Innovative analytical methodology for skin anti-aging compounds discovery from plant extracts: Integration of High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography-in vitro spectrophotometry bioassays with multivariate modeling and molecular docking.

Skin aging, characterized by reduced elasticity, wrinkles, and changes in pigmentation, presents significant challenges in the cosmetics industry. Identifying compounds that can help mitigate these effects is crucial to developing effective anti-aging treatments and improving skin health. An advanced analytical approach for identifying skin anti-aging compounds within complex natural mixtures must be developed to achieve this.

Expanded Perlite-Reinforced Alginate Xerogels: A Chemical Approach to Sustainable Building and Packaging Materials.

In sustainable construction and packaging, the development of novel bio-based materials is crucial, driving a re-evaluation of traditional components. Lightweight, biodegradable materials, including xerogels, have great potential in architectural and packaging applications. However, reinforcing these materials to improve their mechanical strength remains a challenge.

Changes of peripheral serotonin in the psychosocially stressed rats treated with linden honey.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of linden honey in maintaining the stability of peripheral serotonergic system in the psychosocially stressed rats. In this experiment we examined concentration of serotonin (5-HT) in Serbian linden honey, as well as concentrations of 5-HT and MAO A activity in the blood of chronically stressed rats treated with linden honey. The investigated parameters were quantified using HPLC method with electrochemical detector, HPLC method with a fluorescent detector, and assay of enzyme activities.

Modeling Carbon-Based Nanomaterials (CNMs) and Derived Composites and Devices.

A review of different modeling techniques, specifically in the framework of carbon-based nanomaterials (CNMs, including nanoparticles such as graphene and carbon nanotubes-CNTs) and the composites and devices that can be derived from them, is presented. The article emphasizes that the overall performance of these materials depends on mechanisms that operate across different time and spatial scales, requiring tailored approaches based on the material type, size, internal structure/configuration, and the specific properties of interest. Far from attempting to cover the entire spectrum of models, this review examines a wide range of analysis and simulation techniques, highlighting their potential use, some of their weaknesses and strengths, and presenting the latest developments and some application examples.

Specificities of Myocardial Infarction and Heart Failure in Women.

Substantial evidence from previous clinical studies, randomized trials, and patient registries confirms the existence of significant differences in cardiac morphology, pathophysiology, prevalence of specific coronary artery disease (CAD), and clinical course of myocardial infarction (MI) between men and women. The aim of this review is to investigate the impact of sex or gender on the development and clinical course of MI, the mechanisms and features of left ventricular (LV) remodeling, and heart failure (HF). The main sex-related difference in post-MI LV remodeling is adverse LV dilatation in males versus concentric LV remodeling or concentric LV hypertrophy in females.

Thermal Conversion of Coal Bottom Ash and Its Recovery Potential for High-Value Products Generation: Kinetic and Thermodynamic Analysis with Adiabatic Predictions.

Thermal decomposition (pyrolysis) of coal bottom ash (collected after lignite combustion in coal-fired power plant TEKO-B, Republic of Serbia) was investigated, using the simultaneous TG-DTG techniques in an inert atmosphere, at various heating rates. By using the XRD technique, it was found that the sample (CBA-TB) contains a large amount of anorthite, muscovite, and silica, as well as periclase and hematite, but in a smaller amount. Using a model-free kinetic approach, the complex nature of the process was successfully resolved.

Enhanced Bioactivity of Quercetin-Tetrahydroisoquinoline Derivatives: Effect on Lipophilicity, Enzymes Inhibition, Antioxidant Potential, and Cytotoxicity.

Quercetin, a well-known flavonoid with significant medicinal potential, was derivatized at the C8 position with a tetrahydroisoquinoline (THIQ) moiety, and physicochemical and pharmacological properties, inhibition potential, antioxidant activity, and cytotoxicity of new compounds were evaluated. Physicochemical and pharmacological properties, including lipophilicity, membrane permeability, and P-glycoprotein substrate affinity, were assessed theoretically using the SwissADME software. The metal-chelating ability of the new compounds was evaluated on metal ions Fe, Zn, and Cu, whose homeostasis disruption is linked to the development of Alzheimer's disease.

Thermo-Responsive and Electroconductive Nano Au-PNiPAAm Hydrogel Nanocomposites: Influence of Synthesis Method and Nanoparticle Shape on Physicochemical Properties.

Hydrogel nanocomposites that respond to external stimuli and possess switchable electrical properties are considered as emerging materials with potential uses in electrical, electrochemical, and biological devices. This work reports the synthesis and characterization of thermo-responsive and electroconductive hydrogel nanocomposites based on poly(-isopropylacrylamide) (PNiPAAm) and gold nanoparticles (nanospheres-AuNPs and nanorods-AuNRs) using two different synthetic techniques. Method I involved γ-irradiation-induced crosslinking of a polymer matrix (hydrogel), followed by radiolytic formation of gold nanoparticles, while Method II included the chemical synthesis of nanoparticles, followed by radiolytic formation of a polymer matrix around the gold nanoparticles.

Phonon-Induced Wake Potential in a Graphene-Insulator -Graphene Structure.

The aim of this study is to explore the potential which arises in a graphene-insulator-graphene structure when an external charged particle is moving parallel to it with a speed smaller than the Fermi speed in graphene. This is achieved by employing the dynamic polarization function of graphene within the random phase approximation, where its π electrons are modeled as Dirac fermions, and utilizing a local dielectric function for bulk insulators. Three different insulators are considered: SiO, HfO, and AlO.

Carbonized Apples and Quinces Stillage for Electromagnetic Shielding.

Electromagnetic waves (EMWs) have become an integral part of our daily lives, but they are causing a new form of environmental pollution, manifesting as electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency signal leakage. As a result, the demand for innovative, eco-friendly materials capable of blocking EMWs has escalated in the past decade, underscoring the significance of our research. In the realm of modern science, the creation of new materials must consider the starting materials, production costs, energy usage, and the potential for air, water, and soil pollution.

High-Responsivity Self-Powered Photoelectrochemical UV Photodetector Based on Integrated Self-Supporting SiC/ZnS Heterojunction Nanowire Arrays.

In the realm of photodetector (PD) technology, photoelectrochemical (PEC) PDs have garnered attention owing to their inherent advantages. Advances in this field depend on functional nanostructured materials, which are pivotal in improving the separation and transport of photogenerated electron-hole pairs to improve device efficiency. Herein, a highly photosensitive PEC UV PD is built using integrated self-supporting SiC/ZnS heterojunction nanowire array photoelectrodes through anodization and chemical deposition.

Optical detection based spot test on electrospun nanofibers for glioblastoma cells.

Paper-based diagnosis is enabled to be used in many applications in global health due to its low cost and simplicity of operation. Electrospun nanofibers (ESNFs) are useful platforms to prepare paper-based diagnostics. Herein, bead-free ESNFs were formed by electrospinning using polystyrene (PS) and poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG) polymers as a paper-based substrate.

Comprehensive spectroscopic and morphological analysis of the effects exerted by different acids on Pig bone: Forensic aspect.

Demineralization of the chemically treated pig shoulder bone in hydrochloric, hydrofluoric, and acetic acid was monitored by ATR-FTIR, Raman, and LIBS spectroscopies and SEM-EDX technique. SEM-EDX analysis showed reduced calcium and phosphorus content after the treatment with acids and erosion of the overall morphology of the bone compared to the sample kept in water. Alterations in bone structure during the 14-day-long immersion in acid solutions indicated significant chemical changes in the obtained spectra.

Multifunctional Ag-Poly(-isopropylacrylamide/itaconic Acid) Hydrogel Nanocomposites Prepared by Gamma Irradiation for Potential Application as Topical Treatment Dressings.

Today, hydrogel dressings that can protect injury sites and effectively promote healing have become highly desirable in wound management. Therefore, multifunctional silver-poli(-isopropylacrylamide/itaconic acid) (Ag-P(NiPAAm/IA)) hydrogel nanocomposites were developed for potential application as topical treatment dressings. The radiolytic method, used for the crosslinking of the polymer matrix as well as for the in situ incorporation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) into the polymer matrix, enables the preparation of hydrogel nanocomposites without introducing harmful and toxic agents.

Deep Learning-Based Classification of Macrofungi: Comparative Analysis of Advanced Models for Accurate Fungi Identification.

This study focuses on the classification of six different macrofungi species using advanced deep learning techniques. Fungi species, such as , , , , and were chosen based on their ecological importance and distinct morphological characteristics. The research employed 5 different machine learning techniques and 12 deep learning models, including DenseNet121, MobileNetV2, ConvNeXt, EfficientNet, and swin transformers, to evaluate their performance in identifying fungi from images.

Mapping of c-Fos Expression in Rat Brain Sub/Regions Following Chronic Social Isolation: Effective Treatments of Olanzapine, Clozapine or Fluoxetine.

The c-Fos as a marker of cell activation is used to identify brain regions involved in stimuli processing. This review summarizes a pattern of c-Fos immunoreactivity and the overlapping brain sub/regions which may provide hints for the identification of neural circuits that underlie depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors of adult male rats following three and six weeks of chronic social isolation (CSIS), relative to controls, as well as the antipsychotic-like effects of olanzapine (Olz), and clozapine (Clz), and the antidepressant-like effect of fluoxetine (Flx) in CSIS relative to CSIS alone. Additionally, drug-treated controls relative to control rats were also characterized.

Comorbidity, Treatment, and Service Utilization Patterns in Difficult-to-Treat Depression Patients: A Retrospective Study in a Portuguese Community Mental Health Team.

: Observational studies with data from real-world clinical practice with patients with difficult-to-treat depression (DTD) are rare. This study aims to collect observational data from the real-world clinical practice of a Portuguese community mental health team (CMHT) on the prevalence of DTD and to explore differences between DTD and non-DTD groups. : We conducted a retrospective chart review study using data from Electronic Health Records (EHRs) of adult patients with psychiatric disorders followed by a CMHT from the Department of Psychiatry of the Coimbra Local Health Unit (between 1 December 2020-31 December 2022).

From Structure to Strength: Analyzing the Impact of Sulfuric Acid on Pig Bone Demineralization Through FTIR, LIBS, and AAS.

The present research aimed to investigate the demineralizing effects of sulfuric acid on pig bone. Alterations in collagen and phosphate contents and changes in the elemental composition of the bone during the 14-day-long immersion in sulfuric acid solutions of different concentrations were estimated using ATR-FTIR, LIBS, and AAS. FTIR spectra at amide I (1800-1600 cm) and phosphate ν/ν (PO) (1300-900 cm) domains were scrutinized using the deconvolution method for monitoring changes in the protein secondary structure and mineral content.

Search for Soft Unclustered Energy Patterns in Proton-Proton Collisions at 13 TeV.

The first search for soft unclustered energy patterns (SUEPs) is performed using an integrated luminosity of 138  fb^{-1} of proton-proton collision data at sqrt[s]=13  TeV, collected in 2016-2018 by the CMS detector at the LHC. Such SUEPs are predicted by hidden valley models with a new, confining force with a large 't Hooft coupling. In events with boosted topologies, selected by high-threshold hadronic triggers, the multiplicity and sphericity of clustered tracks are used to reject the background from standard model quantum chromodynamics.

Unlocking the Cardiovascular Benefits of Walnuts: Insights on Molecular Mechanism From Animal Studies.

The health-promoting benefits of walnut consumption are substantially ascribed to its fatty acid (FA) profile, which is rich in polyunsaturated FA with an exceptionally high n-3 to n-6 ratio. There are also phytonutrients in walnuts that are linked to health welfare. This review article integrates all studies on the effects of walnuts on the cardiovascular system performed on experimental animals, and thus is a source of data on the mechanisms underlying the observed effects.