A prominent research topic in contemporary advanced functional materials science is the production of smart materials based on polymers that may independently adjust their physical and/or chemical characteristics when subjected to external stimuli. Smart hydrogels based on poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) demonstrate distinct thermoresponsive features close to a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) that enhance their capability in various biomedical applications such as drug delivery, tissue engineering, and wound dressings. Nevertheless, they have intrinsic shortcomings such as poor mechanical properties, limited loading capacity of actives, and poor biodegradability. Formulation of PNIPAM with diverse functional constituents to develop hydrogel composites is an efficient scheme to overcome these defects, which can significantly help for practicable application. This review reports on the latest developments in functional PNIPAM-based smart hydrogels for various biomedical applications. The first section describes the properties of PNIPAM-based hydrogels, followed by potential applications in diverse fields. Ultimately, this review summarizes the challenges and opportunities in this emerging area of research and development concerning this fascinating polymer-based system deep-rooted in chemistry and material science.

Breast cancer is the most common type of malignancy among ladies (around 30% of newly diagnosed patients every year). To date, various modern treatment modalities for breast cancer, such as radiotherapy, surgical method, hormonal therapy, and chemotherapeutic drug utilisation, are available. However, adverse drug reactions, therapeutic resistance, metastasis, or cancer reoccurrence chances remain the primary causes of mortality for breast cancer patients. To overcome all the potential drawbacks, we need to investigate novel techniques and strategies that are not considered previously to treat breast cancer effectively with safety and efficacy. For centuries, we utilise phytochemicals to treat various diseases because of their safety, low-cost, and least or no side effects. Recently, naturally produced phytochemicals gain immense attention as potential breast cancer therapeutics because of their ideal characteristics; for instance, they operate via modulating molecular pathways associated with cancer growth and progression. The primary mechanism involves inhibition of cell proliferation, angiogenesis, migration, invasion, increasing anti-oxidant status, initiation of the arrest of the cell cycle, and apoptosis. Remedial viability gets effectively enhanced when phytochemicals work as adjuvants with chemotherapeutic drugs. This comprehensive review revolves around the latest chemopreventive, chemotherapeutic, and chemoprotective treatments with their molecular mechanisms to treat breast cancer by utilising phytochemicals such as vinca alkaloids, resveratrol, curcumin, paclitaxel, silibinin, quercetin, genistein, and epigallocatechin gallate. The authors wish to extend the field of phytochemical study for its scientific validity and its druggability.

Electricity producing microorganisms are capable of converting organic matter into electricity via electron transport chain. These microorganisms are used in microbial fuel cells (MFC) to generate electric output and are termed as electricigens. Mixed microbial communities used in MFC are unable to generate enough current to be utilized for industrial purpose. Strains of microorganisms of electricigen species are genetically manipulated by alteration of genes to produce higher current output. Maximum current can be produced when flavin synthesis and cytochrome synthesis is increased. In addition, the thickness of biofilm formed also alters the electric output. Furthermore, the genetically engineered electricigens can be utilized for bioremediation, electrohydrogensis, nanowire production, production of graphene-based biosensors, and waste water treatment applications.