Distinct Effects Research Articles

Amino-modified ZIF-8 for enhanced CO2 capture: Synthesis, characterization and performance evaluation

The urgent need for sustainable and innovative approaches to mitigate the increasing levels of atmospheric CO2 necessitates the development of efficient methods for its removal. In this study, we focus on the new, innovative approach for synthesis and functionalization of metal-organic framework (MOF) ZIF-8 in one step at room temperature to enhance its capacity for CO2 capture. Specifically, we investigated the impact of four amino-compounds, namely tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA), hexadecylamine (HDA), ethanolamine (ELA), and cyclopropylamine (CPA), on the chemical structure, size, surface area and porosity, and CO2 capturing of ZIF-8 powder. By varying concentrations of the amino-compounds, we examined their influence on the ZIF-8 properties. Our findings demonstrate that each amino-compound and its respective concentration exhibit distinct effects on the characteristics of ZIF-8. Notably, the ZIF-8 sample functionalized with the highest presented concentration of TEPA exhibited significant improvement in CO2 trapping efficiency, with a 33.3% enhancement. Moreover, least concentrated samples with added HDA or CPA demonstrated notable improvements with enhancements of 46.6% and 18.6%, respectively. These results highlight the potential of simple synthesis and functionalization techniques for MOFs in enhancing their CO2 capture capabilities. The findings from this study offer new opportunities for the development of strategies to mitigate CO2 emissions using MOFs.

Unraveling the Effects of Cationic Peptides on Vesicle Structures: Insights into Peptide-Membrane Interactions.

Antimicrobial resistance is a pressing global health issue, with millions of lives at risk by 2050, necessitating the development of alternatives with broad-spectrum activity against pathogenic microbes. Antimicrobial peptides provide a promising solution by combating microbes, modulating immunity, and reducing resistance development through membrane and intracellular targeting. PuroA, a synthetic peptide derived from the tryptophan-rich domain of puroindoline A, exhibits potent antimicrobial activity against various pathogens, while the rationally designed P1 peptide demonstrates enhanced antimicrobial activity with its specific composition. This paper investigates the concentration-dependent effects of these cationic peptides on distinct types of vesicles representing strong-negative bacterial cell membranes (S-vesicles), weak-negative bacterial cell membranes (W-vesicles), and mammalian cell membranes (M-vesicles). To investigate the interactions between the peptides and vesicles, small-angle neutron scattering experiments were conducted. The cationic peptides, PuroA and P1, interact with S-vesicles through electrostatic interactions, leading to distinct effects. PuroA accumulates on the vesicle surface, increasing Rcore and Rtotal, aligning with the carpet model. P1 disrupts the vesicle structure at higher concentrations, consistent with the detergent model. Neither peptide significantly affects W-vesicles, emphasizing the role of charge. In uncharged M-vesicles, both peptides decrease Rcore and Rtotal and increase tshell, indicating peptide insertion and altered bilayer properties. These findings provide valuable insights into peptide-membrane interactions and their impact on vesicle structures. Furthermore, the implications of these findings extend to the potential development of innovative antimicrobial agents and drug delivery systems that specifically target bacterial and mammalian membranes. This research contributes to the advancement of understanding peptide-membrane interactions and lays the foundation for the design of approaches for targeting membranes in various biomedical applications.

A Cantharis potency acts on heat exposed bovine serum albumin as revealed by FT-IR spectroscopy

In a series of experiments we have demonstrated that high dilution of homeopathic drugs produces distinct effects on plants and animals in-vivo through the medium of water. High dilutions (HDs) of a drug prepared by serial dilution with a solvent medium 1:100, followed by mechanical agitation in several steps are called potencies. Water molecules play an important role on protein structure and function. We focused our observation on water molecules associated with BSA. High dilution (HD) of a homeopathic drug is thought to be specific water structure which produces therapeutic effects on man. HDs also produce effects on animals, plants and even proteins in aqueous solution. What is the primary target of HDs on organisms or on protein? The present study addresses this question. Cantharis 30 cH, a homeopathic potency used for burn injuries, has been tested on bovine serum albumin (BSA) in-vitro. The protein has been exposed to heat at 750C for 10 mins, cooled down to room temperature and then treated with Cantharis 30 cH. The treatment was done by two methods, direct and indirect through water. The results from both the methods are almost similar. The treated and untreated protein solutions were analysed by Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The treatment effect was evident on water molecules associated with BSA. The results indicate that Cantharis 30 cH interacts with water molecules which in turn influence BSA. It is concluded that the homeopathic potency converts first water structure which then affects the protein. Based on the results on this experiment we can assumes that the primary target of all homeopathic potencies is water which constitutes the major component of all living organisms. All biomolecules are suspended in water.

Environmental compatibility of pervious concrete with recycled coarse aggregate applying in riparian buffer area

Knowledge of the environmental compatibility of pervious concrete with recycled coarse aggregate (RA) is significant, especially when used in riparian buffer areas. In this study, investigations on the growth performance of two grass combinations (I: Festuca and Ryegrass; II: Cosmos bipinnata, Festuca and Ryegrass) and water purification capacity of the pervious concrete with the RA were carried out to evaluate the environmental compatibility; the former was performed by measuring the maximum height and germination rate during 28 days of growth; the latter was measured using a water immersion test with measurements of the nutrient content (NO3--N, NO2--N, NH4+-N, T-N, PO43--P, and T-P) and organic matter (COD and DOC) at certain intervals. Prior to that, the effects of RA grading (5–15 mm, 15–20 mm, 20–25 mm) and water-cement ratio (W/C) (0.4, 0.45, 0.5) on strength and porosity were determined, along with suitable concrete being selected for the test of environmental compatibility. The results showed that a maximum RA grading of 20–15 mm was the best for plant growth, manifesting the greatest maximum height of 9.8 cm and germination rate of 42.42%. Pervious concrete with vegetation can efficiently purify the surrounding water, with a removal efficiency of more than 98% for NH4+-N, T-P, PO43--P, and COD. The removal efficiency increased over time, except for the DOC. W/C had no distinct effect on plant growth and matter removal, except for NO2--N and NO3--N, which increased as W/C increased. This paper highlights the environmental technical merits of pervious concrete with RA and provides technical support for using the material in riparian buffers.

The female athletic ideal — Friend or foe? Fit, thin, and athletic body ideals and their associations with women’s body image

The internalization of body ideals is a critical predictor of body image and health behaviors. Thin and athletic ideal internalization in women need to be elucidated. The aims of the current study included: (i) describing the endorsement of thin and athletic body ideals among women and (ii) examining group differences in negative and positive self-conscious emotions and body image. Participants (N = 392 women; Mage = 25.6, SD = 5.3 years) were assigned to Fit Ideal (n = 110), Thin Ideal (n = 83), Athletic Ideal (n = 55), and Low Internalization (n = 144) groups based on scores for thin and athletic internalization. Three multivariate analyses of variance were conducted to examine Body Ideal group differences on negative appearance and fitness self-conscious emotions, and positive self-conscious emotions and body image. The Athletic Ideal and Low Internalization groups generally scored lower on negative self-conscious emotions and higher on positive self-conscious emotions and body image in comparison to the Fit and Thin Ideal groups (Cohen’s d =.35 to 1.15). Results suggest that differing levels of thin and athletic internalization may intersect uniquely with women’s body-related self-conscious emotions and positive body image and thus may have distinct effects on women’s health and behavior.

RHOAL57V drives the development of diffuse gastric cancer through IGF1R-PAK1-YAP1 signaling.

Cancer-associated mutations in the guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) RHOA are found at different locations from the mutational hotspots in the structurally and biochemically related RAS. Tyr42-to-Cys (Y42C) and Leu57-to-Val (L57V) substitutions are the two most prevalent RHOA mutations in diffuse gastric cancer (DGC). RHOAY42C exhibits a gain-of-function phenotype and is an oncogenic driver in DGC. Here, we determined how RHOAL57V promotes DGC growth. In mouse gastric organoids with deletion of Cdh1, which encodes the cell adhesion protein E-cadherin, the expression of RHOAL57V, but not of wild-type RHOA, induced an abnormal morphology similar to that of patient-derived DGC organoids. RHOAL57V also exhibited a gain-of-function phenotype and promoted F-actin stress fiber formation and cell migration. RHOAL57V retained interaction with effectors but exhibited impaired RHOA-intrinsic and GAP-catalyzed GTP hydrolysis, which favored formation of the active GTP-bound state. Introduction of missense mutations at KRAS residues analogous to Tyr42 and Leu57 in RHOA did not activate KRAS oncogenic potential, indicating distinct functional effects in otherwise highly related GTPases. Both RHOA mutants stimulated the transcriptional co-activator YAP1 through actin dynamics to promote DGC progression; however, RHOAL57V additionally did so by activating the kinases IGF1R and PAK1, distinct from the FAK-mediated mechanism induced by RHOAY42C. Our results reveal that RHOAL57V and RHOAY42C drive the development of DGC through distinct biochemical and signaling mechanisms.

Distinct antinociceptive and conditioned behavioral effects are produced by individual cannabinoids and a cannabis-derived mixture

Cannabinoids have been proposed as therapeutics for pain mitigation. Therefore, the antihyperalgesic effects of a proprietary cannabis-derived mixture, Non-Euphoric Phytocannabinoid Elixir #14 (NEPE14), were examined in a persistent Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA)-induced model of inflammatory pain. The acute antinociceptive and operant behavioral effects of NEPE14 were then compared with single cannabinoid preparations of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), Δ8-THC, the synthetic cannabinoid (−)-CP 55,940 (CP), and cannabidiol (CBD). The THC isomers and CP were also administered with cannabinoid-type-1 receptor (CB1R) antagonist, AM251, and NEPE14 was administered in combination with THC or CP. To induce inflammation, CFA or saline was administered into the paw of male and female Wistar rats. After injections, mechanical hypersensitivity was assessed with Von Frey filaments, and thermal hyperalgesia with a thermal probe. Nine Sprague Dawley rats were also trained to respond under a fixed-ratio 30 schedule for food reinforcers during a 60-min session. Response rates were recorded during the session and warm-water tail-withdrawal latency post session. In CFA-administered rats, mechanical and thermal paw-withdrawal thresholds significantly decreased compared to vehicle, indicating hyperalgesia. Both i.p. (6.6–20.7 ml/kg) and o.m. (30–300 μL) NEPE14 significantly reduced the mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia. In contrast, neither NEPE14 (3.7–20.7 mL/kg i.p., 100–1000 μL o.m.) nor CBD (10–100 mg/kg) significantly decreased response rates or increased tail-withdrawal latency. Acute Δ9-THC, Δ8-THC (1–5.6 mg/kg), and CP (0.032–0.18 mg/kg) significantly and dose-dependently decreased overall response rate and increased tail-withdrawal latency compared to vehicle. AM251 significantly antagonized the rate-decreasing effects of THC, and CP, as well as the antinociceptive effects of CP. Combinations of NEPE14 with Δ9-THC or CP were not significantly different from these cannabinoids alone. In summary, while NEPE14 significantly reduced CFA-induced hyperalgesia, it was more similar to CBD than Δ9-THC, Δ8-THC, and CP for significantly reducing thermal nociception and disrupting conditioned behavior.

Cerebral microvascular endothelial cell-derived extracellular vesicles regulate blood − brain barrier function

Autoreactive T lymphocytes crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) into the central nervous system (CNS) play a crucial role in the initiation of demyelination and neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis (MS). Recently, extracellular vesicles (EV) secreted by BBB endothelial cells (BBB-EC) have emerged as a unique form of cell-to-cell communication that contributes to cerebrovascular dysfunction. However, the precise impact of different size-based subpopulations of BBB-EC-derived EV (BBB-EV) on the early stages of MS remains unclear. Therefore, our objective was to investigate the content and function of distinct BBB-EV subpopulations in regulating BBB integrity and their role in T cell transendothelial migration, both in vitro and in vivo. Our study reveals that BBB-ECs release two distinct size based EV populations, namely small EV (sEV; 30-150 nm) and large EV (lEV; 150-300 nm), with a significantly higher secretion of sEV during inflammation. Notably, the expression patterns of cytokines and adhesion markers differ significantly between these BBB-EV subsets, indicating specific functional differences in the regulation of T cell migration. Through in vitro experiments, we demonstrate that lEV, which predominantly reflect their cellular source, play a major role in BBB integrity loss and the enhanced migration of pro-inflammatory Th1 and Th17.1 cells. Conversely, sEV appear to protect BBB function by inducing an anti-inflammatory phenotype in BBB-EC. These findings align with our in vivo data, where the administration of sEV to mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) results in lower disease severity compared to the administration of lEV, which exacerbates disease symptoms. In conclusion, our study highlights the distinct and opposing effects of BBB-EV subpopulations on the BBB, both in vitro and in vivo. These findings underscore the need for further investigation into the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of BBB-EV in the context of MS.

Bioenzyme-free colorimetric assay for creatinine determination based on Mn3O4 nanoparticles catalyzed oxidation of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine.

Mn3O4 nanozyme with good oxidase-like activity was successfully synthesized. The prepared Mn3O4 nanozyme can directly and effectively catalyze the oxidation of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) to generate green-blue-colored ox-TMB. Creatinine exhibits distinct inhibition effect on Mn3O4 nanozyme-catalyzed TMB colorimetric reaction system, leading to obvious color fading and absorbance intensity decrease of the reaction system. Furthermore, interference from uric acid can be effectively eliminated by regulating the pH of TMB-Mn3O4 colorimetric reaction system to pH 2.0. Then, a simple and bioenzyme-free colorimetric assay for the determination of creatinine was developed based on TMB-Mn3O4 colorimetric reaction. The linear detection range isfrom 100 to 800 μM and from 1 to 20 mM. The lowest limit of detection is 35.3 μM. Satisfied results are obtained for the determination of creatinine in real urine and sweat samples. This work provides the synthesis of a good oxidase-like nanozyme Mn3O4 and presents the fabrication of an effective nanozyme-based bioenzyme-free colorimetric assay for the determination of creatinine.

Carbon Paste Electrodes Surface-Modified with Surfactants: Principles of Surface Interactions at the Interface between Two Immiscible Liquid Phases.

Carbon paste electrodes ex-situ modified with different surfactants were studied using cyclic voltammetry with two model redox couples, namely hexaammineruthenium (II)/(III) and hexacyanoferrate (II)/(III), in 0.1 mol L-1 acetate buffer (pH 4), 0.1 mol L-1 phosphate buffer (pH 7), and 0.1 mol L-1 ammonia buffer (pH 9) at a scan rate ranging from 50 to 500 mV s-1. Distinct effects of pH, ionic strength, and the composition of supporting media, as well as of the amount of surfactant and its accumulation at the electrode surface, could be observed and found reflected in changes of double-layer capacitance and electrode kinetics. It has been proved that, at the two-phase interface, the presence of surfactants results in elctrostatic interactions that dominate in the transfer of model substances, possibly accompanied also by the effect of erosion at the carbon paste surface. The individual findings depend on the configurations investigated, which are also illustrated on numerous schemes of the actual microstructure at the respective electrode surface. Finally, principal observations and results are highlighted and discussed with respect to the future development and possible applications of sensors based on surfactant-modified composited electrodes.

In vitro mitochondrial and myogenic gene expression is influenced by formoterol in human myotubes

BackgroundExercise is an effective treatment for establishing and maintaining skeletal muscle health. The interconnected cascade of gene expression pathways related to myogenesis, mitochondrial homeostasis, and thyroid hormone metabolism are critical to skeletal muscle health. This in vitro study was conducted to investigate the effects of exercise mimetic (formoterol) stimulation on human skeletal muscle cell signaling during myogenesis, and to provide insight on potential targets for future studies exploring therapies for skeletal muscle atrophy. Human myoblasts were cultured and differentiated to evaluate the effects of exercise mimetic stimulation on gene expression during mid and late myogenesis.ResultsWe characterized the expression of 24 genes related to myogenesis, mitochondrial biogenesis, thyroid hormone metabolism, and cellular homeostasis and found that 21 genes were altered in response to formoterol, thus affecting related skeletal muscle pathways. Additionally, formoterol stimulation resulted in a myogenic program that appears to favor prolonged myoblast proliferation and delayed myotube maturation. Robust, yet distinctive effects of exercise mimetic stimulation on gene expression during mid-myogenesis and at terminal differentiation occurred. For instance, MYF5 increased in D6 FORM compared to other groups (p < 0.001) while MYOD and MYOG both decreased expression in the FORM groups compared to CON (p < 0.01). Secondly, mitochondrial biogenesis genes were stimulated following formoterol administration, namely PGC-1α, PGC-1β, and TFAM (p < 0.05). Uniquely in our study, thyroid hormone metabolism related genes were differentially expressed. For instance, DIO2 and DIO3 were both stimulated following formoterol administration (p < 0.05).ConclusionsThe results of our study support the groundwork for establishing further experiments utilizing exercise signaling as a clinical treatment in models targeting dysfunctional skeletal muscle cell growth.

TOA-based direct localization in shallow water multipath environments: CRLB analysis and optimal sensor deployment

Existing research explores the optimal sensing deployment in line-of-sight conditions, leveraging Cramér-Rao Lower Bound (CRLB) for optimization analysis. However, determining an optimal sensing deployment for direct localization in shallow water, characterized by distinctive multipath effects, poses a more significant challenge. This paper studies the optimal sensor deployment for direct localization grounded on the Time of Arrival (TOA) in a shallow water multipath environment. To address this problem, an initial derivation of the CRLB for accurate source localization is conducted, bearing in mind a multipath signal loss model. Subsequently, an optimization problem is articulated to minimize the trace of CRLB while adhering to the angular and range constraints to ascertain optimal sensor placement. Two necessary conditions for the objective function to attain a theoretical minimum are drawn out to find the closed-form solution. Nevertheless, it is impractical to satisfy these conditions concurrently under multipath circumstances. To swiftly attain the (sub-)optimal solution, an improved Particle Swarm Optimization (IPSO) algorithm is proposed, employing the previously derived conditions to initialize and update the inertia weights. Extensive simulation results based on the BELLHOP toolbox corroborate the theoretical analysis and the superior performance of the suggested sensor deployment scheme.

Tonal and syllabic encoding in overt Cantonese Chinese speech production: An ERP study.

This study was conducted to investigate how syllables and lexical tones are processed in Cantonese speech production using the picture-word interference task with concurrent recording of event-related brain potentials (ERPs). Cantonese-speaking participants were asked to name aloud individually presented pictures and ignore an accompanying auditory word distractor. The target and distractor either shared the same word-initial syllable with the same tone (Tonal-Syllable related), the same word-initial syllable without the same tone (Atonal-Syllable related), the same tone only (Tone alone related), or were phonologically unrelated. Participants' naming responses were faster, relative to an unrelated control, when the target and distractor shared the same tonal- or atonal-syllable but null effect was found in the Tone alone related condition. The mean ERP amplitudes (per each 100-ms time window) were subjected to stimulus-locked (i.e., time-locked to stimulus onset) and response-locked (i.e., time-locked to response onset) analyses. Significant differences between related and unrelated ERP waves were similarly observed in both Tonal-Syllable related and Atonal-Syllable related conditions in the time window of 400-500 ms post-stimulus. However, distinct ERP effects were observed in these two phonological conditions within the 500-ms pre-response period. In addition, null effects were found in the Tone alone related condition in both stimulus-locked and response-locked analyses. These results suggest that in Cantonese spoken word production, the atonal syllable of the target is retrieved first and then associated with the target lexical tone, consistent with the view that tone has an important role to play at a late stage of phonological encoding in tonal language production.

Modulation of thermal stress response by prostaglandins in gills of the blue mussel Mytilus edulis

Mytilus edulis has experienced massive mortality events associated with thermal stress that have been documented in wild as well as cultivated organisms, since this species is traditionally farmed in intertidal areas that are exposed to temperature variations. The stress responses linked to changes in temperature are modulated by prostaglandins (PG), which induce apoptosis, synthesis of heat shock proteins and antioxidant enzymes, among others. PG are mainly synthesized from arachidonic (ARA), eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA), but PG-like compounds can be produced through non-enzymatic oxidation of fatty acids in response to increased reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this study, we applied acute (a single temperature increase of 13 °C, from 12 °C to 25 °C) or chronic (cyclical temperature increases and decreases of 13 °C for eight days) thermal stress to mussels fed a microalga mix of Nannochloropsis oculata and Pavlova lutheri. The response was quantified by measuring PG produced enzymatically by cyclooxygenase (COX) from ARA, EPA, and DHA (PGE2, PGE3, 13-HDHA, respectively), non-enzymatic PG (13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGE2 PGF3α and 8-isoprostane). PGE2, PGE3, and 13-HDHA levels were higher in the gills of mussels exposed to acute stress compared to chronic stress while 3,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGE2 showed no significant differences as a result of chronic or acute stress. PGF3α had lower levels in mussels exposed to chronic stress compared to those under acute stress. In contrast, 8-isoprostane was significantly higher in mussels exposed to chronic stress compared to acute stress. Mussels exposed to acute stress showed an increase in hemocyte infiltration in the gills, while those exposed to chronic stress showed a decrease in gill filament width compared to mussels submitted to acute stress; both effects are associated with PG modulation. These findings suggest that acute and chronic stressors have distinct effects on lipid composition, prostaglandin levels, and gill filament morphology, highlighting potential adaptations or responses to different stress conditions. Understanding the mechanisms by which PG and PG-like compounds modulate the thermal stress response in mussels will contribute to the understanding of climate change impacts on bivalves and the possible adaptation processes involved.

Irisin Enhances Mitochondrial Function in Osteoclast Progenitors during Differentiation.

Irisin is a myokine released from muscle during exercise with distinct signaling effects on tissues throughout the body, including an influence on skeletal remodeling. Our previous work has shown that irisin stimulates resorption, a key first step in bone remodeling, by enhancing osteoclastogenesis. The present study further investigates the action of irisin on the metabolic function of osteoclast progenitors during differentiation. Fluorescent imaging showed increased mitochondrial content and reactive oxygen species production with irisin treatment in osteoclast progenitors after 48 h of osteoclastogenic culture. Mitochondrial stress testing demonstrated a significant increase in maximal oxygen consumption rate and spare capacity after 48 h of preconditioning with irisin treatment. Together, these findings further elucidate the stimulatory action of irisin on osteoclastogenesis, demonstrating an enhancement of metabolism through mitochondrial respiration in the progenitor to support the energy demands of their differentiation into mature osteoclasts.

Functionalization of Violet Phosphorus Quantum Dots with Azo-Containing Star-Shape Polymer for Optically Controllable Memory

Quantum dots (QDs) are emerging as promising candidates for innovative memristive materials, owing to their distinct surface, quantum size, and edge effects. Recent research has focused on tailoring QDs with specific organic molecules to fine-tune charge transfer states between the host and grafted species, as well as enhancing their dispersibility and processability. Violet phosphorus (VP), a newly discovered two-dimensional phosphorus allotrope, offers excellent carrier dynamics, predictable modifiability, and superior oxidation resistance, making it a promising contender in this domain. In this study, we synthesized a rich azobenzene-containing star-shaped polymer diazonium salt (AzoSPD) to functionalize violet phosphorus quantum dots (VPQDs), with the dual objectives of enhancing organic dispersibility and introducing photo-switching capabilities. The synthesized AzoSPD–VPQDs exhibit intramolecular charge transfer characteristics under electrical stimuli of ambient conditions, displaying significant non-volatile rewriteable memory properties and a substantial switching ratio exceeding 2 × 103. Furthermore, the high resistance state (HRS) current can be enhanced by nearly 40 times under 465 nm illumination, enabling optoelectronic information sensing and storage within a single device. This work not only provides insights into enhancing the optoelectronic properties of QDs through functional organic molecular modification but also represents a pioneering exploration of the potential applications of VPQDs in novel memristors.

Effects and mechanisms of different κ-carrageenan incorporation forms and ionic strength on the physicochemical and gelling properties of myofibrillar protein

The present work was aimed to investigate the effects of incorporating κ-carrageenan into myofibrillar protein (MP) as a dry powder (CP) or water suspension (CW) and the ionic strength (0.3 or 0.6 M sodium chloride (NaCl)) on MP physicochemical and gelling properties. The results indicated that incorporation of either CP or CW significantly increased turbidity, surface hydrophobicity, particle size and rheological behaviour of MP. In contrast, the protein solubility and fluorescence intensity of MP decreased when added with each form of κ-carrageenan (P < 0.05). These observed effects improved MP's gelling properties and produced a more compact and homogenous gel network after heating treatment. Moreover, the addition of CW rendered higher gel strength, water holding capacity and intermolecular interactions, such as ionic, hydrogen and disulphide bonds and hydrophobic interactions in MP gel compared with those added with CP, especially for 0.3 M NaCl (P < 0.05). Furthermore, addition of CW significantly decreased the α-helix content of MP gels (P < 0.05), which mainly contributing to the transformation from a random structure to an organised configuration. In addition, a higher NaCl concentration (0.6 M) enhanced the gelling properties of MP gels compared with 0.3 M NaCl concentration in the presence of each form of κ-carrageenan. Therefore, our present study indicated that incorporation form of κ-carrageenan and ionic strength have distinctive effects on regulating physicochemical characteristics and improves gelling properties of MP.

Covalent bond enhanced highly stable urea perylene diimide polymer for concurrent photocatalysis-persulfate activation

The self-assembled perylene diimide (SAPDI) connected by hydrogen bonds is limited by the instability of easy disintegration under alkaline conditions. The covalently linked urea PDI (UPDI) was synthesized under air conditions, and concurrent photocatalysis-persulfate activation (CPPA) system was constructed. A distinct synergistic effect was attained when UPDI/peroxymonosulfate (UPDI/PMS, 0.012 min−1) system was combined with photocatalysis (UPDI/PMS/Vis, 0.115 min−1) to degrade iohexol (IOX). The import of the light field can accelerate the electron migration between the electron donor and the acceptor with more reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Evidenced by quenching tests, electron paramagnetic resonance, the dominated reactive species in UPDI/PMS system tended to be holes and 1O2. The utilization efficiency of ROS is crucial to improve the performance of CPPA. The stability of the UPDI system is superior to that of previously reported SAPDI and its derivatives or heterojunctions. The higher content of adsorbed oxygen can produce more reactive oxygen species (ROS), which is one of the reasons for the stable activity of UPDI in cyclic experiments. An enhancement for PMS activation on covalently bonded UPDI was observed based on density functional theory calculation. This study provides a new perspective for the application of stable and efficient metal-free water treatment technology.

Commonly used anesthetics modify alcohol and (-)-trans-delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol in vivo effects on rat cerebral arterioles

BackgroundEthyl alcohol and cannabis are widely used recreational substances with distinct effects on the brain. These drugs increase accidental injuries requiring treatment under anesthesia. Moreover, alcohol and cannabis are often used in anesthetized rodents for biomedical research. Here, we compared the influence of commonly used forms of anesthesia, injectable ketamine/xylazine (KX) versus inhalant isoflurane, on alcohol- and (-)-trans-delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) effects on cerebral arteriole diameter evaluated in vivo.MethodsStudies were performed on male and female Sprague–Dawley rats subjected to intracarotid catheter placement for drug infusion, and cranial window surgery for monitoring pial arteriole diameter. Depth of anesthesia was monitored every 10–15 min by toe-pinch. Under KX, the number of toe-pinch responders was maximal after the first dose of anesthesia and diminished over time in both males and females. In contrast, the number of toe-pinch responders under isoflurane slowly raised over time, leading to increase in isoflurane percentage until deep anesthesia was re-established. Rectal temperature under KX remained stable in males while dropping in females. As expected for gaseous anesthesia, both males and females exhibited rectal temperature drops under isoflurane.ResultsInfusion of 50 mM alcohol (ethanol, EtOH) into the cerebral circulation rendered robust constriction in males under KX anesthesia, this alcohol action being significantly smaller, but still present under isoflurane anesthesia. In females, EtOH did not cause measurable changes in pial arteriole diameter regardless of the anesthetic. These findings indicate a strong sex bias with regards to EtOH induced vasoconstriction.Infusion of 42 nM THC in males and females under isoflurane tended to constrict cerebral arterioles in both males and females when compared to isovolumic infusion of THC vehicle (dimethyl sulfoxide in saline). Moreover, THC-driven changes in arteriole diameter significantly differed in magnitude depending on the anesthetic used.Simultaneous administration of 50 mM alcohol and 42 nM THC to males constricted cerebral arterioles regardless of the anesthetic used. In females, constriction by the combined drugs was also observed, with limited influence by anesthetic presence.ConclusionsWe demonstrate that two commonly used anesthetic formulations differentially influence the level of vasoconstriction caused by alcohol and THC actions in cerebral arterioles.

Evaluating Service Quality and Business Outcomes Post-Pandemic: Perspective From Hotels in Emerging Market

The impact of the novel coronavirus has been severe, and while crises are impossible to predict, they must be anticipated and planned for in business. However, less is known about the preparedness of emerging markets, particularly in the hospitality industry in Nigeria. Therefore this study seeks to situate the service quality debate within the emerging hotel service arena by exploring service quality and business outcomes in selected hotels within the Ogun East senatorial district, Ogun State, Nigeria. The study adopted the survey research design, which is cross-sectional. A convenience sampling technique was adopted in arriving at the respondents. A total of 232 copies of a questionnaire were received from the customers of twenty hotels in six major towns within the Ogun East senatorial district -Ijebu-Ode, Ago-Iwoye, Ijebu-Igbo, Sagamu, Ilishan-Remo, and Iperu-Remo representing 89.3% response rate. The regression analysis was carried out to test the effect of service quality on business outcomes. The main findings of the empirical study show that there is strong support for service quality to improve business outcomes in hotels. Specifically, service quality significantly impacted both competitiveness and brand recognition, the study's two measures of business outcomes. However, taken individually, the study found that tangibility as a factor showed little impact on outcomes but a strong impact on brand recognition. Similarly, service assurance significantly affected business competitiveness but only mildly impacted brand recognition. The distinct effects of service quality and business outcomes post-pandemic in Nigeria were highlighted. It also provided hotel stakeholders and owner-managers with insights on the need to enshrine service quality management in the corporate policies to reduce customer dissatisfaction and poor business outcomes. It is also essential for hotel operators to stay abreast of the current and future needs of an ever-evolving industry and to meet the demands of guests who are becoming more sophisticated. Innovation and originality are essential to the hotel industry's outcome. This is one of the first studies to provide empirical evidence of the relationship between service quality and business outcomes post-pandemic in Nigeria. The results provide new insights into this relationship and may clarify divergent results found in the literature from other climes