Search Results (22,110)

Various morphologies of cobalt oxide Co${}_3$O${}_4$ films on cobalt (Co) foils were obtained via anodization followed by a thermal treatment at 350 °C. This study introduces a rapid and cost-effective synthesis route, achieving well-defined spinel structures in only 30 min. The novelty of this work lies in exploring nickel (Ni) as a morphological modifier in the anodization electrolyte. FESEM analysis revealed that, while anodization without Ni produced nanoflake structures, the inclusion of Ni transformed the morphology into larger cubic crystals and rice grain–shaped nanoparticles. XPS confirmed the presence of oxygen vacancies during phase formation, TEM showed spinel grains smaller than 20 nm, and Raman spectroscopy exhibited characteristic peak shifts influenced by both anodization and Ni addition. These results demonstrate that Ni not only accelerates the formation of spinel $C{o}_3{O}_4$ but also plays a decisive role in tailoring morphology, highlighting the efficiency and novelty of this approach. Full article

Bladder cancer (BC), particularly its muscle-invasive subtype (MIBC), remains a clinical challenge due to high recurrence and limited therapeutic options. Emerging evidence suggests that probiotics may offer selective anticancer effects while preserving healthy tissue. In this study, we evaluated the antitumor potential of OxxySlab, a multistrain probiotic formulation, in two BC cell lines (T24 and 5637) and a non-tumorigenic urothelial cell line (SV-HUC1). OxxySlab lysate dose-dependently inhibited BC cell proliferation, clonogenicity, and migration, while sparing normal cells. Mechanistically, the treatment suppressed epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), induced senescence, and disrupted redox homeostasis in malignant cells. These effects were associated with the induction of oxidative stress and impaired antioxidant defenses. Co-treatment with vitamin C attenuated ROS accumulation and senescence, implicating oxidative stress as a key mediator. Notably, SV-HUC1 cells retained viability and phenotype, confirming the formulation’s selectivity. Overall, these findings support OxxySlab as a promising adjunctive strategy in BC therapy, capable of reducing tumor aggressiveness through redox-mediated senescence and EMT inhibition without harming normal urothelial cells. Full article

Objectives: Bisphenol A (BPA), a prototypical environmental endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC), is ubiquitously present in environmental matrices and biological fluids. Dietary ingestion and inhalation exposure to BPA can induce testicular oxidative stress and apoptosis. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects and underlying mechanisms of Pfaffia glomerata (Pg), a perennial herb of the Amaranthaceae family, against BPA-induced reproductive system injury. Methods: Potential targets and molecular mechanisms were predicted through network pharmacology. Physiological indicators, histopathological changes, serum biochemical parameters, and Western blot analysis were used to systematically evaluate the ameliorative effects of Pg and elucidate its mechanisms. Results: Our network pharmacology analysis identified core targets of Pg in attenuating reproductive system injury, including PTPN11, PIK3CA, JAK2, PIK3R1, PDGFRB, and others. GO enrichment and KEGG pathway analysis indicated that these key targets primarily regulate steroid metabolism, enhance antioxidant capacity, and modulate signaling pathways such as PI3K-AKT, Fc epsilon RI, and cAMP. In vivo studies demonstrated that all Pg dose groups showed significant improvement in BPA-induced histopathological injury to testicular tissues. BPA exposure increased serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) while decreasing testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), and progesterone (PROG) levels. Furthermore, BPA elevated serum levels of the testicular marker enzymes acid phosphatase (ACP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) but reduced alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels; all these effects were significantly reversed with Pg treatment. Western blot results showed that compared with the model group, high-dose Pg significantly upregulated the expression of phosphorylated AKT (p-AKT), phosphorylated PI3K (p-PI3K), and Bcl-2, while downregulating Cleaved Caspase-3 and Bax. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that Pg may attenuate BPA-induced reproductive system injury by activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, upregulating the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, and inhibiting the activation of the apoptotic effector Caspase-3. The study provides a new theoretical basis for the development of novel natural drugs or health products. Full article

Enhancing the high-temperature tribological performance of protective claddings is crucial for demanding industrial applications. This study focuses on developing hexagonal boron nitride (hBN)-reinforced Ni-based composite claddings to improve wear resistance over a wide temperature range. Ni/WC/CeO₂ cladding layers with varying hBN contents (0.25 wt% and 0.75 wt%) were fabricated on 45 steel substrates via vacuum cladding. Their microstructure, mechanical properties, and tribological behavior under thermal cycling (25–600 °C) were systematically evaluated. Results reveal that the in situ formation of a hard Cr₂B phase, coupled with hBN addition, was key to achieving optimal overall properties. The composite with 0.25 wt% hBN (NWB25) demonstrated optimal overall properties, featuring the lowest porosity (0.1813%) and the highest H/E ratio (0.0405), leading to the best overall tribological performance. A distinct transition from mild to severe wear was observed during the 300 °C-2 stage, resulting from the fracture of a high-temperature tribo-oxidative layer. An hBN content of 0.25 wt% is identified as optimal for balancing solid lubrication and matrix cohesion, thereby achieving superior thermal cycling wear resistance. Higher hBN concentrations promote grain coarsening and increased porosity, which degrade performance. Full article

Hard Cr-Al-Si-B-(N) coatings were deposited in Ar and Ar–15%N₂ medium by d.c. magnetron sputtering of composite targets manufactured using self-propagating high-temperature synthesis. The structure of the coatings was studied by X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersion spectroscopy, and glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy. The coating properties were determined by nanoindentation, scratch testing, and tribological pin-on-disc testing at room and elevated temperatures. The oxidation resistance and diffusion barrier properties of the coatings were also evaluated. The results obtained showed that non-reactive coatings had a coarse crystalline structure and contained Cr₅Si₃, CrB_x, and Cr₂Al phases. The introduction of nitrogen into the coating composition promoted crystallite refinement and structural amorphization. Non-reactive CrAl₄Si₁₁B₂₁ coatings had a maximum hardness up to 29 GPa and an elastic modulus up to 365 GPa. The introduction of nitrogen into the coating composition resulted in a 16–32% reduction in mechanical properties. The CrAl₆Si₁₂B₅N₂₅ coating, which exhibited maximal plasticity index H/E = 0.100 and resistance to plastic deformation H³/E² = 0.247 GPa, was characterized by a minimum wear rate Vw = 5.7 × 10⁻⁶ mm³N⁻¹m⁻¹ and a friction coefficient of 0.47. While the CrAl₁₈Si₁₁B₅N₂₆ coating demonstrated a record level of oxidation resistance and successfully resisted oxidation up to a temperature of 1300 °C. Full article

Background/Objectives: The multi-attribute method (MAM) has found diverse use in the analytical characterization of therapeutic protein products during their development and production. As the MAM matures it has the potential to enter quality control (QC) laboratories, consolidating and replacing many less informative chromatographic techniques; however, this requires an appropriate risk assessment and understanding of method capability. Methods: A validated MAM approach was used to quantify product quality attributes (PQAs) using three different mass spectrometers across two laboratories; the results were compared to conventional hydrophilic interaction chromatography–fluorescence detection (HILIC-FLD) and cation exchange chromatography–ultraviolet (CEX-UV) techniques. Results: Stressed, long-term, and accelerated stability studies were performed, and their effects on glycosylation, deamidation, oxidation and N- and C-termini were quantified. Conclusions: Overall, the inter-instrument inter-laboratory data provided here showed important considerations for transferring methods between laboratories and establishing the correlation between the MAM and conventional data, elements which are necessary to transition the MAM to the QC environment and ultimately achieving the goal of replacing orthogonal QC methods. Full article

This study investigated a novel method of recovering energy from iron ore sinter using solid iron oxide heat transfer materials. Traditionally, air is passed through the sinter either in an open conveyor or a sealed vessel to recover energy. The bed materials used were a magnetite concentrate, hematite ore, goethite–hematite ore and sinter fines. A shortwave thermal camera and quartz reactor were used measure infrared radiation from the process. The thermal imaging was combined with image analysis techniques to visualise the transfer of thermal energy through the system. The results showed that energy moved rapidly through the system with peak heating rates of 18 °C/min at a lump sinter temperature of 600 °C. The ratio of heating rate to cooling rate was as high as 8.6:1.0, indicating efficient retention of energy by the bed materials. The bed composition, determined by X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction was used to calculate the heat capacity based on pure material properties. The resultant energy balance determined thermal efficiency to be between 32 and 46% for the sinter fines and hematite–goethite ore, resulting in predicted fuel savings of up to 9.4kg/tonne with similar heat utilisations to the air recovery process. Thermal imaging combined with Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area measurements and scanning electron microscopy analysis experimentally replicated mathematical heat transfer model predictions that a smaller total pore volume resulted in less thermally resistive bed. Image analysis illustrated the breaking of the heat front between the less resistive solid and more resistive air in porous beds versus even conduction of heat through a dense bed. The oxide distribution in the bed materials impacted heat transfer, as at a lump temperature of 500 °C was controlled by hydrated oxide content whereas at 600 °C Fe₂O₃ was the more dominant driver. Full article

To enhance the nutritional value of sheep fat, high-melting-point solid fat (HSO) and low-melting-point liquid oil (LSO) were prepared from Altay sheep rump fat via solvent fractionation. The effects of HSO and LSO on lipid metabolism and intestinal health were evaluated in a mouse model. Results showed that HSO, rich in saturated fatty acids (SFA), induced obesity, dyslipidemia, and colonic inflammation in mice. These adverse effects were associated with the upregulation of hepatic lipid synthesis genes such as Sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c) and Fatty acid synthase (FAS), as well as increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines including Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the colon. In contrast, LSO, which was predominantly composed of unsaturated fatty acids (UFA), did not cause significant metabolic disorders. Instead, it promoted the upregulation of fatty acid oxidation-related genes such as Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) and Acyl-CoA oxidase 1 (Acox1), helped maintain intestinal microbial balance, and enhanced the production of beneficial short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), particularly butyrate and propionate. In conclusion, solvent fractionation effectively modulates the fatty acid composition of sheep fat, thereby influencing lipid metabolism and inflammatory responses through the regulation of key gene expression and modulation of the gut microenvironment. Full article

This study provides a comprehensive quantitative comparison of three structurally distinct epoxy prepolymers—cycloaliphatic, novolac, and bis-aromatic (BADGE)—cured with a single hardener, methyl nadic anhydride (MNA), and catalyzed by 1-methylimidazole under strictly identical stoichiometric and thermal conditions. Each formulation was optimized in terms of epoxy/anhydride ratio and catalyst concentration to ensure meaningful cross-comparison under representative cure conditions. A multi-technique approach combining differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic rheometry, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was employed to jointly assess cure kinetics, network build-up, and long-term thermal stability. DSC analyses provided reaction enthalpies and glass transition temperatures (Tg) ranging from 145 °C (BADGE-MNA) to 253 °C (cycloaliphatic ECy-MNA) after stabilization of the curing reaction under the chosen thermal protocol, enabling experimental fine-tuning of stoichiometry beyond the theoretical 1:1 ratio. Isothermal rheology revealed gel times of approximately 14 s for novolac, 16 s for BADGE, and 20 s for the cycloaliphatic system at 200 °C, defining a clear hierarchy of reactivity (Novolac > BADGE > ECy). Post-cure thermomechanical performance and thermal aging resistance (100 h at 250 °C) were assessed via rheometry and TGA under both dynamic and isothermal conditions. They demonstrated that the novolac-based resin retained approximately 93.7% of its initial mass, confirming its outstanding thermo-oxidative stability. The three systems exhibited distinct trade-offs between reactivity and thermal resistance: the novolac resin showed superior thermal endurance but, owing to its highly aromatic and rigid structure, limited flowability, while the cycloaliphatic resin exhibited greater molecular mobility and longer pot life but reduced stability. Overall, this work provides a comprehensive and quantitatively consistent benchmark, consolidating stoichiometric control, DSC and rheological reactivity, Tg evolution, thermomechanical stability, and degradation behavior within a single unified experimental framework. The results offer reliable reference data for modeling, formulation, and possible use of epoxy–anhydride thermosets at temperatures above 200 °C. Full article

The growing emphasis on controlling sulfur-containing compounds in fuel oils has driven the development of numerous desulfurization technologies. Among these, catalytic oxidative desulfurization (CODS) has garnered considerable research interest due to its exceptional capability to efficiently remove refractory sulfur compounds, particularly dibenzothiophene (DBT), under relatively mild reaction conditions. However, the widespread application of CODS has been hindered by the high cost and complex preparation processes of the catalysts. To enhance the practical potential of CODS, in this study, a novel Zr@AC catalyst was developed by a facile “solution impregnation + high-temperature calcination” strategy, where zirconium species were effectively supported on activated carbon. Experimental results demonstrated that under optimized conditions of 0.1 g catalyst dosage, 2.0 O/S ratio, reaction temperature 100 °C and reaction time 50 min, the Zr@AC-mediated CODS system achieved a remarkable desulfurization efficiency of 97.24% for DBT removal. The removal efficiency of DBT increased by 9.0% compared with non-catalytic systems. The characterization techniques revealed that the Zr@AC catalyst possesses a hierarchically rough surface morphology, high specific surface area, abundant active sites, and distinctive Zr-O functional groups. Kinetic analysis indicated that the oxidation process follows second-order reaction kinetics. Furthermore, the catalyst maintained over 95% desulfurization efficiency after five consecutive regeneration cycles, confirming that the prepared catalyst has the exceptional recyclability and operational stability. Full article

Ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI) is a leading cause of acute kidney injury (AKI) and a major driver of progression to chronic kidney disease (CKD). Oxidative stress is recognized as a central mediator of this transition. Engulfment and Cell Motility 1 (ELMO1) regulates cytoskeletal remodeling and reactive oxygen species generation through Rac1 activation, but its contribution to CKD progression remains poorly defined. To investigate this, we established a unilateral renal IRI model in wild-type (WT) and Elmo1-overexpressing (Elmo1^H/H) mice and evaluated kidney function one and four months post-IRI. Compared with WT, Elmo1^H/H mice developed more severe kidney dysfunction, including an elevated plasma cystatin C and urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio, reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and pronounced fibrosis and glomerular injury observed by light and electron microscopy. Molecular analysis confirmed the dysregulation of redox-related pathways by RT-qPCR, with RNA sequencing showing enrichment of oxidative stress signatures. A subset of mice received chronic vitamin B12 (B12) supplementation following IRI to evaluate its therapeutic potential. Vitamin B12 supplementation improved kidney function, reduced fibrosis, preserved glomerular structure, and normalized the expression of antioxidant genes in both groups. These findings identify Elmo1 as a driver of redox-mediated kidney injury and support vitamin B12 as a promising antioxidant therapy for AKI-to-CKD progression. Full article

Bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) proteins act as epigenetic regulators of gene transcription. BET inhibitors have shown therapeutic potential in various models of heart failure; however, their efficacy in atrial fibrillation (AF) remains incompletely understood. This study investigated the effects of the BET inhibitor JQ1 in a mice model of AF. Wild-type male C57BL/6 mice were randomized into four groups: control, JQ1 alone (50 mg/kg, intraperitoneal), angiotensin II (AngII; 1 μg/kg/min), and AngII plus JQ1. After 2 weeks, electrophysiological studies revealed that JQ1 significantly reduced AngII-induced AF inducibility and duration. It also attenuated left atrial enlargement, diastolic dysfunction, and cardiac fibrosis. Molecular analyses indicated that JQ1 suppressed the AngII-induced upregulation of pro-fibrotic genes and restored Sirt1 expression. Moreover, JQ1 also inhibited AngII-enhanced oxidized CaMKII and phosphorylated RyR2 levels. In HL-1 atrial cardiomyocytes, JQ1 improved calcium handling abnormalities, shortened prolonged action potential duration (APD), and restored mitochondrial respiration and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, all of which had been impaired by AngII. These findings suggest that BET inhibition by JQ1 mitigates structural and electrical remodeling associated with AF by attenuating atrial fibrosis, and by restoring calcium homeostasis, mitochondrial function, and Sirt1 expression. JQ1 may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for the prevention and treatment of AF. Full article

Oxidative stress-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis are critical factors in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. This study investigated the synergistic neuroprotective effects of anthocyanin-enriched Morus alba L. extract combined with vitamin C (MAC) against hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced oxidative stress in SH-SY5Y neuronal cells. Exposure to H₂O₂ triggered excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and apoptosis, whereas treatment with MAC markedly alleviated these effects. Biochemical analyses revealed that MAC significantly reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) and enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes, including catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), thereby contributing to improved redox balance. Furthermore, MAC modulated apoptosis-related signaling by upregulating extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), and the anti-apoptotic protein B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), while downregulating the pro-apoptotic protein Bcl-2-associated X (BAX) and cleaved caspase-3. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that MAC acts synergistically as a promising nutraceutical ingredient, supporting the development of functional foods for the prevention or mitigation of oxidative stress-related neurodegenerative disorders. Full article

The study investigates the effect of plasma-electrolytic polishing on the structure and wear resistance of 30KhGSA steel after plasma-electrolytic boriding. Plasma-electrolytic boriding was carried out in a boron-containing electrolyte at a temperature of 900 °C, which ensured the formation of a hardened modified layer consisting of a surface oxide layer, a subsequent zone composed of boride phases FeB and Fe₂B, as well as a transitional martensitic zone. To remove brittle oxide phases and reduce surface roughness, plasma-electrolytic polishing in an alkaline solution was applied, which made it possible to form a smoother and more stable surface. The results showed that plasma-electrolytic boriding increases the microhardness up to 1500–1600 HV_0.1, which is 5–6 times higher compared to untreated steel, and reduces the friction coefficient and wear rate. However, the borided layers exhibit brittleness and surface roughness. Subsequent plasma-electrolytic polishing made it possible to reduce surface roughness by nearly an order of magnitude, decrease the friction coefficient by more than 30%, and almost halve the wear rate. The obtained results confirm the high potential of this combined technology for strengthening structural steel components operating under high loads and severe wear conditions. Full article

Modified biochars have emerged as effective adsorbents for remediating heavy metal-contaminated environments, yet variability in modification methods, feedstocks, and pyrolysis conditions has led to inconsistent findings. This study provides a quantitative meta-analysis of 173 peer-reviewed publications to systematically evaluate how modification strategies, feedstock types, and pyrolysis temperatures influence the adsorption of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and copper (Cu). Six modification approaches were assessed (metal oxides, bases, strong acids, weak acids, hydrogen peroxide, and physical treatments), pyrolysis temperatures were grouped into three ranges (<400 °C, 400–550 °C, and >550 °C), and feedstocks were categorized as wood-, straw-, herbaceous-, and manure-based. Effect sizes were calculated to identify the most effective combinations of modification, feedstock, and thermal regime, providing a robust, data-driven framework for predicting biochar performance. Results show that metal oxide-treated biochars consistently exhibited the highest adsorption, while physical modifications were least effective. Moderate pyrolysis temperatures (400–550 °C) and wood-derived biochars also significantly enhanced adsorption across all three metals. These findings provide actionable guidance for designing tailored biochars, resolving inconsistencies in the literature, and supporting future studies aimed at optimizing biochar for heavy metal remediation and sustainable environmental applications. Full article