Normal pH Research Articles

Transmembrane Protein 175, a Lysosomal Ion Channel Related to Parkinson's Disease.

Lysosomes are membrane-bound organelles with an acidic lumen and are traditionally characterized as a recycling center in cells. Lysosomal ion channels are integral membrane proteins that form pores in lysosomal membranes and allow the influx and efflux of essential ions. Transmembrane protein 175 (TMEM175) is a unique lysosomal potassium channel that shares little sequence similarity with other potassium channels. It is found in bacteria, archaea, and animals. The prokaryotic TMEM175 consists of one six-transmembrane domain that adopts a tetrameric architecture, while the mammalian TMEM175 is comprised of two six-transmembrane domains that function as a dimer in lysosomal membranes. Previous studies have demonstrated that the lysosomal K+ conductance mediated by TMEM175 is critical for setting membrane potential, maintaining pH stability, and regulating lysosome-autophagosome fusion. AKT and B-cell lymphoma 2 regulate TMEM175's channel activity through direct binding. Two recent studies reported that the human TMEM175 is also a proton-selective channel under normal lysosomal pH (4.5-5.5) as the K+ permeation dramatically decreased at low pH while the H+ current through TMEM175 greatly increased. Genome-wide association studies and functional studies in mouse models have established that TMEM175 is implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease, which sparks more research interests in this lysosomal channel.

A novel Fe3O4/CuOx nanozyme: Intrinsic peroxidase-like activity to kill bacteria and sterilize wounds

Herein, we report a Fe3O4/CuOx composite with intrinsic highly peroxidase-like activity. The Fe3O4/CuOx composite maintained high activity in the normal skin pH range (4.0–6.0) and over a wide temperature range (25–60 °C). The prepared Fe3O4/CuOx exhibited good bactericidal properties against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) at low H2O2 concentration (100 μM). The composite could also effectively destroy the biological film and prevent the emergence of new bacterial film. In addition, Fe3O4/CuOx was easily separated from the media by external magnets and reused five times while maintaining high antibacterial activity. The predominant free radicals (•OH and 1O2) were identified during the sterilization process using a trapping experiment and electron spin resonance (ESR). In addition, the dressing of Fe3O4/CuOx was designed to accelerate skin wound healing, maintaining good cytocompatibility significantly. This composite Fe3O4/CuOx is promising for a wide range of uses in bacterial management.

Risk Factors and Incidence of Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) in Sahabat Satwa Genteng Animal Clinic

The purpose of this study was to determine the risk factors and incidence of Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) at the Sahabat Satwa Genteng clinic. A total of 36 samples were evaluated according to research procedures with diagnosis, data collection, urine sampling, dipstick and sediment examination methods, and Chi-square data analysis. The results showed that there was a association between gender, history of castration, and diet on the risk of FLUTD. Meanwhile, there was no association between age and the risk of FLUTD. Clinical signs that often occur in FLUTD disease initiate from stranguria, hematuria, dysuria, periuria, and polykisuria. The results of the dipstick examination founded that 86,1% of cats affected by FLUTD had a normal pH and 13,9% had an alkaline pH. The results of the specific gravity (SG) of cats with FLUTD have values below normal while the protein levels found in all cats suffering from FLUTD have values above normal. Stranguria was found in 69,4% of cats with FLUTD. Leukocytes were also found in all the urine of cats suffering from FLUTD. The most common results of sediment examination were struvite, calcium oxalate, and cystine crystals.

Assessment of extractants for soil available potassium determination in the selected soils of Kwara state, Nigeria

Response of potassium (K) correlated with extracted K using five laboratory methods: neutral N NH4OAc pH 7.0; NH4OAc pH 4.8, 0.01M CaCl2, 1N Hot HNO3 and 0.5N NaHCO3 pH 7.0 by sorghum were determined in four selected soils from twenty locations in Kwara State, Nigeria in the green house to ascertain the ideal procedure for routine analysis. Regression equations were derived for each soil between K uptake by sorghum and level of K applied and, by extrapolation, the A-value, which represented the amount of soil K available as applied K, was determined. The data from the five laboratory methods were correlated with A-value, the zero-level K uptake, and with one another. The results showed that 0.01M CaCl2 only, extracted more K than the A-value, which was greater than the K extracted by the other methods. The data of all methods were, however, significantly correlated (p<0.05) with A-value while zero-level K uptake had a highly significant correlation with data of 0.01M CaCl2 (0.99) and low values with that of the other methods. The neutral normal NH4OAc pH 7.0 correlated relatively high and positively with N NH4OAc pH 4.8, 0.01M CaCl2, and 0.5N NaHCO3 pH 7.0, but negatively (-0.60) with 1N Hot HNO3. However, the neutral N NH4OAc pH 7.0; NH4OAc pH 4.8 correlated relatively higher and positively with one another (0.93) although they both extracted unequal amounts of K. Thus, both could be conveniently handled in the routine work in place of hot 1 N HNO3 for the evaluation of K availability indices for sorghum in the region.

Prediction of Acid-Base and Potassium Imbalances in Intensive Care Patients Using Machine Learning Techniques

Acid-base disorders occur when the body's normal pH is out of balance. They can be caused by problems with kidney or respiratory function or by an excess of acids or bases that the body cannot properly eliminate. Acid-base and potassium imbalances are mechanistically linked because acid-base imbalances can alter the transport of potassium. Both acid-base and potassium imbalances are common in critically ill patients. This study investigated machine learning models for predicting the occurrence of acid-base and potassium imbalances in intensive care patients. We used an institutional dataset of 1089 patients with 87 variables, including vital signs, general appearance, and laboratory results. Gradient boosting (GB) was able to predict nine clinical conditions related to acid-base and potassium imbalances: mortality (AUROC = 0.9822), hypocapnia (AUROC = 0.7524), hypercapnia (AUROC = 0.8228), hypokalemia (AUROC = 0.9191), hyperkalemia (AUROC = 0.9565), respiratory acidosis (AUROC = 0.8125), respiratory alkalosis (AUROC = 0.7685), metabolic acidosis (AUROC = 0.8682), and metabolic alkalosis (AUROC = 0.8284). Some predictions remained relatively robust even when the prediction window was increased. Additionally, the decision-making process was made more interpretable and transparent through the use of SHAP analysis. Overall, the results suggest that machine learning could be a useful tool to gain insight into the condition of intensive care patients and assist in the management of acid-base and potassium imbalances.

Pre-Exposure of Foodborne Staphylococcus aureus Isolates to Organic Acids Induces Cross-Adaptation to Mild Heat.

Staphylococcus aureus is a typical enterotoxin-producing bacterium that causes food poisoning. In the food industry, pasteurization is the most widely used technique for food decontamination. However, pre-exposure to an acidic environment might make bacteria more resistant to heat treatment, which could compromise the bactericidal effect of heat treatment and endanger food safety. In this work, the organic acid-induced cross-adaptation of S. aureus isolates to heat and the associated mechanisms were investigated. Cross-adaptation area analysis indicated that pre-exposure to organic acids induced cross-adaptation of S. aureus to heat in a strain-dependent manner. Compared with other strains, S. aureus strain J15 showed extremely high heat resistance after being stressed by acetic acid, citric acid, and lactic acid. S. aureus strains J19, J9, and J17 were found to be unable to develop cross-adaptation to heat with pre-exposure to acetic acid, citric acid, and lactic acid, respectively. Analysis of the phenotypic characteristics of the cell membrane demonstrated that the acid-heat-cross-adapted strain J15 retained cell membrane integrity and functions through enhanced Na+K+-ATPase and FoF1-ATPase activities. Cell membrane fatty acid analysis revealed that the ratio of anteiso to iso branched-chain fatty acids in the acid-heat-cross-adapted strain J15 decreased and the content of straight-chain fatty acids exhibited a 2.9 to 4.4% increase, contributing to the reduction in membrane fluidity. At the molecular level, fabH was overexpressed with preconditioning by organic acid, and its expression was further enhanced with subsequent heat exposure. Organic acids activated the GroESL system, which participated in the heat shock response of S. aureus to the subsequent heat stress. IMPORTANCE Cross-adaptation is one of the most important phenotypes in foodborne pathogens and poses a potential risk to food safety and human health. In this work, we found that pretreatment with acetic acid, citric acid, and lactic acid could induce subsequent heat tolerance development in S. aureus. Various S. aureus strains exhibited different acid-heat cross-adaptation areas. The acid-induced cross-adaptation to heat might be attributable to membrane integrity maintenance, stabilization of the charge equilibrium to achieve a normal internal pH, and membrane fluidity reduction achieved by decreasing the ratios of anteiso to iso fatty acids. The fabH gene, which is involved in fatty acid biosynthesis, and groES/groEL, which are related to heat shock response, contributed to the development of the acid-heat cross-adaptation phenomenon in S. aureus. The investigations of the stress cross-adaptation phenomenon in foodborne pathogens could help optimize food processing to better control S. aureus.

Waste-Extracted Zn and Ag Co-Doped Spent Catalyst-Extracted V2O5 for Photocatalytic Degradation of Congo Red Dye: Effect of Metal-Nonmetal Co-Doping

The current study applies the eco-friendly principle of “wastes treat wastes”. By swift methods, a composite photocatalyst was prepared from waste-extracted oxides, namely V2O5, Ag, and ZnO. The metal–lixiviant complexes were used as metal precursors, where the lixiviants act as auto-templates and increase the compatibility between the mixed metallic species, and their controlled thermal removal generates pores. The tri-constitute composite catalyst was doped with nitrogen. The constitution, surface composition, and optical properties of the doped catalysts were investigated by XRD, SEM, TEM, BET surface analysis, XPS, diffuse reflectance, and PL spectra. The as-prepared catalysts were employed in the photodegradation of Congo red dye (CR) under visible irradiation at ambient temperature. The degree of Ag dispersion had a significant effect on the bandgap, as did metal and metal-nonmetal co-doping. The efficiency of dye removal changes dramatically with time up to 120 min, after which it begins to decrease. According to the pH effect, the normal pH of Congo red dye (6.12) is optimal. At a catalyst dose of 1 g L−1 and an irradiation period of 120 min, photodegradation efficiency reached 89.9% and 83.4% over [Ag0.05 ZnO0.05 V2O5(0.90)] and [Ag0.05 ZnO0.05 V2O5(0.90)]N, respectively. The kinetic study depicted the significant role of mass transfer in the reaction rate. The obtained rate constants were 0.995 mole L−1 S−1 and 0.998 mole L−1 S−1 for [Ag0.05 ZnO0.05 V2O5(0.90)] and [Ag0.05 ZnO0.05 V2O5(0.90)]N, respectively.

To Determine the PH of External Auditory Canal in Otitis Externa: A Prospective Observational Study in a Tertiary Health Care Centre.

Otitis externa is an inflammatory condition of the external auditory canal which occurs due to any trauma, changes in the PH of the skin of external auditory canal. The normal PH of the external auditory canal skin should be in the acidic medium. This inhibits the growth of certain infectious microorganisms. Once the external canal skin PH becomes alkaline, the chances of inflammation of the skin increases. To assess the pH of the external auditory canal in cases of otitis externa with secretion and compare the treatment efficacy of treating it with topical anti-inflammatory like ichthammol glycerine, topical steroid cream and oral antibiotics. A prospective observational study involved a total of 120 patients who came with symptoms and signs of external otitis. pH of external canal was measured during first visit and at 42days. The patients were divided into three groups. First group was treated with Ichthammol glycerine, second group was treated with Ichthammol glycerine with topical steroid cream and third group was treated with oral antibiotics with topical steroid cream. Patients were analyzed based on severity score during first visit, at 7days, at 21days and 42days. This study involved 64(53.3%) patients were male and 56(46.7%) were females. The mean age group involved in the study was 42.50years. The mean PH value in the external auditory canal during the first visit was alkaline (6.09) and the mean PH value at 42days was changed to acidic (4.95) which was statistically significant (p = 0.00). There was significant reduction in the severity score in the oral antibiotic with topical steroid cream, followed by IG with topical steroid cream followed by Ichthammol glycerine (p = 0.001). In this study we have analyzed the pH level favorable in causing otitis externa and the best available treatment for the same. It has been observed that the alkaline Ph is more favorable in causing otitis externa. Efficacy of Topical corticosteroid with antibiotics is maximum in the management of otitis externa.

Camouflaged Virus‐Like‐Nanocarrier with a Transformable Rough Surface for Boosting Drug Delivery

AbstractDue to non‐specific strong nano–bio interactions, it is difficult for nanocarriers with permanent rough surface to cross multiple biological barriers to realize efficient drug delivery. Herein, a camouflaged virus‐like‐nanocarrier with a transformable rough surface is reported, which is composed by an interior virus‐like mesoporous SiO2 nanoparticle with a rough surface (vSiO2) and an exterior acid‐responsive polymer. Under normal physiological pH condition, the spikes on vSiO2 are hidden by the polymer shell, and the non‐specific strong nano–bio interactions are effectively inhibited. While in the acidic tumor microenvironment, the nanocarrier sheds the polymer camouflage to re‐expose its rough surface. So, the retention ability and endocytosis efficiency of the nanocarrier are great improved. Owing to it's the dynamically variable rough surface, the rationally designed nanocarrier exhibits extended blood‐circulation‐time and enhanced tumor accumulation.

Camouflaged Virus-Like-Nanocarrier with a Transformable Rough Surface for Boosting Drug Delivery.

Due to non-specific strong nano-bio interactions, it is difficult for nanocarriers with permanent rough surface to cross multiple biological barriers to realize efficient drug delivery. Herein, a camouflaged virus-like-nanocarrier with a transformable rough surface is reported, which is composed by an interior virus-like mesoporous SiO2 nanoparticle with a rough surface (vSiO2 ) and an exterior acid-responsive polymer. Under normal physiological pH condition, the spikes on vSiO2 are hidden by the polymer shell, and the non-specific strong nano-bio interactions are effectively inhibited. While in the acidic tumor microenvironment, the nanocarrier sheds the polymer camouflage to re-expose its rough surface. So, the retention ability and endocytosis efficiency of the nanocarrier are great improved. Owing to it's the dynamically variable rough surface, the rationally designed nanocarrier exhibits extended blood-circulation-time and enhanced tumor accumulation.

One New Acid-Activated Hybrid Anticancer Peptide by Coupling with a Desirable pH-Sensitive Anionic Partner Peptide.

Anticancer peptides (ACPs) are promising antitumor resources, and developing acid-activated ACPs as more effective and selective antitumor drugs would represent new progress in cancer therapy. In this study, we designed a new class of acid-activated hybrid peptides LK-LE by altering the charge shielding position of the anionic binding partner LE based on the cationic ACP LK and investigated their pH response, cytotoxic activity, and serum stability, in hoping to achieve a desirable acid-activatable ACP. As expected, the obtained hybrid peptides could be activated and exhibit a remarkable antitumor activity by rapid membrane disruption at acidic pH, whereas its killing activity could be alleviated at normal pH, showing a significant pH response compared with LK. Importantly, this study found that the peptide LK-LE3 with the charge shielding in the N-terminal of LK displayed notably low cytotoxicity and more stability, demonstrating that the position of charge masking is extremely important for the improvement of peptide toxicity and stability. In short, our work opens a new avenue to design promising acid-activated ACPs as potential targeting agents for cancer treatment.

Mollusk Response Under Ocean Acidification in Shallow Marine Settings of Sicily (Central Mediterranean)

Anthropogenic CO2 is a major driver of change in most marine ecosystems, as the consequent ocean acidification is threatening marine calcifying organisms. In this respect, long-term analyses on ocean acidification effects on marine ecosystems acclimated to high pCO2, as found around CO2 vents, are needed. Here we tackle mollusk assemblages from acidified shallow marine settings off the Aeolian archipelago (Central Mediterranean). The detected gradient manifests along a 34 m long transect (9.6 m and 11.4 m water depth), mostly in a Posidonia oceanica matte from normal (site 1) to high levels (site 3) of pCO2 (405 μatm, pH 8.1 and 715 μatm, pH 7.8; respectively). The strongest acidified condition at the vent crater (site 4, pCO2 1110 μatm, pH 7.7). At the vent site gaseous emissions are characterized by ~99% in volume of CO2 and ~0.6% of H2S. However, water dissolved H2S was below detection limit and the sulphate content along the transect does not show significant variations with respect to normal seawater values. Preliminary paleoecologic surveys on diversity structure (diversity profiles) and taphonomic degradation (NMDS, z scored % values) were conducted on mollusk remains collected along the natural pH gradient (sites 1-4). Along the P. oceanica matte (sites 1-3), overall mollusk taxon diversity (alpha and beta) decreased, mollusk in site 3 were mostly juveniles and had higher overall taphonomic damages than those retrieved at normal pH conditions. Within the vent crater only fewer and highly taphonomically altered gastropod specimens were retrieved on the pebbly seafloor, suggesting a very short residence time of shell material and rapid dissolution. Even if vents are not exact predictors of the anthropogenic-designed future of marine settings, due to their limited spatial and temporal extent, they can act as natural laboratories where to evaluate the output of ecosystem processes under rising pCO2 and the effects on the creation of the future fossil record.

A Simple but Effective Combination of pH Indicators for Plant Tissue Culture

The use of pH indicators provides a simple, semi-quantitative visual method for quickly assessing pH changes in tissue culture media; however, pH indicators are rarely used in routine plant tissue culture media. In this study, chlorophenol red, bromocresol purple, and bromocresol green were tested to assess their functionality in the growth medium for plant shoot cultures. In addition, a combination of bromocresol green and bromocresol purple was tested to determine if they would widen the observable colour change to better assess pH changes in the medium. Varying the ratio of bromocresol green to bromocresol purple alters the pH at which the colour changes from blue to green to yellow, with a 1:3 ratio providing a useful pH range of 5-6.5, while a 1:1 ratio provides a useful pH range of 4.5-6. All the pH indicators showed no toxic side effects for the plant species tested in this study and were able to be autoclaved to ensure media sterility. The addition of these pH indicators to quickly assess media pH in large tissue culture collections can aid in routine maintenance. These pH indicators can be used as a 'traffic light' system, with blue indicating a high pH, green a normal pH, and yellow a low pH in the media.

Anthocyanin/Honey-Incorporated Alginate Hydrogel as a Bio-Based pH-Responsive/Antibacterial/Antioxidant Wound Dressing.

Infection is a major problem that increases the normal pH of the wound bed and interferes with wound healing. Natural biomaterials can serve as a suitable environment to acquire a great practical effect on the healing process. In this context, anthocyanin-rich red cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata F. rubra) extract and honey-loaded alginate hydrogel was fabricated using calcium chloride as a crosslinking agent. The pH sensitivity of anthocyanins can be used as an indicator to monitor possible infection of the wound, while honey would promote the healing process by its intrinsic properties. The mechanical properties of the hydrogel film samples showed that honey acts as a plasticizer and that increasing the incorporation from 200% to 400% enhances the tensile strength from 3.22 to 6.15 MPa and elongation at break from 0.69% to 4.75%. Moreover, a water absorption and retention study showed that the hydrogel film is able to absorb about 250% water after 50 min and retain 40% of its absorbed water after 12 h. The disk diffusion test showed favorable antibacterial activity of the honey-loaded hydrogel against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, respectively. In addition, the incorporation of honey significantly improved the mechanical properties of the hydrogel. 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay proved the antioxidant activity of the honey and anthocyanin-containing hydrogel samples with more than 95% DPPH scavenging efficiency after 3 h. The pH-dependent property of the samples was investigated and recorded by observing the color change at different pH values of 4, 7, and 9 using different buffers. The result revealed a promising color change from red at pH = 4 to blue at pH = 7 and purple at pH = 9. An in vitro cell culture study of the samples using L929 mouse fibroblast cells showed excellent biocompatibility with significant increase in cell proliferation. Overall, this study provides a promising start and an antibacterial/antioxidant hydrogel with great potential to meet wound-dressing requirements.

Antagonism toxicity of CuO nanoparticles and mild ocean acidification to marine algae

The toxicity of CuO nanoparticles (NPs) to marine microalgae (Emiliania huxleyi) under ocean acidification (OA) conditions (pHs 8.10, 7.90, 7.50) was investigated. CuO NPs (5.0 mg/L) caused significant toxicity (e.g., 48-h growth inhibition, 20%) under normal pH (8.10), and severe OA (pH 7.50) increased the toxicity of CuO NPs (e.g., 48-h growth inhibition, 68%). However, toxicity antagonism was observed with a growth inhibition (48 h) decreased to 37% after co-exposure to CuO NPs and mild OA (pH 7.90), which was attributed to the released Cu2+ ions from CuO NPs. Based on biological responses as obtained from RNA-sequencing, the dissolved Cu2+ ions (0.078 mg/L) under mild OA were found to increase algae division (by 17%) and photosynthesis (by 28%) through accelerating photosynthetic electron transport and promoting ATP synthesis. In addition, mild OA enhanced EPS secretion by 41% and further increased bioavailable Cu2+ ions, thus mitigating OA-induced toxicity. In addition, excess Cu2+ ions could be transformed into less toxic Cu2S and Cu2O based on X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), which could additionally regulate the antagonism effect of CuO NPs and mild OA. The information advances our knowledge in nanotoxicity to marine organisms under global climate change.

Effect of postmortem pH on the physical, biochemical, and sensory characteristics of bovine longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle.

From a large feeding trial study consisting of 299 bulls and steers, 15 carcasses exhibited stress-related syndromes manifested by atypical color and pH which were then selected for subsequent analysis. Samples of longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle with postmortem pH in the range of 5.5-6.9 were subjected to a 14-day aging period at 2°C. Sensory panel tenderness, connective tissue, juiciness, and flavor intensity of high pH (6.4-6.9) meat were significantly different (p < .05) from samples of intermediate pH(6.0-6.1) as well as normal pH (5.5). Muscles at pH 6.0-6.1 were the toughest samples. This was confirmed by Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF), residual force, and myofibril fragmentation index. Palatability attributes of normal pH (5.5) samples were significantly different (p < .05) from dark-cutting beef in terms of tenderness and flavor and at the high pH extreme. The increase in WBSF at pH 6.0-6.1, lack of extensive degradation of muscle proteins, and the decreased sarcomere length resulted in tougher meat than low or high pH muscles. Sodium dodecyl-sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of meat at the high pH extreme (6.7-6.9) revealed that the breakdown of troponin-T to 30 kD was complete while at intermediate pH (6.0-6.1) was incomplete. In addition, the appearance of a 'doublet' on high-molecular-weight resolution gels may also account for the greater tenderness experienced by sensory panelists.

Modelling altered signalling of G-protein coupled receptors in inflamed environment to advance drug design

We previously reported the successful design, synthesis and testing of the prototype opioid painkiller NFEPP that does not elicit adverse side effects. The design process of NFEPP was based on mathematical modelling of extracellular interactions between G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) and ligands, recognizing that GPCRs function differently under pathological versus healthy conditions. We now present an additional and novel stochastic model of GPCR function that includes intracellular dissociation of G-protein subunits and modulation of plasma membrane calcium channels and their dependence on parameters of inflamed and healthy tissue (pH, radicals). The model is validated against in vitro experimental data for the ligands NFEPP and fentanyl at different pH values and radical concentrations. We observe markedly reduced binding affinity and calcium channel inhibition for NFEPP at normal pH compared to lower pH, in contrast to the effect of fentanyl. For increasing radical concentrations, we find enhanced constitutive G-protein activation but reduced ligand binding affinity. Assessing the different effects, the results suggest that, compared to radicals, low pH is a more important determinant of overall GPCR function in an inflamed environment. Future drug design efforts should take this into account.

Utilization of drilling sodium bentonite to improve acidity and aluminum–iron toxicity in acid sulfate soil beneath water storage pond base

Improvement of acidity and aluminum-iron toxicity in water pond-based acid-sulfate soil (ASS) by drilling sodium bentonite (NaB) has not been proven. Therefore, we aimed to apply drilling NaB with and without dolomite (DL) to reduce acidity and aluminum-iron toxicity in Thai active ASS beneath the water storage pond base. The three treatments include (i) Control, (ii) NaB rate of 320 g NaB kg−1 soil, and (iii) NaB rate of 160 g NaB kg−1 soil + DL rate of 6 g kg−1 soil, were mixed with pond-based ASS subsoil, and aligned as randomized block design. We analyzed soil chemical properties at the initial time (baseline) (t0), after pond excavation (t1), after treatment applied (t2), and once a month after mixing for three months (t3, t4, t5). We filled tap water (initial pH = 6.7) into the ponds and kept the water level at 1 m depth. The results revealed that applying NaB with and without dolomite improved severe pH to normal pH and reduced pH buffering capacity, aluminum-iron toxicity, potential acidity, and excess Al and Fe released from the ASS. In addition, Na+ in NaB can be exchanged by Al3+ and H+ in ASS, making Na more soluble and easier to leach and liming.

EFEKTIVITAS ARANG AKTIF CANGKANG KEMIRI (Aleuritas molaccanu) UNTUK PENGOLAHAN LIMBAH TEMPE

This study aims to determine the effect of giving candlenut shell activated charcoal using the parameters BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand), TSS (Total Suspended Solid), and pH (power of hydrogen) in tempe waste. The research uses quantitative methods, the type of research is experimental and laboratory observation. The research sample consisted of tempe waste and candlenut shell activatedcharcoal. The data analysis technique consisted of calculating the effectiveness and efficiency of removal, as well as the Kruskal-Wallis statistical test. The results showed that activated charcoal of candlenut shells could reduce BOD and TSS levels in tempe waste. In addition, it can increase the pH of tempe wastewater to normal (pH = 7). Overall, the BOD parameters are still in normal conditionsand have not passed the predetermined threshold. The removal efficiency of activated charcoal from candlenut shells on BOD, TSS, and pH levels in tempe waste as a whole increased. The results of the Kruskal-Wallis H test for the BOD parameter obtained a significant value (Asymp. Sig.) of 0.083 &gt; 0.05. TSS obtained a significant value (Asymp. Sig.) of 0.881 &gt; 0.05. pH obtained a significant value (Asymp. Sig.) of 0.351 &gt; 0.05. Thus, H0 is accepted or there is no significant (significant) difference in the ability of candlenut shell activated charcoal to BOD, TSS, and pH levels in tempe waste. This is because the samples used in laboratory tests on tempeh waste are still small, only repeated twice, the weight of the candlenut shell activated charcoal is only 5 grams and 10 grams, respectively.The conclusion shows that there is a decrease caused by giving candlenut shell activated charcoal using BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) and TSS (Total Suspended Solid) parameters, as well as making the pH (power of hydrogen) neutral (pH 7) in tempe waste.

NMR Studies of Two Lysine Based Dendrimers with Insertion of Similar Histidine-Arginine and Arginine-Histidine Spacers Having Different Properties for Application in Drug Delivery.

In this paper we study two lysine-based peptide dendrimers with Lys-His-Arg and Lys-Arg-His repeating units and terminal lysine groups. Combination of His and Arg properties in a dendrimer could be important for biomedical applications, especially for prevention of dendrimer aggregation and for penetration of dendrimers through various cell membranes. We describe the synthesis of these dendrimers and the confirmation of their structure using 1D and 2D Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. NMR spectroscopy and relaxation are used to study the structural and dynamic properties of these macromolecules and to compare them with properties of previously studied dendrimers with Lys-2Arg and Lys-2His repeating units. Our results demonstrate that both Lys-His-Arg and Lys-Arg-His dendrimers have pH sensitive conformation and dynamics. However, properties of Lys-His-Arg at normal pH are more similar to those of the more hydrophobic Lys-2His dendrimer, which has tendency towards aggregation, while the Lys-Arg-His dendrimer is more hydrophilic. Thus, the conformation with the same amino acid composition of Lys-His-Arg is more pH sensitive than Lys-Arg-His, while the presence of Arg groups undoubtedly increases its hydrophilicity compared to Lys-2His. Hence, the Lys-His-Arg dendrimer could be a more suitable (in comparison with Lys-2His and Lys-Arg-His) candidate as a pH sensitive nanocontainer for drug delivery.