Search Results (45,717)

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) has become the predominant material for single-use packaging owing to its cost and performance advantages. However, massive post-consumer waste leads to environmental concerns, and recycled PET from thermomechanical processing followed by chain extension often suffers from low toughness and poor processability, restricting its use to low-value applications. In this study, halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) and ethylene–methyl acrylate–glycidyl methacrylate random terpolymer (E-MA-GMA) were melt-blended with recycled PET to examine their synergistic modification effects. The DSC results show that HNTs retain a nucleating effect on recycled PET even with the co-addition of E-MA-GMA, albeit with a substantial reduction compared with their effect when used alone. Nevertheless, rheological measurements indicate that the combined introduction of E-MA-GMA and HNTs imposes a significantly stronger restriction on the relaxation behavior of recycled PET molecular chains than the individual addition of either HNTs or E-MA-GMA. This is attributed to the interfacial reactions between E-MA-GMA and the recycled PET matrix, as well as between E-MA-GMA and HNTs, leading to the formation of branching and hybrid structures. This synergistic restraint markedly reduces the crystallization growth rate of PET. As a result, the recycled PET/E-MA-GMA/HNTs composites maintain relatively lower crystallinity compared with the recycled PET/E-MA-GMA composite after high-temperature injection molding or annealing treatment, leading to superior impact resistance. The impact strength of the recycled PET/E-MA-GMA/HNTs composites is 2.28 and 2.14 times that of the recycled PET/E-MA-GMA composite under high-mold-temperature injection molding and annealing conditions, respectively. The approach presented here facilitates the substitution of virgin plastics with recycled PET in demanding applications. Full article

The red alga Kappaphycus alvarezii is a rich source of polysaccharides, but their high molecular weight limits skin permeability and bioavailability. To address this, we employed a free-radical degradation method to produce a low-molecular-weight polysaccharide, KP-90. Evaluation in UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells and UVA-irradiated human dermal fibroblasts demonstrated that KP-90 significantly enhanced cell viability and mitigated oxidative stress by suppressing reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde, while restoring antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT and GSH-Px). Furthermore, KP-90 downregulated matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-1, -3, -9) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β), thereby reducing extracellular matrix degradation and inflammation. These in vitro findings were corroborated in a UVB/UVA-irradiated nude mice model, where KP-90 alleviated epidermal hyperplasia, increased collagen I and hyaluronic acid synthesis, and improved visible signs such as wrinkles and skin laxity. These findings identify KP-90 against skin photoaging and provide a strategic approach for valorization underexploited marine biomass. Full article

Oxidative stress results from the excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which cause cellular and molecular damage and contribute to chronic diseases. Given the recognized antioxidant potential of benzimidazole derivatives—particularly 2-mercaptobenzimidazole—this study aimed to synthesize novel organosilicon S-silylalkylthioethers (I–IV) and N-alkylsilylthioethers (1a–3f) derived from this scaffold and to evaluate their antioxidant and antibrowning properties. The S-silylalkylthioethers were obtained by reacting 2-mercaptobenzimidazole with different chloroalkylsilanes under reflux in ethanol, followed by a reaction with alkyl halides in aprotic media at room temperature to prepare the N-alkylsilylthioethers. Structural elucidation was achieved through 1D and 2D NMR and FT-IR. Antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH, the total antioxidant capacity, and ferric-reducing assays. The results showed several derivatives with notable antioxidant responses, revealing a clear relationship between carbon chain length, logP values, organosilicon substitution patterns, and radical-scavenging efficiency. Spearman correlation analysis further confirmed that DPPH activity is inversely related to total carbon number, molecular size, molecular weight, and LogP (ρ = −0.68 to −0.73, p < 0.001) and moderately negatively correlated with N-alkyl chain length (ρ = −0.47, p = 0.027), while S-alkyl chains showed no significant effect. These findings highlight the potential of these benzimidazole–organosilicon hybrids as antioxidant candidates and demonstrate how physicochemical properties govern their reactivity and antiradical capacity. Full article

This study evaluates the mechanical behavior and durability of a silty soil stabilized with Portland cement and recycled ground glass powder (GGP). The porosity–cement index (η/C_iv) was applied to predict unconfined compressive strength ($q_u$), splitting tensile strength ($q_t$), and accumulated mass loss (ALM) under wetting–drying cycles. Mixtures were prepared with cement contents of 3%, 6%, and 9%, GGP contents of 5%, 15%, and 30%, and dry unit weights of 13.5, 14.5, and 15.5 kN/m³, and were cured for 7, 28, and 90 days. The experimental program consisted of a large dataset, comprising 486 mechanical tests (unconfined compressive and splitting tensile strength) and 81 durability tests, providing a robust basis for both empirical modeling and machine learning analysis. The results confirmed a strong power-law relationship between η/C_iv and both $q_u$ and $q_t$, achieving high coefficients of determination (R² > 0.98). The strength coefficient (A) increased consistently with curing time and GGP addition, indicating enhanced pozzolanic reactivity and matrix densification. After 90 days, $q_u$ increased by over 250% and $q_t$ by nearly 700%. Durability tests revealed exponential reductions in ALM with higher density and binder content, achieving values below 0.5% for the densest mixtures, which contained 30% GGP. These findings validate the η/C_iv index as an effective predictor of strength and durability in soil–cement–GGP geomaterials, establishing a solid basis for future integration with machine learning models. The implementation of twenty-eight machine learning presets for predicting $q_u$, $q_t$, and ALM demonstrated that the Matern 5/2 Gaussian Process Regression and the trilayered neural network are the most suitable algorithms, achieving R² values higher than 0.987 in both the validation and testing stages. Full article

Background: Inonotus obliquus (Chaga), a medicinal and edible macrofungus abundant in bioactive polyphenols, is a potential source of natural antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents for functional foods. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant capacity of three key polyphenols (osmundacetone [OS], protocatechuic aldehyde [PAH], protocatechuic acid [PA]) from I. obliquus and decipher their anti-inflammatory mechanisms via the MyD88/TLR4/NF-κB pathway in a gout-related model. Methods: Antioxidant activity was assessed by xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibition (IC₅₀), superoxide anion (O₂⁻) scavenging, and structure–activity relationship (SAR) analysis; in a monosodium urate (MSU)-induced acute gout cell model, reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β) were quantified, and MyD88/TLR4/NF-κB pathway proteins were analyzed by Western blot. Results: OS showed the strongest XO inhibition (IC₅₀ = 4.91 mM), followed by PAH (IC₅₀ = 5.92 mM) and PA (IC₅₀ = 26.53 mM); OS exerted dual redox effects by scavenging O₂⁻ and suppressing XO-mediated O₂⁻ generation, with its conjugated C=C-carbonyl system and PAH’s aldehyde group enhancing XO binding. All polyphenols and I. obliquus crude extract significantly reduced ROS, NO, LDH, and cytokines (p < 0.05), increased SOD, and downregulated TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB expression. Conclusions: I. obliquus-derived polyphenols exhibit obvious antioxidant and xanthine oxidase inhibitory effects, and regulate oxidative stress, pro-inflammatory mediators, and the MyD88/TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway in monosodium urate-stimulated RAW 264.7 inflammatory macrophages, supporting their development as natural functional food ingredients and potential candidates for gout-related and oxidative stress-associated inflammatory cellular disorders. Full article

Cultivated meat is a novel food and therefore must undergo safety assessments and regulatory review to identify risks and establish appropriate mitigations prior to commercialisation. The culture media used within the cell cultivation process may contain components that lack a long history of use in food, necessitating safety evaluation. However, there is no clearly defined framework outlining the evaluations needed to generate robust and reliable data. The aim of this work was two-fold: first, to convene a multi-stakeholder workshop to identify knowledge gaps related to culture medium safety assessment, and second, to provide a case study addressing one knowledge gap through the evaluation of ELISAs for quantifying growth factors in culture media and cultivated meat products. The workshop findings highlighted critical needs for standardised residue measurement methods, Certificates of Analysis, characterisation of metabolites and breakdown products, as well as open databases. Our case study evaluates the use of ELISAs to quantify six commonly used growth factors for cultivated meat production, comparing their presence in cultivated meat and conventional meat. Growth factor levels varied depending on the medium formulation but were generally reduced to conventional levels or were non-detectable after simulated cooking. Several methodological challenges were identified around the use of ELISAs, such as cross-reactivity between species, limited antibody availability for non-traditional species, and a lack of reference data and standards to support validation of ELISAs and establishment of suitable limits of detection. This work therefore provides actionable guidance for future research in this field for standardisation and emphasises the need for a clearly defined framework and standardised analytical methods to ensure consistent and transparent evaluation of cultivated meat. Full article

The Xinjiang wheat variety ‘Xindong 22’ was used as experimental material. Two soil moisture treatments were established: control (CK, 70–75% field capacity), drought (X1, 60–65%). The photosynthetic characteristics and resistance physiological indexes of wheat leaves under different stress levels were analyzed, and RNA-Seq technology was used to conduct transcriptome sequencing and analysis were performed on wheat leaves. The results showed that under drought stress, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was significantly enhanced, while peroxidase (POD) activity decreased. Soluble sugar and proline contents also increased. These changes likely enhanced reactive oxygen species scavenging, thereby reducing the content of malondialdehyde in the leaves. Meanwhile, under the X1 treatment, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate of wheat leaves showed a slow decreasing trend, the intercellular CO₂ concentration decreased slightly, the decline in Fv/Fm was relatively small, and the value of the non-photochemical quenching coefficient gradually increased. Transcriptome analysis identified 1881 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Notably, drought stress induced the up-regulation of key genes involved in the ABA signaling pathway (e.g., SnRK2 and ABF) and the MAPK cascade, suggesting their crucial roles in mediating drought responses in this wheat variety. In the jasmonic acid signaling pathway, MYC2 functions as a positive regulator by interacting with JAZ proteins. These findings demonstrate that Xinjiang wheat employs integrated physiological and molecular strategies to cope with drought stress. Full article

Encouraged by the promising anticancer activity of a iodidogold(I)-N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complex with a 1,3-diethyl-4-anisyl-5-(4-chlorophenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene ligand system, a series of new gold(I), gold(III) and platinum(II) complexes coordinated to this ligand system were designed, prepared, and characterized using NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry methods. A preliminary anticancer screening of the complexes using four esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) cell lines showed promising activities for the cationic triphenylphosphino-NHC-gold(I) and bis-NHC-gold(I) complexes, accompanied by strong antiproliferative, colony-, and spheroid-forming inhibitory effects. The compounds were relatively less toxic to the normal esophageal cell line Het-1A and the monocyte cell line THP-1. Moreover, these compounds induced caspase 3/7 activity and downregulated anti-apoptotic proteins (Bcl-XL, Bcl-2, and Mcl-1) in EAC cells.. Further, the cell cycle promoter cyclin D1 was suppressed by these NHC-gold(I) complexes. Finally, we observed strong reactive oxygen species (ROS) induction in EAC cells with NHC-gold(I) complexes 8 and 11. Full article

Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCIPP) is a ubiquitous organophosphate flame retardant posing potential threats to reproductive health. Given that TDCIPP toxicity is often linked to oxidative stress, pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ), a potent natural antioxidant and mitochondrial nutrient, was hypothesized to mitigate these adverse effects. This study investigated the impact of TDCIPP exposure on the in vitro maturation of mouse oocytes and evaluated the protective role of PQQ. Using an in vitro maturation model, we assessed the toxic effects of TDCIPP by examining the first polar body extrusion (PBE) rate and cumulus expansion, followed by analyses of oxidative stress (ROS and GSH), mitochondrial integrity (ATP content and distribution), and apoptosis-related markers through transcriptome sequencing (Smart RNA-seq), quantitative real-time PCR, and immunofluorescence. The results demonstrated that TDCIPP significantly suppressed cumulus expansion and reduced the PBE rate. Mechanistically, TDCIPP induced severe oxidative stress, disrupted mitochondrial function, and activated the apoptotic pathway. Furthermore, TDCIPP triggered early apoptotic signaling by downregulating Bcl-2 and upregulating Bax. Notably, supplementation with PQQ effectively reversed these detrimental effects by reducing intracellular ROS levels, maintaining GSH content, preserving mitochondrial density and ATP production, and inhibiting apoptosis. In conclusion, our findings provide new insights into the gamete toxicity of TDCIPP and suggest that PQQ may serve as a potential therapeutic agent to protect oocyte quality against environmental pollutant-induced damage. Full article

The analysis of intact phosphine ligands and phosphino organometallic complexes by mass spectrometry is problematic due to the reactivity of phosphorous(III) leading to rapid oxidation and decomposition of the ligands and complexes. Traditionally, the preferred ionisation method for this problematic class of analytes is electrospray ionisation. However, electrospray is often performed in protic solvents which can promote oxidation of the analyte, especially for those that are already prone to oxidation. This study presents the application of chip-based nanospray ionisation for the analysis of these classes of analyte. Nanospray operates at significantly reduced voltages compared to electrospray and at room temperature and, most importantly, is compatible with a wider range of solvents—included non-protic solvents like toluene and THF. The success of this methodology is initially demonstrated by analysis of the commercial ligand DPPE and then by analysis of a wide range of synthetic phosphine ligands and phosphino organometallic complexes produced in-house at the School of Chemistry, University of Bristol. In all cases, the resulting mass spectra are dominated by intact molecular species with only a small number of oxidised products being observed. In some cases, cationated ions are also observed along with some minor fragmentation or decomposition of the complexes. Full article

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is traditionally defined by Amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques and tau neurofibrillary tangles, yet these proteinopathies alone fail to explain disease heterogeneity, progression, and cognitive decline. Emerging evidence identifies chronic neuroinflammation as a central integrator that converts molecular pathology into synaptic failure and neurodegeneration. In this context, Aβ acts as a danger-associated molecular pattern that activates microglial and astrocytic immune programs through receptors such as TREM2, TLRs, and RAGE, leading to inflammasome activation, cytokine release, and oxidative stress. These responses pathologically re-engage developmental complement pathways (C1q–C3–CR3), driving excessive synaptic pruning that correlates more closely with cognitive impairment than neuronal loss. Reactive astrocytes further amplify dysfunction by impairing glutamate and potassium homeostasis, promoting excitotoxic and metabolic stress, while inflammatory glia facilitate prion-like tau propagation via extracellular vesicles. Concurrent neurovascular inflammation disrupts blood–brain barrier integrity and cerebral perfusion, reinforcing immune-metabolic failure. Importantly, neuroinflammatory biomarkers (GFAP, sTREM2, YKL-40, cytokines, complement, and TSPO-PET) provide dynamic readouts of disease activity and therapeutic response. Together, these findings position AD as a disorder of failed immune resolution and support precision immunomodulatory and pro-resolving therapies aimed at restoring neuroimmune homeostasis rather than merely removing protein aggregates. Full article

The development of innovative wound dressings capable of accelerating diabetic wound healing while simultaneously reducing scar formation is a significant clinical challenge. In this study, we designed and fabricated a multifunctional nanofibrous scaffold PCL/Az-CS/dECM/NAC by incorporating decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) into a composite backbone of polycaprolactone (PCL) and azidobenzoic acid-modified chitosan (AZCS). The scaffold exhibited ideal hydrophilicity and swelling capacity, and demonstrated excellent biocompatibility. In vitro studies demonstrated that the scaffold effectively scavenged reactive oxygen species (ROS) and promoted the polarization of macrophages from the M1 phenotype to the M2 phenotype; in vivo studies confirmed that the PCL/AZ-CS/dECM/NAC scaffold significantly accelerated wound closure, promoted mature angiogenesis, and facilitated orderly collagen deposition. The PCL/AZ-CS/dECM/NAC scaffold mitigated scar formation by increasing the proportion of regenerative type III collagen, optimizing the collagen I/III ratio. Our findings suggest that the PCL/AZ-CS/dECM/NAC scaffold is a highly promising candidate for a multifunctional dressing designed to treat recalcitrant diabetic wounds and prevent excessive scarring. Full article

Background: Oxidative stress plays a critical role in cancer initiation and progression. Although vitamin D exhibits multiple anti-tumorigenic properties, its antioxidant effects across different cancer types remain incompletely characterized. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant role of vitamin D in cancer. Methods: This in vitro study was conducted using breast (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231), colorectal (HCT-116, HT-29), and head and neck (Detroit-562, FaDu) cancer cell lines. Cells were treated with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ (1 nM, 10 nM, and 100 nM) for 48 h. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were quantified using the ROS-Glo™ H₂O₂ assay. Oxidative stress biomarkers were assessed by measuring 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), while thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and protein carbonyls (PC) were measured using colorimetric assays. Xanthine oxidase (XOD) protein levels were determined by ELISA, whereas superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity and/or expression were evaluated using colorimetric assays. Results: Vitamin D significantly reduced ROS levels in all investigated cell lines in a dose-dependent manner compared with control cells (p < 0.05). Levels of 8-OHdG and TBARS were significantly decreased across all cell lines, whereas reductions in PC and XOD were cell-type-dependent. Vitamin D significantly increased SOD activity and protein expression in all cell lines, while CAT activity was elevated in most cell lines. Conclusions: This study provides proof-of-concept evidence that vitamin D exerts dose-dependent and cell-specific antioxidant effects in cancer. These findings suggest potential antioxidant roles for vitamin D in the prevention or treatment of breast, colorectal, and head and neck cancers. Full article

Legionella species are ubiquitous bacteria found worldwide in water, moist environments, soils, and compost. Infection occurs through the inhalation of aerosols, leading to either Pontiac fever or Legionnaires’ disease (LD). Current routine diagnostics typically combine culture-based isolation with Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) for species identification and the Latex Agglutination Test (LAT) for serotyping. However, this workflow is fragmented: MALDI-TOF MS lacks serogroup-specific resolution, while LAT relies on subjective visual interpretation. Therefore, this study evaluated Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) as a rapid, high-resolution typing method for Legionella isolates to assess its potential as a single-step diagnostic tool. A total of 200 clinical and environmental Legionella isolates were analyzed using FT-IR, including L. pneumophila serogroups (SG) 1–15 and various non-pneumophila species. Spectral data were analyzed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA). While MALDI-TOF MS provided accurate species identification, FT-IR spectroscopy demonstrated superior typing capabilities by successfully distinguishing L. pneumophila SG 1 distinct from the SG 2–15 complex and allowing for clear discrimination of most non-pneumophila species. Additionally, FT-IR resolved isolates that showed ambiguous or non-reactive results in LAT. These findings demonstrate that FT-IR overcomes the serotyping limitations of MALDI-TOF MS and offers a more objective, cost-efficient extension to the current multi-step routine, potentially closing the diagnostic gap between simple species identification and deep strain characterization. Full article

Myocardial infarction (MI) remains one of the most severe acute cardiac events, despite significant progress in diagnostics and therapy. Early identification of patients at risk within the broader cardiovascular disease (CVD) population is crucial for prevention and management. This study aimed to characterize the nonlinear distributions of glucose and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) in patients experiencing their first MI compared with individuals hospitalized for other CVD conditions, using a bootstrap-augmented analytical approach. This retrospective study included 743 adults with confirmed CVD. Biochemical variables, including lipid profile, glucose, hsCRP, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), were analyzed in relation to the occurrence of MI. Statistical analyses were supported by bootstrap-based validation to ensure the robustness of findings. Among the examined variables, serum glucose and hsCRP levels showed the strongest ability in discriminating MI(+) and MI(–) groups. Both variables exhibited complex, non-linear associations with the occurrence of MI, with the most pronounced differences observed in the lower and intermediate quartiles. Bootstrap-supported analyses confirmed the stability of these effects. In CVD patients, both blood glucose and hsCRP levels display non-linear relationships with the first occurrence of MI. The strongest distinctions between MI(+) and MI(–) groups were found at moderate concentrations of these variables, emphasizing the need for cautious interpretation and highlighting their role in characterizing biochemical patterns in MI(+) and MI(–) patients. Full article