Search Results (1,522)

Ionic Liquids (IL) are a unique class of molten salts, with specific formulations exhibiting antimicrobial properties. Several recent studies have highlighted the ability of ILs to form micelles, permeabilize the plasma membrane, and destabilize cellular structure, ultimately initiating cell death. Moreover, while these membrane-destabilizing properties are cytotoxic to most cellular organisms at high concentrations, their membrane destabilization capability at lower concentrations may lead to improvements in drug delivery for combinatorial therapies against specific microbes. Work presented in this study aimed to identify a synergistic relationship between ILs, 1-n-Hexyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (HMIM[Cl]) and 1-Methyl-3-n-octylimidazolium chloride (OMIM[Cl]), and antifungal drugs (AF), Clotrimazole, Ketoconazole, Fluconazole, and Itraconazole, with the hypothesis that in a combinatory setting there should be improved AF efficacy against model fungal organisms: S. boulardii, S. cerevisiae, S. pombe, and C. albicans. Several complementary assays were used to identify the combined effects of IL + AF treatment, including Kirby–Bauer tests and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) assays to establish antimicrobial effects, and flow cytometry to evaluate cell wall permeability. Finally, we demonstrate that at low concentrations, the ILs tested in this study are capable of improving the effectiveness of current antifungal compounds at concentrations not cytotoxic to human cells. Full article

Chloride channel proteins (CLCs) are essential anion transporters involved in plant growth, osmotic regulation, and ion homeostasis. However, their genome-wide characterization in tetraploid alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) remains unexplored. In this study, a total of 35 CLC family members were identified and underwent comprehensive bioinformatic analyses. Phylogenetic and structural analyses divided them into six subfamilies and two subclasses based on conserved residues such as GxGIPE. Members within the same subclass shared conserved domains and similar motif patterns. Analysis of duplication events indicated that 48 segmental duplications were the primary driving force behind the expansion of this gene family. Promoter analysis revealed abundant light, hormone, and stress-responsive cis-elements, suggesting multiple regulatory functions. Gene expression profiling demonstrated that salt, drought stress, and ABA treatment significantly induced the expression levels of some genes. Among them, MsCLC2 and MsCLC18 from Group c exhibited more than fivefold upregulation under both salt and drought stress, significantly higher than other members. Subcellular localization confirmed MsCLC18 on the plasma membrane, potentially regulating Cl⁻ efflux through a Cl⁻/H⁺ antiporter mechanism to alleviate Cl⁻ toxicity. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for the function study of CLC genes in alfalfa and offer new insights into the molecular evolution of polyploid plants under abiotic stress. Full article

Ewe’s milk cheese produced from raw milk holds cultural and economic importance in Southern European countries; however, it poses microbiological challenges. Among spoilage microorganisms, Pseudomonas fluorescens is particularly concerning due to thermostable enzymes that impair the texture, aroma, and stability of cheese, even under refrigeration and salinity. This study evaluated the influence of sodium chloride concentration on Pseudomonas fluorescens given the pivotal role of salt in ensuring cheese stability and safety. Cheeses inoculated with Pseudomonas fluorescens were produced under an experimental design that combined three ripening temperatures with four salt concentrations. Physicochemical composition and microbiological stability were assessed at the end of ripening (20 days). Results showed that the ripening temperature emerged as the most determinant factor, influencing microbial viability and increasing solid retention, proteolysis, and dehydration, leading to harder cheeses. Low temperatures without salt favoured surface colour defects, whereas, although high salt levels contributed to partial control of Pseudomonas spp., they also delayed ripening, resulting in cheeses with a pale, uncharacteristic appearance. Conversely, moderate salinity (2%) combined with higher ripening temperatures promoted uniform maturation, resulting in a stable texture and appearance free of defects. These findings highlight the need to balance salt and ripening conditions to optimise quality and safety in traditional raw ewe’s milk cheeses. Full article

Deep eutectic solvents (DES) were selected for the extraction of anthocyanins from red grape skins as an efficient and environmentally friendly solvent alternative to traditional mixtures based on methanol. In silico studies (COSMO-RS) were employed as screening tools to identify the most suitable options, significantly reducing the chemical space of potential DES to be studied. A total of 30,132 DES combinations were assessed. The DESs selected were polyalcohols (ethyleneglycol, glycerol, 1,2-propanediol, and 1,6-hexanediol) and carboxylic acids (citric, oxalic, malic, and lactic acid) as hydrogen bond donors (HBD) and choline chloride, betaine, or salts (potassium carbonate, sodium acetate, and propionate), as hydrogen bond acceptors (HBA). Choline chloride:glycerol and choline chloride:oxaclic acic were selected as solvents to optimize time, temperature, and water content in ultrasound- and microwave-assisted extraction of anthocyanins. In both cases, around 20 wt% of water was found to be the optimum to maximize the extractions, whereas extraction time and temperature depended on the type of anthocyanin. The amount of malvidin-3-O-glucoside extracted by microwave-assisted extraction with choline chloride: oxalic acid was 172 ± 7 mg/kg and 119.5 ± 0.5 mg/kg by ultrasound-assisted extraction with choline chloride: glycerol, which means an increase in performance of, respectively, 64 and a 13% compared to the traditional method. Full article

The vapor–liquid equilibrium (VLE) data of the binary acetonitrile + water system and three ternary systems containing ionic liquids (ILs): acetonitrile + water + 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C₄mim][Cl]), + 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([C₄mim][BF₄]), and + 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C₆mim][Cl]) were experimentally measured at low pressures. In addition, the literature VLE data for the binary systems acetonitrile + [C₄mim][Cl], acetonitrile + [C₄mim][BF₄], and acetonitrile + [C₆mim][Cl] were adopted for model correlation. The NRTL and e-NRTL models were employed to correlate the binary data. The experimental results demonstrate that the presence of ILs causes a pronounced salting-out effect on acetonitrile, significantly increasing its relative volatility with respect to water. The separation performance of the three ILs for the acetonitrile + water mixture decreases in the order: [C₄mim][Cl] > [C₆mim][Cl] > [C₄mim][BF₄]. Full article

(This paper presents the synthesis of a novel copper(II) metal complex with ethyl (2-(methylcarbamoyl)phenyl)carbamate and 3-methylquinazoline-2,4(1H,3H)-dione. The characterization of the compound was conducted through various techniques, including melting point determination, microwave plasma atomic emission spectrometry (MP-AES) for Cu, attenuated total reflection (ATR), IR, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The coordination compound was obtained after mixing water solutions of the metal salt and the ligand dissolved in DMSO and water solutions of NaOH, in a metal-to-ligand-to-base ratio of 1:2:2. The ligand and the metal chloride were brought into the reaction at room temperature in DMSO and H₂O as solvents, respectively. The results indicate the successful formation of a stable mixed-ligand Cu(II) coordination compound involving N,O-donor ligands. Based on the obtained data, we assumed that the ligands are coordinated through N- and O-donor atoms. Spectroscopic data suggested that the ligand (3-methylquinazoline-2,4(1H,3H)-dione), by using (NaOH), coordinated to a metal ion as a monodentate ligand through the nitrogen atom of the NH group and ethyl (2-(methylcarbamoyl)phenyl)carbamate coordinated in a bidentate fashion through the N- and O-donor atoms of ester group. Additionally, two hydroxyl groups were bridged for two metal ions into the formed dimer structure. Full article

Cancer involves uncontrolled cell growth, leading to tumor formation, and remains a major cause of mortality worldwide. Colorectal cancer (CRC) arises from abnormal proliferation of colon glandular epithelial cells. We assessed the cytotoxic and molecular effects of lithium carbonate (Li₂CO₃) and lithium chloride (LiCl) in two CRC cell lines (HCT-116 and SW-620) and a non-tumorigenic line (CRL-1790). Viability assays revealed dose-dependent cytotoxicity, with HCT-116 being the most sensitive cell line (IC₅₀: 8.14 mM for Li₂CO₃). Notably, long-term lithium exposure reduced proliferation, lowering colony-forming efficiency (CFE) and a phenotypic shift from holoclones to meroclones and paraclones, indicating diminished self-renewal capacity. Minimal membrane damage was observed (LDH assay), suggesting non-lytic mechanisms consistent with apoptosis. TUNEL and Annexin-V/IP assays confirmed apoptosis in >40% of cells, without caspase-3 cleavage, suggesting a caspase-independent pathway. PARP-1 cleavage occurred only in SW-620 cells. Western blotting exposed cell-specific modulation of GSK-3β: increased inactive form (p-Ser9) in CRC cells and decreased in CRL-1790 cells, implying differential disruption of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. c-Myc levels remained unchanged, suggesting possible post-translational regulatory effects. Overall, these findings indicate that lithium salts selectively reduce CRC cell viability, impair stem-like characteristics, and induced caspase-independent apoptosis. Therefore, we expand the proof of concept of the potential of lithium-based compounds as low-toxicity adjuvant agents in colorectal cancer therapy. Full article

Thin-film composite nanofiltration membranes were fabricated via the interfacial polymerization method from optimized polyethersulfone (PES) mixed matrix membranes, using m-phenylenediamine and trimesoyl chloride monomers, which produced a selective polyamide layer and were used for heavy metal removal. The concentration of trimesoyl chloride (TMC) is a critical factor to govern the properties of the selective polyamide layer, which directly influences the surface morphology and selective performance of (0.5 wt%) PES-coreshell-Fe₃O₄/ZnO membranes. Morphological structure, illustrated by SEM images, elucidated the role of TMC addition. FTIR spectra validated the successful formation of the amine and acyl chloride groups. Performance studies illustrated that NF3 (made from 0.1 w/v% of TMC) showed a unique salt rejection trend (NaCl > Na₂SO₄ > MgCl₂) with an optimal salt rejection of 52.64%, 50.91%, and 12.67%. A low concentration of 0.1 w/v% of the NF3 membrane was the most optimal high-performance membrane. The adsorption rate of NF3 for Pb(II) ions in real environmental wastewater is attributed to the tailored surface chemistry of the polyamide layered thin-film/PES-coreshell-Fe₃O₄/ZnO nanocomposites of the membranes. The maximum Langmuir adsorption capacity at the optimal pH = 5 was 8.8573 mg/g at 25 °C. The fabricated adsorptive nanofiltration membranes alleviated the presence of Pb(II) ions and other competing ions present in environmental wastewater. Full article

Superhydrophobic coatings on aluminum play a crucial role in enhancing corrosion resistance in harsh marine and chloride-rich environments. This study introduces a scalable fabrication method for superhydrophobic aluminum surfaces exhibiting outstanding corrosion resistance. The process involves a two-step technique combining chemical etching with atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (AP-CVD) of perfluorooctyltriethoxysilane (PFOTES). Hierarchical micro- and nanostructures were created by HCl etching, followed by conformal PFOTES functionalization to impart low surface energy. The fabricated surfaces demonstrated water contact angles reaching as high as 175°, coupled with very-low-contact-angle hysteresis, indicative of the Cassie–Baxter wetting state. Electrochemical analyses in saline environments demonstrated a substantial increase in charge transfer resistance and a reduction in corrosion rates by more than an order of magnitude compared to uncoated aluminum, with inhibition efficiencies exceeding 98%. Extended salt spray testing corroborated the durability and efficacy of the dual-modified surfaces. This facile and cost-effective method offers promising prospects for multifunctional aluminum components in marine, infrastructure, and aerospace applications where long-term protection against aggressive environments is required. Full article

In this study, 101 and 102 rainwater samples were collected from April 2020 to February 2024 in a coastal and marine area, respectively. The results show that the Cl/Na ratios in both study areas were lower than the seawater value (1.17), suggesting chloride depletion. The chloride depletion rates in both areas decreased after the COVID-19 lockdown period. The molar ratio of NH₄⁺ to non-sea-salt sulfate (nss-SO₄²⁻) was 1.54, with a mixture of (NH₄)₂SO₄ and NH₄HSO₄ in the coastal area, and 0.83, with NH₄HSO₄ as the main form, in the marine area. A decreasing trend attributed to high O₃ and relative humidity (RH) levels occurred in 2022. Among the dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) species, DON accounted for 24% and 32% of the total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) in the coastal and marine areas, respectively, indicating a greater relative contribution under lower anthropogenic influence. On the basis of the correlation between the species and source analysis results, NO₃⁻ mainly originated from fossil fuel combustion, NH₄⁺ originated from agricultural emissions and secondary aerosols, and DON originated from secondary aerosols via combustion processes and natural emissions. In terms of the flux, due to lockdown activities, the Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen (DIN) flux decreased significantly from 40.6 to 19.3 mmol m⁻² yr⁻¹ in the coastal area and from 27.7 to 15.1 mmol m⁻² yr⁻¹ in the marine area. Additionally, a slight decrease occurred in the DON flux, from 21.6 to 19.3 mmol m⁻² yr⁻¹ and from 27.7 to 15.1 mmol m⁻² yr⁻¹, respectively. Regarding new production, based on nitrogen input, the level in the coastal area decreased from 5.83 to 2.10 g C m⁻² yr⁻¹, and that in the marine area decreased from 3.92 to 1.55 g C m⁻² yr⁻¹, indicating a significant reduction during the COVID-19 lockdown. Full article

In this research, we examined the potential sensor characteristics of branched polyethyleneimine (BPEI)-derived carbon dots (CDs) synthesized using BPEI as a nitrogen source and citric acid (CA) as a carbon source, specifically for the recognition of various metal ions. Among the BPEI CDs produced with different amounts of BPEI to CA BPEI:CA ratios of 0.5:1, 1:1, and 2:1 w/w, named as BPEI^0.5 CD, BPEI¹ CD, and BPEI² CD, respectively. The BPEI^0.5 CD, which contains the least BPEI, exhibited the highest fluorescence intensity: 50,300 a.u. in a 0.6 mg/mL solution were recorded as λ_em: 420 nm at λ_ex: 360 nm and 600 V PMT voltage with 5 nm of slit width for both excitation and emission. We investigated the fluorescence variations in BPEI CD-based CDs in 2 mL solutions containing Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Pb²⁺ metal ions at various concentrations. Amongst these metal ions, the most pronounced sensitivity was noted for Cu²⁺ ions with a limit of detection (LOD) value of 0.39 ppm. For BPEI CDs created with BPEI:CA ratios of 0.5:1, 1:1, and 2:1 w/w, the sensitivity to Cu²⁺ ions increased with a higher BPEI ratio, with a LOD value of 0.30 ppm recorded for BPEI² CDs. Moreover, Cu²⁺ ion solutions were prepared from various salts, including chloride, acetate, nitrate, and sulfate; aside from some fluorescence variation observed for BPEI^0.5 CDs, no significant difference in BPEI CD fluorescence change was observed with the use of the various salt solutions of Cu²⁺ ion. In quenching experiments conducted on mixtures of Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Pb²⁺ metal ions with Cu²⁺, it was noted that BPEI CDs displayed selectivity for Cu²⁺ ions. Furthermore, the structures of BPEI CDs have been effectively utilized in real water samples, such as tap water and seawater, demonstrating a quenching capability of over 65% in the presence of 50 ppm Cu²⁺ ions. Full article

This study aims to resolve the “secondary activation” challenge when erecting structures over goaf zones by employing a novel grouting and filling material. It delves into the performance degradation of the innovative ECS soil grouting filling material (ESGF material) within the goaf’s ionic erosion context. Erosion tests were performed on ESGF material specimens with varying mix designs to mimic the sulfate and chloride erosion scenarios commonly encountered in practical engineering. The macro-mechanical properties and microstructural changes of ESGF materials under ionic erosion environment were systematically investigated by various testing methods, such as unconfined compressive strength (UCS), SEM, XRD, TG, FTIR, and Raman. The findings indicate that both sulfate and chloride erosion lead to a reduction in the strength of the ESGF material. As erosion progresses, the specimens experience a mass increase followed by a decrease, with their strength exhibiting a consistent downward trend. In sulfate erosion conditions, the buildup of expansion product like ettringite (AFt) and thaumasite (TSA) inflicts substantial internal structural damage. Conversely, Friedel’s salt, the primary product of chloride erosion, exhibits relatively weaker expansiveness, and chloride concentration exerts a less pronounced effect on material degradation. Moreover, the cementitious material content and the proportion of quick-setting component play a significant role in determining the ESGF material’s resistance to erosion. By adjusting the quick-setting components ratio in response to changes in the water content of soft soil, the anti-ion erosion performance of solidified soil can be effectively enhanced. Notably, curing with a 5% sulfate maintenance could significantly improve the erosion resistance of ESGF material. This suggests that ESGF materials can be used without concern for curing issues in high-salinity environments during grouting. The research addresses the root cause of goaf subsidence while facilitating the recycling of solid waste, offering an environmentally friendly solution. Full article

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a widely used polymer in composite systems due to its versatility and processability, with growing use in advanced engineering applications. This study presents the formulation, processing optimisation, and detailed characterisation of a hot-dip PVC-based plastisol composite coating developed for electrical insulation in electric vehicle (EV) battery systems. A series of plastisol formulations with varying filler contents were prepared and applied via dip-coating at withdrawal speeds of 5, 10, and 15 mm s⁻¹. The 5 mm s⁻¹ withdrawal speed resulted in the most uniform coatings with thicknesses of 890–2100 µm. Mechanical testing showed that lower filler content significantly improved performance: Group 1 (lowest filler) exhibited the highest tensile strength (11.9 N mm⁻²), elongation at break (465%), tear strength (92 N mm⁻¹), and abrasion resistance. SEM and EDX analyses confirmed more homogeneous filler dispersion in Group 1, while FTIR spectra indicated stronger polymer–plasticiser interactions. Contact-angle measurements showed an increase of ${38}^{\circ }$ in low-filler samples, indicating enhanced surface hydrophobicity. Furthermore, Group 1 coatings demonstrated superior dielectric strength (22.1 kV mm⁻¹) and excellent corrosion resistance, maintaining integrity for over 2000 h in salt-spray testing. These findings highlight the importance of filler optimisation in balancing mechanical, electrical, and environmental performance. The proposed PVC-based composite coating offers a durable, cost-effective solution for next-generation EV battery insulation systems and has potential applicability in other high-performance engineering applications. Full article

This study investigates the biodeterioration of mosaic surfaces in a semi-confined archaeological environment along the Phlegraean coast (Baiae, Italy), focusing on the interaction between salt efflorescence and phototrophic biofilms. A multi-analytical approach was employed, integrating in situ observations with ex situ analyses, including SEM/EDS, FTIR spectroscopy, and metabarcoding (16S and 18S rRNA), to characterize both abiotic and biotic alteration patterns. Results highlight subtle traces of spatial differentiation: samples from the more exposed sector showed a more consistent colonization by halotolerant and halophilic taxa, particularly among Halobacteria and Rubrobacter, along with abundant sodium, chloride, and sulfate signals suggestive of active salt crystallization. Protected areas exhibit a comparable presence of salts with less diverse halophilic communities that vary along a vertical gradient of light exposure. The integration of chemical and biological data supports a model in which salt stress and biofilm development are co-dependent and synergistic in driving surface degradation. These findings emphasize the need for context-specific conservation strategies that account for the combined action of environmental salinity and microbial communities on historical materials. Full article

The freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens) is a promising aquaculture species due to its strong environmental adaptability, tolerance to low temperatures, rapid growth rate, high nutritional value, high-quality texture (garlic-clove-shaped flesh), and absence of intermuscular bones. Nevertheless, processing technologies related to freshwater drum remain largely unexplored. Salting pretreatment serves as a viable strategy for enhancing the quality attributes of frozen fish products. This study investigated the effects of different sodium chloride (NaCl) pickling concentrations (0.25, 1, and 3 mol/L) on the physicochemical properties and quality attributes of frozen–thawed freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens). Results indicated that elevated NaCl concentrations (1–3 mol/L) significantly (p < 0.05) shortened the transit time through the maximum ice crystal formation zone during freezing, effectively mitigating structural damage to myofibrillar networks. As the NaCl concentration increased from 0 to 3 mol/L, the water content decreased from 71.26 ± 0.22% to 68.64 ± 0.50%, while the salt content increased from 0.31 ± 0.01% to 8.46 ± 0.12%. Pickling pretreatment markedly enhanced water-holding capacity and improved texture profiles, including hardness, springiness, gumminess, and chewiness. Histological analysis revealed preserved myofibril integrity in high-salt-treated samples, supported by reduced fluorescence intensity of myofibrillar proteins, indicating mitigated freeze-induced denaturation. Low-field NMR confirmed salt-induced redistribution of water states, with decreased free water proportion. Our results identify that pretreatment with NaCl at concentrations ≥ 1 mol/L is an effective strategy to preserve the post-thaw quality. Due to 3 mol/L NaCl resulting in a relatively high salt content, 1 mol/L NaCl pretreatment is more suitable for maintaining the quality of freeze–thawed freshwater drums. Full article