O3 Groups Research Articles

Modification of gut and airway microbiota on ozone-induced airway inflammation

Ground-level ozone (O3) has been shown to induce airway inflammation, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The aim of this study was to determine whether gut and airway microbiota dysbiosis, and airway metabolic alterations were associated with O3-induced airway inflammation. Thirty-six 8-week-old male C57BL/6 N mice were divided into 2 groups: sterile water group and broad-spectrum antibiotics group (Abx). Each group was further divided into two subgroups, filtered air group (Air) and O3 group (O3), with 9 mice in each subgroup. Mice in the Air and O3 groups were exposed to filtered air or 1 ppm O3, 4 h/d for 5 consecutive days, respectively. Mice in Abx + Air and Abx + O3 groups were exposed to filtered air or O3, respectively, after drinking broad-spectrum Abx. 24 h after the final O3 exposure, mouse feces and bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF) were collected and subjected to measurements of airway oxidative stress and inflammation biomarkers, 16S rRNA sequencing and metabolite profiling. Hematoxylin-eosin staining of lung tissues was applied to examine the pathological changes of lung tissue. The results showed that O3 exposure resulted in airway oxidative stress and inflammation, as well as gut and airway microbiota dysbiosis, and airway metabolism alteration. Abx pre-treatment markedly changed gut and airway microbiota and promoted O3-induced metabolic disorder and airway inflammation. Spearman correlation analyses indicated that inter-related gut and airway microbiota dysbiosis and airway metabolic disorder were associated with O3-induced airway inflammation. Together, inhaled O3 causes airway inflammation, which may implicate gut and airway microbiota dysbiosis and airway metabolic alterations.

Air Pollution, Ozone, and Sulfur Dioxide Can Affect the Blood Serum Lipid Profile and Oxidative Stress of Male Wistar Rats

The majority of the body’s organs are impacted by ambient air pollution (AAP), which is currently a serious environmental global health issue. The objective of this work was to assess the impact of ozone (O3 ), sulfur dioxide (SO2 ), and AAP on oxidative stress (OS) and lipid profile indicators in male Wistar rats. To this end, these rats were exposed for three hours each day for five weeks in control, AAP, O3 (0.6 ppm), and SO2 (10 ppm) groups (each containing 8 animals). Several parameters, such as total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglyceride, and malondialdehyde (MDA), were measured on blood samples. AAP exposure on TAC (P=0.014) and SOD (P=0.05), MDA (P=0.018), and HDL (P=0.003), O3 exposure on TAC (P<0.001), and SO2 exposure on blood serum TAC (P=0.006) all had statistically significant effects. Based on the results, exposure to SO2 and AAP did not significantly alter the lipid profile (P>0.05). According to our research, exposure to O3 , SO2 , and AAP can increase overall antioxidant capacity by stimulating blood serum oxidative defense enzymes. Except for the enhanced effect of O3 exposure on serum HDL, AAP, SO2 , and O3 exposures had no discernible effects on the lipid profile.

New iodate fluoride Rb2Ce(IO3)5F with nonlinear optical properties.

New noncentrosymmetric cerium(IV) iodate fluoride Rb2Ce(IO3)5F was prepared employing a hydrothermal technique. The compound crystallizes in the Cmc21 space group (#36) with cell parameters a = 11.1518(6) Å, b = 8.1187(4) Å and c = 17.1581(10) Å. The crystal structure of Rb2Ce(IO3)5F consists of layers composed of 8-vertex CeO7F and 7-vertex Rb(1)O7 and Rb(2)O6F polyhedra interconnected by I(2)O3 groups. These layers are stitched by trigonal pyramidal I(1)O3 and I(3)O3 groups into a 3D framework. Synthesized iodate fluoride is thermally stable in air up to 430 °C. According to DFT calculations, Rb2Ce(IO3)5F is a direct-gap semiconductor with a band gap of ca. 2.33 eV. This value is in good agreement with an estimated optical gap value of 2.35 eV. The important feature of Rb2Ce(IO3)5F is the ability to generate a second optical harmonic signal comparable to that of KH2PO4.

High temperature exacerbates ozone-induced airway inflammation: Implication of airway microbiota and metabolites

Short-term exposure to ozone (O3) has been associated with airway inflammation. Given that high temperature (HT) accelerates O3 production, it is of significance to determine whether co-exposure to HT exacerbates O3-induced airway inflammation. The aim of this study was to examine the possible promotive effect of HT on O3-induced airway inflammation and underlying mechanisms. Forty-eight C57BL/6 N male mice were randomly divided into four groups: filtered air (control), O3, HT, and HT + O3 (co-exposure) groups. Mice in control and O3 groups were exposed to filtered air or 1 ppm O3 at 24 °C, respectively, while mice in HT and co-exposure groups were exposed to filtered air or 1 ppm O3 at 36 °C, respectively. The exposure scenario for four groups was 4 h/d for 5 consecutive days. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF) were collected 24 h after the last exposure and subjected to examinations of oxidative stress and inflammation biomarkers, 16S rRNA sequencing, and metabolic profiling. Lung tissues were processed for H&E histological staining. The results showed that O3 inhalation triggered oxidative stress and inflammation in the airways, which was worsen by co-exposure to HT. Further studies revealed that co-exposure to HT strengthened O3-induced decline in Firmicutes and Allobaculum in airways. Moreover, co-exposure to HT promoted O3-induced airway metabolic disorder. Spearman correlation analysis revealed correlations among microbiota dysbiosis, metabolic disorder, oxidative stress and inflammation induced by co-exposure to HT and O3. Taken together, HT exposure aggravates O3-induced airway oxidative stress and inflammation, possibly through modulation of microbiota and metabolism of the airways.

Copper doped strontium Indium-borate glasses: FTIR, Raman, EPR, optical and structural studies

Strontium borate glasses containing Indium oxide with chemical composition 69B2O3–(30-x) SrO- xIn2O3-1CuO varying ‘x’ from 0.5 to 2.5 mol% were synthesized by quenching method. The non-crystalline characteristics of these glasses were established by X-Ray diffraction patterns. Physical parameters like density (ρ), molar volume (Vm), dielectric constant (ε) and other properties were described with varying mole percent of indium oxide. Spectroscopic findings, viz. optical absorption, EPR were conducted to understand the influence of In2O3 and CuO on strontium-borate glass network. Optical energy band gap (Eopt) and Urbach energies were calculated. Spin-Hamiltonian values from EPR of Cu2+ spin probes obeyed g‖‖> g⊥>ge and A‖‖> A⊥ revealing dx2-y2 (2B1g state) as ground state of Cu2+ ions and site symmetry in the neighbourhood of Cu2+ is tetragonally distorted octahedral. FTIR studies established the existence of typical BO3, BO4 units in addition to In3+O6 groups. The various Raman peaks shown by the glass samples were appropriate assigned and corresponding structural variations were discussed.

Organic copper promoted copper accumulation and transport, enhanced low temperature tolerance and physiological health of white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei Boone, 1931)

This study was conducted to assess the effects of dietary copper source and level on hematological parameters, copper accumulation and transport, resistance to low temperature, antioxidant capacity and immune response of white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei Boone, 1931). Seven experimental diets with different copper sources and levels were formulated: C, no copper supplementation; S, 30 mg/kg copper in the form of CuSO4·5H2O; SO, 15 mg/kg copper in CuSO4·5H2O + 7.5 mg/kg copper in Cu-proteinate; O1, O2, O3 and O4, 10, 20, 30 and 40 mg/kg copper in the form of Cu-proteinate, respectively. A total of 840 shrimp (5.30 ± 0.04 g) were randomly distributed to 21 tanks (3 tanks/diet, 40 shrimp/tank). An 8-week feeding trial was conducted. The results showed that there was no significant difference in growth performance and whole shrimp chemical compositions among all groups. Compared with inorganic copper, dietary organic copper (O2 and O3) increased total protein, albumin, and glucose content of plasma, while decreased triglyceride and total cholesterol of plasma. Copper concentration in plasma and muscle and gene expression of metallothionein and copper-transporting ATPase 2 like in hepatopancreas were higher in shrimp fed organic copper (SO, O2, O3 and O4). The lowest mortality after low temperature (10 °C) challenge test was observed in the O2 and O3 groups. Organic copper (SO, O2, O3 and O4) significantly enhanced the antioxidant capacity (in terms of higher activities of total superoxide dismutase, copper zinc superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and total antioxidant capacity, lower malondialdehyde concentration of plasma, and up-regulated gene expression of superoxide dismutase, copper zinc superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase of hepatopancreas). Organic copper (SO, O2, O3 and O4) enhanced the immune response (in terms of higher number of total hemocytes, higher activities of acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, phenoloxidase, hemocyanin and lysozyme in plasma, and higher gene expressions of alkaline phosphatase, lysozyme and hemocyanin in hepatopancreas). Inorganic copper (Diet S) also had positive effects on white shrimp compared with the C diet, but the SO, O2, O3 and O4 diets resulted in better results, among which the O2 diet appeared to be the best one. In conclusion, organic copper was more beneficial to shrimp health than copper sulfate.

Effects of Ozone Therapy on Chronic Arsenic Poisoning in Rats.

Arsenic (As) is a toxic metalloid that affects many organs through drinking water. This study aims to examine the efficacy of ozone therapy on chronic arsenic toxicity. Twenty-four male Wistar albino rats were housed in individual cages and grouped as control, As, O3, and As + O3. As was applied by adding 5mg/kg/day in drinking water for 60days. Ozone therapy was applied at 0.5mg/kg/day (i.p.) O3 in the last 5days of the experimental period. Tissues were harvested and analyzed for histopathological injury and apoptotic markers. There was no significant difference between the As + O3 and O3 groups (p = 0.186 and p = 0.599) for light microscopic criteria: inflammatory cell infiltration and hydropic degeneration in liver tissue.In TUNEL assessments, similar outcomes were obtained in the control and As + O3 groups. A statistically significant increase was observed in p53 and Caspase 3 (Casp-3) expression levels in the As group compared to the O3 and As + O3 groups. There was no significant difference between the As + O3 and O3 groups on peritubular hemorrhage and desquamation parameters in kidneys (p = 0.147 and p = 0.094). The KIM-1 expression level was significantly increased in the As group compared to the As + O3 group (p = 0.01), and the Casp-3 expression level was not significantly changed in the O3 group compared to the As + O3 group (p = 0.59). In conclusion, it is determined that ozone therapy has ameliorative effects on the microscopic injury of liver and kidney tissues. In addition to microscopic improvement, KIM-1 gene expression levels were ameliorated in the kidneys. The apoptotic cell counts and the Casp-3 and p53 gene expression levels were decreased by O3 administration. Thus, ozone therapy can be a treatment choice for As toxicity.

Combined exposure of heat stress and ozone enhanced cognitive impairment via neuroinflammation and blood brain barrier disruption in male rats

BackgroundHeat stress (HS) exposure has been linked to cognitive dysfunction. In reality, high temperature does not occur alone in environment, and ozone (O3) and heatwaves usually co-exist in atmospheric environment. However, whether O3 exposure exacerbates HS-induced cognitive impairment and the potential underlying mechanisms have not been explored experimentally. The aim of this study was to determine the co-effects and mechanisms of HS and O3 on the cognitive dysfunction. Methods48 Sprague Dawley male rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: control, HS, O3 and HS plus O3 (HO3) groups. Rats in HS and HO3 group were exposed to 40 °C every morning from 9:00 to 12:00 for 15 consecutive days. While rats in O3 and HO3 groups were exposed to 0.7 ppm O3 the same day from 14:00 to 17:00 for 15 days. Cognitive performance was examined with Morris water maze test. Neurodegeneration, glial activation, neuroinflammation, blood brain barrier (BBB) disruption and apoptosis were evaluated by Western blot, Elisa, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining. ResultsHS induced cognitive decline and neuronal damage in rats. Further studies showed that exposure of rats to HS could also induce glial activation, neuroinflammation and neuronal apoptosis in hippocampus, and decrease in the expressions of ZO-1, claudin-5 and occluding, indicative of BBB disruption. Impressively, the neuronal effects induced by HS, as depicted above, could be worsened by co-exposure to O3 in rats. ConclusionsCo-exposure to O3 promotes HS-induced cognitive impairment in rats possibly through glial-mediated neuroinflammation and BBB disruption.

Establishment and assessment of postoperative cognitive impairment in intermittent hypoxia rats.

Obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is a chronic disease characterized by repeated episodes of apnea or hypopnea, accompanied by intermittent awakening and sleep disturbances. The incidence of OSAHS is increasing and has become a serious disease. In recent years, more and more evidence shows that OSAHS is closely related to postoperative neurocognitive disorders, and the preparation of models of postoperative cognitive impairment in intermittent hypoxia animals is an important way to study its pathogenesis and intervention targets. This study aims to explore the establishment and evaluation of the animal model of postoperative cognitive impairment in intermittent hypoxia rats. A total of 108 male SD rats were randomly divided into 8 groups: a control group (C group, n=27), a surgery group (S group, n=27), an intermittent hypoxia 7 d group (H1 group, n=9), an intermittent hypoxia 14 d group (H2 group, n=9), an intermittent hypoxia 21 d group (H3 group, n=9), an intermittent hypoxia 7 d operation group (O1 group, n=9), an intermittent hypoxia 14 d operation group (O2 group, n=9), and an intermittent hypoxia 21 d operation group (O3 group, n=9). The rats in the H1, H2 and H3 group treated with intermittent hypoxia for 7, 14, and 21 d, respectively. The rats in the O1, O2 and O3 groups received left lateral hepatic lobectomy after 7, 14, and 21 d intermittent hypoxia, respectively. The rats in each group were subjected to open field test, new object recognition test, and Barnes Maze test. The expression of IL-1β mRNA in hippocampus of rats was detected at the 1st day after the surgery. Compared with the C, S, and H2 groups, the discrimination index in novel object recognition test 6 h and 1 d after the surgery of the O2 group was significantly lower (P<0.05), the latency and errors in Barnes maze at the 1st day and 2nd day after the surgery were increased significantly (P<0.05) and the expression of IL-1β mRNA in hippocampus was significantly increased at the 1st day after the operation (P<0.05). However, there was no difference in the preference index in NORT 6 h and 1 d after the surgery, the latency and errors in Barnes maze and the expression of IL-1β mRNA in hippocampus between the O1 group and the H1 group, the H3 group and the O3 group (all P>0.05). The rate with intermittent hypoxia 14 d pretreatment with anesthesia and laparotomy could be established the animal model of postoperative cognitive impairment.

Acute exercise in ozone-polluted air induces apoptosis in rat quadriceps femoris muscle cells via mitochondrial pathway

Ozone (O3) pollution can decrease sport performance and induce respiratory toxicity, but relatively few studies have investigated its effects on skeletal muscles. We randomly assigned rats to the following groups based on a 2 ​× ​4 two-factor factorial design: Air+0, Air+10, Air+15, and Air+20, O3+0, O3+10, O3+15, and O3+20. The rats in the +0 groups rested, whereas those in the +10, +15, and +20 groups ran on a treadmill (in clean air for Air groups and in air polluted with 0.14 ​parts per million [ppm] O3 for O3 groups) at speeds of 10, 15, and 20 ​m/min, respectively, for 1 ​h. Thereafter, key enzyme activities involving the tricarboxylic acid cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content, histopathological changes, oxidative stress, inflammation factors, and apoptosis were assessed in the rat quadriceps femoris samples. Ozone reduced key enzyme activities and ATP contents in the quadriceps femoris regardless of whether the rats exercised. Pathological changes, inflammatory factors, oxidative stress, and mitochondria-dependent apoptosis were only evident under conditions of exercise combined with ozone and increasingly worsened as exercise intensity increased. These findings suggested that acute exercise under ozone exposure could induce damage to the quadriceps femoris, which would negatively affect sport performance. Ozone-induced disrupted energy metabolism might be an early event that becomes more critical as exercise intensity increases. Therefore, care should be taken when exercising in polluted air, even when ozone pollution is mild.

Inhalation of nebulized omega-3 fatty acids mitigate LPS-induced acute lung inflammation in rats: Implications for treatment of COPD and COVID-19

Many current treatment options for lung inflammation and thrombosis come with unwanted side effects. The natural omega-3 fatty acids (O3FA) are generally anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic. O3FA are always administered orally and occasionally by intravenous (IV) infusion. The main goal of this study is to determine if O3FA administered by inhalation of a nebulized formulation mitigates LPS-induced acute lung inflammation in male Wistar rats. Inflammation was triggered by intraperitoneal injection of LPS once a day for 14 days. One hour post-injection, rats received nebulized treatments consisting of egg lecithin emulsified O3, Budesonide and Montelukast, and blends of O3 and Melatonin or Montelukast or Cannabidiol; O3 was in the form of free fatty acids for all groups except one group with ethyl esters. Lung histology and cytokines were determined in n = 3 rats per group at day 8 and day 15. All groups had alveolar histiocytosis severity scores half or less than that of the disease control (Cd) treated with LPS and saline only inhalation. IL-6, TNF-α, TGF-β, and IL-10 were attenuated in all O3FA groups. IL-1β was attenuated in most but not all O3 groups. O3 administered as ethyl ester was overall most effective in mitigating LPS effects. No evidence of lipid pneumonia or other chronic distress was observed. These preclinical data suggest that O3FA formulations should be further investigated as treatments in lung inflammation and thrombosis related lung disorders, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory distress such as COVID-19.

Platelet-rich plasma combined with ozone prevents cartilage destruction and improves weight-bearing asymmetry in a surgery-induced osteoarthritis rabbit model.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common degenerative disease in older adults and its treatment remains unsatisfactory. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and explore the therapeutic mechanisms of the combination of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and ozone (O3) for knee OA. Thirty male rabbits were randomly divided into five groups (Control group, OA group, PRP group, O3 group, and PRP + O3 group). Rabbit model of OA were induced by improved Hulth surgery. Gross articular observation, histopathological examination and cartilage scoring system were used to assess the articular cartilage destruction. The bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) mRNA expression in joint fluid was determined by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The expression of type II collagen, matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) of cartilage was detected via Immunohistochemistry. Pain behavior was observed by percent ipsilateral weight-bearing (PIW) asymmetry. The content of platelet in PRP was increased by 6.2-times that in whole blood. Among induced OA groups (the OA, PRP, O3 and PRP + O3 group), PRP + O3 significantly inhibited the surgically induced increase in gross articular alterations, histopathological damage of cartilage and Mankin score when compared to the OA, PRP and O3 groups (P<0.05). Observed pain behavior by weight-bearing asymmetry, in the PRP + O3 group was reversed at 3 and 6 weeks after the administration of PRP + O3 (PIW asymmetry: -10.66%±1.172%). In addition, surgery-induced BMP-2 mRNA expression was significantly downregulated after the treatment of PRP, O3 and PRP + O3 (P<0.01). PRP + O3 group significantly increased the expression of type II collagen but decreased MMP-1 of cartilage in comparison to OA, PRP and O3 groups (P<0.05) by immunohistochemical analysis. PRP combined with O3 may prevent cartilage destruction and improve weight-bearing asymmetry by restoring homeostasis between anabolism and catabolism of extracellular matrix in progressive OA. Furthermore, a combination of PRP and O3 might achieve even better results than the two agents alone.

Comparison of cobalt ferrate-based nanoparticles for promoting biomethane evolution from lactic acid anaerobic digestion

Some inhibition of biomethane (bioCH4) production system can be observed, which is due to the propionic acid generation from lactic acid degradation. In this work, the three cobalt ferrate-based nanoparticles (NPs) such as CoFe2O4, CoAl0.2Fe1.8O4 and CoCu0.2Fe1.8O4 were synthesized to promote the bioCH4 evolution from lactic acid. The CH4 yields from the CoAl0.2Fe1.8O4, CoCu0.2Fe1.8O4 and CoFe2O4 groups at 300 mg/L of NPs were 431.52, 392.12 and 396.6 mL/g lactic acid, respectively. Moreover, the highest CH4 yield was 34.15% higher than that of the control reactor (321.67 mL/g lactic acid) without NPs. The three NPs accelerated lactic acid biodegradation and propionic acid conversion, thus obtaining more CH4. Surprisingly, microbial structure revealed that CoAl0.2Fe1.8O4 increased the abundance of Bacteroidetes_vadinHA17 to 16.6%, promoting the conversion from propionic acid to acetic acid. Meanwhile, the abundance of Methanobacterium in archaeal community from CoAl0.2Fe1.8O4 group rose from 45.81% to 68.45%, which facilitated bioCH4 production.

Inactivation of Staphylococcus aureus in Surgical Needles by Exposure to Ozone Gas and Low Pressure

ABSTRACT Ethylene oxide and gamma irradiation are two well-established sterilizing processes for surgical materials; however, they present toxicity and high cost, respectively. Ozone Gas, O3(g), has been used effectively for disinfection and sterilization. Low pressure (LP) can promote water vaporization whenever the vapor pressure drops below the water saturation pressure, which at 20 °C (experimental temperature) is 2337 Pa. The microorganism used to contaminate the surgical needles (SN) was Staphylococcus aureus, a gram-positive bacterium whose cytoplasm is mostly water. Sixty SN samples were divided into six groups of 10: negative control (sterile SN), positive control (experimentally contaminated SN), LP group, two groups associating LP and O3(g), and O3(g) alone group. The CFU/mL count demonstrated microbicide efficacy of LP+O3(g) and O3(g) groups. This is an innovative protocol for microbial inactivation, mainly because of LP application. In the future, this technique can be evaluated for sterilization of SN and other medical devices.

Endometrial angiogenesis induced by uterine insufflation with an oxygen-ozone gas mixture in mares.

Ozone (O3 ) therapy has been used to improve peripheral tissue oxygenation in humans and domestic animals. The goal of the present study was to characterize histological changes in the endometria of healthy equines following tissue exposure to gas mixtures enriched with different concentrations of O3 . Cycling mares without endometrial degeneration were divided into three groups according to treatment (n=9mares/group). The uteri from the O3 , ½O3 and control groups were insufflated for 3min with gas containing 42, 21 and 0μg O3 ml-1 , respectively. Treatments were performed every three days from D0 to D6. Endometrial samples were collected immediately before the first treatment and 24hr after the last treatment. The following nine histological parameters were evaluated: (i) the number of endometrial blood vessels, (ii) endometrial vascular degree (EVD), (iii) increase rate of blood vessels, (iv) increase rate of EVD, (v) glandular total area, (vi) glandular lumen area, (vii) intraglandular secretion area, (viii) glandular epithelial height and (ix) luminal epithelial height. In the O3 group, a positive effect from treatment (p<.01) was detected for all vascular parameters (i, ii, iii and iv), glandular total area, intraglandular secretion area and glandular epithelial height. Compared to the control group, the ½O3 group had greater (p<.01) EVD (84.1±12%) and a higher increase rate of blood vessels (151.9±47.1%). Uterine insufflation with low or intermediate concentrations of the O2 -O3 gas mixture induced endometrial angiogenesis. Morphometry, but not morphology, of the endometrial glands was affected by local O3 therapy. These findings would be of great significance for the development of new therapies for infertility in mares.

DFT and Experimental Studies on the Mechanism of Mercury Adsorption on O2-/NO-Codoped Porous Carbon.

The utilization of O2 and NO in flue gas to activate the raw porous carbon with auxiliary plasma contributes to an effective mercury (Hg)-removal strategy. The lack of in-depth knowledge on the Hg adsorption mechanism over the O2-/NO-codoped porous carbon severely limits the development of a more effective Hg removal method and the potential application. Therefore, the generation processes of functional groups on the surface during plasma treatment were investigated and the detailed roles of different groups in Hg adsorption were clarified. The theoretical results suggest that the formation of functional groups is highly exothermic and they preferentially form on a carbon surface, and then affect Hg adsorption. The active groups affect Hg adsorption in a different manner, which depends on their nature. All of these active groups can improve Hg adsorption by enhancing the interaction of Hg with a surface carbon atom. Particularly, the preadsorbed NO2 and O3 groups can react directly with Hg by forming HgO. The experimental results confirm that the active groups cocontribute to the high Hg removal efficiency of O2-/NO-codoped porous carbon. In addition, the mercury temperature-programmed desorption results suggest that there are two forms of mercury present on O2-/NO-codoped porous carbon, including a carbon-bonded Hg atom and HgO.

Effects of sulfur dioxide, ozone, and ambient air pollution on bone metabolism related biochemical parameters in a rat model.

Ambient air pollution (AAP), as an important environmental health problem, affects everyone. A large body of literature links AAP, such as sulfur dioxide (SO2) and ozone (O3), with a wide range of non-communicable diseases. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of the pollutants on the bone metabolism biochemical parameters in a rat model. Thirty-two male Wistar rats were divided to four groups: control, SO2 (10 ppm), O3 (0.6 ppm), and AAP groups. After 5 weeks of exposure (3 hours/day, 6 days/week), blood samples were taken, and biochemical parameters were assayed. Vitamin D level of the AAP group was higher than the control and SO2 groups (p=0.004 and 0.003). Parathyroid hormone (PTH) level of the O3 group was significantly higher than the AAP group (p=0.006). Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), phosphorus, magnesium levels of the SO2 group; Vit D, ALP, osteocalcin (OC), and PTH of O3 group; and OC and osteoprotegerin (OPG) of AAP group were higher than those of control group but differences were not significant. Calcium level of the SO2 group; OPG and calcium of O3 group; and PTH of AAP group were less than those of control group but differences were not significant (p>0.05). The results showed significant effect of AAP with natural daylight on vitamin D and also O3 on PTH of the rats. In the concentrations and conditions of the study, we didn’t find any significant unwanted effects of AAP, SO2, and O3 on the bone biochemical parameters. More investigations with more concentrations and exposure time are recommended.

A novel Sm3+-activated Li3BaSrLn3(MO4)8 [Ln = La, Gd, and Y; M = Mo and W] deep red-emitting phosphors for plant cultivation and white LEDs

Deep red phosphor-based LEDs play a crucial role in plant growth applications, where the LED emission covers the phytochrome (Pr) absorption. In this context, a series of Sm3+-activated Li3BaSrLn3(MO4)8:Sm3+ [Ln = La Gd and Y; M = Mo and W] deep red phosphors were synthesized using the solid-state method. The outcome of the PXRD patterns suggests that the synthesized phosphors were crystallized in a monoclinic structure with the space group C2/c. SEM analysis was executed to study the morphology of the phosphors, and an FT-IR study was performed to study the stretching frequency of the MO/W-O bond in the (Mo/W)O4 groups. All the Sm3+-activated phosphors showed intense emission at 646 nm due to their 4G5/2→6H9/2 transition and exhibited excellent thermal stability (> 72% at 423K). The selected phosphors showed internal quantum efficiency at around 30%. The pc-LEDs were fabricated with the combination of near-UV LED and the synthesized deep-red phosphors. Besides, the emission spectrum of the fabricated LED was compared with the phytochrome Pr absorption spectrum for de plant growth application. These results suggest that the synthesized phosphor can be useful in the white LED fabrication to improve the CRI and can also be beneficial in the plant growth field.

Derbylite and graeserite from the Monte Arsiccio mine, Apuan Alps, Tuscany, Italy: occurrence and crystal-chemistry

AbstractNew occurrences of derbylite, Fex2+Fe3+4–2xTi4+3+xSb3+O13(OH), and graeserite, Fex2+Fe3+4–2xTi4+3+xAs3+O13(OH), have been identified in the Monte Arsiccio mine, Apuan Alps, Tuscany, Italy. Derbylite occurs as prismatic to acicular black crystals in carbonate veins. Iron and Ti are replaced by V (up to 0.29 atoms per formula unit, apfu) and minor Cr (up to 0.04 apfu). Mössbauer spectroscopy confirmed the occurrence of Fe2+ (up to 0.73 apfu), along with Fe3+. The Sb/(As+Sb) atomic ratio ranges between 0.73 and 0.82. Minor Ba and Pb (up to 0.04 apfu) substitute. Derbylite is monoclinic, space group P21/m, with unit-cell parameters a = 7.1690(3), b = 14.3515(7), c = 4.9867(2) Å, β = 104.820(3)° and V = 495.99(4) Å3. The crystal structure was refined to R1 = 0.0352 for 1955 reflections with Fo &gt; 4σ(Fo). Graeserite occurs as prismatic to tabular black crystals, usually twinned, in carbonate veins or as porphyroblasts in schist. Graeserite in the first kind of assemblage is V rich (up to 0.66 apfu), and V poor in the second kind (0.03 apfu). Along with minor Cr (up to 0.06 apfu), this element replaces Fe and Ti. The occurrence of Fe2+ (up to 0.68 apfu) is confirmed by Mössbauer spectroscopy. Arsenic is dominant over Sb and detectable amounts of Ba and Pb have been measured (up to 0.27 apfu). Graeserite is monoclinic, space group C2/m, with unit-cell parameters for two samples: a = 5.0225(7), b = 14.3114(18), c = 7.1743(9) Å, β = 104.878(3)°, V = 498.39(11) Å3; and a = 5.0275(4), b = 14.2668(11), c = 7.1663(5) Å, β = 105.123(4)° and V = 496.21(7) Å3. The crystal structures were refined to R1 = 0.0399 and 0.0237 for 428 and 1081 reflections with Fo &gt; 4σ(Fo), respectively. Derbylite and graeserite are homeotypic. They share the same tunnel structure, characterised by an octahedral framework and cuboctahedral cavities, hosting (As/Sb)O3 groups and (Ba/Pb) atoms.

Halilsarpite, a new arsenate analogue of walentaite, from the Oumlil mine, Bou Azzer district, Morocco

Abstract. Halilsarpite, [Mg(H2O)6][CaAs23+(Fe2.673+Mo0.336+)(AsO4)2O7], is a new secondary mixed arsenate/arsenite mineral from the Oumlil mine, Bou Azzer district, Morocco. It forms lemon-yellow spherules, about 0.1 mm in diameter, composed of platelets, some tens of micrometres in diameter but only 1–2 µm thick. The platelets are flattened on {100} and exhibit perfect cleavage on {100}. The calculated density is 2.89 g cm−3. Optically, halilsarpite is biaxial (−), with α=1.646(calc), β=1.765(5), γ=1.815(5) (white light), and 2V (meas.) = 62(1)∘. The partial orientation is X=a. Dispersion is weak with r&lt;v, and pleochroism is in shades of yellow, X&lt;Y≈Z. Electron microprobe analyses coupled with crystal-structure refinement results give the empirical formula [(Mg0.42Ca0.19Fe0.113+ □0.28)Σ1.00 (H2O)6][((Ca0.5Mg0.2Na0.11□0.14)Σ0.95 (As3+)2.05)∑3.00(Fe2.443+ Mo0.566+)Σ3.00 ((As0.9855+P0.0155+)Σ1.00O4)2O6.9(OH)0.1]. Halilsarpite is orthorhombic, Imma, with a=26.4890(10), b=7.4205(3), c=10.4378(4) Å, V=2051.67(14) Å3, and Z=4. The structure was solved and refined using single-crystal X-ray data to wRobs=0.046 for 1402 unique reflections to a resolution of 0.75 Å. Halilsarpite is isostructural with walentaite and natrowalentaite, which have structures based on heteropolyhedral layers of configuration [M1(M2)2(TO4)2(O,OH)6] with surface-attached As3+O3 groups and Ca and Na cations, and with interlayer hydrated cations and H2O molecules. The octahedrally coordinated sites M1 and M2 are occupied by Fe3+ in walentaite, while M2 = Fe0.673+W0.336+ in natrowalentaite. Walentaite and natrowalentaite are phosphates, with T=P5+. Halilsarpite differs from these minerals in having T=As5+ and in having partial replacement of Fe3+ by Mo6+ in the M2-centred octahedra.