Search Results (1,440)

In this study, a cellulose nanocrystal (CNC)-supported Ag–ZnO nanocomposite was synthesized via a hydrothermal route as a polymeric photocatalyst for efficient UV-A light-driven dye degradation. The renewable CNC framework provides abundant hydroxyl functional groups for nanoparticle anchoring, enhancing dispersion and interfacial charge transfer. Structural (XRD, FTIR, TEM, PL, and XPS) and thermal (TGA and DTG) analyses confirm successful incorporation of Ag nanoparticles and retention of CNC crystallinity. The composite exhibits a reduced optical bandgap (3.02 eV) and demonstrates superior photocatalytic activity, achieving 96% methylene blue (MB) degradation within 120 min. Enhanced performance is attributed to the synergistic effect of Ag-induced plasmonic excitation and CNC-facilitated charge migration, effectively suppressing ZnO photocorrosion. Moreover, the optimization of the parameters was conducted and found to be pH 7, a catalyst dose of 0.3 g L⁻¹, and an initial MB concentration of 10 ppm, which shows the best photocatalytic degradation reaction. The CNC/Ag–ZnO catalyst maintains 87% activity after five reuse cycles, showing good stability and reusability. The photostability of the CNC/Ag–ZnO catalyst was evaluated by ICP-MS, which measured Zn²⁺ concentration in the aqueous solution. Additionally, the degraded MB compounds were identified using GC-MS/MS analysis. This work highlights the potential of polymer-based biogenic supports for sustainable photocatalyst design and bridges polymer science with environmental remediation technology. Full article

ZnO can be easily obtained using different salts as precursors, and many examples are present in the literature describing the effect of several additives in the synthesis. In this paper, we study the effects of the addition of polyphenols present in the residues of the wine supply chain. The polyphenols are extracted from grape pomace and fractionated, exploiting a membrane-based process equipped with polysulfone ultrafiltration membranes (cut-off 1 kDa and 5 kDa) that can separate the plethora of molecules into larger than 5 kDa and smaller than 1 kDa. The extract and its fractions after the ultrafiltration process were used as additives for the thermal precipitation synthesis of ZnO from Zn acetate. The chemical and physical properties were studied with the aim of understanding the characteristics that influence the activity of the photocatalysts. To this purpose, a commercial system was used for comparison, and the photoactivity was analyzed with a caffeine solution upon irradiation, exploiting the UVA and VIS electromagnetic radiation for the activation of the catalytic materials. The kind of polyphenol fraction affects the surface behaviors of the nanoparticles. Morphology, presence of trapped hole/electron centers, and acidity/basicity of the surface sites of ZnO appear to be the most relevant features in the efficiency towards caffeine degradation. Full article

This research aimed to evaluate the effects of formulation and process conditions on the physical and structural properties of starch–brewers’ spent grain films. Three factors were considered: BSG amounts (0, 1, 3, 5%), a possible ultrasonication pre-treatment, and different microwave gelatinization treatments (450 W for 80 and 90 s; 900 W for 45 and 50 s). An increase in BSG is responsible for increases in moisture (10.72 → 23.40%), water absorption (67.65 → 95.73%), density (0.90 → 1.27 g/cm³), browning index (5.86 → 85.88), UV blocking capacity (82.42% → 99.96% for UV_A; 61.28% → 99.86% for UV_B), and degradability in the first 7 days (58.72 → 66.57%), but dramatically decreases the Young’s modulus and tensile strength (fallen to 2.90 N/mm² and 0.21 N/mm², at 5% BSG). Sonication contributes to increased browning index (36.17 → 37.24), UV blocking capacity, solubility (49.35 → 51.49%) and Young’s modulus (4.40 → 4.77 N/mm²). The most severe microwave treatment (900 W, 50 s) minimizes moisture (15.83%) and water absorption (80.89%) and maximizes density (1.21 g/cm³), browning index (37.52), and Young’s modulus (5.37 N/mm²). SEM micrographs allow us to observe that the film surface appears rough, and the structure becomes increasingly porous as BSG % increases. The regression analysis indicates that the quadratic model effectively describes the relationships between the three factors and each of the most important properties of the films; it is suitable for predicting film behavior and optimizing their characteristics depending on the desired use. Full article

The interest in the use of phytochemicals and herbal medicines for the treatment of acne vulgaris has grown steadily over recent decades. The research on the secondary metabolites and biological properties of bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng.) has been intensified in recent years, but the range of bacterial strains tested, many of which are highly relevant to human health, remains very limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition and the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activities of water and ethanolic bearberry leaf extracts. Compared with the ethanolic extract, the water extract was characterized by higher concentrations of arbutin, hydroquinone, corilagin, and hyperoside and the absence of ursolic acid and oleanolic acid. However, it exhibited lower total phenolic content and reduced levels of penta-O-galloyl-β-d-glucose (PGG). The ethanolic extract of bearberry leaves showed higher antioxidant activity and the most favorable overall biological properties. The therapeutic index (TI) values for the water and ethanolic extracts, respectively, were as follows: Cutibacterium acnes ATCC 11827 (10.70; 21.57), Propionibacterium acnes PCM 2334 (10.70; 43.13), P. acnes PCM (5.33; 21.57), Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 (10.70; 21.57), and S. epidermidis ATCC 12228 (5.33; 10.78). The present findings further support the medicinal and cosmetic use of A. uva-ursi and highlight its potential as a source of natural antibacterial agents for acne treatment. Full article

Ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation induces oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in dermal fibroblasts, contributing to photodamage and skin aging. This study investigated the protective effects of Yeast/rice fermentation filtrate (RFF) and sialic acid (SA), both individually and in combination, against UVA-induced damage in human dermal fibroblasts. Cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, intracellular ATP and NAD⁺ contents, and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) were evaluated following treatment. RFF, SA, and their combination significantly improved cell viability in UVA-damaged fibroblasts and reduced ROS generation. Notably, the combined treatment increased intracellular ATP levels by 201.2% (p < 0.05), with enhancements of 62.3% and 285.4% compared to RFF and SA alone, respectively. Additionally, the combined treatment significantly restored NAD⁺ levels and effectively preserved mitochondrial membrane potential. Transcriptomic analysis revealed modulation of pathways related to cellular energy metabolism, particularly AMPK, and upregulation of SIRT1, SIRT3, and SIRT5 expression. The RFF–SA combination confers robust UVA photoprotection by enhancing mitochondrial resilience, providing a foundation for the development of protective cosmetic formulations. Full article

Beekeeping is a profitable and mind-relaxing practice; however, monitoring beehives poses significant challenges, such as consuming time and potentially disturbing hive equilibrium, which may lead to colony collapse. Developing precision beekeeping (PB) systems is crucial to assist beekeepers in decision-making, automate redundant hive maintenance, and enhance the security and comfort of bee life. This review systematically explores research on PB systems, based on a keyword-driven search of Scopus and Web of Science databases, yielding 46 relevant publications. The analysis highlights a notable increase in research activity in the field since 2016. The integration of advanced technologies, including machine learning, cloud computing, IoT, and scenario-based communication methods, has proven instrumental in predicting hive states such as queen status, enemy attacks, readiness for harvest, swarming events, and population decline. Commonly measured parameters include hive weight, temperature, and relative humidity, with various sensors employed to ensure precision while minimizing bee disturbance. Additionally, bee traffic monitoring has emerged as a critical approach to assessing hive health. Most studies focus on honeybees rather than stingless bees and, in the context of enemy identification, Varroa destructor is the primary target. This review underscores the potential of novel technologies to revolutionize apiculture and enhance hive management practices. Full article

Thirty 2-methyl-quinazolinone fussed hydroxamic acids (3-OH) and their 3-OEt and 3-OBn derivatives were evaluated for their affinity towards calf-thymus (CT) DNA using UV-vis absorption, viscosity and fluorescence spectroscopy. DNA photocleavage activity was assessed by incubating the compounds with plasmid DNA followed by UV-A and visible light irradiation, which enabled identification of the most potent derivatives active at concentrations of 100 nΜ and 10 μΜ, respectively. Mechanistic studies on the most active compounds indicated the formation of oxygen radical species and a decrease in efficiency under argon. Measurements of singlet oxygen release verified these findings. Molecular docking studies provided further insight into the interactions between the compounds and DNA. UV-A irradiation of the most potent DNA photocleavers in three cell lines, two malignant melanoma lines (A375 and COLO-800) and the immortalized keratinocyte line HaCaT, identified three derivatives that, at a concentration up to 10 μΜ, reduced cell viability by approximately 50%. Taken together, these results indicate that these 2-methylquinazolinone-based hydroxamic acid derivatives are promising candidates for the development of photodynamic therapy agents. Full article

CaFe₂O₄ is a p-type ferrite semiconductor of interest for photo-assisted environmental remediation due to its narrow band gap and high chemical stability. In this work, CaFe₂O₄ powders were synthesized via the Pechini polymeric precursor method and calcined between 550 and 850 °C to investigate the influence of calcination temperature on structural order and material properties. X-ray diffraction combined with Rietveld refinement revealed the progressive stabilization of the orthorhombic Pnma phase, accompanied by relaxation of the FeO₆ octahedral framework. Raman and FT-IR spectroscopies confirmed a significant increase in vibrational coherence with increasing calcination temperature, quantified by a nearly three-fold increase in the global Raman order parameter and phonon lifetimes. Nitrogen physisorption showed a modest specific surface area and a pore system dominated by interparticle meso–macroporosity, typical of thermally treated ferrites. Removal tests using ciprofloxacin under UV-A irradiation showed limited photo-assisted activity, while agar diffusion assays against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus revealed no inhibition halos, indicating the absence of detectable antibacterial activity under the experimental conditions employed. Overall, CaFe₂O₄ combines photo-assisted response with good structural stability, highlighting its potential as a chemically stable ceramic material with no detectable antibacterial activity under the tested conditions. Full article

Purpose: Bortezomib (BTZ) is widely used in multiple myeloma (MM), but its toxicity shows marked interindividual variability. This study aimed to identify pharmacogenetic and clinical factors associated with BTZ-related adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Methods: A retrospective and prospective observational study was conducted in 127 MM patients treated with BTZ-based regimens. Polymorphisms in CYP enzymes and ABCB1 were genotyped using qPCR. Associations between genetic variants, treatment response, and ADRs were assessed using univariate and multivariate analyses with Benjamini–Hochberg correction. Results: ADRs occurred in 98.4% of patients, most commonly gastrointestinal toxicity (49%), general toxicity (46%), and peripheral neuropathy (39%). Women showed higher rates of gastrointestinal toxicity and non-peripheral neurotoxicity. Multivariate analysis identified the ABCB1 C1236T A/G genotype as protective against gastrointestinal toxicity, while the CYP3A4 intermediate metabolizer phenotype was associated with increased psychiatric toxicity. TP53 mutations were independently associated with hematologic and renal toxicity. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed earlier onset of peripheral neuropathy and respiratory toxicity in CYP3A4 intermediate and poor metabolizers. Conclusions: Genetic variation in ABCB1 and CYP3A4, together with clinical factors such as TP53 mutation and sex, may contribute to interindividual variability in BTZ safety in MM. These findings should be considered exploratory given the sample size and require confirmation in larger cohorts. Nonetheless, they suggest a potential role for pharmacogenomics in supporting future approaches to treatment personalization. Full article

The two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, is a major agricultural pest that causes economic losses in the cultivation of most crops worldwide. Pesticide resistance and the phase-out of many active pesticidal substances have accelerated research into alternative methods for pest management. The effects of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) on plants, as well as their potential use in pest management, have attracted the attention of researchers for the last 25 years. In this study, the repellent effects of UV-A, blue, and red LEDs on T. urticae were investigated using choice tests in laboratory conditions. The lethal effect of red LED light on adult individuals was determined by a no-choice test. Importantly, red LED caused 67.0 ± 4.5% (mean ± SE) mortality in adults in the no-choice test. Second, the UV-A LED clearly had a strong repellent effect on T. urticae in the choice tests. In the “UV-A vs. white LED” and “UV-A vs. darkness” choice tests, the egg-laying percentage in the UV-A part remained below 0.55%. Furthermore, UV-A also had a significant repellent effect on T. urticae larvae. In the choice tests, the larval ratio in the UV-A part was less than 5%. The results of laboratory experiments indicated that red and UV-A LEDs have significant lethal and repellent effects on T. urticae. Comprehensive investigations should be performed in greenhouses using different strategies to optimize how these potential effects can be used in pest management. Full article

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun causes adverse skin changes such as premature aging. UV-induced mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) alterations, including deletions, contribute to photoaging and cellular dysfunction. While the most frequent mtDNA rearrangement is the common deletion (CD), characterized by the loss of nearly one-third of the genome (4977 bp), detailed knowledge of mechanisms governing UV-mediated initiation of the CD and mitigation strategies are lacking. Here, we investigated how increasing UV exposure increases CD levels in human skin fibroblasts via cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and mtDNA oxidation and demonstrated that antioxidant preconditioning of cells prevents UVA-induced CD accumulation. Conversely, UVB exposure induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) without affecting ROS, suggesting an ROS-independent pathway. Using a 3D full-thickness human skin model, we confirmed UVA-dependent CD formation in both the epidermis and dermis. RNA-Seq analysis of UVA-exposed fibroblasts revealed upregulation of mitochondrial DNA replication genes and downregulation of mtDNA repair genes. These findings provide insight into how UVA and UVB differ in detrimental effects on mtDNA, with UVA impacting mtDNA maintenance and transcription via a ROS-dependent mechanism, and provide a physiologically relevant platform to evaluate potential interventions. Full article

Red Amaranth (RA) Azo dye is a persistent pollutant in wastewater and stands as a toxicological risk, which has led to the development of effective methods for its removal and photocatalytic degradation. Therefore, CeO₂ nanoparticles were synthesized by a controlled precipitation method, and Ultraviolet-Visible (UV–Vis) analysis and Tauc plots yielded a band gap of ~3.24 eV. The CeO₂ nanoparticles showed the fluorite cubic phase, and nearly spherical particles with an average size of ~10 nm. Nitrogen physisorption revealed a type IV isotherm with a Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area of 85.27 m²·g⁻¹ and a total pore volume of 0.27 cm³·g⁻¹, indicating a mesoporous structure and high surface accessibility. The chemical behavior showed Ce and O, consistent with phase purity. Photocatalytic performance was evaluated in 20 ppm aqueous solution of RA under 365 nm UV irradiation (LED 100 W), with a temperature of ~20 °C and a 15 min dark adsorption step. Concentration decay was followed at λ_max = 520 nm by Lambert–Beer. The degradation efficiency η and pseudo-first-order kinetic were obtained from ln(C₀/C_t) vs. time. In addition, chemical oxygen demand (COD) tests were performed on RA solution before and after photodegradation, showing a COD reduction of ~85% (from 19.8 to 3 mg O₂·L⁻¹), which corroborates mineralization beyond chromophore bleaching. Under [C₀ = 20 mg·L⁻¹] and [m_cat = 1.0 g·L⁻¹], CeO₂ achieved [RA = 90% at 180 min, k = 0.0125 min⁻¹]. These results demonstrate that CeO₂ is an effective photocatalyst for RA degradation under UV-A irradiation, integrating adsorption, kinetic behavior, and mineralization performance into a coherent structure–property relationship. Full article

Accurate and spatially resolved yield estimation is a critical requirement for precision agriculture and orchard management. This paper presents a geometrically consistent, orchard-scale apple yield estimation framework that integrates GNSS–visual-inertial odometry (VIO) fusion, deep learning-based object detection, multi-frame tracking, three-dimensional triangulation, and incremental factor-graph optimization. Camera poses are obtained using ZED GNSS–VIO fusion and subsequently refined using an iSAM2-based nonlinear smoothing approach that incorporates strong relative-motion constraints and soft global ENU (East-North-Up) translation priors. Apples are detected using a YOLO-based model and associated across frames via CoTracker3, enabling robust multi-view landmark reconstruction. Reprojection factors and landmark priors are incorporated into a unified nonlinear factor graph to jointly optimize camera trajectories and 3D apple positions. The reconstructed apples are spatially aggregated into a grid-based mass map, where individual fruit volumes are estimated assuming spherical geometry and converted to mass using density models. The resulting ENU-referenced yield plot provides a structured representation of orchard production variability. Experimental results demonstrate significant reductions in reprojection error after optimization and improved global consistency of the trajectory, leading to stable and spatially coherent 3D reconstructions. The proposed pipeline bridges perception, geometry, and optimization, providing a scalable solution for orchard-scale yield mapping and decision support in precision agriculture. Full article

In recent decades, forest disturbances have increased in both frequency and intensity, driven by global warming and urbanization. Remote sensing, together with forest disturbance algorithms, offers broad opportunities for forest disturbance monitoring due to its high temporal and spatial resolution. However, operational methods capable of predicting and classifying disturbances while providing official area estimates suitable for national statistics remain scarce. The Three Indices Three Dimensions (3I3D) algorithm has proven effective in identifying forest changes and providing area estimates in Mediterranean ecosystems using Sentinel-2 imagery. Yet, while suitable for change detection, it does not distinguish among disturbance types. Here, we propose a two-step framework for forest disturbance detection and classification, tested in inland Spain for 2018. First, a binary forest change map is produced through an enhanced version of the 3I3D approach. This step incorporates Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis to calibrate the algorithm through data-driven threshold selection, allowing adaptation to specific regional conditions. Second, detected changes are classified into four disturbance types: wildfire, clear-cut, thinning, and non-stand replacing disturbance, using Sentinel-2 spectral bands, 3I3D-derived metrics, and geometric descriptors of disturbance patches. Three machine-learning classifiers were compared: Support Vector Machine, Random Forest, and Neural Network. The detection step reached an overall accuracy of 82%, estimating that 1.43% of Spanish forests (264,900 ha) were disturbed in 2018. In the classification step, Random Forest achieved the best performance, with an overall accuracy of 72%. Of the detected disturbed area, 69% corresponded to non-stand replacing disturbances, while the remaining area was classified as thinnings (19%), wildfires (26%), and clear-cuts (55%). By integrating freely available Sentinel-2 imagery, remote sensing algorithms, and photo-interpreted reference datasets, this study provides a scalable and operational approach capable of producing annual disturbance maps that combine both detection and classification of high- and low-intensity disturbances, supporting official national-scale estimates of forest disturbance areas. Full article

This study aims to develop and characterize novel dermatocosmetic formulations designed to hydrate the skin, improve its appearance, reduce wrinkles, and provide antioxidant, anti-ageing, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory benefits, along with potential protection against UVA and UVB radiation. The formulations contain the following ingredients: xanthan gum (0.5%), Calendula officinalis oil (5%), Argania spinosa oil (5%), Helianthus annuus oil (5%), liposomes containing a hydroalcoholic extract of pomace from local red or white grapes (2%), an olive oil-based emulsifier (6%), vitamin E (0.5%), cetearyl alcohol (3%), propylene glycol (8%), and purified water (up to 100%). The natural ingredients used in these formulations, i.e., the red or white grape pomace extract from the aforementioned Romanian varieties, the oils of Calendula officinalis, Argania spinosa, and Helianthus annuus, xanthan gum, and the olive oil-based emulsifier (Olliva), promote the concept of ‘green cosmetics’. The use of liposomes to deliver bioactive substances from hydroalcoholic extracts allows the gradual release of active ingredients into the skin. An alternative for incorporating grape pomace extract into a cream-type matrix involves the use of liposomes. Liposomes loaded with red or white grape pomace extract were prepared using the thin-film hydration technique, followed by ultrasonication and extrusion. The obtained formulations were characterized using bio-physico-chemical analysis procedures in terms of consistency, colour, homogeneity, aroma, pH, stretch, texture, stability, and antioxidant activity/free radical scavenging capacity, as well as in vitro polyphenol release behaviour. These newly developed dermatocosmetic formulations were the subject of a patent application in Romania. Full article