Low O2 Concentrations Research Articles

Preparation of PBAT/PCL Films for Passive Modified Atmosphere Packaging of Cherry Tomatoes

ABSTRACTThe uniaxially stretched blend films comprising poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) (PBAT) and poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) were prepared using a twin‐screw extruder with the objective of modifying the properties of the PBAT film. The mechanical properties, gas permeability and potential applications in cherry tomatoes of the modified films were determined and evaluated. The addition of PCL resulted in a notable increase in the stiffness of the PBAT films. Nevertheless, no notable alterations were observed in the oxygen permeability of the blend films in comparison to the neat PBAT film. The CO2 and water vapour permeability of PBAT films exhibited a decrease initially and then the increase upon the PCL addition, reaching a minimum value at 20% addition. Notably, the permeability ratio of CO2 to O2 in the PBAT/PCL blend films exceeds 8.1 at 5°C, which is about four times higher than that of the PE film (1.75). It can therefore be concluded that the blend films displayed a notable preservative effect on packaged cherry tomatoes in packaging applications. This was evidenced by the maintenance of high CO2 and extremely low O2 concentrations inside the packaging, which inhibited the postharvest respiration rate of cherry tomatoes. The utilization of PBAT/PCL20 blend films could effectively reduce the decline rate of hardness, weight, soluble solids and ascorbic acid content of cherry tomatoes caused by long‐term storage, especially in low temperature condition. Consequently, the blend films exhibit considerable promise as a passive modified atmosphere packaging material for fruits and vegetables.

Heterogeneity in Diameters of Protein Fibrils and Chitosan for a High CO2/O2 Selectivity and Desired Mechanical Properties of Edible Bioplastic Films.

Edible bioplastics offer a possible approach with great potential to address the challenges of plastic and microplastic crisis and the issue of food waste. In the present study, in situ, induction of fibrillation of legume proteins within chitosan matrix is found to form edible bioplastic films with a high CO2/O2 selectivity coefficient of ≈130. Desirable mechanical properties, including a high elongation at break of ≈230%, are realized to fabricate shopping bags, which can be filled with 5kg of fruits. An atmosphere with a high CO2 content and low O2 concentration is spontaneously achieved after strawberries are packaged with the films and ≈85% of the fruits are edible after 9 days. The contents of CO2 in the equilibrium state and the percent of edible fruits are positively correlated with the CO2/O2 selectivity of the films. By comparison of the edible bioplastic films made from mung bean protein (MP) and pea protein (PP), the fibrillation capability of legume proteins and the heterogeneity in polydisperse diameters of the protein fibrils and chitosan are demonstrated to make great contributions to the dense microstructure, leading to the strong mechanical properties and high gas selectivity of the films. The structure-property relationship is elucidated for high-performance bioplastics films.

Nanozymes as Antibacterial Agents: New Concerns in Design and Enhancement Strategies.

Nanozymes exhibiting natural enzyme-mimicking catalytic activities as antibacterial agents present several advantages, including high stability, low cost, broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, ease of preparation and storage, and minimal bacterial resistance. Consequently, they have attracted significant attention in recent years. However, the rapid expansion of antimicrobial nanozyme research has resulted in pioneering reviews that do not comprehensively address emerging concerns and enhancement strategies within this field. This paper first summarizes the factors influencing the intrinsic activity of nanozymes; subsequently, we outline new research considerations for designing antibacterial nanozymes with enhanced functionality and biosafety features such as degradable, imageable, targeted, and bacterial-binding nanozymes as well as those capable of selectively targeting pathogenic bacteria while sparing normal cells and probiotics. Furthermore, we review novel enhancement strategies involving external physical stimuli (light or ultrasound), the introduction of extrinsic small molecules, and self-supplying H2O2 to enhance the activity of antibacterial nanozymes under physiological conditions characterized by low concentrations of H2O2 and O2. Additionally, we present non-redox nanozymes that operate independently of highly toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) alongside those designed to combat less common pathogenic bacteria. Finally, we discuss current issues, challenges faced in the field, and future prospects for antibacterial nanozymes.

Microbial community respiration kinetics and their dynamics in coastal seawater

Oxygen (O2) concentrations in coastal seawater have been declining for decades and models predict continued deoxygenation into the future. As O2 declines, metabolic energy use is progressively channelled from higher trophic levels into microbial community respiration, which in turn influences coastal ecology and biogeochemistry. Despite its critical role in deoxygenation and ecosystem functioning, the kinetics of microbial respiration at low O2 concentrations in coastal seawater remain uncertain and are mostly modeled based on parameters derived from laboratory cultures and a limited number of environmental observations. To explore microbial responses to declining O2, we measured respiration kinetics in coastal microbial communities in Hong Kong over the course of an entire year. We found the mean maximum respiration rate (Vmax) ranged between 560 ± 280 and 5930 ± 800 nmol O2 L−1 h−1, with apparent half-saturation constants (Km) for O2 uptake of between 50 ± 40 and 310 ± 260 nmol O2 L−1. These kinetic parameters vary seasonally in association with shifts in microbial community composition that were linked to nutrient availability, temperature, and biological productivity. In general, coastal communities in Hong Kong exhibited low affinities for O2, yet communities in the dry season had higher affinities, which may play a key role in shaping the relationship between community size, biomass, and O2 consumption rates through respiration. Overall, parameters derived from these experiments can be employed in models to predict the expansion of deoxygenated waters and associated effects on coastal ecology and biogeochemistry.

Lifetime of nitric oxide produced by surface dielectric barrier discharge in controlled atmospheres: Role of O2 content

Nitric oxide (NO) is an invaluable multifunctional chemical in agri-food applications; for example, it plays a role in plant growth, development, and stress tolerance. One of the interesting implications of NO is the suppression of fruit ripening and the resulting increase in shelf life. Since a high concentration of NO is producible in atmospheric plasmas, increasing attempts in plasma agriculture have been made to study several types of plasma reactors operated in air. However, as NO is rapidly oxidized by oxygen (O2) and/or ozone (O3), the use of NO produced in atmospheric plasmas is naturally nontrivial, and the lifetime of NO is highly sensitive to the reactor environments. Here, we investigated the time development of O3 and nitrogen oxides (NOx=1–3) in a surface dielectric barrier discharge (sDBD) reactor with respect to the O2 content of the controlled atmosphere (N2+O2). In situ optical absorption spectroscopy enabled the observation of the dynamics of O3 and NOx under gas-tight conditions. In these plasma reactors, NO became a dominant species after the chemical mode transition from O3 to NO occurred. We found that a lower O2 content correlated to a faster appearance of NO in the plasma reactor. The NO lifetime significantly increased as the O2 content decreased from 20 to 5 % in the plasma reactor, while the maximum concentration of NO decreased. Our findings indicated that the appropriate control of the O2 content is essential in atmospheric plasma reactors dependent on O3 and/or NOx applications.

Collaborative disposal of exhaust gas and waste wind turbine blades: Mechanical properties of recycled glass fibres and economic analysis

The accumulation of waste wind turbine blades poses significant environmental challenges. Pyrolysis offers an industrially viable solution for both disposal and the recycling of valuable glass fibers from these blades. Exhaust gas from industrials with waste heat can be utilized to reduce the process cost. However, for mixed atmosphere of exhaust gas containing both CO2 and O2, its influence on resin matrix decomposition characteristics and fiber mechanical properties are currently unclear. This work provided a solution collaborated with exhaust gas to disposal of waste wind turbine blades, in which operating parameters (atmosphere composition and process procedure) were optimized. Results showed that the early invention at pyrolysis with low concentration of O2 in exhaust gas played a major role in facilitating the formation of surface protection. Atmosphere during oxidation of pyrolytic residual carbon was crucial in maintaining fiber strength. At this stage, the interaction between CO2 (especially at 15% concentration) and O2 could mitigating fiber degradation through promoting the re-oxidization of Si dangling bonds and reducing water corrosion. However, stepwise processing of pyrolysis first and then oxidation under exhaust gas with O2 containing was not recommended due to its little cost-effectiveness. The single step disposal of wind turbine blades collaborated with coal-fired flue gas could increase the strength of recycled glass fiber by over 50% and reduced process costs by 34%.

Prochlorococcus marinus responses to light and oxygen.

Prochlorococcus marinus, the smallest picocyanobacterium, comprises multiple clades occupying distinct niches, currently across tropical and sub-tropical oligotrophic ocean regions, including Oxygen Minimum Zones. Ocean warming may open growth-permissive temperatures in new, poleward photic regimes, along with expanded Oxygen Minimum Zones. We used ocean metaproteomic data on current Prochlorococcus marinus niches, to guide testing of Prochlorococcus marinus growth across a matrix of peak irradiances, photoperiods, spectral bands and dissolved oxygen. MED4 from Clade HLI requires greater than 4 h photoperiod, grows at 25 μmol O2 L-1 and above, and exploits high cumulative diel photon doses. MED4, however, relies upon an alternative oxidase to balance electron transport, which may exclude it from growth under our lowest, 2.5 μmol O2 L-1, condition. SS120 from clade LLII/III is restricted to low light under full 250 μmol O2 L-1, shows expanded light exploitation under 25 μmol O2 L-1, but is excluded from growth under 2.5 μmol O2 L-1. Intermediate oxygen suppresses the cost of PSII photoinactivation, and possibly the enzymatic production of H2O2 in SS120, which has limitations on genomic capacity for PSII and DNA repair. MIT9313 from Clade LLIV is restricted to low blue irradiance under 250 μmol O2 L-1, but exploits much higher irradiance under red light, or under lower O2 concentrations, conditions which slow photoinactivation of PSII and production of reactive oxygen species. In warming oceans, range expansions and competition among clades will be governed not only by light levels. Short photoperiods governed by latitude, temperate winters, and depth attenuation of light, will exclude clade HLI (including MED4) from some habitats. In contrast, clade LLII/III (including SS120), and particularly clade LLIV (including MIT9313), may exploit higher light niches nearer the surface, under expanding OMZ conditions, where low O2 relieves the stresses of oxidation stress and PSII photoinhibition.

Features of the Effect of Quercetin on Different Genotypes of Wheat under Hypoxia.

Hypoxia is one of the common abiotic stresses that negatively affects the development and productivity of agricultural crops. Quercetin is used to protect plants from oxidative stress when exposed to environmental stressors. O2 deficiency leads to impaired development and morphometric parameters in wheat varieties Orenburgskaya 22 (Triticum aestivum L.) and varieties Zolotaya (Triticum durum Desf.). Cytological analysis revealed various types of changes in the cytoplasm under conditions of hypoxia and treatment with quercetin. The most critical changes in the cytoplasm occur in the Zolotaya variety during pretreatment with quercetin followed by hypoxia, and in the Orenburgskaya 22 variety during hypoxia. Quercetin has a protective effect only on the Orenburgskaya 22 variety, and also promotes a more effective recovery after exposure to low O2 content. Hypoxia causes an increase in reactive oxygen species and activates the antioxidant system. It has been shown that the most active components of the antioxidant system in the Orenburgskaya 22 variety are MnSOD and Cu/ZnSOD, and in the Zolotaya variety GSH. We have shown that quercetin provides resistance only to the wheat genotype Orenburgskaya 22, as a protective agent against abiotic stress, which indicates the need for a comprehensive study of the effects of exogenous protectors before use in agriculture.

Cryogenic etching of positively tapered silicon pillars with controllable profiles

Fabrication of high aspect ratio silicon nanopillars is challenging for various applications. A cryogenic silicon etching process using SF6 and O2 plasma is investigated to create silicon nanopillars with 10 μm height and tens of nanometers apex. In the process, fluorine radicals react with silicon atoms, releasing volatile SiFx byproducts and then oxygen atoms interact with SiFx and deposit a SiOxFy film acting as an inhibitor. By adjusting the O2 concentration and the forward radio frequency power, this process modifies the formation of the SiOxFy passivation film and adjusts the bombardment of ions onto the inhibitor, resulting in the desired positive taper angles of silicon pillars. Two etching steps, with higher and lower O2 concentrations, are consecutively combined to create a sharp apex and a wide base. The results demonstrate the high etching rate and controllability of cryogenic etching to obtain high aspect ratio silicon pillars with desired profiles.

The responses of pepper plants to nitrogen form and dissolved oxygen concentration of nutrient solution in hydroponics

BackgroundThe presence of oxygen in the growth medium is absolutely essential for root development and the overall metabolic processes of plants. When plants do not have an adequate oxygen supply for respiration, they can experience a condition known as hypoxia. In order to investigate the impact of different nitrogen forms and varying oxygen levels in nutrient solutions on the growth, photosynthesis, and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of bell pepper plants, a comprehensive study was conducted. The experiment was designed as a factorial experiment, considering two main factors: nitrogen forms (calcium nitrate and ammonium sulfate) with a fixed nitrogen concentration of 5 mM, and the oxygen levels of the nutrient solutions (ranging from 1.8 ± 0.2 to 5.3 ± 0.2 mg. L-1).ResultsThe study examined the effects of nitrogen (NH4+ and NO3−) application on various parameters of vegetative growth. The results demonstrated that the use of ammonium (NH4+) led to a reduction in the most measured parameters, including the fresh and dry mass of both the root and shoot, at low O2 concentrations of 1.8 ± 0.2; 2.6 ± 0.2 and 3.8 ± 0.2 mg. L-1. However, an interesting observation was made regarding the impact of oxygen levels on root growth in plants grown with nitrate (NO3−). Specifically, the highest levels of oxygen significantly increased root growth in NO3−-fed plants. Additionally, the application of NH4+ resulted in an increase in chlorophyll concentration in the leaves, particularly when combined with high oxygen levels in the nutrient solution. On the other hand, leaves of plants fed with NO3− exhibited higher photosynthetic rate (A), intrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE), and instantaneous carboxylation efficiency (A/Ci) compared to those fed with NH4+. Furthermore, it was found that NO3−-fed plants displayed the highest instantaneous carboxylation efficiency at oxygen levels of 3.8 and 5.3 mg. L-1, while the lowest efficiency was observed at oxygen levels of 1.8 and 2.6 mg. L-1. In contrast, NH4+-grown plants exhibited a higher maximal quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (Fv/Fm), as well as increased variable fluorescence (Fv) and maximum fluorescence (Fm), compared to NO3−-grown plants. Interestingly, the NO3−-fed plants showed an increase in Fv/Fm, Fv, and Fm with the elevation of oxygen concentration in the nutrient solution up to 5.3 mg. L-1.ConclusionThis study showed that, the growth and photosynthesis parameters in bell pepper plants are sensitive to oxygen stress in floating hydroponic culture. Therefore, the oxygen level in the nutrient solution must not be lower than 3.8 and 5.3 mg. L-1 in NH4+ and NO3− –supplied culture media or nutrient solutions, respectively.

Shaded streams with permeable watersheds provide naturally resilient fish habitat refugia during heatwaves

AbstractStreamflow, dissolved oxygen, and water temperature underpin stream fish habitat suitability, so climate change could cause widespread habitat deterioration. Identifying stream characteristics that mediate habitat resilience to heatwaves will allow conservation effort prioritisation. Here, a set of readily applied metrics were used to assess hydrological and oxythermal responses of neighbouring salmonid streams, with distinctive geologies, soil‐types, and localised riparian shading, to periods of anomalously warm conditions. During heatwaves, low flows, warm‐water temperatures, and diel oxygen variability, associated with biogenic production and respiration, predominated. In a low‐shade stream lacking significant catchment water storage, high daytime (>22°C) and night‐time (>19°C) water temperatures and low early morning O2 concentrations (<5 mg L−1) accumulated oxythermal stress for salmonids throughout summer. A stream with localised shading and a higher proportion of underlying aquifers and permeable soils throughout its watershed experienced considerably less cumulative oxythermal stress (O2 > 6 mg L−1; temperatures <19°C), whilst slower release of subsurface water bolstered base flows during dry spells. Our findings support conservation of shaded streams with permeable watersheds characterised by higher soil infiltration rates and aquifer storage capacity as salmonid sanctuaries under a warmer, drier summer climate. Preventing water quality and hydromorphological deterioration are paramount for safeguarding their role as climate refugia.

A Comparative Study of Respiratory Activity of Tropical Products under Two Storage Conditions

This study aimed to investigate respiration process of Indonesian tropical products and its parameter to support the use of CAS. Shallot, dragon fruit and sneak fruit that are high-value and export-potential products in Indonesia were investigated. For respiration measurement, the fruits were kept in tightly closed jars. The ratio of fruit volume and free volume of jar (headspace) was determined to calculate the rate of fruit respiration. To observe the storage condition effects, the jars were stored in two different temperatures: low temperature (7±2°C) and room temperature (27±2°C). In cold temperature storage, changes in O2 and CO2 concentrations are slower than in room temperature storage. The rate of O2 consumption and CO2 production of products during storage decreased as the O2 concentration decreased for all conditions. Based on the dramatic increase of RQ value at low O2 concentrations, the low oxygen limits (LOLs) of shallot, sneak fruit and dragon fruit were estimated at around 7.5%, 4% and 2% O2 respectively, at the room temperature. However, the LOL was not detected yet at a cold temperature for 200 h of measurement due to a slow decrease of O2. The results showed that different products had different respiration activities so that the storage procedures should be different. A determination of model-based LOL and validation would be needed in the next research to be precisely applied on CAS. Keywords: Carbon dioxide, Dragon fruit, Shallot, Oxygen, Postharvest, Snake fruit.

Effect of perforated low-density polyethylene films on postharvest quality of avocado fruit

Avocado (Persea americana Mill.) being a climacteric fruit, is very prone to quality deterioration and spoilage due to high metabolic activities which leads to postharvest and economic losses. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of perforated low-density polyethylene (LDPE) packaging films on postharvest quality and shelf life of ‘Fuerte’ avocado. Fruit were packaged in LDPE plastics (20 and 40 μm) whereas unpackaged fruit were considered as control. Fruit were kept at ambient environments (21 ± 1 °C and 60.0 ± 5% RH) for 12 days and sampled at 4 days interval. The in-pack avocado created a suitable headspace with low O2 and high CO2 concentrations, which yielded improved preservation of postharvest quality and prolonged shelf life of the avocado. Fruit packed in both 20 and 40 μm LDPE films had lower ethylene production and respiration rates, weight loss, firmness loss, preserved fruit size, high pH, titratable acidity, low soluble solid content, sugar:acid ratio, malondialdehyde content and lipoxygenase activity compared to control. Fruit in LDPE films had no symptoms of decay (20 μm) and slight incidence and decay (40 μm) and were markable during shelf life compared to control fruit had severe decay symptoms and were unmarkable at the end of shelf life. These findings indicated that LDPE films were effective in preserving postharvest quality and extending shelf life of avocado fruit.

Visible Light‐Induced Redox‐Neutral Selenocyclization of ortho‐Vinylanilides: Oxygen‐Controlled Synthesis of 4H‐3,1‐Benzoxazines

AbstractA visible‐light‐induced selenocyclization of ortho‐vinylanilides to 4H‐3,1‐benzoxazines has been developed under controlled O2 atmosphere. The low O2 content in reaction medium promotes the aerobic selenol oxidation to diselenides for the full use of 2 equiv. selenyl radicals in a redox‐neutral way, avoiding the aerobic oxidation of ortho‐vinylanilides under higher O2 content. The developed visible light‐induced selenocyclization of ortho‐vinylanilides utilizes only visible light with low O2 content, eliminating the use of exogenous photocatalyst and chemical oxidant.

Adaptive Laboratory Evolution of Probiotics toward Oxidative Stress Using a Microfluidic-Based Platform.

Adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE) can be used to make bacteria less susceptible to oxidative stress. An alternative to large batch scale ALE cultures is to use microfluidic platforms, which are often more economical and more efficient. Microfluidic ALE platforms have shown promise, but many have suffered from subpar cell passaging mechanisms and poor spatial definition. A new approach is presented using a microfluidic Evolution on a Chip (EVoc) design which progressively drives microbial cells from areas of lower H2O2 concentration to areas of higher concentration. Prolonged exposure, up to 72h, revealed the survival of adaptive strains of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG, a beneficial probiotic often included in food products. After performing ALE on this microfluidic platform, the bacteria persisted under high H2O2 concentrations in repeated trials. After two progressive exposures, the ability of L. rhamnosus to grow in the presence of H2O2 increased from 1mm H2O2 after a lag time of 31h to 1mm after 21h, 2mm after 28h, and 3mm after 42h. The adaptive strains have different morphology, and gene expression compared to wild type, and genome sequencing revealed a potentially meaningful single nucleotide mutation in the protein omega-amidase.

Selective gas-permeation films with nanoMOFs as gas “Switches” for mango preservation

The storage atmosphere of low O2 and high CO2 concentration can regulate plant cell respiration and microbial growth, which plays a crucial role in food preservation. However, traditional modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) cannot accurately control gas penetration. In this study, a novel strategy for accurately controlling the selective CO2/O2 permeation is developed by using nanoMOFs with different pore structures as gas “switches”. Combined with experimental data and molecular simulation results show that the selective CO2/O2 permeations of nanoMOFs/carboxymethylcellulose(CMC)/Zein are successfully controlled from 2.87 ± 0.12 to 8.65 ± 1.63 owing to the synergistic effect of nanoMOFs with different pore structures and the different affinity between nanoMOFs and molecules of CO2 and O2. In which, 1.6 % HKUST-1/CMC/Zein has the best CO2/O2 selectivity of 8.65 ± 1.63. Furthermore, the 1.6 % HKUST-1/CMC/Zein with excellent antibacterial activity and selective CO2/O2 permeation can maintain the appearance and freshness of mango for at least 7 days compared with other packaging films. Therefore, we have developed a new type of gas “switches” for MAP to accurately control the selective permeation of gases at the molecular level, which will expand the application of MAP in food preservation field.

Effect of Inert Species on the Static and Dynamic Stability of a Piloted, Swirl-Stabilized Flame

Abstract Carbon sequestration and utilization has been proposed as a method for decarbonizing high-efficiency industrial gas turbines operating on natural gas fuels for power generation and industrial markets. To increase the efficiency of the carbon removal process from the exhaust stream of the turbine, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) can be used. EGR recycles a portion of the engine exhaust into the inlet, increasing the concentration of inert species in the exhaust stream to improve the performance and cost-effectiveness of CO2 separation systems. This strategy can, however, reduce the oxygen concentration in the air, leading to changes in flame stabilization in the combustor. In this study, we investigate the effect of air diluted with inert gases of different compositions and the impact that these mixtures have on flame static and dynamic stability. A swirl-stabilized flame in a single-nozzle, variable-length combustor is used to measure the flame behavior for oxygen concentrations of 15–21% by volume. A constant adiabatic flame temperature test matrix is conducted to mimic operation in an industrial gas turbine. High-speed chemiluminescence imaging is used to determine the change in flame shape and dynamics for each gas composition. As the oxygen concentration decreases, the flame lifts from the centerbody, resulting in an aerodynamically stabilized flame at the lowest O2 concentrations. Different compositions of gases result in different flame shapes, where higher levels of N2 in the diluents result in more flame stabilization in the outer recirculation zone as compared to those with higher levels of CO2. The flame oscillation mechanisms also change with oxygen concentration, where the lifted flames at low O2 levels exhibit an ignition/extinction oscillation mode as compared to a vortex-shedding-coupled oscillation mode at high O2 levels where the flame is stabilized on the centerbody. Companion chemical kinetics simulations are used to explain changes in the flame's shape and behavior.

КОРРЕКЦИЯ КИСЛОРОДНОГО ГОЛОДАНИЯ В ЭКСПЕРИМЕНТАХ НА ЖИВОТНЫХ ПРИ МОДЕЛИРОВАНИИ ЭФФЕКТОВ, ВЫЗЫВАЕМЫХ ОСТРОЙ ДЫХАТЕЛЬНОЙ НЕДОСТАТОЧНОСТЬЮ, С ПОМОЩЬЮ МНОГОКОМПОНЕНТНОЙ ГАЗОВОЙ СМЕСИ НА ОСНОВЕ КОМБИНАЦИИ ИНЕРТНЫХ ГАЗОВ

Acute respiratory insufficiency (ARI) accompanied with hypoxemia and hypercapnia requires oxygen therapy. The helium-oxygen therapy secures from the undesirable effects of oxygen therapy. Earlier we showed that introduction of argon in a breathing mixture (BM) reduces the effect of hypoxia. Purpose of the work is to test the potentiality of BM containing a combination of inert gases to counteract oxygen starvation in acute ARI-provoking experiments with animals. Fourteen Wistar rats with a body mass of 276 ± 14.6 grams were divided into two groups. An integral noninvasive technology was used for real-time assessment of oxygen transport and consumption in each animal. Both the experiment and control animals breathed a mixture with a low O2 and high CO2 concentration. The control animals received a routine therapy by a hyperoxic mixture containing nitrogen and carbon dioxide. The experimental animals were treated with a hyperoxic mixture containing helium and argon, and carbon dioxide to induce hypercapnia. The results demonstrated reliably that the hyperoxic heluim-argon mixture reduces burden on the external respiration and favors oxygen utilization in tissues; however, this happens at the expense of a greater stress to the cardiovascular system. In contrast, the hyperoxic mixture used in the control stressed the external respiration rather than the cardiac muscle.

Construction of a super large Stokes shift near-infrared fluorescent probe for detection and imaging of superoxide anion in living cells, zebrafish and mice

As one of the major reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide anion (O2•−) is engaged in maintaining redox homeostasis in the cell microenvironment. To identify the pathological roles in related disorders caused by abnormal expression of O2•−, it is of great significance to monitor and track the fluctuation of O2•− concentration in vivo. However, the low concentration of O2•− and the interference caused by tissue autofluorescence make the development of an ideal detection methodology full of challenges. Herein, a “Turn-On” chemical response near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence probe Dcm-Cu-OTf for O2•− detection in inflamed models, was constructed by conjugating the NIR fluorophore (dicyanisophorone derivative) with an O2•− sensing moiety (trifluoromethanesulfonate). Dcm-Cu-OTf exerted about 140-fold fluorescence enhancement after reacting 200 μM O2•− with an excellent limited of detection (LOD) as low as 149 nM. Additionally, Dcm-Cu-OTf exhibited a super large Stokes shift (260 nm) and high selectivity over other bio-analytes in stimulated conditions. Importantly, Dcm-Cu-OTf showed low toxicity and enabled imaging of the generation of O2•− in the Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated HeLa cells, zebrafish, and LPS-induced inflamed mice. The present study provided a potential and reliable detection tool to inspect the physiological and pathological progress of O2•− in living biosystems.

Oxygen-Resistant CO2 Reduction Enabled by Electrolysis of Liquid Feedstocks.

Electrolytic CO2 reduction fails in the presence of O2. This failure occurs because the reduction of O2 is thermodynamically favored over the reduction of CO2. Consequently, O2 must be removed from the CO2 feed prior to entering an electrolyzer, which is expensive. Here, we show that the use of liquid bicarbonate feedstocks (e.g., aqueous 3.0 M KHCO3), rather than gaseous CO2 feedstocks, enables efficient and selective CO2 reduction without additional procedures for removing O2. This effect is made possible because liquid bicarbonate solutions, which serve as a liquid CO2 carrier, deliver high concentrations of captured CO2 to the cathode, while the low solubility of O2 in aqueous media maintains a low O2 concentration at the same cathode surface. Consequently, electrolyzers fed with liquid bicarbonate feedstocks create an environment at the cathode that favors the reduction of CO2 over O2. We validate this claim by electrochemically converting CO2 into CO with reaction selectivities of 65% at 100 mA cm-2 using a 3.0 M KHCO3 solution bubbled with 100% CO2 or 100% O2. Similar experiments performed with a gaseous CO2 feedstock showed that merely 0.5% of O2 in the feedstock reduced CO selectivity by >90% after 1 h of electrolysis. Our findings demonstrate that a liquid bicarbonate feedstock enables efficient CO2 reduction without the need for expensive O2 removal steps.