Search Results (1,001)

Sequence-based tools have greatly improved the molecular description of soil bioremediation, but detection alone cannot confirm that a contaminant is being degraded by a defined pathway. In soils, bioavailability limitations, redox microsites, relic DNA, gene mobility, and community restructuring can decouple gene presence from reaction flux. This review synthesizes an operational framework that separates three inferential levels: pathway potential, in situ activity, and verified pathway operation. The framework links inoculant fate, functional gene abundance, gene expression, pathway reconstruction, stable isotope probing, and targeted chemical analysis under explicit quality assurance, quality control, and decision rules. Particular attention is given to distinguishing parent compound loss from mineralization and detoxification and to using isotopic attribution when functional redundancy or inoculant-native overlap obscures agency. Instead of being presented as conceptually new, these principles are organized into a practical workflow for soil systems. This structure clarifies what can be discerned from genes, transcripts, proteins, metabolites, and transformation products at each evidentiary tier and provides a conservative basis for integrating multi-omics with mechanistic and quantitative interpretation. Full article

Eddy-current inspection of anisotropic composites, such as aeronautical CFRP, demands models that ensure mathematical rigor, tensorial consistency, and clear energetic interpretation. This work presents a novel unified variational framework with a multiplicative tensor perturbation for the time-harmonic eddy-current problem in anisotropic media with defective regions. The formulation is posed in the natural spaces $H(\mathrm{curl};\Omega )\times H^1\left({\Omega }_c\right)$, and the well-posedness is established via the Lax–Milgram theorem under physically consistent assumptions on permeability and conductivity. The sesquilinear form admits a Hermitian decomposition that separates dissipative and reactive contributions, revealing the energetic structure of the weak formulation. Defects are modeled through multiplicative modifications of the baseline anisotropic conductivity tensor. This congruence-based approach preserves symmetry and positive definiteness, ensuring non-negative Joule losses and structural stability, allowing a modular representation of subsurface delamination, fiber breakage, conductive inclusions, and distributed porosity within a single tensorial framework. A central result of the present formulation is the reconstruction of the complex power functional from the evaluation of the weak form at the solution, showing that the active dissipated power and the magnetic reactive power arise directly from the same integral terms. Through the complex Poynting theorem, the quadratic form is linked to the internal complex power, establishing a direct connection between the variational formulation and measurable quantities such as probe impedance variations. Simulations of realistic layered CFRP configurations, including single- and multi-defect scenarios, confirm that, compared with additive perturbations, the multiplicative model provides enhanced energetic contrast, particularly in strongly anisotropic and interacting defect conditions. Agreement with experimental measurements, supported by a quantitative comparison of dissipated power variations obtained from controlled EC experiments, corroborates the physical relevance and robustness of the proposed complex power functional. Full article

This study presents a modular and scalable wearable functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) system for high-resolution cerebral hemodynamic signal acquisition. The system is based on compact optoelectronic modules and supports mixed measurements using short-separation and long-separation channels, offering good scalability and spatial adaptability. The integrated quartz light guide structure improves optical coupling efficiency between the probe and scalp. A series of in vivo experiments validated system performance. In a forearm arterial occlusion experiment, the system accurately captured concentration changes in oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin during blood flow blockade and reperfusion, with large effect sizes (Cohen’s d > 0.9). In a prefrontal cortex Valsalva experiment, the biphasic response characteristic of neurovascular coupling was successfully resolved. In a 2-back working memory task, the system identified a task-related frequency component (0.0227 Hz) and right-lateralized prefrontal cortex activation (p = 0.023). These results demonstrate that the system exhibits a good signal-to-noise ratio and temporal dynamic response, enabling high-resolution mapping of regional hemodynamic changes. This work provides an effective solution for the development of wearable, modular, and high-precision multi-channel fNIRS systems. Full article

Natural products have played a pivotal role in the history of drug discovery, yet mechanistic investigations have often posed significant challenges that impede the development of natural product-derived drugs. Traditional approaches using natural product prototypes as probes for target identification and mechanistic exploration are often hampered by labor-intensive optimization and low sensitivity, whereas the advent of advanced mass spectrometry and mature Activity-Based Protein Profiling (ABPP) strategies has propelled labeled probes derived from natural products to the forefront of research. Such probes enable efficient target identification and visualization, thereby greatly facilitating the elucidation of mechanisms of action. This article systematically introduces commonly used labeling groups, reviews recent applications of labeled probes across various classes of natural products, and aims to provide references for the study of unexplored natural products of similar types. It also outlines the development of novel photoaffinity groups, suggesting that future designs should focus on small size, strong binding affinity, and stable binding, so as to further expand their applications in chemical biology and drug discovery. Full article

Organic dye-, pharmaceutical-, and heavy metal-contaminated water are emerging environmental issues, and thus there is a requirement for the development of efficient and sustainable purification methods. Semiconductor (SmC) material-based photocatalysis using TiO₂ and Fe₂O₃ nanostructures is considered a promising field for pollutant degradation due to its chemical stability, nontoxicity, and ability to perform photocatalytic degradation using light irradiation. Understanding the thermal, optical, and charge transport properties governing their photocatalytic activity requires advanced characterisation methods. In this context, photothermal (PT) techniques provide powerful tools for probing non-radiative processes and energy transport in photocatalytic materials. The photocatalytic activity of these materials strongly depends on their structural, optical, thermal, and electronic properties. These properties can be enhanced through several modification strategies, including metal and non-metal doping (e.g., C, N, Cu, Ag, Au), surface modification, forming a complex with SiO₂, and the formation of Fe₂O₃–TiO₂ heterostructure nanocomposites. In this review, a comprehensive overview is provided of TiO₂ and Fe₂O₃-based nanocomposites with a specific focus on characterisation techniques for photothermal characterisation techniques, including thermal lens spectroscopy (TLS), beam deflection spectrometry (BDS), and photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS), for determining thermal diffusivity, thermal conductivity, bandgap energy, carrier lifetime, surface roughness, porosity, etc., which are related to photocatalytic activity. The properties of these nanocomposites are correlated with photocatalytic activity for pollutant degradation using these nanocomposites. The challenges faced while using these nanocomposites for pollutant degradation are also discussed, along with future prospects for designing efficient photocatalysts for water purification applications. Full article

Catalysis has entered everyday life through a range of technological processes that rely on different catalytic systems. The increasing demand for such systems requires rationalization of the use of their expensive components, such as noble-metal catalysts. As such, a catalyst with low noble-metal concentration, in which each one of the noble atoms is active, would reach the lowest price possible. Nevertheless, no clear reactivity descriptors have been outlined for this type of low-coordinated supported atom. Using DFT calculations, we consider three diverse systems as models of single-atom catalysts. We investigate monomers and bimetallic dimers of Ru, Rh, Pd, Ir, and Pt on MgO(001), Cu adatom on thin Mo(001)-supported films (NaF, MgO, and ScN), and single Pt adatoms on oxidized graphene surfaces. The reactivity of these metal atoms was probed by CO. In each case, we see the interaction through the donation–backdonation mechanism. In some cases, CO adsorption energies can be linked to the position of the d-band center and the adatom’s charge. A higher-lying d-band center and less-charged, supported single atoms bind CO more weakly. Also, in some cases, metal atoms that are less strongly bound to the substrate bind CO more strongly. The results suggest that the identification of common activity descriptor(s) for single metal atoms on foreign supports is a difficult task with no unique solution. However, it is also suggested that the stability of adatoms and strong anchoring to the support are prerequisites for the application of descriptor-based search to novel single-atom catalysts. Full article

Residential heating is a major contributor to atmospheric pollution, especially in populated areas. Traditional methods for measuring emissions, such as chimney probes, are limited due to the need for prior owner consent, which can compromise the reliability of results—particularly when detecting the illegal burning of materials like plastic or waste oil. This study introduces a mobile air pollution monitoring system using compact sensor modules installed on vehicles and drones. These autonomous modules are equipped with gas, particulate matter, and environmental sensors, along with Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking to record pollutant concentrations in real time and associate them with specific geographic locations. Field experiments conducted in Hungary and Uzbekistan demonstrated the system’s effectiveness in detecting elevated pollutant levels in rural areas with solid fuel heating and in urban zones affected by industrial activity and traffic. For instance, PM2.5 concentrations ranged from 15 μg/m³ in forested areas to as high as 160 μg/m³ in industrial zones, while CO₂ levels near chimneys exceeded background values by 15–25 ppm. Drone-based measurements enabled vertical profiling and direct analysis of emissions from individual chimneys, providing detailed spatial distribution data. The proposed mobile sensing approach allows for the accurate localization of pollution sources and the assessment of air quality variations within small-scale environments. This method overcomes limitations of stationary or pre-announced inspections and supports proactive environmental monitoring and enforcement. Full article

This study investigates two graphene oxide (GO)-based coating architectures on urinary catheter substrates—layered (PEI+GO) and embedded (PEI/GO)—loaded with antimicrobial peptides (E14LKK and fLFB), with the aim of elucidating how coating structure governs peptide retention and release. Physicochemical and morphological characterization confirmed distinct coating architectures and thicknesses. Molecular dynamics simulations were employed to probe GO–peptide and PEI–peptide interactions, revealing weaker binding of fLFB to GO relative to PEI, consistent with enhanced peptide mobility. Antibacterial performance against Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis was evaluated using agar diffusion assays as a comparative indicator of peptide release from surface-bound coatings. The layered PEI+GO–fLFB system exhibited the highest antibacterial activity, in agreement with simulation-predicted interaction energetics and structural fluctuations. Rather than targeting immediate clinical translation, this work provides mechanistic insight into how GO–polymer architecture modulates antimicrobial peptide availability, offering a molecular dynamics simulation-guided framework for the rational design of peptide-releasing antimicrobial coatings. Full article

This study evaluated Apis mellifera brood fat extracts as a sustainable alternative to beeswax for anti-inflammatory topical delivery, including their formulation into nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs). Brood fat was extracted using acetone, ethyl acetate (EA), and hexane, and the resulting extracts were characterized for fatty acid composition and physicochemical properties. Safety was assessed using the hen’s egg chorioallantoic membrane test and cytotoxicity testing in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Anti-inflammatory activity was assessed by inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-induced interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) production. The most suitable extract was formulated into NLCs using sugar squalane as liquid lipid, and the effects of lipid ratio and preparation method were investigated. The results showed that the ethyl acetate extract had the highest yield. Compared with beeswax, all fat extracts exhibited a favorable oleic acid–rich fatty acid profile with comparable crystallinity and thermal behavior, while showing significantly enhanced anti-inflammatory activity (p < 0.05). All extracts and their NLCs were non-irritating and non-cytotoxic. Ethyl acetate extract-based NLCs exhibited favorable particle sizes (72.1 ± 0.3 nm) and narrow polydispersity (0.14 ± 0.00), with high-pressure homogenization producing smaller particles compared to probe sonication without affecting IL-6 or TNF-α inhibition. Therefore, A. mellifera brood fat extract is a sustainable anti-inflammatory lipid source with strong potential as an alternative to beeswax in topical nano-formulations. Full article

Although microbial communities in rice agroecosystems regulate nitrogen transformations, methane dynamics, crop residue decomposition, and pathogen suppression, their integration into agronomic decision-making remains limited. Existing rice microbiome reviews largely describe taxonomic diversity without critically linking microbial processes to management trade-offs, greenhouse gas mitigation, and productivity outcomes. This review synthesizes current knowledge through a process-based and management-oriented framework, emphasizing how water and crop residue management, fertilization, tillage, and genotype selection shape microbial functionality rather than merely community composition. Advances in stable isotope probing (SIP), metatranscriptomics, and multi-omics have improved functional inference, yet a persistent gap remains between genetic potential and in situ process rates. By integrating microbiome science within a One Health perspective, we propose a conceptual framework linking microbial network structure to interconnected dimensions of ecosystem, plant, and human health. This framework addresses not only agronomic outcomes but also food safety concerns, including mycotoxin contamination by fungal pathogens, microbial contributions to nutritional quality, and pathways through which soil and plant microbiomes influence human health via the food chain. We critically examine how microbiome management can simultaneously target productivity, environmental sustainability, and health risk mitigation. We identify priority research needs in predictive microbial ecology, activity-based validation, and microbiome-informed management strategies. Rather than framing microbiomes as a universal solution to global food security, this review critically examines their realistic and context-dependent contribution to improving sustainability, resilience, and resource-use efficiency in rice production under climatic and environmental constraints, while safeguarding food safety and public health. Full article

Tuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, remains a global health challenge, particularly due to multidrug-resistant strains. Photodynamic therapy using porphyrin-based photosensitizers offers a promising alternative by targeting the trehalose-rich cell wall of the bacillus. Motivated by prior experimental observations that shorter linkers improve efficacy, this study probes the molecular basis of linker-length-dependent activity in trehalose–porphyrin glycoconjugates. Here, we show that shorter linker lengths are consistent with improved activity in vitro and, in an Ag85B docking model, constrain conformational flexibility, reduce solvent exposure, and promote tighter packing consistent with stronger predicted interactions. Using computational docking, we analyzed binding scores, RMSD variability, steric clashes, and protein–ligand interactions for conjugates docked into Ag85B, a key enzyme in cell wall synthesis. Shorter linkers (0–2 carbons) were found to exhibit superior binding scores, lower RMSD variability, and stronger interactions with residues such as ARG 43, including unique π–cation interactions. In contrast, longer linkers displayed increased flexibility, reduced binding specificity, and greater solvent exposure. These findings, which support our experimental observations, suggest a molecular basis for linker-dependent efficacy and provide a framework for designing next-generation porphyrin-based therapeutics for tuberculosis treatment. Full article

The white-backed planthopper, Sogatella furcifera, and the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens, severely impact rice production, necessitating effective selection methods for resistant cultivars. S. furcifera poses a significant threat to rice cultivation, particularly in Asia. Through this study, we aimed to establish an effective approach to identifying resistant rice varieties based on feeding behavior, physiological and chemical responses, and genetic analysis. Three key activities were involved: (1) evaluation of planthopper feeding behavior utilizing the honeydew drop method, the electrical penetration graph technique, and growth rate analysis; (2) investigation into the physiological and chemical traits of rice; and (3) analysis of resistance-related gene expression. The results indicated larger honeydew drop areas, fewer and shorter probing events, and structural defenses such as increased trichome density in resistant rice genotypes, likely hindering insect attachment and feeding. We confirmed the suitability of the growth rate method for resistance screening. Gene expression analysis identified PR10a upregulation in resistant rice, suggesting a molecular basis for resistance. This study enables the selection of rice varieties resistant to planthoppers, supporting sustainable pest management and breeding programs. The findings support sustainable pest management by enabling the targeted selection of resistant varieties, ultimately aiding in the development of rice genotypes with enhanced resistance across growth stages. Full article

Background: Addictive disorders are characterized by the dysregulation of neural circuits involved in reward processing, salience attribution, emotional regulation, and cognitive control. Traditional neuroimaging paradigms based on static or two-dimensional stimuli show limited ecological validity and may fail to capture the contextual complexity of real-world addictive triggers. Immersive virtual reality (VR) offers a novel approach to simulate realistic, multisensory environments capable of eliciting craving and emotional responses. Although several reviews have examined VR in addictive disorders, most combined immersive and non-immersive tools and did not restrict inclusion to studies with brain-based outcomes. Methods: This systematic review with narrative synthesis was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE and APA PsycINFO for studies published up to 30 December 2025. This systematic review followed PRISMA 2020 and was prospectively registered in PROSPERO; due to heterogeneity, findings were synthesized narratively. Eligible studies included human participants with substance-related or behavioral addictions and employed immersive VR paradigms (e.g., head-mounted display–based environments) combined with neuroimaging or neurophysiological measures (EEG, fMRI, fNIRS, PET, or DTI). Risk of bias was assessed using ROB-2 or ROBINS-I, and overall certainty of evidence was evaluated with the GRADE framework. Results: Ten studies met the inclusion criteria, encompassing over 1450 participants with alcohol, nicotine, methamphetamine, opioid use disorders, and internet gaming disorder. Immersive VR was associated with craving-related neural responses across modalities, involving prefrontal, insular, limbic, and striatal networks. EEG studies reported spectral power changes associated with craving and attentional salience, while fMRI, fNIRS, and PET studies demonstrated activation and modulation of executive control and reward-related circuits. Preliminary longitudinal and interventional studies indicate that repeated VR exposure may induce neurobiological changes consistent with therapeutic modulation. Conclusions: Immersive VR combined with neuroimaging supports the use of immersive VR as an ecologically grounded framework to probe addiction-related brain circuits; however, larger trials and standardized reporting are needed to strengthen clinical translation. Future studies should prioritize adequately powered randomized designs, harmonized VR cue-reactivity paradigms, and transparent neuroimaging reporting to enable reproducibility and cumulative inference. Full article

Background: Traditional methods exhibit an extremely low removal efficiency for antibiotics in water, making an efficient and energy-saving approach urgently needed. Methods and Results: In this study, a novel catalytic approach based on the in situ generation of high-valent iron (Fe(IV)/Fe(V)) has been developed by adding biochar instead of modifying the electrode materials (in previous studies) for the efficient removal of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) from water. Fe(IV)/Fe(V) was produced by the anodic oxidation of low concentrations of Fe(III) and subsequently activated by nitrogen-doped corn stalk biochar (NBC). The results showed that the degradation efficiency increased from 50.83% to 90.67% within 60 min after the addition of nitrogen-modified biochar. The abundant defect structures, graphitic N and oxygen-containing functional groups in NBC endowed the catalyst with excellent activation capability. Quenching experiments and methyl phenyl sulfoxide (PMSO) probe experiments revealed that singlet oxygen (¹O₂) and Fe(IV)/Fe(V) were the main contributors to SMX degradation. Degradation pathways were inferred based on transformation products (TPs) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Ecotoxicity prediction using the ECOSAR program indicated that the TPs formed in the E/Fe(III)/NBC system exhibited markedly lower toxicity to aquatic organisms than the parent SMX. Furthermore, the E/Fe(III)/NBC system maintained a high degradation efficiency for SMX in real aquatic environments. Additionally, the E/Fe(III)/NBC system showed high removal rates for other sulfonamides such as sulfadiazine (SDZ), sulfamethoxypyridazine (SMP), sulfathiazole (STZ) and sulfadoxine (SDX). Conclusions: Overall, the E/Fe(III)/NBC system was demonstrated to be a highly efficient and sustainable technology for removing various antibiotics from water. Full article

Background/Objectives: Liquid profiling of molecular and epigenetic markers in bodily fluids is an expanding field of cancer biomarker research. Recent research activity also reveals the human satellite 2 (HSAT2) repetitive element cell-free DNA (cfDNA) as a potential cancer biomarker. Based on our recent results from targeted sequencing of HSAT2 cfDNA, we tested whether a specific HSAT2 sequence (e.g., 95 bp-HSAT2) shows greater cancer enrichment than 114 bp-SAT2, from which it derives, in patients with colon cancer. Methods: By comparing the ratio of 114 bp-HSAT2 to 95 bp-HSAT2, we investigated the increased cancer enrichment of 95 bp-HSAT2 in cfDNA samples obtained from plasma DNA extraction and a hybridization capture assay, in which HSAT2 sequences were captured from plasma using a biotin-labeled probe, in samples from colon cancer patients (n = 60) and polyp-controls (n = 60), and polyp-free controls (n = 60). Results: A correlation analysis between Ct values from DNA extraction and the hybridization capture assay for both 95 bp- and 114 bp-HSAT2 showed a positive correlation in patients with colon cancer and control subjects, indicating that the hybridization capture assay provides HSAT2 levels comparable to those obtained by DNA extraction. With both approaches, we found a lower 114 bp-HSAT2 to 95 bp-HSAT2 ratio in patients with colon cancer than in the control groups. The median ratio of extracted DNA was 62, 78, and 79 in patients with colon cancer, polyp-controls (p = 0.23), and polyp-free controls (p = 0.067), respectively. Capture assay values were 49, 87, and 64 in patients with colon cancer, polyp controls (p = 0.016), and polyp-free controls (p = 0.19), respectively. Even though statistical significance was not achieved in some comparisons, these results suggest that 95 bp-HSAT2 is more abundant in the blood of patients with colon cancer than 114 bp-HSAT2 in non-malignant patients. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first study to conduct a hybridization capture assay using a biotinylated probe as a feasible approach for targeted enrichment of cfDNA from plasma. Our results confirm the outcomes of our recent article based on targeted sequencing and reveal that some specific HSAT2 sequences may exhibit increased cancer abundance. Full article