The synthesis of MCM-41 nanomaterial from Algerian Bentonite: The effect of the mineral phase contents of clay on the structure properties of MCM-41

This study focuses on the MCM-41 material (Mobil Composition of Matter). The MCM-41 nanomaterial presents higher physical properties such as pore sizes, surface areas and pore volumes. This material is usually synthesized by using laboratory reagents as silicate sources and aluminium source. These laboratory reagents are still expensive and toxic for large scale production. The main aim of this work is to resolve this problem and to replace these expensive laboratory reagents by more cost effective ones. The volclay and Algerian bentonite low-cost mass clay materials are used as silicate and acuminate sources separately by adopting an alkaline fusion process to extract both silicon and aluminium (1 kg of silicium and aluminium from volclay and Algerian bentonite cost around 0.03 and 0.01 € whereas the same amount of silicon from ludox and aluminium from sodium aluminates cost around 350 €). The synthesis of MCM-41 from bentonite was carried out by the hydrothermal method using the supernatants of bentonite (in the form of sodium silicate and sodium aluminate). On the basis of the data obtained from powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and N₂ adsorption and desorption, the results revealed that the properties of MCM-41 synthesized from Algerian bentonite and volclay separately depend on both elemental composition and mineral phase contents of the used bentonite. Pure and highly ordered hexagonal mesoporous MCM-41 with uniform pore sizes and a high specific surface area have been successfully synthesized without any phases which exist in natural bentonite. The Algerian bentonite was chosen because of its low cost compared to volclay, another commercial clay source.     

Nelumbo nucifera leaves as source of water-repellent wax: Extraction through polar and non-polar organic solvents

Nelumbo nucifera leaves are rich source of natural wax possessing super-hydrophobic properties. It provides protection to them from ecological turbulences and climatic wear and tear. In this study, various experiments have been conducted to observe the yield of extraction and the determination of various functional groups, which are present in natural wax, derived from Nelumbo nucifera leaves. The natural wax has been extracted from lotus leaves through non-polar (hexane) and polar (ethanol) solvent via different extraction methods. The superhydrophobic wax has been successfully extracted with hexane. Whereas, ethanol did not extract the water-repellent wax of lotus leaf. Considering the cumulative amount, i.e. (desired + undesired), the maceration shows the extraction of 2.9% (%w/w, through hexane) and 10.2% (%w/w, through ethanol), while it was found 2.5% (%w/w, cycle period 15 min) and 9.0% (%w/w, cycle period 26 min) respectively, in case of Soxhlet extraction technique. For this specific case of natural wax recovery from biomass (lotus leaf), the maceration (traditional method) resulted a little bit superior extraction yield in comparison to the Soxhlet extraction method for extraction of crude wax. In the case of non-polar solvent (hexane), an extraction yield of 1.97% (%w/w) through maceration method was observed while in the case of non-polar solvent (ethanol), an extraction yield of 1.62% (%w/w) through Soxhlet extraction was observed. The TLC analysis on both types of extracts was performed. For the detection of various hydrocarbon chains in the crude wax extracts, FTIR was also performed. Topography of wax surface and wax-coated waterproof fabric was compared through SEM.     

石墨烯包覆天然球形石墨作为锂离子电池的负极材料，是否需要乙炔黑导电剂？

我们通过包覆炭化的方法制备得到了石墨烯包覆的天然球形石墨(G/SG)材料,并使用扫描电子显微镜、X射线衍射仪以及多种电化学测试手段考察了不同石墨烯含量的复合材料的形貌结构及电化学性能。我们发现,在不添加乙炔黑(AB)的情况下,G/SG复合材料表现出较高的首次库伦效率,很好的循环稳定性和高倍率性能。当石墨烯包覆量为1%时,材料50次循环后的可逆容量可与添加10%AB的天然石墨电极(SG)等同;当石墨烯包覆量为2.5%时,材料的比容量完全高于添加10%AB的石墨电极。材料电化学性能的改善归因于石墨烯的包覆。一方面,石墨烯的柔软可变性可以保证天然石墨颗粒在充放电过程中的结构完整性,从而有效改善材料的循环稳定性;另一方面,石墨烯的存在提高了电极的导电性,促进更好导电网络的形成。因此,石墨烯包覆天然球形石墨材料中,石墨烯不仅是活性物质,也发挥导电剂的作用。当添加5%的乙炔黑时,在50 mA·g^-1电流循环50次后,5%G/SG电极的可逆容量从381.1 mAh·g^-1提高到404.5 mAh·g^-1,在1 A·g^-1电流时可逆容量从82.5 mAh·g^-1提高到101.9 mAh·g^-1,这表明G/SG电极仍然需要乙炔黑导电剂。乙炔黑颗粒填充在复合材料的空隙中,通过点接触的形式连接到G/SG颗粒,与石墨烯协同作用形成了更加有效的导电网络。尽管石墨烯包覆和乙炔黑添加对天然石墨电极具有积极的影响,例如增加了天然石墨电极的导电性和储锂性能(包括可逆容量,倍率性能和循环性能),但随着石墨烯或乙炔黑的增加,电极密度通常会降低。因此,在实际应用中应考虑石墨负极材料的质量和体积容量的平衡。这些结果对天然石墨的进一步商业应用具有重要意义。我们的工作为天然石墨电极在锂电池中的电化学行为提供了一种新的认识,并且有助于制备更高性能的负极材料。     

Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor curcumin upregulates mitochondrial uncoupling protein1 (UCP1) and mitochondrial function in brown adipocytes,in-silico study and screening natural drug library

Mitochondrial dysfunction has been associated with diverse pathological conditions globally. Specifically, in adipose tissues, mitochondrial dysfunction is the primary cause of obesity and obesity-related illnesses. An existing drugs such as atorvastatin and other lipid-lowering drugs demonstrated adverse effects and initiated other diseases. Thus, we need to explore new methods to prevent and treat obesity. In this study, we used the cell screening method to identify several natural compounds that increase adipocyte UCP1 gene expression. The identified drug Curcumin was evaluated in cell models and the In-silico model. We found curcumin is an active compound of turmeric belonging to Zingiberaceae (ginger family), which activates the Nrf2 mechanism. Curcumin potentially endorses the expression of UCP1 in the brown adipocyte in vitro cellular model. Curcumin plays an important role that modulating mitochondrial function and improving mitochondrial DNA quantification, ATP production, and cell viability. We have established an efficient in vitro cell experiment system to study the metabolic regulation of UCP1. The in-silico model revealed curcumin-UCP1 interaction. Curcumin, via enhancing mitochondrial activity, could be a helpful therapeutic molecule against metabolic disorders or obesity-related diseases. Curcumin will be the subject of more research in both human and murine models, which will provide novel therapeutic pathways for the treatment of metabolic illnesses by modulating the control of mitochondrial function.     

In silico and in vivo study of adulticidal activity from Ayapana triplinervis essential oils nano-emulsion against Aedes aegypti

Nanoinsecticides of plant origin have advantages in the resistance of Aedes aegypti, vectors of infectious diseases. The objective of this study was to evaluate the insecticidal potential of Ayapana triplinervis essential oil nano-emulsions using in silico and in vivo assays in an Aedes aegypti model. Molecular docking showed that minority compounds present in the morphotype A essential oil have a more significant binding affinity to inhibit acetylcholinesterase and juvenile hormone receptors. Aedes aegypti adults were susceptible to A. triplinervis at 150 µg.mL-1 in a diagnostic time of 15 min for morphotype A essential oil nano-emulsion and 45 min for morphotype B essential oil nano-emulsion. The evaluation of toxicity in Swiss albino mice indicated that the nano-emulsions had low acute dermal toxicity and presented LD₅₀ greater than 2000 mg.Kg^?1. Thus, it is possible to conclude that nano-emulsions have the potential to be used in the chemical control of A. aegypti.     

Sarcaglarols A—D,Lindenane−Monoterpene Heterodimers from Sarcandra glabra Based on Molecular Networks

Sarcaglarols A—D ( 1 — 4 ), two pairs of lindenane?monoterpene heterodimers fused by a 1,2‐dioxane moiety, were discovered and isolated from the leaves of Sarcandra glabra guided by MS/MS molecular networking‐based strategy. Their planar structures, absolute configurations of basic skeleton and flexible polyhydric side chain were established by analysis of HRESIMS, NMR spectroscopic data, ECD spectrum, and the X‐ray diffraction study of isopropylidene derivatives. An intermolecular [2+2+2] cycloaddition may play a key role in the biosynthesis pathway of the 1,2‐dioxane moiety fused lindenane?monoterpene heterodimer skeleton, which can be recognized as the biogenetic precursors of our previous reported lindenane?normonoterpene conjugates. In addition, compounds 1 , 3 and 4 exhibited moderate inhibitory effects of lipid accumulation in free fatty acid‐exposed L02 cells.     

Blending of Natural Rubber/Recycled Ethylene-Propylene-diene Rubber: Promoting the Interfacial Adhesion Between Phases by Natural Rubber Latex

This article deals with blends based on natural rubber (NR) and recycled ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (R-EPDM). Natural rubber latex (NRL) was introduced into the blends to enhance interfacial adhesion between NR and R-EPDM. A new route of compounding was also suggested. The blends were prepared by mixing R-EPDM and other additives in NRL before blending with natural rubber on a two-roll mill. By applying this method, the homogeneity of the blends and cross-linking distribution are significantly improved. The blends exhibited superior state of cure, swelling resistance, mechanical properties and dynamic mechanical properties. The degree of entanglement between NR and R-EPDM also increased after NRL modification.     

The role of copper(II) and zinc(II) in the degradation of human and murine IAPP by insulin‐degrading enzyme

Amylin or islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) is a 37‐residue peptide hormone secreted from the pancreatic islets into the blood circulation and is cleared by peptidases in the kidney. IAPP aggregates are strongly associated with β‐cell degeneration in type 2 diabetes, as demonstrated by the fact that more than 95% of patients exhibit IAPP amyloid upon autopsy. Recently, it has been reported that metal ions such as copper(II) and zinc(II) are implicated in the aggregation of IAPP as well as able to modulate the proteolytic activity of IAPP degrading enzymes. For this reason, in this work, the role of the latter metal ions in the degradation of IAPP by insulin‐degrading enzyme (IDE) has been investigated by a chromatographic and mass spectrometric combined method. The latter experimental approach allowed not only to assess the overall metal ion inhibition of the human and murine IAPP degradation by IDE but also to have information on copper‐ and zinc‐induced changes in IAPP aggregation. In addition, IDE cleavage site preferences in the presence of metal ions are rationalized as metal ion‐induced changes in substrate accessibility. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An Antibody with a Variable‐Region Coiled‐Coil “Knob” Domain

The X‐ray crystal structure of a bovine antibody (BLV1H12) revealed a unique structure in its ultralong heavy chain complementarity determining region 3 (CDR3H) that folds into a solvent‐exposed β‐strand “stalk” fused to a disulfide crosslinked “knob” domain. We have substituted an antiparallel heterodimeric coiled‐coil motif for the β‐strand stalk in this antibody. The resulting antibody (Ab‐coil) expresses in mammalian cells and has a stability similar to that of the parent bovine antibody. MS analysis of H–D exchange supports the coiled‐coil structure of the substituted peptides. Substitution of the knob‐domain of Ab‐coil with bovine granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (bGCSF) results in a stably expressed chimeric antibody, which proliferates mouse NFS‐60 cells with a potency comparable to that of bGCSF. This work demonstrates the utility of this novel coiled‐coil CDR3 motif as a means for generating stable, potent antibody fusion proteins with useful pharmacological properties.