Reduced Granule Cell Proliferation and Molecular Dysregulation in the Cerebellum of Lysosomal Acid Phosphatase 2 (ACP2) Mutant Mice

Lysosomal acid phosphatase 2 (Acp2) mutant mice (naked-ataxia, nax) have a severe cerebellar cortex defect with a striking reduction in the number of granule cells. Using a combination of in vivo and in vitro immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, BrdU assays, and RT-qPCR, we show downregulation of MYCN and dysregulation of the SHH signaling pathway in the nax cerebellum. MYCN protein expression is significantly reduced at P10, but not at the peak of proliferation at around P6 when the number of granule cells is strikingly reduced in the nax cerebellum. Despite the significant role of the SHH–MycN pathway in granule cell proliferation, our study suggests that a broader molecular pathway and additional mechanisms regulating granule cell development during the clonal expansion period are impaired in the nax cerebellum. In particular, our results indicate that downregulation of the protein synthesis machinery may contribute to the reduced number of granule cells in the nax cerebellum.     

Incense (bakhour) smoke exposure is associated with respiratory symptoms and impaired lung function among adults: A cross-sectional study in Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia

Burning incense (bakhour) is a common cultural practice in Saudi Arabia. However, its health risk assessment has rarely been studied. This study aims to investigate the association between exposure to incense smoke on lung function impairments and respiratory symptoms among young adults in Saudi Arabia. A community-based cross-sectional study was designed with a representative study sample (N = 125) in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Study participants, exposed group (n = 45), working in bakhour shop and matched control (n = 80), no history of occupational exposure to bakhour smoke, were recruited randomly from the population registry. Socio-demographic and respiratory symptom information were collected through a questionnaire developed based on European Community Respiratory Health Survey II (ECRHS II). Lung function measurements were conducted using a field spirometer. The overall prevalence of wheezing or whistling was 16.8%, with a higher prevalence in exposed group 35.5%. In adjusted models, exposed to incense smoke remained positively associated with respiratory symptoms: wheezing or whistling; breathlessness; chest tightness shortness of breath; woken up by an attack of coughing. Our study suggests that inhaled incense smoke in occupation or at home is a risk factor of lung function impairments among adult population in Saudi Arabia.     

Decoy Technology as a Promising Therapeutic Tool for Atherosclerosis

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have been classified into several types of disease, of which atherosclerosis is the most prevalent. Atherosclerosis is characterized as an inflammatory chronic disease which is caused by the formation of lesions in the arterial wall. Subsequently, lesion progression and disruption ultimately lead to heart disease and stroke. The development of atherosclerosis is the underlying cause of approximately 50% of all deaths in westernized societies. Countless studies have aimed to improve therapeutic approaches for atherosclerosis treatment; however, it remains high on the global list of challenges toward healthy and long lives. Some patients with familial hypercholesterolemia could not get intended LDL-C goals even with high doses of traditional therapies such as statins, with many of them being unable to tolerate statins because of the harsh side effects. Furthermore, even in patients achieving target LDL-C levels, the residual risk of traditional therapies is still significant thus highlighting the necessity of ongoing research for more effective therapeutic approaches with minimal side effects. Decoy-based drug candidates represent an opportunity to inhibit regulatory pathways that promote atherosclerosis. In this review, the potential roles of decoys in the treatment of atherosclerosis were described based on the in vitro and in vivo findings.     

Pechini sol-gel synthesis of Ni(II) doped LiMnBO3/Li2MnO3/Li2B2O4 nano-photocatalyst under UV–Vis irradiation

NiO doped LiMnBO₃/Li₂MnO₃/Li₂B₂O₄ (LMBO) nanoscale composites were prepared through sol-gel (Pechini-type) route using the combination of Ni, Mn and Li cations with Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) as a chelating operator. By changing molar ratios of M: ethylene glycol: EDTA can control appearance properties of nanocomposites. Analyses of FT-IR, XRD and EDX were accomplished aimed at the approval of crystalline and structural features. Also, in order to investigation of morphology, scanning and transmission electron microscopy images were taken. The prepared nanocomposite with 1:1:1 M ratio in presence of EDTA has optimized size and morphology. Optical property and band-gap energy of NiO doped LMBO ternary nanocomposite computed by UV–Vis information is 3.1 eV. The magnetic character of the prepared nanocomposite investigated through VSM illustrates ferromagnetic performance. Besides, photodegradation activities of pristine and NiO doped LMBO ternary nanocomposites were examined by different lights on two diverse dyes of malachite green and acid red 88. Some operative factors including radiation, pollutant and nanoscale composite sort were considered in order to optimize elimination of water contaminant dyes. In both cationic and anionic dyes, NiO doped LMBO ternary nanocomposite has better performance than LMBO nanocomposite.     

Cobalt nickel boride nanocomposite as high-performance anode catalyst for direct borohydride fuel cell

Similar to MXene, MAB is a group of 2D ceramic/metallic boride materials which exhibits unique properties for various applications. However, these 2D sheets tend to stack and therefore lose their active surface area and functions. Herein, an amorphous cobalt nickel boride (Co–Ni–B) nanocomposite is prepared with a combination of 2D sheets and nanoparticles in the center to avoid agglomeration. This unique structure holds the 2D nano-sheets with massive surface area which contains numerous catalytic active sites. This nanocomposite is prepared as an electrocatalyst for borohydride electrooxidation reaction (BOR). It shows outstanding catalytic activity through improving the kinetic parameters of BH₄^? oxidation, owing to abundant ultrathin 2D structure on the surface, which provide free interspace and electroactive sites for charge/mass transport. The anode catalyst led to a 209 mW/cm² maximum power density with high open circuit potential of 1.06 V at room temperature in a miniature direct borohydride fuel cell (DBFC). It also showed a great longevity of up to 45 h at an output power density of 64 mW/cm², which is higher than the Co–B, Ni–B and PtRu/C. The cost reduction and prospective scale-up production of the Co–Ni–B catalyst are also addressed.     

A novel double Ag@AgCl/Cu@Cu2O plasmonic nanostructure: Experimental design and LC-Mass detection of tetracycline degradation intermediates

Here a novel sunlight-driven double-plasmonic Ag^@AgCl/Cu^@Cu₂O nanophotocatalyst was constructed via photochemical-conversion and photoreduction methods for the first time. The as-prepared Ag^@AgCl/Cu^@Cu₂O was characterized by several characterizations techniques. The Scherrer equation showed the crystallite sizes of 37, 25, and 40 nm for the as-prepared Ag^@AgCl, Cu^@Cu₂O and Ag^@AgCl/Cu^@Cu₂O catalysts, while their band gap energies were 3.36, 2.51, and 3.04 eV (DRS results), respectively. TC (tetracycline) served as a probe to study its photocatalytic activity under sunlight. It was found that the as-prepared nanophotocatalyst with suitable Ag^@AgCl and Cu^@Cu₂O content not only demonstrated superior photocatalytic activity to both Ag^@AgCl and Cu^@Cu₂O plasmonic nanoparticles, but also had remarkable photostability due to the presence of two simultaneous surface plasmon resonance (SPR) in metallic Ag and Cu NPs and the hetero-junction structure formed at the interface between Ag^@AgCl and Cu^@Cu₂O. The main active species were detected through a trapping experiment which confirmed that ^?O₂^? and ^?OH were the main active species in the photocatalytic system. Central composite design (CCD) was used for the modeling and optimization of the photodegradation process. The possible photocatalytic degradation pathway of TC was proposed based on the identified intermediates. The photodegradation rate constant of TC was about 0.043 min^?1 (t_1/2 = 0.910 min) (in the range of 5–60 min). The optimum RSM run had the conditions the TC concentration of 2.0 (mg/L), Ag^@AgCl/Cu^@Cu₂O dosage of 0.53 (g/L), irradiation time 18 (min), and pH value of 6.5.     

The effect of CuI–PbI2 nanocomposite fabricated by the sonochemical route on electrochemical hydrogen storage characteristics

Hydrogen storage is an essential technique for developing hydrogen technology and electrochemical cells in stable energy, transport, and portable power. Hydrogen holds the maximum specific power of all fuels; nevertheless, its low ambient temperature density occurs in a lower energy density; therefore, there is a need to develop advanced storage procedures that own the potential for greater energy density. Therefore, this research incorporates the fabrication of novel nanocomposite (CuI–PbI₂) by the sonochemical method, architectural, morphological observations, and relevant electrochemical hydrogen storage features. The electrochemical features with different morphology have revealed 515 and 585 mAh/g discharge capacity for bulk and nano-sized samples after 15 cycles, respectively.     

Small-Scale Mechanical Behavior of Ion-Irradiated Bulk Metallic Glass

JOM - The effect of ion irradiation on the hardness and yield strength of Zr57Nb5Cu15.4Ni12.6Al10 bulk metallic glass has been studied using nanoindentation and micropillar compression tests. The...