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The depletion of crude oil sources and a growing understanding of the adverse environmental effects of using fossil fuels promoted the development of alternative techniques to convert waste biomass into biofuels. Considering ecological safety and economic challenges, this work investigates the catalytic transesterification of waste cooking oil (WCO) for biodiesel production as a substitute for fossil fuels. Chicken eggshells were calcined at 900 °C to form CaO nanoparticles (NPs) and impregnated with Ag NPs solution prepared from fresh fenugreek leaf extract. Several characterization methods characterized the catalyst: FTIR, TEM, SEM, XRD, and zeta-potential/particle sizer, confirming the composite's spherical shape and mesoporous structure. The optimal transesterification conditions were achieved by performing batch reaction experiments. The biodiesel product was analyzed, and its fuel features (density and acid number, kinematic viscosity, cloud, and flash points) were determined and compared to standards. Confirmatory techniques (GC-FID, FTIR, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR) were also used to confirm the conversion of WCO into biodiesel. This study revealed the transformation of WCO into biodiesel with acceptable fuel features depending on the CaO/Ag catalyst's effectiveness as an excellent, safe commercial catalyst by its three times reusability with 90% biodiesel yield, ease of recovery, and cheap cost fabrication. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the future, hydrogen has the ability to meet the requirements for a clean non-fossil fuel. The Photocatalytic synthesis of H 2 by water splitting has been demonstrated, and considerable effort has been documented. The current study aims to improve the production of H 2 during water splitting by using manufactured nanoparticles based on metal oxide semiconductors in a photochemical reaction with visible light and methanol as a hole-scavenger. The synthesized nanoparticles were prepared using coprecipitation and ultrasound methods and their morphological structures were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive analysis (Edax), diffused reflectance spectra (DRS), BET surface area, photoluminescence analysis (PL) and Gas chromatography (GC). In general, increased semiconductor activity is most likely owing to effective charge separation of photogenerated electrons and holes in the semiconductors. As a result, using different semiconductors in combination can enable improved hydrogen generation. in this study, two different semiconductors with varying concentrations were injected, either singly or in combination. They then created a large amount of H 2 54 % and 77 % for catalyst A and catalyst B respectively, which was identified and analyzed using gas chromatography. [Display omitted] • Synthesis of nano-sized mixed metal oxides NiO@Bi 2 O 3. • The preparation had followed the chemical precipitation and sono-chemical methods. • Good characteristics of the nano mixed metal oxides NiO@Bi2O3 were detected via various tools. • Innovative technique for hydrogen production. • Hydrogen production of 77 % and 15 % for catalyst B and catalyst A respectively were obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Synthesis the pure and metal doped magnesium aluminate spinel (MAS, MgA12O4) nanopowders using sol-gel method and characterized by different technique. • Measurement the optical properties of pure and metal doped MAS. • Nano powder has been applied as an adsorbent for BCG dye removal. • Optimization of different factors affecting the efficiency of the prepared MAS as an adsorbent for BCG dyes removal. • The equilibrium time for MAS nanopowder was 120 min. for BCG dye with removal efficiency of 94.60 %. A synthetic material having a cubic crystal structure and exceptional chemical, thermal, dielectric, mechanical, and optical capabilities is magnesium aluminate (MgAl 2 O 4) spinel. These characteristics made magnesium aluminium oxide (MgAl 2 O 4) an essential material for optically transparent windows, domes, armour, and some refractory applications. This research proposes an innovative and low-cost method for producing spinel magnesium aluminate (MgAl 2 O 4). Sol-gel auto-combustion method synthesis approach by ammonium hydroxide precipitation and citric acid as a fuel were used to create MgAl 2 O 4 nanocrystalline materials. The gels were dried at 120 °C while being doped with various vanadium ion concentrations with the same amount of rare earth Eu3+ ions and then calcined at 1100 °C for 8 h. Highly crystalline MgAl 2 O 4 :V3+:Eu3+ was obtained under fuel-rich conditions only. Physical and chemical methods, including X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopes, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, UV–VIS-NIR spectrophotometry and photoluminescence analysis, were used to characterize the produced spinel materials. The effects of adsorbent dosage, contact time, and initial concentrations on total bromocresol green (BCG) removal from wastewater were studied using real wastewater. Optimal conditions were found for total BCG removal. BCG removal and adsorption capacity of MgAl 2 O 4 :0.05V3+:0.011Eu3+ nanoparticles were achieved as 96.40 % and 90.10 %, respectively. In addition, other optimum conditions of adsorbent dosage and contact time were found as 1.5 g/L and 120 min. in this study, respectively. The removal of BCG using MgAl 2 O 4 :V3+:Eu3+ NPs was fitted with Langmuir isotherm kinetic model. The results indicated that MgAl 2 O 4 :V3+:Eu3+ nanospinel was suitable adsorbents for the removal of BCG from industrial wastewater. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

First-generation RET inhibitors were multi-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) derived from secondary pharmacology targeting the adenine-binding pocket that resulted in poor clinical outputs. Recently developed second-generation RET inhibitors (primary pharmacology derived) exploit in addition further vulnerabilities within the active site e.g. the post-lysine pocket (PKP). We define the structural and dynamical determinants conferring high selectivity to these inhibitors agaisnt RET by targeting the PKP, making them clinically successful. [Display omitted] • The druggability landscape of the RET active site is determined by the structural dynamics of the P-loop and the αC helix. • RET selectivity is achieved by the occupancy of a small cryptic pocket adjacent to catalytic lysine defined by K758, L760, E768 and L772: the post-lysine pocket. • Efficient occupancy of the post-lysine pocket is restricted to a synchronous P-loop open and αC-in configuration, a distinctive feature of RET crystal structures. • LOXO-292 and BLU-667 target the post-lysine pocket and exploit extensive ATP mimicry. • Engineered mutants targeting the post-lysine pocket impact on inhibitor binding and sensitivity, as well as RET tyrosine kinase activity. The structural and dynamic determinants that confer highly selective RET kinase inhibition are poorly understood. To explore the druggability landscape of the RET active site in order to uncover structural and dynamic vulnerabilities that can be therapeutically exploited. We apply an integrated structural, computational and biochemical approach in order to explore the druggability landscape of the RET active site. We demonstrate that the that the druggability landscape of the RET active site is determined by the conformational setting of the ATP-binding (P-) loop and its coordination with the αC helix. Open and intermediate P-loop structures display additional druggable vulnerabilities within the active site that were not exploited by first generation RET inhibitors. We identify a cryptic pocket adjacent to the catalytic lysine formed by K758, L760, E768 and L772, that we name the post-lysine pocket, with higher druggability potential than the adenine-binding site and with important implications in the regulation of the phospho-tyrosine kinase activity. Crystal structure and simulation data show that the binding mode of highly-selective RET kinase inhibitors LOXO-292 and BLU-667 is controlled by a synchronous open P-loop and αC-in configuration that allows accessibility to the post-lysine pocket. Molecular dynamics simulations show that these inhibitors efficiently occupy the post-lysine pocket with high stability through the simulation time-scale (300 ns), with both inhibitors forming hydrophobic contacts further stabilized by pi-cation interactions with the catalytic K758. Engineered mutants targeting the post-lysine pocket impact on inhibitor binding and sensitivity, as well as RET tyrosine kinase activity. The identification of the post-lysine pocket as a new druggable vulnerability in the RET kinase and its exploitation by second generation RET inhibitors have important implications for future drug design and the development of personalized therapies for patients with RET-driven cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• TiO 2 @Ag NS has been synthesised and fully characterized. • TiO 2 @Ag NS enhance the removal of hydrogen sulphide from gas phase of AD. • TiO 2 @Ag NS can enhance biomethane production from sewage sludge by AD. • TiO 2 @Ag NS enhance the degradation efficiency of sewage sludge. Herein, we report a novel supplement called TiO 2 @Ag core–shell nanostructure that revealed a high removal of hydrogen sulfide gas with boosting the bio-methane production from the anaerobic digestion process of sewage sludge. TiO 2 @Ag core–shell nanostructure was synthesized by the deposition of Ag shell NPs on TiO 2 core NPs using a reduction method. The prepared samples of the core–shell and its components were characterized using different techniques such as XRD, SEM, TEM and AFM. A concentration of TiO 2 @Ag core–shell NS (50 mg/L) was supplemented with anaerobic bioreactors to study their effect on the removal of hydrogen sulfide from the anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge compared to silver and titanium dioxide nanoparticles alone. The results showed a 3-fold increase in the produced bio-methane upon the use of TiO 2 @Ag core–shell NS with a high removal of hydrogen sulfide (91.9 %) compared to using only silver nanoparticles or titanium dioxide nanoparticles. Concisely, the prepared TiO 2 @Ag core–shell NS was multifunctional and more active than its components in removing hydrogen sulfide, enhancing bio-methane production, and detoxifying hazardous materials from sewage sludge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies suggested that the pathogenesis of inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is related to inflammatory manifestations accompanied by specific cellular and molecular mechanisms in the IBC tumor microenvironment (TME). IBC is characterized by significantly higher infiltration of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) that contribute to its metastatic process via secreting many cytokines such as TNF, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 that enhance invasion and angiogenesis. Thus, there is a need to first understand how IBC-TME modulates the polarization of TAMs to better understand the role of TAMs in IBC. Herein, we used gene expression signature and Synchrotron Fourier-Transform Infrared Microspectroscopy (SR-μFTIR) to study the molecular and biochemical changes, respectively of in vitro polarized TAMs stimulated by the secretome of IBC and non-IBC cells. The gene expression signature showed significant differences in the macrophage's polarization-related genes between stimulated TAMs. FTIR spectra showed absorption bands in the region of 1700–1500 cm−1 attributed to the amide I ν (C=O), & ν AS (C N), δ (N H), and amide II ν(C N), δ (N H) proteins bands. Moreover, three peaks of different intensities and areas were detected in the lipid region of the ν CH 2 and ν CH 3 stretching modes positioned within the 3000–2800 cm−1 range. The PCA analysis for the second derivative spectra of the amide regions discriminates between stimulated IBC and non-IBC TAMs. This study showed that IBC and non-IBC TMEs differentially modulate the polarization of TAMs and SR-μFTIR can determine these biochemical changes which will help to better understand the potential role of TAMs in IBC. [Display omitted] • IBC patients showed high infiltration of MAC387+ TAMs. • IBC TAMs characterized by high mRNA expression of IL-10 and TLR1 versus non-IBC • SR-μFTIR able to discriminate between IBC and non-IBC TAMs [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Sheep pox vaccine Romanian strain stimulates both humoral and cellular responses in pregnant cows. • The titers of neutralizing antibody were maintained in protective level till 7 month post vaccination. • The longevity of maternal antibodies is influenced by the pregnancy period at which dams vaccinated. The present study aimed to evaluate the cell-mediated and the humoral immune response to Romanian sheep pox vaccine in pregnant cows (n = 12) vaccinated at different times of gestation period and the duration of maternal immunity in calves born to these cows. Evaluation of cellular immunity revealed an increase in lymphocytic proliferation that peaked at 10th day post vaccination (dpv) then gradually decreased. Capripoxvirus-specific antibodies were detected by SNT and ELISA in sera collected from vaccinated dams and also in calves born to these cows. In cows, the antibody titers persisted above the protective level till the seventh month post-vaccination. Passively transferred antibody titers in newly born calves started from the first week after parturition and persisted in a protective level until 2, 3 or 4 months of ages in calves born to cows vaccinated at ≤4th, 4.5:6th, or >6:8th months of pregnancy respectively. Results proved that the average neutralizing antibody titers did not differ between pregnant cows vaccinated at different times of gestation period however, the longevity of maternally derived antibodies depends on the pregnancy stage at which the dam receive vaccine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]