Search Results (30,135)

Background: This study investigated how chronic heat stress affects meat quality and post-slaughter muscle acidification in slow-growing yellow-feathered broilers, focusing on the roles of ALDOB and HSP90B1 in glycometabolism. Methods: From 100 to 120 days of age, broilers were kept either under thermoneutral conditions (25 ± 1 °C, N group) or cyclic heat stress (32 ± 1 °C for 9 h/day, H group). Meat quality traits (pH, shear force, drip loss, color) were measured at 0, 24, and 48 h of refrigeration (4 °C). Free amino acid and fatty acid profiles were analyzed. DF-1 cells were exposed to 43 °C for functional assays of ALDOB and HSP90B1. Results: Chronic heat stress reduced body weight, altered flavor precursors, and induced PSE-like characteristics (lower pH, higher shear force, increased drip loss, paler color), especially in leg muscles. ALDOB and HSP90B1 were upregulated in both tissues and cells. ALDOB overexpression promoted glucose consumption, while HSP90B1 suppressed lactic acid production. Conclusions: Chronic heat stress impairs growth and flavor precursors and exacerbates post-slaughter muscle acidification (primarily driven by ATP hydrolysis, with lactic acid as a secondary contributor). ALDOB and HSP90B1 may dually regulate glycometabolism under heat stress. Full article

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease in which transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) has been implicated in immune dysregulation, extracellular matrix remodeling, and fibrosis. Data on baseline secretion of TGF-β isoforms by systemic immune cells remain limited. This pilot study quantified unstimulated secretion of TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3 by peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) cultures from women with and without endometriosis and explored stage-related patterns. In this prospective case–control study, PBMCs from 50 women with surgically confirmed endometriosis and 30 controls were cultured for 24 h without exogenous stimulation. Supernatant concentrations were measured using a multiplex bead-based immunoassay (Bio-Plex, Bio-Rad) and expressed as pg/mL; between-group and stage-related differences were assessed using non-parametric tests. Median 24 h secretion was similar between groups (TGF-β1: 103,816 vs. 114,700 pg/mL, p = 0.25; TGF-β2: 3735 vs. 3732 pg/mL, p = 0.32; TGF-β3: 3280 vs. 3284 pg/mL, p = 0.70). Within the endometriosis cohort, TGF-β2 was significantly higher in moderate/advanced disease (rASRM stages III–IV) than in minimal/mild disease (stages I–II), whereas TGF-β1 and TGF-β3 did not reach statistical significance for a stage-dependent pattern in this pilot cohort (p = 0.42 and p = 0.41, respectively; Kruskal–Wallis), and a type II error cannot be excluded given the small sample size per rASRM (revised American Society of Reproductive Medicine)stage (n = 11–14). These findings suggest that TGF-β dysregulation is compartmentalized to the peritoneal environment rather than systemically imprinted in circulating immune cells. The stage-dependent elevation of TGF-β2 supports its role in progressive fibrogenesis and as a candidate severity biomarker, warranting confirmation in larger, stimulus-augmented studies. Full article

Consumer preferences for pork are increasingly prioritizing quality traits such as flavor and tenderness, which are often superior in Chinese indigenous pig breeds. The primary objective of this study was to explore the molecular basis of flavor traits using Rongchang (RR), Yorkshire (YY), and RR × YY (YR) breeds. The investigation focused on meat quality traits, along with untargeted metabolomics, lipidomics, and volatile flavor compound (VOC) profiling of the longissimus dorsi muscle. The results indicated that RR pork exhibited higher pH levels and overall acceptability. Analyses using electronic nose and tongue demonstrated that RR pork elicited stronger responses for W2S, W1S, and W1C sensors, as well as for umami and sourness. A total of 15 VOCs were identified as differing among the breeds. RR pork contained higher levels of benzothiazole and dimethyl sulfoxide, but lower levels of nonane, 2-methylheptane, and 2,4-dimethylheptane. Metabolomic analysis revealed 45 distinct metabolites, with a greater abundance of flavor precursors such as α-ketoglutaric acid in RR pork. Lipidomic analysis identified 22 different lipids, with triglycerides being more enriched in RR pork. Phospholipids, such as phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), varied by breed, with PC (e) being lowest and cardiolipin highest in RR pork. Correlation network analysis revealed that nonane, 2-methylheptane was the most connected flavor compound, positively correlating with certain lipids and metabolites, such as PC (18:1_18:1), PE (18:2e_22:6), PC (36:4) and 2-phenylglycine, and negatively correlating with PC (32:0e), SM (d41:1), N-hydroxy-2-acetamidofluorene, and histamine. This multi-omics approach provides a comprehensive view of the molecular signatures associated with pork preference, identifying potential biomarkers for meat quality that can be leveraged for future breeding strategies. Full article

Quorum Quenching (QQ) is a mechanism that disrupts Quorum Sensing (QS) signaling systems, which regulate gene expression based on bacterial population density. Many fish pathogens, such as Aeromonas, utilize QS systems to regulate the expression of their virulence factors. Disrupting these systems using QQ is a promising approach for infection control in aquaculture and may provide a safe alternative to antibiotics. Therefore, identifying microorganisms with QQ activity is a relevant task in agricultural microbiology and veterinary medicine. This study examines the identification of isolates with QQ activity in the microbial community of perch and assesses their probiotic potential for the prevention of aeromonosis. In this study, we isolated 32 strains of microorganisms capable of degrading N-acylhomoserine lactone (AHL), six of which exhibited stable QQ activity. Five strains were found to belong to the genus Rhodococcus, and one strain to the genus Exiguobacterium. The selected strains were tested for the enzymatic/non-enzymatic and intra-/extracellular QQ activity, pathogen growth inhibition, biofilm formation, and hemolytic activity, as well as growth ability under various environmental conditions (salinity, pH, bile acids, and temperature). Based on the results of these tests, the R. erythropolis PFS1.20 strain was selected as the most promising probiotic. The genomic analysis revealed that the studied strain contains genes encoding QQ enzymes, siderophore biosynthesis clusters, osmoprotectors, and compounds with antimicrobial properties. These results indicate the high probiotic potential of the R. erythropolis PFS1.20. Full article

Background/Objectives: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) relies on light activation of photosensitizers to generate reactive oxygen species for tumor ablation; however, limited tumor selectivity and systemic toxicity of free photosensitizers remain challenges. This study aimed to develop polymer-based nanotheranostics carrying tetraphenylporphyrin (TPPc) derivatives and to evaluate how linker structure impacts their performance. Methods: TPPc derivatives were covalently conjugated to N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA)-based polymers via either pH-sensitive hydrazone linkages (using aliphatic 5-hydroxy-2-pentanone or aromatic 1-(4-hydroxymethyl)phenyl)ethanone spacer) or stable amide bonds, forming amphiphilic polymer conjugates. The conjugates were characterized based on their physicochemical and in vitro and in vivo biological behavior. Results: Polymer conjugation reduced dark toxicity while preserving photodynamic activity. Linker structure influenced intracellular behavior and singlet oxygen production, with hydrazone systems showing faster activation-related responses under acidic conditions in vitro. All conjugates accumulated in tumors and induced significant tumor growth inhibition after irradiation at low doses (2.5 mg kg⁻¹ TPPc equivalent), while the amide-linked conjugate showed the strongest overall in vivo therapeutic effect, likely due to more favorable biodistribution and sustained delivery. Conclusions: The developed HPMA-based polymer–TPPc conjugates improve the therapeutic profile of photosensitizers by reducing toxicity and enabling effective PDT. These findings highlight the importance of linker design in balancing photosensitizer activation, circulation stability, and biodistribution, which together determine the overall therapeutic outcome. Full article

Polylogarithm-weighted sequences and $h\left(x\right)$-Fibonacci/Lucas polynomials have each been studied extensively, but a common formulation that incorporates generalized hyperharmonic weights into both these kernels and related Legendre-type kernels has not been formulated in a unified way. In this paper, the classical generating functions are deformed by the factor ${Li}_p\left(t\right)/{(1-t)}^q$, and the resulting coefficients are derived by Cauchy product arguments. This construction yields the $h\left(x\right)$-Fibonacci–polylogarithm and $h\left(x\right)$-Lucas–polylogarithm polynomials, explicit coefficient formulas, convolution identities, recurrence relations, and parity properties, together with a unified two-parameter family of generalized $h\left(x\right)$-Fibonacci–Lucas–polylogarithm polynomials ${\mathbb{P}}_{h,n}^{a,b,p,q}\left(x\right)$. The same deformation principle also gives rise to Legendre–polylogarithm polynomials and to a $(q,\lambda )$-extension obtained from a weighted Legendre generating kernel. These families provide a natural generating-function setting for models in which cumulative harmonic or hyperharmonic effects are intrinsic, while also making explicit the main analytic restrictions of the deformation, including convergence constraints and the loss of classical orthogonality in the Legendre setting. Full article

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the smallest partially double-stranded, reverse-transcribing DNA virus, with four open reading frames (ORFs) encoding viral proteins. It is classified into nine geographically distributed genotypes (A–I). In Kenya, the molecular characterization of HBV among patients seeking medical care remains poorly defined. This observational study aimed to characterize HBV among patients seeking medical care in Kenya’s endemic region, focusing on circulating genotypes and ORF mutations. Serum samples were collected from the outpatient departments of selected health facilities, with demographic and clinical information extracted from patients’ medical records. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was tested at the facilities, and 85 HBsAg-positive samples were collected for molecular analysis. The basal core promoter and pre-core (BCP/PC), polymerase, and surface regions of the viral genome were amplified and sequenced to determine genotypes and to profile their mutations. Out of 85 HBsAg-positive samples, 38 samples tested positive for HBV DNA, and 26 samples were successfully sequenced. HBV genotype A was prevalent at 73.1% (19/26), followed by genotype D at 23.1% (6/26), and genotype E at 3.8% (1/26). Genotype A sequences clustered with both A1 Asian and African subgenotypes, whereas genotype D clustered with subgenotypes D6 and D1. All HBV genotype A, D, and E sequences were serotypes adw2, ayw2, and ayw4, respectively. HBV core promoter mutations (A1762T/G1764A) were detected in both genotype D and genotype A isolates. The pre-core G1896A mutation was highly prevalent in genotype D samples (5/6; 83.3%) but was not observed in genotypes A or E. Analysis of mutations within the “a” determinant region revealed genotype-specific patterns: genotype A predominantly harbored V14A, P46H, S58C, and P67Q substitutions; genotype E showed N59S; and genotype D exhibited V14A, C69stop, S104T, and W182stop mutations. Two drug resistance mutations (V191I and A194T) were present in two chronic patients, one with genotype A and the other with genotype D. In conclusion, HBV genotypes A and D are the most prevalent among Kenyan patients with chronic HBV infection. The presence of point mutations in the ORFs among patients seeking medical care highlights the need for molecular surveillance to better understand the viral diversity and its potential clinical and public health implications. Full article

To overcome the inherent drawbacks of poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC), such as poor thermal stability, low mechanical strength, and high surface energy, this study introduced, for the first time, 1,1,1-trifluoro-2,3-epoxypropane (TF-PO) as a third monomer into the metal-free TEB/PPNCl catalytic system for the terpolymerization with carbon dioxide (CO₂) and propylene oxide (PO), successfully synthesizing a series of fluorinated PPC (PPCF). The optimal polymerization conditions ($60 °C$, 2.0 MPa, 12 h, n(PO):n(TF-PO) = 100:4) were determined through systematic optimization. Comprehensive structural characterization (FT-IR, NMR, XPS) confirmed the successful incorporation of TF-PO into the polymer backbone. Property evaluation revealed that the PPCF materials exhibited substantial improvements in thermal stability, mechanical strength, hydrophobicity, and dielectric properties compared to unmodified PPC. The optimal sample, PPCF4, achieved a $5\%$ weight-loss temperature ($T_{d,-5\%}$) of $242 °C$, a glass transition temperature ($T_{\mathrm{g}}$) of $42 °C$, a tensile strength of 21.5 MPa, and a Young modulus of 296 MPa. With a $5\%$ TF-PO feed ratio, the material’s water contact angle increased to 102°, and its dielectric constant reached 6.01 at ${10}^4$ Hz. Furthermore, density functional theory (DFT) calculations elucidated the Lewis acidity of the TEB catalyst and the reactive sites of the monomers, leading to a proposed mechanism for the ternary alternating copolymerization. This work provides an effective synthetic strategy and theoretical foundation for preparing high-performance and functionalized PPC materials through molecular structure design. Full article

The construction industry accounts for approximately 13% of global GDP but suffers from chronic productivity stagnation. Although artificial intelligence (AI) offers transformative potential, its adoption is constrained by three key barriers: data integrity issues (H1), socio-technical challenges (H2), and system integration problems (H3). This study investigates whether academic research attention aligns with these practitioner-identified barriers through a bibliometric analysis of 4668 publications from OpenAlex (1990–2025), applying a five-pillar analytical framework synthesized into composite scores (0–100 scale) via min-max normalization, weighted summation, and bootstrap validation. H3 achieved a nominal 15.9% prevalence rate (adjusted to ~13.0% after correcting for an 18.2% false positive rate in keyword classification), robust growth (R² = 0.654), significant overrepresentation in top-cited works (risk ratio = 1.31, p = 0.003), and received a composite score of 62/100 (confirmed). H1 (2.7%, score: 17/100) and H2 (4.6%, score: 13/100) were both rejected. The rank ordering by prevalence (H3 > H2 > H1) remains robust under all adjustment scenarios. These findings contrast notably with the RICS Global Construction Monitor (2025, n = 2200+), where practitioners most frequently reported socio-technical barriers (46%), followed by system integration (37%) and data quality (30%), yielding practitioner-to-publication ratios of 4.7:1, 5.2:1, and 1.1:1, respectively. This apparent research–practice paradox appears primarily volume-driven rather than clearly quality-driven: H1/H2 publications receive citation attention broadly comparable to the baseline, though this comparison is limited by control group heterogeneity. We call for rebalanced research agendas addressing data governance frameworks, competency development, and organizational change management. Full article

The use of hydrogen direct injection (DI) plays a crucial role in decarbonizing internal combustion engine (ICE) technology. However, a suitable characterization of the injection process is required to control the mixture preparation before combustion, especially in the case of late injection timing. CFD modeling represents a useful tool to support experiments in addressing this goal. This study presents a numerical investigation of hydrogen DI using a swirled-type injector, seated in a constant-volume vessel. First, the selected numerical setup is validated against optical measurements of the jet penetration, demonstrating the reliability of the approach. Then, the analysis compares swirling and non-swirling configurations under different nozzle pressure ratios (nPRs) to evaluate the interaction between swirl-induced mixing and under-expanded jet structures. Results show that at lower nPR, swirl significantly alters the momentum distribution, reducing axial penetration. Instead, at higher nPR, where the H2 jets exhibit strong shock structures, the effects of swirl become negligible, with penetration and plume morphology nearly identical to non-swirling conditions. Analysis of the scalar dissipation rate showed the presence of a redistribution of mixing characteristics at low nPR due to swirl, while shock structures dominate at high nPR. This could have a significant impact on combustion and NO_x emissions in ICE operated with late injection strategies, where lower nPR are found. Full article

The present work reveals a direct correspondence between modified theories of gravity (cosmology) and entropic cosmology based on the thermodynamics of apparent horizon. It turns out that due to the total differentiable property of entropy, the usual thermodynamic law (used for Einstein gravity) needs to be generalized for modified gravity theories having more than one thermodynamic degree of freedom (d.o.f.). For the modified theories having n number of thermodynamic d.o.f., the corresponding horizon entropy is given by $S_{\mathrm{h}}\sim S_{\mathrm{BH}}+$ terms containing the time derivatives of $S_{\mathrm{BH}}$ up to $(n-1)$-th order, and moreover, the coefficient(s) of the derivative term(s) are proportional to the modification parameter of the gravity theory (compared to the Einstein gravity; $S_{\mathrm{BH}}$ is the Bekenstein–Hawking entropy). By identifying the independent thermodynamic variables from the first law of thermodynamics, we show that the equivalent thermodynamic description of modified gravity naturally allows the time derivative of the Bekenstein–Hawking entropy in the horizon entropy. Full article

Achieving stable dispersion and sustained antibacterial activity of natural bioactive compounds in bio-based packaging remains challenging. In this study, chitosan (CS) films incorporating a β-cyclodextrin–curcumin inclusion complex (Cur/β-CD) were developed to improve film properties and the refrigerated preservation of sea bass. The CS/Cur/β-CD films were prepared by one-step solution casting without intermediate isolation or purification. The inclusion conditions were optimized, and the resulting films were evaluated in terms of tensile strength (TS), elongation at break (EAB), and water vapor permeability (WVP). Among the tested formulations, the film prepared at a Cur:β-CD ratio of 1:1, 40 °C, and 1 h (1:1 40 °C 1 h) showed the best overall performance in TS, EAB, and WVP. It was therefore selected for subsequent structural characterization, antibacterial evaluation, and preservation testing. The 1:1 40 °C 1 h film exhibited a 156% increase in tensile strength and a 28.5% decrease in water vapor permeability compared with the neat CS film. The composite film exhibited measurable diffusion-based antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). During the 8 d refrigerated storage period, the film suppressed total viable counts (TVC), slowed the increase in pH, and retarded total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) accumulation, thereby maintaining acceptable microbiological quality throughout the observation period. Compared with the unwrapped, PE, and CS-film control groups, the treated samples showed better preservation performance over the tested storage period. Overall, the incorporation of Cur/β-CD provides a simple strategy for improving the mechanical strength, moisture barrier properties, antibacterial activity, and preservation performance of CS films during refrigerated storage, highlighting their potential for active packaging of chilled aquatic products. Full article

Background: Linezolid is widely used for the empirical and targeted treatment of Gram-positive infections. Elderly patients frequently exhibit substantial pharmacokinetic variability due to age-related physiological changes and high comorbidity burden, which may predispose to drug accumulation and toxicity. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a population pharmacokinetic (PopPK) model of intravenous (IV) linezolid in elderly patients (65–87 years) to support therapeutic drug monitoring and explore exposure-risk scenarios associated with overexposure. Methods: A retrospective single-center study including 149 patients and 293 serum trough concentrations was conducted. Patients were randomly assigned to development (n = 103) and independent validation (n = 46) cohorts. Linezolid concentrations were quantified using an enzyme immunoassay. The PopPK model was developed in NONMEM^® using FOCE-I. Model performance was evaluated using standard diagnostic plots, bootstrap analysis, visual predictive checks, and validation metrics (mean prediction error [MPE] and mean absolute prediction error [MAPE]). Monte Carlo simulations assessed the probability of overexposure (Cmin > 8 mg/L) and the probability of target attainment (PTA; AUC24/MIC ≥ 100) under standard dosing (600 mg IV every 12 h). Results: Linezolid pharmacokinetics were best described by a one-compartment model with first-order elimination. Estimated glomerular filtration rate, treatment duration, and age were identified as significant predictors of clearance. Internal and independent validation confirmed the robustness and predictive performance of the model. Simulations showed a high probability of overexposure in patients with impaired renal function, particularly during prolonged treatment. Conclusions: Renal function, age, and treatment duration are major determinants of linezolid exposure in elderly patients. Standard dosing frequently results in overexposure, supporting early therapeutic drug monitoring and individualized dose adjustment in this vulnerable population. Full article

Cheese whey, a byproduct of the dairy industry, has a high organic load and nutrient availability, associated with parameters such as chemical oxygen demand (COD), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP), representing an environmental problem when improperly disposed, and even considering the traditional biological wastewater treatment (secondary treatment), a polishing step (tertiary treatment) could be required in order to meet legislation parameters of discharge in water bodies. This study evaluated the efficiency of co-cultivation between the microalga Tetradesmus obliquus and the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae during the tertiary (advanced) treatment of dairy effluent. The process was operated in batch mode to optimize the COD:N ratio and, subsequently, in semicontinuous mode applying the volumetric replacement rates (VRRs) of 40% and 60%. In the batch stage, the COD:N ratio of 20 stood out as the most balanced in terms of nutritional requirement, achieving removal rates of 85.49% for COD, 96.23% for total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), and 100% for TP. In the semicontinuous system, a VRR of 40% optimized nitrogen (91.67%) and phosphorus (95.93%) recovery while COD was also removed (71.68%). The pH remained stable within the range of 7.0 to 7.5 at the end of the process, indicating self-buffering of the consortium. Biomass production reached 915 mg·L⁻¹ (dry cell weight) in batch operation mode and 720 mg·L⁻¹ in semicontinuous mode (VRR of 40%). The results confirmed that the T. obliquus and S. cerevisiae co-cultivation constitutes a stable and sustainable strategy for nutrient recovery during dairy wastewater treatment, aligning with the principles of circular bioeconomy. Full article

Objective: This study aims to analyze the dynamic changes in lymphatic endothelial cell (LEC) markers during the progression of intervertebral disk degeneration (IDD) and to investigate their association with the progression of IDD. Method: In this study, intervertebral disk (IVD) specimens were first collected from patients who underwent open lumbar fusion surgery for spinal fractures (control group, n = 10) and lumbar disk herniation (IDD group, n = 10). Concurrently, a mouse IDD model was established, and IVD specimens were collected from mouse in the Sham group and the IDD group 1, 3, and 6 weeks after modeling (n = 5 per group at each time point). Pathological morphological changes in human and mouse IVD specimens were observed using Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) and Masson’s Trichrome staining. The degree of degeneration in the mouse IVD specimens was quantified using a histopathological scoring system. Subsequently, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), immunohistochemistry (IHC), and immunofluorescence (IF) staining were employed to examine LEC markers in IVD tissue, including lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor 1 (LYVE-1), podoplanin (PDPN), prospero homeobox protein 1 (PROX-1), and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3 (VEGFR-3), as well as matrix metabolism-related markers such as matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP-13) and collagen II (Col II). Finally, we performed Spearman’s rank correlation analysis between the histopathological scores of all mouse IVD specimens and the corresponding expression levels of LEC markers. Results: In human IVD tissue, expression levels of LYVE-1, PDPN, PROX-1, and VEGFR-3 were extremely low in the normal group. In contrast, expression of these markers was significantly upregulated in the IDD group. In the mouse IDD model, compared with the Sham group at the same time point, the IDD group exhibited higher histopathological scores in IVD tissue, accompanied by upregulation of LYVE-1, PDPN, PROX-1, and MMP-13, as well as downregulation of Col II. In-depth analysis revealed that these differences between the Sham and IDD groups were not static but exhibited a dynamic pattern of increasing magnitude over time. Concurrently, as the modeling period progressed, the histopathological scores of mouse IVD in the IDD group, as well as the expression levels of LYVE-1, PDPN, PROX-1, and MMP-13, showed a progressive upward trend, while Col II expression progressively decreased. In addition, Spearman’s rank correlation analysis revealed that the expression levels of LYVE-1, PDPN, and PROX-1 in mouse IVD tissue were all significantly positively correlated with histopathological scores. Conclusions: In the process of IDD, the dynamic upregulation of LEC markers is highly consistent with its severity in the time dimension. At the same time, there was also a significant positive correlation between the expression level of LEC markers and the severity of IDD. Taken together, these findings suggest that the dynamic upregulation of LEC markers may be potentially associated with the pathological progression of IDD. Full article