Development and Analysis of Bilayer Foamed Oleogels Stabilized with Ecogel™: Exploring the Role of Tween 80 in Modifying Physicochemical Properties.

Oleogels are structured materials formed by immobilizing oil within a polymer network. This study aimed to synthesize bilayer foamed oleogels using Ecogel™ as an emulsifier-a natural gelling and emulsifying agent commonly used to stabilize emulsions. Ecogel™ is multifunctional, particularly in cosmetic formulations, where it aids in creating lightweight cream gels with a cooling effect.

dRama: Differential Ramachandran Plot as a Tool to Analyze Subtle Changes in Protein Secondary Structure.

Determination of the changes in protein structure is crucial for a better understanding of their function and properties, which is highly important in identifying the causes of the disease, new drug development, and clinical applications. The Ramachandran plot, displaying the set of torsional angles, phi (Φ) and psi (Ψ), of the protein backbone, serves as a popular and convenient tool for secondary structure analysis and interpretation. However, identifying subtle changes in protein structure is often hindered in traditional Ramachandran plot, especially with the large amount of data generated by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations.

Thermal CO Release Reactivity of a π-Extended Flavonol Anion.

The π-extended flavonol Flav-1 () undergoes reaction with KOH or KO to form , which reacts with O at ambient temperature, resulting in CO release and depside formation. Mechanistic and DFT studies support a reaction pathway involving reaction of with O on the triplet energy surface in the rate-determining step. Formation of a cyclic peroxide leads to CO extrusion.

Polymer-based collectors in flotation: A review.

Flotation, as a beneficiation process, stands as a foundation in mineral and metal production, handling approximately 70-80 % of the world's exploited ore annually. However, numerous challenges emerge prior to beneficiation, such as the declining quality of ore, necessitating further liberation. This deterioration results in higher energy, water, and reagent consumption.

Unraveling the Structural Basis of Biased Agonism in the β-Adrenergic Receptor Through Molecular Dynamics Simulations.

Biased agonism in G protein-coupled receptors is a phenomenon resulting in the selective activation of distinct intracellular signaling pathways by different agonists, which may exhibit bias toward either Gs, Gi, or arrestin-mediated pathways. This study investigates the structural basis of ligand-induced biased agonism within the context of the β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR). Atomistic molecular dynamics simulations were conducted for β-AR complexes with two stereoisomers of methoxynaphtyl fenoterol (MNFen), that is, compounds eliciting qualitatively different cellular responses.

Design of a highly stable and conductive electrolyte by suppressing barium copper oxide formation at the grain interfaces in Cu-doped BaCeZrDyO sintered at a low temperature (1200 °C) for SOFCs.

Proton-conducting electrolytes with high conductivity and long-term stability, achievable at low sintering temperatures, are of paramount importance. In this study, we investigate the impact of Cu doping on the sintering mechanism, electrical performance, and stability of BaCeZrDyO (BCZD) electrolyte. The morphology, composition, structure, and chemical state of BCZD electrolytes were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).

Modeling conformational changes in alginic acid oligomers induced by external forces.

In this study, the mechanism and nature of mechanical force-induced conformational transitions of alginate oligomers with different ratios of β-d-mannuronic acid (M unit) and α-l-guluronic acid (G unit) units were investigated. The influence of the type of glycosidic linkage in either homo- or heterooligomers on the nature of conformational transitions was also considered. For this purpose, two different theoretical methods were used: quantum mechanics (QM) at the DFT level with the EGO (Enforced Geometry Optimization) approach previously tested also for other saccharide systems, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations within hybrid interaction potentials, which take into account both the ab initio (QM) level of theory and classical molecular mechanics (MM) force fields.

Clay Minerals/TiO Composites-Characterization and Application in Photocatalytic Degradation of Water Pollutants.

TiO used for photocatalytic water purification is most active in the form of nanoparticles (NP), but their use is fraught with difficulties in separation from solution or/and a tendency to agglomerate. The novel materials designed in this work circumvent these problems by immobilizing TiO NPs on the surface of exfoliated clay minerals. A series of TiO/clay mineral composites were obtained using five different clay components: the Na-, CTA-, or H-form of montmorillonite (Mt) and Na- or CTA-form of laponite (Lap).

Study on the Effect of Emulsifiers on the Properties of Oleogels Based on Olive Oil Containing Lidocaine.

Oleogels are semi-solid materials that consist primarily of liquid oil immobilized in a network of organized structural molecules, which provide stability and maintain the oil in the desired shape. Due to their structure, oleogels can stabilize large amounts of liquid, making them excellent carriers for active substances, both lipophilic and hydrophilic. This study presents the synthesis methodology and investigations of olive oil-based oleogels, which are among the healthiest and most valuable vegetable fats, rich in unsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants such as vitamin E.

Theoretical and Experimental Analyses of the Interfacial Mechanism of Dendrimer-Doxorubicin Complexes Formation.

The work presents correlations between the physicochemical properties of the carrier and the active substance and optimization of the conditions for creating an active system based on PAMAM dendrimers and doxorubicin. The study monitored the influence of the ionized form of the doxorubicin molecule on the efficiency of complex formation. The deprotonated form of doxorubicin occurs under basic conditions in the pH range of 9.

Ambient Stability of Sodium-Doped Copper Oxide Obtained through Thermal Oxidation.

The ambient stability of copper oxide layers produced through thermal oxidation is a critical factor for their application in advanced photovoltaic devices. This study investigates the long-term stability of thermally grown sodium-doped copper oxides fabricated at 300 °C, 500 °C, and 700 °C. The structural, optical, and electronic properties of these oxide layers were examined after a 30-day period to understand how thermal oxidation temperature and sodium doping influence the durability and properties of copper oxide films.

The Adsorption of Chlorpromazine on the Surface of Gold Nanoparticles and Its Effect on the Toxicity to Selected Mammalian Cells.

Chlorpromazine (CPZ) is a first-generation neuroleptic with well-established antitumor and antiviral properties. Currently, numerous studies are focused on developing new methods for CPZ delivery; however, the knowledge regarding its conjugates with metal nanoparticles remains limited. The aim of this study was to prepare CPZ conjugates with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and evaluate their biological activity on human lymphocytes (HUT-78 and COLO 720L), as well as human (COLO 679) and murine (B16-F0) melanoma cells, in comparison to the effects induced by unconjugated CPZ molecules and AuNPs with well-defined properties.

Insights into the Molecular Structure, Stability, and Biological Significance of Non-Canonical DNA Forms, with a Focus on G-Quadruplexes and i-Motifs.

This article provides a comprehensive examination of non-canonical DNA structures, particularly focusing on G-quadruplexes (G4s) and i-motifs. G-quadruplexes, four-stranded structures formed by guanine-rich sequences, are stabilized by Hoogsteen hydrogen bonds and monovalent cations like potassium. These structures exhibit diverse topologies and are implicated in critical genomic regions such as telomeres and promoter regions of oncogenes, playing significant roles in gene expression regulation, genome stability, and cellular aging.

Analysis of Wall Thickness and Absorption Characteristics of Ammonium Nitrate(V) from Various Sources.

This study investigates the wall thickness and specific surface area (S) of ammonium nitrate(V) samples of varying provenance. The research focuses on both fertilizer-grade ammonium nitrate(V) and three porous prill samples obtained from different manufacturers. The samples were analyzed using tomography scanning and two distinct porosimetry methods.

Porphyrins on acid: kinetics of the photoinduced-protonation of tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)-porphyrin.

Free-base porphyrins can be protonated, which significantly impacts their electronic and excited state properties. While excited state dynamics are well explored for either neutral or fully protonated porphyrins, the intermediate region has not yet been explored, although their potential implications for photocatalytic reactions are evident. This study explores how partial protonation affects the nature and properties of photoexcited states of tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin (TCPP) using steady-state and nanosecond transient absorption spectroscopy.

Macroporous Poly(hydromethylsiloxane) Networks as Precursors to Hybrid Ceramics (Ceramers) for Deposition of Palladium Catalysts.

Poly(hydromethylsiloxane) (PHMS) was cross-linked with 1,3,5,7-tetramethyl-1,3,5,7-tetravinylcyclotetrasiloxane (D) in water-in-oil High Internal Phase Emulsions to form macroporous materials known as polyHIPEs. It was shown that in the process of pyrolysis under Ar atmosphere at 520 °C, the obtained polyHIPEs were converted to ceramers with high yields (82.8-88.

Modulating the Release Kinetics of Natural Product Actinomycin from Bacterial Nanocellulose Films and Their Antimicrobial Activity.

The present study aimed to create a more sustainable and controlled delivery system based on natural biopolymer bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) and bacterial natural product actinomycin (Act), with the applicative potential in the biomedical field. In order to provide improved interaction between BNC and the active compound, and thus to modulate the release kinetics, the TEMPO oxidation of BNC support was carried out. A mix of actinomycins from bacterial fermentation (ActX) were used as natural antimicrobial agents with an established bioactivity profile and clinical use.

Double layer bacterial nanocellulose - poly(hydroxyoctanoate) film activated by prodigiosin as sustainable, transparent, UV-blocking material.

Synthetic materials alternatives are crucial for reaching sustainable development goals and waste reduction. Biomaterials and biomolecules obtained through bacterial fermentation offer a viable solution. Double-layer active UV-blocking material composed of bacterial nanocellulose as an inner layer and poly(hydroxyoctanoic acid) containing prodigiosin as an active compound was produced by layer-by-layer deposition.

Preparation and Study of the Physicochemical and Functional Properties of Nano/Micromicellar Structures Containing Chokeberry Fruit Pomace Extracts Using Egg White and Egg Yolk.

There is currently a growing interest in health-promoting foods. The beneficial effects of food on human health are actively promoted by health professionals and nutritionists. This growing awareness is influencing the increasing range of functional foods and the pursuit of more innovative solutions.

Surface Charge-Modulated Toxicity of Cysteine-Stabilized Silver Nanoparticles.

The toxicity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) depends on their physicochemical properties. The ongoing research aims to develop effective methods for modifying AgNPs using molecules that enable control over the processes induced by nanoparticles in both normal and cancerous cells. Application of amino acid-stabilized nanoparticles appears promising, exhibiting tunable electrokinetic properties.

The Comparison of Catalytic Activity of Carbimazole and Methimazole on Electroreduction of Zinc (II) in Chlorates (VII): Experimental and Molecular Modelling Study.

With the help of electrochemical methods, including CV and EIS, the influence of methimazole, carbimazole, and the concentration of the supporting electrolyte on the kinetics and mechanism of zinc electroreduction on a mercury electrode was compared and analyzed. Moreover, molecular dynamics simulations of zinc/carbimazole and zinc/methimazole solutions were carried out to determine the effect of drugs on the hydration sphere of Zn ions. It was shown that the electroreduction of Zn in the presence of methimazole and carbimazole occurs in two steps and the first one determines the kinetics of the entire process.

Specific buffer effects on the formation of BSA protein corona around amino-functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles.

The effect of buffer species on biomolecules and biomolecule-nanoparticle interactions is a phenomenon that has been either neglected, or not understood. Here, we study the formation of a BSA protein corona (PC) around amino-functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN-NH) in the presence of different buffers (Tris, BES, cacodylate, phosphate, and citrate) at the same pH (7.15) and different concentrations (10, 50, and 100 mM).