2D-to-1D Conversion of a Layered Sodium Titanate via Rational Framework Splitting for Highly Efficient Cation Exchange.

Demand on high-performance ion exchangers is ever-increasing in energy and environment applications. Among many cation exchangers, layered alkali titanates generally show larger cation exchange capacity, but slower cation exchange rate due to their 2D micrometer-size particle morphologies, which limits their practical applications. Here, a rational conversion of a layered sodium titanate, NaTiO, is reported to the corresponding 1D ultra-narrow nanowires via hydrothermal treatment under basic conditions.

Diallyl disulfide prevents cadmium-induced testicular injury by attenuating oxidative stress, apoptosis, and TLR-4/NF-κB and JAK1/STAT3 signaling and upregulating SIRT1 in rats.

Background: Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal environmental pollutant that can cause serious health problems. Cd can cause structural changes in the testes and exposure to this heavy metal is associated with the loss of sperms and male infertility. The role of oxidative stress and inflammation in Cd toxicity has been acknowledged.

Polypyrrole-bismuth tungstate/polypyrrole core-shell for optoelectronic devices exhibiting Schottky photodiode behavior.

A polypyrrole-bismuth tungstate (Ppy-BiWO) core-shell nanocomposite (n-type material) has been developed on a layered Ppy (p-type) base as an efficient light-capturing material exhibiting photodiode behavior. This device demonstrates promising sensitivity for light sensing and captures across a broad spectral range, from near IR to UV. The BiWO/Ppy nanocomposite boasts an optimal bandgap of 2.

Synthesis, Urease Inhibitory Activity, Molecular Docking, Dynamics, MMGBSA and DFT Studies of Hydrazone-Schiff Bases Bearing Benzimidazole Scaffold.

In this study, eleven hydrazone-Schiff bases bearing benzimidazole moiety were synthesized successfully via three step reactions and structures of these products were deduced by HR-ESI-MS, H-, and C-NMR spectroscopic techniques. Lastly, these derivatives were tested for their in vitro urease inhibitory potential. Six compounds among the series attributed excellent inhibition with IC values of 7.

In vivo antischistosomal activity profiling and efficacy of niosomal Spirulina platensis and praziquantel combined remedy against murine Schistosoma mansoni infection.

Schistosomiasis is a serious parasite disease with a high rate of mortality and negative financial impacts in subtropical and tropical locations like Egypt. The goal of this study was to investigate the anti-schistosomal effect of Spirulina platensis (SP) and Spirulina loaded niosomes (SPN), either in the presence or absence of praziquantel (PZQ) against S. mansoni in experimentally infected mice.

Priming with multiwalled carbon nanotubes improved biomass accumulation, biological activity and metabolism of four horticultural plants during the sprouting stage.

Background: It is imperative to enhance the quality of sprouts since they are a rich source of various primary and secondary metabolites. The objective of this work was to examine how multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) priming at various concentrations affected the nutritional qualities of four horticultural plants (T. foenum-graecum, L.

One-Dimensional Photonic Crystals Comprising Two Different Types of Metamaterials for the Simple Detection of Fat Concentrations in Milk Samples.

In this study, we demonstrate the reflectance spectrum of one-dimensional photonic crystals comprising two different types of metamaterials. In this regard, the designed structure can act as a simple and efficient detector for fat concentrations in milk samples. Here, the hyperbolic and gyroidal metamaterials represent the two types of metamaterials that are stacked together to construct the candidate structure; meanwhile, the designed 1D PCs can be simply configured as [()].

Thyroid gland dysfunction and keratoconus.

Background: The association between keratoconus and thyroid gland dysfunction (TGD) remains controversial. We aimed to determine the frequency of keratoconus among patients with laboratory-confirmed, treatment-naive TGD compared with that of age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Moreover, we investigated the potential relationship between TGD and corneal topographic and tomographic parameters.

Multifocal electroretinogram changes after panretinal photocoagulation in early proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

Background: Panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) impacts macular function in eyes with early proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Herein, we used the multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG) to objectively investigate this concept.

Methods: In this prospective interventional case series, we enrolled patients with treatment-naive early PDR, absence of clinically significant macular edema, and requirement for PRP.

Safety and efficacy of the Yamane technique for intraocular three-piece lens implantation in Egyptian patients diagnosed with Marfan syndrome: a retrospective study.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of the Yamane technique (flanged intrascleral haptic fixation with double-needle technique /FIHFT) for three-piece intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in Egyptian patients diagnosed with Marfan syndrome (MFS) presented with subluxated lenses (ectopia lentis, EL).

Methods: This was a retrospective evaluation of thirty-three patients who were diagnosed with MFS and had subluxated lenses in a total of forty eyes. Seven of these patients had bilateral subluxation.

Biallelic loss-of-function variants in GON4L cause microcephaly and brain structure abnormalities.

We identified two homozygous truncating variants in GON4L [NM_001282860.2:c.62_63del, p.

The effect of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells against high fructose diet induced liver dysfunction and dysbiosis.

High fructose diet (HFrD) has been approved to be involved in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance. Mesenchymal stem cells have a vital role in the treatment of various diseases including metabolic disturbances. We investigated the effect of Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) against HFrD-induced metabolic disorders and the molecular mechanisms for this effect.

Ocular mucoadhesive and biodegradable spanlastics loaded cationic spongy insert for enhancing and sustaining the anti-inflammatory effect of prednisolone Na phosphate; Preparation, I-optimal optimization, and In-vivo evaluation.

This study aimed to formulate and statistically optimize spanlastics loaded spongy insert (SPLs-SI) of prednisolone Na phosphate (PRED) to enhance and sustain its anti-inflammatory effect in a controlled manner. An I-optimal optimization was employed using Design-Expert® software. The formulation variables were sonication time, the Span 60: EA ratio and type of edge activator (Tween 80 or PVA) while Entrapment efficiency (EE%), Vesicles' size (VS) and Zeta potential (ZP) were set as the dependent responses.

Evaluation of seminal plasma levels of vaspin and visfatin in infertile males with elevated sperm DNA fragmentation index: a comparative study.

Background: Sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) can significantly impact male fertility, especially in cases where there is a substantial level of DNA damage. We aimed in the current study to assess seminal plasma (SP) levels of vaspin and visfatin in infertile men with an elevated SDF index (SDFI ≥ 30%) compared to infertile males with a normal SDFI (SDFI < 30%).

Results: Groups with good and medium DNA integrity exhibited significantly higher total motile sperm count and sperm motility in comparison to the group with poor DNA integrity.

Physicochemical, steric, and energetic characterization of kaolinite based silicate nano-sheets as potential adsorbents for safranin basic dye: effect of exfoliation reagent and techniques.

Kaolinite was subjected to advanced exfoliation processes to form separated nano-silicate sheets (EXK) with enhanced physicochemical properties as adsorbents. This involved the incorporation of different exfoliating agents, urea (U/EXK), KNO (N/EXK), and CTAB (C/EXK), highlighting their impacts on their textural and surficial properties as adsorbents for safranin dye. The applied characterization techniques confirmed the higher exfoliating degree of C/EXK, followed by N/EXK and U/EXK.

Validation of the Arabic version of Parkinson's Disease Sleep Scale-Revised Version (PDSS-2).

Objectives: Parkinson's disease sleep scale (PDSS) was recommended by the Movement Disorder Society task force for screening and grading the severity of sleep problems in Parkinson's disease (PD). This work aimed to examine the validity and reliability of an Arabic version of PDSS-2.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 133 patients fulfilling diagnostic criteria for PD.

β-Cyclodextrin/Zn-Fe layered double hydroxides/graphitic carbon nitride nanomaterials based potentiometric sensor for paroxetine determination in environmental water samples.

Developing targeted and sensitive analytical techniques for drug monitoring in different specimens are of utmost importance. Herein, a first attempt was made for the determination of paroxetine (Prx) in environmental water samples using a novel, sensitive, selective, stable, accurate and eco-friendly potentiometric sensor based on Zn-Fe layered double hydroxides/graphitic carbon nitride (Zn-Fe LDH/g-CN) nanomaterials with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) as the sensing ionophore and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) as the plasticizer. The prepared nanomaterial was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Unlocking vinpocetine's oncostatic potential in early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma: A new approach to oncogenic modulation by a nootropic drug.

The development of new drugs for the inhibition of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development and progression is a critical and urgent need. The median survival rate for HCC patients remains disappointingly low. Vinpocetine is a safe nootropic agent that is often used to enhance cognitive function.

Hyrtios sp.-associated Cladosporium sp. UR3 as a potential source of antiproliferative metabolites.

Background: Sponge-associated microorganisms are promising resources for the production of bioactive compounds with cytotoxic potential. The main goal of our study is to isolate the fungal endophytes from the Red Sea sponge Hyrtios sp. followed by investigating their cytotoxicity against number of cell lines.