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In this study, the complex organization of the AnG in the giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii was revealed using various techniques, including conventional histology, histochemistry, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray tomography. The results showed the diversity of cells in the AnG and the detailed organization of the labyrinth's tubule into four radiated areas from the central to peripheral zones. The study also demonstrated the expression of some vertebrate kidney-associated homolog genes, aquaporin (AQP), solute carrier family 22 (SLC-22), nephrin, and uromodulin, in the AnG by qPCR. The result of in situ hybridization further showed the localization of SLC-22 and AQP transcript in the bladder and labyrinth's epithelium, specifically in regions 2, 3, and 4. Additionally, the study revealed neuropeptide expressions in the AnG by qPCR and in situ hybridization, i.e., crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH) and molt inhibiting hormone (MIH), implying that the AnG may have a role in hormone production. Moreover, male and female prawns exhibited different levels of AQP, SLC-22, nephrin, and CHH expressions during the premolt and intermolt stages, suggesting a crucial role relevant to the molting stages. In conclusion, this study clarified the complex structure of the AnG in M. rosenbergii and demonstrated for the first time the expression of vertebrate kidney-associated genes and the possible endocrine role of the AnG. Further investigation is needed to clarify the role of these genes, particularly during ecdysis. The implications of these findings could significantly advance our understanding of the AnG in decapod crustaceans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transparent, flexible, and high-performance triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) from nature-derived materials are required for sustainable society development. However, low triboelectricity from natural material is generally observed. Tunable electronic band diagram (EBD) through facile manipulation is one of the efficient methods to promote the TENG output, requiring fundamental, in depth understanding. Herein, we employed the high quality, single crystal-like Ti2NbO7 nanosheets (NSs) with dual dielectric and semiconducting properties as filler for bacterial cellulose (BC)-based TENG. Several techniques including X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), ultraviolet—visible (UV—vis) absorption, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and synchrotron radiation X-ray tomographic microscopy (SRXTM) were applied to characterize the long-range structure, microstructure, optical properties, elemental composition, and three-dimensional (3D) distribution of components in the composites. The semi-transparent and flexible 5 vol.% Ti2NbO7 NSs/BC preserved the integrity of cellulose, contained well-dispersed nanosheets, reduced optical band gap (4.20 vs. 5.75 eV for BC), and increased surface roughness. The dielectric permittivity and conductivity increased with nanosheets content. Adding negatively-charged Ti2NbO7 NSs could regulate the charge affinity of BC composite via shifting of Fermi energy over that of Al. It is found that adding 5 vol.% NSs into the BC film improved electrical outputs (~ 36 V and ~ 8.8 µA), which are 2–4 times higher than that of pure BC, even when paired with Al which lies adjacent in triboelectric series. Our work demonstrated the method to enhance BC-based TENG performance through EBD regulation using multifunctional Ti2NbO7 NSs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A bio -renewable polyisoprene obtained from Hevea Brasiliensis was used to produce functionalised carbon composite foam as an adsorbent for heavy metal ions. Functionalised carbon materials (C-SO3H, C-COOH, or C-NH2) derived from coconut shell waste were prepared via a hydrothermal treatment. Scanning electron microscopy images showed that the functionalised carbon particles had spherical shapes with rough surfaces. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed that the functional groups were successfully functionalised over the carbon surface. The foaming process allowed for the addition of carbon (up to seven parts per hundred of rubber) to the high ammonia natural rubber latex. The composite foams had open pore structures with good dispersion of the functionalised carbon. The foam performance on copper ion adsorption has been investigated with regard to their functional group and adsorption conditions. The carbon foams achieved maximum Cu(II) adsorption at 56.5 mg g foam - 1 for C-SO3H, 55.7 mg g foam - 1 for C-COOH, and 41.9 mg g foam - 1 for C-NH2, and the adsorption behaviour followed a pseudo-second order kinetics model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypertension and osteoporosis are the major non-communicable diseases in the elderly worldwide. Although clinical studies reported that hypertensive patients experienced significant bone loss and likelihood of fracture, the causal relationship between hypertension and osteoporosis has been elusive due to other confounding factors associated with these diseases. In this study, spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were used to address this relationship and further explored the biophysical properties and the underlying mechanisms. Long bones of the hind limbs from 18-week-old female SHR were subjected to determination of bone mineral density (BMD) and their mechanical properties. Using synchrotron radiation X-ray tomographic microscopy (SRXTM), femoral heads of SHR displayed marked increase in porosity within trabecular area together with decrease in cortical thickness. The volumetric micro-computed tomography also demonstrated significant decreases in trabecular BMD, cortical thickness and total cross-sectional area of the long bones. These changes also led to susceptibility of the long bones to fracture indicated by marked decreases in yield load, stiffness and maximum load using three-point bending tests. At the cellular mechanism, an increase in the expression of osteoclastogenic markers with decrease in the expression of alkaline phosphatase was found in primary osteoblast-enriched cultures isolated from long bones of these SHR suggesting an imbalance in bone remodeling. Taken together, defective bone mass and strength in hypertensive rats were likely due to excessive bone resorption. Development of novel therapeutic interventions that concomitantly target hypertension and osteoporosis should be helpful in reduction of unwanted outcomes, such as bone fractures, in elderly patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]