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Nanotechnology is an emerging field devoted to providing new insight into a vast range of subjects interfacing sciences and engineering. As advances in nanotechnology emerge continuously, new areas of applications in nanoscale communication also emerge that involve biological systems. By definition, nanocommunication is the exchange of information at nanoscale level and constitutes the basis of any wireless interconnection of individual nanomachines comprising a nanonetwork. Such systems have unique properties that must be taken into account, when trying to delve into new communication paradigms based on micro-biological communication systems. In this context, development of bio-inspired nanonetworks is a fledgling yet fast growing area of scientific interest with a significant impact on future applications in multiple fields. A representative family of such systems includes bacterial nanonetworks, where specific key parameters of bacterial physiology can be utilized to model and develop appropriate information dissemination in nano level frameworks. Hence, the aim of this work is to conduct a systematic review of the approaches used to investigate bacterial nanonetworks with respect to (a) potential applications, (b) techniques and tools employed, and (c) parameters modeled. The results of this investigation project the salient features of parametrically-driven modeling approaches that could act as potential ground breakers in the future development of bacteria-inspired nanonetworks. In that sense, the title approaches in the surveyed literature project the usefulness of extracting valuable knowledge for deeper understanding of functional nanosystems. That, in turn, gives rise to new hypotheses on the development of future functionally selective bio-inspired nanoscale networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-aerated compost tea (CT) was prepared from compost derived from rockweed (Ascophyllum nodosum) and fish (cod, common ling, haddock, saithe) residues that fermented in water. Electrical conductivity, pH, concentrations of dry matter, ash, C, macronutrients (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg), and micronutrients (Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, and Zn) of CT prepared under different fermentation conditions were measured. The effects of process factors, i.e., water/compost mass ratio (4.2–9.8 g/g) and fermentation time (4.2–9.8 days = 100–236 h), on the physicochemical properties of CT were quantified using quadratic polynomial models. CT obtained at optimal levels of process factors (4.2 g/g and 5.6 days = 134 h) was tested for lettuce seed germination and seedling growth. Diluted CT (25% CT + 75% ultrapure water) improved seedling growth while achieving a high germination percentage (97%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a contemporary sustainable economy, innovation is a prerequisite to recycling waste into new efficient materials designed to minimize pollution and conserve non-renewable natural resources. Using an innovative approach to remediating metal-polluted water, in this study, eggshell waste was used to prepare two new low-cost nanoadsorbents for the retrieval of nickel from aqueous solutions. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results show that in the first eggshell–zeolite (EZ) adsorbent, the zeolite nanoparticles were loaded in the eggshell pores. The preparation for the second (iron(III) oxide-hydroxide)–eggshell–zeolite (FEZ) nanoadsorbent led to double functionalization of the eggshell base with the zeolite nanoparticles, upon simultaneous loading of the pores of the eggshell and zeolite surface with FeOOH particles. Structural modification of the eggshell led to a significant increase in the specific surface, as confirmed using BET analysis. These features enabled the composite EZ and FEZ to remove nickel from aqueous solutions with high performance and adsorption capacities of 321.1 mg/g and 287.9 mg/g, respectively. The results indicate that nickel adsorption on EZ and FEZ is a multimolecular layer, spontaneous, and endothermic process. Concomitantly, the desorption results reflect the high reusability of these two nanomaterials, collectively suggesting the use of waste in the design of new, low-cost, and highly efficient composite nanoadsorbents for environmental bioremediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brown algae and fish waste contain high-value compounds with potentially beneficial effects on plant growth. Several commercial fertilizer products are currently available, but the characteristics of the materials are usually not well-described. Fish and seaweed residues originating from the Norwegian coast are available, after industrial processing, which may be combined into complete fertilizers exerting additional effects on crop plants (biostimulants). In this study, raw samples of fish and seaweed residues were investigated using ecofriendly technologies (drying, leaching), targeting search and isolation of potential biostimulants, followed by physicochemical characterization (elemental analysis, UV–visible, FT-IR, ICP-MS, ICP-OES, electrical conductivity, pH, etc.). Organic solvent extractions were employed to determine the available mineral content, micro- and macro-nutrients, antioxidant compounds, and amino acid content by chemical hydrolysis. The in vitro biotoxicity profile (cell viability, morphology, migration) of the generated extracts was also perused, employing Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli) along with sensitive neuronal eukaryotic cell lines N2a58 and SH-SY5Y, to assess their time- and concentration-dependent efficacy as antimicrobials and agents counteracting oxidative stress. The analytical composition of all raw materials showed that they contain important nutrients (K, P, Ca, N) as well as organic compounds and amino acids (Gly, Asp, Glu, Leu, Phe) capable of acting as plant biostimulants. Concurrently, the inherently high conductivity values and salt content necessitated leaching processes, which result in Na+ and K+ decreasing by more than ~60% and justifying further their use in soil treatment formulations. The aforementioned results and assertions, combined with physical measurements (pH, electrical conductivity, etc.) on naturally occurring and dried samples as well as green solvent extracts, formulated a physicochemical profile reflecting well-defined inorganic–organic species that might function as biostimulants. The collective physicochemical and biological properties support the notion that appropriate mixtures of marine organism residues may be efficient fertilizers for crop plants and concurrently possess biostimulant characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prospect of developing soluble and bioavailable Ti(IV) complex forms with physiological substrates, capable of influencing (patho)physiological aberrations, emerges as a challenge in the case of metabolism-related pathologies (e.g., diabetes mellitus 1 and 2). To that end, pH-specific synthetic efforts on binary Ti(IV)-(α-hydroxycarboxylic acid) systems, involving natural physiological chelator ligands (α-hydroxy isobutyric acid, D-quinic acid, 2-ethyl-2-hydroxybutyric acid) in aqueous media, led to the successful isolation of binary crystalline Ti(IV)-containing products. The new materials were physicochemically characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, TGA, and X-ray crystallography, revealing in all cases the presence of mononuclear Ti(IV) complexes bearing a TiO6 core, with three bound ligands of variable deprotonation state. Solution studies through electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) revealed the nature of species arising upon dissolution of the title compounds in water, thereby formulating a solid-state–solution correlation profile necessary for further employment in biological experiments. The ensuing cytotoxicity profile (pre-adipocytes and osteoblasts) of the new materials supported their use in cell differentiation experiments, thereby unraveling their structure-specific favorable effect toward adipogenesis and mineralization through an arsenal of in vitro biological assays. Collectively, well-defined atoxic binary Ti(IV)-hydroxycaboxylato complexes, bearing bound physiological substrates, emerge as competent inducers of cell differentiation, intimately associated with cell maturation, thereby (a) associating the adipogenic (insulin mimetic properties) and osteogenic potential (mineralization) of titanium and (b) justifying further investigation into the development of a new class of multipotent titanodrugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An outdoor experiment was performed for six months to evaluate the effects of organic fertilizers obtained from marine residual materials on strawberry plants. Three types of organic fertilizers were used, i.e., cod (Gadus morhua) bone powder, common ling (Molva molva) bone powder, and pellets obtained by mixing small cod bone powder and rockweed (Ascophyllum nodosum) residues. A tabletop system for strawberry cultivation was designed, in which two bare-root strawberry plants of cultivar 'Albion' were planted in a peat substrate in each pot. Five treatments were applied, i.e., cod bone powder (F1), common ling bone powder (F2), small cod bone powder and rockweed residue pellets (FA), chemical fertilizer (E), and a control (C). The number of leaves and their nutrient content, fruit yield and quality characteristics of the strawberries grown using the organic fertilizers were similar or better than those corresponding to treatments E and C. Organic fertilizers derived from the residues of fish and macroalgae could be a promising alternative to chemical fertilizers in strawberry production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphological alterations compromising inter-neuronal connectivity may be directly linked to learning-memory deficits in Central Nervous System neurodegenerative processes. Cu(II)-mediated oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in regulating redox reactions generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS), known contributors to Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. The antioxidant properties of flavonoid catechin have been well-documented in neurodegenerative processes. However, the impact that catechin encapsulation in nanoparticles may have on neuronal survival and morphological lesions has been poorly demonstrated. To investigate potential effects of nano-encapsulated catechin on neuronal survival and morphological aberrations in primary rat hippocampal neurons, poly(ethyleneglycol) (PEG) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)-modified silica nanoparticles were synthesized. Catechin was loaded on silica nanoparticles in a concentration-dependent fashion, and release studies were carried out. Further physicochemical characterization of the new nano-materials included elemental analysis, particle size, z-potential, FT-IR, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), thermogravimetric (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis in order to optimize material composition linked to the delivery of loaded catechin in the hippocampal cellular milieu. The findings reveal that, under Cu(II)-induced oxidative stress, the loading ability of the PEGylated/CTAB silica nanoparticles was concentration-dependent, based on their catechin release profile. The overall bio-activity profile of the new hybrid nanoparticles a) denoted their enhanced protective activity against oxidative stress and hippocampal cell survival compared to previously reported quercetin, b) revealed that morphological lesions affecting neuronal integrity can be counterbalanced at high copper concentrations, and c) warrants in-depth perusal of molecular events underlying neuronal function and degeneration, collectively linked to preventive nanotechnology in neurodegeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• pH-Specific synthesis leads to aqueous ternary V(V)-peroxido-amino acid complexes. • pH-Dependent structural interconversion of vanadium-peroxido structural conformers. • Zwitterionic amino acid forms as ligands in the coordination sphere of vanadium. • Physicochemical profile of vanadium species in organic substrate catalysis. • Vanadium-zwitterionic species catalyze benzene conversion under mild conditions. A series of dinuclear complexes were synthesized, involving vanadium with N-methylglycine (sarcosine)/N,N'-dimethylglycine in aqueous media and H 2 O 2, capable of exerting catalytic activity. Specifically, the ternary V(V) tetraperoxido dinuclear species (NH 4) 2 [V 2 O 2 (O 2) 4 (CH 3 NH 2 CH 2 COO)] (symmetric conformer) (1), (NH 4) 2 [V 2 O 2 (O 2) 4 (CH 3 NH 2 CH 2 COO)] (asymmetric conformer) (2), K 2 (Η 2 Ο)[V 2 O 2 (O 2) 4 (CH 3 NH 2 CH 2 COO)] . H 2 O (3) (asymmetric conformer), and K 2 (Η 2 Ο) 2 [V 2 O 2 (O 2) 4 {(CH 3) 2 NHCH 2 COO)}] (4) (asymmetric conformer) were synthetically isolated in crystalline form. Compounds 1 and 2 are the same, whilst with profound conformational differences exemplified through pH-specific chemistries. The new materials 1 – 4 were characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, Raman, NMR, and UV–Visible spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA-DTG), and X-ray crystallography. Further support of the spectroscopic and structural profile was achieved through Bond Valence Sum (BVS) and Hirshfeld molecular mapping calculations. In all of the studied compounds, pH appears to be a crucial factor in the synthesis and isolation. The physicochemical characterization of the hybrid materials justified further use of compound 3 as a potential hydroxylation catalyst of benzene under a variable set of mild reaction conditions. The products of the catalytic reaction systems investigated were identified and quantified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography–flame ionization detection (GC-FID), respectively. The results a) exemplify the involvement of the hybrid dinuclear vanadium compounds in the pursued benzene transformations, and b) distinctly demonstrate the structural and chemical characteristics justifying the emergence of catalytic action of vanadium under mild conditions (40 °C) in reactions toward organic substrates (e.g. benzene) as the basis for the pursuit of selective industrial applications, affording readily available useful compounds. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The plethora of flavonoid antioxidants in plant organisms, widespread in nature, and the appropriate metal ions known for their influence on biological processes constitute the crux of investigations toward the development of preventive metallodrugs and therapeutics in several human pathophysiologies. To that end, driven by the need to enhance the structural and (bio)chemical attributes of the flavonoid chrysin, as a metal ion complexation agent, thereby rendering it bioavailable toward oxidative stress, synthetic efforts in our lab targeted ternary Cr(III)-chrysin species in the presence of auxiliary aromatic N,N′-chelators. The crystalline metal-organic Cr(III)-chrysin-L (L = bipyridine (1) and phenanthroline (2)) compounds that arose were physicochemically characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, UV-Visible, ESI-MS, luminescence, and X-ray crystallography. The properties of these compounds in a solid state and in solution formulate a well-defined profile for the two species, thereby justifying their further use in biological experiments, intimately related to cellular processes on oxidative stress. Experiments in C2C12 myoblasts at the cellular level (a) focus on the antioxidant capacity of the Cr(III)-complexed flavonoids, emphasizing their distinct antiradical activity under oxidative stress conditions, and (b) exemplify the importance of structural speciation in Cr(III)-flavonoid interactions, thereby formulating correlations with the antioxidant activity of a bioavailable flavonoid toward cellular pathophysiologies, collectively supporting flavonoid introduction in new metallo-therapeutics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temperature‐sensitive crystalline phases, pertaining to discrete clusters of binary and ternary Co(II,III):iminodipropanol:(N,N'‐aromatic binder) systems, were prepared. The rich structural speciation of such systems in alcoholic media and their unique structural, magnetic, and spectroscopic profiles have been demonstrated. The need to understand the chemical reactivity of such complex ternary Co(II)‐(1,1'‐iminodi‐2‐propanol) systems, in the presence of N,N'‐aromatic chelators 2,2'‐bipyridine and 1,10‐phenanthroline and aromatic binder 4,4'‐bipyridine in methanol, led to the synthetic development of well‐defined hybrid metal‐organic materials with discrete spectroscopic, structural, electrochemical, and magnetic properties. The surprisingly plethoric family of the prepared mononuclear‐trinuclear‐tetranuclear Co(II,III) clusters was characterized through elemental analysis, FT‐IR, and X‐ray crystallography. Enrichment of their physicochemical profile originated from electrochemical, optical (UV/Vis, luminescence), magnetic, and EPR studies, unequivocally supporting their structural formulation. Collectively, the experimentally and theoretically (Bond‐Valence‐Sum, Hirshfeld) perused structures project the influence of molecular stoichiometry and temperature on targeted synthetic efforts toward crystal engineering of discrete Co(II,III)‐center assemblies, exemplifying structure‐reactivity correlations and magneto‐optical‐structural attributes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Structure-specific Schiff base synthesis leads to discrete metal-organic complexes. • Piperazine-based Schiff bases with long alkyloxy chains promote metal ion binding. • Schiff base metal ion binding is linked to adoption of piperazine boat conformation. • Presence-absence of phenol in Schiff base affects metal ion chemical reactivity. • Piperazine-based Schiff ligands influence metal-ligand complex architecture. A series of homologous Schiff bases N,N′-bis[(4- decyloxy - salicylideneamino)- n - propyl ]-piperazine] (ZOPPH 2), and N,N′-bis[(4- dodecyloxy - benzylideneamino)- n - propyl ]-piperazine (DBPP)(1), based on 1,4-bis(3-amino-propyl)-piperazine (APPZ), were designed and synthesized, with APPZ serving as the piperazine core, bilaterally flanked by extended alkyl chain-containing antennae. Driven by the pursuit of metallomesogenic materials bearing liquid crystalline state properties, chemical reactivity toward divalent metals Co(II) and Cu(II), in alcoholic or tetrahydrofuran/dimethylsulfoxide media, led to compounds [{Co(ZOPP)}(ClO 4)] 2 .(CH 3 OH).2(CH 3) 2 SO(2) and [Cu(APPZ)Cl]Cl(3). All materials were characterized by elemental analysis, spectroscopic techniques (UV–Visible, FT-IR, NMR where appropriate), molar conductivity, and X-ray crystallography. Physicochemical characterization emphasizes the a) importance of N,O-containing Schiff anchors in metal ion binding, b) significance of the phenolic moiety, on the flanks of the Schiff ligands, in promoting either metal ion complexation or dissociation of the Schiff base at the azomethine moiety junction, thereby altering metal ion chemical reactivity, and c) observed oxidation of Co(II) to Co(III) upon mononuclear complex formation. Hybrid DFT calculations on DBPP and ZOPPH 2 suggest increased reactivity of the Schiff CH N moiety, in the absence of the phenolic moiety, and concurrent metal ion presence, thereby lending credence to the notion of metal-assisted rupture of the specific bond in DBPP and the emergence of specific metal-ligand product(s). Collectively, the data denote the significance of structural features of piperazine-core Schiff antennae ligands in a) promoting chemical reactivity toward transition metals, b) defining metal-ligand complexation and lattice architecture, and c) parameterizing such chemical reactivity into synthetic advances toward new materials with well-defined solid-state architecture, lattice and physicochemical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cadmium is a metallotoxin, amply encountered in the environment and derived through physical and anthropogenic activities. Its entry in various organisms leads through water and the food chain to humans, thereby inducing a plethora of pathophysiologies. Delineation of the interactive role of cadmium with physiological and physiologically relevant substrates, requires well-defined forms of cadmium arising from such interactions along with the ensuing chemical reactivity amounting to toxic manifestations and health aberrations. To implement such efforts, low molecular mass substrate metal ion binders are needed, forming species with enhanced solubility and bioavailability. To that end, α-hydroxy isobutyric acid (HIBAH 2) was used in pH-specific synthetic efforts involving bulky aromatic chelators 2,2′-bipyridine (2,2′-bipy) and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), thus leading to new crystalline materials [Cd(C 4 H 7 O 3) 2 ] n (1), [Cd(C 4 H 7 O 3) 2 (H 2 O) 2 ](2), [{Cd 2 (C 4 H 7 O 3) 2 (C 10 H 8 N 2) 2 (H 2 O) 2 }(NO 3) 2 ] n ·nH 2 O(3), and [{Cd 2 (C 4 H 7 O 3) 2 (C 12 H 8 N 2) 2 (H 2 O) 2 }(NO 3) 2 ] n ·2nH 2 O(4), which were physicochemically characterized (elemental analysis, FT-IR, NMR, ESI-MS, and X-ray crystallography) in the solid state and solution. Their physicochemical characteristics led to their employment in tissue-specific biological toxicity studies in three different cell lines. Their toxicity profile (cell viability, morphology, chemotacticity) was correlated through genetic biomarkers to apoptotic-necrotic processes, thereby shedding light on cadmium cellular toxicity processes. Finally, the cytoprotective action of specific chelators was examined, lending credence to the notion that appropriately structured chelators and antioxidants may be used as effective deterrent to cadmium toxicity. Collectively, structure-specificity linked to tissue-specific toxicity profiling in well-defined binary-ternary Cd(II)-HIBAH 2 systems exemplifies that metal ion's aberrant interactions in the cellular milieu, meriting further probing into the development of efficient chelators in cadmium detoxification. pH-specific cadmium complexation with physiologically-relevant hydroxy-isobutyric acid and N-aromatic chelators led to new crystalline binary-ternary materials. Physicochemical characterization reveals structure-solution properties and monomer-polymer transformations. The materials exhibit distinct dose/tissue/structure-specific biotoxicity profile(s), with apoptosis contributing mechanistically to cell demise. Well-known antioxidants-chelators interdict toxicity, warranting development of appropriate chelators combating Cd(II) toxicity. Unlabelled Image • pH-specific Cd(II) interactions with α-hydroxy isobutyric acid (HIBAH 2) • Well-defined hybrid binary-ternary Cd(II)-(HIBAH 2)/N-aromatic chelator materials • In vitro exploration of structural speciation role in Cd(II) biotoxicity profiling • Dose/tissue-dependent, structure-specific Cd(II)/HIBAH 2 /N-aromatic chelator toxicity • Concentration and cell line-specific chelator cytoprotection against Cd(II) toxicity [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]