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RSC Advances Jun 2024In this study, a novel environmentally friendly route was explored for the synthesis of a tin-doped titanium dioxide/calcium oxide (Sn-TiO/CaO) composite using eggshell...
In this study, a novel environmentally friendly route was explored for the synthesis of a tin-doped titanium dioxide/calcium oxide (Sn-TiO/CaO) composite using eggshell as a ternary photocatalyst. The composite was prepared a simple hydrothermal method, resulting in a unique material with potential applications in photocatalysis. The prepared photocatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV-vis/diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray fluorescence, and the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller techniques. At the same time, the Sn-TiO/CaO composite shows excellent degradation activity for toxic dyes. The degradation efficiencies for alizarin red, bromophenol blue, methylene blue, malachite green, and methyl red are 68.38%, 62.39%, 76.81%, 86.93%, and 17.52%, respectively, under ultraviolet light irradiation for 35 min at pH = 3. In addition, the best photocatalytic degradation efficiency for zero charge (pH 7) and basic pH is for AR 98.21% and 68.38%, MR 33.01% and 17.52%, BPB 73.17% and 17.52%, MB 72.32% and 76.81%, and MG 85.59% and 86.93%, respectively, under UV light irradiation for 35 min. The increase in photocatalytic activity of the ternary photocatalyst is accredited to the enhancement of electron-hole pair separation. Simultaneous photodegradation and photoreduction of organic dyes show that ternary photocatalysts could be used in real wastewater applications.
PubMed: 38938525
DOI: 10.1039/d4ra03641g -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Flexible strain sensors have a wide range of applications in the field of health monitoring of seismic isolation bearings. However, the nonmonotonic response with...
Flexible strain sensors have a wide range of applications in the field of health monitoring of seismic isolation bearings. However, the nonmonotonic response with shoulder peaks limits their application in practical engineering. Here we eliminate the shoulder peak phenomenon during the resistive-strain response by adjusting the dispersion of conductive nanofillers. In this paper, carbon black (CB)/methyl vinyl silicone rubber (VMQ) composites were modified by adding a silane coupling agent (KH550). The results show that the addition of KH550 eliminates the shoulder peak phenomenon in the resistive response signal of the composites. The reason for the disappearance of the shoulder peak phenomenon was explained, and at the same time, the mechanical properties of the composites were enhanced, the percolation threshold was reduced, and they had excellent strain-sensing properties. It also exhibited excellent stability and repeatability during 18,000 cycles of loading-unloading. The resistance-strain response mechanism was explained by the tunneling effect theoretical model analysis. It was shown that the sensor has a promising application in the health monitoring of seismic isolation bearings.
PubMed: 38930805
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29122740 -
Chemistry & Biodiversity Jun 2024Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative condition characterized by progressive cognitive decline and memory impairment resulting from the degeneration...
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative condition characterized by progressive cognitive decline and memory impairment resulting from the degeneration and death of brain neurons. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors as the primary pharmacotherapy for numerous neurodegenerative conditions, leveraging their capacity to modulate acetylcholine levels crucial for cognitive function. Recently, oxazines have brought worthy synthetic interest due to their extensive biological activities including, anti-tubercular, anti-convulsant, and anti-cancer activities. In this study, a series of novel naphtho[1,2-e][1,3]oxazine derivatives has been designed and synthesized with potential of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition. The target products have been prepared by a one-pot and three-component condensation reaction of 2-naphthol, aromatic aldehydes, and arylmethanimine in the presence of 3-methyl-1-sulfonic acid imidazolium chloride ([Msim]Cl) as an effective and recyclable catalyst under microwave irradiation solvent-free condition. The molecular docking studies has also been performed to investigate the synthetic compounds in the the AChE active site gorge. The results showed that all these derivatives interact with the enzymes with high affinity in binding pocket. The MM-GBSA studies were performed for all synthesized derivatives and among them, compound 3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-1-phenyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-naphtho[1,2-e][1,3]oxazine 5f, showed the lowest the binding free energy (-48.04 kcal mol-1). In general, oxazine derivatives could be proposed as the strong AChE inhibitors.
PubMed: 38923807
DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.202401005 -
The Journal of Organic Chemistry Jun 2024Typical catalysts used in dimethyl carbonate (DMC) transesterification encounter challenges in terms of environmental sustainability and economic viability. Calcium...
Typical catalysts used in dimethyl carbonate (DMC) transesterification encounter challenges in terms of environmental sustainability and economic viability. Calcium oxide (CaO), being an environmentally friendly and cost-effective catalyst, exhibits favorable compatibility with the criteria above. It has been conclusively demonstrated that CaO performs high efficiency as a catalyst for the transesterification between alcohols and DMC. The optimal conditions for the CaO-catalyzed transesterification of DMC and 1-octanol were determined (90 °C, 17 h, and CaO/1-octanol/DMC molar ratio = 0.3:1.0:40.0), under which the conversion of 1-octanol reaches 98.3%, while the yield and selectivity of methyl octyl carbonate are 98.1 and 99.9%, and CaO has been proven to have the efficient ability to be recycled three times. Meanwhile, the CaO-catalyzed reaction mechanism of the transesterification of DMC with alcohol is illustrated in the quantum chemical method based on the M06-2X functional, and the structures of the corresponding transition states are simultaneously derived. The activation energy barrier is proven to be effectively decreased by the catalytic effect of CaO. In addition, the electrostatic potential diagram verifies the proposed reaction sites. This research constructs the theoretical basis for CaO-based DMC chemistry and expands the green catalysts available for the synthesis of dialkyl carbonates.
PubMed: 38916441
DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.4c00777 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024Hyperthermia induced by phenethylamines, such as 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), can lead to life-threatening complications and death. Activation of the...
Hyperthermia induced by phenethylamines, such as 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), can lead to life-threatening complications and death. Activation of the sympathetic nervous system and subsequent release of norepinephrine and activation of uncoupling proteins have been demonstrated to be the key mediators of phenethylamine-induced hyperthermia (PIH). Recently, the gut microbiome was shown to also play a contributing role in PIH. Here, the hypothesis that bile acids (BAs) produced by the gut microbiome are essential to PIH was tested. Changes in the serum concentrations of unconjugated primary BAs cholic acid (CA) and chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) and secondary BA deoxycholic acid (DCA) were measured following MDMA (20 mg/kg, sc) treatment in antibiotic treated and control rats. MDMA-induced a significant hyperthermic response and reduced the serum concentrations of three BAs 60 min post-treatment. Pretreatment with antibiotics (vancomycin, bacitracin and neomycin) in the drinking water for five days resulted in the depletion of BAs and a hypothermic response to MDMA. Gut bacterial communities in the antibiotic-treated group were distinct from the MDMA or saline treatment groups, with decreased microbiome diversity and alteration in taxa. Metagenomic functions inferred using the bioinformatic tool PICRUSt2 on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that bacterial genes associated to BA metabolism are less abundant in the antibiotic-MDMA treated group. Overall, these findings suggest that gut bacterial produced BAs might play an important role in MDMA-induced hyperthermia.
Topics: Gastrointestinal Microbiome; N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine; Animals; Rats; Male; Hyperthermia; Bile Acids and Salts; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Deoxycholic Acid
PubMed: 38914648
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-65433-2 -
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces Jun 2024Photothermal therapy (PTT) is a promising cancer therapeutic approach due to its spatial selectivity and high potency. Indocyanine green (ICG) has been considered a...
Photothermal therapy (PTT) is a promising cancer therapeutic approach due to its spatial selectivity and high potency. Indocyanine green (ICG) has been considered a biocompatible PTT agent. However, ICG has several challenges to hinder its clinical use including rapid blood clearance and instability to heat, light, and solvent, leading to a loss of photoactivation property and PTT efficacy. Herein, we leveraged stabilizing components, methyl-β-cyclodextrin and liposomes, in one nanoplatform (ICD lipo) to enhance ICG stability and the photothermal therapeutic effect against cancer. Compared to ICG, ICD lipo displayed a 4.8-fold reduction in degradation in PBS solvent after 30 days and a 3.4-fold reduction in photobleaching after near-infrared laser irradiation. Moreover, in tumor-bearing mice, ICD lipo presented a 2.7-fold increase in tumor targetability and inhibited tumor growth 9.6 times more effectively than did ICG without any serious toxicity. We believe that ICD lipo could be a potential PTT agent for cancer therapeutics.
PubMed: 38912948
DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c01078 -
Food Chemistry Jun 2024In this study, changes in the basic composition and structural characterisation of water-soluble pectin (WSP), homogalacturonan (HG) and rhamnogalacturonan-I (RG-I) from...
In this study, changes in the basic composition and structural characterisation of water-soluble pectin (WSP), homogalacturonan (HG) and rhamnogalacturonan-I (RG-I) from pomegranate peel were investigated after high-pressure-homogenisation (HPH) at 50 MPa and 300 MPa. The interactions between three pectin and anthocyanin (ACN) complex were also studied. The three pectin fractions were mainly composed of galacturonic acid (34.95%-87.69%), all with low degrees of methyl-esterification ≤41.20%. HPH at 300 MPa increased the binding ratios of ACN to three pectin fractions by 34.22%-34.59%. Changes in the structural characterisation results of pectin confirmed that the depolymerisation and breakdown of the side chains of pectin after HPH promoted electrostatic interactions, hydrogen bond and hydrophobic interaction between pectin and ACN. Correspondingly, the thermal and storage stabilities of ACN in the complex was boosted after HPH at 300 MPa. This study provides insights into the interaction between pectin and ACN under HPH.
PubMed: 38905822
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.140110 -
Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering Jun 2024Hydrogel nanocatalyst composed of nickel oxide (NiO) nanoparticles embedded in PVA-alginate hydrogels were potentially explored toward the reduction of anthropogenic...
Hydrogel nanocatalyst composed of nickel oxide (NiO) nanoparticles embedded in PVA-alginate hydrogels were potentially explored toward the reduction of anthropogenic water pollutants. The NiO nanoparticles was accomplished via green method using waste pineapple peel extract. The formation of the nanoparticles was affirmed from different analytical techniques such as UV-Vis, FTIR, XRD, TGA, FESEM, and EDS. Spherical NiO nanoparticles were obtained having an average size of 11.5 nm. The nano NiO were then integrated into PVA-alginate hydrogel matrix forming a nanocomposite hydrogel (PVALg@ NiO). The integration of nano NiO rendered an improved thermal stability to the parent hydrogel. The PVALg@ NiO hydrogel was utilized as a catalyst in the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP), potassium hexacyanoferrate (III), rhodamine B (RhB), methyl orange (MO), and malachite green (MG) in the presence of a reducing agent, i.e., NaBH. Under optimized conditions, the reduction reactions were completed by 4.0 min and 3.0 min for 4-NP and potassium hexacyanoferrate (III), respectively, and the rate constant was estimated to be 1.14 min and 2.15 min. The rate of reduction was found to be faster for the dyes and the respective rate constants were be 0.17 s for RhB, MG and 0.05 s for MO. The PVALg@ NiO hydrogel nanocatalyst demonstrated a recyclability of four runs without any perceptible diminution in its catalytic mettle. The efficacy of the PVALg@ NiO hydrogel nanocatalyst was further examined for the reduction of dyes in real water samples collected from different sources and the results affirm its high catalytic potential. Thus, this study paves the path for the development of a sustainable hydrogel nanocatalyst for reduction of hazardous pollutants in wastewater treatment.
PubMed: 38904714
DOI: 10.1007/s00449-024-03046-9 -
Analytical Chemistry Jun 2024A simple, sustainable, and sensitive monitoring approach of micro/nanoplastics (MNPs) in aqueous samples is crucial since it helps in assessing the extent of...
Monitoring Poly(methyl methacrylate) and Polyvinyl Dichloride Micro/Nanoplastics in Water by Direct Solid-Phase Microextraction Coupled to Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry.
A simple, sustainable, and sensitive monitoring approach of micro/nanoplastics (MNPs) in aqueous samples is crucial since it helps in assessing the extent of contamination and understanding the potential risks associated with their presence without causing additional stress to the environment. In this study, a novel strategy for qualitative and quantitative determination of MNPs in water by direct solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was proposed for the first time. Spherical poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and irregularly shaped polyvinyl dichloride (PVDC) were used to evaluate the feasibility and performance of the proposed method. The results demonstrated that both PMMA and PVDC MNPs were efficiently extracted by the homemade SPME coating of nitrogen-doped porous carbons (N-SPCs) and exhibited sufficient thermal decomposition in the GC-MS injection port. Excellent extraction performances of N-SPCs coating for MNPs are attributed to hydrophobic cross-linking, electrostatic forcing, hydrogen bonding, and pore trapping. Methyl methacrylate was identified as the marker for PMMA, while 1,3-dichlorobenzene and 1,3,5-trichlorobenzene were the indicators for PVDC. Under the optimal extraction and decomposition conditions, the proposed method exhibited ultrahigh sensitivity, with a limit of detection of 0.0041 μg/L for PMMA and 0.0054 μg/L for PVDC. Notably, a programmed temperature strategy for the GC-MS injector was developed to discriminate and eliminate the potential interferences of intrinsic indicator compounds. Owing to the integration of sampling, extraction, injection, and decomposition into one step by SPME, the proposed method demonstrates exceptional sensitivity, eliminating the necessity for complex sample pretreatment procedures and the use of organic solvents. Finally, the proposed method was successfully applied in the determination of PMMA and PVDC MNPs in real aqueous samples.
PubMed: 38902946
DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.4c01900 -
Environmental Science and Pollution... Jun 2024This study investigates the effectiveness of vertical flow constructed wetlands (VFCWs) planted with a climbing ornamental plant for on-site treatment of real laundry...
Treatment of real laundry wastewater using vertical flow constructed wetland planted with the ornamental climbing plant Trachelospermum jasminoides: assessing the removal of conventional pollutants and benzotriazoles.
This study investigates the effectiveness of vertical flow constructed wetlands (VFCWs) planted with a climbing ornamental plant for on-site treatment of real laundry wastewater. Specifically, the presence or absence of Trachelospermum jasminoides was evaluated for the removal performance of conventional pollutants (turbidity, TSS, COD, TP) and benzotriazoles (BTRs): 1H-benzotriazole (BTR), 5-methyl-1H-benzotriazole (5-TTR), 5-chlorobenzotriazole (CBTR), and xylytriazole (XTR). Results revealed that high removal efficiencies ranging from 92 to 98% were presented in both planted and unplanted systems for turbidity, TSS, and COD. Moreover, high removal rates were observed for CBTR and XTR, which were the only compounds found in real laundry wastewater, in both VFCW systems (planted: 100%; 94%; unplanted: 87%; 92%, respectively). The contribution of plants to the pollutant's removal was not statistically significant for all examined parameters. However, T. jasminoides demonstrated the ability to survive and grow without any visible symptoms under the harsh conditions of laundry wastewater, enabling the development of green facade. According to the findings, the application of VFCWs for on-site laundry wastewater treatment in buildings seems to be a highly promising solution, not only for primarily removing conventional pollutants but also for addressing emerging contaminants, specifically BTRs.
PubMed: 38902442
DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-34035-w