Concentration Dependence Research Articles

How to accurately quantify brain magnetic susceptibility in the context of Parkinson's disease: Validation on phantoms and healthy volunteers at 1.5 and 3 T.

Currently, brain iron content represents a new neuromarker for understanding the physiopathological mechanisms leading to Parkinson's disease (PD). In vivo quantification of biological iron is possible by reconstructing magnetic susceptibility maps obtained using quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM). Applying QSM is challenging, as up to now, no standardization of acquisition protocols and phase image processing has emerged from referenced studies. Our objectives were to compare the accuracy and the sensitivity of 10 QSM pipelines built from algorithms from the literature, applied on phantoms data and on brain data. Two phantoms, with known magnetic susceptibility ranges, were created from several solutions of gadolinium chelate. Twenty healthy volunteers from two age groups were included. Phantoms and brain data were acquired at 1.5 and 3 T, respectively. Susceptibility-weighted images were obtained using a 3D multigradient-recalled-echo sequence. For brain data, 3D anatomical T1- and T2-weighted images were also acquired to segment the deep gray nuclei of interest. Concerning in vitro data, the linear dependence of magnetic susceptibility versus gadolinium concentration and deviations from the theoretically expected values were calculated. For brain data, the accuracy and sensitivity of the QSM pipelines were evaluated in comparison with results from the literature and regarding the expected magnetic susceptibility increase with age, respectively. A nonparametric Mann-Whitney U-test was used to compare the magnetic susceptibility quantification in deep gray nuclei between the two age groups. Our methodology enabled quantifying magnetic susceptibility in human brain and the results were consistent with those from the literature. Statistically significant differences were obtained between the two age groups in all cerebral regions of interest. Our results show the importance of optimizing QSM pipelines according to the application and the targeted magnetic susceptibility range, to achieve accurate quantification. We were able to define the optimal QSM pipeline for future applications on patients with PD.

Development of an optode-type chloride ion sensor utilizing optical fiber with silver film

This study delves into the development and assessment of a new chloride ion sensor employing optical fiber technology. It investigates the response characteristics of Ag-coated optode sensors, with a specific focus on film thickness and concentration dependency. Experimental results indicate that while film thickness offers sensitivity advantages, they are susceptible to fluctuations and detachment, thereby impacting reliability. To address this, the study suggests methods for correcting intensity fluctuations and improving sensor performance through calibration curves and spectrum measurements. Moreover, experiments demonstrate potential for enhancing sensitivity and resolution at low concentrations. These results highlight the superiority of the optode sensor method over existing techniques, particularly in sensitivity and adaptability for chloride ion monitoring. The study significantly contributes to sensor technology advancement, offering improved precision and reliability for environmental monitoring and industrial process control.

Influence of age on the concentrations of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAA) in the tissues of perch (Percafluviatilis)

Globally, perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAA) are ubiquitous due to their almost unlimited applications in industry and households and are detected in a wide variety of matrices.Aquatic ecosystems are of particular importance due to the spread of PFAA via water fluxes. The majority of published studies describe PFAA concentrations in fish or aquatic mammals, but not the dependence of PFAA concentrations in tissues and organs in fish of different ages. Since this is very important for understanding the accumulation behavior of these substances our study systematically investigates the influence of age on the PFAA concentration in the tissues of 74 perches (Perca fluviatilis), a very popular edible fish. Fish are particularly suitable as indicators of PFAA contamination of water because of their uptake via water (gills and skin) and food (predominantly piscivorous diet). The mean total PFAA concentrations (as the sum of the individual concentrations of 11 compounds) were: 114 μg/kg (kidney), 112 μg/kg (heart), 79.9 μg/kg (liver), 78.4 μg/kg (spleen), 64.6 μg/kg (gills) and 21.7 μg/kg (muscle), with longer-chain compounds accounting for 90% of the substances. Perfluorooctanesulfoic acid (PFOS) accounted for the largest percentage of the total PFAA concentration in all tissues at 43–63%. With the exception of the heart and spleen, a significant increase in total concentrations was observed with increasing age of the perch. The strongest correlation was observed for the kidney, followed by the liver and gills. With regard to their consumption as human nutrition the tolerable weekly PFAA intake of 4.4 ng/kg bodyweight and week for the sum of the 4 EFSA PFAA in adults and children was exceeded many times over (860% and 1600% respectively) with an average fish consumption per week. The maximum PFAA levels set in the E.U. since January 2023 were exceeded five times.

A methodology of quantifying membrane permeability based on returning probability theory and molecular dynamics simulation.

We propose a theoretical approach to estimate the permeability coefficients of substrates (permeants) for crossing membranes from donor (D) phase to acceptor (A) phase by means of molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. A fundamental aspect of our approach involves reformulating the returning probability (RP) theory, a rigorous bimolecular reaction theory, to describe permeation phenomena. This reformulation relies on the parallelism between permeation and bimolecular reaction processes. In the present method, the permeability coefficient is represented in terms of the thermodynamic and kinetic quantities for the reactive (R) phase that exists within the inner region of a membrane. One can evaluate these quantities using multiple MD trajectories starting from phase R. We apply the RP theory to the permeation of ethanol and methylamine at different concentrations (infinitely dilute and 1 mol % conditions of permeants). Under the 1 mol% condition, the present method yields a larger permeability coefficient for ethanol (0.12 ± 0.01cms-1) than for methylamine (0.069 ± 0.006cms-1), while the values of the permeability coefficient are satisfactorily close to those obtained from the brute-force MD simulations (0.18 ± 0.03 and 0.052 ± 0.005cms-1 for ethanol and methylamine, respectively). Moreover, upon analyzing the thermodynamic and kinetic contributions to the permeability, we clarify that a higher concentration dependency of permeability for ethanol, as compared to methylamine, arises from the sensitive nature of ethanol's free-energy barrier within the inner region of the membrane against ethanol concentration.

Relationship between oligoarginine-induced membrane damage of single Escherichia coli cells and entry of the peptide into the cytoplasm

Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) can enter the cytosol of eukaryotic cells without killing them whereas some CPPs exhibit antimicrobial activity against bacterial cells. Here, to elucidate the mode of interaction of the CPP nona-arginine (R9) with bacterial cells, we investigated the interactions of lissamine rhodamine B red-labeled peptide (Rh-R9) with single Escherichia coli cells encapsulating calcein using confocal laser scanning microscopy. After Rh-R9 induced the leakage of a large amount of calcein, the fluorescence intensity of the cytosol due to Rh-R9 greatly increased, indicating that Rh-R9 induces cell membrane damage, thus allowing entry of a significant amount of Rh-R9 into the cytosol. To determine if the lipid bilayer region of the membrane is the main target of Rh-R9, we then investigated the interaction of Rh-R9 with single giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) comprising an E. coli polar lipid extract containing small GUVs and AlexaFluor 647 hydrazide (AF647) in the lumen. Rh-R9 entered the GUV lumen without inducing AF647 leakage, but leakage eventually did occur, indicating that GUV membrane damage was induced after the entry of Rh-R9 into the GUV lumen. The Rh-R9 peptide concentration dependence of the fraction of entry of Rh-R9 after a specific interaction time was similar to that of the fraction of leaking GUVs. These results indicate that Rh-R9 can damage the lipid bilayer region of a cell membrane, which may be related to its antimicrobial activity.

Peracetic Acid Activation by Modified Hematite for Water Purification: Performance, Degradation Pathways, and Mechanism.

Natural mineral-based advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are now receiving increasing attention for the efficient degradation of pollutants. In this work, we used a common reducing agent (NaBH4) to treat natural Hematite to obtain modified Hematite (Hematite-(R)) and applied it to activate peracetic acid (PAA) for efficient degradation of cefazolin (CFZ). Compared with Hematite, the Hematite-(R)/PAA system increased the degradation rate of CFZ by 21.7% within 80 min under neutral conditions. Scavenging experiments and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) technology were introduced to identify the principal roles of 1O2, CH3C(O)OO•, and •OH for CFZ removal over the Hematite-(R)/PAA process. The outstanding capability of Hematite-(R) could be mainly due to the higher percentage of Fe(II) (52%) on the surface of catalysts. Furthermore, the possible degradation pathways of CFZ were explored. Moreover, the Hematite-(R)/PAA process showed a superior CFZ removal efficiency with a wide initial pH scope of 1.0-9.0. The degradation efficiency of CFZ showed a negligible effect in the presence of Cl-, SO42-, and NO3-, while significant inhibition was recorded after the addition of H2PO4- and CO32-. The inhibition of humic acid (HA) on CFZ degradation via the Hematite-(R)/PAA process showed an obvious concentration dependence. This work could provide strong support for the use of natural Hematite in water purification.

Indoor Radon Measurement in Buildings of A.O.R.N Cardarelli, the Largest Hospital of National Relevance in Southern Italy

: Indoor radon concentrations constitute a major source of exposure to ionizing radiation for humans. It has been estimated that radon contributes about 10% of deaths from lung cancer in the USA and Europe. In Italy, current legislation establishes that the concentration of radon must be monitored in all workplaces located in a basement and on the ground floor. In this study, the indoor radon concentration of 20 multi-floor buildings on the Cardarelli Hospital was measured during two consecutive semesters. The survey was carried out with CR-39 solid-state nuclear track detectors (SSNTDs). Radon concentrations were found to range from 4 Bq/m3 to 424 Bq/m3, with a median of 24 Bq/m3. The dependence of the radon concentrations on the measurement floor and the room-to-room spatial variation was also analyzed.

Atomistic insights into hydrogen-enhanced strain-induced vacancy in α - iron across varied strain rates

Dynamic behavior of α-iron in the presence of hydrogen (H) under triaxial tension is investigated by molecular dynamic simulations. The process of hydrogen enhanced strain induced vacancy is directly captured at the atomic scale in a wide range of strain rates. Significant strain rate effects and H concentration dependence are observed in the hydrogen embrittlement of α-iron. When the concentration of H (CH) is substantially high, the maximum tensile stress of iron falls. More local phase transitions are observed at the aggregation sites of H atoms, which plays a crucial role in ensuring that the material does not lose its load bearing capacity immediately after reaching the maximal stress. Our study sheds light on the intricate interplay of H, strain rate, phase transition (PT) in α-iron and provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics of H embrittlement.

Nitroquinolone Fused Salicyl and Naphthyl Hydrazone Fluorescent Probes for the Detection of Fe3+and Pb2+ Ions.

The application of quinolones stretches over a large umbrella of medicinal field as well as chemosensor due to the presence of privileged heterocyclic aromatic rig system. Salicyl and Naphthyl Hydrazide motifs are also established fluorophore groups. Therefore in this work, we have designed and synthesized Salicyl hydrazide (3a-c) and naphthyl hydrazide fused nitroquinolones (5a-c) investigated for their fluorescent behaviour. Preliminary UV- absorption studies were carried out and the metal selectivity were examined with various metal ion. Among them, it was found that compound 3a was selective towards Fe3+ ions (λex = 330nm, 1:1 DMF:H2O at pH = 7.4 in HEPES Buffer medium). 3a shows decrease emission intensity in presence of Fe3+ ions. Compound 5a shows enhancement in fluorescence intensity upon addition of Pb2+ ion (λex = 280nm, 1:1 DMF:H2O at pH = 7.4 in HEPES Buffer medium). Further, the concentration dependence, competitive binding and EDTA reversibility were studied for selected compounds towards the respective cations selectivity. Jobs plot analysis indicate that 1:1 binding of 3a with Fe3+ ion (Ka = 3.17 x104M-1 and Limit Of Detection (LOD) = 5.1 × 10-7 M) whereas 5a showed 1:2 binding mode with Pb2+ ions (Ka = 2.14 × 106M-1 and Limit Of Detection (LOD) = 2.613 × 10-9M). Density Function Theoretical studies were performed as support for the experimental results.

Mechanism and rate of anomalous extraction of chloride salts from water to 1,2-dichloroethane

Open circuit potential (OCP) measurements, potentiostatic pulse (PP) amperometry and cyclic voltammetry (CV), were used to investigate and to sort by rate the anomalous extraction of the chloride salts RCl of the cations R+ = tetrabutylammonium (TBA+), tetrapentylammonium (TPeA+), tetrahexylammonium (THexA+), tetraheptylammonium (THepA+) and bis(triphenyl-phosphoranylidene)ammonium (BA+) from water to 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE). A tentative mechanism is proposed comprising (a) the diffusion-controlled transport of the ion-pairs (RCl)ip from the aqueous to the organic solvent phase providing a major contribution to the chloride extraction, (b) decomposition of the multiple ion-pairs or clusters (RCl)ipx, which are formed by agglomeration of the single ion-pairs (RCl)ip in the aqueous phase (w), and (c) the exponential decay of the ion-pairs (RCl)ip accumulated on the organic solvent side of the interface at the beginning of the OCP measurements. This model enables to simulate successfully the experimental time dependence of the chloride concentration. A conclusion is made that the effect of the composition of the organic solvent electrolyte RX, where X- = tetraphenylborate (TPB-) or tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl) borate (TB-), on the rate and extent of the anomalous accumulation of the chloride anion in the phase (o) of the two-phase liquid system LiCl(w)/RX(o) can be related to the hydrophobicity of the electrolytes RCl and RX. The latter property can be characterized by the standard Gibbs energy of transfer from the aqueous (w) to the organic solvent (o) phase. The accumulation of the chloride anion in the phase (o) appears to be promoted by the decreasing value of the transfer Gibbs energy of RCl in the sequence TBACl > TPeACl > THexACl > THepACl > BACl, while the decreasing value of the transfer Gibbs energy of RX in the sequence TBATPB > TPeATPB > THexATPB > THepATPB > BATPB > BATB starts to block the cycle combining the energetically unfavorable extraction of RX from the phase (o) to the phase (w) with the energetically favorable extraction of RCl in the opposite direction. IR spectroscopy provides evidence of the formation of the water clusters in the organic solvent phase equilibrated with the aqueous phase in the presence of the tetraalkylammonium cation in both phases, which are supposed to drive the anomalous accumulation of the chloride anion in the phase (o).

Evaluation of the Effect of Thickeners in Enteral Formulas on the Gastric Emptying Rate of Proteins and Carbohydrates Using a Semi-Dynamic Gastric Model.

The emptying rate of specific nutrients in enteral formulas is poorly understood, despite the importance of controlling the emptying rate in tube-fed patients. Because of their viscosity, thickened formulas are widely used to avoid gastric reflux and reduce the burden on caregivers. This study examined how thickeners in enteral formulas affected the gastric emptying rates of proteins and carbohydrates. A semi-dynamic gastric model was used to prepare and digest test enteral formulas that contained either no thickeners or agar (0.2%). The amounts of protein and carbohydrates in each emptied aliquot were determined, and the emptying rate was calculated. We found that agar accelerated protein emptying, and an exploratory experiment with agar (0.5%) suggested the possibility of concentration dependence. Additionally, experiments using gellan gum (0.08%), guar gum (0.2%), or carrageenan (0.08%, 0.2%) suggested that protein emptying could vary depending on the thickener type and that carrageenan might slow it. These results could help with the appropriate selection of thickeners added to liquid foods based on the patient's metabolic profile to manage nutrition, not only for tube-fed patients but also for those with oropharyngeal dysphagia or diabetes.

Simulation on the effect of oxygen concentration on the positive secondary streamer generated in oxygen-rich nitrogen–oxygen mixtures under atmospheric pressure

In this study, we investigated the effect of various O2 concentrations, from 20% to 90%, in nitrogen–oxygen ( N2/O2 ) mixtures on the characteristics of secondary streamers. As oxygen molecules have different molecular characteristics from nitrogen molecules in terms of ionisation threshold and electron attachment property, streamer discharges generated under various nitrogen–oxygen ratios may exhibit differing characteristics such as electron density, electric field, and radical formation. We focused on the changes in these parameters in secondary streamers using simulations. Simulations were first performed under the same conditions as those in previous experiments to compare the results of the ozone production, discharge current, and discharge emission characteristics. To compare the ozone production characteristics, simulated O radicals–the precursor of ozone–were used in the simulation for simplicity. This comparison showed that, although the absolute values of each parameter were different, the simulation exhibited a similar trend in the case of the experimentally obtained oxygen concentration dependence. After the validity of the simulation was verified to some extent via a comparison with the experiment, the results obtained from the simulation were analysed in detail. The results showed that, although the electric field strength in the secondary streamer did not change much as the oxygen concentration increased, the decrease rate of the electron density was greatly accelerated by the electron attachment reaction of oxygen. As a result, many of the electrons had already dissipate during the development of the primary streamer, and few electrons remained when the secondary streamer was formed. This effect suggests that the ratio of the amount of O radicals produced in the primary streamer to that produced in the secondary streamer changes as the oxygen concentration changes.

Microstructures and Rheological Properties of Short-Side-Chain Perfluorosulfonic Acid in Water/2-Propanol.

The viscosity and viscoelasticity of polyelectrolyte solutions with a single electrostatic interaction have been carefully studied experimentally and theoretically. Despite some theoretical models describe experimental results well, the influence of multiple interactions (electrostatic and hydrophobic) on rheological scaling is not yet fully resolved. Herein, we systematically study the microstructures and rheological properties of short-side-chain perfluorosulfonic acid (S-PFSA), the most promising candidate of a proton exchange membrane composed of a hydrophobic backbone with hydrophilic side-chains, in water/2-propanol. Small-angle X-ray scattering confirms that semiflexible S-PFSA colloidal particles with a length of ~38 nm and a diameter of 1-1.3 nm are formed, and the concentration dependence of the correlation length (ξ) obeys the power law ξ~c-0.5 consistent with the prediction of Dobrynin et al. By combining macrorheology with diffusing wave spectroscopy microrheology, the semidilute unentangled, semidilute entangled, and concentrated regimes corresponding to the scaling relationships ηsp~c0.5, ηsp~c1.5, and ηsp~c4.1 are determined. The linear viscoelasticity indicates that the entanglement concentration (ce) obtained from the dependence of ηsp on the polymer concentration is underestimated owing to hydrophobic interaction. The true entanglement concentration (cte) is obtained by extrapolating the plateau modulus (Ge) to the terminal modulus (Gt). Furthermore, Ge and the plateau width, τr/τe (τr and τe denote reptation time and Rouse time), scale as Ge~c2.4 and τr/τe~c4.2, suggesting that S-PFSA dispersions behave like neutral polymer solutions in the concentrated regime. This work provides mechanistic insight into the rheological behavior of an S-PFSA dispersion, enabling quantitative control over the flow properties in the process of solution coating.

SODIUM, MONOETHANOLAMMONIUM AND POLYETHYLENE POLYAMMONIUM CITRATES AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS ELECTROCHEMICAL PROPERTIES

pH and conductometric study of aqueous (0.1 ÷ 9.0)⋅10-3 mol/l solutions of sodium (Na3Cit), monoethanolammonium (H3Cit⋅3MEA) and polyethylenepolyammonium (kH3Cit⋅3PEPA) citrates was carried out. Features of the electrochemical behavior of monoethanolamine and polyethylenepolamine ammonium citrates aqueous solutions were revealed in comparison with Na3Cit. As the temperature increases from 293 to 303 K, the pH values and Na3Cit solutions molar electrical conductivity increase. Due to hydrolytic processes, when diluting H3Cit⋅3MEA solutions, a change in pH is observed from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline, in contrast to Na3Cit. An increase in temperature (in the region of 293–308 K) leads to an increase in the medium acidity, in contrast to sodium citrate solutions, which is accompanied by an atypical decrease in molar electrical conductivity at the same H3Cit⋅3MEA content. It has been shown that an increase in temperature in the range of 293-308 K leads to a decrease in H3Cit⋅3MEA aqueous solutions pH, in contrast to Na3Cit and kH3Cit⋅3PEPA solutions, which is accompanied by an atypical decrease in molar electrical conductivity at the same H3Cit⋅3MEA content. The component composition of Na3Cit, H3Cit⋅3MEA and kH3Cit⋅3PEPA aqueous solutions was calculated. The probability of the existence of negatively charged ion-molecular complexes in H3Cit⋅3MEA and kH3Cit⋅3PEPA aqueous solutions is shown. The concentration and temperature dependence of citrate ions hydrolysis constant was obtained. The concentration and temperature dependence of these complexes was assessed. The atypical negative effect of heating on H3Cit⋅3MEA aqueous solutions molar electrical conductivity is associated with a change in the radius of the ion-molecular complex and its stability. The value of the limiting molar electrical conductivity of sodium, monoethanolammonium and polyethylenepolyammonium citrates aqueous solutions in the range of 293–313 K was estimated. Correlations were revealed between the values of the limiting electrical conductivity and ion-molecular complexes formation constants in H3Cit⋅PEPA aqueous solutions. The values of energy, enthalpy and entropy of activation of molar electrical conductivities of aqueous solutions were calculated. For the solutions studied, compensation effects were noted in the activation parameters of molar electrical conductivity.

Cy3-Based Nanoviscosity Determination of Mucus: Effect of Mucus Collection Methods and Antibiotics Treatment.

The integrity of the protective mucus layer as a primary defense against pathogen invasion and microbial leakage into the intestinal epithelium can be compromised by the effects of antibiotics on the commensal microbiome. Changes in mucus integrity directly affect the solvent viscosity in the immediate vicinity of the mucin network, that is, the nanoviscosity, which in turn affects both biochemical reactions and selective transport. To assess mucus nanoviscosity, a reliable readout via the viscosity-dependent fluorescence lifetime of the molecular rotor dye cyanine 3 is established and nanoviscosities from porcine and murine ex vivo mucus are determined. To account for different mucin concentrations due to the removal of digestive residues during mucus collection, the power law dependence of mucin concentration on viscosity is used. The impact of antibiotics combinations (meropenem/vancomycin, gentamycin/ampicillin) on ex vivo intestinal mucus nanoviscosity is presented. The significant increase in viscosity of murine intestinal mucus after treatment suggests an effect of antibiotics on the microbiota that affects mucus integrity. This method will be a useful tool to assess how drugs, directly or indirectly, affect mucus integrity. Additionally, the method can be utilized to analyze the role of mucus nanoviscosity in health and disease, as well as in drug development.

Optimizing hydrogen permeation properties of WS2-Ni composite coatings on pipeline steel for improved hydrogen protection

Tungsten disulfide (WS2) has broad applications due to its unique molecular structure and outstanding physicochemical properties. In particular, the physical barrier properties of WS2 make it suitable to act as barriers against hydrogen. Herein, WS2-Ni composite coatings are prepared by electrodeposition to mitigate hydrogen-induced damage of X70 pipeline steel. The influence of the WS2 concentration on the hydrogen resistance of coating is assessed by electrochemical hydrogen permeation test, hydrogen adsorption simulation, slow strain rate tensile test (SSRT), and fracture analysis. As the WS2 concentration increases, the distributions of WS2 in the coatings transition from sparse to uniform and then agglomeration, while the grain size of Ni decreases initially and then decreases. These microstructural changes impact the hydrogen adsorption sites and diffusion paths, leading to a non-linear relationship between the hydrogen permeation resistance and WS2 concentration. This similar concentration dependence is also observed from the hydrogen embrittlement (HE) resistance of coatings, suggesting that enhancing the hydrogen permeation resistance can improve the HE resistance. This study highlights the great potential of WS2 as an effective barrier against hydrogen permeation, and the results provide insights into the hydrogen protection mechanism of pipeline steel.

Hub stability in the calcium calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II

The calcium calmodulin protein kinase II (CaMKII) is a multi-subunit ring assembly with a central hub formed by the association domains. There is evidence for hub polymorphism between and within CaMKII isoforms, but the link between polymorphism and subunit exchange has not been resolved. Here, we present near-atomic resolution cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures revealing that hubs from the α and β isoforms, either standalone or within an β holoenzyme, coexist as 12 and 14 subunit assemblies. Single-molecule fluorescence microscopy of Venus-tagged holoenzymes detects intermediate assemblies and progressive dimer loss due to intrinsic holoenzyme lability, and holoenzyme disassembly into dimers upon mutagenesis of a conserved inter-domain contact. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations show the flexibility of 4-subunit precursors, extracted in-silico from the β hub polymorphs, encompassing the curvature of both polymorphs. The MD explains how an open hub structure also obtained from the β holoenzyme sample could be created by dimer loss and analysis of its cryo-EM dataset reveals how the gap could open further. An assembly model, considering dimer concentration dependence and strain differences between polymorphs, proposes a mechanism for intrinsic hub lability to fine-tune the stoichiometry of αβ heterooligomers for their dynamic localization within synapses in neurons.

Assessment of elimination efficacy on foodborne pathogenic microbes and foulant precipitates using phytic acid and sulfamic acid

This research investigated the comparative efficacy of sulfamic acid (SA) and phytic acid (PA), both individually and in combination, for treating potential foodborne pathogens and pre-formed foulants. Pathogens studied included Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli DH5α, Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, and vegetative Bacillus cereus, in suspended aqueous solutions, as well as Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm on quartz glass surfaces. Inactivation kinetics for Listeria monocytogenes revealed concentration-dependent rate constants (k) of 6.6(±0.2) × 10−6 M and 2.8(±0.1) × 10−8 M for single treatments of SA and PA, respectively, and ranged from 6.9(±0.3) to 50.7(±2.3) × 10−6 M for combined treatments with PA pre-treatment concentrations of 75–758 μM. Observable cellular abnormalities in Listeria monocytogenes, such as membrane vesiculation, chelation, cellular disruption, biomolecule leakage, and lipid peroxidation, were identified after exposure to PA or SA, either individually or in combination. The optimized combined treatment of PA and SA achieved significant removal (i.e., >3-log; 99.9%) of potential foodborne pathogens under simulated food-washing process conditions. Additionally, over 90% descaling efficacy was observed for pre-formed foulants such as CaCO3 precipitates and Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm on quartz glass surfaces with the combined treatment. These findings provide novel insights into the versatile utility of PA and SA for optimizing combinational water disinfection systems and addressing (in)organic foulant scaling on surfaces in the food processing industry.

Unexpected concentration dependence of Ba2+ dominant substitution in addition to La3+ in cubic Nd3+-doped BaLaLiWO6 perovskites

There is a great need in material science to find and investigate new RE3+ ion-doped inorganic materials suitable for producing sintered ceramics of high transparency.Prospective candidates for transparent ceramics should crystalize in highly symmetric crystal systems, so BaLaLiWO6 characterized by a cubic structure (s.g. Fm3¯m) seems to be a good candidate for accomplishing this highly challenging task.A series of micro-crystalline samples activated by Nd3+ ion (0–20 mol%) was produced via the solid-state reaction. Nd3+ ion was chosen as a laser dopant and structural probe. For the first time, the BaLaLiWO6 crystal structure was solved from the single crystal.The originality of this research results from the unexpected substitution of divalent Ba2+ ions by trivalent Nd3+ ones till up to 7 mol% and above this value the replacement of probably both Ba2+ and La3+ ions. Exchange of Ba2+ by Nd3+ ions leads to the formation of cationic vacancies due to the charge compensation effect: 3Ba2+ → 2Nd3+ + □ (vacancy in La3+ cationic sublattice), well-manifested in unit cell expansion with consequences in the spectroscopic characteristics. XRD and SEM methods in combination with emission and absorption spectroscopic ones used at cryogenic temperature helped to determine the substantial properties of this perovskite which could find application in optics. Slightly different cationic positions substituted by the Nd3+ ion and its non-homogeneous arrangement in the Ba2+/La3+ site, detected by spectroscopy with selective excitation under laser at 77 K, is pointed out. The crystal disorder of the cation environment is revealed in broad absorption and emission bands even at low temperature.

Intermolecular Electrostatic Interactions in Cytochrome c Protein Monolayer on Montmorillonite Alumosilicate Surface: A Positive Cooperative Effect.

Montmorillonite (MM) crystal nanoplates acquire anticancer properties when coated with the mitochondrial protein cytochrome c (cytC) due to the cancer cells' capability to phagocytize cytC-MM colloid particles. The introduced exogenous cytC initiates apoptosis: an irreversible cascade of biochemical reactions leading to cell death. In the present research, we investigate the organization of the cytC layer on the MM surface by employing physicochemical and computer methods-microelectrophoresis, static, and electric light scattering-to study cytC adsorption on the MM surface, and protein electrostatics and docking to calculate the local electric potential and Gibbs free energy of interacting protein globules. The found protein concentration dependence of the adsorbed cytC quantity is nonlinear, manifesting a positive cooperative effect that emerges when the adsorbed cytC globules occupy more than one-third of the MM surface. Computer analysis reveals that the cooperative effect is caused by the formation of protein associates in which the cytC globules are oriented with oppositely charged surfaces. The formation of dimers and trimers is accompanied by a strong reduction in the electrostatic component of the Gibbs free energy of protein association, while the van der Waals component plays a secondary role.