Search Results (17,203)

Nanofertilizers (NFs) and engineered nanoparticles (NPs) are increasingly used in agriculture, yet their environmental safety remains poorly understood. This study evaluated the comparative phytotoxicity of zinc oxide (ZnO), titanium dioxide (TiO₂), and clinoptilolite nanoparticles, three commercial nanofertilizers, and potassium dichromate (K₂Cr₂O₇) using Lactuca sativa seeds under adapted OECD-208 protocol conditions. Seeds were exposed to varying concentrations of each xenobiotic material (0.5–3% for NFs; 10–50% for NPs), with systematic assessment of seedling survival, root and hypocotyl length, dry biomass, germination index (GI), and median effective concentration (EC₅₀) values. Nanofertilizers demonstrated significantly greater phytotoxicity than engineered nanoparticles despite lower application concentrations. The toxicity ranking was established as NF1 > NF3 > NF2 > NM2 > NM1 > NM3, with NF1 being most toxic (EC₅₀ = 1.2%). Nanofertilizers caused 45–78% reductions in root length and 30–65% decreases in dry biomass compared with controls. GI values dropped to ≤70% in NF1 and NF3 treatments, indicating concentration-dependent growth inhibition. While nanofertilizers offer agricultural benefits, their elevated phytotoxicity compared with conventional nanoparticles necessitates rigorous pre-application safety assessment. These findings emphasize the critical need for standardized evaluation protocols incorporating both physiological and ecotoxicological endpoints to ensure safe xenobiotic nanomaterial deployment in agricultural systems. Full article

Resistance to cytarabine (Ara-C) remains a major obstacle to the successful treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Therefore, modulating Ara-C resistance is indispensable for improving clinical outcomes. We previously demonstrated that sodium caseinate (SC), a salt derived from casein, the principal milk protein, inhibits proliferation and modulates the expression of Ara-C resistance-related genes in chemoresistant cells. However, it remains unclear whether the combination of SC with antineoplastic agents enhances apoptosis, modulates chemoresistance-related genes, and prolongs the survival of tumor-bearing mice implanted with chemoresistant cells. Here, we investigated the effects of SC in combination with Ara-C or daunorubicin (DNR) on cell proliferation, apoptosis, the expression of chemoresistance-associated genes, and the survival of tumor-bearing mice. Crystal violet assays, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, and Kaplan–Meier survival curves were used to evaluate the effects of combinations in chemoresistant cells. We demonstrate that the IC₂₅ concentration of SC, when combined with antileukemic agents, increases the sensitivity of chemoresistant WEHI-CR50 cells to Ara-C by downregulating SIRT1 and MDR1, upregulating the expression of ENT1 and dCK, enhancing apoptosis, and prolonging the survival of WEHI-CR50 tumor-bearing mice. Our data suggest that SC in combination with antileukemic agents could be an effective adjuvant for Ara-C-resistant AML. Full article

Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CR-Kp) is eroding therapeutic options for urinary tract infections. We isolated a multidrug-resistant strain from the urine of a chronically bacteriuric patient and confirmed its identity by Vitek-2 and MALDI-TOF MS. Initial disk-diffusion profiling against 48 antibiotics revealed susceptibility to only 5 agents. One month later, repeat testing showed that tetracycline alone remained active, highlighting the strain’s rapidly evolving resistome. Given the scarcity of drug options, we performed an “aromatogram” with seven pure essential oils, propolis, and two commercial phytotherapeutic blends. Biomicin Forte^® produced a 30 mm bactericidal halo, while thyme, tea tree, laurel, and palmarosa oils yielded clear inhibition zones of 11–22 mm. These in vitro data demonstrate that carefully selected plant-derived products can target CR-Kp where conventional antibiotics fail. Integrating aromatogram results into One Health’s stewardship plans may therefore help preserve last-line antibiotics and provide adjunctive options for persistent urinary infections. Full article

In chili cultivation, obstacles to continuous cropping significantly compromise crop yield and soil health, whereas crop rotation can enhance the microbial environment of the soil and reduce disease incidence. However, its effects on the diversity of rhizosphere soil microbial communities are not clear. In this study, we analyzed the composition and characteristics of rhizosphere soil microbial communities under chili continuous cropping (CC) and chili–cotton crop rotation (CR) using high-throughput sequencing technology. CR treatment reduced the alpha diversity indices (including Chao1, Observed_species, and Shannon index) of bacterial communities and had less of an effect on fungal community diversity. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed distinct compositional differences in bacterial and fungal communities between the treatments. Compared with CC, CR treatment has altered the structure of the soil microbial community. In terms of bacterial communities, the relative abundance of Firmicutes increased from 12.89% to 17.97%, while the Proteobacteria increased by 6.8%. At the genus level, CR treatment significantly enriched beneficial genera such as RB41 (8.19%), Lactobacillus (4.56%), and Bacillus (1.50%) (p < 0.05). In contrast, the relative abundances of Alternaria and Fusarium in the fungal community decreased by 6.62% and 5.34%, respectively (p < 0.05). Venn diagrams and linear discriminant effect size analysis (LEfSe) further indicated that CR facilitated the enrichment of beneficial bacteria, such as Bacillus, whereas CC favored enrichment of pathogens, such as Firmicutes. Fusarium solani MG6 and F. oxysporum LG2 are the primary chili root-rot pathogens. Optimal growth occurs at 25 °C, pH 6: after 5 days, MG6 colonies reach 6.42 ± 0.04 cm, and LG2 5.33 ± 0.02 cm, peaking in sporulation (p < 0.05). In addition, there are significant differences in the utilization spectra of carbon and nitrogen sources between the two strains of fungi, suggesting their different ecological adaptability. Integrated analyses revealed that CR enhanced soil health and reduced the root rot incidence by optimizing the structure of soil microbial communities, increasing the proportion of beneficial bacteria, and suppressing pathogens, providing a scientific basis for microbial-based soil management strategies in chili cultivation. Full article

The Complementary Relationship (CR) principle of evapotranspiration provides an efficient approach for estimating actual evapotranspiration (ET_a), owing to its simplified computation and effectiveness in utilizing meteorological factors. Accurate estimation of actual evapotranspiration (ET_a) is crucial for understanding surface energy and water cycles, especially in permafrost regions. This study aims to evaluate the applicability of two Complementary Relationship (CR)-based methods—Bouchet’s in 1963 and Brutsaert’s in 2015—for estimating ETa on the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau (QTP), using observations from Eddy Covariance (EC) systems. The potential evapotranspiration (ET_p) was calculated using the Penman equation with two wind functions: the Rome wind function and the Monin–Obukhov Similarity Theory (MOST). The comparison revealed that Bouchet’s method underestimated ET_a during frozen soil periods and overestimated it during thawed periods. In contrast, Brutsaert’s method combined with the MOST yielded the lowest RMSE values (0.67–0.70 mm/day) and the highest correlation coefficients (r > 0.85), indicating superior performance. Sensitivity analysis showed that net radiation (Rn) had the strongest influence on ET_a, with a daily sensitivity coefficient of up to 1.35. This study highlights the improved accuracy and reliability of Brutsaert’s CR method in cold alpine environments, underscoring the importance of considering freeze–thaw dynamics in ET modeling. Future research should incorporate seasonal calibration of key parameters (e.g., ε) to further reduce uncertainty. Full article

This article provides a comprehensive overview of recent studies concerning laser heat treatment (LHT) of structural and tool steels, with particular attention to the 21NiCrMo2 steel used for carburized gear wheels. Analysis includes the influence of critical laser processing conditions—including power output, motion speed, spot size, and focusing distance—on surface microhardness, hardening depth, and microstructure development. The findings indicate that the energy density is the dominant factor that affects the outcomes of LHT. Optimal results, in the form of a high surface microhardness and a sufficient depth of hardening, were achieved within the energy density range of 80–130 J/mm², allowing for martensitic transformation while avoiding defects such as melting or cracking. At densities below 50 J/mm², incomplete hardening occurred with minimal microhardness improvement. On the contrary, densities exceeding 150–180 J/mm² caused surface overheating and degradation. For carburized 21NiCrMo2 steel, the most effective parameters included 450–1050 W laser power, 1.7–2.5 mm/s scanning speed, and 2.0–2.3 mm beam diameter. The review confirms that process control through energy-based parameters allows for reliable prediction and optimization of LHT for industrial applications, particularly in components exposed to cyclic loads. Full article

Background and Objectives: The long-term renal and cardiovascular effects of neonatal acute kidney injury (AKI) in preterm infants remain unclear. This study investigated whether neonatal AKI leads to persistent subclinical kidney injury and blood pressure changes in school-aged children born preterm. Methods: In this prospective cohort, preterm-born children (≤35 weeks’ gestation) with (n = 19) and without (n = 38) neonatal AKI were evaluated at 7–12 years. A term-born control group (n = 44) was included for biomarker comparison. Assessments included perinatal data, anthropometry, office and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), and renal ultrasonography. Kidney function was evaluated using serum creatinine (sCr), cystatin C, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Tubular injury was assessed using urinary kidney injury molecule-1/Cr (KIM-1/Cr), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin/Cr (NGAL/Cr), and trefoil factor 3/Cr (TFF3/Cr) ratios, as well as serum TFF3. Results: Conventional kidney function markers were similar among groups. However, the AKI group had higher serum cystatin C, lower cystatin C–based eGFR, and elevated urinary KIM-1/Cr and NGAL/Cr compared to no-AKI and term controls. Serum TFF3 was also higher in the AKI group. ABPM revealed higher nocturnal systolic blood pressure and blood pressure load in the AKI group. Kidney size did not differ between preterm subgroups. Conclusions: Neonatal AKI in preterm infants is associated with subtle alterations and potential renal stress or injury at school age, detectable only with sensitive biomarkers and ABPM. Further prospective studies are needed to validate these biomarkers and determine their role in predicting long-term outcomes in preterm infants with neonatal AKI. Full article

Cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) is a multifactorial clinical condition characterized by the bidirectional deterioration of cardiac and renal function, driven by mechanisms such as renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) overactivation, systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, and fibrosis. The aim of this narrative review is to explore the key molecular pathways involved in CRS and to highlight emerging therapeutic approaches, with a special emphasis on nutritional interventions. We examined recent evidence on the contribution of mitochondrial dysfunction, uremic toxins, and immune activation to CRS progression and assessed the role of dietary and micronutrient factors. Results indicate that a high dietary intake of sodium, phosphorus additives, and processed foods is associated with volume overload, vascular damage, and inflammation, whereas deficiencies in potassium, magnesium, and vitamin D correlate with worse clinical outcomes. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant bioactives, such as omega-3 PUFAs, curcumin, and anthocyanins from maqui, demonstrate potential to modulate key CRS mechanisms, including the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway and the NLRP3 inflammasome. Gene therapy approaches targeting endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signaling are also discussed. An integrative approach combining pharmacological RAAS modulation with personalized medical nutrition therapy and anti-inflammatory nutrients may offer a promising strategy to prevent or delay CRS progression and improve patient outcomes. Full article

Currently, various pruning strategies including different methods and distribution types are commonly used to reduce the number of FLOPs and parameters in deep learning models. However, their impact on actual energy savings remains insufficiently studied, particularly in resource-constrained settings. To address this, we introduce PruneEnergyAnalyzer, an open-source Python tool designed to evaluate the energy efficiency of pruned models. Starting from the unpruned model, the tool calculates the energy savings achieved by pruned versions provided by the user, and generates comparative visualizations based on previously applied pruning hyperparameters such as method, distribution type (PD), compression ratio (CR), and batch size. These visual outputs enable the identification of the most favorable pruning configurations in terms of FLOPs, parameter count, and energy consumption. As a demonstration, we evaluated the tool with 180 models generated from three architectures, five pruning distributions, three pruning methods, and four batch sizes, using another previous library (e.g. FlexiPrune). This experiment revealed the significant impact of the network architecture on Energy Reduction, the non-linearity between FLOPs savings and energy savings, as well as between parameter reduction and energy efficiency. It also showed that the batch size strongly influences the energy consumption of the pruned model. Therefore, this tool can support researchers in making pruning policy decisions that also take into account the energy efficiency of the pruned model. Full article

Difficult, extreme operating conditions of parabolic antennas under precipitation and sub-zero temperatures require the creation of effective heating systems. The purpose of the research is to develop a multilayer coating containing two metal-ceramic layers, epoxy composite layers, carbon fabric, and an outer layer of basalt fabric, which allows for effective heating of the antenna, and to study the properties of this coating. The multilayer coating was formed on an aluminum base that was subjected to abrasive jet processing. The first and second metal-ceramic layers, Al₂O₃ + 5% Al, which were applied by high-speed multi-chamber cumulative detonation spraying (CDS), respectively, provide maximum adhesion strength to the aluminum base and high adhesion strength to the third layer of the epoxy composite containing Al₂O₃. On this not-yet-polymerized layer of epoxy composite containing Al₂O₃, a layer of carbon fabric (impregnated with epoxy resin) was formed, which serves as a resistive heating element. On top of this carbon fabric, a layer of epoxy composite containing Cr₂O₃ and SiO₂ was applied. Next, basalt fabric was applied to this still-not-yet-polymerized layer. Then, the resulting layered coating was compacted and dried. To study this multilayer coating, X-ray analysis, light and raster scanning microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy were used. The thickness of the coating layers and microhardness were measured on transverse microsections. The adhesion strength of the metal-ceramic coating layers to the aluminum base was determined by both bending testing and peeling using the adhesive method. It was established that CDS provides the formation of metal-ceramic layers with a maximum fraction of lamellae and a microhardness of 7900–10,520 MPa. In these metal-ceramic layers, a dispersed subgrain structure, a uniform distribution of nanoparticles, and a gradient-free level of dislocation density are observed. Such a structure prevents the formation of local concentrators of internal stresses, thereby increasing the level of dispersion and substructural strengthening of the metal-ceramic layers’ material. The formation of materials with a nanostructure increases their strength and crack resistance. The effectiveness of using aluminum, chromium, and silicon oxides as nanofillers in epoxy composite layers was demonstrated. The presence of structures near the surface of these nanofillers, which differ from the properties of the epoxy matrix in the coating, was established. Such zones, specifically the outer surface layers (OSL), significantly affect the properties of the epoxy composite. The results of industrial tests showed the high performance of the multilayer coating during antenna heating. Full article

Phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) inhibition has emerged as a therapeutic option against indolent lymphoma, including relapsed follicular lymphoma (FL). While inhibition of active signaling in the lymphoma cell represents the primary mode of action, PI3K inhibition also exerts immunomodulatory effects. Here we have analyzed 17 consecutive advanced treatment line FL patients treated with the delta-selective PI3K inhibitor idelalisib in a retrospective single-center observational study, with a specific focus on response and immune effects. Eleven patients achieved complete remission (CR) or partial remission (PR) with median response duration of 22 (11–88) months following a median idelalisib exposure of 15 (4–88) months. Disease response persisted in three patients for a median of 37 (21–63) months following cessation of idelalisib without another therapy being initiated. Autoimmune side effects occurred in eight of the eleven patients who responded, compared to none in six patients whose disease did not respond. In conclusion, a time-limited exposure to idelalisib may induce sustained remissions in a portion of patients with recurrent and/or refractory (r/r) FL, suggesting immunomodulatory effects of PI3K inhibition to be involved in the control of the disease. Full article

A novel stainless steel with high Mn and Mo content (much higher than traditional stainless steel), designated CH241SS, was developed as a potential replacement for Cr-Mo-V alloy steel in the cold forging applications of precision industry. Through carbon reduction in an environmentally friendly manner and a two-stage heat treatment process, the hardness of as-cast CH241 was tailored from HRC 37 to HRC 29, thereby meeting the industrial specifications of cold-forged steel (≤HRC 30). X-ray diffraction analysis of the as-cast microstructure revealed the presence of a small amount of ferrite, martensite, austenite, and alloy carbides. After heat treatment, CH241 exhibited a dual-phase microstructure consisting of ferrite and martensite with dispersed Cr(Ni-Mo) alloy carbides. The CH241 alloy demonstrated excellent high-temperature stability. No noticeable softening occurred after 72 h for the second-stage heat treatment. Based on the mechanical and room-temperature tensile fatigue properties of CH241-F (forging material) and CH241-ST (soft-tough heat treatment), it was demonstrated that the CH241 stainless steel was superior to the traditional stainless steel 4xx in terms of strength and fatigue life. Therefore, CH241 stainless steel can be introduced into cold forging and can be used in precision fatigue application. The relevant data include composition design and heat treatment properties. This study is an important milestone in assisting the upgrading of the vehicle and aerospace industries. Full article

Background/Objectives: Acrylamide is a probably carcinogenic to humans that naturally forms during the thermal processing of foods. An individual’s lifestyle—especially dietary habits and physical activity—may influence the severity of acrylamide’s adverse health effects. This study aimed to examine the relationship between adolescents’ dietary and exercise behaviors and their dietary acrylamide exposure and associated health risks. Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 370 high school students in Türkiye. Data were collected using the Nutrition Exercise Behavior Scale (NEBS) and a retrospective 24-h dietary recall questionnaire. Acrylamide exposure was calculated based on food intake to estimate carcinogenic (CR) and non-corcinogenic (target hazard quotient: THQ) health risks and analyzed in relation to NEBS scores. Results: Findings indicated that while adolescents are beginning to adopt healthy eating and exercise habits, these behaviors are not yet consistent. Emotional eating and unhealthy food choices still occur. Higher acrylamide exposure and risk values were observed in boys and underweight individuals. This can be explained mainly by the fact that boys consume more of certain foods—especially bread, which contains relatively higher levels of acrylamide—than girls do, and that underweight individuals have lower body weights despite consuming similar amounts of food as other groups. Bread products emerged as the primary source of daily acrylamide intake. Positive correlations were found between NEBS total and subscale scores and acrylamide exposure and health risk values. Conclusions: The study demonstrates a significant association between adolescents’ health behaviors and acrylamide exposure. These results underscore potential public health concerns regarding acrylamide intake during adolescence and emphasize the need for targeted nutritional interventions to reduce risk and promote sustainable healthy behaviors. Full article

Seafood contamination by heavy metals is a growing public health concern, particularly in regions like Tunisia where seafood is a major dietary component. This study assessed concentrations of cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) in the muscle tissue of the red shrimp Parapenaeus longirostris, collected in 2023 from four coastal regions: Bizerte, Monastir, Kerkennah, and Gabes. Metal analysis was conducted using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. This species was chosen due to its ecological and economic importance. The study sites were chosen based on their differing levels of industrial, urban, and agricultural influence, providing a representative overview of regional contamination patterns. Mean concentrations were 1.04 µg/g for Zn, 0.59 µg/g for Cu, 1.56 µg/g for Pb, and 0.21 µg/g for Cd (dry weight). Pb was the most prevalent metal across sites. Statistically significant variation was observed only for Cu (p = 0.0334). All metal concentrations were below international safety limits set by FAO/WHO and the European Union. Compared to similar studies, the levels reported were similar or slightly lower. Human health risk was evaluated using target hazard quotient (THQ), hazard index (HI), and cancer risk (CR) values. For adults, THQ ranged from 5.44 × 10⁻⁶ to 8.43 × 10⁻⁴, while for children it ranged from 2.40 × 10⁻⁵ to 3.72 × 10⁻³. HI values were also well below 1, indicating negligible non-carcinogenic risk. CR values for Cd and Pb in both adults and children fell within the acceptable risk range (10⁻⁶ to <10⁻⁴), suggesting no significant carcinogenic concern. This study provides the first field-based dataset on metal contamination in P. longirostris from Tunisia, contributing valuable insights for seafood safety monitoring and public health protection. Full article

Potentially toxic elements, such as chromium (Cr) and zinc (Zn), play essential roles in humans and animals. However, the harmful effects of excessive exposure to these elements through food remain unknown. In this sense, this study aimed to evaluate the anthropogenic contamination of chromium and zinc in aquatic biota and seafood consumers. Based on the PRISMA protocol, 67 articles were selected for this systematic review. The main results point to a wide distribution of these elements, which have familiar emission sources in the aquatic environment, especially in highly industrialized regions. Significant concentrations of both have been reported in different fish species, which sometimes represent a non-carcinogenic risk to consumer health and a carcinogenic risk related to Cr exposure. New studies should be encouraged to fill gaps, such as the characterization of the toxicity of these essential elements through fish consumption, determination of limit concentrations updated by international regulatory institutions, especially for zinc, studies on the influence of abiotic factors on the toxicity and bioavailability of elements in the environment, and those that evaluate the bioaccessibility of these elements in a simulated digestion system when in high concentrations. Full article