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This paper studies the influence of B[sub.2]O[sub.3] on the structure, properties and antibacterial abilities of sol-gel-derived TiO[sub.2]/TeO[sub.2]/B[sub.2]O[sub.3] powders. Titanium(IV) butoxide, telluric(VI) acid and boric acid were used as precursors. Differences were observed in the degree of decomposition of Ti butoxide in the presence of H[sub.3]BO[sub.3] and H[sub.6]TeO[sub.6] acids. The phase transformations of the obtained gels in the temperature range of 200–700 °C were investigated by XRD. Composite materials containing an amorphous phase and different crystalline phases (metallic Te, α-TeO[sub.2], anatase, rutile and TiTe[sub.3]O[sub.8]) were prepared. Heating at 400 °C indicated a crystalline-to-amorphous-phase ratio of approximately 3:1. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed the preparation of plate-like TiO[sub.2] nanoparticles. The IR results showed that the short-range order of the amorphous phases that are part of the composite materials consists of TiO[sub.6], BO[sub.3], BO[sub.4] and TeO[sub.4] structural units. Free B[sub.2]O[sub.3] was not detected in the investigated compositions which could be related to the better connectivity between the building units as compared to binary TiO[sub.2]/B[sub.2]O[sub.3] compositions. The UV-Vis spectra of the investigated gels exhibited a red shift of the cut-off due to the presence of boron and tellurium units. The binary sample achieved the maximum photodegradation efficiency (94%) toward Malachite green dye under UV irradiation, whereas the ternary sample photoactivity was very low. The compositions exhibited promising antibacterial activity against E. coli NBIMCC K12 407.

The NLRP3 (nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat pyrin domain containing 3) inflammasome-mediated inflammatory responses are critically involved in the progression of atherosclerosis (AS), which is the essential cause for cardiovascular diseases. Melatonin has anti-inflammatory properties. However, little is known about the potential effects of melatonin in the pathological process of AS. Herein, we demonstrate that melatonin suppressed prolonged NLRP3 inflammasome activation in atherosclerotic lesions by reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging via mitophagy in macrophages. The atherosclerotic mouse model was induced with a high-fat diet using ApoE−/− mice. Melatonin treatment markedly attenuated AS plaque size and vulnerability. Furthermore, melatonin decreased NLRP3 inflammasome activation and the consequent IL-1β secretion within atherosclerotic lesions. Despite the unchanged protein expression, the silent information regulator 3 (Sirt3) activity was elevated in the atherosclerotic lesions in melatonin-treated mice. In ox-LDL-treated macrophages, melatonin attenuated the NLRP3 inflammasome activation and the inflammatory factors secretion, while this protective effect was abolished by either Sirt3 silence or autophagy inhibitor 3-MA. Mitochondrial ROS (mitoROS), which was a recognized inducer for NLRP3 inflammasome, was attenuated by melatonin through the induction of mitophagy. Both Sirt3-siRNA and autophagy inhibitor 3-MA partially abolished the beneficial effects of melatonin on mitoROS clearance and NLRP3 inflammasome activation, indicating the crucial role of Sirt3-mediated mitophagy. Furthermore, we demonstrated that melatonin protected against AS via the Sirt3/FOXO3a/Parkin signaling pathway. In conclusion, the current study demonstrated that melatonin prevented atherosclerotic progression, at least in part, via inducing mitophagy and attenuating NLRP3 inflammasome activation, which was mediated by the Sirt3/FOXO3a/Parkin signaling pathway. Collectively, our study provides insight into melatonin as a new target for therapeutic intervention for AS.

Compound 7–16 was designed and synthesized in our previous study and was identified as a more potential selective 5-HT[sub.2A] receptor antagonist and inverse agonist for treating Parkinson’s disease psychosis (PDP). Then, the metabolism, disposition, and excretion properties of 7–16 and its potential inhibition on transporters were investigated in this study to highlight advancements in the understanding of its therapeutic mechanisms. The results indicate that a total of 10 metabolites of 7–16/[[sup.14]C]7–16 were identified and determined in five species of liver microsomes and in rats using UPLC-Q Exactive high-resolution mass spectrometry combined with radioanalysis. Metabolites formed in human liver microsomes could be covered by animal species. 7–16 is mainly metabolized through mono-oxidation (M470-2) and N-demethylation (M440), and the CYP3A4 isozyme was responsible for both metabolic reactions. Based on the excretion data in bile and urine, the absorption rate of 7–16 was at least 74.7%. 7–16 had weak inhibition on P-glycoprotein and no effect on the transport activity of OATP1B1, OATP1B3, OAT1, OAT3, and OCT2 transporters. The comprehensive pharmacokinetic properties indicate that 7–16 deserves further development as a new treatment drug for PDP.

New results on the effect of TiO[sub.2] on Pd/La[sub.2]O[sub.3]-CeO[sub.2]-Al[sub.2]O[sub.3] systems for catalytic oxidation of methane in the presence of H[sub.2]O and SO[sub.2] have been received. Low-temperature N[sub.2]-adsorption, XRD, SEM, HRTEM, XPS, EPR and FTIR techniques were used to characterize the catalyst. The presence of Ce[sup.3+] on the catalytic surface and in the volume near the lantana was revealed by EPR and XPS. After aging, the following changes are observed: (i) agglomeration of the Pd-clusters (from 8 nm to 12 nm); (ii) transformation of part of the TiO[sub.2] from anatase to larger particles of rutile; and (iii)—the increase in PdO/Pd—ratio above its optimum. The modification by Ti of the La[sub.2]O[sub.3]-CeO[sub.2]-Al[sub.2]O[sub.3] system leads to higher resistance towards the presence of SO[sub.2] most likely due to the prevailing formation of unstable surface sulfites instead of thermally stable sulfates. Based on kinetic model calculations, the reaction pathway over the Pd/La[sub.2]O[sub.3]-CeO[sub.2]-TiO[sub.2]-Al[sub.2]O[sub.3] catalyst follows the Mars–van Krevelen mechanism. For evaluation of the possible practical application of the obtained material, a sample of Pd/La[sub.2]O[sub.3]-CeO[sub.2]-TiO[sub.2]-Al[sub.2]O[sub.3], supported on rolled aluminum-containing stainless steel (Aluchrom VDM[sup.®]), was prepared and tested. Methane oxidation in an industrial-scale monolithic reactor was simulated using a two-dimensional heterogeneous reactor model.

European Court of Human Rights-environmental damage-Article 8-positive obligations- industrial pollution-public health risks-fair balance.

This article considers the prospects of the application of building structures made of polymer concrete composites on the basis of strength analysis. The issues of application and structure of polymer-concrete mixtures are considered. Features of the stress-strain state of normal sections of polymer concrete beams are revealed. The dependence between the stresses and relative deformations of rubber polymer concretes and beams containing reinforcement frame and fiber reinforcement has been determined. The main direction of the study was the choice of ways to increase the strength characteristics of concrete with the addition of a polymer base and to increase the reliability of structures in general. The paper presents the results of experimental and mathematical studies of the stress-strain state and strength, as well as deflections of reinforced rubber-polymer beams. The peculiarities of fracture of reinforced rubber-polymer beams along their sections have been revealed according to the results of the experiment. The peculiarities of fracture formation of reinforced rubber-polymer beams have also been revealed. The conducted work has shown that the share of longitudinal reinforcement and the height of the fibrous reinforcement zone are the main factors. These reasons determine the characteristics of the strength of the beams and their resistance to destructive influences. The importance and scientific novelty of the work are the identified features of the stress-strain state of normal sections of rubber-concrete beams, namely, it has been established that the ultimate strength in axial compression and tension, deformations corresponding to the ultimate strength for rubber concrete exceed similar parameters for cement concrete 2.5–6.5 times. In the case of the addition of fiber reinforcement, this increase becomes, respectively, 3.0–7.5 times.

Firms are increasingly under pressure from stakeholders to incorporate the triple‐bottom line of social, environmental and economic responsibility considerations into operations and supply chain management strategies. This research uses content analysis software that performed centering resonance analysis to examine corporate communication to stakeholders through corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports. The intent is to determine how supply chain strategies factor in to the triple‐bottom line of 100 socially and environmentally responsible global companies. This research compares and contrasts the influential words in the CSR reports of firms from a range of industries, sizes and geographical regions. The content analysis revealed ten themes that provide a snapshot of how top global companies integrate and improve the triple‐bottom line in internal operations and external supply chains. Findings indicated that while institutional pressure is the major driving force behind strategy development for all of the industries studied, companies emphasize different facets of social, environmental and economic responsibility upstream and downstream in supply chains based on industry, size and geographic location. The analysis revealed unique insights regarding corporate communications that other methodologies would not find.

The whitening effect of reducing skin pigmentation is one of the most important goals of cosmetics. The purpose of this study was to determine whether Catalpa ovata extract and its fractions have potential as natural skin-lightening agents. Initially, we screened various fractions of Catalpa ovata extract using an in vitro antioxidant assay. Then, the inhibitory effects of C. ovata extract and its fraction on melanogenesis and the related mechanisms were investigated in B16F1 melanoma cells. The results showed that the ethyl acetate fraction (EF) from C. ovata extract markedly inhibited melanin synthesis in a dose-dependent manner at non-toxic concentrations. Furthermore, EF downregulated both the protein and mRNA levels of tyrosinase, which is a specific enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of tyrosine into melanin. We also found that EF decreased the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) at the protein and mRNA levels. EF increased the phosphorylation of ERK and suppressed the phosphorylation of JNK and p38 in ɑ-MSH-induced B16F1 cells. These results indicate that EF can regulate the MAPK pathway. In addition, EF has an anti-melanogenic effect via the downregulation of intracellular cyclic-AMP (cAMP). Nineteen major compounds of EF were identified using LC-MS/MS. Taken together, these results suggest that EF may be a potential anti-melanogenic agent for use in skin-whitening cosmetics and in topical treatments for hyperpigmentation disorders.

Thiol-dependent redox regulation controls central processes in plant cells including photosynthesis. Thioredoxins reductively activate, for example, Calvin-Benson cycle enzymes. However, the mechanism of oxidative inactivation is unknown despite its importance for efficient regulation. Here, the abundant 2-cysteine peroxiredoxin (2-CysPrx), but not its site-directed variants, mediates rapid inactivation of reductively activated fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase and NADPH-dependent malate dehydrogenase (MDH) in the presence of the proper thioredoxins. Deactivation of phosphoribulokinase (PRK) and MDH was compromised in 2cysprxAB mutant plants upon light/dark transition compared to wildtype. The decisive role of 2-CysPrx in regulating photosynthesis was evident from reoxidation kinetics of ferredoxin upon darkening of intact leaves since its half time decreased 3.5-times in 2cysprxAB. The disadvantage of inefficient deactivation turned into an advantage in fluctuating light. Physiological parameters like MDH and PRK inactivation, photosynthetic kinetics and response to fluctuating light fully recovered in 2cysprxAB mutants complemented with 2-CysPrxA underlining the significance of 2-CysPrx. The results show that the 2-CysPrx serves as electron sink in the thiol network important to oxidize reductively activated proteins and represents the missing link in the reversal of thioredoxin-dependent regulation.