Metal separation and recovery are a key aspect of silicon solar module recycling. This paper provides a fundamental understanding of the leaching and electrowinning in hydrochloric acid of two critical metals in silicon solar cells: copper and tin. A leaching model for solder-coated copper wires was developed to reveal rate orders with respect to concentrations of leaching agents and stirring. Kinetic parameters for electrowinning of copper and tin were determined through Tafel and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis. Cyclic voltammetry was used to determine redox potentials of copper and tin allowing their electrochemical separation. Finally high recovery rates and high metal purity, both over 99 %, were achieved for copper and tin through sequential electrowinning. Hydrochloric acid leaching and sequential electrowinning provide a simple and effective option for the recovery of copper and tin from silicon solar modules.
Shruti Vishwakarma, Gautam Kumar, Ritika Jain
et al.
Background:
Chronic alcohol consumption does not just undermine physical health it also quietly chips away at closeness and emotional connection. One of its most ignored results is sexual dysfunction. This study looked at how male sexual function is affected by alcohol consumption and how its severity affects the degree of impairment.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study of 162 alcohol-dependent men and 50 age-matched controls was conducted at the psychiatry OPD of a tertiary care hospital. Administered were validated instruments Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) for alcohol consumption severity, Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT) for ejaculation and International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) for erectile and sexual domains.
Results:
Nearly 8 of 10 alcohol-dependent men (77.2%) reported some sort of sexual dysfunction, compared with 44.0% in controls (P < 0.001). Of those, erectile dysfunction (63.0% vs. 18.0%) was the most prevalent, followed by decreased sexual desire (57.4% vs. 28.0%) and early ejaculation (46.3% vs. 28.0%). Significantly, more AUDIT scores were related to more dysfunction in all sexual domains.
Conclusion:
More drinking, less intimacy the link is obvious. Acknowledging and handling sexual health in these people could help not just their relationships but also their road to recovery.
Maulida Nur Astriyani, Nugraha Edhi Suyatma, Vallerina Armetha
et al.
Ultrasonication offers a safer, lower-temperature method for synthesizing zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs). This study details the development of a pectin-glycerol bionanocomposite film reinforced with ZnO-NPs produced using the top-down ultrasonication method. ZnO-NPs were fabricated with varying ultrasonication durations (0, 30, and 60 min) and the addition of pectin as a capping agent. Extended ultrasonication duration resulted in smaller particle size and more defined morphology. Bionanocomposite films were prepared using the solvent casting method by incorporating ZnO-NPs (0, 0.5, 1, 2.5% <i>w</i>/<i>w</i>) and glycerol (0, 10, 20% <i>w</i>/<i>w</i>) as a plasticizer to a pectin base. The inclusion of ZnO-NPs and glycerol did not affect the shear-thinning behavior of the film-forming solution. FTIR analysis indicated interactions between ZnO-NPs, glycerol, and pectin. The addition of ZnO-NPs and glycerol reduced tensile strength but increased flexibility. ZnO-NPs improved barrier and thermal properties by reducing water vapor permeability and increasing melting point, whereas glycerol lowered glass transition temperature, thus enhancing film flexibility. The best film performance was observed with a combination of 0.5% ZnO and 20% glycerol. These results highlight the effectiveness of the top-down ultrasonication method as a sustainable approach for ZnO-NPs fabrication, supporting the development of pectin/ZnO-NPs/glycerol films as a promising material for eco-friendly packaging.
Abstract Streptococcus mutans mediates enamel demineralization through acid production via glycolysis, while Streptococcus salivarius, as a commensal bacterium, promotes caries progression by enhancing biofilm formation. Their synergistic interaction amplifies cariogenicity. Therefore, developing strategies to inhibit both bacterial species is imperative. This study investigated the extraction and characterization of a polysaccharide from mangosteen scarfskin (MSP) and its antimicrobial potential against cariogenic bacteria. Using ultrasonic-assisted extraction, MSP was obtained with a yield of (9.93 ± 0.5696)%, presenting light brown coloration. Antimicrobial assays demonstrated strong anti-efficacy activity against Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus salivarius, showing a MIC of 1 mg/mL and significant bactericidal effects at 1×MIC and 2×MIC concentrations. Biofilm metabolism analysis showed that MSP caused dose-dependent suppression of bacterial metabolism, while its inhibitory effect on EPS production increased proportionally with concentration. Molecular docking identified specific hydrogen-bond interactions between arabinose (the primary component of MSP) and key residues (THR-315, SER-10, and SER-247) of glucosyltransferase-C (GTF-C), while molecular dynamics simulations demonstrated that arabinose disrupted the structural stability of GTF-C. These findings collectively suggest MSP’s promising application as a novel food additive for caries prevention through oral streptococcal control. Graphical abstract
Mohammad Rehan Asad, Ritu Kumar Ahmad, Husam A. Almalki
et al.
Background:
This study aimed to demonstrate the association between smartphone use and De Quervain’s syndrome in Saudi Arabian teenagers, as well as to establish the length of phone use among these patients in order to evaluate whether it was connected to the emergence of De Quervain’s tenosynovitis.
Methodology:
This cross-sectional observational study was conducted among teenagers in Saudi Arabia studying in public and private schools. Most of the inquiries were closed-ended and sought information regarding the students’ use of various mobile phone sizes, regular text messaging, discomfort in the wrist or thumb, swelling or a snapping sound over the thumb, and limitations or pain aggravation when handling various objects.
Results:
The total number of teenagers that participated in the study was 200; 111 (55.5%) of them were males, while the remaining 89 (44.5%) were females. Out of 200 participants, 135 (67.5%) tested positive for Finkelstein disease; of these, 21 (15.5%) used smartphones for under 4 hours, 53 (39.2%) used smartphones for 5–7 hours, and 21 (15.5%) used smartphones more than 10 hours with P value of 0.008, which is significant and hence concluded that duration of using mobile phones had impact on De Quervain’s disease.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, Finkelstein’s sign, a marker that De Quervain’s illness is widespread, was present in 67.5% of the patients. Current findings suggest that De Quervain cannot be completely ruled out because of this population’s propensity to develop it.
Corrosion is a critical industrial problem. To solve this problem, the present research analyzed the influence of corrosive media on the efficiency of a guayusa inhibitor. Therefore, guayusa extract was obtained, and five groups of ASTMS A36 steel test tubes were prepared, each with variable extract concentrations (200 ppm, 400 ppm, 600 ppm, 800 ppm, and 1000 ppm) that were exposed to different corrosive media (5% NaCl, 5% NaCl + acetic acid, 1% HNO<sub>3</sub>, and 10% HNO<sub>3</sub>). The results obtained were compared to determine the percentage efficiency of the inhibitor in each of the corrosive media. This study provides a detailed understanding of how the corrosive environment influences the effectiveness of a guayusa inhibitor, which is used as a green inhibitor for the first time, allowing its viability and performance to be assessed under various conditions.
Oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is a critical half-reaction in electrochemical overall water splitting and metal–air battery fields; however, the exploitation of the high activity of non-noble metal electrocatalysts to promote the intrinsic slow kinetics of OER is a vital and urgent research topic. Herein, Fe-doped Ni<sub>3</sub>S<sub>2</sub> arrays were derived from MOF precursors and directly grown on nickel foam via the traditional solvothermal way. The arrays integrated into nickel foam can be used as self-supported electrodes directly without any adhesive. Due to the synergistic effect of Fe and Ni elements in the Ni<sub>3</sub>S<sub>2</sub> structure, the optimized Fe<sub>2.3%</sub>-Ni<sub>3</sub>S<sub>2</sub>/NF electrode delivers excellent OER activity in an alkaline medium. The optimized electrode only requires a small overpotential of 233 mV to reach the current density of 10 mA cm<sup>−2</sup>, and the catalytic activity of the electrode can surpass several related electrodes reported in the literature. In addition, the long-term stability of the Fe<sub>2.3%</sub>-Ni<sub>3</sub>S<sub>2</sub>/NF electrode showed no significant attenuation after 12 h of testing at a current density of 50 mA cm<sup>−2</sup>. The introduction of Fe ions could modulate the electrical conductivity and morphology of the Ni<sub>3</sub>S<sub>2</sub> structure and thus provide a high electrochemically active area, fast reaction sites, and charge transfer rate for OER activity.
Abstract Polar ecosystems are experiencing amongst the most rapid rates of regional warming on Earth. Here, we discuss ‘omics’ approaches to investigate polar biodiversity, including the current state of the art, future perspectives and recommendations. We propose a community road map to generate and more fully exploit multi-omics data from polar organisms. These data are needed for the comprehensive evaluation of polar biodiversity and to reveal how life evolved and adapted to permanently cold environments with extreme seasonality. We argue that concerted action is required to mitigate the impact of warming on polar ecosystems via conservation efforts, to sustainably manage these unique habitats and their ecosystem services, and for the sustainable bioprospecting of novel genes and compounds for societal gain.
Kirsten M. Wright, Janis McFerrin, Armando Alcázar Magaña
et al.
Botanical products are frequently sold as dietary supplements and their use by the public is increasing in popularity. However, scientific evaluation of their medicinal benefits presents unique challenges due to their chemical complexity, inherent variability, and the involvement of multiple active components and biological targets. Translation away from preclinical models, and developing an optimized, reproducible botanical product for use in clinical trials, presents particular challenges for phytotherapeutic agents compared to single chemical entities. Common deficiencies noted in clinical trials of botanical products include limited characterization of the product tested, inadequate placebo control, and lack of rationale for the type of product tested, dose used, outcome measures or even the study population. Our group has focused on the botanical Centella asiatica due to its reputation for enhancing cognition in Eastern traditional medicine systems. Our preclinical studies on a Centella asiatica water extract (CAW) and its bioactive components strongly support its potential as a phytotherapeutic agent for cognitive decline in aging and Alzheimer's disease through influences on antioxidant response, mitochondrial activity, and synaptic density. Here we describe our robust, scientific approach toward developing a rational phytotherapeutic product based on Centella asiatica for human investigation, addressing multiple factors to optimize its valid clinical evaluation. Specific aspects covered include approaches to identifying an optimal dose range for clinical assessment, design and composition of a dosage form and matching placebo, sourcing appropriate botanical raw material for product manufacture (including the evaluation of active compounds and contaminants), and up-scaling of laboratory extraction methods to available current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) certified industrial facilities. We also address the process of obtaining regulatory approvals to proceed with clinical trials. Our study highlights the complexity of translational research on botanicals and the importance of identifying active compounds and developing sound analytical and bioanalytical methods for their determination in botanical materials and biological samples. Recent Phase I pharmacokinetic studies of our Centella asiatica product in humans (NCT03929250, NCT03937908) have highlighted additional challenges associated with designing botanical bioavailability studies, including specific dietary considerations that need to be considered.
Bioactive glasses were the first synthetic materials to bond to human body tissue, making them ideal for replacing and regenerating bone. Since their first development over half a century ago, many new bioactive glass compositions have been developed for medicine and dentistry. This paper looks at different design strategies employed over the years as well as aspects of glass structure relevant to optimising bioactive glass performance. Statistical compositional series allowed for getting an overview of various compositions and their properties. Since the improvement of structural analysis techniques, particularly solid-state NMR, we can directly relate several bioactive glass properties to the atomic structure, i.e. the spatial arrangement of atoms. Such detailed understanding of the impact of composition and structure on bioactive glass properties enables us to minimise the number of compositions in preclinical and clinical tests needed to confirm positive tissue responses.
5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) as a triply catalytic product is a value-added refining chemical in industry production. 5-HMF as biomass feedstock enables to be transformed into other high-value industrial compounds, such as 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furancarboxylic acid (HMFCA), 5-formyl-2-furancarboxylic acid (FFCA), 2,5-diformylfuran (DFF), 2,5-bis(aminomethyl)furan (BAMF), and 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF). Hence, catalytic conversion of biomass into 5-HMF has been given much more attention by chemists. In this review, some latest studies about the conversion of cellulose to 5-HMF have been introduced systematically. Solid acids such as heterogeneous catalysts have been widely applied in the conversion of cellulose into 5-HMF. Therefore, some novel solid acids with Brønsted and/or Lewis acidic sites, such as sulfonated solid acids, carbon-based acids, and zeolite particles employed for biomass conversions are listed.
D. M. Westervelt, D. M. Westervelt, A. M. Fiore
et al.
<p>The unintended consequences of reductions in regional
anthropogenic sulfur dioxide (SO<span class="inline-formula"><sub>2</sub></span>) emissions implemented to protect
human health are poorly understood. SO<span class="inline-formula"><sub>2</sub></span> decreases began in the 1970s in
the US and Europe and are expected to continue into the future, while recent
emissions decreases in China are also projected to continue. In addition to
the well-documented climate effects (warming) from reducing aerosols,
tropospheric oxidation is impacted via aerosol modification of photolysis
rates and radical sinks. Impacts on the hydroxyl radical and other trace
constituents directly affect climate and air quality metrics such as surface
ozone levels. We use the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory Atmospheric
Model version 3 nudged towards National Centers for Environmental Prediction
(NCEP) reanalysis wind velocities to estimate the impact of SO<span class="inline-formula"><sub>2</sub></span>
emissions from the US, Europe, and China by differencing a
control simulation with an otherwise identical simulation in which 2015
anthropogenic SO<span class="inline-formula"><sub>2</sub></span> emissions are set to zero over one of the regions.
Springtime sulfate aerosol changes occur both locally to the emission region
and also throughout the Northern Hemispheric troposphere, including remote
oceanic regions and the Arctic. Hydroperoxy (HO<span class="inline-formula"><sub>2</sub></span>) radicals are directly
removed via heterogeneous chemistry on aerosol surfaces, including sulfate,
in the model, and we find that sulfate aerosol produced by SO<span class="inline-formula"><sub>2</sub></span>
emissions from the three individual northern mid-latitude regions strongly
reduces both HO<span class="inline-formula"><sub>2</sub></span> and hydroxyl (OH) by up to 10 % year-round
throughout most of the troposphere north of 30<span class="inline-formula"><sup>∘</sup></span> N latitude.
Regional SO<span class="inline-formula"><sub>2</sub></span> emissions significantly increase nitrogen oxides
(NO<span class="inline-formula"><sub><i>x</i></sub></span>) by about 5 %–8 % throughout most of the free troposphere in the
Northern Hemisphere by increasing the NO<span class="inline-formula"><sub><i>x</i></sub></span> lifetime as the heterogeneous
sink of HO<span class="inline-formula"><sub>2</sub></span> on sulfate aerosol declines. Despite the NO<span class="inline-formula"><sub><i>x</i></sub></span>
increases, tropospheric ozone decreases at northern mid-latitudes by 1 %–4 %
zonally averaged and by up to 5 ppbv in summertime surface air over China,
where the decreases in HO<span class="inline-formula"><sub>2</sub></span> and OH suppress O<span class="inline-formula"><sub>3</sub></span> production. Since
2015 anthropogenic SO<span class="inline-formula"><sub>2</sub></span> emissions in China exceed those in the US or
Europe, the oxidative response is greatest for the China perturbation
simulation. Chemical effects of aerosols on oxidation (reactive uptake)
dominate over radiative effects (photolysis rates), the latter of which are
only statistically significant locally for the large perturbation over
China. We find that the SO<span class="inline-formula"><sub>2</sub></span> emissions decrease in China, which has yet
to be fully realized, will have the largest impact on oxidants and related
species in the Northern Hemisphere free troposphere compared to future
decreases in Europe or the US. Our results bolster previous calls for a
multipollutant strategy for air pollution mitigation to avoid the
unintended consequence of aerosol removal leading to surface ozone increases
that offset or mask surface ozone gains achieved by regulation of other
pollutants, especially in countries where current usage of high-sulfur
emitting fuels may be phased out in the future.</p>
Clinton M. Hasenour, Arion J. Kennedy, Tomasz Bednarski
et al.
Fatty liver involves ectopic lipid accumulation and dysregulated hepatic oxidative metabolism, which can progress to a state of elevated inflammation and fibrosis referred to as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The factors that control progression from simple steatosis to NASH are not fully known. Here, we tested the hypothesis that dietary vitamin E (VitE) supplementation would prevent NASH progression and associated metabolic alterations induced by a Western diet (WD). Hyperphagic melanocortin-4 receptor-deficient (MC4R−/−) mice were fed chow, chow+VitE, WD, or WD+VitE starting at 8 or 20 weeks of age. All groups exhibited extensive hepatic steatosis by the end of the study (28 weeks of age). WD feeding exacerbated liver disease severity without inducing proportional changes in liver triglycerides. Eight weeks of WD accelerated liver pyruvate cycling, and 20 weeks of WD extensively upregulated liver glucose and oxidative metabolism assessed by 2H/13C flux analysis. VitE supplementation failed to reduce the histological features of NASH. Rather, WD+VitE increased the abundance and saturation of liver ceramides and accelerated metabolic flux dysregulation compared with 8 weeks of WD alone. In summary, VitE did not limit NASH pathogenesis in genetically obese mice, but instead increased some indicators of metabolic dysfunction.
Ruksan Nadarajah, Shabbir Tahir, Joachim Landers
et al.
This study focuses on the synthesis of FeRh nanoparticles via pulsed laser ablation in liquid and on controlling the oxidation of the synthesized nanoparticles. Formation of monomodal γ-FeRh nanoparticles was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and their composition confirmed by atom probe tomography (APT). For these particles, three major contributors to oxidation were analysed: (1) dissolved oxygen in the organic solvents, (2) the bound oxygen in the solvent and (3) oxygen in the atmosphere above the solvent. The decrease of oxidation for optimized ablation conditions was confirmed through energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) and Mössbauer spectroscopy. Furthermore, the time dependence of oxidation was monitored for dried FeRh nanoparticles powders using ferromagnetic resonance spectroscopy (FMR). By magnetophoretic separation, B2-FeRh nanoparticles could be extracted from the solution and characteristic differences of nanostrand formation between γ-FeRh and B2-FeRh nanoparticles were observed.
Resistance to chemotherapy is a serious issue that can be influenced by RNA epigenetics and chromatin structure. Here, the authors show in leukaemia cells that RNA 5-methylcytosine (RNA:m5C) and RNA:m5C methyltransferases (RCMTs) mediate chromatin structures that can modulate 5-Azacitidine response and resistance.
Three new 30-noroleanane triterpenoid saponins, akebonoic acid 28-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1′′→6′)-β-d-glucopyranosyl ester (1), akebonoic acid 28-O-(6′′-O-caffeoyl)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1′′→6′)-β-d-glucopyranosyl ester (Holboelliside A, 2) and 3β,20α,24-trihydroxy-29-norolean-12-en-28-oic acid 3-O-(6′-O-caffeoyl)-β-d-glucopyranoside (Holboelliside B, 3) were isolated from the stems of Holboellia coriacea Diels, together with five known compounds, eupteleasaponin VIII (4), 3α-akebonoic acid (5), quinatic acid (6), 3β-hydroxy-30-norhederagenin (7) and quinatoside A (8). The structures of these compounds were determined on the basis of spectral and chemical evidence. Compounds 1–5 were evaluated for their inhibitory activity against three human tumors HepG2, HCT116 and SGC-7901 cell lines in vitro.
Otávio Augusto Chaves, Ana Paula de O. Amorim, Larissa H. E. Castro
et al.
In the North of Brazil (Pará and Amazonas states) the leaves of the plant Talinum triangulare (popular: cariru) replace spinach as food. From a phytochemical point of view, they are rich in compounds of the group of pheophytins. These substances, related to chlorophyll, have photophysical properties that give them potential application in photodynamic therapy. Human serum albumin (HSA) is one of the main endogenous vehicles for biodistribution of molecules by blood plasma. Association constants and thermodynamic parameters for the interaction of HSA with pheophytin from Talinum triangulare were studied by UV-Vis absorption, fluorescence techniques, and molecular modeling (docking). Fluorescence quenching of the HSA’s internal fluorophore (tryptophan) at temperatures 296 K, 303 K, and 310 K, resulted in values for the association constants of the order of 104 L∙mol−1, indicating a moderate interaction between the compound and the albumin. The negative values of ΔG° indicate a spontaneous process; ΔH° = 15.5 kJ∙mol−1 indicates an endothermic process of association and ΔS° = 0.145 kJ∙mol−1∙K−1 shows that the interaction between HSA and pheophytin occurs mainly by hydrophobic factors. The observed Trp fluorescence quenching is static: there is initial non-fluorescent association, in the ground state, HSA:Pheophytin. Possible solution obtained by a molecular docking study suggests that pheophytin is able to interact with HSA by means of hydrogen bonds with three lysine and one arginine residues, whereas the phytyl group is inserted in a hydrophobic pocket, close to Trp-214.
Background: Kisspeptin the product of the gene Kiss1 is a G-protein coupled receptor legend for GPR54. Kiss1 was originally identified as a human metastasis suppressor gene that has the ability to suppress melanoma and breast cancer metastasis. It is recently become clear that kisspeptin-GPR54 signaling has an important role in initiating GnRH secretion at puberty, the extent of which is an area of ongoing research.
Objective: The present study was designed to determine the change of plasma kisspeptin levels during the menstrual cycle
Materials & Methods: A total of 20 women from friends and relatives pool were involved in this study. Selected from frinds and relative .They were selected after measuring their progesterone level on day 21 of menstrual cycle (excluding women who have anovulate menstrual cycle; low level of progesterone) , and then on 1 -5 day of the next menstrual cycle. All measurements were done in Teaching laboratories in Baghdad Teaching Hospital in Baghdad/Iraq. Five mls of blood withdrawn from each selected women by veinpuncture of selected women. ELISA technique was used for the measurement of serum kisspeptin - 1and progesterone level. Data were expressed as a mean ±SD. Results were evaluated using the student ttest for paired data. Conventional methods were used for the correlation and regression analyses.
Results: Results obtained showed that the levels of serum kisspeptin and progesterone were significantly higher on day 21of menstrual cycle than during menstruation period with p<0.01, also it was found a significant positive correlation of kisspeptin level with progesterone level (r= 0.77 ,p<0.01).
Conclusion: The results determine the role of kisspeptin on ovulation, and give a possibility for its beneficial manipulation of human fertility.