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For the first time in this innovative study, microorganisms such as Bacillus simplex bacteria, mostly used in biological activity studies, are used as a bio-supporter agent of iron to release hydrogen from sodium borohydride hydrolysis at 25.0 ± 0.1 °C. The goal is to investigate thoroughly sodium borohydride hydrolysis catalyzed by Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles impregnated on microorganism such as Bacillus simplex (BS) bacteria (Fe 2 O 3 @BS NPs) known with strong antibacterial properties, which makes innovative them a candidate for hydrolysis reaction. This study was focused on the preparation, identification, and catalytic use of biocatalyst-like Fe 2 O 3 @BS NPs for hydrogen release from the sodium borohydride hydrolysis at 25.0 ± 0.1 °C. The characterization results made after and before hydrolysis reaction using by SEM/SEM-EDX, FT-IR, XRD, UV–vis, XPS, DLS, ELS Zeta potential, ESR, and TEM techniques reveal the formation of highly active, stable, durable, and long-lived biocatalysts-like Fe 2 O 3 @BS NPs. [Display omitted] • Green synthesis of biocatalyst-like Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles impregnated on Bacillus simplex. • Use of Bacillus simplex bacteria as bio-supporting agent for iron oxide nanoparticles. • In-depth characterization of biocatalyst-like Fe 2 O 3 @BS NPs. • Making Fe 2 O 3 @BS NPs candidates for the innovative sodium borohydride hydrolysis. • Detailed kinetic study of the catalytic sodium borohydride hydrolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to determine the optimum ethanol/diesel mixture ratio, boost pressure, and cycle duration for providing the maximum engine performance and the minimum exhaust emission levels in a diesel engine. The statistical analyses were performed using the L 32 orthogonal array of the Taguchi. According to the calculated S/N ratios, it was revealed that there was almost a linear relationship between an increase in boost pressure and the selected engine output values. Similarly, a direct relationship was observed between the increasing alcohol content of the blend and the emissions of CO, CH 4 and NO x. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) technique was utilized to investigate the contribution of the levels of control parameters on experimental variables. In all ANOVA analyses, R2 was 90% and above for all variables, while the goodness of fit was calculated to be at the lowest level in NH 3 emission. According to ANOVA analysis results, it was seen that the boost pressure has a substantial impact on CO 2 emission formation. The cycle duration has a dominant effect on cylinder gas pressure, thermal efficiency, fuel consumption and NO x emission. In contrast, the blend ratio considerably affects combustion noise, CO, CH 4 , and NH 3 emissions. Mainly, improvements were observed in exhaust emission levels, excluding ammonia emissions, with the increase of boost pressure and blend type. • The orthogonal array L 32 of the Taguchi method was utilized to determine the optimum combination. • In the established model, each output parameter R2 was calculated to be 90% and above. • Cycle duration significantly affects the maximum cylinder gas pressure and NO x emissions. • Alcohol content in diesel fuel significantly affects combustion noise, CO, CH 4 , and NH 3. • Boost pressure has a significant impact on CO 2 emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous anthropogenic contaminants, and their abundance in the entire ecosystem raises the question of how far is the impact of these MPs on the biota, humans, and the environment. Recent research has overemphasized the occurrence, characterization, and direct toxicity of MPs; however, determining and understanding their genotoxic effect is still limited. Thus, the present review addresses the genotoxic potential of these emerging contaminants in aquatic organisms and in human peripheral lymphocytes and identified the research gaps in this area. Several genotoxic endpoints were implicated, including the frequency of micronuclei (MN), nucleoplasmic bridge (NPB), nuclear buds (NBUD), DNA strand breaks, and the percentage of DNA in the tail (%Tail DNA). In addition, the mechanism of MPs-induced genotoxicity seems to be closely associated with reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, inflammatory responses, and DNA repair interference. However, the gathered information urges the need for more studies that present environmentally relevant conditions. Taken into consideration, the lifestyle changes within the COVID-19 pandemic, we discussed the impact of the pandemic on enhancing the genotoxic potential of MPs whether through increasing human exposure to MPs via inappropriate disposal and overconsumption of plastic-based products or by disrupting the defense system owing to unhealthy food and sleep deprivation as well as stress. Overall, this review provided a reference for the genotoxic effect of MPs, their mechanism of action, as well as the contribution of COVID-19 to increase the genotoxic risk of MPs. [Display omitted] • The genotoxic effects of MPs are determined in somatic cells of aquatic organisms and human peripheral lymphocytes. • The mechanism of MPs-induced genotoxicity is associated with oxidative stress, inflammation, and DNA repair disruption. • The COVID-19 pandemic contributes to the genotoxic potential of MPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives We aimed to evaluate neuroprotective effects of tocilizumab on spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Our study design was an experimental rabbit spinal cord I/R injury model, and the setting was at the Animal Research Laboratory, Necmettin Erbakan University, Meram School of Medicine, Konya, Turkey. Methods Twenty-four adult New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups: Group 1, control group (n = 8); Group 2, I/R group, and Group 3 (n = 8) I/R injury + tocilizumab (4 mg/kg, ip) treatment group. Spinal cord I/R injury repair was performed by infrarenal aortic cross clamping. On neurologic evaluation, spinal cord tissue plasma tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 10 (IL-10) levels were analyzed. Spinal cord neuronal damage score and apoptotic cell count were also investigated. Results I/R injury significantly increases the plasma and spinal cord tissue TNFα, TOS, TBARS, and IL-6 levels and decreases the plasma and spinal cord tissue TAS and IL-10 levels. Tocilizumab treatment significantly reduces the plasma and spinal cord tissue TNFα, TOS, TBARS, IL-6 levels and increases plasma and tissue TAS and IL-10 levels. I/R injury significantly increases spinal cord neuronal damage score and apoptotic cell count. Tocilizumab treatment significantly reduces spinal cord neuronal damage score and apoptotic cell count. Neurologic examination scores at 24, 48, and 72 hours were significantly better in the treatment group when compared with the I/R group. Conclusions This study shows significant neuroprotective effects of tocilizumab on rabbit spinal cord I/R injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]