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This study reports the pair distribution function (PDF) analysis of combined wide‐ and small‐angle X‐ray scattering (WAXS/SAXS) profiles of poly(styrene sulfonic acid) (PSSA) grafted poly(ethylene‐co‐tetrafluoroethylene) polymer electrolyte membranes (ETFE‐PEMs) within a wide grafting degree (GD) of 0%–117%. The PDF analysis of WAXS profiles (from Cu‐Kα1 radiation) provides a measure in size of the crystallite domains (5.1–8.7 nm). The extension of the PDF analysis for only SAXS profiles shows the distances of crystallite layers of 25.1–32 nm. In particular, SAXS‐PDF analysis is effective in showing the existence of newly generated graft domains with distances ≈60–64 nm, which can not be determined previously by the conventional SAXS analysis. The high similarity in local and higher‐order structures observed for polystyrene grafted ETFE films and ETFE‐PEMs suggests that the hierarchical structures including the spatial arrangement of large amorphous contents in the membranes can be determined at the graft polymerization step. Note that the presence of newly generated PSSA graft domains at large dimension can explain well the comparable or higher proton conductivity of ETFE‐PEMs as compared with commercial Nafion membrane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Following the trend of green and sustainable development, multi‐application materials utilizing biomass waste have been developed, leading that trend is carbon aerogel (CA). In this study, zinc oxide‐doped CA was synthesized from bagasse cellulose (Zn‐BCA) through simple processes: Cross‐linking to form a sol–gel system, freeze‐drying, and pyrolysis. To synthesize suitable materials, precursor and crosslinking ratios, the content of Zn2+, and pyrolysis temperature in N2 were investigated. The characteristics of ZnO were investigated through modern methods: Scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy. The dye adsorption capacity of Zn‐BCA was evaluated through the UV–Vis method. Furthermore, the electrochemical properties are shown through cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge‐discharge, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results, and glucose sensing results were obtained through linear sweep voltammetry. RESULTS: Zn‐BCA shows potential for multiple applications with crystal violet pigment adsorption capacity up to 39 mg/g, specific capacitance reaching 164 F/g, and glucose sensing capabilities. CONCLUSION: Thus, Zn‐BCA shows wide applicability in adsorbents and electrode materials, in addition to using bagasse biomass as green precursor to synthesize materials. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A theoretical approach to quantitatively determine the photothermally driven enhancement of molecular mobility of graphene‐indomethacin mixtures under infrared laser irradiation is proposed. Graphene plasmons absorb incident electromagnetic energy and dissipate them into heat. The absorbed energy depends on optical properties of graphene plasmons, which are sensitive to structural parameters, and concentration of plasmonic nanostructures. By using theoretical modelling, temperature gradients of the bulk drug with different concentrations of graphene plasmons are calculated. From these, the temperature dependence of structural molecular relaxation and diffusion of indomethacin are determined and how the heating process significantly enhances the drug mobility is found out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the supercritical CO2 extraction methodology was utilized to extract triterpenoids from Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum). Box‐Behnken experimental design was employed in order to optimize the extraction conditions. Results showed that the highest triterpenoid content of 4.122±0.09 mg/g could be obtained under extraction conditions including pressure of 312 bar, temperature of 53 °C, solvent‐to‐sample ratio 1.74 mL/g, and time of 120 min. The extract was analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry, and scanning electron microscopy to confirm the support of the supercritical CO2 in disrupting the cell walls of G. lucidum. The 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging was carried out for the antioxidant evaluation. The antibacterial properties of the extract were evaluated against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella enterica with inhibition zone of 21.33, 21.67, 23.67, and 14.00 mm, respectively. Furthermore, the extract was able to suppress the development of hepatocellular carcinoma, breast carcinoma, and epidermic carcinoma the half‐maximal inhibitory concentration values of 50.32, 75.34, and 113.16 μg/mL, respectively. Therefore, the present investigation demonstrates the potential use of G. lucidum, which is high in triterpenoid in the manufacture of functional foods, health promotion, against bacterial infections, and cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical properties of the pressure‐induced activation volume and dynamic decoupling of ternidazole, glycerol, and probucol by the elastically collective nonlinear Langevin equation theory is theoretically investigated. Based on the predicted temperature dependence of activated relaxation under various compressions, the activation volume is determined to characterize effects of pressure on molecular dynamics of materials. It is found that the decoupling of the structural relaxation time of compressed systems from their bulk uncompressed value is governed by the power‐law rule. The decoupling exponent exponentially grows with pressure below 2 GPa. The decoupling exponent and activation volume are intercorrelated and have a connection with the differential activation free energy. Relationships among these quantities are analyzed numerically and mathematically to explain many results in previous experiments and simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The temperature dependence of the reversible structural relaxation time and diffusion constant of metallic glasses under pressure is theoretically investigated. The compression not only changes the glassy dynamics, but also generates a metastable state along with a higher‐energy state where the system can rejuvenate. The relaxation times for forward and backward transitions in this two‐state system are nearly identical and much faster than the relaxation time without accounting for barrier recrossing. At ambient pressure, the expected irreversible relaxation process is recovered, and the numerical results agree well with prior experimental results. An increase in pressure has a minor effect on the relaxation time and diffusion constant that one computes without considering the influence of the metastable state, but it leads to a large reduction of the reversible relaxation time computed upon considering the metastable state. The presence of external compression is also shown to trigger a fragile‐to‐strong crossover in metallic glasses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, to investigate the extraction of triterpenoids from the Vietnamese red G. lucidum by ultrasound‐assisted extraction (UAE) method using ethanol as a solvent, the determination of the four single factors influence on the triterpenoid content including liquid‐to‐solid ratio, extraction power, extraction temperature, and extraction time was carried out for the performance of experiments on simultaneous effects by Central Composite design. The results showed that based on ultraviolet‐visible spectroscopy analysis, the highest yield of triterpenoids could be achieved with value of 18.3751 mg/g under optimal extraction conditions including extraction time of 60 min, ultrasonic power of 360 W, liquid‐to‐solid ratio of 38 : 1 mL/g, and ultrasonic temperature of 48 °C. To determine the characteristics of the obtained extract, the Gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry, the Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, and the thermogravimetric analyzer were employed in this study. Besides, for antioxidant capacity evaluation, the DPPH free radical scavenging assay, H2O2 scavenging assay, and the ABTS radical cation decolorization assay were carried out whereas the anticancer evaluation results denoted the potential for anticancer agents of G. lucidum extract. Therefore, it could be concluded that UAE is a promising method for triterpenoid extraction with antioxidant properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: Cryptococcal meningitis has fatality rates of 40%‐70%, resulting in 200 000 deaths each year. The best outcomes are achieved with amphotericin combined with flucytosine but flucytosine is expensive and unavailable where most disease occurs. More effective and affordable treatments are needed. Tamoxifen, a selective oestrogen receptor modulator frequently indicated for breast cancer, has been found to have synergistic activity against the Cryptococcus neoformans type strain when combined with amphotericin or fluconazole. It is cheap, off‐licence, widely available and well‐tolerated, and thus a pragmatic potential treatment for cryptococcal disease. Objectives: We wanted to determine the susceptibility of clinical isolates of C. neoformans to tamoxifen alone and in combination with other antifungals, to determine whether there is sufficient evidence of activity to justify a clinical trial. Methods: We used the CLSI broth microdilution protocol to test the susceptibility of 30 randomly selected clinical isolates of C. neoformans to tamoxifen, in dual combination with amphotericin, fluconazole or flucytosine, and in triple combination with amphotericin and fluconazole. Evidence of drug interactions was assessed using the fractional inhibitory concentration index. Results: The MIC50 and MIC90 of tamoxifen were 4 and 16 mg/L, respectively. The combination of tamoxifen and amphotericin suggested a synergistic interaction in 20 of 30 (67%) isolates. There was no interaction between tamoxifen and either fluconazole or flucytosine. Synergy was maintained in 3‐Dimensional chequerboard testing. There was no evidence of antagonism. Conclusions: Tamoxifen may be a useful addition to treatment with amphotericin and fluconazole for cryptococcal meningitis; a trial is justified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anti-inflammatory and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) transactivational effects of nine compounds (1 − 9) from the roots of Sophora flavescens were evaluated using NF- κB-luciferase, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, peroxisome proliferator response element (PPRE)-luciferase, and GAL-4-PPAR chimera assays. Compounds 4 and 8 significantly inhibited TNFα-induced NF- κB transcriptional activity in HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner, with IC50 values of 4.0 and 4.4 μM, respectively. Furthermore, the transcriptional inhibitory function of these compounds was confirmed by a decrease in cyclooxgenase 2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase gene expression levels in HepG2 cells. Compounds 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, and 9 significantly activated the transcription of PPARs in a dose-dependent manner, with EC50 values ranging from 1.1 to 13.0 μM. Compounds 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, and 9 exhibited dose-dependent PPARα transactivational activity, with EC50 values in a range of 0.9 − 16.0 μM. Compounds 1, 3, 8, and 9 also significantly upregulated PPAR γ activity in a dose-dependent manner, with EC50 values of 10.5, 6.6, 15.7, and 1.6 μM, whereas compounds 1, 8, and 9 demonstrated transactivational PPAR β(δ) effects with EC50 values of 11.4, 10.3, and 1.5 μM, respectively. These results provide a scientific rationale for the use of the roots of S. flavescens and warrant further studies to develop new agents for the prevention and treatment of inflammatory and metabolic diseases. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

bstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel wireless sensor for the detection of food quality is presented. The main idea is to transform radio frequency identification (RFID) tags into RFID sensors, owing to a specific design of the tag antenna. From knowledge of the variation of the permittivity of food over time through experimental characterisation, it is possible to detect the time from which the food becomes improper for consumption based on the read-range measurement of the designed sensing tags. This low-cost ultra-high frequency (UHF) RFID passive sensor was designed and experimentally tested on plastic-film-wrapped beef meat. The overall agreement between the experimental and simulation results shows the potential of this technique for real-world applications in food traceability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel wireless sensor for the detection of food quality is presented. The main idea is to transform radio frequency identification (RFID) tags into RFID sensors, owing to a specific design of the tag antenna. From knowledge of the variation of the permittivity of food over time through experimental characterisation, it is possible to detect the time from which the food becomes improper for consumption based on the read‐range measurement of the designed sensing tags. This low‐cost ultra‐high frequency (UHF) RFID passive sensor was designed and experimentally tested on plastic‐film‐wrapped beef meat. The overall agreement between the experimental and simulation results shows the potential of this technique for real‐world applications in food traceability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new tanzawaic acid derivative, 2E,4Z-tanzawaic acid D (I), is isolated along with four known analogues from the marine-derived fungus Penicillium sp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose/objectives: Online educational materials are growing in use, and dental students worldwide can benefit from higher quality and more accessible online supplemental resources. This study was created to evaluate the learning resources non-English speaking dental students desire and to pilot My Dental Key (MDK), an English, evidence-based, online dental educational platform., Methods: Third to sixth year dental students at the Huế University of Medicine and Pharmacy were asked to pilot MDK over a 5-week period and were invited to answer three surveys throughout the study. A preliminary survey was given to gauge the participants' (n = 209) preferences regarding the use of English-based dental educational resources. Participants (n = 58) completed a presurvey prior to accessing MDK. After the 5-week period, participants (n = 38) were given a postsurvey to evaluate the platform's effectiveness as a supplemental educational resource., Results: Overall, we found that: (1) students desire credible online supplemental resources in addition to current resources provided by their school, (2) the multimodal content that MDK provides is a strength that bridges language barriers (3) participants perceived that the content on MDK would help them in class and when treating patients., Conclusions: Improving the quality of online supplemental dental resources will have the capability to progress the current educational landscape, and further resources should be created to best serve the global dental community., (© 2022 American Dental Education Association.)