Organic Sensitizers Research Articles

Морфогистохимическая оценка влияния кормовой минеральной добавки на органы пищеварения при экспериментальной иммуносупрессии у животных

Abstract. The conditions of keeping animals and birds are increasingly provoking stressful situations for them. The occurrence of stress helps to reduce the body's resistance and creates conditions for the development of diseases of various etiologies. With a decrease in resistance, the quantity of products and their quality decreases. It is possible to prevent stress in animals and poultry by using adaptogens of various origins. The search for optimal means that meet all the requirements of prevention remains to this day an urgent problem of practical veterinary medicine. The purpose of this study was to give a morphohistochemical assessment of the effect of a feed mineral supplement on the digestive organs during experimental immunosuppression in laboratory animals. In the conditions of experimental immunosuppression, to identify the effect of mineral feed additives on the structure of organ cells and their metabolism. Methods. To confirm the effectiveness of the mineral adaptogen, histological, morphometric and histochemical studies of the digestive organs were performed. As a result of the conducted research on preventive feeding of a feed mineral supplement of domestic production, its immune- and organoprotective role was revealed. The most sensitive organs to the action of adverse factors (lymphoid formations in the intestinal wall) have been identified. Morphometrically and histochemically determined the reliability of morphological changes in them. During prophylactic feeding of a feed mineral supplement of domestic production in the digestive organs, the revealed changes did not have total destruction, approaching the structure and metabolic processes in cells to the structure of these organs in intact animals. Scientific novelty. For the first time, a comparative microstructural, histochemical and morphometric assessment of the digestive organs in the body of laboratory animals under conditions of artificially induced immunosuppression was carried out, confirming the immune- and organoprotective effect of a feed mineral supplement of domestic production, which can be considered as a mineral adaptogen.

Inflorescence Traits and Floral Quality Parameters in Promising Olive Clones (cv Leccino): Influence of the Canopy Position

In olive (Olea europaea L.), the floral quality is a key feature affecting the final fruit crop. The aim of this study was to evaluate the inflorescence traits and the floral quality parameters of three clones of Leccino cultivar (L 1.3, L 1.4, L 1.9). To assess a possible effect of light limitations on these parameters two canopy zones, internal (IZ) and external (EZ), were considered. The inflorescences were collected over two consecutive years in order to establish: (i) the characteristics of inflorescences (length, flowers per inflorescence) and flowers (open and perfect flowers); (ii) the ovary structure by histological analysis; and (iii) the viability and germination of pollen grains by in vitro culture. The preliminary results highlighted some differences among clones. The L 1.9 was the less affected by the canopy position for inflorescence morphological traits, and the presence of ovaries with at least three fully developed ovules denoting a high female fertility. Regardless of the canopy position, L 1.4 showed the highest pollen viability, suggesting its possible use as pollinator. The lower sensitivity of female and male floral organs to partial shading of L 1.9 and L 1.4 needs further investigations aimed at evaluating their suitability in high-density olive orchards.

Assessment of the Effects of Radiation Exposure to Human Sensitive Organs Due to Quarry Mining in Kokona, Nasarawa and Toto of Nasarawa State Nigeria

Assessment of the Effects of Radiation Exposure to Human Sensitive Organs Due to Quarry Mining in Kokona, Nasarawa and Toto of Nasarawa State Nigeria

Patient-specific radiation risk-based tube current modulation for diagnostic CT.

Modern CT scanners use automatic exposure control (AEC) techniques, such as tube current modulation (TCM), to reduce dose delivered to patients while maintaining image quality. In contrast to conventional approaches that minimize the tube current time product of the CT scan, referred to as mAsTCM in the following, we herein propose a new method referred to as riskTCM, which aims at reducing the radiation risk to the patient by taking into account the specific radiation risk of every dose-sensitiveorgan. For current mAsTCM implementations, the mAs product is used as a surrogate for the patient dose. Thus, they do not take into account the varying dose sensitivity of different organs. Our riskTCM framework assumes that a coarse CT reconstruction, an organ segmentation, and an estimation of the dose distribution can be provided in real time, for example, by applying machine learning techniques. Using this information, riskTCM determines a tube current curve that minimizes a patient risk measure, for example, the effective dose, while keeping the image quality constant. We retrospectively applied riskTCM to 20 patients covering all relevant anatomical regions and tube voltages from 70 to 150 kV. The potential reduction of effective dose at same image noise is evaluated as a figureof merit and compared to mAsTCM and to a situation with a constant tube current referred to asnoTCM. Anatomical regions like the neck, thorax, abdomen, and the pelvis benefit from the proposed riskTCM. On average, a reduction of effective dose of about 23% for the thorax, 31% for the abdomen, 24% for the pelvis, and 27% for the neck has been evaluated compared to today's state-of-the-art mAsTCM. For the head, the resulting reduction of effective dose is lower, about 13% on average compared tomAsTCM. With a risk-minimizing TCM, significant higher reduction of effective dose compared to mAs-minimizing TCM ispossible.

AMELIORATIONS OF MEDICINAL FRUIT EXTRACTS ON KIDNEY AGAINST FLUORIDE EXPOSURE IN MICE

This research work is the continuation of our previously published data on hepato-histopathological findings of fluoride exposure and the ameliorations by various plant fruit extracts. In the present research paper, we present histopathology patterns and the ameliorations in the kidney- the second vital body organ. Kidneys are amongst the most sensitive body organs. The study included the renal histopathological manifestations associated with exposure to 50ppm fluoride (F) (ad labitum) and the remedial potentials of vitamin E and fruit extracts of vitamin E, olive, strawberry, and pomegranate. 6 groups were made for the study, including 10 male albino mice (Mus musculus). Groups were symbolized as C (Control- no treatment), F (NaF), FE (NaF+VitaminE), FO (NaF+Olive), FP (NaF+Pomegranate) and FS (NaF+ Strawberry). All except the C group were exposed to 50 ppm F- ions (in drinking water) for 10 days, followed by the F free water for 5 days as a refractory period. During this period, 0.2mL of fruit extracts were given every 12hours to the animals NaF groups FE, FO, FP, and FS respectively via gavage. NaF group were recovered on the 16th day without any fruit extract, just with normal feed and drinking water. The kidneys of animals of all groups were dissected on the 16th day for histopathological evaluation. Results indicate modifications in renal histopathology due to fluoride exposure like the increased size of the glomerulus, lesions in the tubules, and the significant micrometric changes including increased CSA of proximal tubular area, enhanced tubular area, and tubular caliber. Ameliorative and nephro-rehabilitative effects against all such changes were observed in FE, FO, FP, and FS groups. The findings showed olive fruit pulp extract to be the most effective solution out of four medicinal fruit pulp extracts for rehabilitating the toxic manifestations of chronic exposure to the low dose of fluoride.

Geoneutrons

Neutrons in the environment are produced naturally and by anthropogenic activities. In nature neutrons come from interactions between cosmic rays, and their secondary particles, and nuclei in the atmosphere and the ground. Also, neutrons are produced during electric discharges in storms, the spontaneous fission and in (α, n) reactions occurring in the soil (Geoneutrons, Telluric neutrons or Geogenic neutrons). Along the chain decay of uranium and thorium in the soil several radioisotopes decay by α-emission, some alpha-particles have energies enough to induce (α, n) reactions in nuclei in the soil. Nevertheless the amount of Geoneutrons is small its characterization is scientifically valuable. In this work we present a model of Geoneutrons spectrum. Using Monte Carlo methods this model was used as source-term to estimate the neutron fluence and the absorbed doses in sensitive organs two hybrid BOMAB phantoms, one filled with air and another filled with tissue, where cells for sensitive organs were included. The measurement of Geoneutrons spectrum on ground surface is hard because the amount of neutrons is small and these neutrons are mixed with neutrons produced by Cosmic rays. In the aim to show the presence of Geoneutrons two simple experiments were carried out using pairs of thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD 600 and TLD 700) in two water-filled tanks, one buried on the ground and another on the floor. Geoneutron spectrum was fitted to a Evaporation model. Neutron fluences at each sensitive organ varies with the cell size and the position with respect to floor surface, the absorbed doses in the sensitive organs depend of neutron spectrum reaching the cells, the density and the elemental composition of the organs and the phantom. Thermal neutrons are larger in the buried detectors in comparison to those allocated at the ground surface.

Prosthetic management of an enucleated eye: A case report

A person becomes disabled on loss of any sense organ of which eye is one of the most sensitive organ. Loss of an eye can occur due to various reasons and can be rehabilitated using various materials and methods. Among the various materials used, resin has proved to be the most accurate material. Rehabilitation of the missing eye can be done using stock eye shell, custom made prosthesis or by customizing the stock eye. Our clinical report aims to show the fabrication of a semi-customized ocular prosthesis using stock iris and customized sclera. The patient was both psychologically and esthetically satisfied.

Properties of Chlorophyll Based Organic Dye Sensitizer Molecule Extracted in Various Solvents

Properties of Chlorophyll Based Organic Dye Sensitizer Molecule Extracted in Various Solvents

Electrical Performance of Dye Sensitized Solar Cell with the Extracts of Swamp Land Vegetation as Organic Dye Sensitizer

The electrical performance of dye sensitized solar cell with the extract of swamp land vegetation was conducted based on the extracts of bluebell (Ruellia tuberosa L.), flowers of ulam raja (Cosmos caudatus Kunth), and leaves of water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica). The electrical characteristics of DSSC was different for each dye sensitizer. The difference in electrical characteristics of DSSCs in the range of lighting source intensity 445 W/m2 - 845 W/m2 generated from solar lighting sources is generally higher than that generated from halogen lamp. Efficiency (η) of the conversion of light into electricity produced by DSSCs whose lighting sources from halogen lamps tend to decrease with the decreasing intensity of lighting sources, except for extract leaves of water spinach. The efficiency of the conversion of light into electricity produced by DSSC for extract leaves of water spinach on halogen lamps with the intensity of lighting sources 445 W/m2, 205 W/m2, and 100 W/m2, respectively 0.284%; 0.483%; and 0.983%.

Harmful Effect of Intrauterine Smoke Exposure on Neuronal Control of "Fetal Breathing System" in Stillbirths.

This article is aimed to contribute to the current knowledge on the role of toxic substances such as nicotine on sudden intrauterine unexplained deaths’ (SIUDS’) pathogenetic mechanisms. The in-depth histopathological examination of the autonomic nervous system in wide groups of victims of SIUDS (47 cases) and controls (20 cases), with both smoking and no-smoking mothers, highlighted the frequent presence of the hypodevelopment of brainstem structures checking the vital functions. In particular, the hypoplasia of the pontine parafacial nucleus together with hypoplastic lungs for gestational age were observed in SIUDS cases with mothers who smoked cigarettes, including electronic ones. The results allow us to assume that the products of cigarette smoke during pregnancy can easily cross the placental barrier, thus entering the fetal circulation and damaging the most sensitive organs, such as lungs and brain. In a non-negligible percentage of SIUDS, the mothers did not smoke. Furthermore, based on previous and ongoing studies conducted through analytical procedures and the use of scanning electron microscopy, the authors envisage the involvement of toxic nanoparticles (such as agricultural pesticides and nanomaterials increasingly used in biomedicine, bioscience and biotechnology) in the death pathogenesis, with similar mechanisms to those of nicotine.

Excited-state properties of newly sensitized imidazole-arylamine-based organic DSSC sensitizers in solvent and adsorbed on TiO2/FTO support

Six recently synthesized arylamine-imidazole combo dyes, utilized in dye-sensitized solar cells staining TiO2 semiconductor, were spectroscopically investigated. Studies were performed with application of steady-state and time-resolved absorption spectroscopies and were done on dyes dissolved in dichloromethane and anchored on TiO2/FTO film support. The investigations allowed to characterize the excited state decay dynamics of individual compounds, determine time constants of dye-to-TiO2 electron injection process for dyes adsorbed on TiO2/FTO support and subsequent recombination and dye regeneration dynamics. These studies were performed on bare dye/TiO2/FTO photoanodes in air environment and, if possible, on the same samples with dye layer immersed in electrolyte solution. These evaluations allowed to determine approximate time constants for dye regeneration and directed toward dye that reveals most advantageous properties and hypothetically should outperform its counterparts as TiO2 sensitizer.

Cataract: An Overview

Human eye is one of the most sensitive organs of human body and is permanently exposed to different environmental agents. Common disease of human eye includes conjunctivitis, cataract, ocular allergies, glaucoma and inflammation, etc. Herbal drugs are the main stay for the treatment of ocular diseases in the recent past in view of the side effects of allopathic drugs. Main cause of blindness in the world is cataract among which 50% of cases are even in both developed and developing countries. Cataract is an ocular disorder which is very often treated by means of low cost and safe surgical procedure. This review helps in brief description of literature related different plant materials that helps in the treatment of cataract without surgery.

Donor functionalized perylene and different π-spacer based sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cell applications - a theoretical approach.

A series of perylene-based novel metal-free organic dye sensitizers are designed and optimized for dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) applications. The electronic and optical properties are analyzed through density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) approach. For perylene-based donors, the effects of additional donor units and different π-spacer positions were investigated. Cyanovinyl and thiophene are used as π-spacers, dimethylamine (DM) and N-N-dimethylaniline (DMA) are used as additional donors, and cyanoacrylic acid is used as mono acceptor unit for the designed sensitizers. Natural bonding orbitals (NBOs), frontier molecular orbitals (FMO), UV-Vis, and nonlinear orbital analysis were predicted to find the net electron transfer, energy gap, absorption spectra, and electronic charge distribution for perylene-based dye sensitizers, respectively. The electron injection and electron regeneration properties were also analyzed for perylene-based sensitizers.

Comparative Study of Histopathological and Immunohistochemical Features of Biopsies of Patients of Lung Cancer

Introduction: When it comes to pollution, smoking, infections, tuberculosis (TB), and allergies, the lungs are the most sensitive organs to damage. Pleural fluid is a fluid that fills the parietal and visceral layers of the pleura that surround the lungs and helps to keep them moist. An investigation of the link between age, gender, and immunohistochemistry findings in lung and pleural biopsy samples was conducted. Materials and procedures: This is a four-year retrospective study that will take place between May 2017 and May 2021. In the current study, a total of 112 cases were submitted for histological investigation, with 100 instances using lung biopsy and 12 cases involving pleural biopsy being the most prevalent. Immunohistochemical testing was carried out as and when it was necessary. Results: A total of 100 lungs were examined. There were 56 cases of neoplastic tumours, 35 cases of non-neoplastic tumours, and nine cases of inconclusive tumours. The most common type of cancer was squamous cell carcinoma. The most prevalent non-neoplastic lesion was angioedema, which was the most common type of lesion (4 percent ). Patients with lung tumours who have malignancy outweigh those who have inflammatory illnesses at our institution. Seven of the 11 pleural biopsy cases were malignant, whereas the other eleven were not. Adenocarcinoma was the most common kind of neoplastic pleural lesion, followed by tuberculosis. Conclusion: The use of histopathology in the diagnosis of lung and pleural lesions is essential. It is possible to increase the accuracy of histological diagnosis with the use of immunohistochemistry. Keywords: Lung biopsy, pleural biopsy, histopathological examination.

DFT, DFTB and TD-DFT theoretical investigations of π-conjugated molecules based on thieno[2,3-b] indole for dye-sensitized solar cell applications

In this study, the electrochemical, photovoltaic and absorption properties of the new designed organic sensitizers dyes: Dye-1, Dye-2, Dye-3 and Dye-4 based on Dye-R, of D-π-A architecture, before and after binding to the TiO2 cluster surface on the ability to inject electrons to the surface. The D donor is the thieno[2,3-b] indole, π-spacer is thiophene, A acceptor is cycnoacrylic acid (CA). The properties were calculated using functional density theory (DFT), time-dependent TD-DFT and the density-functional tight-binding (DFTB) approach. Our study also focused on the analysis of the effects of the introduction of the auxiliary donor (D′)/acceptor (A′) groups on the main photovoltaic properties of the reference molecule Dye-R and to study the relationship between the molecular structure and optoelectronic properties. The analysis of the calculated properties of the new designed compounds D-D′-π-A (Dye-1), D-π-D′-A (Dye-2), D-A′-π-A (Dye-3) and D-π-A′-A (Dye-4), where A′ is benzothiadiazole and D′ is 9,9-diethyl-9H-fluorene, indicate that the molecular architecture has a significant effect on various properties of the studied dyes and that nature (donor D ′or acceptor A′) of the introduced groups, as well as the choice of their locations with respect to the π bridge, is of great importance. Indeed, among the four designed compounds Dye-4 (D-π-A′-A) and Dye-3 (D-A′-π-A) display significantly better properties than those of the reference molecule Dye-R (D-π-A) and of the two other designed dyes Dye-1 (D-D′-π-A), Dye-2 (D-π-D′-A).

Synergistic role of aluminium sulphate flocculation agent as bi-functional dye additive for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC)

In this study, an organic dye sensitizer derived from blackberry fruits was employed, and the influence of aluminium sulphate, Al2(SO4)3·H2O (alum) as a bi-functional (acidification and flocculation) additive in DSSC was investigated. The alum treated dye solution, ATD, was created by adding 0.1 g alum to the dye solution prior to the immersion operation. As reference, an untreated dye solution, UD, was created for comparative purposes. The TiO2 photoelectrodes were characterized through FESEM, EDXs, and XRD techniques, while the dye properties were investigated using UV-Vis and FTIR. Finally, I-V characteristic, IPCE and EIS measurements were used to assess the overall performances of DSSCs. Based on the findings, the photocurrent-voltage conversion efficiency of the ATD, and the non-treated (UD) dye sensitised DSSCs were found to be 0.64 ± 0.02% and 0.44 ± 0.02%, respectively. The role of alum in regulating the acidity of the blackberry dye solution in the ATD photoelectrode mimics the acid treatment process on TiO2 nanoparticles. Furthermore, the purification process of natural dye solution by the flocculation reaction of crude impurities (sugar, protein, etc.) purifies the dye solution even further. The ATD DSSC outperformed the UD by 45.50 ± 0.02% as a result of these combined effects.

Keeping It Local in Metabolic Disease: Adipose Tissue Paracrine Signaling and Insulin Resistance.

Alterations in adipose tissue composition and function are associated with obesity and contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes. While the significance of this relationship has been cemented, our understanding of the multifaceted role of adipose tissue in metabolic heath and disease continues to evolve and expand. Heterogenous populations of cells that make up adipose tissue throughout the body generate diverse secretomes containing a mosaic of bioactive compounds with vast structural and signaling capabilities. While there are many reports highlighting the important role of adipose tissue endocrine signaling in insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, the direct, local, paracrine effect of adipose tissue has received less attention. Recent studies have begun to underscore the importance of considering anatomically discrete adipose depots for their specific impact on local microenvironments and metabolic function in neighboring tissues as well as regulation of whole-body physiology. This article highlights the important role of adipose tissue paracrine signaling on metabolic function and insulin sensitivity in nearby tissues and organs, specifically focusing on visceral, pancreatic, subcutaneous, intermuscular, and perivascular adipose tissue depots.

Morphological analysis and stage determination of anther development in Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench

Main ConclusionThe characteristics of sorghum anthers at 18 classified developmental stages provide an important reference for future studies on sorghum reproductive biology and abiotic stress tolerance of sorghum pollen.Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) is the fifth-most important cereal crop in the world. It has relatively high resilience to drought and high temperature stresses during vegetative growing stages comparing to other major cereal crops. However, like other cereal crops, the sensitivity of male organ to heat and drought can severely depress sorghum yield due to reduced fertility and pollination efficiency if the stress occurs at the reproductive stage. Identification of the most vulnerable stages and the genes and genetic networks that differentially regulate the abiotic stress responses during anther development are two critical prerequisites for targeted molecular trait selection and for enhanced environmentally resilient sorghum in breeding using a variety of genetic modification strategies. However, in sorghum, anther developmental stages have not been determined. The distinctive cellular characteristics associated with anther development have not been well examined. Lack of such critical information is a major obstacle in the studies of anther and pollen development in sorghum. In this study, we examined the morphological changes of sorghum anthers at cellular level during entire male organ development processes using a modified high-throughput imaging variable pressure scanning electron microscopy and traditional light microscopy methods. We divided sorghum anther development into 18 distinctive stages and provided detailed description of the morphological changes in sorghum anthers for each stage. The findings of this study will serve as an important reference for future studies focusing on sorghum physiology, reproductive biology, genetics, and genomics.

Magnesium sulfate as a potential dye additive for chlorophyll-based organic sensitiser of the dye-sensitised solar cell (DSSC)

In this work, a new chlorophyll dye-sensitiser derived from mitragyna speciosa (MS) leaves, also known as Kratom, was employed for dye-sensitised solar cells (DSSCs). The influence of magnesium sulfate (MgSO4), a low-cost dye additive, and suitable extraction solvents on the performance of DSSCs were examined. Here, the optical properties were investigated using UV–Visible spectroscopy and the functional anchoring group were investigated by FTIR spectroscopy. Meanwhile, the photovoltaic parameters were investigated by I-V measurements. The highest conversion efficiency is obtained when using a dye extracted from methanol solvent in combination with MgSO4 additive, namely methanolic magnesium sulfate (MMSO). This higher power conversion efficiency is mainly attributed to the enhancement of the hydroxyl group in the MMSO dye solutions, which promotes higher dye adsorption and provides an organic dye passivation layer that reduces back-recombination in the cell. Furthermore, MgSO4 aids in the replenishment of magnesium lost in the chlorophyll porphyrin ring during the degradation process. These combined effects have contributed to the overall conversion efficiency of the MMSO cell at 0.26 %, followed by 0.24 % for ethanolic magnesium sulfate (EMSO), respectively.

Role of alkyl groups regulating recombination and mass transport at cobalt electrolyte-dye interface in dye sensitized solar cells

Cobalt-based one electron outer-sphere redox mediators are considered as promising alternatives to conventional I3−/I− redox electrolyte in dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC). So far, [Co(bpy)3]3+/2+ is one among the most extensively studied alternate cobalt electrolyte used in DSSC. The performance of these alternate cobalt redox shuttles varies extensively with respect to the organic sensitizers. Hence, cobalt redox mediators' selectivity as a function of structural variations in dyes needs to be studied to understand the intermolecular interactions and their effect on various charge transfer processes. In the present work, we systematically investigated the structure-property correlations of two cobalt redox mediators, [Co(bpy)3]3+/2+ and [Co(tbpy)3]3+/2+ with variable alkyl functionality (with and without t-butyl substituent) at the periphery with two carbazole based D-π-A sensitizers, CCN and TCCN having similar peripheral substituents and its role in regulating recombination and mass transport. Photovoltaic measurements reveal that even with mass transport limitation, bulky t-butyl groups effectively suppressed recombination between TiO2 and redox mediator, leading to a longer lifetime and higher open-circuit potential. Our results provide insight into the need for custom dye design, which extends the possibility of using non-conventional cobalt electrolytes like [Co(tbpy)3]3+/2+ offering better charge transfer properties.