Search Results (678)

A novel strategy has been developed for extracting value-added resources from iron-lean, high-alumina- and -silica-containing red muds (RMs). With little or no recycling, such RMs are generally destined for waste dumps. Detailed results are presented on the carbothermic reduction of 100% RM (29.3 wt.% Fe₂O₃, 22.2 wt.% Al₂O₃, 20.0 wt.% SiO₂, 1.2 wt.% CaO, 12.2 wt.% Na₂O) and its 2:1 blends with Fe₂O₃ and red mill scale (MS). Synthetic graphite was used as the reductant. Carbothermic reduction of RM and blends was carried out in a Tamman resistance furnace at 1650 °C for 20 min in an Ar atmosphere. Reduction residues were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), elemental mapping and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Small amounts of Fe₃Si alloys, alumina, SiC and other oxide-based residuals were detected in the carbothermic residue of 100% RM. A number of large metallic droplets of Fe–Si alloys were observed for RM/Fe₂O₃ blends; no aluminium was detected in these metallic droplets. A clear segregation of alumina was observed as a separate phase. For the RM/red MS blends, a number of metallic Fe–Si droplets were seen embedded in an alumina matrix in the form of a cermet. This study has shown the regeneration of alumina and the formation of alumina-based cermets, Fe–Si alloys and SiC during carbothermic reduction of RM and its blends. This innovative recycling strategy could be used for extracting value-added resources from iron-lean RMs, thereby enhancing process productivity, cost-effectiveness of alumina regeneration, waste utilization and sustainable developments in the field. Full article

This study investigates the effects of sodium sulfate (Na₂SO₄) dosage, reaction temperature, and processing time on the structural decomposition of complex compounds in copper slag. Experimental results demonstrated that applying 20% Na₂SO₄ achieves an impressive decomposition rate of 89%, highlighting its effectiveness in liberating valuable metals from the slag matrix. The optimal temperature for maximizing fayalite decomposition is determined to be 900 °C, which significantly enhances reaction kinetics and efficiency. Furthermore, extending the reaction time to 90 min resulted in the highest observed decomposition efficiency. Subsequent leaching experiments in sulfuric acid confirmed that the liberated metal transitioned into the solution phase was very effective, ensuring high metal recovery rates. The treated samples demonstrated metal recovery rates of 97% for copper (Cu), 96% for iron (Fe), and 93% for zinc (Zn). In contrast, the untreated samples exhibited considerably lower recovery rates, with copper at 61%, iron at 59%, and zinc at 65%. Additionally, this approach mitigates filtration challenges by preventing the formation of silica gel. These findings provide key operational parameters for optimizing metal recovery from copper slag and establish a solid foundation for advancing sustainable and efficient resource extraction research. Full article

Background/Objectives: Ovarian cancer (OC) remains one of the most lethal malignancies of the female reproductive system. Glucose oxidase (GOx) has emerged as a potential therapeutic agent in cancer treatment by inducing tumor starvation through glucose depletion. Nonetheless, its clinical application is constrained due to its systemic toxicity, immunogenicity, poor in vivo stability, and short half-life. These challenges can be addressed through nanotechnology; in particular, biogenic mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) offer promise as drug delivery systems (DDSs) that enhance therapeutic efficacy while minimizing side effects. Methods: Biogenic MSNs were extracted from the Equisetum myriochaetum plant via acid digestion, functionalized with 3-aminopropiltrietoxysilane (APTES) and glutaraldehyde (GTA), and loaded with GOx. The free and immobilized MSNs were characterized using FTIR, DLS, XRD, SEM/EDX, and BET techniques. A colorimetric approach was employed to quantify the enzymatic activity of both the free and immobilized GOx. The MTT assay was employed to assess the viability of SKOV3 cells. The obtained IC₅₀ concentration of the nanoformulation was administered to SKOV3 cells to analyze the expression of cancer-related genes using RT-qPCR. Results: IC₅₀ values of 60.77 ng/mL and 111.6 µg/mL were ascertained for the free and immobilized GOx, respectively. Moreover, a significant downregulation of the oncogene β-catenin (CTNNB1) was detected after 24 h with the nanoformulation. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that GOx-loaded biogenic MSNs may serve as a potential therapeutic agent for ovarian cancer. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first report exploring the effect of GOx-loaded biogenic MSNs on SKOV3 cells. Full article

Rheum tataricum L.fil., known for its high tolerance to drought, salinity, and nutritional deficiency, is the least studied species of wild rhubarb. Extract of roots and rhizomes of R. tataricum has been traditionally used for the treatment of different diseases such as liver, kidney, womb, and bladder diseases and also relapsing fever. An ethanol extract of the roots of R. tataricum was prepared and further successively fractionated by extraction with tert-butyl methyl ether (TBME) and ethyl acetate (EtOAc). The obtained extract fractions were subjected to a series of chromatographic separations on silica gel for the isolation of its individual compounds. A total of 12 individual compounds, 2-O-β-D-glucopyranoside of R-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanol (rhododendrin) 1, gallic acid 2, 2-O-β-D-glucopyranoside of S-4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanol (epi-rhododendrin) 3, their aglycones (-)-(2R)-rhododendrol 4 and (+)-(2S)-rhododendrol 5, gallotannin β-glucogallin 6, chlorogenic acids (3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid 7 and 5-O-caffeoyl-3-O-(p-coumaroyl) quinic acid 8), 4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanon (raspberry ketone) 9 and three stilbenes (rhaponticin 10, desoxyrhaponticin 11 and resveratroloside 12), were isolated and characterized. The structure of desoxyrhaponticin 11 was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analyses. The results of in vitro biological assays (the MTT test) showed that ethanol extract Rheum tataricum was non-toxic against the normal epithelial VERO cells. The isolated compounds 1, 4, 11 and 12 exhibited cytotoxicity against a cervical cancer cell line (CaSki), breast adenocarcinoma (MCF7) and glioblastoma cell line (SNB-19) at low micromolar concentrations. Polyhydroxystilbenes 11 and 12 showed the best potency against adenocarcinoma cells (GI₅₀ = 7–8 μM). The inhibition activity towards cancer cells was comparable to those of the standard drug doxorubicin. The available from R. tataricum secondary metabolites may serve as new leads for the discovery of anticancer drugs. Full article

This study evaluated the in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of serotonin derivatives from safflower seed powder and elucidated their mechanism against ulcerative colitis using network pharmacology. Compounds were extracted and purified via silica gel column chromatography, Sephadex LH-20 and semi-preparative HPLC. Structural characterization employed NMR and UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS with literature comparisons. Anti-inflammatory efficacy was assessed in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages. Network pharmacology predicted targets, molecular docking analyzed binding interactions and molecular dynamics simulations assessed complex stability. Eleven serotonin derivatives were isolated; N-trans-Feruloyl-3,5-dihydroxyindolin-2-one (1) and Bufoserotonin A (2) were identified in safflower seed meal for the first time. Compounds 1, 3–7 and 10 significantly reduced inflammatory factors, with N-feruloyl serotonin (4, FS) showing the strongest activity. Mechanistic studies revealed FS targets key molecules (STAT3, EGFR, ESR1, PTGS2, NF-κB1, and JUN), modulating PI3K-Akt, MAPK and cancer-related pathways. Molecular dynamics simulations confirmed FS-EGFR complex stability. Thus, two novel derivatives were isolated and FS demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory and potential anti-ulcerative colitis effects through multi-target, multi-pathway synergy, providing a foundation for developing safflower seed meal therapeutics. Full article

Plant species harbor diverse rhizospheric bacteria within their resilient root zones, serving as a valuable reservoir of bioactive microorganisms with strong potential for natural antifungal and plant growth-promoting applications. This study aimed to investigate the antagonistic potential of Bacillus zhangzhouensis, isolated from Zygophyllum oxianum in the Aral Sea region, Uzbekistan, against the fungal pathogen Cytospora mali. Due to its strong antifungal activity, B. zhangzhouensis was selected for bioactive compound profiling. Methanolic extracts were fractionated via silica and Sephadex gel chromatography, followed by antifungal screening using the agar diffusion method. A highly active fraction (dichloromethane/methanol, 9:1) underwent further purification, yielding twelve antifungal sub-fractions. Mass spectrometry analysis across positive and negative ion modes identified 2475 metabolites, with polar solvents—particularly methanol—enhancing compound recovery. Refinement using Bacillus-specific references identified six known antibiotics. Four pure compounds were isolated and structurally characterized using NMR: oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, cyclo-(Pro-Ser), and uracil. Their growth regulatory activity was assessed on Amaranthus retroflexus, Nicotiana benthamiana, triticale, and Triticum aestivum at concentrations of 5, 20, 100, and 500 mg L−1. All compounds negatively affected root growth in a concentration-dependent manner, especially in monocots. Interestingly, some treatments enhanced stem growth, particularly in N. benthamiana. These findings indicate that B. zhangzhouensis produces diverse bioactive compounds with dual antifungal and plant growth-modulatory effects, highlighting its potential as a biocontrol agent and a source of natural bioactive compounds. Full article

Background: Alterations in protein abundance profiles in yeast deletion strains are frequently utilized to gain insights into cellular functions and regulatory networks, most of which are conserved in higher eukaryotes. Methods: This study investigates the impact of protein extraction methodologies on the whole proteome analysis of S. cerevisiae, comparing detergent-based lysis versus mechanical lysis with silica beads. We evaluated the proteomic profiles of wild-type and two yeast deletion strains, siz1Δ and nfi1Δ (siz2Δ), which are SUMO E3 ligases. Combining isobaric TMTpro-labeling with mass spectrometry using real-time search MS3, we profiled over 4700 proteins, covering approximately 80% of the yeast proteome. Results: Hierarchical clustering and principal component analyses revealed that the choice of protein extraction method significantly influenced the proteomic data, overshadowing the genetic variances among these strains. Notably, the detergent-based lysis showed superior performance in extracting proteins compared to mechanical lysis. Despite minimal proteomic alterations among strains, we observed consistent changes regardless of the lysis strategy in proteins such as Ino1, Rep1, Rep2, Snz1, and Fdh1 in both SUMO E3 ligase deletion strains, implying potential redundant mechanisms of control for these proteins. Conclusion: These findings underscore the importance of method selection at each step of sample preparation in proteomic studies and enhance our comprehension of cellular adaptations to genetic perturbations. Full article

In offshore oil and gas extraction, riser pipes serve as the first isolation barrier for wellbore integrity, playing a crucial role in ensuring operational safety. Protective coatings represent an effective measure for corrosion prevention in riser pipes. To address issues such as electrochemical corrosion and poor adhesion of existing coatings, this study developed an underwater-curing composite material based on a polyisobutylene (PIB) and butyl rubber (IIR) blend system. The material simultaneously exhibits high peel strength, low water absorption, and stability across a wide temperature range. First, the contradiction between material elasticity and strength was overcome through the synergistic effect of medium molecular weight PIB internal plasticization and IIR crosslinking networks. Second, stable peel strength across a wide temperature range (−45 °C to 80 °C) was achieved by utilizing the interfacial effects of nano-fillers. Subsequently, an innovative solvent-free two-component epoxy system was developed, combining medium molecular weight PIB internal plasticization, nano-silica hydrogen bond reinforcement, and latent curing agent regulation. This system achieves rapid surface drying within 30 min underwater and pull-off strength exceeding 3.5 MPa. Through systematic laboratory testing and field application experiments on offshore oil and gas well risers, the material’s fundamental properties and operational performance were determined. Results indicate that the material exhibits a peel strength of 5 N/cm on offshore oil risers, significantly extending the service life of the riser pipes. This research provides theoretical foundation and technical support for improving the efficiency and reliability of repair processes for offshore oil riser pipes. Full article

This study investigates hazardous emissions from foundry binder systems, comparing organic resins (phenolic urethane, furan, and alkaline-phenolic) and clay-bonded green sand with inorganic alternatives (sodium silicate and geopolymer). The research was conducted at the Fundaciόn Azterlan pilot plant (Spain), involving controlled chamber tests for the production of 60 kg iron alloy castings in 110 kg sand molds. The molds were evaluated under two configurations: homogeneous systems, where both mold and cores were manufactured using the same binder (five trials), and heterogeneous systems, where different binders were used for mold and cores (four trials). Each mold was placed in a metallic box fitted with a lid and an integrated gas extraction duct. The lid remained open during pouring and was closed immediately afterward to enable efficient evacuation of casting gases through the extraction system. Although the box was not completely airtight, it was designed to direct most exhaust gases through the duct. Along the extraction system line, different sampling instruments were strategically located for the precise measurement of contaminants: volatile organic compounds (VOCs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), phenol, multiple forms of particulate matter (including crystalline silica content), and gases produced during pyrolysis. Across the nine trials, inorganic binders demonstrated significant reductions in gas emissions and priority pollutants, achieving decreases of over 90% in BTEX compounds (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene) and over 94% in PAHs compared to organic systems. Gas emissions were also substantially reduced, with CO emissions lowered by over 30%, NO_x by more than 98%, and SO₂ by over 75%. Conducted under the Greencasting LIFE project (LIFE 21 ENV/FI/101074439), this work provides empirical evidence supporting sodium silicate and geopolymer binders as viable, sustainable solutions for minimizing occupational and ecological risks in metal casting processes. Full article

To enhance the signal intensity of kynurenines, which are present at trace concentrations in biological fluids, a novel analytical approach was developed, combining pressure-assisted electrokinetic injection (PAEKI) with a mixed micelle system based on sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and Brij-35. The method was applied to key compounds of the kynurenine pathway, including L-tryptophan, kynurenine, 3-hydroxykynurenine, and kynurenic acid, as well as to the aromatic amino acids (AAs) L-tyrosine and L-phenylalanine. PAEKI was performed by electrokinetic injection for 2 min at −6.5 kV (reversed polarity) and 0.5 psi (3.45 kPa) using a fused silica capillary (50 cm in length, 50 µm inner diameter). The background electrolyte (BGE) consisted of 20 mM Na₂B₄O₇ (pH 9.2), 2 mM Brij-35, 20 mM SDS, and 20% (v/v) methanol (MeOH). The limit of detection (LOD) using a diode array detector (DAD) was 1.2 ng/mL for kynurenine and ranged from 1.5 to 3.0 ng/mL for the other analytes. The application of PAEKI in conjunction with micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MEKC) and solid-phase extraction (SPE) of artificial urine samples resulted in a 146-fold increase in signal intensity for kynurenines compared to that observed using the hydrodynamic injection (HDI) mode. The developed method demonstrates strong potential for determining kynurenine pathway metabolites in complex biological matrices. Full article

Plastics pollution is a critical global environmental issue, with growing concern over the increasing presence of nanoplastic particles. Plastics are major environmental pollutants that adversely affect human health, particularly when plastics from food sources enter the body and pose potential risks to reproductive health. Echinacea purpurea is an immunologically active medicinal plant containing phenolic acids and alkylamides. Nanoparticles present a promising approach to enhance the effectiveness, stability, and bioavailability of Echinacea purpurea ethanol extract (EE) active components. This study aimed to determine the protective effects of chitosan-silica-Echinacea purpurea nanoparticles (CSE) against reproductive injury induced by polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) in male rats. The results showed that CSE dose-dependently reduced oxidative damage and protected intestinal and reproductive health. Furthermore, CSE improved gut microbiota dysbiosis, preserved barrier integrity, and attenuated PS-NPs-induced inflammation in the colon, brain, and gonads. Inflammatory factors released from the gut can enter the bloodstream, cross the blood–brain barrier, and potentially modulate the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis. CSE has also been shown to elevate neurotransmitter levels in the colon and brain, thereby repairing HPG axis dysregulation caused by PS-NPs through gut–brain communication and improving reproductive dysfunction. This study enhances our understanding of CSE in modulating the gut–brain and HPG axes under PS-NPs-induced damage. CSE demonstrates the capacity to provide protection and facilitate recovery by mitigating oxidative stress and inflammation, restoring gut microbiota balance, and preserving hormone levels in the context of PS-NPs-induced injury. Full article

Aerogels have gained much interest in the last decades due to their specific properties, such as high porosity, high surface area, and low density, which have caused them to be used in multiple and varied fields. As the applicability of aerogels is tightly correlated to their morpho-structural features, special consideration must be allocated to the fabrication method. An emerging technique for producing nanostructured materials with tailored morphology and dimensions is represented by continuous-flow microfluidics. In this context, this work explores the synergic combination of aerogel-based materials with microfluidic synthesis platforms to generate advanced nanocomposite adsorbents for water decontamination. Specifically, this study presents the novel synthesis of a magnetic silica-based aerogel using a custom-designed 3D microfluidic platform, offering enhanced control over nanoparticle incorporation and gelation compared to conventional sol–gel techniques. The resulting gel was further dried via supercritical CO₂ extraction to preserve its unique nanostructure. The multi-faceted physicochemical investigations (XRD, DLS, FT-IR, RAMAN, SEM, and TEM) confirmed the material’s uniform morphology, high porosity, and surface functionalization. The HR-MS FT-ICR analysis has also demonstrated the advanced material’s adsorption capacity for various pesticides, suggesting its adequacy for further environmental applications. An exceptional 93.7% extraction efficiency was registered for triazophos, underscoring the potential of microfluidic synthesis approaches in engineering advanced, eco-friendly adsorbent materials for water decontamination of relevant organic pollutants. Full article

Essential oils are complex mixtures of apolar components, mainly phenylpropanoids, monoterpenes, and sesquiterpenes. Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash) is a non-endemic grass in several tropical regions, widely used for slope stabilization and erosion control because of its long and deep roots that help to bind the soil together, preventing landslides and soil loss. From these roots, vetiver essential oil is obtained, which is extracted and produced worldwide and highly valued for its diverse range of bioactive substances used by the cosmetics and perfume industries. These substances, present in a very complex mixture, are difficult to isolate. Zizanoic acid is a very rare substance in nature and also very interesting because of the biological properties already described. In the present study, zizanoic acid was selectively isolated with 84–87% purity from vetiver commercial essential oils, in which it was present at less than 10%, using KOH-impregnated silica gel column chromatography alone. The experiments were monitored using GC-MS and UHPLC-HRMS, and the isolated substances (zizanoic and valerenic acids) were further determined by NMR experiments. The whole methodology and analytical approach proved to be very efficient for natural product complex mixture analysis and also very selective, allowing for a distinct capacity to recover carboxylic acids from complex biological samples. Full article

Among grapevine trunk diseases, Eutypa dieback, caused by the fungus Eutypa lata, is one of the most critical ones, due to its widespread infection in vineyards and the lack of effective treatments. This fungus is a vascular pathogen that enters grapevines through pruning wounds. The infection process is associated with phytotoxic metabolites produced by the fungus, and as such, the identification of new metabolites from different culture conditions and broths could provide valuable insights into the fungus’s enzymatic system and help its control. For the purposes of this study, the OSMAC (one strain, many compounds) approach was applied to investigate the secondary metabolism of E. lata strain 311 isolated from Vitis vinifera plants in Spain. A total of twenty metabolites were isolated, including five reported for the first time from E. lata and four that are newly identified compounds in the literature: eulatagalactoside A, (R)-2-(4′-hydroxy-3′-methylbut-1′-yn-1′-yl)-4-(hydroxymethyl)phenol, (S)-7-hydroxymethyl-3-methyl-2,3-dihydro-1-benzoxepin-3-ol, and (3aR,4S,5R,7aS)-4,5-dihydroxy-6-((R)-3′-methylbuta-1′,3′-dien-1′-ylidene)hexahydrobenzo[d][1,3]dioxol-2-one. These compounds were extracted from fermentation broths using silica gel column chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Their structures were elucidated through extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, along with high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HRESIMS). Compounds were evaluated for phytotoxicity against Phaseolus vulgaris, with only eulatagalactoside A producing white spots after 48 h. Additionally, the antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Klebsiella pneumoniae of selected compounds was tested. The compounds (R)-2-(4′-hydroxy-3′-methylbut-1′-yn-1′-yl)-4-(hydroxymethyl)phenol and (S)-7-(hydroxymethyl)-3-methyl-2,3-dihydrobenzo[b]oxepin-3-ol showed the most significant antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, inhibiting S. aureus by over 75%, with IC₅₀ values of 511.4 µg/mL and 617.9 µg/mL, respectively. Full article

Background: Rapid molecular detection of infectious pathogen with high sensitivity and specificity has become increasingly important in clinical microbiology laboratories. The need to develop domestically produced nucleic acid extraction equipment has grown since COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea. In this study, we developed a new magnetic bead-based automated nucleic acid extraction system, T-Prep24 system, and the performance of the new system was evaluated with many clinical specimens. Methods: A total of 180 respiratory specimens were collected, and nucleic acids were extracted using three different systems, the T-Prep24 system, TANBead system, and Qiagen system. The quality and concentration of extracted nucleic acid were evaluated by spectrophotometer and Qubit fluorometer. Qualitative determination for SARS-CoV-2 was performed by PowerChek SARS-CoV-2 Real-time PCR kit. Results: The median concentration of nucleic acid extracted by T-Prep24 system and measured by a fluorescence-based method was 0.685 ng/µL (first to third interquartile range, 0.258–1.493 ng/µL), which was lower than that of nucleic acid extracted by TANBead system (median value, 0.985 ng/µL; first to third interquartile range, 0.610–1.583 ng/µL; p < 0.001), and that of nucleic acid extracted by Qiagen system (median value, 4.710 ng/µL; first to third interquartile range, 3.783–5.810 ng/µL; p < 0.001). The Cq values of PCR assays using nucleic acid extracted by T-prep24 showed minimal systematic bias (slope = 1.015) when compared with those using nucleic acid extracted by TANBead, but significant proportional constant bias (slope = 0.907) when compared with those using nucleic acid extracted by Qiagen. The results of PCR assays using nucleic acid extracted by the T-Prep24 system were identical to those of PCR assays using nucleic acid extracted by TANBead system, and two discrepant results were identified when comparing with those by the Qiagen system. Conclusions: T-Prep24 system is a reliable and effective tool for nucleic acid extraction in clinical settings. Future investigations should be carried out to widen the applicability to a range of pathogens and sample types. Full article