Chemical Agents Research Articles

Book Review: Holding Their Breath: How the Allies Confronted the Threat of Chemical Warfare in World War II by M. Girard Dorsey

Book Review: <i>Holding Their Breath: How the Allies Confronted the Threat of Chemical Warfare in World War II</i> by M. Girard Dorsey

Курдский народ в борьбе за независимость (вторая половина ХХ – начало ХХI в.) и геноцид в Иракском Курдистане

The article delves into the struggle of the people of Southern (Iraqi) Kurdistan for self-determination and the repression of the ruling regime in Iraq, which brought the Kurdish population to the brink of extermination. The issue of Southern Kurdistan in Iraq has been on the agenda for many decades. The Iraqi Kurds achieved self-government at the cost of incredible efforts. It is emphasized that the recognition of the right to territorial autonomy by the Iraqi government in 1974 was a success of the Kurdish national movement. However, the infringement of the rights of the Kurds continued. The apogee of the repressions were the events of the Iran-Iraq War of 1980–1988 and the use of chemical weapons against the population of the autonomy. In 2005, Iraq promulgated a new draft Constitution, which reflected the opinion of all ethno-confessional groups of the country – Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds: the country was declared a Federal Republic, and the Kurdish language was declared the state language on the territory of Kurdistan. Conclusion dwells upon the fact that the centuries-long struggle of the Kurds of Iraq ended with the proclamation of autonomy and the granting of democratic rights and freedoms to the population of the Kurdish Autonomous Region. And the facts reflected in the documents of international organizations on the deliberate destruction of the Kurdish minority in Iraq, especially during the years of Saddam Hussein’s rule, are obvious. An important condition for the success of the Kurdish national movement at any stage of its development is the unity of its ranks. The methodological basis of the article is the principles of historicism and objectivity. Documentary materials, personal sources, and media news data serve as the empirical basis of the study and are introduced into scientific discourse.

An enhanced electrokinetic system for remediation of Cu-polluted clay soils by integrating purging solutions and intermittent power

This study investigated the effectiveness and underlying mechanisms of purging solutions enhanced by intermittent power in improving electrokinetic (EK) restoration of clay soils even under high levels of heavy metals (HM). In so doing, the artificially contaminated specimens containing a wide range of copper (Cu) were prepared and then subjected to a series of EK tests with various electrolytes and electric regimes. Macro and micro scale examinations revealed that under the unenhanced EK condition (i.e., continuous current without agents), the formation of non-conducting solid phases and/or the clogged fabric in the samples with the high dosages (> 250 mg/kg) of HM could dramatically impede the metal separation from the soil. Hence, increasing the remediation time would not be very effective in facilitating the decontamination process. It was observed that the EDTA-ameliorated treatment accompanied by pentetic acid and acetic acid can mitigate the metal precipitation/encapsulation effects induced by EK actions, resulting in improved rate of HM removal. In this case; however, a high portion of these enhancers would be required to ensure the stable mobility of ions and to achieve successful recovery. Such a limitation has been shown to be overcome by incorporating pulsed power (PP) at an optimal frequency. In fact, as evidenced by SEM-EDX and XRD analyses, the integration of chemical agents with PP could simultaneously retain the solubilized Cu species in the soil mass and modify the matrix tortuosity (i.e., the establishment of well-linked pores), two features that have been found to play essential roles in providing for favorable activity of HM ions during the EK operation. The corresponding refinements in the binary system would cause an almost 8 folds increase in the removal efficiency and a shorter (up to 30 %) time of treatment compared to conventional EK.

Occupational Exposure to Unburnt Tobacco Dust and Thyroid Function: A Case-Control Study

Beedi rolling is one of the most common home-based occupations used to meet daily expenses. The process of making beedis is mainly done by women, especially in rural areas. Due to a lack of awareness regarding safety measures, beedi-rolling women are exposed to toxic components present in unburnt tobacco dust. This exposure leads to many health complications among women beedi-rollers. In this study, we investigated how unburnt tobacco dust disrupts thyroid gland homeostasis by altering levels of thyroid hormone and TSH. We included 421 beedi rolling women (BR) and 426 control subjects (NBR) who were not exposed occupationally to any chemical agents. Levels of thyroid hormones (T3, T4) were analysed using competitive ELISA, and TSH levels were analysed using sandwich ELISA. Serum nicotine metabolites were analysed using LC-MS. We observed a statistically significant increase in the levels of T3, T4, anabasine, nornicotine, and cotinine in BR compared to the NBR group. Additionally, significantly lower TSH levels were observed in the BR group. However, the Correlation between nicotine metabolites, and hormones did not show a significant difference in the BR group. We conclude that prolonged exposure to unburnt tobacco dust must have disrupted thyroid function by altering the thyroid hormone, and TSH levels.

Home Biofilm Management in Orthodontic Aligners: A Systematic Review.

Background. Transparent aligners are recently introduced orthodontic devices considered promising for the improvement of oral health conditions, in terms of faster treatment times and enhanced comfort, especially if compared with traditional fixed orthodontic therapy. This systematic review aimed to evaluate at-home protocols for proper oral hygiene and aligners cleaning during orthodontic treatment. Methods. A search was conducted using the following four databases: PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Scopus. The systematic review (registered as CRD 42024562215) followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines and included prospective studies, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), controlled clinical trials, and in vivo and ex vivo studies; they had to assess treatment with invisible orthodontics compared to treatment with fixed orthodontics, home oral hygiene, or aligner disinfection protocols. The evidence in the studies was evaluated for risk of bias using the RoB-2 (for RCTs and randomized crossover studies) and ROBINS-I tools (for observational studies). Results. Eleven studies were included in this systematic review: four RCTs, four crossover studies, and three cross-sectional observational studies. Seven studies considered patients undergoing orthodontic treatment, whereas four examined orthodontic aligners. The cleaning protocols of the aligners were evaluated based on the analysis of residual biofilm on the thermoplastic surfaces. Studies included were characterized by a low level of certainty, thus further evidence is needed. Conclusions. The most effective protocols entailed a combination of mechanical and chemical agents, suggesting that it is fundamental for patients undergoing aligner treatment to focus on individually tailored home oral hygiene protocols.

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy Mitigates Acute and Chronic Lung Damages of Sulfur Mustard Analog Exposure

Sulfur mustard (SM) is an established chemical weapon that can result in severe damage to parts of the body. Currently, there are no effective treatments available for SM-caused damage. We aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (AD-MSCs) and conditioned medium (CM-MSCs) in acute and chronic pulmonary mouse models caused by 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES), an SM analog. The mice were divided into 4 experimental groups:(1) CEES+AD-MSCs, (2) CEES+CM-MSCs, (3) CEES, and (4) control. The model observation time was divided into 7 days for the short and 6 months for the long term. AD-MSCs were injected into mice via intraperitoneal injection 24 hours after CEES exposure. The therapeutic effects of AD-MSCs on pulmonary tissue damage were assessed using a histopathologic assay, measuring the neutrophil count, and bronchial alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) protein level. The levels of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines were evaluated using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay as the outcomes of interest. Lung damage progression was reduced by AD-MSC treatment in mice after CEES injection into the peritoneum. The proportion of CD11b+F4/80+ macrophages in the peritoneum was significantly lowered by AD-MSC treatment following CEES exposure. AD-MSC administration also reduced the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines, BALF protein, and nitric oxide levels in the peritoneal cavity. By reducing inflammation and enhancing tissue healing, AD-MSCs and CM-MSC help prevent acute lung damage caused by CEES. The current study supports the use of a mouse model as a solid experimental foundation and indicates potential use for future cell treatment.

Analysis of oral and inhalation toxicity of per- and polyfluoroalkylated organic compounds in rats and mice using multivariate QSAR

ABSTRACT Per- and polyfluoroalkylated organic compounds (PFAs) are versatile compounds extensively used in global industries. However, they are also persistent organic pollutants (POPs). This study aimed to develop new models for assessing oral and inhalation toxicity in rat and mice models. A set of 407 PFAs from the literature was divided into four groups based on the endpoints of interest. The models were constructed using only 2D structure descriptors derived from SMILES strings. The resulting models showed a strong statistical quality for all endpoints. They present an applicability domain (AD) that ensures good reliability, and provided meaningful interpretation, which are partially supported by existing literature. Consequently, these models are valuable for understanding how PFAs exert their toxic effect on mammals and for predicting the risk associated with these significant industrial chemical agents.

Transforming waste into valuable resources: Recycled nitrile-butadiene rubber scraps filled with electric arc furnace slag

This study investigates the valorization of two industrial waste streams - nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) scraps and electric arc furnace (EAF) slag – in the development of recycled NBR compounds filled with EAF slag as filler. A new recycling method for NBR scraps is employed via calendering at room temperature without the need for curatives, chemical agents, or pre-grinding. The resulting recycled NBR is then used as a matrix for EAF slag particles to produce sustainable rubber compounds that are entirely recycled. Characterization reveals that incorporating EAF slag enhances the devulcanization process of recycled NBR during recycling. The filler grain size affects composite properties like hardness, crosslink density, and tensile modulus, with finer slag particles (<50 μm) exhibiting improved reinforcement due to increased interaction surface with the rubber matrix. Dynamic mechanical analysis indicates that recycled NBR filled with EAF slag exhibits a more significant Payne effect compared to unfilled recycled NBR, due to filler-matrix interactions. Interestingly, EAF slag facilitates the rapid fractional recovery of the low-strain storage modulus after experiencing high-amplitude strain, ascribed to the formation of a rigid rubber layer around the slag particles.Overall, the findings highlight the potential to valorize these two waste materials effectively by producing functional recycled NBR/EAF slag composites with desirable properties through a simple, industrially viable recycling method without capital-intensive equipment. This represents both environmental and economic benefits through waste valorization and industrial symbiosis.

Investigation on preparation and properties of gel type 188W/188Re generator

As one of the most important integrated nuclides for diagnosis and treatment in recent years, rhenium-188 (188Re) has a broad scope in the clinical application. Due to the specific properties of such radionuclide, it was mainly provided by the chromatographic 188W-188Re generators. There is no doubt that the application of 188Re in the treatment of various diseases depended on the development of 188W-188Re generator. Considering the high standards of such technology on radioactive activity of 188W and impurity content, a 188W-188Re generator filled with the zirconium tungstate gel has been prepared in this work. The effects of molar ratio of chemical agents, pH, reaction temperature, drying methods, rinsing methods and other conditions on the synthesis of gel particles have been studied. Furthermore, a variety of characterization techniques were used to observe the macro-/micro-morphology and chemical structure of gel particles. It can be concluded that vacuum freeze-dried method could significantly increase the specific surface area, pore size and tungsten content of gel particle. In order to decrease the content of 188W in the elute, a handful of acidic alumina was filled in the bottom of our 188W-188Re generator, an elution and purification integrated-generator was formed. During the first five processes, the nuclear purity of 188Re solution was above 99.99%, the radiochemical purity was approximately 99.5%, the pH value was 5.0–7.0 and the average elution efficiency reached up to 82.7%. In addition, the leakage rate of 188W was low as 1.60 × 10−6, and the peak of elute curve was located at 2 mL without the trailing phenomenon. This work lays a solid foundation for the domestic demand of daughter nuclide 188Re, further makes an outstanding contribution to the application of the radiation therapy technology and the protection of people's health.

Surface acoustic wave platform integrated with ultraviolet activated rGO-SnS2 nanocomposites to achieve ppb-level dimethyl methylphosphonate detection at room-temperature

Dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) is commonly used as an alternative for demonstrating to detect sarin, which is one of the most toxic but odorless chemical nerve agents. Among various types of DMMP sensors, those utilizing surface acoustic wave (SAW) technology provide notable advantages such as wireless/passive monitoring, digital output, and a compact, portable design. However, key challenges for SAW-based DMMP sensors operated at room temperature lies in simultaneous enhancement of sensitivities and reduction of detection limits. In this study, we developed a binary material strategy by combining reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and tin disulfide (SnS2) with (100)-facets orientation as sensing layers of SAW device for DMMP detection utilized at room temperature. Ultraviolet (UV) light was applied to activate the sensitive film and reduce the sensor's response time. The developed SAW DMMP sensor demonstrated a superior sensitivity (−1298.82 Hz/ppm), a low detection limit of 50 ppb, and a hysteresis below 1.5%, along with fast response/recovery time (39.2 s/28.4 s), excellent selectivity, long-term stability and repeatability. The formation of shrub-like rGO-SnS2 heterojunctions with abundant surface defects and large specific surface areas, high-energy (100) crystalline surfaces of SnS2, and photogenerated carriers generated by UV irradiation were pinpointed as the crucial sensing mechanisms. These factors collectively enhanced adsorption and reaction dynamics of DMMP molecules.

Catalytic Hydrolysis of Paraoxon by Immobilized Copper(II) Complexes of 1,4,7-Triazacyclononane Derivatives.

Organophosphate neuroactive agents represent severe security threats in various scenarios, including military conflicts, terrorist activities and industrial accidents. Addressing these threats necessitates effective protective measures, with a focus on decontamination strategies. Adsorbents such as bentonite have been explored as a preliminary method for chemical warfare agent immobilization, albeit lacking chemical destruction capabilities. Chemical decontamination, on the other hand, involves converting these agents into non-toxic or less toxic forms. In this study, we investigated the hydrolytic activity of a Cu(II) complex, previously studied for phosphate ester hydrolysis, as a potential agent for chemical warfare decontamination. Specifically, we focused on a ligand featuring a thiophene anchor bound through an aliphatic spacer, which exhibited high hydrolytic activity in its Cu(II) complex form in our previous studies. Paraoxon, an efficient insecticide, was selected as a model substrate for hydrolytic studies due to its structural resemblance to specific chemical warfare agents and due to the presence of a chromogenic 4-nitrophenolate moiety. Our findings clearly show the hydrolytic activity of the studied Cu(II) complexes. Additionally, we demonstrate the immobilization of the studied complex onto a solid substrate of Amberlite XAD4 via copolymerization of its thiophene side group with dithiophene. The hydrolytic activity of the resultant material towards paraoxon was studied, indicating its potential utilization in organophosphate neuroactive agent decontamination under mild conditions and the key importance of surface adsorption of paraoxon on the polymer surface.

Mosaic aneuploidy in a patient with periocular basal cell carcinoma. Report of a case

Basal cell carcinoma constitutes approximately 80% of non-melanocytic skin tumors and originates in the basal layer of the epidermis and its appendages. Genetic alterations that affect neoplastic development have been identified, caused by external physical or chemical agents, hereditary, chromosomal rearrangements, allelic loss and gene amplification. This article presents a white-skinned male individual, 64 years old, with a diagnosis of periocular basal cell carcinoma, who underwent a cytogenetic study of the tumor tissue and a mosaic chromosomal aneuploidy was identified.The presence of mosaic aneuploidy in patients with periocular basal cell carcinoma suggests that chromosomal aberrations may play an important role in tumor progression and aggressiveness. This finding highlights the need to integrate cytogenetic studies in the clinical evaluation of skin tumors, facilitating a better understanding of the underlying biological mechanisms, opening new avenues for therapeutic research.

A prediction method of oil recovery for hot water chemical flooding in heavy oil reservoirs: Semi-analytical stream tube model

Abstract Chemical agents (polymer and surfactant) assisted hot water flooding is an effective means of enhancing oil recovery in heterogeneous and heavy oil reservoirs. The rapid prediction of oil recovery through hot water chemical flooding is very important. The stream tube model is a fast analytical method for predicting water flooding recovery, but it is not suitable for hot water chemical flooding. In this paper, a permeability distribution model for multi-stream tubes is established based on permeability variation coefficient using normal distribution function for reservoir heterogeneity, Using GOMPERTZ growth function model to characterize the changes in stream tube temperature, polymer viscosity, and surfactant concentration with injection volume, Using Brooks-Corey model to describe the influence of interfacial tension and temperature on the relative permeability curve. Finally, an analytical stream tube model for hot water chemical flooding of heavy oil reservoirs was established. The time discrete method is used to solve the model, then the graphs of the relationship between oil recovery and water cut are obtained. Compared with numerical simulation methods, the prediction error of oil recovery is less than 2%, and the calculation time is reduced by 89%. This model has been successfully applied to X oilfield. Based on historical fitting, it is predicted that hot water chemical flooding can enhance oil recovery by 6.3% compared to water flooding. This paper provides a fast calculation method for predicting and evaluating the effectiveness of hot water chemical flooding in heavy oil reservoirs.

Comparative Study of Air Pollution with Ayurveda and its Management

Background Environmental pollution is increasing day by day and imposing severe and irreversible damage to the world. Air pollution is one of the biggest threats for the environment and affecting humans, animals, crops, cities, forests, aquatic ecosystems. Environmental Toxicology is the science concerned with study of harmful effects of various chemical, biological and physical agents on living organisms. In Ayurveda Charakacharya has briefly described the environmental health in chapter named Janpadodhvansaniyavimanam. Ayurveda has a dedicated branch called Agadatantra which deals with the toxicological aspects of living entities of environment. Aims and objectives We aim to relate and validate this knowledge pertaining to the air pollution. Material and method the references available regarding the air pollution in classical texts were studied and compared with the available information in the contemporary medical literatures. Signs of air pollution given in the text compared and studied with signs of Air pollution. Discussion Ayurveda terms of Vikrut and Prakrut Vayu described in Granthas are found to be relatable with contemporary findings. Conclusion Air pollution described in Ayurveda are very precise and explanatory. Management of air pollution with this ancient science are the new open windows for healthy air breathing for every living organism.

RAD51 recombinase and its paralogs: Orchestrating homologous recombination and unforeseen functions in protozoan parasites

The DNA of protozoan parasites is highly susceptible to damage, either induced by environmental agents or spontaneously generated during cellular metabolism through reactive oxygen species (ROS). Certain phases of the cell cycle, such as meiotic recombination, and external factors like ionizing radiation (IR), ultraviolet light (UV), or chemical genotoxic agents further increase this susceptibility. Among the various types of DNA damage, double-stranded breaks (DSBs) are the most critical, as they are challenging to repair and can result in genetic instability or cell death. DSBs caused by environmental stressors are primarily repaired via one of two major pathways: non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) or homologous recombination (HR). In multicellular eukaryotes, NHEJ predominates, but in unicellular eukaryotes such as protozoan parasites, HR seems to be the principal mechanism for DSB repair. The HR pathway is orchestrated by proteins from the RAD52 epistasis group, including RAD51, RAD52, RAD54, RAD55, and the MRN complex. This review focuses on elucidating the diverse roles and significance of RAD51 recombinase and its paralogs in protozoan parasites, such as Acanthamoeba castellanii, Entamoeba histolytica (Amoebozoa), apicomplexan parasites (Chromalveolata), Naegleria fowleri, Giardia spp., Trichomonas vaginalis, and trypanosomatids (Excavata), where they primarily function in HR. Additionally, we analyze the diversity of proteins involved in HR, both upstream and downstream of RAD51, and discuss the implications of these processes in parasitic protozoa.

Preliminary study on Cyclocodon lancifolius leaf blight and screening of Bacillus subtilis as a biocontrol agent.

This study aimed to identify the pathogen responsible for leaf blight in Cyclocodon lancifolius, investigate its biological characteristics, and identify effective synthetic fungicides. Additionally, this study examined changes in physiological and biochemical indices of leaves following pathogen infection and screened biocontrol bacteria that inhibit the pathogen growth, providing a scientific basis for preventing and managing leaf blight in C. lancifolius. Pathogens were isolated from the interface of healthy and infected leaf tissues and identified through morphological and molecular biological methods. Amplification and sequencing of three genomic DNA regions-internal transcribed spacer region, translation elongation factor 1-α, and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase of ribosomal DNA-were performed, followed by the construction of a phylogenetic tree. The biological characteristics of pathogens under various temperature and pH conditions and different nitrogen and carbon sources were analyzed using the mycelial growth rate method. The antifungal effects of 13 chemical agents were evaluated using the poisoned medium method and mycelial growth rate method. Changes in physiological and biochemical indicators post-infection were also assessed. An antagonistic experiment was conducted to screen for biocontrol bacteria. A total of 29 potential pathogenic strains were isolated from infected leaf tissues, with Koch's Postulates confirming Stemphylium lycopersici as a key pathogen causing the disease. Growth analysis of S. lycopersici revealed optimal growth at 20°C and pH 6, with lactose or maltose serving as the most suitable carbon source and histidine as the preferred nitrogen source. Among the 13 synthetic fungicides tested, strain DHY4 exhibited the greatest sensitivity to 400 g/L flusilazole. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in superoxide dismutase, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, catalase, and malondialdehyde levels between treated and control groups 3 days post-inoculation. The biocontrol strain DYHS2, identified as a strain of Bacillus subtilis, demonstrated an inhibition rate of 51.80% against S. lycopersici in dual-culture experiments and showed a relative inhibition rate of 78.82% in detached leaf assays. These findings provide valuable insights into the newly identified causal agent of leaf blight in C. lancifolius and its biological characteristics, underscoring the potential of B. subtilis DYHS2 and synthetic fungicides such as flusilazole as effective disease management strategies.

On the Nature of HOPG-Supported Pt1Ti2O7 and its Decomposition of a Nerve Agent Simulant: A Cluster Model of a Single Atom Catalyst Active Site.

Chemical weapons, including hyper lethal nerve agents, are a persistently looming threat across the modern geopolitical landscape. There is a pressing need for the design and development of improved protective materials, which can be substantially aided by the cultivation of a fundamental molecular-level understanding of candidate systems and the corresponding decomposition chemistry. The emergence of the exciting new class of single atom catalyst (SAC) materials has enhanced the prospect of subnanoscale design tailoring in the hopes of optimizing activity and selectivity for a variety of chemical applications. Here, we apply our recently developed experimental technique for modeling the active sites of such SAC materials through the preparation of surface supported size-selected single metal-atom doped metal oxide clusters. The propensity for an SAC cluster model system for Pt1/TiO2 materials, Pt1Ti2O7 supported on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG), to adsorb and decompose nerve agent simulant dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) was investigated through a combination of temperature-programmed desorption/reaction (TPD/R) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). XPS measurements of the as-prepared Pt1Ti2O7 clusters supported the successful isolation of single Pt atoms in clusters monodispersed across the HOPG surface. TPD/R experiments showed that the reactivity exhibited by the Pt1Ti2O7 clusters was distinct from that of Ti2O7 clusters lacking the single Pt atom. It was found that DMMP decomposed over Pt1Ti2O7 upon heating to as low as room temperature, and higher temperature treatments evolved exclusively H2O, CO, and H2, while decomposition over Ti2O7 evolved only methanol and formaldehyde at elevated temperatures. This indicated the promotion of C-H and PO-C bond cleavage within DMMP due to the presence of single Pt atoms in the clusters. Further, the Pt1Ti2O7 clusters were found to desorb P-containing decomposition species, preventing active site poisoning; however, a change of reactivity reflecting that of Ti2O7 was observed following a single TPD/R cycle. This suggested the encapsulation of active Pt sites by titanium oxide during high temperature treatment and is thus an issue deserving of serious attention in the study of Pt1/Ti2O7 SAC materials.

Between Life and Death: Sea Urchin Embryos Undergo Peculiar DNA Fragmentation after Exposure to Vanadium, Cadmium, Gadolinium, and Selenium.

Exogenous DNA damage represents one of the most harmful outcomes produced by environmental, physical, or chemical agents. Here, a comparative analysis of DNA fragmentation was carried out on Paracentrotus lividus sea urchin embryos exposed to four common pollutants of the marine environment: vanadium, cadmium, gadolinium and selenium. Using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, fragmented DNA was quantified and localized in apoptotic cells mapping whole-mount embryos. This is the first study reporting how different chemicals are able to activate distinctive apoptotic features in sea urchin embryos, categorized as follows: (i) cell-selective apoptosis, showing DNA fragmentation restricted to a subset of extremely damaged cells, acting as an embryo survival mechanism; or (ii) total apoptosis, with fragmented DNA widespread throughout the cells of the entire embryo, leading to its death. Also, this is the first report of the effects of Se exposure on P. lividus sea urchin embryos. These data confirm the TUNEL assay as the most suitable test to study DNA fragmentation in the sea urchin embryo model system. Taken together, this research highlights embryos' ability to find alternative pathways and set physiological limits for development under stress conditions.

Ambidextrous approach in action: Mg(OMe)2-doped hierarchical porous zirconium MOFs for decontaminating toxic chemical agents in nonbuffered systems

Utilizing a ligand-truncation strategy, a hierarchically porous structure was engineered within MOF-808, designated as HP-MOF-808. Furthermore, Mg(OMe)2 doping yielded HP-MOF-808@Mg(OMe)2, materials with both hierarchical porosity and basic character, for decontamination of two types of toxic chemical agents in nonbuffered solutions. In aqueous solution, the HP-808-2 exhibited decontamination rate constants for dimethyl-4-nitrophenyl phosphate (DMNP) and the nerve agent soman (GD) that were 3.13 and 1.98 times higher than MOF-808, respectively. The decontamination half-lives of HP-808-2@Mg(OMe)2 1:2 for DMNP and GD were further reduced by 13.87 and 36.82 times compared to HP-808-2. The material retains its decontamination efficacy for DMNP even after 60-days exposure in air and maintains structural integrity in solvents devoid of labile hydrogen for at least 24 h. In methanol, HP-808-2@Mg(OMe)2 achieved 100% DMNP decontamination in 25 min, outperforming HP-808-2 at 31.8%, marking it as the fastest DMNP decontamination material in methanol. Theoretical simulations confirmed the experimental findings, clearly demonstrating the energy changes during reactions with various nucleophiles and revealing the degradation process and mechanism of DMNP on the active sites of MOFs. Moreover, these materials rapidly degraded 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES) through hydrolysis, dehydrohalogenation, and heterolytic cleavage, demonstrating great potential for dual decontamination of toxic chemical agents in unbuffered systems.

Advancing Anti-Biofilm Strategies: Innovations to Combat Biofilm-Related Challenges and Enhance Efficacy.

Biofilms are complex communities of microorganisms that can cause significant challenges in various settings, including industrial processes, environmental systems, and human health. The protective nature of biofilms makes them resistant to traditional anti-biofilm strategies, such as chemical agents, mechanical interventions, and surface modifications. To address the limitations of conventional anti-biofilm methods, researchers have explored emerging strategies that encompass the use of natural compounds, nanotechnology-based methods, quorum-sensing inhibition, enzymatic degradation, and antimicrobial photodynamic/sonodynamic therapy. There is an increasing focus on combining multiple anti-biofilm strategies to combat resistance and enhance effectiveness. Researchers are continuously investigating the mechanisms of biofilm formation and developing innovative approaches to overcome the limitations of conventional anti-biofilm methods. These efforts aim to improve the management of biofilms and prevent infections while preserving the environment. This study provides a comprehensive overview of the latest advancements in anti-biofilm strategies. Given the dynamic nature of this field, exploring new approaches is essential to stimulate further research and development initiatives. The effective management of biofilms is crucial for maintaining the health of industrial processes, environmental systems, and human populations.