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Abstract Background A major worldwide health issue is the rising frequency of resistance of bacteria.Drug combinations are a winning strategy in fighting resistant bacteria and might help in protecting the existing drugs.Monolaurin is natural compound extracted from coconut oil and has a promising antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus.aureus. This study aims to examine the efficacy of monolaurin both individually and in combination with β-lactam antibiotics against Staphylococcus aureus isolates. Methods Agar dilution method was used for determination of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of monolaurin against S.aureus isolates. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to detect morphological changes in S.aureus after treatment with monolaurin. Conventional and Real-time Polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were performed to detect of beta-lactamase (blaZ) gene and its expressional levels after monolaurin treatment. Combination therapy of monolaurin and antibiotics was assessed through fractional inhibitory concentration and time-kill method. Results The antibacterial activity of monolaurin was assessed on 115 S.aureus isolates, the MIC of monolaurin were 250 to 2000 µg/ml. SEM showed cell elongation and swelling in the outer membrane of S.aureus in the prescence of 1xMIC of monolaurin. blaZ gene was found in 73.9% of S.aureus isolates. RT-PCR shows a significant decrease in of blaZ gene expression at 250 and 500 µg/ml of monolaurin. Synergistic effects were detected through FIC method and time killing curve. Combination therapy established a significant reduction on the MIC value. The collective findings from the antibiotic combinations with monolaurin indicated synergism rates ranging from 83.3% to 100%.In time-kill studies, combination of monolaurin and β-lactam antibiotics produced a synergistic effect. Conclusion This study showed that monolaurin may be a natural antibacterial agent against S. aureus, and may be an outstanding modulator of β-lactam drugs. The concurrent application of monolaurin and β-lactam antibiotics, exhibiting synergistic effects against S. aureus in vitro, holds promise as potential candidates for the development of combination therapies that target particularly, patients with bacterial infections that are nearly incurable.

In this study, for the first time a magnetically recoverable zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) / graphite carbon nitride (g-C3N4)/ cooper ferrite (CuFe2O4) nanocomposite was prepared through a fast and simple wet impregnation procedure. The magnetic behavior of the ZIF-8/g-C3N4/CuFe2O4 heterostructure was used for the easy recovery of the nanocomposite by an external magnet. After studying the structural, crystallinity, magnetic, and photophysical properties of the as-syntesized sample, its application was investigated for the enhanced photodegradation of tetracycline under visible light illumination. The band gap energies for ZIF-8, g-C3N4, and CuFe2O4 were obtained 5.1 eV, 2.8 eV, and 1.3 eV, respectively. After combination of ZIF-8, g-C3N4, and CuFe2O4, the band gap energy was obtained to 2.4 eV, which indicate the improvement of photocatalytic activity of ZIF-8/g-C3N4/CuFe2O4 nanocomposite. Among the as-synthesized photocatalyst samples, the ZIF-8/g-C3N4/CuFe2O4 showed an excellent photocatalytic activity (99.15 %) for degradation of tetracycline within 65 min irradiation of visible light, solution pH of 5 and photocatalyst dosage of 0.75 g/L. The rate constant of the ZIF-8/g-C3N4/CuFe2O4 is almost 13.1, 9.9, and 15.6 times higher than that of ZIF-8, g-C3N4, and CuFe2O4, respectively. The ZIF-8/g-C3N4/CuFe2O4 heterojunction showed the effective degradation activity for four consecutive cycles, which exhibited its excellent reusability and stability. Moreover, the free radical quenching tests confirmed that holes, and hydroxyl radicals were the main reaction species for degradation of tetracycline. Altogether the preparation of novel ZIF-8/g-C3N4/CuFe2O4 provides an promise avenue for the development of high potential magtenticaly photocatalytic systems for sustainable tetracycline production with remarkable efficiencies.

Heavy metals can cause serious environmental and human health problems, and their removal from wastewater is critical to protect our planet and communities. This study investigated the ability of crushed pomegranate peel to remove mercury and cadmium ions from contaminated water as a function of different experimental parameters. The experimental results showed that the pH of the solution influenced the adsorptive removal of heavy metals, with the best performance observed at pH 4.8. Optimization studies and process balance modeling were performed to optimize the process for commercial use. The performance of pomegranate peel was compared with that of other materials, and the highest adsorption capacities for both cadmium (Ca (II)) and mercury (Hg (II)) ions were observed to be 89.59 and 42.125 mg/g, respectively. The results were interpreted using the Langmuir model, which provided the best fit to describe the behavior of the process.

In the past few decades, the removal of organic solvents from different substances, especially through the use of nanostructured materials, has been crucial in various industries, including improvement of innovative and adaptable nano adsorbents. Computational approaches are widely recognized as powerful tools for searching molecular systems at atomic level and investigating the characteristics of their interactions. This study utilized the dispersion-corrected DFT approach to gain a detailed comprehension of how CH2O molecules interact with both Pd-doped and pristine ZnO nanotubes (ZnONTs) during the adsorption process. The aim was to achieve a comprehensive comprehension of the adsorption behavior. To accomplish this, an extensive examination of the active sites and optimized geometrical characteristics of interacting systems was conducted. To assess adsorption capacity of Pd-ZnO nanotube and pristine ZnO nanotube for CH2O, binding characteristics of the interacting species have been assessed. This evaluation included analyzing the interaction energy (Eint), charge transfer, electronic properties, and ELF analysis. Moreover, Pd-doping greatly enhances the adsorption strength of ZnONTs, thereby imparting them with superior capability for CH2O adsorption. The significant adsorption strength of CH2O by the sensor under consideration raises the prospect of utilizing these nanotubes as highly effective sensor materials for CH2O detection, which is a matter of great interest. The results of our study provide a foundation for designing innovative and energy-efficient nanosensors that can serve as cost-effective solutions for detecting contaminants in wastewater.

Background. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the major pathogens associated with life-threatening infections, showing resistance to various antibiotics. This study aimed to assess the influence of monolaurin on biofilm-forming MRSA. Methods. The agar dilution method determined the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of monolaurin against MRSA isolates and explored its impact on the resistance profile of selected antibiotics. The assessment of combined therapy involving monolaurin and antibiotics was conducted using fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC). The tissue culture plate strategy appraised monolaurin’s antibiofilm activity and its inhibitory concentration (IC50), with assessment via scanning electron microscopy. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) discerned a monolaurin effect on the expression of the icaD gene. Results. Monolaurin exhibited MIC values ranging from 500 to 2000 μg/mL. FIC index showed a synergistic effect of monolaurin with β-lactam antibiotics ranging from 0.0039 to 0.25 (p

Lung cancer holds the position of being the primary cause of cancer‐related fatalities on a global scale. Furthermore, it exhibits the highest mortality rate among all types of cancer. The survival rate within a span of 5 years is less than 20%, primarily due to the fact that the disease is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, resulting in less effective treatment options compared to earlier stages. There are two main types of primary lung cancer: nonsmall‐cell lung cancer, which accounts for approximately 80%–85% of all cases, and small‐cell lung cancer, which is categorized based on the specific type of cells in which the cancer originates. The understanding of the biology of this disease and the identification of oncogenic driver alterations have significantly transformed the landscape of therapeutic approaches. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a crucial role in regulating various physiological and pathological processes through diverse molecular mechanisms. Among these lncRNAs, lncRNA H19, initially identified as an oncofetal transcript, has garnered significant attention due to its elevated expression in numerous tumors. Extensive research has confirmed its involvement in tumorigenesis and malignant progression by promoting cell growth, invasion, migration, epithelial‐mesenchymal transition, metastasis, and therapy resistance. This comprehensive review aims to provide an overview of the aberrant overexpression of lncRNA H19 and the molecular pathways through which it contributes to the advancement of lung cancer. The findings of this review highlight the potential for further investigation into the diagnosis and treatment of this disease, offering promising avenues for future research. Significance Statement: Since today the role of different long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the development of various cancers has been determined to some extent, our aim is to investigate the role of lncRNA H19 in the progression of lung cancer. It is hoped that with a comprehensive review of past studies, this lncRNA can be used as a target for identifying and treating this cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A major worldwide health issue is the rising frequency of resistance of bacteria.Drug combinations are a winning strategy in fighting resistant bacteria and might help in protecting the existing drugs.Monolaurin is natural compound extracted from coconut oil and has a promising antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus.aureus. This study aims to examine the efficacy of monolaurin both individually and in combination with β-lactam antibiotics against Staphylococcus aureus isolates. Methods: Agar dilution method was used for determination of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of monolaurin against S.aureus isolates. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to detect morphological changes in S.aureus after treatment with monolaurin. Conventional and Real-time Polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were performed to detect of beta-lactamase (blaZ) gene and its expressional levels after monolaurin treatment. Combination therapy of monolaurin and antibiotics was assessed through fractional inhibitory concentration and time-kill method. Results: The antibacterial activity of monolaurin was assessed on 115 S.aureus isolates, the MIC of monolaurin were 250 to 2000 µg/ml. SEM showed cell elongation and swelling in the outer membrane of S.aureus in the prescence of 1xMIC of monolaurin. blaZ gene was found in 73.9% of S.aureus isolates. RT-PCR shows a significant decrease in of blaZ gene expression at 250 and 500 µg/ml of monolaurin. Synergistic effects were detected through FIC method and time killing curve. Combination therapy established a significant reduction on the MIC value. The collective findings from the antibiotic combinations with monolaurin indicated synergism rates ranging from 83.3% to 100%.In time-kill studies, combination of monolaurin and β-lactam antibiotics produced a synergistic effect. Conclusion: This study showed that monolaurin may be a natural antibacterial agent against S. aureus, and may be an outstanding modulator of β-lactam drugs. The concurrent application of monolaurin and β-lactam antibiotics, exhibiting synergistic effects against S. aureus in vitro, holds promise as potential candidates for the development of combination therapies that target particularly, patients with bacterial infections that are nearly incurable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, the potential of Zn doped carbon nanostructures and Zn doped silicon nanostructures to catalyze the OER and ORR processes is investigated by theoretical methods. The O*, H*, *OH, *OOH, O2 and H2O species are adsorbed on Zn-CNT(5, 0) and Zn-SiNT(5, 0). The potential-determining steps on catalysts are *OH removal and *OOH formation. The overpotential of ORR are 1.01, 0.96, 1.13 and 1.10 V, respectively. The H2O is adsorbed on Zn-C70, Zn-Si70, Zn-CNT(5, 0) and Zn-SiNT(5, 0) catalysts physically. The H2O can desorb on on Zn-C70, Zn-Si70 and Zn-CNT(5, 0) catalysts, easily. The overpotential for OER are 1.15, 1.09, 1.25 and 1.20 V, respectively. The Zn-SiNT(5, 0) catalyst has lower overpotential values than Zn-C70, Zn-Si70 and Zn-CNT(5, 0) catalysts. The Zn-SiNT(5, 0) with acceptable catalytic activity is proposed to catalyze the ORR and OER processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fusion of Silicon (Si) with MXene nanostructures is a promising avenue to boost the performance of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). This comprehensive review delves into recent progress and future prospects in the realm of Si-based MXene composites for LIB applications. Starting with an in-depth analysis of the structure and characteristics of Si-based MXene nanostructures, the paper elucidates their synthesis and characterization methodologies. The subsequent discussion delves into the mechanism and properties of LIBs, pinpointing the hurdles and possibilities for enhancement. The spotlight then shifts to the utilization of MXene materials in LIBs, emphasizing their pivotal role in ameliorating battery performance. Closing off, the review explores ongoing research trends and forthcoming directions in the field, offering insights into the potential applications and obstacles of Si-based MXene composites for the evolution of next-generation LIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]