Review
Toxicology
Lenka Pulkrabkova, Barbora Svobodova, Jan Konecny, Tereza Kobrlova, Lubica Muckova, Jiri Janousek, Jaroslav Pejchal, Jan Korabecny, Ondrej Soukup
Summary: Organophosphorus compounds are a constant problem in both military and civilian fields, causing acute poisoning and long-term consequences. The key mechanism of their toxicity is the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, leading to overstimulation of receptors and the activation of the glutamatergic system. This review presents neuroprotection strategies that can slow down nerve cell damage and alleviate neurological and neuropsychiatric disturbance.
ARCHIVES OF TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Neurosciences
Gianluigi Forloni, Pietro La Vitola, Claudia Balducci
Summary: Oligomers play a central role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders, and inflammation also plays an important role in this process. This review summarizes the studies on β-amyloid and α-synuclein oligomers and discusses the potential therapeutic role of the broad-spectrum antibiotic doxycycline.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Ewa Dudzinska, Kinga Szymona, Renata Kloc, Tomasz Kocki, Paulina Gil-Kulik, Jacek Bogucki, Janusz Kocki, Roman Paduch, Ewa M. Urbanska
Summary: Fractalkine levels were significantly higher in AN patients, while sICAM-1, KYNA, KYN, TRP, and 3-OH-KYN levels were unchanged. The expression of KAT3 gene was increased in AN patients, but KAT1 and KAT2 genes showed no significant change. Fractalkine positively correlated with TRP, while sICAM-1 was negatively associated with 3-OH-KYN and positively linked with the ratio KYN/3-OH-KYN.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Zheng Zhou, Keying Li, Yongchao Chu, Chao Li, Tongyu Zhang, Peixin Liu, Tao Sun, Chen Jiang
Summary: Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by abnormal synchronized discharging of neurons. It is also influenced by non-neuronal elements in the altered microenvironment. Current anti-epileptic drugs mainly target neuronal circuits, but are often insufficient. Therefore, there is a need for comprehensive strategies in medication to address over-exciting neurons, activated glial cells, oxidative stress, and chronic inflammation.
ACTA PHARMACEUTICA SINICA B
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Akhil Sharma, Viktoriia Bazylianska, Anna Moszczynska
Summary: PKO rats display a certain resistance to METH neurotoxicity, possibly mediated by lowered DA levels and downregulated mitochondria.
EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Xiaoyu Duan, Jing Wen, Min Zhang, Chao Wang, Yalan Xiang, Lu Wang, Changwei Yu, Gongying Deng, Miao Yan, Bikui Zhang, Pingfei Fang
Summary: The acute toxicity of Semen Strychni and the detoxification effect of liquorice were investigated in this study. The results showed that treatment with Semen Strychni extracts caused oxidative stress and inflammation in the hippocampus of rats. Liquorice and its active components mitigated Semen Strychni-induced neurotoxicity partly through the HMGB1-related pathway.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Giulia Costa, Marcello Serra, Riccardo Maccioni, Maria Antonietta Casu, Sanjay B. Kasture, Elio Acquas, Micaela Morelli
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effect of a standardized extract of Withania somnifera (WSE) on MDMA-induced neurotoxicity, neuroinflammation, memory impairment and hyperthermia. The results indicate that acute administration of WSE in combination with MDMA can protect mice against the central toxic effects of MDMA.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Qian Su, Xin Tan, Xiaoqian Yao, Ting Ying, Li Dong, Mengqian Fu, Weiguo Cheng, Suojiang Zhang
Summary: Using 2-carboxylated imidazolium salts as catalysts for the hydration of epoxides into 1,2-diols showed high efficiency and selectivity in the experiment, depending on the interaction between different cation chain lengths and anions. Salts with shorter chains exhibited better thermal stability and catalytic performance, reducing the formation of byproducts and increasing the yield. The research results were further confirmed and explained by XPS analysis and DFT calculations, proposing a cation-anion synergistic mechanism.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
A. N. El-hoshoudy, A. Ghanem, S. M. Desouky
Summary: Ionic liquids have been utilized as green chemistry alternatives to surfactants for dispersing asphaltene in petroleum feed streams. Through experimental and computational methods, their efficiency as asphaltene dispersants have been demonstrated.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marta Malinowska, Diana Sawicka, Katarzyna Niemirowicz-Laskowska, Przemyslaw Wielgat, Halina Car, Tomasz Hauschild, Agnieszka Hryniewicka
Summary: The study found that newly synthesized imidazolium salts showed excellent activity against various pathogenic fungi and bacteria, with a broad spectrum of compatibility, making them universal antifungal agents. Initial safety assessments revealed no toxicity at effective concentrations against pathogens.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sagi Sevilia, Galit Parvari, Jonathan Bernstein, Natalia Fridman, Dan Grinstein, Levi Gottlieb, Yoav Eichen, Alex M. Szpilman
Summary: We have shown that salts of 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1H-imidazol-3-ium and 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-methyl-1H-imidazol-3-ium, as well as their nitrite ester salts, possess high decomposition enthalpies, high decomposition temperatures, and high densities. Particularly, the perchlorate salts exhibit potential as energetic materials. Many of these salts are ionic liquids, which could be useful as energetic plasticizers or gel fillers.
Article
Physiology
Terence Al L. Abaquita, Milena Damulewicz, Grzegorz Tylko, Elzbieta Pyza
Summary: This study investigates the neuroprotective and neurotoxic effects of heme oxygenase (HO) in Drosophila melanogaster neurons through chronic overexpression or silencing of the ho gene. The results show that pan-neuronal ho overexpression leads to early deaths and behavioral defects, while pan-neuronal ho silencing has similar effects to the parental controls. Furthermore, the study reveals that HO can have both pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic effects depending on different conditions.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Marianna Mamusa, David Chelazzi, Michele Baglioni, Sergio Murgia, Emiliano Fratini, David Rivillo, Piet W. N. M. van Leeuwen, Henri S. Schrekker, Piero Baglioni
Summary: Solutions of weakly coordinating ionic liquids (ILs) in alkyl carbonates have attracted attention due to their green solvents properties, but the understanding of ILs' phase behavior and structure in organic polar solvents is lacking. This study investigates the interactions and nanoscale structure of a specific IL, [BMIm][BARF], in alkyl carbonate solvents. The results show that [BMIm][BARF] is mostly undissociated in these solvents and the presence of rod-like nanostructures in the IL/solvent mixtures. The study also reveals that the self-assembly of nano-sized structures is hindered by slower ion diffusion in alkyl carbonates with lower dielectric constants. The findings have implications in various fields including batteries, catalysis, extraction, and bio-applications.
APPLIED MATERIALS TODAY
(2023)
Review
Toxicology
Geir Bjorklund, Halyna Antonyak, Alexandr Polishchuk, Yuliya Semenova, Marta Lesiv, Roman Lysiuk, Massimiliano Peana
Summary: Methylmercury is a global environmental pollutant with neurotoxic effects, even at levels well tolerated by adults. This article reviews the mechanisms of methylmercury toxicity during nervous system development and discusses potential neuroprotective strategies.
ARCHIVES OF TOXICOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Diana Sawicka, Agnieszka Hryniewicka, Sylwia Gohal, Anna Sadowska, Anna Pryczynicz, Katarzyna Guzinska-Ustymowicz, Emilia Sokolowska, Jacek W. Morzycki, Halina Car
Summary: This research evaluated a series of novel imidazolium salts substituted with lithocholic acid and alkyl chains of various lengths against colon cancer cells. The results showed that these salts have anticancer activity, which is related to the length of the alkyl chain. The study also demonstrated the inhibitory effect of one compound on tumor growth in a mouse model.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jinquan Wang, Justin Chua Zhi En, Siti Nurhanna Riduan, Yugen Zhang
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiukai Li, Yugen Zhang
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Yuan Yuan, Weiwei Shi, Ruihua Li, Diane S. W. Lim, Arunmozhiarasi Armugam, Yugen Zhang
ACS BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
(2020)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Siti Nurhanna Riduan, Yugen Zhang
Summary: Zinc is widely used as an antimicrobial material in the form of complexes or zinc oxide nanoparticles. Different forms of zinc-based biocidal materials have distinct antimicrobial mechanisms, such as zinc-based nano-arrays and zinc composites that can self-generate ROS.
CHEMISTRY-AN ASIAN JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jinquan Wang, Xinpu Fu, Ning Yan, Yugen Zhang
Summary: A new practical method for constructing 3D porous carbon has been developed through molecular design, resulting in high stability and surface area.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Siti Nurhanna Riduan, Yugen Zhang
Summary: Self-disinfecting surfaces are crucial for public health during the COVID-19 pandemic, with various antimicrobial technologies being developed and applied in public spaces.
ACCOUNTS OF CHEMICAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Xiukai Li, Wu Yongcai, Shi Lijuan, Yugen Zhang
Summary: In this study, the direct halogen-exchange fluorination of 4-chlorobenzaldehyde was investigated using spray-dried KF as a fluorinating agent. The efficiency of the reaction was improved under solvent-free conditions and in diphenyl solvents, with tetraphenyl phosphonium bromide as a phase transfer catalyst.
ASIAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jiong Cheng, Arunmozhiarasi Armugam, Yang Yang, Fangming Jin, Yugen Zhang, Ning Yan
Summary: This study presents a convenient method for the synthesis of N,N-dimethyl chitosan oligosaccharide (DMCOS) from chitin. The synthesis protocol involves acid-catalyzed tandem depolymerization-deacetylation-N-methylation reactions using formaldehyde as the methylation reagent. The resulting DMCOS exhibits a high degree of deacetylation, a high degree of methylation, and a low average molecular weight, and shows superior antifungal activity against Candida species compared to chitosan.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shook Pui Chan, Yugen Zhang
Summary: This article highlights the importance of using zero-linker ligands to construct ultra-microporous MOFs with high stability and density, bridging the gap between zeolites and traditional MOFs. Several recently developed ultra-microporous MOFs with zero-linker ligands for gas capture and separation are also highlighted.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Arunmozhiarasi Armugam, Siew-Ping Teong, Shook-Pui Chan, Guangshun Yi, Yugen Zhang
Summary: Catheter-associated infections are common in healthcare settings, and the development of antimicrobial catheters using imidazolium-based polymer (PIM45) has shown promising results in combating these infections. This study demonstrated that PDMS-PIM45 biomaterial could effectively eliminate causative pathogens of catheter-associated urinary tract infections, and also prevent infection and biofilm formation by certain pathogens.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Siew Ping Teong, Arunmozhiarasi Armugam, Shook Pui Chan, Yugen Zhang
Summary: This article describes a new concept of solid elastomer sanitizer which has fast-killing antimicrobial property. It can serve as a toxic-free and skin-friendly reusable solid sanitizer that can sanitize hands or surfaces and kill microbes within 30-60 s of contact. This new methodology provides possibilities for extending to other elastomers and helps to reduce the usage and release of disinfectants or harmful chemicals to the environment.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Siew Ping Teong, Yugen Zhang
Summary: Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) and metal organic frameworks (MOFs) are crystalline porous materials with ordered framework structures. Researchers are exploring new synthesis methods, building blocks, and processing/fabrication protocols to meet the demands for continuous pore size control and property development. Multi-component or multiple ligands synthesis has been widely used in the construction of MOF structures, and recently adopted for COF synthesis and extended to versatile linker designing strategies.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Diane S. W. Lim, Yuan Yuan, Yugen Zhang
Summary: A new type of imidazolium polymers with excellent antimicrobial activity has been reported in this study, which can degrade in the environment without inducing bacterial resistance. These polymers show moderate biodegradation in surface water.
ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Guangshun Yi, Siew Ping Teong, Shaoqiong Liu, Shuyun Chng, Yi Yan Yang, Yugen Zhang
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY B
(2020)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Siti Nurhanna Riduan, Arunmozhiarasi Armugam, Yugen Zhang
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY B
(2020)