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As the overuse of chemicals in our disinfection processes becomes an ever-growing concern, alternative approaches to reduce and replace the usage of chemicals is warranted. Electric field treatment has shown promising potential to have synergistic effects with standard chemical-based methods as they both target the cell membrane specifically. In this study, we use a lab-on-a-chip device to understand, observe, and quantify the synergistic effect between electric field treatment and copper inactivation. Observations in situ, and at a single cell level, ensure us that the combined approach has an enhancement effect leading more bacteria to be weakened by electric field treatment and susceptible to inactivation by copper ion permeation. The synergistic effects of electric field treatment and copper can be visually concluded here, enabling the further study of this technology to optimally develop, mature, and scale for its various applications in the future. The overuse of chemicals in our disinfection processes has warranted the development of alternatives. Here, authors use a lab-on-a-chip device to study and observe the synergistic effects of electric field treatment and copper for inactivation of bacteria with promising applications in many fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work reports the influence of the presence of different ions (Cl-, Br-, NO3-, or SO42-) on the formation and proprieties of Cu(II) complexes with pyridoxal-benzoylhydrazone (PLBHZ). Four new complexes were successfully synthesized, [CuCl2(PLBHZ)] (1), [CuBr2(PLBHZ)] (2), [CuCl(PLBHZ)H2O]-NO3-H2O (3), and [CuSO4(PLBHZ)H2O]-3H2O (4), and characterized by spectroscopic and physicochemical methods. A single-crystal X-ray study reveals the Schiff base coordinated to the metal center tridentate by the ONS-donor system, resulting in distorted square pyramidal coordination geometries. Noncovalent interactions were investigated by 3D Hirshfeld surface analysis by the dnorm function, 2D fingerprint plots, and full interaction maps. The ion exchange is important in forming three-dimensional networks with π···π stacking interactions and intermolecular hydrogen bonds. The in vitro biological activity of the free ligand and metal complexes was evaluated against Gram-positive and Gramnegative bacterial strains and the free pyridoxal-hydrazone ligand showed higher activity than their Cu(II) complexes. Molecular docking was used to predict the inhibitory activity of the ligand and complexes against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative Escherichia coli bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Aspergillus oryzae , the tyrosinase-encoding gene melB causes undesirable browning of sake and sake lees. This gene is known to be expressed specifically in solid-state culture; however, its expression mechanisms remain unknown. Here, we evaluated the possible factors affecting the transcription of melB and found that the copper ion (Cu2+) significantly enhanced the transcription level of melB in solid-state culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porous hydrophilic polyelectrolyte matrices have been obtained by reverse suspension copolymerization of p-styrenesulfonate with N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide, as well as by cryotropic gelation of sulfonic acrylates (3-sulfopropyl methacrylate and sulfobetaine methacrylate). It has been shown that the concentration of sulfonate groups in the obtained polyelectrolytes is 2–3 mmol/g. The morphology and structure of the surface layer of the polyelectrolyte matrices have been studied by scanning electron microscopy and FTIR spectroscopy, while the specific surface area and pore size distribution have been investigated by the BET method. Adsorption of Cu2+ ions has been studied spectrophotometrically. It has been found that polyelectrolyte matrices containing aromatic sulfonate groups have the maximum sorption capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents a framework for evaluating hybrid nanoflowers using Burkholderia cepacia lipase. It was expanded on previous findings by testing lipase hybrid nanoflowers (hNF-lipase) formation over a wide range of pH values (5–9) and buffer concentrations (10–100 mM). The free enzyme activity was compared with that of hNF-lipase. The analysis, performed by molecular docking, described the effect of lipase interaction with copper ions. The morphological characterization of hNF-lipase was performed using scanning electron microscopy. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy performed the physical–chemical characterization. The results show that all hNF-lipase activity presented values higher than that of the free enzyme. Activity is higher at pH 7.4 and has the highest buffer concentration of 100 mM. Molecular docking analysis has been used to understand the effect of enzyme protonation on hNF-lipase formation and identify the main the main binding sites of the enzyme with copper ions. The hNF-lipase nanostructures show the shape of flowers in their micrographs from pH 6 to 8. The spectra of the nanoflowers present peaks typical of the amide regions I and II, current in lipase, and areas with P–O vibrations, confirming the presence of the phosphate group. Therefore, hNF-lipase is an efficient biocatalyst with increased catalytic activity, good nanostructure formation, and improved stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new polyoxomolybdate-based organic–inorganic hybrid compounds with copper ions and bridging ligands were prepared in a hydrothermal reaction system, and the chemical formulas are [Cu2(L1)4S][Mo6O19] (1) and [CuIICuI2(L2)5][β-Mo8O26] (2) (L1 = 1,2-bis(iminazole-1-ylmethyl)benzene, L2 = 1,4-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene). Complexes 1 and 2 were characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra, TG analyses and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Compound 1 exhibits 2-D layers with honeycomb-like cavities, further stacking into a 3-D supramolecular framework with the [Mo6O19]2- polyoxoanions as guest templates in the honeycomb-like cavities. Compound 2 possesses an overall 3D(2D/3D) framework constituted by the undulating 2-D motifs and the 3D sqp framework. The photocatalytic activities of 1 and 2 under UV light were investigated based on the degradation of methylene blue (MB). Both compounds exhibit efficient catalytic activity for the degradation of MB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of experimental studies, theoretical analysis and numerical simulations of the features of the volume transmission holograms' formation by the interference pattern of laser beams with high contrast in the X-cut LiNbO3:Cu, fabricated by diffusion from a metal film, are presented. Analytic formulas that take the inhomogeneities of the distribution of copper ions and the absorption index of recording beams over the thickness of the sample into account are derived to describe the time evolution of the amplitude of the first spatial harmonic of the field. The material parameters of the LiNbO3:Cu structure are estimated. A comparative analysis of the spatial distribution of the amplitude of the first harmonic of the photorefractive hologram's field in two types of LiNbO3:Cu structures is performed. We concluded that it is necessary to use X‑cut LiNbO3:Cu diffusion structures characterized by similar distributions of impurity centers, which maximums are localized near the boundary used to capture micro- and nanoparticles, for the implementation of photovoltaic tweezers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The TvV-SM2 virus, isolated fromthe coastal waters of the Black Sea, causes lysis of its host, the algae Tetraselmis viridis (Chlorophyta). Under optimal conditions for nutrients, an increase in the initial abundance of algae cells by four times caused a 3-fold reduction in the latent period of viral infection. During the period of the most rapid cell lysis of T. viridis, nitrogen deficiency leads to a decrease in the average daily rate of death of cells affected by the virus by 3.2 times relative to the replete conditions, while in the case of phosphorus deficiency, this process slows down by up to 2.4 times. Under deplete conditions, the rate of cell death was only 34% lower than under replete conditions. The effect of copper ions (100 µg L-1) on the viral suspension for 6 h led to the complete suppression of its activity. In the presence of the host of this virus, its activity is only partially suppressed. As a result, cell lysis under the influence of a viral infection occurred in two stages. The first stage was noted only during the first 6 h of the experiment. The second main stage took place within 78-170 h. This study showed that in conditions of nutrient deficiency and in the presence of copper ions in seawater, the impact of viruses on microalgae will be weaker. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anti-viral surface coatings are under development to prevent viral fomite transmission from high-traffic touch surfaces in public spaces. Copper's anti-viral properties have been widely documented, but the anti-viral mechanism of copper surfaces is not fully understood. We screened a series of metal and metal oxide surfaces for anti-viral activity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Copper and copper oxide surfaces exhibited superior anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity; however, the level of anti-viral activity was dependent on the composition of the carrier solution used to deliver virus inoculum. We demonstrate that copper ions released into solution from test surfaces can mediate virus inactivation, indicating a copper ion dissolution-dependent anti-viral mechanism. The level of anti-viral activity is, however, not dependent on the amount of copper ions released into solution per se. Instead, our findings suggest that degree of virus inactivation is dependent on copper ion complexation with other biomolecules (e.g., proteins/metabolites) in the virus carrier solution that compete with viral components. Although using tissue culture-derived virus inoculum is experimentally convenient to evaluate the anti-viral activity of copper-derived test surfaces, we propose that the high organic content of tissue culture medium reduces the availability of "uncomplexed" copper ions to interact with the virus, negatively affecting virus inactivation and hence surface anti-viral performance. We propose that laboratory anti-viral surface testing should include virus delivered in a physiologically relevant carrier solution (saliva or nasal secretions when testing respiratory viruses) to accurately predict real-life surface anti-viral performance when deployed in public spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) were considered to be one of the most promising emerging nanoporous adsorbents capable of efficiently removing a variety of heavy metals ions from wastewater. However, due to the powdered crystalline state, easy aggregation and instability of ZIFs materials, their actual large-scale applications in water matrices are significantly hindered. Compounding ZIFs with self-supporting porous wood aerogel (WA) to obtain advanced composites is excepted to further enhance their adsorption performance with higher practicability. Herein, a novel Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-67 (ZIF-67)@wood aerogel (denoted as ZIF-67@WA) adsorbent for efficient capture of Cu(II) ions was successfully fabricated via in situ growth of Cobalt-based ZIF-67 particles onto the WA scaffold. Benefiting from the integration of unique three-dimensional porous structures and abundant accessible active sites, the obtained ZIF-67@WA hybrids exhibited fast adsorption kinetics and the maximum adsorption capacity towards Cu(II) calculated from the Langmuir model was 254.84 mg g−1. The adsorption kinetic and isotherm studies were consistent with pseudo-second-order model (R2 = 0.991) and Langmuir model (R2 = 0.973), indicating the adsorption of Cu(II) was a monolayer chemisorption process. This work proposed a new route for designing and constructing functionalized MOF@biomass hybrid materials for heavy metal wastewater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel, bis-salophen schiff base ligand anchored magnetic Fe3O4@SiO2 nanoparticles was prepared and applied for removal of Cu(II) from aqueous solutions. The obtained Fe3O4@SiO2/Schiff base MNPs was characterized by fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) and vibration sample magnetometry (VSM). Then, the adsorption activity for copper ions was studied by nonmagnetic, in terms of effect of adsorbent dosage on the adsorption and kinetics behavior. Furthermore, the adsorption and regeneration experiment showed there was about 5% loss in the adsorption capacity of the prepared Fe3O4@SiO2/Schiff base MNPs for copper ions after 6 times reuse. Finally, our results suggested that the Fe3O4@SiO2/Schiff base composites have a great potential to be employed for treatment of wastewater containing Cu(II). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Metal ions play an important role in the human body. With the progress of material synthesis and processing technology, a variety of metal ions that can be used in bone tissue engineering have been developed, such as magnesium (Mg2+), zinc (Zn2+), manganese (Mn2+), strontium (Sr2+), and copper (Cu2+). OBJECTIVE: To summarize the research progress and development direction of metal ions in bone tissue engineering. METHODS: The literature collected by CNKI, PubMed and WanFang databases from 2014 to 2022 was retrieved. The Chinese and English key words were “metal ions, bone tissue engineering, osteogenic activity, magnesium ions, zinc ions, manganese ions, strontium ions, copper ions, calcium ions, lithium ions, cobalt ions”. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Different metal ions will be released to varying degrees after the materials are implanted into the body, which can change the tissue microenvironment, thus improving the ability of materials to form blood vessels and bones. Compared with growth factors, metal ions are easier to control the release rate, have lower cost, and can also improve the mechanical properties of implant materials. The application of metal ions in bone tissue engineering is full of prospects. Although some metal ions can already be used to treat bone defects, the mechanism of action of many metal ions in the human body is not completely clear, and the application effect is a lack of clinical experiment verification. Further exploration is needed before clinical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

$\cdot {\rm OH}$ ⋅ O H The wet denitrification technology has a good development prospect due to its simple system and mild reaction conditions, and related research has become a hot topic in the field of flue gas purification. In this work, a novel simultaneous removal technology of NO from flue gas using Fe2+/Cu2+-catalytic H2O2/(NH4)2S2O8 system was developed for the first time. The feasibility of this new flue gas cleaning technology was explored through a series of experiments and performance analyses. The mechanism of oxidation products, free radicals and simultaneous removal of NO was revealed. The effects of the main process parameters on the removal of NO were investigated. Relevant results demonstrated that the removal efficiency of NO was elevated when the concentration of (NH4)2S2O8 or reacting temperature increased, while it was decreased after increasing the raising of Fe2+, Cu2+ and H2O2 concentrations. The main radicals were and· ${\rm SO}_4^-$ S O 4 − , using the electron spin resonance technique in the solution, and played a very important role in NO removal. The main products were carried out by ion chromatography and elemental N material accountancy, and the results showed that it was sulfate and nitrate in the solution, which provided theoretical guidance for the subsequent treatment and resource utilization of the absorption solution. The results of the study provided a theoretical basis for the industrial application of wet denitrification. Highlights A new green process of NO removal by a wet process with Fe2+/Cu2+ activated (NH4)2S2O8 system is proposed in this paper; Elimination mechanisms and paths of NO are elucidated; The synergistic role produced by Cu2+ and Fe2+ is beneficial to the purification of NO; The synergistic role produced by (NH4)2S2O8 and H2O2 increased the concentration of free radicals in the solution; This process jointly considers the enhanced removal of NO and recycling of transition metal ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High‐efficient photoelectrocatalytic direct ammonia oxidation reaction (AOR) conducted on semiconductor photoanodes remains a substantial challenge. Herein, we develop a strategy of simply introducing ppm levels of Cu ions (0.5–10 mg/L) into NH3 solutions to significantly improve the AOR photocurrent of bare BiVO4 photoanodes from 3.4 to 6.3 mA cm−2 at 1.23 VRHE, being close to the theoretical maximum photocurrent of BiVO4 (7.5 mA cm−2). The surface charge‐separation efficiency has reached 90 % under a low bias of 0.8 VRHE. This AOR exhibits a high Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 93.8 % with the water oxidation reaction (WOR) being greatly suppressed. N2 is the main AOR product with FEs of 71.1 % in aqueous solutions and FEs of 100 % in non‐aqueous solutions. Through mechanistic studies, we find that the formation of Cu−NH3 complexes possesses preferential adsorption on BiVO4 surfaces and efficiently competes with WOR. Meanwhile, the cooperation of BiVO4 surface effect and Cu‐induced coordination effect activates N−H bonds and accelerates the first rate‐limiting proton‐coupled electron transfer for AOR. This simple strategy is further extended to other photoanodes and electrocatalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the electrochemistry of Al3+ ion storage in copper tetrathiovanadate (Cu3VS4) in an aqueous electrolyte for the first time. It is found that Cu3VS4 could deliver an initial discharge capacity of 111 mA h g−1 at a current rate of 0.5 A g−1 and 77 mA h g−1 up to the 300th cycle at 2 A g−1 along with an excellent rate capability. The better electrochemical performance may be attributed to the high theoretical capacity of sulfur and the superior conductivity of copper which allows facile Al3+ ion diffusion in Cu3VS4. The electrochemical mechanism of Al3+ ion storage is also illustrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After investigating the behavior of ions during the growth of conductive filaments, we suggested a model for the growth process and electrical characteristics of the conductive filament under current-driven mode. In this model, the ionic displacement equation is derived by Arrhenius law, and a differential equation for the conductive filament growth has been established. We have also proved that the dielectric layer with the leakage current under current-driven mode can be equivalent to a parallel plate capacitor, which has a the equivalent dielectric constant. Consequently, the forming/set time of the device is gotten. At the same time, the kinetics process of ion motion is analyzed in detail, so that many microscopic parameters of the ion motion, such as the height of the potential barrier, the jump step, mobility and diffusion coefficient, can be obtained. Due to divalent and monovalent copper ions all participate in conduction, an equivalent copper ion Cuz+ is used for replacing both Cu+ and Cu2+, solving the computational complexity problem caused by multivalent metal ions. Finally, an equivalent circuit is proposed to calculate output voltage versus time characteristic. The calculation results of the model are consistent with experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Phenolic acids are widespread in foods and are beneficial to human health. However, the role of metal ions in influencing the binding of proteins with phenolic acids that contain the same parent nucleus structure remains unclear. This study investigated the inhibitory effect of caffeic acid (CA) and chlorogenic acid (CHA) on α‐glucosidase and the biological effect of copper on this process. RESULTS: It was found that the esterification of CA with quinic acid could increase the fluorescence quenching, conformational change, and inhibitory effect of CHA on α‐glucosidase. Copper ions reduced their fluorescence quenching and conformation‐changing ability by binding to the neighboring phenolic hydroxyl group but also increased their ability to alter secondary structure and to inhibit α‐glucosidase and in vitro anti‐glycation. CONCLUSION: Overall, this study shows that the binding of copper ions to the phenolic hydroxyl group adjacent to CA and CHA synergistically inhibited α‐glucosidase. The findings will offer a theoretical basis for investigating the properties of metal ions and phenolic acid in food chemistry and their potential applications in the prevention and treatment of diabetes mellitus. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The development of the plant in vitro techniques has brought about the variation identified in regenerants known as somaclonal or tissue culture-induced variation (TCIV). S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM), glutathione (GSH), low methylated pectins (LMP), and Cu(II) ions may be implicated in green plant regeneration efficiency (GPRE) and TCIV, according to studies in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and partially in triticale (× Triticosecale spp. Wittmack ex A. Camus 1927). Using structural equation models (SEM), these metabolites have been connected to the metabolic pathways (Krebs and Yang cycles, glycolysis, transsulfuration), but not for triticale. Using metabolomic and (epi)genetic data, the study sought to develop a triticale regeneration efficiency statistical model. The culture's induction medium was supplemented with various quantities of Cu(II) and Ag(I) ions for regeneration. The period of plant regeneration has also changed. The donor plant, anther-derived regenerants, and metAFLP were utilized to analyze TCIV concerning DNA in symmetric (CG, CHG) and asymmetric (CHH) sequence contexts. Attenuated Total Reflectance–Fourier Transfer Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy was used to gather the metabolomic information on LMP, SAM, and GSH. To frame the data, a structural equation model was employed. Results: According to metAFLP analysis, the average sequence change in the CHH context was 8.65%, and 0.58% was de novo methylation. Absorbances of FTIR spectra in regions specific for LMP, SAM, and GSH were used as variables values introduced to the SEM model. The average number of green regenerants per 100 plated anthers was 2.55. Conclusions: The amounts of pectin demethylation, SAM, de novo methylation, and GSH are connected in the model to explain GPRE. By altering the concentration of Cu(II) ions in the medium, which influences the amount of pectin, triticale's GPRE can be increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a naked‐eye colorimetric probe (L) was synthesized by condensation reaction of 9‐fluorenone with 2‐thiophene carboxylic acid hydrazide and characterized by various analytical techniques. The presence of O, N, and S heteroatoms in L would modulate the hard and soft characters, which is responsible for selective complexation of Cu2+ and fluorenone act as signalling unit. The sensing ability of L was studied with various metal ions by colorimetric, test paper strip, and UV‐visible spectrophotometry in DMSO: H2O (6 : 4, v/v). The colorless solution L turned green upon interacting with Cu2+ ions, while other ions did not change color. The probe L exhibits an absorbance band at 354 nm; upon interaction with Cu2+ ions, it exhibits a band at 413 nm due to ligand‐to‐metal charge transfer (LMCT). The probe L binds Cu2+ in a 2 : 1 stoichiometric ratio with an association constant of 3.76×107 M−2, established using Job's and BindFit methods. Further, binding mechanism is supported by EPR and ESI studies. The probe L can work in the pH range of 3.0 to 7.5 and detect as low as 93 nM (6 ppb) by spectrophotometry. Probe L demonstrates a promising potential for detecting Cu2+ ions in the semi‐aqueous medium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metals (e.g., Cu) in wastewater are attractive resources for diverse applications, and adsorption is a promising route to recovery of heavy metals from wastewater. However, high-performance adsorbents with high adsorption capacity, speed, and stability remain challenging. Herein, chelating fibers were prepared by chemically grafting amine and carboxyl groups onto the polyacrylonitrile fiber surface and used in the wastewater's adsorption of Cu2+. The adsorption behavior of Cu2+ on the fibers was systematically investigated, and the post-adsorption fibers were comprehensively characterized to uncover the adsorption mechanism. The results show that chelated fiber has a 136.3 mg/g maximum capacity for Cu2+ adsorption at pH = 5, and the whole adsorption process could reach equilibrium in about 60 min. The adsorption process corresponds to the quasi-secondary kinetic and Langmuir models. The results of adsorption, FTIR, and XPS tests indicate that the synergistic coordination of -COOH and -NH2 plays a leading role in the rapid capture of Cu2+. In addition, introducing hydrophilic groups facilitates the rapid contact and interaction of the fibers with Cu2+ in the solution. After being used five times, the fiber's adsorption capacity remains at over 90% of its original level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2D CuFeO2·H2O nanocrystals with a nanosheet morphology were obtained for the first time by successive ionic layer deposition (SILD) from solutions of the Mohr salt and copper(II) ammonium complex at room temperature. The SILD modification leads to a change in silicon surface wetting angles. Based on the experimental data obtained, schemes of chemical reactions occurring on the substrate surface during treatment with each of the reagents were constructed. The contact angle of a water drop on a silicon surface depends significantly on the SILD cycles number. When the number of SILD cycles changes from 2 to 15, the contact angles change from 63 to 3 degrees. The last value indicates the achievement of the surface superhydrophilicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of mononuclear Cu(II) complexes were synthesized using a potential tetradentate hydrazone ligand obtained from the reaction between phenylhydrazine groups and 2,5- thiophenedicarboxaldehyde. The structures of ligands and complexes were elucidated through various spectroscopic techniques, confirming their composition. All complexes were found to adopt fourcoordinated geometries, indicating the formation of stable structures. Spectroscopic analysis revealed that the hydrazone ligand coordinated with the Cu(II) metal ions as a dibasic tetradentate ligand by utilizing the phenolic oxygen and azomethine nitrogen atoms. The binding affinity of the complexes with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) was investigated using absorption and viscosity measurements, demonstrating their interaction through the intercalation mode. The binding studies showed that the Cu(II) complexes exhibited varying degrees of binding affinity, with Cu(L4) demonstrating the highest affinity, followed by Cu(L1), Cu(L2), and Cu(L3). Moreover, the DNA fragmentation properties of the Cu(II) complexes were evaluated, suggesting their potential utilization in pharmaceutical applications. The obtained results highlight the significance of these novel complexes in the field of medicinal chemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using straightforward and cost-effective methods, persimmon leaves were converted into high-quality powder. This powder was applied as an adsorbent for the removal of Cu(II) and Cd(II) from aqueous solutions. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed the presence of particles with non-homogeneous sizes and rough textures. The biosorbent exhibited a specific surface area of approximately 0.44 ± 0.015 m2 g−1. Elemental analysis and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) confirmed the presence of elements such as sulfur, phosphorus, nitrogen, and oxygen. The results of 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (13C-NMR), obtained using the cross-polarization technique, show the presence of groups containing sulfur and oxygen. Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) indicated the existence of amine and hydroxyl groups. The material was used in the solid-phase extraction of Cu(II) and Cd(II) in batch experiments, and its adsorption capacity was evaluated as a function of time, pH, and analyte concentration. The fraction with a diameter between 63 and 106 μm was selected for the adsorption tests. Kinetic equilibrium was reached within 5 min, and the experimental data were fitted to the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The optimum pH for the adsorption of both metal species was approximately 5.0. The adsorption isotherms were adjusted using the modified Langmuir equation, and the maximum amount of metal species extracted from the solution was determined to be 0.213 mmol g−1 for Cu(II) and 0.215 mmol g−1 for Cd(II), with high linear correlation coefficients for both metals. Persimmon leaves are typically abundant during the growing season, and because they are seasonal, the Diospyros kaki L.f. tree undergoes the natural process of leaf abscission, ensuring the availability of leaves for application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A fluorescent probe Y((1,1'-([1,1'-biphenyl]-4,4'-diylbis(3-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazole-5,1-diyl)) bis(ethan-1-one))) was designed and synthesized, which could be used to Cu2+ and Fe3+ sensors. Through the study of optical properties, the probe Y shows good selectivity and sensitivity to Cu2+ and Fe3+ in aqueous tetrahydrofuran solution [10.0 mM HEPES, pH 7.4, THF-H2O = 9:1(v/v)] with has excellent anti-interference performance, and its detection limits were 0.931 uΜ for Cu2+ and 0.401uΜ for Fe3+. The coordination mechanism of probe Y with Cu2+ and Fe3+ was speculated and verified at DFT level and HRNM. By Hela cytotoxicity and imaging tests, probe Y not only has good biocompatibility, but also can be used for sensing Cu2+ in cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Cu2O/Cu modified shungite (ShC) absorbent (Cu2O/Cu-ShC) was synthesized by hydrothermal method, benefiting from the mineral backbone and Cu2O/Cu particles, Cu2O/Cu-ShC can remove ~ 96% of I− within 60 min, the batch experiments showed that the I− adsorption process follows pseudo-second-order model and Langmuir model with maximum adsorption capacity of 10.99 mg/g. The high binding affinity between Cu+ and I− contributes effective removal of I− and excellent selectivity at high concentrations of competing ions. This work highlights the feasibility of Cu2O/Cu-ShC for the radioactive iodine separation, and provides a promising sorbent material for large-scale purification of radioactive iodine anions in wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the use of copper ion treatment as a potential method for reducing antibiotic levels in milk. Antibiotics are commonly used in animal production, but their misuse can lead to antibiotic-resistant microorganisms. The study found that after treatment with copper ions, no antibiotic residues were detected in the samples, suggesting that this treatment could be effective in reducing antibiotic levels. The article also discusses the use of electrochemical oxidation methods, specifically the use of copper ions, for degrading penicillin residues in waste milk. However, further research is needed to evaluate the biological activities and potential health effects of this treatment. The article emphasizes the importance of finding efficient methods for antibiotic removal in waste milk. [Extracted from the article]

Light emitting diode (LED-UV)/chlorine disinfection can replace UV/chlorine disinfection in wastewater treatment plants and water supply plants. Halonitromethanes (HNMs) are a class of novel nitrogenous disinfection by-products, which are characterized by higher cytotoxicity and genotoxicity than regulated disinfection by-products. Herein, the impact factors and pathways of HNMs formation from aspartic acid (ASP) were investigated during LED-UV265/chlorine disinfection. The results showed that three types of chlorinated-HNMs (Cl-HNMs) were found during LED-UV265/chlorine disinfection, and their concentrations increased first and then declined as the reaction progressed. Cl-HNMs yields increased with increasing LED-UV265 intensity, free chlorine dosage, and ASP concentration, which declined with increasing pH (6.0–8.0). Meantime, the important impact of the coexisting ions contained in water matrices on HNMs formation from ASP was observed during LED-UV265/chlorine disinfection. It was found that copper ions (Cu2+) promoted Cl-HNMs formation. Furthermore, when bromide (Br−) appeared during LED-UV265/chlorine disinfection, nine types of HNMs were detected simultaneously. Moreover, Br− not only converted Cl-HNMs toward brominated (chlorinated)-HNMs and brominated-HNMs but also showed a marked effect on HNMs concentrations and species. Subsequently, the possible pathways of HNMs formation from ASP were proposed during LED-UV265/chlorine disinfection. At last, it was proved that the formation trends of HNMs obtained in the real waters were similar to those in simulated waters. This work elaborated on the influence factors and pathways of HNMs formation, which is conducive to controlling the HNMs produced during LED-UV265/chlorine disinfection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The occurrence of keloids may be related to the reduction of cell death. Recently, a new cell death mode that relies on copper ions has been discovered. This study aimed to identify novel cuproptosis-related genes that are associated with keloid diagnosis.Methods: We utilized several gene expression datasets, including GSE44270 and GSE145725 as the training group, and GSE7890, GSE92566, and GSE121618 as the testing group. We integrated machine learning models (SVM, RF, GLM, and XGB) to identify 10 cuproptosis-related genes (CRGs) for keloid diagnosis in the training group. The diagnostic capability of the identified CRGs was validated using independent datasets, RT-qPCR, Western blotting, and IHC analysis.Results: Our study successfully categorized keloid samples into two clusters based on the expression of cuproptosis-related genes. Utilizing WGCNA analysis, we identified 110 candidate genes associated with cuproptosis. Subsequent functional enrichment analysis results revealed that these genes may play a regulatory role in cell growth within keloid tissue through the MAPK pathway. By integrating machine learning models, we identified CRGs that can be used for diagnosing keloid. The diagnostic efficacy of CRGs was confirmed using independent datasets, RT-qPCR, Western blotting, and IHC analysis. GSVA analysis indicated that high expression of CRGs influenced the gene set related to ECM receptor interaction.Conclusion: This study identified 10 cuproptosis-related genes that provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying keloid development and may have implications for the development of targeted therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work reports the characterization and application of N-doped carbon quantum dots (CdotN) obtained electrochemically from oleylamine as a copper (II) UV probe. It has been observed that copper salts dissolved in ethanol show a well-defined UV absorption band with an apex at 372 nm. Moreover, CdotN as a complexing agent, promotes emerging surface-enhanced ultraviolet absorbance (SEUVA) events that facilitate copper determination. The characterization of CdotN nanomaterial has been performed by FTIR, UV–Vis, Raman spectroscopy, Atomic force microscopy (AFM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Differential thermal analysis (DTA), and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The detection limit in the standard sample has been assigned as 156 ppb, and the limit of quantification as 312 ppb. The SEUVA technique using CdotN as a probe has been employed to determine copper in real samples present recovery of about 105 and 109%. The copper determination by CdotN did not suffer significantly interfere with other cationic ions or dyes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the importance of black copper ores is well established, many topics remain to be studied. This manuscript describes the efforts to improve copper recovery from refractory ores on a pilot scale. Preliminary tests provided the water dose to form a stable and compact agglomerate of 89 L per ton of ore and an acid dosage of 40 kg per ton of ore. The column leaching method resulted in an effluent with 1.63 g/L Cu, a pH of 1.04, and a redox potential of 675 mV (average). Despite the similarities observed in the results, reductant agents were essential to dissolve the MnO4 present in the black copper ore. Thus, the best Mn extraction results were 67.7% using the MnO2:FeSO4 ratio of 1:3. Additionally, the kinetics of leaching are slower than in an industrial operation. The copper ore under study required more than 65 days of leaching to reach the maximum copper recovery. Finally, the total recovery of copper (including washing and resting time) indicates that the maximum value was reached for ore pretreated with NaCl, H2SO4, and FeSO4, concluding that the use of agents favored leaching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study involved the preparation of an all-solid-state ion-selective electrode (ASS-ISE) with copper and a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) and polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT/PSS) conversion layer through electrode deposition. The morphology of the PEDOT/PSS film was characterized, and the performance of the copper ion-selective film was optimized. Additionally, a microfluidic chip for the ASS-ISE with copper was designed and prepared. An integrated microfluidic chip test system with an ASS-ISE was developed using a self-constructed potential detection device. The accuracy of the system was validated through comparison testing with atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). The experimental findings indicate that the relative standard deviation (RSD) of the integrated ASS-ISE with the copper microfluidic chip test system is 4.54%, as compared to the industry standard method. This value complies with the stipulated requirement of an RSD ≤ 5% in DL/T 955-2016. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of pollutants (herbicide glyphosate and copper ions) on the efficiency of operation of the photosynthetic apparatus was investigated in marine diatom microalga Thalassiosira weissflogii (Grunow) G.A. Fryxell & Hasle 1977 exposed to different light intensities. Two experimental approaches were taken: recording of rapid light curves of fluorescence and assessment of the dynamics of fluorescence parameters during a model diurnal light cycle at different concentrations of pollutant in the medium. Important differences between the influence of copper ions and glyphosate on the efficiency of operation of photosynthetic apparatus of the cells at different light intensities were revealed. At a sublethal concentration, copper weakly affected photosynthetic activity of algal cells and intracellular concentration of chlorophyll а, although their growth was inhibited. Copper ions and light affected algal photosynthetic machinery as two independent agents and their joint action was additive. In the presence of glyphosate, algae became more light sensitive and their light inhibition threshold diminished. Out of all the examined fluorescence parameters, the herbicide more strongly suppressed relative electron transport rate, rETR, which probably depends on a deceleration or termination of plastoquinone synthesis and a decrease in the concentration of carotenoids in the cells. Elevation of herbicide concentration in water, especially in spring and summer when the levels of insolation are high, is fraught with a reduction in algal photosynthetic activity and primary production of reservoirs and may cause changes in species composition of photosynthesizing organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, sulfonated poly(glycidyl methacrylate) grafted cellulose films (SPGMA-g-C) were used in the separation process of copper(II) ions from synthetic solution. The adsorption process of the copper(II) ions was studied under different copper(II) ion concentrations, different adsorption times, and different adsorption temperatures. The capacity was found to be increased linearly within the studied range of copper ions solution concentrations (317.5-3,175 mg/L) from 260 to 2,550 mg/m². The isotherm of the adsorption process was examined using well-known isotherm models namely Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Harkins-Jura. It was found that the Freundlich isotherm model best described the adsorption process which suggested the formation of multilayers of adsorption. It was found that the adsorption capacity linearly increased with adsorption time up to 15 min and tended to level off after 60 min. The adsorption data were fitted using Pseudo-First-Order, Pseudo-Second-Order, and Elovich kinetic models. The Pseudo-First-Order has best fitted the data and the estimated value of qe calculated from the equation; 2,035.3 mg/m². The adsorption temperature increment found of a positive impact on the adsorption capacity where a linear increment of the adsorption capacity by raising the temperature in the studied range from 30°C to 60°C was observed. Finally, the thermodynamic parameters of the adsorption process were determined indicating the endothermic nature of the Cu2+ ions adsorption process. Moreover, Fourier-transform infrared analysis and thermal gravimetric analysis provided evidence of the grafting, the sulfonation, and the copper(II) ions adsorption processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Doxorubicin is a widely used anticancer drug in clinical practice for the treatment of various human tumors. However, its administration is associated with cardiotoxicity. Administration of doxorubicin with low side effects for cancer treatment and prevention are, accordingly, urgently required. The human body harbors various endogenous metal ions that exert substantial influences. Consequently, extensive research has been conducted over several decades to investigate the potential of targeting endogenous metal ions to mitigate doxorubicin’s side effects and impede tumor progression. In recent years, there has been a growing body of research indicating the potential efficacy of metal ion-associated therapeutic strategies in inhibiting doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity (DIC). These strategies offer a combination of favorable safety profiles and potential clinical utility. Alterations in intracellular levels of metal ions have been found to either facilitate or mitigate the development of DIC. For instance, ferroptosis, a cellular death mechanism, and metal ions such as copper, zinc, and calcium have been identified as significant contributors to DIC. This understanding can contribute to advancements in cancer treatment and provide valuable insights for mitigating the cardiotoxic effects of other therapeutic drugs. Furthermore, potential therapeutic strategies have been investigated to alleviate DIC in clinical settings. The ultimate goal is to improve the efficacy and safety of Dox and offer valuable insights for future research in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the preparation and characterisation of a new adsorbent prepared by hetero-coagulation of Algerian bentonite and double hydroxide are reported. The nanocomposite BNa/LDH is used as an adsorbent for the removal of copper ions. The XRD and FTIR analyse show that the BNa/LDH material is formed of LDH particles enveloped by layers of bentonite. Batch experiments were carried out to study the relationship between copper removal and various parameters such as pH solution, copper concentration, contact time and temperature. The maximum amount of copper adsorbed by the BNa/LDH hybrid material is recorded at pH 4 (67 mg/g). Adsorption equilibrium is reached after 30 minutes of contact for an initial copper concentration varying between 50 and 250 mg/L. The kinetic study indicates that the limiting step of copper adsorption by the BNa/LDH material is chemical. The intraparticle diffusion models and Elovich confirm this result. The adsorption of copper by the hybrid material in the presence of anions of different nature follows the sequence: SO42-> Ac−> Cl−. A comparison of the adsorption isotherms of nickel and iron with that of copper shows that the latter has an affinity for the hybrid material. The recycling of the adsorbents was carried out by calcining the adsorption products at 500°C and the results showed a progressive reduction of the adsorption capacity. In general, we could conclude that the adsorbents studied here could be successfully applied in the cleaning of the wastewaters. The characteristics of this new material encourage promising future use in wastewater treatment applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, porous and flower-like polyaniline nanomaterials were prepared by chemical oxidation with aniline as polymerization monomer, sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate as template, and ammonium persulfate as oxidant. Base on the polyaniline nanoflowers modified glassy carbon electrode (F-PANI/GCE), an electrochemical sensor was constructed, and for the first time used for Cu2+ detection. The results show that F-PANI/GCE-based senor exhibited excellent performance. In the range of 0.8–300 μM, the Cu2+ concentration has a good linear relationship with the current of oxidation peak, and the limit of detection (LOD) was estimated to be 0.085 μM (S/N = 3). Its performance is comparable to or even superior to the reported electrochemical platforms for Cu2+ determination. We think that the improvement should be attributed to the excellent conductivity, high specific surface area and especially abundant amine and imine groups of PANI, which are conducive to absorb and enrich copper ions, and provide more active sites to significantly reduce charge transfer resistance. The sensor has many advantages such as low cost, high sensitivity, good stability, excellent repeatability, and strong anti-interference, permitting efficient Cu2+ detection in actual water samples. The recovery of Cu2+ was between 98.92 and 100.12%. Consequently, it has great application potential in quality monitoring of environmental water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Some very effective antimicrobial coatings exploit copper or cuprous oxide (Cu 2 O) as the active agent. The aim of this study is to determine which species is the active antimicrobial – dissolved ions, the Cu 2 O solid, or reactive oxygen species. Copper ions were leached from Cu 2 O into various solutions and the leachate tested for both dissolved copper and the efficacy in killing Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The concentration of copper species leached from Cu 2 O into aqueous solution varied greatly with the composition of the aqueous solution. For a range of solution buffers, killing of P. aeruginosa was highly correlated with the concentration of copper in the leachate. Further, 10 µL bacterial suspension droplets were placed on Cu 2 O coatings, with or without a polymer barrier layer, and tested for bacterial kill. Killing occurred without contact between bacterium and solid, demonstrating that contact with Cu 2 O is not necessary. We therefore conclude that soluble copper species are the antimicrobial agent, and that the most potent species is Cu+. The solid quickly raises and sustains the concentration of soluble copper species near the bacterium. Killing via soluble copper ions rather than contact should allow copper coatings to kill bacteria even when fouled, which is an important practical consideration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on changes in unfrozen water content in copper bentonite from Slovakia were conducted using both differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods. The aims of this study were to 1. optimize the method for determining changes in unfrozen water content using the 1H NMR technique in model bentonites based on the DSC results; 2. analyze the relationship between unfrozen water content, as determined via DSC and the optimized NMR technique, and the physicochemical parameters of bentonites; and 3. identify the limitations in determining changes in unfrozen water content using the 1H NMR technique in relation to copper-contaminated bentonites. The results obtained using the optimized NMR method applied to the model bentonites correlated well with the DSC results. The unfrozen water content in the Cu-contaminated bentonites was 2–18% lower after NMR compared to the DSC results, likely due to the mobility of copper ions and their paramagnetic properties. Statistically significant differences in unfrozen water content between the DSC and NMR methods were observed, depending on molar concentration, copper ion concentration, and temperature, confirmed via Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Calorimetric studies are recommended for investigating unfrozen water content changes in contaminated clays. Further NMR research could identify metals influencing free induction decay signals under varying physicochemical conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new copper(II) complexes have been obtained by the reaction of sterically crowded triphenodioxazine ligands with Cu(II) hexafluoroacetylacetonate. Compound 1 is a co-crystal of Cu(hfac)2 moieties and triphenodioxazine molecules within a quasi-one-dimensional crystal structure with only weak Cu⋯N short intermolecular interactions (Cu⋯N distances are equal to 2.69(1) and 2.75(1) Å). In contrast, complex 2 has a binuclear structure with two Cu(hfac)2 units bridged through triphenodioxazine ligand with the covalent Cu–N bond length of 2.335(2) Å. The magnetic AC susceptibility data show that in spite of the absence of zero-field splitting in the Cu(II) ion having the ground state with spin S = 1/2, both compounds demonstrate slow magnetic relaxation at the applied magnetic field. For a quasi-one-dimensional complex 1, the optimal field for observing slow magnetic relaxation is 400 Oe, while for the binuclear complex it is 2500 Oe. The observed temperature dependence of the relaxation time in 1 is well described by the combination of Raman and direct mechanisms of relaxation, while for complex 2 the inclusion of Raman mechanism and quantum tunneling of magnetization is required to describe the relaxation behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel copper(II) ion indicator based on polymer conformational change is designed and its chemo-response to the target analyte is tested in this paper. The word 'telechelic' in the title means that a polymer has two different fluorophores on either end. If one of them is a fluorescent donor and the other is a fluorescent acceptor, then the extent of Foerster resonance energy transfer (FRET) will depend on polymer conformation. The sensitivity of these sensors is tunable based on the chain length and the amount of the receptor on the polymer. This is revealed by the fluorescence response of 30mer, 50mer, and 100mer of poly(N-isopropyl)acrylamide with different amounts of metal chelation monomers. We also address the change in fluorescence over time due to the untangling of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) in water. The fluorescent signal can maintain stability after metal binding. The photoluminescence results agree with the length calculation of polyelectrolytes. A fluorescent standard curve is created for the measurement of different concentrations of copper ions. The sensing limit can reach 10−10 M analytes, which is suitable for the measurement of chemicals in trace amounts in the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia worldwide, affecting millions of people around the globe. AD is characterized by different pathologies being beta‐amyloid (Aβ) plaque formation, metal ion dysregulation, and oxidative stress (OS) central topics under investigation. Copper‐Aβ complexes have been shown to induce catalytic hydrogen peroxide formation and increase OS in the brain leading to neuronal death. Pincer‐type compounds are tridentate ligands that coordinate metals in a planar fashion whose properties can be tuned via group substitutions, giving rise to many possibilities in catalysis and drug discovery. In this work we evaluated the potential pharmaceutical activity of 26 pincer compounds in AD's copper ion‐related oxidative stress framework. In this sense, four key aspects were considered: 1) Lipinski's rule of five, 2) blood‐brain barrier permeation, 3) standard reduction potential (SRP) of the formed copper complexes, and 4) the ligand's affinity towards copper cations. The evaluation of these criteria was performed by means of bioinformatic tools and electronic structure calculations at the DFT level of theory. Our results suggest that two compounds from this set are potential antioxidant agents, whereas five of them are promissory distributor‐like compounds in the context of AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zero-valent copper (ZVC) activated hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2) was widely used to degrade various organic pollutants due to its excellent degradation performance. However, under acidic condition, the low efficiency inhibited the pollutants degradation efficiency. In this study, the supplement of ferric ion (Fe(III)) markedly improved the orange G degradation in the ZVC/H 2 O 2 system. Various reactive species such as hydroxyl radical (•OH) and Fe(Ⅳ) were identified, besides the contribution rate of the reactive species could be adjusted by changing the reaction parameters. During the degradation of orange G, ZVC furnished Cu(I) by hydrogen erosion and the reaction with O 2 and H 2 O 2 , and then ZVC and Cu(I) boosted Fe(III)/Fe(II) circulation, part of Fe(II) and Cu(I) activated H 2 O 2 to generate •OH, another part of Fe(II) reacted with H 2 O 2 to generate Fe(Ⅳ), resulting in orange G removal. Common coexisting substances in natural water bodies such as nitrate ion and sulfate ion hardly influence the removal of orange G, while Cl- notably enhanced the removal of orange G, and humic acid markedly suppressed the decoloration of orange G. Orange G removal by the ZVC/Fe(III)/H 2 O 2 system showed outstanding performance in actual water samples. In addition, the total dissolved copper complied with the II-level environmental quality criteria after alkali precipitation. All the above facts bespoke the ZVC/Fe(III)/H 2 O 2 system had substantial application prospects. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An ultrasensitive electrochemical biosensing platform has been designed by combining electrocatalysis-assisted H2S amplification with a chemical reaction-mediated electrochemical signal-boosted system for H2S detection based on Cu-Mn(OH)2 hexagonal nanorings. The signal amplification is initiated by an electrocatalysis reaction that can grasp specific H2S substrates and further highly amplify electrochemical signals. Then, the unique chemical reaction is powered by copper ion and generates a large amount of electroactive CuxS products on the electrode surface, thus achieving the multiple amplification of H2S detection. Finally, the Cu-Mn(OH)2 loaded with plenty of electroactive CuxS can be captured on the electrode for further improving the electrochemical signal thus obtaining ultra-high sensitive determination of H2S. The established electrochemical biosensing platform displays a wide analytical range of 0.1 μM to 265 μM with a low detection limit of 0.096 μM. The satisfactory selectivity allows the electrochemical sensor to distinguish H2S from other interfering substances without any complicated pretreatment, even in complex tumor cell samples. Thus, our designed electrocatalysis-assisted amplification strategy offers a powerful analysis toolkit for the early determination of H2S-related disease in clinical diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a commonly studied chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of solid tumors, but the severe side effects limit its clinical application. It is shown that DOX-metal chelate has lower in vitro cytotoxicity compared with DOX, as the anthracyclines of DOX can form coordinative interaction with transition metal ions. In addition, the transition metal ions could catalyze the production of hydroxyl radicals (·OH) via Fenton/Fenton-like reactions to achieve antitumor chemodynamic therapy (CDT). In this study, copper ions (Cu2+) were applied to obtain DOX/Cu(II) prodrug, and a liposomal formulation was used to avoid the rapid blood clearance and optimize the biodistribution of this prodrug. In vitro and in vivo antitumor results demonstrated that this pH sensitive Cu-chelating prodrug can reduce adverse effects of DOX but improve the antitumor efficiency due to the combination of chemotherapy and chemodynamic therapy. Our study provided a facile and effective approach of metal-chelating prodrug strategy for combination cancer therapy strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnesium-based biodegradable metals as cardiovascular stents have shown a lot of excellent performance, which have been used to treat coronary artery diseases. However, the excessive degradation rate, imperfect biocompatibility and delayed re-endothelialization still lead to a considerable challenge for its application. In this work, to overcome these shortcomings, a compound of catalyzing nitric oxide (NO) generation containing copper ions (Cu2+) and hyaluronic acid (HA), an important component of the extracellular matrix, were covalently immobilized on a hydrofluoric acid (HF)-pretreated ZE21B alloy via amination layer for improving its corrosion resistance and endothelialization. Specifically, the Cu2+chelated firmly with a cyclen 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-N, N′, N″, N″′- tetraacetic acid (DOTA) could form a stability of hybrid coating, avoiding the explosion of Cu2+. The chelated Cu2+enabled the catalytic generation of NO and promoted the adhesion and proliferation of endothelial cells (ECs) in vascular micro-environment. In this case, the synergistic effect of NO-generation and endothelial glycocalyx molecules of HA lead to efficient ECs promotion and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) inhibition. Meanwhile, the blood compatibility also had achieved a marked improvement. Moreover, the standard electrochemical measurements indicated that the functionalized ZE21B alloy had better anti-corrosion ability. In a conclusion, the dual-functional coating displays a great potential in the field of biodegradable magnesium-based implantable cardiovascular stents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to enhance the efficiency of heavy metal ion extraction from aqueous medium, new nanocomposite magnetic sorbents were synthesized on the base of natural zeolite (Zt) and nanoparticles of ZnFe2O4 (F). The composition, structure and physical–chemical properties of new composites with 2% (Zt-2F), 8% (Zt-8F) and 16% (Zt-16F) of zinc ferrite were characterized by XRD, BET adsorption–desorption of nitrogen, SEM with elemental mapping, TEM and magnetometry. The sorption capacity of materials was assessed towards Cu2+ ions in aqueous solutions, for which kinetic and equilibrium features of sorption were established. The maximal sorption capacity (amax, mg/g) of the studied materials increased in the order: Zt (19.4) < Zt-2F (27.3) < Zt-8F (30.2) < Zt-16F (32.8) < ZnFe2O4 (161.3). The kinetics of the sorption process followed a pseudo-second order kinetic model. The sorption equilibrium at zinc ferrite was successfully described by the Langmuir model, while the Freundlich model better fitted the sorption equilibrium on zeolite and composites. The efficiency of Cu2+ ion extraction from 320 mg/dm3 aqueous solution was 63% for composite Zt-16F and 100% for a sample of ZnFe2O4. It was established that the proposed composite sorbents provide the operation of several cycles without regeneration, they can be easily recycled with 0.1 N HCl solution and are capable of magnetic separation. The advantages of new composites and the proposed method of synthesis allow recommending these materials as effective sorbents of heavy metals from wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioremediation uses microorganisms to detoxify or remove pollution. This paper reports a study to evaluate the efficacy of removing hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) using a metal-resistant bacterium. Molecular identification reveals it to be Staphylococcus gallinarum strain VIII1. This can reduce 100 mg/L of Cr(VI) after 72 h at pH 7 and 30°C. Abatement rate is increased in the presence of glucose, glycerol and copper ions. Immobilised cells in sodium alginate beads showed a high reduction efficiency compared to free cells. Bioreduction by resting and permeabilized cells confirms that this strain removes chromate ions by an enzymatic process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copper metal is a promising anode in aqueous batteries due to its low price, noble reaction potential (0.34 V), high theoretical specific capacity, abundance and chemical stability. However, only a few copper ion storage materials have been reported. Herein, layered vanadium pentoxide is chosen to store copper ions for the first time. Ex situ XRD reveals a unique two phase transition process during cycling. The V2O5 electrode shows stable copper ion storage performance. It delivers 91.9 mAh g−1 for the first cycle with a cycle life of as high as 4000 cycles at 1.0 A g−1. This work provides an intriguing copper ion storage material and expands the available options of electrode materials for copper ion storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]