Search Results (4,716)

This 90-day trial evaluated the integrated benefits of biofloc technology (BFT) in lined ponds for intensive Penaeus vannamei culture, comparing it with a conventional water-exchange (WE) system. The BFT system maintained favorable water quality with a 68.4% reduction in cumulative water exchange. Concentrations of toxic total ammonia–nitrogen (TAN) and nitrite–nitrogen (NO₂⁻-N) were better controlled, and total suspended solids (TSS) stabilized within a beneficial range (150–200 mg L⁻¹). Microbial analysis indicated that BFT significantly increased total bacterial abundance in both culture water and shrimp hepatopancreas while reducing the total Vibrio-to-bacteria ratio in culture water to below 6%, significantly lower than in the WE system (>18%). Moreover, BFT significantly lowered the loads of specific pathogens, acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND)-causing Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP) in both culture water and shrimp hepatopancreas. Regarding production performance, BFT significantly enhanced shrimp survival rate (82.4% vs. 71.5%), yield (3460 vs. 2948 kg pond⁻¹), and water productivity (0.85 vs. 0.28 kg m⁻³), while lowering the feed conversion ratio (1.16 vs. 1.33). In conclusion, BFT achieves stable water quality, effective pathogen suppression, and enhanced production efficiency through microbial regulation, offering a viable water-saving, environmentally sound, and disease-resilient strategy for intensive P. vannamei culture. Full article

Animal-assisted services (AAS) involve providers working in partnership with specially trained animals to deliver therapeutic, educational, and supportive benefits that promote human well-being. Although research shows dog-assisted AAS benefits recipients, little is known about handlers’ motivations and how this work impacts handlers and their dogs. This study explores why individuals engage in AAS with their dogs and the relational benefits and challenges involved. A convenience sample of adult AAS handlers was recruited through various organizations via newsletters and social media. Participants (N = 247), predominantly older, white, and highly educated women, responded to three open-ended survey questions. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis, which revealed several interconnected themes. Handlers described profound joy, pride, and purpose derived from sharing their dogs with others, and an enhanced capacity to support recipients. Participants reported using AAS to augment professional roles, to pay forward acts of kindness, and to enrich their dogs through social interaction. While overwhelmingly meaningful, this work also involves challenges, underscoring the need for organizational support for AAS teams. Training programs should equip handlers to recognize signs of animal stress, navigate demanding contexts, and engage in proactive conversations about rest, retirement, and loss. Normalizing these experiences may promote handler well-being and sustain ethical, relationship-centered AAS practice. Full article

Carotenoids play a central role in photosynthesis and cellular protection, and microalgae represent a sustainable platform for their commercial production. Here, we optimized the accumulation of the high-value carotenoids astaxanthin and lutein in continuous photoautotrophic cultures of Chromochloris zofingiensis by modulating nitrogen supply and light intensity. Reducing nitrate availability strongly promoted astaxanthin accumulation, whereas lutein levels remained largely unaffected. For 4% N in the dry biomass, accumulation of astaxanthin was highest and that of lutein lowest, while the opposite was recorded for 9% N. Average irradiance positively affected lutein accumulation independently of nitrate, whereas that of astaxanthin only increased under nitrogen-limiting conditions. Integrated transcriptomics and carotenoid profiling analysis revealed nitrogen availability as the dominant regulatory factor, with a synergistic interaction with light that enhances their individual effects. Nitrate limitation redirected metabolic flux from lycopene toward β-carotene and its subsequent conversion to astaxanthin via BKT1 overexpression, while high irradiance induced CYP97A1 and CYP97C expression, favoring lutein biosynthesis. Together, these findings demonstrate that targeted control of nitrogen and light enables the continuous and programmable production of C. zofingiensis biomass with a specific astaxanthin-to-lutein ratio, highlighting its potential for industrial carotenoid bioprocesses. Full article

Background/Objectives: The optimal surgical timing for rotator cuff tears (RCTs) remains controversial, particularly regarding how tear etiology influences the final functional recovery. This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of early versus delayed arthroscopic repair stratified by etiology, providing evidence for etiology-specific surgical timing. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 183 patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair for isolated full-thickness supraspinatus tears. Patients were stratified into traumatic (n = 74) and degenerative (n = 109) groups based on etiology. They were further divided into early-repair and delayed-repair subgroups based on symptom duration (traumatic cut-off: 3 months; degenerative cut-off: 6 months). Clinical outcomes were assessed preoperatively and at the final follow-up using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) score, and range of motion. Complications, including retear rates and stiffness, were recorded. Results: In the traumatic group, early repair yielded significantly better postoperative pain relief (VAS) and higher functional scores (ASES and UCLA) compared to delayed repair. Notably, the delayed traumatic group exhibited a significantly higher retear rate compared to the early group (16.7% vs. 2.6%; p = 0.039). Conversely, in the degenerative group, comparisons between early and delayed repair revealed no significant differences in the final functional scores, pain levels, or complication rates (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Surgical timing significantly impacts outcomes in traumatic RCTs, where early repair is critical to optimize functional recovery and minimize retear risks. In contrast, delayed arthroscopic repair for degenerative tears yielded comparable outcomes to early repair, suggesting that an initial trial of conservative management is safe and does not compromise final surgical outcomes. Full article

To establish a biorefinery within kraft-pulp mills, the extraction of fermentable sugars must be balanced with the preservation of fiber quality for papermaking. This study investigates this trade-off by applying partial enzymatic hydrolysis to unbleached high-kappa eucalyptus kraft pulp to co-produce bioethanol and packaging-grade materials. Although the mass-transfer limitations inherent to the high-consistency strategy (15% solids or 150 g L⁻¹) restrict extensive saccharification (keeping glucose conversion below 5% at 1.5 h), it naturally directs the process toward a low-severity regime essential for fiber conservation. Structural analysis (X-ray diffraction and microscopy) revealed that enzymes preferentially targeted amorphous regions, increasing crystallinity (from ≈74% to ≈82%) but reducing intrinsic fiber strength (tear) over time (dropping from ~5.6 to ~2.3 mN·m²·g⁻¹ within 30 min). However, a strategic window for valorization has been identified. Instead of direct papermaking, hydrolyzed residue is highly effective as a strength-enhancing additive. When blended (20% w w⁻¹) with commercial pulp, the modified fibers improved interfiber bonding, restored the tensile strength, and significantly increased the Burst Index (up to ~1.7 kPa·m²·g⁻¹). These results demonstrate a viable industrial approach using partial hydrolysis to recover hemicellulose-based sugars for biofuels, while transforming the solid fraction into a high-performance reinforcement agent for paper packaging. This approach effectively converts a potential trade-off into a synergistic dual-product stream. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of biostimulant treatments on the ionic composition and yield of ‘Formosa’ papaya (Carica papaya L.) subjected to varying water replacement levels. The research utilized a randomized complete block design in a split-plot scheme comprising three irrigation depths (100%, 75%, and 50% ETc) and four biological treatments: control, Trichoderma harzianum, Ascophyllum nodosum, and Bacillus aryabhattai. Contrary to initial expectations, water restriction was associated with increased yield and leaf concentrations of zinc (Zn) and nitrogen (N), challenging the hypothesis that water restriction limits production. Quantitative results showed that T. harzianum under 75% ETc attained 93.29 kg plant⁻¹, whereas the control at 50% ETc recorded 19.14 g kg⁻¹ of N. Under 50% ETc, B. aryabhattai increased the bacterial population to 10.46 log10 CFU g⁻¹ soil compared to the control. The T. harzianum-based biostimulant reduced leaf sodium (Na) under 75% ETc and maintained the nutrient accumulation order K > N > Ca > Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu > Na. Conversely, B. aryabhattai and A. nodosum improved yield under 100% ETc through N accumulation. This study confirms that microbial and seaweed-based biostimulants mitigate water stress through rhizosphere modification and nutritional homeostasis, offering a practical strategy for sustainable fruit production in semi-arid regions. Full article

Near-death experiences (NDEs) are profound psychological events known to catalyze significant spiritual transformation, though most research has been conducted in Western contexts. This study investigated perceived changes in spirituality or religiosity following NDEs among adults residing in Jakarta, Indonesia (N = 402 NDErs; 70% female; M_age = 23, SD = 7.93). This population is crucial as spirituality or religiosity are deeply intertwined yet understudied here. Gender differences were non-significant in both continuous (t(400) = 0.43, p = 0.671) and categorical analyses (χ²(2) = 1.03, p = 0.597). Crucially, age emerged as a significant moderator. Early adulthood showed the highest rate of post-NDE increase, significantly exceeding adolescence (z = −2.86, p = 0.004). Conversely, middle adulthood showed higher baseline levels but greater post-NDE stability. Furthermore, pre-existing spirituality or religiosity significantly predicted post-NDE changes (r = 0.174, p < 0.001). Interestingly, non-religious individuals were paradoxically overrepresented among those reporting a decrease (χ²(4) = 15.10, p = 0.004). These findings indicate that age and pre-existing levels of spirituality or religiosity potentially moderate the relationship between NDEs and changes in spiritual or religious levels following NDEs, highlighting the role of developmental and cognitive factors in transformative experiences. This study suggests that NDEs are associated with increased spirituality or religiosity among Indonesians, consistent with the broader global literature on their transformative aftereffects. Full article

The primary shelf life (PSL) of fresh vegan spinach gnocchi packaged under a modified atmosphere (MAP) was investigated. Microbiological, physicochemical, and sensory properties were monitored during storage at three temperatures (4, 8, and 12 °C). The microbial load remained below the limit considered safe (3 log CFU g⁻¹) in all samples during storage at all tested temperatures. Storage time significantly increased the hardness of uncooked gnocchi (p < 0.05) and the water absorption index (p < 0.05). Moreover, at higher storage temperatures, the kinetic rate of hardness decreased in uncooked gnocchi (0.29 N day⁻¹ at 12 °C vs. 0.35 N day⁻¹ at 4 °C). Conversely, in cooked gnocchi, as the storage temperature increased, the rate of hardness acceleration increased. The sensory analysis results varied according to storage temperature, and the Overall Quality Index (OQI), combined with principal component analysis (PCA), was used to determine PSL values. The Arrhenius relationship successfully described the temperature dependence of reaction rate constants, and the calculated Q₁₀ value (3.0) confirmed hardness as the quality attribute most affected by temperature. OQI showed a strong correlation with cooked-gnocchi hardness, and a sensory cutoff of 6.5 was established and confirmed by the sensory panel. The corresponding hardness rejection value was 12.1 N. The PSL was estimated based on sensory and texture criteria, as microbial quality was not a limiting factor. Under non-isothermal cold-chain conditions, PSL was predicted using the time–temperature tolerance (TTT) approach, yielding a value of 42 ± 3 days. Full article

Background/Objectives: Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis that may involve the eye, causing surface and adnexal damage that can precede cutaneous signs. Detecting subclinical ocular changes is clinically important because early ocular surface dysfunction may be missed on routine examination yet progress to corneal complications, allowing earlier preventive management when identified. We prospectively evaluated subclinical ocular alterations in cutaneous rosacea using a combined, fully non-invasive high-tech imaging workflow—tear film interferometry, infrared meibography, and exploratory retinal optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A)—including patients without clinically evident ocular involvement. Methods: Sixteen patients with cutaneous rosacea (mean age 44.3 ± 11.2 years; 4 males, 12 females) were enrolled and divided into: Group 1—rosacea with clinically evident ocular involvement (n = 11); Group 2—rosacea without clinical ocular involvement (n = 5). Six age-matched healthy subjects served as controls (Group 3). All underwent LipiView II^® interferometry and meibography to quantify lipid-layer thickness (LLT, nm) and meibomian gland (MG) loss score (1 = normal–4 = severe), plus retinal OCT-A (Optovue Inc., Fremont, CA, USA). ANOVA with post hoc Tukey test assessed inter-group differences. Results: OCT-A showed no significant alterations in superficial or deep retinal plexuses across groups (p > 0.05). Conversely, LLT was significantly reduced in both rosacea groups vs. controls (OD: 45.5 ± 21.4 nm and 67.4 ± 10.1 nm vs. 92.7 ± 8.2 nm; OS: 40.4 ± 15.3 nm and 66.4 ± 10.1 nm vs. 96.0 ± 6.7 nm; p < 0.001). MG score was markedly higher (worse) in rosacea (OD: 3.63 ± 0.50 and 3.20 ± 0.83 vs. 1.83 ± 0.75; OS: 3.45 ± 0.68 and 3.40 ± 0.54 vs. 1.66 ± 0.81; p < 0.001). Ocular symptoms were reported by 85% of patients yet slit-lamp examination revealed surface alterations in 58% of asymptomatic cases. Conclusions: Tear film interferometry and meibography detect early ocular surface impairment in rosacea—even in the absence of clinical signs—while retinal microvasculature appears unaffected. Routine ophthalmologic screening of all rosacea patients could enable prompt treatment of subclinical dysfunction, potentially preventing corneal complications. Retinal OCTA metrics were not significantly different in this small pilot cohort, and these negative findings should be interpreted cautiously pending larger studies. Full article

Postprandial hyperglycemia represents a critical therapeutic target in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), requiring interventions that simultaneously address glycemic dysregulation and oxidative stress. This study evaluated the anti-hyperglycemic and antioxidant properties of Sclerocarya birrea leaf crude extract (CE) and biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Phytochemical screening, nanoparticle characterization (UV–Vis, XRD, TEM, SEM, DLS, FTIR), enzyme inhibition assays (α-amylase, α-glucosidase, DPP-IV), glucose dynamics in Caco-2 cells, and antioxidant assays (DPPH, total antioxidant capacity, H₂O₂ cytoprotection) were performed. Phytochemical analysis identified flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, and terpenoids as major constituents of Sclerocarya birrea leaf extract. AgNPs exhibited spherical morphology (36.8 ± 8.6 nm, n = 100 particles analyzed), face-centered cubic crystallinity (crystallite size: 32.1 nm), and characteristic surface plasmon resonance at 451 nm. Both formulations inhibited α-amylase (CE IC₅₀: 14 µg/mL; AgNPs IC₅₀: 14.07 µg/mL, n = 3) and α-glucosidase (CE IC₅₀: 15.96 µg/mL; AgNPs IC₅₀: 15.82 µg/mL, n = 3), showing substantial inhibition, though less potent than acarbose. Uniquely, AgNPs demonstrated selective DPP-IV inhibition (IC₅₀: 220.5 µg/mL, n = 3, p < 0.001 vs. CE), completely absent in CE. In antioxidant assays, DPPH scavenging potency was comparable between formulations (CE IC₅₀: 23.45 µg/mL; AgNPs IC₅₀: 22.26 µg/mL, n = 3), while CE achieved higher maximal scavenging at the tested concentrations. Conversely, AgNPs provided superior intracellular cytoprotection against H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress in kidney cells (80.2 ± 2.1% viability at 76 µg/mL vs. CE 69.8 ± 3.4% at 190 µg/mL, n = 3, p < 0.001), representing a 2.5-fold dose advantage. Neither formulation significantly altered glucose uptake or SGLT1 expression in intestinal epithelial cells (p > 0.05, two-way ANOVA, n = 3). These findings establish S. birrea-based formulations, particularly AgNPs, as promising multifunctional candidates for managing postprandial hyperglycemia and oxidative complications in T2DM. They also highlight nanotechnology-enhanced phytomedicine as an innovative therapeutic strategy. Full article

Endometrial cancer (EC) is the leading gynecological malignancy worldwide. Obesity is reported to be associated with 50% of EC cases. Significant gaps remain in investigating specific molecular mechanisms behind the obesity-driven EC. Women diagnosed with EC undergoing total hysterectomy were recruited. Patients were divided into two groups: EC-obese with BMI > 29.9 kg/m² (n = 10) and EC-Non-obese with BMI ≤ 29.9 kg/m² (n = 10). Tumor tissues were subjected to label-free quantitative proteomic analysis using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Differentially expressed proteins were identified and subjected to pathway enrichment and network analyses to characterize obesity-associated alterations. Proteomic profiling showed a significant dysregulation of 456 proteins: 171 upregulated and 285 downregulated. Proteins involved in endoplasmic reticulum quality control particularly endoplasmic reticulum lectin 1 (ERLEC1), were reduced. Conversely, EC-obese demonstrated upregulation of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), integrin-linked kinase (ILK), CTTNBP2 N-terminal-like protein (CTTNBP2NL), and lysyl oxidase homolog 1 (LOXL1), implicating activation of inflammatory pathways. Bioinformatic analysis showed downregulation of immune-related pathways, including neutrophil degranulation, complement activation in the EC-obese group. ROC analysis identified apolipoprotein(a), phospholipase B-like 1, CTTNBP2NL, and ILK as significant proteins that can differentiate between the obese and non-obese states. Our findings provide insights into obesity-associated proteomic changes in EC and highlight candidate proteins that can be used for molecular stratification after further validation. Full article

Background: Oral Submucous Fibrosis (OSMF) is a significant global oral health problem, particularly prevalent in India, with a high risk of progression to Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC). This study investigates the molecular mechanisms involved in the transformation of OSMF to OSCC using transcriptomic profiling. Methods: High-throughput RNA sequencing was performed on fresh de novo OSCC samples (n = 8) and OSMF derived OSCC using Illumina-compatible NEXTflex Rapid Directional RNA Sequencing. Normalization and differential gene expression analysis were conducted, and genes exhibiting an absolute log2 fold change of ≥2 with a co-variate-adjusted p-value ≤ 0.05 were identified as significant. Results: Upregulated genes were associated with cytokine and immune responses (ABRA, TTTY14, EIF1AY), cellular proliferation and apoptosis (LINC00314, RPS4Y1, SERPINA5, TRIM63, FABP7), and energy metabolism, indicating metabolic adaptations during malignant progression. Pathway analysis showed increased expression of TNNT1, TNNI1, MYL4, and ACTN3, implicating muscle development and embryonic pathways in OSMF transformation. Conversely, genes related to epithelial differentiation and keratinization (FLG, FLG2, HRNR, TCHH, KRT73), immune regulation and tumor suppression (HLA-G, UNC5D), and metabolic signaling were downregulated, reflecting loss of tissue integrity and immune control. Conclusions: OSMF-derived OSCC exhibits a distinct transcriptomic landscape compared with de novo OSCC, characterized by altered epithelial differentiation, immune modulation, and activation of developmental pathways. The observed gene dysregulation findings establish that OSCC developing in the background of OSMF is molecularly distinct from de novo OSCC, underscoring the biological impact of the pre-existing fibrotic milieu on tumor transcriptional architecture. Full article

This study investigates the conversion of textile wastewater sludge (TWS) and textile cotton waste (TCW) into solid biofuels through pelletization and torrefaction, addressing the growing need for sustainable waste management and alternative fuels in the textile sector. Blended feedstocks were conditioned to ~10% moisture, pelletized into 8 mm cylinders, and thermally upgraded at 200–240 °C for 30–90 min. Proximate and ultimate analyses, calorific value measurements, compressive strength testing, bulk and true density assessment, and TGA–DTG were used to evaluate fuel properties, while response surface methodology (RSM) optimized torrefaction parameters. The TCW-rich 20:80 (TWS:TCW) blend with 5% starch exhibited the most favorable overall performance, achieving a calorific value of 3377 kcal kg⁻¹, ash of 10.3%, bulk density of 554 kg m⁻³, and maximum compressive strength of 14.9 N mm⁻². Torrefaction at 200 °C for 60 min increased the GCV to 4083 kcal kg⁻¹ with a high mass yield of 92%, indicating mild thermal decomposition and good energy retention. Further Torrefaction at 220–240 °C increased GCV to 4362–4565 kcal kg⁻¹, accompanied by expected mass-yield reductions due to increased devolatilization. TGA–DTG confirmed faster and cleaner decomposition for TCW-rich pellets and higher residues for sludge-rich blends. RSM indicated temperature as the dominant factor governing mass and energy yields. These findings demonstrate that optimized co-pelletization and mild-to-moderate torrefaction can effectively transform textile residues into energy-dense, mechanically stable biofuels suitable for industrial heat applications. Full article

The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a widely used model for studying retinal regeneration. In adults, light-induced retinal damage (LIRD) serves as an environmental phototoxic stressor that induces photoreceptor degeneration and regenerative responses, whereas larval models remain comparatively underexplored. In this study, we validate a larval LIRD paradigm as a versatile system for studying acute phototoxic injury and early regeneration-associated transcriptomic responses. Using high-throughput RNA sequencing, we profiled retinal transcriptional changes 48 h post-LIRD and complemented these findings with targeted pharmacological modulation of redox signaling. Larval LIRD induced robust activation of canonical apoptotic and regeneration-associated pathways, recapitulating key features of adult LIRD models while engaging previously underexplored gene-regulatory networks. Among these, pathways related to oxidative stress responses, antioxidant enzymes, and oxygen metabolism were prominently regulated. Functional attenuation of oxidative stress using the N-acetylcysteine reduced phototoxic injury-induced apoptosis and proliferation, while inflammatory markers remained largely unaffected. Conversely, subtoxic intra-retinal hydrogen peroxide exposure was sufficient to induce proliferative markers without eliciting apoptosis response. At the signaling level, modulation of oxidative stress influenced components of growth-associated signaling pathways activated during early injury response. Together, these findings support a role for oxidative stress as a key component of early injury-associated signaling in larval retinal regeneration. This study integrates histological, transcriptomic, and pharmacological analyses to interrogate early regenerative programs and provides a comprehensive transcriptomic resource for exploring redox-associated mechanisms in retinal injury and repair. Full article

The growing demand for direct reduced iron (DRI) in green steel production requires high-quality fired pellets as the burden for the gas-based shaft furnace direct reduction process. However, the properties of magnetite concentrate as pellet feed present a significant impact on the quality of fired pellets, especially the metallurgical performance. A systematic study of the effect of pretreating the magnetite concentrate on the properties of fired pellets was conducted using two pretreatment technologies, i.e., damp-milling and high-pressure roll grinding (HPRG). Green balls were made from pretreated magnetite concentrates and fired under optimal conditions. Their performance was then evaluated in a laboratory-scale setup simulating the HYL shaft furnace environment. Key metrics included cold compressive strength (CCS), reducibility index (RI), reduction swelling index (RSI), and dynamic low-temperature reduction degradation (LTD). The pretreatment of magnetite concentrates with HPRG twice showed significant benefits. The fired pellets not only have a CCS of 2500 N/p at a roasting temperature 150 °C lower, but also achieve an RI of 3.37 and an RSI of 3.15%, respectively. Furthermore, the reduction degradation tendency was markedly reduced; the +6.3 mm fraction reached 94.72% with a whole pellet ratio of 75.49%. Conversely, while damp-milling improved the LTD, it required a 100 °C increase in preheating temperature and yielded a whole pellet ratio of only 49.15%, failing to meet industrial requirements. The improvement in metallurgical performance is attributed to the intense micro-cracking induced by the two-pass HPRG process, which optimizes the particle size distribution, specific surface areas and improves the microstructure and pore properties of the fired pellets. Full article