Thermo-physical properties measurements of hygroscopic and reactive material (zeolite 13X) for open adsorptive heat storage operation

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - The determination of the thermo-physical properties (density, specific heat capacity, and thermal conductivity) of hygroscopic and reactive solid...     

Volatiles and Antifungal-Antibacterial-Antiviral Activity of South African Salvia spp. Essential Oils Cultivated in Uniform Conditions

Spontaneous emissions of S. dentata Aiton and S. scabra Thunb., as well as the essential oil (EO) composition of the cited species, together with S. aurea L., were investigated. The chemical profile of the first two species is reported here for the first time. Moreover, in vitro tests were performed to evaluate the antifungal activity of these EOs on Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Microsporum canis, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, and Fusarium solani. Secondly, the EO antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus pseudointermedius was examined, and their antiviral efficacy against the H1N1 influenza virus was assessed. Leaf volatile organic compounds (VOCs), as well as the EOs obtained from the arial part of Salvia scabra, were characterized by a high percentage of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (97.8% and 76.6%, respectively), mostly represented by an equal amount of germacrene D (32.8% and 32.7%, respectively). Both leaf and flower spontaneous emissions of S. dentata, as well as the EO composition, showed a prevalence of monoterpenes divided into a more or less equal amount of hydrocarbon and oxygenated compounds. Interestingly, its EO had a non-negligible percentage of oxygenated sesquiterpenes (29.5%). S. aurea EO, on the contrary, was rich in sesquiterpenes, both hydrocarbons and oxygenated compounds (41.5% and 33.5%, respectively). S. dentata EO showed good efficacy (Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC): 0.5%) against M. canis. The tested EOs were not active against E. coli and S. aureus, whereas a low inhibition of S. dentata EO was observed on S. pseudointermedius (MIC = 10%). Once again, S. dentata EO showed a very good H1N1 inhibition; contrariwise, S. aurea EO was completely inactive against this virus. The low quantity of S. scabra EO made it impossible to test its biological activity. S. dentata EO exhibited interesting new perspectives for medicinal and industrial uses.     

Inherently Chiral Macrocyclic Oligothiophenes: Easily Accessible Electrosensitive Cavities with Outstanding Enantioselection Performances

Linear conjugated oligothiophenes of variable length and different substitution pattern are ubiquitous in technologically advanced optoelectronic devices, though limitations in application derive from insolubility, scarce processability and chain‐end effects. This study describes an easy access to chiral cyclic oligothiophenes constituted by 12 and 18 fully conjugated thiophene units. Chemical oxidation of an “inherently chiral” sexithiophene monomer, synthesized in two steps from commercially available materials, induces the formation of an elliptical dimer and a triangular trimer endowed with electrosensitive cavities of different tunable sizes. Combination of chirality with electroactivity makes these molecules unique in the current oligothiophenes literature. These macrocycles, which are stable and soluble in most organic solvents, show outstanding chiroptical properties, high circularly polarized luminescence effects and an exceptional enantiorecognition ability.     

Need for database extension for reliable identification of bacteria from extreme environments using MALDI TOF mass spectrometry

The ability of MALDI TOF MS (matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry) to identify cultivable microflora from two waste disposal sites from non-ferrous metal industry was analysed. Despite the harsh conditions (extreme pH values and heavy metal content in red mud disposal site from aluminium production or high heavy metal content in nickel sludge), relatively high numbers of bacteria were recovered. In both environments, the bacterial community was dominated by Gram-positive bacteria, especially by actinobacteria. High-quality MALDI TOF mass spectra were obtained but most of the bacteria isolates could be not identified using MALDI Biotyper software. The overall identification rate was lower than 20 %; in two of the environments tested identification rates were lower than 10 %. As a dominant bacterial species, Microbacterium spp. in drainage water from an aluminium red mud disposal site near ?iar nad Hronom, Bacillus spp. in red mud samples from the same site, and Arthrobacter spp. from nickel smelter sludge near Sereï were identified by a combination of the Biolog system and 16S rRNA sequence analysis. As the primary focus of the MALDI TOF MS-based methodology is directed towards medically important bacteria, reference database spectra expansion and refinement are needed to improve the ability of MALDI TOF MS to identify environmental bacteria, especially those from extreme environments.     

Dynamic response of rocking cracked masonry walls

The behaviour of masonry constructions results to be very far from the one characterizing ductile structures. In masonry constructions, the seismic action activates a rocking motion rather than a dissipating mechanism. A strength resource of masonry structures, properly reinforced in order to avoid early local failures, consists in exhibiting rocking behaviour, until a failure condition is attained. Aim of the paper is to investigate the dynamic behaviour of masonry single storey walls, according to Housner’s studies and innovatively introducing the effect of diagonal cracks developing from the toes of the piers and shown by typical post-earthquake cracking patterns. The proposed procedure can be easily applied to the case of multi-storey regular masonry walls with openings representing the main resistant structural components of a masonry building. Starting from the evaluation of the incipient rocking acceleration of the system, the free and forced motions of the wall are examined. In the paper, according to the classical Housner’s approach, the energy dissipation occurring during the impact is modelled. Finally, a numerical application, considering a simple constant horizontal acceleration impulse of given duration has been carried out.

     

Ferroptosis: A New Road towards Cancer Management

Ferroptosis is a recently described programmed cell death mechanism that is characterized by the buildup of iron (Fe)-dependent lipid peroxides in cells and is morphologically, biochemically, and genetically distinct from other forms of cell death, having emerged to play an important role in cancer biology. Ferroptosis has significant importance during cancer treatment because of the combination of factors, including suppression of the glutathione peroxidase 4 (Gpx4), cysteine deficiency, and arachidonoyl (AA) peroxidation, which cause cells to undergo ferroptosis. However, the physiological significance of ferroptosis throughout development is still not fully understood. This current review is focused on the factors and molecular mechanisms with the diagrammatic illustrations of ferroptosis that have a role in the initiation and sensitivity of ferroptosis in various malignancies. This knowledge will open a new road for research in oncology and cancer management.     

Biotechnological Innovations from Ocean: Transpiring Role of Marine Drugs in Management of Chronic Disorders

Marine drugs are abundant in number, comprise of a diverse range of structures with corresponding mechanisms of action, and hold promise for the discovery of new and better treatment approaches for the management of several chronic diseases. There are huge reserves of natural marine biological compounds, as 70 percent of the Earth is covered with oceans, indicating a diversity of chemical entities on the planet. The marine ecosystems are a rich source of bioactive products and have been explored for lead drug molecules that have proven to be novel therapeutic targets. Over the last 70 years, many structurally diverse drug products and their secondary metabolites have been isolated from marine sources. The drugs obtained from marine sources have displayed an exceptional potential in the management of a wide array of diseases, ranging from acute to chronic conditions. A beneficial role of marine drugs in human health has been recently proposed. The current review highlights various marine drugs and their compounds and role in the management of chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, and cardiovascular disorders, which has led to the development of new drug treatment approaches.