Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Melissa Marques Goncalves, Daniela Florencio Maluf, Roberto Pontarolo, Cyro Ketzer Saul, Eyad Almouazen, Yves Chevalier
Summary: The nanoprecipitation of hydrogel nanoparticles by complex coacervation was studied using the chitosan-polyphosphate pair of polyelectrolytes at pH 4. Different polyphosphates with varying molar masses and electrical charges were investigated as alternatives to tripolyphosphate. By inverting the order of mixing, negatively charged nanoparticles with diameters of 100-200 nm could be precipitated. This charge inversion allowed for more efficient encapsulation of positively charged proteins, such as bovine serum albumin.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lalit Kumar Gautam, Prince Sharma, Neena Capalash
Summary: Acinetobacter baumannii is a pathogenic bacterium known for causing life-threatening infections. The increase in its resistance to carbapenems has highlighted the need for new treatment targets. This study investigates the substrate binding of A. baumannii PPK2 and provides valuable information for inhibitor screening.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Hongfa Lv, Yonglin Zhou, Baichen Liu, Jian Guan, Peng Zhang, Xuming Deng, Dan Li, Jianfeng Wang
Summary: This study found that PPK1 plays an important role in the pathogenicity and persistence of A. baumannii. The lack of PPK1 significantly impairs the motility and biofilm formation ability of the strain, as well as the resistance to high concentrations of antibiotics, oxidative stress, heat shock, and starvation stress. Metabonomic analysis also revealed that PPK1 is associated with glycerophospholipid metabolism and fatty acid biosynthesis. Furthermore, mice infected with PPK1-deficient bacteria showed significantly reduced bacterial loads and decreased inflammatory responses.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zeineb Mzoughi, Hatem Majdoub
Summary: Polysaccharides derived from halophytes have attracted increasing interest due to their biological activities, particularly their immunomodulatory effects. These polysaccharides, mainly composed of pectic polysaccharides, show potential in discovering novel therapeutic agents with beneficial properties. Structural characteristics, such as uronic acids, molecular weights, sulfate presence, and unmethylated acidic groups, play significant roles in the biological activities of these carbohydrates.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Yong Pan, Ende Yu
Summary: In this study, the structural, optical, and electronic properties of AlH3 hydride were investigated using the first-principles method. The results reveal that the rhombohedral structure of AlH3 is highly stable, with a band gap of 2.170 eV. Additionally, AlH3 exhibits semiconductor properties and ultraviolet response.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Giovanna L. Delogu, Antonella Fais, Francesca Pintus, Chinmayi Goyal, Maria J. Matos, Benedetta Era, Amit Kumar
Summary: In this study, a combination of computational and biochemical techniques was used to modify the structure of benzofuran derivatives and identify relevant structural features for butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activity and selectivity. By introducing a methylene spacer and substituents, a novel selective BChE inhibitor was discovered. 5-bromo-2-(4-hydroxybenzyl)benzofuran 9B exhibited the strongest inhibitory activity. Computational studies confirmed the correlation between the theoretical and experimental binding affinity of the compounds to the BChE protein.
Article
Physics, Fluids & Plasmas
A. Radhakrishnan, S. Madhukar, A. Chowdhury, V. A. Raghunathan
Summary: The structure of complexes of the cationic surfactant DTAB with DNA was studied, and it was found that nematic gels formed at low and high salt concentrations. Square and hexagonal phases were observed at intermediate salt concentrations. Electron density maps showed intercalated structures with DTAB micelles sandwiched between DNA strands. The results highlight the importance of micellar size in determining the structure of these complexes.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Diogo Sousa, Nuno Basilio, Joana Oliveira, Victor de Freitas, Fernando Pina
Summary: The kinetics and thermodynamics of pH-dependent reversible and irreversible processes leading to color fading of certain dyes are investigated. The disappearance of quinoidal bases occurs in three distinct steps upon the addition of base.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Hakan Tanyas, Dalia Kirschbaum, Tolga Gorum, Cees J. van Westen, Luigi Lombardo
Summary: Earthquakes not only increase landslide susceptibility during the post-seismic phase, but also have limited observations regarding these processes under tropical conditions. The study shows that landslide susceptibility returns to pre-seismic levels in less than a year in the study areas considered.
FRONTIERS IN EARTH SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Hafizal Yazid, Umar A. Anwar, Maria Sabtu, Julie Andrianny Murshidi, Nurazila M. Zali, Zakaria Dris, Ruey Shan Chen, Sahrim Ahmad, M. Rawi M. Zin
Summary: This study demonstrates the significant impact of HDPE crystallinity and structural morphology on the tensile strength of 60/40 NR/HDPE polymer blend composites. The introduction of nanoscale Boron Carbide (B4C-type compounds) fillers changed the crystallinity and morphology of HDPE, resulting in the formation of fine spherulites. Microscale fillers mainly impacted crystallinity while maintaining a coarse structure. Nanocomposites outperformed microcomposites and even the pristine polymer blend in terms of strength, with the nanocomposite containing 2 wt% filler loading exhibiting the highest strength. The study provides insights into the interplay between crystallinity, HDPE structure, and filler size, which greatly influence the strength of polymer blend composites.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Dor Gaash, Simran Dewan, Avigail Baruch Leshem, Kumar Sagar Jaiswal, Raz Jelinek, Ayala Lampel
Summary: Designed condensates formed by liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) of cationic and aromatic peptide are utilized to sequester and modulate the fluorescence of tyrosine-based carbon dots (C-dots), enabling spatial regulation for potential biosensing applications.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biology
Chris Furlan, Nipa Chongdar, Pooja Gupta, Wolfgang Lubitz, Hideaki Ogata, James N. Blaza, James A. Birrell
Summary: Electron bifurcation is a fundamental energy conservation mechanism in nature that allows endergonic reactions to be driven by exergonic ones. In this study, the structure of HydABC, an electron-bifurcating [FeFe] hydrogenase, was determined using electron cryo-microscopy. The structure revealed a heterododecamer with a central electron transfer pathway, providing insights into the mechanism of electron bifurcation in HydABC. Based on these findings, a possible mechanism of electron bifurcation in HydABC was proposed.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Feifan Li, Hongfu Wang, Xiaohong Mei
Summary: The study developed microcapsules using complex coacervation with soybean protein isolate (SPI) and pectin for phytosterol (PS) encapsulation, showing electrostatic attraction between SPI and pectin and sustained release of PS.
JOURNAL OF FOOD ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xuewei Wang, Yanju Gao, Guixin Chu
Summary: The major features of short-chain ammonium polyphosphate (APP) fertilizers are significantly affected by reaction parameters such as the P:N molar ratio, reaction temperature, time, and pressure. APP fertilizers produced by the MAP-urea process exhibit better characteristics compared to those produced by the PA-urea process.
Letter
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lixin Zhang, Xueting Liu, Xinye Wang, Guoliang Zhu, Heng Song, Ronghai Cheng, Nathchar Naowarojna, Catherine E. E. Costello, Pinghua Liu
Summary: In their recent publication, Cen, Wang, Zhou et al. reported the crystal structure of a ternary complex of the non-heme iron endoperoxidase FtmOx1 and concluded that it supports the CarC-like mechanistic model for catalysis. However, they failed to accurately describe the CarC-like and COX-like models and address their differences, and their data is consistent with the COX-like model after careful analysis.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Lenize F. Maia, Vanessa E. De Oliveira, Howell G. M. Edwards, Luiz Fernando C. De Oliveira
Summary: This review focuses on the linear conjugated polyenes and their application in biomolecules, with Raman spectroscopy being used for molecular characterization. Conjugated polyenes are responsible for the yellow, orange, red and purple natural colors observed in flora and fauna, and are also a key target for astrobiology, with Rama spectroscopy being discussed as a main analytical tool for their detection extra-terrestrially.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Jaqueline Vieira Piovezana Gomes, Livya Alves de Oliveira, Julia d'Almeida Francisquini, Pamella Cristine Anunciacao, Rodrigo Stephani, Luiz Fernando C. de Oliveira, Italo T. Perrone, Antonio F. de Carvalho, Ceres Mattos Della Lucia
Summary: The study utilized spray drying technology to develop whey protein concentrate (WPC) and whey protein concentrate admixture of microencapsulated curcumin (TWPC), both showing spherical, irregular, particulate morphology with agglomeration points and no apparent cracks. By comparing the colorimetry values of WPC and TWPC, it was found that the addition of curcumin extract led to a tendency towards yellow coloration. The research successfully developed TWPC without altering the technological characteristics of WPC.
JOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESSING AND PRESERVATION
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Beatriz Seixas Rezende, Paula Spotorno-Oliveira, Sthefane D'avila, Lenize Fernandes Maia, Luiz Fernando Cappa de Oliveira
Summary: Analyzing the pedal mucus of vermetids Eualetes tulipa and Petaloconchus varians using Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy revealed a biogenic mineralization process with calcium carbonate crystals mainly in the forms of calcite and aragonite. The formation of these crystals is likely through secondary nucleation from calcium carbonate precursors in the feeding mucus.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Douglas F. Franco, Roger G. Fernandes, Jorlandio F. Felix, Valmor R. Mastelaro, Hellmut Eckert, Conrado R. M. Afonso, Younes Messaddeq, Sandra H. Messaddeq, Steeve Morency, Marcelo Nalin
Summary: New magnetic glass compositions based on the (100-x)(60GeO(2) -25B(2)O(3) -4Al(2)O(3) -10Na(2)O-1PbO) -xTb(4)O(7) system were prepared using the melt-quenching technique. The materials were characterized for their structural, thermal, morphological, optical, magnetic, and magneto-optical properties. It was found that the distribution of Tb3+ ions, as well as the magnetic susceptibility, increased proportionally with the rare earth content.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY-JMR&T
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
A. E. Souza, S. G. Antonio, S. J. L. Ribeiro, D. F. Franco, G. Galeani, T. Cardinal, M. Dussauze, M. Nalin
Summary: Glass-ceramics containing rare earth gallium garnets were successfully synthesized in this study, with excellent optical properties suitable for the development of photonic devices. The materials exhibited intense upconversion emissions upon pumping at 980 nm, making them promising candidates for various applications in photonics.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2021)
Article
Spectroscopy
Lenize F. Maia, Tatiani A. Gonzaga, Mariana T. C. Campos, Gisele Lobo-Hajdu, Howell G. M. Edwards, Luiz F. C. de Oliveira
Summary: Sponges are colorful filter feeding animals that host a large number of microorganisms in a symbiotic relationship, with colors derived from biosynthesis or symbionts. Vibrational spectroscopy identified coloration patterns in nine sponge species, showing carotenoids responsible for red-orange, green, and blue colors, and melanin for black species. The study suggests carotenoid-based pigmentation in sponges provided by symbionts plays a role in their evolutionary and ecological success, with vibrational spectroscopy as a valuable tool for identifying structural differentiation of carotenoids in sponge microbiomes from different environments.
JOURNAL OF RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Elza Sales Queiroz, Ana Luiza Lopes Rezende, Italo Tuler Perrone, Julia D'Almeida Francisquini, Antonio Fernandes de Carvalho, Natalia Maria Germano Alves, Luiz Fernando Cappa de Oliveira, Rodrigo Stephani
Summary: This study characterized goat milk powder with and without hydrolyzed lactose, with or without added maltodextrin, by analyzing their physical-chemical characteristics after drying and under different storage conditions. Drying resulted in homogeneous powders in terms of dispersion, solubility, and morphology. Variations in moisture during storage influenced powder crystallization, and an increase in storage temperature played a decisive role in browning and the formation of free hydroxymethylfurfural.
LWT-FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Juliana Moreno de Paiva, Helida Gomes de Oliveira Barud, Douglas Faza Franco, Andreia Bagliotti Meneguin, Antonio Jose Ribeiro, Hernane S. Barud, Marcelo Nalin
Summary: This paper reports on the synthesis and characterization of gel-like calcium polyphosphate coacervates (Ca-PPCs) as new matrixes for drug release. Different in vitro release behaviors were determined for caffeine and chlorhexidine, with caffeine release following the Weibull model and chlorhexidine release best described by the Korsmeyer-Peppas model. The study found that high calcium concentration led to a Ca-PPC with a small and tight cage-like structure that better incorporated caffeine molecules due to their smaller size compared to chlorhexidine.
MATERIALS CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Helder de Souza, Luiz Felipe O. Faria, Felipe M. Scaldini, Renata Diniz, Howell G. M. Edwards, Luiz Fernando C. de Oliveira
Summary: In this study, a series of metal complexes containing the rhodizonate ion were synthesized and characterized by various methods. The results revealed similarities and differences in the structural and spectroscopic properties of the different metal complexes.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR STRUCTURE
(2021)
Review
Spectroscopy
Monisa Gouvea Silva, Igor Lima de Paula, Rodrigo Stephani, Howell G. M. Edwards, Luiz Fernando Cappa de Oliveira
Summary: This review article evaluates the use of Raman spectroscopy in quality control of dairy products, concluding that it is a viable and advantageous technique for analyzing milk and its derivatives.
JOURNAL OF RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Nathalia da Silva Campos, Igor Lima de Paula, Italo Tuler Perrone, Luiz Fernando Cappa de Oliveira, Antonio Carlos Doriguetto, Alan Wolfschoon, Rodrigo Stephani
Summary: This study characterized the white dots in doce de leite using various analytical techniques. Results showed that the white dots were composed mainly of calcium citrate hexahydrate (CCH), amino acids, and a small amount of phosphates. The study also identified the formation mechanism of the white dots, suggesting the role of alpha(s1)-casein in heterogeneous nucleation and crystal growth.
EUROPEAN FOOD RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Spectroscopy
Mariana T. C. Campos, Lenize F. Maia, Helio F. Dos Santos, Howell G. M. Edwards, Luiz F. C. de Oliveira
Summary: In this study, Raman spectroscopy and DFT calculations were used to identify pigments biosynthesized during tomato ripening. The Raman spectra showed that carotenes and flavonoids are the main pigments in the tomato exocarp. The composition of carotenoids changed during maturation, while flavonoids/polyphenols remained constant. These findings provide insights into the chemical synergism between carotenoids and flavonoids in tomato coloring.
JOURNAL OF RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY
(2022)
Article
Optics
Luana da Silva Oliveira, Eduarda Firmino Barbosa, Felipe Cabral Borges Martins, Guilherme de Freitas Silva, Thais Karine de Lima Rezende, Carlos S. Jose Filho, Helliomar Pereira Barbosa, Acacio A. Andrade, Luiz Fernando Cappa de Oliveira, Marcio Sousa Goes, Clebio Soares Nascimento, Jefferson Luis Ferrari
Summary: Ti1-xYxO2:Eu3+ luminescence materials were prepared using the sol-gel method and heat treated. The luminescent properties and energy transfer processes were studied, showing intense reddish color emission under UV excitation, even in a water solution. The theoretical band gap value indicated that the material is suitable for Eu3+ hosting. These luminescence materials have potential applications in red light emitting diodes, biological markers, and solid-state lighting.
JOURNAL OF LUMINESCENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Igor Lima de Paula, Lais Lima Melquiades, italo Tuler Perrone, Erica Felipe Mauricio, Biany Aparecida de Castro Dias, Antonio Fernandes de Carvalho, Luiz Fernando Cappa de Oliveira, Rodrigo Stephani
Summary: Lactose-free fat-reduced powdered milk produced through spray drying has better characteristics during storage compared to freeze-dried products, and drying via spray drying is a better alternative than freeze-drying for both lactose-hydrolyzed and non-hydrolyzed products.
REVISTA VIRTUAL DE QUIMICA
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jaqueline Vieira Piovezana-Gomes, Pamella Cristine Anunciacao, Julia d'Almeida Francisquini, Livya Alves Oliveira, Luiz Fernando Cappa de Oliveira, Antonio Fernandes de Carvalho, Rodrigo Stephani, Italo Tuler Perrone, Ceres Mattos Della Lucia
Summary: This study aimed to characterize whey protein concentrates (WPC) added to turmeric extracts obtained by spray and foam mat drying. Various measurements were carried out including drying parameters, morphology, particle size distribution, Raman spectroscopy, total phenolic compounds, curcumin quantification, and antioxidant capacity. The spray drying process exhibited a higher drying efficiency and faster speed. The spray-dried WPC showed lower losses of curcumin and total phenolics compared with foam mat-dried WPC, and an increase in antioxidant capacity was observed for both drying methods.
REVISTA VIRTUAL DE QUIMICA
(2023)
