Chitosan (CH)-based hydrogels have been extensively researched in numerous biological applications, including drug delivery, biosensing, wound healing, and tissue engineering, to name a few. Previously, modified CH hydrogels by carbamoylation, using potassium cyanate (KCNO) as the crosslinker, have shown improvement in viscoelastic properties and biocompatibility. In this study, graphene oxide (GO) nanofillers are added to carbamoylated CH to form a nanocomposite hydrogel and study the influence of CH molecular weight (M w ) and GO loading concentrations on hydrogel properties. The physical properties (swelling, degradation, and porous structure) of the hydrogels can be tuned as required for cell attachment and spreading by varying both the GO concentration and the M w of CH. Rheological characterization showed an improvement in the mechanical properties (storage modulus, yield stress, and viscosity) of the synthesized CH-GO hydrogels with an increase in the M w of CH and the GO concentration. Human retinal pigmented epithelial-1 (RPE-1) cells seeded onto the prepared hydrogel scaffolds showed good cell viability, adhesion, and cell spreading, confirming their cytocompatibility, with dependence on both M w of CH and GO loading.

Background: The use of poisonous agrochemicals is both necessary and menacing for a farmer. The long-term hazards of chemicals can even be life-threatening to many people. Recently, the adverse effects of such chemicals on the environment and human health received serious attention throughout the world. In an Indian context, the usage of the chemical sprays has costed many lives and influenced vital organs to the greatest extent. This serious situation advocates the search for ways to prevent the inhalation and absorption of these chemicals into the body. The present study was conducted to evaluate different types of chemical sprays, their impact, and explore remedial ways to neutralize their toxic effects. Methods: Alpha-cypermethrin, phorate, fenobucarb, buprofezin, and mancozeb were selected for binding based on the feedback of severity in actions reported by the respondents and statistical analysis of different physical and chemical parameters. Chemical similarity analysis of the 39 cidal chemicals was performed to predict the binding similarity with respect to the above-mentioned 5 seed molecules. These five chemicals were docked with three different proteins 121p GTPase HRas, Torpedo acetylcholinesterase, and trypanosoma phosphoglycerate kinase, selected based on the common target prediction. Results: Common target prediction revealed that these chemicals have an affinity to bind these proteins with a higher binding interaction towards the aromatic amino acid residues and those capable of H-bonding, escorted by a predilection towards acetylcholinesterase. Conclusion: The in-silico findings are the basis to propose that acetylcholinesterase can be considered as a potential binding agent to trap fatal agrochemicals.