Physicochemical Characteristics Research Articles

Hydrogen-rich syngas upgrading via CO2 adsorption by amine-functionalized Cu-BTC: the effect of different amines.

Syngas produced from supercritical water gasification typically contain a high amount of CO2 along with H2. In order to improve the quality of syngas, amine-functionalized copper benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate (Cu-BTC) was synthesized as an effective adsorbent for selective removal of CO2 from syngas to increase the concentration of H2. The amines used in this study included monoethanolamine (MEA), ethylenediamine (EDA), and polyethyleneimine (PEI). The fundamental physicochemical character of adsorbents, CO2 adsorption capacity, and CO2/H2 selectivity were analyzed. The physicochemical characterization indicated that the structure of amine-functionalized Cu-BTC was partially damaged, which resulted in a decrease in specific surface area and pore volume. On the other hand, the enlarged pore size was beneficial for the mass transfer of gas in the adsorbent. Among these adsorbents, Cu-BTC/PEI exhibited the maximum CO2 adsorption capacity of 3.83mmol/g and the highest CO2/H2 selectivity of 19.74. It was found that the adsorption pressure is the most significant factor for the CO2 adsorption capacity. Lower temperature and higher pressure were favored for CO2 adsorption capacity and CO2/H2 selectivity, so physical adsorption by Cu-BTC played a dominant role. Moreover, Cu-BTC/PEI can be well-regenerated with stable adsorption efficiency after five consecutive cycles. These findings suggested that Cu-BTC/PEI could be a promising alternative adsorbent for CO2 capture from syngas.

Amyloid-like Aggregation of Wheat Gluten and Its Components during Cooking: Mechanisms and Structural Characterization.

Amyloid-like aggregation widely occurs during the processing and production of natural proteins, with evidence indicating its presence following the thermal processing of wheat gluten. However, significant gaps remain in understanding the underlying fibrillation mechanisms and structural polymorphisms. In this study, the amyloid-like aggregation behavior of wheat gluten and its components (glutenin and gliadin) during cooking was systematically analyzed through physicochemical assessment and structural characterization. The presence of amyloid-like fibrils (AFs) was confirmed using X-ray diffraction and Congo red staining, while Thioflavin T fluorescence revealed different patterns and rates of AFs growth among wheat gluten, glutenin, and gliadin. AFs in gliadin exhibited linear growth curves, while those in gluten and glutenin showed S-shaped curves, with the shortest lag phase and fastest growth rate (t1/2 = 2.11 min) observed in glutenin. Molecular weight analyses revealed AFs primarily in the 10-15 kDa range, shifting to higher weights over time. Glutenin-derived AFs had the smallest ζ-potential value (-19.5 mV) and the most significant size increase post cooking (approximately 400 nm). AFs in gluten involve interchain reorganization, hydrophobic interactions, and conformational transitions, leading to additional cross β-sheets. Atomic force microscopy depicted varying fibril structures during cooking, notably longer, taller, and stiffer AFs from glutenin.

On Tautomerism and Amphoterism: An In-Depth Structural and Physicochemical Characterization of Ammeline and Some of Its Salts.

Ammeline is a simple, readily available, molecular compound, which has been known for nearly 200 years. Despite that, no proper structural characterization of ammeline has been conducted so far. For this reason, the prevalent tautomeric form of ammeline in the solid remained unknown to this date. In the course of this study, its crystal structure was finally established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In this structure, ammeline is exclusively found as its 4,6‑diamino-1,3,5-triazin-2(1H)-one tautomer and adopts layered structure with an exceptionally high hydrogen bond density. Ammeline shows an interesting amphoteric behavior. Therefore, the synthesis and structural characterization of some of its salts were carried out to investigate the influence of the protonation degree on its molecular structure. In particular, the crystal structure of silver ammelinate monohydrate was solved as the first reported structure containing deprotonated ammeline. Moreover, the crystal structures of three different modifications of ammelinium perchlorate were elucidated and the transformation conditions between them were studied. Lastly, the crystal structure of ammelinediium diperchlorate monohydrate, containing unprecedented doubly protonated ammeline, was determined. The products' thermal behavior was studied by differential thermal analysis and thermogravimetric analysis. The perchlorate salts were additionally examined for their potential as insensitive high-energy-density materials.

Physicochemical Characterization, Antioxidant and Tyrosinase Inhibitory Activities of Coffea Robusta Monofloral Honey from Dak Lak Province, Vietnam.

Robusta coffee blossom honey stands as a key regional product in Dak Lak province, Vietnam. Despite its significance, there exists a dearth of scientific data for assessing its quality. This study aims to fill this gap by characterizing the physicochemical properties and biological activities of coffee blossom honeys from three distinct sub-regions within Dak Lak province, Vietnam. These activities include ferric reducing power (FRP), DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging, as well as tyrosinase inhibitory activities. Moreover, the study compares these honey samples with other popular varieties in Vietnam, such as Lychee and Longan honeys. The physicochemical parameters of the honey samples meet the standards set by Codex Alimentarius 2001. Through UPLC analysis, eleven compounds were identified, with caffeine serving as a marker for coffee honey. Furthermore, by employing multiple factor analysis (MFA), it was observed that certain physicochemical properties correlate positively with tyrosinase inhibitory, DPPH, ABTS free radicals scavenging activities, and FRP. Notably, tyrosinase inhibitory activity exhibited a positive correlation with antioxidant activity. These findings underscore the high quality of Coffea robusta honey, showcasing its potent antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitory activities.

Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) grown at “Patata dell'alto Viterbese” PGI have different quality characteristics and storage responses

Four pre-selected potato cultivars (Solanum tuberosum L.) from the “Patata dell’Alto Viterbese” PGI area underwent physico-chemical and enzymatic characterization to assess their suitability for specific processing line. Key chemical parameters (reducing sugar content (RSC), total phenol content (TPC), dry matter (DM), physical attributes (firmness), physico-chemical aspects (color, browning development), and enzymatic factors (polyphenol oxidase enzyme activity, PPO) were analyzed at harvest and monthly during a 6-month storage period over two production seasons (2020 and 2021). The results of one-way within-subject ANOVA and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) highlighted the superior attributes of the ‘Fontane’ cultivar for the processing industry, particularly for frying applications (e.g., chips, French fries, etc.). In comparison to other tested cultivars, ‘Fontane’ exhibited: i) the highest DM (> 200 g kg−1), ii) the lowest TPC and RSC, iii) the greatest firmness, iv) low susceptibility to browning, and v) high tolerance to Low-Temperature Sweetening (LTS). The ‘Jelly’ cultivar displayed favorable attributes for versatile use, suitable for both fresh market uses (roasting, homemade “gnocchi”, etc.) and industrial applications (fresh-cut or dried potato). It demonstrated high DM content (200 g kg−1) and firmness, the lowest PPO activity, good TPC, but higher RSC than ‘Fontane’. However, elevated RSC for ‘Jelly’ renders it less suitable for industrial frying. ‘Constance’ and ‘Gaudi’ exhibited positive traits for fresh market use such as boiling and steaming, with moderate to low DM content and firmness. Nonetheless, both cultivars displayed low tolerance to LTS, and ‘Gaudi’ exhibited the poorest processing properties, showing the highest susceptibility to browning.

Dynamic Monitoring of Biomolecular Hydrodynamic Dimensions by Magnetization Motion on Quartz Crystal Microbalance.

Hydrodynamic dimension (HD) is the primary indicator of the size of bioconjugated particles and biomolecules. It is an important parameter in the study of solid-liquid two-phase dynamics. HD dynamic monitoring is crucial for precise and customized medical research as it enables the investigation of the continuous changes in the physicochemical characteristics of biomolecules in response to external stimuli. However, current HD measurements based on Brownian motion, such as dynamic light scattering (DLS), are inadequate for meeting the polydisperse sample demands of dynamic monitoring. In this paper, we propose MMQCM method samples of various types and HD dynamic monitoring. An alternating magnetic field of frequency ωm excites biomolecule-magnetic bead particles (bioMBs) to generate magnetization motion, and the quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) senses this motion to provide HD dynamic monitoring. Specifically, the magnetization motion is modulated onto the thickness-shear oscillation of the QCM at the frequency ωq. By analysis of the frequency spectrum of the QCM output signal, the ratio of the magnitudes of the real and imaginary parts of the components at frequency ωq ± 2ωm is extracted to characterize the particle size. Using the MMQCM approach, we successfully evaluated the size of bioMBs with different biomolecule concentrations. The 30 min HD dynamic monitoring was implemented. An increase of ∼10 nm in size was observed upon biomolecular structural stretching. Subsequently, the size of bioMBs gradually reduced due to the continuous dissociation of biomolecules, with a total reduction of 20∼40 nm. This HD dynamic monitoring demonstrates that the release of biomolecules can be regulated by controlling the duration of magnetic stimulation, providing valuable insights and guidance for controlled drug release in personalized precision medicine.

Genome wide analysis of carotenoid cleavage oxygenases (CCO) gene family in Arachis hypogaea (peanut) under biotic stress

Carotenoid cleavage oxygenases (CCOs) enzymes play a vital role in plant growth and development through the synthesis of apocarotenoids and their derivative. These chemicals are necessary for flower and fruit coloration, as well as the manufacture of plant hormones such as abscisic acid (ABA) and strigolactones, which control a variety of physiological processes. The CCOs gene family has not been characterized in Arachis hypogaea. Genome mining of A. hypogaea identifies 24 AhCCO gene members. The AhCCO gene family was divided into two subgroups based on the recent study of the Arabidopsis thaliana CCO gene family classification system. Twenty-three AhCCO genes, constituting 95.8% of the total, were regulated by 29 miRNAs, underscoring the significance of microRNAs (miRNAs) in governing gene expression in peanuts. AhCCD19 is the only gene that lacks a miRNA target site. The physicochemical characteristics of CCO genes and their molecular weights and isoelectric points were studied further. The genes were then characterized regarding chromosomal distribution, structure, and promoter cis-elements. Light, stress development, drought stress, and hormone responsiveness were discovered to be associated with AhCCO genes, which can be utilized in developing more resilient crops. The investigation also showed the cellular location of the encoded proteins and discovered that the peanut carotenoid oxygenase gene family’s expansion was most likely the result of tandem, segmental, and whole-genome duplication events. The localization expresses the abundance of genes mostly in the cytoplasm and chloroplast. Expression analysis shows that AhCCD7 and AhCCD14 genes show the maximum expression in the apical meristem, lateral leaf, and pentafoliate leaf development, while AhNCED9 and AhNCED13 express in response to Aspergillus flavus resistance. This knowledge throws light on the evolutionary history of the AhCCO gene family and may help researchers better understand the molecular processes behind gene duplication occurrences in plants. An integrated synteny study was used to find orthologous carotenoid oxygenase genes in A. hypogaea, whereas Arabidopsis thaliana and Beta vulgaris were used as references for the functional characterization of peanut CCO genes. These studies provide a foundation for future research on the regulation and functions of this gene family. This information provides valuable insights into the genetic regulation of AhCCO genes. This technology could create molecular markers for breeding programs to develop new peanut lines.

Nanoemulsion‐laden poly(vinyl) alcohol hydrogel films for transdermal delivery of carbamazepine

AbstractThere is an unmet demand for transdermal devices that can deliver large dose of medications through the skin. Herein, nanoemulsion‐based poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) transdermal hydrogel films were developed for the high‐dose anti‐epileptic drug carbamazepine. A stable nanoemulsion was created with almond oil, Tween 60, and amphiphilic locust bean gum. The nanoemulsion had a hydrodynamic diameter of 251 nm, a polydispersity of 10.3%, and a zeta potential of −51.2 mV. Carbamazepine‐loaded nanoemulsion was blended with carbamazepine‐free PVA dispersion and casted into films. To accommodate a high dose, carbamazepine‐loaded nanoemulsion was trapped in a PVA dispersion containing carbamazepine to create transdermal films. The physicochemical characteristics and drug penetration characteristics of the produced films were compared. Both films had the uniform thickness, weight, and drug content. The folding endurance was found to be greater than 700 in both cases. Water vapor permeability decreased when carbamazepine was added to almond oil as well as polymer dispersion. FESEM pictures revealed a waxy paper‐like appearance for the PVA hydrogel film with dual drug‐reservoirs. FTIR spectra assessment revealed a hydrogen bonding interaction between PVA and carbamazepine. X‐ray diffraction examination revealed that the film contained an amorphous dispersion of carbamazepine. Dual carbamazepine reservoir‐based films outperformed single nanoemulsion drug reservoir‐based films in terms of drug flux through excised rat skin by 3.2 times. The in vitro skin permeation findings corresponded well to zero order kinetic models. Overall, this study showed that a high‐dose drug could be placed on nanoemulsion‐based transdermal PVA hydrogel films, resulting in improved skin permeability.Highlights Nanoemulsion was stable at almond oil:Tween 60/modified gum ratio of 5:5. Loading of high dose carbamazepine in nanoemulsion‐PVA transdermal films. Film of dual carbamazepine reservoir showed low water vapor permeation, moisture retention. Flux of carbamazepine from films improved three times through excised rat skin.

A Phosphine-Oxide Cobalt(II) Complex and Its Catalytic Activity Studies toward Alcohol Dehydrogenation Triggered Direct Synthesis of Imines and Quinolines.

Herein, a new pincer-like amino phosphine donor ligand, H2L1, and its phosphine-oxide analog, H2L2, were synthesized. Subsequently, cobalt(II) complexes 1 and 2 were synthesized by the reaction of anhydrous Co(II)Cl2 with ligands H2L1 and H2L2, respectively. The ligands and complexes were fully characterized by various physicochemical and spectroscopic characterization techniques. Finally, the identity of the complexes 1 and 2 was confirmed by single crystal X-ray structure determination. The phosphine ligand containing complex 1 was converted to the phosphine oxide ligand containing complex 2 in air in acetonitrile solution. Both complexes 1 and 2 were investigated as precatalysts for alcohol dehydrogenation-triggered synthesis of imines in air. The phosphine-oxide complex 2 was more efficient than the phosphine complex 1. A wide array of alcohols and amines were successfully reacted in a mild condition to result in imines in good to excellent yields. Precatalyst 2 was also highly efficient for the synthesis of varieties of quinolines in air. As H2L2 in 2 has side arms that can be deprotonated, we investigated complex 2 for its base (KOtBu) promoted deprotonation events by various spectroscopic studies and DFT calculations. These studies have shown that mono deprotonation of the amine side arm attached to the pyridine is quite feasible, and deprotonation of complex 2 leads to a dearomatized pyridyl ring containing complex 2a. The mechanistic investigations of the catalytic reaction, by a combination of experimental and computational studies, have suggested that the dearomatized complex, 2a acted as an active catalyst. The reaction proceeded through the hydride transfer pathway. The activation barrier of this step was calculated to be 26.5 kcal/mol, which is quite consistent with the experimental reaction temperature under aerobic conditions. Although various pincer-like complexes are explored for such reactions, phosphine oxide ligand-containing complexes are still unexplored.

Water Quality and Environmental Health of Lakes in Coimbatore, India: A Comprehensive Study of the Physicochemical Characteristics

The deterioration of lake water quality is a major national issue, particularly in regions with industrial activity. This study assesses the water quality of five lakes in Coimbatore, India: Krishnampathi, Ukkadam, Kurichi, Sulur, and Singanallur, between December 2016 and April 2017. Twenty physicochemical parameters were analysed following standard procedures outlined by the American Public Health Association. Twelve heavy metal elements concentration in the lakes was analysed using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy. The results of this study revealed that the values of 17 physicochemical parameters fell beyond the WHO recommended pollution levels in all the study sites, except Sodium, Nitrate, and Sulphate. While, the concentration of 10 heavy metal elements determined were within acceptable limits of WHO-recommended standards for drinking water across all lakes, except Fe and Pb. F-test revealed that the concentration of all the physicochemical parameters varied significantly across all the study sites, except for pH (P = .749). Statistical analysis such as principal component analysis was adopted, and the results were discussed on the multivariate relationships of the physiochemical parameters and heavy metal concentrations of the five study sites. Overall, the findings highlight the urgent need for continuous monitoring and comprehensive management strategies to mitigate the deteriorating water quality in the lakes of Coimbatore district, emphasizing the critical importance of addressing the multitude of factors contributing to this environmental challenge.

Physico-chemical and correlation study of ground drinking water of Tonk district of Rajasthan (India)

This study investigates the qualitative analysis of groundwater obtained from the Tonk district of Rajasthan to determine its suitability as potable water. Around 321 ground drinking water samples were collected and analysed for various physico-chemical characteristics including pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solid (TDS), HCO3−, F−, Cl−, SO42−, NO3−, Ca2+, Mg2+, total hardness (TH) and total alkalinity (TA) in Tonk district of Rajasthan (India). The groundwater in the region is a little alkaline and hard. The EC during the pre-monsoon period varies from 434 to 7271 µS/cm, while in the post-monsoon period, it ranges from 356 to 8871 µS/cm. TDS of samples ranged between 285 to 5090 mg/L in the pre-monsoon and 247 to 6140 mg/L post-monsoon seasons. Few samples have EC, TDS, and TH levels higher than the permissible limit, restricts its usage as drinking water. The water quality in the study area varies from soft-fresh to hard-brackish in both pre- and post-monsoon seasons. Anion concentrations in analysed samples followed the order: HCO3− > Cl− > SO42− > NO3− > F−. Notably, the Water quality index (WQI) results for all collected samples fall within the range of 4.55–96.83, indicating they are considered safe and suitable for drinking purposes. Water quality data was analysed by correlation study and geochemical processes. A strong correlation between the Water Quality Index (WQI) and fluoride levels is found in both seasons. The geochemical analysis shows that most of the samples are in the rock water interaction zone, with some in the evaporation zone due to the high content of chloride ions. The groundwater chemistry appears to be influenced by rock-water interaction and evaporation sedimentation. The molar ratio of Ca2+/Mg2+ denotes calcite dissolution and silicate weathering revealing enrichment of Ca2+ and HCO3− ions in aquifer.

The Role of AI in Drug Discovery.

The emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in drug discovery marks a pivotal shift in pharmaceutical research, blending sophisticated computational techniques with conventional scientific exploration to break through enduring obstacles. This review paper elucidates the multifaceted applications of AI across various stages of drug development, highlighting significant advancements and methodologies. It delves into AI's instrumental role in drug design, polypharmacology, chemical synthesis, drug repurposing, and the prediction of drug properties such as toxicity, bioactivity, and physicochemical characteristics. Despite AI's promising advancements, the paper also addresses the challenges and limitations encountered in the field, including data quality, generalizability, computational demands, and ethical considerations. By offering a comprehensive overview of AI's role in drug discovery, this paper underscores the technology's potential to significantly enhance drug development, while also acknowledging the hurdles that must be overcome to fully realize its benefits.

In vitro simulated digestion and fermentation characteristics of pectic polysaccharides from fresh passion fruit (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa L.) peel

In this study, two pectic polysaccharides (PFP-T and PFP-UM) were extracted from fresh passion fruit peels using three-phase partitioning (TPP) and sequential ultrasound-microwave-assisted TPP methods, respectively, and their effects on the in vitro gastrointestinal digestion and fecal fermentation characteristics were examined. The results indicate that gastrointestinal digestion has a minimal effect on the physicochemical and structural characteristics of PFP-T and PFP-UM. However, during in vitro fecal fermentation, both undigested PFP-T and PFP-UM are significantly degraded and utilized by intestinal microorganisms, showing increased the total relative abundance of Firmicutes and Bacteroidota in the intestinal flora. Notably, compared with PFP-UM, PFP-T better promoted the reproduction of beneficial bacteria such as Prevotella, Megasphaera and Dialister, while suppressed the growth of harmful genera including Escherichia-Shigella, producing higher content of short-chain fatty acids. Therefore, our findings suggest that PFP-T derived from passion fruit peel has potential as a dietary supplement for promoting intestinal health.

Inhalation of Microplastics—A Toxicological Complexity

Humans are chronically exposed to airborne microplastics (MPs) by inhalation. Various types of polymer particles have been detected in lung samples, which could pose a threat to human health. Inhalation toxicological studies are crucial for assessing the effects of airborne MPs and for exposure-reduction measures. This communication paper addresses important health concerns related to MPs, taking into consideration three levels of complexity, i.e., the particles themselves, the additives present in the plastics, and the exogenous substances adsorbed onto them. This approach aims to obtain a comprehensive toxicological profile of deposited MPs in the lungs, encompassing local and systemic effects. The physicochemical characteristics of MPs may play a pivotal role in lung toxicity. Although evidence suggests toxic effects of MPs in animal and cell models, no established causal link with pulmonary or systemic diseases in humans has been established. The transfer of MPs and associated chemicals from the lungs into the bloodstream and/or pulmonary circulation remains to be confirmed in humans. Understanding the toxicity of MPs requires a multidisciplinary investigation using a One Health approach.

PEG-crosslinked O-carboxymethyl chitosan films with degradability and antibacterial activity for food packaging

This study developed a kind of PEG-crosslinked O-carboxymethyl chitosan (O-CMC–PEG) with various PEG content for food packaging. The crosslinking agent of isocyanate-terminated PEG was firstly synthesized by a simple condensation reaction between PEG and excess diisocyanate, then the crosslink between O-carboxymethyl chitosan (O-CMC) and crosslinking agent occurred under mild conditions to produce O-CMC–PEG with a crosslinked structure linked by urea bonds. FT-IR and 1H NMR techniques were utilized to confirm the chemical structures of the crosslinking agent and O-CMC–PEGs. Extensive research was conducted to investigate the impact of the PEG content (or crosslinking degree) on the physicochemical characteristics of the casted O-CMC–PEG films. The results illuminated that crosslinking and components compatibility could improve their tensile features and water vapor barrier performance, while high PEG content played the inverse effects due to the microphase separation between PEG and O-CMC segments. The in vitro degradation rate and water sensitivity primarily depended on the crosslinking degree in comparison with the PEG content. Furthermore, caused by the remaining –NH2 groups of O-CMC, the films demonstrated antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. When the PEG content was 6% (medium crosslinking degree), the prepared O-CMC–PEG−6% film possessed optimal tensile features, high water resistance, appropriate degradation rate, low water vapor transmission rate and fine broad-spectrum antibacterial capacity, manifesting a great potential for application in food packaging to extend the shelf life.

Pistia Stratiotes based heavy metals phytoremediation of a Himalayan river impacted by hydroelectric plant in an Indo Burma hotspot region

ABSTRACT Present study attempts to study the impact of Serlui-B hydroelectric dam on water quality (‘water-energy nexus’) of a Himalayan river and to devise possible phytotechnology for heavy metals remediation. Physico-chemical characteristics of water were analyzed using ‘American Public Health Association (APHA)’ methods while Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) was used for estimation of heavy metals. To this end, concentrations of Fe and Ni were recorded above permissible limit which can impose public health risks. Therefore, phytoremediation experiments were performed by using Pistia stratiotes L. (water lettuce) and effects of Fe and Ni concentrations (1.0, 2.0, and 5.0 mg/L) on photosynthetic pigments were observed. Phytoremediation investigations using 24 aquaria (of 40.5 L) revealed that P. stratiotes was an effective hyperaccumulator of Fe and Ni with maximum removal efficiency of 96.2% and 92%, respectively. In relation to bioaccumulation indices, the bioconcentration factor (BCF) values decreased with increase in Fe and Ni concentrations, whereas the translocation factor (TF) was noted higher at low concentrations and vice versa. Furthermore, the total chlorophyll content and carotenoid levels in P. stratiotes demonstrated negative significant correlation with the rise in Fe/Ni concentrations that may be considered as an adaptive biochemical strategy to mitigate metals induced oxidative stress. The present study can further be extrapolated to field phytoremediation for ameliorating both physico-chemical and metallic contaminants. Last, the role of microbial biodiversity associated with P. stratiotes should be elucidated in future to help achieve SDG 6 and environmental sustainability.

VR23 and Bisdemethoxycurcumin Enhanced Nanofiber Niche with Durable Bidirectional Functions for Promoting Wound Repair and Inhibiting Scar Formation.

Chronic wounds pose a significant clinical challenge worldwide, which is characterized by impaired tissue regeneration and excessive scar formation due to over-repair. Most studies have focused on developing wound repair materials that either facilitate the healing process or control hyperplastic scars caused by over-repair, respectively. However, there are limited reports on wound materials that can both promote wound healing and prevent scar hyperplasia at the same time. In this study, VR23-loaded dendritic mesoporous bioglass nanoparticles (dMBG) are synthesized and electrospun in poly(ester-curcumin-urethane)urea (PECUU) random composite nanofibers (PCVM) through the synergistic effects of physical adsorption, hydrogen bond, and electrospinning. The physicochemical characterization reveals that PCVM presented matched mechanical properties, suitable porosity, and wettability, and enabled sustained and temporal release of VR23 and BDC with the degradation of PCVM. In vitro experiments demonstrated that PCVM can modulate the functions and polarization of macrophages under an inflammatory environment, and possess effective anti-scarring potential and reliable cytocompatibility. Animal studies further confirmed that PCVM can efficiently promote re-epithelialization and angiogenesis and reduce excessive inflammation, thereby remarkably accelerating wound healing while preventing potential scarring. These findings suggest that the prepared PCVM holds promise as a bidirectional regulatory dressing for effectively promoting scar-free healing of chronic wounds.

Preparation and Preliminary Analysis of Several Nanoformulations Based on Plant Extracts and Biodegradable Polymers as a Possible Application for Chronic Venous Disease Therapy

Nanotechnology is one of the newest directions for plant-based therapies. Chronic venous disease often predisposes to long-term and invasive treatment. This research focused on the inclusion of vegetal extracts from Sophorae flos (SE), Calendulae flos (CE), and Ginkgo bilobae folium (GE) in formulations with PHB and PLGA polymers and their physicochemical characterization as a preliminary stage for possible use in the development of a complex therapeutic product. The samples were prepared by an oil–water emulsification and solvent evaporation technique, resulting in suspensions with high spreadability and a pH of 5.5. ATR-FTIR analysis revealed bands for stretching vibrations (O-H, C=O, and C-H in symmetric and asymmetric methyl and methylene) in the same regions as the base components, but switched to high or low wavenumbers and absorbance, highlighting the formation of adducts/complexes between the extracts and polymers. The obtained formulations were in the amorphous phase, as confirmed by XRD analysis. AFM analysis emphasized the morphological peculiarities of the extract–polymer nanoformulations. It could be noticed that, in the case of SE-based formulations, the dominant characteristics for SE-PHB and SE-PLGA composition were the formation of random large (SE-PHB) and smaller uniform (SE-PLGA) particles; further on, these particles tended to aggregate in the case of SE-PHB-PLGA. For the CE- and GE-based formulations, the dominant surface morphology was their porosity, generally with small pores, but larger cavities were observed in some cases (CE- and GE-PHB). The highest roughness values at the (8 µm × 8 μm) scale were found for the following samples and succession: CE-PHB < SE-PLGA < SE-PHB-PLGA. In addition, by thermogravimetric analysis, impregnation in the matrix of compression stockings was evaluated, which varied in the following order: CE-polymer > SE-polymer > GE-polymer. In conclusion, nine vegetal extract–polymer nanoformulations were prepared and preliminarily characterized (by advanced physicochemical methods) as a starting point for further optimization, stability studies, and possible use in complex pharmaceutical products.

Anaerobic sludge from a full-scale biodigester: physico-chemical and organic characterization, and principal component analysis (PCA)

The biological transformation of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste into bioenergy yields a solid digested material known as anaerobic sludge, comprising a mixture of organic and inorganic substances. This sludge holds significant potential as a renewable resource for agricultural reuse. However, there is also the potential risk of contamination from this material in receiving environments. Therefore, it is crucial to assess the characteristics of this material to ensure compliance with local regulations regarding its soil application, aiming to avoid adverse environmental impacts and ensure proper and viable disposal. In this study, conducted to explore the characteristics of bottom sludge collected from a pilot-scale anaerobic biodigester, various parameters were analyzed. The biodigester in question had a capacity of 1300 liters and a useful volume of 1000 liters, digesting food waste and water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) in a ratio of 20% in terms of volatile solids from the macrophyte to the volatile solids of the food waste. A multivariate analysis was conducted on the following parameters: metals (Al, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Pb, Se, V, Zn, Na, and K); total, fixed, and volatile solids; alkalinity; volatile fatty acids; ammonia; Kjeldahl nitrogen (NTK); and organic, inorganic, and total carbon (COT), to observe possible correlations among these parameters. Additionally, the sludge underwent nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis for detection and characterization of organic compounds. This approach provided a deeper understanding of the properties of anaerobic sludge produced strictly under the aforementioned conditions, contributing to further research in the field.

CgSSR marker based trait associations for Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier) resistance in stored paddy rice

Rice is stored for a longer time and many primary and secondary insect pests attack grains, causing both quantitative and qualitative losses. Physicochemical characteristics of grain influence stored grain insect susceptibility and resistance. Identification of gene/Quantitative Trait Loci (QTLs) and introgression in the cultivars would provide the desired solution for varietal resistance against S. cerealella. A group of 80 rice varieties was used for genetic analysis for the identification of candidate genes responsible for Sitotroga cerealella resistance. Heat maps derived from values in the kinship matrix were used to group the varieties into three subpopulations. The largest subpopulation has 34 varieties, while the lowest had 19. The first three principal components (PCs) explained 16, 9, and 6 percent of total variation, respectively, as indicated by the Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The PCA results complemented the heat map results in defining population structure. Genome-wide association mapping can detect marker-trait associations/QTLs in a heterogeneous population of breeding lines, despite population structure and unequal family relatedness. As shown by the Genomic Association and Prediction Integrated Tool (GAPIT) heat map, there are three subpopulations in the association mapping panel. Two cgSSR markers, related to gene SDG725 and FLO2, were linked to the attributes and responsible for conferring resistance against S. cerealella infestation. This is the first report of association and that would help in the development of cultivar with S. cerealella resistance.