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Accurately determining the phase states of barium carbonate, barium silicate, and barium sulfate in ores. It’s crucial for advancing research on barium ore mineralization and improving beneficiation and smelting processes. This study aimed to investigate the integration of phase analysis and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry(XRF) to assess the phases of barium in ores, only requiring simple sample pretreatment before measurement. The acetic acid separation drip method was used for the determination of barium carbonate, while the hydrochloric acid separation drip method was used for barium silicate. Additionally, the fusion sample preparation method was applied for the analysis of barium sulfate. The results were consistent with those obtained using chemical methods, and the precision of the relative standard deviation(RSD) was less than or equal to 2.74%, satisfying the analytical requirements. This study combines chemical separation with XRF for continuous and precise phase determination. This approach enhances applicability of XRF in chemical phase analysis and provides a simpler, more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional techniques. It can be applied to barium phase analysis in general barium ores.

A longstanding goal in regenerative medicine is to reconstitute functional tissues or organs after injury or disease. Attention has focused on the identification and relative contribution of tissue specific stem cells to the regeneration process. Relatively little is known about how the physiological process is regulated by other tissue constituents. Numerous injury models are used to investigate tissue regeneration, however, these models are often poorly understood. Specifically, for skeletal muscle regeneration several models are reported in the literature, yet the relative impact on muscle physiology and the distinct cells types have not been extensively characterised. We have used transgenic Tg:Pax7nGFP and Flk1GFP/+ mouse models to respectively count the number of muscle stem (satellite) cells (SC) and number/shape of vessels by confocal microscopy. We performed histological and immunostainings to assess the differences in the key regeneration steps. Infiltration of immune cells, chemokines and cytokines production was assessed in vivo by Luminex®. We compared the 4 most commonly used injury models i.e. freeze injury (FI), barium chloride (BaCl2), notexin (NTX) and cardiotoxin (CTX). The FI was the most damaging. In this model, up to 96% of the SCs are destroyed with their surrounding environment (basal lamina and vasculature) leaving a \"dead zone\" devoid of viable cells. The regeneration process itself is fulfilled in all 4 models with virtually no fibrosis 28 days post-injury, except in the FI model. Inflammatory cells return to basal levels in the CTX, BaCl2 but still significantly high 1-month post-injury in the FI and NTX models. Interestingly the number of SC returned to normal only in the FI, 1-month post-injury, with SCs that are still cycling up to 3-months after the induction of the injury in the other models. Our studies show that the nature of the injury model should be chosen carefully depending on the experimental design and desired outcome. Although in all models the muscle regenerates completely, the trajectories of the regenerative process vary considerably. Furthermore, we show that histological parameters are not wholly sufficient to declare that regeneration is complete as molecular alterations (e.g. cycling SCs, cytokines) could have a major persistent impact.

The piezoelectric effect of biological piezoelectric materials promotes bone growth. However, the material should be subjected to stress before it can produce an electric charge that promotes bone repair and reconstruction conducive to fracture healing. A novel method for in vitro experimentation of biological piezoelectric materials with physiological load is presented. A dynamic loading device that can simulate the force of human motion and provide periodic load to piezoelectric materials when co-cultured with cells was designed to obtain a realistic expression of piezoelectric effect on bone repair. Hydroxyapatite (HA)/barium titanate (BaTiO 3 ) composite materials were fabricated by slip casting, and their piezoelectric properties were obtained by polarization. The d 33 of HA/BaTiO 3 piezoelectric ceramics after polarization was 1.3 pC/N to 6.8 pC/N with BaTiO 3 content ranging from 80% to 100%. The in vitro biological properties of piezoelectric bioceramics with and without cycle loading were investigated. When HA/BaTiO 3 piezoelectric bioceramics were affected by cycle loading, the piezoelectric effect of BaTiO 3 promoted the growth of osteoblasts and interaction with HA, which was better than the effect of HA alone. The best biocompatibility and bone-inducing activity were demonstrated by the 10%HA/90%BaTiO 3 piezoelectric ceramics.

Background: In recent years, barium titanate (BaTiO3) has demonstrated advancements in the field of dentistry among dental ceramics. This ceramic substance has piezoelectric qualities that are comparable to those of bone, which is crucial for osseointegration. The biomedical field has made extensive use of barium titanate for its affordability, chemical stability, and non-toxicity. The use of barium titanate in dentistry is encouraged by the fact that many widely used metal alloys have unsightly hues and exhibit chemical interactions in the mouth cavity. Because BaTiO3-based ceramics are more corrosion-resistant, have better color matching that improves esthetics, stronger, and have better radiopacity than traditional biomaterials, their use has grown. Purpose: This review will cover the production techniques, mechanism of action, phases, and dental uses of BaTiO3. Conclusion: Barium titanate exhibited encouraging qualities for dental uses due to its antibacterial, biocompatible and piezoelectric action.

The study on imprinting control region mice aims to show that magnetoelectric nanoparticles may directly couple the intrinsic neural activity-induced electric fields with external magnetic fields. Approximately 10 µg of CoFe O -BaTiO 30-nm nanoparticles have been intravenously administrated through a tail vein and forced to cross the blood-brain barrier via a d.c. field gradient of 3000 Oe/cm. A surgically attached two-channel electroencephalography headmount has directly measured the modulation of intrinsic electric waveforms by an external a.c. 100-Oe magnetic field in a frequency range of 0-20 Hz. The modulated signal has reached the strength comparable to that due the regular neural activity. The study opens a pathway to use multifunctional nanoparticles to control intrinsic fields deep in the brain.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) utilizes light-activated photosensitizers (PS) to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) for targeted bacterial destruction; however, its efficacy is often limited by inadequate light penetration, necessitating novel enhancements, such as the integration of second harmonic generation (SHG) through harmonic nanoparticles (HNPs) that convert two photons into one of higher frequency, thereby advancing the approach of SHG-based PDT for improved bacterial eradication. Our novel technique explores the impact of an e (EEF) on SHG intensity to augment PDT efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus ( S. aureus ). We investigated a novel conjugate, Bismuth Ferrite (BFO) in conjunction with protoporphyrin IX (PPIX), and compared it to the Barium Titanate (BT)-PPIX conjugate, under EEF of 0 V, 10 V, and 20 V for a duration of 5 minutes. The experiments utilized a near-infrared (NIR) femtosecond pulsed laser at 798 nm for excitation. Our findings show that EEF significantly enhances SHG intensity, improving photodynamic activity. Notably, BFO-PPIX conjugates significantly decreased bacterial survival to 35.8 ± 3.0% under EEF exposure, in contrast to 48.1 ± 3.2% without EEF. Similarly, to further substantiate the impact of EEF on SHG-based PDT efficacy, BT-PPIX conjugates resulted in bacterial survival of 57.1 ± 1.0% with EEF exposure, in contrast to 78.4 ± 3.7% without EEF. Our findings confirm the first study of EEF-modulated SHG in PDT, demonstrating its capacity to augment SHG intensity in HNPs-PPIX conjugates and improve therapeutic efficacy. These results highlight the potential of SHG-enhanced PDT, particularly with optimized EEF.

Barium chloride (BaCl2), a known environmental pollutant, induces organ-specific oxidative stress through disruption of redox homeostasis. This study evaluated the protective effects and safety profile of sodium copper chlorophyllin (SCC) and ascorbic acid (ASC) against BaCl2-induced oxidative damage in the liver and brain of mice using a two-phase experimental protocol. Animals received either SCC (40 mg/kg), ASC (160 mg/kg), or their combination for 14 days prior to BaCl2 exposure (150 mg/L in drinking water for 7 days), allowing evaluation of both preventive and therapeutic effects. Toxicological and behavioral assessments confirmed the absence of systemic toxicity or neurobehavioral alterations following supplementation. Body weight, liver and kidney indices, and biochemical markers (Aspartate Aminotransferase (ASAT), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALAT), creatinine) remained within physiological ranges, and no anxiogenic or locomotor effects were observed. In the brain, BaCl2 exposure significantly increased SOD (+49%), CAT (+66%), GPx (+24%), and GSH (+26%) compared to controls, reflecting a robust compensatory antioxidant response. Although lipid peroxidation (MDA) showed a non-significant increase, SCC, ASC, and their combination reduced MDA levels by 42%, 37%, and 55%, respectively. These treatments normalized antioxidant enzyme activities and GSH, indicating an effective neuroprotective effect. In contrast, the liver exhibited a different oxidative profile. BaCl2 exposure increased MDA levels by 80% and GSH by 34%, with no activation of SOD, CAT, or GPx. Histological analysis revealed extensive hepatocellular necrosis, vacuolization, and inflammatory infiltration. SCC significantly reduced hepatic MDA by 39% and preserved tissue architecture, while ASC alone or combined with SCC exacerbated inflammation and depleted hepatic GSH by 71% and 78%, respectively, relative to BaCl2-exposed controls. Collectively, these results highlight a differential, organ-specific response to BaCl2-induced oxidative stress and the therapeutic potential of SCC and ASC. SCC emerged as a safer and more effective agent, particularly in hepatic protection, while both antioxidants demonstrated neuroprotective effects when used individually or in combination.

Macrophages are critical for the maintenance of immune system homeostasis. They differentiate into distinct functional populations, from pro- to anti-inflammatory phenotype, exhibiting remarkable biological plasticity and responding to both chemical and physical cues to achieve these phenotypes. Controlling macrophage cell phenotypes in vivo, with temporal and spatial control, could have significant impact on a wide range of human diseases and ailments associated with inflammation, which range from rheumatoid arthritis and Alzheimer’s to cancer tumorigenesis. Piezoelectrics, materials in which pressure causes a voltage and vice versa, represent a potential platform for non-invasive and remote modulation of cells and tissues and, in particular, control of immune cell activation. Here, it is demonstrated that RAW264.7 mouse macrophage cells that have taken up piezoelectric nanoparticles (pzNPs) specifically adopt an M1 cellular phenotype and requisite calcium ion influx upon ultrasound stimulation. One can further identify which cells have taken up pzNPs and which cells adopt an M1 polarization in mixed populations of pzNP-loaded and -unloaded cells. The overall goal is to leverage this novel cellular assay to help improve understanding of how biological cells respond to bioelectric stimulation.

Although tumour-treating fields (TTFields) is a promising physical treatment modality based on disruption of dipole alignments and generation of dielectrophoretic forces during cytokinesis, not much is known about TTFields-responsive sensitisers. Here, we report a novel TTFields-responsive sensitiser, barium titanate nanoparticles (BTNPs), which exhibit cytocompatibility, with non-cytotoxic effects on breast cancer cells. BTNPs are characterised by high dielectric constant values and ferroelectric properties. Notably, we found that BTNPs sensitised TTFields-resistant breast cancer cells in response to TTFields. In addition, BTNPs accumulated in the cytoplasm of cancer cells in response to TTFields. Further, we showed that TTFields combined with BTNPs exhibited antitumor activity by modulating several cancer-related pathways in general, and the cell cycle-related apoptosis pathway in particular. Therefore, our data suggest that BTNPs increase the antitumor action of TTFields by an electric field-responsive cytosolic accumulation, establishing BTNP as a TTFields-responsive sensitiser.

Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) utilizes specific sound waves to activate sonosensitizers, generating localized biological effects to eliminate tumor cells. With advancements in nanomedicine, the application of nano-acoustic sensitizers has significantly advanced the development of SDT. BaTiO (BTO), an inorganic nano-acoustic sensitizer, possesses light refraction characteristics and a high dielectric constant, and can generate an electric field under ultrasound (US) stimulation. With continuous progress in multidisciplinary fields of US research, scientists have developed various types of barium titanate nanoparticles (BTNPs) to further advance SDT research and applications in tumor therapy. In this review, we present recently proposed and representative BTNPs, including their pathways of action, such as the induction of tumor cell senescence, ferroptosis, and glutathione depletion to reshape the tumor microenvironment, as well as their surface modifications. Research indicates that the mechanisms of action of ultrasound-driven BTNPs in tumor therapy are multifaceted. These mechanisms, whether utilized individually or synergistically, offer a potent and targeted strategy for cancer treatment. Furthermore, we discuss the application of BTNPs in various tumor types. Finally, we summarize the current challenges and future prospects for the clinical translation of BTNPs.