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Neodymium-doped Zn-Al layered double hydroxide (Nd/Zn-AlLDH) with excellent photocatalytic activityis prepared by aone-step hydrothermalmethod. The morphology and physicochemical properties ofas-synthesized photocatalystswere wellanalyzed bythe following techniques,(FT-IR),(XRD),(SEM), (TEM), photoluminescence (PL), UV-diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-DRS), and BET surface analysis. Doping of Zn-Al LDH with Nd3+enhances the overall catalytic activity of the nanocomposite, like better electron-hole pair separation, increase in interplanar distance, fast electron transfer, and large surface area. The as-prepared nanocomposite showsexcellent degradation of three different dyes under visible light irradiation.The degradation efficiency of these dyes follows the order CongoRed>Rose Bengal> Fast Green, respectively.Furthermore, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) is employed to propose a possible photocatalytic degradation pathway forCongo Red and Rose Bengal dyesbyNd/Zn-Al LDH. With the help of radical trapping experiments, it has been revealed that during the photoexcitation process, the primary reactive intermediates are hydroxyl radicals.

Excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the ensuing oxidative stress are instrumental in all phases of atherosclerosis. Despite the major achievements in understanding the regulatory pathways and molecular sources of ROS in the vasculature, the specific detection and quantification of ROS in experimental models of disease remain a challenge. We aimed to develop a reliable and straightforward imaging procedure to interrogate the ROS overproduction in the vasculature and in various organs/tissues in atherosclerosis. To this purpose, the cell-impermeant ROS Brite™ 700 (RB700) probe that produces bright near-infrared fluorescence upon ROS oxidation was encapsulated into VCAM-1-targeted, sterically stabilized liposomes (VLp). Cultured human endothelial cells (EC) and macrophages (Mac) were used for in vitro experiments. C57BL6/J and ApoE-/- mice were randomized to receive normal or high-fat, cholesterol-rich diet for 10 or 32 weeks. The mice received a retroorbital injection with fluorescent tagged VLp incorporating RB700 (VLp-RB700). After two hours, the specific signals of the oxidized RB700 and 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-(7-nitro-2-1,3-benzoxadiazol-4-yl) (NBD-DSPE), inserted into liposome bilayers, were measured ex vivo in the mouse aorta and various organs by high-resolution fluorescent imaging. VLp-RB700 was efficiently taken up by cultured human EC and Mac, as confirmed by fluorescence microscopy and spectrofluorimetry. After systemic administration in atherosclerotic ApoE-/- mice, VLp-RB700 were efficiently concentrated at the sites of aortic lesions, as indicated by the augmented NBD fluorescence. Significant increases in oxidized RB700 signal were detected in the aorta and in the liver and kidney of atherosclerotic ApoE-/- mice. RB700 encapsulation into sterically stabilized VCAM-1-sensitive Lp could be a novel strategy for the qualitative and quantitative detection of ROS in the vasculature and various organs and tissues in animal models of disease. The accurate and precise detection of ROS in experimental models of disease could ease the translation of the results to human pathologies.

The RxAc drug loaded on Tween80-chitosan-TPP nanoparticles (NRxAc) has been characterized and probed by UV-Vis, PXRD, FTIR, DLS and SEM technique. The physicochemical characteristics of NRxAc have been employed and evaluated for formulation of drug, particle size, external morphology, drug content and in vitro drug release. Multi-spectroscopic (i.e. fluorescence, UV-Vis, CD spectroscopy) and molecular docking techniques were also used to study the interaction of BSA with RxAc and NRxAc. RxAc and NRxAc quenched the fluorescence emission of BSA via a static quenching mechanism. The experimental data of Fluorescence demonstrated that the binding constant of RxAc and NRxAc were found around 104 L.mol-1, which suggests moderate binding affinity with BSA via hydrophobic forces. Through the site marker displacement experiments and molecular docking, the probable binding location of RxAc and NRxAc has been suggested in subdomain IB (site III) of BSA. Altogether, the results of present study can provide an important insight and a great deal of helpful information for future design of antiulcer drugs. Hence, The RxAc-loaded chitosan nanoparticles produced might be utilized as a successful tool for developing and using antiulcer drugs.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Currently, the issues related to environmental pollution with plastics are a major concern. Agriculture is a vital area forhuman existence, but it generates large amounts of plastic waste. These result from agricultural practices that usesystems and support materials which help facilitate the work of farmers and offer a better yield of production and qualityof crops, in relation to the smaller areas of agricultural land. An alternative can be the use of sustainable textiles thatcan bring multiple benefits to the agricultural sector, including: pollution reduction, biodegradation potential, reducedconsumption of agricultural inputs like pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers and water, high retention potential for water andgood ventilation, increased productivity and quality for the agricultural crops, etc.First of all, this paper discusses the potential use of bio-based and eco-friendly polymers, such as polylactic acid (PLA),in the form of fibres for the production of non-woven textile structures that can be used as a support element inagricultural practices and for the replacement of conventional plastics obtained from oil resources. Secondly, consideringthe advantage of the biodegradation property of this material, the durability and the influence of the location depth in adegrading natural environment such as soil, were the target of experiments to highlight the positive aspects of polylacticacid use in the context of the circular economy. To demonstrate the proposed objectives, different physico-mechanicalanalyses were performed to determine the morphological characteristics of the fibres, the tensile strength, the materialthickness and the possible loss of mass due to microbial activity.

Objective: To qualitative and quantitatively review published literature assessing the oxidative stress marker malondialdehyde (MDA) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Methodology: Pubmed (MeSH), Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science, Willey Online Library, Cochrane, and Cross Reference were searched for studies assessing MDA levels in OSCC samples. Results: From the 1008 articles identified, 849 were excluded based on title and abstract screening due to duplication and irrelevance to the topic of interest. Full-text assessment of the remaining 159 articles led to the inclusion of only 46 articles that satisfied the selection criteria. Of these, only 26 studies had data compatible for quantitative analysis. The MDA levels in OSCC groups are significantly increased (p < 0.00001) in plasma, serum, and saliva samples in the majority of the studies evaluated. In contrast, MDA levels in OSCC tissue samples are significantly attenuated (p < 0.00001) compared to healthy controls, supported by fewer studies. Conclusions: The augmented MDA levels in plasma, serum, and saliva samples of the OSCC reflect the heightened oxidative stress level accurately. Further studies are required to understand the attenuated MDA levels in the tissue samples of OSCC. Correlation analysis between MDA levels with established clinicopathological prognostic markers could aid in formulating oxidative stress-based prognostication and treatment planning.

The paper presents a set of comparative tests to evaluate the inhibitory effect of crystal violet on the respiration rate of microorganisms in conventional activated sludge and aerobic granular sludge. The tests were performed in similar conditions with the only variable of the type of sludge tested. The results emphasized that the aerobic granular sludge is less susceptible to the toxicity induced by crystal violet. The concentration of crystal violet that inhibits by 50% (CE50) the respiration rate of sludge microorganisms was determined to be, for the specific test conditions, 22.39 mg/L for the conventional activated sludge and 33.88 mg/L for the aerobic granular sludge. The paper also assesses the biodegradability potential of crystal violet from aqueous solution, in the presence of sodium acetate as co-substrate in a lab-scale sequential biological reactor with aerobic granular sludge. The experiments showed that most of the crystal violet is being initially absorbed in the matrix of the granules during the first minutes and subsequently is being removed with efficiencies above 95% within a treatment cycle of 8 hours.

A human intoxication incident attributed to pesticide abuse was investigated using cutting-edge analytical methodologies. An LC-ESI-MS/MS method, based on a hybrid solid-phase extraction protocol (hybrid-SPE), was applied for the detection and quantification of several pesticides and metabolites in human biological fluids. Concomitantly, an UHPLC-HRMS method was applied to investigate potential metabolites, assisted by a complementary GC-MS method to elucidate the presence of plausible pesticides co-formulants. The LC-ESI-MS/MS method exhibited acceptable mean recoveries at the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) and three additional levels, varying from 85 to 106% for all analytes and matrices. In serum, urine, and gastric fluid samples, the suspect compounds, namely chlorpyrifos and myclobutanil, predominated. Gastric fluid samples contained the highest concentrations of chlorpyrifos (39,800 ng/mL) and myclobutanil (18,800 ng/mL), while the neonicotinoid imidacloprid was also quantified, below 30 ng/mL. Notwithstanding, the UHPLC-HRMS analysis unveiled several metabolites of chlorpyrifos and myclobutanil. In parallel, GC-MS analysis, corroborated the presence of several co-formulants in gastric fluid samples, exemplified by m- and o-xylene, and cyclohexanone. Overall, three analytical methods were implemented to elucidate the chemical causality of a human intoxication incident. The presence of suspected active substances, one additional, and several metabolites and co-formulants were documented.

The aim of this study was to develop an electrochemical procedure for the advanced detection of tetracycline (TC) in water using CoAl2O4 dispersed onto carbon nanofiber-epoxy composite electrode substrate, which was selected from a series of tested carbon-based electrode substrates, i.e., commercial glassy-carbon and boron-doped diamond electrodes and home-made carbon nanotubeepoxy and carbon nanofiber-epoxy composites. Carbon nanofiber-epoxy composite electrode was found the best host for CoAl2O4 modifier based on the electrocatalytic effect towards TC oxidation and detection using cyclic voltammetry (CV) technique. The electrochemical techniques applied for electrochemical detection applications were CV, differential-pulse voltammetry (DPV), square-wave voltammetry (SWV) and chronoamperometry (CA). All the tested electrochemical techniques allowed TC determination and the electroanalytical parameters varied related to the technique type. DPV operated at the step potential of 50 mV and the modulation amplitude of 200 mV allowed the lowest limit of detection of 9 nM for TC determination. The recovery test applied for real surface water spiked with known TC concentrations among the reproducibility and the repeatability showed the great potential for the advanced quantitative determination of TC in real water or in pharmaceutical formulations.

High normal blood pressure (HNBP) is associated with an increased risk of incident high blood pressure (HBP) and of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). To estimate the prevalence of HNBP and related cardiovascular risk factors, a representative sample of 1970 Romanian adults was enrolled in SEPHAR III survey (Study for the Evaluation of Prevalence of Hypertension and Cardiovascular Risk in Romania). All were evaluated for blood pressure values and by a 71-item questionnaire, anthropometric measurements, together with extensive evaluation for target organ damage, blood, and urine sample collection. Prevalence of HNBP was 11% [45.1% had HBP, 43.9% normal BP (NBP)]. HNBP individuals were older (51.14 ± 17.13 years) than subjects with NBP (40.5 ± 15.96 years) but younger than those with HBP (55.79 ± 15.68 years), p < 0.0001 (95% CI 18-85, respectively 18-91). Values of weight, waist circumference, body mass index, total and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), uric acid, serum creatinine, glomerular filtration rate estimate by CKD-EPI equation, urinary albumin to creatinine ratio, intimae-media thickness, arterial stiffness measurements and diastolic dysfunction, indexed left ventricular mass, interventricular septum and posterior left ventricle wall thickness, left atrial volume, and LA dilatation were significantly higher in HNBP subjects than in NBP. Our study showed that individuals with HNBP represent ~11% and most of them had an elevated total cardiovascular risk. It is essential to educate the public and health care providers to be aware of these individuals and of steps that should be taken to treat modifiable cardiovascular risk factors.

Smoking is a major global public health problem, a trigger for chronic diseases and a significant preventable risk factor of global death. Smoking represents a major cardiovascular risk factor for adults, but the effect of passive smoking in children is not well established. The study evaluated the relationship between serum biomarkers such as lipids, cholesterol, triglycerides and passive smoking in children. We noticed that passive smoking creates alterations in HDL-cholesterol which decreased significantly in the presence of passive smoking.

In this paper, we report the synthesis of different silica materials via the acid-catalyzed sol–gel process at room temperature (25°C), using silane precursors with various alkyl chains (dimethyl, octyl and/or hexadecyl), in order to obtain thin films with anti-reflective and hydrophobic properties. Chemical, optical and structural properties of obtained silica materials were thoroughly characterized with various techniques such as FTIR and UV–Vis spectroscopy, AFM analysis, ellipsometric measurements, ESEM and TEM microscopy. Wettability of thin films was evaluated by water contact angle measurements. FTIR spectra of silica materials revealed that the intensity of the Si–O–Si characteristic bands varies depending on the precursor type. From AFM results, we found that the obtained films present a different microstructure as a function of the silica sol formulations. The hydrophobic character of the thin films increases with increasing the length of the hydrophobic chains following the order: dimethyl

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common conditions worldwide that targets the liver parenchyma. NAFLD represents an intrahepatic triglyceride accumulation in the absence of excessive alcohol consumption and other diseases that affect the liver parenchyma. The current “gold standard” for evaluating the amount of intrahepatic fat is represented by liver biopsy, but many patients are reluctant and hardly accept undergoing this procedure due to its invasive nature. The current study addresses this aspect by evaluating the reliability of liver magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in diagnosing NAFLD, compared to the traditional invasive liver biopsy. The present study included a total of 38 patients based on several well-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. We used the same NAFLD grading system for both liver MRS and liver biopsy: grade 0: 66% hepatocytes are affected. Regarding the NAFLD grade, over three-quarters of patients were classified as grade I and grade II, with a strong predilection for men. The current results indicated a significant association between the NAFLD grade indicated by liver MRS and the NAFLD grade indicated by liver biopsy. At the end of our study, we recommend using liver MRS for evaluating and grading NAFLD in association with other parameters like serum triglycerides and body mass index grade as this protocol can enhance early detection and provide an accurate grading that will lead to a proper management of this disease.

In recent years, escitalopram (ESC) has been suggested to have different mechanisms of action beyond its well known selective serotonin reuptake inhibition. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of escitalopram on oxidative stress, apoptosis, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), Methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2), and oligodendrocytes number in the brain of chronic unpredictable mild stress-induced depressed rats. The animals were randomised in four groups (8 in each group): control, stress, stress + ESC 5 and stress + ESC 5/10. ESC was administered for 42 days in a fixed dose (5 mg/kg b.w.) or in an up-titration regimen (21 days ESC 5 mg/kg b.w. then 21 days ESC 10 mg/kg b.w.). Sucrose preference test (SPT) and elevated plus maze (EPM) were also performed. ESC improved the percentage of sucrose preference, locomotion and anxiety. ESC5/10 reduced the oxidative damage in the hippocampus and improved the antioxidant defence in the hippocampus and frontal lobe. ESC5/10 lowered caspase 3 activity in the hippocampus. Escitalopram had a modulatory effect on BDNF and the number of oligodendrocytes in the hippocampus and frontal lobe and also improved the MeCP2 expressions. The results confirm the multiple pathways implicated in the pathogenesis of depression and suggest that escitalopram exerts an antidepressant effect via different intricate mechanisms.

Salt diapirism is often associated with potential hydrocarbon energy resources, and detecting active diapirs can strongly affect the prospect to discover new gas and oilfields. Here we use InSAR techniques as a proxy to evaluate surface deformation in the Diapiric Fold Zone located in the East Carpathians Bend. Significant surface uplift (~ 5 mm/year) is identified in a relatively small region not previously known for the presence of an actively rising salt diapir. Using high-resolution two-dimensional thermomechanical numerical simulations of salt diapirs intrusions, we show that that the observed surface deformation can be induced by a relatively small salt diapir (1–2 km in diameter) rising from an initial salt layer located at 17 Pa s. The best fitting model reveals the presence of a relatively small salt diapir that has not pierced yet the entire sedimentary layer and is located just 1–2 km below the surface.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by up-regulated NADPH oxidase (Nox) contribute to structural-functional alterations of the vascular wall in diabetes. Epigenetic mechanisms, such as histone acetylation, emerged as important regulators of gene expression in cardiovascular disorders. Since their role in diabetes is still elusive we hypothesized that histone deacetylase (HDAC)-dependent mechanisms could mediate vascular Nox overexpression in diabetic conditions. Non-diabetic and streptozotocin-induced diabetic C57BL/6J mice were randomized to receive vehicle or suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA), a pan-HDAC inhibitor. In vitro studies were performed on a human aortic smooth muscle cell (SMC) line. Aortic SMCs typically express Nox1, Nox4, and Nox5 subtypes. HDAC1 and HDAC2 proteins along with Nox1, Nox2, and Nox4 levels were found significantly elevated in the aortas of diabetic mice compared to non-diabetic animals. Treatment of diabetic mice with SAHA mitigated the aortic expression of Nox1, Nox2, and Nox4 subtypes and NADPH-stimulated ROS production. High concentrations of glucose increased HDAC1 and HDAC2 protein levels in cultured SMCs. SAHA significantly reduced the high glucose-induced Nox1/4/5 expression, ROS production, and the formation malondialdehyde-protein adducts in SMCs. Overexpression of HDAC2 up-regulated the Nox1/4/5 gene promoter activities in SMCs. Physical interactions of HDAC1/2 and p300 proteins with Nox1/4/5 promoters were detected at the sites of active transcription. High glucose induced histone H3K27 acetylation enrichment at the promoters of Nox1/4/5 genes in SMCs. The novel data of this study indicate that HDACs mediate vascular Nox up-regulation in diabetes. HDAC inhibition reduces vascular ROS production in experimental diabetes, possibly by a mechanism involving negative regulation of Nox expression., Graphical abstract fx1, Highlights • Histone deacetylase (HDAC) 1 and 2 are up-regulated in the aortas of diabetic mice. • Inhibition of HDAC reduces the expression of Nox in the aortas of diabetic mice. • High glucose induces HDAC1/2 in cultured human aortic smooth muscle cells (SMCs). • HDAC mediates the high glucose-induced Nox expression and ROS production in SMCs. • HDAC1 and 2 proteins physically interact with the Nox1/4/5 gene promoters in SMCs.

The drug binding to protein is an attractive research topic. In order to assess the release of RxAc-CsNPs and their binding with lysozyme under physiological conditions, nanocomposite materials based on chitosan (Cs) and Roxatidine acetate (RxAc) in the presence Tween 80 (Tw80) surfactant were developed. The addition of Tw80 to CsNPs increased RxAc release in vitro. In this work, Stern–Volmer plot and thermodynamic results indicated that the mechanism of Lyz with RxAc and Lyz with RxAc-CsNPs was static mechanism and the main forces in both systems were hydrogen bonding and Van der Waals forces, which indicated that the binding reaction in both systems is spontaneous, exothermic and enthalpically driven. Synchronous fluorescence and CD results indicated that the RxAc and RxAc-CsNPs cause change in the secondary construction of Lyz. It was also found that the addition of Tw80 affects the binding constant of drug with protein. Finally, the molecular docking results have also been in accordance with the results of other techniques. Hence, the developed RxAc loaded Chitosan nanoparticles could be used as an effective strategy for designing and application of the antiulcer drugs. Altogether, the present study can provide an important insight for the future designing of antiulcer drugs.

There have been large developments in the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) industry over the last decade. Although UAV development was mainly for military related use in the beginning and despite there being fear surrounding the release of this technology to the open market for quite a long time, nowadays, there are a variety of applications where UAVs are used extensively, such as in agriculture, infrastructure inspection and monitoring, mobile retranslation relays for communications, etc. One of the weaknesses of electrically propelled UAVs is flight autonomy, there is often a difficult trade-of between the weight of the payload, batteries, and surface to be surveyed that is necessary to determine. There have been many attempts to use photovoltaic cells to increase the flight time for UAVs, however, a reliable solution has not yet been developed. The present paper presents improvements that have been conducted to extend the autonomy of electrically derived UAVs: instead of gluing photovoltaic cells on the wings, the new approach embeds the solar cells into the wing structure as well as develops a new wing that is significantly lighter to compensate for the weight added by the photovoltaic cells. It was demonstrated that by using this approach, a 33% increase in the flight time can be achieved with only one modified wing in a prototype vehicle.

Two paste electrodes based on graphene quantum dots and carbon nanotubes (GRQD/CNT) and one modified with a homoleptic liquid crystalline Cu(I) based coordination complex (Cu/GRQD/CNT) were obtained and morphostructurally and electrochemically characterized in comparison with simple CNT electrode (CNT) for doxorubicine (DOX) detection in aqueous solutions. GRQD/CNT showed the best electroanalytical performance by differential pulse voltammetry technique (DPV). Moreover, applying a preconcentration step prior to detection stage, the lowest limit of detection (1 ng/L) and the highest sensitivity (216,105 µA/mg·L−1) in comparison with reported literature data were obtained. Cu/GRQD/CNT showed good results using multiple pulse amperometry technique (MPA) and a favorable shifting of the potential detection to mitigate potential interferences. Both GRQD-based paste electrodes have a great potential for practical utility in DOX determination in water at trace concentration levels, using GRQD/CNT with DPV and in pharmaceuticals formulations using Cu/GRQD/CNT with MPA.

A preliminary stage in developing numerical simulations of a biological process for wastewater treatment consists in evaluating the kinetic parameters of the studied process. The study shows results obtained by experimental and numerical evaluation of mixed microalgae-bacteria granules kinetical parameters. The results showed that operational parameters modulated the main kinetic parameters of biological processes involved in removal of organic load and nutrients from wastewater such as biomass production coefficient, endogenous decomposition rate, specific peak rate of growth, semisaturation constant, specific rate of nitrification and the specific denitrification speed. These key parameters were determined over time to evaluate the performance of microbial populations in microalgae-bacteria granules in different operational conditions. Tests have been carried out for various wastewater compositions to determine the versatility and adaptability of the technology.

This paper presents the study of workability length and correction time for our own formulas of plaster mortar including traditional natural organic polymers as additives, such as casein, egg and rice. In order to define the natural organic polymers (casein, rice, egg), various tests were carried out for electrical conductivity, turbidity, dissolved solids content, pH and others. The physical and chemical properties of the natural organic polymers were identified and their influence upon the plaster mortar workability was studied paying attention to the technology regarding their putting into work.

The present paper shows the influence of polymer additions (casein, rice, egg) to classical plaster mortars. For the experimental program, we made our own formulas of plaster mortars to which natural organic polymers were introduced as additives; on these mortars the flexural tensile strength, resistance to compression and the adherence to the support layer, according to SR EN. The objective of the paper lies in identifying the natural organic polymer which has the highest impact upon the mechanical characteristics by improving them.

Wild berries are natural sources of bioactive compounds with applications in various fields. In this paper their solubility studies in two different solvents, performed for four different types of ...

Pheochromocytoma is a neuroendocrine tumor characterized by the excessive production of catecholamines (epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine). The diagnosis is suspected due to hypertensive paroxysms, associated with vegetative phenomena, due to the catecholaminergic hypersecretion. Diagnosis involves biochemical tests that reveal elevated levels of catecholamine metabolites (metanephrine and normetanephrine). Functional imaging, such as 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy (123I-MIBG), has increased specificity in identifying the catecholamine-producing tumor and its metastases. The gold-standard treatment for patients with pheochromocytoma is represented by the surgical removal of the tumor. Before surgical resection, it is important to optimize blood pressure and intravascular volume in order to avoid negative hemodynamic events.

Benzocaine drug (BZC) is an active component of various nonprescription drugs and used for numb teething treatments. The interaction of BZC with bovine serum albumin (BSA) has been studied using fluorescence, synchronous fluorescence, UV-Vis, circular dichroism (CD), and molecular docking analysis. The results revealed that BZC has a strong affinity to quench the intrinsic fluorescence of BSA in terms of a static quenching mechanism under physiological conditions. The fluorescence quenching data revealed that the quenching constants are (KSV) 4.10, 3.30, and 2.35 × 104 L mol−1 at 298, 304, and 310 K, respectively. The binding constants (Kb) at three different temperatures (298, 304, and 310 K) were found to be 6.02, 3.72, and 1.10 × 105 L mol−1, respectively. The thermodynamic parameters ∆H° and ∆S° have been estimated to be − 70.67 and − 128.9 J mol−1 K−1, respectively, thereby, indicating that hydrogen bonding and Van der Waals forces play major role in the interaction of BSA–BZC. Moreover, the negative values of ΔG° − 32.30, − 31.50, − 30.68 kJ mol−1 at 298, 304, 310 K, respectively, indicate the spontaneity of the interaction. FRET analysis proved high probability of energy transfer from BSA to the drug molecule. Molecular docking and displacement studies indicated that BZC was bound to the Sudlow’s site II through hydrogen bonding and Van der Waals interactions.

Environmental engineering have a great importance because is dealing with different fields, most important of them being water resource protection. It is well known that natural waters and especially groundwater contain dissolved substances, most of them unharmful for human and animal life, but some of them still potentially harmful. Ground waters containing dissolved arsenic and / or selenium are harmful and not suitable for human an animal life. Selenium represents a human life prerequisite microelement which can become toxic when higher quantities are ingested or accumulated. In comparison arsenic has an acute toxic effect over the human body even when very low quantities are ingested. In both cases the maximum amount were limited by OMS at 10 mg L-1. A new technique was used to produce an ecofriendly composite material by doping graphite with iron oxide, which was used for retention of arsenic and selenium from aqueous solutions. Synthesized material was characterized using SEM, EDX, XRD and DTA. Adsorption capacity and adsorption mechanism were established through equilibrium studies. Maximum adsorption capacity was 400 �g As(V) and 625 �g Se(VI) per gram of adsorbent.

Heavy metals concentration in the soils and sediments has increased worldwide during the last century as a result of the rapid increase in population which combined by an increase in human activity as agriculture, industrial and many other activities. Ten soil and three river sediment samples were collected from 10 main sampling stations at Shatt Al-Hilla River from Sada area to Dora Bridge in Babylon province. The chemical analysis of the sedimentation sample in the laboratory included pH calculation, electrical conductivity (EC) (Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), organic matter (OM), and heavy metals as (Mn, Ni, Cr, Zn, Cu, Co, Pb, Cd, As and Fe). Indirect geochemical background (IGB) of heavy metal was calculated by the iterative 2 standard deviations (SD) method. The results of enrichment factor for heavy metals of the soil and sediment show that the all heavy metals in the studied samples were within Ef

Commercially pure titanium and titanium alloys have been extensively used in materials to reconstruct the facial skeleton in different forms and sizes. There is yet to be a consensus on removing (or not) the plates and screws after osteosynthesis. Our study tries to investigate the adjacent tissues of the titanium plates used in jaw surgery using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Twenty samples of soft tissue surrounding the titanium plates were retrieved 1 year after placement (fracture sites or orthognathic surgery) and were investigated using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. The study found 1.06 ppm titanium in the adjacent soft tissues. Even if there are no clinical signs of the presence of titanium in the soft tissues, our findings suggest that a plate removal is a feasible option for patients to avoid local complications due to titanium migration.

We aimed to assess the prescription trends of combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) in one infectious diseases department and the cost-efficacy (C/E) of different regimens used in treatment-naïve patients. The C/E was assessed with a software application developed by a group of researchers in Spain. The efficacy was already calculated in the application. The costs included the local cost of antiretrovirals and other direct costs specific to our institution. In the software application, the C/E reference regimen was ABC/3TC/DTG. In total, 181 HIV-infected patients were diagnosed and initiated cART during 2015–2019. The proportion of patients treated with integrase-strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI)-based regimens increased from 2015–2018 (54%) to the end of 2019 (81%). The relative C/E ranged from 0.90 to 1.28 for the evaluated INSTI-based regimens. Among INSTI-based regimens, ABC/3TC/DTG and TAF/FTC/EVG/c are the regimens with similar efficacy and relative C/E.

Groundwater pollution is a very common problem worldwide, as it poses a serious threat to both the environment and the economic and social development and consequently generates several types of costs. The analysis of pollution control involves a permanent comparison between pollution costs and the costs associated with various methods of pollution reduction. An environmental policy based on economic instruments is more effective than an environmental policy focused on command and control tools. In this respect, the present paper provides a case study showing how anthropogenic factors such as wastewater, industrial, agricultural, and natural factors are able to change the physical and chemical parameters of groundwater in the study area, thus endangering their quality. In order to monitor the groundwater quality in the region of Dobrudja, an analysis of physico-chemical parameters was performed. The content of heavy metals was analyzed and the health risk index was taken into account and analyzed, in order to set a better correctness of the metal content from the underground waters. Studies on groundwater quality control have shown that, in many parts of the world, water has different degrees of quality depending on the natural and anthropogenic factors acting on the pertaining environment. This is why more attention should be paid to the prevention of groundwater pollution and the immediate remediation of accidents.

In this research work, silica nanoparticles and silica-gentamicin nanostructured solution were synthesized by using the microwave-assisted synthesis, in basic medium, using two silane precursors (tetraethylorthosilicate and octyltriethoxysilane) and the antibiotic (gentamicin sulfate). The prepared materials were characterized through Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, TGA analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) to investigate the morphology and structure. Antimicrobial studies of the silica-gentamicin nanostructured solution versus silica nanoparticles were performed against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli. FTIR spectra showed that the gentamicin has been loaded to the silica nanoparticles. AFM analysis showed that the morphology of the silica-gentamicin nanostructured solution has changed, and agglomerations of particles are present at the surface. Antimicrobial testing, performed using the diffusion method through spot inoculation, indicates that the silica-gentamicin nanostructured solution exhibited activity against the resistant strain. The obtained silica-gentamicin solution can be used as biochemical agent for the prevention and treatment of microorganisms which are deposited on different surfaces (e.g., glass, plastic, ceramic).

Natural products are gaining clinical significance in modern day health care systems to prevent diseases. Bitter melon, a health promoting vegetable, is traditionally used for medical nutrition therapy to cure diabetes but to reap maximum health claims, vigilant control of its substances in diet is crucial as part of curative action for effective diabetes management. In the present research, first phase focused on detection of key bioactive components, i.e., charantin and vicine in different parts of its fruit. In the second phase, normal and hyperglycemic Sprague Dawley rats were fed on skin, flesh and whole fruit of bitter melon at 150 and 300 mg/kg body weight and assessed for diabetes prophylaxis and treatment. The highest amount of charantin (0.16 ± 0.02 mg/g) was recorded in flesh while vicine was present in abundance in whole fruit (0.21 ± 0.01 μg/100 g). In normal rats, bitter melon supplementation was helpful in managing the onset of diabetes. Hyperglycemic rats showed diabetic complications including polydipsia, polyuria, glycosuria, renal hypertrophy and increased glomerular filtration rate. However, bitter melon consumption showed significant improvements in these parameters. The most potent dose was 300 mg/kg whole fruit that resulted in 31.64% lowering of blood glucose level and 27.35% increase in insulin level in hyperglycemic rats.

PFASs (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are highly fluorinated, aliphatic, synthetic compounds with high thermal and chemical stability as well as unique amphiphilic properties which make them ingredients in a range of industrial processes. PFASs have attracted consideration due to their persistence, toxicity and bioaccumulation tendency in the environment. Recently, attention has begun to be addressed to shorter-chain PFASs, such as perfluorohexane sulfonate [PFHxS], apparently less toxic to and more easily eliminated from lab animals. However, short-chain PFASs represent end-products from the transformation of fluorotelomers whose biotic breakdown reactions have not been identified to date. This means that such emergent pollutants will tend to accumulate and persist in ecosystems. Since we are just learning about the interaction between short-chain PFASs and microorganisms, this study reports on the response to PFHxS of two Pseudomonas sp. strains isolated from environmental matrices contaminated by PFASs. The PFHxS bioaccumulation potential of these strains was unveiled by exploiting different physiological conditions as either axenic or mixed cultures under alkanothrofic settings. Moreover, electron microscopy revealed nonorthodox features of the bacterial cells, as a consequence of the stress caused by both organic solvents and PFHxS in the culturing substrate.

α,β-unsaturated carbonyls interfere with numerous plant physiological processes. One mechanism of action is their reactivity toward thiols of metabolites like cysteine and glutathione (GSH). This work aimed at better understanding these interactions. Both 12-oxophytodienoic acid (12-OPDA) and abscisic acid (ABA) conjugated with cysteine. It was found that the reactivity of α,β-unsaturated carbonyls with GSH followed the sequence trans-2-hexenal &lt, 12-OPDA ≈ 12-OPDA-ethylester &lt, 2-cyclopentenone &lt, &lt, methyl vinylketone (MVK). Interestingly, GSH, but not ascorbate (vitamin C), supplementation ameliorated the phytotoxic potential of MVK. In addition, 12-OPDA and 12-OPDA-related conjugated carbonyl compounds interacted with proteins, e.g., with members of the thioredoxin (TRX)-fold family. 12-OPDA modified two cysteinyl residues of chloroplast TRX-f1. The OPDAylated TRX-f1 lost its activity to activate the Calvin–Benson-cycle enzyme fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase). Finally, we show that 12-OPDA interacts with cyclophilin 20-3 (Cyp20-3) non-covalently and affects its peptidyl-prolyl-cis/trans isomerase activity. The results demonstrate the high potential of 12-OPDA as a diverse interactor and cellular regulator and suggest that OPDAylation may occur in plant cells and should be investigated as novel regulatory mechanism.

Newborns admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) require increased attention regarding neurological assessment and monitoring, due to immaturity or certain conditions that occur during the perinatal and neonatal period. Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) following perinatal asphyxia is one of the most studied clinical conditions due to the risk of medium- and long-term neurobehavioral outcome. We studied 43 newborns with HIE, for all 3 degrees of impairment, performed amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) in the first hours of life and collected common laboratory tests, following serum glycemia at admission and creatinine, creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) at admission and in the 3rd day of life. Newborns with mild HIE presented normal aEEG pattern and slightly elevated CK. A total of 80.9% of the newborns with moderate HIE had seizure patterns in aEEG, while among those with severe HIE, 71.4% had seizure patterns in aEEG and 28.5% burst suppression. CK and LDH were mean elevated in those with moderate HIE, and the newborns with severe HIE had also high creatinine values at admission and in the 3rd day of life. Statistically significant differences between the 3 degrees of HIE were noted in terms of creatinine (P=0.009) and CK (P=0.008) at admission and LDH in the 3rd day of life (P=0.036). Hypoglycemia was common in our study group. In conclusion, common blood tests in association with aEEG monitoring and rigorous neurological assessment can predict short-term outcome of HIE and multiorgan dysfunction and can help clinicians predict even long-term outcomes in severe HIE.

CuBi2O4 synthesized by thermolysis of a new Bi(III)-Cu(II) oxalate coordination compound, namely Bi2Cu(C2O4)4·0.25H2O, was tested through its integration within carbon nanofiber paste electrode, namely CuBi/carbon nanofiber (CNF), for the electrochemical detection of amoxicillin (AMX) in the aqueous solution. Thermal analysis and IR spectroscopy were used to characterize a CuBi2O4 precursor to optimize the synthesis conditions. The copper bismuth oxide obtained after a heating treatment of the precursor at 700 °C/1 h was investigated by an X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The electrochemical behavior of CuBi/CNF in comparison with CNF paste electrode showed the electrocatalytic activity of CuBi2O4 toward amoxicillin detection. Two potential detections, with one at the potential value of +0.540 V/saturated calomel electrode (SCE) and the other at the potential value of −1.000 V/SCE, were identified by cyclic voltammetry, which were exploited to develop the enhanced voltammetric and/or amperometric detection protocols. Better electroanalytical performance for AMX detection was achieved for CuBi/CNF using differential-pulsed and square-wave voltammetries than others reported in the literature. Very nice results obtained through anodic and cathodic currents recorded at +0.750 V/SCE and −1.000 V/SCE in the same time period using a pseudo multiple-pulsed amperometry technique showed the great potential of the CuBi/CNF paste electrode for practical applications in amoxicillin detection in aqueous solutions.

Perinatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) represents a major cause of neonatal death or long-term disability. Inflammation plays an important role in mediating brain damage induced by neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. The mechanisms underlying the inflammatory response in hypoxia and ischemia are complex and are still being extensively researched. The objective of this study was to determine the predictive value of peak lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT) and of the evolution of leukocytes, neutrophils and lymphocytes in the first 96 h after birth for the grade of encephalopathy and neurodevelopmental outcome in newborns with HIE. In order to reveal this relationship we used comparisons between the above mention parameters. The observed hematological changes were nonspecific. The vast majority of the 78 newborns included in the study had PCT values above normal in the first 24 h, contrasting with CRP values that were positive in only 15.8% of the patients. A total of 76.9% of the patients had LDH values higher than the upper limit of normal values. The mean LDH values in patients with an unfavorable prognosis were 1,235 U/l. We can conclude that LDH is a good predictor of HIE in the first 12/24 h after birth.

Hydroxyapatite Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2 (HAp) is an important bioactive material for bone tissue reconstruction, due to its highly thermodynamic stability at a physiological pH without bio-resorption. In the present study, the Ag:HAp and the corresponding Ag:HAp + D3 thin films (~200 nm) coating were obtained by vacuum deposition method on Ti substrate. The obtained samples were exposed to different UV irradiation times, in order to investigate the UV light action upon thin films, before considering this method for the thin film&rsquo, s decontamination. The effects of UV irradiation upon Ag:Hap + D3 are presented for the first time in the literature, marking a turning point for understanding the effect of UV light on composite biomaterial thin films. The UV irradiation induced an increase in the initial stages of surface roughness of Ag:HAp thin film, correlated with the modifications of XPS and FTIR signals. The characteristics of thin films measured by AFM (RMS) analysis corroborated with XPS and FTIR investigation highlighted a process of recovery of the thin film&rsquo, s properties (e.g., RMS), suggesting a possible adaptation to UV irradiation. This process has been a stage to a more complicated UVA rapid degradation process. The antifungal assays demonstrated that all the investigated samples exhibited antifungal properties. Moreover, the cytotoxicity assays revealed that the HeLa cells morphology did not show any alterations after 24 h of incubation with the Ag:HAp and Ag:HAp + D3 thin films.

Betulinic acid (BA), a natural compound with various health benefits including selective antitumor activity, has a limited applicability in vivo due to its poor water solubility and bioavailability. Thus, this study focused on obtaining a BA nano-sized formulation with improved solubility and enhanced antitumor activity using silver nanocolloids (SilCo and PEG_SilCo) as drug carriers. The synthesis was performed using a chemical method and the physicochemical characterization was achieved applying UV-Vis absorption, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman and photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS). The biological evaluation was conducted on two in vitro experimental models&mdash, hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) and lung cancer (A549) cell lines. The physicochemical characterization showed the following results: an average hydrodynamic diameter of 32 nm for SilCo_BA and 71 nm for PEG_SilCo_BA, a spherical shape, and a loading capacity of 54.1% for SilCo_BA and 61.9% for PEG_SilCo_BA, respectively. The in vitro assessment revealed a cell type- and time-dependent cytotoxic effect characterized by a decrease in cell viability as follows: (i) SilCo_BA (66.44%) &lt, PEG_SilCo_BA (72.05%) &lt, BA_DMSO (75.30%) in HepG2 cells, and (ii) SilCo_BA (75.28%) &lt, PEG_SilCo_BA (86.80%) &lt, BA_DMSO (87.99%) in A549 cells. The novel silver nanocolloids loaded with BA induced an augmented anticancer effect as compared to BA alone.

Transparent and antireflective coatings were prepared by deposition of modified silica materials onto polyvinyl chloride (PVC) substrates. These materials were obtained by the sol-gel route in acidic medium, at room temperature (25 &deg, C), using different alkoxysilanes with various functional groups (methyl, vinyl, octyl or hexadecyl). Physicochemical and microstructural properties of resulted silica materials and of thin coatings were investigated through Fourier Transforms Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-Vis spectroscopy, Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and ellipsometric measurements. Wetting behaviors of the silica coatings were evaluated by measurement of static contact angle against water. FTIR spectra of materials confirmed the high degree of cross-linking that result from the formation of the inorganic backbone through the hydrolysis and polycondensation reactions together with the formation of the organic network. These sol-gel silica coatings showed a reduction in the reflectance (10%) compared with uncoated PVC substrate. AFM reveals that the films are uniform, and adherent to the substrate, but their morphology is strongly influenced by the chemical composition of the coating matrices. These silica coatings can be useful for potential electronic and optical devices.

Currently, hydroxyapatite is probably the most researched material, due to its multiple applications in medical, environmental, or cultural heritage, when the classical structure is modified and calcium is displaced partially or totally with different metals. By changing the classical structure of the hydroxyapatite, new morphologies can be obtained, thus allowing final applications different from those of the initial hydroxyapatite material. However, their properties should be tuned for the desired application. In this context, the present paper describes the synthesis and characterization (through energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, FTIR, thermal analysis, and transmission electron microscopy) of iron oxide/manganese-containing phosphatic phase composite materials, developed in order to obtain the enhancement of final environmental applications (photodegradation of dyes, adsorption of organic compounds). The composite material was tested for photocatalytic properties, after embedding in hydrosoluble film-forming materials. Photocatalytic coatings show different activity during the photodecomposition of Methylene Blue, used as a model of a contaminant. The photocatalytic activities of the materials were discussed in relationship with both the phosphatic materials and the magnetic components. Finally, other environmental applications were studied for the developed materials (adsorption of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs&mdash, paracetamol and ibuprofen), revealing an enhancement of the adsorption capacity of the phosphatic material upon addition of the magnetic phase.

The aim of this study was to investigate reported cases of honeybee mortality incidents and the potential association to pesticide exposure and to their metabolites. The same honeybee samples were also assessed for Varroa mites, and Nosema microsporidia provoked infections to provide an integrated picture of all observable stressors that may impact bees' survival. Thus, honeybee samples from different areas of Greece (2014–2018) were analyzed for the presence of pesticide residues and metabolites. In this context, an existing LC-ESI-QqQ-MS multiresidue method of analytes of different chemical classes such as neonicotinoids, organophosphates, triazoles, carbamates, was enriched with additional active substances, developed and validated. A complementary GC-EI-QqQ-MS method was also exploited for the same scope covering pyrethroid compounds. Both methods monitored more than 150 active substances and metabolites and presented acceptable linearity over the ranges assayed. The calculated recoveries ranged from 65 to 120% for the three concentration levels, while the precision (RSD%) values ranged between 4 and 15%. Therefore, this approach proved sufficient to act as a monitoring tool for the determination of pesticide residues in cases of suspected honeybee poisoning incidents. From the analysis of 320 samples, the presence of 70 active substances and metabolites was confirmed with concentrations varying from 1.4 ng/g to 166 μg/g. Predominant detections were the acaricide coumaphos, several neonicotinoids exemplified by clothianidin, organophosporous compounds dimethoate and chlorpyrifos, and some pyrethroids. Metabolites of imidacloprid, chlorpyrifos, coumaphos, acetamiprid, fenthion and amitraz were also identified. Concerning Nosema and Varroa they were identified in 27 and 22% of samples examined, respectively, verifying their prevalence and coexistence with pesticides and their metabolites in honeybees.

The strength of the $N=28$ magic number in neutron-rich argon isotopes is examined through high-precision mass measurements of $^{46\text{--}48}\mathrm{Ar}$, performed with the ISOLTRAP mass spectrometer at ISOLDE/CERN. The new mass values are up to 90 times more precise than previous measurements. While they suggest the persistence of the $N=28$ shell closure for argon, we show that this conclusion has to be nuanced in light of the wealth of spectroscopic data and theoretical investigations performed with the SDPF-U phenomenological shell model interaction. Our results are also compared with ab initio calculations using the valence space in-medium similarity renormalization group and the self-consistent Green's function approaches. Both calculations provide a very good account of mass systematics at and around $Z=18$ and, generally, a consistent description of the physics in this region. This combined analysis indicates that $^{46}\mathrm{Ar}$ is the transition between the closed-shell $^{48}\mathrm{Ca}$ and collective $^{44}\mathrm{S}$.

A comparative behavior of inorganic and organic acids as extraction agents for phosphorous extraction from sewage sludge ash provided by a municipal wastewater plant from Timis County, Romania, was studied in this work. The physical-chemical and morphological properties were determined by X-ray diffraction, FTIR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Batch simple extraction experiments with hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid and citric acid were conducted on the sewage sludge ash for phosphorous extraction. The operating conditions for acidic extraction with each acid and combination of sulfuric acid and citric acid were optimized in relation to the acid type, concentration and liquid:solid (LS) ratio. The combination of sulfuric acid and citric acid in volumetric ratio of 0.5 was chosen as optimum extraction agent for phosphorus recovery.

The behaviour of cellulose-based materials in a relatively low gamma dose range (less than 10 kGy) is of interest for the application of ionizing radiation for the preservation of cultural heritage. Different relationships between the absorbed dose and number of scissions or degree of polymerization (DP) were established on a large dose range (over 100 kGy). The significant decrease of DP was confirmed for doses range of interest for cultural heritage preservation, for pure cellulose paper and other sorts of commercial paper. However, other physical properties of the paper have less or no change for irradiation at doses below 10 kGy. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the changes induced by gamma irradiation to the hydrogen bonds structure in cellulose, in a low dose interval, by thermal analysis and infrared spectroscopy. Our results confirm the crosslinking behaviour for Whatman paper at low irradiation doses. A similar behaviour was observed for copy paper but with reduced intensity and higher statistical errors. This behaviour can explain why mechanical resistance of irradiated paper remains unchanged below a certain dose, as previously reported in a number of studies. The carbonyl content shows a continuous increase over the tested dose range but the increase of carbonyl content in Whatman paper at doses lower than 10 kGy is lower than the initial carbonyl content of copy paper. The ionizing radiation treatment for cultural heritage is not nonintrusive in case of paper but the degradation risks are minimal for doses below 10 kGy.