Search Results (223,200)

Understanding interactions between antioxidants is crucial since in biological and food matrices, we are dealing with complex multi-component antioxidant systems. This study aimed to quantitatively characterize interactions of antioxidants in anthocyanin-rich aqueous red cabbage extract with several natural (ascorbic acid, gallic acid, and glutathione) and synthetic (Trolox and TEMPOL) antioxidants and to determine their synergistic or antagonistic nature in the ORAC assay. Four parameters derivable from the ORAC assay (extent of fluorescence protection, lag time, fluorescence half-life t_1/2, and maximum rate of fluorescence decay) were analyzed in terms of the integrated interaction coefficient (IIC), reflecting the dependence of the analyzed values on the concentration of antioxidants and the sample interaction coefficient (SIC) derived from interaction at a single set of concentrations. IIC analysis revealed synergistic interactions of Trolox with the red cabbage extract on the basis of fluorescence protection, lag time, and t_1/2. Interactions of TEMPOL with the extract were antagonistic as assessed based on all parameters but the lag time. A correlation between the anodic peak and the lag time and t_1/2 values was observed for the antioxidants studied. The interactions between antioxidants in complex mixtures are important as they affect the measured total antioxidant activity, which, depending on the nature of the interactions, may be lower or higher than the sum of activities of individual components. Full article

Background and Objectives: The NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is a key innate immune complex, and its aberrant activation contributes to metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a neurotrophin with anti-inflammatory and metabolic regulatory functions, but its role in NLRP3 inflammasome activation and gasdermin D (GSDMD)-mediated pyroptosis remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of BDNF deficiency on LPS- and nigericin-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation and GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis in vivo, and to elucidate the involvement of NF-κB signaling, autophagy, and ESCRT-III-dependent plasma membrane repair in this process. Materials and Methods: In this in vivo study, male Bdnf ^+/+ and Bdnf ^+/− mice were subjected to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) plus nigericin-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Serum and hippocampus, cortex, liver, epididymal adipose, and muscle tissues were collected 24 h after stimulation for analysis of inflammasome-related, autophagy-related, and membrane repair-related proteins by Western blotting and of serum BDNF, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-18 (IL-18) by ELISA. Results: Bdnf ^+/− mice displayed significantly reduced circulating BDNF levels and exhibited exaggerated LPS plus nigericin-induced increases in IL-1β and IL-18 compared with Bdnf ^+/+ mice. Across all tissues, BDNF deficiency enhanced NF-κB p65, NLRP3, active caspase-1 p20, and GSDMD expression, indicating amplified inflammasome activation and pyroptosis. Conversely, LC3B and SQSTM1/p62 levels were decreased, and VPS4A expression, a key component of the ESCRT-III membrane repair machinery, was suppressed in Bdnf ^+/− mice, suggesting impaired selective autophagy, autophagosome formation, and plasma membrane repair. Conclusions: Together, these findings indicate that BDNF restrains NLRP3 inflammasome activation and GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis through inhibition of NF-κB signaling and coordinated activation of autophagy and ESCRT-III-dependent membrane repair. BDNF thus emerges as an endogenous negative regulator of inflammasome activity and a potential therapeutic target for conditions characterized by aberrant NLRP3-driven inflammation. Full article

Agrivoltaics (AVs), the co-location of photovoltaic panels and agricultural production, is increasingly promoted as a strategy to enhance land-use efficiency and support renewable energy transitions. While numerous studies emphasize potential synergies, growing evidence indicates that AV systems also entail significant biophysical, ecological and socio-economic trade-offs. This review synthesizes published literature on the negative impacts and management challenges associated with agrivoltaics across diverse crops, climates and institutional contexts. A structured literature analysis was conducted, integrating findings from experimental field studies, ecological assessments, economic evaluations and policy analyses. The reviewed evidence demonstrates that panel-induced shading and altered microclimatic conditions frequently reduce photosynthetically active radiation, modify soil temperature and moisture regimes, and impair photosynthetic efficiency, yield stability, and quality in light-demanding crops. Open-field AV installations further alter understory vegetation, pollinator activity and soil arthropod communities, leading to functional biodiversity losses beneath panel-covered areas. Economic and institutional analyses reveal high investment costs, regulatory ambiguity and land-tenure constraints that disproportionately transfer agronomic and financial risks to farmers, while land-use conflicts may reduce food production and contribute to indirect land-use change. Overall, open-field AV outcomes are strongly context- and design-dependent. The review highlights the need for long-term, integrative assessments and governance frameworks that explicitly address trade-offs to ensure that AVs contribute to sustainable land-use transitions rather than undermining agricultural and ecological functions. Full article

This study addresses the common challenges of complex soil behavior and the difficulties in achieving precise control during the construction of large open caissons. A centrifugal model test was conducted to investigate open caisson–fine sandy soil interaction, and the findings were further verified through field testing. Results indicated that during the sinking process, the open caisson–soil interface exhibited slip failure characteristics, while the soil at the cutting edge of the open caisson showed a tendency for inward shear slippage. The horizontal earth pressure along the open caisson sidewall was found to correspond to static earth pressure in the upper section and gradually approached active earth pressure in the lower section. The maximum earth pressure occurred at approximately three-quarters of the embedded depth of the open caisson wall. Furthermore, the friction angle at the soil-open caisson interface was approximately 0.63 times that of the soil friction angle. Based on the observed distribution patterns of earth pressure and skin friction, theoretical calculation formulas were developed. Their accuracy was confirmed through field tests, providing valuable references for the design and construction of large open caisson projects. Full article

Imidazopyridines are a versatile class of nitrogen-fused heterocycles bridging medicinal chemistry and materials science. Their π-conjugated framework allows broad structural tuning, yielding diverse biological and photophysical properties. The best-known isomers, imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine and imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine, have been widely studied as pharmacophores and luminescent materials, respectively. The less explored imidazo[4,5-b] and imidazo[4,5-c]pyridines are now emerging as alternative scaffolds with distinctive electronic and functional behavior. This review summarizes synthetic strategies, electronic features, and key applications—from kinase inhibition and antiviral activity to fluorescence imaging, down-conversion, Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED)/Light-emitting Electrochemical Cell (LEC) and hybrid optoelectronic systems—outlining how imidazopyridines can evolve from molecular frameworks into multifunctional platforms for bioimaging and advanced optoelectronic technologies. Full article

RNA editing is a way to diversify, regulate expression, and expand the cell transcriptome. The most common RNA editing is the reversible conversion of adenosine (A) to inosine (I) driven by double-stranded RNA-binding adenosine deaminases (ADARs). As inosine is recognized as guanosine (G) during translation, the RNA editing may result in non-synonymous codon changes. For this reason, ADARs have gained attention as promising enzymes to rewrite mRNA. Many efforts were undertaken to engineer a precise, effective, and controllable ADAR-based system to target certain Adenines on RNA to repair pathological mutations. This review summarizes the advances in ADAR-mediated RNA editing, evolving from systems using antisense oligonucleotides as guide RNA to recruit endogenous or overexpressed ADARs, through more complex setups additionally expressing other RNA-binding proteins, to rational designs harnessing ADARs to convert other nucleotides and amplify the low initial signal. Increasing the specificity and yield of RNA editing, expanding the number of targetable sites, and reducing off-target and bystander activity remain key challenges for these technologies. Improving delivery efficiency across a broad range of cell types, as well as optimizing delivery routes in in vivo studies are also critical to harness them as advantageous tools for both research and therapy. Full article

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) exhibit a high capacity for differentiation, possess anti-inflammatory and proangiogenic properties, and stimulate the growth and proliferation of neighboring cells. MSCs are a promising tool in regenerative medicine. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the properties of these cells are not yet fully understood. Gene expression in MSCs influences their characteristics and differentiation potential. Therefore, it is essential to investigate factors affecting gene expression as well as those activating signaling pathways, which will enable more effective and individualized applications of MSCs. In this study, we aimed to identify signaling pathways involved in gene expression in umbilical cord-derived MSCs (UC-MSCs) that may be altered by maternal diabetes and hypothyroidism during pregnancy. Methods: The research material consisted of UC-MSCs. Samples obtained from nine participants were analyzed. UC-MSCs were isolated and cultured, and RNA was extracted. The isolated RNA was used for microarray-based gene expression analysis. Subsequently, pathway enrichment analysis was performed to identify the signaling pathways involved. Results: In the diabetes group, 340 genes (0.71%) were upregulated, while 268 genes (0.56%) were downregulated compared with UC-MSCs from the control group. In the diabetes group, the most compact module was composed of proteins associated with WNT/planar cell polarity (WNT/PCP) signaling. The second module included genes related to smooth muscle activity. In the hypothyroidism group, an association was identified between the extracellular matrix organization pathways (GO:0030198) and the extracellular structure organization (GO:0043062) pathways. Moreover, in this group, increased expression of MMP1, MMP10, and GREM1 was observed. Conclusions: In summary, our study demonstrated the impact of diabetes and hypothyroidism on gene expression in UC-MSCs. We also observed the activation of distinct signaling pathways depending on the presence of these conditions. However, this work represents a preliminary screening, and the results should be validated by PCR in a larger cohort. Full article

In response to the environmental and health concerns associated with high-sodium brine disposal and the sodium content in table olives, this study proposes a novel, sustainable preservation method that completely replaces traditional brine with chitosan solutions. Three food-grade chitosan solutions were formulated using acetic acid, vinegar, and vinegar neutralized with baking soda as alternative liquid media for preserving Kalamata olives. Over a five-month storage period with a one-year endpoint, these solutions were evaluated against a conventional 8% NaCl brine control. The chitosan-based systems demonstrated effective microbial control, maintaining significantly lower total viable counts for most of the storage period, while yeast and mold populations were comparable to or slightly higher than the control over extended storage. Notably, they reduced the medium’s salinity by 75–85%, directly addressing the issue of high sodium content. The chitosan solutions also provided superior pH stability and color maintenance in the olives. A key finding was the distinct nature of the interaction between the olives and the chitosan medium compared to brine: while antioxidant activity within the olive flesh declined, the chitosan solutions themselves exhibited high and stable intrinsic antioxidant capacity (>78%), acting as an active antioxidant reservoir—a dynamic not observed with traditional brine. This research successfully validates chitosan solution as a viable, low-sodium, brine-free preservation medium, offering a novel strategy for sustainable olive processing that valorizes seafood waste and aligns with circular economy principles. Full article

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is a common orthopedic procedure, but graft failure remains a significant complication, particularly in young and active individuals. Understanding the multifactorial etiology of failure and optimizing revision strategies are crucial for improving outcomes. A structured narrative review of the literature was conducted, including studies published from January 2000 to May 2024. Databases searched included PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and Google Scholar. Eligible studies addressed definitions, etiology, classification, and surgical management of ACL reconstruction failure. Data were synthesized qualitatively, integrating evidence on technical, biological, and traumatic causes, as well as neuromuscular and psychosocial factors influencing functional outcomes. ACL reconstruction failure is primarily caused by technical errors, particularly tunnel malposition (60–70% of cases), followed by traumatic (15–25%) and biological (10–15%) mechanisms. Failure timing provides diagnostic clues: early (<3 months) failures often relate to fixation or infection, mid-term (3–12 months) to technical errors, and late (>12 months) to trauma or degeneration. Revision strategies include individualized graft selection, anatomical tunnel placement, repair of associated lesions, and consideration of biomechanical abnormalities. Overall success rates of revision procedures average 70–75%, with lower outcomes in adolescents and high-demand athletes. Emerging techniques, including lateral extra-articular tenodesis and biologic augmentation, may enhance revision outcomes, although long-term evidence remains limited. ACL reconstruction failure is a multifactorial event requiring thorough preoperative assessment, precise surgical planning, and individualized management. Addressing technical, biological, and neuromuscular factors, alongside patient-specific considerations, is essential to optimize functional outcomes and reduce failure rates. Future research should focus on standardized reporting, multicenter prospective studies, and advanced surgical planning tools to further improve revision success. Full article

The non-uniform production contribution caused by insufficient reservoir stimulation during initial fracturing significantly constrains the lifecycle and estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) of horizontal wells. Refracturing is therefore urgently required to reconstruct fracture networks and activate undeveloped reserves. In this study, a coupled geomechanics-matrix-fracture-seepage model is developed based on the Unconventional Fracturing Model (UFM) to characterize formation energy evolution and residual oil distribution. Simulation results indicate that initial fracturing creates a limited pressure diffusion radius (5–30 m), resulting in a “strong near-well, weak far-field” pressure distribution and inefficient residual oil utilization. To address this, a synergistic strategy is proposed, integrating “re-pressurization of existing fractures” for energy replenishment with “infill fracturing” for activating bypassed reserves. This strategy significantly outperforms conventional refracturing, increasing the predicted cumulative oil production by 55.86%. Parameter optimization indicates that maintaining a pumping rate of 10–12 m³/min and a fluid intensity of 1700–1900 m³/stage, while optimizing proppant ratios for conductivity, maximizes recovery. This work provides theoretical guidance for sweet spot evaluation and refracturing design in ultra-low permeability reservoirs. Full article

This study investigates the application of soybean peroxidase (SBP), an enzyme extracted from a soybean processing byproduct, for the decolourization and oxidative treatment of three industrial azo dyes: Acid Orange 7 (AO7), Acid Orange 20 (AO20), and Reactive Black 5 (RB5), each at a concentration of 50 µM. These dyes are widely used in textile, paper, and leather industries and persist in wastewater. Optimization experiments were conducted at room temperature (approximately 22 °C) to examine the effects of pH, SBP activity, and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) concentration. Optimal degradation conditions were identified as: pH 3.5, 0.075 U/mL SBP, and 0.0375 mM H₂O₂ for RB5; pH 3.0, 0.5 U/mL SBP, and 0.0375 mM H₂O for AO7; and pH 3.0, 0.0025 U/mL SBP (200-fold less than for the isomeric AO7) and 0.0625 mM H₂O₂ for AO20. Under these conditions, dye conversion was very rapid, reaching >97% decolouration in 30 s. The initial first-order rate constants and half-lives were ≥10.7 min⁻¹ and ≤0.065 min (AO7), ≥7.3 min⁻¹ and ≤0.095 min (AO20), and ≥8.5 min⁻¹ and ≤0.081 min (RB5). When normalized to enzyme activity, AO7 showed the highest catalytic efficiency. These findings support the use of SBP as a low-cost, eco-friendly, and effective biocatalyst for the rapid treatment of dye-containing industrial wastewater. Full article

Wildfire monitoring in tropical regions requires robust frameworks capable of transforming heterogeneous satellite detections into consistent, event-level information suitable for decision support. This study presents the DescrEVE Fogo (Descrição de Eventos de Fogo) framework, a relational and scalable system that models daily fire events in Brazil by integrating Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR), Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), and Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) active-fire detections within a unified Structured Query Language (SQL)/PostGIS environment. The framework formalizes a mathematical and computational model that defines and tracks fire fronts and multi-day fire events based on explicit spatio-temporal rules and geometry-based operations. Using database-native functions, DescrEVE Fogo aggregates daily fronts into events and computes intrinsic and environmental descriptors, including duration, incremental area, Fire Radiative Power (FRP), number of fronts, rainless days, and fire risk. Applied to the 2003–2025 archive of the Brazilian National Institute for Space Research (INPE) Queimadas Program, the framework reveals that the integration of VIIRS increases the fraction of multi-front events and enhances detectability of larger and longer-lived events, while the overall regime remains dominated by small, short-lived occurrences. A simple, prototype fire-type rule distinguishes new isolated fire events, possible incipient wildfires, and wildfires, indicating that fewer than 10% of events account for more than 40% of the area proxy and nearly 60% of maximum FRP. For the 2025 operational year, daily ignition counts show strong temporal coherence with the Global Fire Emissions Database version 5 (GFEDv5), albeit with a systematic positive bias reflecting differences in sensors and event definitions. A case study of the 2020 Pantanal wildfire illustrates how front-level metrics and environmental indicators can be combined to characterize persistence, spread, and climatic coupling. Overall, the database-native design provides a transparent and reproducible basis for large-scale, near-real-time wildfire analysis in Brazil, while current limitations in sensor homogeneity, typology, and validation point to clear avenues for future refinement and operational integration. Full article

The genus Calliandra (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae) encompasses over 200 species, many of which hold significant ethnobotanical value. However, a critical and comprehensive review consolidating their phytochemical and pharmacological knowledge is currently lacking. This article aims to provide a detailed and analytical overview of the traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological properties of the most studied Calliandra species, identifying trends, gaps, and future research priorities. A systematic literature search was conducted using Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed from 1986 to 2025. The review focuses on Calliandra portoricensis, Calliandra haematocephala, and Calliandra surinamensis due to the relative abundance of scientific literature concerning their medicinal applications. These species produce a diverse array of secondary metabolites, including distinctive galloylated flavonoids, phenolic acids, and triterpenes. Extracts and isolated compounds demonstrate a wide range of pharmacological activities, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and anticancer effects, providing a scientific basis for their traditional uses. The genus Calliandra represents a promising source of bioactive compounds. However, future research must focus on compound isolation, mechanistic studies, rigorous toxicological profiling, and clinical trials to fully realize its therapeutic potential. Full article

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) stands as a classic microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus. DR is characterized by multidimensional pathological changes in retinal neurons, microvasculature and supportive cells, leading to an intricate damage network. It is predominantly marked by neuropathy, encompassing retinal neuronal dysfunction, aberrant activation of glial cells, and degeneration of synaptic structures. In severe instances, it can result in visual impairment and, in the worst-case scenario, blindness. As diabetes progresses, retinal nerve tissue frequently sustains damage owing to oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and compromised mitochondrial function. Although the precise neuroprotective mechanisms remain elusive, exercise has the ability to bolster mitochondrial function in retinal cells, diminish oxidative stress, and curb inflammatory reactions, thereby safeguarding the neurophysiological function of the retina. Irisin is a myokine primarily secreted by skeletal muscles in response to exercise stimulation. Moreover, being produced in trace amounts across a variety of tissues, it has the capacity to regulate the physiological processes of multiple organs. Recent studies have indicated that irisin can exert powerful neuroprotective effects by enhancing cellular glucose uptake, improving mitochondrial function, inhibiting the expression of pro-inflammatory factors, and resisting ferroptosis. In this review, we systematically collated and synthesized existing evidence on irisin-related signaling pathways and comprehensively assessed its regulatory potential in alleviating neuroinflammation and promoting neural repair in diabetic retinopathy and offer insights into future research directions in this field. Full article

The multiple-transferable resistance protein (MtrR) is a transcriptional repressor of the mtrCDE-encoded drug efflux pump and Type IV pilus biosynthesis (pilM), and an activator of penicillin-binding protein 1 (ponA) expression in Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Previously published microarray data suggested that MtrR is also an activator of ltgA expression in the gonococcus. LtgA is a lytic transglycosylase responsible for approximately half of recycled peptidoglycan fragments and released peptidoglycan-derived cytotoxins, which cause ciliary damage and induce specific inflammatory responses. The fragments generated by LtgA during peptidoglycan remodeling can either be recognized by the permease AmpG for uptake into the bacterial cytoplasm and recycled for new cell wall growth and general metabolism or released into the external milieu. Therefore, we sought to define the capacity of MtrR to regulate LtgA expression in gonococci. We show that MtrR binds to the ltgA promoter region in a concentration-dependent manner, and that this binding results both in increased ltgA mRNA transcription and LtgA protein levels during exponential growth. Deletion of mtrR in N. gonorrhoeae decreased peptidoglycan monomer release from growing cells and increased autolysis. These results suggest that MtrR regulation of ltgA impacts peptidoglycan-derived cytotoxin release and autolysis in the gonococcus. This study suggests a central role of MtrR in coordinating aspects of the cellular envelope that may contribute to gonococcal pathogenesis. Full article