-
Scientific Reports May 2024Photocatalysts of TiO-CuO coupled with 30% graphene oxide (GO) were hydrothermally fabricated, which varied the TiO to CuO weight ratios to 1:4, 1:2, 1:1, 2:1 and 4:1...
Photocatalysts of TiO-CuO coupled with 30% graphene oxide (GO) were hydrothermally fabricated, which varied the TiO to CuO weight ratios to 1:4, 1:2, 1:1, 2:1 and 4:1 and reduced to form TiO-CuO/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) photocatalysts. They were characterized using XRD, TEM, SEM, XPS, Raman, and DRS technologies. TiO-CuO composites and TiO-CuO/GO degrade methylene blue when persulfate ions are present. Persulfate concentration ranged from 1, 2, 4 to 8 mmol/dm in which the highest activity of 4.4 × 10 and 7.35 × 10 min was obtained with 4 mmol/dm for TiO-CuO (1:4) and TiO-CuO/GO (1:1), respectively. The presence of EDTA and isopropyl alcohol reduced the photodegradation. TiO-CuO coupled with rGO coagulates methylene blue in the presence of persulfate ions and such coagulation is independent of light. The catalyst dosage and the concentration of the dye were varied for the best-performing samples. The antibacterial activity of the synthesized samples was evaluated against the growth of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumonia. Ti:Cu (1:2)-GO and Ti:Cu (1:4)-GO had the highest antibacterial activity against K. pneumoniae (16.08 ± 0.14 mm), P. aeruginosa (22.33 ± 0.58 mm), E. coli (16.17 ± 0.29 mm) and S. aureus (16.08 ± 0.88).
Topics: Graphite; Titanium; Copper; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Catalysis; Methylene Blue; Escherichia coli; Staphylococcus aureus; Photolysis; Sulfates
PubMed: 38822052
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63452-7 -
Drugs & Aging Jun 2024Most drugs have not been evaluated in the older population. Recognizing physiological alterations associated with changes in drug disposition and with the ultimate... (Review)
Review
Most drugs have not been evaluated in the older population. Recognizing physiological alterations associated with changes in drug disposition and with the ultimate effect, especially in central nervous system-acting drugs, is fundamental. While considering pharmacokinetics, it should be noted that the absorption of most drugs from the gastrointestinal tract does not change in advanced age. There are only few data about the effect of age on the transdermal absorption of medications such as fentanyl. Absorption from an intramuscular injection may be similar in older adults as in younger patients. The distribution of lipophilic drugs (such as diazepam) is increased owing to a relative increase in the percentage of body fat, causing drug accumulation and prolonged drug elimination following cessation. Phase I drug biotransformation is variably decreased in aging, impacting elimination, and hepatic drug clearance has been shown to decrease in older individuals by 10-40% for most drugs studied. Lower doses of phenothiazines, butyrophenones, atypical antipsychotics, antidepressants (citalopram, mirtazapine, and tricyclic antidepressants), and benzodiazepines (such as diazepam) achieve the same extent of exposure. For renally cleared drugs with no prior metabolism (such as gabapentin), the glomerular filtration rate appropriately estimates drug clearance. Important pharmacodynamic changes in older adults include an increased sedative effect of benzodiazepines at a given drug exposure, and a higher sensitivity to mu opiate receptor agonists and to opioid adverse effects. Artificial intelligence, physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling and simulation, and concentration-effect modeling enabling a differentiation between the pharmacokinetic and the pharmacodynamic effects of aging might help to close some of the gaps in knowledge.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Central Nervous System Agents; Aging
PubMed: 38814377
DOI: 10.1007/s40266-024-01117-w -
Colloids and Surfaces. B, Biointerfaces Aug 2024Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an effective method for bacterial infection control in root canals of teeth with a broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. However, its...
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an effective method for bacterial infection control in root canals of teeth with a broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. However, its application in root canal treatment is limited due to its inefficiency under hypoxic conditions and dentin staining. Triton X-100 (TX) shows great potential in enhancing the efficiency of antimicrobial agents through improving bacterial membrane permeability. The present study employed a combination of toluidine blue O (TB)-mediated PDT with TX to target the Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis), a bacterium with strong resistance to various antibacterial agents and mostly detected in infected root canals. PDT combined with TX showed enhanced antibacterial efficiency against both planktonic cells and biofilms of E. faecalis. At the same time, TX enhanced the antibacterial effect in dentinal tubules and reduced the incubation time. Mechanism studies revealed that TX improved reactive oxygen species (ROS) production through increasing the proportion of TB monomers. Additionally, increased membrane permeability and wettability were also observed. The findings demonstrated the PDT combined with TX could be used as a highly effective method for the root canal disinfection of teeth.
Topics: Enterococcus faecalis; Photochemotherapy; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Biofilms; Octoxynol; Reactive Oxygen Species; Tolonium Chloride; Humans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Dental Pulp Cavity; Photosensitizing Agents
PubMed: 38810466
DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2024.113978 -
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces Jun 2024We introduce thiazolo[5,4-]thiazole (TT)-based derivatives featuring carbazole, phenothiazine, or triphenylamine donor units as hole-selective materials to enhance the...
We introduce thiazolo[5,4-]thiazole (TT)-based derivatives featuring carbazole, phenothiazine, or triphenylamine donor units as hole-selective materials to enhance the performance of wide-bandgap perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The optoelectronic properties of the materials underwent thorough evaluation and were substantially fine-tuned through deliberate molecular design. Time-of-flight hole mobility TTs ranged from 4.33 × 10 to 1.63 × 10 cm V s (at an electric field of 1.6 × 10 V cm). Their ionization potentials ranged from -4.93 to -5.59 eV. Using density functional theory (DFT) calculations, it has been demonstrated that S0 → S1 transitions in TTs with carbazolyl or -butyl-phenothiazinyl substituents are characterized by local excitation (LE). Mixed intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) and LE occurred for compounds containing -butyl carbazolyl-, dimethoxy carbazolyl-, or alkoxy-substituted triphenylamino donor moieties. The selected derivatives of TT were used for the preparation of hole-selective layers (HSL) in PSC with the structure of glass/ITO/HSLs/CsFAPb(IBr)/PEAI/PCBM/BCP/Ag. The alkoxy-substituted triphenylamino containing TT () has been demonstrated to be an effective material for HSL. Its layer also functioned well as an interlayer, improving the surface of control HSL_2PACz (i.e., reducing the surface energy of 2PACz from 66.9 to 52.4 mN m), thus enabling precise control over perovskite growth energy level alignment and carrier extraction/transportation at the hole-selecting contact of PSCs. 2PACz/based devices showed an optimized performance of 19.1 and 37.0% under 1-sun and 3000 K LED (1000 lx) illuminations, respectively. These values represent improvements over those achieved by bare 2PACz-based devices, which attained efficiencies of 17.4 and 32.2%, respectively. These findings highlight the promising potential of TTs for the enhancement of the efficiencies of PSCs.
PubMed: 38808540
DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c04105 -
BMJ Case Reports May 2024We present a case of a man in his late 40s presenting with generalised tonic-clonic seizures and profound methaemoglobinaemia shortly after inadvertent ingestion of amyl...
We present a case of a man in his late 40s presenting with generalised tonic-clonic seizures and profound methaemoglobinaemia shortly after inadvertent ingestion of amyl nitrite. Arterial blood gas analysis demonstrated methaemoglobin levels exceeding the upper detection threshold of our analyser, accompanied with profound cyanosis despite apparent oxygen saturations of 94%. Prompt administration of intravenous methylene blue led to a rapid and complete recovery. This case highlights the importance of swift recognition and treatment of methaemoglobinaemia particularly when the precipitating factor may be unknown at the time of presentation. This case also demonstrates the potential limitations of bedside blood gas analysers in diagnosis.
Topics: Humans; Methemoglobinemia; Male; Amyl Nitrite; Methylene Blue; Seizures; Adult; Blood Gas Analysis
PubMed: 38806397
DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2023-259384 -
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta.... Aug 2024Phenothiazines inhibit antioxidant enzymes in trypanosomatids. However, potential interferences with host cell antioxidant defenses are central concerns in using these...
Phenothiazines inhibit antioxidant enzymes in trypanosomatids. However, potential interferences with host cell antioxidant defenses are central concerns in using these drugs to treat Trypanosoma cruzi-induced infectious myocarditis. Thus, the interaction of thioridazine (TDZ) with T. cruzi and cardiomyocytes antioxidant enzymes, and its impact on cardiomyocytes and cardiac infection was investigated in vitro and in vivo. Cardiomyocytes and trypomastigotes in culture, and mice treated with TDZ and benznidazole (Bz, reference antiparasitic drug) were submitted to microstructural, biochemical and molecular analyses. TDZ was more cytotoxic and less selective against T. cruzi than Bz in vitro. TDZ-pretreated cardiomyocytes developed increased infection rate, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, lipid and protein oxidation; similar catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and reduced glutathione's (peroxidase - GPx, S-transferase - GST, and reductase - GR) activity than infected untreated cells. TDZ attenuated trypanothione reductase activity in T. cruzi, and protein antioxidant capacity in cardiomyocytes, making these cells more susceptible to HO-based oxidative challenge. In vivo, TDZ potentiated heart parasitism, total ROS production, myocarditis, lipid and protein oxidation; as well as reduced GPx, GR, and GST activities compared to untreated mice. Benznidazole decreased heart parasitism, total ROS production, heart inflammation, lipid and protein oxidation in T. cruzi-infected mice. Our findings indicate that TDZ simultaneously interact with enzymatic antioxidant targets in cardiomyocytes and T. cruzi, potentiating the infection by inducing antioxidant fragility and increasing cardiomyocytes and heart susceptibility to parasitism, inflammation and oxidative damage.
Topics: Animals; Myocytes, Cardiac; Trypanosoma cruzi; Mice; Antioxidants; Reactive Oxygen Species; Thioridazine; Chagas Cardiomyopathy; Myocarditis; Nitroimidazoles; Male; Trypanocidal Agents; Superoxide Dismutase; Oxidative Stress; Chagas Disease; Catalase; Rats; NADH, NADPH Oxidoreductases
PubMed: 38806073
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2024.167264 -
Marine Pollution Bulletin Jul 2024The omnipresence of microplastics (MPs) around the world has attracted extensive attention in the past decade with more focuses on the interactions of standard MPs...
The omnipresence of microplastics (MPs) around the world has attracted extensive attention in the past decade with more focuses on the interactions of standard MPs without additives in regular shapes and individual pollutant, whereas the actual MPs containing various additives in irregular shapes and complex pollutants are often co-occurrence in the environments. In this paper, the adsorption performance of disposable polypropylene (PP) cups-based MPs subjected to ultraviolet irradiation was investigated in unitary and binary water matrices. The surface characteristics were analyzed and the experimental data of adsorption were fitted by various kinetic and isotherm models, and the results indicated that more cracks and oxygen-containing functional groups with decreased hydrophobicity were produced with aging, and electrostatic attraction and hydrogen bonding dominated methylene blue (MB) and tetracycline (TC) capture in the individual system. Moreover, pseudo-second order kinetic model better described the adsorption processes. In the binary system, the co-existence of TC promoted MB uptake, while the presence of MB inhibited TC capture. In addition, TC adsorption was enhanced by Ca, maybe due to its complexation effect, while the presence of mono- and divalent inorganic salts inhibited MB capture. This research provides useful insights for the fate of PP-MPs and organic pollutants in the complex environments.
Topics: Methylene Blue; Adsorption; Tetracycline; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Polypropylenes; Microplastics; Kinetics
PubMed: 38805976
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116521 -
Environmental Science and Pollution... Jun 2024Water pollutants of non-biodegradable toxic aromatic dye including Methylene blue (MB) and Rhodamine (RhB) are extremely carcinogenic thiazines used in various...
Ultrasonication-assisted synthesis of transition metal carbide of MXene: an efficient and promising material for photocatalytic organic dyes degradation of rhodamine B and methylene blue in wastewater.
Water pollutants of non-biodegradable toxic aromatic dye including Methylene blue (MB) and Rhodamine (RhB) are extremely carcinogenic thiazines used in various industries such as leather industry, paper industry, and the dyeing industry. The presence of dyes in wastewater causes severe threats to human health that are responsible for various harmful chronic or acute diseases and also shows an adverse impact on the environment as it reduces transparency and is harmful to water microorganisms. To overcome severe issues, many traditional techniques have been used to remove toxic pollutants, but these methods are insufficient to remove chemically stable dyes that remain in the treated wastewater. However, the photocatalytic degradation process is an efficient approach to degrade the dye up to the maximum extent with improved efficiency. Therefore, in this work, a new class of two-dimensional (2D) transition metal carbide of Titanium Carbide (TiCTx) MXene material was used for the organic dyes degradation such as MB and RhB using a photocatalytic process. A layered structure of hexagonal lattice symmetry of TiCTx MXene was successfully synthesized from the Titanium Aluminum Carbide of TiAlC bulk phase using an exfoliation process. Further, the XRD spectrum confirms the transformation of bulk MAX phase having (002) plane at 9.2° to TiCTx MXene of (002) plane at 8.88° confirms the successful removal of Al layer from MAX phase. A smooth, transparent, thin sheet-like morphology of TiCTx nanosheet size were found to be in the range of 70 to 150 nm evaluated from TEM images. Also, no holes or damages in the thin sheets were found after the treatment with strong hydrofluoric acid confirms the formation TiCTx layered sheets. The synthesized TiCTx MXene possesses excellent photocatalytic activity for the degradation of dyes MB, RhB, and mixtures of MB and RhB dyes. MB dye degraded with a degradation percentage efficiency of 99.32% in 30 min, while RhB dye was degraded upto 98.9% in 30 min. Also, experiments were conducted for degradation of mixture of MB and RhB dyes by UV light, and the degradation percentage efficiency were found to be 98.9% and 99.75% for mixture of MB and RhB dye in 45 min, respectively. Moreover, reaction rate constant (k) was determined for each dye of MB, RhB, and mixtures of MB and RhB and was found to be 0.0215 min and 0.0058 min, and for mixtures, it was 0.0020 min and 0.009 min, respectively.
Topics: Rhodamines; Methylene Blue; Wastewater; Coloring Agents; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Catalysis; Titanium
PubMed: 38801609
DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-33505-5 -
Lasers in Medical Science May 2024Conventional approaches for enhancing wound healing may not always yield satisfactory results. Instead, we test the effectiveness of a newly developed photodynamic...
PURPOSE
Conventional approaches for enhancing wound healing may not always yield satisfactory results. Instead, we test the effectiveness of a newly developed photodynamic therapy (PDT) that uses methylene blue (MB) loaded with polyethylene glycol (PEG) (MB-PEG) hydrogel to accelerate wound healing process in mice.
METHODS
A dorsal skin incision with 6 mm punch which topically subjected to MB-PEG hydrogel and a low-level laser light of red light to assess the regeneration process of wounded skin. A total of 63 adult male CD1 mice divided into normal group (no treatment) and other wound groups received different treatments of laser (650 ± 5 nm and power intensity of 180 mW/cm), MB-PEG, or PDT (MB-PEG followed by laser). The wound healing parameters were investigated by histological examination of the skin and measuring of proinflammatory cytokines at the early stage (48 h) and a late one on day 21.
RESULTS
at 48 h, the score of tissue granulation, inflammation, and angiogenesis process were markedly improved in wounded groups that received MB + PEG combined with laser compared to the group treated with laser alone. On day 21, a significant improvement of the inflammation was detected in the group treated with MB + PEG plus laser compared to the other groups. At 48 h, the upregulated serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1β in the wound group were significantly (P < 0.001) reduced in the group treated with MB + PEG combined with laser.
CONCLUSION
MB-PEG based hydrogel improves and accelerates wound closure in the context of laser compared to either single treatment.
Topics: Animals; Wound Healing; Mice; Photochemotherapy; Polyethylene Glycols; Methylene Blue; Male; Skin; Hydrogels; Photosensitizing Agents; Cytokines
PubMed: 38801600
DOI: 10.1007/s10103-024-04084-1 -
RSC Advances May 2024In this study, a phenothiazine-thiosemicarbazide (PTZDS) probe was synthesized and characterized. The synthesized PTZDS probe exhibited a yellow color, with a native...
In this study, a phenothiazine-thiosemicarbazide (PTZDS) probe was synthesized and characterized. The synthesized PTZDS probe exhibited a yellow color, with a native fluorescence emission at = 550 nm and = 450 nm. Over other metal ions, the probe exhibited significant selectivity and sensitivity towards Hg and Cu. The probe showed fluorescence quenching along with a minor shift in the absorbance spectra from 400 to 450 nm and 430 nm in the presence of Hg and Cu, respectively. In addition, the color of the synthesized probe remarkedly faded with the addition of Hg or Cu. Fluorescence measurements, infrared spectroscopy (IR), and density functional theory studies were employed to elucidate the binding process in the PTZDS + Cu and PTZDS + Hg sensor systems. Furthermore, photophysical investigations of the synthesized probe with Hg and Cu were performed. Finally, the probe was successfully employed as a solid-state thin layer chromatography (TLC) optical sensor for detecting Hg and Cu ions.
PubMed: 38799220
DOI: 10.1039/d3ra08624k