Search

This research provides valuable insights into the application of ZnO nanoparticles in photocatalytic wastewater treatment. Process optimization was carried out by determining the ratio of the surface area to the energy band gap (S/E) in the photocatalysis rate under different sources of light (UV light, visible light, sunlight). The nanoparticles were synthesized using the precipitation technique, and the calcination process was carried out within a temperature range of 400 to 700 °C. The structural, morphological, and optical properties of materials were investigated using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV-Vis diffuse reflectance (UV-Vis DRS), Raman spectroscopies, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopies. The study demonstrates that calcination temperature significantly influences the photocatalytic activity of ZnO nanoparticles by altering their size, surface properties, shape, and optical behavior. Optimal decomposition efficiencies of Rhodamine B were achieved at 400 °C, with yields of 24%, 92%, and 91% under visible, UV, and sunlight irradiation, respectively. Additionally, the surface area decreased from 12.556 to 8.445 m2/g, the band gap narrowed slightly from 3.153 to 3.125 eV, and crystal growth increased from 0.223 to 0.506 µm as the calcination temperature rose. The photocatalytic properties of ZnO nanoparticles were assessed to determine their efficiency in decomposing Rhodamine B dye under operational parameters, including pollutant concentration (C0), sample amount, pH level, and reaction time. The sample exhibited the best breakdown rates with C0 = 5 mg/L, solid-to-liquid ratio (S/L) = 50 mg/L, pH = 7, and reaction time = 1 h. Additionally, we combined two oxidation processes, namely H2O2 and photocatalytic oxidation processes, which significantly improved the Rhodamine B removal efficiency, where 100% of RhB was degraded after 60 min and 100 µL of H2O2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study examines the impact of acidic and basic pH on the optical, morphological, and structural characteristics of TiO2 sol–gel thin films that are deposited using the dip-coating technique on glass substrates. All of the samples are polycrystalline and have anatase structures with preference orientation along the (101) direction, according to X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy (RS). It is observed that, for both basic and acidic pH values, crystallite size decreases as sol pH rises. All of the films' surfaces were smooth and had a uniform grain distribution, according to atomic force microscopy (AFM). The pH of the sol has an impact on the surface roughness. All films had a higher degree of transparency, according to UV-visible spectroscopy. The refractive index and the direct and indirect band gaps are two essential optical properties of thin films that are significantly influenced by the pH of the deposition medium. Measurements of photoluminescence (PL) showed a strong violet-blue emission band, the intensity of which is highly dependent on the sol's pH. In acidic media, PL decreases with increasing pH. However, in a basic environment, the PL rises sharply as the pH increases from 10 to 11 and then decreases for higher pH values. In particular, compared to the other samples, the emission intensity from the film deposited at a pH value of 10 is noticeably lower and displays unique spectral signatures. Highlights: The effects of acidic and basic pH on the structural, morphological, and optical properties of TiO2 sol–gel thin films were investigated. XRD analyses show that crystallite size decreases with increasing pH in both acidic and basic sols. Optical analysis demonstrates that TiO2 thin films deposited at acidic pH values have greater transparency than those deposited at basic pH values. Photoluminescence measurements revealed a strong correlation between sample emission and pH. The film deposited at pH 10 has significantly lower emission intensity and a distinct spectral signature than the other samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carrot (Daucus carota L.) is one of the main root vegetables rich in bioactive compounds with appreciable health-promoting properties, largely consumed in Algeria. In the current study, the storage effect (at 4 °C throughout 12 days) on bioactive compound stability and the antioxidant activity of two Algerian orange carrot varieties (Supermuscade and Touchon) were investigated. Total phenolic content of samples was determined by the Folin–Ciocâlteu method. Antioxidant capacity was determined spectrophotometrically, based on the evaluation of Free Radical Scavenging Activity (FRSA) using DPPH radical and Ferric Reducing Power (FRP). The results showed that the Touchon variety is richer in phenolics, flavonoids, and carotenoids and presents higher antioxidant activity in comparison with the Supermuscade variety. At the end of storage, the bioactive compound content and antiradical activity increased significantly (p < 0.05). Also, an extremely significant correlation (p < 0.001) was observed between the antioxidant contents and the antioxidant capacities of aqueous carrot extracts.

This work focuses on the synthesis of Bi2Fe4O9/Ag3PO4 composites with different Bi2Fe4O9 contents to remove the Rhodamine B (RhB) dye pollutant. The obtained composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Photoluminescence and UV–Vis spectrophotometry. The 5Bi2Fe4O9/Ag3PO4 catalyst with 5% Bi2Fe4O9 loading exhibited the high photocatalytic performance with degradation efficiency of 97.91% after 12 min under visible light irradiation. Photoluminescence and UV–Vis analysis showed that 5Bi2Fe4O9/Ag3PO4 has the best separation of photogenerated e−/h+ pairs and light absorption. The catalyst exhibited a good selectivity toward tartrazine and methylene blue. The cycling experiment revealed that 5Bi2Fe4O9/Ag3PO4 catalyst has a good stability after 4 runs. The results of trapping radical experiments indicated that h+ charge carriers were the main species involved in the RhB photodegradation process which was supported by a Z-scheme electron transfer mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer and the most rapidly expanding cancer in terms of worldwide incidence. If primary cutaneous melanoma is mostly treated with a curative wide local excision, malignant melanoma has a poor prognosis and needs other therapeutic approaches. Angiogenesis is a normal physiological process essential in growth and development, but it also plays a crucial role in crossing from benign to advanced state in cancer. In melanoma progression, angiogenesis is widely involved during the vertical growth phase. Currently, no anti-angiogenic agents are efficient on their own, and combination of treatments will probably be the key to success. In the past, phenacetin was used as an analgesic to relieve pain, causing side effects at large dose and tumor-inducing in humans and animals. By contrast, Phenacetinum low-dilution is often used in skin febrile exanthema, patches profusely scattered on limbs, headache, or flushed face without side effects. Herein are described the in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo anti-angiogenic and anti-tumoral potentials of Phenacetinum low-dilution in a B16F1 tumor model and endothelial cells. We demonstrate that low-diluted Phenacetinum inhibits in vivo tumor growth and tumor vascularization and thus increases the survival time of B16F1 melanoma induced-C57BL/6 mice. Moreover, Phenacetinum modulates the lung metastasis in a B16F10 induced model. Ex vivo and in vitro, we evidence that low-diluted Phenacetinum inhibits the migration and the recruitment of endothelial cells and leads to an imbalance in the pro-tumoral macrophages and to a structural malformation of the vascular network. All together these results demonstrate highly hopeful anti-tumoral, anti-metastatic, and anti-angiogenic effects of Phenacetinum low-dilution on melanoma. Continued studies are needed to preclinically validate Phenacetinum low-dilution as a complementary or therapeutic strategy for melanoma treatment.

Fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants, and carrots, in particular, are a source of phenolics, vitamin A, and carotenoids. Carrots are regularly consumed raw, cooked, or in juice form for their particular taste, sweet flavor, and their high carotenoid content. The objective of the present study was to assess the effect of two common domestic cooking methods (steaming and boiling) on the content of the antioxidant compounds and the antioxidant power of two varieties of orange carrots cultivated in Algeria. The results showed that both steaming and boiling led to an increase in the total carotenoid content and reducing power. Additionally, the amount of phenolics, flavonoids, and antiradical activity increased in the steamed samples. However, a slight decrease in phenolic content was noted in the studied cultivar after boiling. Analysis of cooking water revealed that thermal treatment promoted the release of some antioxidant compounds into the water cooking, thus contributing to their antioxidant activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: LRP-1 is a multifunctional scavenger receptor belonging to the LDLR family. Due to its capacity to control pericellular levels of various growth factors and proteases, LRP-1 plays a crucial role in membrane proteome dynamics, which appears decisive for tumor progression. Methods: LRP-1 involvement in a TNBC model was assessed using an RNA interference strategy in MDA-MB-231 cells. In vivo, tumorigenic and angiogenic effects of LRP-1-repressed cells were evaluated using an orthotopic xenograft model and two angiogenic assays (Matrigel® plugs, CAM). DCE-MRI, FMT, and IHC were used to complete a tumor longitudinal follow-up and obtain morphological and functional vascular information. In vitro, HUVECs’ angiogenic potential was evaluated using a tumor secretome, subjected to a proteomic analysis to highlight LRP-1-dependant signaling pathways. Results: LRP-1 repression in MDA-MB-231 tumors led to a 60% growth delay because of, inter alia, morphological and functional vascular differences, confirmed by angiogenic models. In vitro, the LRP-1-repressed cells secretome restrained HUVECs’ angiogenic capabilities. A proteomics analysis revealed that LRP-1 supports tumor growth and angiogenesis by regulating TGF-β signaling and plasminogen/plasmin system. Conclusions: LRP-1, by its wide spectrum of interactions, emerges as an important matricellular player in the control of cancer-signaling events such as angiogenesis, by supporting tumor vascular morphology and functionality.

The optimum conditions for extraction of total phenolic contents (TPC) and maintaining the highest antioxidant activity from eggplant were determined. Extraction experiments were carried out by investigating the effects of the solvent nature (acetone, ethanol, methanol, or water), solvent concentration (30-90%), extraction temperature (30-100°C), extraction time (30-120 min), solid to solvent ratio (1/25-1/100 g/mL), and number of extractions (1, 2 and 3) on the recovery of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of the extracts. The TPC was assessed to determine the polyphenolic component while free radical scavenging activity (FRSA) and ferric-reducing power (FRP) were used to evaluate the antioxidant activity of eggplant extracts. All extraction parameters had significant effects (p

Cheyne-Stokes respiration (CSR) is a sleep-disordered breathing characterized by recurrent central apneas alternating with hyperventilation exhibiting a crescendo-decrescendo pattern of tidal volume. This respiration is reported in patients with heart failure, stroke or damage in respiratory centers. It increases mortality for patients with severe heart failure as it has adverse impacts on the cardiac function. Early stage of CSR, also called periodic breathing, is often undiagnosed as it only provokes hypopneas instead of apneas, which are much more difficult to detect. This paper demonstrates the proof of concept of a new method devoted to the early detection of CSR. The proposed approach relies on a signal demodulation technique applied to ventilation signals measured on 15 patients with chronic heart failure whose respiration goes from normal to severe CSR. Based on a modulation index and its instantaneous frequency, oscillation zones are detected and classified into three categories: CSR, periodic breathing and no abnormal pattern. The modulation index is used as an efficient indicator to quantify the degree of certainty of the pathology for each patient. Results show high correlation with experts' annotations with sensitivity and specificity values of 87.1% and 89.8% respectively. A final decision leads to a classification which is confirmed by the experts' conclusions.