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Halophyte plants and seaweed are described in the literature as rich sources of antioxidant compounds that can be used in the pharmaceutical and food industries. In this work, we studied the antioxidant composition of five species of halophytic plants (Suaeda vera Forssk, Halimione portulacoides L., Inula crithmoides L., Salicornia ramosissima (Hook.f.) J. Woods and Sarcocornia perennis (Mill.) A.J.Scott) and three seaweeds (Gracilaria gracilis (Stackhouse) Steentoft, L.Irvine and Farnham, Fucus spiralis L. and Ulva rigida C. Agardh) collected in Sado Estuary, Portugal. In the case of the plants, different parts of the plant were also assessed. Various extraction procedures were also performed to understand which methods were most suitable for extracting the various antioxidant compounds. Therefore, the aim of this study was to characterize the antioxidant compounds in halophytes and seaweed using various methods (ABTS, DPPH and FRAP), as well as the phenolic (TPC) and flavonoid (TFC) contents in the different extracts obtained. The amount of soluble protein in each extract was also determined. The results show that methanolic extracts generally have a higher antioxidant capacity, while the highest soluble protein content was observed in aqueous extracts. The seaweed Fucus Spiralis showed the highest antioxidant content, while in halophytic plants the highest antioxidant content was detected in the leaves. In general, this work confirms the potential of halophytes and seaweed as sources of antioxidant compounds for use in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Uterine fibroids are the most common tumors in females, affecting up to 70% of women worldwide, yet targeted therapeutic options are limited. Oxidative stress has recently surfaced as a key driver of fibroid pathogenesis and provides insights into hypoxia-induced cell transformation, extracellular matrix pathophysiology, hypoxic cell signaling cascades, and uterine biology. Hypoxia drives fibroid tumorigenesis through (1) promoting myometrial stem cell proliferation, (2) causing DNA damage propelling the transformation of stem cells to tumor-initiating cells, and (3) driving excess extracellular matrix (ECM) production. Common fibroid-associated DNA mutations include MED12 mutations, HMGA2 overexpression, and fumarate hydratase loss of function. Evidence suggests an interaction between hypoxia signaling and these mutations. Fibroid development and growth are promoted by hypoxia-triggered cell signaling via various pathways including HIF-1, TGFβ, and Wnt/β-catenin. Fibroid-associated hypoxia persists due to antioxidant imbalance, ECM accumulation, and growth beyond adequate vascular supply. Current clinically available fibroid treatments do not take advantage of hypoxia-targeting therapies. A growing number of pre-clinical and clinical studies identify ROS inhibitors, anti-HIF-1 agents, Wnt/β-catenin inhibition, and TGFβ cascade inhibitors as agents that may reduce fibroid development and growth through targeting hypoxia.

This review explores the unique structural and functional characteristics of natural products featuring highly oxygenated cyclobutane rings, with a specific focus on oxetane and 1,2-dioxetane motifs. It presents the structures and biological activities of compounds containing these rings, highlighting their contribution to molecular stability and pharmacological potency. Through detailed case studies and recent research findings, it has been demonstrated that these oxygen-rich rings enhance the molecular diversity and biological efficacy of natural products, potentially offering new avenues for drug development. Notably, these compounds are predominantly synthesized by microorganisms and can also be found in extracts from fungi, plants, and certain marine invertebrates. Compounds with oxetane and 1,2-dioxetane rings are primarily noted for their strong antineoplastic properties, among other biological activities. In contrast, most 1,2-dioxetanes exhibit potent antiprotozoal effects. It is important to note that 1,2-dioxetanes often serve as intermediate products in oxidation reactions, characterized by their instability and propensity to decompose into new compounds.

Background: In otorhinolaryngology and head and neck surgery, oxygen is a therapeutic tool used for various pathologies. Oxidative stress is the imbalance between the production of free radicals (ROS) and the antioxidant capacity of the body, which can represent the pathogenesis of several pathologies or contribute to their worsening. This narrative review aims to analyze the benefits, indications, and side effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in different head and neck disorders. Methods: The search was carried out on multiple electronic databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar, and prospective, randomized, and reviewed studies were analyzed from January 1982 to February 2024. Results and Conclusions: The most common tools used to manage oxidative stress in the ear, nose, and throat (ENT) field are continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and HBOT. A common ENT pathology, while the latter can be used for osteoradionecrosis treatment in head and neck cancer patients, infections, malignant external otitis, head and neck reconstruction, facial cosmetic surgery, and among patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss. From our analysis, it emerged that HBOT is a currently used effective therapy in various ENT pathologies’ treatment, alone or in association with other treatments; it can guarantee functional recovery and healing depending on the type of pathology for which it is used and on its severity.

The generation of energy within cells is a fundamental process enabling cell survival, and as such it represents a potential target in cancer therapy. In this article, we therefore review the relative contributions of glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation/mitochondrial function to cancer cell energy generation, and we highlight their respective potential value as chemotherapeutic targets. This article is particularly focussed on the potential role of coenzyme Q10 in the prevention and treatment of cancer.

In this review, in addition to the potential cardiovascular applications of β-blockers and, more specifically, propranolol, we wanted to list the more recent applications in psychiatry as well as current knowledge on the impact of oxidative stress on propranolol hydrochloride and the oxidative stress that could be limited by the latter. In fact, a number of studies show that this molecule is modified by oxidative stress but is also able to limit it. Mention is also made to studies on the increasingly important problem of eliminating drug waste and its impact on the environment, particularly the marine environment. Given the increase in the consumption of medicines, more rigorous waste management is needed to avoid impacting biodiversity.

Hydrogen energy as the alternative to fossil fuel received wide attention. Among different methods of hydrogen production, water electrolysis is the cleanest and most promising method. However, its development is greatly limited by hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) reaction and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) reaction. Therefore, it is very necessary to develop low-cost, high activity, and good stability of non-precious metal catalyst to replace the precious metal catalyst (Pt, RuO2), and to further reduce overpotential and power consumption. To date, great efforts have been made to develop transition metal compounds with electrocatalytic performance, such as sulfides, oxides, and carbides materials. Especially, transition metal sulfides play a very important role as catalysts and have attracted wide attention for their structural adjustability, high abundance, and mild preparation process. In this introduction, we focus on the role of transition metal sulfides in catalysts for water electrolysis, especially in a few most studied sulfides such as cobalt/molybdenum based sulfides and the recently reported homogeneous cobalt-molybdenum based sulfides, in which cobalt acts as a key element. Composition, morphology, and size are the most important factors that influence the intrinsic activity, electrical conductivity, and electronic structure of these transition metal sulfides. Besides, the effect of carbon nanomaterials as carrier materials is also discussed. The aim of this review is to emphasize the great potentials of cobalt and molybdenum based sulfides with high performance, and to help improve the performance of existing sulfides and explore new modification methods.

The detection of mycotoxins is a worldwide issue given their significant effects on both food safety and human health. The European Union (EU) has implemented various measures to address mycotoxin contamination and regulate their levels in food and feed. Given the high toxicity of mycotoxins, it is essential to develop a sensor that is sensitive, selective, and practical for their detection. The electrochemical sensing platforms emerge as a feasible analytical instrument for tackling specificity and sensitivity concerns, owing to its cost-effectiveness, efficiency, and user-friendly nature. The present review outlines a variety of electrochemical sensing platforms that have been developed in recent years for the detection of mycotoxins. Initially, it provides an overview of electrochemical sensors, both nonenzymatic and enzymatic featuring diverse bioreceptors such as immunosensors, aptasensors, and enzymatic sensors, all geared towards detecting mycotoxins. The subsequent section provides further details on electrochemical sensors that are portable, wireless, and compatible with smartphones. In summary, the review sought to offer valuable perspectives on the existing challenges and prospective advancements in electrochemical sensor technology.

Engineers regularly attribute the complexity of constructing parts on or by soils, those do not have sufficient strength to sustain the loads required leading them either all over construction or in the study life of the structure. The more areas of India shows of CH (Inorganic Clay of High Plasticity) clay soil characterized by more small portion, lower shear strength and lesser bearing capability. The unfortunate engineering performances of these soils has enforced Engineers to instrument charge competent and eco-friendly processes for increasing the engineering properties of these soils. As the conservative soil stabilizers like gravel, sand, etc. Are declining and suitable expensive day by day at an extremely quick rate, it becomes necessary to emerge for possible ecological stabilizers as their substitute. In current scenario the various Bio-enzymes have emerged as lesser cost stabilizers for soil stabilization. Bio-enzyme is a common, harmless, non-flammable, noncorrosive liquid enzyme formulation fermented from vegetable forms that creates the engineering behavior of soil, generates more soil compaction densities and more stability. One such Bio-enzyme, Terrazyme, has been applied in the current occupation to study its consequence on Atterberg Limits, Unconfined Compressive strength, and shear strength parameters of a CH soil. It has been confirmed that Terrazyme purifications of CH soil outcome in main development in Unconfined Compressive strength and Shear Strength parameters separately from Index characteristics. The entire characteristics are reliant on remedial time also. There is a specific best concentration for each characteristic in concern and it ranges from 0.2 ​ml/kg and 0.4 ​ml/kg of soil. Although, the more plastic clay soil is get to be addition responsive to Terrazyme purifications.

In recent years, there has been notable progress in the development of perovskite solar cells (PSCs), marked by significant advancements in efficiency, stability, and scalability. Among different device architectures and technical routes, mesoporous perovskite solar cells (MPSCs) based on TiO2/ZrO2/carbon scaffold and screen-printing fabrication process have shown unique advantages for mass production and commercialization due to the low material cost and scalable fabrication process. Through efforts on material optimization, interface engineering, and device design, the power conversion efficiency of MPSCs has steadily increased from the initial 6.64 ​% in 2013 to current 22.22 ​%. Attributing to the screen-printing-based fabrication process, printable mesoscopic PSCs have enabled large-area devices, from mini-modules to modules, and solar panels. In this review, we discuss the development and latest advances of MPSCs, and provide outlooks for further improving the performance of this promising photovoltaic technology.

Additions of copper iodide (CuI), rubidium iodide, or cesium iodide to perovskite precursor solutions accelerated the formation of the photoactive α-phase of formamidinium lead triiodide (FAPbI3) perovskite crystals. In particular, the addition of CuI suppresses the formation of low-dimensional perovskite phases, thereby reducing carrier transport. The first-principles calculations revealed that substituting Cu at the formamidinium site could maintain the effective mass ratios of the α-phase. The CuI addition to FAPbI3 is expected to enhance its photovoltaic properties. Moreover, introducing CuI into perovskite precursor solutions is suggested as a new approach to accelerate the formation of the photoactive α-FAPbI3 phase.

The slow evaporation solution method was employed to synthesize and crystallize zinc chloride doped α-glycine (ZCAG) single crystals. The single crystal X-ray diffraction studies of pure α-glycine single crystals revealed that the structure belong to primitive monoclinic lattice. Powder X-ray diffraction studies of ZCAG showed the well-defined sharp peaks and formation of centrosymmetric structure with space group P21/n. The increase in lattice volume of ZCAG suggested that the access of zinc chloride into the α-glycine crystal and the entry of zinc chloride to the α-glycine crystal was also established from the energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. Fourier transform infrared spectrum of ZCAG revealed that the functional groups of α-glycine was not transformed due to the introduction of zinc chloride into the lattice. The optical transparency of ZCAG was observed in the UV–visible region, and it exhibited a superior transmittance in the visible region. Energy bandgap value was determined and found to changes while increasing the dopant concentration. An emission peak was observed in the violet region from the photoluminescence spectra. The centrosymmetric ZCAG exhibited second harmonic generation efficiency of 1.44 times higher than standard potassium dihydrogen phosphate, possibly due to local non-centrosymmetry in the lattice, which is further augmented by lattice distortion induced by the dopant. Low dielectric constant and loss of the grown ZCAG crystals showed the remarkable application of non-linear optical. The Meyer index indicates that the grown ZCAG are categorized as soft materials.

We report the optimization of the photocatalytic parameters (pH and corona-poling) for Rhodamine B (RhB) dye degradation over Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3 (BNT) nanoparticles under UV–vis light. The BNT nanoparticles were synthesized by the sol-gel method and the XRD analysis confirmed the monoclinic phase structure with Cc space group. No structural distortions were induced by corona-poling, which was confirmed by Raman Spectroscopy. The average size of the nanoparticles was 152 ​nm with irregular morphology as observed by SEM. The optical bandgap of the sample was 3.23 ​eV, as derived from the absorbance spectra of the sample. The optimized conditions achieved for photocatalytic degradation were at a catalyst dosage of 50 ​mg BNT/50 ​mL of 10 ​ppm RhB dye solution and pH value 2. The degradation efficiency of the poled BNT sample for RhB dye at pH value 2 was found to be 96.19 % in just 60 ​min. Complete decolorization was attained after 90 ​min of irradiation. In this process, degradation followed the pseudo-first order kinetics, with a kinetic rate constant of approximately 0.08804 min−1, which is around 27 times higher than the rate constant of BNT nanoparticles with dye. A detailed mechanism for the degradation of dye molecules based on pH and poling effect has also been proposed. Based on these results, BNT photocatalyst can be a promising candidate for the treatment of organic dyes.

For n-i-p typed flexible perovskite solar cells (fPSCs), the doped hole transport layer significantly impacts the devices' long-term stability. Using dopant-free organic hole transport materials (d-HTMs) is promising for stable fPSCs. However, the low conductivity of d-HTMs limited their thickness, making them sensitive to the surface morphology of the perovskite film's upper surface. Here, we report a chemical polishing strategy using 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate (HMIM∙Ac) as the polishing reagent to enhance the upper surface of the perovskite film, which could form a smooth and flat surface. Meanwhile, the treatment can reduce surface defects and smaller grains on top of the surface. Then, we deposite an ultra-thin dopant-free PM6 layer, a typical hole transport layer, on top of the polished perovskite film. The PM6 layer shows an improved face-on orientation and then carrier mobility. Moreover, suppressed non-radiative recombination at the perovskite/PM6 interface is also observed, translating into a higher open-circuit voltage and fill factor of the fPSCs. As a result, a champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 17.76 ​%, with an open-circuit voltage of 1.025 ​V and fill factor of 78.2 ​%, is obtained, which is one of the highest PCEs among the reported fPSCs based on d-HTMs. Our strategy demonstrates a facile but effective way of developing high-efficiency and stable fPSCs for future applications.

Solutions containing hydrofluoric acid (HF), hydrobromic acid (HBr) and bromine (Br2) were investigated as novel acidic, NOx-free mixtures for wet-chemical etching of silicon wafers. HF–Br2-mixtures exhibit isotropic etching behaviour towards silicon, etch rates up to 4.0 ​μm ​min−1 were observed at room temperature, which are higher than the etch rates of commercially used alkaline solutions. HF–HBr–Br2-mixtures show anisotropic etching behaviour, texturing the surface of monocrystalline silicon wafers with random upright or random inverted pyramidal structures. Etch rates up to 2.4 ​μm ​min−1 were observed, the etch rate increases linearly with the concentration of Br2 in the etching solution. Silicon surfaces were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS). The light trapping efficiency of wafers etched by HF–HBr–Br2 solutions was compared to commercially available textured wafers by UV/Vis-reflectivity measurements indicating lower reflectivities for the HF–HBr–Br2-treated samples. A reaction scheme for the anisotropic dissolution of silicon in bromine-containing aqueous HF-solutions is proposed, which involves bromine as oxidizing agent.

The structural, optical, morphological, and catalytic behavior of the spinel cobalt chromite nanoparticles (NPs), which were successfully synthesised using a simple co-precipitation method, are investigated in this work. First, the catalytic performance test was used to determine the ideal doping Sr and doping amounts. The as-prepared sample's face-centered cubic spinel structure is confirmed by the powder X-ray diffraction pattern, and the average crystallite size is determined to be 22–15 ​nm. The prepared material had a structure resembling nanoparticles, and the SEM analysis showed that the size attained was approximately 28–16 ​nm. TEM analysis revealed that the prepared material and sizes had a hexagonal-like structure. DRS and PL spectra were used to determine the optical absorption and photoluminescence emissions, respectively. Decolorization of 4-Nitrophenol's yellow color is another area of interest in the catalytic characteristics of CoCr2O4 crystals doped with Sr. The catalysts employed were discovered to be readily recyclable and effective catalysts for the oxidation of styrene, with benzaldehyde as the end product.

Advanced oxidation processes have attracted considerable attention for wastewater treatment, air purification, CO2 reduction and many more pollution control applications. Environmentally friendly (K0.5Na0.5)NbO3 (abbreviated as 'KNN') is emerging as a lead-free photocatalyst due to its good piezoelectric response and high Curie temperature. In this work, KNN photocatalysts were synthesized by two methods i.e. solid-state and sol-gel routes and abbreviated as KNN-SS and KNN-SG, respectively. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the orthorhombic structure for both the samples. Morphological studies were done using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Average particle size was estimated using ImageJ software which is to be around 1.38 ​μm and 278 ​nm for KNN-SS and KNN-SG samples respectively. Zeta potential measurements estimated the average surface charge on the particles i.e. 67.099 ​mV for KNN-SS and 69.115 ​mV for KNN-SG samples. Tauc’ plot was employed to find the optical bandgap, which was estimated around 3 ​eV for both the samples. Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy confirmed that KNN-SG sample has a lower recombination rate than KNN-SS sample as it exhibited lower emission intensity. Better photocatalytic result of 92.8 ​% degradation of methylene blue dye in just 80 ​min has been observed for KNN-SG sample, indicating smaller particle size causes delayed recombination, which enhances higher photodegradation of the material. Lead-free ferroelectric KNN samples with smaller particle sizes can be a promising candidate for these effluents.

The present manuscript focuses on important aspects regarding TiO2, which is typically used in many applications. On one hand, a thorough review of methods for synthesizing nanostructured TiO2 is presented. Using these methods, and different post-synthesis heat-treatment conditions, close to thirty TiO2 materials have been prepared, and their porous texture and crystalline and amorphous structure have been characterized. In this large number of samples, the porous texture characterization has revealed a high contribution of mesoporosity in a large number of the synthesized materials, being in many materials around 60–70 %. Moreover, different percentages of crystalline phases, anatase, brookite, rutile, and amorphous titania are developed depending on the TiO2 preparation conditions. These fractions have been determined from X-ray diffraction data using the “simple” characterization method reported by Cano-Casanova et al., inspired by Jensen et al., and Bellardita et al., also exploring its limitations. This analysis has allowed assessing a linear relationship between porosity, particularly between the surface area, and the amorphous phase content in titanium dioxide. A relationship had been previously suggested in the literature, but never correlated in such a way. In summary, the present study constitutes a tool to help other researchers select the most suitable method for synthesizing nanostructured TiO2 materials with target properties and, also, to characterize them, and have a very easy and straightforward estimation of TiO2 amorphous phase content after the determination of their surface areas.

This communication describes a highly recyclable, ecologically friendly, ionic liquid catalyst supported by cobalt that is active in the Suzuki-Miyaura reaction at 70 ​°C. To be more precise, the procedure is initiated with a special form of the ecologically safe solvent 3-(2-aminoethyl)-1-methyl-1H-imidazole-3-ium bromide [Aemim]Br. A few benefits of the coupling process include its simplicity of use, broad range of substrate compatibility with high yields, environmental friendliness, high reaction rate, low catalyst loading (0.001 ​mol%), and recyclability (up to 7 cycles).

The sol-gel process was utilized to fabricate SnO2 nanoparticles, both in their pure form and with the addition of Ni dopants. The nanoparticles obtained were further examined to ascertain the characteristics associated with their structure, alterations in band gap, and photocatalytic performance. The insertion of nickel ions into tin sites hinders the formation of grain growth in tin oxide. The variation in the valence states and ionic radius of Sn4+ and Ni2+ ions, as revealed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) study, accounts for this disparity. FTIR measurements indicate the existence of stretching vibrations of metal-oxygen bonds that include Ni ions in the doped samples. The photoluminescence (PL) analysis reveals that the introduction of nickel doping alters the band structure of SnO2, leading to the creation of additional defect states, such as oxygen vacancies inside the crystal lattice. A study was undertaken to investigate the photocatalytic (PC) activity of SnO2 in the presence of Ni dopants. The results revealed a noticeable improvement in the efficiency of photodegradation. The degradation of Congo red (CR) dye using Ni–SnO2 nanocrystals achieves an efficiency of 94.88 % within a duration of 180 ​min. An analysis has been conducted on the impact of dye content, photocatalyst dosage, and pH on the degradation efficiency. As per the study, lower dose of Ni–SnO2 has shown better degradation efficiency in comparison to other studies. The improved performance of Ni–SnO2 can be ascribed to two main factors: the inhibition of carrier recombination due to the inclusion of defective states, and the production of hydroxyl radicals (OH•). The stability and reusability of these photocatalysts have been noted in their efficient application for environmental remediation.

Reaction between 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde thiosemicarbazone and square planar dichloro bis triphenylphosphine Cu(II) resulted in two structurally different binuclear Cu(I) tetrahedral complexes which are co-crystallized together by exhibiting bonding isomerism. The reaction of co-crystallized complexes with [NiCl2(PPh3)2] led to C–S and Cu–S activation of coordinated ligand to form [Cu2(μ2-Cl2)(PPh3)3] and [Cu2(μ2-S2)(PPh3)3] respectively along with a square planar [Ni(nap-tsc)(PPh3)] (where, nap-tsc =2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde thiosemicarbazone) and triphenylphosphine sulfide.

The complexes [Cd(2-ampy)3(NCS)(μ-SCN)]2 (1) and [Cd(4-ampy)2(μ1,5-dca)2]n (2) were synthesized and characterized using single crystal XRD. Complex 1 has a dimer structure with a triclinic crystal system and space group P 1¯, whereas complex 2 has a polymer structure with a monoclinic crystal system and space group P21/c. Hirshfeld surface analysis of complex 1 showed the presence of S⋯N–H and N–H–S interactions between dimer molecules and intramolecular hydrogen bonds N–H⋯N. In complex 2, the analysis showed the polymer coordination chain bonds between Cd(II) ions with N atoms from dicyanamide and intermolecular hydrogen bonds of N–H⋯N. In vitro antibacterial testing for both complexes against Escherichia coli (gram-negative) and Staphylococus aureus (gram-positive) showed a higher inhibition zone diameter than the constituent reactants, where complex 2 had the a higher antibacterial activity.

High dielectric constant materials are of technological importance as they lead to the miniaturization of electronic devices. The permittivity of a material determines the relative speed that an electrical signal can travel in that material. The dielectric properties of pure ZnO are developed due to the defects of zinc excess at the interstitial position and the lack of oxidation. Fe and Li co-doping in ZnO are envisaged here to develop high dielectric materials by converting the material into a p-type semiconductor without creating stoichiometric oxygen defects in the lattice and making it robust against the oxidizing atmosphere. The formation of single-phase Fe and Fe/Li co-doped wurtzite ZnO samples is confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. The Fe and Fe/Li doping depresses the concentration of the intrinsic donor and impedes the conduction mechanism resulting in the highest dielectric constant (ɛr′) equivalent to 612 and 90,000 are found for bulk pristine Zn0.9Fe0.1O and Zn0.8Li0.1Fe0.1O at 400oC with 1000 ​Hz applied frequency. Also with an increase in frequency, the dielectric constant and dielectric loss are found to decrease. This behavior is attributed to different hopping mechanisms and defects formed during synthesis.

Skeletal materials belonging to the defect pyrochlore family have been the subject of considerable interest due to their remarkable properties. In this work, a highly efficient, stable and visible light active composite photocatalytic system consisting of defect pyrochlore of composition KMn0·33Te1·67O6 (KMnTeO) and g-C3N4 (g-CN) has been successfully prepared by simple physical mixing of pre-prepared KMnTeO and g-CN components synthesized in solid state and thermal treatment of low-cost melamine, respectively. Structural, morphological and optical properties of as-prepared catalysts were deduced from powder X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR), Raman, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (FESEM-EDX), Transmission Electron Microscopy-High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM-HRTEM), Ultraviolet–Visible Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (UV–Vis DRS), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Photoluminescence (PL) measurements. The lattice parameter “a” of parent KMnTeO was obtained from Rietveld refinement of its powder XRD pattern. The FT-IR and Raman spectra of KMnTeO gave characteristic bands belonging to the defect pyrochlore structure. The photocatalytic activities of KMnTeO and composite KMnTeO-g-CN were evaluated by the degradation of methylene blue (MB). Scavenger experiments were carried out to identify the reactive species responsible for the degradation of MB. Furthermore, the reusability and stability of the photocatalysts were explored. The probable photocatalytic mechanism for MB degradation over the composite KMnTeO-g-CN was surmised according to the scavenger experiments. The work provides a new approach for the development of novel defect pyrochlore based composite photocatalysts to treat industrial wastewater containing organic pollutants.

In this work, a new platinum(II) complex was prepared by the reaction of K2PtCl4 with 1,4-benzodioxan-6-amine (bda) at room temperature in the molar ratio 2:1 (L:M). The complex was characterized by physicochemical (elemental analysis, TGA/DTA, and conductivity measurements) and spectroscopic methods (UV–Vis, FTIR, 1H, 13C and 195Pt NMR). According to the spectroscopic data, two bda ligands coordinate to the platinum ion in a monodentate manner through the nitrogen atom to give the complex cis-[PtCl2(bda)2]. Stability studies were carried out under different conditions and showed that the complex is stable in pure DMF, although it undergoes slow solvolysis in DMSO. The interaction of this complex with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) was studied using circular dichroism (CD), electronic absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. The complex binds to CT-DNA with a Kb value of 1.06 ​× ​103 ​M−1 and according to data from CD and fluorescence spectroscopy, appears to interact with DNA by electrostatic forces and or other no intercalative binding mode. Compared to cisplatin, the complex exhibited good cytotoxic activity and selectivity against the MCF-7 tumor cell line, displaying an IC50 value of 17.33 ​± ​1.1 ​μM, as well as inhibited MCF-7 ​cells migration.

The composite phosphors SrAl2O4/Sr3Al2O6:Bi2O3/Bi2O4 synthesized by a solid-phase approach have been studied by means of X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and optical spectroscopy methods. A redistribution of Bi3+ ions between two phases was observed by changes in crystal parameters, bond length, and vibrational frequencies on Raman spectra. A relationship between the structure of the host matrix and the optical characteristics of phosphors has been established.

A durable and cost-effective perovskite (PSK) solar cell was assembled, featuring a configuration of FTO/c-TiO2/m-TiO2-CsFAPbI3 ​+ ​fluoroalkyl phosphate (FAP)-ionic liquid (IL)/p-type carbon. This marks the first utilization of the FAP-IL chemical additive, specifically 1-hexyl-2,3-dimethyl-imidazolium tris(pentafluoroethyl) trifluorophosphate, in the preparation of the PSK layer. This novel addition not only enhances the hydrophobic characteristics of the PSK layer, safeguarding it against moisture-induced deterioration and preserving its α-phase, but also ensures defect passivation via hydrogen bonds formed between N and F atoms in the IL with the organic cation of the PSK, thus preventing the migration of organic cations to grain boundaries. Furthermore, the lone pairs on neutral nitrogens are easily donated to under-coordinated Pb2+ cations, resulting in the stabilization of the PSK crystal structure. This configuration is further augmented by the attributes of carbon paste such as a high electrical conductivity (∼0.75 ​S ​cm−1) and substantial hole density exceeding 1016/cm3, resulting in impressive performance metrics, with a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of ∼7.5% and prolonged stability in air. The electrical current and photovoltage generated by the PSK ​+ ​FAP-IL solar cell under illumination switch a low cost, easily processable and robust electrochromic device (ECD) based on poly (indole-6-carboxylic acid) (PICA) and poly (3,4-propylenedioxythiophene (PProDOT) layers from a yellow-green hue to a deep blue state. While the standalone PProDOT//PICA ECD delivers a transmission modulation (ΔT) of 48.8% over visible region, a coloration efficiency of 356 ​cm2 ​C−1 and sustains 2300+ cycles with no loss in optical contrast, but when harnessed to a PSK ​+ ​FAP-IL solar cell and exposed to 1 sun irradiance achieves a ΔT of 36.6% and a photo-coloration efficiency (η) of 14.9 ​cm2 ​min−1 W−1, without the application of any external bias or current. This cost-effective integrated system, comprising a PSK ​+ ​FAP-IL solar cell and an ECD, not only effectively harvests solar energy but also serves as an intelligent window.

The mitochondrial electron transport chain (mETC) contains molecular targets of volatile general anesthetics (VGAs), which places individuals with mETC mutations at risk for anesthetic complications, as exemplified by patients with Leigh syndrome (LS). The Drosophila melanogaster homozygous mutant for ND-23, which encodes a subunit of mETC Complex I, replicates numerous characteristics of LS, including neurodegeneration, shortened lifespan, behavioral anesthetic hypersensitivity, and toxicity. The anesthetic phenotype of toxicity (lethality) is also observed in flies homozygous for mutations in other Complex I subunits. By contrast, mutations conferring sensitivity have not yet been identified for subunits of Complexes II–V. Furthermore, anesthetic phenotypes are thought to be recessive; that is, risk is not conferred by heterozygous mutations. However, at older ages, exposure of heterozygous mutant ND-23 flies to the VGA isoflurane in 75% oxygen (hyperoxia) results in toxicity. It is also unknown whether combinations of heterozygous mutations in different subunits of the mETC can result in anesthetic toxicity. Here, we show that, following exposure to isoflurane in hyperoxia, flies carrying heterozygous mutations in two Complex I subunits, ND-23 and ND-SGDH (NADH dehydrogenase (ubiquinone) SGDH subunit), had a level of anesthetic toxicity that exceeded the added toxicities of the individual heterozygous mutations. In addition, we show that flies heterozygous for two different alleles of the Complex II gene SdhB were susceptible to isoflurane/hyperoxia-induced anesthetic toxicity. Finally, a mutation in the SdhC subunit of Complex II of Caenorhabditis elegans resulted in isoflurane-induced mortality, supporting the role of Complex II in anesthetic toxicity. These data expand the landscape of mutations in the mETC that increase sensitivity to anesthetic toxicity.

Oxygen (O2) was discovered approximately 250 years ago (Contribution 1), a breakthrough accredited to at least three people: Antoine-Laurent de Lavoisier in France (Antoine Lavoisier), Carl Wilhelm Scheele in Sweden, and Joseph Priestley in England [...]

Produced by photosynthesis, oxygen (O2) is a fundamentally important gas in biological systems, playing roles as a terminal electron receptor in respiration and in host defence through the creation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Hydrogen (H2) plays a role in metabolism for some organisms, such as at thermal vents and in the gut environment, but has a role in controlling growth and development, and in disease states, both in plants and animals. It has been suggested as a medical therapy and for enhancing agriculture. However, the exact mode of action of H2 in biological systems is not fully established. Furthermore, there is an interrelationship between O2 and H2 in organisms. These gases may influence each other’s presence in solution, and may both interact with the same cellular components, such as haem prosthetic groups. It has also been suggested that H2 may affect the structures of some proteins, such as globins, with possible effects on O2 movement in organisms. Lastly, therapies may be based on supplying O2 and H2 together, such as with oxyhydrogen. Therefore, the relationship regarding how biological systems perceive and respond to both O2 and H2, and the interrelationship seen are worth considering, and will be discussed here.

On the thirty-fifth anniversary of the first description of O2-sensitive K+ channels in the carotid body chemoreceptors O2 sensing remains a salient issue in the literature. Whereas much has been learned about this subject, important questions such as the identity of the specific K+ channel subtype(s) responsible for O2 sensing by chemoreceptors and the mechanism(s) by which their activities are altered by hypoxia have not yet been definitively answered. O2 sensing is a fundamental biological process necessary for the acute and chronic responses to varying environmental O2 levels which allow organisms to adapt to hypoxia. Whereas chronic responses depend on the modulation of hypoxia-inducible transcription factors which determine the expression of numerous genes encoding enzymes, transporters and growth factors, acute responses rely mainly on the dynamic modulation of ion channels by hypoxia, causing adaptive changes in cell excitability, contractility and secretory activity in specialized tissues. The most widely studied oxygen-sensitive ion channels are potassium channels, but oxygen sensing by members of both the calcium and sodium channel families has also been demonstrated. Given the explosion of information on this topic, in this review, we will focus on the mechanisms of physiological oxygen chemotransduction by PO2-dependent K+ channels, with particular emphasis on their function in carotid body chemoreceptor cells (CBCC) and pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMC), highlighting areas of consensus and controversy within the field. We will first describe the most well-established concepts, those reproduced in multiple laboratories, and then discuss selected observations or questions that remain unresolved, and that limit our progress in this field.

The objective of this study was to determine the optimal conditions for the recovery of bioactive and antioxidant compounds in aqueous solutions of Cistus creticus leaves and then employ the optimal extract for the enrichment of yogurt samples. The optimal conditions were established by a response surface methodology and were determined to be a liquid-to-solid ratio of 48 mL/g at 76 °C for 41 min. The optimum extract yielded TPC 157.17 mg GAE/g dw and TFC 2.38 mg QE/g dw, while FRAP and DPPH values were 1258.52 and 933.67 μmol AAE/g dw, respectively. HPLC-DAD was utilized to identify and quantify specific polyphenols, like myricetin rhamnoside, in the extract. The optimal extract was then added to yogurt desserts during their preparation at three different concentrations to study how the physicochemical characteristics of the yogurt, as well as the antioxidant capacity added during enrichment, were affected. Statistical analysis of the results was carried out in order to obtain more valid data. It seems that the most suitable concentration for yogurt fortification was 0.1% w/v of the extract as, at this concentration, the yogurts exhibited higher antioxidant capacity, and their physicochemical characteristics were improved.