Comparative Antimicrobial Activity of Silver Nanoparticles Obtained by Wet Chemical Reduction and Solvothermal Methods

The synthesis of nanoparticles from noble metals has received high attention from researchers due to their unique properties and their wide range of applications. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), in particular, show a remarkable inhibitory effect against microorganisms and viruses. Various methods have been developed to obtain AgNPs, however the stability of such nanostructures over time is still challenging. Researchers attempt to obtain particular shapes and sizes in order to tailor AgNPs properties for specific areas, such as biochemistry, biology, agriculture, electronics, medicine, and industry. The aim of this study was to design AgNPs with improved antimicrobial characteristics and stability. Two different wet chemical routes were considered: synthesis being performed (i) reduction method at room temperatures and (ii) solvothermal method at high temperature. Here, we show that the antimicrobial properties of the obtained AgNPs, are influenced by their synthesis route, which impact on the size and shape of the structures. This work analyses and compares the antimicrobial properties of the obtained AgNPs, based on their structure, sizes and morphologies which are influenced, in turn, not only by the type or quantities of precursors used but also by the temperature of the reaction. Generally, AgNPs obtained by solvothermal, at raised temperature, registered better antimicrobial activity as compared to NPs obtained by reduction method at room temperature.     

Novel Cyclopentaquinoline and Acridine Analogs as Multifunctional,Potent Drug Candidates in Alzheimer’s Disease

A series of new cyclopentaquinoline derivatives with 9-acridinecarboxylic acid and a different alkyl chain length were synthesized, and their ability to inhibit cholinesterases was evaluated. All designed compounds, except derivative 3f, exhibited a selectivity for butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) with IC₅₀ values ranging from 103 to 539 nM. The 3b derivative revealed the highest inhibitory activity towards BuChE (IC₅₀ = 103.73 nM) and a suitable activity against AChE (IC₅₀ = 272.33 nM). The 3f derivative was the most active compound to AChE (IC₅₀ = 113.34 nM) with satisfactory activity towards BuChE (IC₅₀ = 203.52 nM). The potential hepatotoxic effect was evaluated for both 3b and 3f compounds. The 3b and 3f potential antioxidant activity was measured using the ORAC-FL method. The 3b and 3f derivatives revealed a significantly higher antioxidant potency, respectively 35 and 25 higher than tacrine. Theoretical, physicochemical, and pharmacokinetic properties were calculated using ACD Labs Percepta software. Molecular modeling and kinetic study were used to reveal the mechanism of cholinesterase inhibition in the most potent compounds: 3b and 3f.     

Effective Natural Killer Cell Degranulation Is an Essential Key in COVID-19 Evolution

NK degranulation plays an important role in the cytotoxic activity of innate immunity in the clearance of intracellular infections and is an important factor in the outcome of the disease. This work has studied NK degranulation and innate immunological profiles and functionalities in COVID-19 patients and its association with the severity of the disease. A prospective observational study with 99 COVID-19 patients was conducted. Patients were grouped according to hospital requirements and severity. Innate immune cell subpopulations and functionalities were analyzed. The profile and functionality of innate immune cells differ between healthy controls and severe patients; CD56dim NK cells increased and MAIT cells and NK degranulation rates decreased in the COVID-19 subjects. Higher degranulation rates were observed in the non-severe patients and in the healthy controls compared to the severe patients. Benign forms of the disease had a higher granzymeA/granzymeB ratio than complex forms. In a multivariate analysis, the degranulation capacity resulted in a protective factor against severe forms of the disease (OR: 0.86), whereas the permanent expression of NKG2D in NKT cells was an independent risk factor (OR: 3.81; AUC: 0.84). In conclusion, a prompt and efficient degranulation functionality in the early stages of infection could be used as a tool to identify patients who will have a better evolution.     

Novel Epoxides of Soloxolone Methyl: An Effect of the Formation of Oxirane Ring and Stereoisomerism on Cytotoxic Profile,Anti-Metastatic and Anti-Inflammatory Activities In Vitro and In Vivo

It is known that epoxide-bearing compounds display pronounced pharmacological activities, and the epoxidation of natural metabolites can be a promising strategy to improve their bioactivity. Here, we report the design, synthesis and evaluation of biological properties of αO-SM and βO-SM, novel epoxides of soloxolone methyl (SM), a cyanoenone-bearing derivative of 18βH-glycyrrhetinic acid. We demonstrated that the replacement of a double-bound within the cyanoenone pharmacophore group of SM with α- and β-epoxide moieties did not abrogate the high antitumor and anti-inflammatory potentials of the triterpenoid. It was found that novel SM epoxides induced the death of tumor cells at low micromolar concentrations (IC₅₀^(24h) = 0.7–4.1 µM) via the induction of mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis, reinforced intracellular accumulation of doxorubicin in B16 melanoma cells, probably by direct interaction with key drug efflux pumps (P-glycoprotein, MRP1, MXR1), and the suppressed pro-metastatic phenotype of B16 cells, effectively inhibiting their metastasis in a murine model. Moreover, αO-SM and βO-SM hampered macrophage functionality in vitro (motility, NO production) and significantly suppressed carrageenan-induced peritonitis in vivo. Furthermore, the effect of the stereoisomerism of SM epoxides on the mentioned bioactivities and toxic profiles of these compounds in vivo were evaluated. Considering the comparable antitumor and anti-inflammatory effects of SM epoxides with SM and reference drugs (dacarbazine, dexamethasone), αO-SM and βO-SM can be considered novel promising antitumor and anti-inflammatory drug candidates.     

黄铁矿烧渣微生物脱硫

在烧渣生物脱硫的试验.论研究了矿浆浓度、Fe³⁺浓度及pH值对游离T.f菌浓度和脱硫率的影响.证明烧渣脱硫是T.f.菌直接浸出作用和由细菌而产生的Fe³⁺间接浸出作用的联合;脱硫速率和菌种氧化活性受到吸附在固相上和液相中细菌生长情况、矿浆浓度、pH值和Fe³⁺的影响;三价铁离子的添加可影响菌种活性,抑制浸出的进行,且易在矿物表面产生沉淀,降低氧化率.烧渣生物脱硫后,可达到铁精矿标准.     

Harnessing social dynamics through persuasive technology to promote healthier lifestyle

In light of current calls by medical professionals to confront the global issue of obesity and related illnesses, we developed a mobile application called STEP UP that monitors physical activity and provides data that can be easily shared within a social network. We then conducted an exploratory, theoretical study based on the theory of reasoned action (TRA) followed by an experimental trial and user study. The purpose of the studies was to explore the effect of persuasive technology on physical activity behavior and to investigate its effectiveness in motivating users to use the technology to be more physically active. The application was found to have a positive effect on the participants and their level of physical activity. They enjoyed using the application and were motivated to walk more, especially when enabled to share their step counts with their friends. The social component of the application clearly enhanced users’ walking experience, as the atmosphere of friendly competition motivated them to walk more. Based on user responses, we conclude that a further enhanced application that includes chat functionality may be even more successful in supporting increased physical activity and thus healthier lifestyle.     

TiO2-coated foams as a medium for solar catalysis

Sunlight irradiating the surface of the Earth represents a maximum input available for a solar catalytic process of 50 W_UV m⁻². We propose using high-porosity, metallic, reticulated foams as the support medium for the photocatalyst in order to improve the apparent quantum yield. The layer of TiO₂ was applied by dip-coating. The measurement of the degradation kinetics was carried out on a model target molecule, 2,4 dichlorophenol, at an initial concentration of 10 mg l⁻¹. The aim was to assess the efficiency of the foams as a photocatalytic media compared to that of a suspension of catalytic powder (Degussa P25) and the flat 2D support (Ahlstrom cellulose media). The apparent quantum yield of the foam scaffold carrying the TiO₂ was high, showing that, as with the powder suspension, foam makes good use of the UV rays to break down molecules. It is noteworthy that the apparent quantum yield of the foam tended towards that observed for suspensions which form the ideal support thanks to their optimal ability to harness the light.     

Cardiovascular and eye activity measures as indices for momentary changes in mental effort during simulated flight

This study examines effects of momentary changes in mental effort on cardiovascular and eye activity measures. A total of 19 male pilots performed an instrument flight task. Task load was manipulated by having the pilots perform flight manoeuvres of varying complexity. Multilevel analyses demonstrated clear effects of momentary changes in mental effort on both the cardiovascular and the eye activity measures. An increase in task load resulted in an increase of heart rate and a decrease in heart rate variability, mean dwell time and fixation duration. Heart rate differentiated between resting period and task execution. Heart rate variability from short data segments provided more insight in intermediate levels of mental effort. The eye activity measures were sensitive to intermediate levels of mental effort as well. Attitude changes resulted in an increase of mean dwell time and mean fixation duration. Task analysis is required to use eye measures as valid indices of mental effort. Having indications of the effects of changing mental demands during daily work of operators is of great importance nowadays. This paper presents an approach to estimate such effects on the basis of heart rate and eye activity measures. In particular, the use of averaged short-term heart rate variability measures is a relatively new aspect.     

Cobalt-doped cerium oxide nanoparticles: Enhanced photocatalytic activity under UV and visible light irradiation

CeO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by coprecipitation using cerium(III) nitrate hexahydrate as the precursor and ethanol as the solvent. Different concentration of cobalt-doped cerium oxide NPs (3mol % and 6 mol %) were prepared by adding various concentrations of cobalt chloride to cerium nitrate. The as-synthesized NPs were characterized through X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements, ultraviolet (UV)–visible spectroscopy, Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). XRD results reveal that the as-prepared CeO₂ NPs had a face-centered cubic structure with crystallite size in the range of 5–8 nm. TEM analyses showed that the CeO₂ NPs and Co-doped CeO₂ NPs had a homogenous size distribution (sizes were within 5–12 nm). Band-edge absorption of CeO₂ NPs redshifted upon increasing the Co concentration as compared to undoped CeO₂ NPs. PL spectra reveal a peak shift of CeO₂ emission upon cobalt doping, which were due to an increase in oxygen defects localized between the Ce4f and O2p energy levels (i.e., via formation of Ce³⁺ states). Photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue in aqueous solution under UV and visible (sunlight) irradiation in the presence of pure CeO₂ NPs and of Co-doped CeO₂ NPs was investigated. The efficiency of photocatalytic degradation of CeO₂ NPs increased with the Co concentration both under UV irradiation and under visible light. Co-doped CeO₂ NPs (6 mol%) showed degradation efficiencies of 98% and 89% at 420 min of exposure to UV irradiation and to visible light, respectively.     

基于非下采样Contourlet的熵测度图像融合算法

活性测度是图像融合过程中的重要衡量工具.通过其提取的某种特征信息,来决定哪幅输入图像的特征更为明显.在基于多分辨率分解的融合算法中,常用的活性测度只考虑各层高频子带系数本身,忽略了低频系数所提供的信息.考虑到综合高、低频系数对于活性测度的影响,基于非下采样Contourlet变换良好的平移不变性、多方向等特性,提出了一...