Search Results (343)

Background/Objectives: Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is largely driven by severe oxidative stress and calcium dyshomeostasis. We examined the targeted antioxidant and therapeutic effects of zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄) on contractile dynamics, oxidative damage, calcium turnover, and apoptosis/fibrosis in aged female rats with type 2 diabetes. Methods: Thirty-two aged female Wistar rats were divided into Control, Control + ZnSO₄, Diabetes (DM), and DM + ZnSO₄ groups. DM was induced via high-fat diet and 30 mg/kg streptozotocin. After a 4-week complication period, treatment groups received 10 mg/kg/day ZnSO₄ (i.p.) for 6 weeks. Left ventricular papillary muscle contraction, oxidative/antioxidant markers (MDA/GSH), and gene expressions (SIRT1, GLUT4, SERCA2a, RyR2, Cav1.2, PLN) were evaluated. Myocardial architecture, fibrosis, and apoptosis were analyzed immunohistochemically. In DM rats, contractile force (CF) and velocities (±dF/dtmax) significantly declined. Results: Concurrently, SIRT1, GLUT4, SERCA2a, RyR2, Cav1.2, and antioxidant GSH decreased, while oxidative lipid damage (MDA), PLN, Caspase-3 activity, Collagen I, and fibrosis increased (p < 0.001). ZnSO₄ treatment in diabetic rats acted as a potent antioxidant modulator; it restored redox balance, activated the SIRT1/GLUT4 pathway, protected calcium-handling proteins from oxidative degradation, and significantly improved contractile dynamics. It also preserved myocardial architecture by reducing apoptosis and fibrosis. In healthy rats, ZnSO₄ caused mild stress and early fibrosis. Conclusions: In conclusion, while inducing mild stress in healthy myocardium, zinc supplementation provides robust antioxidant protection in diabetic hearts. It activates SIRT1, suppresses oxidative damage, maintains calcium homeostasis, and restores contractile dynamics, demonstrating strong antioxidant therapeutic potential against DCM. Full article

Quantum dots such as CdS QDs have been extensively studied using human cells, plants, and unicellular eukaryotes such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, whereas ZnS QDs—considered low-toxicity alternatives to cadmium-based nanomaterials—remain comparatively underexplored. Following preliminary analyses of ZnS QDs’ effects on wild-type S. cerevisiae BY4742 growth, the Yeast Knock-Out collection, comprising ~4600 haploid mutants deleted in non-essential genes, was screened in the presence of ZnS QDs. Sensitive mutants were predominantly associated with mitochondrial functions, prompting further characterization of sod1Δ, glr1Δ, and of the hypersensitive mutant pos5Δ. This last mutant, which lacks a mitochondrial NADH kinase, showed hypersensitivity specific to ZnS QDs but not to CdS QDs or zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄). Flow cytometry analysis of the wild-type strain and the pos5Δ mutant detected no significant increase in reactive oxygen species after ZnS QD treatment. RNA-sequencing analyses of the wild-type strain and the pos5Δ mutant exposed to ZnS QDs (or ZnSO₄) revealed that ZnS QD exposure selectively modulated genes encoding mitochondrial proteins, metal-binding factors, and intracellular trafficking components. Comparison with published data on CdS QDs identified specific mechanisms involving protein synthesis and degradation. Saccharomyces cerevisiae once again proved its versatility for studying engineered nanomaterial interactions with biological systems. Full article

The orthogonal design further optimized the culture medium to a combination of ammonium nitrate, sucrose, and magnesium sulfate, achieving a mycelial growth rate of 1.379 mm/d. The mycelia of Gerhardtia borealis contained 26.01% crude protein, 6.03% crude fat, and 1.24% crude polysaccharides. A total of 17 amino acids were detected, with a total content of 26.09 g/kg. The iron and zinc contents in the mycelia were 28.09 mg/kg and 22.17 mg/kg, respectively. The concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead were all below the national food safety limits. This study provides fundamental data supporting the domestication and functional utilization of Gerhardtia borealis as an edible and medicinal resource. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of partially replacing inorganic copper, zinc, and manganese with hydroxychloride or methionine-bound organic sources on growth performance, antioxidant status, serum mineral concentrations, and mineral utilization in finishing Baluchi lambs. Twenty male ram lambs were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments for 60 days: a control group without supplemental minerals (CTR), a sulfate group receiving 100% of supplemental minerals as sulfates (SULF), a hydroxy group receiving 70% sulfates and 30% hydroxychloride sources (HYDRO), and an organic group receiving 70% sulfates and 30% methionine-complexed minerals (ORG). All supplemented diets were formulated to provide similar total concentrations of Cu, Zn, and Mn in accordance with NRC requirements. Growth performance and feed intake did not differ significantly among treatments (p > 0.05). Serum mineral concentrations were affected by dietary treatments (p < 0.0001), with lower Zn and Cu concentrations observed in the ORG. Urinary Mn excretion was higher in ORG (p = 0.007), whereas Zn and Cu excretion were not significantly affected. Apparent mineral absorption was not significantly different among treatments, although numerical variation was observed. Antioxidant parameters were influenced by mineral source, with higher glutathione peroxidase activity and total antioxidant capacity in ORG and HYDRO groups (p < 0.0001). These findings suggest that partial replacement of inorganic trace minerals with hydroxychloride or organic sources can modulate antioxidant status and mineral metabolism without affecting growth performance, highlighting the potential of mixed-source supplementation strategies in practical feeding systems. Full article

This case study investigates the rapid through-wall perforation of newly installed hot-dip galvanized (HDG) fire sprinkler pipes in a coastal Mediterranean environment. Failure occurred along the internal waterline of horizontal sections within a short service period. Forensic analysis—comprising metallography, SEM, and EDS—identified a synergistic atmospheric–aqueous corrosion mechanism. Marine aerosol exposure during pre-service storage led to significant chloride enrichment and localized depletion of the 40–50 μm zinc coating, initiating early-stage pitting. Upon commissioning, stagnant water established oxygen concentration gradients and differential-aeration cells, driving localized anodic dissolution. Additionally, sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) contributed to accelerated degradation through microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC), as suggested by sulfur-bearing tubercles. The findings demonstrate that standard galvanizing thickness alone does not ensure longevity in high-salinity environments if atmospheric “preconditioning” occurs. These results underscore the necessity of shielding internal pipe surfaces during storage and construction to prevent premature failure. This case study informs predictive maintenance and material selection for stagnant-water systems in coastal regions. Full article

As a devastating disease worldwide, rice bacterial leaf blight—caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo)—leads to substantial reductions in grain yield. The increasing resistance to conventional bactericides necessitates the development of novel and sustainable control agents. This study evaluated 58 novel alkyl sulfonamide compounds against Xoo. In the turbidimetric assay at 100 mg/L, several compounds showed potent antibacterial activity. Among them, SYAUP-116 and SYAUP-212 exhibited in vitro inhibition comparable to that of streptomycin sulfate at the same concentration. Furthermore, in EC₅₀ determination assays, both compounds yielded lower EC₅₀ values than zinc thiazole. Among the 58 compounds tested, SYAUP-491 exhibited an in vitro EC₅₀ of 6.96 mg/L and achieved 74.1% in vivo therapeutic efficacy at 200 mg/L, representing the most promising lead for further characterization. Molecular docking, based on prior proteomic data, indicates potential stable binding to ribosomal proteins (50S L33/L34 and 30S S5), with the strongest interaction observed for L33 (binding free energy: −5.73 kcal/mol). This suggests a putative mechanism involving ribosome targeting and protein synthesis inhibition, which may be facilitated by hydrophobic interactions and halogen bonds derived from its trifluoromethyl and sulfonamide groups. SYAUP-491 demonstrates significant potential as a novel bactericide for rice bacterial leaf blight, warranting further research on structure-activity optimization, target validation, and field performance. Full article

Equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV), with the simplest lentiviral genome, is a key model for studying fundamental lentiviral biology. Infectious viral particles are produced only when the Gag protein selectively encapsidates full-length genomic RNA via the packaging signal (Psi), yet the structural and functional features of EIAV Psi remain poorly characterized. Using computational prediction and dimethyl sulfate probing, we identified four stem-loops (SLs) within a ~120 nt region in the 5′ leader of the genome, spanning from downstream of the primer binding site through 20 nt into the gag coding sequence. In vitro dimerization assays demonstrated that a palindromic sequence (5′-CUGGCCAG-3′) within SL3 acts as a critical determinant of RNA dimerization. Functional screening using both an EIAV pseudovirus packaging system and the infectious clone EIAVuk revealed that deletion or mutation of the stem-loops significantly impairs viral packaging and replication, with SL2 deletion or its stem disruption causing the most severe defects. RNA-seq analysis of RNAs bound by wild-type Gag versus a zinc-finger mutant (H391K/H410K) identified two candidate Gag-associated sites: the SL2 stem and the SL2-SL3 junction. Targeting these regions with phosphorothioate-modified antisense oligonucleotides potently inhibited pseudovirus production and the replication of infectious EIAVuk. Our findings defined the secondary structure and functional organization of the EIAV core packaging region and established the SL2 stem and SL2-SL3 junction as candidate packaging determinants and promising targets for RNA-based antiviral intervention. Full article

Inflammatory bowel diseases, particularly ulcerative colitis (UC), are chronic relapsing inflammatory disorders with limited therapeutic options. The zinc-finger transcription factor ZBTB4 has been implicated in the initiation and progression of cancer, but its role in UC remains unknown. Here, we found that ZBTB4 deficiency exacerbates dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in C57BL/6J male mice. Compared with the wild type, ZBTB4 deficiency increases weight loss, colon shortening and proinflammatory cytokine production. RNA-seq analysis revealed that ZBTB4 deficiency enhances Serpine1 expression and activates the NF-κB pathway. NF-κB inhibition by JSH-23 alleviated the effect of ZBTB4 deficiency on DSS-induced colitis. These results imply the protective role of ZBTB4 in UC. Through an integrated drug screening, we identified a natural sesquiterpene lactone, handelin, as a potential compound to enhance ZBTB4 expression in NCM460 cells. Handelin administration relieved colitis in wild-type mice but produced no effect in ZBTB4 knockout mice, demonstrating that its anti-colitic effect depends on ZBTB4 expression. Collectively, our results indicate the key role of ZBTB4 in UC and ZBTB4 agonists may serve as a novel approach for UC treatments. Full article

This study characterizes novel cross-linked polymeric composites based on bisphenol A glycerolate dimethacrylate (BPA.DM) as the primary matrix, incorporating 1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone (NVP) or 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) as active diluents, and modified with antimicrobial agents: zinc oxide (ZnO), copper(II) sulfate (CuSO₄), nanosilver (Ag), and benzethonium chloride (BEN). Release kinetics of active components into water and LH medium were measured over 20 days using HPLC (bisphenol A, benzethonium chloride), GF AAS (Cu, Zn, Ag), and GC–MS, revealing highest silver release from HEMA+Ag composites (1671 µg/L), substantial copper release from HEMA (354 mg/L) and NVP (319 mg/L) systems, while benzethonium chloride exhibited significantly lower migration. The effect of NVP- and HEMA-containing composites on the metabolism of the Cerrena unicolor was also assessed. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical profilometry confirmed extensive surface degradation by C. unicolor mycelium, manifesting as cracks, increased porosity, and altered surface across HEMA- and NVP-based composites after 21-day incubation. Biochemical analysis of the fungus post-culture liquids demonstrated that both composite types markedly enhanced extracellular laccase activity at all tested time points (7, 14, 21 days), with ethanol-sterilized samples inducing a slower-migrating laccase isoform identified via zymography. These materials also increased total protein concentration and superoxide anion radical levels while reducing phenolic compounds relative to controls. The findings demonstrate that antimicrobial-modified BPA.DM composites not only undergo controlled biodegradation by C. unicolor but crucially serve as potential laccase inducers, highlighting their dual utility in bioactive material design and fungal enzyme biotechnology. Full article

Chromochloris zofingiensis is a promising source of high-value bioproducts, particularly carotenoids and fatty acids. In this study, three selected chemical agents, including methylene blue (MB), salicylic acid (SA), and zinc sulfate heptahydrate (ZN), representing their roles as an oxidant, a signal transducer, and a metal ion, respectively, were applied at 96 h post-inoculation to stimulate metabolite accumulation via a two-stage cultivation approach. None of the treatments significantly affected algal growth. Among the treatments, HPLC analysis showed that 2.5 mM ZN significantly exhibited a dual stimulatory effect on astaxanthin (1.679 ± 0.122 mg g⁻¹) and lutein (4.257 ± 0.183 mg g⁻¹) accumulation, which were 2.28- and 2.91-fold higher than the control, respectively. The 1 µM MB significantly enhanced the canthaxanthin content to 2.382 ± 0.210 mg g⁻¹ (a 3.57-fold increase). Different SA concentrations selectively induced the target pigments of astaxanthin and lutein. APCI-QTOF analysis enabled the detection of echinenone in the microalgal extracts. Its identity and quantification were subsequently validated by HPLC, with the highest content detected under the 0.2 mM SA treatment. GC-FID analysis revealed changes in the composition of six major fatty acids, with C18:1 n-9 representing 50.01% of the total fatty acids under the 2.5 mM ZN treatment. These findings suggest that the two-stage approach could offer a practical and feasible strategy for microalgal biorefineries. Full article

Industrial zinc borate is commonly produced through a hydrothermal process using boric acid and zinc oxide as raw materials. In this study, zinc borate was synthesized by replacing boric acid with borax ore and fresh water with borax plant wastewater in order to improve resource efficiency and water sustainability within an industrial symbiosis framework. Due to side reactions originating from borax, the reaction medium exhibited high ionic strength, and the synthesis was completed at 90 °C in approximately 5 h, slightly longer than conventional industrial processes. An additional washing step was applied to reduce impurities, resulting in a final impurity level of 2966 mg/kg, comparable to that of commercial zinc borate. The use of borax plant wastewater significantly reduced fresh water consumption. However, the formation of a by-product stream containing approximately 16% Na₂SO₄ may limit direct industrial applicability. If this sodium sulfate stream is valorized within an industrial symbiosis framework, zinc borate production from borax and wastewater could represent a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to conventional processes. Full article

This study addresses the issue of insufficient product purity caused by the co-deposition of three major impurity ions—zinc, nickel, and lead—during the electrodeposition process of high-purity manganese. A targeted deep purification method for manganese sulfate electrolyte was developed using dithiocarbamate chelating agents (sodium dimethyldithiocarbamate, SDD). By optimizing key process parameters such as precipitant concentration, reaction temperature, reaction time, and solution pH, combined with density functional theory (DFT) calculations, to elucidate the selective impurity removal mechanism at the molecular level, a novel process for the efficient synergistic removal of Zn²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Pb²⁺ was established. The results showed that under the conditions of precipitant concentration of 1 g/L, solution pH of 6.5, reaction temperature of 55 °C, and reaction time of 2 h, the residual concentrations of Zn, Ni, and Pb in the electrolyte were all below 0.2 mg/L. DFT calculations revealed that SDD coordinates with metal ions through four sulfur atoms, and the absolute values of binding energies follow the order Ni²⁺ > Pb²⁺ > Zn²⁺ > Mn²⁺, indicating thermodynamically preferential capture of impurity ions. After purification, the manganese metal obtained by electrodeposition from the manganese sulfate solution achieved a purity exceeding 99.999%, with Zn, Ni, and Pb contents of 0.11 mg/kg, 0.038 mg/kg, and 0.05 mg/kg, respectively, meeting the raw material requirements for semiconductor-grade copper–manganese alloy targets. Full article

Biomineralization has recently emerged as a highly effective strategy for enzyme immobilization. Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs), a subclass of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), are particularly attractive carriers due to their structural tunability and chemical stability. While ZIF-8 has been extensively studied, its denser and thermodynamically more stable analog ZIF-zni has received far less attention. In this work, we report the biomineralization of glucose oxidase (GOx) from Aspergillus niger within the ZIF-zni framework and systematically investigate the influence of zinc and imidazole (Im) concentration on immobilization performance. The optimized biocomposite, obtained at 10 mM Zn²⁺ and a Zn:Im ratio of 1:10, exhibited a specific activity of 2051 IU g⁻¹, which is more than twice the activity obtained for GOx@ZIF-8 in our previous study (874 IU g⁻¹). Furthermore, the GOx@ZIF-zni biocomposite demonstrated remarkable resistance to sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and retained up to 50% of its activity after incubation at 65 °C for one hour. These results demonstrate that ZIF-zni is a highly promising carrier for enzyme immobilization and suggest that framework topology and synthesis conditions play a crucial role in determining the catalytic performance and stability of enzyme@MOF biocomposites. Full article

Cadmium contamination of water resources represents a serious environmental and public health challenge, with conventional treatment methods often proving inadequate for industrial-level remediation. In this study, we present a novel, sustainable composite material, functionalized cellulose nanocrystal polyvinyl alcohol zinc oxide ferric chloride (CNC-PVA-ZnOFe) beads for the efficient removal of cadmium from contaminated water. The material integrates adsorption, coagulation, and flocculation mechanisms within a single hybrid platform, with coagulation–flocculation serving as the dominant mechanism given the material’s macroporous structure and limited surface area (1.2–3.3 m²/g). Functionalized cellulose nanocrystals provide supporting adsorptive sites for metal binding, while a PVA matrix incorporating ZnOFe improves structural integrity, mechanical stability, and coagulation performance. Characterization confirmed successful functionalization, enhanced thermal stability, and a macroporous structure (12–52 nm pores) conducive to floc entrapment, though with limited surface area (1.2–3.3 m²/g) for conventional adsorption. Under optimized conditions (pH 7–10, initial Cd²⁺ concentration of 100 mg/L, coagulant dose of 0.1 g, and sedimentation time of 60 min), the functionalized CNC-PVA-ZnOFe beads achieved a cadmium removal efficiency of 78%, achieving significantly higher cadmium removal efficiency than traditional coagulants, such as aluminum sulfate (69%). The beads also demonstrated good reusability, retaining 85% removal efficiency after five regeneration cycles. This work presents a scalable, eco-friendly material for cadmium removal under controlled laboratory conditions using synthetic solutions. However, further evaluation in real wastewater matrices containing competing ions and organic matter is necessary to establish practical applicability for water treatment applications. The study highlights the combined potential of multifunctional hybrid materials while acknowledging the need for validation under environmentally relevant conditions. While the results indicate successful integration of multiple removal mechanisms, direct validation of synergistic interactions through techniques such as zeta potential and XPS analysis remains an important direction for future research. Full article

Basic zinc sulfate with an empirical formula of ZnSO₄∙3 Zn(OH)₂∙3.5 H₂O (or Zn₄SO₄(OH)₆∙3.5 H₂O) was precipitated using stoichiometric amounts of ZnSO₄ and NaOH, followed by drying and storage in air. The XRD pattern suggests that the product contains tri- and tetrahydrate of basic zinc sulfate. Penta-, mono-, and hemihydrates of basic zinc sulfate can be produced by storing the original material in air at various temperatures and humidity levels, and especially by immersion in aqueous solutions. The precipitate was characterized by its specific surface area and zeta potential, and it has an isoelectric point (IEP) at pH 8.9. Ion exchange with an excess of CuSO₄ results in conversion to brochantite Cu₄(OH)₆SO₄ (as detected by XRD) and in an increase in the specific surface area. The conversion was complete at room temperature with a sufficient excess of CuSO₄, but it was not complete at 50 or 60 °C. Apparently, the conversion into brochantite is exothermic. The IEP of brochantites obtained from ZnSO₄∙3 Zn(OH)₂∙3.5 H₂O by ion exchange was at a pH of about 10, which is higher than the previously reported IEP. Full article