Search Results (503)

Excessive accumulation of copper ions (Cu²⁺) in the environment and biological systems poses severe risks to ecological balance and human health, necessitating accurate detection and monitoring of Cu²⁺. Schiff base derivatives with favorable optical properties provide an efficient strategy for copper ion recognition. In this paper, fluorescent probe L (5-methyl-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde-(7-diethylaminocoumarin-3-formyl) hydrazone) was synthesized through a three-step reaction using 4-diethylaminosalicylaldehyde and diethyl malonate as starting materials. The structure of probe L was confirmed by melting point analysis, infrared spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance. Single-crystal X-ray analysis revealed that probe L crystallized into a triclinic lattice with space group $P_1^{-}$. Optical investigations, including UV–Vis spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and aggregation-induced emission studies, demonstrated highly sensitive and selective fluorescence “turn-off” behavior of probe L towards Cu²⁺ ions in DMSO, with negligible interference from other metal ions. Job’s plot and crystallographic analysis revealed a 1:1 binding stoichiometry between probe L and Cu²⁺, forming the complex [Cu(L)]. Fluorescence titration experiments revealed a binding constant (K_b) of 5.2 × 10⁶ L/mol and a detection limit of 7.8 × 10⁻⁷ mol/L, indicating excellent sensitivity. These results suggest that probe L has considerable promise for Cu²⁺ detection in aqueous environments, with potential applications in environmental monitoring and public health protection. Full article

The investigation aimed to determine if live feedback of team- and player-specific global positioning system (GPS) running performance data between bouts of hurling small-sided games (SSGs) altered the physical and physiological responses during subsequent bouts of SSGs during a 6-week hurling pre-season period. Twenty-four (n = 24) hurling players (age 25.5 ± 3.2 years; height 177.9 ± 3.2 cm; body mass 83.5 ± 4.5 kg) received either feedback or no feedback during hurling-specific SSGs across a 6-week pre-season period. Teams were assigned to two specific groups, a) GPS live feedback or b) no GPS live feedback (control) for each session, with feedback provided during the SSG rest interval. Running performance (10-Hz, STATSports, Apex, Northern Ireland), heart rate (Polar T31 coded, Polar Electro, Finland), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured. Data was analyzed using linear mixed-effect models with the effect size (Cohen’s d) used to determine the size of the effect between feedback and non-feedback conditions. Trivial-o-small differences at all time points were observed in heart rate and RPE measures during SSGs, respectively. Trivial-to-moderate effects were observed between feedback and non-feedback conditions for total distance (p = 0.04; ES = 0.25; small) high-speed running (p = 0.043; ES = 0.59; moderate), maximal speed (p = 0.345; ES = 0.11; trivial) and accelerations (p = 0.03; ES = 0.55; moderate). The current data suggests that coaches and applied practitioners may use live GPS feedback to alter the running and physiological performance within hurling-specific SSGs during a pre-season period. Full article

Bolivia is home to approximately 20% of the tropical glaciers in South America, which are sensitive indicators of climate change and critical water resources. Glaciers in the Cordillera Real supply meltwater to Bolivia’s administrative capital, La Paz, making it important to accurately assess their evolution. This study reassesses the trajectory of glacier loss in the Cordillera Real between 1992 and 2024. We construct a time-evolving glacier inventory utilizing remote sensing data (Landsat) and techniques to limit the impact of ephemeral snow cover. Our inventory is at a temporal resolution (5- to 8-year spacing) that allows us to assess the trajectory of glacier loss using statistical models. Between 1992 and 2024, the Cordillera Real lost 103.67 ± 9.97 km² of glacierized area, representing a 42.0 ± 2.1% reduction. We find that glaciers in the Cordillera Real have been retreating at a constant absolute loss rate of 2.99 [2.32, 3.67] km² yr⁻¹ and a constant fractional loss rate of 1.6 [1.3, 1.9]% yr⁻¹, contrasting with past studies that suggest accelerating or decelerating loss rates. Our findings provide new insights into the current extent of glaciers in the Cordillera Real and their longevity. The time-evolving inventory is available for use in future studies on the evolution of glaciers in the Cordillera Real and the impacts of their continued loss. Full article

Biologically controlling Microcystis aeruginosa blooms in saline–alkaline environments remains a major challenge in aquatic ecosystem management. Here, the algicidal performance of an indigenous algicidal bacterium, Bacillus cereus strain PT1 isolated from a sulfate-type saline–alkaline pond, against M. aeruginosa was evaluated, and the underlying metabolic mechanisms were elucidated using non-targeted metabolomics. PT1 exhibited pronounced, stable algicidal activity under saline–alkaline conditions, decreasing the algal cell density from 2 × 10⁶ to 1.25 ± 0.5 × 10⁵ cells mL⁻¹ within 4 days at a rate of 93.75 ± 2.5% (p < 0.05). The above results demonstrate that strain PT1 has a significant lytic effect on M. aeruginosa. Non-targeted liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis identified 298 PT1-induced accumulated metabolic features, and the top 30 candidates comprised organic acids and aromatic compounds, including benzoic acid, coumarin, malonic acid, and signaling-related molecules, including indoleacetaldehyde and nitroprusside. These differential metabolites were associated with algicidal-related pathways, including quorum sensing, two-component systems, ABC transporters, and tryptophan metabolism, outlining a coordinated “regulation–transport–metabolic remodeling” framework. Our findings demonstrate the potential of the indigenous algicidal strain PT1 from saline–alkali ponds to control M. aeruginosa blooms. They also provide an important theoretical basis and data foundation for further elucidating the molecular characteristics of algae solubilizing activity under saline–alkali conditions and developing microbial agents for preventing and controlling Microcystis blooms in saline–alkali ponds. Full article

Cellulose and hemicellulose, both widely present in radioactive waste, undergo combined radiolytic and hydrolytic degradation during disposal under the highly alkaline conditions imposed by the cementitious waste matrices and engineered barriers. This combined process generates water-soluble organic compounds that can complex with radionuclides, thereby potentially enhancing their migration from the waste to the biosphere. Identification of these degradation products formed by cellulosic materials is essential for assessing their complexation potential and predicting their impact on radionuclide mobility. In this work, degradation products resulting from sequential radiolytic and alkaline degradation of cellulosic tissues, realistically present in radioactive waste, were identified using multiple advanced techniques, i.e., Electrospray Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry, Ion Chromatography Mass Spectrometry, and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy. Our results confirm that isosaccharinic acid (α-ISA and β-ISA) is the major end product from cellulose degradation, while xylo-isosaccharinic acid (XISA) indicates hemicellulose degradation. Furthermore, significant concentrations of formic and lactic acid were detected, alongside minor products including glycolic, acetic, propionic, malonic, and oxalic acids, with malonic and oxalic acids appearing only after irradiation at high irradiation doses and under air (malonic) or argon (oxalic). Additional unquantified compounds, such as glutaric acid, 2-hydroxybutyric acid, and oligosaccharides, were observed as well. These findings advance our insight into the degradation of end products of cellulosic materials in radioactive waste and establish a foundation for future research on their complexation potential and impact on radionuclide mobility, especially for compounds where data are lacking. Full article

This study presents the results of continued work on the search for the most suitable low-melting mixtures (LMMs) for the ultrasound-assisted extraction of phenolic compounds from Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. leaves using LMMs of choline chloride, malonic, malic, tartaric, and/or citric acids combined with water. Kinetics of extraction was studied, and Box–Behnken experimental design coupled with Response Surface Methodology was applied to optimize extraction conditions. The most suitable composition of solvent was choline chloride + citric acid + water in a molar ratio of 1:1:16. The optimal extraction conditions were as follows: extraction duration of 30 min, temperature of 30 °C, and volume-to-mass ratio of 20:1. Under these conditions, the yields were 335.1 ± 18.7 mg gallic acid equivalent/g for total phenolic contents and 50.9 ± 3.6 mg rutin equivalent/g for total flavonoids content. The advantage of using LMMs over ethanol has been shown. The effect of the extract on the development of Drosophila melanogaster was also evaluated. The data obtained can be applied to the development of green technologies for the production of extracts from medicinal plant raw materials. Full article

Hedera helix (HE) contains diverse bioactive constituents, including triterpenoid saponins, flavonoids, and phenolic acids, which exhibit various pharmacological activities. In this study, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) combined with natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES) was employed to enhance the extraction efficiency and elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Among the tested formulations, a ternary system composed of malonic acid (Mal), N,N′-dimethylurea (DMU), and 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BDO) achieved the highest efficiency for extracting eight target compounds from the HE leaves. In addition, the key interactions among NADES components were confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, providing valuable insights into the extraction mechanism. The UAE process was systematically optimized through single-factor experiments. Subsequently, response surface methodology (RSM) identified the optimal conditions as ultrasonic time of 45 min, solid/liquid ratio of 1:54 g/mL, and ultrasonic temperature of 42 °C. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) elucidated the microstructural alterations in plant cell walls induced by NADES-UAE, alongside the enhanced penetration and disruption mechanisms. In vitro bioactivity revealed that the NADES-extracted HE exerted strong inhibitory effect on HT-29 colon cancer cells. Overall, these findings demonstrate the high effectiveness and sustainability of NADES-UAE for extracting HE bioactive compounds and provide valuable implications for the industrial-scale production of plant-based functional products. Full article

During the 2024/2025 wet season, Townsville had its first sustained autochthonous outbreak of dengue disease caused by dengue virus type 2 (DENV-2), the second locally transmitted outbreak of dengue since 2014 following the introduction of wMel strain Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes, a control strategy for dengue virus (DENV) and other Aedes-transmitted arboviruses. In comparison to two recorded locally acquired cases of dengue in 2020, the 2024/2025 outbreak resulted in sixteen cases in two inner-city suburbs of Townsville during the wet season associated with higher-than-average rainfall. This second dengue outbreak since 2014 highlights that Townsville and other north Queensland communities where Wolbachia mosquito programs have been deployed remain vulnerable to DENV incursions and local disease outbreaks despite the apparent high coverage of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes. Whilst these control strategies have likely contributed to a reduction in the number and frequency of autochthonous DENV outbreaks in north Queensland, ongoing maintenance and monitoring of Wolbachia-infected mosquito coverage is necessary, together with timely review and improvement in dengue awareness and prevention health promotion activities in the community. Full article

Background: Antegrade continence enemas (ACEs) are administered by appendicostomy or cecostomy to manage bowel conditions. Cecostomies utilize buttons while appendicostomies utilize the appendix for colonic flushing. This study evaluates the outcomes and overall burden of these procedures in a mixed urban–rural population, highlighting unique social determinants of health (SDoH) and access factors. Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis of 31 pediatric patients was conducted at a tertiary academic hospital where 8 underwent a Malone-type ACE (MACE) and 23 underwent a laparoscopic cecostomy (LC) between 2014 and 2024. Results: Age at surgery was significantly higher in the MACE group versus the LC group (14.6 vs. 8.1 years). Patients who underwent MACE had longer hospital stays than patients who underwent LC (7.5 vs. 4.5 days, p = 0.014) and significantly higher 30-day readmissions (5 vs. 2, p = 0.001). Granulation tissue was significant in LC (82.6%) compared to MACE (13.5%, p = 0.001). Moreover, need for surgical revision occurred more in the MACE group (25%). Analysis of SDoH revealed that most of the cohort lived in areas with low childhood opportunity and high socioeconomic deprivation, particularly those undergoing MACE. Financially, MACE was associated with substantially higher total, direct, and indirect costs than LC, with the difference in total cost reaching statistical significance. Conclusions: In this setting,10-year complication rates were low. This reflects the development of a new dedicated longitudinal bowel management program in mid-Missouri. Functional outcomes at the end of the 10-year period were comparable between both cohorts with the achievement of continence. These findings support tailoring surgical approaches to patient needs. Full article

Using plants to restore soils subjected to salinization and polychemic pollution can be an effective way to return agricultural land to circulation and obtain safe products. In this study, experiments were conducted with oats and lupine to evaluate their ability to purify soils contaminated with copper (II) and nickel (II) ions, carbonate and sulfate anions and oil and their combinations. The biological activity of the soil, phytotoxicity, and hydrocarbon content, as well as plant growth and biochemical parameters in polluted soil, were studied. The enzymes most sensitive to soil contamination were catalase, urease, and phosphatase. Copper ions inhibited oat root growth by 45.7% and lupine by 46.6%. Oil and its mixtures with other pollutants inhibited shoot growth by up to 50.3% in oats and up to 28.6% in lupine. The content of malonic dialdehyde increased in oats when exposed to copper, while in lupines, it increased 2.9-fold when exposed to oil. Flavonoids in oats increased with metal contamination (by 9–16.7%), while in lupines with oil (by 8.6%). Chlorophyll fluctuations were less pronounced in oats than in lupine. Despite the stress experienced by plants due to soil pollution, the degradation rate of petroleum hydrocarbons under oat and lupine crops was 33–46%. In general, oats and lupine are promising for the phytoremediation of complexly polluted and saline soils. Full article

Malonyl-CoA decarboxylase (MCD) is an enzyme that controls malonyl-CoA levels and regulates fatty acid synthesis and oxidation. Although its physiological relevance in peripheral tissues is well known, the role of MCD in the central nervous system remains poorly understood. MCD is expressed in mitochondria, cytosol, and peroxisomes and may be regulated by PPAR-α, AMPK, and SIRT4 in tissues such as muscle, liver and kidney. In the brain, MCD expression varies during development and can respond to nutritional states. Inherited MCD deficiency (malonic aciduria) leads to the toxic accumulation of malonic acid and predominantly affects the central nervous system. The underlying mechanisms leading to brain damage in MCD patients remain unclear. Conversely, pharmacological modulation of MCD activity has been studied in obesity, diabetes, and ischemic injury, highlighting its therapeutic potential. There are still major gaps regarding MCD cellular distribution, regulatory pathways, and metabolic interaction with CPT1c (carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1c) in neural metabolism. A deeper understanding of the role of MCD in brain physiology and pathology may indicate novel therapeutic strategies targeting metabolic disorders that involve altered malonyl-CoA dynamics. Here, we discuss the current knowns and unknowns regarding MCD physiology, regulation, and pathophysiology, emphasizing brain aspects. Full article

A series of chitosan-based films was obtained by combining the covalent crosslinking of chitosan with dialdehyde starch (DAS) and plasticization using a choline chloride–malonic acid deep eutectic solvent (DES), thereby engineering their structural, mechanical, and surface properties for advanced packaging applications. DAS was synthesized via periodate oxidation of potato starch and characterized by FTIR and quantification of aldehyde groups through acid–base titration, enabling precise control of the –NH₂ (chitosan) to –CHO (DAS) molar ratios (40:1, 20:1, 10:1) used for film formation. Chitosan films (neat, DAS-crosslinked, DES-plasticized, and DES-plasticized/DAS-crosslinked) were obtained by solution casting, with constant total chitosan and/or Ch+DES mass across formulations, and subsequently examined in terms of molecular structure, density, mechanical characteristics, micro- and nanoscale morphology, color, wettability, and surface free energy. The most significant changes relevant to potential applications were observed in mechanical properties and surface free energy. The incorporation of DAS and DES into chitosan resulted in a significant reduction in Young’s modulus from 1150 MPa to 130 MPa, accompanied by a significant increase in elongation at break—from 10% to almost 90%. Moreover, it should be noticed that the addition of DAS and DES led to a nearly twofold increase in surface free energy, from 32.5 to 59.9 mJ m⁻². While previous studies have predominantly focused on single modifications of chitosan—either covalent crosslinking with dialdehyde starch (DAS) or plasticization with deep eutectic solvents (DES)—this work introduces a pioneering dual-modification strategy that simultaneously integrates both techniques, representing the first systematic investigation of their synergistic effects unattainable through individual approaches. Full article

Background/Objectives: The widespread adoption of high-fat diets has contributed to a rising incidence of metabolic disorders and associated cardiovascular diseases. This trend exacerbates myocardial ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury following interventional or thrombolytic therapy for acute myocardial infarction, leading to higher mortality and heart failure in affected individuals with metabolic dysregulation, for whom effective interventions are limited. Nuciferine, which possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and metabolic regulatory properties, has shown potential in improving post-I/R cardiac function, yet its mechanism remains unclear. Methods: This study utilized an ex vivo mouse heart model perfused with high-glucose/high-fatty acid solutions to establish a metabolic stress condition mimicking key aspects of the diabetic milieu and to evaluate the underlying mechanisms of nuciferine. Complementarily, a model of lipotoxicity combined with hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury was established in human cardiomyocyte cells (AC16). Results: Nuciferine significantly improved post-I/R functional recovery and attenuated succinate accumulation, an effect comparable to the succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) inhibitor dimethyl malonate (DMM). Mechanistically, nuciferine bound to an SDH subunit, inhibiting its activity and subsequent reactive oxygen species (ROS) production via mitochondrial reverse electron transport (RET). It also activated Sirt1-dependent pathways, mitigating apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction in AC16 cardiomyocytes. The Sirtuin 1 (Sirt1) inhibitor selisistat (EX527) abolished nuciferine’s protection, while DMM mirrored its efficacy, underscoring nuciferine’s dual role in inhibiting SDH-mediated RET and activating Sirt1 in alleviating I/R injury under metabolic stress conditions. Conclusions: These findings suggest that nuciferine confers cardioprotection by simultaneously attenuating RET-related oxidative stress and activating Sirt1. Full article

Background/Objectives: The quality of dried chili peppers is critically influenced by geographical origin, yet the metabolic basis for these differences remains insufficiently explored. This study sought to elucidate the region-specific metabolic profiles and their association with key quality traits in the pepper cultivar ‘Hong Guan 6’. Methods: Fruits harvested from three major cultivation regions in China were analyzed. We quantified fat and capsaicinoid content and employed an integrated LC-MS and GC-MS untargeted metabolomics approach to characterize the metabolite composition. Multivariate statistical analyses were applied to identify differentially abundant metabolites (DAMs) and uncover their related biochemical pathways. Results: Significant regional variations in fat and capsaicinoid content were observed, with peppers from Pengzhou (PZ) exhibiting the highest capsaicin levels. Metabolomic profiling revealed 529 metabolites that were significantly more abundant in PZ samples. These metabolites were enriched in several key pathways, including beta-alanine metabolism, plant hormone signal transduction, and N-glycan biosynthesis. Specifically, elevated levels of β-alanine and malonate in the beta-alanine metabolism pathway were detected in PZ and Anyue (AY) samples, suggesting a potential biochemical mechanism for their enhanced fat synthesis. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that geographical origin significantly reprograms the pepper metabolome, directly impacting quality attributes. The results provide crucial insights into the biochemical mechanisms, particularly those involving beta-alanine metabolism, that underpin the differences in critical quality traits such as fat content. Full article

International service-learning projects are opportunities for students to experientially learn about sustainable design engineering while they are focused on addressing specific community needs. When paired with auto-ethnographical research methods, students become co-creators in their pedagogical experience. This paper explores the impacts of attending a second international service learning trip for three sustainable design engineering students. Through a trio-ethnographic, ethics-approved study, a three-step reflexive framework was adopted to examine the experiences and the effects of participation in sustainable service learning projects that occurred in Honduras. By examining individual reflections and group discussions, three themes were identified by the students researchers: leadership development, the experience of returning, and enduring impacts on perceptions of sustainability and equity. Incorporating reflective activities before, during, and after international service learning experiences allow students to be more prepared, engaged, and reap long-term benefits. Engaging students in the conception, design, analysis, and writing of the research amplifies the learning experience. This article provides insights into how international service learning experiences shape professional trajectories and the personal growth of sustainable design engineering students. Additionally, it advocates for incorporating students as researchers in educational research. Full article