Presence Of Calcium Research Articles

Enzymatisches Upcycling von PET‐Abfällen zu Calcium‐Terephthalat für Batterieanoden

AbstractBiotechnologisches Recycling bietet eine vielversprechende Lösung für die Umweltprobleme im Zusammenhang mit Kunststoffabfällen, insbesondere für Polyethylenterephthalat (PET), das häufig in Verpackungsmaterialien und Textilien verwendet wird. Um die Entwicklung einer biobasierten Kreislaufwirtschaft für Kunststoffe voranzutreiben, sind innovative Upcycling‐Strategien erforderlich, mit denen höherwertige Produkte erzeugt werden können. In dieser Studie verbesserten wir die enzymatische Depolymerisation von PET‐Abfall, indem wir hochkonzentrierte Kalziumionen (bis zu 1 m) in die hydrolytische Reaktion einbrachten, die durch das beste derzeit bekannte Enzym LCCICCG katalysiert wird. Das Vorhandensein von Kalziumionen verbesserte nicht nur die thermische Stabilität und Aktivität des Biokatalysators, sondern verringerte auch den Basenverbrauch, der zur Aufrechterhaltung eines optimalen pH‐Wertes erforderlich ist, erheblich. Unter optimierten Bedingungen bei 80 °C für 12 Stunden konnten wir ≈84 % des PET‐Abfalls (200 g L−1) erfolgreich in festes hydratisiertes Kalziumterephthalat (CaTP ⋅ 3H2O) als Hauptprodukt anstelle von löslichem Terephthalatsalz umwandeln. CaTP ⋅ 3H2O konnte leicht gereinigt und als Rohstoff für die Herstellung von Batterieelektroden verwendet werden und wies eine anfängliche reversible spezifische Kapazität von 164.2 mAh g−1 auf. Durch eine techno‐ökonomische Analyse konnten wir schlüssig nachweisen, dass die auf Biokatalyse basierende Eintopfsynthese von CaTP eine bessere PET‐Upcycling‐Strategie ist als die sekundäre Synthesemethode, bei der recycelte Terephthalsäure verwendet wird.

Impact of the coronary artery calcium score on the cardiovascular preventive management of asymptomatic patients with diabetes

Abstract Background Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring with non-contrast computed tomography is increasingly used for cardiovascular risk stratification and provides a measure of coronary atherosclerotic burden of particular interest for risk stratification in patients with diabetes. We aimed to assess the impact of CAC on the management of asymptomatic patients with diabetes. Methods We studied consecutive asymptomatic patients who underwent CAC for cardiovascular risk stratification for diabetes, from 01/2014 to 12/2020. The study population was subdivided according to the CAC score into 4 subgroups: CAC=0, CAC 1-99, CAC 100-399 and CAC ≥400. We focused on the prescription of aspirin, lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP1-RA) before and within 6 months after CAC estimation. Results We studied 371 patients (mean age 59.9 ± 10.6 years, 49.3% males). The study population was subdivided according to CAC as follows: CAC = 0 (N=90, 24.3%); CAC 1-99 (N=111, 29.9%); CAC 100-399 (N=70, 18.9%); CAC ≥400 (N=100, 26.9%). Patients with higher CAC (100-399 and CAC ≥400) were older, more often males and had higher prevalence of hypertension and dyslipidaemia. At baseline, the prescription of aspirin and lipid-lowering drugs was statistically higher in presence of CAC>100 (all p<0.001) while no difference was found regarding GLP1-RA prescription among the 4 subgroups (Figure). After CAC estimation, we found no modification in prescription of aspirin in patients with CAC=0 and CAC 1-99. Conversely, aspirin prescription significantly increased from 27.1% to 41.4% and from 40 to 56% in CAC 100-399 and CAC≥400 (p=0.002 and p<0.001), respectively. Similarly, significant changes (initiation or intensification) of LLT were only observed in presence of CAC 100-399 and CAC≥400 ([8.6% and 7.1%; p=0.031] and [19% and 20%; p<0.001], respectively) (Figure). No significant change was found regarding GLP1-RA prescription before and after CAC estimation in the 4 subgroups. Conclusion CAC represents an interesting tool to stratify asymptomatic patients with diabetes but there is room for improvement in preventive management of those stratified at the highest risk levels. Important efforts should be made to introduce the use of GLP1-RAs among cardiologists.Figure

Abstract 223: Pre‐Thrombectomy Diagnosis of Large Vessel Occlusion with Underlying Intracranial Atherosclerotic Disease

Introduction Intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) is one of the leading causes of ischemic stroke. We sought to identify variables associated with ICAD underlying large vessel occlusion strokes (LVOS) to facilitate pre‐procedural diagnosis. Methods Retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected thrombectomy single comprehensive stroke center database. Inclusion criteria: anterior circulation occlusion involving the intracranial ICA, MCA‐M1/M2/M3 or ACA(A1‐A2‐A3). ICAD cases were matched for age and sex in a 1:1 ratio to non‐ICAD controls. Results A total of 348 patients were included in the analysis. Patients with ICAD more frequently presented with vascular risk factors. ICAD LVOS showed less frequent atrial fibrillation(AF)(4%vs31%,P=0.001), and lower baseline NIHSS(14vs17,P=0.002) compared to the non‐ICAD group. The ICAD group less frequently showed hyperdense vessel sign and territorial cortical infarcts, but presented more frequently borderzone, deep subcortical and bilateral infarcts on CT compared to the non‐ICAD group. ICAD strokes had higher ASPECTS, and more frequently had calcifications at the carotid siphon as well as multifocal intracranial stenosis on CTA. CTA collaterals scores were comparable between groups. The ICAD group had lower median infarct core volume (1vs12 ml;P>0.001), Tmax>4s (249vs276 ml;P>0.003), and Tmax>6s (97vs140 ml;P<0.003) and higher Tmax>4:6 s ratio (2vs1;P=0.007) on CTP compared to non‐ICAD group. On multivariable analysis, absence of AF, absence of cortical infarcts, presence calcium at ipsilateral carotid siphon, cerebrovascular stroke risk factors burden (DM‐HTN‐Hyperlipidemia‐smoking), borderzone infarcts either (superficial cortical or Internal deep border zone), and multifocal intracranial stenosis were independent factors associated with ICAD. The model (table 1) by AUC for the whole model had sensitivity of 88% [P=<0.001,95%CI(0.84‐0.91)]. Conclusion In patients with anterior circulation LVO strokes, our study suggests that presence of CVS risk factors burden, calcium at carotid siphon, borderzone infract pattern, absence of territorial cortical infarct pattern, multifocal intracranial stenosis, and absence of AF were predictors for ICAD. Additional validation is warranted

Investigating the cell membrane localization of PADI4 in breast cancer cells and inhibition of anti-PADI4 monoclonal antibody

BackgroundPeptidyl arginine deiminase 4 (PADI4) is a post-translational modification enzymecan that converts arginine in protein into citrulline in the presence of calcium ions, which is called citrullination. PADI4 has been reported to be expressed in the cytoplasm and nucleus in a variety of malignant tumors. Based on the GeneCards database and our previous research, it is speculated that PADI4 may also be expressed on the cell membrane. This study aimed to confirm the membrane expression of PADI4 and the effect of anti-PADI4 antibodies on cell membrane PADI4. This may be another mechanism of action of anti-PADI4 monoclonal antibodies in the treatment of breast cancer.MethodsThe subcellular localizations of PADI4 in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 breast cancer cells were determined by immunofluorescence, immunoelectron microscopy, and Western blot analysis. The tumor cells were treated with PADI4 antibody, and cell proliferation, migration, colony formation, apoptosis, glycolysis, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were measured as well as the expression of some essential tumor genes.ResultsPADI4 was not only localized in the nucleus and cytoplasm of breast cancer cells but was also detected on the cell membrane. Following PADI4 antibody treatment, cell proliferation, migration, colony formation, EMT, and ATP production through glycolysis were decreased, and the mRNA expression of MYC proto-oncogene (MYC), FAT atypical cadherin 1 (FAT1), nuclear factor kappa B subunit 1 (NFκB), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) in breast cancer cells was downregulated, while the mRNA expression of tumor protein p63 (TP63) was upregulated.ConclusionsPADI4 is expressed on the cell membrane in breast cancer cells. Anti-PADI4 antibodies can affect the biological functions of cell membrane PADI4, including proliferation, migration, apoptosis, and glycolysis, thereby inhibiting tumor progression.Graphical abstract

Effect of Micro Lime on The Ambient Cured Sugarcane Bagasse Ash-Based Geopolymer Concrete

Geopolymer concrete has been the ideal replacement for Ordinary Portland cement concrete in producing green concrete. The binder in geopolymer concrete is a cementitious paste made from amorphous Aluminosilicate and activated by an Alkaline solution. The geopolymerization process is initiated at elevated temperatures. Thus, the curing requires elevated temperatures. This curing method limits the application of geopolymer concrete in the construction industry. In a geopolymer mix, the presence of Calcium ions allows the formation of Calcium Aluminate Silicate and Calcium Silicate Hydrate gels, allowing ambient temperature curing. Therefore, this study investigates the effect of micro lime on the Sugarcane Bagasse Ash-based geopolymer concrete. The micro lime was added to the geopolymer concrete in 1, 3, 5 and 7% by the Sugarcane Bagasse Ash weight. A mix design was based on a Densified Mix Design Algorithm. The tests carried out included compressive strength and water absorption. Ambient curing of the SCBA-based geopolymer concrete was achieved with 1% of the micro lime. The compressive strength increased with the increase of the micro lime, 10N/mm2 at 1%, to 18.25N/mm2 at 7% micro lime. The ambient temperature-cured geopolymer concrete at 3% micro lime had the lowest water absorption rate.

Effect of barium ion on the stability and chloride ion binding of ettringite

To lower the corrosion hazards of the steel bar in reinforced concrete, binding chloride ion by producing Cl-AFm is an effective way. In the presence of calcium ions and sulfate ions, Cl-AFm could transform into ettringite, and release the chloride ions into pore solution, with negative effect on reinforced concrete. In order to avoid the negative effect, barium ion was introduced to preferentially precipitate the sulfate ions. In this study, the effect of barium ion on the transformation reaction of ettringite into Cl-AFm was studied, and the combination effect of barium ion and sulfate ion on chloride binding was discussed. The results showed that barium ion could improve the chloride binding capacity of ettringite. The mechanism was that barium ion could be precipitated by sulfate from AFt to form BaSO4, and then result in the formation of Cl-AFm.

Phosphorylcholine-Functionalized PEDOT-Gated Organic Electrochemical Transistor Devices for Ultra-Specific and Sensitive C-Reactive Protein Detection.

Affinity-based organic electrochemical transistor (OECT) sensors offer an attractive approach to point-of-care diagnostics due to their extreme sensitivity and easy operation; however, their application in the real world is frequently challenged by the poor storage stability of antibody proteins and the interference from biofouling in complex biofluids. In this work, we developed an antibody-free and antifouling OECT biosensor to detect C-reactive protein (CRP) at ultra-high specificity and sensitivity. The key to this novel biosensor is the gate coated by phosphorylcholine-functionalized poly (3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene) (PEDOT-PC), which possesses large capacitance and low impedance, prevents biofouling of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and the fetal bovine serum (FBS), and interacts specifically with CRP molecules in the presence of calcium ions. This PEDOT-PC-gated OECT biosensor demonstrated exceptional sensitivity when detecting the CRP molecules at 10 pg/mL, while significantly depressing the signal from the nonspecific binding. This indicates that this biosensor could detect the CRP molecules directly without nonspecific binding blocking, the usual process for the earlier transistor sensors before detection. We envision that this PEDOT-PC-gated OECT biosensor platform may offer a potentially valuable tool for point-of-care diagnostics as it alleviates concerns about poor antibody stability and BSA blocking inconstancy.

PAD2: A potential target for tumor therapy.

Peptide arginine deiminase 2(PAD2) catalyzes the conversion of arginine residues on target proteins to citrulline residues in the presence of calcium ions. This particular posttranslational modification is called citrullination. PAD2 can regulate the transcriptional activity of genes through histone citrullination and nonhistone citrullination. In this review, we summarize the evidence from recent decades and systematically illustrate the role of PAD2-mediated citrullination in tumor pathology and the regulation of tumor-associated immune cells such as neutrophils, monocytes, macrophages and T cells. Several PAD2-specific inhibitors are also presented to discuss the feasibility of anti-PAD2 therapy to treat tumors and the urgent problems to be solved. Finally, we review some recent developments in the development of PAD2 inhibitors.

Applicability of Soybean Crude Urease-Calcite Precipitation Method in Various Liquefiable Sandy Soils

Liquefaction is a process in which pore-water pressure generated in the soil, usually by earthquake, is equal or almost equal to the total stress in the soil. This process reduces the effective stress to zero or near-zero, leading to reduction in shear strength and stiffness of soil. Hence, when liquefaction occurs, structures above and within the liquified soil, buildings, bridges, tunnels, docks, underground pipelines, and many other structures can get damaged. Soils which are susceptible to liquefaction are granular soil such as sand and silt. One of the methods that can be adopted to prevent liquefaction is soybean crude urease-calcite precipitation. This method uses urease enzyme in soybean crude as a biocatalyst to hydrolyze urea to produce carbonate ions and ammonium ions. In the presence of calcium ions, the carbonate ions react to produce calcium carbonate (calcite) precipitate. This research investigates the applicability of soybean crude urease-calcite precipitation method to improve various liquefiable sandy soil (fine, medium, coarse sand) at different relative density (40-60%). The soil strength after improvement was evaluated by using unconfined compressive strength (UCS) test, while calcite content was measured using acid leaching method. The results of the UCS test and calcite content analysis varies depending on the type of sand and relative density. The UCS value obtained from medium sand is higher than 50 kPa, potentially sufficient to prevent liquefaction. However, treatment on coarse sand failed to develop UCS, whereas treatment on fine sand produces limited UCS (< 10 kPa).

Fabrication of cationic cellulose nanofibrils/sodium alginate beads for Congo red removal

Congo red is hard to remove from dye wastewater due to its structure stability and high chemical oxygen demand. In this study, cationic cellulose nanofibrils (CCNF) prepared from herb residues was physically crosslinked with sodium alginate (SA) in the presence of calcium ions, and the obtained CCNF/SA beads were used to adsorb Congo red. Results showed that CCNF/SA beads with porous internal structure were beneficial to adsorption. The maximum adsorption capacity of Congo red could reach to 518.4mg/g, which was superior to most cellulose-based adsorption materials. Furthermore, the equilibrium adsorption isotherms and XPS analysis indicated the adsorption for Congo red was a physical process, and hydrogen bond and electrostatic adsorption were proposed as dominant adsorption mechanism. In addition, the Congo red removal efficiency of the beads was still higher than 70% after three cycles. Therefore, this high efficiency and green beads have great potential as adsorbents for anionic dyes removal.

The Stabilization of S100A9 Structure by Calcium Inhibits the Formation of Amyloid Fibrils.

The calcium-binding protein S100A9 is recognized as an important component of the brain neuroinflammatory response to the onset and development of neurodegenerative disease. S100A9 is intrinsically amyloidogenic and in vivo co-aggregates with amyloid-β peptide and α-synuclein in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, respectively. It is widely accepted that calcium dyshomeostasis plays an important role in the onset and development of these diseases, and studies have shown that elevated levels of calcium limit the potential for S100A9 to adopt a fibrillar structure. The exact mechanism by which calcium exerts its influence on the aggregation process remains unclear. Here we demonstrate that despite S100A9 exhibiting α-helical secondary structure in the absence of calcium, the protein exhibits significant plasticity with interconversion between different conformational states occurring on the micro- to milli-second timescale. This plasticity allows the population of conformational states that favour the onset of fibril formation. Magic-angle spinning solid-state NMR studies of the resulting S100A9 fibrils reveal that the S100A9 adopts a single structurally well-defined rigid fibrillar core surrounded by a shell of approximately 15-20 mobile residues, a structure that persists even when fibrils are produced in the presence of calcium ions. These studies highlight how the dysregulation of metal ion concentrations can influence the conformational equilibria of this important neuroinflammatory protein to influence the rate and nature of the amyloid deposits formed.

Development of Functional Chimeric Nanoparticles by Membrane Fusion of Small Extracellular Vesicles and Drug-Encapsulated Liposomes.

Since small extracellular vesicle (sEVs) are involved in cell-to-cell communication via transfer of certain bioactive molecules and have the capability to overcome biological barriers against drug transport, their use as a drug delivery system (DDS) has been demonstrated in treatment of a diverse range of diseases. However, some issues in drug encapsulation have been pointed out, including low encapsulation efficiency and poor reproducibility. It was previously reported that liposomes containing phosphatidylserine (PS) can fuse together in the presence of calcium ion, which allows for drug encapsulation into the resultant liposomes (i.e., calcium fusion method). On the other hand, PS is reportedly present in lipid membrane of sEVs as a distinct lipid composition. We therefore hypothesized that PS-mediated membrane fusion of sEVs with PS-liposomes encapsulating therapeutic agents via the calcium fusion method can be applied to convenient drug encapsulation into sEVs. Membrane fusion of PS-liposomes and sEVs derived from murine melanoma B16F1 cells (B16-sEVs) was firstly confirmed. The obtained nanoparticles, termed chimeric nanoparticles (CM-NP), showed comparable cellular uptake to B16-sEVs into B16F1 cells. Moreover, CM-NP encapsulating an anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) (CM-NP-DOX) could be prepared by membrane fusion of PS-liposomes encapsulating DOX (PS-Lipo-DOX) and B16-sEVs. CM-NP-DOX exhibited a superior anticancer effect on B16F1 cells in vitro compared with PS-Lipo-DOX. These findings suggest that the calcium fusion method could be applied for membrane fusion of sEVs and PS-liposomes, and that this approach would likely be useful for efficient drug encapsulation into sEVs, as well as increasing liposome functionality.

Functionalization of Ti6Al4V Alloy with Polyphenols: The Role of the Titanium Surface Features and the Addition of Calcium Ions on the Adsorption Mechanism

Functionalization of medical devices with biomolecules is a key strategy to control implant outcomes, for instance, polyphenols can produce fast osseointegration and reduce both the infection risk and inflammatory response. This paper is designed to evaluate the role of calcium ions and surface features in surface functionalization with a red pomace extract. An in-depth investigation of the binding mechanism between surfaces and polyphenols was also performed. A smooth Ti6Al4V alloy was used as a control substrate and compared with a bioactive and nanotextured chemical-treated Ti6Al4V alloy. Solutions with and without the addition of calcium ions were used for functionalization. The results showed that polyphenols were adsorbed in all cases, but in a larger amount in the presence of calcium ions. The functionalized surfaces were hydrophilic (contact angles in the range of 45–15°) and had isoelectric points at pH 2.8–3.1. The acidic hydroxyl groups on the chemically treated titanium alloy favored the chemisorption of complex compounds of flavonoids and condensed tannins with calcium ions, through a bridging mechanism, and made desorption sensitive to pH. On the smooth surface, the absence of reactive functional groups led to a lower amount of adsorbed molecules and a physisorption mechanism. Selective physisorption of phenolic acids was supposed to be predominant on the smooth surface in the presence of calcium ions in the solution.

Areas of Agrochemical Deepening Resulting from Long-Term Experiments with Fertilizers—Synthesis Following 20 Years of Annual and Stationary Fertilization

The paper hereby focuses on the essential field of soil evolution in relation to the effect of long-term fertilization on plant yields and the essential, evolutionary, and impactful changes in their fertility. NP fertilization (by application of ammonium nitrate and concentrated superphosphate) causes a change in soil reaction over time through acidification with increasing N doses, while phosphorus is able to partially mitigate this process. Acidic soil—the typical preluvosol—as a result of adsorbed acidity activation, solubilizes Al ions and may become interested in calcic amendment. Acidification tendencies are also maintained in the amended variants, but to a lesser extent due to the neutralizing capacity of the amendment and the presence of calcium ions. Complex NP fertilization in acid soil (preluvosol) cultivated with wheat can maintain a relatively constant humus content (%), but calcium amendment can cause a reduction of this indicator. In contrast, under maize, due to the effects of conventional tillage and intensive tillage, fertilization contributes to a reduction in this indicator, which is more active against the background of limestone amendment. The phenomenon can be explained by potentiation through the mineralization of the organic component of the soil. This effect is diminished in alluvial mollisol with a higher humus content, saturated in bases, and a buffering capacity. Organic and organo-mineral fertilization can control the modeling of soil humus content and its agrochemical status. The regime of essential elements (N, P, and K) becomes active in mobile forms, and the precarious supply conditions of the initial stage tend to improve. Applied superphosphate evolves, differentiated from the applied dose and pH, into non-occluded mineral forms (P-Al, P-Fe, and P-Ca), which supply the mobile forms in the soil solution for the plants, with the importance of maintaining, more of these forms at the level required by plants. In the case of potassium, the dynamics of its forms in the soil (unchangeable and exchangeable) control the soil supply state of this element and the effect of its application to plants. The data presented show that long-term experiments can effectively support the study of soil fertility through the soil-plant relationship.

Surface plasmon resonance and microscale thermophoresis approaches for determining the affinity of perforin for calcium ions.

Perforin is a pore-forming protein that plays a crucial role in the immune system by clearing virus-infected or tumor cells. It is released from cytotoxic granules of immune cells and forms pores in targeted lipid membranes to deliver apoptosis-inducing granzymes. It is a very cytotoxic protein and is therefore adapted not to act in producing cells. Its activity is regulated by the requirement for calcium ions for optimal activity. However, the exact affinity of perforin for calcium ions has not yet been determined. We conducted a molecular dynamics simulation in the absence or presence of calcium ions that showed that binding of at least three calcium ions is required for stable perforin binding to the lipid membrane. Biophysical studies using surface plasmon resonance and microscale thermophoresis were then performed to estimate the binding affinities of native human and recombinant mouse perforin for calcium ions. Both approaches showed that mouse perforin has a several fold higher affinity for calcium ions than that of human perforin. This was attributed to a particular residue, tryptophan at position 488 in mouse perforin, which is replaced by arginine in human perforin. This represents an additional mechanism to control the activity of human perforin.

Comparison of coronary artery calcium score and cardiovascular risk-stratification by European Society of Cardiology Guidelines and Steno Type 1 Risk Engine in statin-naïve adults with type 1 diabetes

BackgroundCoronary artery calcium (CAC) is a marker of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, for patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D), its relationship with T1D-specific cardiovascular (CV) risk-stratification tools is unknown. AimsAssess prevalence of CAC and evaluate relationship between CAC and T1D-specific CV risk-stratification methods in T1D. MethodsCross-sectional study of adults with T1D age 20–60 years, statin-naïve and no history of CVD. Data was obtained from electronic medical records and by interview. Presence of CAC was assessed using non-contrast cardiac computed tomography and quantified by Agatston Units (AU). CV risk-stratification was assessed using the 2019 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Guidelines and the Steno T1 Risk Engine (ST1RE). Results85 patients were included with mean age 35.4 ± 10.3 years, HbA1c 8.3 ± 1.5 % and T1D duration 17.0 ± 10.1 years. 67 patients (78.9 %) had a CAC score of 0 AU, 17 (20.0 %) >0–100 AU, and one (1.2 %) >100 AU. Duration of T1D (p = 0.009), body mass index (p = 0.029), neuropathy (p = 0.016) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (p = 0.016) were independently associated with a positive CAC score on multivariate analysis. Positive predictive value for a positive CAC score was 85.7 % for the ST1RE high risk category and 31.3 % for the 2019 ESC Guidelines very high risk category. ConclusionsOne-fifth of this T1D cohort had a positive CAC score. The ST1RE was superior in identifying positive CAC compared to the 2019 ESC Guidelines. Further studies are required to elucidate the role of CAC in personalising CV risk-stratification and statin initiation in T1D.

The impact of extract of mistletoe on tumour cells and hemostasis of human plasma

Background: The plant Viscum album (Mistletoe) is a known source of biologically active substances, used in traditional medicine in Europe and Asia.Aim: The goal was to study cytotoxic/cytostatic effect of mistletoe extract on tumour and normal cells and its influences on certain proteins of the blood coagulation system.Setting: Mistletoe was collected in Ukraine in November 2020.Methods: Water extract of V. album, both leaves and stems, was obtained and fractionated; it was characterised using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry and tested on cancer cells and blood plasma.Results: Extract demonstrated the presence of viscotoxins and carbohydrates and thermolabile compounds that enhance the activity of thrombin and factor X in plasma in the presence of calcium ions and increased the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) by 2.7 times. The cytotoxic/cytostatic action of the mistletoe fractions, the total extract and the fraction 10 000 Da were higher in relation to Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells than with Vero cells. The IC50 of total extract for LLC cells was 35% (p 0.05) lower than that for Vero cells (1.12 ± 0.2 and 1.71 ± 0.15 mg/ml). Thus, the IC50 of the fraction 10 000 Da for LLC cells was more than by 44% (p 0.05) lower than that for Vero cells (2.07 ± 0.26 and 3.67 ± 0.41 mg/ml).Conclusion: It was shown that both extracts exhibited a cytotoxic/cytostatic effect, more pronounced against tumour cells than normal cells and enhanced the clotting of blood plasma by thermolabile compounds by facilitating plasma coagulation.Contribution: This research makes it possible to study mistletoe as a light and cheap anticancer therapy plant and cure blood coagulopathy or construct antibleeding bandages.

Sol-gel transition diagram and theoretical study of κ-carrageenan in the presence of calcium ions

The gelation and melting temperatures of calcium-induced κ-carrageenan gels in the range of ionic strength 0–40 mmol/L were measured by small deformation oscillatory rheology. Theoretical studies of the interactions between dimeric unit models that form the κ-carrageenan polymer chain with Ca2+ cations were also carried out by means of quantum chemistry techniques using density functional theory with M06-2X/6-311G**. Gelling (on cooling) and melting (on heating) temperatures moved to progressively higher temperatures upon the progressive addition of CaCl2, yielding thermal hysteresis. The interactions of the κ-carrageenan model with Ca2+ ions were analyzed, and the results showed that κ-carrageenan can exhibit intra- and intermolecular hydrogen bonding and coordination with Ca2+ ions. The interaction energies that can present conformers of the κ-carrageenan model were located between 25.1 and 46.02 kJ/mol. Coordination between the Ca2+ cation and the polymer as well as the intra- and intermolecular interactions of two sugars may be one of the factors by which Ca2+ ions could promote the coil-helix transition, resulting in the formation of more aggregates acting as junction zones.

Thin-Film Nanocomposite Membranes with Nature-Inspired MOFs Incorporated for Removing Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics

A nanofiltration membrane functionalized with metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) is promising to enhance micropollutant removal and realize wastewater reclamation. However, the current MOF-based nanofiltration membranes still suffer from severe fouling problems with an indefinable mechanism when used for antibiotic wastewater treatment. Hence, we report a nature-inspired MOF-based thin-film nanocomposite (TFN-CU) membrane to explore its rejection and antifouling behavior. Compared with unmodified membranes, the optimal TFN-CU5 membrane (with 5 mg·mL-1 C-UiO-66-NH2) had high water permeance (17.66 ± 1.19 L·m-2·h-1·bar-1), exceptional rejection for norfloxacin (97.92 ± 2.28%) and ofloxacin (95.36 ± 1.03%), and excellent long-term stability for treating synthetic secondary effluent with antibiotic rejection over 90%. Furthermore, it also showed superior antifouling capability (flux recovery up to 95.86 ± 1.28%) in bovine serum albumin (BSA) filtration after fouling cycles. Deriving from the extended Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (XDLVO) approach, the antifouling mechanism between BSA and the TFN-CU5 membrane was mainly attributed to the inhibited adhesion forces because the growing short-ranged acid-base interaction caused repulsive interfacial interactions. It is further revealed that BSA fouling behavior is slightly retarded under an alkaline environment, while strengthened in the presence of calcium ions and humic acid, as well as high ionic strength. In short, the nature-inspired MOF-based TFN membranes possess exceptional rejection and organic fouling resistance, giving insights into the design of antifouling membranes during antibiotic wastewater reclamation.

Plantain peel adsorbent: Simple preparation, and adsorption at phosphate concentrations similar to those of water sources at risk of eutrophication

There are several investigations on the use of food waste to remove contaminants by adsorption. However, a simple route, without chemical activation reagents, is needed for the development of adsorbents. The aim of this study was to develop an adsorbent from plantain peel, using a simple procedure, and to evaluate its capacity to remove phosphate from aqueous solutions at phosphate concentrations similar to those of water sources at risk of eutrophication (0.30 mg/L). The simple pyrolysis method was used in an electric muffle, without chemical activation, using plantain peel as precursor. The variables evaluated were pyrolysis temperature and solution pH. The specific surface area BET, zero loading point of the developed treatments, was determined. Phosphate adsorption was studied in a batch experiment in the presence of calcium ions in solution. Phosphate adsorption was favorable at all three pyrolysis temperature levels (500, 600 and 700 °C) and two solution pH levels (pH 7 and 10). the pseudo-second order kinetic model was the best fit for the experimental data to describe the adsorption mechanism. The best fit to the experimental equilibrium data was obtained with the Langmuir isotherm model. It was found that a 1 g/L dose of the adsorbent was able to reduce 92% of phosphate in water, with a removal capacity 0.14 mg/g at pH 10 and pyrolysis temperature of 700 °C. This study lays the groundwork for future research on the use of this type of adsorbent in water treatment to facilitate access to clean water for rural populations.