Search Results (38,375)

Aiming at the problems of complex image background and numerous interference factors faced by visual navigation systems in orchard environments, this paper proposes an orchard navigation line recognition method based on U-Net. Firstly, the drivable areas in the collected images are labeled using Labelme (a graphical tool for image annotation) to create an orchard dataset. Then, the Spatial Attention (SA) mechanism is inserted into the downsampling stage of the traditional U-Net semantic segmentation method, and the Coordinate Attention (CA) mechanism is added to the skip connection stage to obtain complete context information and optimize the feature restoration process of the drivable area in the field, thereby improving the overall segmentation accuracy of the model. Subsequently, the improved U-Net network is trained using the enhanced dataset to obtain the drivable area segmentation model. Based on the detected drivable area segmentation mask, the navigation line information is extracted, and the geometric center points are calculated row by row. After performing sliding window processing and bidirectional interpolation filling on the center points, the navigation line is generated through spline interpolation. Finally, the proposed method is compared and verified with U-Net, SegViT, SE-Net, and DeepLabv3+ networks. The results show that the improved drivable area segmentation model has a Recall of 90.23%, a Precision of 91.71%, a mean pixel accuracy (mPA) of 87.75%, and a mean intersection over union (mIoU) of 84.84%. Moreover, when comparing the recognized navigation line with the actual center line, the average distance error of the extracted navigation line is 56 mm, which can provide an effective reference for visual autonomous navigation in orchard environments. Full article

Polyoxometalates (POMs) represent a broad class of anionic inorganic (V, Mo, W) clusters with versatile structures of chemical and physical properties. POMs are inhibitors of many enzymes, including P-type ATPases, well-known to be a target of several approved drugs. Herein, two new hybrid POMs with Mo and mixed V/W, namely (C₂H₈N₁)₆[V₂Mo₁₈O₆₂].3H₂O (1) and (C₄H₁₆N₃)₄[V₂W₄O₁₉]₃.12H₂O (2), were synthesized via wet chemical methods in aqueous solution, and their purity was confirmed and characterized by single X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy. The cations are dimethylammonium ((C₂H₈N)⁺) and diethylenetriammonium ((C₄H₁₆N₃)³⁺), respectively. POMs biological activities were investigated, specifically their inhibitory potential against Ca²⁺-ATPase. The sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺-ATPase activities were measured spectrophotometrically using the coupled enzyme pyruvate kinase/lactate dehydrogenase assay. For the Ca²⁺-ATPase activity, Dawson (1) showed an IC₅₀ value of 3.4 μM, whereas Lindqvist (2) displayed a value of 45.1 μM. The Ca²⁺-ATPase inhibitory potential of these POMs can be correlated with the net charge (namely 6- and 4-) and the charge density (namely 0.33 and 0.67). A structure–activity-relationship was established for a series of 17 POMs Ca²⁺-ATPase inhibitors correlating IC₅₀ values and POMs net charge and POMs charge density. The described features make Dawson (1) and Lindqvist (2) attractive POMs in a wide range of chemistry fields as well as in biomedical applications. Full article

Lysobacter enzymogenes is well known for producing extracellular enzymes and bioactive molecules that suppress a wide range of plant pathogens, including fungi such as Rhizoctonia and Fusarium spp. and oomycetes such as Phytophthora infestans. It also exhibits antagonistic effects against Gram-negative bacteria through the type IV secretion system. Interestingly, L. enzymogenes JCK1421, isolated from the rhizosphere of pine forests, showed neither antifungal nor antibacterial activity, in contrast to other L. enzymogenes strains. However, foliar application of JCK1421 significantly reduced disease symptoms in tomato seedlings challenged with Ralstonia solanacearum. To elucidate the underlying defense mechanisms, comparative transcriptome analysis integrated with network and pathway enrichment approaches was performed. Comparative transcriptome and network analyses identified signaling modules activated by JCK1421 in pathogen-free plants and further enhanced upon R. solanacearum challenge. In challenged plants, JCK1421 treatment strongly induced resistance-related genes, including those encoding Ca²⁺-dependent proteins and ion channels, hormone biosynthesis components, and mitogen-activated protein kinase cascades—hallmarks of plant immune responses. These findings demonstrate that JCK1421 provides an effective model for investigating microbe-associated defense activation in plants, highlighting its potential as an eco-friendly agent for sustainable crop protection. Full article

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the most critical challenges to global public health in the 21st century, posing a significant threat to healthcare systems and human health due to treatment failure and high mortality. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that, without effective interventions, AMR-associated infections could cause 10 million deaths annually and economic losses of up to 100 trillion US dollars by 2050. The rapid spread of drug-resistant strains, especially in hospital and community settings, has significantly reduced the efficacy of traditional antibiotics. With the continuous advancements in relevant research, bacteriophage (Phage) therapy is constantly innovating in the antimicrobial field. The application of frontier technologies, such as phage cocktails and engineered phages, has significantly enhanced the broad spectrum and high efficiency of phage therapy, which is gradually becoming a new generation of tools to replace antibiotics and effectively combat pathogenic bacteria. However, phage therapy is facing several challenges, including phage inactivation by gastric acid, enzymes, ultraviolet light, and mechanical stress, as well as the potential risk of bacterial phage resistance. Advanced encapsulation technologies such as electrospun fibers, liposomes, chitosan nanoparticles, and electrospray provide solutions to these problems by protecting phage activity and enabling controlled release and targeted delivery. This review addresses phage therapeutic studies of Salmonella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Listeria monocytogenes, summarizes the recent advances in phage research, and details the current development and applications of encapsulated phage technologies across various delivery modes. Full article

The separation of oil-in-water emulsions from industrial wastewater remains a significant challenge, particularly under saline conditions. This study evaluated bacterial cellulose (BC) membranes from Komagataeibacter hansenii for filtering synthetic effluents with high oil content (ES1) and saline oil-in-water emulsions (ES2). FTIR confirmed the incorporation of lipophilic compounds into the BC matrix. Crystallinity decreased from 78.8% to 40% following ES1 filtration, while a new peak at 2θ ≈ 31.8° appeared in ES2, indicating salt deposition. TGA revealed increased mass loss in the oil-saturated membrane (BCO), whereas the saline-exposed membrane (BCOS) exhibited higher thermal stability. SEM showed fiber compaction and localized deposition of oil and salt, corroborated by EDS, which identified Na, Cl, Ca, and elevated oxygen levels. Mechanical testing indicated that oil acted as a plasticizer, increasing the elongation at break of BCO, while salt crystallization enhanced BCOS stiffness. The membranes removed up to 98% of organic load (BOD and COD), 69% of oils and greases, and reduced turbidity and apparent color by 92%. Partial salt retention (~23%) and a significant decrease in dissolved oxygen were also observed. These results demonstrate the potential of BC membranes as an effective and sustainable solution for the treatment of complex oily and saline wastewater. Full article

Background/Objectives: Semen Ziziphi Spinosae (SZS), a medicinal and edible traditional Chinese herb, has been widely used to treat insomnia. As critical regulators of the central nervous system, astrocytes play a pivotal role in maintaining sleep homeostasis. However, the mechanisms by which SZS modulates astrocytic function to improve sleep remain unclear. Methods: In this study, we employed an integrated transcriptomics and metabolomics approach to investigate the protective effects of SZS extract against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory injury and metabolic dysfunction in astrocytes. Results: Transcriptomic analysis revealed that SZS ameliorates cellular damage (including apoptosis, autophagy, and cell cycle dysregulation) through a FOXO3-centric signaling network. Concurrently, SZS restored cellular energy metabolism by increasing ATP production and reducing Ca²⁺ overload, thereby activating the AMPK signaling pathway to support normal astrocytic function. Metabolomic profiling further demonstrated that SZS-mediated restoration of energy homeostasis sustains ABC transporter activity, which in turn modulates neurotransmitter (serotonin, L-glutamic acid, adenosine), metabolic mediators (leukotrienes, palmitoylethanolamide, succinic acid), and nucleotide (uridine 5′-diphosphate). These coordinated changes normalized GABAergic synapse activity and neuroactive ligand receptor interactions, ultimately resolving neural metabolic network disturbances. Conclusions: Our findings elucidate a novel FOXO3-energy metabolism-ABC transporter axis through which SZS extract attenuates neuroinflammation and metabolic dysfunction in astrocytes and exerts sleep-promoting and neuroprotective effects. This study provides a scientific foundation for understanding the modern pharmacological mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine in insomnia treatment, highlighting astrocytic regulation as a potential therapeutic target. Full article

Thirteen genotypes of durum wheat were grown in two different environments in Portugal. Grain and ash mineral profile, as well as protein content, test weight, and grain ash content were evaluated. Genotype, environment, and their interaction explains the variation in the quality traits, with the environment having the highest influence. Mineral profile analysis was performed by the μ-EDXRF system: macroelements (K, P, Ca, Cl, and S) represented 99% of the total concentration detected in the grain samples, while microelements represented up to 2% of the total concentration when analyzing the ash samples (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Si, Rb, Sr, and Ti). Almost every element found in the grain and ash analysis was affected by the environment. Only K and Ca in the grain had higher concentrations in the environment with water scarcity, while the concentrations of all the detected elements except for Si and Sr were higher in the ashes in this environment. Regarding the genotype, P, S, and Cu grain concentrations were not affected by the environment. The highest grain mineral concentration was found for Gingão, suggesting a better mineral uptake and/or translocation-to-grain capacity. However, regarding the technological quality, most of the genotypes presented ash content values above the maximum specified threshold. Full article

Background/Objectives: The growing resistance development among fungi, including those of Candida species, poses significant challenges to public health, emphasizing the need for the implementation of innovative therapeutic approaches. The tobacco defensin NaD1 exhibits a pronounced activity against C. albicans, but its relatively high cytotoxicity toward mammalian cells limits its potential application. Here, we investigated anticandidal activity and cytotoxicity of four modified analogues of NaD1 (NaD1-1 T44R/K45R, NaD1-2 L38R, NaD1-3 K36R/L38R, NaD1-4 L38R/T44R/K45R). Methods: These peptides contained substitutions with arginine of some amino acid residues in the C-terminal region of NaD1 and in its L5 loop (S₃₅KILRR₄₀), responsible for the “cationic grip” and binding to phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP4,5), one of the primary targets of tobacco defensin action. Results: We showed that the modified NaD1 analogues effectively inhibited the growth of C. albicans cells but had a less fungicidal action than NaD1. As compared to NaD1, its modified analogues differed in their sensitivity to the presence of various salts; antifungal activities of NaD1-3 and NaD1-4 were more tolerant to the presence of NaCl and CaCl₂, respectively. All modified analogues except NaD1-1 did not exhibit hemolytic activity and showed significantly less cytotoxicity towards human immune and epithelial cells compared to NaD1. All modified analogues enhanced the permeability of PIP4,5-containing liposomes, although less effectively than NaD1. Differences in their properties were also demonstrated through experiments on oligomerization and zymosan binding. Conclusions: Thus, we proposed that the modified NaD1 analogues NaD1-2, NaD1-3, and NaD1-4 appear to be promising candidate antifungals. However, further in vitro and in vivo studies are required to evaluate their therapeutic potential against critical fungal pathogens. Full article

Authenticating the geographical origin of honey is crucial for ensuring its quality and preventing fraudulent labeling. This study investigates the influence of altitude on the mineral composition of honey and comparatively evaluates the performance of chemometric and machine learning models for its geographic discrimination. Honey samples from three distinct altitude regions in Türkiye were analyzed for their mineral content using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Results revealed that Calcium (Ca), Potassium (K), and Sodium (Na) were the predominant minerals. A significant moderate negative correlation was found between altitude and Ca concentration (r = −0.483), alongside a weak negative correlation with Copper (Cu) (r = −0.371). Among the five supervised models tested (Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA), Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), and Artificial Neural Network (ANN)), PLS-DA achieved the highest classification accuracy (94.9%). Variable importance analysis consistently identified Ca as the most influential discriminator across all models, followed by Barium (Ba) and Cu. These minerals, therefore, represent key markers for differentiating honey by geographical origin. This research demonstrates that an integrated model utilizing mineral profiles provides a robust, practical, and reliable method for the geographical authentication of honey. Full article

Developing bone substitutes that are mechanically strong, highly biocompatible and capable of controlled degradation is crucial for successful bone regeneration. Magnesium phosphate cements (MPCs) and calcium magnesium phosphate cements (CMPCs) offer higher strength and solubility than established calcium phosphate cements (CPCs). This study aimed to evaluate the in vivo degradation, osteoregeneration and biocompatibility of 3D powder-printed Mg3d (Mg₃(PO₄)₂) and Mg275d (Ca_0.25Mg_2.75(PO₄)₂) scaffolds with alkaline post-treatment, using structurally identical TCP (Ca₃(PO₄)₂) scaffolds as the control. The scaffolds were implanted into the lateral femoral condyle of adult female Zika rabbits and analysed up to 6, 12 and 24 weeks using radiography, microCT, histology, EDX and SEM. All materials demonstrated good biocompatibility. Mg3d and Mg275d scaffolds degraded significantly faster than the TCP scaffolds, with nearly complete degradation after 12 weeks. A cell-rich reconstruction zone formed during degradation, which was subsequently replaced by new bone. The degradation rate of the scaffolds corresponded closely to bone regeneration. Notably, the Mg3d and Mg275d scaffolds supported the faster formation of mature lamellar bone compared to the TCP scaffolds. These results indicate that magnesium phosphate (MgP)-based scaffolds represent a promising alternative to conventional calcium phosphate (CP)-based bone substitutes, given their rapid and almost complete degradation and their effective support of bone regeneration. Full article

Hypertension, a leading factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD), is a particularly heavy burden in women during middle age, when cardioprotective hormones begin to decline. The abnormal handling of calcium (Ca²⁺) in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) leads to increased vasoconstriction, remodeling, and altered arterial compliance during hypertension. The Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHR) is a model of essential hypertension, and middle-aged females with hypertension represent a stage of disease where vascular dysfunction is prominent but understudied. Losartan, a widely prescribed angiotensin II (AngII) receptor (AT1R) blocker, exerts antihypertensive effects by affecting Ang II/Ca²⁺ signaling. However, whether it corrects the Ca²⁺ mishandling in the aorta of middle-aged female SHR has not been established. In this study, the thoracic aorta from 36-week-old female SHRs treated with losartan was assessed for Ca²⁺ mishandling using myography and biochemical assays. Meanwhile, biomechanical properties and stiffness were evaluated using Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), and assessments of collagen and elastin contents. Compared with normotensive controls, SHR demonstrated disrupted Ca²⁺ handling, increased stiffness, and Extracellular Matrix (ECM) remodeling in middle-aged females. Treatment with losartan abrogated Ca²⁺ mishandling influx and efflux in the VSMC, decreased stiffness, and restored the aortic structural changes. These findings demonstrate that losartan abolishes Ca²⁺ mishandling and highlight a mechanistic role of AT1R blockade in restoring vascular function in the aorta of middle-aged females during hypertension. Full article

Effective implementation and optimization of organic amendments and other management practices is essential for sustainable organic vegetable production, yet needed information is lacking on the effects and benefits of different organic matter amendments and pest management approaches under Northeastern USA production conditions. The impacts of soil amendments of biochar or humus (soluble humate complex) in conjunction with compost, as well as the presence or absence of an early-season insect netting row cover (mesotunnels), were evaluated on soil chemical and biological properties, crop development and yield, and disease and pest issues in organic vegetable production, as represented by legume (green snap bean), cucurbit (green zucchini squash), and amaranth (garden beet) vegetable crops, in a three-year field trial in Maine. Composted cow manure and a commercial organic fertilizer alone were included as controls. All plots were either covered or not covered with a permeable insect netting row cover from the time of planting until flowering. All compost-based amendments increased soil pH; organic matter; microbial activity; crop yields; and K, Mg, and Ca content relative to a fertilizer-only treatment. Biochar amendments further increased soil pH, CEC, and Ca content above those of compost alone and also resulted in the overall highest yields of bean and zucchini but were not significantly greater than with compost amendment alone. Humus amendments did not improve soil characteristics, with some indications of potential reductions in emergence and yield. Insect netting substantially improved yield of zucchini (by 59%) and somewhat improved bean yield (by 11%), in addition to improving plant emergence and reducing insect leaf damage, but it did not reduce powdery mildew on zucchini or provide any significant benefits for beets. These results help define specific management practices to improve organic vegetable production and provide useful information and options for growers. Full article

Red mud, fly ash, ground granulated blast furnace slag, and carbide slag are industrial byproducts posing significant environmental challenges. The synthesis of geopolymers represents a promising approach for their sustainable valorization. This study investigated the strength development mechanisms and microstructural evolution of Red Mud–Class F Fly Ash-Based Geopolymer under co-incorporation of ground granulated blast furnace slag and carbide slag through compressive strength tests, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and Scanning Electron Microscopy–Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (SEM-EDS). Key findings include the following: (1) single incorporation of ground granulated blast furnace slag achieved a 60-day compressive strength of 11.6 MPa—6.4× higher than carbide slag-only systems (1.8 MPa); (2) hybrid systems (50% ground granulated blast furnace slag/50% carbide slag) reached 8.8 MPa, demonstrating a strength peak at balanced ground granulated blast furnace slag/carbide slag ratios; (3) the multi-source geopolymer systems were dominated by monomeric gels (C-A-H, C-S-H, C-A-S-H), crystalline phases (ettringite and hydrocalumite), and poly-aluminosilicate chains ((-Si-O-Al-Si-O-)n); (4) elevated Ca levels (>40 weight percent in ground granulated blast furnace slag/carbide slag) favored C-S-H formation, while optimal Si/Al ratios (1.5–2.5) promoted gel polycondensation into long-chain polymers (e.g., Si-O-Al-O), consolidating the matrix. These results resolve the critical limitation of low strength (≤3.1 MPa) in ambient-cured red mud–fly ash geopolymers reported previously, enabling scalable utilization of red mud (46.44% Fe₂O₃) and carbide slag (92.43% CaO) while advancing circular economy paradigms in construction materials. Full article

Camphora tenuipilis, a unique aromatic plant in the traditional Xishuangbanna dish “Duo Sheng” (raw minced meat dish), lacks scientific evidence to support its traditional use and potential application as a natural preservative/antioxidant. This study aims to fill this gap by analyzing the chemical composition and bioactivities of its leaf essential oils (EOs), verifying its traditional use, and exploring the bioactivities specific to different chemotypes. Leaf samples were collected from the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG), Chinese Academy of Sciences, and local markets. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis identified 53 compounds, leading to the classification of the EOs into five chemotypes: linalool, geraniol, citral, elemicin, and methyl cinnamate. Notably, the elemicin-type EO (YC02, with an elemicin content of 94.56 ± 0.98%) exhibited the strongest antioxidant properties. The EOs demonstrated antibacterial activity against four foodborne pathogens: Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus; except for YC04, the other EOs effectively inhibited pathogen growth to varying extents. Cytotoxicity tests revealed half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀) for HaCaT cells ranging from 0.163 to 0.847 mg/mL. This study scientifically validates the traditional use of C. tenuipilis in “Duo Sheng” and supports its potential as a natural food preservative, antioxidants, and antimicrobial agents. Full article

Calcium deficiency is a global public health issue because calcium supplements are consistently inefficient. Although there is a large amount of calcium in bovine bones, its bioactivity is rather low. This study aimed to optimize the extraction process of calcium from bovine bones, develop a Lycium barbarum peptide–calcium chelate (LBP-Ca) preparation method, and evaluate calcium supplementation activity via pharmacodynamics tests. Response surface methodology (RSM) with a Box–Behnken design was used to screen the key parameters of the entire extraction process. The optimal conditions were determined as 1.7 mol/L citric acid, 6 h extraction time, and a material-to-liquid ratio of 1:8. The extracted calcium concentration reached 44 mg/mL. LBP-Ca was made from the extracted calcium and Lycium barbarum peptide. In order to confirm the formation of the chelate, it was characterized by means of UV, FT-IR, particle size, zeta potential, and SEM analysis. The results showed that the group with LBP-Ca exhibited significantly increased serum calcium levels (123.0 ± 24.5 μmol/dL) compared to the other groups in the low-calcium mice test. At the same time, LBP-Ca reduced alkaline phosphatase activity almost to normal levels and improved femur parameters and bone microstructure (higher bone volume fraction and trabecular number and better trabecular connectivity). These results indicate that LBP-Ca has superior bioavailability and bone health-promoting effects, which make it possible to develop highly effective calcium supplements from bovine bones. Full article