Chemical composition, antibacterial and antioxidant activities of Piper betle and Anethum graveolens essential oils against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolates.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the leading causes of infection worldwide due to its antimicrobial resistance. Plant-derived essential oils (EOs) have undergone extensive observational and clinical research to explore their antimicrobial properties. The present study aimed to check mec A positive MRSA isolates using sequencing analysis, determination of chemical composition using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS), antioxidant, and antimicrobial activity of Anethum graveolens and Piper betle EOs against the infectious agent MRSA.

Quantum chemical studies of carbon-based graphene-like nanostructures: from benzene to coronene.

Context: This study presents quantum chemical analysis of 14 distinct carbon-based nanostructures (CBN), ranging from simple molecules, like benzene, to more complex structures, such as coronene, which serves as an exemplary graphene-like model. The investigation focuses on elucidating the relationships between molecular orbital (MO) energies, the energy band gaps, electron occupation numbers (eON), electronic conduction, and the compound topologies, seeking to find the one that approaches most of a graphene-like structure for in silico studies. Through detailed examination of molecular properties including chemical hardness and chemical potential, we demonstrate that the electronic exchange between orbitals is directly influenced by the structural topology of the carbon-based nanostructures, as the electron occupation numbers and the molecular orbital energies.

In vivo bone regeneration performance of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose hydrogel-based composite bone cements in ovariectomized and ovary-intact rats: a preliminary investigation.

The objective of this study is to fabricate and develop hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) hydrogel (HG)-based composite bone cements with incorporation of hydroxyapatite (HA), beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP), and with/without polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) for vertebroplasty. For animal study, twenty female Wister rats (250-300 g, 12 weeks of age) were divided into four groups including a two non-ovariectomy (NOVX) groups and two ovariectomy (OVX)-induced osteoporosis groups. Two prepared biocomposites including HG/β-TCP/HA and HG/β-TCP/HA/PMMA were injected into the tibial defects of both OVX and NOVX rats for evaluating in vivo osteogenesis after 12 weeks.

A theoretical study on the mechanism and rate constants of luteolin and selenium dioxide.

Context: This study investigates the reaction mechanism of luteolin with selenium dioxide in ethanol. Through a detailed search for transition states and thermodynamic energy calculations, it was found that the reaction proceeds via two possible pathways, leading to the formation of products P1 and P2, respectively. A common feature of both pathways is that the first elementary step results in the formation of the intermediate INT1.

A comparative study of ionic pesticide sorption and degradation in contrasting Brazilian soils and the development of a novel 3-Phase Assay to assess sorption reversibility.

Brazilian soils have distinctive characteristics to European and North American soils which are typically used to investigate pesticide fate. This study aimed to compare soil-water partition coefficient (K), reversibility of adsorption and degradation half-life (DT) of 5 pesticides covering a wide range of physico-chemical properties in contrasting Brazilian soils (Argissolo, Gleissolo, Latossolo and Neossolo) and a temperate (UK) alfisol soil, and to study their relationship with soil OM, clay and expandable clay content, CEC and pH. In addition, we used a novel laboratory test to evaluate sorption reversibility, the 3-Phase Assay (3PA).

Strategies to increase the robustness of microbial cell factories.

Engineering microbial cell factories have achieved much progress in producing fuels, natural products and bulk chemicals. However, in industrial fermentation, microbial cells often face various predictable and stochastic disturbances resulting from intermediate metabolites or end product toxicity, metabolic burden and harsh environment. These perturbances can potentially decrease productivity and titer.

Evaluation of standards for sex estimation using measurements obtained from reconstructed computed tomography images of the femur of contemporary Black South Africans.

Dimensions of the pelvic and skull bones are known to be sexually dimorphic in various population groups. The recovery of these bones is potentially beneficial in estimating the sex in forensic cases. Since both bones are not always available for forensic analysis, standards for sex estimation must be established for other bones of the postcranial skeleton.

Rapid Electrochemical Uranium Extraction from Real Seawater via the Intermediate of Vacancy-Trapped Isolated Uranyl.

Electrochemical uranium extraction from seawater is a vital project for the sustainable development of the nuclear industry, which requires selective intrinsic binding sites for uranyl. In this work, oxygen vacancies (O vacancies) were developed as an atomically identified confinement for uranyl, and thus, rapid uranium extraction from seawater was achieved. In a short period of 700 s, InO nanosheets with rich O vacancies (V-rich InO nanosheets) exhibited a high extraction efficiency of 88.

Evaluation of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles as Carriers of Triarylmethyl Radical Spin Probes for EPR Oximetry.

measurement and mapping of oxygen levels within the tissues are crucial in understanding the physiopathological processes of numerous diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, or peripheral vascular diseases. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) associated with biocompatible exogenous spin probes, such as Ox071 triarylmethyl (TAM) radical, is becoming the new gold standard for oxygen mapping in preclinical settings. However, these probes do not show tissue selectivity when injected systemically, and they are not cell permeable, reporting oxygen from the extracellular compartment only.

A Statistically-Robust Model of the Axomyelin Unit under Normal Physiologic Conditions with Application to Disease States.

Despite tremendous progress in characterizing the myriad cellular structures in the nervous system, a full appreciation of the interdependent and intricate interactions between these structures is as yet unfulfilled. Indeed, few more so than the interaction between the myelin internode and its ensheathed axon. More than a half-century after the ultrastructural characterization of this axomyelin unit, we lack a reliable understanding of the physiological properties, the significance and consequence of pathobiological processes, and the means to gauge success or failure of interventions designed to mitigate disease.

Distinct seasonality of nutrients in twigs and leaves of temperate trees.

Seasonal variations of nutrients in different organs are an essential strategy for temperate trees to maintain growth and function. The seasonal variations and variability (i.e.

Accuracy of two-compartment modelling of gas exchange with ventilation-perfusion mismatch in inhalational anesthesia.

Background: Multi-compartment computer models of heterogeneity in alveolar ventilation-perfusion ratios (VA/Q scatter) across the lung explain the significant alveolar-arterial (A-a) partial pressure gradients and associated alveolar dead-space fractions (VDA/VA) seen in anesthetized patients for both carbon dioxide and for anesthetic gases of different blood solubilities. However, the accuracy of a simpler two-compartment model of VA/Q scatter to do this has not been tested or compared to calculations from the traditional Riley model with "ideal", unventilated (shunt) and unperfused (deadspace) compartments.

Methods: Measurements of gas partial pressures in inspired and expired gas and arterial and mixed venous blood from 29 patients undergoing inhalational general anesthesia for cardiac surgery was used to compare the accuracy of two simple models of VA/Q scatter and lung gas exchange in predicting measured alveolar and arterial partial pressure differences, and associated alveolar dead-space calculations for the modern anesthetic gases isoflurane, sevoflurane and desflurane.

Enhanced Transepithelial Riboflavin Delivery Across the Cornea Using Magnetic Nanocarriers.

Keratoconus is a progressive corneal ectasia characterized by irregular astigmatism, leading to corneal scarring and decreased vision. Corneal cross-linking (CXL) is the standard treatment to halt disease progression, but its effectiveness in transepithelial (epithelium-on, epi-on) approaches is limited by the low permeability of the corneal epithelium to riboflavin (Rb). This study aimed to enhance transepithelial Rb penetration in bovine corneas using Rb-modified tannic acid-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Rb-TA-SPIONs) under an external magnetic field.

Liquid slide electrification: advances and open questions.

This review is about drops of a liquid with high dielectric permittivity that slide over a solid surface with high electrical resistivity. A typical situation is a water drop sliding down a tilted hydrophobic plate. It has been realized recently that such drops spontaneously acquire a charge.

and through the pig meat chain in Sardinia: occurrence, antimicrobial resistance and genetic insight.

This study aimed to characterize Salmonella and Yersinia enterocolitica detected in fattening pigs in Sardinia, examining genetic similarity and antimicrobial resistance of isolates from farms and slaughterhouses and evaluating carcass hygiene. Environmental samples were collected from six pig farms, and the same pigs were also sampled at the slaughterhouses. Palatine tonsils, mesenteric lymph nodes, colon content, and carcass surface samples were collected and tested for Salmonella and Y.

G-quadruplex structures in 16S rRNA regions correlate with thermal adaptation in prokaryotes.

G-quadruplex (G4) structure is a nucleic acid secondary structure formed by guanine-rich sequences, playing essential roles in various biological processes such as gene regulation and environmental stress adaptation. Although prokaryotes growing at high temperatures have higher GC contents, the pattern of G4 structure associated with GC content variation in thermal adaptation remains elusive. This study analyzed 681 bacterial genomes to explore the role of G4 structures in thermal adaptation.

RNA G-quadruplex structure-based PROTACs for targeted DHX36 protein degradation and gene activity modulation in mammalian cells.

RNA G-quadruplexes (rG4s) are non-canonical secondary nucleic acid structures found in the transcriptome. They play crucial roles in gene regulation by interacting with G4-binding proteins (G4BPs) in cells. rG4-G4BP complexes have been associated with human diseases, making them important targets for drug development.

Direct repeat region 3' end modifications regulate Cas12a activity and expand its applications.

CRISPR-Cas12a technology has transformative potential, but as its applications grow, enhancing its inherent functionalities is essential to meet diverse demands. Here, we reveal a regulatory mechanism for LbCas12a through direct repeat (DR) region 3' end modifications and de-modifications, which can regulate LbCas12a's cis- and trans-cleavage activities. We extensively explored the effects of introducing phosphorylation, DNA, photo-cleavable linker, DNA modifications at the DR 3' end on LbCas12a's functionality.

Early events in G-quadruplex folding captured by time-resolved small-angle X-ray scattering.

Time-resolved small-angle X-ray experiments are reported here that capture and quantify a previously unknown rapid collapse of the unfolded oligonucleotide as an early step in the folding of hybrid 1 and hybrid 2 telomeric G-quadruplex structures. The rapid collapse, initiated by a pH jump, is characterized by an exponential decrease in the radius of gyration from 24.3 to 12.

Web-Based Exercise and Nutrition Intervention to Improve Leg Muscle Strength and Physical Functioning in Older Adults: Pre-Post Pilot Study.

Background: The lifestyle intervention ProMuscle, which combines resistance exercise and an increased protein intake, was effective in improving muscle strength, muscle mass, and physical functioning in older adults. However, due to a growing shortage of health care professionals, the rapidly growing aging population cannot be personally guided in the future. Therefore, Uni2Move, a scalable web-based variant of ProMuscle, was designed to reach larger groups of older adults without putting additional burden on health care professionals.

Highly Efficient Biosynthesis of Rebaudioside M9 through Enzyme Screening and Structure-Guided Engineering.

Steviol glycosides (SGs) are highly valued for their sweetness, safety, and zero calories, but their bitter taste and low solubility limit their application. Modifying glycosyl units is a promising strategy to improve sensory qualities. In this study, we identified the enzyme UGT94E13 through phylogenetic analysis and enzyme screening, which catalyzes the glycosylation of rebaudioside M2 (Reb M2) at the C-13 position, producing the novel β-1,6--glycosylated product rebaudioside M9 (Reb M9).

Cost-effective evaluation of modified ochre soil and its combination with cationic polyacrylamide for municipal wastewater sludge conditioning.

One of the most costly stages of activated sludge wastewater treatment plants is the treatment and dewatering of waste sludge. Chemical conditioning of sludge, as one of the most widespread methods to enhance sludge dewaterability, accounts for a significant portion of operational expenses due to the consumption of expensive polymeric compounds. This research aims to assess the cost-effectiveness of ochre soil, modified with hydrochloric acid, as an affordable mineral for conditioning waste sludge in an activated sludge system.

Wastewater biotreatment and bioaugmentation for remediation of contaminated sites at an oil recycling plant.

This work focused on the biotreatment of wastewater and contaminated soil in a used oil recycling plant located in Bizerte. A continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) and a trickling filter (TF) were used to treat stripped and collected wastewater, respectively. The CSTR was started up and stabilized for 90 days.

A review of biogas upgrading technologies: key emphasis on electrochemical systems.

Biogas, consisting mainly of CO and CH, offers a sustainable source of energy. However, this gaseous stream has been undervalued in wastewater treatment plants owing to its high CO content. Biogas upgrading by capturing CO broadens its utilisation as a substitute for natural gas.