Single-Pot Synthesis of ⟨001⟩-Faceted N-Doped Nb2O5/Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanocomposite for Efficient Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting.

Due to exciting catalytic activity and selectivity, tailoring of nanocatalysts consisting of preferred crystal facets and desired structural properties remains at the forefront of materials engineering. A facile one-step nonhydrolytic solvothermal synthesis of a nanocomposite of reduced graphene oxide and one-dimensional nitrogen-doped Nb2O5 (N-NbOx) with exposed ⟨001⟩ facet is described. Triethylamine performed the dual role as nitrogen source and capping agent to control the size and unidirectional growth of Nb2O5 nanocrystallites. The nanocomposite showed efficient visible-light-mediated (λ > 420 nm) water splitting in a photoelectrochemical cell. A plausible mechanism for the formation of N-NbOx nanorods and improved photoelectrochemical efficacy in terms of their oriented growth is proposed.

Renal corpuscles were protected from dichlorvos: induced morphological alterations in rats by antioxidant vitamins / Protección de corpúsculos renales ante alteraciones morfológicas inducidas por el diclorvos en ratas mediante el uso de vitaminas antioxidantes

Dichlorvos (DDVP), an organophosphorus pesticide is a volatile compound which enters the human body through oral, dermal and inhalational routes and is excreted via the kidney. This study assessed the effects of DDVP on the histology of the kidney. Twenty five male rats (75.05 ± 5.55 g) were divided into 5 groups of 5 rats per group as follows: Unexposed group, exposure to DDVP alone for 5 weeks, and 3 other groups exposed to DDVP for 5 weeks in addition to supplement with Vitamin E, vitamin C, and red palm oil (RPO). Rats were exposed to DDVP in poorly ventilated cardboard cages for 4 hours daily. On completion of exposure, rats were euthanized and tissue processed by routine paraffin wax method and stained with H&E. Morphological alterations monitored by histological and morphometric studies using the graticule and software packages. Data were analyzed with ANOVA and p<0.05 considered as significant. DDVP caused significant reduction (10%) in the maximum glomerular diameter and 18% reduction in the maximum width of the renal corpuscle when compared with unexposed rats. However, VTE, VTC, and RPO significantly elevated the maximum glomerular diameter by 21%, 22%, 23% the respectively. Similarly, VTE, VTC, and RPO significantly elevated the maximum width of the renal corpuscle by 17%, 19%, 20% respectfully. Glomerular tuft cellularity was neither affected by DDVP treatment nor by vitamin augmentation. Inhaled DDVP caused histological alterations in the microscopic anatomy of renal corpuscles of rat which was mitigated by vitamin supplementation. Data suggest involvement of prolonged DDVP use in the aetiology of renal failure.

El diclorvos (DDVP), un pesticidas organofosforado, es un compuesto volátil que entra en el cuerpo humano a través de la vía oral, dérmica y por rutas inhalación, excretándose por vía renal. Este estudio evaluó los efectos histológicos del DDVP sobre el riñón. Veinticinco ratas machos (75,05±5,55 g) se dividieron en 5 grupos de 5 ratas cada uno: grupo no expuesto, expuesto a DDVP durante 5 semanas, y otros 3 grupos expuestos a DDVP durante 5 semanas, suplementados con vitamina E (VTE), vitamina C (VTC) y aceite de palma roja (APR). Las ratas fueron expuestas a DDVP en jaulas de cartón con poca ventilación por 4 horas diarias. Al término de la exposición, las ratas se sacrificaron y el tejido fue procesado para inclusión en parafina y tinción con H&E. Las alteraciones morfológicas se evaluaron mediante estudios histológicos y morfométricos utilizando retículas y software. Los datos se analizaron con la prueba ANOVA considerado un p<0,05 como significativo. El DDVP causó una reducción significativa (10%) en el diámetro máximo glomerular y ancho máximo del copúsculo renal (18%), en comparación con las ratas no expuestas. Sin embargo, el diámetro máximo glomerular fue significativamente elevado con VTE, VTC y APR en 21%, 22% y 23%, respectivamente, así como para el ancho máximo del corpúsculo renal por 17%, 19% y 20%, respectivamente. La celularidad de la red glomerular no fue afectada por el DDVP ni aumentó con el tratamiento de vitamina. El DDVP inhalado provocó alteraciones histológicas en la anatomía microscópica de los corpúsculos renales de rata, las que fueron mitigadas por la suplementación de vitamina. Los datos sugieren relación entre la exposición prolongada a DDVP y la etiología de la insuficiencia renal.

Histological changes in liver and lungs of rats exposed to dichlorvos before and after vitamin supplementation

This study evaluated the effect of vitamins with antioxidant activity on the effect of Dichlorvos (2, 2-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate), an organophosphorus compound used in pest control on mammalian organs. Literature is scanty on the histopathological effects of inhalationally administered dichlorvos, especially of the formulations used in Nigeria. The objective of the study is to evaluate these effects on vital organs, with a view to proffering solutions to ameliorate the effects. Fifty Wistar male rats were divided into 10 groups of 5 rats each. A group served as control, while the other groups were exposed to dichlorvos for between 1-6 weeks in a poorly ventilated compartment. The last three groups in addition to dichlorvos exposure received supplementation with vitamin C, E or red palm oil (RPO). Exposure to dichlorvos was done for 4 hours daily. At completion of exposure, animal tissue was processed by the routine method for paraffin wax and stained sections were examined under the light microscope. Histopathological studies of the lung showed extension in the width of bronchial associated lymphoid tissue (BALT), mild generalized congestion of the peri-bronchiolar and inter-alveolar septum as compared with the control. These observations were much reduced in the vitamin-treated groups. Similarly, histopathological studies of the liver showed diffuse vacuolar degeneration of hepatocytes with peri-portal cellular infiltration by mononuclear cells, vacuolar degeneration and necrosis of hepatocytes when compared with the normal. These changes were significantly reduced in the vitamin-supplemented groups. In conclusion, inhalationally absorbed dichlorvos caused histopathological changes in the lung and liver of rats, but these were ameliorated by co-treatment with vitamin supplementation. The changes provide the histological basis for further work and counselling on careful use of dichlorvos for domestic and agriculture, especially in enclosed areas (AU)

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