Using the aluminum decorated graphitic-C3N4 quantum dote (QD) as a sensor, sorbent, and photocatalyst for artificial photosynthesis; a DFT study.

In this project, we have investigated the possibility of mimicking the natural photosynthesis, as well as sensing and adsorption application of aluminum decorated graphitic C3N4 (Al-g-C3N4) QDs (toward some air pollutants containing CO, CO2, and SO2). The results of the potential energy surface (PES) studies show that in all three adsorption processes, the energy changes are negative (-10.70 kcal mol-1, -16.81 kcal mol-1, and -79.97 kcal mol-1 for CO, CO2, and SO2 gasses, respectively). Thus, all of the adsorption processes (mainly SO2) are spontaneous. Moreover, the frontier molecular orbital (FMO) investigations indicate that the Al-g-C3N4 QD could be used as a suitable semiconductor sensor for detection of CO, and CO2 (as carbon oxides) in one hand, and SO2 gaseous species on the other hand. Finally, the results reveal that those QDs could be applied for artificial photosynthesis (in presence of CO2; Δµh-e = 1.43 V), and for water splitting process for the H2 generation (Δµh-e = 1.23 V) as a clean fuel for near future.

Effect of tomato consumption on inflammatory markers in health and disease status: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Inflammation is a major cause of chronic diseases. Several studies have investigated the effects of tomato intake on inflammatory biomarkers; however, the results are equivocal. Therefore, the present study aimed to systematically review and analyses randomized clinical trials (RCTs) assessing the effects of tomato intake on inflammatory biomarkers in adults. METHODS: A systematic search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases to find RCTs related to the effect of tomato intake on inflammatory markers, including C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), up to November 2021. Meta-analyses were performed using the random-effects model. RESULTS: A total of 465 subjects sourced from seven eligible RCTs (8 treatment arms) were entered into the analysis. Pooled effect size of articles indicated that tomato intake was not significantly effective on CRP (WMD: 0.13 mg/dL, 95% CI: -0.09 to 0.36; P = 0.23, I2: 83.9%) and IL-6 (Hedges' g = -0.12; 95% CI -0.36, 0.13; P = 0.34, I2: 0.0%) levels compared to the control group. But it can significantly reduce TNF-α (Hedges' g = -0.45; 95% CI -0.76, -0.13; P = 0.005, I2: 0.0%) levels. CONCLUSION: Generally, the present study showed that tomato intake has no significant effect on serum CRP, and IL-6 concentrations, but can reduce serum TNF-α levels significantly. However, additional well-designed studies that include more diverse populations and longer duration are warranted.