bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In Vitro Dissolution and Permeability Testing of Inhalation Products: Challenges and Advances
Authors: Nokhodchi Ali , Chavan Salonee , Ghafourian Taravat
Published: March 2023

In vitro dissolution and permeability testing aid the simulation of the in vivo behavior of inhalation drug products. Although the regulatory bodies have specific guidelines for the dissolution of orally administered dosage forms (e.g., tablets and capsules), this is not the case for orally inhaled formulations, as there is no commonly accepted test for assessing their dissolution pattern. Up until a few years ago, there was no consensus that assessing the dissolution of orally inhaled drugs is a key factor in the assessment of orally inhaled products. With the advancement of research in the field of dissolution methods for orally inhaled products and a focus on systemic delivery of new, poorly water-soluble drugs at higher therapeutic doses, an evaluation of dissolution kinetics is proving crucial. Dissolution and permeability testing can determine the differences between the developed formulations and the innovator’s formulations and serve as a useful tool in correlating in vitro and in vivo studies. The current review highlights recent advances in the dissolution and permeability testing of inhalation products and their limitations, including recent cell-based technology. Although a few new dissolution and permeability testing methods have been established that have varying degrees of complexity, none have emerged as the standard method of choice. The review discusses the challenges of establishing methods that can closely simulate the in vivo absorption of drugs. It provides practical insights into method development for various dissolution testing scenarios and challenges with dose collection and particle deposition from inhalation devices for dissolution tests. Furthermore, dissolution kinetic models and statistical tests to compare the dissolution profiles of test and reference products are discussed.
The Bioactivity of Xylene, Pyridine, and Pyrazole Aza Macrocycles against Three Representative Leishmania Species
Authors: Martín-Montes Álvaro , Martínez-Camarena Álvaro , Lopera Alberto , Bonastre-Sabater Irene , Clares M. Paz , Verdejo Begoña , García-España Enrique , Marín Clotilde
Published: March 2023

Due to the urgent need for finding effective and free of secondary effect treatments for every clinical form of Leishmaniasis, a series of synthetic xylene, pyridine and, pyrazole azamacrocycles were tested against three Leishmania species. A total of 14 compounds were tested against J774.2 macrophage cells which were models for host cells, and against promastigote and amastigote forms of each studied Leishmania parasite. Amongst these polyamines, one proved effective against L. donovani, another one for L. braziliensis and L. infantum, and another one was selective solely for L. infantum. These compounds showed leishmanicidal activity and reduced parasite infectivity and dividing ability. Action mechanism studies gave a hint that compounds were active against Leishmania due to their ability to alter parasite metabolic pathways and reduce (except Py33333) parasitic Fe-SOD activity.
Correction: Mansour et al. Dual-Enhanced Pluronic Nanoformulated Methotrexate-Based Treatment Approach for Breast Cancer: Development and Evaluation of In Vitro and In Vivo Efficiency. Pharmaceutics 2022, 14, 2668
Authors: Mansour Amira , Mahmoud Mohamed Y. , Bakr Alaa F. , Ghoniem Monira G. , Adam Fatima A. , El-Sherbiny Ibrahim M.
Published: March 2023

In the original publication [...]
Unveiling Chemical, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Properties of Fagonia indica Grown in the Hail Mountains, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Sulieman Abdel Moneim E. , Alanaizy Eida , Alanaizy Naimah A. , Abdallah Emad M. , Idriss Hajo , Salih Zakaria A. , Ibrahim Nasir A. , Ali Nahid Abdelraheem , Ibrahim Salwa E. , Abd El Hakeem Bothaina S.
Published: March 2023

The Aja and Salma mountains in the Hail region are home to a variety of indigenous wild plants, some of which are used in Bedouin folk medicine to treat various ailments. The purpose of the current study was to unveil the chemical, antioxidant and antibacterial properties of Fagonia indica (Showeka) grown widely in these mountains, as data on the biological activities of this plant in this remote area are scarce. XRF spectrometry indicated the presence of some essential elements, which were in the order of Ca > S > K > AL > CL > Si > P > Fe > Mg > Na > Ti > Sr > Zn > Mn. Qualitative chemical screening revealed the presence of saponins, terpenes, flavonoids, tannins, phenols and cardiac glycosides in the methanolic extract (80% v/v). GC–MS showed the presence of 2-chloropropanoic acid 18.5%, tetrahydro-2-methylfuran 20.1%, tridecanoic acid 12-methyl-, methyl ester 2.2%, hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester 8.6%, methyl 3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) propionate 13.4%, methyl linoleate 7.0%, petroselinic acid methyl ester 15%, erucylamide 6.7% and diosgenin 8.5%. Total phenols, total tannins, flavonoids, DPPH, reducing power, -carotene and ABTS IC50 (mg/mL) scavenging activity were used to measure the antioxidant capabilities of Fagonia indica, which exhibited prominent antioxidant properties at low concentrations when compared to ascorbic acid, butylate hydroxytoluene and beta-carotene. The antibacterial investigation revealed significant inhibitory effects against Bacillus subtilis MTCC121 and Pseudomona aeruginosa MTCC 741 with inhibition zones of 15.00 ± 1.5 and 12.0 ± 1.0 mm, respectively. The MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) and MBC (minimum bactericidal concentration) ranged between 125 to 500 μg/mL. The MBC/MIC ratio indicated possible bactericidal efficacy against Bacillus subtilis and bacteriostatic activity against Pseudomona aeruginosa. The study also showed that this plant has anti-biofilm formation activity.
Hydroponic and Aquaponic Floating Raft Systems Elicit Differential Growth and Quality Responses to Consecutive Cuts of Basil Crop
Authors: Modarelli Giuseppe Carlo , Vanacore Lucia , Rouphael Youssef , Langellotti Antonio Luca , Masi Paolo , De Pascale Stefania , Cirillo Chiara
Published: March 2023

Basil crops are appreciated for their distinct flavour and appeal to various cuisines globally. Basil production is mainly implemented in controlled environment agriculture (CEA) systems. Soil-less cultivation (e.g., hydroponic) is optimal for producing basil, while aquaponics is another technique suitable for leafy crops such as basil. Shortening the production chain through efficient cultivation techniques reduces basil production’s carbon footprint. While the organoleptic quality of basil demonstrably benefits from successive cuts, no studies have compared the impact of this practice under hydroponic and aquaponic CEA conditions. Hence, the present study evaluated the eco-physiological, nutritional, and productive performance of Genovese basil cv. Sanremo grown in hydroponic and aquaponic systems (combined with tilapia) and harvested consecutively. The two systems showed similar eco-physiological behaviour and photosynthetic capacity, which were on average 2.99 µmol of CO2 m−2 s−1, equal numbers of leaves, and fresh yields of on average 41.69 and 38.38 g, respectively. Aquaponics yielded greater dry biomass (+58%) and dry matter content (+37%), while the nutrient profiles varied between the systems. The number of cuts did not influence yield; however, it improved dry matter partitioning and elicited a differential nutrient uptake. Our results bear practical and scientific relevance by providing useful eco-physiological and productive feedback on basil CEA cultivation. Aquaponics is a promising technique that reduces chemical fertiliser input and increases the overall sustainability of basil production.
Photosynthetic Physiological Basis of No Tillage with Wheat Straw Returning to Improve Maize Yield with Plastic Film Mulching in Arid Irrigated Areas
Authors: Guo Yao , Fan Hong , Li Pan , Wei Jingui , Qiu Hailong
Published: March 2023

Surface mulch is an efficient plant production technique widely used in arid and water-scarce areas. In this study, a field experiment was conducted to determine whether plastic film combined with wheat straw returning could boost grain yield of maize via optimizing photosynthetic physiological characteristics and coordinating yield components. The results showed that no tillage with wheat straw mulching and straw standing treatments had better regulation on photosynthetic physiological characteristics and had a greater impact on the increase in grain yield than conventional tillage with wheat straw incorporation and without wheat straw returning (the control treatment) in plastic film-mulched maize. Meanwhile, no tillage with wheat straw mulching had a relatively higher yield than no tillage with wheat straw standing through better regulation of photosynthetic physiological characteristics. No tillage with wheat straw mulching decreased the leaf area index (LAI) and leaf area duration (LAD) of maize before the VT stage and maintained higher LAI and LAD after the VT stage, which effectively regulated the growth and development of maize at early and late stages of development. From VT to R4 stage of maize, no tillage with wheat straw mulching had greater chlorophyll relative content, net photosynthetic rate, and transpiration rate by 7.9–17.5%, 7.7–19.2%, and 5.5–12.1% than the control, respectively. In addition, leaf water use efficiency was increased by 6.2–6.7% from the R2 to R4 stage of no tillage with wheat straw mulching in comparison to the control treatment. Thus, no tillage with wheat straw mulching had a greater grain yield of maize by 15.6% than the control, and the high yield was attributed to the synchronous increase and cooperative development of ear number, grain number per ear, and 100-grain weight. Collectively, no tillage with wheat straw mulching had a positive effect on regulating the photosynthetic physiological traits and can be recommended to enhance the grain yield of maize in arid conditions.
New Taxonomic Arrangement of Dicranella s.l. and Aongstroemia s.l. (Dicranidae, Bryophyta)
Authors: Fedosov Vladimir , Fedorova Alina , Ignatova Elena , Kučera Jan
Published: March 2023

The recent molecular phylogenetic study of the families Aongstroemiaceae and Dicranellaceae, which resolved the genera Aongstroemia and Dicranella as polyphyletic, indicated the need for changes in their circumscription and provided new morphological evidence to support the formal description of newly recognized lineages. Following up on these results, the present study adds another molecular marker, the highly informative trnK–psbA region, to a subset of previously analyzed taxa and presents molecular data from newly analyzed austral representatives of Dicranella and collections of Dicranella-like plants from North Asia. The molecular data are linked with morphological traits, particularly the leaf shape, tuber morphology, and capsule and peristome characters. Based on this multi-proxy evidence, we propose three new families (Dicranellopsidaceae, Rhizogemmaceae, and Ruficaulaceae) and six new genera (Bryopalisotia, Calcidicranella, Dicranellopsis, Protoaongstroemia, Rhizogemma, and Ruficaulis) to accommodate the described species according to the revealed phylogenetic affinities. Additionally, we amend the circumscriptions of the families Aongstroemiaceae and Dicranellaceae, as well as the genera Aongstroemia and Dicranella. In addition to the monotypic Protoaongstroemia that contains the newly described dicranelloid plant with a 2–3-layered distal leaf portion from Pacific Russia, P. sachalinensis, Dicranella thermalis is described for a D. heteromalla-like plant from the same region. Fourteen new combinations, including one new status change, are proposed.
Lipidome Profiling of Phosphorus Deficiency-Tolerant Rice Cultivars Reveals Remodeling of Membrane Lipids as a Mechanism of Low P Tolerance
Authors: Honda Soichiro , Yamazaki Yumiko , Mukada Takumi , Cheng Weiguo , Chuba Masaru , Okazaki Yozo , Saito Kazuki , Oikawa Akira , Maruyama Hayato , Wasaki Jun , Wagatsuma Tadao , Tawaraya Keitaro
Published: March 2023

Plants have evolved various mechanisms for low P tolerance, one of which is changing their membrane lipid composition by remodeling phospholipids with non-phospholipids. The objective of this study was to investigate the remodeling of membrane lipids among rice cultivars under P deficiency. Rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars (Akamai, Kiyonishiki, Akitakomachi, Norin No. 1, Hiyadateine, Koshihikari, and Netaro) were grown in 0 (−P) and 8 (+P) mg P L−1 solution cultures. Shoots and roots were collected 5 and 10 days after transplanting (DAT) in solution culture and subjected to lipidome profiling using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Phosphatidylcholine (PC)34, PC36, phosphatidylethanolamine (PE)34, PE36, phosphatidylglycerol (PG)34, phosphatidylinositol (PI)34 were the major phospholipids and digalactosyldiacylglycerol (DGDG)34, DGDG36, 1,2-diacyl-3-O-alpha-glucuronosylglycerol (GlcADG)34, GlcADG36, monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG)34, MGDG36, sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol (SQDG)34 and SQDG36 were the major non-phospholipids. Phospholipids were lower in the plants that were grown under −P conditions than that in the plants that were grown under +P for all cultivars at 5 and 10 DAT. The levels of non-phospholipids were higher in −P plants than that in +P plants of all cultivars at 5 and 10 DAT. Decomposition of phospholipids in roots at 5 DAT correlated with low P tolerance. These results suggest that rice cultivars remodel membrane lipids under P deficiency, and the ability of remodeling partly contributes to low P tolerance.
Restoration of Vegetation Greenness and Possible Changes in Mature Forest Communities in Two Forests Damaged by the Vaia Storm in Northern Italy
Authors: Giupponi Luca , Leoni Valeria , Pedrali Davide , Giorgi Annamaria
Published: March 2023

Windstorms are rare in the Southern Alps, but their frequency is increasing due to climate change. This research analyzed the vegetation of two spruce forests in Camonica Valley (Northern Italy) destroyed by the Vaia storm to evaluate the vegetation responses to blowdown damage. In each study area, the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) was used to evaluate the change in plant cover and greenness from 2018 (before the Vaia storm) to 2021. Furthermore, floristic-vegetation data were analyzed to identify current plant communities and develop models of plant succession. The results showed that the two areas, although located in different altitudinal vegetation belts, are undergoing the same ecological processes. NDVI is increasing in both areas, and pre-disturbance values (~0.8) should be reached in less than ten years. Nevertheless, the spontaneous restoration of pre-disturbance forest communities (Calamagrostio arundinaceae-Piceetum) should not occur in both study areas. In fact, the two plant succession trends are characterized by pioneer and intermediate stages with young trees of Quercus petraea and Abies alba, typical of more thermophilic mature forest communities compared to pre-disturbance ones. These results could reinforce the trend of the upward shift in forest plant species and plant communities in response to environmental changes in mountain areas.
Effects of Warming, Phosphorous Deposition, and Both Treatments on the Growth and Physiology of Invasive Solidago canadensis and Native Artemisia argyi
Authors: Cui Miaomiao , Yang Bin , Ren Guangqian , Yu Haochen , Dai Zhicong , Li Jian , Ran Qiong , Stevanato Piergiorgio , Wan Justin , Du Daolin
Published: March 2023

Anthropogenic climate change and species invasion are two major threats to biodiversity, affecting the survival and distribution of many species around the world. Studying the responses of invasive species under climate change can help better understand the ecological and genetic mechanisms of their invasion. However, the effects of warming and phosphorus deposition on the phenotype of native and invasive plants are unknown. To address the problem, we applied warming (+2.03 °C), phosphorus deposition (4 g m−2 yr−1 NaH2PO4), and warming × phosphorus deposition to Solidago canadensis and Artemisia argyi to measure the direct effects of environmental changes on growth and physiology at the seedling stage. Our results reveal that the physiology parameters of A. argyi and S. canadensis did not change significantly with the external environment. Under phosphorus deposition, S. canadensis had higher plant height, root length, and total biomass compared to A. argyi. Interestingly, warming has an inhibitory effect on the growth of both A. argyi and S. canadensis, but overall, the reduction in total biomass for S. canadensis (78%) is significantly higher than A. argyi (52%). When the two plants are treated with warming combined with phosphorus deposition, the advantage gained by S. canadensis from phosphorus deposition is offset by the negative effects of warming. Therefore, under elevated phosphorus, warming has a negative effect on the invasive S. canadensis and reduces its growth advantage.
The Allelopathic Effects of Trewia nudiflora Leaf Extracts and Its Identified Substances
Authors: Khatun Mst. Rokeya , Tojo Shunya , Teruya Toshiaki , Kato-Noguchi Hisashi
Published: March 2023

Trewia nudiflora Linn. is a woody plant of the Euphorbiaceae family. It is well known for its use as a folk remedy, but its potential for phytotoxicity has not been explored. Therefore, this study investigated the allelopathic potential and the allelopathic substances in T. nudiflora leaves. The aqueous methanol extract of T. nudiflora was found to have a toxic effect on the plants used in the experiment. The shoot and root development of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and foxtail fescue (Vulpia myuros L.) were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) reduced by the T. nudiflora extracts. The growth inhibition by the T. nudiflora extracts was proportional to the extract concentration and varied with the test plant species. The chromatographic separation of the extracts resulted in the isolation of two substances, identified as loliolide and 6,7,8-trimethoxycoumarin based on their respective spectral analyses. Both substances significantly inhibited lettuce growth at a concentration of 0.01 mM. To inhibit 50% of the growth of the lettuce, the required concentration of loliolide was 0.043 to 0.128 mM, while that of 6,7,8-trimethoxycoumarin was 0.028 to 0.032 mM. Comparing these values, the lettuce growth was more sensitive to 6,7,8-trimethoxycoumarin than loliolide, suggesting that 6,7,8-trimethoxycoumarin was more effective than loliolide. Therefore, the inhibition of the growth of the lettuce and foxtail fescue suggests that loliolide and 6,7,8-trimethoxycoumarin are responsible for the phytotoxicity of the T. nudiflora leaf extracts. Thus, the growth-inhibitory effectiveness of the T. nudiflora extracts and the identified loliolide and 6,7,8-trimethoxycoumarin may be used to develop bioherbicides that restrict the growth of weeds.
Conjoint Analysis of Genome-Wide lncRNA and mRNA Expression during the Salicylic Acid Response in Populus × euramericana
Authors: Zhang Chao , Dong Yan , Ren Yachao , Wang Shijie , Yang Minsheng
Published: March 2023

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) participate in a wide range of biological processes, but lncRNAs in plants remain largely unknown; in particular, we lack a systematic identification of plant lncRNAs involved in hormone responses. To explore the molecular mechanism of the response of poplar to salicylic acid (SA), the changes in protective enzymes, which are closely related to plant resistance induced by exogenous SA, were studied, and the expression of mRNA and lncRNA were determined by high-throughput RNA sequencing. The results showed that the activities of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO), in the leaves of Populus × euramericana, were significantly increased by exogenous SA application. High-throughput RNA sequencing showed that 26,366 genes and 5690 lncRNAs were detected under the different treatment conditions: SA and H2O application. Among these, 606 genes and 49 lncRNAs were differentially expressed. According to target prediction, lncRNAs and target genes involved in light response, stress response, plant disease resistance, and growth and development, were differentially expressed in SA-treated leaves. Interaction analysis showed that lncRNA–mRNA interactions, following exogenous SA, were involved in the response of poplar leaves to the external environment. Our study provides a comprehensive view of Populus × euramericana lncRNAs and offers insights into the potential functions and regulatory interactions of SA-responsive lncRNAs, thus forming the foundation for future functional analysis of SA-responsive lncRNAs in Populus × euramericana.
The Protective Effect of Exogenous Ascorbic Acid on Photosystem Inhibition of Tomato Seedlings Induced by Salt Stress
Authors: Chen Xianjun , Han Hongwei , Cong Yundan , Li Xuezhen , Zhang Wenbo , Wan Wenliang , Cui Jinxia , Xu Wei , Diao Ming , Liu Huiying
Published: March 2023

This study investigated the protective effects of exogenous ascorbic acid (AsA, 0.5 mmol·L−1) treatment on salt-induced photosystem inhibition in tomato seedlings under salt stress (NaCl, 100 mmol·L−1) conditions with and without the AsA inhibitor lycorine. Salt stress reduced the activities of photosystem II (PSII) and PSI. AsA treatment mitigated inhibition of the maximal photochemical efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm), maximal P700 changes (Pm), the effective quantum yields of PSII and I [Y(II) and Y(I)], and non-photochemical quenching coefficient (NPQ) values under salt stress conditions both with and without lycorine. Moreover, AsA restored the balance of excitation energy between two photosystems (β/α-1) after disruption by salt stress, with or without lycorine. Treatment of the leaves of salt-stressed plants with AsA with or without lycorine increased the proportion of electron flux for photosynthetic carbon reduction [Je(PCR)] while decreasing the O2-dependent alternative electron flux [Ja(O2-dependent)]. AsA with or without lycorine further resulted in increases in the quantum yield of cyclic electron flow (CEF) around PSI [Y(CEF)] while increasing the expression of antioxidant and AsA–GSH cycle-related genes and elevating the ratio of reduced glutathione/oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG). Similarly, AsA treatment significantly decreased the levels of reactive oxygen species [superoxide anion (O2−) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)] in these plants. Together, these data indicate that AsA can alleviate salt-stress-induced inhibition of PSII and PSI in tomato seedlings by restoring the excitation energy balance between the photosystems, regulating the dissipation of excess light energy by CEF and NPQ, increasing photosynthetic electron flux, and enhancing the scavenging of reactive oxygen species, thereby enabling plants to better tolerate salt stress.
Maize Yield Response, Root Distribution and Soil Desiccation Crack Features as Affected by Row Spacing
Authors: Lacolla Giovanni , Caranfa Davide , De Corato Ugo , Cucci Giovanna , Mastro Mario Alberto , Stellacci Anna Maria
Published: March 2023

Plant density is among the most critical factors affecting plant yields and resource use efficiency since it drives the exploitation of the available resources per unit area, root distribution and soil water losses by direct evaporation from the soil. Consequently, in fine-textured soils, it can also affect the formation and development of desiccation cracks. The aim of this study, carried out on a sandy clay loam soil in a typical Mediterranean environment, was to investigate the effects of different row spacings of maize (Zea mais L.) on yield response, root distribution and the main features of desiccation cracks. The field experiment compared bare soil and soil cropped with maize using three plant densities (6, 4 and 3 plants m−2), obtained by keeping the number of plants in a row constant and varying the distance between the rows (0.5–0.75–1.0 m). The highest kernel yield (16.57 Mg ha−1) was obtained with the greatest planting density (6 plants m−2) with a row spacing of 0.5 m; significantly lower yields were recorded with spacings of 0.75 and 1 m, with a decrease of 8.09% and 18.24%, respectively. At the end of the growing season, soil moisture in the bare soil was on average 4% greater in comparison to the cropped soil and was also affected by row spacing, decreasing with the decrease in the inter-row distance. An inverse behaviour was observed between soil moisture and both root density and desiccation crack size. Root density decreased to the increase in soil depth and to the increase in distance from the row. The pluviometric regime occurred during the growing season (total rainfall of 343 mm)-resulted in the formation of cracks of reduced size and with an isotropic behaviour in the bare soil, whereas in the cultivated soil, the cracks were parallel to the maize rows and increased in size with decreasing inter-row distance. The total volume of the soil cracks reached a value of 135.65 m3 ha−1 in the soil cropped with a row distance of 0.5 m, and was about ten times greater in comparison to the bare soil and three times greater in comparison to a row spacing of 1 m. Such a volume would allow a recharge of 14 mm in the case of intense rainy events on soil characterised by low permeability.
The Tribological and Mechanical Properties of PI/PAI/EP Polymer Coating under Oil Lubrication, Seawater Corrosion and Dry Sliding Wear
Authors: Yu Shijie , Cao Jun , Li Shuxin , Huang Haibo , Li Xiaojie
Published: March 2023

To investigate the tribological performance of a copper alloy engine bearing under oil lubrication, seawater corrosion and dry sliding wear, three different PI/PAI/EP coatings consisting of 1.5 wt% Ce2O3, 2 wt% Ce2O3, 2.5 wt% Ce2O3 were designed, respectively. These designed coatings were prepared on the surface of CuPb22Sn2.5 copper alloy using a liquid spraying process. The tribological properties of these coatings under different working conditions were tested. The results show that the hardness of the coating decreases gradually with the addition of Ce2O3, and the agglomeration of Ce2O3 is the main reason for the decrease of hardness. The wear amount of the coating increases first and then decreases with the increase of Ce2O3 content under dry sliding wear. The wear mechanism is abrasive wear under the condition of seawater. The wear resistance of the coating decreases with the increase of Ce2O3 content. The wear resistance of the coating with 1.5 wt% Ce2O3 is the best under-seawater corrosion. Although Ce2O3 has corrosion resistance, the coating of 2.5 wt% Ce2O3 has the worst wear resistance under seawater conditions due to severe wear caused by agglomeration. Under oil lubrication conditions, the frictional coefficient of the coating is stable. The lubricating oil film has a good lubrication and protection effect.
Humic-Based Polyelectrolyte Complexes for Dust Suppression
Authors: Volikov Alexander , Karpukhina Evgeniya A. , Larionov Konstantin S. , Kozlov Daniil A. , Perminova Irina V.
Published: March 2023

The present study proposes a novel application of humic substance–aminosilsesquioxane polyelectrolyte complexes (HS–ASQ) as dust suppressants. These complexes are synthesized through the reaction between humic substances (HS) and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) in aqueous solution, resulting in the formation of active silanol groups that can bind to mineral surfaces and condense, forming gels. The HS–ASQ compositions were found to have a high sorption capacity for dust particles and could form coatings on their surface without cementing the dust, making them potentially useful for environmental applications. The viscosity of the HS–ASQ compositions can be controlled by adding carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), which also enhances their dust suppression abilities. Different compositions of HS–ASQ were synthesized by varying the proportions of APTES and CMC, and dust treated with these samples was assessed for its resistance to wind erosion using a laboratory-scale setup. Treatment with the HS–ASQ composition resulted in substantial reductions in PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters of 10 µm and 2.5 µm, respectively) of up to 77% and 85%, respectively, compared to the control.
Cinnamaldehyde-Contained Polymers and Their Biomedical Applications
Authors: Zhang Guangyan , Li Tianlong , Liu Jia , Wu Xinran , Yi Hui
Published: March 2023

Cinnamaldehyde, a natural product that can be extracted from a variety of plants of the genus Cinnamomum, exhibits excellent biological activities including antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. To overcome the disadvantages (e.g., poor water solubility and sensitivity to light) or enhance the advantages (e.g., high reactivity and promoting cellular reactive oxygen species production) of cinnamaldehyde, cinnamaldehyde can be loaded into or conjugated with polymers for sustained or controlled release, thereby prolonging the effective action time of its biological activities. Moreover, when cinnamaldehyde is conjugated with a polymer, it can also introduce environmental responsiveness to the polymer through the form of stimuli-sensitive linkages between its aldehyde group and various functional groups of polymers. The environmental responsiveness provides the great potential of cinnamaldehyde-conjugated polymers for applications in the biomedical field. In this review, the strategies for preparing cinnamaldehyde-contained polymers are summarized and their biomedical applications are also reviewed.
A Novel Chitosan/Nano-Hydroxyapatite Composite for the Adsorptive Removal of Cd(II) from Aqueous Solution
Authors: El Kaim Billah Rachid , Ayouch Ikrame , Abdellaoui Youness , Kassab Zineb , Khan Moonis Ali , Agunaou Mahfoud , Soufiane Abdessadik , Otero Marta , Jeon Byong-Hun
Published: March 2023

A novel polymer bio-composite based on nano-hydroxyapatite (n-Hap) and chitosan (CS) (CS/n-Hap) was synthesized to effectively address toxic cadmium ions removal from water. The composition and structure of CS/n-Hap bio-composite were analyzed through different characterization techniques. XRD patterns affirmed that the crystalline structure of n-Hap remained unaltered during CS/n-Hap synthesis, while FT-IR spectrum sustained all the characteristic peaks of both CS and n-Hap, affirming the successful synthesis of CS/n-Hap. Adsorption studies, including pH, adsorbent dosage, contact time, initial Cd(II) concentration, and temperature, were carried out to explain and understand the adsorption mechanism. Comparatively, CS/n-Hap bio-composite exhibited better Cd(II) adsorption capacity than pristine CS, with an experimental maximum uptake of 126.65 mg/g under optimized conditions. In addition, the kinetic data were well fitted to the pseudo-second-order model, indicating the formation of chemical bonds between Cd(II) and CS/n-Hap during adsorption. Furthermore, the thermodynamic study suggested that Cd(II) adsorption onto CS/n-Hap was endothermic and spontaneous. The regeneration study showed only about a 3% loss in Cd(II) uptake by CS/n-Hap after five consecutive cycles. Thus, a simple and facile approach was here developed to synthesize an eco-friendly and cost-effective material that can be successfully employed for the removal of toxic heavy metal ions from water.
Tuning Alkaline Anion Exchange Membranes through Crosslinking: A Review of Synthetic Strategies and Property Relationships
Authors: Clemens Auston L. , Jayathilake Buddhinie S. , Karnes John J. , Schwartz Johanna J. , Baker Sarah E. , Duoss Eric B. , Oakdale James S.
Published: March 2023

Alkaline anion exchange membranes (AAEMs) are an enabling component for next-generation electrochemical devices, including alkaline fuel cells, water and CO2 electrolyzers, and flow batteries. While commercial systems, notably fuel cells, have traditionally relied on proton-exchange membranes, hydroxide-ion conducting AAEMs hold promise as a method to reduce cost-per-device by enabling the use of non-platinum group electrodes and cell components. AAEMs have undergone significant material development over the past two decades; however, challenges remain in the areas of durability, water management, high temperature performance, and selectivity. In this review, we survey crosslinking as a tool capable of tuning AAEM properties. While crosslinking implementations vary, they generally result in reduced water uptake and increased transport selectivity and alkaline stability. We survey synthetic methodologies for incorporating crosslinks during AAEM fabrication and highlight necessary precautions for each approach.
Preparation of Thermoplastic Polyurethane/Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Composite Foam with High Resilience Performance via Fused Filament Fabrication and CO2 Foaming Technique
Authors: Guo Huijing , Thirunavukkarasu Naveen , Mubarak Suhail , Lin Huang , Zhang Chen , Li Yonggui , Wu Lixin
Published: March 2023

Wearable flexible sensors with high sensitivity and wide detection range are applied in motion detection, medical diagnostic result and other fields, but poor resilience and hysteresis remain a challenge. In this study, a high-resilience foam sensor was prepared through a combination of additive manufacturing and green physical foaming method. The conductive filaments were prepared by using MWCNTs-modified TPU by the physical method of melt blending. Samples were prefabricated using the FFF printer and then saturated with CO2 in an autoclave before being removed and heated to foam. The composite foam effectively reduced residual strain, demonstrating the high resilience of the 3D-printed composite materials with a foam porous structure. The residual strain of the sample before foaming was >6% after a single cycle, and then gradually increased. The residual strain of the foamed samples is less than 5%. In addition, composite foam has high sensitivity and can monitor subtle pressure changes (0~40 kPa). The sensing performance of the composite foam was evaluated, and the current signal remained stable under different loading rates and small compression strains (2~5%). By using this highly resilient conductive composite material, a hierarchical shoe insole was designed that successfully detected human walking and running movements.
Combining Experimental and Theoretical Tools to Probe Radio-Oxidation Products in Polyethylene
Authors: Ferry Muriel , Ahn Yunho , Le Dantec Florian , Ngono Yvette , Roma Guido
Published: March 2023

Polyethylene is one of the most used polymers in a variety of sectors. A typical technique used to assess aging is infrared spectroscopy. Under oxidation, the region of the spectrum that is most studied is the one containing the carbonyl signature. However, various carbonyl groups contribute to the carbonyl peak: ketones, aldehydes, esters, lactones, carboxylic acids, and more. A usual procedure to quantify each of them is the deconvolution of experimental peaks based on experimental assignments of infrared bands. In this paper, we complement this procedure, applied to two polyethylene types, with extended density functional theory (DFT) calculations of infrared spectra, using a polyethylene model mimicking the main features of a semicrystalline polymer. We compare theoretical frequencies and infrared intensities with parameters extracted from the literature that are used to, eventually, estimate concentrations. We provide an alternative estimation entirely based on theoretical data, showing that DFT can be a valuable tool to analyze, or at least complement, experimental data to assess polymer aging. The comparison of different deconvolution procedures raises the question of the contribution of conjugated ketones in the global carbonyl buildup, as well as that of ketones/alcohols pairs, or the relative concentration of esters and aldehydes.
Study on GAP Adhesive-Based Polymer Films, Energetic Polymer Composites and Application
Authors: Wu Siyuan , Li Xiaomeng , Ge Zhen , Luo Yunjun
Published: March 2023

To lay the foundation for environmentally friendly energetic polymer composites, GAP (glycidyl azide polymer) adhesive-based polymer films with different curing parameter R (mol ratio of hydroxyl/isocyanate) and energetic polymer composites with different RDX contents were studied. GAP/TDI (toluene diisocyanate)/GLY(glycerol) was selected as the adhesive system. The tensile strength and elongation at the break of the polymer film with R = 2.2, was 14.34 MPa and 176.86%, respectively, as observed by an AGS-J electronic universal testing machine. A relatively complete cross-linking network and high hydrogen bonding interaction were observed by LF-NMR (low-field nuclear magnetic resonance, where the cross-linking density was 11.06 × 10−4 mol/cm3) and FT-IR (fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, where the carbonyl bonding ratio was 64.84%). Forty percent RDX(hexogen) was added into the adhesive system. The tensile strength was 4.65 MPa, and the elongation at the break was 78.49%; meanwhile, the heat of the explosive was 2.87 MJ/kg, and the residue carbon rate was only 2.47%. The tensile cross-sections of energetic polymer composites were observed by SEM (Scanning electron microscopy).
Computational Exploration of Bio-Degradation Patterns of Various Plastic Types
Authors: Malik Sunny , Maurya Ankita , Khare Sunil Kumar , Srivastava Kinshuk Raj
Published: March 2023

Plastic materials are recalcitrant in the open environment, surviving for longer without complete remediation. The current disposal methods of used plastic material are inefficient; consequently, plastic wastes are infiltrating the natural resources of the biosphere. The mixed composition of urban domestic waste with different plastic types makes them unfavorable for recycling; however, natural assimilation in situ is still an option to explore. In this research work, we have utilized previously published reports on the biodegradation of various plastics types and analyzed the pattern of microbial degradation. Our results demonstrate that the biodegradation of plastic material follows the chemical classification of plastic types based on their main molecular backbone. The clustering analysis of various plastic types based on their biodegradation reports has grouped them into two broad categories of C-C (non-hydrolyzable) and C-X (hydrolyzable). The C-C and C-X groups show a statistically significant difference in their biodegradation pattern at the genus level. The Bacilli class of bacteria is found to be reported more often in the C-C category, which is challenging to degrade compared to C-X. Genus enrichment analysis suggests that Pseudomonas and Bacillus from bacteria and Aspergillus and Penicillium from fungi are potential genera for the bioremediation of mixed plastic waste. The lack of uniformity in reporting the results of microbial degradation of plastic also needs to be addressed to enable productive growth in the field. Overall, the result points towards the feasibility of a microbial-based biodegradation solution for mixed plastic waste.
Inhibition of Survival Mechanisms and Cell Death Induction in Melanoma Following Photodynamic Therapy Mediated by Meso-5,10,15,20-tetrakis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-porphyrin
Authors: Baldea Ioana , Danescu Sorina , Tabaran Flaviu , Filip Adriana Gabriela , Ion Rodica Mariana , Olteanu Diana Elena , Sevastre-Berghian Alexandra Cristina , Decea Roxana Maria , Iacovita Cristian , Hanganu Daniela , Cenariu Mihai
Published: March 2023

(1) Background: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) involves the selective killing of tumor cells by the generation of reactive oxygen species using a photosensitizer (PS) activated by irradiation. In melanoma, PDT efficiency is altered by several mechanisms, such as the presence of melanin and melanosomes and pro-survival pathways mediated by transcription factors such as: AP-1 (activator protein), MITF (microphthalmia inducible transcription factor), HIF1α (hypoxia inducible factor), and NF-kB (nuclear factor kappa B). The study aimed to investigate the anti-melanoma effects of PDT mediated by meso-5,10,15,20-tetrakis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-porphyrin (THPP) as a photosensitizer. (2) Methods: Cocultures of melanoma, two human, WM35 and M1–15, and murine B16-F10, with endothelial cells, were used. Cytotoxicity, oxidative damage, angiogenesis markers, and melanogenesis were assessed using colorimetry, flowcytometry, confocal microscopy, spectrophotometry, ELISA, and Western blotting. (3) Results: The maximal killing efficiency of PDT was reached in WM35, followed by M1–15, and then B16-F10, and it occurred through both apoptosis and necrosis. Although constitutive pigmentation diminished the PDT efficiency, de novo melanogenesis exhibited no protection. PDT increased TNFα, and inhibited NFkB, MITF, HIF1α, and AP1, leading to inflammation and angiogenesis markers’ inhibition. (4) Conclusions: THPP-mediated PDT efficiently induced cell death through apoptosis, necrosis, and the inhibition of pro-survival pathways mediated by NFkB, AP1, HIF1α, and MITF in the melanoma coculture models.
A Survey on Programmable Logic Controller Vulnerabilities, Attacks, Detections, and Forensics
Authors: Wang Zibo , Zhang Yaofang , Chen Yilu , Liu Hongri , Wang Bailing , Wang Chonghua
Published: March 2023

Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), as specialized task-oriented embedded field devices, play a vital role in current industrial control systems (ICSs), which are composed of critical infrastructure. In order to meet increasing demands on cost-effectiveness while improving production efficiency, commercial-off-the-shelf software and hardware, and external networks such as the Internet, are integrated into the PLC-based control systems. However, it also provides opportunities for adversaries to launch malicious, targeted, and sophisticated cyberattacks. To that end, there is an urgent need to summarize ongoing work in PLC-based control systems on vulnerabilities, attacks, and security detection schemes for researchers and practitioners. Although surveys on similar topics exist, they are less involved in three key aspects, as follows: First and foremost, previous work focused more on system-level vulnerability analysis than PLC itself. Subsequently, it was not clear whether their work applied to the current systems or future ones, especially for security detection schemes. Finally, the prior surveys lacked a digital forensic research review of PLC-based control systems, which was significant for security analysis at different stages. As a result, we highlight vulnerability analysis at both a core component level and a system level, as well as attack models against availability, integrity, and confidentiality. Meanwhile, reviews of security detection schemes and digital forensic research for the current PLC-based systems are provided. Finally, we discuss future work for the next-generation systems.
Comparative Analysis of the Interaction between the Antiviral Drug Umifenovir and Umifenovir Encapsulated in Phospholipids Micelles (Nanosome/Umifenovir) with dsDNA as a Model for Pharmacogenomic Analysis by Electrochemical Methods
Authors: Shumyantseva Victoria V. , Bulko Tatiana V. , Agafonova Lyubov E. , Pronina Veronika V. , Kostryukova Lyubov V.
Published: March 2023

In the present study, the electrochemical behavior of antiviral drug umifenovir (Umi) and umifenovir encapsulated in phospholipids micelles (nanosome/umifenovir, NUmi) were investigated for the first time on screen-printed electrodes modified by carbon nanotubes. We have shown that Umi can be electro oxidized around the potential of +0.4 V in the concentration range of 50–500 µM (R2 = 0.992). Non-overlapping signatures of DNA and umifenovir (10–150 µM) permit to register interaction between umifenovir (or umifenovir encapsulated in phospholipids micelles), purine, and pyrimidine heterocyclic bases of DNA separately. The type of interaction is most likely via electrostatic interactions and groove binding in drug-DNA formed complex, as was revealed based on the values of binding constants Kb and the cathodic shifts of oxidation potentials for heterocyclic bases with increasing Umi or NUmi concentration. The negative values of Gibbs free energy (ΔG) for all nucleobases confirm the process spontaneity. This study is the first one presenting the effect of antiviral drug umifenovir and umifenovir encapsulated in phospholipids micelles on dsDNA as a target of pharmacogenomics.
Pinch-Based General Targeting Method for Predicting the Optimal Capital Cost of Heat Exchanger Network
Authors: Fu Dianliang , Li Qixuan , Li Yan , Lai Yanhua , Lu Lin , Dong Zhen , Lyu Mingxin
Published: March 2023

Pinch analysis is vital in optimizing heat exchanger networks (HENs). Targeting methods are used when determining cost effectiveness with pinch analysis. However, the existing targeting methods for the capital cost of HEN are not suitable for wide application scenarios. Therefore, we developed a high-accuracy general capital-cost-targeting method. It is built on a final structure that was evolved from the spaghetti structure of HEN through four loop elimination stages. This structure helps to reduce the prediction deviation of the method. To achieve high adaptability while establishing this method, we considered the different heat exchanger cost categories, different cost laws for one stream pair, and area limitations of heat exchangers that may be encountered in practice. In addition, allowing streams to use individual temperature difference contributions enhances the method’s predictive capacity. The potential defects of the method found in numerical experiments and case studies were corrected with improvement measures. As a result, the accuracy and stability of the targeting method were further enhanced, with absolute target deviations generally within 10% and often within 5%. This study provides a benchmark for the optimal capital cost of HEN, allowing for a better economic effect when applying pinch analysis.
Treatment of High-Ammonia-Nitrogen Wastewater with Immobilized Ammonia-Oxidizing Bacteria Alcaligenes sp. TD-94 and Paracoccus sp. TD-10
Authors: Zhang Jingyun , Chen Ke , Liu Xing , Chen Huiling , Cai Zhiqiang
Published: March 2023

In this study, modified granular activated carbon (GAC) and immobilized cells were used to improve the biological efficiency of high-ammonia-nitrogen wastewater treatment using microorganisms. The results showed that using sodium-hydroxide-modified activated carbon (NaOH-GAC) greatly increased the immobilized numbers of the ammonia-oxidizing bacteria Alcaligenes sp. TD-94 and Paracoccus sp. TD-10. Using NaOH-GAC increased the number of immobilized cells by 63.27% over GAC. Compared with free cells, those immobilized on modified activated carbon were more effective in the removal of high ammonia nitrogen levels from wastewater. In wastewater with an ammonia nitrogen concentration of 100 mg·L−1, the ammonia nitrogen removal efficiencies of NaOH-GAC-immobilized cells and free cells within 24 h were 100% and 4.17%, respectively. After 45 cycles, NaOH-GAC-immobilized cells maintained an ammonia nitrogen removal efficiency of 79.24%. After 70 days of storage at 4 °C, the ammonia nitrogen removal efficiency was still as high as 100%. The removal efficiencies of ammonia nitrogen (NH4+-N), total nitrogen (TN), and chemical oxygen demand (COD) in high-ammonia-nitrogen wastewater from petrochemical enterprises reached 99.27%, 88.39%, and 69.85%, with removal rates of 75.21, 69.43, and 1117.40 mg·L−1·d−1, respectively. The findings demonstrated that NaOH-GAC improved the capacity of the biological treatment to remove ammonia nitrogen from wastewater and provide a practical option for the remediation of environmental pollution.