Herein, Kiwi peel activated carbon (AC), Materials Institute Lavoisier (MIL-88B (Fe), and AC/MIL-88B (Fe) composite were synthesized and used as catalysts to degrade Reactive Red 198. The material ...properties were analyzed by the FTIR, BET-BJH, XRD, FESEM, EDX, TGA, and UV–Vis/DRS. The BET surface area of AC, MIL-88B (Fe) and AC/MIL-88B (Fe) was 1113.3, 150.7, and 199.4 m2/g, respectively. The band gap values (Eg) estimated by Tauc plot method, were obtained 5.06, 4.19 and 3.79 eV for AC, MIL-88B (Fe) and AC/MIL-88B (Fe), respectively. The results indicated that the AC/MIL-88B (Fe) composite had higher photocatalytic activity (99%) than that of pure AC (79%) and MIL-88B (Fe) catalysts (87%). The decolorization kinetic was matched well with the second-order model. Moreover, the data were modeled using least squares support vector machine which optimized with Cuckoo optimization algorithm. The optimal parameters were found 0.837 and 3.49e+02 based on σ2 and γ values, respectively. The mean square error (MSE) and correlation coefficient (R2) values were obtained 3.97 and 0.948. Therefore, the attained data, materials characterization and prediction of modeling validate the composite form of MIL-88B(Fe) with new AC, had better photocatalytic activity in comparison with the individual form.
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•Activated carbon/metal-organic framework nanocomposite photocatalyst was prepared.•Dye degradation mathematical modeling from wastewater was done.•Surface area of AC, MIL-88B and AC/MIL-88B was 1113.3, 150.7, and 199.4 m2/g.•The photocatalytic decolorization kinetics followed the second-order kinetic model.•Least squares support vector machine with Cuckoo algorithm modeled dye degradation.
Epoxy coatings are developing fast in order to meet the requirements of advanced materials and systems. Progress in nanomaterial science and technology has opened a new era of engineering for ...tailoring the bulk and surface properties of organic coatings, e.g., adhesion to the substrate, anti-corrosion, mechanical, flame-retardant, and self-healing characteristics. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), a subclass of coordinative polymers with porous microstructures, have been widely synthesized in recent years and applied in gas and energy storage, separation, sensing, environmental science and technology, and medicine. Nevertheless, less attention has been paid to their performance in coatings. Well-known as micro- and nanoporous materials, with a tailorable structure consisting of metal ions and organic linkers, MOFs have a huge loading capacity, which is essential for the delivery of corrosion inhibitors. This review paper attempts to highlight the importance of epoxy/MOF composites for coating applications. A particular emphasis was explicitly placed on the anti-corrosion, flame-retardant, mechanical, and dielectric properties of epoxy/MOF coatings.
The skeleton is the framework and in charge of body configuration preservation. As a living tissue, bones are constantly being formed and absorbed. Osteoblasts and osteoclasts are the main bone cells ...and balance between their activities indicates bone health. Several mechanisms influence the bone turnover and RANKL/RANK/OPG pathway is one of them. This system, whose components are part of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily, exists in many organs and could play a role in bone modeling and remodeling. RANKL/RANK pathway controls osteoclasts activity and formation. In addition, they are identified as key factors on bone turnover in different pathological situations. At the same time, OPG (RANKL’s decoy receptor) plays role as a bone-protective factor by binding to RANKL and prevention of extra resorption. The lack of balance between RANKL and OPG could result in excessive bone resorption. Probiotics, the beneficial microorganisms for human health, entail bones in their advantages. Recent studies suggest that probiotics could reduce inflammatory factors (for example TNF-α and IL-1β) and increase bone OPG expression. In addition, probiotics have shown to maintain bones in various ways. Although current evidence is not enough for definitive approval of probiotics’ efficacy on RANKL/RANK/OPG, its positive responses from conducted studies are significant. Understanding of the probiotics’ effects on RANKL/RANK/OPG pathway will help focus future studies, and assist in developing efficient treatment strategies.
Abstract Objective We are aware of no study examining the effects of probiotic supplementation on symptoms of depression, metabolic profiles, serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and ...biomarkers of oxidative stress in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). The present study was designed to determine the effects of probiotic intake on symptoms of depression and metabolic status in patients with MDD. Methods This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial included 40 patients with a diagnosis of MDD based on DSM-IV criteria whose age ranged between 20 and 55 y. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups to receive either probiotic supplements (n = 20) or placebo (n = 20) for 8 wk. Probiotic capsule consisted of three viable and freeze-dried strains: Lactobacillus acidophilus (2 × 109 CFU/g), Lactobacillus casei (2 × 109 CFU/g), and Bifidobacterium bifidum (2 × 109 CFU/g). Fasting blood samples were taken at the beginning and end of the trial to quantify the relevant variables. All participants provided three dietary records (two weekdays and one weekend) and three physical activity records during the intervention. Results Dietary intake of study participants was not significantly different between the two groups. After 8 wk of intervention, patients who received probiotic supplements had significantly decreased Beck Depression Inventory total scores (−5.7 ± 6.4 vs. −1.5 ± 4.8, P = 0.001) compared with the placebo. In addition, significant decreases in serum insulin levels (−2.3 ± 4.1 vs. 2.6 ± 9.3 μIU/mL, P = 0.03), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (−0.6 ± 1.2 vs. 0.6 ± 2.1, P = 0.03), and serum hs-CRP concentrations (−1138.7 ± 2274.9 vs. 188.4 ± 1455.5 ng/mL, P = 0.03) were observed after the probiotic supplementation compared with the placebo. Additionally, taking probiotics resulted in a significant rise in plasma total glutathione levels (1.8 ± 83.1 vs. −106.8 ± 190.7 μmol/L, P = 0.02) compared with the placebo. We did not find any significant change in fasting plasma glucose, homeostatic model assessment of beta cell function, quantitative insulin sensitivity check index, lipid profiles, and total antioxidant capacity levels. Conclusions Probiotic administration in patients with MDD for 8 wk had beneficial effects on Beck Depression Inventory, insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, hs-CRP concentrations, and glutathione concentrations, but did not influence fasting plasma glucose, homeostatic model assessment of beta cell function, quantitative insulin sensitivity check index, lipid profiles, and total antioxidant capacity levels.
Cell membrane cloaking technique is bioinspired nanotechnology that takes advantage of naturally derived design cues for surface modification of nanoparticles. Unlike modification with synthetic ...materials, cell membranes can replicate complex physicochemical properties and biomimetic functions of the parent cell source. This technique indeed has the potential to greatly augment existing nanotherapeutic platforms. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of engineered cell membrane-based nanotherapeutics for targeted drug delivery and biomedical applications and discuss the challenges and opportunities of cell membrane cloaking techniques for clinical translation.
The lack of adequate blood/lymphatic vessels as well as low-potential articular cartilage regeneration underlines the necessity to search for alternative biomaterials. Owing to their unique features, ...such as reversible thermogelling behavior and tissue-like mechanical behavior, agarose-based biomaterials have played a key role in cartilage tissue repair. Accordingly, the need for fabricating novel highly efficient injectable agarose-based biomaterials as hydrogels for restoration of injured cartilage tissue has been recognized. In this review, the resources and conspicuous properties of the agarose-based biomaterials were reviewed. First, different types of signals together with their functionalities in the maintenance of cartilage homeostasis were explained. Then, various cellular signaling pathways and their significant role in cartilage tissue engineering were overviewed. Next, the molecular structure and its gelling behavior have been discussed. Eventually, the latest advancements, the lingering challenges, and future ahead of agarose derivatives from the cartilage regeneration perspective have been discussed.
We studied the synthesis, characterization clarification, and dye adsorption ability of chromium-based metal-organic framework (Materials Institute Lavoisier: MIL-101(Cr)). MIL-101(Cr) with 1 : 1 ...molar ratio of metal to ligand was ultrasound-assisted green synthesized in a DMF-free way and its adsorption capacity for pollutant remediation was studied. Several analyses were applied to clarify the characterization of materials, including TGA, SEM, XRD, FTIR, BET, and Zeta potential. Direct Red 80 (DR80) and Acid Blue 92 (AB92) were used to make model dye bearing wastewater. Response surface methodology (RSM) historical modeling was applied to the data to achieve an accurate model of the experiment. Adsorption kinetics and isotherms models were fully studied. The powerful adsorbent was the MIL- 101(Cr) with the M/L=1 : 1, which represented the high specific surface area (SSA) of 2,420 m
2
/g and surface charge of +27.2 mV. The maximum adsorption capacity was obtained 227 mg/g for DR80 and 185 mg/g for AB92. With an eye to the real-world application, the synthesized adsorbent well operated by removing dyes from the wastewater and high reusability after four cycles.
This study determined the effects of probiotic supplementation on glycemic control, lipid concentrations, biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in 60 diabetic patients on hemodialysis in a ...parallel randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. Participants were initially matched based on sex, duration of dialysis and diabetes, body mass index and age. Subsequently, they were randomly divided into two groups to take either a capsule containing the probiotics Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei and Bifidobacterium bifidum or placebo for 12 weeks. Based on three-day dietary records throughout the trial, there was no significant change in dietary macro- and micro-nutrients or total dietary fiber to confound results. After the 12 weeks, analysis of patients who received probiotic supplements compared with the placebo showed they had significantly decreased fasting plasma glucose (–22.0 vs. +6.6 mg/dl), serum insulin (–6.4 vs. +2.3 μIU/ml), homeostasis model of assessment-estimated insulin resistance (–2.9 vs. +2.5), homeostasis model of assessment-estimated beta-cell function (–14.1 vs. +6.1) and HbA1c (–0.4 vs. –0.1%,), and improved quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (+0.03 vs. –0.02). Additionally, compared with the placebo, probiotic supplementation resulted in significant reductions in serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (–1933 vs. +252 ng/ml), plasma malondialdehyde (–0.3 vs. +1.0 μmol/l), subjective global assessment scores (–0.7 vs. +0.7) and total iron binding capacity (–230 vs. +33 μg/dl), and a significant increase in plasma total antioxidant capacity (+15 vs. –88 mmol/l). Thus, probiotic supplementation for 12 weeks among diabetic hemodialysis patients had beneficial effects on parameters of glucose homeostasis, and some biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress.
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most serious brain tumor and shows a high rate of drug resistance. Wnt signaling is a very important pathway in GBM that can activate/inhibit other pathways, such as ...apoptosis and autophagy. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of a combination of temozolomide (TMZ) plus curcumin or nanomicellar-curcumin on the inhibition of GBM growth in vitro, via effects on autophagy, apoptosis, and the Wnt signaling pathway. Two concentrations of curcumin and nanomicellar-curcumin (i.e., 20 μM and 50 μM) alone, and in combination with TMZ (50 μM) were used to induce cytotoxicity in the U87 GBM cell line. Wnt signaling–, autophagy-, and apoptosis-related genes were assessed by quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blots. All treatments (except 20 μM curcumin alone) significantly decreased the viability of U87 cells compared to controls. Curcumin (50 μM), nanomicellar-curcumin alone and in combination with TMZ significantly decreased the invasion and migration of U87 cells. Autophagy-related proteins (Beclin 1, LC3-I, LC3-II) were significantly increased. Apoptosis-related proteins (Bcl-2 and caspase 8) were also significantly increased, while Bax protein was significantly decreased. The expression levels of Wnt pathway–associated genes (β-catenin, cyclin D1, Twist, and ZEB1) were significantly reduced.
In this investigation, the nonlinear dynamics of porous annular plates that have been functionally graded are examined under varying time-dependent loads. Both simple supported and fully clamped ...boundary conditions are taken into account. The mechanical properties of the functionally graded plate in its thickness are considered according to the distribution function of the modified law. In addition, porosity, as a stress-relieving property, is also applied throughout the plate thickness by different functions and pore volume fractions. By adopting Hamilton’s principle, the equations of motion are obtained based on the modified higher-order shear deformation plate theory. Then these partial differential equations are solved using the viscous dynamic relaxation method in conjunction with Newmark’s implicit integration method. The present findings are compared and successfully confirmed with those available in the literature. Finally, the effects of some key factors such as porosity distribution type, pore volume fraction, power-law index, loading conditions, and thickness-to-radius ratio on the dynamic behavior of both simple and fully clamped plates have been studied in detail. The study’s findings indicate that porosity pattern X, characterized by a greater prevalence of interconnected pores, exhibited enhanced resistance to deflection. Conversely, pattern O, featuring a more uniformly distributed pore size, effectively mitigated stress in FG porous materials. These observations offer valuable insights for optimizing plate design and elevating its performance.
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