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This study aimed to explore the ethnopharmacological use of Rosa spp. on the Vlasina plateau, a rural region in southeastern Serbia with limited healthcare coverage, and to conduct phytochemical and pharmacological analyses of these species. The ethnopharmacological survey was conducted using semi-structured interviews. After identifying the three species utilized (R. dumalis Bechst., R. canina L., and R. corymbifera Borkh.), a phytochemical analysis was performed to assess their vitamin content and phenolic composition using spectrophotometric and UHPLC-MS/MS techniques. Pharmacological activities of rose hips were evaluated through in vitro antimicrobial testing against enteric pathogens, antioxidant activity using DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assays, protein denaturation inhibitory activity, and cytotoxic activity against human cervical adenocarcinoma (HeLa) cells. The most frequently cited ethnopharmacological application was for treating chills, followed by dietary use and managing conditions such as diarrhea, dry cough, abdominal pain, and urinary issues. In terms of phenolic phytochemicals, rosmarinic acid predominated among phenolic acids in all three species, whereas catechin was the dominant flavonoid in R. dumalis and isoquercitrin in R. canina and R. corymbifera hips. The highest ascorbic acid and α -tocopherol contents were found in the rose hips of R. dumalis (235.79 and 1.80 mg/100 g FW, respectively). R. dumalis exhibited the highest radical scavenging, protein denaturation inhibitory, and cytotoxic activities, while all three species showed mild antimicrobial activity. The study provides valuable insights into the potential health benefits of Rosa species but is limited by its reliance on traditional knowledge and laboratory tests. Therefore, future research should focus on clinical trials to confirm their efficacy and safety. Overall, the results could pave the way for developing innovative pharmaceutical and nutritional products inspired by traditional knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Animal models for food allergies serve as crucial tools in understanding allergy mechanisms and assessing the efficacy of potential desensitization methods. The effectiveness of inducing allergies in mice through intragastric lavage sensitization varies. The intraperitoneal method can trigger systemic anaphylaxis, however it lacks anatomical relevance. Hence, a uniform and reliable allergy induction method in mice is required. Tape -stripping can mimic atopic dermatitis (AD), a precursor to lifelong peanut allergies in humans. Furthermore, skin damage triggers the upregulation of skin alarmins and the expansion of small-intestinal mast cells, both implicated in allergy development. We standardized a skin-based sensitization method in a mouse model of peanut allergy using skin tape-stripping followed by allergen application. We compared this method with intragastric sensitization. Skin-based sensitization led to increased mast cells, goblet cells, and eosinophils in the small intestine, elevated systemic IgE levels, murine mast cell protease-1 (mMCP-1), histamine, and eosinophilic activity in peripheral blood. Moreover, it resulted in a significant hypothermic response, with nearly 30% mortality following an oral challenge one-month post-sensitization. Our research offers a standardized and readily reproducible method for inducing peanut allergy in mice, which could also be adapted for other food allergens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the chemical composition, antioxidant, and hypoglycemic activity of Rosa arvensis Huds. leaves and fruits collected from Zlatibor, Željin, Veliki Krš mountains and Petnica village (Serbia) were analysed. Phenolic and vitamin profiles, as well as in vitro antioxidant potential and enzyme inhibitory activity on α -amylase and α -glucosidase, were studied. Phytochemical analysis showed higher phenolic content in leaf extracts than in those obtained from fruits. Gallic, chlorogenic and syringic acids were the most abundant phenolic acids, while catechin was the major flavonoid compound. Furthermore, the highest level of α -tocopherol (1.94 mg/100 g fw) in achenes and ascorbic acid (9.60 mg/100 g fw) in hypanthium were quantified in the fruits sampled on the Veliki Krš Mt. High antioxidant capacity was observed for the leaf extracts. It was highly correlated with their chemical composition and primarily referred to the catechin content (r > 0.95, p < 0.01), while the quinic acid had the opposite effect (r > −0.97, p < 0.01). Leaf extracts also showed good α -glucosidase and moderate α -amylase inhibitory potential in contrast to hypanthium and achenes extracts with lower antidiabetic activity. The high phenolic content and noted antioxidative potential were strongly correlated with the α -glucosidase inhibitory activity (r > 0.80, p < 0.01), while the α -amylase inhibition was only moderately correlated with those compounds (r > 0.49, p < 0.01). Among the tested R. arvensis samples, those from Zlatibor Mt. contained the highest amount of target compounds and expressed the highest biological activity. The obtained results suggest that R. arvensis extracts present a new source of bioactive compounds that could be implemented as novel food ingredients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Use the reduced graphene oxide as additive to make more efficient the heat transfer through MOFs pellets. • The influence of the reduced graphene oxide concentration on thermal properties of pellets with different densities. • Comparison with aluminum as additive in metal-organic frameworks pellets. • Enhancement the thermal conductivity of pellet by a factor of 4. • Improving the hydrogen adsorption kinetic and favoring shorter equilibrium time. The development of effective methods for hydrogen storage is of paramount importance in using hydrogen as a transportation fuel for on-board applications. The rate at which the hydrogen is adsorbed/desorbed on porous materials in compressed pellets is directly related to the thermal conductivity of the adsorbent. This work aims to increase the hydrogen adsorption rate in MIL-101(Cr) and MIL-100(Fe) compressed pellets by using reduced graphene oxide (rGO) as an additive, in order to get an increased thermal conductivity and thus a more efficient heat transport through the pellets. To achieve this goal, a complex study was undertaken using different techniques, namely photothermal radiometry (PTR) for thermal conductivity investigation, a volumetric home-made device for kinetic measurements and other techniques (XRD, SEM, TEM, BET, TG-DTA) for structural and morphological characterization of the samples. It has been found that the thermal conductivity of the pellets increases with the graphene addition. A significant enhancement in thermal conductivity (by factors of 4 compared to pellets without additives) is obtained and reaches a maximum of 0.58 W/mK for MIL-100(Fe) pellet (ρ = 0.65 g/cm3). The hydrogen adsorption equilibrium time in neat samples is reached in about 180 s. The presence of 10 wt% rGO in both MIL-100 and MIL-101 pellets improves the hydrogen adsorption kinetics and favors the equilibrium in shorter times, respectively 20 and 40 s, than in neat samples. The experimental data are in very good agreement with the Linear Driving Force Model (LDF) for gas adsorption kinetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The molybdenum doped TiO 2 nanocomposite layer double hydroxide (LDH) suspensions, Mo:TiO 2 -LDHs, were synthesized by a wet impregnation method in order to enhance the pure TiO 2 (water suspension) photocatalytic activity and consequently its self-cleaning efficiency under exposure to visible light. The aim was to produce nanocomposites by a simple, energy saving and cost beneficial synthesis. The mass ratio Mo/Ti was systematically varied (0.03, 0.06, 0.09, 0.12). The obtained nanocomposite Mo:TiO 2 -LDH suspensions were first characterized by UV–vis spectroscopy (band-gap energies), Zeta-sizer (particle size distribution and stability) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) (structure) and then applied onto the model mineral substrates, brick and stone. The photocatalytic activity of the obtained coating was determined based on the degradation kinetics of the Rhodamine B (RhB) under artificial visible light irradiation (white LED). The obtained results were compared to the ones of the unmodified TiO 2 -LDH suspension. The obtained results also showed that all prepared nanocomposites have good photocatalytic activity, particularly the suspension Mo:TiO 2 -LDH with the Mo/Ti 0.03 mass ratio which possesses the best value. In addition, as regards the visible light driven self-cleaning effect, this suspension has proven to be a good protective functional coating for porous mineral substrates (bricks and stones). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The surface properties and photocatalytic activity of the cement and pozzolanic mortar samples coated with TiO 2 /ZnAl layered double hydroxides were studied with the intention to design suitable protective, hydrophilic coatings. In order to underline the existing correlation between the water uptake characteristics and the surface features, the coated mortars were subjected to water absorption test by capillarity, to photo-induced surface water absorption test and to photo-induced hydrophilicity test by contact angle measurements. The self-cleaning behavior of the mortar systems was evaluated by monitoring the photocatalytic rhodamine B removal efficiency in correlation with the development of photo-induced surface hydrophilicity. The coating durability was assessed towards the weathering effect of rain (essential for the coating self-cleaning properties). The positive result of the coating deposition was the improvement of photocatalytic activity, photo-induced hydrophilicity and the decrease of mortar systems surface roughness. The study revealed that the developed coating promotes self-cleaning effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dentistry literature shows consensus to use the Garvie and Nicholson equation modified by Toraya to quantify the Y-TZP phase transformation. However, this method does not include the possibility of cubic phase transformation and crystallographic texture after artificial ageing, and in this case, it is possible to observe errors of quantification. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate a dental Y-TZP ageing kinetic of phase transformation under pressure and hydrothermal conditions (130° C, 2 bar) and to compare the methods of quantification by the equation of Garvie and Nicholson modified by Toraya and the Rietveld refinement method. Methods: Discs of Y-TZP (12 mm Ø × 1.2 mm in height) were divided into groups (n = 4) according to the ageing times (in the range of 6 and 138 h). The superficial characterisation was made using SEM and the XDR for crystallographic analysis. Results: An aggressive superficial degradation process at the beginning of phase transformation in 6-10 h of ageing was observed by SEM. The phase transformation quantification showed differences between the methods. It was observed the increase and stabilisation of monoclinic phase until 80% at 40 h of ageing by the Garvie and Nicholson modified by Toraya equation, compared to 60% of monoclinic phase and approximately 30% of cubic phase observed by the Rietveld method. Conclusion: The Toraya equation showed an overestimated result of monoclinic quantification compared to the Rietveld method. Clinical significance: The overestimated result of monoclinic phase could lead to different interpretation about the dental Y-TZP ageing process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Due to the actions of many environmental aspects, such as inorganic and organic pollutants as well as microorganisms, porous building materials are constantly damaged and deteriorated. Deposition of photocatalytic coating on the surface of building material is one of the most effective procedures for the protection of the material from both environmental and economic point of view. Three types of porous brick substrates and one stone material were chosen and investigated regarding chemical and mineralogical composition, textural and surface (roughness and microhardness) properties. In order to improve the porous building material surface properties the newly designed TiO2–ZnAl layer double hydroxide (TiO2–ZnAl LDH) coatings were prepared, applied and investigated. New experimental technique based on the Fourier Transform Infra-Red spectrometry in diffuse reflectance (DRIFT) modality was established and compared to existing methods (contact angle measurements without addition of water, surface water absorption and contact angle assessment after spraying with water as the function of UV/Vis irradiation time) in order to assess the photo-induced hydrophilicity of the coated materials. The DRIFT analysis confirmed the existence of the photo-induced hydrophilicity by assessing the surface OH− groups׳ quantity during UV/Vis irradiation necessary for the development of the surfaces hydrophilicity. The obtained results indicate a strong influence of the reference building material surface characteristics on the photo-induced hydrophilicity, photocatalytic and self-cleaning properties of the newly designed TiO2–ZnAl LDH coatings. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]