bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Systematic Analysis of Recent Technology Trends of Microfluidic Medical Devices in the United States
Authors: Natu Rucha , Herbertson Luke , Sena Grazziela , Strachan Kate , Guha Suvajyoti
Published: June 2023

In recent years, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has seen an increase in microfluidic medical device submissions, likely stemming from recent advancements in microfluidic technologies. This recent trend has only been enhanced during the COVID-19 pandemic, as microfluidic-based test kits have been used for diagnosis. To better understand the implications of this emerging technology, device submissions to the FDA from 2015 to 2021 containing microfluidic technologies have been systematically reviewed to identify trends in microfluidic medical applications, performance tests, standards used, fabrication techniques, materials, and flow systems. More than 80% of devices with microfluidic platforms were found to be diagnostic in nature, with lateral flow systems accounting for about 35% of all identified microfluidic devices. A targeted analysis of over 40,000 adverse event reports linked to microfluidic technologies revealed that flow, operation, and data output related failures are the most common failure modes for these device types. Lastly, this paper highlights key considerations for developing new protocols for various microfluidic applications that use certain analytes (e.g., blood, urine, nasal-pharyngeal swab), materials, flow, and detection mechanisms. We anticipate that these considerations would help facilitate innovation in microfluidic-based medical devices.
Milling Stability Prediction: A New Approach Based on a Composited Newton–Cotes Formula
Authors: Zheng Junqiang , Ren Pengfei , Zhou Chaofeng , Du Xu
Published: June 2023

Based on a composited Newton–Cotes formula, this paper proposes a numerical method to predict milling stability considering regenerative chatter and focusing on rate and prediction accuracy. First, the dynamic model of milling motion is expressed as state-space equations considering regenerative chatter, with the tooth passing period divided into a set of time intervals. Second, a composited Newton–Cotes formula is introduced to calculate the transition function map for each time interval. Third, the state transition matrix is constructed based on the above-mentioned transition function, and the prediction stability boundary is determined by the Floquet theory. Finally, simulation analysis and experimental verification are conducted to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. The simulation results demonstrate that, for the milling model with a single degree of freedom (DOF), the convergence rate and prediction accuracy of the proposed method are higher than those of the comparison method. The experimental results demonstrate that, for the milling model with two DOFs, the machining parameters below the prediction stability boundary can avoid the chatter as much as possible, ensuring the machined surface quality.
A Novel High Isolation 4-Port Compact MIMO Antenna with DGS for 5G Applications
Authors: Güler Cem , Bayer Keskin Sena Esen
Published: June 2023

This paper presents the design and realization of a simple and low-profile, four-port multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) antenna operating in a mm-wave band supporting 5G communication technologies. As part of the design methodology, the initial stage involved the development of a conventional monopole patch antenna optimized for operation at 26 GHz, which was matched to a 50 Ω stepped feed line. Afterward, a square-shaped defected ground structure (DGS) with semi-circle slots on the edges was placed on the ground to improve the isolation, and the circular and rectangular slots were incorporated as DGSs to optimize the antenna impedance bandwidth. Etching semi-circular-shaped slots on the ground plane achieved more than 34.2 dB isolation in the 26 GHz operating band. In addition, an arrangement of four symmetrical radiating elements was positioned orthogonally to minimize the antenna’s physical size and improve the isolation. The proposed MIMO antenna’s overall dimension was 25 × 25 mm2, which was printed on a Rogers 5880 substrate at a width of 0.787 mm and εr = 2.2. The proposed antenna covered the 5G mm-wave band with a 10 dB bandwidth ranging from 25.28–28.02 GHz, whereas the maximum gain attained for the proposed structure was 8.72 dBi. Additionally, the implementation of these slots effectively mitigated mutual coupling, resulting in reduced envelope correlation coefficient (ECC) values. Furthermore, other MIMO performance metrics, including channel capacity loss (CCL), mean effective gain (MEG), and diversity gain (DG), were analyzed for the proposed structure. The obtained results indicate its suitability for various usage areas, such as smart devices, mobile phones, and sensors in 5G applications.
Electrophysiological and Behavioral Responses of Virgin Female Bactrocera tryoni to Microbial Volatiles from Enterobacteriaceae
Authors: Tallon Anaïs K. , Manning Lee-Anne , Mas Flore
Published: June 2023

The Queensland fruit fly (Bactrocera tryoni) is a major polyphagous pest widespread in Australia and several Pacific Islands. Bacteria present on the host plant phyllosphere supply proteins, essential for egg development and female sexual maturity. We investigated the role of microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) emitted by Enterobacteriaceae commonly found on the host plant and in the fly gut in attracting virgin females. Bacteria were cultured on artificial media and natural fruits, at various pH, and MVOCs were collected using different headspace volatile absorbent materials. The olfactory responses of virgin females to bacterial MVOCs were assessed via electrophysiology and behavioral assays. The production of MVOCs was strongly influenced qualitatively by the bacterial strain and the type of media, and it semi-quantitatively varied with pH and time. MVOCs emitted by Klebsiella oxytoca invoked the strongest antennal response and were the most attractive. Among the identified compounds triggering an olfactory response, D-limonene and 2-nonanone were both significantly behaviorally attractive, whereas phenol, nonanal, isoamyl alcohol, and some pyrazines appeared to be repulsive. This study deepens our understanding of the chemical ecology between fruit flies and their bacterial symbionts and paves the way for novel synthetic lures based on specifically MVOCs targeting virgin females.
Production of Reactive Oxygen (ROS) and Nitrogen (RNS) Species in Macrophages J774A.1 Activated by the Interaction between Two Escherichia coli Pathotypes and Two Probiotic Commercial Strains
Authors: González-Magallanes Berenice , Magaña-Guerrero Fátima Sofía , Bautista-de Lucio Victor Manuel , Hernández-Gómez Jimmy Giovanni , Salas-Lais Angel Gustavo , Hernández-Sánchez Humberto
Published: June 2023

Probiotics play an important role against infectious pathogens, such as Escherichia coli (E. coli), mainly through the production of antimicrobial compounds and their immunomodulatory effect. This protection can be detected both on the live probiotic microorganisms and in their inactive forms (paraprobiotics). Probiotics may affect different cells involved in immunity, such as macrophages. Macrophages are activated through contact with microorganisms or their products (lipopolysaccharides, endotoxins or cell walls). The aim of this work was the evaluation of the effect of two probiotic bacteria (Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HN019 on macrophage cell line J774A.1 when challenged with two pathogenic strains of E. coli. Macrophage activation was revealed through the detection of reactive oxygen (ROS) and nitrogen (RNS) species by flow cytometry. The effect varied depending on the kind of probiotic preparation (immunobiotic, paraprobiotic or postbiotic) and on the strain of E. coli (enterohemorrhagic or enteropathogenic). A clear immunomodulatory effect was observed in all cases. A higher production of ROS compared with RNS was also observed.
Bifidobacterium longum LBUX23 Isolated from Feces of a Newborn; Potential Probiotic Properties and Genomic Characterization
Authors: Reyes-Castillo Pedro A. , González-Vázquez Raquel , Torres-Maravilla Edgar , Bautista-Hernández Jessica I. , Zúñiga-León Eduardo , Leyte-Lugo Martha , Mateos-Sánchez Leovigildo , Mendoza-Pérez Felipe , Gutiérrez-Nava María Angélica , Reyes-Pavón Diana , Azaola-Espinosa Alejandro , Mayorga-Reyes Lino
Published: June 2023

Bifidobacterium longum is considered a microorganism with probiotic potential, which has been extensively studied, but these probiotic effects are strain dependent. This work aims to characterize the probiotic potential, based on the biochemical and genomic functionality, of B. longum LBUX23, isolated from neonates’ feces. B. longum LBUX23 contains one circular genome of 2,287,838 bp with a G+C content of 60.05%, no plasmids, no CRISPR-Cas operon, possesses 56 tRNAs, 9 rRNAs, 1 tmRNA and 1776 coding sequences (CDSs). It has chromosomally encoded resistance genes to ampicillin and dicloxacillin, non-hemolytic activity, and moderate inhibition of Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and to some emergent pathogen’s clinical strains. B. longum LBUX23 was able to utilize lactose, sucrose, fructooligosaccharides (FOS), and lactulose. The maximum peak of bacterial growth was observed in sucrose and FOS at 6 h; in lactose and lactulose, it was shown at 8 h. B. longum LBUX23 can survive in gastrointestinal conditions (pH 4 to 7). A decrease in survival (96.5 and 93.8%) was observed at pH 3 and 3.5 during 120 min. argC, argH, and dapA genes could be involved in this tolerance. B. longum LBUX23 can also survive under primary and secondary glyco- or tauro-conjugated bile salts, and a mixture of bile salts due to the high extracellular bile salt hydrolase (BSH) activity (67.3 %), in taurocholic acid followed by taurodeoxycholic acid (48.5%), glycocholic acid (47.1%), oxgall (44.3%), and glycodeoxycholic acid (29.7%) probably due to the presence of the cbh and gnlE genes which form an operon (start: 119573 and end: 123812). Low BSH activity was determined intracellularly (<7%), particularly in glycocholic acid; no intracellular activity was shown. B. longum LBUX23 showed antioxidant effects in DPPH radical, mainly in intact cells (27.4%). In the case of hydroxyl radical scavenging capacity, cell debris showed the highest reduction (72.5%). In the cell-free extract, superoxide anion radical scavenging capacity was higher (90.5%). The genome of B. longum LBUX23 contains PNPOx, AhpC, Bcp, trxA, and trxB genes, which could be involved in this activity. Regarding adherence, it showed adherence up to 5% to Caco-2 cells. B. longum LBUX23 showed in vitro potential probiotic properties, mainly in BSH activity and antioxidant capacity, which indicates that it could be a good candidate for antioxidant or anti-cholesterol tests using in vivo models.
Roles of the Crp/Fnr Family Regulator ArcR in the Hemolysis and Biofilm of Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Fu Tongtong , Fan Zheng , Li Yujie , Li Zhoufei , Zhao Hanqing , Feng Yanling , Xue Guanhua , Cui Jinghua , Yan Chao , Gan Lin , Feng Junxia , Yuan Jing , You Fuping
Published: June 2023

Staphylococcus aureus is an opportunistic human pathogen that is often involved in severe infections such as pneumonia and sepsis in which bacterial virulence factors play a key role. Infections caused by S. aureus are often difficult to eradicate, particularly when they are associated with biofilm. The physiological roles of the Crp/Fnr family regulator ArcR are elusive in S. aureus. In this study, it was found that the deletion of arcR increased the hemolytic ability and biofilm formation in S. aureus. Differential gene expression analysis by RNA-seq and real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR showed that genes associated with hemolytic ability (hla and hlb) and biofilm formation (icaA, icaB, icaC and icaD) were significantly upregulated compared with those in the wild-type strain. The results revealed that ArcR regulated the expression of the hla and ica operon by binding to their promoter regions, respectively. This study provided new insights into the functional importance of ArcR in regulating the virulence and biofilm of S. aureus.
Ecotoxicological Impacts of Micro(Nano)plastics in the Environment: Biotic and Abiotic Interactions
Authors: Khan Farhan R. , Oliveria Miguel , Walker Tony R. , Panti Cristina , Hardiman Gary
Published: June 2023

Plastic and microplastic pollution is a complex, muti-faceted challenge that has engaged a broad alliance of stakeholder groups who are concerned with environmental, biotic and human health [...]
Enhancing Fines Recovery by Hybrid Flotation Column and Mixed Collectors
Authors: Tsave Polyxeni K. , Kostoglou Margaritis , Karapantsios Thodoris D. , Lazaridis Nikolaos K.
Published: June 2023

The froth flotation technique can be considered one of the most efficient methods for the separation of minerals. Prior to utilizing any physicochemical separation method, the size of the mined ore must be decreased to facilitate the release of the valuable materials. This practice, along with the increased exploitation of ores that carry fine mineral particles caused the production of fine and ultrafine particles which are difficult to recover with classical enrichment methods, due to their different characteristics compared to coarser particles. It is established that fine and ultrafine particles are difficult to float, leading to losses of valuable minerals, mainly due to their low collision efficiency with bubbles. Moreover, fine particles require higher reagent consumption due to the fact that have a higher specific area, and finally, their flotation is limited by low kinetic energy. Flotation of fines can be enhanced by either decreasing bubble diameter or increasing their apparent size, or moreover, by enhancing the collector’s adsorption (their hydrophobic behavior) using alternative reagents (non-ionic co-collectors). In the present research, flotation experiments on a hybrid electrolytic flotation column that can produce microbubbles (−50 μm), were carried out for recovering fine magnesite (−25 μm) particles. In addition, the synergistic effect of anionic/non-ionic collectors were studied for the enhancement of fines recovery. Experimental flotation results so far designate the enhancement of fine magnesite particle recovery by approximately 8% with the addition of microbubbles. Finally, the synergistic effect of anionic/non-anionic collectors led to the improvement of flotation recovery by almost 12%.
Supervised Machine Learning Algorithms to Discriminate Two Similar Marble Varieties, a Case Study
Authors: Casas Lluís , Anglisano Anna , Di Febo Roberta , Pedreño Berta , Queralt Ignasi
Published: June 2023

A multi-analytical approach is usually applied in provenance studies of archaeological marbles. However, for very similar marble varieties, additional techniques and approaches are required. This paper uses a case study to illustrate this with two Catalan marble districts (Gualba and Ceret) and three sets of archaeological marbles. The common multi-method approach is unable to discriminate between the two districts, and such distinction is only partially glimpsed using unsupervised multivariate data analyses on a transformed geochemical dataset of reference samples. In contrast, several supervised classification models have been successfully trained to discriminate between the quarries without any special data transformation. All the trained models agree to assign the three sets of archaeological samples to the Gualba quarry district. Additional outcomes of the paper are a comprehensive archaeometric characterization of the little-known marbles of Gualba and Ceret and the first archaeometrically supported evidence of the use of Gualba marble during Roman and Medieval times.
Semicontinuous Process of Rare Earths Recovery from End-of-Life NdFeB Magnets on a Large Laboratory Scale
Authors: Klemettinen Anna , Adamski Zbigniew , Leśniewicz Anna , Rycerz Leszek
Published: June 2023

Hydrometallurgical methods for NdFeB recycling typically consist of several unit operations and require the extensive use of energy, water and chemicals which may negatively affect the applicability of these methods on an industrial scale. Based on the data from our previous studies, a simplified process of rare earth elements (REE) recovery from spent NdFeB magnets was developed further. The possibility of regenerating the leaching agent, as well as water recovery, in the process was investigated. This study also investigates a possibility of scaling up the recycling process developed on a laboratory scale. The leaching and precipitation stages were tested on a larger scale, where about 1 kg of end-of-life magnets was used as feed to the leaching step. In this study, end-of-life magnets were obtained from the manual disassembly of computer hard disc drives. After disassembly, the magnets were demagnetized, broken into pieces and fed to the leaching process. In the following step, rare earths were precipitated in the form of oxalates. The rare earths’ precipitation efficiency reached a maximum of 95.6%. The results showed that the co-precipitation of Fe highly depends on the amount of oxalic acid used as the precipitant. Smaller losses of Fe were achieved while using a stoichiometric amount of oxalic acid in relation to the REE present in the solution. At the end of the investigated process, rare earth oxalates were calcinated to oxides and their purity was investigated. The recirculation of a solution after oxalate precipitation and acid regeneration was tested with hydrochloric and sulfuric acids used as leaching agents. Solution recirculation was found to be possible only in the case of hydrochloric acid.
Enhancement of the Bioactive Compound Content and Antibacterial Activities in Curcuma Longa Using Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles
Authors: Aldayel Munirah F.
Published: June 2023

Incorporating nanoparticles into plant cultivation has been shown to improve growth parameters and alter the bioactive component compositions of many plant species, including Curcumin longa. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of foliar application of zinc oxide nanoparticles on the content of bioactive compounds and their antibacterial activities against potential bacterial pathogens. To this end, C. longa leaves were treated with different doses of ZnO NPs to see how this affected their bioactive component composition. The effect of different doses of ZnO NPs on the accumulation of bisdemethoxycurcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and curcumin in ethanolic extracts of C. longa rhizomes was evaluated using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). When compared to the control treatment, foliar spraying with (5 and 40 mgL−1) of ZnO NPs increased bisdemethoxycurcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and curcumin levels approximately (2.69 and 2.84)-, (2.61 and 3.22)-, and (2.90 and 3.45)-fold, respectively. We then checked whether the ethanolic extracts produced from the plantlets changed in terms of their phytochemical makeup and antibacterial properties. Furthermore, the results revealed that C. long-ZnO NPs displayed antibacterial activity against the tested S. aureus and P. aeruginosa bacterium strains, but had a few effect against E. coli. The MIC for P. aeruginosa was 100 g/mL. The time–kill studies also revealed that ZnO NPs at 4 MIC killed P. aeruginosa, Actinobacteria baumannii, and Bacillus sp. after 2 h, while S. aureus did not grow when treated with 4 × MIC of the extract for 6 h. The strongest antibacterial activity was seen in the extract from plantlets grown without nanoparticles for P. aeruginosa, whereas it was seen in the extract from plantlets grown in the presence of 5 mg/L ZnO NPs for E. coli, S. aureus, and P. aeruginosa. These findings show that ZnO NPs are powerful enhancers of bioactive compound production in C. longa, a trait that can be used to combat antibiotic resistance in pathogenic bacterial species.
Dynamic Volumetric Imaging of Mouse Cerebral Blood Vessels In Vivo with an Ultralong Anti-Diffracting Beam
Authors: Guo Yong , Wang Luwei , Luo Ziyi , Zhu Yinru , Gao Xinwei , Weng Xiaoyu , Wang Yiping , Yan Wei , Qu Junle
Published: June 2023

Volumetric imaging of a mouse brain in vivo with one-photon and two-photon ultralong anti-diffracting (UAD) beam illumination was performed. The three-dimensional (3D) structure of blood vessels in the mouse brain were mapped to a two-dimensional (2D) image. The speed of volumetric imaging was significantly improved due to the long focal length of the UAD beam. Comparing one-photon and two-photon UAD beam volumetric imaging, we found that the imaging depth of two-photon volumetric imaging (80 μm) is better than that of one-photon volumetric imaging (60 μm), and the signal-to-background ratio (SBR) of two-photon volumetric imaging is two times that of one-photon volumetric imaging. Therefore, we used two-photon UAD volumetric imaging to perform dynamic volumetric imaging of mouse brain blood vessels in vivo, and obtained the blood flow velocity.
Role of Melatonin in Bovine Reproductive Biotechnology
Authors: Li Zhiqiang , Zhang Kaiyan , Zhou Yuming , Zhao Jing , Wang Jun , Lu Wenfa
Published: June 2023

Melatonin has profound antioxidant activity and numerous functions in humans as well as in livestock and poultry. Additionally, melatonin plays an important role in regulating the biological rhythms of animals. Combining melatonin with scientific breeding management has considerable potential for optimizing animal physiological functions, but this idea still faces significant challenges. In this review, we summarized the beneficial effects of melatonin supplementation on physiology and reproductive processes in cattle, including granulosa cells, oocytes, circadian rhythm, stress, inflammation, testicular function, spermatogenesis, and semen cryopreservation. There is much emerging evidence that melatonin can profoundly affect cattle. In the future, we hope that melatonin can not only be applied to cattle, but can also be used to safely and effectively improve the efficiency of animal husbandry.
1,2-Diphenyl-o-carborane and Its Chromium Derivatives: Synthesis, Characterization, X-ray Structural Studies, and Biological Evaluations
Authors: Ha Tae-Jin , Im Dong-Kyung , Kim Seung-Min , Lee Jong-Dae
Published: June 2023

The objective of this study is to design and synthesize substituted η6-chromium(0) tricarbonyl metal complexes carrying o-carborane units as potential boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) agents. In this study, 1,2-diphenyl-o-carborane (1) units were used as starting materials to generate biologically active species. We investigated how the structural changes of 1 substituted with chromium(0) tricarbonyl affect the biological properties, and 1-(Phenyl-η6-chromium(0) tricarbonyl)-2-phenyl-o-carborane (2) and 1,2-bis(phenyl-η6-chromium(0) tricarbonyl)-o-carborane (3) species were produced in moderate yields. The molecular structures of compounds 1–3 were identified and established by infrared (IR); 1H, 11B, and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and X-ray crystallography analyses. Crystal structures of 1,2-diphenyl-o-carborane and the corresponding chromium complexes 1, 2, and 3 were obtained. In an in vitro study using B16 and CT26 cancer cells containing the triphenyl-o-carboranyl chromium(0) complexes Ph3C2BCr2 and Ph3C2BCr3, which we reported previously, compounds 2 and 3 accumulated at higher levels than compounds Ph3C2BCr2 and Ph3C2BCr3. However, the phenylated o-carboranyl chromium complexes have been found to be more cytotoxic than p-boronophenylalanine (BPA).
The Cytotoxic Activity of Dammarane-Type Triterpenoids Isolated from the Stem Bark of Aglaia cucullata (Meliaceae)
Authors: Purnama  , Farabi Kindi , Runadi Dudi , Kuncoro Hadi , Harneti Desi , Nurlelasari  , Mayanti Tri , Azmi Mohamad Nurul , Fajriah Sofa , Supratman Unang
Published: June 2023

The Aglaia genus, a member of the Meliaceae family, is generally recognized to include a number of secondary metabolite compounds with diverse structures and biological activities, including triterpenoids. Among the members of this genus, Aglaia cucullata has been reported to have unique properties and thrives exclusively in mangrove ecosystems. This plant is also known to contain various metabolites, such as flavaglines, bisamides, and diterpenoids, but there are limited reports on the isolation of triterpenoid compounds from its stem bark. Therefore, this research attempted to isolate and elucidate seven triterpenoids belonging to dammarane-type (1–7) from the stem bark of Aglaia cucullata. The isolated compounds included 20S,24S-epoxy-3α,25-dihydroxy-dammarane (1), dammaradienone (2), 20S-hydroxy-dammar-24-en-3-on (3), eichlerianic acid (4), (20S,24RS)-23,24-epoxy-24-methoxy-25,26,27-tris-nor dammar-3-one (5), 3α-acetyl-cabraleahydroxy lactone (6), and 3α-acetyl-20S,24S-epoxy-3α,25-dihydroxydammarane (7). Employing spectroscopic techniques, the chemical structures of the triterpenoids were identified using FTIR, NMR, and HRESITOF-MS. The cytotoxic activity of compounds 1–7 was tested with the PrestoBlue cell viability reagent against MCF-7 breast cancer, B16-F10 melanoma, and CV-1 normal kidney fibroblast cell lines. The results displayed that compound 5 had the highest level of bioactivity compared to the others. Furthermore, the IC50 values obtained were more than 100 μM, indicating the low potential of natural dammarane-type triterpenoids as anticancer agents. These findings provided opportunities for further studies aiming to increase their cytotoxic activities through semi-synthetic methods.
Chitosan Nanoparticles-Preparation, Characterization and Their Combination with Ginkgo biloba Extract in Preliminary In Vitro Studies
Authors: Owczarek Monika , Herczyńska Lucyna , Sitarek Przemysław , Kowalczyk Tomasz , Synowiec Ewelina , Śliwiński Tomasz , Krucińska Izabella
Published: June 2023

Nanoparticles (NPs), due to their size, have a key position in nanotechnology as a spectrum of solutions in medicine. NPs improve the ability of active substances to penetrate various routes: transdermal, but also digestive (active endocytosis), respiratory and injection. Chitosan, an N-deacetylated derivative of chitin, is a natural biodegradable cationic polymer with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Cross-linked chitosan is an excellent matrix for the production of nanoparticles containing active substances, e.g., the Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE). Chitosan nanoparticles with the Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) were obtained by ion gelation using TPP as a cross-linking agent. The obtained product was characterized in terms of morphology and size based on SEM and Zeta Sizer analyses as well as an effective encapsulation of GBE in nanoparticles—FTIR-ATR and UV-Vis analyses. The kinetics of release of the active substance in water and physiological saline were checked. Biological studies were carried out on normal and cancer cell lines to check the cytotoxic effect of GBE, chitosan nanoparticles and a combination of the chitosan nanoparticles with GBE. The obtained nanoparticles contained and released GBE encapsulated in research media. Pure NPs, GBE and a combination of NPs and the extract showed cytotoxicity against tumor cells, with no cytotoxicity against the physiological cell line.
Impact of UV Irradiation on the Chitosan Bioactivity for Biopesticide Applications
Authors: Meynaud Solène , Huet Gaël , Brulé Daphnée , Gardrat Christian , Poinssot Benoit , Coma Véronique
Published: June 2023

Chitosan is known for its antimicrobial and antifungal properties that make it a promising candidate for plant protection. However, when sprayed in open fields, the bioactivity of chitosan significantly diminishes, suggesting a possible influence of sunlight on chitosan structure. This study aimed to investigate the effects of UV radiation, by using artificial UV sources simulating sunlight, on the stability of chitosan. A powdered chitosan with a low polymerization degree was selected and analyzed using various physicochemical methods, both before and after irradiation. Some minor differences appeared. UV spectra analysis revealed the disappearance of initially present chromophores and the emergence of a new band around 340 nm, potentially indicating the formation of carbonyl compounds. However, elemental analysis, MALDI-TOF spectra, polymerization degree, and infrared spectra did not exhibit any clear structural modifications of chitosan. Interestingly, irradiated powdered chitosan samples maintained their bioactivity, including their eliciting and antifungal properties. In the case of grapevine, irradiated chitosan demonstrated effectiveness in controlling grapevine diseases such as downy mildew, contradicting the assumption that sunlight is responsible for the decreased effectiveness of chitosan in open field conditions.
New Complexes of Antimony(III) with Tridentate O,E,O-Ligands (E = O, S, Se, Te, NH, NMe) Derived from N-Methyldiethanolamine
Authors: Böhme Uwe , Herbig Marcus
Published: June 2023

We synthesized a series of new antimony(III) compounds by reaction of Sb(OEt)3 with organic ligands of the type E(CH2-CH2-OH)2, with E = NH, NMe, O, S, Se, and Te. The synthesized compounds have the general composition [E(CH2-CH2-O)2]Sb(OEt). For comparison, the compound (O-CH2-CH2-S)Sb(OEt) was prepared. All compounds are characterized using NMR, IR, and Raman spectroscopy. The molecular structures of the products reveal the formation of chelate complexes, wherein the ligand molecules coordinate as tridentate O,E,O-ligands to the antimony atom. Dimer formation in the solid state allows the antimony atoms to reach pentacoordination. Quantum chemical calculations including topological analysis of electron density reveal that there are polar shared bonds between antimony and the oxygen atoms bound to antimony. The interactions between the donor atom E and the Sb atom and the interactions in the dimers can be characterized as Van der Waals interactions. The reactivity of [MeN(CH2-CH2-O)2]Sb(OEt) was investigated as an example. For this purpose, the compound reacted with a range of organic compounds such as carboxylic acids and carboxylic anhydrides and small molecules like CO2 and NH3. This study establishes a new and easy accessible class of antimony(III) compounds, provides new insights into the chemistry of antimony compounds and opens up new opportunities for further research in this field.
Nanoencapsulation of Phenolic Extracts from Native Potato Clones (Solanum tuberosum spp. andigena) by Spray Drying
Authors: Ligarda-Samanez Carlos A. , Choque-Quispe David , Moscoso-Moscoso Elibet , Palomino-Rincón Henry , Taipe-Pardo Fredy , Aguirre Landa John Peter Aguirre , Arévalo-Quijano José C. , Muñoz-Saenz Jenny C. , Quispe-Quezada Uriel R. , Huamán-Carrión Mary L. , Gutiérrez-Gómez Edgar , Sucari-León Reynaldo , Luciano-Alipio Rober , Muñoz-Saenz Judy M. , Guzmán Gutiérrez Rodrigo J.
Published: June 2023

Native potato clones grown in Peru contain bioactive compounds beneficial to human health. This study aimed to optimize the spray-drying nanoencapsulation of native potato phenolic extracts utilizing a central composite design and response surface methodology, obtaining the optimal treatment to an inlet temperature of 120 °C and an airflow of 141 L/h in the nano spray dryer B-90, which allowed maximizing the yield of encapsulation, antioxidant capacity (DPPH), encapsulation efficiency (EE), total phenolic compounds, and total flavonoids; on the other hand, it allowed minimizing hygroscopicity, water activity (Aw), and moisture. Instrumental characterization of the nanocapsules was also carried out, observing a gain in lightness, reddening of the color, and spherical nanoparticles of heterogeneous size (133.09–165.13 nm) with a negative ζ potential. Thermal, infrared, and morphological analyses confirmed the encapsulation of the core in the wall materials. Furthermore, an in vitro release study of phenolic compounds in an aqueous solution achieved a maximum value of 9.86 mg GAE/g after 12 h. Finally, the obtained nanocapsules could be used in the food and pharmaceutical industry.
Novel Corrosion Inhibitor for Carbon Steel in Acidic Solutions Based on α-Aminophosphonate (Chemical, Electrochemical, and Quantum Studies)
Authors: Deyab M. A. , Abdeen Marwa M. , Hussien Mohamed , E. El-Sayed Ibrahim , Galhoum Ahmed , El-Shamy Omnia A. A. , Abd Elfattah Marwa
Published: June 2023

α-aminophosphonate (α-AP) is used as a novel corrosion inhibitor for carbon steel. The aggressive media applied in this study are HCl and H2SO4 acid solutions. The findings indicate that the morphology of the α-AP compound is cubic, with particles ranging in size from 17 to 23 μm. FT-IR, 1HNMR, 31PNMR, and 13CNMR analysis confirmed the synthesis of the α-AP molecule. It has been discovered that the compound α-AP plays an important role in inhibiting the corrosion of carbon steel in both HCl and H2SO4 acids. This was identifiably inferred from the fact that the addition of α-AP compound decreased the corrosion rate. It is important to report that the maximum inhibition efficiency (92.4% for HCl and 95.7% for H2SO4) was obtained at 180 ppm. The primary factor affecting the rate at which steel specimens corrode in acidic electrolytes is the tendency of α-AP compounds to adsorb on the surface of steel through their heteroatoms (O, N, and P). This was verified by SEM/EDX results. The adsorption actually occurs through physical and chemical mechanisms via different active centers which are matched with the calculated quantum parameters. In addition, the adsorption of α-AP follows the Langmuir isotherm.
Direct Oxidation of Hibiscus cannabinus Stalks to Vanillin Using CeO2 Nanostructure Catalysts
Authors: Ramli Anita , Khairul Anuar Nur Akila Syakida Idayu , Bakhtiar Nur Aielia Amira , Mohamad Yunus Normawati , Mohamed Alina Rahayu
Published: June 2023

Biomass lignin can be used to produce vanillin through an oxidation process. Although its purity is high, the processing time and separation efficiency are not ideal. This research aims to produce vanillin directly from Kenaf stalks without separating the lignin first from the lignocellulosic biomass. This method is greener because it does not require the separation of cellulose and hemicellulose from the biomass, thus minimizing the use of acid and alkaline solutions and saving time. A high oxygen storage capacity and release capacity of ceria as an oxidation catalyst contribute to the reversable redox properties between Ce4+ and Ce3+ in ceria lattice. Cerium oxide nanostructures were synthesized using a hydrothermal method treated under alkaline NaOH, followed by drying at 120 °C for 16 h and calcining at different temperatures between 400 and 600 °C for the direct oxidation of Kenaf stalks to vanillin under microwave irradiation. The catalysts were characterized for their physicochemical properties using XRD, N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms and TEM. All synthesized CeO2 nanostructures showed the presence of diffraction peaks assigned to the presence of cubic fluorite. The N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms showed that all catalysts possess a Type IV isotherm, indicating a mesoporous structure. The TEM image shows the uniform shape of the CeO2 nanostructures, while HRTEM images show that the CeO2 nanostructures are single-crystalline in nature. All catalysts were tested for the direct oxidation of Kenaf stalks using H2O2 as the oxidizing agent in temperatures ranging from 160 to 180 °C for 10–30 min with 0.1–0.3 g catalyst loading under 100–500 W of microwave irradiation. The CeO2-Nps-400 catalyst produced the highest vanillin yields of 3.84% and 4.32% for the direct oxidation of Kenaf stalks and extraction of lignin from Kenaf stalks, respectively. Compared to our earlier study, the highest vanillin yields of 2.90% and 3.70% for direct biomass and extracted lignin were achieved using a Ce/MgO catalyst.
In Situ Synthesis of 3D BiOCl–Graphene Aerogel and Synergistic Effect by Photo-Assisted Activation of Persulfate for Methyl Orange Degradation
Authors: Li Yukun , Zhang Dan , Zhang Yongshu , Chao Cong , Chen Qishi , Yao Sen , Liu Cuixia
Published: June 2023

BiOCl/graphene aerogel graphene (BGA) was successfully obtained by in situ hydrothermal synthesis, and the chemical, structural, morphological, and photocatalytic properties were systematically characterized. BGA with the doping amount of BiOCl at 20% (BGA-4) exhibited the optimal activation efficiency for persulfate (PDS) on the degradation of methyl orange (MO) under simulated sunlight (SSL) illumination as compared to the pure graphene (GA) and aerogel composites with different BiOCl content. The influence of various reaction parameters on the MO removal efficiency, such as the reaction system, catalyst activator dose, PDS concentration, BiOCl doping amount, and the initial pH of the solution, was investigated. Under optimum conditions, the catalytic efficiency of BiOCl-doped GA with the mass ratio of 20% (BGA-4) was 5.61 times that of GA. The strengthening effect of BGA-4 benefited from the synergistic effect of 1O2, O2·− and the generation and rapid electron transfer of photo-induced electron (e−) in the BGA-4/SSL/PDS system. Considering the superior stability and recyclability of BGA-4, the BGA-4/SSL/PDS system exhibits great potential in actual wastewater treatment.
Design, Synthesis, Molecular Docking Study and Biological Evaluation of Novel γ-Carboline Derivatives of Latrepirdine (Dimebon) as Potent Anticancer Agents
Authors: Voggu Ramakrishna , Karmakar Arundhati , Puli Venkat Swamy , Damerla V. Surendra Babu , Mogili Padma , Amaladass P. , Chidara Sridhar , Pasunooti Kalyan Kumar , Gupta Sarika
Published: June 2023

A series of novel γ-Carboline derivatives were designed and synthesized using the Suzuki coupling reaction to identify the leads for the activity against cancer. Interestingly, these compounds were tested for their anticancer activity against the cell lines, particularly human cancer cell lines MCF7 (breast), A549 (lung), SiHa (cervix), and Colo-205 (colon). Most of the γ-Carboline derivatives showed potent inhibitory activity in four cancer cell lines, according to in vitro anticancer activity screening. Two compounds, specifically LP-14 and LP-15, showed superior activity in cancer cell lines among the γ-Carboline derivatives from LP-1 to LP-16. Additionally, the compound LP-14, LP-15 and Etoposide carried out molecular docking studies on human topoisomerase II beta in complex with DNA and Etoposide (PDB ID: 3QX3). The docking studies’ results showed that the derivative LP-15 was strongly bound with the receptor amino acid residues, including Glu477 and DC8 compared with the marked drug Etoposide.
Antiangiogenic, Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Properties of Bidens tripartite Herb, Galium verum Herb and Rumex hydrolapathum Root
Authors: Antoniak Katarzyna , Studzińska-Sroka Elżbieta , Szymański Marcin , Dudek-Makuch Marlena , Cielecka-Piontek Judyta , Korybalska Katarzyna
Published: June 2023

Plants are commonly used in folk medicine. Research indicates that the mechanisms of biological activity of plant extracts may be essential in the treatment of various diseases. In this respect, we decided to test the ethanolic extracts of Bidens tripartita herb (BTH), Galium verum herb (GVH), and Rumicis hydrolapathum root (RHR) on angiogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties and their total polyphenols content. In vitro studies using endothelial cells were used to see tested extracts’ angiogenic/angiostatic and anti-inflammatory properties. The DPPH assay and FRAP analysis were used to detect antioxidant properties of extracts. The Folin-Ciocalteu analysis was used to determine the content of total polyphenols. The results of gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis was also presented. In vitro study demonstrated that BTH, GVH, and RHR ethanolic extracts significantly increased cell invasiveness, compared with the control group. Increased endothelial proangiogenic invasiveness was accompanied by reduced metalloproteinase inhibitor 1 (TIMP-1) and raised in metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9). Only BTH and GVH significantly reduced cell proliferation, while BTH and RHR facilitated migration. Additionally, tested extracts reduced the production of proangiogenic platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). The most potent anti-inflammatory capacity showed BTH and GVH, reducing proinflammatory interleukin 8 (CXCL8) and interleukin 6 (Il-6), compared to RHR extract that has slightly less inhibited CXCL8 production without affecting IL-6 production. Moreover, we confirmed the antioxidant properties of all examined extracts. The highest activity was characterized by RHR, which has been correlated with the high content of polyphenols. In conclusion, the modifying influence of examined extracts can be promising in disorders with pathogenesis related to angiogenesis, inflammation and free radicals formation. BTH is the best choice among the three tested extracts with its antiangiogenic and anti-inflammatory properties.
Cysteine Redox Chemistry in Peptide Self-Assembly to Modulate Hydrogelation
Authors: Cringoli Maria Cristina , Marchesan Silvia
Published: June 2023

Cysteine redox chemistry is widely used in nature to direct protein assembly, and in recent years it has inspired chemists to design self-assembling peptides too. In this concise review, we describe the progress in the field focusing on the recent advancements that make use of Cys thiol–disulfide redox chemistry to modulate hydrogelation of various peptide classes.
Evaluation of Antioxidant Activities from a Sustainable Source of Okara Protein Hydrolysate Using Enzymatic Reaction
Authors: Ningrum Andriati , Wardani Dian Wahyu , Vanidia Nurul , Manikharda  , Sarifudin Achmat , Kumalasari Rima , Ekafitri Riyanti , Kristanti Dita , Setiaboma Woro , Munawaroh Heli Siti Helimatul
Published: June 2023

Okara is a solid byproduct created during the processing of soy milk. The production of protein hydrolysates utilizing enzymatic tests such as papain can result in the production of bioactive peptides (BPs), which are amino acid sequences that can also be produced from the okara protein by hydrolysis. The objective of this study was to investigate the antioxidant activities of okara hydrolysates using papain, based on the in silico and in vitro assays using the papain enzyme. We found that using the in silico assessment, the antioxidant peptides can be found from the precursor (glycinin and conglycinin) in okara. When used as a protease, papain provides the maximum degree of hydrolysis for antioxidative peptides. The highest-peptide-rank peptide sequence was predicted using peptide ranks such as proline–histidine–phenylalanine (PHF), alanine–aspartic acid–phenylalanine (ADF), tyrosine–tyrosine–leucine (YYL), proline–histidine–histidine (PHH), isoleucine–arginine (IR), and serine–valine–leucine (SVL). Molecular docking studies revealed that all peptides generated from the parent protein impeded substrate access to the active site of xanthine oxidase (XO). They have antioxidative properties and are employed in the in silico approach to the XO enzyme. We also use papain to evaluate the antioxidant activity by using in vitro tests for protein hydrolysate following proteolysis. The antioxidant properties of okara protein hydrolysates have been shown in vitro, utilizing DPPH and FRAP experiments. This study suggests that okara hydrolysates generated by papain can be employed as natural antioxidants in food and for further applications, such as active ingredients for antioxidants in packaging.
Enhancing the Performance of Perovskite Solar Cells by Introducing 4-(Trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazole Passivation Agents
Authors: Hua Wei , Niu Qiaoli , Zhang Ling , Chai Baoxiang , Yang Jun , Zeng Wenjin , Xia Ruidong , Min Yonggang
Published: June 2023

Defects in perovskite films are one of the main factors that affect the efficiency and stability of halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Uncoordinated ions (such as Pb2+, I−) act as trap states, causing the undesirable non-radiative recombination of photogenerated carriers. The formation of Lewis acid–base adducts in perovskite directly involves the crystallization process, which can effectively passivate defects. In this work, 4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazole (THI) was introduced into the perovskite precursor solution as a passivation agent. THI is a typical amphoteric compound that exhibits a strong Lewis base property due to its lone pair electrons. It coordinates with Lewis acid Pb2+, leading to the reduction in defect density and increase in crystallinity of perovskite films. Finally, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of PSC increased from 16.49% to 18.97% due to the simultaneous enhancement of open-circuit voltage (VOC), short circuit current density (JSC) and fill factor (FF). After 30 days of storage, the PCE of the 0.16 THI PSC was maintained at 61.9% of its initial value, which was 44.3% for the control device. The working mechanism of THI was investigated. This work provides an attractive alternative method to passivate the defects in perovskite.
Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction, Followed by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry for the Simultaneous Quantification of Ethinyl Estradiol and Drospirenone in Contraceptive Formulations
Authors: Peña Javier , González-Mariño Iria , Pavón José L. Pérez
Published: June 2023

Contraceptive tablets typically contain a combination of two synthetic versions of an estrogen and a progestogen, which work together to inhibit the ovulation process. An accurate and precise quantification of these components is essential for contraceptive producers. In this study, we have developed the first gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) method for the simultaneous quantification of 17α-ethinyl estradiol (EE) and drospirenone (DP) in contraceptive formulations. Under the final working conditions, analytes were extracted from the solid by ultrasound-assisted extraction (15 min) in methanol. The resulting suspension was diluted in ethyl acetate, subjected to centrifugation and, finally, the supernatant was directly injected into the GC–MS system. No derivatization reagents were utilized. To correct for instrumental variations, calibration was performed using the internal standard method, with cholesterol as the internal standard. A good linearity was achieved throughout the calibration range for both EE (3–12 µg mL−1) and DP (300–1200 µg mL−1), with R2 values exceeding 0.99. Trueness, assessed in terms of percentages of recovery, was also found to be satisfactory for both analytes, with recovery rates of 106 ± 8% for EE and 93 ± 9% for DP. Furthermore, intra-day and inter-day precision studies yielded relative standard deviation values below 6% for both analytes. In terms of sensitivity, the instrumental limits of detection were 0.25 µg mL−1 for EE and 6.6 µg mL−1 for DP, and the instrumental limits of quantification 0.82 µg mL−1 for EE and 22 µg mL−1 for DP. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of contraceptive tablets from three different pharmaceutical companies. No differences were observed between the measured and the declared amount of active principle per tablet, demonstrating the applicability of the procedure. In addition, a stability study conducted on both the standards and sample extracts demonstrated that they can be stored at room temperature for a minimum period of seven days.