Significant Increase In Activity Research Articles

Prosurvival Pathway Protects From Clostridioides difficile Toxin-Mediated Cell Death.

There is an urgent need for new nonantibiotic-based treatment strategies for Clostridioides difficile infection. C. difficile toxin B (TcdB) is a virulent factor that is essential for causing disease. Here, we investigated whether a survival-signaling pathway could protect against TcdB. We found significant increase in caspase-3 apoptotic activity in intestinal epithelial cells of mice exposed to TcdB. Subsequently, activation of the MIF-CD74-Akt prosurvival signaling pathway blocked TcdB-induced caspase-3 activity and intestinal epithelial cell death. This brief report provides proof-of-concept that targeting prosurvival pathways may represent a unique antibiotic-independent strategy for protecting against C. difficile toxin-mediated cell death.

Effect of high cyclic hydrostatic pressure on osteogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells cultured in liquefied micro-compartments

Bone resident cells are constantly subjected to a range of distinct mechanical loadings, which generates a complex microenvironment. In particular, hydrostatic pressure (HP) has a key impact on modulation of cell function and fate determination. Although HP is a constant mechanical stimulus, its role in regulating the osteogenesis process within a defined 3D microenvironment has not been comprehensively elucidated. Perceiving how environmental factors regulate the differentiation of stem cells is essential for expanding their regenerative potential. Inspired by the mechanical environment of bone, this study attempted to investigate the influence of different ranges of cyclic HP on human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) encapsulated within a compartmentalized liquefied microenvironment. Taking advantage of the liquefied environment of microcapsules, MSCs were exposed to cyclic HP of 5 or 50 MPa, 3 times/week at 37 °C. Biological tests using fluorescence staining of F-actin filaments showed a noticeable improvement in cell-cell interactions and cellular network formation of MSCs. These observations were more pronounced in osteogenic (OST) condition, as confirmed by fluorescent staining of vinculin. More interestingly, there was a significant increase in alkaline phosphatase activity of MSCs exposed to 50 MPa magnitude of HP, even in the absence of osteoinductive factors. In addition, a greater staining area of both osteopontin and hydroxyapatite was detected in the 50 MPa/OST group. These findings highlight the benefit of hydrostatic pressure to regulate osteogenesis of MSCs as well as the importance of employing simultaneous biochemical and mechanical stimulation to accelerate the osteogenic potential of MSCs for biomedical purposes.

Assessment of Mastitis Patterns in Serbian Dairy Cows: Blood Serum Metabolic Profile and Milk Composition Parameters.

Mastitis is one of the most important diseases in dairy cows, leading to substantial economic losses associated with decreased milk production and quality. Early detection of changes in metabolic and milk parameters is crucial for maintaining animal welfare and milk quality. This study aimed to detect patterns in metabolic and milk composition parameters in Serbian dairy cows affected by mastitis. It also examined the relationship between these factors in cows with clinical and subclinical mastitis, as well as in healthy cows. This study included 60 Holstein-Friesian cows with the same body score condition that were in the same lactation phase. They were divided into three groups of 20: clinical and subclinical mastitis and a control group of healthy cows. The categorization was based on clinical udder health and the California mastitis test. Blood serum metabolic profiles were measured using a Rayto spectrophotometer (Shenzhen, China), and milk composition was determined using MilcoScanTM (Foss, Hilleroed, Denmark) and FossomaticTM (Foss, Hilleroed, Denmark) instruments. Significant increases in non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs), beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), total protein, globulin, urea, total bilirubin, magnesium, and enzyme activity were noted in mastitis-affected cows compared to healthy ones. Additionally, mastitis-affected cows had higher total protein and globulin levels and increased somatic cell counts (SCCs), while albumin concentrations were decreased. Furthermore, a negative correlation between total protein and lactose suggested inflammation leading to reduced lactose levels due to cell damage, infection, and lactose use by mastitis pathogens. Hence, indicators of the energy and protein status of the metabolic profile, together with the chemical composition of milk, may be significant diagnostic tools for detecting, monitoring, and predicting the outcome of mastitis in cows.

Resveratrol prevents age-related heart impairment through inhibiting the Notch/NF-κB pathway.

Resveratrol (RSV) is a natural polyphenol compound found in various plants that has been shown to have potential benefits for preventing aging and supporting cardiovascular health. However, the specific signal pathway by which RSV protects the aging heart is not yet well understood. This study aimed to explore the protective effects of RSV against age-related heart injury and investigate the underlying mechanisms using a D-galactose-induced aging model. The results of the study indicated that RSV provided protection against age-related heart impairment in mice. This was evidenced by the reduction of cardiac histopathological changes as well as the attenuation of apoptosis. RSV-induced cardioprotection was linked to a significant increase in antioxidant activity and mitochondrial transmembrane potential, as well as a reduction in oxidative damage. Additionally, RSV inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Furthermore, the expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), nuclear factor kappa-B p65 (NF-κB p65), and notch 1 protein were inhibited by RSV, indicating that inhibiting the Notch/NF-κB pathway played a critical role in RSV-triggered heart protection in aging mice. Moreover, further data on intestinal function demonstrated that RSV significantly increased short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in intestinal contents and reduced the pH value in the feces of aging mice. RSV alleviated aging-induced cardiac dysfunction through the suppression of oxidative stress and inflammation via the Notch/NF-κB pathway in heart tissue. Furthermore, this therapeutic effect was found to be associated with its protective roles in the intestine.

Comparative analysis of physiological traits and gene expression patterns in nitrogen deficiency among barley cultivars

BackgroundNitrogen is one of the most important mineral nutrients for plants and is absorbed by the root system mainly in the inorganic form (NH+4 and NO−3). Plants absorb nitrogen as a food source for growth, biomass production, and development. Nitrogen is mainly absorbed as nitrate, which is the most common source of nitrogen available to higher plants. One of the unique features of nitrate transport is that NO−3 is both a substrate for transport and an inducer of NO−3 transport systems in genes and at physiological levels. MethodsIn the present study, morphological and physiological traits (chlorophyll a/b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoid, antioxidant enzymes, and protein content), correlation between traits and gene expression, and principle component analysis of traits among five barley cultivars were measured in response to nitrogen deficiency (ND). The starved plants were transferred to a nutrient solution containing 0.2 mM and 2 mM NO−3 up to 7 and 14 days after ND application and non-stressed conditions, respectively. ResultsGene expression analysis revealed that the 10 HvNRT2 genes were induced in the leaf and root tissues at 7 and 14 days after ND treatments in five barley cultivars. Expression of NRT2 genes by relative quantitative qRT-PCR analysis for 10 HvNRT2 genes were determined. Based on the gene expression, HvNRT2.1, HvNRT2.2, and HvNRT2.4 were strongly induced by NO−3, peaking at 7 and 14 days after ND treatment. In contrast, the HvNRT2.4 showed only moderate induction in both leaves and roots. From our results, the Reyhan cultivar showed a significant increase in root fresh weight (RFW), protein content, and antioxidant enzyme activity in roots at 7 and 14 days after ND treatment as compared to the non-stressed condition. A highly positive correlation was observed between root catalase (CATr) and HvNRT2.2/2.5/2.6 leaves. ConclusionThe expression of HvNRT2.4 is increased during long-term nitrogen starvation, while the expression of HvNRT2.1 and HvNRT2.2 are transiently increased by ND. Based on physiological and morphological traits and molecular mechanisms, the Reyhan is considered a tolerant cultivar under ND condition.

Alterations in intestinal microbiota and enzyme activities under cold-humid stress: implications for diarrhea in cold-dampness trapped spleen syndrome.

Cold and humid environments alter the intestinal microbiota, and the role of the intestinal microbiota in the development of diarrhea associated with cold-dampness trapped spleen syndrome in Chinese medicine is unclear. The 30 mice were randomly divided into normal and model groups, with the model group being exposed to cold and humid environmental stresses for 7 days. Then, mouse intestinal contents were collected and analyzed their intestinal microbiota and digestive enzymes. Our findings revealed significant increases in sucrase and lactase activities, as well as microbial activity, in the model group (p < 0.05). β-diversity analysis highlighted distinct intestinal microbiota compositions between the two groups. Specifically, the experimental group showed a unique dominance of the genera and strains Clostridium sensu stricto 1 and Clostridium sp. ND2. LEfSe analysis identified Helicobacter, Roseburia, and Eubacterium plexicaudatum ASF492 as differentially abundant species in them model group. Network analysis demonstrated that rare bacterial species mostly governed the microbial interactions, exhibiting increased mutual promotion. On the other hand, abundant species like Lactobacillus johnsonii and Lactobacillus reuteri showed mutual inhibitory relationships. In summary, exposure to cold and humid conditions led to increased intestinal enzyme activities and a shift in microbial composition, favoring the growth of rare bacterial species. These changes suggest that rare bacteria in the intestinal microbiota play a critical role in the pathology of diarrhea associated with cold-dampness trapped spleen syndrome, revealing unique survival strategies among bacterial populations under stressful conditions.

“Listen to your heart”: A novel interoceptive strategy for real-time fMRI neurofeedback training of anterior insula activity

Real-time fMRI (rt-fMRI) neurofeedback (NF) training is a novel non-invasive technique for volitional brain modulation. Given the important role of the anterior insula (AI) in human cognitive and affective processes, it has become one of the most investigated regions in rt-fMRI studies. Most rt-fMRI insula studies employed emotional recall/imagery as the regulation strategy, which may be less effective for psychiatric disorders characterized by altered emotional processing. The present study thus aimed to examine the feasibility of a novel interoceptive strategy based on heartbeat detection in rt-fMRI guided AI regulation and its associated behavioral changes using a randomized double-blind, sham feedback-controlled between-subject design. 66 participants were recruited and randomly assigned to receive either NF from the left AI (LAI) or sham feedback from a control region while using the interoceptive strategy. N = 57 participants were included in the final data analyses. Empathic and interoceptive pre-post training changes were collected as behavioral measures of NF training effects. Results showed that participants in the NF group exhibited stronger LAI activity than the control group with LAI activity being positively correlated with interoceptive accuracy following NF training, although there were no significant increases of LAI activity over training sessions. Importantly, ability of LAI regulation could be maintained in a transfer session without feedback. Successful LAI regulation was associated with strengthened functional connectivity of the LAI with cognitive control, memory and learning, and salience/interoceptive networks. The present study demonstrated for the first time the efficacy of a novel regulation strategy based on interoceptive processing in up-regulating LAI activity. Our findings also provide proof of concept for the translational potential of this strategy in rt-fMRI AI regulation of psychiatric disorders characterized by altered emotional processing.

Mannich-type modifications of (−)-cannabidiol and (−)-cannabigerol leading to new, bioactive derivatives

(−)-Cannabidiol (CBD) and (−)-cannabigerol (CBG) are two major non-psychotropic phytocannabinoids that have many beneficial biological properties. However, due to their low water solubility and prominent first-pass metabolism, their oral bioavailability is moderate, which is unfavorable for medicinal use. Therefore, there is a great need for appropriate chemical modifications to improve their physicochemical and biological properties. In this study, Mannich-type reaction was used for the synthetic modification of CBD and CBG for the first time, and thus fifteen new cannabinoid derivatives containing one or two tertiary amino groups were prepared. Thereafter the antiviral, antiproliferative and antibacterial properties of the derivatives and their effects on certain skin cells were investigated. Some modified CBD derivatives showed remarkable antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 without cytotoxic effect, while synthetic modifications on CBG resulted in a significant increase in antiproliferative activity in some cases compared to the parent compound.

Dual function of the O-antigen WaaL ligase of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans.

Protein glycosylation is critical to the quaternary structure and collagen-binding activity of the extracellular matrix protein adhesin A (EmaA) associated with Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. The glycosylation of this large, trimeric autotransporter adhesin is postulated to be mediated by WaaL, an enzyme with the canonical function to ligate the O-polysaccharide (O-PS) antigen with a terminal sugar of the lipid A-core oligosaccharide of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In this study, we have determined that the Escherichia coli waaL ortholog (rflA) does not restore collagen binding of a waaL mutant strain of A. actinomycetemcomitans but does restore O-PS ligase activity following transformation of a plasmid expressing waaL. Therefore, a heterologous E. coli expression system was developed constituted of two independently replicating plasmids expressing either waaL or emaA of A. actinomycetemcomitans to directly demonstrate the necessity of ligase activity for EmaA collagen binding. Proper expression of the protein encoded by each plasmid was characterized, and the individually transformed strains did not promote collagen binding. However, coexpression of the two plasmids resulted in a strain with a significant increase in collagen binding activity and a change in the biochemical properties of the protein. These results provide additional data supporting the novel hypothesis that the WaaL ligase of A. actinomycetemcomitans shares a dual role as a ligase in LPS biosynthesis and is required for collagen binding activity of EmaA.

In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation for Antioxidant and Anti-Diabetic Properties of Cyperus rotundus L. Kombucha.

Cyperus rotundus L. exhibits promising potential for the development of functional foods due to its documented pharmacological and biological activities. This study investigated the antioxidant and anti-diabetic properties of C. rotundus kombucha. The results demonstrated potent antioxidant activity with an IC50 value of 76.7 ± 9.6 µL/mL for the DPPH assay and 314.2 ± 16.9 µL/mL for the ABTS assay. Additionally, the kombucha demonstrated alpha-glucosidase inhibitory with an IC50 value of 142.7 ± 5.2 µL/mL. This in vitro antioxidant potential was further validated in vivo using Drosophila. Drosophila fed a high-sugar diet and supplemented with pure kombucha revealed significant increases in DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging activity. Drosophila on a high-sugar diet supplemented with varying kombucha concentrations manifested enhanced resistance to oxidative stresses induced by H2O2 and paraquat. Concurrently, there was a notable decline in lipid peroxidation levels. Additionally, significant upregulations in CAT, SOD1, and SOD2 activities were observed when the high-sugar diet was supplemented with kombucha. Furthermore, in vivo assessments using Drosophila demonstrated significant reductions in alpha-glucosidase activity when fed with kombucha (reduced by 34.04%, 13.79%, and 11.60% when treated with 100%, 40%, and 10% kombucha, respectively). A comprehensive GC-MS and HPLC analysis of C. rotundus kombucha detected the presence of antioxidative and anti-glucosidase compounds. In conclusion, C. rotundus kombucha exhibits considerable antioxidant and anti-diabetic properties, demonstrating its potential as a beneficial beverage for health promotion.

Uptake, accumulation and toxicity of short chain chlorinated paraffins to wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Short chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) are ubiquitous persistent organic pollutants. They have been widely detected in plant-based foods and might cause adverse impacts on humans. Nevertheless, uptake and accumulation mechanisms of SCCPs in plants remain unclear. In this study, the soil culture data indicated that SCCPs were strongly absorbed by roots (root concentration factor, RCF>1) yet limited translocated to shoots (translocation factor<1). The uptake mechanism was explored by hydroponic exposure, showing that hydrophobicity and molecular size influenced the root uptake and translocation of SCCPs. RCFs were significantly correlated with logKow values and molecular weights in a parabolic curve relationship. Besides, it was extremely difficult for SCCPs to translocate from shoots back to roots via phloem. An active energy-dependent process was proposed to be involved in the root uptake of SCCPs, which was supported by the uptake inhibition by the low temperature and metabolic inhibitor. Though SCCPs at environmentally relevant concentrations had no negative impacts on root morphology and chlorophyll contents, it caused obvious changes in cellular ultrastructure of root tip cells and induced a significant increase in superoxide dismutase activity. This information may be beneficial to moderate crop contamination by SCCPs, and to remedy soils polluted by SCCPs with plants.

Anti-Trypanosoma cruzi Activity, Mutagenicity, Hepatocytotoxicity and Nitroreductase Enzyme Evaluation of 3-Nitrotriazole, 2-Nitroimidazole and Triazole Derivatives.

Chagas disease (CD), which is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi and was discovered more than 100 years ago, remains the leading cause of death from parasitic diseases in the Americas. As a curative treatment is only available for the acute phase of CD, the search for new therapeutic options is urgent. In this study, nitroazole and azole compounds were synthesized and underwent molecular modeling, anti-T. cruzi evaluations and nitroreductase enzymatic assays. The compounds were designed as possible inhibitors of ergosterol biosynthesis and/or as substrates of nitroreductase enzymes. The in vitro evaluation against T. cruzi clearly showed that nitrotriazole compounds are significantly more potent than nitroimidazoles and triazoles. When their carbonyls were reduced to hydroxyl groups, the compounds showed a significant increase in activity. In addition, these substances showed potential for action via nitroreductase activation, as the substances were metabolized at higher rates than benznidazole (BZN), a reference drug against CD. Among the compounds, 1-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-2-(3-nitro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)ethanol (8) is the most potent and selective of the series, with an IC50 of 0.39 µM and selectivity index of 3077; compared to BZN, 8 is 4-fold more potent and 2-fold more selective. Moreover, this compound was not mutagenic at any of the concentrations evaluated, exhibited a favorable in silico ADMET profile and showed a low potential for hepatotoxicity, as evidenced by the high values of CC50 in HepG2 cells. Furthermore, compared to BZN, derivative 8 showed a higher rate of conversion by nitroreductase and was metabolized three times more quickly when both compounds were tested at a concentration of 50 µM. The results obtained by the enzymatic evaluation and molecular docking studies suggest that, as planned, nitroazole derivatives may utilize the nitroreductase metabolism pathway as their main mechanism of action against Trypanosoma cruzi. In summary, we have successfully identified and characterized new nitrotriazole analogs, demonstrating their potential as promising candidates for the development of Chagas disease drug candidates that function via nitroreductase activation, are considerably selective and show no mutagenic potential.

Abstract 13838: Hemostatic Disorder During Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation in Swine

Introduction: Implantation of left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) conventionally requires the use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Among others, mechanical circulatory support devices favor intraoperative hemostatic disorder. Hypothesis: Despite the high risk of severe bleeding and thromboembolic complications, little is known about the intraoperative extent of hemostatic disorder during LVAD implantation.This study aimed to determine the extent of hemostatic disorder during LVAD implantation in a porcine model under CPB and LVAD support, separately. Methods: We performed LVAD implantation in 10 female German Landrace pigs (body weight 104 ± 13 kg). Blood samples were collected three times: at (1) Baseline, (2) after CPB and (3) after LVAD. For CPB, cannulation of the left jugular vein and right femoral artery was performed. After sternotomy and pericardiotomy, apical coring was performed under CPB. A continuous-flow LVAD with transventricular outflow graft was implanted. For CPB and LVAD, a flow rate of 3-7 L/min and a rotational speed of 4000 to 7200 rpm were aimed, respectively. Hemostatic laboratory markers from all times were compared by Wilcoxon signed rank test. Results: Compared to Baseline, CPB led to a significant decrease of fibrinogen and antithrombin as well as an increase of von Willebrand factor (vWF) ratio and D dimer (DD). Compared to after CPB, there was a continued decrease of antithrombin and an increase of DD, as well as a significant increase of vWF and vWF activity under LVAD support. Conclusion: Among others, CPB and LVAD separately contribute to hemostatic disorder during LVAD implantation. Human laboratory markers allowed early detection of intraoperative hemostatic changes in pigs. Further studies are needed to investigate whether off-pump LVAD implantation reduces perioperative hemostatic disorder.

Cold physical plasma treatment optimization for improved bone allograft processing.

In musculoskeletal surgery, the treatment of large bone defects is challenging and can require the use of bone graft substitutes to restore mechanical stability and promote host-mediated regeneration. The use of bone allografts is well-established in many bone regenerative procedures, but is associated with low rates of ingrowth due to pre-therapeutic graft processing. Cold physical plasma (CPP), a partially ionized gas that simultaneously generates reactive oxygen (O2) and nitrogen (N2) species, is suggested to be advantageous in biomedical implant processing. CPP is a promising tool in allograft processing for improving surface characteristics of bone allografts towards enhanced cellularization and osteoconduction. However, a preclinical assessment regarding the feasibility of pre-therapeutic processing of allogeneic bone grafts with CPP has not yet been performed. Thus, this pilot study aimed to analyze the bone morphology of CPP processed allografts using synchrotron radiation-based microcomputed tomography (SR-µCT) and to analyze the effects of CPP processing on human bone cell viability and function. The analyzes, including co-registration of pre- and post-treatment SR-µCT scans, revealed that the main bone morphological properties (total volume, mineralized volume, surface area, and porosity) remained unaffected by CPP treatment if compared to allografts not treated with CPP. Varying effects on cellular metabolic activity and alkaline phosphatase activity were found in response to different gas mixtures and treatment durations employed for CPP application. It was found that 3min CPP treatment using a He + 0.1% N2 gas mixture led to the most favourable outcome regarding a significant increase in bone cell viability and alkaline phosphatase activity. This study highlights the promising potential of pre-therapeuthic bone allograft processing by CPP prior to intraoperative application and emphasizes the need for gas source and treatment time optimization for specific applications.

The Impact of Indoor Plants on Patient Recovery: Physiological and Psychological Effects in Dental Clinics

Patient recovery and well-being in healthcare settings can be influenced by various factors, including the stress induced by hospitalization and medical care. This study investigated the impact of indoor plants on patient recovery in dental clinics using state-of-the-art techniques to address the limited evidence supporting the claim that nature can alleviate stress and pain in hospitals. Thirty patients were randomly assigned to either a room with indoor plants or a control room without plants for a duration of 5 minutes after their treatment. Physiological responses were assessed using electroencephalography (EEG), heart rate variability, and skin conductance, whereas psychological responses were evaluated using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and a visual analogue scale (VAS). The results revealed a significant increase in alpha wave power in the frontal region, indicating enhanced relaxation, as well as a significant increase in parasympathetic activity, suggesting improved autonomic balance. Furthermore, a significant decrease in skin conductance was observed when indoor plants were present compared with their absence, indicating reduced physiological arousal. Psychological assessments using the STAI demonstrated lower levels of stress and anxiety, whereas the VAS indicated reduced pain intensity among participants. Overall, these findings suggest that the presence of indoor plants contributes to patients’ relaxation and improved coping mechanisms during the recovery process. This study highlights the significance of incorporating indoor plants into healthcare settings to enhance patients’ overall well-being and promote positive recovery outcomes.

Arabidopsis thaliana Early Foliar Proteome Response to Root Exposure to the Rhizobacterium Pseudomonas simiae WCS417.

Pseudomonas simiae WCS417 is a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium that improves plant health and development. In this study, we investigate the early leaf responses of Arabidopsis thaliana to WCS417 exposure and the possible involvement of formate dehydrogenase (FDH) in such responses. In vitro-grown A. thaliana seedlings expressing an FDH::GUS reporter show a significant increase in FDH promoter activity in their roots and shoots after 7 days of indirect exposure (without contact) to WCS417. After root exposure to WCS417, the leaves of FDH::GUS plants grown in the soil also show an increased FDH promoter activity in hydathodes. To elucidate early foliar responses to WCS417 as well as FDH involvement, the roots of A. thaliana wild-type Col and atfdh1-5 knock-out mutant plants grown in soil were exposed to WCS417, and proteins from rosette leaves were subjected to proteomic analysis. The results reveal that chloroplasts, in particular several components of the photosystems PSI and PSII, as well as members of the glutathione S-transferase family, are among the early targets of the metabolic changes induced by WCS417. Taken together, the alterations in the foliar proteome, as observed in the atfdh1-5 mutant, especially after exposure to WCS417 and involving stress-responsive genes, suggest that FDH is a node in the early events triggered by the interactions between A. thaliana and the rhizobacterium WCS417. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.

Mechanical and tribological properties of basalt fiber fabric reinforced polyamide 6 composite laminates with interfacial enhancement by electrostatic self-assembly of graphene oxide

Exploring simple, efficient and applicable interfacial optimisation methods is important to enhance the overall performance of basalt fibre (BF) fabric-reinforced thermoplastic composite laminates. Graphene oxide (GO) was introduced on the surface of BF fabric through electrostatic self-assembly to improve the interfacial bonding of BF fabric-reinforced polyamide 6 (PA6) composites laminates (BF/PA6) for enhancing the mechanical and frictional wear properties of the composites. It was concluded that surface electrostatic assembly of GO resulted in a significant increase in surface roughness, wettability, surface energy and surface chemical activity of BF fabrics without damaging the fibre backbone structure. With the GO concentration of 0.8 g/L, the interlaminar shear strength, impact strength, flexural strength and flexural modulus of the BF/PA6 composites were increased by 85.1 %, 43.2 %, 53.2 % and 63.4 %, and the average friction coefficient and wear rate was reduced by 15.2 % and 40.5 %, respectively. The introduced homogeneous GO strengthens the interfacial bonding of such fibre-fabric reinforced thermoplastic composites by creating mechanical engagement, similar compatibility and chemical cross-linking between the BF fabrics and the PA6 matrix. With enhanced interfacial bonding, the BF fabric reinforced thermoplastic composites possess enhanced stress damage resistance. Under frictional reciprocating stress, the introduced GO inhibited the generation and expansion of microcracks, formed frictional transfer film to play solid lubrication and anti-wear role, and enhanced the thermal stability of the composites to mitigate the frictional thermal damage. The interfacial enhancement method of BF fabric-reinforced thermoplastic composites provided in this study is simple, green, efficient and has good potential for application.

Exploring the Resilience of Natural Disasters: A Comprehensive Bibliometric Analysis

The study's objective is to provide an outline of disaster resilience through bibliometric methods. The study delves into the disaster resilience literature spanning the last 20 years to gain a more profound understanding of the related literature. &#x0D; A bibliometric analysis of 10 top journals with the most literature using the keyword disaster resilience was conducted, resulting in 1561 articles. The bibliometric network was also visualized using the VOSviewer software tool. &#x0D; This study shows that disaster resilience has recently had a significant increase in research activity. Additionally, the study found that the Covid-19 epidemic increased the number of resilience research published between 2020 and 2022. The theoretical framework of the authors was scrutinized, identifying 12 keyword clusters, with the primary focus areas being disaster types, numerical analysis, disaster management, and community and social perspectives. Scholars emphasized resilience, risk reduction, vulnerability reduction, climate change, and disaster management in the literature. This study highlights the current state of disaster resilience research while forecasting the field's future growth and development.

Cubic S/N co-doped TiO2 with rich oxygen vacancies from Ti-MOFs for efficient elimination of formaldehyde

The cubic S/N co-doped TiO2 (TNSx, x is the calcination temperature) photocatalysts with rich oxygen vacancies were obtained by high temperature calcination of sulfur powder and titanium-based MOFs NH2-MIL-125 for the photocatalytic removal of gaseous formaldehyde (a volatile organic compound). Among the obtained catalysts, the presence of oxygen vacancies restricted photogenerated electron and holes recombination. 98.00% removal of gaseous formaldehyde in 150 min could be achieved over TNS600 by xenon lamp. The removal efficiency for formaldehyde was well retained for five cycle experiment. The results from PL, TRPL and EIS revealed that TNS600 had the best separation efficiency of photogenerated electrons and holes, and the enhanced charge separation led to a significant increase in photocatalytic activity. The photocatalytic oxidation mechanism indicated that the •OH and •O2− radicals were mainly involved in the efficient elimination of gaseous formaldehyde and were able to mineralize formaldehyde to H2O and CO2.

Effects of cold atmospheric-pressure plasma in combination with doxorubicin drug against breast cancer cells in vitro and invivo

Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) has been suggested for medical applications that can be applied indirectly through plasma-activated medium (PAM) and recently it has been introduced as an innovative therapeutic approach for all cancer types. Studies have exhibited that ROS/RNS are key factors in CAP-dependent apoptosis; nevertheless, ROS/RNS stability are weak. Combination therapy is considered an effective strategy to overcome these problems. In the present research, we revealed that the combination of CAP and doxorubicin (DOX) significantly induces the apoptosis of breast cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. Our results indicated that both Ar and He/O2 CAP treatment as well as DOX drug alone reduced cell growth. CAP/PAM treatment in combination with DOX induced apoptosis in MCF-7 breast cancer cells and 4T1-implanted BALB/c mice, resulting in a significant increase in antitumor activity. The apoptotic effects of CAP-DOX on MCF-7 cells were inferred from altered expression of BAX and cleaved-caspase-3 which mechanistically take place through the mitochondrial pathway mediated by Bcl-2 family members. Besides, the BAX/BCL-2 ratio is significantly higher in the simultaneous treatment of CAP and DOX. This ratio was equal to 2.82 ± 0.24, 2.54 ± 0.30, and 11.27 ± 0.31 for treatment with DOX, He/O2 plasma, and combination treatment, respectively. Additionally, the tumor growth rate of He/O2-PAM + DOX and Ar-PAM + DOX treatments was significantly inhibited by PAM-injection, and the tumor growth rate of PAM alone or DOX alone was slightly reduced. It can be concluded that the effect of PAM + DOX may increase the anticancer activity and decrease the dose required for the chemotherapeutic treatment.