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International Journal of Biological... Jun 2024Nanocellulose (NC) is a promising biopolymer for various biomedical applications owing to its biocompatibility and low toxicity. However, it faces challenges in tissue...
Nanocellulose (NC) is a promising biopolymer for various biomedical applications owing to its biocompatibility and low toxicity. However, it faces challenges in tissue engineering (TE) applications due to the inconsistency of the microenvironment within the NC-based scaffolds with target tissues, including anisotropy microstructure and biomechanics. To address this challenge, a facile swelling-induced nanofiber alignment and a novel in situ biomineralization reinforcement strategies were developed for the preparation of NC-based scaffolds with tunable anisotropic structure and mechanical strength for guiding the differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells for potential TE application. The bacterial cellulose (BC) and cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) based scaffolds with tunable swelling anisotropic index in the range of 10-100 could be prepared by controlling the swelling medium. The in situ biomineralization efficiently reinforced the scaffolds with 2-4 times and 10-20 times modulus increasement for BC and CNFs, respectively. The scaffolds with higher mechanical strength were superior in supporting cell growth and proliferation, suggesting the potential application in TE application. This work demonstrated the feasibility of the proposed strategy in the preparation of scaffolds with mechanical anisotropy to induce cells-directed differentiation for TE applications.
PubMed: 38944070
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.133515 -
Food Chemistry Jun 2024The research aimed to assess the effects of incorporating germinated Lupinus angustifolius flour into corn extrudates for different periods (3, 5, and 7 days), focusing...
The research aimed to assess the effects of incorporating germinated Lupinus angustifolius flour into corn extrudates for different periods (3, 5, and 7 days), focusing on starch digestibility, morphological structure, thermal, and pasting properties. Extrudate with germinated lupinus flour for 7 days (EG7) significantly increased the content of slowly digestible starch up to 10.56% (p < 0.05). Crystallinity increased up to 20% in extrudates with germinated flour compared to extrudates with ungerminated flour (EUG), observing changes at the molecular level by FTIR that impact the thermal and pasting properties. X-ray diffraction revealed angles of 2θ = 11.31, 16.60, 19.91, and 33.04 as a result of the germination and extrusion processes. Microstructural analysis indicated starch-protein interactions influencing changes in calorimetry, viscosity, X-ray diffraction, and digestibility. PCA allowed establishing that the addition of germinated flours significantly affected the properties and microstructural characteristics of extruded products, potentially affecting digestibility and nutritional quality.
PubMed: 38943953
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.140196 -
Journal of Hazardous Materials Jun 2024Serpentinite is a widespread rock type used worldwide as building material. Heavy metals like Ni in both the serpentinite products and serpentinite mining wastes pose...
Serpentinite is a widespread rock type used worldwide as building material. Heavy metals like Ni in both the serpentinite products and serpentinite mining wastes pose potential environmental and health issues. This work devises an analytical protocol to identify and quantify the Ni speciation in the mineralogical matrix, through: i) bulk Ni quantification; ii) quantitative mineralogical and chemical analysis of each Ni-rich mineral; iii) comparison of bulk analysis results with the sum of each contribution from the Ni-rich minerals. As case study, two commercial serpentinites "Verde Giada" (VG) and "Verde Vittoria" (VV) from Valmalenco (Northern Italy) were analysed by ICP-MS, XRPD, TGA-MSEGA, SEM, TEM, EPMA, and micro-Raman spectroscopy. The bulk Ni content is 1500-1750 mg/kg and 1390-1620 mg/kg for VG and VV, respectively. The major minerals from XRPD and EPMA (antigorite, olivine, pyroxene, magnetite, brucite) account for 1094 and 1291 mg/kg of Ni for VG and VV, respectively. SEM/TEM and EPMA highlighted the presence of minor chrysotile, pentlandite, heazlewoodite, awaruite, rising the computed Ni to 1924 and 1761 mg/kg for VG and VV, in good agreement with bulk ICP-MS. This protocol provides robust results and can thus enhance the exposure assessment of Ni and eventually other naturally occurring hazardous metals.
PubMed: 38943892
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134928 -
Journal of Hazardous Materials Jun 2024The particle size distribution in tailings notably influences their physical properties and behavior. Despite this, our understanding of how the distribution of tailings...
The particle size distribution in tailings notably influences their physical properties and behavior. Despite this, our understanding of how the distribution of tailings particle sizes impacts in situ pollution and ecological remediation in in-situ environment remains limited. In this study, an iron tailings reservoir was sampled along a particle flow path to compare the pollution characteristic and microbial communities across regions with different particle sizes. The results revealed a gradual reduction in tailings particle size along the flow direction. The predominant mineral composition shifts from minerals such as albite and quartz to layered minerals. Total nitrogen, total organic carbon, and total metal concentrations increased, whereas the acid-generating potential decreased. The region with the finest tailings particle size exhibited the highest microbial diversity, featuring metal-resistant microorganisms such as KD4-96, Micrococcaceae, and Acidimicrobiia. Significant discrepancies were observed in tailings pollution and ecological risks across different particle sizes. Consequently, it is necessary to assess tailings reservoirs pollution in the early stages of remediation before determining appropriate remediation methods. These findings underscore that tailings particle distribution is a critical factor in shaping geochemical characteristics. The responsive nature of the microbial community further validated these outcomes and offered novel insights into the ecological remediation of tailings.
PubMed: 38943882
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135024 -
Journal of Hazardous Materials Jun 2024Highly-stable heavy metal ions (HMIs) appear long-term damage, while the existing remediation strategies struggle to effectively remove a variety of oppositely charged...
Highly-stable heavy metal ions (HMIs) appear long-term damage, while the existing remediation strategies struggle to effectively remove a variety of oppositely charged HMIs without releasing toxic substances. Here we construct an iron-copper primary battery-based nanocomposite, with photo-induced protonation effect, for effectively consolidating broad-spectrum HMIs. In FCPBN, Fe/Cu cell acts as the reaction impetus, and functional graphene oxide modified by carboxyl and UV-induced protonated 2-nitrobenzaldehyde serves as an auxiliary platform. Due to the groups and built-in electric fields under UV stimuli, FCPBN exhibits excellent affinity for ions, with a maximum adsorption rate constant of 974.26 g∙mg∙min and facilitated electrons transfer, assisting to reduce 9 HMIs including CrO, AsO, Cd in water from 0.03 to 3.89 ppb. The cost-efficiency, stability and collectability of the FCPBN during remediation, and the beneficial effects on polluted soil and the beings further demonstrate the splendid remediation performance without secondary pollution. This work is expected to remove multi-HMIs thoroughly and sustainably, which tackles an environmental application challenge.
PubMed: 38943880
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135066 -
Journal of Environmental Management Jun 2024In this work, a novel double-chamber system (PFC-Fenton), combined photocatalytic fuel cell (PFC) with Fenton, was constructed for tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH) and...
In this work, a novel double-chamber system (PFC-Fenton), combined photocatalytic fuel cell (PFC) with Fenton, was constructed for tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH) and hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) removal and electricity production. Therein, Zn(OH)(CO)/FeO/BiVO/fluorine-doped SnO (ZIO/BiVO/FTO) and carboxylated carbon nanotubes/polypyrrole/graphite felt (CCNTs/Ppy/GF) were served as photoanode and cathode, respectively. Under light irradiation, the removal efficiencies of TCH and Cr(VI) with the addition of HO (2 mL) could reach 93.1% and 80.4%, respectively. Moreover, the first-order kinetic constants (7.37 × 10 min of TCH and 3.94 × 10 min of Cr(VI)) were 5.26 and 5.57 times as much as the absence of HO. Simultaneously, the maximum power density could be obtained 0.022 mW/cm at a current density of 0.353 mA/cm. Therein, the main contribution of TCH degradation was ·OH and holes in anode chamber. The synergistic effect of photoelectrons, generated ·O, and HO played a crucial role in the reduction of Cr(VI) in cathode chamber. The high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry indicated that TCH could be partially mineralized into CO and HO. X-ray photoelectron spectroscope and X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectra showed that Cr(VI) could be reduced to Cr(III). After 5 times of cycling, the removal efficiencies of TCH and Cr(VI) were still greater than 70%, indicating the remarkable stability of the PFC-Fenton system. Overall, this system could remove TCH/Cr(VI) and generate power simultaneously without iron sludge formation, demonstrating a promising method to further develop PFC-Fenton technology.
PubMed: 38943751
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121608 -
Applied Radiation and Isotopes :... Jun 2024The present study deals essentially with the establishment of the environmental natural radiation levels in the surveyed area. These will provide base-line information...
The present study deals essentially with the establishment of the environmental natural radiation levels in the surveyed area. These will provide base-line information that can be used as a reference to detect and determine the amount and extent of any possible future variation or contamination in the natural radioactivity levels that might occur in the study area due to any potential incidents involving release of nuclear radiation or fallout of nuclear fission products that could affect both terrestrial and atmospheric radioactivity. A map of radiogenic heat production (RHP) was built from the airborne spectral gamma-ray data of North Jabal Maghrabiyah area, central Eastern Desert, Egypt. The area of study reflects radiogenic heat production varying from 0.03 to 6.44 μWm, averaging a value of 0.99 μWm, while their standard deviation reaches 0.61 μWm. The maximum values are associated with the acidic rocks in the northeastern, central, southeastern, northeastern and eastern parts of the area of study. Results showed several levels of radiation as follows: (less than 0.39 mSv/y), (from 0.39 to 0.59 mSv/y), (higher than 0.59 and reached to 2.01 mSv/y). The dose rate more than 1 mSv/y is considered the radioactivity hazard level which represented mainly with late to post tectonic Potassic calc-alkaline granitoids, calc-alkaline granitoids, Muꞌtiq group, Dukhan volcanic/subvolcanic group, Atallah felsite, Parts of Quaternary deposits, Hammamat sediments, parts of Tarif, Dakhlah and Duwwi Formations. Thus, the North Jabal Maghrabiyah area can be considered as high RHP, because of the relatively high radioactive concentrations. There are good relationships between the derived RHP and the three radioactive elements, equivalent Uranium (eU), equivalent Thorium (eTh) and Potassium (K), as represented by the binary relationship between any of two elements. The importance of radiogenic heat production is the source of ground thermal energy.
PubMed: 38943733
DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2024.111398 -
Marine Environmental Research Jun 2024Marine bacteria influence Earth's environmental dynamics in fundamental ways by controlling the biogeochemistry and productivity of the oceans. However, little is known...
Marine bacteria influence Earth's environmental dynamics in fundamental ways by controlling the biogeochemistry and productivity of the oceans. However, little is known about the survival strategies of their abundant and rare taxa, especially in polar marine environments. Here, bacterial environmental adaptation, community assembly processes, and co-occurrence patterns between abundant and rare taxa were compared in the Arctic Ocean sediments. Results indicated that the diversity of rare taxa is significantly higher than that of abundant taxa, whereas the distance-decay rate of rare taxa community similarity is over 1.5 times higher than that of abundant taxa. Furthermore, abundant taxa exhibited broader environmental breadth and stronger phylogenetic signals compared to rare taxa. Additionally, the community assembly processes of the abundant taxa were predominantly governed by 81% dispersal limitation, while rare taxa were primarily influenced by 48% heterogeneous selection. The co-occurrence network further revealed the abundant taxa formed a more complex network to enhance their environmental adaptability. This study revealed the differences in environmental responses and community assembly processes between bacterial abundant and rare taxa in polar ocean sediments, providing some valuable insights for understanding their environmental adaptation strategies in marine ecosystems.
PubMed: 38943698
DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106624 -
Chemistry & Biodiversity Jun 2024This work aims to describe the morpho-anatomy and determine the mineral composition of H. muticus L. subsp. falezlez seed, and investigate the influence of extraction...
This work aims to describe the morpho-anatomy and determine the mineral composition of H. muticus L. subsp. falezlez seed, and investigate the influence of extraction solvents (hexane, petroleum ether, chloroform and methanol) on contents of total phenolic (TPC) and flavonoid (TFC) and the antioxidant activity (DPPH, ABTS, reducing power and phenanthroline). The mineral content analysis revealed the presence of different elements. The results indicated that the seed extract obtained by methanol exhibited the highest yield and TPC (82.07%, 27.14 ± 2.2 µg GAE/mg), while the chloroform extract had the maximum TFC (24.63 ± 0.4 µg QE/mg). In addition, all seed extracts showed excellent performances on DPPH scavenging activity. However, methanolic extract was the most effective extraction solvent for scavenging ABTS free radicals (IC50 <12.5 µg/mL). Chloroform and petroleum ether extracts were the most potent in phenanthroline activity. GC-MS analysis identified 27 phytochemical compounds in all extracts and 16 compounds were identified by HPLC/DAD analysis of the methanolic extract. The multivariate analysis results highlighted the influence of solvents on the phenolic composition and antioxidant activity of seed extracts. The results suggest that H. muticus L. seeds can be a promising source enriched with bioactive constituents for application in the pharmaceutical industry.
PubMed: 38943603
DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.202401026 -
International Endodontic Journal Jun 2024The osteogenic potential of new premixed calcium-silicate-containing bioceramic sealers (Ca-Si sealers) was tested with porcine vascular wall-mesenchymal stem cells...
AIM
The osteogenic potential of new premixed calcium-silicate-containing bioceramic sealers (Ca-Si sealers) was tested with porcine vascular wall-mesenchymal stem cells (pVW-MSCs).
METHODOLOGY
Two Ca-Si-containing sealers: Ceraseal (MetaBiomed, Cheong-si, South Korea) and AH Plus Bioceramic (Maruchi, Wonju-si, South Korea), and an epoxy resin sealer (AH Plus; Dentsply, Konstanz, Germany) as a control, were prepared according to the manufacturers' indications. All samples were allowed to set for 100% of their setting time in a sterile humid cabinet at 37°C and 95% relative humidity. pVW-MSC seeding efficiency and osteogenic differentiation were analysed as marker of gene/protein expression for up to 12 days. Mineralization assay and immunofluorescence staining were performed and evaluated over a period of 21 days. Statistical analyses were conducted using one-way analysis of variance (p < .05). Additional samples were prepared and stored under the same conditions and inspected using an environmental scanning electron microscope equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy system.
RESULTS
Significantly higher cell seeding efficiency (p < .05) was observed for both Ca-Si sealers from day 8. pVW-MSCs showed a significant shift towards the osteogenic lineage only when seeded in contact with Ca-Si sealers. Gene expression of osteopontin was upregulated significantly. Collagen I and osteocalcin were clearly expressed by cells in contact with Ca-Si sealers. Mineralization granules were observed in Alizarin red assays and confocal laser scanning microscopy analysis of both Ca-Si sealers. No gene expression or granule mineralization were observed on the epoxy resin sealer.
CONCLUSIONS
Premixed Ca-Si sealers displayed a higher potential for osteogenic activity on pVW-MSCs. Epoxy resin sealer was unable to induce any osteogenic activity. The properties of both Ca-Si sealers suggest their potential as osteoinductive platforms for vascular MSCs in periapical bone.
PubMed: 38943551
DOI: 10.1111/iej.14098