The development of innovative antiviral strategies is critical to address the global health threats posed by RNA viruses, including the Zika virus (ZIKV), which can cause severe neurological complications. The lipid transporter Oxysterol Binding Protein (OSBP), essential for cholesterol and phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate trafficking, is exploited by many positive-strand RNA viruses, making it an attractive novel antiviral target. This study investigates simplified analogues of macarangin B, a natural compound with potent OSBP-targeted antiviral activity against ZIKV, but limited stability due to its flavonol moiety.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe present paper reported on the analysis of structural defects and their influence on the red-emitting γ-AlO:Mn,Mg nanowires using positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS). The nanowires were synthesized by hydrothermal method and low-temperature post-treatment using glucose as a reducing agent. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), photoluminescence (PL), and photoluminescence excitation (PLE) were utilized, respectively, for determining the structural phase, morphology and red-emitting intensity in studied samples.
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January 2025
Hydrogen peroxide (HO) production via oxygen (O) reduction reaction (ORR) in pure water (HO) through graphitic carbon nitrides (g-CN)-based piezo-photocatalysts is an exciting approach in many current studies. However, the low Lewis-acid properties of g-CN limited the catalytic performance because of the low O adsorption efficacy. To overcome this challenge, the interaction of g-CN precursors with various solvents are utilized to synthesize g-CN, possessing multiple nitrogen-vacant species via thermal shocking polymerization.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe COVID-19 pandemic was caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, marking one of the most catastrophic global health crises of the 21st century. Throughout this period, widespread use and improper disposal of personal protective equipment (PPE) emerged as a pressing environmental issue, significantly impacting various life forms. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a high rate of PEP disposal.
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