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The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of different dietary zinc sources on growth performance, survival, and body composition of larval rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss . A total of 3240 larvae with an average weight of 82.3 ± 11.6 mg were randomly divided into four groups by three replicates and were fed for 70 days. Organic zinc (Zn-proteinate, Bioplex Zn®), mineral zinc (ZnSO 4 ), and nanoparticulate zinc (ZnO-NPs) were each added to the basal diet at 50-mg/kg diet. In all of the zinc-supplemented groups, final body weight (FBW) and weight gain (WG) increased significantly ( P  < 0.05) compared to the control at the termination of the feeding trial. There was no significant difference in specific growth rate (SGR) in experimental groups. Fish fed with mineral and nanoparticulate zinc, respectively, demonstrated the highest and lowest survival rates ( P  < 0.05) as compared to other experimental diets. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) significantly decreased ( P  < 0.05) in groups fed with organic and mineral zinc. There were no significant differences in protein, lipid, moisture, and ash content among fish fed the experimental diets. Fish fed mineral zinc showed the highest ( P  < 0.05) zinc content in the whole body than the other groups. The data of the present study confirm positive effects of the use of 50 mg kg −1 of zinc sources in early diet to enhance growth performance of rainbow trout larvae.

Background: In hemodialysis (HD) patients, zinc depletion caused by inadequate intake, malabsorption, and removal by HD treatment leads to erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) hyporesponsiveness. This study investigated the effects of zinc supplementation in HD patients with zinc deficiency on changes in the erythropoietin responsiveness index (ERI). Methods: Patients on HD with low serum zinc levels (<65 μg/dL) were randomly assigned to two groups: The polaprezinc group (who received daily polaprezinc, containing 34 mg/day of zinc) (n = 35) and the control group (no supplementation) (n = 35) for 12 months. All the 70 patients had been taking epoetin alpha as treatment for renal anemia. ERI was measured with the following equation: Weekly ESA dose (units)/dry weight (kg)/hemoglobin (g/dL). Results: There were no significant changes in hemoglobin levels within groups or between the control and polaprezinc groups during the study period. Although reticulocyte counts were increased immediately after zinc supplementation, this change was transient. Serum zinc levels were significantly increased and serum copper levels were significantly decreased in the polaprezinc group after three months; this persisted throughout the study period. Although there was no significant change in the serum iron or transferrin saturation levels in the polaprezinc group during the study period, serum ferritin levels significantly decreased following polaprezinc treatment. Further, in the polaprezinc group, ESA dosage and ERI were significantly decreased at 10 months and nine months, respectively, as compared with the baseline value. Multiple stepwise regression analysis revealed that the change in the serum zinc level was an independent predictor of lowered ERI. Conclusions: Zinc supplementation reduces ERI in patients undergoing HD and may be a novel therapeutic strategy for patients with renal anemia and low serum zinc levels.

Background Biogenic synthesis of zinc nanoparticles (ZnNPs) has attracted significant interest due to their unique properties and potential biological applications. Unlike chemical and physical methods, biogenic synthesis offers a greener and more eco-friendly alternative. This study explores the synthesis of zinc-based nanoparticles using two distinct bacterial strains. Results In this study, zinc nanoparticles were synthesized in two forms: single-phase zinc sulfide nanoparticles (ZnS NPs) and mixed-phase zinc sulfide-oxide nanoparticles (ZnS-ZnO NPs), using Achromobacter sp. S4 and Pseudomonas sp. S6. The synthesis conditions were optimized for each strain, with pH playing a crucial role: Achromobacter sp. S4 favored basic conditions (pH 8.0) for zinc nanoparticles production, while Pseudomonas sp. S6 preferred acidic conditions (pH 4.7). TEM analysis revealed that Zn NPs from Pseudomonas sp. S6 were rod-shaped, whereas those from Achromobacter sp. S4 were spherical. Further characterization using EDX, XRD, and FTIR confirmed the successful synthesis of single phase ZnS NPs and hybride phase ZnS-ZnO NPs. Antimicrobial dose-response testing showed that single-phase ZnS NPs inhibited Klebsiella pneumoniae , while mixed-phase ZnS-ZnO NPs were effective against Staphylococcus epidermidis at 100 µg/ml based on inhibition zone measurements.Furthermore, the mixed-phase ZnS-ZnO NPs at 25 µg/ml demonstrated superior inhibition of microbial growth in sludge samples, likely due to a synergistic effect. Conclusion The study demonstrates the successful biogenic synthesis of ZnS NPs, and ZnS-ZnO NPs using two bacterial strains, with distinct morphological and functional properties. The use of two bacterial species was to assess strain-specific differences in nanoparticle synthesis and performance. The synthesized nanoparticles exhibited promising antimicrobial and environmental remediation potential, highlighting their applicability in both biomedical and environmental fields.

Objectives Gingivitis is the initial stage of periodontitis, one of the most common oral diseases and the primary cause of tooth loss. This study aims to evaluate the effect of toothpaste containing 2% zinc citrate on gingival health and the abundance of three bacteria related to gingivitis and periodontitis. Methods and Materials Eleven volunteers with the same oral health status were randomly assigned to the treatment (n = 5) and control (n = 6) groups. The control group used fluoride toothpaste, while the treatment group used fluoride toothpaste supplemented with 2% zinc citrate for 3 months. The plaque index, gingival index, and bleeding index were measured at baseline (0 day), 3 weeks, and 3 months. Dental plaque from four areas of the mouth (FDI criteria) was collected at the same timepoints. A total of 132 dental plaque samples were analyzed using quantitative PCR (qPCR) to monitor the abundance of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Tannerella forsythia. Results Toothpaste containing 2% zinc citrate significantly lowered the gingival index and reduced gum bleeding but did not affect the plaque index. It also reduced the total abundance of the three bacteria related to gingivitis and periodontitis in dental plaque over a long‐term period. Conclusions Toothpaste with 2% zinc citrate persistently improves gingival health and reduces the presence of gingivitis‐associated bacteria in dental plaque. Trial Registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (Clinical trial registration no.: ChiCTR1900020592) (09/01/2019).

The efficacy and safety of polaprezinc combined with triple therapy was compared with triple therapy alone in the eradication of Helicobacter pylori. A randomized, parallel-group, open-label, controlled, prospective multicenter study was conducted in 11 cities in China. Treatment-naive patients with H. pylori-associated gastritis were randomly assigned to one of three arms for a 14-day treatment: Arm A triple therapy (omeprazole 20 mg, amoxicillin 1 g, and clarithromycin 500 mg, each twice daily) plus polaprezinc 75 mg twice daily; Arm B triple therapy plus polaprezinc 150 mg twice daily, or Arm C triple therapy alone. The rate of H. pylori eradication was the primary endpoint. Secondary endpoints were symptom improvement and lower incidence of adverse events. 303 patients completed the study- 106, 96, and 101 patients in Arms A, B, and C, respectively. Intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis showed that the rate of H. pylori eradication was significantly higher for Arms A (77.0%) and B (75.9%) compared to Arm C (58.6%) (P < 0.01), whereas there was no difference between Arms A and B (P = 0.90). Per-protocol (PP) analysis showed that the rate of H. pylori eradication was significantly higher for Arms A (81.1%) and B (83.3%) compared to Arm C (61.4%) (P < 0.01), whereas there was no significant difference between Arms A and B (P = 0.62). All three groups reported significant symptom improvement at 7, 14, and 28 days after treatment, compared to baseline (P < 0.0001). The adverse event rate for Arm B (5.1%) was higher than for Arms A (2.8%) (P = 0.04) and C (1.9%) (P = 0.02). There were no serious adverse events in any group. It appears that standard dose polaprezinc combined with triple therapy can significantly improve the H. pylori eradication rate, without an increase in toxicity.

Zinc is one of the most important microelements necessary for normal body functioning. Zinc is marked in numerous diseases and, hence, its properties and behavior in the body have long been a subject of extensive study. This review considers trends in the assessment of the role of zinc and its compounds in the past decade. It becomes evident that redox-inactive zinc is the main supervisor in the conformation of the most important molecules in all body organs and tissues. We placed emphasis on the variety of zinc-binding sites and the role of zinc in the genesis and progress of different forms of leukemia. The importance of some families of transcription factors in the development and prognosis of treatment of various leukemia forms is examined; new directions of these studies are shown.

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles may provide a more soluble and plant available source of Zn in Zn fertilizers due to their greater reactivity compared to equivalent micron- or millimetre-sized (bulk) particles. However, the effect of soil on solubility, spatial distribution and speciation of ZnO nanoparticles has not yet been investigated. In this study, we examined the diffusion and solid phase speciation of Zn in an alkaline calcareous soil following application of nanoparticulate and bulk ZnO coated fertilizer products (monoammonium phosphate (MAP) and urea) using laboratory-based x-ray techniques and synchrotron-based μ-x-ray fluorescence (μ-XRF) mapping and absorption fine structure spectroscopy (μ-XAFS). Mapping of the soil-fertilizer reaction zones revealed that most of the applied Zn for all treatments remained on the coated fertilizer granule or close to the point of application after five weeks of incubation in soil. Zinc precipitated mainly as scholzite (CaZn2(PO4)2.2H2O) and zinc ammonium phosphate (Zn(NH4)PO4) species at the surface of MAP granules. These reactions reduced dissolution and diffusion of Zn from the MAP granules. Although Zn remained as zincite (ZnO) at the surface of urea granules, limited diffusion of Zn from ZnO-coated urea granules was also observed for both bulk and nanoparticulate ZnO treatments. This might be due to either the high pH of urea granules, which reduced solubility of Zn, or aggregation (due to high ionic strength) of released ZnO nanoparticles around the granule/point of application. The relative proportion of Zn(OH)2 and ZnCO3 species increased for all Zn treatments with increasing distance from coated MAP and urea granules in the calcareous soil. When coated on macronutrient fertilizers, Zn from ZnO nanoparticles (without surface modifiers) was not more mobile or diffusible compared to bulk forms of ZnO. The results also suggest that risk associated with the presence of ZnO NPs in calcareous soils would be the same as bulk sources of ZnO.

With controlled nanometre-sized pores and surface areas of thousands of square metres per gram, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) may have an integral role in future catalysis, filtration and sensing applications. In general, for MOF-based device fabrication, well-organized or patterned MOF growth is required, and thus conventional synthetic routes are not suitable. Moreover, to expand their applicability, the introduction of additional functionality into MOFs is desirable. Here, we explore the use of nanostructured poly-hydrate zinc phosphate (α-hopeite) microparticles as nucleation seeds for MOFs that simultaneously address all these issues. Affording spatial control of nucleation and significantly accelerating MOF growth, these α-hopeite microparticles are found to act as nucleation agents both in solution and on solid surfaces. In addition, the introduction of functional nanoparticles (metallic, semiconducting, polymeric) into these nucleating seeds translates directly to the fabrication of functional MOFs suitable for molecular size-selective applications. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have potential catalysis, filtration and sensing applications, but device fabrication will require controlled MOF growth. Here, α-hopeite microparticles are used to achieve spatial control of MOF nucleation, and accelerate MOF growth.

Increasing of multidrug resistance (MDR) remains an intractable challenge for burn patients. Innovative nanomaterials are also in high demand for the development of new antimicrobial biomaterials that inevitably have opened new therapeutic horizons in medical approaches and lead to many efforts for synthesizing new metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) for better control of the MDR associated with the polymicrobial burn wounds. Recently, it seems that metal oxides can truly be considered as highly efficient inorganic agents with antimicrobial properties. In this study, zinc peroxide NPs (ZnO -NPs) were synthesized using the co-precipitation method. Synthesized ZnO -NPs were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transformed infrared, transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. The characterization techniques revealed synthesis of the pure phase of non-agglomerated ZnO -NPs having sizes in the range of 15-25 nm with a transition temperature of 211°C. Antimicrobial activity of ZnO -NPs was determined against MDR (PA) and (AN) strains isolated from burn wound infections. Both strains, PA6 and AN4, were found to be more susceptible strains to ZnO -NPs. In addition, a significant decrease in elastase and keratinase activities was recorded with increased concentrations of ZnO -NPs until 200 µg/mL. ZnO -NPs revealed a significant anti-inflammatory activity against PA6 and AN4 strains as demonstrated by membrane stabilization, albumin denaturation, and proteinase inhibition. Moreover, the results of in vivo histopathology assessment confirmed the potential role of ZnO -NPs in the improvement of skin wound healing in the experimental animal models. Clearly, the synthesized ZnO -NPs have demonstrated a competitive capability as antimicrobial, anti-elastase, anti-keratinase, and anti-inflammatory candidates, suggesting that the ZnO -NPs are promising metal oxides that are potentially valued for biomedical applications.

Sulfide kesterite Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 provides an attractive low-cost, environmentally benign and stable photovoltaic material, yet the record power conversion efficiency for such solar cells has been stagnant at around 9% for years. Severe non-radiative recombination within the heterojunction region is a major cause limiting voltage output and overall performance. Here we report a certified 11% efficiency Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 solar cell with a high 730 mV open-circuit voltage using heat treatment to reduce heterojunction recombination. This heat treatment facilitates elemental inter-diffusion, directly inducing Cd atoms to occupy Zn or Cu lattice sites, and promotes Na accumulation accompanied by local Cu deficiency within the heterojunction region. Consequently, new phases are formed near the hetero-interface and more favourable conduction band alignment is obtained, contributing to reduced non-radiative recombination. Using this approach, we also demonstrate a certified centimetre-scale (1.11 cm 2 ) 10% efficiency Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 photovoltaic device; the first kesterite cell (including selenium-containing) of standard centimetre-size to exceed 10%. The emerging kesterite Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 solar cell offers a potential low-cost, non-toxic, materially abundant platform for next-generation photovoltaics, yet its efficiency has been mired below 10%. Yan et al. now use post-heat treatment of the heterojunction to show device efficiencies that surpass 10%.