Tandem Reactions Based on the Cyclization of Carbon Dioxide and Propargylic Alcohols: Derivative Applications of α-Alkylidene Carbonates

As a well-known greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide (CO2) has attracted increasing levels of attention in areas of energy, environment, climate, etc. Notably, CO2 is an abundant, nonflammable, and renewable C1 feedstock in view of chemistry. Therefore, the transformation of CO2 into organic compounds is an extremely attractive research topic in modern green and sustainable chemistry. Among the numerous CO2 utilization methods, carboxylative cycloaddition of CO2 into propargylic alcohols is an ideal route due to the corresponding products, α-alkylidene cyclic carbonates, which are a series of highly functionalized compounds that supply numerous potential methods for the construction of various synthetically and biologically valuable agents. This cyclization reaction has been intensively studied and systematically summarized, in the past years. Therefore, attention has been gradually transferred to produce more derivative compounds. Herein, the tandem reactions of this cyclization with hydration, amination, alcoholysis, and isomerization to synthesize α-hydroxyl ketones, oxazolidinones, carbamates, unsymmetrical carbonates, tetronic acids, ethylene carbonates, etc. were systematically reviewed.

Ultraviolet-C Irradiation, Heat, and Storage as Potential Methods of Inactivating SARS-CoV-2 and Bacterial Pathogens on Filtering Facepiece Respirators

The arrival of SARS-CoV-2 to Aotearoa/New Zealand in February 2020 triggered a massive response at multiple levels. Procurement and sustainability of medical supplies to hospitals and clinics during the then upcoming COVID-19 pandemic was one of the top priorities. Continuing access to new personal protective equipment (PPE) was not guaranteed; thus, disinfecting and reusing PPE was considered as a potential alternative. Here, we describe part of a local program intended to test and implement a system to disinfect PPE for potential reuse in New Zealand. We used filtering facepiece respirator (FFR) coupons inoculated with SARS-CoV-2 or clinically relevant multidrug-resistant pathogens (Acinetobacter baumannii Ab5075, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus USA300 LAC and cystic-fibrosis isolate Pseudomonas aeruginosa LESB58), to evaluate the potential use of ultraviolet-C germicidal irradiation (UV-C) or dry heat treatment to disinfect PPE. An applied UV-C dose of 1000 mJ/cm2 was sufficient to completely inactivate high doses of SARS-CoV-2; however, irregularities in the FFR coupons hindered the efficacy of UV-C to fully inactivate the virus, even at higher UV-C doses (2000 mJ/cm2). Conversely, incubating contaminated FFR coupons at 65 °C for 30 min or 70 °C for 15 min, was sufficient to block SARS-CoV-2 replication, even in the presence of mucin or a soil load (mimicking salivary or respiratory secretions, respectively). Dry heat (90 min at 75 °C to 80 °C) effectively killed 106 planktonic bacteria; however, even extending the incubation time up to two hours at 80 °C did not completely kill bacteria when grown in colony biofilms. Importantly, we also showed that FFR material can harbor replication-competent SARS-CoV-2 for up to 35 days at room temperature in the presence of a soil load. We are currently using these findings to optimize and establish a robust process for decontaminating, reusing, and reducing wastage of PPE in New Zealand.

Evaluation of Toxicity Effect of Palm Oil Mill Effluent Final Discharge by using Daphnia magna

Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) final discharge has a risk to the ecosystem due to various harmful contaminants including organic and inorganic materials. In this study, biological monitoring method was used to evaluate the toxicity effects of POME final discharge using Daphnia magna. The physical and chemical nature of toxicants present in the effluent were characterized through acute Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET), and Toxicity Identification Evaluation (TIE) tests. The Toxicity Unit (TU) and median lethal concentration (LC50) of the POME sample were 11.09 and 9.02% (v/v) respectively. From TIE test, the toxicants present in the effluent can be characterized as filterable and oxidisable through filtration and aeration treatment. The presence of cationic metals, chlorine and disinfection by-products were also determined by the toxicity reduction of the effluent after treatment using ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and sodium thiosulphate. From TIE test, the filtration treatment at pH 10 of the POME final discharge was the most effective method in reducing the toxicity of the effluent with a value of TU, 1.16 and LC50, 86.34% (v/v). It is recommended that biological tests using Daphnia magna can be made as potential methods to indicate the effects of POME final discharge to the aquatic ecosystem.

Cancer Therapy-Induced Cardiotoxicity—A Metabolic Perspective on Pathogenesis, Diagnosis and Therapy

Long-term cardiovascular complications of cancer therapy are becoming ever more prevalent due to increased numbers of cancer survivors. Cancer therapy-induced cardiotoxicity (CTIC) is an incompletely understood consequence of various chemotherapies, targeted anti-cancer agents and radiation therapy. It is typically detected clinically by a reduction in cardiac left ventricular ejection fraction, assessed by echocardiography. However, once cardiac functional decline is apparent, this indicates irreversible cardiac damage, highlighting a need for the development of diagnostics which can detect CTIC prior to the onset of functional decline. There is increasing evidence to suggest that pathological alterations to cardiac metabolism play a crucial role in the development of CTIC. This review discusses the metabolic alterations and mechanisms which occur in the development of CTIC, with a focus on doxorubicin, trastuzumab, imatinib, ponatinib, sunitinib and radiotherapy. Potential methods to diagnose and predict CTIC prior to functional cardiac decline in the clinic are evaluated, with a view to both biomarker and imaging-based approaches. Finally, the therapeutic potential of therapies which manipulate cardiac metabolism in the context of adjuvant cardioprotection against CTIC is examined. Together, an integrated view of the role of metabolism in pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment is presented.

Thrombolytic effect of Siddha herbal formulation Sikkanjar Manapagu using in-Silico model

Background: Thromboembolic disorders are one of the important causes leading to death. In the Siddha system of medicine, many drugs have been mentioned in the literature and their thrombolytic potential needs to be scientifically evaluated. Aim: The study aims to perform the In Silico computational studies of Phytoconstituents of Siddha formulation Sikkanjar Manapagu (SM) to evaluate its thrombolytic potential. Methods: Autodock program was used for the molecular docking studies of the retrieved phytoconstituents such as Zingiberene, Gingerenone-A, 6 Gingerol of Zingiber officinale, Menthol, Luteolin, Citronellol of Mentha arvensis, Eugenol, Limonene, Myrcene, and Linalool of Citrus aurantium against target protein Human Plasminogen Activation Loop Peptide - PDB 4DCB. Results: A total of ten compounds were screened, of these Zingiberene, Menthol, Citronellol, Eugenol, Limonene, Myrcene, and Linalool showed high binding against active amino acid residue 195. Conclusion: Based on further experiments and clinical trials, the formulation Sikkanjar Manapagu could be proved to be effective in thrombolytic treatment.

Recent Advances of Biomedical Materials for Prevention of Post-ESD Esophageal Stricture

Esophageal stricture commonly occurs in patients that have suffered from endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), and it makes swallowing difficult for patients, significantly reducing their life qualities. So far, the prevention strategies applied in clinical practice for post-ESD esophageal stricture usually bring various inevitable complications, which drastically counteract their effectiveness. Nowadays, with the widespread investigation and application of biomedical materials, lots of novel approaches have been devised in terms of the prevention of esophageal stricture. Biomedical polymers and biomedical-derived materials are the most used biomedical materials to prevent esophageal stricture after ESD. Both of biomedical polymers and biomedical-derived materials possess great physicochemical properties such as biocompatibility and biodegradability. Moreover, some biomedical polymers can be used as scaffolds to promote cell growth, and biomedical-derived materials have biological functions similar to natural organisms, so they are important in tissue engineering. In this review, we have summarized the current approaches for preventing esophageal stricture and put emphasis on the discussion of the roles biomedical polymers and biomedical-derived materials acted in esophageal stricture prevention. Meanwhile, we proposed several potential methods that may be highly rational and feasible in esophageal stricture prevention based on other researches associated with biomedical materials. This review is expected to offer a significant inspiration from biomedical materials to explore more effective, safer, and more economical strategies to manage post-ESD esophageal stricture.

Perceptions of land managers towards using hybrid and genetically modified trees

Hybridization and genetic modification are potential methods for incorporation of stress tolerance being explored to support some at-risk tree species. However, many concerns, both ecological and economic, have been identified in using these biotechnologies, such as potential for invasiveness or high cost. There is limited information on perceptions towards hybrid and genetically modified (GM) trees, particularly from individuals responsible for widescale tree management. An online survey was administered to land managers in Indiana, USA to gauge perceptions to hybrid and GM trees, and current hybrid tree use. Land managers had stronger concern for ecological, rather than economic, issues, with potential for invasiveness being strongest. Agreement was highest for using the tree types for conservation and restoration of at-risk species and production purposes. However, perceptions varied by characteristics such as concern type, age, and land type managed. Ecological concern and land type managed most strongly predicted hybrid use. Overall, the majority of land managers agreed, rather than disagreed, with a variety of potential hybrid and GM tree advantages and purposes. Thus, results indicate that if these biotechnologies are deemed appropriate for supporting at-risk species, the majority of land managers in Indiana might be agreeable to such recommendations from researchers. However, it was also clear that despite this, most respondents concurrently had strong ecological concerns about suitability as a native species replacement. To address this, it is essential that these tree types be thoroughly vetted, and land managers be actively engaged in the process, as this population would ultimately be responsible for any widescale implementation of hybrid and GM trees.

Improvement of the Efficiency of TiO2 Photocatalysts with Natural Dye Sensitizers Anthocyanin for the Degradation of Methylene Blue: Review

One of the potential methods utilized for dye degradation is photocatalitic, due to its low cost, highly effective, and environmentally friendly. Effectivenes of TiO2 photocatalysts can be enhanced by adding a dye sensitizer. Dye-sensitizer material absorbs visible light to facilitate electron excitation process. Addition of dye-sensitizer on TiO2 photocatalyst promotes it to be more responsive to visible light. Natural anthocyanin dyes are often used as sensitizers of TiO2 semiconductors. Anthocyanins are, usually in the purple to the red color range, a group of natural dyes found in the flowers, leaves, and fruit of plants. The essential principles of dye sensitization to TiO2 have been explored in this review. It is feasible to reduce the band gap energy in the TiO2 photocatalyst by modifying it using a natural dye sensitized modification. Dye sensitizers on TiO2 nanotubes plate have the potential to be employed in a dye degradation photocatalytic system

Crops, Livestock, and COVID-19, Oh My: An Overview Of Potential Covid-19 Liability In Agricultural Operations

The year 2020 presented a new potential risk of which many business owners, including agricultural operators, were unaware: a global pandemic related to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, also known as COVID-19. Starting in March 2020, the United States worked to contain this virus, while businesses sought to protect their workers (who had to continue working to work) as well as their customers. At the same time, a number of businesses had concerns about how to limit liability from customers arguing later that the business had spread the virus. This Article explores the potential liability agricultural operations face and ways to manage the risks associated with COVID-19. Part II looks at what the virus is. Part III explores potential liability, and Part IV details potential methods to manage and limit that liability. Part V concludes.

Gaseous ozone to improve quality of corn as feedstuff

In the long term, fungi attacks will cause a decrease in the quality of corn during storage. In this case, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus have become a serious concern related to food safety because of their ability to produce aflatoxins which are toxic to humans and animals. Nowadays, feed industries use fungicides to control fungal infections before the storage period due to their affordability, but the chemical residues are detrimental to our health. Therefore, an alternative method was needed to prevent and control fungi and aflatoxin formation in corn. One of the potential methods to apply is the gaseous ozonization. This research was conducted to investigate the potential of ozone in preventing fungal attacks and aflatoxin formation in corn, assuring that the corn quality can be maintained during the storage period. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of ozone on maintaining the quality of corn during storage, especially to reduce fungi colonies and aflatoxin formation. The experimental design used in this study was a completely randomized design with two treatment factors, namely temperature (20, 30, and 40°C) and exposure time (30 and 60 minutes). Corn quality parameters observed include moisture content, total fungal, moldy kernels, damaged kernels, and aflatoxin (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2) contamination. The results showed that ozone treatment had an effect on reducing total fungal and aflatoxin contamination in corn, however, it had no effect on the moisture content, moldy kernels, and damaged kernels of corn. The optimum effect was obtained when the ozonization was conducted at a temperature of 20°C for 60 minutes exposure time, which results in the highest reduction in total fungal and total aflatoxin contamination of 36.77% and 92.45% respectively.