Search Results (271)

Entomopathogenic fungi such as Beauveria bassiana are important biological control agents that provide alternatives to chemical insecticides; however, their application is often limited by relatively slow killing rates. In this study, we engineered the B. bassiana Bb2860 strain to express the spider-derived neurotoxin gene Hv1a and evaluated the biological characteristics and insecticidal activity of the recombinant strain. Bb2860-Hv1a was constructed using a blastospore-mediated LiAc/PEG transformation system and confirmed by PCR and Western blot analyses. Re-isolated recombinant fungi retained detectable Hv1a expression following host infection. Hv1a expression did not affect colony growth or conidial production under laboratory conditions. Bioassays using different infection approaches showed that the effects of Hv1a expression varied among insect species and experimental conditions. Bb2860-Hv1a did not significantly enhance insecticidal activity against G. mellonella, Spodoptera litura, or Ostrinia furnacalis larvae in immersion assays, but shortened the LT₅₀ of O. furnacalis larvae from 5.20 to 4.15 days in hemocoel injection assays. Foliar spray assays showed enhanced mortality of Bb2860-Hv1a compared with the wild type against Aphis gossypii, Myzus persicae, Frankliniella occidentalis, and Bemisia tabaci, with final mortality rates of 62.22%, 68.89%, 60.00%, and 95.56%, respectively, and LT₅₀ values of 4.86, 5.61, 5.92, and 4.87 days. Collectively, these results indicate that Hv1a expression can enhance the insecticidal activity of B. bassiana under specific bioassay conditions, particularly against several piercing–sucking pests evaluated by spray application. This study provides a basis for further evaluation and optimization of Hv1a-expressing B. bassiana as a potential fungal biocontrol candidate. Full article

Synthetic dyes are widely used in industry; however, their release into the environment without adequate treatment poses serious risks because of their toxicity and adverse effects on human health and aquatic ecosystems. Although conventional methods are effective, they are often costly and have limited sustainability. In this context, ATPSs are proposed as an environmentally friendly alternative aligned with the principles of green chemistry, offering an efficient and cost-effective route. In this study, Tartrazine (Tart), an azo model dye, was used to evaluate the efficiency of an ATPS formed by PEG + salt + H₂O. The effects of the cation and anion nature, PEG molar mass, and pH on Tart partitioning were investigated by determining the partition coefficient of Tart (K_Tart) and the Gibbs free energy of transfer (Δ_trG°). The PEG 1500 + Na₂SO₄ + H₂O ATPS at pH 3.0 exhibited the best performance among the systems evaluated, with a spontaneous transfer process evidenced by Δ_trG° values as low as −21.62 kJ mol⁻¹. The extraction efficiency exceeded 99%, and the ATPS was successfully applied to the removal of Tart from river water and wastewater samples, demonstrating high performance and considerable potential as an alternative technology for the removal of this dye from industrial aqueous solutions. Full article

Conventional Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) hemagglutination inhibition (HI) antigens are contingent on sucking mouse brain (SMB), and present ethical and standardization challenges. In this study, we established an alternative cell culture platform using LFBK cells to produce JEV genotype I (GI) and III (GIII) antigens. Viral replication and hemagglutination (HA) activity were evaluated in six cell lines. Although raw supernatants exhibited limited HA activity, 100-fold polyethylene glycol (PEG) 8000 concentration and binary ethylenimine (BEI) inactivation of LFBK cultures successfully resulted in high-titer antigens for the K95 (GI, 256 HAU), K87 (GIII, 64 HAU), and Nakayama (GIII, 1024 HAU) strains. Diagnostic validation with swine sera showed 100% concordance between the cell-derived Nakayama antigen and commercial SMB standard. Notably, cell-concentrated GI antigens (K95 and K87) demonstrated significantly higher sensitivity (p < 0.05) for several positive samples. These results indicate that the LFBK cell platform can effectively replace traditional SMB methods and provide an ethically sustainable and highly sensitive tool for genotype-specific JEV serosurveillance. Full article

This paper examines return connectedness among four channels for obtaining U.S.-dollar exposure in Argentina: the official USD/ARS rate, the informal Blue Dollar rate, and USDT/ARS prices on Binance and Bitso. We use 669 matched-date daily returns and a time-varying parameter VAR connectedness model with Barunik–Krehlik frequency decomposition. The analysis is descriptive: generalized forecast-error variance shares measure directional dependence within the estimated system but do not identify structural causality, price discovery, or systemic risk. Baseline estimates indicate that total connectedness rises from 43.57% under exchange controls and 45.26% during the crawling-peg period to 64.53% after liberalization. The two stablecoin venues have positive net-connectedness positions in the baseline estimates, while the official rate becomes a net receiver in Periods 2 and 3. Connectedness is concentrated within five- and ten-day horizons, although the share attributed to a strict three-day band is materially lower. Period 3 transmitter signs remain stable in contiguous subsamples, single-venue and aggregate-stablecoin specifications, and a six-variable system augmented with Bitcoin and a broad U.S.-dollar factor. By contrast, Period 2 directional rankings are more sensitive to alternative period boundaries and stablecoin representations and should therefore be interpreted cautiously. Rankings are also less stable in Period 1 and under deliberate one-day shifts in stablecoin closing dates, highlighting the importance of outliers and market synchronization. The results therefore provide conditional evidence on changing return interactions across segmented dollar-access venues rather than causal evidence that one venue drives another. Full article

Active asset managers increasingly include cryptocurrencies in their alternative asset allocations, highlighting their speculative and volatile nature. The aim of this research is to examine trends in the returns and volatility of cryptocurrencies, whilst accounting for the depegging of stablecoins, driven by speculative trading during macroeconomic shocks and technological shifts. We build a sample of market capitalisation, using data from the daily closing prices of Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Binance (BNB), and Ripple (XRP), two fiat-backed stablecoins (USDT and USDC), and a cryptocurrency-collateralised stablecoin (DAI). As a first step, a Granger-causality framework is applied to examine the influence of stablecoin depegging events on crypto returns during financial market stress. The results are strongly asymmetric: there is little evidence that depegs predict returns; whereas cryptocurrency returns robustly Granger-cause USDC depegging events, an effect that intensifies during periods of market stress. Stablecoin depegs appear to be a downstream symptom of cryptocurrency stress rather than a leading indicator of it. The analysis was extended by modelling volatility, using an EGARCH-X model to study whether depegs also affect crypto during periods of market stress and if larger deviations from the dollar peg are associated with higher cryptocurrency volatility, concentrated in the most liquid stablecoins (USDT and USDC), while the evidence for any change in this association during stress is limited. The findings carry implications for risk monitoring in digital-asset markets, where stablecoin behaviour reflects, rather than anticipates, cryptocurrency market conditions. Full article

The rising prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) has intensified the demand for innovative blood filtration therapies. Hemoperfusion, which integrates membrane filtration with adsorbent technologies to sequester circulating uremic toxins, represents a promising therapeutic alternative. In this study, polyethersulfone (PES)-powdered activated carbon (PAC) composite membranes were fabricated via nonsolvent-induced phase separation (NIPS), and the molecular weight of polyethylene glycol (PEG) was optimized as a hydrophilic pore-forming agent. Dope solutions were formulated with 15 wt.% PES, 1 wt.% PAC, and 10 wt.% PEG at varying molecular weights (200, 400, 600, and 1000 Da). Comprehensive characterization revealed that PEG molecular weight significantly dictates the structural and functional performance of the resulting composites. The PEG 600 Da variant achieved an optimal balance of properties, characterized by homogeneous PAC dispersion, a peak water flux of 420.88 LMH/Bar, a water contact angle of 37.11°, and a porosity of 74.74%, while maintaining a high Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) rejection of 90.87%. While increasing PEG molecular weight generally enhanced permeability through the formation of an open pore architecture, a performance trade-off was observed beyond the 600 Da threshold due to increased dope viscosity and altered phase inversion kinetics. These findings suggest that PEG 600-optimized PES-PAC membranes offer a high-performance, affordable platform for advanced hemoperfusion applications. Full article

Respiratory mucosal vaccination can induce robust humoral and cellular immune responses, as well as effective mucosal immunity at the primary site of pathogen entry, and has been shown to provide superior protection against respiratory viral infections compared with traditional approaches. Among current vaccine technologies, mRNA vaccines offer unique advantages, including rapid development, flexible antigen design, and potent immunogenicity. However, efficient mucosal delivery of mRNA remains challenging due to biological barriers within the respiratory tract, including mucus clearance, limited cellular uptake, and instability during aerosolization. Furthermore, mRNA formulations intended for respiratory mucosal delivery require more stringent safety and tolerability profiles. Recent advances in nanoparticle engineering have accelerated the development of mRNA delivery systems optimized for respiratory mucosal immunization. This review aims to evaluate how nanoparticle engineering strategies can overcome respiratory mucosal barriers and improve the safety, stability, delivery efficiency, extrahepatic expression, and immunogenicity of mRNA vaccines and therapeutics. We summarize recent progress in engineered mRNA nanoparticle platforms for respiratory mucosal immunity, encompassing modified lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), polymer-based mRNA nanoparticles, and hybrid nanoparticle systems, including lipid-inorganic, polymeric hybrid, and lipid-extracellular vesicle (EV) nanoparticles. We further discuss optimization strategies for mucosal mRNA delivery, including the incorporation of appropriate adjuvants, the development of polyethylene glycol (PEG) alternatives, and advanced delivery approaches. Finally, we highlight current challenges and future directions for the rational design of next-generation mRNA nanoparticle platforms that can induce durable and broadly protective mucosal immunity against respiratory viral infections. Full article

Background: Polymeric drug-eluting films are promising platforms for local antibacterial delivery, but their release profiles depend strongly on the permeability and morphology of the barrier layer. Here, the previously proposed concept of additively manufactured PLACE (Printed Layered Adjustable Cargo Encapsulation) coatings was extended from "single orifice"-defined release toward porosity-assisted barrier control. Two conventional water-soluble porogens, polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), were compared with poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) (PEOx), a hydrophilic polymer proposed as an alternative to PEG in biomedical formulations, but whose use as a leachable porogen has received little attention. Methods: Each porogen was introduced into the upper PLGA barrier of multilayer PLACE films. The resulting films were characterized for film formation, post-hydration morphology by SEM, release of methylene blue and vancomycin, and antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Results/Conclusions: PEG was poorly compatible with PLGA and mainly produced surface-localized defects rather than a barrier with controlled permeability suitable for prolonged delivery. PVP K17 provided sustained release at 10 wt.%, whereas 20 wt.% PVP caused burst-dominated release and stronger morphological disruption. PEOx formed developed porosity at lower loading and produced release regimes ranging from several days to approximately two weeks. Vancomycin-loaded films containing 5 wt.% PEOx enabled near-complete release over two weeks while preserving film integrity and showed pronounced early anti-MRSA activity. These results identify porogen selection as a key formulation step and support PEOx as a useful porogen for early high-output antibacterial PLACE coatings. Full article

Alternate wetting and drying (AWD) is a crucial water-saving irrigation strategy in rice production, yet its regulatory mechanisms during drought–rewatering cycles remain unclear, particularly across recovery stages. Using a polyethylene glycol (PEG-6000) hydroponic system, we analyzed physiological, metabolomic, and transcriptomic responses of Oryza sativa L. ssp. japonica under control, continuous drought, and rewatering treatments. The net photosynthetic rate (P_n) recovered within one day after rewatering, and subsequently exceeded control levels, indicating a photosynthetic compensatory effect. In contrast, instantaneous water-use efficiency (WUE) showed only a transient increase before declining thereafter and remaining lower than under continuous drought, revealing an asynchronous recovery in which carbon assimilation precedes the recovery of transpiration. Metabolomic analysis indicated a shift from drought-induced accumulation to recovery-driven metabolic reprogramming, with coordinated up-regulation of central carbon metabolism and chlorophyll biosynthesis. Decreases in citrate, malate, and glutamate suggested their sustained utilization to support nitrogen assimilation and chlorophyll synthesis. Transcriptomic data further revealed large-scale reprogramming during late recovery, including up-regulation of nitrogen assimilation genes (e.g., NIA, NiR), linking carbon–nitrogen coordination with photosynthetic compensation. Overall, these results demonstrate that stage-specific integration of physiological recovery, metabolic restructuring, and transcriptional regulation underlies AWD-induced efficiency and identify early rewatering as a critical window for optimizing WUE. Full article

Dispersion stabilization of nanoparticles for catalytic reactions is an important issue. However, dispersing agents should be carefully selected not to hinder catalytic performance. In the present study, physisorption of cyclic poly(ethylene glycol) (c-PEG) onto platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) was investigated in comparison with unmodified PtNPs (PtNPs/No PEG), PtNPs mixed with linear PEG (PtNPs/HO-PEG-OH), and PtNPs chemisorbed with HS-PEG-OMe (PtNPs/HS-PEG-OMe). DLS showed a significant increase in the particle size for PtNPs/c-PEG and PtNPs/HS-PEG-OMe compared to PtNPs/No PEG and PtNPs/HO-PEG-OH. ζ-potential measurements revealed values around −30 mV for PtNPs/No PEG and PtNPs/HO-PEG-OH, whereas PtNPs/c-PEG and PtNPs/HS-PEG-OMe approached 0 mV, which indicated that c-PEG and HS-PEG-OMe adsorb onto PtNPs to form a shielding layer. Moreover, PtNPs/c-PEG and PtNPs/HS-PEG-OMe were stable in a phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution, but PtNPs/No PEG and PtNPs/HO-PEG-OH immediately aggregated. This suggests that high dispersion stability by c-PEG is comparable to ordinary surface modification using HS-PEG-OMe. Furthermore, the catalytic ability of PtNPs/c-PEG and PtNPs/HS-PEG-OMe was compared in various reactions. As a result, physisorbed PtNPs/c-PEG showed suitable catalytic activities, whereas chemisorbed PtNPs/HS-PEG-OMe was significantly hampered by the blocking of the catalytic sites with thiol in some reactions. Thus, physisorption of c-PEG endows PtNPs with dispersion stability and maintains the catalytic ability, leading to an alternative way of modifying metal nanoparticles. Full article

Hybrid supramolecular–nanocomposite hydrogels based on polyethylene glycol (PEG), β-cyclodextrin–adamantane host–guest interactions, and silica nanoparticles represent an important class of hierarchical soft materials with tunable viscoelastic and transport properties. This review critically analyzes recent progress in cyclodextrin–silica hybrid PEG hydrogels, focusing on the mechanistic coupling between stiffness, stress relaxation, and molecular transport arising from the interplay between reversible supramolecular crosslinks and nanoparticle-induced confinement effects. Particular attention is given to how host–guest exchange kinetics regulate dynamic bond rearrangement and affinity-mediated retention of hydrophobic cargo, while silica nanoparticles enhance mechanical reinforcement and modify diffusion pathways through tortuosity and interfacial polymer–particle interactions. The analysis highlights how nanoparticle size, loading level, and surface functionalization influence relaxation spectra and network topology, as well as how environmental stimuli may affect supramolecular bond stability and overall material performance. Comparison with alternative inorganic fillers and mesoporous silica architectures further clarifies the specific advantages of silica in achieving balanced mechanical stability and controlled transport behavior. Overall, current evidence indicates that hybrid CD–silica networks enable partial decoupling of stiffness, relaxation dynamics, and diffusion, although complete independence remains constrained by fundamental polymer physics relationships. These insights support the development of predictive structure–property frameworks for advanced biomedical and controlled release applications. Full article

The packaging sector presents a significant sustainability challenge, particularly due to the prevalence of plastic packaging. There is a growing interest in sustainable packaging alternatives. The main challenge is to develop packaging with comparable and competitive characteristics. In this context, this manuscript aims to evaluate the performance of lignin-based polyurethane applied as a coating on recycled linerboard. Industrial softwood kraft lignin was fully characterized in terms of purity, functional groups (FTIR and ³¹P NMR) and molecular weight (GPC). Aiming at coating applications, the lignin sample was solubilized in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and used as a polyol substitute in the reaction, replacing polyethylene glycol (PEG) at levels of 70%, 80%, and 90%. Subsequently, hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) was added to initiate polyurethane formation. After polymerization, the coating was applied in multiple layers onto the linerboard paper. Regarding water resistance, all applications demonstrated effectiveness. The lignin-based polyurethane coating improved the Cobb1800 with reductions in the range of 1147.4 to 1155.8 g/m² compared to the uncoated paper. Water vapor permeability was reduced by more than 94%. In the evaluation of oil resistance, samples with three layers and 90% lignin replacement performed particularly well, achieving a high value in a kit test for oil and grease (kit test number 12). These results highlight a promising approach to paper-based packaging, with potential applications across a wide range of products. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a mouth rinse, MucoPEG™, containing a polyethylene glycol derivative, on oral dryness, compared to Biotène^® Dry Mouth Gentle Oral Rinse (Biotène^®). Methods: Forty-two subjects with mild oral dryness with a Challacombe scale score of 1 or more were enrolled in the study across two sites using an open-label randomized crossover design. Subjects used either Biotène^® or MucoPEG™ twice daily for two weeks (Period 1) with a one-week washout period and then crossed over to the other product for two weeks (Period 2). The subjects provided a rating on a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for tongue and oral dryness and completed the Dry Mouth Relief Questionnaire (DMRQ), Dry Mouth Product Performance and Attributes Questionnaire (PPAQ), and Dry Mouth Inventory (DMI). Results: Both MucoPEG™ and Biotène^® demonstrated overall improvements in oral dryness symptoms with no statistically significant difference observed between products when both periods were combined. However, a statistically significant difference favoring MucoPEG™ was observed during Period 2. No significant sequence or period effects were detected. DMRQ and DMI responses were generally comparable between products. However, MucoPEG™ was associated with higher patient-reported ratings for sustained moisturizing and lubricating effects at 240 min post-application on the PPAQ only. No adverse events were reported. Conclusions: In this study MucoPEG™ demonstrated clinical performance comparable to that of Biotène^® in improving symptoms of oral dryness and was well tolerated. Although outcomes showed no significant differences between the two products, a subset of patient-reported outcomes suggests a potential advantage of MucoPEG™ in sustained symptom relief, consistent with its PEG-derivative formulation mechanism. However, these observations require validation. Further studies using parallel-group designs may help to clarify potential differences in long-term and sustained efficacy, thereby supporting the potential value of MucoPEG™ as an alternative therapeutic option for the management of xerostomia. Full article

This study aims to develop high-performance hybrid nanocomposites for solid-state energy conversion. We achieved this by improving charge transport and thermoelectric efficiency through the interaction of polymers, nanoparticles, and ionic liquids. Nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiO NPs) were synthesized via a sonochemical route using a novel ionic liquid, 1,2-(propan). In our recent work, this approach enabled the formation of a hybrid [NiO NPs + IL] system, which was subsequently incorporated at different loadings (8, 15, and 30 wt.%) and coated with polyethylene glycol (PEG). The resulting nanocomposites were investigated to elucidate charge-transport mechanisms and assess the influence of the polymer coating on their optical, electrical, and thermal transport properties. Optical measurements showed a shift in the band gap due to π–π* electronic transitions. This effect indicates strong interface interactions. The PEG-coated [NiO NPs + IL] nanocomposites exhibited significantly enhanced charge-carrier mobility, resulting in improved electrical conductivity. Remarkably, a high Seebeck coefficient of 720 μV/K and an electrical conductivity of 0.35 S/cm were achieved, resulting in a maximum power factor of 24.74 μW/m·K², surpassing many recently reported polymer-based nanocomposites. PEG-coated [NiO NPs + IL] systems offer tunable optical properties and superior thermoelectric performance. Consequently, they are a promising alternative to conventional nanocomposites for sustainable energy conversion. Full article

Background: Disability progression in multiple sclerosis (MS) is increasingly recognized as a consequence of large-scale brain network disruption rather than isolated regional damage. Although diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is the reference method for assessing structural connectivity, its limited availability restricts widespread clinical application. There is therefore a critical need for alternative approaches capable of capturing network-level alterations using routinely acquired MRI data. Objective: This study aimed to determine whether synthetic structural connectivity matrices derived from standard regional volumetric MRI can capture clinically meaningful network alterations in MS and predict subsequent functional progression, particularly upper limb decline. Methods: Regional brain volumetry was obtained from routine T1-weighted MRI using an automated, clinically approved volumetric pipeline. Synthetic structural connectivity matrices were generated by integrating principles of structural covariance, distance-dependent connectivity, and disease-specific vulnerability patterns. Graph-theoretical network metrics were extracted to characterize global and regional topology. Machine learning models including logistic regression, support vector machines, random forests, and gradient boosting were trained to predict clinical progression defined by worsening on the 9-Hole Peg Test. Dimensionality reduction was performed using principal component analysis, and model performance was evaluated using balanced accuracy, AUC-ROC, and resampling-based validation. Feature importance analyses were conducted to identify network vulnerability patterns. Results: Synthetic connectivity networks exhibited biologically plausible properties, including preserved but attenuated small-world organization. Global efficiency showed a strong inverse correlation with disability severity (EDSS). Patients with clinical progression demonstrated marked reductions in network integration and segregation, alongside increased characteristic path length. Machine learning models achieved robust prediction of upper limb functional decline, with ensemble-based methods performing best (balanced accuracy > 80%, AUC-ROC up to 0.85). A limited subset of connections accounted for a disproportionate share of predictive power, predominantly involving frontoparietal associative networks, thalamocortical pathways, and inter-hemispheric connections. In a longitudinal subset, network-level alterations preceded measurable clinical deterioration by several months. Conclusions: Synthetic structural connectivity derived from routine volumetric MRI captures clinically relevant network-level disruption in multiple sclerosis and enables accurate prediction of functional progression. By bridging network neuroscience with widely accessible imaging data, this framework provides a pragmatic alternative for connectomic analysis when diffusion imaging is unavailable and supports a network-based understanding of disease evolution in MS. Full article