Zinc sulfate 0.25% / Adrenaline (base) 0.05% eye drops

Mildly acidic aqueous zinc batteries (AZBs) have attracted tremendous attention for grid storage applications with the expectation to tackle the issues of Li-ion batteries on high cost and poor safety. However, the performance, particularly energy density and cycle stability of AZBs are still unsatisfactory when compared with LIBs. To help the development of AZBs, a lot of effort have been made to understand the battery reaction mechanisms and precedent microscopic and spectroscopic analyses have shown flake-like large particles of zinc hydroxide sulfate (ZHS) and its analogues formed on the surfaces of cathodes and anodes in sulfate and other electrolyte systems during cycling. However, because of the complexity of the thermodynamics and kinetics of aqueous reactions to understand different battery conditions, controversies still exist. This article will review the roles of ZHS discussed in recent representative references aiming to shine light on the fundamental mechanisms of AZBs and pave ways to further improve the battery performance.

Abstract licence: CC BY

The regeneration of osteochondral tissue necessitates the re-establishment of a gradient owing to the unique characteristics and healing potential of the chondral and osseous phases. As the self-healing capacity of hyaline cartilage is limited, timely mechanical support during neo-cartilage formation is crucial to achieving optimal repair efficacy. In this study, we devised a biodegradable bilayered scaffold, comprising chondroitin sulfate (CS) hydrogel to regenerate chondral tissue and a porous pure zinc (Zn) scaffold for regeneration of the underlying bone as mechanical support for the cartilage layer. The photocured CS hydrogel possessed a compressive strength of 82 kPa, while the porous pure Zn scaffold exhibited a yield strength of 11 MPa and a stiffness of 0.8 GPa. Such mechanical properties are similar to values reported for cancellous bone. In vitro biological experiments demonstrated that the bilayered scaffold displayed favorable cytocompatibility and promoted chondrogenic and osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow stem cells. Upon implantation, the scaffold facilitated the simultaneous regeneration of bone and cartilage tissue in a porcine model, resulting in (i) a smoother cartilage surface, (ii) more hyaline-like cartilage, and (iii) a superior integration into the adjacent host tissue. Our bilayered scaffold exhibits significant potential for clinical application in osteochondral regeneration.

Abstract licence: CC BY-NC-ND

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) employing zinc metal anodes are gaining traction as batteries for moderate to long duration energy storage at scale. However, corrosion of the zinc metal anode through reaction with water limits battery efficiency. Much research in the past few years has focused on additives that decrease hydrogen evolution, but the precise mechanisms by which this takes place are often understudied and remain unclear. In this work, we study the role of an acetonitrile antisolvent additive in improving the performance of aqueous ZnSO4 electrolytes using experimental and computational techniques. We demonstrate that acetonitrile actively modifies the interfacial chemistry during Zn metal plating, which results in improved performance of acetonitrile-containing electrolytes. Collectively, this work demonstrates the effectiveness of solvent additive systems in battery performance and durability and provides a new framework for future efforts to optimize ion transport and performance in ZIBs.

Abstract licence: CC BY-NC-ND

BACKGROUND: Klebsiella pneumoniae is a significant healthcare-associated pathogen. We investigated the antimicrobial interaction pattern between zinc sulfate and antibiotics against K. pneumoniae biofilm on the phenotypic and genotypic levels. METHODS: Determining the minimum biofilm inhibitory concentrations and the transcriptomic profile of K. pneumoniae biofilm formation genes post-treatment were carried out to evaluate the effect on the phenotypic and genotypic levels, respectively. RESULTS: Zinc enhanced the antibiofilm potentials of cephalosporins, aminoglycosides, and ertapenem, whereas it antagonizes the effectiveness of fluoroquinolones and meropenem on the phenotypic level. On the molecular level, zinc enhanced the anti-biofilm efficacies of cephalosporins (cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, ceftazidime, cefpirome, and cefepime) via down-regulating the expression of biofilm-related genes by 18-, 38-, 5-, 77- and 2-folds, respectively. Zinc in combination with aminoglycosides (kanamycin, gentamicin, and amikacin) reduced the expression of biofilm-related genes by 40-, 2602- and 20-folds, respectively, and by 2-folds in combination with ertapenem. However, a reduction in the down-regulatory potentials of fluoroquinolones was recorded following combination with zinc by 2-, 2-, 15- and 14-folds, respectively, and an up-regulation in the expression levels of the tested genes by 2-folds in the case of zinc/meropenem combination. CONCLUSIONS: Results revealed variable interaction patterns between different antibiotics in combination with zinc. Current findings also shed light on the antibiofilm potentials of zinc/antibiotics combinations especially when combining zinc with fluoroquinolones or meropenem to avoid their antagonistic effects.

Abstract licence: CC BY

Objectives: Liver ischemia/reperfusion damage frequently occurs in setting of hepatic resection and liver transplantation. It leads to disturbance in remote organs such as heart, lung and kidneys. This study explored the consequences of hepatic ischemia/reperfusion on the oxidative stress parameters, biochemical factors, and histopathological alterations in the kidney's rats, as well as evaluated the role of zinc sulfate on above-mentioned parameters. Materials and methods: Twenty-eight male Wistar rats were accidently assigned into four groups (n = 7). They were Sham, ischemia/reperfusion, zinc sulfate pretreatment, and zinc sulfate pretreatment + ischemia/reperfusion groups. Sham group: obtained normal saline (2 ml/day, seven consecutive days), intraperitoneally, zinc sulfate pretreatment group: obtained zinc sulfate (5 mg/kg, seven consecutive days, intraperitoneally). Ischemia/reperfusion group: obtained normal saline as mentioned previous, then rats experienced the partial ischemia (%70) for 45 min followed by 60 min reperfusion. Zinc sulfate pretreatment group: obtained zinc sulfate as mentioned previous, then rats experience the partial ischemia/reperfusion as presented earlier. At the end of investigation, blood was withdrawn, liver and renal tissues were removed. Then, biochemical and oxidative stress parameters, and histological changes were evaluated in the mentioned tissues. Results: The findings of this experiment indicated that zinc sulfate markedly reduced the serum levels of liver and kidney function tests in relative to ischemia/reperfusion group. Also, antioxidant enzymes activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power, and nitric oxide significantly increased, while malondialdehyde level declined in the renal tissue of zinc sulfate + ischemia/reperfusion group compared to ischemia/reperfusion rats. Furthermore, zinc sulfate alleviated the liver and kidneys histopathological alterations following ischemia/reperfusion. Conclusion: Zinc sulfate ameliorated liver and kidney function, and improved oxidant-antioxidant balance in favor of antioxidants. It is suggested that zinc sulfate may be beneficial effects on hepato-renal injury after ischemia/reperfusion.

Abstract licence: CC BY-NC-ND