Search Results (574)

Mycelium-based composites (MBCs) are an emerging category of cost-effective and environmentally sustainable materials that are attracting significant research and commercial interest across various industries, including construction, manufacturing, agriculture, and biomedicine. These materials harness the natural growth of fungi as a low-energy bio-fabrication method, converting abundant agricultural by-products and waste into sustainable alternatives to energy-intensive synthetic construction materials. Their affordability and eco-friendly characteristics make them attractive for both research and commercialisation. Currently, mycelium-based foams and sandwich composites are being actively developed for applications in construction. These materials offer exceptional thermal insulation, excellent acoustic absorption, and superior fire safety compared to conventional building materials like synthetic foams and engineered wood. As a result, MBCs show great potential for applications in thermal and acoustic insulation. However, their foam-like mechanical properties, high water absorption, and limited documentation of material properties restrict their use to non- or semi-structural roles, such as insulation, panelling, and furniture. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the fabrication process and the factors affecting the production and performance properties of MBCs. It addresses key elements such as fungal species selection, substrate choice, optimal growth conditions, dehydration methods, post-processing techniques, mechanical and physical properties, termite resistance, cost comparison, and life cycle assessment. Full article

Current temperature sensors require regular recalibration to maintain reliable temperature measurement. Photonic/quantum-based approaches have the potential to radically change the practice of thermometry through provision of in situ traceability, potentially through practical primary thermometry, without the need for sensor recalibration. This article gives an overview of the European Partnership in Metrology (EPM) project: Photonic and quantum sensors for practical integrated primary thermometry (PhoQuS-T), which aims to develop sensors based on photonic ring resonators and optomechanical resonators for robust, small-scale, integrated, and wide-range temperature measurement. The different phases of the project will be presented. The development of the integrated optical practical primary thermometer operating from 4 K to 500 K will be reached by a combination of different sensing techniques: with the optomechanical sensor, quantum thermometry below 10 K will provide a quantum reference for the optical noise thermometry (operating in the range 4 K to 300 K), whilst using the high-resolution photonic (ring resonator) sensor the temperature range to be extended from 80 K to 500 K. The important issues of robust fibre-to-chip coupling will be addressed, and application case studies of the developed sensors in ion-trap monitoring and quantum-based pressure standards will be discussed. Full article

The renin–angiotensin system (RAS) plays a central role in cardiovascular regulation and has gained prominence in the pathogenesis of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to the critical function of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as the entry receptor for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Angiotensin IV, but not angiotensin II, has recently been reported to enhance the binding between the viral spike protein and ACE2. To investigate the virological significance of this effect, we developed a single-round infection assay using SARS-CoV-2 viral-like particles expressing the spike protein. Our results demonstrate that while angiotensin II does not affect viral infectivity across concentrations ranging from 40 nM to 400 nM, angiotensin IV enhances viral entry at a low concentration but exhibits dose-dependent inhibition at higher concentrations. These findings highlight the unique dual role of angiotensin IV in modulating SARS-CoV-2 entry. In silico molecular docking simulations indicate that angiotensin IV was predicted to associate with the S1 domain near the receptor-binding domain in the open spike conformation. Given that reported plasma concentrations of angiotensin IV range widely from 17 pM to 81 nM, these levels may be sufficient to promote, rather than inhibit, SARS-CoV-2 infection. This study identifies a novel link between RAS-derived peptides and SARS-CoV-2 infectivity, offering new insights into COVID-19 pathophysiology and informing potential therapeutic strategies. Full article

Phosphorus (P) is an essential mineral in poultry nutrition, but its low bioavailability from conventional feed ingredients presents a significant challenge for efficient utilization. This study investigated the effects of different P sources (monocalcium phosphate (MCP) and calcium humophosphate (CHP)) and three phytase concentrations (0, 1000, or 2000 FTU/kg of feed) on broiler performance and ileal nutrient digestibility. A total of 600 Cobb 500 male broilers were fed one of six different dietary treatments with 10 replicates per treatment from 11 to 21 d of age. The birds and feed were weighed at 1, 10, and 21 d of age to determine growth performance. At 21 d of age, ileal digesta was collected from all the birds to determine dry matter, organic matter, Ca, P, and ash digestibility. The results indicated that phytase supplementation at 1000 and 2000 FTU/kg improved the feed conversion ratio and P digestibility compared with the non-supplemented group. The broilers fed CHP showed superior P digestibility compared to those fed MCP, regardless of phytase concentration. The results also indicated interactive effects between P source and phytase concentration on the digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, and ash. The findings suggest that CHP enhances nutrient digestibility and could optimize P utilization in broiler diets with phytase inclusion. This report reveals a better understanding of the effects of P sources and phytase concentration on feed digestibility. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and support improvements in broiler performance under commercial production conditions. Full article

Treatment for HIV infection has become more manageable due to advances in combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). However, HIV still significantly affects the central nervous system (CNS) in infected individuals, even with effective plasma viral suppression, due to persistent viral reservoirs and chronic neuroinflammation. This ongoing inflammation contributes to the development of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HANDs), including dementia and Alzheimer’s disease-like pathology. These complications are particularly prevalent among the aging population with HIV. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of HAND, with a focus on the contribution of oxidative stress induced by HIV-mediated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production through viral proteins such as gp120, Tat, Nef, Vpr, and reverse transcriptase. In addition, we discuss current and emerging therapeutic interventions targeting HAND, including antioxidant strategies and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors. These are potential adjunctive approaches to mitigate neuroinflammation and oxidative damage in the CNS. Full article

Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is a blood purification technique which functions to remove pathological plasma constituents such as autoantibodies, inflammatory cytokines, immune complexes, and extracellular vesicles (EVs) that contribute to a range of disease states. In this review, we examine current and emerging indications for TPE across cardiovascular, metabolic, neurological, inflammatory, and oncological diseases. We cover emerging preclinical animal models and new applications, emphasizing the roles of cellular signaling and EV biology in mediating plasma functions, and discuss unique therapeutic “windows of opportunity” offered by TPE. We conclude that TPE is underutilized in both preventative and precision medicine, and that next generation TPE therapies will involve personalized plasma biomarker and modulation feedback, with synergistic plasma infusion therapies to mitigate age associated disease and promote tissue rejuvenation. Full article

Objective: Eating habits established during adolescence play a crucial role in shaping both current and future health status. However, adolescents today appear to be increasingly adopting poorer dietary and lifestyle habits. This study aims to investigate eating behaviors and supplement use among adolescent students who participated in the EduALI nutrition education project. Methods: The project included first-year students from six sports-oriented scientific high schools in Florence. The students participated in six nutrition sessions, completing the International Physical Activity Questionnaire to assess physical activity performance, a questionnaire on dietary supplement use, and, to assess eating habits a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), as well as the Medi-Lite questionnaire to specifically assess adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD). The data from the FFQ were compared with national dietary guidelines. Results: The study sample consisted of 83 students (69.9% male; average age: 13.8 ± 0.4 y). The results showed that 61.4% of participants had used supplements in the past year, most commonly mineral salts (56.6%) and vitamins (54.2%), followed by botanical products (22%), sports drinks (16%), proteins/amino acids (8%), and creatine (2%). Alarmingly, 27.7% used supplements without medical supervision. Students involved in individual sports had higher supplement consumption than those in team sports, especially creatine use. Eating habits revealed poor adherence to both the MD and Italian dietary guidelines, with deficiencies in fruits, vegetables, olive oil, fish, and legumes, and excessive intake of cheese, meat, especially red and processed meats. Conclusions: A high prevalence of supplement use among adolescents was observed, along with poor adherence to dietary guidelines and MD. These findings underscore the need for targeted, school- and sport-based interventions to enhance adolescents’ nutritional awareness and responsible supplement use. Full article

Metabolomics, the comprehensive analysis of low-molecular-weight metabolites (typically below 1500 DA) in biological systems, relies heavily on mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Each technique has inherent strengths and weaknesses. MS offers high sensitivity and is commonly coupled with chromatography to analyze complex matrices, yet it is destructive, has limited reproducibility, and provides limited structural information. NMR, while less sensitive, is non-destructive and enables structural elucidation and precise quantification. Recent studies increasingly employ data fusion (DF) strategies to combine the complementary information from NMR and MS, aiming to enhance metabolomic analyses. This review summarizes DF methodologies using NMR and MS data in metabolomics studies over the past decade. A comprehensive search of SciFinder, Scopus, and Clarivate Web of Science databases was conducted to analyze fusion techniques, methods, and statistical models. The review emphasizes the growing importance of DF in metabolomics, showing its capacity to provide a more comprehensive view of biochemical processes across diverse biological systems, including clinical, plant, and food matrices. Full article

Periprosthetic joint infections (PJI) present significant challenges in orthopedic surgery, largely due to the complexity of treating antibiotic-resistant infections. Phage therapy, which utilizes bacteriophages to target bacterial pathogens, offers a promising supplement to traditional antimicrobial methods. This review discusses the current applications of phage therapy in the management of PJI, exploring its underlying mechanisms, clinical outcomes, and practical considerations. We also explore advances in phage therapy technology, including the development of phage cocktails, bioengineered phages, and combination therapies with antibiotics, which enhance the specificity and effectiveness of treatments. Furthermore, we address the future potential of phage therapy to be integrated into standard treatment protocols, focusing on ongoing innovations and research areas.The regulatory and ethical aspects of phage therapy in clinical settings are also discussed. By offering a comprehensive evaluation of both the current state and prospects of phage therapy, this review aims to inform clinical practice and stimulate further research into this innovative treatment modality for PJI management. Full article

Field mapping is one of the most important aspects of precision agriculture, and community drones will be able to empower young rural entrepreneurs who will be the generational replacement of a new agrosocial paradigm. This research presents an agroecological participatory innovation methodology that utilizes precision technology through geographic information systems and unmanned aerial vehicles to evaluate the integrated ecological management of weeds for glyphosate substitution in a transitional area of Citrus sinensis in San Luis Potosí, Mexico. Modeling methods and spatial analyses supported by intelligent georeference protocols were used to determine the number of weeds with tolerance and glyphosate resistance. Four control flights were conducted to monitor seven treatments. Glyphosate-resistant weeds were represented with the highest number of individuals and frequency in all experimental treatments. Although the treatment with maize stubble showed a slightly better result than the use of Mucuna pruriens mulch, which prevents the emergence of glyphosate resistant weeds before emergence, the second treatment is considered better in terms of the cost–benefit ratio, not only because of significantly lower cost but also because of the additional benefits it offers. Geospatial technologies will determine the nature of citrus and fruit tree agroecological treatments and highlight areas of the plot with binomial soil and plant nutrient deficiencies and pest and disease infestations, which will improve the timely application of bio-inputs through the development of accurate maps of agroecological transitions. Full article

The deoxynivalenol (DON) mycotoxin poses serious health risks, especially to swine, which are highly susceptible to intestinal damage. Existing strategies to counteract DON toxicity remain insufficient. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of cannabidiol (CBD), a phytocannabinoid with anti-inflammatory properties, against DON-induced intestinal toxicity in porcine intestinal epithelial cells. Using differentiated and proliferating porcine intestinal epithelial cells (IPEC-J2), we evaluated CBD (2.5–5 μM) against DON (0.5–50 μM) through viability assays, apoptosis markers (Bax/Bcl-2 ratio), inflammatory mediators (NFκB, IL-6, COX-2), oxidative stress indicators (TXNIP, SOD1, CAT), tight junction gene expression (Claudin-1, Occludin), and barrier permeability. DON exhibited dose- and time-dependent cytotoxicity (IC₅₀ = 2.60 μM at 24 h; 1.07 μM at 48 h). Pre-treatment with 5 μM CBD restored cell viability at low DON concentrations (0.5–2 μM) but failed at ≥8 μM. In differentiated cells, CBD suppressed apoptosis (reduced Bax/Bcl-2 ratio), oxidative stress (downregulated TXNIP; restored CAT expression), and inflammation (decreased IL-6 and COX-2) under high-dose DON (50 μM), while enhancing tight junction protein expression and barrier integrity at 5 μM DON. Conversely, in proliferating cells, CBD exacerbated apoptosis (elevated Bax/Bcl-2 ratio) and inflammatory responses (upregulated IL-6 and COX-2) at subtoxic levels of DON (2 μM). CBD alone induced cytotoxicity at ≥10 μM. Our findings demonstrate that CBD exhibits context-dependent efficacy, providing protection in differentiated epithelia under moderate DON exposure (≤5 μM) but exhibiting detrimental effects in proliferating cells. Its narrow therapeutic window and paradoxical actions necessitate cautious application. These findings position CBD as a potential adjunctive therapy for DON detoxification but highlight critical limitations for standalone use. Full article

This study explores the relationship between nutrient concentration (NC) and epidermal thickness (d) of the leaves of hydroponically grown Brassica rapa and its attenuation coefficients (m) using portable Time-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (TD-OCT), which is a non-invasive imaging technique that uses low-coherence interferometry to generate axial scans of plants’ leaves by measuring the time delay and intensity of backscattered light. The portable TD-OCT system in this study has an axial and lateral resolution of 7 m and 3 m, respectively, a scanning depth of 12 mm, and a 1310 nm Super Luminescent Diode (SLD). Several studies suggest that the differences in d and m are related to nutritional, physiological, and anatomical status. The study used the Kratky method, a simple non-circulating hydroponic system, to cultivate Brassica rapa with varying NC (25%, 50%, 75%, 100% (control), and 125%). Each treatment group used two plants. The TD-OCT sample probe was placed on a fixed holder and was oriented vertically so that light was directed downward onto the leaf’s surface to obtain the depth profile (A-scan). The distance between the probe and the leaf was adjusted to obtain the optimum interference signal. Five averaged A-scans were obtained per leaf on the 7th, 18th, and 21st days post nutrient exposure. The logarithm of the averaged A-scan is linearly fitted to extract m. The results showed a positive correlation between NC and m, which suggests that plants produce more chlorophyll and develop denser cells and increase m. There was no correlation obtained between NC and d. The study demonstrates the potential of TD-OCT as a non-destructive tool for assessing plant health and monitoring growth dynamics in hydroponic systems and m as a sensitive indicator of plant health as compared to d. The continued exploration of TD-OCT applications in agriculture can contribute to improving crop management strategies and promoting sustainable food production practices. Full article

Background/Objectives: Autophagy is a conserved self-degradation process by which cells break down and recycle their cellular constituents. This process is activated by various stressors, including nutrient deprivation and DNA damage, and has also been associated with tumor progression. In the present study, we aimed to determine the expression patterns, clinicopathological significance, and prognostic value of the autophagy marker microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 alpha (LC3A)—an essential component of autophagic vacuoles—in rectal cancer. Methods: LC3A reactivity was measured by immunohistochemistry in tumor samples from 243 patients who underwent surgery for rectal cancer. Results: Three distinct patterns of LC3A expression were identified: diffuse cytoplasmic, perinuclear, and stone-like structures (SLS). In Kaplan–Meier survival analyses, patients positive for the SLS pattern of LC3A staining in the tumor periphery (TP) had worse overall survival (OS; p = 0.001) and disease-free survival (DFS; p = 0.030) than those without SLSs in this region, as determined by the log–rank test. When patients were stratified by tumor stage, this result was significant in those with stage T3–T4 (OS, p < 0.001; DFS, p = 0.001) but not T1–T2 disease. Multivariate Cox regression analysis further showed an association between TP-localized LC3A SLS positivity and reduced OS for the overall cohort (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.6313, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.090–6.349, p = 0.031) and specifically those in the T3–T4 subgroup (HR = 3.347, 95% CI: 1.657–6.760, p = 0.001). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that positivity for SLSs in the TP may hold clinical value as a biomarker for survival prognosis in rectal cancer patients. Full article

Approximately 5% to 8% of patients with Wilms tumour have bilateral disease. The prevalence of bilateral Wilms tumour (BWT) is higher in individuals with genetic predisposition syndromes than in those without. The goal of therapy is to preserve as much renal tissue as possible without compromising the overall oncological outcomes, utilising neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by nephron sparing surgery (NSS) if possible. The Children’s Oncology Group (COG) in North America and the International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP) in Europe have developed the main protocols for the treatment of BWT. Both protocols are similar: initial biopsies are not indicated, and they both recommend surgical resection at week 6 or no later than week 12. Chemotherapy includes the use of vincristine and actinomycin-D in both protocols, but the COG approach also includes the use of doxorubicin, which is a cardiotoxic drug with important long-term effects on the cardiac function of childhood cancer survivors. What doxorubicin adds to patients with BWT in terms of radiological tumour response, resectability, long-term renal function and overall survival, is still not very well described and it may be variable depending on the tumour biology. This article describes the current approach for BWT in North America and Europe, focusing on the potential effect that doxorubicin may have on patient outcomes. Full article

This thought piece exposes the gap in the operationalised support in England for young people within the justice system who have special educational needs and disabilities. It exposes inequity within the system which serves to create barriers for justice-involved young people, who are likely to already be disengaged from education, in accessing appropriate provision. It presents gaps in key educational advice and practice relating to access to Education, Health and Care Plans as a route to support for justice-involved young people, identifying a negative bias for this group of children who are already marginalised. Within the context of an English Special Educational Needs system which is widely recognised as broken, and an ongoing parliamentary consultation into ways to improve the situation, this piece suggests key changes to reduce the inequitable access to special education provision for young people accommodated in the secure estate. These suggestions make a contribution to the agenda of English politicians and the Department of Education. Full article