Construction of Cnts/calcined Zn-Co-LDHs hydrid to enhanced photocatalytic for ofloxacin decomposition: mechanism, degradation pathway, and toxicity assessment.

This work successfully synthesized the Cnts/calcined Zn-Co-LDHs (Cnts@ZnC) hybrid material using the Zn-Co-LDHs precursor. Using the co-precipitation method, we synthesized Zn-Co-LDHs onto Cnts ranging in mass from 0 to 80 mg. These were subsequently calcined at 550 °C to yield Cnts@ZnC ( = 2, 4, 6, 8).

Identification of novel phenylalanine derivatives bearing a hydroxamic acid moiety as potent quorum sensing inhibitors.

Phenylalanine derivatives are a well-known small moiety responsible for controlling the virulence factors of several bacteria. Herein, for the first time, we report novel structures of phenylalanine derivatives bearing a hydroxamic acid moiety which were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for use as quorum sensing inhibitors. Biological results reveal that six compounds showed good quorum sensing inhibitors properties with an IC ranging from 7.

Enhanced photocatalytic performance of ZnO under visible light by co-doping of Ta and C using hydrothermal method.

This study attempted to improve the photocatalytic activity of zinc oxide (ZnO) semiconductors in the visible light region by introducing the co-doping of carbon (C) and tantalum (Ta) to ZnO (ZTC) using a simple hydrothermal method with the respective precursors. The obtained uniform ZTC nanoparticles with an average crystal size of 29.30 nm (according to Scherrer's equation) revealed a redshift with a decrease in bandgap () from 3.

Determination of Methanol, Acetaldehyde, and Ethyl Acetate in Thousand Folds of Ethanol Sample by Headspace Gas Chromatography with Mass Spectrometry.

Alcohol beverages have been widely consumed in several parts of the world. In this study, volatile organic compounds in alcoholic beverages including acetaldehyde, ethyl acetate, methanol, and higher ethanol were investigated and evaluated using a headspace gas chromatograph equipped with a mass spectrometer. This study evaluated the suitability of the chromatographic system, linearity, limit of detection, and limit of quantification, accuracy, and precision of the single and simultaneous determination of acetaldehyde, ethyl acetate, and methanol in thousand folds of ethanol.

Design of novel p-n heterojunction ZnBiO-ZnS photocatalysts with impressive photocatalytic and antibacterial activities under visible light.

Heterojunction structures have attracted considerable attention for enhancing electron migration across interfaces. In this report, ZnBiO-ZnS(12%) heterojunction photocatalysts was found to be capable of degrading over 94% of indigo carmine in a 15 mg/L solution within 90 min of visible light irradiation at a catalytic dose of 1.0 g/L and pH 4.

2-Difluoromethylpyridine as a bioisosteric replacement of pyridine--oxide: the case of quorum sensing inhibitors.

Herein, we demonstrate that 2-difluoromethylpyridine is a bioisosteric replacement of pyridine--oxide. Using the quorum sensing inhibitor as a model compound, a library of 2-difluoromethylpyridine derivatives was designed, synthesized, and evaluated toward quorum sensing activity, biofilm formation, anti-violacein activity, and protease activity. As a result, compounds 1 (IC of 35 ± 1.

Effects of Cadmium and Lead on Muscle and Liver Glycogen Levels of Climbing Perch (Anabas testudineus).

The aim of this study was to assess the glycogen content in the muscle and liver tissues of the climbing perch (Anabas testudineus) exposed to sublethal concentrations of Cd and Pb over 28 days of exposure and 14 days of depuration. Muscle and liver glycogen levels in A. testudineus after Pb or Cd treatment were significantly lower (p < 0.

Potential health risks of toxic heavy metals and nitrate via commonly consumed bivalve and vegetable species in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

This study aimed to evaluate the health risks of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), inorganic arsenic (As), and nitrate exposure through the consumption of bivalves and vegetables collected from local markets in Ho Chi Minh City. The present study analyzed four favorite bivalve species (Meretrix lyrate; Perna viridis; Anadara subcrenata; Anadara granosa) for concentrations of Cd, Pb, and inorganic As and 9 vegetable species (Brassica juncea; Brassica integrifolia; Brassica rapa chinensis; Nasturtium officinale; Lactuca sativa; Ipomoea aquatica; Amaranthus gangeticus; Ipomoea batatas; Spinacia oleracea) for concentrations of Pb and nitrate. The target hazard quotient (THQ) and target cancer risk (TR) were calculated to estimate non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks, respectively.

Biological Durability, Cytotoxicity and MRI Image Contrast Effects of Chitosan Modified Magnetic Nanoparticles.

In this manuscript, biological durability, cytotoxicity and MRI image contrast effect of chitosan modified magnetic nanoparticles were investigated. The result of durability study shows that the asprepared sample with average size of about 30 nm had a high stability under pH conditions in range of from 2 to 12 and at salt concentration in range of from 0 to 300 mM. The cytotoxicity testing indicates that the obtained Fe₃O₄@CS ferrofluid revealed a low cytotoxicity.

Novel reduced graphene oxide/ZnBiO hybrid photocatalyst for visible light degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid.

A new highly efficient rGO/ZnBiO hybrid catalyst has been successfully synthesized through oxidation-reduction and co-precipitation methods, followed by heating at 450 °C. The obtained rGO/ZnBiO catalyst was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The catalytic activity of rGO/ZnBiO under visible light irradiation was tested using 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) in aqueous solution.

Lead and Arsenic Accumulation and Its Effects on Plasma Cortisol Levels in Oreochromis sp.

The accumulation, elimination and effect of heavy metals on plasma cortisol levels in Oreochromis sp. were studied in the exposure and recovery phases. In the exposure phase, the mean rate of accumulation in the tissues was in the order gill > liver > muscle for Pb exposure and muscle > liver > gill for As exposure.

Characterizing ligand-gated ion channel receptors with genetically encoded Ca2++ sensors.

We present a cell based system and experimental approach to characterize agonist and antagonist selectivity for ligand-gated ion channels (LGIC) by developing sensor cells stably expressing a Ca(2+) permeable LGIC and a genetically encoded Förster (or fluorescence) resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based calcium sensor. In particular, we describe separate lines with human α7 and human α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, mouse 5-HT(3A) serotonin receptors and a chimera of human α7/mouse 5-HT(3A) receptors. Complete concentration-response curves for agonists and Schild plots of antagonists were generated from these sensors and the results validate known pharmacology of the receptors tested.

An in vivo biosensor for neurotransmitter release and in situ receptor activity.

Tools from molecular biology, combined with in vivo optical imaging techniques, provide new mechanisms for noninvasively observing brain processes. Current approaches primarily probe cell-based variables, such as cytosolic calcium or membrane potential, but not cell-to-cell signaling. We devised cell-based neurotransmitter fluorescent engineered reporters (CNiFERs) to address this challenge and monitor in situ neurotransmitter receptor activation.

MPScope: a versatile software suite for multiphoton microscopy.

MPScope is a software suite to control and analyze data from custom-built multiphoton laser scanning fluorescence microscopes. The acquisition program MPScan acquires, displays and stores movies, linescans, image stacks or arbitrary regions from up to four imaging channels and up to two analog inputs, while plotting the intensity of regions of interest in real-time. Bidirectional linescans allow 256 x 256 pixel frames to be acquired at up to 10 fps with typical galvanometric scanners.

Positive feedback in a brainstem tactile sensorimotor loop.

The trigeminal loop in the brainstem comprises the innermost level of sensorimotor feedback in the rat vibrissa system. Anatomy suggests that this loop relays tactile information from the vibrissae to the motoneurons that control vibrissa movement. We demonstrate, using in vitro and in vivo recordings, that the trigeminal loop consists of excitatory pathways from vibrissa sensory inputs to vibrissa motoneurons in the facial nucleus.

Developmental regulation of active and passive membrane properties in rat vibrissa motoneurones.

We characterized the electrophysiological properties of vibrissa motoneurones (vMNs) in rat. Intracellular recordings of vMNs in brainstem slices from animals aged P4 to P5 and P9 to P11, i.e.

e-Phys: a suite of intracellular neurophysiology programs integrating COM (component object model) technologies.

Current computer programs for intracellular recordings often lack advanced data management, are usually incompatible with other applications and are also difficult to adapt to new experiments. We have addressed these shortcomings in e-Phys, a suite of electrophysiology applications for intracellular recordings. The programs in e-Phys use Component Object Model (COM) technologies available in the Microsoft Windows operating system to provide enhanced data storage, increased interoperability between e-Phys and other COM-aware applications, and easy customization of data acquisition and analysis thanks to a script-based integrated programming environment.

Identification of purebred Crocodylus siamensis for reintroduction in Vietnam.

Crocodylus siamensis, the Siamese crocodile, is a critically endangered species of freshwater crocodile previously distributed throughout much of SE Asia. Recovery plans call for reintroductions to the wild using founder individuals currently in captivity, mostly in commercial crocodile farms. On many farms C.