Search

SARS-CoV-2 is an obligatory intracellular pathogen that requires a lipid bilayer membrane for its transport to build its nucleocapsid envelope and fuse with the host cell. The biological membranes are constituted by phospholipids (PLs), and vitamin E (Vit E) protects them from oxidative stress (OS). The aim of this study was to demonstrate if treatment with Vit E restores the modified profile of the FA in PLs in serum from patients with coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). We evaluated Vit E, total fatty acids (TFAs), fatty acids of the phospholipids (FAPLs), total phospholipids (TPLs), 8-isoprostane, thromboxane B2 (TXB2), prostaglandins (PGE2 and 6-keto-PGF1α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and C-reactive protein (CRP) in serum from 22 COVID-19 patients before and after treatment with Vit E and compared the values with those from 23 healthy subjects (HSs). COVID-19 patients showed a decrease in Vit E, TPLs, FAPLs, and TFAs in serum in comparison to HSs (p ≤ 0.01), and Vit E treatment restored their levels (p ≤ 0.04). Likewise, there was an increase in IL-6 and CRP in COVID-19 patients in comparison with HSs (p ≤ 0.001), and treatment with Vit E decreased their levels (p ≤ 0.001). Treatment with Vit E as monotherapy can contribute to restoring the modified FA profile of the PLs in the SARS-CoV-2 infection, and this leads to a decrease in lipid peroxidation, OS, and the inflammatory process.

Abstract Several studies on solar cells using SCAPS-1D were conducted to investigate their performance, which are typically limited to I–V analysis for DC characterization. Therefore, in the present study, a very wide frequency range from 10–2 Hz to 1012 Hz was employed to explore diffusion processes and investigate the performance of lead-free Perovskite Solar Cells (PSCs) featuring as a novel heterostructure. These investigations concern the optimization of MASnI3 thickness as an absorber. Additionally, the impact of series (Rs) and shunt (Rsh) resistances is also examined. From the I–V analysis, it was determined that the power efficiency (PCE) could be achieved at a thickness of 0.6 µm. Increasing the series resistance (Rs) led to a significant decrease in the fill factor (FF) and (PCE), whereas the shunt resistance (Rsh) demonstrated a notable improvement in both (FF) and (PCE). Analysis of AC characteristics revealed complex impedance (Z*) and modulus (M*) indicative of main ionic transport, recombination, and diffusion processes crucial for optimization. An appropriate equivalent circuit model was developed and validated through deconvolution and theoretical considerations, yielding parameters such as the time constant for each process. It was observed that ionic conductivity and electronic diffusion play key roles in balancing charge collection and recombination losses. The critical influence of series and shunt resistance on low and high-frequency processes was emphasized, underscoring their significance in solar cell efficiency. A strong correlation was established between the evolution of time constants for each process and power conversion efficiency (PCE).

The extremotolerant red yeast Rhodotorula mucilaginosa displays resilience to diverse environmental stressors, including cold, osmolarity, salinity, and oligotrophic conditions. Particularly, this yeast exhibits a remarkable ability to accumulate lipids and carotenoids in response to stress conditions. However, research into lipid biosynthesis has been hampered by limited genetic tools and a scarcity of studies on adaptive responses to nutrient stressors stimulating lipogenesis. This study investigated the impact of nitrogen stress on the adaptive response in Antarctic yeast R. mucilaginosa M94C9. Varied nitrogen availability reveals a nitrogen-dependent modulation of biomass and lipid droplet production, accompanied by significant ultrastructural changes to withstand nitrogen starvation. In silico analysis identifies open reading frames of genes encoding key lipogenesis enzymes, including acetyl-CoA carboxylase (Acc1), fatty acid synthases 1 and 2 (Fas1/Fas2), and acyl-CoA diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 1 (Dga1). Further investigation into the expression profiles of RmACC1, RmFAS1, RmFAS2, and RmDGA1 genes under nitrogen stress revealed that the prolonged up-regulation of the RmDGA1 gene is a molecular indicator of lipogenesis. Subsequent fatty acid profiling unveiled an accumulation of oleic and palmitic acids under nitrogen limitation during the stationary phase. This investigation enhances our understanding of nitrogen stress adaptation and lipid biosynthesis, offering valuable insights into R. mucilaginosa M94C9 for potential industrial applications in the future.

Absorber thickness is one among keys parameters that can have significant effects on the performance of the solar cell. An appropriate absorber thickness should be chosen to optimize the performance of the cell.The main objective of this work is to offer a perovskite solar cell with high efficiency using a suitable thickness of the active layer. Therefore, this study focuses on the optimization of the solar cell thickness, which can also be achieved by using simulation with SCAPS-1D, to predict the performance of the cell at different thicknesses. In this case, the four main parameters; the short circuit current density, the open-circuit voltage, fill factor and power of conversion efficiency, were extracted and analyzed from I–V characteristics at different thicknesses. In addition, the complex impedance data were also generated by using simulation with SCAPS-1D. To the best of our knowledge, this approach was not used before for many works carried out by SCAPS-1D simulation; where these studies were limited to I-V characteristics. This novel approach to investigating the electrical response of this solar cell concerning thickness involves the integration of complex impedance and modulus functions. This integration enables us to discern the respective contributions of ionic diffusion and recombination processes, through our deconvolution procedure, the results obtained indicate the absorber layer thickness increases, the diffusion and recombination processes are affected differently, subsequently influencing the overall performance of the solar cell. Both methodologies employed in this study consistently identified the maximum efficiency at an optimal thickness of 700 nm.

This paper describes an experimental study on the effects of polyaluminium chloride (PAC) on pH, turbidity, and electrical properties of pool water. Our results demonstrates that as the concentration of PAC increases, pH decreases until a concentration of 2.5 mg/L, suggesting an acidic effect of the flocculant. Thus, the turbidity decreases with increasing PAC concentration up to 2.5 mg/L, indicating effective particle clumping and settling. Beyond this concentration, turbidity starts to increase, possibly due to excessive flocculant dosage or unintended reactions. Impedance spectroscopy is used to analyze the electrical properties of the treated water. The Nyquist and Bode plots reveal two relaxation processes and changes in conductivity. The optimal PAC concentration for treating pool water is found to be 2.5 mg/L, where suspended particles are effectively removed while maintaining suitable conductivity. Also, an equivalent circuit is devlopped to model the electrical behavior, and its simulation closely matches experimental data. The relaxation times and DC conductivity are influenced by the PAC concentration, with different behaviors observed below and above 2.5 mg/L. Below this concentration, PAC neutralizes particles, while above it, excess PAC content leads to increases in these parameters.

The treatment of wastewater in small rural settlements requires special attention in the choice of the purification technique to be used, insofar as experience has shown that the technologies initially developed for the urban environment do not prove to be as effective for the rural environment. The current trend tends towards autonomous systems. Among these systems: Floating treatment wetlands. The objective of this study is to evaluate the evapotranspiration and the performances of two emerging plants; Cyperus papyrus and Typha latifolia. The experimental device is composed of three test tanks whose dimensions are: length = 1m, width = 1m and water height = 0.85 m. Two tanks with emerging plants (Cyperus papyrus and Typha latifolia) and a control tank without vegetation. The monitoring of the evolution of plant evapotranspiration and the evaporation of the control tank for different periods and temperatures showed that the volumes of water lost are respectively for Cyperus papyrus, Typha latifolia and control tank : - 130 liters, 230 liters and 5 liters for two days at an average temperature of 26.3 °C, - 125 liters, 150 liters and 0 liters for two days at an average temperature of 26.7 °C, - 240 liters, 280 liters and 5 liters for three days at an average temperature of 27.3 °C, - 140 liters, 260 liters and 10 liters for two days at an average temperature of 26 °C, - 140 liters, 240 liters and 5 liters for two days at an average temperature of 27.3 °C, - 260 liters, 550 liters and 10 liters for four days at an average temperature of 28.6 °C. It turned out that the presence of plants as well as the temperature and the retention time in the tanks have a impact on the loss of water and more precisely those with emerging macrophytes. The present study has shown that the floating treatment wetlands planted with Cyperus papyrus and Typha latifolia can be used for wastewater treatment. Indeed, the removal efficiency in terms of COD, BOD5 and SS were respectively: 76%, 75.3% and 95.90% for Cyperus papyrus and 70.45%, 66.5% and 93.70% for Typha latifolia.

The optimization the bandgap of a solar cell is an important consideration to achieve better high efficiency. The ideal bandgap for a solar cell would be one that matches the energy of photons in the solar spectrum, allowing for the efficient absorption of light and conversion into electricity.In the current study; the performance of the perovskite-based solar cells was investigated numerically in band gap from 1.55 to 1.67 (eV) using the one-dimensional SCAPS simulation software not only for the current-voltage characteristics but also for the complex impedance (Z*). The effects of band gap energy of the perovskite absorber layer were evaluated from the J-V curves have shown a maximum efficiency is achieved at 1.61 (eV).From the analysis of the complex impedance (Z*) data only one maximum was observed in the Nyquist and Bode plots. In this case; further analysis war carried to explorethe complex modulus (M*) spectra. Therefore this analysis revealed the existence of tow clears maxima in the Nyquist and Bode plots. The de-convolution approach allowed us to identify the origin of each relaxation. In addition the electrical parameters such as the relaxation time (τ1), and the (τ2) related to the electron recombination and ionic transport were extracted. Moreover, a good correlation was obtained between all parameters from the I-V and complex modulus (M*) data to explain the maximum efficiency achieved at 1.61 (eV).These studies basically the combinationof the complex impedance (Z*) and modulus (M*) provide an appropriate path for the optimization of the solar cell efficiency.

Cladanthus mixtus (L.) Chevall., Asteraceae, also known as Moroccan chamomile, is a spontaneous, annual plant growing wild in North-Western Morocco. Economically, the essential oil of C. mixtus is of high interest, Morocco being the only supplier on the international market. Two essential oil samples (EO) were isolated from aerial parts of Cladanthus mixtus (L.) Chevall., and analyzed by a combination of chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques (gas chromatography (GC) in combination with retention indices (RI), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS), and 13C NMR spectroscopy). Computer matching against the in-house 13C NMR library allowed the identification of the eight components at appreciable contents, namely 3,6,6,9-bis-epoxy-farnesa-1,7(14),10-triene, and its 3-epi, 9-epi, and 3,9-diepi epimers, and 6,9-epoxy-farnesa-1,7(14),10-trien-3-ol and its 3-epi, 6-epi, and 3,6-diepi epimers. Our results confirm the tremendous chemical variability of Moroccan C. mixtus essential oil and the usefulness of 13C NMR analysis, in combination with GC(RI), for the identification of uncommon oxygenated sesquiterpenes that induce an original composition.

Seed germination of two species of the genus Cladanthus: Cladanthus mixtus (annual plant) and Cladanthus scariosus (perennial plant) was studied. The aim of this work was to determine germination differences at the inter-site level for both species (7 sites for each species) and at the intra-site level (Three accessions for each site) for C. mixtus. The germination test was carried out in a laboratory room at an average temperature of 18 °C. Six parameters were determined: Final germination percentage (FGP), mean germination time (MGT), coefficient of the variation of germination time (CVt), germination index (GI), coefficient of velocity of germination (CVG), and median germination time (T50). The average germination percentages were 95.2 and 83.8%, respectively for C. mixtus and C. scariosus. Germination time and speed were highly variable at the inter-site level for both species. The provenance of seeds significantly affects the germination capacity. Germination was better in the sites: Larache, Sidi Chafi and Sidi Taibi for C. mixtus and in Ijoukak 1 and Ijoukak 2 for C. scariosus. The mean values of C. mixtus and C. scariosus are respectively: 92.2-98.7% and 70.0-93.0%. The accession effect in C. mixtus was significant for the final germination percent at four sites (Larache, Boghadi, Harcha and Ain El Aouda). For other parameters (MGT, GI and CVG), significant differences were observed mainly in Tiddas and Boghadi. This inter-site variability must be considered for the ex-situ conservation and domestication initiation of C. mixtus and C. scariosus.

Abstract In this work, an ultrafast nucleation of an isolated anti-ferromagnetic (AFM) skyrmion was reported in an AFM layer with DMi strengths of 0.47 $$-$$ - 0.32 $$\mathrm{mJ}/{\mathrm{m}}^{2}$$ mJ / m 2 using spin-transfer torque by locally injecting pure spin currents into magnetic tracks. Besides, we revealed the key advantages of AFM skyrmion-based racetrack memories by comparing the motion of AFM and FM skyrmions driven by spin–orbit torques (SOTs) for different skyrmion sizes along racetrack memories with various notch sizes. Our results indicate that for AFM skyrmion, the skyrmion Hall effect does not exist during the skyrmion motion, therefore at small skyrmion sizes, we succeeded to overcome the repulsive forces developed in the notch area for low and large SOTs. The obtained findings were carefully analyzed by computing the variation of energy barriers associated with the notch for different skyrmion sizes using minimum energy path (MEP) calculations. We showed that the larger the skyrmion size, the harder it is to shrink the skyrmion in the notch which produces a high energy barrier (Eb) for large skyrmion sizes. Moreover, as the notch size increases, the skyrmion size shrinks further, and hence Eb increases proportionally. Nevertheless, we proved that AFM skyrmions are more efficient and flexible than FM skyrmions against boundary forces.

The wastewater from small communities and rural areas, usually discharged in an unsuitable manner, requires an appropriate treatment. The floating treatment wetland has revealed a great potential due to good performance, low cost and low maintenance means of improving water quality over a broad range of applications. The aim of this article was to present the results of the adaptation period (57 days) of a macrophyte plant “Cyperus papyrus” and its potential for treating wastewater generated by the campus of the National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) of Rabat. Two hydraulic retention times were applied: 2 and 4 days. Pilot experimental setups (two tanks) were installed: one tank where the macrophyte, being the subject of the study, was installed and the other served as a control. The macrophyte plants were suspended in floating mat, keeping the plant roots permanently in contact with the water and removing pollutants via several processes. During the adaptation of the plant which concerned four parameters: the evolution of the density, the height of the stems, the number of shoots as well as the state of health of the plants, a period of adaptation to the medium of implantation of fifty-seven days was observed. Along this adaptation phase, the results showed that: plant density increased from 9 to 29 units; the heights of the four identified stems of Cyperus papyrus increased from 15, 6, 11 and 8 cm to 73, 43, 30 and 24 cm, respectively; the appearance of 72 shoots and the plant has completed the adaptation phase in good health (absence of disease Symptoms). The treated water obtained from outlet and wastewaters were analyzed for various water quality parameters, such as Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), and Suspended Solids (SS). The floating treatment wetlands system is able to remove 37.8% of COD; 47.6% of BOD5and 74.4% of SS for HRT of 2 days and 63.7% of COD; 78.4% of BOD5 and 89.1% of SS for HRT of 4 days. Moreover, it was found that the purification efficiency in terms of these three pollution parameters is all the more important as the hydraulic retention time is high.

Autosomal dominant hyper-IgE syndrome (AD-HIES) is linked to dominant negative mutations of the STAT3 protein whose molecular basis for dysfunction is unclear and presenting with a variety of clinical manifestations with only supportive treatment. To establish the relationship between the impact of STAT3 mutations in different domains and the severity of the clinical manifestations, 105 STAT3 mutations were analyzed for their impact on protein stability, flexibility, function, and binding affinity using in Silico approaches. Our results showed that 73% of the studied mutations have an impact on the physicochemical properties of the protein, altering the stability, flexibility and function to varying degrees. In particular, mutations affecting the DNA binding domain (DBD) and the Src Homology 2 (SH2) have a significant impact on the protein structure and disrupt its interaction either with DNA or other STAT3 to form a heterodomain complex, leading to severe clinical phenotypes. Collectively, this study suggests that there is a close relationship between the domain involving the mutation, the degree of variation in the properties of the protein and the degree of loss of function ranging from partial loss to complete loss, explaining the variability of clinical manifestations between mild and severe.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of leptin on reactive oxygen species’ (ROS) generation of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) from a rat model of obesity and hyperleptinemia. Obesity and hyperleptinemia were induced in rats by a sucrose-based diet for 24 weeks. ROS generation was detected by using dichloro-dihydrofluorescein (DCF), a fluorescent ROS probe in primary SMCs culture. An increase in plasma leptin and oxidative stress markers was observed in sucrose-fed (SF) rats. At baseline SMCs from SF rats showed a more than twofold increase in fluorescence intensity (FI) compared to that obtained in control (C) cells. When the C cells were treated with 20 ng leptin, the FI increased by about 250%, whereas the leptin-induced FI in the SF cells increased only by 28%. In addition, sucrose feeding increased the levels of p22phox and gp91phox, subunits of Nox as an O2•− source in SMCs. Treatment of cells with leptin significantly increased p22phox and gp91phox levels in C cells and did not affect SF cells. Regarding STAT3 phosphorylation and the content of PTP1B and SOCS3 as protein markers of leptin resistance, they were found to be significantly increased in SF cells. These results suggest that SF aortic SMCs are partially resistant to leptin-induced ROS generation.

The extremotolerant red yeast Rhodotorula mucilaginosa displays resilience to diverse environmental stressors, including cold, osmolarity, salinity, and oligotrophic conditions. Particularly, this yeast exhibits a remarkable ability to accumulate lipids and carotenoids in response to stress conditions. However, research into lipid biosynthesis has been hampered by limited genetic tools and a scarcity of studies on adaptive responses to nutrient stressors stimulating lipogenesis. This study investigated the impact of nitrogen stress on the adaptive response in Antarctic yeast R. mucilaginosa M94C9. Varied nitrogen availability reveals a nitrogen-dependent modulation of biomass and lipid droplet production, accompanied by significant ultrastructural changes to withstand nitrogen starvation. In silico analysis identifies open reading frames of genes encoding key lipogenesis enzymes, including acetyl-CoA carboxylase (Acc1), fatty acid synthases 1 and 2 (Fas1/Fas2), and acyl-CoA diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 1 (Dga1). Further investigation into the expression profiles of RmACC1, RmFAS1, RmFAS2, and RmDGA1 genes under nitrogen stress revealed that the prolonged up-regulation of the RmDGA1 gene is a molecular indicator of lipogenesis. Subsequent fatty acid profiling unveiled an accumulation of oleic and palmitic acids under nitrogen limitation during the stationary phase. This investigation enhances our understanding of nitrogen stress adaptation and lipid biosynthesis, offering valuable insights into R. mucilaginosa M94C9 for potential industrial applications in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High intake of omega-3 fatty acids has been associated with synaptic plasticity, neurogenesis and memory in several experimental models. To assess the efficacy of fish oil supplementation on oxidative stress markers in patients diagnosed with probable Alzheimer´s disease (AD) we conducted a double blind, randomized, placebo controlled clinical trial. AD patients who met the inclusive criteria were given fish oil (containing 0.45 g eicosapentaenoic acid and 1 g docosahexaenoic acid) or placebo daily for 12 months. Oxidative stress markers [lipoperoxides, nitric oxide catabolites levels, oxidized/reduced glutathione ratio, and membrane fluidity] and fatty acid profile in erythrocytes were assessed at enrollment, and 6 and 12 months after the start of the testing period. At the end of the trial, in patients who received fish oil, we detected a decrease in the omega 6/omega 3 ratio in erythrocyte membrane phospholipids. This change was parallel with decreases in plasma levels of lipoperoxides and nitric oxide catabolites. Conversely, the ratio of reduced to oxidized glutathione was significantly increased. In addition, membrane fluidity was increased significantly in plasma membrane samples. In conclusion fish oil administration has a beneficial effect in decreasing the levels of oxidative stress markers and improving the membrane fluidity in plasma.

Abstract Background Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a public health problem lacking an approved pharmacological treatment. Omega-3 fatty acids have shown to reverse NAFLD. Chia is a seed rich in α-linolenic acid (ALA), antioxidants, and fiber; therefore, it could be useful to treat NAFLD. Methods In a single arm experimental design study, the effect of 25 g/day of milled chia was assessed in 25 patients with NAFLD. After two weeks of dietary stabilization (basal condition) and eight weeks of a chia-supplemented isocaloric diet, liver:spleen attenuation index and visceral abdominal fat (VAF) were measured by computed tomography. Lipids, lipoproteins, free fatty acids (FFA), and ALA plasma concentrations were also determined. Results Dietary chia supplementation induced an increase in plasma ALA concentration (75%) and dietary fiber (55%) consumption. After chia supplementation, VAF (9%), body weight (1.4%), total cholesterol (2.5%), non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol (3.2%), and circulating FFA (8%) decreased. Furthermore, NAFLD regressed in 52% of the treated patients (P