Search Results (22,535)

Detecting Escherichia coli on food preparation and processing surfaces is critical for ensuring food safety and preventing foodborne illness. This study focuses on detecting E. coli contamination on common food processing surfaces using UV-C fluorescence imaging and deep learning. Four concentrations of E. coli (0, 10⁵, 10⁷, and 10⁸ colony forming units (CFU)/mL) and two egg solutions (white and yolk) were applied to stainless steel and white rubber to simulate realistic contamination with organic interference. For each concentration level, 256 droplets were inoculated in 16 groups, and fluorescence videos were captured. Droplet regions were extracted from the video frames, subdivided into quadrants, and augmented to generate a robust dataset, ensuring 3–4 droplets per sample. Wavelet-based denoising further improved image quality, with Haar wavelets producing the highest Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR) values, up to 51.0 dB on white rubber and 48.2 dB on stainless steel. Using this dataset, multiple deep learning (DL) models, including ConvNeXtBase, EfficientNetV2L, and five YOLO11-cls variants, were trained to classify E. coli concentration levels. Additionally, Eigen-CAM heatmaps were used to visualize model attention to bacterial fluorescence regions. Across four dataset groupings, YOLO11-cls models achieved consistently high performance, with peak test accuracies of 100% on white rubber and 99.60% on stainless steel, even in the presence of egg substances. YOLO11s-cls provided the best balance of accuracy (up to 98.88%) and inference speed (4–5 ms) whilst having a compact size (11 MB), outperforming larger models such as EfficientNetV2L. Classical machine learning models lagged significantly behind, with Random Forest reaching 89.65% accuracy and SVM only 67.62%. Overall, the results highlight the potential of combining UV-C fluorescence imaging with deep learning for rapid and reliable detection of E. coli on stainless steel and rubber conveyor belt surfaces. Additionally, this approach could support the design of effective interventions to remove E. coli from food processing environments. Full article

Silymarin—a standardized extract from the seeds of milk thistle (Silybum marianum L. Gaertn.)—is mainly used for the treatment of hepatitis and other liver diseases. In recent years, the attention of researchers has been directed to its use in dermatology and wound treatment. Despite the promising results, there are still many unresolved issues in this area. The aim of the present study is to develop and characterize hydrogel chitosan–pectin films containing silymarin as an active ingredient with potential medical application. Six variants of hydrogel films (control and silymarin-loaded) were obtained from chitosan and pectin solutions by the casting method and analyzed in terms of their physicochemical, structural, mechanical and optical properties, as well as the in vitro dissolution profile of silymarin. The highest tensile strength was measured for the chitosan-based films—23.35 ± 1.74 MPa (control) and 22.01 ± 2.67 MPa (silymarin-loaded), while the barrier properties to UV and visible light were the strongest for chitosan–pectin films with silymarin. The antioxidant potential of the films was determined by DPPH assay and it was found that the variants with silymarin have over 20 times higher antioxidant activity (from 2.020 ± 0.048 to 2.106 ± 0.190 mg TE/g) than the corresponding controls. The results showed that chitosan–pectin films with incorporated silymarin could find application as potential hydrogel dressings in the therapy of wounds and superficial burns. Full article

In this explorative work, molybdenum trioxide (MoO₃) and representative doped MoO₃ materials, i.e., Cu-doped MoO₃ (2% Cu, “Cu-MoO₃”) and H-doped MoO₃ (H_0.31MoO₃, “H-MoO₃”), have been tested for the first time as photocatalysts in the UV-vis light-driven depolymerization of lignin. The catalysts have been characterized by XRD, TEM, ATR-FTIR, and UV-vis DRS. Under the adopted conditions (UV-vis irradiation, solvent 0.01 M aqueous NaOH, lignin 200 ppm, catalyst 1 g/L, rt, 5 h), photocatalytic depolymerization of wheat-straw lignin (WSL) produced increasing amounts of bio-oil on changing the catalyst from pristine MoO₃ to Cu-MoO₃ and H-MoO₃ (23%, 28% and 30%, respectively). Also, quantification of vanillin and vanillic acid shows a similar increasing trend. These results appear in line with the estimated band gap energies, which decrease in the order: MoO₃ (2.91 eV) > Cu-MoO₃ (2.86 eV) > H-MoO₃ (2.77 eV). H-MoO₃ shows the best catalytic performance, which was then fruitfully explored in the photocatalytic depolymerization of benchmark commercial Kraft lignin (bio-oil yield 32%, vanillin and vanillic acid yields 1.28% and 0.78%, respectively). In view of the results obtained, this work is expected to provide new ideas for the design of heterogeneous photocatalytic system for lignin cleavage. Full article

The use of natural bioactive compounds in edible coatings provides a sustainable approach to reducing food spoilage and meeting consumer demand for safer food preservation. In this study, bioactive extracts from Brassica juncea (green mustard, GM) and Raphanus sativus (radish tango, RT) sprouts were encapsulated into zein/chitosan (Z/CH) microparticles (MPs) using a complex coacervation–based encapsulation approach. The encapsulated microparticles (MPs), characterized by FTIR and UV-Vis spectroscopy, demonstrated a high loading efficiency of up to 90% and maintained their antioxidant activity for up to 168 h. TGA and SEM tests confirmed that the edible films produced by incorporating these microparticles (MPs) into polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and chitosan (CH) matrices had a more uniform microstructure and enhanced heat stability. The Z/CH/RT6:PVA (1:2) and Z/CH/GM6:CH (1:1) formulations of the films showed significant antioxidant and antibacterial action, with up to 22.4% DPPH inhibition and a 1-log decrease in Salmonella enterica CFU, respectively. Overall, the results underscore the promise of sprout-derived microparticles as components for developing active, biodegradable packaging films with improved functional properties. Full article

Organic pollution poses a serious threat to global water safety, while traditional treatment technologies suffer from low efficiency, high costs, and secondary pollution issues. This study successfully develops a highly efficient separation and photocatalytic degradation composite bismuth oxychloride@graphene oxide/polyimide (BiOCl@GO/PI) membrane by loading GO and BiOCl photocatalysts onto PI supporting membrane. The results show that this composite membrane achieves a rejection of 99.8% for methylene blue (MB) and 87.6% for tetracycline hydrochloride (TC). Under UV irradiation, the membrane exhibits a retention rate decline of only 6.8% after five cycles, with water flux stably maintaining at 605 L m⁻² h⁻¹ bar⁻¹. Compared to dark conditions, it demonstrates remarkable flux recovery. This is attributed to the membrane’s excellent photocatalytic degradation activity under UV irradiation. After five degradation cycles, the degradation efficiency is decreased from 97.5 to 88.3%. Studies on radical scavengers indicate that UV irradiation generates free radicals, thereby conferring excellent catalytic activity to the membrane. Its unique synergistic effect between separation and photocatalysis endows it with outstanding self-cleaning performance. This research provides an innovative integrated solution for antibiotic pollution control, demonstrating significant potential for environmental applications. Full article

Bacterial infections remain a major challenge to human health, especially in wound healing, where they can cause prolonged inflammation, delayed recovery, and severe complications. Current research is increasingly focused on developing innovative antimicrobial materials capable of overcoming the limitations of conventional antibiotics, whose effectiveness has declined due to the rise in bacterial resistance. Among the various alternatives, silver nanoparticles have gained particular attention for their broad-spectrum antibacterial properties and have already been successfully applied in the functionalization of commercial wound dressings. The aim of this study was to optimize the functionalization of commercial cotton gauzes based on in situ UV-assisted reduction of silver nanoparticles, reducing methanol usage and identifying the minimal silver nitrate precursor concentration to achieve antimicrobial efficacy while maintaining biocompatibility. Different precursor concentrations were then evaluated through cytocompatibility assays (MTT, Live/Dead, and scratch tests on fibroblasts) and antimicrobial analyses against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus (including an antibiotic-resistant strain), and Candida albicans. The results demonstrated that a 0.5% w/w silver nitrate concentration provided strong antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity without compromising textile properties or cytocompatibility. Furthermore, this optimized process reduced material waste, highlighting its potential for scalable production of antimicrobial wound dressings. Full article

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative condition that progressively impairs cognitive processes, particularly learning and memory. A key pathological feature of AD involves senile plaques mainly composed of β-amyloid (Aβ) peptides, generated via the amyloidogenic pathway from amyloid precursor protein (APP) through sequential β-secretase (BACE1) and γ-secretase cleavage, positioning BACE1 inhibition as a prime therapeutic target. In this study, we applied bioassay-guided fractionation of the butanol-soluble fraction from Dryopteris crassirhizoma rhizomes, previously reported to inhibit Aβ production, to isolate and characterize Aβ-lowering constituents. Through successive chromatographic steps, nine compounds were isolated and structurally classified into flavonoids, chromones, and phloroglucinols, including epicatechin (1), β-carboxymethyl-(-)-epicatechin (2), 7-methoxy-isobiflorin (3), biflorin (4), eriodictyol (5), noreugenin (6), phloroglucinols (butyrylphloroglucinol (7), 2-propionyl-4-methylphloroglucinol (8), and 2-butyryl-4-methylphloroglucinol (9) by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis (NMR, MS, UV, IR). These compounds were assessed for effects on sAPPβ and BACE1 (β-secretase) levels by Western blot, with Aβ production quantified via ELISA in a cellular AD model (APP-CHO cells). Compounds 5–9 significantly reduced sAPPβ and BACE1 expression while potently suppressing Aβ generation. These results demonstrate that diverse constituents from D. crassirhizoma rhizomes inhibited Aβ production through BACE1 suppression, highlighting their potential as natural lead compounds for AD prevention or therapy. Full article

The effectiveness of a hydrophobic coating based on TEOS/PDMS in protecting Carparo stone, a biocalcarenite characterized by high porosity and poor resistance to atmospheric agents and erosion, was evaluated. The hydrophobic treatment was applied over a pretreatment based on PMMA/ZrO₂/SiO₂ to promote a uniform distribution on the surface. Micro-tomography analyses demonstrate that pretreatment forms a homogeneous coating on the surface. Scanning electron microscopy investigation shows that the hydrophobic treatment based on TEOS/PDMS spreads across the entire surface. The coating is effective in reducing capillary water absorption, and the coated stones exhibit hydrophobicity, achieving contact angles > 140°. The coating has proven esthetically acceptable based on colorimetric tests. The durability of the treatments was evaluated through artificial aging consisting of rain cycles alternating with UV irradiation cycles. The contact angle tests carried out at the end of each cycle demonstrate that the protective coating is not leached and is still very effective. The new sustainable hydrophobic treatment can be successfully proposed for the protection of porous stones. Full article

Natural compounds, as honey-derived flavonoids and phenolic compounds, are increasingly investigated for their potential to mitigate skin aging and prevent oxidative stress-induced cellular damages. In this context, a dynamic cell culture model was employed to assess the protective influence of honey pre-treatment on stem cell–associated genes and the Wingless-related integration site (Wnt) signaling pathway following ultraviolet (UV)-induced aging. Using a bioreactor, skin stem cells (SSCs) derived from healthy skin biopsies and human skin fibroblasts (HFF1) were pre-treated with 1% honey for 48 h and then exposed to UV. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analyses were performed on Wnt signaling and anti-aging molecular responses. Honey pre-treatment enhanced the expression of pluripotency markers (Octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (Oct4); SRY-box transcription factor 2 (Sox2)) and reduced senescence-related cell cycle regulators (cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (p16); cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (p21); tumor protein 53 (p53)) in SSCs. In UV-damaged SSCs, honey also significantly increased Wnt3a expression. In fibroblasts, honey pre-treatment upregulated Heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) and Hyaluronan synthase 2 (HAS2) expression, while downregulating caspase-8 (CASP8), indicating a protective role against UV-mediated cellular stress. We also analyzed nitric oxide release and the total antioxidant capacity of cells after treatment. Collectively, these findings suggest that honey may safeguard skin stem cells from UV-induced aging by modulating pluripotency and senescence-associated genes and regulating differentiation through alterations in Wnt signaling. Furthermore, Hsp70 upregulation in fibroblasts appears to strengthen cellular stress responses and support homeostatic stability. Full article

A new series of promising and easily accessible antiproliferative agents based on cycloruthenated imines of benzene and thiophene carbaldehydes has been developed and fully characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, NMR, HRMS, and cyclic voltammetry. The biological activity of these compounds was tested against A2780, cisplatin-resistant A2780, and HEK293 cell lines, and they exhibited nanomolar IC₅₀ values. They also showed a selectivity index of up to 2.5, indicating their potential as promising antiproliferative compounds. Full article

Y-branched TiO₂ nanotubes (NTs) were produced by anodizing titanium plates derived from aerospace production leftovers and subsequently engineered to develop an enhanced TiO₂-based photocatalytic system. The NTs were electrochemically reduced to obtain reduced TiO₂ nanotubes (rTN) with a narrowed bandgap, followed by surface modification with polydopamine (PD) and silk fibroin-derived quantum dots (QDs) to promote enhanced UV and visible-light photocatalysis for wastewater treatment. The QDs were hydrothermally synthesized from Bombyx mori silk fibroin. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) revealed spherical QD agglomerates encapsulated within the PD layer, while Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX) confirmed the presence of carbon and nitrogen originating from both PD and QD. The resulting rNT/PD/QD photocatalyst exhibited a significantly reduced bandgap (1.03 eV), increased Urbach energy (1.35 eV), and moderate hydrophilicity. A high double-layer capacitance (C_dl) indicated an enlarged electrochemically active surface due to the combination of treatments. Electrochemical characterization demonstrated reduced electrical resistance, higher charge density, and lower electron–hole recombination, leading to improved interfacial charge transfer efficiency and electrochemical stability during multi-cycle cyclic voltammetry measurements. Preliminary photocatalytic tests show that the rNT/PD/QD photocatalyst achieved a degradation efficiency of 79.26% for methyl orange (MO) and 35% for tetracycline (TC). Full article

This study includes a comparative analysis of four graphene-based electrochemical sensors used for the detection of melatonin, an endogenous hormone involved in circadian rhythm regulation and associated with various neurological pathologies. The sensors were based on screen-printed electrodes (SPE) modified with graphene (G), graphene modified with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs/G), graphene oxide (GO), and reduced graphene oxide (rGO). Melatonin was extracted from commercially available pharmaceutical products, purified, and characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR spectrometry, and HPLC. The performance of the electrodes was evaluated via cyclic voltammetry, using potassium ferrocyanide and standard melatonin solutions to determine the kinetic characteristics, while square-wave voltammetry was employed to determine the detection and quantification limits. G/SPE showed the best performance, with a detection limit of 0.3424 μM, followed by AuNPs/G/SPE with an LOD of 1.2768 μM. GO/SPE had the poorest performance (LOD 23.1056 μM), and rGO/SPE had an LOD of 5.8503 μM. Testing of sensors on pharmaceuticals showed accurate quantification of melatonin in a complex environment. The results highlight the potential of G/SPE and AuNPs/G/SPE sensors for use in the rapid and accurate detection of melatonin in pharmaceutical and biomedical applications. Full article

Transparent conductive oxides (TCOs), such as indium tin oxide (ITO), are essential for flexible electronics; however, conventional vacuum-based deposition is costly and thermally aggressive for polymers. This study investigated the surface functionalization of PET substrates with ITO thin film-based forced hydrolysis as a low-cost, reproducible alternative. $\mathrm{S}\mathrm{n}{\mathrm{O}}_2$ nanoparticles were synthesized by forced hydrolysis at 180 °C for 3 h and 6 h, yielding crystalline nanoparticles with a cassiterite phase and an average crystallite size of 20.34 nm. The process showed high reproducibility, enabling consistent structural properties without complex equipment or high-temperature treatments. The $\mathrm{S}\mathrm{n}{\mathrm{O}}_2$ sample obtained at 3 h was incorporated into commercial ${\mathrm{I}\mathrm{n}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_3$ to form a mixed In–Sn–O oxide, which was subsequently deposited onto PET substrates by spin coating onto UV-activated PET. The resulting 1.1 µm ITO films demonstrated good adhesion (4B according to ASTM D3359), a low resistivity of 1.27 × 10⁻⁶ Ω·m, and an average optical transmittance of 80% in the visible range. Although their resistivity is higher than vacuum-processed films, this route provides a superior balance of mechanical robustness, featuring a hardness of (H) of 3.8 GPa and an elastic modulus (E) of 110 GPa. These results highlight forced hydrolysis as a reproducible route for producing ITO/PET thin films. The thickness was strategically optimized to act as a structural buffer, preventing crack propagation during bending. Forced hydrolysis-driven PET sheet functionalization is an effective route for producing durable ITO/PET electrodes that are suitable for flexible sensors and solar cells. Full article

Stem mustard (Brassica juncea var. tumida Tsen et Lee) is an important economic vegetable in China. Premature bolting induced by temperature fluctuations has become a major cultivation constraint. Photoreceptors (PHRs) serve as critical photosensor proteins that interpret light signals and regulate physiological responses in plants. In this study, five core PHR families, namely F-box-containing flavin binding proteins (ZTL/FKF1/LKP2), phytochrome (PHY), cryptochrome (CRY), phototropin (PHOT) and UV RESISTANCE LOCUS 8 (UVR8) were identified in Brassica species. RNA-seq analysis revealed their expression patterns during organogenesis in B. juncea. Seven candidate PHRs were validated by qRT-PCR in B. juncea early-bolting (‘YA-1’) and late-bolting (‘ZT-1’) cultivars. Agrobacterium-mediated BjuFKF1_1 overexpression (OE) lines resulted in significantly earlier flowering under field conditions. Histochemical GUS staining indicated that BjuFKF1_1 was expressed in seedlings, leaves, flower buds and siliques. Transcript analysis revealed that the expression level of BjuFKF1_1 was up-regulated in all tissues at both the vegetative and reproductive stages, whereas the expression of BjuFKF1_1 interacting protein-encoding genes were down-regulated in flowers. Under blue light, genes encoding interacting proteins (BjuCOL5, BjuSKP1, BjuCOL3, BjuAP2, BjuAP2-1 and BjuLKP2) were up-regulated in flower buds, whereas BjuCOL and BjuPP2C52 were down-regulated in flowers. Developmental stage analysis revealed the up-regulation of five (BjuAP2, BjuCOL3, BjuCOL5, BjuAP2-1 and BjuLKP2) and four (BjuCOL, BjuCOL5, BjuAP2 and BjuLKP2) interaction protein-encoding genes during the reproductive stage under white and blue light, respectively. These findings elucidate the role of BjuFKF1_1 in flowering regulation and provide molecular targets for B. juncea bolting-resistant variety breeding. Full article

Mental health disorders, particularly anxiety and insomnia, are increasingly prevalent worldwide, prompting interest in herbal-based complementary therapies. This study surveyed 168 Hungarian healthcare professionals to evaluate their knowledge and recommendations regarding herbal sedatives and analyzed seven commonly suggested OTC products available in Hungary, using thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and UV–Vis spectrophotometry according to the European Pharmacopoeia. The survey revealed that 86.9% of respondents recommend herbal products for nervous system complaints, with Valeriana officinalis and Melissa officinalis being the preferred ingredients. Herbal teas and traditional herbal medicines were the most frequently suggested product categories. Laboratory analysis confirmed the presence of marker compounds in all tested products; however, significant variability in active ingredient concentrations was observed. One homeopathic product contained an unidentified alkaloid-like compound, raising safety concerns. Essential oil yields from tea mixtures also varied markedly, and some products did not meet pharmacopoeial standards for hypericin content. These findings highlight the popularity of phytotherapy among healthcare professionals and the need for stricter quality control of OTC herbal sedatives. Future research should include multi-batch analyses and clinical trials to establish robust evidence for efficacy and safety. Full article