High Activity Research Articles

Anti-inflammatory Activity of Crude Extract and Zinc- Oxide Nanoparticles from the Ink of Squid (Uroteuthis duvaucelii )

Objectives: Marine natural materials can be utilized to construct a variety of medications and have produced significant leads for therapeutic development. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of crude extract and zinc-oxide nanoparticles from the ink of squid. Methods : The anti-inflammatory activity of the synthesized zinc-oxide nanoparticles and crude extract of Uroteuthis duvaucelii was determined by using albumin denaturation assay and anti-proteinase activity. Findings : The albumin denaturation assay of the crude ink extract shows a maximum anti-inflammatory activity of 29% at a concentration of 100µl/ml and a minimum activity of 7% at a concentration of 20µl/ml. The zinc-oxide nanoparticles of U. duvaucelii exhibit anti-inflammatory activity of 8% at 20µl/ml, and 37% at a concentration of 100µl/ml. Anti-proteinase activity of the crude extract exhibits 25% of inhibition at a concentration of 100µl/ml and lowest activity of 2% at a concentration of 20µl/ml. Zinc-oxide nanoparticles of Uroteuthis duvaucelii exhibit maximum inhibition of 28% at 100µl/ml and minimum activity of 5% at a concentration of 20µl/ml. Comparing the two extracts the zinc-oxide of U. duvaucelii shows better albumin denaturation and anti-proteinase action than the crude ink extract. So, this can be used as a source of anti-inflammatory agents for drug development. Novelty : Research suggests that natural products may be a source of anti-inflammatory medications with higher activity and fewer side effects. Therefore, the synthesized nanoparticles from the ink of Uroteuthis duvaucelii can be used as an anti-inflammatory drug. Keywords: Anti-inflammatory activity; Zinc-oxide nanoparticles; Uroteuthis duvaucelii; Anti proteinase; Crude ink

Headaches in SLE patients: a cross-sectional analysis of clinical, immunological, and Radiological Correlations.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a multifaceted autoimmune disorder characterized by diverse clinical manifestations, including a significant prevalence of headaches. This cross-sectional study aimed to thoroughly explore the relationship between SLE and headaches by analysing their prevalence, types, and associated clinical, immunological, and radiological factors. A comparative analysis was conducted on 179 SLE patients, who were categorized into two groups: those with headaches and those without. Data collection encompassed demographic details, disease activity levels, neurological assessments, immunological profiles, and brain imaging results. Headaches were diagnosed and classified following the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3). Disease activity was measured using the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI). Statistical analyses were performed to identify significant associations and correlations. Headaches were observed in 55% of the SLE patients, predominantly presenting as tension-type headaches (65%) and migraines (27%). Notably, no patients met the criteria for a lupus-specific headache. The Headache Group exhibited significantly higher disease activity (SLEDAI scores). Tension-type and migraine headaches were particularly associated with increased muco-cutaneous manifestations. The presence of antiphospholipid (aPL) antibodies was significantly linked to migraines and cluster headaches. While neurological disorders such as ischemic stroke and venous sinus thrombosis were more prevalent in the Headache Group, these findings were not statistically significant. Brain MRI abnormalities were detected in 9.4% of patients with headaches, including venous sinus thrombosis (2.3%), ischemic stroke (5.8%), and white matter hyperintensities (1.1%). This study underscore es the complex relationship between SLE and headaches, suggesting that headaches may serve as an indicator of heightened SLE disease activity. Immunological factors, particularly aPL antibodies, show a strong association with specific headache types. MRI abnormalities further emphasize the intricate neurobiological aspects in SLE patients experiencing headaches. Continued research is essential to better understand biomarkers, genetic factors, and effective treatment strategies for managing headaches in SLE patients.

Protein Engineering of Nicotinamide Riboside Kinase Based on a Combinatorial Semirational Design Strategy for Efficient Biocatalytic Synthesis of Nicotinamide Mononucleotides.

Industrial biosynthesis of β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (β-NMN) lacks a highly active nicotinamide riboside kinase for the phosphorylation process. Cumbersome preprocessing steps and excessive ATP addition contribute to its increased cost. To tackle these challenges, a docking combination simulation (DCS) semirational mutagenesis strategy was designed in this study, combining various modification strategies to obtain a mutant NRK-TRA with 2.9-fold higher enzyme activity. Molecular dynamics simulations and structural analysis demonstrate the enhancement of its structural stability. High-density fermentation was achieved through a 5 L fermentation tank, with a titer reaching 208.3 U/mL, the highest in the current report. An ATP-cycling whole-cell catalytic system was employed and optimized by introducing a polyphosphate kinase 2 (PPK2) recombinant strain, and 15.16 g/L β-NMN was obtained through a series of batch transformation experiments. This study provides a new strategy for the efficient screening of highly active enzyme variants and offers a green and promising biotransformation system for NMN production.

Decorating Cu2O with Copper Metal (Cu) through Facile Electrochemical Deposition for Methylene Blue Degradation

Cuprous oxide (Cu2O) thin film was decorated with copper metal (Cu) by the simple electrochemical deposition method. This study was motivated to improve the role of Cu as a co-catalyst due to the narrow band gap energy of known photocatalyst Cu2O. Cu was electrodeposited on Cu2O thin film with a substrate of indium tin oxide (ITO) at a voltage of -0.3V and a temperature of 60 °C in CuSO4 (pH 10) under a magnetic stirrer. The structure, phase, and morphology of Cu2O/Cu were characterised by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The electrocatalytic performance of Cu2O/Cu was recorded using linear sweep voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. XRD and SEM results show Cu was successfully deposited covering Cu2O. The current density of Cu2O/Cu increased by 2.7041 mA/cm2 confirming the lower charge current resistance of 2.48 kΩ. The Cu-decorated Cu2O demonstrated an improved photocatalytic activity, as shown by the increase of MB degradation from 46.33% to 50.87%. It was believed from characterisations that Cu deposition leads to more dense carriers and charge transfer, hence higher photocatalytic activity towards MB degradation than bare Cu2O thin film.

Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Curcuma Longa Extracts and Fractions on Skin Inflammation

Addresses the impact of modern society’s rapid industrialization and environmental pollution, leading to increased oxidative stress and immune system disorders. Skin barrier issues have resulted in a rise in inflammatory skin conditions, sparking heightened interest in functional cosmetics to address these concerns and combat aging. The research focused on exploring natural ingredients, particularly specific fractions of <i>Curcuma Longa</i> extracts, known for their antioxidant properties. The results of this study are summarized as follows. In the first stage experiment, DPPH radical scavenging activity and ABTS radical scavenging activity were investigated, and fractions exhibiting higher scavenging activity than extracts were sought. In the 2nd-step experiment, the cell survival rate was examined to determine the concentration that would not affect cytotoxicity. To demonstrate significant anti-inflammatory effects on RAW 264.7 cells, inflammation reactions were induced by LPS and the production of Nitric Oxide (NO) was controlled. As a result, <i>Curcuma Longa</i> extracts and fractions all proved excellent control effects on NO production. In HaCaT cells, skin inflammation was induced with TNF-α/IFN-γ and the control of interleukin (IL)-6 production was measured. As a result, <i>Curcuma Longa</i> extracts and fractions proved to facilitate the immune reaction and control the reaction that would lead to inflammation. In the following 3rd-step experiment, the control of Chemokine’s major factors IL-8, RANTES, and TARC was measured. As a result, it was verified that certain fractions of <i>Curcuma Longa</i> of extract showed excellent Chemokine production control effects and thus that these specific fractions are effective on various inflammatory skin diseases. ICAM-1 expressions were observed to control the initial stage of inflammation in a way of cellular adhesion regulation, and the MAPK path which is important to regulate inflammatory reactions in the signaling system was measured. As a result, the inhibition of phosphorylation, which is important for initial inflammation inhibition and inflammatory reaction control, was verified. Based on the above-stated findings, active ingredients containing certain fractions were analyzed, and color reactions in specific fractions were induced from active ingredient spots of extract. In consideration of future material development and production, the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of active ingredients of certain fractions were examined with the HPLC, and it was verified that certain fractions contained more active ingredients than extracts. In conclusion, certain fractions of natural elements proved the great potentials as a cosmetics ingredient. Therefore, these fractions proved excellent anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects in certain fractions, and the efficiency is quite high with only a small quantity of them. It is expected that these fractions are widely utilized as a cosmetic element, and the future study will examine natural cosmetic elements from these fractions with the aim to contribute to the functional cosmetics industry and anti-aging product market.

Elimination of Ethanol for the Production of Fucoidans from Brown Seaweeds: Characterization and Bioactivities

Fucoidan, a sulphated polysaccharide from brown seaweed composed of several monosaccharides, has been stated to have several bioactive properties such as antioxidant, antiviral, anticancer, antithrombic, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects. This paper provides research findings on green extraction methods, structural analysis of fucoidan, and its associated bioactivities. Fucoidans from brown seaweeds, Fucus vesiculosus and Ascophyllum nodosum, were extracted using green solvents such as citric acid (CA) followed by MWCO (molecular weight cut-off) filtration to obtain high-purity polysaccharides. The presence of functional groups typical to fucoidans, namely, fucose, sulfate, and glycosidic bonds, in the extracts were confirmed through the data obtained from FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy), TGA (thermogravimetric analysis), DSC (differential scanning calorimetry), and solid-state CP–MAS (cross-polarization magic angle spinning) analysis. The MWCO analysis identified that the >300 kDa fraction can have better content of fucoidan (FV-CA 79.16%, FV-HCl 63.59%, AN-CA 79.21%, AN-HCl 80.70%) than the conventional extraction process. Furthermore, the >300 kDa fraction showed significantly higher antioxidant activities compared to crude fucoidan extracts. Crude fucoidan extracts showed significant inhibition of cell viability in human lung (A459 lung carcinoma cells) and colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) cells at higher concentrations. The fucoidan extracted with green solvents and avoiding alcohol-based precipitation has substantial antioxidant/antitumor action, so, due to this activity, it can be employed as functional foods in food applications.

Hydrogen Evolution Reactivity of Pentagonal Carbon Rings and p‐d Orbital Hybridization Effect with Ru

AbstractTopological defects are inevitable existence in carbon‐based frameworks, but their intrinsic electrocatalytic activity and mechanism remain under‐explored. Herein, the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) of pentagonal carbon‐rings is probed by constructing pentagonal ring‐rich carbon (PRC), with optimized electronic structures and higher HER activity relative to common hexagonal carbon (HC). Furthermore, to improve the reactivity, we couple Ru clusters with PRC (Ru@PRC) through p‐d orbital hybridization between C and Ru atoms, which drives a shortcut transfer of electrons from Ru clusters to pentagonal rings. The electron‐deficient Ru species leads to a notable negative shift in d‐band centers of Ru and weakens their binding strength with hydrogen intermediates, thus enhancing the HER activity in different pH media. Especially, at a current density of 10 mA cm−2, PRC greatly reduces alkaline HER overpotentials from 540 to 380 mV. And Ru@PRC even exhibits low overpotentials of 28 and 275 mV to reach current densities of 10 and 1000 mA cm−2, respectively. Impressively, the mass activity and price activity of Ru@PRC are 7.83 and 15.7 times higher than that of Pt/C at the overpotential of 50 mV. Our data unveil the positive HER reactivity of pentagonal defects and good application prospects.

Thermogravimetric Assessment of Biomass: Unravelling Kinetic, Chemical Composition and Combustion Profiles

Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was performed on six samples of pine wood, poplar sawdust and olive residue, and the kinetic parameters were evaluated by using isoconversional models. The hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin contents were also estimated using the Fraser–Suzuki deconvolution method. In addition, a range of thermodynamic parameters and combustion indices was calculated. Significant correlations were found between the kinetic, thermodynamic and combustion parameters. The ignition index showed an inverse relationship with the activation energy, whereas the burnout index correlated with enthalpy values for most samples. Higher heating rates during TGA increased ignition and combustion efficiencies but decreased combustion stability. Differences in behaviour were detected between the olive residues, which had a much higher lignin content (51.2–56.9%), and the woody biomass samples (24.2–29.2%). Moreover, the sample with the highest ash content also exhibited some distinctive characteristics, including the lowest high heating value and ignition index, coupled with the highest activation energy, indicating a less favourable combustion behaviour than the other samples. The particle size of the samples was also found to be critical for both combustion efficiency and safety.

In Vivo and In Vitro Investigation of the Antibacterial, Cytotoxic, and Immunological Effects of Aqueous Extract from Ziziphus spina-christi Leaves

Background: The adoption of Ziziphus species medicines for the treatment of inflammatory illnesses is extensive and increasing, nevertheless, the impact of the Ziziphus genus on inflammatory illnesses has not been well studied. Aim of study:- study the Antibacterial, Cytotoxicity of Ziziphus spina-christi leaves extract of in vitro and Immunological effect in vivo , Methods and material : Enterobacter cloacae was obtained from patients from patient with Orthodontics , The Ziziphus spina-christi leaves were obtained from Iraqi market then dried for extraction and 100, 150, 200 mg/ml concentrations were prepared, the experimental design included two parts , in vitro and in vivo, In virto study which estimation the antibacterial activity by agar diffusion methods and Cytotoxicity using WRL-68 cell line with neutral red uptake method, in vivo study was included four groups Group I (Control): daily intraperitoneal injections of normal saline, Group II: injected Intraperitoneal with 100 µl of 1.5 x 108 CFU / ml of E. cloacae, Group III administrated orally with 200 mg/ml of extract , Group IV injected Intraperitoneal with 100 µl of 1.5x108 CFU/ ml of E.cloacae then for 14 day administrated orally with 200 mg/ml with extract then notice the clinical signs of each group evaluation the innate immunity (neutrophil activity) by Nitro-blue tetrazollum (NBT) method , Toll Like receptors-2(TLR-2) and Adaptive immunity (Arthus reaction Delayed hypersensitivity,IL-4,IL-17,IL-10). The results: The results showed that the extract revealed a good antibacterial activity against the studied isolates (E. cloacae ) which that highest activity recorded in 200 mg/ml concentration , The cytotoxicity findings reported the IC50 value of Ziziphus Rugosa extract, which indicates the concentration at which 50% proliferation inhibition of WRL-68 cells occurs, was found to be 280 mg/ml. At the greatest concentration of the extract (200 mg/ml), the cell viability was measured to be 80.08%. On the other hand, the lowest dosage tested (6.25 mg/ml) had no effect on the cells. Furthermore, the mice group that received E.cloacae presented clinical symptoms of illness with clear weight loss and diarrhea, reduction in movement activity through the cage space for 7 days while the mice groups that followed by extract administration presented clinical symptoms of illness for 3 days. On the other side the innate immunity findings that represented with the neutrophilsindex were showed the group that had a combination injection by E.cloacae and extract recorded high values(47.15 %) with valuable difference at (p ≤ 0.05 ) comparison with other studied groups and findings of TLR-2 reported the mice that received only E.cloacae showed highest value (98.12±0.087) with a valuable difference at (p≤ 0.05). In additional the adaptive immunity that represented with the Arthus test and DHT were revealed the group that had a combination administration of extract and E.cloacae showed a higher value than the other group, after 48 hr but the value started decreasing after 72 hr but the highest value recorded ( 4.24± 0.00) after 24 hr with valuable difference at p ≤ 0.05 with other groups. On the other side IL-17,IL-4 and IL-10 showed the groups that received extract with E.cloacae given a high value (424.95±0.46, 100±0.00, 72.18±0.12) respectively which higher than other groups with a significant difference at p≤ 0.05. Conclusion: the current study showed Ziziphus spina-christi leaves aqueous extract have positive effect to regulate the immune response by rising the IL-10 and IL-4 that played anti-inflammatory role also increase IL-17 which contributed to mobilization of neutrophil.

Mechanism of microstructure and texture evolution during hot rolling of pure Mg and Mg-0.2%Ce alloy

ABSTRACT The extruded samples of pure Mg and Mg-0.2%Ce alloy were subjected to a 90% reduction in thickness at 250°C during hot rolling. The microstructure, texture, and mechanical properties of the hot-rolled samples were evaluated. The microstructural evolution shows the presence of shear bands in Mg-0.2%Ce alloy at an angle of 30-35° concerning the normal direction and no such bands are observed in pure Mg. Upon annealing the samples at 400°C for one hour, it is observed that the grain size of Mg-0.2%Ce is smaller than pure Mg indicating that the precipitates of Ce arrest grain boundary mobility. The ex-situ EBSD microstructure analysis results show a higher change in the value of α33 components after annealing for pure Mg compared to Mg-0.2%Ce alloy suggesting the precipitates of Mg12Ce stabilises the pyr. <c + a > dislocations. The basal texture is observed in both samples after hot rolling. The experimental texture was simulated using the visco-plastic self-consistent (VPSC) modelling where it is observed that the initial extruded texture is favourable for the higher activity of pyr. <c + a > dislocation and extension twinning in Mg-0.2% e alloy. Further, the yield locus shows that Mg-0.2%Ce alloy shows relatively lower anisotropy compared to pure Mg. The yield strength and UTS of the pure Mg are higher than the Mg-0.2%Ce alloy which is attributed to the relatively more dislocation-dislocation interaction in pure Mg compared to Mg-0.2%Ce alloy resulting in the lower mean free path of the dislocations in pure Mg.

Bioinsecticides based on neem (Azadirachta indica) and rue (Ruta graveolens) against Agrotis ipsilon

Agrotis ipsilon is an important pest of several crops, where it causes damage to various parts of the plant such as stems, roots, leaves and tubers. Due to the growing demand for controlling these pests, there is a constant need for new products as the organisms acquire resistance after continuous contact. And this also generates a demand for bioinsecticides, which normally pose a lower health risk and are less harmful to the environment. Among the plants commonly used as insecticides are neem and rue, which have already been studied for several pests, although never together. This work aimed to determine the insecticidal activity of a natural insecticide derived from a mixture of neem and rue, commonly used in the region of Senhor do Bonfim-BA against A. ipsilon. Four different solutions were prepared, containing a) 20 neem leaves, 10 rue leaves and 5 A. ipsilon caterpillars, b) 20 neem leaves and 10 rue leaves, c) 20 neem leaves and d) 10 rue leaves. Water was tested as control. In the tests carried out, both the mixture popularly used in the region, containing neem, rue, and A. ipsilon caterpillars, as well as the solution containing only neem and rue had good results, killing all caterpillars in 72 hours. Isolated plant extracts did not obtain good results, only delaying the formation of pupae for neem extracts. Therefore, the mixture of Neem and Rue showed good insecticidal potential against A. ipsilon, with much higher activity than its isolated components.

The Influence of Aspergillus fumigatus Fatty Acid Oxygenases PpoA and PpoC on Caspofungin Susceptibility

Aspergillus fumigatus can cause invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA). Fungicidal azoles and fungistatic caspofungin (CAS) are the first- and second-line therapies, respectively, used to treat IPA. Treatment of A. fumigatus with CAS or micafungin induces the production of the oxylipin 5,8-diHODE by the fungal oxygenase PpoA. For this article, we investigated the influence of ppo genes, which encode the fatty acid oxygenases responsible for oxylipin biosynthesis, on CAS tolerance. The influence of PpoA and PpoC on CAS tolerance is mediated by MpkA phosphorylation and protein kinase A (PKA) activity. RNAseq transcriptional profiling and the label-free quantitative proteomics of the ppoA and ppoC mutants showed that differentially expressed genes and proteins are related to secondary metabolites and carbohydrate metabolism. We also characterized two clinical isolates, CM7555 and IFM61407, which decrease and increase susceptibility to CAS, respectively. CM7555 does not exhibit increased oxylipin production in the presence of CAS but oxylipin induction upon CAS exposure is increased in IFM61407, suggesting that oxylipins are not the only mechanism involved in CAS tolerance in these isolates. Upon CAS exposure, CM7555 has higher MpkA phosphorylation and PKA activity than IFM61407. Our results reveal the different aspects and genetic determinants involved in A. fumigatus CAS tolerance.

Reduction Polymerization of CO2 with Phenylene Silanes Catalyzed by Single Component B(C6F5)3.

CO2 is an abundant C1 resource but a green-house gas and chemically inert. Thus, its utilization has been a promising but challenging project. Herein, we report the unprecedented polymerization of CO2 and C6H4(SiMe2H)2 using B(C6F5)3 alone under mild conditions to give poly(silphenylene siloxane) accompanied by releasing CH4. The copolymerization can be extended to comonomers of phenylene silanes bearing functional groups. Moreover, it combines with Piers-Rubinsztajn reaction to establish a tandem polymerization system to achieve super thermal resistant poly(siloxane-co-silphenylene siloxane)s. Density functional theory reveals that B(C6F5)3 is activated by silanes to form free HB(C6F5)2, which is the true active species for CO2 reducing to borylformate, the rate controlling step of the polymerization procedure. The subsequent multiple reductions of borylformate to CH4 and the step-growth to poly(silphenylene siloxane)s can be fulfilled by both B(C6F5)3 and HB(C6F5)2, and the former shows a slightly higher activity. This work opens a new avenue of utilizing CO2 to fabricate polysiloxanes that is unable to access using current manners.

Preliminary Study on Lutetium-177 and Gold Nanoparticles: Apoptosis and Radiation Enhancement in Hepatic Cancer Cell Line

This study investigates a novel approach toward enhancing the efficacy of Lutetium-177 (Lu-177) radiopharmaceutical therapy by combining it with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in the HepG2 hepatic cancer cell line. Lu-177, known for its effective β radiation, also emits gamma rays at energies (113 keV and 208 keV) near the photoelectric absorption range, suggesting potential for targeted and localized radiation enhancement when used in conjunction with AuNPs. Thus, HepG2 cells were treated at two different activity levels (74 MBq and 148 MBq), with Lu-177 alone, with a combination of Lu-177 and AuNPs in two sizes (10 nm and 50 nm), while some received no treatment. Treatment efficacy was assessed by quantifying the radiation enhancement ratio (RER) and the apoptosis levels. The results reveal that combining Lu-177 with AuNPs significantly increases cell death and apoptosis compared to Lu-177 alone, with 10 nm AuNPs demonstrating superior effectiveness. Additionally, varying Lu-177 activity levels influenced the treatment outcomes, with higher activity levels further augmenting the therapeutic impact of combined therapy. These findings underscore the potential of utilizing Lu-177’s beta, but also gamma, emissions, traditionally considered non-therapeutic, for localized radiation enhancement when combined with AuNPs. This novel strategy leverages Lu-177 as an internal irradiator to exploit gamma radiation for a targeted therapeutic advantage without requiring nanoparticle functionalization. The study provides a promising approach to improving radionuclide therapy and sets the stage for future research aimed at optimizing cancer treatments through the combined use of Lu-177 and AuNPs.

Synthesis of N-Sulfopropylated Hyperbranched Polyethyleneimine with Enhanced Biocompatibility and Antimicrobial Activity.

Hyperbranched polyethyleneimine having 25,000 Da molecular weight was functionalized by a simple sulfopropylation reaction, affording a novel N-sulfopropylated PEI derivative (PEI-SO3 -). The successful introduction of N-sulfopropyl and sulfobetaine groups to the amino groups of PEI was spectroscopically confirmed. Furthermore, the antibacterial and anti-cyanobacterial activity of PEI-SO3 - in comparison to the parent PEI were investigated on two type heterotrophic bacteria, i. e., Gram (-) Escherichia coli and Gram (+) Staphylococcus Aureus bacteria, and one type of autotrophic cyanobacterium, i. e. Synechococcus sp. PCC 7942. Both PEI-SO3 - and PEI showed an enhanced, concentration-dependent antibacterial and anti-cyanobacterial activity against the tested bacteria strains, with PEI-SO3 - exhibiting higher activity than the parent PEI, signifying that the introduction of the sulfopropyl and sulfobetaine groups to the PEI amino groups enhanced the antibacterial and the anti-cyanobacterial properties of PEI. In the case of cyanobacteria, PEI-SO3 - was found to affect the integrity of the photosynthetic system by the inhibition of Photosystem-II electron transport activity. Cytocompatibility and hemocompatibility studies revealed that PEI-SO3 - exhibits high biocompatibility, suggesting that PEI-SO3 - could be considered as an attractive antibacterial and anti-cyanobacterial candidate for various applications in the disinfection industry and also against the harmful cyanobacterial blooms.

Reduction Polymerization of CO2 with Phenylene Silanes Catalyzed by Single Component B(C6F5)3

AbstractCO2 is an abundant C1 resource but a green‐house gas and chemically inert. Thus, its utilization has been a promising but challenging project. Herein, we report the unprecedented polymerization of CO2 and C6H4(SiMe2H)2 using B(C6F5)3 alone under mild conditions to give poly(silphenylene siloxane) accompanied by releasing CH4. The copolymerization can be extended to comonomers of phenylene silanes bearing functional groups. Moreover, it combines with Piers‐Rubinsztajn reaction to establish a tandem polymerization system to achieve super thermal resistant poly(siloxane‐co‐silphenylene siloxane)s. Density functional theory reveals that B(C6F5)3 is activated by silanes to form free HB(C6F5)2, which is the true active species for CO2 reducing to borylformate, the rate controlling step of the polymerization procedure. The subsequent multiple reductions of borylformate to CH4 and the step‐growth to poly(silphenylene siloxane)s can be fulfilled by both B(C6F5)3 and HB(C6F5)2, and the former shows a slightly higher activity. This work opens a new avenue of utilizing CO2 to fabricate polysiloxanes that is unable to access using current manners.

Spinal muscle characteristics during three different types of locomotion activities among college students with idiopathic scoliosis

Background contextPhysical activities such as walking and climbing stairs are pervasive in human daily life. Individuals with scoliosis frequently encounter dysfunction in their muscle recruitment. Multiple studies have corroborated the presence of muscle dysfunction in individuals diagnosed with scoliosis. However, there is currently a noteworthy research gap regarding the exploration of changes in muscle characteristics and disparities from those observed in individuals without scoliosis during everyday activities, specifically stair climbing.PurposeThis study aims to examine the unique patterns of muscle activity during daily life in individuals with scoliosis and distinguish the specific differences between scoliosis patients and the healthy controls. The findings of this study are significantly important for the future accurate assessment of scoliosis and the development of rehabilitation treatment plans.Study designCase–control study.Sample sizeTwenty eight idiopathic scoliosis patients and twenty eight controls.Outcome measuresRoot Mean Square(RMS), Maximum Voluntary Isometric Contraction(MVIC)%, RMS ratio(RMS convex / RMS concave).MethodsThe surface electromyography (sEMG) device used in this study was the Delsys Trigno, with a sampling frequency of 1500 Hz. It recorded the activation level, peak contraction, and average activation level of the erector spinae (at T6, T10, and L3 levels), gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, external oblique, and rectus abdominis muscles during three different types of locomotion for both the 28 individuals with idiopathic scoliosis and the 28 control participants.ResultsThe movement patterns of the idiopathic scoliosis patients significantly differ from those of the normal population during level walking and ascending or descending stairs. In level walking, there is an asymmetry in the activation levels of the T6 and L3 erector spinae muscles, with lower activation on the convex side compared to the concave side. Similarly, during stair ascent, the activation of the T6 and T10 erector spinae muscles is asymmetric, with higher activation on the convex side than the concave side. Moreover, during stair descent, the activation of the T6 erector spinae muscle is asymmetric, with higher activation on the convex side than the concave side.ConclusionsDuring level walking and stair activities, idiopathic scoliosis patients exhibit pronounced abnormal movement patterns that significantly differ from those of the control group. Under different activity conditions such as level walking, ascending and descending stairs, idiopathic scoliosis patients demonstrate abnormal muscle activation in different segments of the spine. It is crucial for clinicians to prioritize the symmetry of muscle activation in the spinal region of idiopathic scoliosis patients and consider incorporating symmetry training for these muscles.

Applications of nickel-containing structured microfibrous catalysts for the process of propane hydrogenolysis

This work evaluates the possibility of using nickel-containing structured glass fiber catalysts (Ni/GFC) for the process of hydrogenolysis of gas condensate (GC) into transportable components of natural gas, which will increase the efficiency of GC processing and contribute to the development of more cost-effective technologies in the oil-gas industry. Ni/GFC samples with Ni content of 5, 10 and 15% wt. were synthesized by surface thermal synthesis (STS). An industrial granular catalyst with a mass Ni content of 16% was used to compare the catalytic activity of the obtained catalysts. The highest activity and selectivity of methane formation is observed on the 10% Ni/ GFC catalyst, by these parameters it is superior not only to other GFCs, but also the traditional granular catalyst.

Purification, Structural Characterization, and Bioactivity of Amaranthus hypochondriacus Lectin

Lectin extracted from Amaranthus hypochondriacus was purified using an affinity column with an agarose-fetuin matrix specific to the lectin of interest. Purification was confirmed by SDS-PAGE, revealing a single protein band with a molecular mass of 34.4 kDa. A hemagglutination assay showed that the lectin had a higher affinity for human type A erythrocytes, and its hemagglutinating activity was inhibited only by fetuin, not by mono-, di-, or trisaccharides. This demonstrated the lectin’s selectivity for the N-acetylgalactosamine present on the surface of type A erythrocytes and fetuin. Amaranth lectin exhibited antioxidant activity, which was attributed to the phenolic compounds, amino acids, and specific peptides within the protein structure that are known for their antioxidant properties. Infrared (IR) spectroscopy provided a structural analysis and confirmed lectin glycosylation, a crucial factor in its stability and its ability to bind specific glycans on cell surfaces. Cu2+, Mn2+, and Zn2+ ions were found in the lectin, and these ions were strongly bound to the protein, as dialysis against ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) did not remove them. pH and temperature influenced lectin stability, with higher hemagglutinating activity observed at pH 7, and it remained thermostable at 25 °C.

Gapped and Rotated Grain Boundary Revealed in Ultra‐Small Au Nanoparticles for Enhancing Electrochemical CO2 Reduction

AbstractAlthough gapped grain boundaries have often been observed in bulk and nanosized materials, and their crucial roles in some physical and chemical processes have been confirmed, their acquisition at ultrasmall nanoscale presents a significant challenge. To date, they had not been reported in metal nanoparticles smaller than 2 nm owing to the difficulty in characterization and the high instability of grain boundary (GB) atoms. Herein, we have successfully developed a synthesis method for producing a novel chiral nanocluster Au78(TBBT)40 (TBBT=4‐tert‐butylphenylthiolate) with a 26‐atom gapped and rotated GB. This nanocluster was precisely characterized using single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography and mass spectrometry. Additionally, an offset atomic defect linked to the peripheral Au(TBBT)2 staple was found in the structure. Comparing it to similarly face‐centered cubic‐structured Au36(TBBT)24, Au44(TBBT)28, Au52(TBBT)32, Au92(TBBT)44, and ~5 nm nanocrystals, the bridging Au78(TBBT)40 nanocluster exhibited higher catalytic activity in the electroreduction of CO2 to CO. This enhanced activity was explained through density functional theory calculations and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis, which highlight the impact of GBs and point defects on the surface properties of metal nanoclusters in balancing intermediate adsorption and product desorption.