Search Results (376)

Voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) play pivotal roles in cellular function, particularly in the regulation of electrical signaling. Structural defects in these channels cause deleterious effects in a myriad of cell types, leading to various diseases, like epilepsy, cardiac arrythmias, kidney disease, and certain cancers. Over the past decade, significant efforts have been geared toward developing drugs that target the pore domains of these channels, called pore-blocking agents. This approach has seen several setbacks, commonly due to the lack of isoform-specific binding. Alternative targeting strategies are being used to reduce or eliminate the side effects of pore-blocking agents. Transgenic mouse models have proven useful in such studies, and subtype-selective inhibitors were developed. The zebrafish model system was also used to explore neurological, cardiovascular, and metabolic diseases caused by voltage-gated sodium channel dysfunction. Here, we delve into the growing literature on the structure and function of voltage-gated sodium channels, their role in epilepsy and its comorbidities, and the advancement in the use of zebrafish as a model system to explore these channels as therapeutic targets. Full article

Cancer remains one of the most pressing global health challenges, driving the need for innovative treatment strategies. Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) offers a highly selective approach to destroying cancer cells while sparing healthy tissues. To improve boron delivery, Fe₃O₄@Au nanoparticles were developed and functionalized with a boron-containing carborane compound. Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were synthesized and covered by gold, followed by (3-Aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) modification to introduce amino groups for carborane immobilization. Comprehensive characterization using SEM, DLS, FTIR, EDX, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), and XRD confirmed successful functionalization at each stage. TEM confirmed the final structure and elemental composition of the nanoparticles. BET analysis revealed a surface area of 94.69 m²/g and a pore volume of 0.51 cm³/g after carborane loading. Initial release studies in PBS demonstrated the removal of only loosely bound carborane within 48 h, with FTIR confirming stable retention of the compound on the nanoparticle surface. The modified nanoparticles achieved a stable zeta potential of −20 mV. The particles showed low toxicity within a range of concentrations (0–300 μg Fe/mL) and were efficiently accumulated by U251MG cells. These results demonstrate the potential of the obtained nanoparticles to carry boron and gold for their possible application as a theranostic agent. Full article

Cement-based batteries (CBBs) are an emerging category of multifunctional materials that combine structural load-bearing capacity with integrated electrochemical energy storage, enabling the development of self-powered infrastructure. Although previous reviews have explored selected aspects of CBB technology, a comprehensive synthesis encompassing system architectures, material strategies, and performance metrics remains insufficient. In this review, CBB systems are categorized into two representative configurations: probe-type galvanic cells and layered monolithic structures. Their structural characteristics and electrochemical behaviors are critically compared. Strategies to enhance performance include improving ionic conductivity through alkaline pore solutions, facilitating electron transport using carbon-based conductive networks, and incorporating redox-active materials such as zinc–manganese dioxide and nickel–iron couples. Early CBB prototypes demonstrated limited energy densities due to high internal resistance and inefficient utilization of active components. Recent advancements in electrode architecture, including nickel-coated carbon fiber meshes and three-dimensional nickel foam scaffolds, have achieved stable rechargeability across multiple cycles with energy densities surpassing 11 Wh/m². These findings demonstrate the practical potential of CBBs for both energy storage and additional functionalities, such as strain sensing enabled by conductive cement matrices. This review establishes a critical basis for future development of CBBs as multifunctional structural components in infrastructure applications. Full article

Two-pore-domain K⁺ channels (K2p), known previously as leak channels, are responsible for maintaining the resting membrane potential of cells. Fifteen subtypes are known to exist in humans and eleven are known in Drosophila melanogaster, as well as six subfamilies; however, little is known about the expression of these subtypes in various animal tissues or the impact of altered expression on cellular physiology. The Drosophila melanogaster model allows for selective misexpression of certain neuron subsets, providing insight into individual cell types and the animal’s physiology more generally. Prior research on the overexpression of K2p channels and the resulting behavioral and neuronal effects is limited. This project expanded upon this prior research by using Drosophila motor neurons to examine the effects of K2p overexpression on behavior and physiology. After conducting various assays, it was concluded that K2p overexpression in motor neurons had the most prominent effects on Drosophila functioning, with sensory, cardiac, and chordotonal neurons also generating differences in behavior. Altered expression levels of K2p channels could result in tissue-specific and/or whole-animal dysfunction. Full article

Water scarcity poses a formidable challenge around the world, especially in arid regions where limited availability of freshwater resources threatens both human well-being and ecosystem sustainability. Membrane-based desalination technologies offer a viable solution to address this issue by providing access to clean water. This work ultimately aims to develop a novel permselective polymeric membrane material to be employed in an electrochemical desalination system. This part of the study addresses the optimization, preparation, and characterization of a polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) polymeric membrane using the electrospinning technique. The membranes produced in this work were fabricated under specific operational, environmental, and material parameters. Five different additives and nano-additives, i.e., graphene oxide (GO), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), zinc oxide (ZnO), activated carbon (AC), and a zeolitic imidazolate metal–organic framework (ZIF-8), were used to modify the functionality and selectivity of the prepared PVDF membranes. Each membrane was synthesized at two different levels of additive composition, i.e., 0.18 wt.% and 0.45 wt.% of the entire PVDF polymeric solution. The physiochemical properties of the prepared membranes were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), zeta potential, contact angle, conductivity, porosity, and pore size distribution. Based on findings of this study, PVDF/GO membrane exhibited superior results, with an electrical conductivity of 5.611 mS/cm, an average pore size of 2.086 µm, and a surface charge of −38.33 mV. Full article

In designing an optimized activated carbon-based adsorbent, several key factors are crucial for its practical application in the industrial sector, including high BET surface area, strong adsorption capacity, selectivity, mechanical and thermal stability, regeneration potential, environmental impact, and cost-effectiveness. This study explores the innovative approach of combining two chemical activating agents, potassium carbonate and sodium thiosulfate, to produce activated carbon with enhanced properties for improved mercury removal. At an activation temperature of 800 °C, the resulting adsorbent achieved a BET surface area of 2132.7 m²/g and a total pore volume of 1.08 cm³/g. Testing its mercury removal efficiency, the maximum adsorption capacity was 289 mg/g at room temperature. The Langmuir isotherm provided an excellent fit to the experimental data, indicating a monolayer adsorption process. Kinetic modeling revealed that the adsorption followed a pseudo-second-order model, consistent with chemisorption. The primary removal mechanism was found to involve complexation of mercury with oxygen and sulfur-containing functional groups, along with pore-filling physical adsorption. The adsorbent also showed a strong affinity for mercury even in the presence of other competing heavy metals. Furthermore, regeneration studies demonstrated the adsorbent’s effectiveness over five cycles. This research introduces a novel, environmentally friendly, and cost-efficient adsorbent for mercury removal. Full article

An important class of analytes are volatile organic carbons (VOCs), particularly aliphatic primary alcohols. Here, we report the straightforward modification of a commercially available carbon monoxide sensor to detect a range of aliphatic primary alcohols at room temperature. The mass transport mechanisms governing the performance of the sensor were investigated using diffusion in multiple layers of the sensor to model the response to an abrupt change in analyte concentration. The sensor was shown to have a large capacitance because of the nanoparticulate nature of the platinum working electrode. It was also shown that the modified sensor had performance characteristics that were mainly determined by the condensation of the analyte during diffusion through the membrane pores. The sensor was capable of a quantitative amperometric response (sensitivity of approximately 2.2 µA/ppm), with a limit of detection (LoD) of 17 ppm methanol, 2 ppm ethanol, 3 ppm heptan-1-ol, and displayed selectivity towards different VOC functional groups (the sensor gives an amperometric response to primary alcohols within 10 s, but not to esters or carboxylic acids). Full article

This study presents a sustainable approach for synthesizing high-performance activated carbon from Spirulina Alga through hydrothermal carbonization followed by chemical activation using potassium hydroxide. The resulting activated carbon exhibited a high Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area of 1747 m²/g and a total pore volume of 1.147 cm³/g, with micropore volume accounting for 0.4 cm³/g. Characterization using Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), and gas adsorption analyses confirmed the presence of hierarchical micro- and mesoporosity as well as favorable surface functional groups. The synthesized carbon was used to fabricate electrodes for membrane capacitive deionization (MCDI) along with cation and anion-selective membranes, which were then tested with saline water (500–5000 ppm) and synthetic hard water (898 ppm of total salts). The salt adsorption capacity (SAC) reached 25 (batch) to 40 (continuous) mg/g, while rapid adsorption rates with average salt adsorption rates (ASARs) values exceeding 10 (batch) to 30 (continuous) mg·g⁻¹·min⁻¹ during early stages were obtained. Batch MCDI experiments demonstrated a higher SAC compared to continuous operation, with non-monotonic trends in SAC observed as a function of feed concentration. Ion adsorption kinetics were influenced by ion valency, membrane selectivity, and pore structure. The specific energy consumption (SEC) was calculated as 8–21 kJ/mol for batch and 0.1–0.5 kJ/mol for continuous process. These performance metrics are on par with or surpass those reported in the recent literature for similar single-electrode CDI configurations. The results demonstrate the viability of using Alga-derived carbon as an efficient and eco-friendly electrode material for water desalination technologies. Full article

The rising prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria demands exploration of alternative antimicrobials. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a promising group of compounds naturally produced by microorganisms and could serve as potent agents against resistant pathogens. In this study, we evaluated the antimicrobial potential of the cell-free supernatant obtained from Pedobacter silvilitoris—a bacterium originally isolated from decomposing wood—and performed comprehensive genomic screening to uncover novel AMP-encoding genes. The supernatant showed strong inhibitory effects against a diverse selection of pathogens. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed extensive membrane damage, including pore formation in target bacterial cells, suggesting AMP-mediated activity. A genomic analysis identified 11 candidate AMP genes, named PS_AMP1 to PS_AMP11, based on the significant sequence similarity with known AMPs. Transcriptomic profiling further indicated that several candidates are expressed differentially between the logarithmic and stationary growth phases. Functional assays via gene cloning and peptide synthesis confirmed antimicrobial activity against both Gram-stain-negative and Gram-stain-positive bacteria, with PS_AMP11 emerging as the most effective candidate. Our findings demonstrate that AMPs derived from P. silvilitoris hold substantial promise as alternative antimicrobial agents. Nonetheless, additional structural optimizations may be necessary to fine-tune specificity and to reduce potential host toxicity before clinical deployment. Full article

Background/Objectives: Quantitative assessments of facial muscle function and cognitive responses can enhance the clinic evaluations in neuromuscular disorders such as Bell’s palsy and psychiatric conditions including anxiety and depression. This study explored the application of Digital Image Speckle Correlation (DISC) in detecting enervation of facial musculature and assessing reaction times in response to visual stimuli. Methods: A consistent video recording setup was used to capture facial movements of human subjects in response to visual stimuli from a calibrated database. The DISC method utilizes the displacement of naturally occurring skin pores to map the specific locus of underlying muscular movement. The technique was applied to two distinct case studies: Patient 1 had unilateral Bell’s palsy and was monitored for 1 month of recovery. Patient 2 had a comorbidity of refractory depression and anxiety disorders with ketamine treatment and was assessed over 3 consecutive weekly visits. For patient 1, facial asymmetry was calculated by comparing left-to-right displacement signals. For patient 2, visual reaction time was measured, and facial motion intensity and response rate were compared with self-reported depression and anxiety scales. Results: DISC effectively mapped biomechanical properties of facial motions, providing detailed spatial and temporal resolution of muscle activity. In a control cohort of 10 subjects, when executing a facial expression, the degree of left/right facial asymmetry was determined to be 13.2 (8)%. And showed a robust response in an average of 275 (81) milliseconds to five out of the five images shown. For patient 1, obtained an initial asymmetry of nearly 100%, which decreased steadily to 20% in one month, demonstrating a progressive recovery. Patient 2 exhibited a prolonged reaction time of 518 (93) milliseconds and reduced response rates compared with controls of 275 (81) milliseconds and a decrease in the overall rate of response relative to the control group. The data obtained before treatment in three visits correlated strongly with selected depression and anxiety scores. Conclusions: These findings highlight the utility of DISC in enhancing clinical monitoring, complementing traditional examinations and self-reported measures. Full article

Background: Tariquidar (Tq) is an inhibitor of the multidrug resistance (MDR) proteins relevant to ATP-binding cassette transporters (ABC transporters), which suppresses the ATP-dependent efflux of a variety of hydrophilic and amphipathic compounds, including anticancer drugs. Tq is a representative of a new generation of MDR inhibitors with high affinity to ABC proteins. However, there are still no data on the possible effect of Tq on mitochondria as an important target in the regulation of cell death or survival. Methods: We investigated the influence of Tq on the Ca²⁺-dependent mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP). The effect of Tq was assessed using several parameters, including the calcium load, membrane potential, and mitochondrial swelling. To evaluate the specific targets of Tq, selective inhibitors of components of the mitochondrial pore were used, including adenine nucleotides, carboxyatractylozide (Catr) and bongkrekic acid (BA), oligomycin, and cyclosporine A. Results: Tq decreased the calcium retention capacity, activated mitochondrial swelling, and lowered the influence of ADP and ATP, the inhibitors of the Ca²⁺-induced pore opening, at their low concentrations. These effects of Tq were observed in both calcium-load and swelling assays, thus mimicking the effect of Catr, a selective inhibitor of adenine nucleotide translocase (ANT). Tq also decreased the protective effect of BA, an inhibitor of ANT and mPTP, on the calcium retention capacity of mitochondria. Further, Tq dose-dependently decreased the inhibitory effect of a low ATP concentration but not of high concentrations, at which the effect of Tq was activated by oligomycin, an inhibitor of F-ATP synthase. Conclusions: The influence of Tq extends to mitochondria, specifically to the regulation of membrane permeability, promoting the activation of pore opening, probably through an interaction with ANT, a component of the pore-forming complex. The effect of Tq on the opening of mPTP is strongly dependent on the concentrations of adenine nucleotides and, consequently, on the functional state of mitochondria. The direct influence of Tq on mitochondria can be considered as a new activity that promotes the sensitization of cells to various treatments and stimuli. Full article

This study investigated the effects of potassium magnesium sulfate (PMS) on intestinal dissociation and absorption rate, immune function, and expression of the NOD-like receptor thermal domain-associated protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, aquaporins (AQPs), and potassium and magnesium ion channels in weaned piglets. Experiment 1 involved the assessment of the dissociation rate of PMS in pig digestive fluid and the absorption rate of PMS in the small intestine using an Ussing chamber in vitro. In Experiment 2, 216 healthy 21-day-old weaned piglets were selected and randomly assigned to six groups (0%, 0.15%, 0.30%, 0.45%, 0.60%, and 0.75% PMS), with each group 6 replicates of six piglets per replicate. The in vitro Ussing chamber results indicated that the absorption of K⁺ and Mg²⁺ in the jejunum and ileum was significantly higher than that in the duodenum (p < 0.05). The in vivo study demonstrated that the addition of PMS resulted in a linear increase in serum K⁺, IgG, and interleukin (IL)-2 levels while simultaneously reducing serum IL-1β levels (p < 0.05). Dietary PMS significantly elevated serum IL-10 and Mg²⁺ levels in feces (p < 0.05). Furthermore, supplementation with 0.60% or 0.75% PMS significantly downregulated the mRNA expression of NLRP3 in the jejunum (p < 0.05). Dietary PMS supplementation linearly reduced the mRNA expression levels of cysteine protease 1 (Caspase-1) and IL-1β in both the jejunum and colon as well as the mRNA expression levels of two-pore domain channel subfamily K member 5 (KCNK5) in these regions (p < 0.05). Notably, supplementation with 0.15% PMS significantly decreased the mRNA expression of transient receptor potential channel 6 (TRPM6) in the jejunum and significantly increased the expression of TRPM6 in the colon (p < 0.05). Dietary addition of 0.45% and 0.60% PMS significantly increased the mRNA expression of aquaporin 3 (AQP3) in the colon (p < 0.05), whereas 0.75% PMS significantly increased the mRNA expression of aquaporin 8 (AQP8) in both the jejunum and colon. Moreover, the expression levels of AQP3 and AQP8 were significantly negatively correlated with the diarrhea rate observed between days 29 and 42. In conclusion, dietary PMS supplementation improved immune function, inhibited the activation of intestinal NLRP3, and modulated the expression of water and ion channels in weaned piglets, thereby contributing to the maintenance of intestinal water and ion homeostasis, which could potentially alleviate post-weaning diarrhea in piglets. The recommended supplemental level of PMS in the corn-soybean basal diet for weaned piglets is 0.30%. Full article

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) are gaining popularity in nanomedicine due to their large surface area, variable pore size, great biocompatibility, and chemical adaptability. In recent years, the combination of smart polymeric materials with MSNs has transformed the area of regulated drug administration, particularly under stimuli-responsive settings. Polymer-modified MSNs provide increased stability, longer circulation times, and, most crucially, the capacity to respond to diverse internal (pH, redox potential, enzymes, and temperature) and external (light, magnetic field, and ultrasonic) stimuli. These systems allow for the site-specific, on-demand release of therapeutic molecules, increasing treatment effectiveness while decreasing off-target effects. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of recent advancements in the development and application of polymer-functionalized MSNs for stimuli-triggered drug delivery. Key polymeric modifications, including thermoresponsive, pH-sensitive, redox-responsive, and enzyme-degradable systems, are discussed in terms of their design strategies and therapeutic outcomes. The synergistic use of dual or multiple stimuli-responsive polymers is also highlighted as a promising avenue to enhance precision and control in complex biological environments. Moreover, the integration of targeting ligands and stealth polymers such as PEG further enables selective tumor targeting and immune evasion, broadening the potential clinical applications of these nanocarriers. Recent progress in stimuli-triggered MSNs for combination therapies such as chemo-photothermal and chemo-photodynamic therapy is also covered, emphasizing how polymer modifications enhance responsiveness and therapeutic synergy. Finally, the review discusses current challenges, including scalability, biosafety, and regulatory considerations, and provides perspectives on future directions to bridge the gap between laboratory research and clinical translation. Full article

More accurate prediction of CO₂/CH₄ adsorption selectivity coefficients in the CO₂ Enhanced Coal Bed CH₄ Recovery (CO₂-ECBM) project can help to judge the CO₂ adsorption concentration and the desorption purity of CH₄ during the CO₂ injection process, and to achieve the maximization of CO₂ sequestration as well as the optimization of the CH₄ recovery rate. To this end, a coal molecular slit model with 16 sizes including micro-, meso-, and macropores was constructed in this study, and the competitive adsorption characteristics of CO₂ and CH₄ gas mixtures in bituminous coal molecules were investigated using molecular dynamics and giant canonical Monte Carlo simulations. The CO₂/CH₄ adsorption selectivity coefficients (S_c) as a function of gas ratio, gas pressure, pore size, and temperature were analyzed using a large amount of adsorption isotherm data. Based on the simulation results, considering the neglect of pressure and component changes when calculating the adsorption selectivity coefficient using the traditional extended Langmuir (E-L) model, a correction term regarding the pressure of the mixed gas and the mole fraction of CO₂ is set, and a modified equation is proposed. The results show that the adsorption potential energy of CO₂ is significantly higher than that of CH₄, giving it an absolute advantage in the competition. Through multiple regression analysis, the ranking of the influence weights of the four factors on S_c is as follows: pore size > mixed gas pressure > molar fraction of CO₂ > temperature. The negative exponential function can describe the variation of S_c with four factors. The fitting degree between the modified prediction model and the S_c data obtained through simulation reaches 0.84, and the model effect is good. The research results provide theoretical guidance for the optimization of gas injection parameters in the CO₂-ECBM project. Full article

Understanding the competitive adsorption mechanism is essential for the development of adsorptive separation of ethylene (C₂H₄) and ethane (C₂H₆). In this work, density functional theory calculations and molecular dynamics simulations were employed to investigate the adsorption of C₂H₄ and C₂H₆ in two LTA-type zeolites, ITQ-29 and 5A. The results show that the adsorption energies of the gas molecules in zeolite 5A are more negative than in ITQ-29, and the difference in adsorption energy between C₂H₄ and C₂H₆ in zeolite 5A is significantly larger than in ITQ-29, 13.3 versus 6.2 kJ/mol. Zeolite ITQ-29 demonstrates high C₂H₄/C₂H₆ ideal selectivity (43.5 at 5 ns) while exhibiting slow C₂H₄ uptake efficiency due to the small pore windows, hindering C₂H₄ diffusion (1.05 × 10⁻¹⁰ m²/s at 298 K). In contrast, zeolite 5A facilitates the faster diffusion of C₂H₄ molecules (3.25 × 10⁻⁹ m²/s at 298 K) and exhibits a modest C₂H₄/C₂H₆ selectivity of 1.11 at 5 ns in single-gas adsorption and 2.72 in equimolar binary mixture adsorption. To enhance C₂H₄/C₂H₆ selectivity, methyl phosphonic acid is introduced onto zeolite 5A to add a sieving layer that enables the C₂H₄ molecules to preferentially permeate, and the optimal coverage of methyl phosphonic acid is 50%, yielding a C₂H₄/C₂H₆ selectivity of 17.5 at 5 ns in mixture adsorption and preserving the C₂H₄ uptake efficiency. The insights into the competitive diffusion of molecules in the coating layer and inside the zeolites provide a theoretical basis for the rational design of high-performance adsorbents. Full article