Search Results (2,045)

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄), an emerging metal-free semiconductor material, has attracted considerable attention in the field of photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensing due to its unique electronic structure, excellent chemical stability, and visible-light responsiveness. This article systematically reviews recent advances in research on g-C₃N₄-based PEC sensors applied to water environment monitoring. First, the fundamental physicochemical properties of g-C₃N₄ are introduced, along with its advantages and limitations in PEC sensing applications. Subsequently, four main performance enhancement strategies are outlined: heterojunction construction (including type II, Z-scheme, and S-scheme heterojunction), elemental doping and defect engineering, morphology control and nanostructure design, as well as various signal amplification approaches such as self-powered systems, dual-mode detection, and cyclic amplification. Furthermore, the current application status of these sensors in detecting typical water pollutants, including heavy metal ions (e.g., Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺), antibiotics (e.g., tobramycin, norfloxacin, kanamycin), pesticide residues (e.g., chlorpyrifos, atrazine, glyphosate), and pathogenic microorganisms (e.g., Salmonella, Candida albicans), is comprehensively reviewed, with particular emphasis on detection sensitivity, selectivity, and real-sample performance. Finally, the remaining challenges in terms of long-term stability, anti-interference capabilities in complex matrices, portability, and multifunctional integration are analyzed, and future development directions are proposed, including smartphone-based intelligent sensing, CRISPR/Cas12a-assisted signal amplification, and multi-target high-throughput detection. This review aims to provide a reference for the rational design and practical application of g-C₃N₄-based PEC sensors in the field of water environment monitoring. Full article

Antigen-presenting cells (APCs) play a critical role in modulating immune responses, making the optimization of their differentiation protocols essential for advancing cell-based immunotherapies. This study evaluated eight protocols to differentiate APCs from bone marrow precursors of C57BL/6J mice, comparing the effects of GM-CSF and L-929 conditioned supernatants at various concentrations. Four groups treated with GM-CSF and four with L-929 supernatant, alongside a control group, were assessed. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that GM-CSF significantly increased the yield of CD11c⁺ MHC II⁺ cells by up to 6-fold compared to the L-929 supernatant. Furthermore, GM-CSF-treated groups showed higher mean fluorescence intensities (MFI) for critical markers such as MHC II and CD11c, with MFI levels surpassing those of SL-929-treated groups by approximately 3- to 5-fold. In contrast, the L-929 supernatant demonstrated limited efficacy in promoting both cell differentiation and surface marker expression, resulting in minimal phenotypic and quantitative gains compared to controls. These findings highlight the superior efficiency of GM-CSF in driving APC differentiation and underscore the importance of balancing cell yield and phenotypic fidelity when selecting differentiation protocols. This study provides valuable insights for researchers developing targeted immunotherapies and offers a solid foundation for optimizing APC-dependent therapies, ensuring efficacy and cost-efficiency in cell-based strategies. Full article

Data on arsenic (As) and other potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in Pakistani retail meats are limited, constraining evidence-based dietary risk assessment and management. This study aimed to determine the concentrations and profiles of As and seven other PTEs (Cr, Ni, Mn, Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn) in commonly consumed meats and to evaluate the associated non-carcinogenic health risks. Ninety-two paired liver and muscle samples from broiler chicken, goat (mutton), and beef cattle were collected from four cities across the Indus Plain and analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Dietary exposure was evaluated using estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), and hazardous index (HI) under typical and high-consumption scenarios. Overall, Zn and Cu exhibited the highest concentrations, followed by Mn and Cr, whereas As, Pb, Ni, and Cd occurred at comparatively lower but environmentally relevant levels. Beef liver exhibited the highest contamination levels, exceeding FAO/WHO permissible limits for Pb, Cu, and Cd in up to 40% of samples. In contrast, mutton and beef muscle contained the highest As and Zn concentrations, while chicken muscle showed elevated Cr levels. Multivariate statistical analysis revealed three dominant co-variation patterns, suggesting potential contamination pathways: (i) geogenic groundwater sources enriched with As, Cr, and Ni; (ii) atmospheric and industrial dust inputs linked with Pb, Cd, and Mn; (iii) mineral-enriched feed additives potentially contributing to elevated Zn and Cu, particularly in poultry. Under high-consumption scenarios, THQ values for As, Cr, Cu, and Zn exceeded the safety threshold (THQ > 1), highlighting beef products as the dominant source of chronic dietary risk. Overall, the findings highlight pronounced tissue- and species-specific accumulation trends, and emphasizes the urgent need for stricter feed and water quality control measures to minimize dietary exposure to PTEs. Full article

The dental pulp–dentin complex is a dynamic tissue system whose structure and biological functions evolve over time under physiological, molecular, and environmental influences. This study aimed to characterize age-related alterations in apoptotic, inflammatory, and autophagy-associated signaling pathways, alongside nanoscale mechanical changes, and to evaluate their potential impact on pulp tissue homeostasis and cellular adaptive capacity. Materials and Methods: Human teeth (n = 90) were divided into three age groups: young (≤17 years), mature (18–50 years), and old (>51 years). Immunohistochemistry was performed to assess the expression of CD34, BID, Caspase-8, NFκB, STAT3, JAK1, COX-2, LAMP2, and MAP LC3II. Nanoindentation and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to measure dentin hardness and modulus of elasticity. Results: BID expression increased with age, whereas Caspase-8 showed a relative decrease (p < 0.05). Anterior teeth exhibited higher marker positivity than molars for BID (p = 0.029), Caspase-8 (p = 0.004), STAT3 (p = 0.001), and JAK1 (p = 0.026). Mechanical analysis revealed the lowest modulus of elasticity in young root dentin and the highest in old coronal dentin, reflecting progressive age-dependent structural changes. Conclusions: Aging of the dentin–pulp complex involves coordinated modulation of apoptotic, autophagic, and inflammatory pathways, closely linked to altered mechanical properties. This interplay likely influences pulp vitality and adaptive cellular responses, highlighting potential targets for age-adapted dental therapeutic strategies. Full article

Background: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) carries a dismal prognosis with limited biomarkers for risk stratification. This study aimed to identify circulating prognostic biomarkers. Methods: We prioritized SCLC risk-associated genes using Summary-data-based Mendelian Randomization of pQTL/eQTL, differential expression, and weighted gene co-expression network analysis. Five machine learning approaches were compared to develop a diagnostic model based on ACE, AGER, and IL18R1, trained on GSE149507 and validated in GSE60052. We conducted single-cell transcriptomic analysis using public datasets (GSE150766 and GSE279570) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from our extensive-stage cohort. Finally, prioritizing the lead candidate IL18R1, we enrolled a prospective clinical cohort to assess its prognostic utility. A LASSO–Cox prognostic model incorporating plasma IL18R1 and clinical variables was internally validated (7:3 split) for progression-free survival (PFS) prediction. Results: Integrative multi-omics identified ACE, AGER, and IL18R1 as SCLC-protective genes. Elastic Net machine learning identified a two-gene predictive signature (AGER and IL18R1) with robust diagnostic accuracy. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed the predominant downregulation of ACE, AGER, and IL18R1 in T cells and alveolar type II cells from SCLC patients. PBMC analysis further supported IL18R1 downregulation in CD8⁺ T cells, NK cells, and dendritic cells. In an independent prospective cohort (n = 300), lower plasma IL18R1 levels were independently associated with shorter PFS (HR = 0.997 per unit increase; 95% CI: 0.995–0.999; and p = 0.003), with time-dependent AUCs of 0.77–0.86. Performance in limited-stage disease was inconsistent and requires further validation. A prognostic model incorporating plasma IL18R1 and 11 clinical parameters stratified patients into distinct risk groups (HR = 5.19), showing a strong discriminative ability in extensive-stage SCLC. Conclusions: We identified ACE, AGER, and IL18R1 as protective factors against SCLC progression. Integration of plasma IL18R1 with clinical parameters provides a prognostic tool for extensive-stage SCLC. Full article

This study investigates the removal of Cd²⁺ ions from aqueous solutions using hard magnetic strontium hexaferrite (SrFe₁₂O₁₉) nanoparticles synthesized via the Pechini method, with an average particle size of 116 nm. The material was successfully obtained at a relatively low calcination temperature of 900 °C. The crystalline structure of the hexaferrite particles was investigated by X-ray diffraction, confirming SrFe₁₂O₁₉ crystalline structure. The powder samples were also characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The morphology and size distribution were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Furthermore, the magnetic properties of strontium hexaferrite contribute significantly to adsorption and removal processes, primarily by acting as a recoverable magnetic adsorbent. The ferromagnetic material, with its high saturation magnetization and coercivity, responds rapidly to external magnets, facilitating the removal of contaminants and maintaining its magnetic characteristics even in complex chemical environments. For this purpose, its magnetic behavior was also studied using vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). The experimental adsorption results were successfully modeled using PFO (pseudo—first—order) and PSO (pseudo—second—order) along with Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms, to fit the experimental adsorption data of the Cd(II) salt from the 0.1 and 0.2 mg samples at room temperature for two quantities of strontium hexaferrite at times ranging from 2.5 to 60 min. The results indicate that the strontium hexaferrite nanoparticles exhibited a 90% removal efficiency, which was the highest value. Additionally, the strontium hexaferrite can be magnetically recovered along with the adsorbed cadmium, representing a more efficient way to remediate water. Full article

Soil salinization is one of the major abiotic stresses limiting agricultural production. As an economically important fruit tree worldwide, grapevine generally exhibits weak salt tolerance. Therefore, identifying key stress-tolerance genes is of great significance for improving stress resistance in grapevines. In this study, the transcription factor gene VvWRKY57, which is induced by salt stress, was cloned from the grape cultivar Vitis vinifera ‘Shine Muscat’. Its function under salt stress was systematically evaluated via heterologous overexpression in Arabidopsis thaliana. The full-length CDS of the VvWRKY57 gene is 915 bp, encoding a protein of 305 amino acids. The protein contains a typical WRKY conserved domain, belongs to group II of the WRKY family, and is localized in the nucleus and cytoplasm. Expression pattern analysis showed that VvWRKY57 was expressed in roots, stems, and leaves of grapevine. Based on this expression profile, transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants overexpressing VvWRKY57 were generated to further investigate its role in salt tolerance. Subsequent salt tolerance assays revealed that, compared with wild-type plants, the overexpression lines exhibited stronger resistance phenotypes under salt stress. This study demonstrates for the first time that grape-derived VvWRKY57 functions in enhancing salt tolerance in model plants, providing a novel genetic resource and theoretical basis for crop salt-tolerance molecular breeding using this gene. Full article

Coastal systems are vital to human societies, delivering numerous ecosystem services. However, human activities introduce contaminants, especially trace metals (TM) that contribute to their degradation. These environments are inherently dynamic and complex, characterized by rapidly occurring biogeochemical processes. As a consequence, high-frequency sampling is required to evaluate short-term TM dynamics. The hourly temporal variations in nine TM (V, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Co and U) concentrations and size-partitioning (<0.02, <0.2 µm, raw sample and in the suspended particulate matter) were investigated during a 27 h diurnal cycle within the Arcachon Bay (SW France). The results demonstrated that: (i) the TM were mainly represented in the potentially bioavailable fraction (<0.02 µm), except for Pb which remained predominantly associated with the particles, (ii) the temporal variability for U and V was only due to the mixing of water bodies contrarily to the 7 other TM, (iii) there was no clear influence of daytime conditions on TM concentration and/or size-partitioning, and (iv) a superimposition of multiple processes controlling TM speciation. Finally, the calculated risk quotients for species demonstrated an ecological risk for the marine biota for Co and Cu. These findings highlight the importance of high-frequency sampling combined with size-fractionation approaches to better resolve TM speciation dynamics, thereby helping to address the persistent knowledge gap in the distribution and biogeochemical cycling of TM between particulate, colloidal and truly dissolved phases in aquatic systems. Full article

Using orange peels as a biowaste, fluorescent N-CDs were prepared simply and rapidly through a one-step microwave-assisted method and urea as a nitrogen source. The synthesized N-CDs exhibited a high QY value of 47.12% compared to CDs prepared using different methods. Moreover, the N-CDs have good pH and thermal stability. N-CDs exhibited high sensitivity toward Fe(III), Hg(I), and Hg(II) ions with low LOD values of about 0.0555, 0.15379, and 0.02505 μM, respectively. This approach is hopeful for the large-scale formation of N-CDs and could encourage their utilization as fluorescent chemosensors due to their affordability, simplicity, high efficiency, and environmental friendliness. Full article

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD), increase colorectal cancer (CRC) risk. Methods: Mouse IBD and CRC models with a combination of pharmacological, knockout and knock-in approaches was employed to analyze the involvement of TOP2s and NOS2 in CRC tumorigenesis. Key pathologies, such as inflammatory and neoplastic scores, were examined by immunohistochemical assays. Results: In colon tissues from acute, chronic colitis and CRC mouse models and from CD patients, the biomarkers γH2AX and 53BP1_pS25/S29 of DNA breaks (mainly representing DSBs) accumulated, alongside increases in topoisomerase II (TOP2) and nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS2). Genetic ablation of NOS2 (Nos2^-/-) or TOP2β (Top2β^f/f) as well as pharmacological inhibition with ICRF-193 (a TOP2 inhibitor) or PTIO (a NO scavenger) reduced DSB formation and disease severity. Consistently, Nos2^-/-, or ICRF-treated, mice exhibited decreased tumor burden. DSBs and tumor accumulation were pronounced in the distal colon, mirroring human CRC distribution. While ICRF-193 suppressed tumor growth, Top2β^f/f deficiency (with a compensatory TOP2α upregulation) enhanced tumor development, indicating potential roles for TOP2 isozymes in tumor formation and progression. Conclusion: Collectively, these findings identify the cooperative action of TOP2 and NOS2 in driving DSBs, highlighting a potential therapeutic target in inflammation-associated CRC. Full article

Maintaining an appropriate balance of macrophage subpopulations throughout the wound healing process, using a graphene monolayer as a substrate, may represent a promising therapeutic strategy. In this study, the effect of a graphene monolayer on the polarization of RAW 264.7 macrophages was investigated using flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy, and ELISA. Analysis of surface M1 (MHC II, CD80, CD86) and M2 (CD163, CD200R, CD206) markers demonstrated generally higher expression of M1 markers in M1-polarized groups (control, CM1; and graphene monolayer, GM1) compared to M2-polarized groups (CM2 and GM2), likely as a result of LPS and IFN-γ stimulation. Culturing macrophages on a graphene monolayer as a substrate for LPS- and IFN-γ-stimulated cells was associated with a trend toward reduced expression of all analyzed M1-associated markers compared with the control M1 group; however, this effect did not reach statistical significance. TNF-α secretion was higher in GM1 compared to CM0, GM0, and CM2. In contrast, surface markers alone were less conclusive for identifying M2 polarization, whereas intracellular markers such as ARG1 provided a more robust indication of the M2 phenotype. ARG1 expression was significantly elevated in CM2 and GM2 groups, with GM2 showing a significant increase relative to the control groups (CM0, CM1) and GM0 and GM1. These findings further support ARG1 and NOS2 as reliable markers of M2 and M1 polarization, respectively. The graphene monolayer did not induce spontaneous macrophage polarization. Only under M1 (LPS and IFN-γ) and M2 (IL-4 and IL-13) stimulation did it show a consistent trend toward modest modulation of macrophage polarization, possibly creating conditions conducive to tissue healing. Full article

Population-based metaheuristic algorithms are widely used for multi-objective city evacuation planning, yet their opaque internal dynamics limit practitioner trust in safety-critical contexts. This study introduces, to the best of our knowledge, the first unified coupling of fractional calculus and fractal analysis with the EvoMapX process-level explainability framework in the context of evacuation optimization. In contrast with classical integer-order EvoMapX paired with exponential moving averages of operator credit, the proposed formulation embeds long-range memory directly into the explainability pipeline through Caputo and Grünwald–Letnikov derivatives. The Operator Attribution Matrix (OAM), Population Evolution Graph (PEG), and Convergence Driver Score (CDS) are extended with fractional-order formulations employing Caputo and Grünwald-Letnikov fractional derivatives with adaptive memory parameters, alongside Mittag–Leffler urgency escalation dynamics. A Fractional-Order PSO variant (FO-EPSO) with segment-specific fractional velocity updates and a fractal fitness landscape analysis module for adaptive parameter tuning are introduced. The framework incorporates nine evacuation-specific operators, a spatial OAM for zone-level attribution, and a multi-stakeholder explanation pipeline. Experiments across 520 disaster scenarios demonstrate that explainability and optimization performance are not mutually exclusive: the EvoMapX-integrated NSGA-II achieved a mean hypervolume of 0.731 versus 0.728 for the standard variant, with less than 5% computational overhead. The OAM revealed disaster-type-specific operator patterns invisible to conventional analysis. Real-world validations on Beijing Chaoyang District and Kigali, Rwanda, confirmed these findings. From an operational standpoint, the most consequential outcome of this work concerns its impact on human decision-makers: a controlled study with 45 emergency-management professionals showed that incorporating EvoMapX explanations cut the time required to commit to an evacuation plan by 24.9%, raised reported decision confidence by 20.3%, and lifted self-assessed algorithm understanding from 18.1% to 78.9% (all p < 0.001). Equally important for real-time disaster response, this entire layer of process-level transparency is delivered with a runtime penalty of under 5% relative to the non-explainable baselines, which we view as a key practical advantage for field deployment. This work establishes fractional-order process-level transparency as a feasible and beneficial paradigm for interpretable optimization in safety-critical domains. Full article

A continued interest in developing a low-cost, rapid screening method for quantifying Hg (II) and As (III) in biological samples stems from the toxic effects of human exposure to these heavy metal ions. This study reports the use of cysteine-capped gold nanoparticles (CysAuNPs) for chemical sensing, colorimetric detection, and quantification of As (III) and Hg (II) ions in human serum albumin (HSA) under physiological conditions. Zeta potential measurements indicated that the CysAuNPs have a negative surface charge, which was decreased in the presence of HSA and reversed to a positive value upon binding of As (III) and Hg (II) metal ions. Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy revealed changes in HSA conformation upon binding to As (III) and Hg (II) ions. X-ray fluorescence enables rapid qualitative screening for As (III) and Hg (II) ions before colorimetric quantification. The figures of merit (R² ≥ 0.940) and the low detection limits (0.05 ppm for As (III) ions and 0.02 ppm for Hg (II)) in serum albumin demonstrate the high sensitivity of the method. The developed calibration curves correctly quantified the concentration of As (III) and Hg (II) ions of independently prepared test validation samples in HSA with an accuracy of ≥95% over a period of seven months without recalibrations, demonstrating the stability of CysAuNPs in solution and the robustness of the method for analysis of As (III) and Hg (II) ions in serum albumin. Full article

Volcanogenic Massive Sulfides (VMS) are considered major base (Cu-Zn±Pb) and precious metal (Au and Ag) sources with paramount contribution in the development and evolution of mankind through the ages. They are characterized by variable ore mineralogy and geochemistry, largely attributed to the variety in the geotectonic regime of formation (both divergent and convergent margins) and the variability in the host lithologies. Several VMS types are distinguished depending on the type of volcanism and host-rock lithology. The lens-shaped-to-stratiform bodies composed of fine-grained sulfides, usually accounting for more than 60% of the rock mass, have been exploited since prehistoric times. Recent studies reveal that VMS continue to be formed in deep marine settings and along plate margins on the ocean floor. Besides base and precious metals, nowadays, VMS are considered significant sources of critical and strategic metals, such as Co, Ni, Ga, Ge, In, Bi, As, Sb, Se, Mo, Cd, Sn, Hg, Tl and Bi, particularly after extensive research of the ocean floors in the years following World War II (WWII). Since the late 1970s, the potential of VMS has been further enhanced after the successful deep-sea mining (DSM) pilot tests, with the pipeline-lift mining system considered the most suitable for seabed massive sulfide (SMS) recovery. Full article

Lymphocyte activation gene-3 (LAG-3) is a pivotal immune checkpoint receptor that exerts a negative regulatory effect on T-cell function. Although LAG-3-blocking antibodies have shown promising clinical potential, the inherent limitations of conventional monoclonal antibodies necessitate the development of novel antibody formats with enhanced biological and pharmacological properties. In this study, a panel of single-domain antibodies (sdAbs) targeting human LAG-3 was generated via phage display technology. Among these candidates, 2H-G7 was identified as a high-affinity sdAb that binds to LAG-3 with an equilibrium dissociation constant (K_D) in the nanomolar range. Notably, 2H-G7 potently blocks the interactions of LAG-3 with both of its key ligands, fibrinogen-like protein 1 (FGL1) and major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II). Its capacity to restore impaired T-cell function was validated by quantifying interleukin-2 (IL-2) secretion and CD69 expression in stimulated primary human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Epitope mapping studies localized the binding site of 2H-G7 to the D1D2 extracellular domains of LAG-3, distinct from relatlimab, a clinically approved LAG-3-blocking antibody serving as the benchmark. In a xenogeneic mouse model of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), 2H-G7-Fc exhibited superior tumor growth inhibition efficacy compared with relatlimab. These findings demonstrate that 2H-G7 is a promising lead candidate for the development of next-generation LAG-3-targeted tumor immunotherapies. Full article