Sodium Concentration Research Articles

Robust Sodium Storage Enabled by Heterogeneous Engineering and Electrolyte Modification

AbstractThe modulation of heterointerfaces in 2D materials is critically important for improving the electrochemical performance of sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs). In this context, the MoS2/Ti3C2Tx MXene heterostructure is taken as a typical example to reveal the fundamental principle of high sodium storage performance by regulating the terminal groups of Ti3C2Tx. It is demonstrated that MoS2/Ti3C2(OH)x (M/‐(OH)x) heterostructure with a high work function difference generates an enhanced built‐in electric field, which facilitates charge transfer. Moreover, ether‐based electrolytes, when compared to ester‐based electrolytes, provide lower solvation‐free energies and exhibit high compatibility with M/‐(OH)x, resulting in superior rate capability. Notably, COMSOL simulations of sodium ion (Na+) concentration and Na+ flux distributions reveal that the M/‐(OH)x electrode has low concentration polarization and rapid diffusion kinetics in ether‐based electrolytes. Consequently, the combination of M/‐(OH)x heterostructure with the ether‐based electrolyte provides 224.06 mAh g−1 after 1000 cycles at 5.0 A g−1. Furthermore, the Na3V2(PO4)3/C//M/‐(OH)x full cell demonstrates robust electrochemical performance, delivering 116.49 mAh g−1 after 140 cycles at 1.0 A g−1. These findings emphasize the impact of modulating terminal functional groups to optimize the electrochemical functionality of heterostructures and highlight the crucial role of electrode/electrolyte synergistic coupling in advancing the practical applications of SIBs.

Identification of differences in digestive organ weight, bone mineral concentration, and ileal transcriptomic profiles of low and high weight broiler chicks

Abstract A growth monitoring study (0–7 day of age) was conducted involving 87, one-day old Ross 308 male broilers to evaluate organ weights, bone parameters and ileal transcriptomic profile of broiler chicks as influenced by day 7 bodyweight (BW) grouping. The chicks were raised in a deep-litter house under common controlled environmental conditions and commercial starter diet. Chicks were grouped on day 7 into two distinct BW, super performer (SP) and under performer (UP) with bodyweights >260, and <200 g respectively. Results revealed that the SP chicks had significantly higher bone ash, sodium (Na), phosphorus (P) and rubidium (Rb) concentrations compared to the UP chicks on D7. In contrast, the UP chicks had significantly higher tibial cadmium (Cd), caesium (Cs) and lead (Pb) compared to the SP group; the UP chicks also had proportionally heavier relative gizzard weight than the SP chicks. The ileal transcriptomic data revealed differentially expressed genes (DEG) between the two groups of chicks, with 150 upregulated and 83 down-regulated genes with a fold change of ≥1.25 or ≤ 1.25 in the SP chicks relative to the UP chicks. Furthermore, functional annotation and pathway analysis revealed that some of these DEG were involved in various pathways including calcium signalling, Wnt signalling, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction and mucin type O-glycan biosynthesis. This study revealed that chicks of the same breed and of uniform environmental and diet management exhibited differences in digestive organ weights, tibial bone characteristics and ileal gene expression that may be related to BW.

Electrical Conductivity as an Informative Factor of the Properties of Liposomal Systems with Naproxen Sodium for Transdermal Application.

Liposomal preparations play an important role as formulations for transdermal drug delivery; however, the electrical conductivity of these systems is sparingly evaluated. The aim of the study was to outline the range of the values of electrical conductivity values that may be recorded in the future pharmaceutical systems in the context of their viscosity. The electrical conductivity, measured by a conductivity probe of k = 1.0 cm-1, and the dynamic viscosity of liposomal and non-liposomal systems with naproxen sodium, embedded into a methylcellulose hydrophilic gel (0.25%), were compared with data from preparations without naproxen sodium in a range reflecting the naproxen sodium concentrations 0.1·10-2-9.5·10-2 mol/L. The specific conductivity covered a 1.5 μS·cm-1-5616.0 μS·cm-1 range, whereas the viscosity ranged from 0.9 to 9.4 mPa·s. The naproxen sodium highly influenced the electrical conductivity, whereas the dynamic viscosity was a moderate factor. The observed phenomena may be ascribed to the high mobility of sodium ions recruited from naproxen sodium and the relatively low concentrations of applied methylcellulose. The assembly of lecithin in liposomes may have lowered the specific conductivity of the systems with naproxen sodium. These measurements will be further developed for implementation as simple assays of the concentrations of active pharmaceutical ingredient in release experiments of preparations proposed for dermatological applications.

Impact of Halophilic Bioformulations on Growth, Yield and Nutrient Uptake of Paddy Grown Under Sodic Soils

ABSTRACT Soil degradation through sodicity is a universal concern. Regular biofertilizers are ineffective under sodic soils, owing to the inability of microbes to tolerate salt stress. To overcome this, attempts have been made to develop bioformulation based on halophiles that can replace regular biofertilizer applications in salt-affected soils. Therefore, to study the efficacy of halophilic biofertilizers, i.e. Halo-Azo, Halo-PSB, Halo-Zinc and Halo-Mix, on the growth and productivity of paddy (var. PR-113), a pot-culture experiment was undertaken during the summer season of 2019–2020 at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu, Chatha, India. Application of these bioformulations showed a significant decrease in soil pH, EC and sodium content of sodic soil, with mean values of 8.94, 0.46 dS m−1 and 209.6 mg kg−1, respectively. These halophilic bioformulations showed a significant increase in plant growth, yield and yield attributes in terms of plant height, dry matter accumulation (DMA), leaf area index, number of effective panicles per m2, length of panicle, number of grains per panicle, grain yield, straw yield and 1000-grain weight. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium uptake in rice grain was significantly higher in crops grown with the inoculation of halophilic formulations under sodic soil, which was 40.30 kg ha−1, 8.27 kg ha−1 and 6.41 kg ha−1, respectively, as compared to the corresponding control. Thus, the exploitation of Halo-Azo, Halo-PSB, Halo-Zinc and Halo-Mix as biofertilizers has enormous potential in improving the crop productivity under sodic soil conditions, owing to their cost-effectiveness.

Determination of Minor and Trace Elements in Breast Milk of Lactating Mothers in Early Lactation from Tehran, Iran Using Neutron Activation Analysis Method.

This study aimed to evaluate the concentrations of both essential and non-essential elements in the breast milk of lactating mothers from Tehran, Iran, during the colostrum period. Neutron activation analysis (NAA) was used to measure the element concentrations. Additionally, the study assessed how these element concentrations were influenced by maternal factors such as age and economic status. Breast milk samples were collected from 95 lactating mothers, aged 18 to 41, during the early lactation phase, specifically within the colostrum period (2-7 days postpartum). The colostrum milk samples were freeze-dried, powdered, and irradiated at the Tehran Research Reactor for neutron activation analysis (NAA). This method was used to measure the concentrations of essential elements-calcium (Ca), potassium (K), sodium (Na), chlorine (Cl), and iodine (I)-as well as non-essential elements-aluminum (Al), bromine (Br), and rubidium (Rb). Descriptive statistics, including mean, median, maximum, minimum, and standard deviation, were calculated for each element. Statistical analyses, such as Pearson's correlation, were performed to assess relationships between the concentrations of various elements. Additionally, t-tests and p-values were employed to evaluate differences in element levels across maternal age groups (17-34 years vs. 35-45 years) and economic status (high/middle vs. low). The mean concentrations of the elements in dry breast milk powder samples were: Al = 6.9mg/kg, Br = 11.9mg/kg, Ca = 2.757mg/g, Cl = 7.836mg/g, I = 1.22mg/kg, K = 5.853mg/g, Na = 4.932mg/g, and Rb = 3.69mg/kg. Significant correlations were found between element pairs, such as Na-Cl, Br-Cl, Na-Br, Rb-K, and I-Cl. Maternal age significantly influenced bromine concentrations, with older mothers showing 22% higher Br levels (p = 0.038), while calcium levels were 15% lower but not statistically significant (p = 0.20). Maternal economic status significantly impacted calcium and potassium concentrations, with higher levels observed in mothers from better economic conditions (p = 0.02 and p = 0.025, respectively). This study highlights the elemental composition of breast milk samples of lactating mothers in Tehran and shows that maternal factors, such as age and economic status, can significantly influence the concentrations of specific elements in breast milk.

The evolutionary path of the epithelial sodium channel δ-subunit in Cetartiodactyla points to a role in sodium sensing.

The epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) plays a key role in osmoregulation in tetrapod vertebrates and is a candidate receptor for salt taste sensation. There are four ENaC subunits (α, β, γ, δ) which form αβγ- or δβγ ENaCs. While αβγ-ENaC is a 'maintenance protein' controlling sodium and potassium homeostasis, δβγ-ENaC might represent a 'stress protein' monitoring high sodium concentrations. The δ-subunit emerged with water-to-land transition of tetrapod vertebrate ancestors. We investigated the evolutionary path of ENaC-coding genes in Cetartiodactyla, a group comprising even-toed ungulates and the cetaceans (whales/dolphins) which transitioned from terrestrial to marine environments in the Eocene. The genes SCNN1A (α-ENaC), SCNN1B (β-ENaC) and SCNN1G (γ-ENaC) are intact in all 22 investigated cetartiodactylan families. While SCNN1D (δ-ENaC) is intact in terrestrial Artiodactyla, it is a pseudogene in 12 cetacean families. A fusion of SCNN1D exons 11 and 12 under preservation of the open reading frame was observed in the Antilopinae, representing a new feature of this clade. Transcripts of SCNN1A , SCNN1B and SCNN1G were present in kidney and lung tissues of Bottlenose dolphins, highlighting αβγ-ENaC's role as a maintenance protein. Consistent with SCNN1D loss, Bottlenose dolphins and Beluga whales did not show behavioural differences to stimuli with or without sodium in seawater-equivalent concentrations. These data suggest a function of δ-ENaC as a sodium sensing protein which might have become obsolete in cetaceans after the migration to high-salinity marine environments. Consistently, there is reduced selection pressure or pseudogenisation of SCNN1D in other marine mammals, including sirenians, pinnipeds and sea otter.

Associations between serum mineral concentrations and mortality by renal function in the Ludwigshafen Risk and Cardiovascular Health Study

The association of serum concentrations of minerals and phosphate with overall and cardiovascular mortality based on renal function is poorly understood. 3307 patients (average age 62.7 ± 10.6 years) in the Ludwigshafen Risk and Cardiovascular Health (LURIC) study were grouped by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) into three categories: < 60, 60–89, and ≥ 90 mL/min per 1.73 m2, per KDIGO 2022 guidelines and were analysed using Cox regression. Low serum sodium and iron concentrations were associated with poor renal function and increased overall mortality risk, whereas higher serum zinc concentrations were associated with reduced overall and cardiovascular mortality risk. Elevated serum copper concentrations were associated with increased mortality risk across all eGFR categories. Comparing low and normal eGFR, we observed a fourfold increase in all-cause mortality risk for eGFR < 60 mL/min per 1.73 m2 and a twofold increase for eGFR 60–89 mL/min per 1.73 m2, accompanied by changes in serum mineral concentrations. The optimal range of mineral and phosphate concentrations in serum was strongly related to renal function. To reduce mortality risk, it’s important to regularly monitor serum mineral and phosphate concentrations as well as renal function, especially in cardiovascular patients with compromised renal function.

Low-temperature CO2 Hydrogenation to Olefins on Anorthic NaCoFe Alloy Carbides.

The hydrogenation of carbon dioxide to olefins (CTO) represents an ideal pathway towards carbon neutrality. However, most current CTO catalysts require a high-temperature condition of 300-450°C, resulting in high energy consumption and possible aggregation among active sites. Herein, we developed an efficient iron-based catalyst modified with high-sodium content (7%) and low-cobalt content (2%), achieving a CO2 conversion of 22.0% and an olefin selectivity of 55.9% at 240°C and 1000 mL/g/h, and it is even active at 180°C and 4000 mL/g/h with more than 25% olefins in hydrocarbons. The catalyst was kept stable under continuous operating conditions of 500 hours. Numerous characterizations and calculations reveal high content of sodium as an electronic promoter enhances the stability of the active anorthic Fe5C2 phase at low temperatures. Further incorporating the above catalyst with cobalt, as a structural promoter, causes Fe species to form a FexCoy alloying phase, which in turn facilitates the formation of higher active anorthic (FexCoy)5C2 phase, different from the conventional carbides and alloy carbides. An in-depth investigation of the synergistic effects of structural and electronic promoters can improve catalyst performance, increase reaction efficiency and cost-effectiveness, and provide profound insights for understanding and optimizing CO2 hydrogenation reactions.

PREFERENCE BEHAVIOR TOWARDS MINERAL ELEMENTS BY HONEYBEE

The study was conducted to ‎‎investigate honeybee preferences for various micronutrients and their ‎‎concentrations. throughout the summer of 2021 at the Plant Protection Research Institute, ARC, Giza, Egypt, specifically at the apiary of the Bee Research Department. Forager bees showed strong avoidance responses only to high ‎mineral ‎concentrations (2, 1, 0.5%, and 0.25%) for sodium, potassium, ‎calcium, and ‎magnesium chloride‎. On the other hand, Foragers bees recorded a ‎high visitation number in low ‎concentrations (0.1, 0.05, 0.025 %, and 0.0125%) ‎for 4 minerals and tap water.‎ The honeybee ‎prefers dilute sodium chloride and ‎its low concentrations (0.0125%), which ‎recorded a higher visitation number ‎among all mineral concentrations under the ‎study. In contrast, the bees exhibited no discernible preferences for the ‎calcium chloride solutions with ‎a low visitation number of 0.1 and 0.05% ‎compared with tap water. The visitation numbers are ‎similar in magnesium and ‎potassium at 0.05, 0.025, and 0.0125% but higher ‎than tap water.‎ The solution was consumed at a ‎concentration of 0.0125 after 139 ‎minutes, a concentration of 0.025 after 142.5 min., and a ‎concentration of 0.05 after a time had passed 157.5 min. ‎The preference factor ‎for NaCl solution was recorded at a concentration of ‎‎(0.0125) Thus, the bees’ ‎preference for this concentration is higher than their ‎preference for tap water. ‎The lowest preference factor (0.4) was recorded with a ‎CaCl2 solution with a ‎concentration of (0.1). low consumption ‎ratios were recorded for 0.0125% ‎potassium chloride (indicating a preference ‎for the test solution), and higher ‎consumption ratios were reported for 0.1% ‎calcium chloride (indicating ‎avoidance of the test solution).‎

Evaluation of the Chemical Composition and Feeding Value of Sweet Orange Pulp and Pineapple Peel Meals as Fibre Sources in Pigs’ Rations

The piggery industry in Nigeria is on the verge of collapsing due to the high cost of conventional feed resources including wheat offal and palm kernel cake that usually form bulk in the diets of pigs. This study was, therefore, designed to compare the chemical composition of orange pulp meal, pineapple peel meal, and wheat offal and evaluate their feeding value in pig rations. The orange pulp and pineapple peels were dried on a concrete floor and analyzed for chemical composition. Three experimental diets were formulated with orange pulp and pineapple peel meals replacing wheat offal as a fibre source. Thirty crossbred (Chester white x Landrace) growing pigs with an average initial weight of 8.20 -- 8.75kg were distributed into three groups, with ten animals per group, and assigned to the three experimental diets. The average daily feed intake and weight gain were monitored throughout the 56-day duration of the experiment. Seven days to the end of the experiment, three pigs randomly selected for the digestibility trial were individually housed in metabolism crates and allowed 5 days of adaptation to the crates and feed before faecal collection commenced. Animals were fed the experimental diets at approximately 4% of their body weight, and the faeces of the animals were collected for 5 days. The determination of the nutrient composition of feed and faecal samples was performed. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance using a completely randomized design. The result indicated that samples were significantly (P&lt;0.05) different in crude protein composition, with the wheat offal having the highest value corresponding to 9.21 ± 0.12%. Orange pulp had the highest content of ash (6.72 ± 0.12%). The gross energy values were 15.23MJ/kg, 15.31MJ/kg and 16.15MJ/kg for pineapple peel, orange pulp and wheat offal, respectively. The highest manganese concentration was observed in wheat offal (5.19± 0.11mg/l), while orange pulp and wheat offal were higher in sodium and phosphorus concentrations. The pigs fed an orange pulp meal diet recorded the highest average daily weight gain (0.31 kg) and a superior feed conversion ratio (4.19) relative to others. Digestibility values were similar across the three treatment groups. It was, therefore, concluded that orange pulp and pineapple peal meal could serve as alternative fibre sources in growing pigs' rations. Key words: Wheat offal, pineapple peel, orange pulp, growing pigs, digestibility

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors Toward Salt Consumption and Its Association With 24-Hour Urinary Sodium and Potassium Excretion in Adults Living in Mexico City: Cross-Sectional Study.

The World Health Organization recommends a daily sodium intake of less than 2000 mg for adults; however, the Mexican population, like many others globally, consumes more sodium than this recommended amount. Excessive sodium intake is often accompanied by inadequate potassium intake. The association between knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors (KAB) and actual sodium intake has yielded mixed results across various populations. In Mexico, however, salt/sodium-related KAB and its relationship with sodium and potassium intake have not been evaluated. This study primarily aims to describe salt/sodium-related KAB in a Mexican population and, secondarily, to explore the association between KAB and 24-hour urinary sodium and potassium excretion. We conducted a cross-sectional study in an adult population from Mexico City and the surrounding metropolitan area. Self-reported KAB related to salt/sodium intake was assessed using a survey developed by the Pan American Health Organization. Anthropometric measurements were taken, and 24-hour urinary sodium and potassium excretion levels were determined. Descriptive statistics were stratified by sex and presented as means (SD) or median (25th-75th percentiles) for continuous variables, and as absolute and relative frequencies for categorical variables. The associations between KAB and sodium and potassium excretion were assessed using analysis of covariance, adjusting for age, sex, BMI, and daily energy intake as covariates, with the Šidák correction applied for multiple comparisons. Overall, 232 participants were recruited (women, n=184, 79.3%). The mean urinary sodium and potassium excretion were estimated to be 2582.5 and 1493.5 mg/day, respectively. A higher proportion of men did not know the amount of sodium they consumed compared with women (12/48, 25%, vs 15/184, 8.2%, P=.01). More women reported knowing that there is a recommended amount for daily sodium intake than men (46/184, 25%, vs 10/48, 20.8%, P=.02). Additionally, more than half of men (30/48, 62.5%) reported never or rarely reading food labels, compared with women (96/184, 52.1%, P=.04). Better salt/sodium-related KAB was associated with higher adjusted mean sodium and potassium excretion. For example, mean sodium excretion was 3011.5 (95% CI 2640.1-3382.9) mg/day among participants who reported knowing the difference between salt and sodium, compared with 2592.8 (95% CI 2417.2-2768.3) mg/day in those who reported not knowing this difference (P=.049). Similarly, potassium excretion was 1864.9 (95% CI 1669.6-2060.3) mg/day for those who knew the difference, compared with 1512.5 (95% CI 1420.1-1604.8) mg/day for those who did not (P=.002). Additionally, higher urinary sodium excretion was observed among participants who reported consuming too much sodium (3216.0 mg/day, 95% CI 2867.1-3565.0 mg/day) compared with those who claimed to eat just the right amount (2584.3 mg/day, 95% CI 2384.9-2783.7 mg/day, P=.01). Salt/sodium-related KAB was poor in this study sample. Moreover, KAB had a greater impact on potassium excretion than on sodium excretion, highlighting the need for more strategies to improve KAB related to salt/sodium intake. Additionally, it is important to consider other strategies aimed at modifying the sodium content of foods.

Hypogalactia as a cause of neonatal hypernatremia

Neonatal hypernatremia is a condition in which the concentration of sodium in the blood of a newborn child exceeds 145 mmol/l. The causes of this pathology may be kidney disease, endocrine problems, transdermal water loss, iatrogenic sodium overload. In addition, dehydration due to insufficient breastfeeding remains one of the important factors leading to hypernatremia. Clinical signs include: significant weight loss, decreased skin turgor, anxiety, fever, seizures, and direct hyperbilirubinemia. The main complications of this condition are intracranial hemorrhages, venous sinus thrombosis and acute renal tubule necrosis. Infusion therapy and adequate oral nutrition are used to correct hypernatremia. The article presents a clinical case of hypernatremia in a newborn child caused by hypogalactyly in the mother. The purpose of the demonstration is to raise awareness and alertness among pediatricians and neonatologists about the possibility of this problem.

Ascorbic acid and glucose can cause significant interference on quantitative measurement of biochemistry analytes in urine.

Preanalytical errors due to interferences can lead to inaccurate results, necessitating an understanding of potential interferences for each test. This study explores the impact of elevated concentrations of ascorbic acid and glucose on urine analysis, a pivotal diagnostic tool. Conducted at the Clinical Institute of Chemistry, KBC Sestre milosrdnice, the research utilized a 24-hour urine sample. Parameters assessed included total proteins, albumin, amylase, sodium, potassium, chlorides, calcium, phosphates, magnesium, creatinine, urea, and uric acid. Various concentrations of added interferents were prepared for duplicate measurements using statistical analysis in Microsoft Excel. No statistically significant interferences were found in albumin, amylase, sodium, potassium, or phosphate concentrations. However, ascorbic acid interfered with chloride, calcium, and magnesium determinations. Conversely, elevated glucose affected total protein, calcium, magnesium, creatinine, urea, and uric acid determinations. Interference of ascorbic acid with chloride and interference of glucose with total proteins and uric acid displayed a linear relationship. Results suggest cautious analysis interpretation from certain parameters in patients with elevated glucose and/or ascorbic acid in urine. Whereas ascorbic acid interference may go unnoticed due to its infrequent measurement, routine determination of glucose in urine is crucial, especially for diabetes patients.

Nutritional qualities of cookies made from wheat/cashew nut composite flour

The current study examined the nutrient qualities of cookies made from wheat/cashew nut composite flour blends. The wheat flour was partially replaced at different concentration of cashew paste for cookie production. Using standard methods, the physicochemical and sensory evaluation of cookies were ascertained. The result of the proximate composition showed that protein content varied from 11.31 % to 15.23 % while fat content 10.23–12.95 %. Phytochemical properties showed that tannin content ranged from 0.28 to 0.64 g/100 g while the phytate content varied from 3.71 to 4.12 g/100 g. Mineral content result showed that sodium content ranged from 122.45 to 163.55 mg/100 g while the potassium content 59.60–70.60 mg/100 g. The Na/K ratio ranged from 2.29 to 2.47 which is a positive sign that the cookies could be beneficial as functional food for those who have high blood pressure and other cardiovascular conditions. Baking characteristic of cookies showed that the weigh ranged from 13.40 to 19.47 g while the thickness ranged from 0.60 to 0.77 mm. Result from sensory attributes of the cookies showed that WC3 was the most generally accepted. The study concludes that nutritious cookies can be produced from wheat/cashew nut composite flour.

Effect of “TASTE PLUS SODIUM REDUCTION TMT” for Salt Reduction in Seasonings by Maintaining Sensory Quality of Food

World Health Organization recommends limiting daily common salt to 5 g for a healthy person to reduce sodium intake, as excess sodium can lead to elevated blood pressure, stroke, and cardiovascular diseases. However, many individuals consume double that amount through various food sources. Considering that approximately 40% of common salt contains sodium and other foods have varying quantities of sodium, the initiative is to propose an alternative ingredient called Taste Plus, developed from natural sources, that maintains the taste perception of common salt while reducing sodium intake. Taste Plus is a complex mixture of food additives with a polysaccharide carrier base that easily fuses with foodstuffs. Extensive laboratory testing and verification have demonstrated its effectiveness in reducing sodium content. The study's overall finding is that adding 0.2% Taste Plus TMT tool, which helps deduct 5 g of salt from every 100 g of seasoning, can reduce sodium in a recipe by up to 20% while retaining the same salty perception as before.

Formulation, Development and Evaluation of Pulsatile Tablets of Etoricoxib

Aim: This research aimed to develop a pulsatile drug delivery system (PDDS) for etoricoxib, selective COX-2 inhibitor analgesic, to address the limitations of conventional formulations by releasing the drug at specific intervals aligned with the circadian rhythm of pain. Method: Core tablets containing Etoricoxib were prepared by direct compression with varied concentrations of croscarmellose sodium as a superdisintegrant. The optimized core tablets were coated using hydrophilic (HPMC K4M) and hydrophobic (ethyl cellulose) polymers in different ratios to create press-coated pulsatile tablets with varying lag times. Physical properties hardness, thickness, friability, and disintegration, drug content uniformity, and in vitro release were evaluated. Results: The core tablets exhibited rapid drug release, with batch C3 showing 98.61% release within 60 minutes. Press-coated formulations with different polymer ratios exhibited varying lag times, with batch F3 achieving the optimal balance—providing a 4-hour lag time and 96.6% drug release over 8 hours. Stability studies confirmed the physical and chemical stability of the optimized formulation (F3) over 6 months under accelerated conditions. Conclusion: The developed press-coated pulsatile tablets of etoricoxib successfully achieved a controlled lag time and sustained drug release profile, making them suitable for chronopharmacological management of pain. Keywords: Etoricoxib, Pulsatile Drug Delivery System, Chronopharmacology, Press-Coated Tablets. etc

Modulations in Physiological and Biochemical attributes of Citrus Limon by selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) under salinity stress

Salinity is recognized as a significant abiotic stressor that impairs crop growth and productivity. Elevated - soil and irrigation water salinity poses substantial ecological challenges for agriculture, particularly in semiarid and arid regions. High sodium (Na+) concentrations induce osmotic stress, leading to water deficits within plant cells. However, using nanoparticles can mitigate salt stress and enhance plant growth. This study investigates the effects of selenium nanoparticles on the physiobiochemical characteristics of Citrus limon L. seedlings under salt stress. Selenium nanoparticles act as both reducing and capping agents. Six-month-old lemon seedlings were subjected to varying salinity levels (100 mM and 200 mM NaCl) and treated with foliar applications of selenium nanoparticles at - 25 mg/L and 50 mg/L concentration. Most of the nanostructures were observed in the size range of 20–40 nm and anisotropic and irregular in shape. The results indicated that 200 mM NaCl significantly reduced the morphological and physio-biochemical parameters of the seedlings. However, a 50 mg/L concentration of SeNPs notably improved fresh and dry weights of roots and shoots and increased chlorophyll content. Biochemical attributes such as SOD, POD, CAT, APX, TSS, TFA, Proline, H2O2, and MDA were elevated under 200 mM NaCl, while NPK levels decreased. A concentration of 50 mg/L SeNPs was identified as optimal for enhancing the morphological and physiobiochemical parameters of C. limon seedlings under salt stress.

Exploring the predictive value of serum lipids for short‐term prognosis in patients with acute‐on‐chronic liver failure

AbstractAimsAcute‐on‐chronic liver failure (ACLF) is defined as acute liver injury superimposed on chronic liver disease, resulting in a significantly increased short‐term mortality rate. Serum lipids are associated with the severity of liver disease and contribute to the prognostic assessment for cirrhosis and liver failure. However, the presentation of serum lipids varies in different studies, making it difficult to draw definitive conclusions. This study aimed to investigate the predictive value of serum lipids for short‐term prognosis in patients with ACLF.MethodsThis retrospective analysis was conducted using the clinical data of patients hospitalized for ACLF between January 2018 and December 2021. The collected data were subjected to Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator and logistic regression analyses to identify the independent predictors of 28‐day and 90‐day mortality. Separate regression models were developed for each identified serum lipid. These models were combined with the Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease (MELD), MELD combined with serum sodium concentration (MELD‐Na), Chronic Liver Failure Consortium Acute‐on‐chronic Liver Failure (CLIF‐C ACLF), and Chinese Group on the Study of Severe Hepatitis B‐ACLF (COSSH‐ACLF) scores to construct new models. The performance of these models was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), Nagelkerke R2, Brier score, net reclassification index (NRI), and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) to assess the prognostic ability of serum lipids.ResultsThis study included 266 patients with ACLF, of whom 25.9% (69/266) died within 28 days and 38.5% (102/265, with 1 lost to follow‐up) died within 90 days. The independent predictors of 28‐day mortality were age, the presence of overt hepatic encephalopathy at admission, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) levels, and international normalized ratio (INR). The independent predictors of 90‐day mortality were age, albumin levels, serum creatinine levels, and INR. The comparative analysis revealed that the AUC of all other models exceeded that of HDL‐C (p &lt; 0.001). The COSSH‐ACLF model demonstrated superior predictive ability compared with the MELD and HDL‐MELD models (p = 0.013 and 0.017, respectively). Furthermore, the HDL‐COSSH‐ACLF model exhibited a similar trend in predictive ability compared with the latter two models (p = 0.009). No significant differences were observed in the AUC performances of the other models. A comparison of NRI calculated using the cutoff values assigned by equal assignment revealed that the addition of HDL‐C improved the predictive ability of the MELD score by 4.6% (NRI = 0.0460, p = 0.036). The MELD‐Na score exhibited an 8.4% improvement (NRI = 0.0844, p = 0.047), while the COSSH‐ACLF score demonstrated a 14.4% improvement (NRI = 0.1443, p = 0.015). However, these changes did not significantly impact the capacity of the CLIF‐C ACLF score (NRI = 0.0350, p = 0.141). No significant differences were observed in the IDI comparisons between the models with different cutoff values (all p &gt; 0.050).ConclusionsSerum HDL‐C is an independent predictor of 28‐day mortality in patients with ACLF. Although it has inferior predictive ability when considered alone, HDL‐C enhances the predictive capacity of MELD, MELD‐Na, and COSSH‐ACLF when incorporated into these models.

Diclofenac sodium removal by powdered activated carbon of coconut endocarp: process optimization, kinetics, and isotherms

ABSTRACT Emerging contaminants (ECs) have been detected in various environmental compartments, especially in aquatic bodies. Among EC, diclofenac sodium (DS) is one of the most ecotoxic and causes hemodynamic changes, thyroid tumors, and adverse effects under chronic exposure. Therefore, some countries have adopted restrictive legislation, encouraging the development of technology to mitigate this situation. Among the available water treatment processes, adsorption is an effective alternative in technical and economic aspects. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate, on a bench scale, the efficiency of DS removal in powdered activated carbon (PAC) of coconut endocarp. The adsorption of DS was analyzed through central composite design (CCD), using four factors: diclofenac sodium concentration (CDS from 50 to 450 mg · L−1), adsorbent concentration (CPAC from 0.2 to 5 g · L−1), contact time (Ct from 5 to 45 min), and pH (from 5 to 9). The results supported response modeling for adsorption capacity, pseudo-first-order (PFO) and pseudo-second-order (PSO) kinetics, intraparticle diffusion (IPD), and Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. DS demonstrated an affinity for adsorption on PAC. The maximum adsorption capacity was 169.39 mg · g−1 for PAC (CDS of 331.64 mg · L−1, CPAC of 0.2 g · L−1, Ct of 40.6 min, and pH 5) obtained through duplicate confirmation batches.

Structural Regulation of P2‐Type Layered Oxide with Anion/Cation Codoping Strategy for Sodium‐Ion Batteries

AbstractP2‐type layered transition metal oxides are potential cathodes for sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs), but they commonly suffer from severe capacity degradation owing to multiple phase transitions and Na+/vacancy ordering during the extraction/insertion process. An anionic/cationic co‐doping strategy at high sodium contents is proposed to effectively achieve high‐rate and long‐term stability of P2‐Na0.67Ni0.33Mn0.67O2. The resulting Na0.75Mg0.1Ni0.23Mn0.67O1.95F0.05 (NMNMOF) cathode delivers a reversible capacity of 116 mAh g−1 at 75 mA g−1 and maintains an initial capacity of 73% at 1500 mA g−1 after 1000 cycles. The Mg/F anionic/cationic co‐doping strategy impacts the local environment of the surrounding transition metal and oxygen, regulates the electron distribution, and modifies the initial diffusion state of Na sites, enhancing the diffusion ability of Na+. Moreover, the phase transition of P2‐O2 is well suppressed and the decrease in Mn3+ content greatly alleviates the Jahn–Teller effect to enhance structural stability. The full‐cell devices with NMNMOF cathode and hard carbon anode demonstrate a high capacity of 80 mAh g−1 at 10 C and an excellent cycle life of over 500 cycles for applications. The anionic/cationic co‐doping strategy will inspire the rational design of P2‐type layered oxides and provide a new perspective for advanced SIBs.