Search Results (717)

Disruption of the intestinal epithelial barrier is a key driver of gut-derived inflammation in various disorders, yet strategies to preserve or restore barrier integrity remain limited. To address this, we evaluated a four-strain Bifidobacterium mixture—selected for complementary anti-inflammatory potency and industrial scalability—in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-challenged RAW 264.7 macrophages and a Caco-2/THP-1 transwell co-culture model. Pretreatment with the probiotic blend reduced nitric oxide (NO) release in a dose-dependent manner by 25.9–48.3% and significantly down-regulated the pro-inflammatory markers in macrophages. In the co-culture system, the formulation decreased these markers, increased transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) by up to 31% at 10⁵ colony-forming unit (CFU)/mL after 48 h, and preserved the membrane localization of tight junction (TJ) proteins. Adhesion to Caco-2 cells (≈ 6%) matched that of the benchmark probiotic Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG, suggesting direct epithelial engagement. These in vitro findings demonstrate that this probiotic mixture can attenuate LPS-driven inflammation and reinforce epithelial architecture, providing a mechanistic basis for its further evaluation in animal models and clinical studies of intestinal inflammatory disorders. Full article

The demand for anion exchange membranes (AEMs) is growing due to their applications in water electrolysis, CO₂ reduction conversion and fuel cells, as well as water treatment, driven by the increasing energy demand and the need for a sustainable future. However, current AEMs still face challenges, such as insufficient permeability and stability in strongly acidic or alkaline media, which limit their durability and the sustainability of membrane fabrication. In this study, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and chitosan (CS) biopolymers are selected for membrane preparation. Zinc oxide (ZnO) and porous organic polymer (POP) nanoparticles are also introduced within the PVA-CS polymer blends to make mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs) with increased OH⁻ transport sites. The membranes are characterized based on typical properties for AEM applications, such as thickness, water uptake, KOH uptake, Cl⁻ and OH⁻ permeability and ion exchange capacity (IEC). The OH⁻ transport of the PVA-CS blend is increased by at least 94.2% compared with commercial membranes. The incorporation of non-porous ZnO and porous POP nanoparticles into the polymer blend does not compromise the OH⁻ transport properties. On the contrary, ZnO nanoparticles enhance the membrane’s water retention capacity, provide basic surface sites that facilitate hydroxide ion conduction and reinforce the mechanical and thermal stability. In parallel, POPs introduce a highly porous architecture that increases the internal surface area and promotes the formation of continuous hydrated pathways, essential to efficient OH⁻ mobility. Furthermore, the presence of POPs also contributes to reinforcing the mechanical integrity of the membrane. Thus, PVA-CS bio-based membranes are a promising alternative to conventional ion exchange membranes for various applications. Full article

This study presents the first combined techno-economic and environmental analysis of IPA dehydration using HybSi^® membranes across three configurations, offering a low-emission alternative to conventional azeotropic distillation. The processes are simulated in Aspen Plus, and include two hybrid separation processes (i.e., distillation–pervaporation and distillation–pervaporation–distillation) and one standalone pervaporation process. The pervaporation module uses data from experiments that were performed using HybSi^® AR membranes at 130 °C and two vacuum pressures (20 and 50 mbar). The separation processes were systematically compared using a comprehensive set of performance indicators covering technical, economic, and environmental aspects. A new cost-efficiency metric, COPCO, is introduced, alongside updated modeling under 2024 market conditions. The isopropanol recovery and water selectivity were >99.5% and >98.7%, respectively, in all pervaporation-based processes. It was found that the hybrid distillation–pervaporation process resulted in a 42% reduction in the levelized cost of the benchmark azeotropic distillation process, while standalone pervaporation resulted in a 38% reduction. The CO₂ footprint was also reduced significantly in all cases, up to 86% in the case of standalone pervaporation compared to azeotropic distillation. The COPCO analysis revealed that the distillation–pervaporation configuration offers the highest cost-efficiency among the evaluated systems. Sensitivity analysis revealed that feed flow rate, average water flux, membrane module price, membrane lifetime, and steam price significantly impact the levelized cost. Lower vacuum pressure and feed water near the azeotropic composition enhance economic performance. Full article

Access to clean water is a pressing global concern and membrane technologies play a vital role in addressing this challenge. Thin-film composite membranes prepared via interfacial polymerization (IPol) using meta-phenylenediamine (MPD) and trimesoyl chloride (TMC) exhibit excellent separation performance, but face limitations such as fouling and low hydrophilicity. This study investigated the interaction between MPD and sulfonated zinc phthalocyanine, Zn(SO₂⁻)₄Pc, as a potential strategy for enhancing membrane properties. Using Density Functional Theory (DFT) and Time-Dependent DFT (TD-DFT), we analyzed the optimized geometries, electronic structures, UV–Vis absorption spectra, FT-IR vibrational spectra, and molecular electrostatic potentials of MPD, Zn(SO₂⁻)₄Pc, and their complexes. The results show that MPD/Zn(SO₂⁻)₄Pc exhibits reduced HOMO-LUMO energy gaps and enhanced charge delocalization, particularly in aqueous environments, indicating improved stability and reactivity. Spectroscopic features confirmed strong interactions via hydrogen bonding and π–π stacking, suggesting that Zn(SO₂⁻)₄Pc can act as a co-monomer or additive during IPol to improve polyamide membrane functionality. A conformational analysis of MPD/Zn(SO₂⁻)₄Pc was conducted using density functional theory (DFT) to evaluate the impact of dihedral rotation on molecular stability. The 120° conformation was identified as the most stable, due to favorable π–π interactions and intramolecular hydrogen bonding. These findings offer computational evidence for the design of high-performance membranes with enhanced antifouling, selectivity, and structural integrity for sustainable water treatment applications. Full article

Porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs) are integrated into the genome of all pigs. As they can be released as infectious virus particles capable of infecting human cells in vitro, they pose a potential risk for xenotransplantation involving pig cells or organs. To assess whether pigs produce infectious human-tropic viruses, infection assays with human cells are required. There are three main types of assays. First is the incubation of human target cells with gamma-irradiated pig cells. This method ensures that viral transmission is assessed in the absence of replicating pig cells. However, gamma irradiation may alter gene expression in pig cells, potentially affecting the results. Second is the co-culture in a double-chamber system in which pig and human cells are separated by a porous membrane, preventing direct cell-to-cell contact. While this method allows for the detection of infection by free virus particles, it does not account for infection via cell-to-cell transmission, which is a common mode of retroviral infection. And third is the co-culture of pig cells with human cells expressing a resistance gene. The resistance gene allows selective elimination of pig cells upon the addition of a selection medium. This assay enables both free virus and cell-to-cell transmission as well as complete removal of pig cells, which may not be fully achieved in the first type of assay. The third assay best simulates the conditions of in vivo xenotransplantation. However, in all cases the selection of donor and recipient cells is crucial to the experimental outcome. Results only indicate whether a specific pig cell type releases PERVs and whether a specific human cell type is susceptible to infection. A negative infection result does not necessarily reflect the in vivo situation, in which a transplanted organ consists of multiple pig cell types interacting with a diverse range of human cells within a living organism. Knowledge of these limitations is important for authorities regulating clinical applications for xenotransplantation. Full article

Approximately 20% of emissions from air travel are attributed to the auxiliary power units (APUs) carried in commercial aircraft. This paper proposes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in international air transport by adopting proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells to replace APUs in commercial aircraft: we consider the design of three compressed hydrogen storage vessels made of 304 stainless steel, 6061-T6 aluminium, and Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V) titanium and capable of delivering 440 kW—enough for a PEM fuel cell for a Boeing 777. Complete structural analyses for pressures from 35 MPa to 70 MPa and wall thicknesses of 25, 50, 100, and 150 mm are used to determine the optimal material for aviation applications. Key factors such as deformation, safety factors, and Von Mises equivalent stress are evaluated to ensure structural integrity under a range of operating conditions. In addition, CO₂ emissions from a conventional 440 kW gas turbine APU and an equivalent PEM fuel cell are compared. This study provides insights into optimal material selection for compressed hydrogen storage vessels, emphasising safety, reliability, cost, and weight reduction. Ultimately, this research aims to facilitate the adoption of fuel cell technology in aviation, contributing to greenhouse emissions reduction and hence sustainable air transport. Full article

In this paper, cultivable actinobacteria were isolated, cultured, and identified from the heavily algal-bloomed waters of Taihu Lake using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Among the isolates, a single strain exhibiting vigorous cyanocidal activity against Microcystis aeruginosa FACHB-905 was selected for further investigation. The cyanocidal efficacy and underlying mechanisms of this strain, designated TH05, were assessed through using chlorophyll content, cyanobacterial inhibition rate, and cyanobacterial cell morphology measurements. In addition, oxidative stress responses, expression of key functional genes in FACHB-905, and variations in microcystin concentrations were comprehensively evaluated. Cyanobacterial blooms caused by Microcystis aeruginosa pose serious ecological and public health threats due to the release of microcystins (MCs). In this study, we evaluated the cyanocidal activity and mechanism of a novel actinomycete strain, Streptomyces sp. TH05. Optimization experiments revealed that a light–dark cycle of 12 h/12 h, temperature of 25 °C, and pH 7 significantly enhanced cyanocidal efficacy. Under these conditions, TH05 achieved an 84.31% inhibition rate after seven days of co-cultivation with M. aeruginosa. Scanning electron microscopy revealed two distinct cyanocidal modes: direct physical attachment of TH05 mycelia to cyanobacterial cells, causing cell wall disruption, and indirect membrane damage via extracellular bioactive compounds. Biochemical analyses showed increased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) during the first five days, peaking at 2.47-, 2.12-, and 1.91-fold higher than control levels, respectively, indicating elevated oxidative stress. Gene expression analysis using elf-p as a reference showed that TH05 modulated key genes associated with photosynthesis (PsaB, PstD1, PstD2, RbcL), DNA repair and stress response (RecA, FtsH), and microcystin biosynthesis (McyA, McyD). All genes were upregulated except for RbcL, which was downregulated. In parallel, microcystin content peaked at 32.25 ng/L on day 1 and decreased to 16.16 ng/L by day 9, which was significantly lower than that of the control group on day 9 (29.03 ng/L). These findings suggest that strain TH05 exhibits potent and multifaceted cyanocidal activity, underscoring its potential for application in the biological control of cyanobacterial blooms. Full article

Membrane-based CO₂ capture has emerged as a promising technology for industrial decarbonization, offering advantages in energy efficiency, modularity, and environmental performance. This review presents a comprehensive assessment of membrane processes applied across major emission-intensive sectors, including power generation, cement, steelmaking, and biogas upgrading. Drawing from pilot-scale demonstrations and simulation-based studies, we evaluate how flue gas characteristics, such as CO₂ concentration, pressure, temperature, and impurity composition, govern membrane selection, process design, and operational feasibility. Case studies highlight the technical viability of membrane systems under a wide range of industrial conditions, from low-CO₂ NGCC flue gas to high-pressure syngas and CO₂-rich cement emissions. Despite these advances, this review discusses the key remaining challenges for the commercialization of membrane-based CO₂ capture and includes perspectives on process design and techno-economic evaluation. The insights compiled in this review are intended to support the design of application-specific membrane systems and guide future efforts toward scalable and economically viable CO₂ capture across industrial sectors. Full article

In bulk liquid or on solid surfaces, nanobubbles (NBs) are gaseous domains at the nanoscale. They stand out due to their extended (meta)stability and great potential for use in practical settings. However, due to the high energy cost of bubble generation, maintenance issues, membrane bio-fouling, and the small actual population of NBs, significant advancements in nanobubble engineering through traditional mechanical generation approaches have been impeded thus far. With the introduction of the electric field approach to NB creation, which is based on electrostrictive NB generation from an incoming population of “electro-fragmented” meso-to micro bubbles (i.e., with bubble size broken down by the applied electric field), when properly engineered with a convective-flow turbulence profile, there have been noticeable improvements in solid-state operation and energy efficiency, even allowing for solar-powered deployment. Here, these innovative methods were applied to a selection of upstream and downstream activities in the oil–water–fuels nexus: advancing core flood tests, oil–water separation, boosting the performance of produced-water treatment, and improving the thermodynamic cycle efficiency and carbon footprint of internal combustion engines. It was found that the application of electric field NBs results in a superior performance in these disparate operations from a variety of perspectives; for instance, ~20 and 7% drops in surface tension for CO₂- and air-NBs, respectively, a ~45% increase in core-flood yield for CO₂-NBs and 55% for oil–water separation efficiency for air-NBs, a rough doubling of magnesium- and calcium-carbonate formation in produced-water treatment via CO₂-NB addition, and air-NBs boosting diesel combustion efficiency by ~16%. This augurs well for NBs being a potent agent for sustainability in the oil and fuels sector (whether up-, mid-, or downstream), not least in terms of energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. Full article

Membrane-based direct air capture of CO₂ (m-DAC) is a promising solution for atmospheric decarbonization. Despite growing interest, the impact of relative air humidity on the performance of m-DAC systems is often neglected in the literature. This study presents detailed parametric analyses that take into account humidity variability and several hypothetical scenarios regarding membrane selectivity toward water vapor. Specifically, cases were considered where the permeance of H₂O relative to CO₂ was assumed to be 0.5, 2, and 5 times higher, which allowed for a systematic assessment of the impact of relative humidity on process performance. The calculations were carried out both for membranes with assumed separation parameters and for the PolyActive^TM membrane, enabling a realistic evaluation of the influence of atmospheric conditions on the process. The results show that an increase in humidity in the analyzed range from 0 to 80% can lead to a rise in the energy intensity of the process by up to approximately 34%, and an increase in total power demand by around 29%. As humidity increases, key process parameters such as CO₂ purity in the permeate and recovery rate decrease. The water vapor content in the permeate in a single-stage membrane separation process can reach up to 60%. It is recommended to use gas drying systems and to develop membranes with low H₂O permeance in order to reduce the energy cost of the process. The potential location of m-DAC systems should preferably be in regions with low air humidity. The study highlights the necessity of considering local climate conditions and the need for further research on membrane selectivity. Full article

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are critical signalling molecules, but their overproduction leads to oxidative stress (OS), a common denominator in the pathogenesis of numerous non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and aging. General antioxidant therapies have largely been unsuccessful, highlighting the need for a deeper understanding of ROS amplification mechanisms to develop targeted interventions. This review proposes a unified, self-amplifying “vicious cycle” of inter-organelle crosstalk that drives pathological ROS elevation and cellular damage. We outline a pathway initiated by extracellular stressors that co-activate plasma membrane TRPM2 channels and NADPH oxidase-2. This synergy elevates cytoplasmic Ca²⁺, leading to lysosomal dysfunction and permeabilization, which in turn releases sequestered Zn²⁺. Mitochondrial uptake of this labile Zn²⁺ impairs electron transport chain function, particularly at Complex III, resulting in mitochondrial fragmentation, loss of membrane potential and a burst of mitochondrial ROS (mtROS). These mtROS diffuse to the nucleus, activating PARP-1 and generating ADPR, which further stimulates TRPM2, thereby perpetuating the cycle. This “circular domino effect” integrates signals generated across the plasma membrane (Ca²⁺), lysosomes (Zn²⁺), mitochondria (ROS) and nucleus (ADPR), leading to progressive organelle failure, cellular dysfunction, and ultimately cell death. Understanding and targeting specific nodes within this TRPM2-NOX2-Ca²⁺-Zn²⁺-mtROS-ADPR axis offers novel therapeutic avenues for NCDs by selectively disrupting pathological ROS amplification while preserving essential physiological redox signalling. Full article

High permeance combined with high salt/dye separation efficiency is a prerequisite for achieving zero-liquid-discharge treatment of saline textile wastewater by membrane technology. Thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes incorporating porous nanoparticles offer a promising route to overcome the permeability–selectivity trade-off of conventional polymer membranes. In this study, a vacuum-assisted method was used to co-blend ZIF-67 and SiO₂ nanoparticles, while branched polyethyleneimine (PEI) served as a cross-linking bridge, resulting in a high-performance TFN membrane for salt/dye separation. Acting as a molecular connector, PEI coordinated with ZIF-67 through metal–amine complexation and simultaneously formed hydrogen bonds with surface hydroxyl groups on SiO₂, thereby linking ZIF-67 and SiO₂. The resulting membrane exhibited good hydrophilicity and excellent dye separation performance (water flux = 359.8 L m⁻² h⁻¹ bar⁻¹; Congo Red rejection = 99.2%) as well as outstanding selectivity in dye/salt mixtures (Congo Red/MgCl₂ selectivity of 1094). The optimal ZIF@SiO₂-PEI membrane maintained stable dye rejection over a wide range of trans-membrane pressures, initial concentrations, and pH values. These results reveal the huge potential of applying the ZIF@SiO₂-PEI TFN membranes for resource recovery in sustainable textile wastewater systems. Full article

Cytochromes P450 (CYPs) form one of the largest enzyme superfamilies, with similar structural folds yet biological functions varying from synthesis of physiologically essential compounds to metabolism of myriad xenobiotics. Sterol 14α-demethylases (CYP51s) represent a very special P450 family, regarded as a possible evolutionary progenitor for all currently existing P450s. In metazoans CYP51 is critical for the biosynthesis of sterols including cholesterol. Here we determined the crystal structures of ligand-free CYP51s from the abyssal fish Coryphaenoides armatus and human-. Comparative sequence–structure–function analysis revealed specific structural elements that imply elevated conformational flexibility, uncovering a molecular basis for faster catalytic rates, lower substrate selectivity, and intrinsic resistance to inhibition. In addition, the C. armatus structure displayed a large-scale repositioning of structural segments that, in vivo, are immersed in the endoplasmic reticulum membrane and border the substrate entrance (the FG arm, >20 Å, and the β4 hairpin, >15 Å). The structural distinction of C. armatus CYP51, which is the first structurally characterized deep sea P450, suggests stronger involvement of the membrane environment in regulation of the enzyme function. We interpret this as a co-adaptation of the membrane protein structure with membrane lipid composition during evolutionary incursion to life in the deep sea. Full article

The focus of this work was to perform a preliminary study on the suitability of commercially available nanofiltration (NF) and reverse osmosis (RO) membranes for the separation of 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PD) post-fermentation solutions. The experiments were conducted with the use of AFC30 and AFC99 (PCI Membrane System Inc., Milford, OH, USA) as well as BW30 membranes (Dow FilmTec Co., Midland, MI, USA) and various feed solutions: selected compounds of fermentation broths, and synthetic and real fermentation broths. Firstly, it was found that for pure water, the AFC30 membrane was characterized by the highest performance. It clearly indicated that the membrane is the most open membrane and is characterized by a more porous structure. In turn, the lowest flux was noted for the AFC99 membrane. Studies performed with the use of synthetic broth found that for the BW30 membrane, the order in which the rejection coefficient (R) was obtained was glycerol~lactic acid > 1,3-propanediol > acetic acid. It clearly confirmed that the R increased with the molecular weight (MW) of the solution compounds. With regard to ions, it was found that SO₄²⁻ and PO₄³⁻ is characterized by higher R than Cl⁻ and NO₃⁻ ions. Multivalent ions are characterized by higher charge density, hydrated radius, hydration energy and MW. Finally, experiments performed with the use of the AFC30 membrane and real broths showed that the membrane ensured almost complete separation of 1,3-PD. With regard to organic acid, the separation performance was as follows: succinic acid > lactic acid > butyric acid > acetic acid > formic acid. It has been documented that the AFC30 membrane can be successfully used to concentrate the following ions: SO₄²⁻, PO₄³⁻, NO₃⁻ and Na⁺. Hence, most of the medium used for the fermentation process was retained by the membrane and may be reused, which is crucial for the scaling up of the process and reducing the total technology cost. With regard to the obtained permeate, it can be subsequently purified by other methods, such as distillation or ion exchange. For further development of the tested process, determining the retention degree for 1,3-PD and other solutes during long-term separation of real broth is necessary. Full article

By bringing together different variant combinations, recombination can contribute to adaptation in Coronaviridae species, some of which infect humans, and have given rise to epidemics and a pandemic. Therefore, in this work, the impact of the use of different recombination inference methods and sample sizes is addressed using data from 21 Coronaviridae species, and recombination inferences are further supported using a phylogenetic approach. Recombination patterns are shown not to vary greatly between species. A positive correlation is found between gene position and recombination rates, suggesting intrinsic variation in recombination rates along the genome. Within and between species recombination patterns are shown to differ, the module type being the most prevalent between species except for the Membrane and Nucleocapsid genes, whose products are known to interact and thus must co-evolve, explaining why the two genes are often recombined as one unit. It is also shown that within species, the module type is prevalent for the Spike gene only. Moreover, a positive correlation between recombination and selection is here reported. Therefore, intratypic recombination patterns are also shaped by selection. Recombination may thus be an important source of variability upon which selection can act. Full article