Experimental and Established Oximes as Pretreatment before Acute Exposure to Azinphos-Methyl

Poisoning with organophosphorus compounds (OPCs) represents an ongoing threat to civilians and rescue personal. We have previously shown that oximes, when administered prophylactically before exposure to the OPC paraoxon, are able to protect from its toxic effects. In the present study, we have assessed to what degree experimental (K-27; K-48; K-53; K-74; K-75) or established oximes (pralidoxime, obidoxime), when given as pretreatment at an equitoxic dosage of 25% of LD₀₁, are able to reduce mortality induced by the OPC azinphos-methyl. Their efficacy was compared with that of pyridostigmine, the only FDA-approved substance for such prophylaxis. Efficacy was quantified in rats by Cox analysis, calculating the relative risk of death (RR), with RR=1 for the reference group given only azinphos-methyl, but no prophylaxis. All tested compounds significantly (p ≤ 0.05) reduced azinphos-methyl-induced mortality. In addition, the efficacy of all tested experimental and established oximes except K-53 was significantly superior to the FDA-approved compound pyridostigmine. Best protection was observed for the oximes K-48 (RR = 0.20), K-27 (RR = 0.23), and obidoxime (RR = 0.21), which were significantly more efficacious than pralidoxime and pyridostigmine. The second-best group of prophylactic compounds consisted of K-74 (RR = 0.26), K-75 (RR = 0.35) and pralidoxime (RR = 0.37), which were significantly more efficacious than pyridostigmine. Pretreatment with K-53 (RR = 0.37) and pyridostigmine (RR = 0.52) was the least efficacious. Our present data, together with previous results on other OPCs, indicate that the experimental oximes K-27 and K-48 are very promising pretreatment compounds. When penetration into the brain is undesirable, obidoxime is the most efficacious prophylactic agent already approved for clinical use.     

STRUCTURAL DETERMINATION OF TITANIUM-OXIDE NANOPARTICLES BY X-RAY ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY

As a potential application of titanium-oxide nanoparticles, it is extremely important to investigate a detailed picture of the surface and interior structural properties of nanocrystalline materials, such as rutile and anatase with diameters 7.0 and 4.5nm, respectively. X-ray absorption spectroscopy has been used to identify the local Ti environment and related electronic structure. We combine the experimental results at the Ti edge in both bulk and nano-crystals to determine the lattice distortion in terms of differently characteristic preedge features and the variation in the multiple-scattering region of X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectra. The relationship between the transition peaks and the surface-to volume ratio is also discussed.     

Corrosion inhibition of carbon steel in hydrochloric acid by cationic arylthiophenes as new eco-friendly inhibitors: Experimental and quantum chemical study

This study describes the adsorption behavior of three arylthiophene derivatives namely: 2-(4-amidino-3-fluorophenyl)-5-[4-methoxy phenyl] thiophene dihydrochloride salt (MA-1217), 2-(4-amidinophenyl)-5-[4-chlorophenyl] thiophene dihydrochloride salt (MA-1316) and 2-(4-amidino-3-fluorophenyl)-5-[4-chlorophenyl]thiophene dihydrochloride salt (MA-1312) at C-steel in 1.0 mol·L^-1 HCl interface using experimental and theoretical studies. Electrochemical and mass loss measurements showed that the inhibition efficiency (IE) of the arylthiophene derivatives increases with increasing concentrations and exhibited maximum efficiency 89% at 21×10^-6 mol·L^-1 (MA-1217) by mass loss method. The investigated arylthiophene derivatives obey the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. From polarization studies the arylthiophene derivatives act as mixed-type inhibitors. Surface analysis were carried out and discussed. The mode of orientation and adsorption of inhibitor molecules on C-steel surface was studied using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Quantum chemical parameters as well as the radial distribution function indices and binding energies confirm the experimental results.     

The Multifunctional Sactipeptide Ruminococcin C1 Displays Potent Antibacterial Activity In Vivo as Well as Other Beneficial Properties for Human Health

The world is on the verge of a major antibiotic crisis as the emergence of resistant bacteria is increasing, and very few novel molecules have been discovered since the 1960s. In this context, scientists have been exploring alternatives to conventional antibiotics, such as ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs). Interestingly, the highly potent in vitro antibacterial activity and safety of ruminococcin C1, a recently discovered RiPP belonging to the sactipeptide subclass, has been demonstrated. The present results show that ruminococcin C1 is efficient at curing infection and at protecting challenged mice from Clostridium perfringens with a lower dose than the conventional antibiotic vancomycin. Moreover, antimicrobial peptide (AMP) is also effective against this pathogen in the complex microbial community of the gut environment, with a selective impact on a few bacterial genera, while maintaining a global homeostasis of the microbiome. In addition, ruminococcin C1 exhibits other biological activities that could be beneficial for human health, as well as other fields of applications. Overall, this study, by using an in vivo infection approach, confirms the antimicrobial clinical potential and highlights the multiple functional properties of ruminococcin C1, thus extending its therapeutic interest.     

An Eco-Friendly Approach to the Control of Pathogenic Microbes and Anopheles stephensi Malarial Vector Using Magnesium Oxide Nanoparticles (Mg-NPs) Fabricated by Penicillium chrysogenum

The discovery of eco-friendly, rapid, and cost-effective compounds to control diseases caused by microbes and insects are the main challenges. Herein, the magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgO-NPs) are successfully fabricated by harnessing the metabolites secreted by Penicillium chrysogenum. The fabricated MgO-NPs were characterized using UV-Vis, XRD, TEM, DLS, EDX, FT-IR, and XPS analyses. Data showed the successful formation of crystallographic, spherical, well-dispersed MgO-NPs with sizes of 7–40 nm at a maximum wavelength of 250 nm. The EDX analysis confirms the presence of Mg and O ions as the main components with weight percentages of 13.62% and 7.76%, respectively. The activity of MgO-NPs as an antimicrobial agent was investigated against pathogens Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans, and exhibited zone of inhibitions of 12.0 ± 0.0, 12.7 ± 0.9, 23.3 ± 0.8, 17.7 ± 1.6, and 14.7 ± 0.6 mm respectively, at 200 µg mL⁻¹. The activity is decreased by decreasing the MgO-NPs concentration. The biogenic MgO-NPs exhibit high efficacy against different larvae instar and pupa of Anopheles stephensi, with LC50 values of 12.5–15.5 ppm for I–IV larvae instar and 16.5 ppm for the pupa. Additionally, 5 mg/cm² of MgO-NPs showed the highest protection percentages against adults of Anopheles stephensi, with values of 100% for 150 min and 67.6% ± 1.4% for 210 min.     

Real-Time Monitoring the Effect of Cytopathic Hypoxia on Retinal Pigment Epithelial Barrier Functionality Using Electric Cell-Substrate Impedance Sensing (ECIS) Biosensor Technology

Disruption of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE barrier integrity is a hallmark feature of various retinal blinding diseases, including diabetic macular edema and age-related macular degeneration, but the underlying causes and pathophysiology are not completely well-defined. One of the most conserved phenomena in biology is the progressive decline in mitochondrial function with aging leading to cytopathic hypoxia, where cells are unable to use oxygen for energy production. Therefore, this study aimed to thoroughly investigate the role of cytopathic hypoxia in compromising the barrier functionality of RPE cells. We used Electric Cell-Substrate Impedance Sensing (ECIS) system to monitor precisely in real time the barrier integrity of RPE cell line (ARPE-19) after treatment with various concentrations of cytopathic hypoxia-inducing agent, Cobalt(II) chloride (CoCl₂). We further investigated how the resistance across ARPE-19 cells changes across three separate parameters: R_b (the electrical resistance between ARPE-19 cells), α (the resistance between the ARPE-19 and its substrate), and C_m (the capacitance of the ARPE-19 cell membrane). The viability of the ARPE-19 cells and mitochondrial bioenergetics were quantified with 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and seahorse technology, respectively. ECIS measurement showed that CoCl₂ reduced the total impedance of ARPE-19 cells in a dose dependent manner across all tested frequencies. Specifically, the ECIS program’s modelling demonstrated that CoCl₂ affected R_b as it begins to drastically decrease earlier than α or C_m, although ARPE-19 cells’ viability was not compromised. Using seahorse technology, all three concentrations of CoCl₂ significantly impaired basal, maximal, and ATP-linked respirations of ARPE-19 cells but did not affect proton leak and non-mitochondrial bioenergetic. Concordantly, the expression of a major paracellular tight junction protein (ZO-1) was reduced significantly with CoCl_2-treatment in a dose-dependent manner. Our data demonstrate that the ARPE-19 cells have distinct dielectric properties in response to cytopathic hypoxia in which disruption of barrier integrity between ARPE-19 cells precedes any changes in cells’ viability, cell-substrate contacts, and cell membrane permeability. Such differences can be used in screening of selective agents that improve the assembly of RPE tight junction without compromising other RPE barrier parameters.     

Gurum Seeds: A Potential Source of Edible Oil

Cucurbitaceae family seeds are mostly discarded as agro-industrial wastes. Gurum (Citrullus lanatus var. colocynthoide) is an underutilized wild cucurbit plant, closely related to desert watermelon, which is grown abundantly in some African countries. Gurum seeds can play a significant role in health and nutrition due to their high oil content. This review describes the nutritional composition of gurum seeds and their oil profile. Gurum seeds are a good source of oil (27–35.5%), fiber (26–31%), crude protein (15–18%), and carbohydrates (14–17%). Gurum seeds oil is extracted by supercritical CO₂ (SFE), screw press, and solvent extraction techniques. The gurum seeds oil is composed of unsaturated fatty acids with a high proportion of linoleic acid (C18:2) and oleic acid (C18:1). Gurum seeds oil contains various bioactive compounds, such as tocopherols, phytosterols, and polyphenols. It is reported that solvent extraction gives a higher yield than the screw press and SFE, but the SFE is preferred due to safety issues. More studies are required for producing better quality gurum seeds oil by using novel extraction techniques that can increase oil yield.     

Combustion synthesis of NbC/ZrO2 composites: Influence of Cr additives on the microstructure and mechanical properties

Composites of NbC/ZrO₂ reinforced with different weight ratios of Cr metal were prepared by dynamic compaction combustion from a blend of Nb₂O₅–Zr–Cr powders. Factors controlling the synthesis process, the microstructure, and the mechanical properties of the samples, such as Cr wt% and the compression loads were studied. The samples were characterized by XRD, SEM, porosity, and hardness measurements. The porosity value of the sample with no additives was high and reached 31.6 vol%. A sudden decrease in the sample porosity to 2.4 vol % was noticed for the sample containing 3.0 wt% of Cr. A high-density sample with less than 2.0 vol % porosity and maximum hardness of 1038 HV was produced using 5.0 wt% Cr under 300 MPa compression load. Detailed thermodynamic calculations for the effect of Cr additives on the physicochemical properties of the system were introduced.     

The Impact of Metastable Intermolrecular Nanocomposite Particles on Kinetic Decomposition of Heterocyclic Nitramines Using Advanced Solid‐Phase Decomposition Models

Journal of Inorganic and Organometallic Polymers and Materials - Surface oxygen of oxide catalyst has low coordination number; they are negatively charged. Surface oxygen can act active site for...     

Modelling 3-D cutting dynamics with neural networks

Identification of 3-D cutting dynamics requires an expensive experimental set-up and complicated analysis. Recently, time series methods were used to model cutting dynamics. This approach allows a simpler experimental set-uup and estimates the discrete transfer functions used for simulation and/or calculation of frequency domain characteristics of the system. In this paper, the use of neural networks is proposed to model the 3-D cutting dynamics. Neural networks can be trained using the same experimental set-up used for the time series methods. However, several time series models (for different cutting speeds) can be represented with a single neural network, and cutting forces can be studied for varying cutting speed conditions. Also, four neural networks were used to store the frequency domain characteristics of the thrust direction cutting force. In this study, the estimation errors for the neural networks were less than 7% of the defined range (the difference between the maximum and minimum of the data).