, and FTIR. Additionally, we explored the application of banana pseudo-stem sap (BPS) and chitosan combined with banana pseudo-stem sap (CBPS) as coatings on cotton fabric (BPS-C and CBPS-C). P-CBPS-C exhibited remarkable flame-retardant properties, maintaining its size and shape upon exposure to flame, producing minimal smoke, and resisting ignition for more than 140 s, in contrast to the control cloth (C-C), BPS-C, and CBPS-C samples, which were completely consumed by the flame. C-C burned away in just 5 s, while BPS-C and CBPS-C samples lasted for 35 and 60 s, respectively, leaving behind a small amount of char residue. The effectiveness of the flame retardancy of P-CBPS-C was rigorously assessed through tests such as the limiting oxygen index (LOI) and the vertical flammability test (VFT). The LOI value increased from 17.76% for the C-C to 48.44%, and the VFT showed a residual char length of 1 cm, demonstrating its promise in fire protection. This study represents an initial effort to create a P-CBPS composite using a cost-effective and simple method, proving its effectiveness as a flame-retardant material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acmella paniculata (Wall. Ex DC.) R. K. Jansen, also known as Akkalkadha or toothache plant is an important medicinal herb of the Asteraceae family that grows in the tropics and subtropics of the world. The present phytochemical investigation aimed at evaluating the impact of different solvents on extraction yields, ash analysis, fluorescence analysis and phytochemical compounds from flower drug of A. paniculata plant. The results indicate that solvents have a significant impact in the yield of extraction. Resulting in the higher extraction yield in solvent distilled water and ethanol. Flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, cardiac glycosides, and terpenoids are found in the crude flower drug of the plant. The present study is useful in drug standardization, identifying the adulteration in the Ayurvedic medicines from this plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: MGMT (O6-methyl guanine DNA methyl transferase) promoter hypermethylation is a prognostic and predictive biomarker for glioblastomas (GBM).Aims: To evaluate the frequency of MGMT methylation status in a single institute series of 134 GBMs and correlate it with clinical (age, sex, location, survival) and other molecular parameters [such as p53 expression, alpha thalassemia/mental retardation syndrome X-linked (ATRX) expression, isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) 1R132H mutation, and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene amplification].Results: One hundred and thirty-four GBMs were evaluated by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP) for MGMT promoter methylation status. The results were correlated with the above mentioned clinicopathological parameters. MGMT gene promoter methylation was identified in 49.2% (66/134) GBMs, and was significantly associated with IDH1R132H mutation (14/66; 21%; P - value, 0.01) and ATRX loss (15/66; 23%; P - value, 0.01). Confluent necrosis was found to be significantly associated with MGMT unmethylation status (P - value: 0.002). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed confluent necrosis as a single independent predictor (odds ratio [OR], 2.5; confidence interval [CI], 1.0-5.8; P - value, 0.04) of MGMT unmethylation status among all the parameters studied.Conclusions: The frequency of MGMT promoter methylation in GBMs was 49.2%, which was significantly associated with IDHR132H mutation and ATRX loss. In addition, the presence of confluent necrosis was significantly associated with MGMT unmethylation and was found to be an independent predictor of the same. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Cu-doped Fe 2 O 3 /g-C 3 N 4 composite, synthesized via a straightforward hydrothermal process with controlled morphologies, represents a significant advancement in supercapacitor electrode materials. This study systematically analyzes the impact of Cu doping in Fe 2 O 3 and its synergistic combination with g-C 3 N 4 to understand their influence on the electrochemical performance of the resulting composite, focusing on Cu doping in Fe 2 O 3 rather than varying Fe 2 O 3 /g-C 3 N 4 content. The comprehensive characterization of these composites involved a suite of physicochemical techniques. X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the successful synthesis of the composite, while field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were employed to investigate the morphological attributes of the synthesized materials. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectra confirmed the elemental composition of the composite with 6% Cu doped Fe 2 O 3 /g-C 3 N 4 . The composite electrode, which incorporated 6% Cu doped Fe 2 O 3 with g-C 3 N 4 , exhibited exceptional cycling stability, retaining 94.22% of its capacity even after 2000 charge-discharge cycles at a current density of 5 mA cm -2 . Furthermore, this Cu doped Fe 2 O 3 /g-C 3 N 4 composite electrode demonstrated impressive electrochemical performance, boasting a specific capacitance of 244.0 F g -1 and an impressive maximum energy density of 5.31 W h kg -1 at a scan rate of 5 mV s -1 . These findings highlight the substantial potential of the Cu doped Fe 2 O 3 /g-C 3 N 4 electrode for supercapacitor applications., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)