Inhibition Capability Research Articles

Environmentally friendly and facile Mg(OH)2 film for electroless nickel plating on magnesium alloy for enhanced galvanic corrosion inhibition

Electroless amorphous nickel (Ni)–phosphorus (P) (NiP) alloy coatings were successfully achieved on magnesium alloys using an environmentally friendly and facile Mg(OH)2 conversion film, followed by AgNO3 activation. The success of the coating was confirmed through scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction characterizations. Electrochemical tests showed that the charge transfer resistance of the newly developed electroless NiP plating coating, which had a horizontally stacked Mg(OH)2 nanosheet primer (Mg(OH)2/pH 14/ENP), was significantly higher than that with a vertically grown Mg(OH)2 nanosheet underlayer (Mg(OH)2/pH 10/ENP) or that with a phosphate pretreatment (ENP). The measured corrosion current density of the Mg(OH)2/pH 14/ENP coating was 1.08 μA cm−2, one magnitude smaller than that of the ENP coating. Notably, the ENP coating exhibited severe galvanic corrosion, peeling off after only 24 h of the neutral salt spray (NSS) test. In contrast, the Mg(OH)2/pH 14/ENP surface showed no visible corrosion cavities or signs of galvanic corrosion even after 120 h of the NSS test or 21 d of exposure to a NaCl solution. These results indicate that the as-prepared coating possesses a strong inhibition capability against galvanic corrosion between the Ni layer and the magnesium alloy, providing long-lasting corrosion protection.

Synthesis, docking and biological evaluation of purine-5-N-isosteresas anti-inflammatory agents.

An operationally simple one-pot three-component and convenient synthesis method for a series of diverse purine analogues of 5-amino-7-(substituted)-N-(4-sulfamoylphenyl)-4,7-dihydro-[1,2,4]-triazolo[1,5-a][1,3,5]triazine-2-carboxamide derivatives generated in situ via the reaction of 2-hydrazinyl-N-(4-sulfamoylphenyl)-2-thioxoacetamide, cyanoguanidine and a variety of aldehydes was achieved under green conditions. This experiment was conducted to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of the newly synthesized compounds using indomethacin as a reference medication; all compounds were tested for in vitro anti-inflammatory activity using the inhibition of albumin denaturation, RBC hemolysis technique and COX inhibition assay. The results showed that all evaluated compounds exhibited significant in vitro anti-inflammatory efficacy leading to excellently effective RBC membrane stabilization, inhibition of protein denaturation, and inhibition of COX enzymes when compared to those of indomethacin. At concentrations of 50, 100, 200, and 300 μg ml-1, these compounds decreased COX-1 and COX-2 activities more than indomethacin and have IC50 values in the range of 40.04-87.29 μg ml-1 for COX-1 and 27.76-42.3 μg ml-1 for COX-2 while indomethacin showed IC50 = 91.57 for COX-1 and 42.66 μg ml-1 for COX-2. The anti-inflammatory findings show the need for more investigation to define the properties underlying the evaluated compounds' anti-inflammatory abilities. The enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 (COX 2) (PDB ID: 5IKT) was docked with ten synthetic substances. With docking scores (S) of -8.82, -7.82, and -7.76 kcal mol-1, 7-furan triazolo-triazine (4), 7-(2-hydroxy phenyl) triazolo-triazine (11), and 7-(4-dimethylamino phenyl) triazolo-triazine (12) had the greatest binding affinities, respectively. Therefore, these substances have COX-2 (PDB ID: 5IKT) inhibitory capabilities and hence may be investigated for COX 2 targeting development. Furthermore, both the top-ranked compounds (4 and 11) and the standard indomethacin were subjected to DFT analysis. The HOMO - LUMO energy difference (ΔE) of the mentioned compounds was found to be less than that of indomethacin.

The inhibition effect and mechanism of typical hydrocolloids on the formation of heterocyclic amines: A study based on quantum chemical computation analysis

Hydrocolloids, as thickeners, have been receiving increasing attention from researchers. Although they exhibit significant free radical quenching abilities, which demonstrate potential heterocyclic amines (HAs) inhibitory capabilities by blocking the free radical pathway, the inhibitory effect and mechanism are still unclear. This study investigated the effects of three typical hydrocolloids (alginic acid, chitosan, and carrageenan) on both free and bound HAs in fried meatballs, along with their mechanisms of free radical quenching using density functional theory. The result showed that all three hydrocolloids can effectively inhibit the generation of HAs. The maximum inhibition rate reached 33.33% for free HAs and 23.18% for bound HAs. Phenylacetaldehyde, glyoxal and methyl glyoxal, were significantly inhibited, indicating that hydrocolloids alleviated the production of HAs by inhibiting the generation of intermediates. At moment, three hydrocolloids effectively inhibited the generation of total free radicals. Frontier orbital and density functional theory analysis revealed that carrageenan had the lowest HOMO-LUMO energy gaps, ionization potential, highest nucleophilic index, chemical potential, and was more likely to react with free radicals. The results of this study indicate that three hydrocolloids can effectively inhibit HAs and provide theoretical support for their applications in food processing and safety.

Minocycline Acts as a Neuroprotective Agent Against Tramadol-Induced Neurodegeneration: Behavioral and Molecular Evidence.

Previous evidence indicates that tramadol (TRA) can lead to neurodegenerative events and minocycline (MIN) has neuroprotective properties. The current research evaluated the neuroprotective effects of MIN for TRA-promoted neurodegeneration. Sixty adult male rats were placed into the following groups: 1 (received 0.7 ml/rat of normal saline, IP), 2 (received 50 mg/kg of TRA, i.p.), 3, 4, 5 (administered TRA as 50 mg/kg simultaneously with MIN at 20, 40, and 60 mg/kg, IP, respectively), and 6 (received MIN alone as 60 mg/kg, IP). The treatment procedure was 21 days. An open field test (OFT) was used to measure motor activity and anxiety-related behavior. Furthermore, oxidative stress; hippocampal inflammation; apoptotic parameters as well as activity of mitochondrial complexes I, II, III, and IV; ATP levels; and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were evaluated. In addition, histomorphological alteration was assessed in two regions of the hippocampus: Cornu Ammonis (CA1) and dentate gyrus (DG). MIN treatment could inhibit TRA-induced anxiety and motor activity disturbances (P < 0.05). In addition, MIN could attenuate reactive oxygen species (ROS), H2O2, oxidized glutathione (GSSG), and malondialdehyde (MDA) level (P < 0.05), while there was increased reduced glutathione (GSH), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), ATP, MMP, and BCL2 levels (P < 0.05) and also elevation of SOD, GPX, GSR (P < 0.05), and mitochondrial complexes I, II, III, and IV activity (P < 0.05) in TRA-treated rats. In consistence with these findings, MIN could reduce TNF/TNF-α, IL1B/IL1-β, BAX, and CASP3 levels (P < 0.05) in TRA-treated rats. MIN also restored the quantitative (P < 0.05) and qualitative histomorphological sequels of TRA in both CA1 and DG areas of the hippocampus. MIN probably has repositioning capability for inhibition of TRA-induced neurodegeneration via modulation of inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and mitochondrial disorders.

Synthesis of hydrazone-based polyhydroquinoline derivatives - antibacterial activities, α-glucosidase inhibitory capability, and DFT study.

In recent years, polyhydroquinolines have gained much attention due to their widespread applications in medicine, agriculture, industry, etc. Here, we synthesized a series of novel hydrazone-based polyhydroquinoline derivatives via multi-step reactions. These molecules were characterized by modern spectroscopic techniques (1H-NMR, 13C NMR, and LC-HRMS) and their antibacterial and in vitro α-glucosidase inhibitory activities were assessed. Compound 8 was found to be the most active inhibitor against Listeria monocytogenes NCTC 5348, Bacillus subtilis IM 622, Brevibacillus brevis, and Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6337 with a zone of inhibition of 15.3 ± 0.01, 13.2 ± 0.2, 13.1 ± 0.1, and 12.6 ± 0.3 mm, respectively. Likewise, compound 8 also exhibited the most potent inhibitory potential for α-glucosidase (IC50 = 5.31 ± 0.25 μM) in vitro, followed by compounds 10 (IC50 = 6.70 ± 0.38 μM), and 12 (IC50 = 6.51 ± 0.37 μM). Furthermore, molecular docking and DFT analysis of these compounds showed good agreement with experimental work and the nonlinear optical properties calculated here indicate that these compounds are good candidates for nonlinear optics.

The Characteristics and Biological Activities of Niosome-Entrapped Salicylic Acid-Contained Oleoresin from Dipterocarpus alatus for Skin Product Applications.

Salicylic acid (SA) is widely renowned for its efficacy as a beneficial ingredient for skincare, especially for acne and uneven skin texture. The salicylic acid (SA) niosome formulation combined with the essential component of oleoresin from Dipterocarpus alatus Roxb. ex G. Don or Yang-Na (ODA) was developed and investigated for its physical characteristics, biological effects, and stability. The findings demonstrated that SA combined with ODA in the niosome formulation F4 enhanced the entrapment efficiency of SA, as well as the physical properties and stability of the formulation. Furthermore, the release pattern of this combined formulation indicated sustained release of SA. The permeation of SA was higher in the presence of ODA compared to SA-niosome formulations without ODA. Moreover, this F4 could downregulate the secretion of iNOS, COX-2, and TNF-α including anti-Propionibacterium acnes activities. Consequently, the incorporation of ODA into the niosome formulation has the potential to improve the entrapment efficiency of SA, facilitating controlled release and enhancing permeation, nitric oxide inhibition capabilities, and anti-P. acnes activity. Therefore, F4 has the potential to be developed as a topical product for the combined treatment of inflammation and P. acnes-associated conditions in the future.

Corrosion Inhibition of Mild Steel in HCl Solution Using MPO: Experimental and Theoretical Insights

Corrosion is a pervasive challenge in various industrial applications, particularly in acidic environments. This comprehensive study delves into the effectiveness of 2-methyl-4-propyl-1,3-oxathiane (MPO) as a corrosion inhibitor for mild steel exposed to hydrochloric acid (HCl) solutions. The investigation employs weight loss techniques to assess the inhibitor's performance over varying durations (ranging from 1 to 48 hours) and concentrations (0.1 to 1 mM). At a concentration of 0.5 mM, the inhibitor demonstrates impressive inhibitory efficiency, ranging from 87.6% at 303 K to 92.9% at 333 K during a 5-hour exposure period. Additionally, the impact of temperature on the corrosion inhibition process is examined at temperatures of 303, 313, 323, and 333 K, showing substantial inhibition efficiencies. Quantum chemical calculations using Density Functional Theory (DFT) methods elucidate the molecular interactions between MPO and the metal surface. Notably, the analysis of EHOMO (Highest Occupied Molecular Orbital Energy), ELUMO (Lowest Unoccupied Molecular Orbital Energy), Egap (Energy Gap), total hardness (η), electronegativity (χ), and electron fraction transition atom (ΔN) reveals valuable insights into MPO's corrosion inhibition capabilities. The outcomes underscore MPO's potential as an effective corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in HCl environments, laying the groundwork for more efficient corrosion prevention strategies in industrial settings.

Post-therapy via integrated curcumin and doxorubicin modified cerium-based UiO-66 MOFs using an antioxidant and anticancer therapeutic strategy.

The quest for effective cancer treatment methodologies underpins numerous research endeavors. Despite the therapeutic efficacy of conventional chemotherapy against malignant tumors, tumor recurrence post-therapy remains a formidable challenge. Addressing this, we developed a dual drug delivery system, rooted in a modified metal-organic framework (MOF), specifically by substituting the metal nodes of Uio-66 with cerium to augment its anti-oxidative potential. This engineered system, pyrene-modified hyaluronic acid, functions as a linker, enabling the self-assembly and encapsulation of both the material and the therapeutic agents, and encompasses both doxorubicin and curcumin, aimed at targeting cancer cell eradication and tumorigenesis inhibition. This system demonstrated significant antioxidant capacity through free radical scavenging assays, positioning it as a potential agent in mitigating tumor recurrence. Enhanced anti-tumor activity was distinctly evidenced in human colon cancer cell lines. Additionally, in vitro drug release assessments revealed slow-release kinetics and acid-responsive traits, attributed to the incorporation of pyrenylated hyaluronic acid. Within the xenograft nude mouse model, this system contained a lower amount of doxorubicin, yet, exhibited tumor inhibition capability comparable to the free doxorubicin group. Moreover, it delivered anticancer efficiency under conditions of enhanced antioxidative capacity, underscoring its prospective utility in clinical cancer therapeutics. This dual drug delivery platform not only advances cancer treatment and prophylaxis but also extends novel insights into the therapeutic implications of simultaneous dual drug delivery systems.

Enhancing antitumor immunity with stimulus-responsive mesoporous silicon in combination with chemotherapy and photothermal therapy.

Due to the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) and potential systemic toxicity, chemotherapy often fails to elicit satisfactory anti-tumor responses, so how to activate anti-tumor immunity to improve the therapeutic efficacy remains a challenging problem. Photothermal therapy (PTT) serves as a promising approach to activate anti-tumor immunity by inducing the release of tumor neoantigens in situ. In this study, we designed tetrasulfide bonded mesoporous silicon nanoparticles (MSNs) loaded with the traditional drug doxorubicin (DOX) inside and modified their outer layer with polydopamine (DOX/MSN-4S@PDA) for comprehensive anti-tumor studies in vivo and in vitro. The MSN core contains GSH-sensitive tetrasulfide bonds that enhance DOX release while generating hydrogen sulfide (H2S) to improve the therapeutic efficacy of DOX. The polydopamine (PDA) coating confers acid sensitivity and mild photothermal properties upon exposure to near-infrared (NIR) light, while the addition of hyaluronic acid (HA) to the outermost layer enables targeted delivery to CD44-expressing tumor cells, thereby enhancing drug accumulation at the tumor site and reducing toxic side effects. Our studies demonstrate that DOX/MSN@PDA-HA can reverse the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment in vivo, inducing potent immunogenic cell death (ICD) of tumor cells and improving anti-tumor efficacy. In addition, DOX/MSN@PDA-HA significantly suppresses tumor metastasis to the lung and liver. In summary, DOX/MSN@PDA-HA exhibits controlled drug release, excellent biocompatibility, and remarkable tumor inhibition capabilities through synergistic chemical/photothermal combined therapy.

The activity of of vitexicarpin and artemetin in inhibiting hyperpigmentation: an in silico study

Hyperpigmentation, characterized by increased skin darkening, is primarily attributed to augmented melanin production, often exacerbated by UV ray exposure. Inhibiting melanogenesis enzymes, such as tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein 1, and d-dopachrome tautomerase, is a recognized strategy for managing hyperpigmentation. Flavonoid compounds, namely vitexicarpin and artemetin, have emerged as potential antihyperpigmentation agents. This study explores the inhibitory capabilities of vitexicarpin and artemetin on melanogenesis enzymes through in silico molecular docking. The process involved optimization of test compounds using HyperChem 8, target protein preparation with Chimera 1.11, method validation, and docking employing AutoDockTools 1.5.6, which integrates Autodock4 and Autogrid4 programs. The validity of the molecular docking method was confirmed with an RMSD value of ≤3 Å. The findings demonstrate that vitexicarpin and artemetin exhibit higher affinity towards tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein 1, and d-dopachrome tautomerase than the native ligands. Interaction models between the compounds and target proteins include hydrogen bonds, Van der Waals forces, hydrophobic interactions, and electrostatic bonds, with the most visually identifiable hydrogen bonds. These results suggest that vitexicarpine and artemetin have promising potential as antihyperpigmentation agents by inhibiting melanogenesis enzymes, as evidenced by the molecular docking approach.

Comparative Evaluation of Quality Attributes of the Dried Cherry Blossom Subjected to Different Drying Techniques.

Choosing an appropriate drying method is crucial for producing dried cherry blossoms with desirable quality. This study is designed to assess the effects of seven different drying methods-hot-air drying (HAD), infrared hot-air drying (IHAD), catalytic infrared drying (CID), relative humidity drying (RHD), pulsed vacuum drying (PVD), microwave vacuum drying (MVD), and vacuum freeze drying (VFD)-on drying time and various attributes of cherry blossoms, such as appearance, bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity, α-glucosidase activity, and sensory properties. Our findings revealed that MVD recorded the shortest drying time, followed by PVD, CID, IHAD, RHD, HAD, and VFD. In qualities, VFD-dried petals exhibited superior appearance, bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity, and α-glucosidase inhibitory capability; MVD-dried petals were a close second. Furthermore, the quality of tea infusions prepared from the dried petals was found to be significantly correlated with the quality of the dried petals themselves. Regarding sensory attributes, VFD-dried petals produced tea infusions most similar in flavor and taste to those made with fresh petals and received the highest sensory evaluation scores, followed by MVD, PVD, RHD, CID, IHAD, and HAD. These results could offer a scientific foundation for the mass production of high-quality dried cherry blossoms in the future.

Preparation and performance study of waterborne epoxy resin/non-covalent modified graphene oxide hydrogen barrier coatings

Hydrogen embrittlement in hydrogen pipelines can cause severe economic losses and safety hazards, thus research on efficient hydrogen barrier coatings is of great importance. In this study, a more efficient and easily operable non-covalent modification method was employed to modify carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) onto graphene oxide (GO), resulting in a significant improvement in the dispersibility and uniform distribution of GO in waterborne epoxy resin. Subsequently, a hydrogen barrier coating was prepared by incorporating the modified GO into waterborne epoxy resin. The influence of different doping concentrations on the coating performance was investigated. The basic properties of the coatings were characterized using macroscopic analysis, SEM, contact angle measurements, adhesion tests and electrochemical techniques. The corrosion resistance and hydrogen barrier effect was evaluated through electrochemical hydrogen permeation experiments. Results showed that The modified graphene oxide has good compatibility with epoxy resin. When the content of CGO was 0.25 %, the dispersion was best. the CGO coatings has some corrosion resistance with approximately 10 MPa adhesive force and 105 Modular value at the beginning of immersion. The CGO coatings significantly improved the hydrogen resistance of ×80 steel. The lowest hydrogen permeation current density was observed at 0.25 wt% CGO concentration, which indicated optimal hydrogen permeation inhibition capability.

Exploring the inhibitory activity and mechanism of cetylpyridine chloride: Unveiling a promising class of tyrosinase inhibitors

Cetylpyridine chloride (CPC), a quaternary ammonium compound renowned for its antimicrobial properties, has emerged as a promising tyrosinase inhibitor. However, the precise mechanism of its inhibitory effects remains elusive. Therefore, this study endeavors to elucidate CPC's inhibitory effects and molecular mechanisms through spectroscopic analyses and computational molecular docking. Our findings unveil CPC as a reversible, competitive inhibitor of tyrosinase, achieved through hydrophobic interactions that effectively obstruct the enzymatic active site. These insights prompted the evaluation of 25 CPC analogs, assessing their monophenolase and diphenolase activities. Notably, this investigation unveiled a previously unreported class of tyrosinase inhibitors, making a substantial contribution to the existing literature. Furthermore, a preliminary structure-activity relationship analysis was conducted on a series of CPC analogs, indicating the necessity of a long alkyl chain with a minimum length of 14 carbons and a hydrophilic functional group. Our results demonstrate the potential for designing novel tyrosinase inhibitors with enhanced inhibitory capabilities, while also shedding light on surfactant-protein binding mechanisms.

Morphology and formation mechanism of cracks in Al2O3–ZrO2 eutectic ceramics fabricated via laser powder bed fusion

AbstractThe cracks in Al2O3–ZrO2 eutectic ceramics produced by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) have a significant impact on their practical applications in various industries. In order to understand the factors influencing crack formation, a systematic study of the characterization and propagation of cracks in single‐track, multi‐track, and bulk samples by varying the process parameters has been carried out in this research. The results showed that parallel cracks can be healed by reducing the scanning spacing and scanning length. Additionally, it was found that using a modest scanning speed and a shorter length can minimize the accumulation of thermal stress, resulting in the suppress crack formation. Based on this conclusion, a crack‐free Al2O3–ZrO2 eutectic ceramic sample was finally obtained under the optimized parameters with the power of 100 W, the scanning speed of 100 mm/s, the hatch spacing of 100 μm, the scanning length of 3 mm, and the layer thickness of 50 μm. Additionally, three typical microstructures, including eutectic, cellular, and dendritic structures, were identified in the LPBF‐fabricated Al2O3–ZrO2 samples. The cellular microstructure showed improved crack inhibition capability due to the deflection and pinning effects. Cracks expand more easily in dendritic and eutectic microstructures, where anisotropy is more prominent.

Study of the Electrochemical Behavior of Concrete‐Coated Steel in 1 M Sulfuric Acid Using an Extract of Diplotaxis simplex L.

AbstractThis study aimed to evaluate Diplotaxis simplex (DS) extract as an eco‐friendly corrosion inhibitor in a harsh 1 M H2SO4 solution, focusing on its effectiveness against both general and localized concrete corrosion. Electrochemical methods, including linear polarization, were employed to assess the DS extract‘s corrosion inhibition capabilities. The results demonstrate DS extract's exceptional inhibitory properties, with inhibition efficiency increasing with higher concentrations. This enhanced performance is attributed to the extract‘s phenolic compounds, containing nitrogen and oxygen heteroatoms with π‐electrons. Notably, sinapic acid, a known corrosion inhibitor for steel in acidic environments, was found in DS extract.Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) further validated the findings, showing an 84.22 % inhibition efficiency at a DS extract concentration of 300 ppm. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis of the electrode surface confirmed the formation of a protective layer, supporting DS extract's potential as a concrete corrosion inhibitor in aggressive environments.In summary, this study highlights DS extract's potent corrosion inhibition properties, making it a promising candidate for safeguarding concrete structures against corrosion. These findings offer exciting prospects for sustainable corrosion protection strategies in challenging settings.

Selenocyanates and selenotetrazoles derivatives: A detailed experimental and theoretical evaluation as corrosion inhibitors for mild steel in aggressive environment

This work presents the selenocyanates ESCA and ESCP and their derivatives selenotetrazoles ETSP and ETSA, which were synthesized with good to excellent yields. The compounds were designed and studied as corrosion inhibitors for mild steel in 1 mol L−1 HCl. Weight loss experiments showed that ESCP, ESCA, ETSP, and ETSA mitigate corrosion from 81.1 to 92.8 % at 2.00 mmol L−1 (298 K). At higher temperatures (338 K), those values go from 85 to 95 %. EIS shows that the mechanism of corrosion is by charge transfer and that the organic compounds act by adsorbing in the surface and blocking the active sites. Polarization curves and EFM prove that the corrosion density is significantly lower in the presence of the four molecules, and they all are mixed-type corrosion inhibitors. AFM depicted the topography of the metallic surface and point to the formation of an adsorbed protective film. Atomistic simulations using ab initio DFT were employed to investigate the interactions between selenocyanates and selenotetrazoles with an Fe(110) metal surface, elucidating the adsorption geometries and electronic properties. Our findings demonstrated that the adsorption geometries and resultant bonds, particularly those involving oxygen (O), selenium (Se), and nitrogen (N) atoms, critically influence the corrosion inhibition capabilities of these molecules. ESCA and ETSP showed bond rupture of C-Se while ESCP had no covalent bonding with iron atoms, which can explain their lower inhibitive performance compared to more energetically stable ETSA.

Effects of transcranial direct current stimulation over human motor cortex on cognitive-motor and sensory-motor functions.

The primary motor cortex (M1) is broadly acknowledged for its crucial role in executing voluntary movements. Yet, its contributions to cognitive and sensory functions remain largely unexplored. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a noninvasive neurostimulation method that can modify brain activity, thereby enabling the establishment of a causal link between M1 activity and behavior. This study aimed to investigate the online effects of tDCS over M1 on cognitive-motor and sensory-motor functions. Sixty-four healthy participants underwent either anodal or sham tDCS while concurrently performing a set of standardized robotic tasks. These tasks provided sensitive and objective assessments of brain functions, including action selection, inhibitory control, cognitive control of visuomotor skills, proprioceptive sense, and bimanual coordination. Our results revealed that anodal tDCS applied to M1 enhances decision-making capacity in selecting appropriate motor actions and avoiding distractors compared to sham stimulation, suggesting improved action selection and inhibitory control capabilities. Furthermore, anodal tDCS reduces the movement time required to accomplish bimanual movements, suggesting enhanced bimanual performance. However, we found no impact of anodal tDCS on cognitive control of visuomotor skills and proprioceptive sense. This study suggests that augmenting M1 activity via anodal tDCS influences cognitive-motor and sensory-motor functions in a task-dependent manner.

A mechanistic toxicology study to grasp the mechanics of zearalenone estrogenicity: Spotlighting aromatase and the effects of its genetic variability

Zearalenone (ZEN) is a mycoestrogen produced by Fusarium fungi contaminating cereals and in grain-based products threatening human and animal health due to its endocrine disrupting effects. Germane to the mechanisms of action, ZEN may activate the estrogen receptors and inhibit the estrogens-producing enzyme aromatase (CYP19A1). Both show single nucleotide variants (SNVs) among humans associated with a diverse susceptibility of being activated or inhibited. These variations might modify the endocrine disrupting action of ZEN, requiring dedicated studies to improve its toxicological understanding. This work focused on human aromatase investigating via 3D molecular modelling whether some of the SNVs reported so far (n = 434) may affect the inhibitory potential of ZEN. It has been also calculated the inhibition capability of α-zearalenol, the most prominent and estrogenically potent phase I metabolite of ZEN, toward those aromatase variants with an expected diverse sensitivity of being inhibited by ZEN. The study: i) described SNVs likely associated with a different susceptibility to ZEN and α-zearalenol inhibition - like T310S that is likely more susceptible to inhibition, or D309G and S478F that are possibly inactive variants; ii) proofed the possible existence of inter-individual susceptibility to ZEN; iii) prioritized aromatase variants for future investigations toward a better comprehension of ZEN xenoestrogenicity at an individual level.

Evaluation on corrosion mitigation capabilities of nitrogen doped carbon dots as corrosion inhibitors for mild steel in descaling solution

The article represents a mechanistic and detailed evaluation of synthesized novel nitrogen doped carbon dots (N-CDs) as corrosion inhibitors for mild steel in 15 % HCl solution. The investigation reflects the synergistic adsorption and corrosion inhibition capabilities of N-CDs. The investigation reflects that the N-CDs display efficient corrosion inhibition of 93.09 % efficiency for a dosage of 350 ppm. The N-CDs adsorb upon the metallic substrate surface to generate a protective layer at the metal solution interface and thereby protect it from the aggressive electrolyte. The electrochemical analyses confirm that the N-CDs behave as mixed type corrosion inhibitors and protect both anodic and cathodic sites of corrosion. The protective film was chemically analyzed through XPS analysis which confirms the inorganic/organic, hybrid nature of the protective film.

Electrochemical and computational insights into the utilization of 2, 2- dithio bisbenzothiazole as a sustainable corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in low pH medium

Industries today place a high premium on environmentally friendly supplies that may effectively inhibit metal dissolution at a reasonable cost. Hence, in this paper, we assessed the corrosion inhibition effectiveness of the Thiazole derivative namely, 2, 2-Dithio Bisbenzothiazole (DBBT) against mild steel (MS) corrosion in 1 M HCl. Several experimental approaches, including gravimetric analysis, potentiodynamic polarization (PDP), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and surface exploration using scanning electron/atomic force microscopy (SEM/AFM) and contact angle (CA), were utilized to conduct the measurements. In 1 M HCl corrosive medium at 298 K in the subsistence of 800 ppm of DBBT, this experiment indicated DBBT as an environment-friendly and sustainable corrosion inhibitor (CI) for MS, demonstrating an inhibition efficiency (IE %) of 97.71%. To deliver a deeper knowledge of the mechanism behind inhibitive behavior, the calculated thermodynamic and activation characteristics were applied. The calculated Gibbs free energy values indicated that the CI interacted physically and chemically with the MS surface, validating physio-chemical adsorption. The findings of the EIS research revealed that an upsurge in the doses of the CI is escorted by an upsurge in polarization resistance (Rp) from (88.05 → 504.04) Ωcm2, and a diminution in double layer capacitance (Cdl) from (97.46 → 46.33) μFcm−2 at (50 → 800) ppm respectively, affirming the inhibitive potential of DBBT. Additionally, the greatest displacement in Ecorr value being 76.13 mV < 85 mV, indicating that DBBT act as a mixed-form CI. To study the further impacts of DBBT on the inhibition capabilities of the compound under investigation, density functional theory (DFT) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation were employed. Chemical and electrochemical approaches are in agreement with the computational analysis indicating DBBT is the most efficient CI.