Effects Of Ethanol Research Articles

Effectiveness of minimally invasive methods (laser-induced interstitial thermotherapy and percutaneous ethanol sclerotherapy) in the treatment of Plummer’s disease

Background. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of minimally invasive methods, such as laser-induced interstitial thermotherapy (LITT) and its combination with percutaneous ethanol ablation (PEA), in treating toxic thyroid adenomas. To determine the multiplicity of the LITT procedure and parameters of laser radiation to achieve a stable positive therapeutic effect. Materials and methods. Between 2020 and 2024, 24 patients with Plummer's disease who did not receive previous thyrostatic therapy before the LITT session were treated and were divided into 2 groups. Patients of the first group with a predominantly parenchymal structure of the node received LITT monotherapy (16 patients), patients of the second group with an existing cystic component received percutaneous ethanol sclerotherapy followed by LITT (8 patients). Patients underwent ultrasound and hormonal follow-up after laser ablation at 2, 4, and 6 months. Study endpoints: percent nodal volume reduction compared to pretreatment volume (VRR), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine, free triiodthyronine, TSH-receptor antibodies. Results. All patients had a positive result of treatment. The average nodal volume reduction ratio (VRR) for patients in the first group was 88.3 ± 7.9 % (min — 71.5, max — 95.4), and for patients in the second group — 72 % (min — 59.5, max — 85.4). The percen­tage of patients in whom the euthyroid status was recorded after the first session ranged from 100 % for nodes of smaller volume (up to 4 cm3) to 63 % for nodes of maximum volume (up to 13 cm3). After the completed treatment (the maximum number of LITT sessions — 4), all patients had a stable euthyroid status. The effective specific ener­gy for solid nodules is ≈ 900 J/ml, for mixed cystic-parenchymal nodules the specific energy is lower and ≈ 790 J/ml (for the volume of the nodule after PEA). Complications: one case of bleeding was recorded, and a moderate pain syndrome: 6 points on the Visual Analog scale. Conclusions. Laser thermal ablation of toxic thyroid adenomas under ultrasound guidance offers an additional safe and effective minimally invasive treatment option. Reduction of solid thyroid nodules is effective over time if the specific energy exceeds 900 J/ml (for the primary nodule volume). The reduction of mixed cystic-parenchymal nodules is effective under the condition of the effectiveness of ethanol, the specific energy for such nodules is less than ≈ 790 J/ml (for the volume of the nodule after PEA). The total energy for the course of treatment should not be less than the calculated (Е∑ ≈ Espec × Vnode). Clinical outcomes are significantly more favorable in small toxic adenomas than in large nodes

Improvement of the properties of ionic liquids for the absorption refrigeration cycle

Ionic liquids (ILs), recognized as environmentally friendly green reagents, have good application prospects in many fields. However, their high viscosity has hindered their widespread application. Currently, an effective solution is to introduce a solvent as an additive. In this work, ethanol with different molar fractions was chosen to form working pairs with three ILs ([emim]BF4, [bmim]BF4 and [hmim]BF4), to reduce their viscosities. The densities and viscosities of the three working pairs were obtained in a temperature range of 293.15∼338.15 K, thereby determining the thermal expansion coefficients. The effects of ethanol on the volumetric and viscometric characteristics of the three ILs are discussed. To further analyze the interactions between ethanol and the ILs, excess mole volume and viscosity deviations were introduced. The interactions between different molecules were stronger than those between the same molecules in the working pairs. This is the main reason why the addition of ethanol reduces the viscosity of the three ILs. Finally, the hard-sphere model was applied to predict the viscosities of the working pairs. Upon introducing an adjustable argument, the average absolute relative deviation of the prediction for the aforementioned three ILs decreased to 4.4%, 5.9%, and 5.0%, respectively.

Biased allosteric modulator of neurotensin receptor 1 reduces ethanol drinking and responses to ethanol administration in rodents

Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) impose an enormous societal and financial burden, and world-wide, alcohol misuse is the 7th leading cause of premature death [1]. Despite this, there are currently only 3 FDA approved pharmacological approaches for the treatment of AUDs in the United States. The neurotensin (Nts) system has long been implicated in modulating behaviors associated with alcohol misuse. Recently, a novel compound, SBI-553, that biases the action of Nts receptor 1 (NTSR1) activation, has shown promise in preclinical models of psychostimulant use. Here we investigate the efficacy of this compound to alter ethanol-mediated behaviors in a comprehensive battery of experiments assessing ethanol consumption, behavioral responses to ethanol, physiological sensitivity to ethanol, and ethanol metabolism. Additionally, we investigated behavior in avoidance and cognitive assays to monitor potential side effects of SBI-553. We find that SBI-553 reduces ethanol consumption in mice without altering avoidance behavior or novel object recognition. We also observe sex-dependent differences in physiological responses to sequential ethanol injections in mice. In rats, we show that SBI-553 attenuates sensitivity to the interoceptive effects of ethanol (using a Pavlovian drug discrimination task). Our data suggest that targeting NTSR1 signaling may be promising to attenuate alcohol misuse, and adds to a body of literature that suggests NTSR1 may be a common downstream target involved in the psychoactive effects of multiple reinforcing substances.

Does concomitant diazepam and ethanol use modulate age-related cognitive decline in mice?

BackgroundConcomitant use of alcohol and benzodiazepines are described among elderly, raising concerns about their combined impact on memory. We aimed to evaluate the long-term impact of chronic diazepam use associated with ethanol intoxication on memory in aging mice. MethodsTwelve-month-old male C57BL6 mice were assigned into 4 groups: ethanol (OH), diazepam (DIA), diazepam + ethanol (DOH) and control (CTL). For 16 weeks, ethanol was available ad libitum and diazepam was mixed with food. Behavioral testing, performed during and after treatment cessation included working memory and visual recognition memory assessment. The second session was implemented with spatial reference learning and memory assessment in the Barnes maze test. In vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) acquisitions were performed to quantify hippocampal metabolites during and after cessation treatment. ResultsDuring treatment, visual recognition memory was significantly different between groups with the DIA group exhibiting the worst performance. MRS acquisition highlighted higher glutamate and choline levels in OH and DOH groups in comparison to CTL and DIA groups. After treatment wash-out, there was no difference between in the different memories evaluated. Only the learning phase of the spatial reference memory test differed significantly with worst performance in OH groups. Three months after treatment cessation, there was no remanent effect of diazepam + ethanol on hippocampal metabolites changes. ConclusionsWe did not evidence additive effect of ethanol and diazepam on memory and hippocampal metabolite levels. The disturbances observed during treatment were no remanent, highlighting the benefits of discontinuing these substances.

Effect of Acetone, Ethanol, Benzene and THF Washing Treatment on the Gas Grafting Hydrophobization Efficiency of Recycled Newspaper by Palmitoyl Chloride

Effect of Acetone, Ethanol, Benzene and THF Washing Treatment on the Gas Grafting Hydrophobization Efficiency of Recycled Newspaper by Palmitoyl Chloride

Consequence modeling and analysis of ethanol leakage from storage tank using the ALOHA program

Chemical spills pose a significant threat to the safety of people living nearby, as well as to air quality and occupational safety. Therefore, preventing chemical spills has become a key issue in environmental protection and process safety. This study aims to evaluate the effects of ethanol released from a tank at a chemical plant in Istanbul, Türkiye. The Areal Location of Hazardous Atmospheres model (ALOHA) version 5.4.7 estimates the storage tank's leakage radius and spread risk under three scenarios. ALOHA can assess the area affected by chemical hazards. The model shows that if the spill occurs 10 centimeters from the base of the tank, the toxic concentration of ethanol exceeds the Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) threshold (i.e., 3300 parts per million) at a distance of 31 meters from the place of release. In addition, when the ethanol concentration exceeds 60% of the Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) (i.e., 19800 parts per million), the flammable vapor cloud extends up to 31 meters from the place of release. For a Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion (BLEVE), the mass of the fireball is assumed to be 100%, resulting in the worst possible scenario. During BLEVE, it is estimated that the fireball's diameter and time duration, determined by the amount of Ethanol present, would be 141 meters and 10 seconds, respectively. The results show that the thermal radiation effects caused by Ethanol BLEVE are extremely dangerous.

Purification of Glucomannan from Porang (Amorphophallus oncophyllus) Tuber Flour through Hydrolysis of Hydrochloric Acid

Porang (Amorphophallus oncophyllus) is a local perennial plant that commonly grown in Indonesian forest. Its tuber contains a lot of glucomannan that has many benefits as food ingredient or as functional food. Glucomannan has a lot of health benefits, such as anti-diabetic effect, low glycemic index, prebiotic effect, etc. Despite that, the extraction is still a problem because it is difficult to get pure glucomannan extract out of Porang flour. Thus, in this study we are going to use hydrocloric acid to extract the glucomannan from the porang flour through hydrolysis extraction. This research will test the effect of hydrochloric acid concentration on the purity of glucomannan extract obtained from porang flour, to study the effect of nonsolvent, ethanol and isopropyl alcohol on glucomannan concentration, and to obtain the optimal condition to get high concentration of glucomannan using extraction with pretreatment hydrochloric acid hydrolysis.

Proteomic Analysis to Understand the Promotive Effect of Ethanol on Soybean Growth Under Salt Stress

Finding solutions to mitigate the impact of salinity on crops is important for global food security because soil salinity significantly reduces plant growth and grain yield. Ethanol may play an important role in mitigating the negative salt-induced effects on crops. Soybean root growth was significantly reduced under salt stress; however, it was restored and comparable to control values by ethanol application even under stress. To study the positive mechanism of ethanol on soybean growth, a proteomic approach was carried out. The categories with the greatest changes in protein numbers were protein metabolism, transport, and cell organization in biological processes, nucleus and cytosol in cellular components, and nucleic acid binding activity in molecular functions. Proteomic data were confirmed using immunoblot analysis. Reactive oxygen species enzymes increased under salt stress; among them, mitochondrial ascorbate peroxidase was further accumulated by ethanol application. Among the cell wall and membrane-associated proteins, xyloglucan xyloglucosyl transferase and H+-ATPase increased and decreased, respectively, under salt stress; however, they were restored to control levels by ethanol application. These results suggest that soybeans were adversely affected by salt stress and recovered with ethanol application via the regulation of cell wall and membrane functions through the detoxification of reactive oxygen species.

Restoring CFTR function with Orkambi decreases the severity of alcohol-induced acute pancreatitis.

Heavy alcohol intake is one of the most common causes of acute pancreatitis (AP). We have previously shown that ethanol (EtOH) decreases the expression and activity of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), which plays a key role in alcohol-induced AP development. The prescription drug, Orkambi (a combination of ivacaftor and lumacaftor) can correct impaired CFTR function and expression in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate whether Orkambi can mitigate alcohol-induced AP. Intact guinea-pig pancreatic ducts were pre-treated with different concentrations of ethanol (EtOH; 30, 50 and 100mm) for 12h alone or in combination with ivacaftor (VX770) and/or lumacaftor (VX-809), and CFTR expression and activity were evaluated by immunostaining and by the patch clamp technique, respectively. Alcoholic AP was induced in Orkambi-treated guinea-pigs, and standard laboratory and histological parameters were measured. Ivacaftor and lumacaftor alone or in combination dose-dependently restored the apical expression and activity of CFTR after EtOH treatment in vitro. Oral administration of Orkambi reduced the severity of alcohol-induced AP and restored impaired CFTR activity and expression. Orkambi is able to restore the CFTR defect caused by EtOH and decreases the severity of alcohol-induced pancreatitis. This is the first in vivo pre-clinical evidence of Orkambi efficacy in the treatment of alcohol-induced AP. KEY POINTS: Acute pancreatitis is one of the leading causes of hospital admission among gastrointestinal diseases in which the lack of a specific drug therapy plays a crucial role. The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) plays an essential role in pancreatic ductal HCO3 - secretion; inappropriate CFTR function, as seen in heavy alcohol consumption, increases the risk of pancreatitis development. CFTR modulators are able to prevent the inhibitory effect of ethanol and reduce pancreatic ductal injury and the severity of alcohol-induced pancreatitis. CFTR modulators present a novel option in the pharmacotherapy of alcohol-induced pancreatitis by enhancing pancreatic functions or preventing recurrence.

Solubility effect of deep eutectic solvent and ethanol concentration on corncob lignin extraction

This research investigates the solubility effect of deep eutectic solvent (DES) mass ratio and ethanol–water solution concentration on corncob lignin extraction. The objective is to propose a solubility matching technique based on like-dissolves-like theory to optimize lignin extraction conditions. The choline chloride (ChCl):lactic acid (LA) mass ratio that maximized lignin extraction was determined by varying DES mass ratio between 1:2 and 1:5, and ethanol–water solution (5–95 % (v/v)) was added to precipitate lignin. By using the solubility matching technique, the maximum lignin extraction was achieved at 1:4 ChCl:LA mass ratio, and 70 % (v/v) ethanol–water concentration yielded the highest lignin precipitation. Lignin is highly soluble where the solubility (δ-values) of lignin, DES, and precipitant are similar. Unlike conventional trial-and-error methods, the solubility matching technique relies on δ-values calculated by the Hildebrand and Scott equation. The proposed technique can also be applied to optimize the extraction conditions of other biomass materials.

Effect of curcumin on the embryotoxic effect of ethanol in a zebrafish model

Curcumin, a natural polyphenol found in the turmeric plant, has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It has been widely studied for its potential protective effect against various health conditions, including ethanol-induced malformation.Ethanol exposure during pregnancy can lead to various developmental abnormalities, known as fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). Due to the high prevalence of FASD and FAS and no effective treatment, it is essential to develop preventive strategies. Recent studies have investigated the potential protective effect of curcumin against ethanol-induced malformation in animal models.This study aimed to examine whether curcumin can reduce the toxic effects of ethanol in zebrafish embryos. The present study showed that pure curcumin applied together with 1.5 % ethanol (v/v) did not lead to a protective effect on ethanol-induced malformations such as disturbances of body length and width or pericardia oedema in growing zebrafish embryos. Moreover, curcumin extract showed a pro-oxidant effect in the Fenton reaction in the presence of ethanol.

Acceleration of Ethanol Metabolism by a Patented Bos taurus Isolated Alcohol Degradation Protein (ADP) on Acute Alcohol Consumption

Alcoholic beverages are among the most widely enjoyed leisure drinks around the world. However, irresponsible drinking habits can have detrimental effects on human health. Therefore, exploring strategies to alleviate discomfort following alcohol consumption would be beneficial for individuals who inevitably need to consume alcohol. In this study, three different models were used to determine the efficacy of a patented alcohol degradation protein (ADP) extracted from Bos taurus on ethanol metabolism. In an ethanol-challenged HepG2 cell model, ADP significantly protected the cell from ethanol-induced toxicity. Subsequently, results demonstrated that ADP significantly alleviated the effect of ethanol, as reflected by the increased distance and activity time of zebrafish during the testing period. Additionally, in a rat model, ADP promoted ethanol degradation at 1 and 2 h after ethanol consumption. Mechanistic studies found that ADP treatment increased ADH and ALDH activity in the gastrointestinal tract. ADP also exhibited potent antioxidation effects by lowering HO-1 expression in the liver. In conclusion, we believe that ADP is a promising product for relieving hangover symptoms after ethanol consumption, with demonstrated safety and effectiveness at the recommended dosage.

Sex-dependent effects of short-term ethanol, energy drinks and acute noise exposure on hippocampal oxidative balance and glutamate transporter EAAT-1 during rat adolescence

It is known that human adolescents often consume ethanol (EtOH) alone or mixed with energy drinks (ED), especially in noisy environments. Although these agents impact the developing brain, their effects after brief exposure or when presented together remain unclear. Given that few animal studies in this subject are available, this research aimed to study the effects of a brief exposure to these stimuli on the oxidative state and EAAT-1 glutamate transporter levels in the developing rat hippocampus (HC). Adolescent Wistar rats were subjected to a two-bottle choice, limited access to drinking in the dark paradigm, for EtOH and EtOH+ED intake, for 4 days, and subsequent acute noise exposure. Next, hippocampal catalase activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS), glutaredoxin-1 (Grx-1) and glutamate transporter EAAT-1 levels were assessed. Results showed sex-dependent alterations after exposure to these stimuli: Females consuming EtOH had higher hippocampal ROS levels, which decreased when combined with noise; males showed reduced ROS levels only after noise exposure. No significant changes occurred in catalase activity, Grx-1, or EAAT-1 levels with EtOH and noise exposure in neither sex. Additionally, ED raised EtOH consumption in both sexes, normalizing ROS levels only in females when combined with EtOH. Finally, ED consumption altered Grx-1 and EAAT-1 levels in both sexes. In summary, brief exposure to these stimuli induced sex-dependent alterations, suggesting differentiated coping strategies between sexes. Whereas ED consumption may have antioxidant effects in some cases, it could also increase excitotoxicity risk. These novel findings raise questions for future research on the underlying corresponding mechanisms.

Concentration- and time-dependent behavioural effects of ethanol on Lumbriculus variegatus.

Ethanol is one of the most widely used drugs in the world. Ethanol induces profound physiological and behavioural responses in invertebrate model organisms, such as Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster. Lumbriculus variegatus (Annelida, Oligochaete) is an aquatic worm which shows behavioural responses to common drugs and thus is potentially useful in pharmacological research. The effects of ethanol are unknown in this organism. In this study, we examine the effects of acute exposure to ethanol (0-500 mM) on the stereotypical movements and locomotor activity of L. variegatus and examine the concentration- (0-500 mM) and time-dependent (0-210 min) effects of ethanol in L. variegatus. We show that ≥250 mM ethanol reversibly reduced the ability of tactile stimulation to elicit stereotypical movements, namely body reversal and helical swimming and locomotor activity (p < 0.05, N = 8). We also found that 2 min of exposure to ≥250 mM ethanol rapidly induces steady-state hypokinesis (p < 0.05, N = 11) and confirm ethanol absorption into L. variegatus tissues. Additionally, we also observed acute ethanol tolerance after 150 min of exposure to 500 mM ethanol (p < 0.05, N = 24). This study is the first to report the behavioural effects of ethanol in L. variegatus. Our results show that this is a model organism for use in ethanol studies, providing further evidence for its utility in pharmacological research.

The Effect of Ethanol on Rotator Cuff Repairs in a Rodent Model

BackgroundAlcohol consumption is a significant risk factor for both the occurrence and severity of rotator cuff tears. However, there is limited supporting evidence to suggest alcohol use is associated with suboptimal outcomes following operative repair of rotator cuff tears. Rat shoulders have been demonstrated as consistent and reliable models for studying rotator cuff disease. Hypothesis/PurposePerioperative alcohol exposure will negatively impact biomechanical and histologic properties of surgically repaired rotator cuffs in rats. MethodsRats were randomized to receive a 20% ethanol or isocaloric control solution as their primary source of drinking water. A tenotomy of the supraspinatus tendon from bone was performed surgically and then immediately repaired with a transosseous technique. Following surgery, rats were continued on the same exposure solution until animals were humanely euthanized at 7, 14, or 21 days postoperatively. The surgically-repaired shoulders underwent biomechanical testing to assess load to failure and failure strain. Histological evaluation of tendon-to-bone healing was performed by a blinded pathologist using a qualitative grading system. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) on total RNA from tendon-to-bone interface tissue was performed to quantify the mRNA expression of Type I & III collagen, and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-B1) & 3 (TGF-B3) at the repair site. ResultsBiomechanical testing showed that repaired shoulder constructs in rats exposed to ethanol had significantly lower load to failure at 7 days postop relative to repairs in rats exposed to a control solution. No other biomechanical parameters or time points reached statistical significance. TGF-B3 mRNA expression was found in significantly higher quantities at the repair sites of rats exposed to ethanol at 7 days postop relative to control rat repair sites. No other time points or factors reached statistical significance. No significant differences were identified amongst time points or groups at the healing tendon-to-bone interface. ConclusionAlcohol exposure significantly decreases biomechanical load to failure of rotator cuff repairs in the early postoperative period in rat models. In the later postoperative period, alcohol exposure was not associated with a decrease in biomechanical load to failure compared to controls. Additionally, rats exposed to ethanol have significantly higher TGF-B3 expression at repair sites on postoperative day 7. This data suggests that ethanol consumption does deleteriously affect rotator cuff and bone healing. Future study is needed to validate the clinical significance of these findings in humans.

Effect of ethanol addition on enhancing the cooling performance improvement of spray system

The widespread application of spray technology has significantly improved outdoor environmental thermal comfort. However, the spray system is unable to fulfill special comfort requirements. Utilizing mechanical ventilation and control systems effectively enhances the cooling performance of spray systems; however, those approaches are associated with elevated costs and maintenance complexities. The combination of ethanol and water has been demonstrated to produce a lower surface tension and a higher latent heat of evaporation, a property that contributes to the heat transfer efficiency and evaporation rate of the droplets. Considering the convenience and cost-effectiveness of adding ethanol as an additive, it emerges as the optimal choice. To evaluate the effectiveness of ethanol on the evaporative cooling performance of the spray system, a comparative study was conducted, comparing the cooling performances of different concentrations of ethanol with a spray system without ethanol addition. Five operating conditions were designed, including a no-spray case, a non-additive case, a 0.5% ethanol concentration case, a 1.0% ethanol concentration case, and a 1.5% ethanol concentration case. The results demonstrated that adding ethanol effectively enhanced the cooling performance of the spray system. At 1.7m above ground level (0.4m away from the nozzle), compared to the non-additive case without ethanol, the 0.5% ethanol concentration case, 1.0% ethanol concentration case, and 1.5% ethanol concentration case further reduced the temperature by 0.95°C, 1.64°C, and 2.27°C. Moreover, the relative humidity grew by 3.57%, 9.25%, and 13.5%, respectively. Adding ethanol significantly enhanced the evaporative cooling effect of the spray system, with the optimal concentration observed at 1.5%. The results demonstrate that enhancing the evaporative cooling efficacy of a spray system by introducing ethanol into the spray medium represents a viable strategy and improve urban thermal environment in summer. Furthermore, this study aims to examine the impact of droplet evaporation on relative humidity, establishing a foundation for future enhancements aimed at addressing the issue of over-humidification in spray systems.

Anticancer activity of Lannea coromandelica on B16F10 melanoma cell line: an in vitro and molecular docking approach

BackgroundPhytochemical screening was conducted on various bark extracts of Lannea coromandelica to assess their anticancer property against the B16F10 melanoma cell line. The phytoconstituents that were previously identified were utilized in molecular docking studies against the human tyrosinase related protein 1 (TYRP1) as a target receptor in order to provide more evidence for anticancer property. MethodsBark powder was extracted by maceration method using distilled water and soxhlet extraction using ethanol. The preliminary phytochemical evaluation and determination of total phenolic and flavonoid content of both extracts were conducted using biochemical assays. The present study investigated the possible anticancer effects of ethanol and aqueous extracts on the B16F10 melanoma cell line using the MTT assay and DAPI labelling techniques. The present study employed molecular docking techniques to assess the binding interactions between phytoconstituents and the TYRP1 protein, utilizing AutoDock Vina module of PyRx 0.8 software. ResultsThe phytochemical analysis found flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, tannins, phenolic compounds, saponins, anthraquinones, cardiac glycosides, and proteins. Ethanolic extract shown preferential cytotoxicity to B16F0 melanoma cell line in-vitro (IC50= 9.69 ± 0.68 μg/ml), while aqueous extract exhibited IC50 = 75.49 ± 5.95 μg/ml. DAPI staining showed that treated cells had altered nucleus morphology, including apoptotic bodies. According to molecular docking investigations, Quercetin has the highest binding affinity (-9.6 Kcal/mol), followed by Catechin and Myricadiol. ConclusionThe current investigation has determined that Lannea coromandelica exhibits cytotoxic characteristic, as evidenced by the utilization of computer aided drug design models and in-vitro experimentation.

Antifungal effect of Crescentia cujete fruit extracts on clinical strains of Candida albicans

Candidiasis is a common fungal infection globally, ranging from superficial to severe invasive forms that can be life-threatening. This study aimed to evaluate the antifungal effects of ethanol and n-hexane extracts from Crescentia cujete fruit against Candida albicans strains. Crescentia cujete fruit pulp was dried and extracted using Soxhlet with ethanol and n-hexane. Two reference strains of C. albicans (ATCC 10231 and 90028) and 12 clinical isolates from vaginal smears were tested under various conditions: without extract, with serial dilutions of ethanol or n-hexane extracts, and with ethanol and n-hexane at the same concentrations. Growth was measured using MicroELISA equipment. Results showed that n-hexane and ethanol extracts significantly reduced the growth of 9/12 and 4/12 clinical strains, respectively, and also affected the ATCC 90028 and ATCC 10231 strains. A direct correlation was observed between growth inhibition and extract concentration, with n-hexane exhibiting a stronger correlation (Spearman's Rho=0.609, p&lt;0.05) compared to ethanol (Spearman's Rho=0.387, p&lt;0.05). This study is the first to demonstrate the antifungal effects of Crescentia cujete fruit extracts on clinical Candida albicans strains, suggesting that a low-polarity compound in the fruit inhibits Candida albicans, including the ATCC 1031 strain resistant to common antifungals.

MicroRNA-124a promoted the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into neurons through Notch signal pathway

This study investigated the possible mechanisms of microRNA-124a on the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and its underlying mechanism. β-Thiol ethanol induced Notch1 mRNA expression, microRNA-124a inhibitor reduced the effects of β-thiol ethanol on Notch1 mRNA expression in BMSCs. Baicalin induced Hes1 mRNA expression, and microRNA-124a inhibitor reduced the effects of baicalin on Hes1 mRNA expression in BMSCs. Si-Notch1 suppressed Hes1 mRNA expression in BMSCs. Baicalin increased the effects of Notch1 on Hes1 mRNA expression in BMSCs. Si-Notch1 increased cell growth of BMSCs. Baicalin reduced the effects of si-Notch1 on cell growth and the differentiation of BMSCs. We demonstrated that microRNA-124a promoted the differentiation of BMSCs into neurons through Notch/Hes1 signal pathway.

Optimizing cold-flow properties and oxidation stability of B40 biodiesel blend with turpentine oil and ethanol: Experimental and quantum chemical approach

This study investigates the effectiveness of turpentine oil and ethanol as cold-flow improvers (CFIs), synergizing as antioxidants for ternary B40 biodiesel blend. Utilizing the response surface methodology (RSM), the effects of these CFIs on the ternary blend, including cloud point (CP), cold filter plugging point (CFPP), filter blocking tendency (FBT), precipitation, and oxidation stability, were comprehensively evaluated. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) presented that a linear model best describes the impact of CFIs on CP, whereas quadratic models more accurately represent CFPP, FBT, and oxidation stability. The results also demonstrate that 2FI was identified as the most suitable model for describing precipitation responses. The optimal concentrations of turpentine oil and ethanol were determined to be 10 % v/v and 0.5 % v/v, respectively, resulting in predicted values for CP, CFPP, FBT, precipitation, and oxidation stability of 10.4 °C, 9.0 °C, 1.31, 9.09 mg/100 mL, and 225 minutes, respectively. Theoretical insights from density functional theory (DFT) calculations confirmed that the primary interaction controlling wax formation in biodiesel blends is the strong hydrogen bonding between monostearin and pinene, a major component of turpentine oil, which effectively disrupts wax crystallization. This study presents a novel approach to enhancing B40 biodiesel cold-flow properties and maintaining its oxidation stability by utilizing the synergistic effects of turpentine oil and ethanol to optimize B40 biodiesel formulation.