Search Results (253)

Background: Multiple myeloma (MM) is characterised by clonal expansion of plasma cells (PCs) in the bone marrow (BM). Disease assessment and monitoring typically rely on invasive, single-site procedures, such as BM biopsies (BMBs), which may inadequately capture intra- and extra-medullary spatial heterogeneity. Circulating plasma cells (CPCs), enriched from peripheral blood (PB), may represent a minimally invasive alternative or adjunct for molecular profiling. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using CPCs, enriched from PB, for mRNA analysis in plasma cell dyscrasia, including MM. A secondary objective was to assess whether mRNA expression levels of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress sensors X-box-binding protein 1 (uXBP1) and activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6), and the chaperone-mediated autophagy marker Lysosomal-Associated Membrane Protein 2 (LAMP2A) by droplet digital PCR (ddPCR), were associated with resistance to the second-generation proteasome inhibitor (PI) carfilzomib (Cfz). Methods: Multiple myeloma (MM) cell lines (H929 and U266) and their carfilzomib-adapted derivatives were used to establish and validate droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) assays targeting ER stress (uXBP1, ATF6) and autophagy-related (LAMP2A) transcripts. Solid tumour cell lines, including serum-starved HeLa cells, served as biological controls to support assay specificity and sensitivity. Total RNA was extracted and reverse-transcribed to complementary DNA prior to analysis. Transcript levels were normalised to those of β-actin or GAPDH, as appropriate. ddPCR was performed using the BioRad QX200 system, with results reported as the normalised transcript copy number per microlitre of reaction. Matched bone marrow aspirate (BMA) and peripheral blood (PB) samples were collected at a single clinical time point from adults undergoing investigation for plasma cell dyscrasia between January 2021 and December 2023. Samples were obtained as part of standard clinical care and/or during treatment with Bortezomib (Btz) or Cfz. Mononuclear cells were isolated by density gradient centrifugation, and CD138⁺ plasma cells were enriched by fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Enrichment purity was assessed qualitatively by immunofluorescence microscopy using CD138 and CD117 markers. Samples yielding fewer than 1000 CD138⁺ plasma cells were excluded, resulting in 10 evaluable matched patient pairs. Results: Carfilzomib-adapted MM cell lines demonstrated reduced levels of uXBP1, ATF6, and LAMP2A mRNA compared to treatment-naïve cells. In matched BM and PB samples, uXBP1 mRNA levels were consistently lower in circulating PCs than in BM-derived PCs, whereas ATF6 mRNA levels were concordant between compartments. LAMP2A mRNA levels exhibited marked inter-patient heterogeneity. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the feasibility of using CPCs as a minimally invasive source for mRNA-based biomarker assessment and highlights ddPCR as a sensitive platform for quantifying ER stress and chaperone-mediated autophagy related transcripts in CPCs. Cfz adaptation was associated with reduced levels of uXBP1 and LAMP2A mRNA in MM cell lines. Future prospective studies evaluating the clinical utility of ER stress and chaperone-mediated autophagy associated transcripts in CPCs as predictors of resistance to PI are warranted. Full article

This study investigates how bio-inspired versus sustainability-focused framing influences lay evaluations of a specific bio-inspired building-technology scenario, testing the empirical validity of the so-called “biomimetic promise”. Employing a between-subjects experimental design ($N=582$), we examined assessments of a weather-responsive self-shading façade across bio-inspired, sustainable, and neutral framing conditions. We developed and validated the 12-item Perceived Bio-Inspiration Scale (PBS)—a novel standardized psychometric instrument designed to quantify lay recognition of biomimetic features across visual, intentional, and naturalistic dimensions. While results showed robust direct framing effects, we identified a significant negative spillover: emphasizing biological inspiration significantly reduced the technology’s perceived sustainability, while sustainability framing diminished its perceived bio-inspiration. These findings demonstrate, in this façade context, that laypersons evaluate bio-inspiration and sustainability as cognitively distinct and potentially competing constructs, indicating that “natural-is-better” bias is not universal across all technology domains. Consequently, merely invoking biological origins is insufficient to enhance a technology’s ecological appeal. To foster public trust, science communication should shift from abstract biological metaphors toward a performance-driven communication strategy that prioritizes the disclosure of verifiable life-cycle assessment and specific operational advantages over symbolic nature-based analogies. Full article

Immobilized microorganism technology offers a promising approach for remediating heavy metal-contaminated soils. This study developed a novel bio-mineral composite (B-AM) by coupling acid-modified maifanite (AM) with Bacillus mucilaginosus to enhance lead (Pb) immobilization. Comparative experiments demonstrated that B-AM outperformed conventional amendments, including oyster shell, pristine maifanite, AM and B. mucilaginosus in Pb immobilization. The B-AM treatment optimized soil pH, improved soil fertility with increases in available potassium (1.06-fold) and available phosphorus (1.28-fold). Additionally, B-AM transformed Pb into more stable fractions, reducing labile Pb fractions by 52.52% while increasing the residual fraction by 88.36%. These improvements resulted in an 83.24% reduction in Pb accumulation and a 63.95% increase in the fresh root weight of radish. Mechanistic insights revealed that the enhanced remediation performance stems from both the individual contributions of AM (adsorption capacity) and B. mucilaginosus (biosorption and biomineralization) and their synergistic interaction. Specifically, AM acts as a carrier and pH buffer, promoting microbial proliferation and reducing Pb remobilization from cell lysis. The resulting sustained microbial activity further leads to the formation of stable Pb minerals. Collectively, our results establish a theoretical and practical basis for using B-AM to remediate Pb-contaminated soils. Full article

Development of biodegradable polymer composites provides a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics. This study systematically investigates the effect of Eucomis autumnalis (EA) cellulose on the morphological, structural, and thermal behavior of polybutylene succinate (PBS) and polycaprolactone (PCL) blends. EA cellulose was extracted via delignification and hemicellulose removal, yielding 38% cellulose from the leaf biomass. A series of PBS/PCL/EA cellulose composites were prepared using a solution-casting method. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed retention of characteristic functional groups, with spectra dominated by PCL features, indicating the absence of new chemical bond formation between EA cellulose and the polymer matrix. X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) revealed that EA cellulose acted as a nucleating agent, enhancing the crystallinity, especially in PCL, while slightly affecting PBS crystallization. A scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis demonstrated preferential localization of EA cellulose within the PBS phase, contributing to improved phase dispersion and interfacial interaction at the morphological level. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed enhanced crystallization behavior of PCL at higher EA cellulose loading (5 wt.%), with minimal influence on PBS thermal transitions. A thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated that the thermal stability depends on the polymer composition and cellulose content, with higher PCL fractions contributing to an improved stability. This study provides insight into the structure–property relationships governing PBS/PCL/EA cellulose systems and highlights the potential of EA cellulose as a bio-based additive for tailoring morphological and thermal characteristics of biodegradable polymer blends. A mechanical performance evaluation is recommended for future studies to correlate structural modifications with macroscopic properties. Full article

This study investigates the material recycling potential of discarded wind instrument reeds (Arundo donax), which are conventionally incinerated, by compounding them with thermoplastics (thermoplastic polyolefin, TPO; polybutylene succinate, PBS). After recovered reeds were pulverized and injection-molded at 10 and 30 wt% concentrations, their mechanical and interfacial properties were evaluated. Experimentally obtained results indicate that waste reeds function as effective reinforcing agents, particularly when combined with biodegradable PBS. Incorporating 30 wt% reed flour into PBS enhanced flexural strength by approximately 1.7 times and flexural modulus by 2.8 times compared to the neat resin. This superior performance relative to TPO composites is attributed to robust interfacial hydrogen bonding among PBS carbonyl groups and the hydroxyl groups on the reed surface. Additionally, thermal and spectroscopic analyses revealed that these strong interactions elevate the crystallization temperature and generate a “Rigid Amorphous Phase” (RAF) that facilitates efficient stress transfer. These research findings demonstrate the feasibility of creating high-quality, bio-based composites, offering a sustainable method to reduce petroleum reliance and carbon dioxide emissions by upcycling musical waste. Full article

Heavy metal contamination, particularly lead, poses significant environmental and health risks. In this study, a multifunctional TiO₂@PLDOPA@Fe₃O₄ (TPF) nanocomposite was synthesized and evaluated as a reusable adsorbent for lead ion (Pb(II)) removal from aqueous solutions. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted to examine the effects of contact time, temperature, solution pH, adsorbent dosage, and shaking speed on adsorption performance. A high Pb(II) removal efficiency of 84% and an equilibrium adsorption capacity of 72.38 mg g⁻¹ were obtained under optimized conditions. Kinetic analysis revealed that Pb(II) adsorption followed a pseudo-second-order model, indicating surface-controlled interactions. Thermodynamic analysis suggested a spontaneous and endothermic adsorption process dominated by physical interactions and electrostatic attraction Equilibrium data were better fitted by the Freundlich model, suggesting heterogeneous multilayer adsorption on the functionalized composite surface. The maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of TPF reached 263.16 mg g⁻¹, exceeding those of pristine TiO₂ and Fe₃O₄. Regeneration studies showed that the TPF nanocomposite retained approximately 87% of its initial adsorption capacity after five adsorption-desorption cycles, demonstrating good stability and reusability. The integration of hierarchical TiO₂, magnetic Fe₃O₄, and bio-inspired PLDOPA functionalization provides a promising and sustainable strategy for heavy metal removal and highlights the potential of multifunctional nanocomposites in circular and resource-efficient water treatment systems. Full article

Leafy green vegetables provide important nutrients for human growth; however, human health is highly compromised through consumption of vegetables contaminated by heavy metals. Therefore, the study aimed to investigate the bioaccumulation of heavy metals in five different leafy green vegetables and soils and determine the human health risks that may arise from consuming those vegetables from Tonga town in Mpumalanga province, South Africa. Soils and five edible leafy vegetables (i.e., lettuce, cabbage, rape, pumpkin leaves, and spinach) were assessed for bio-concentration factor, daily intake of metals, health risk, and target hazard quotient across the study sites. The Si, K, Na, Ca, Mg, Al, and Fe concentrations were high in the soils. In general, vegetables exhibited elevated Ca, Fe, Si, Al, and Sr levels, although spinach had high Na concentrations. The bioconcentration factor showed the following trends: Mg > B > Si > V for trace metals and Cr > Co > Mn > Ni > B for heavy metals in lettuce, spinach, and pumpkin leaves. The human risk index for all vegetables showed that all metals were not likely to induce any health hazards to humans, and the target hazard quotient for B, Si, V, Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Zn, and Pb showed potential for substantial health risk hazard. The findings of this study generally reveal that the concentrations of the analysed metals exceeded the permissible limits established by the World Health Organisation and the Food and Agricultural Organisation. Given the high levels of metals detected in the soil and vegetables within the study area, it is important to investigate the potential implications for human health and mitigate both acute and chronic health challenges associated with heavy metal exposure. Furthermore, this study will guide policymakers in developing improved regulations and safety standards for agricultural practices and environmental protection, particularly for vulnerable peri-urban and rural communities. Full article

Thermoplastic starch (TPS) blended with biodegradable polyesters such as polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), polylactic acid (PLA), polybutylene succinate (PBS), and polycaprolactone (PCL) represents a promising route toward sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based plastics. TPS offers advantages related to abundance, low cost, and biodegradability, while polyesters provide improved mechanical strength, thermal stability, and barrier performance. However, the intrinsic incompatibility between hydrophilic TPS and hydrophobic polyesters typically leads to immiscible systems with poor interfacial adhesion and limited performance. This review critically examines recent advances in the development of TPS/polyester blends, with emphasis on compatibilization strategies based on chemical modification, natural and synthetic compatibilizers, bio-based additives, and reinforcing agents. Particular attention is given to the role of organic acids, essential oils, phenolic compounds, nanofillers, and natural reinforcements in controlling morphology, crystallinity, interfacial interactions, and thermal–mechanical behavior. In addition, the contribution of bioactive additives to antimicrobial and antioxidant functionality is discussed as an emerging multifunctional feature of some TPS/polyester systems. Finally, current limitations related to long-term stability, scalability, and life cycle assessment are highlighted, identifying key challenges and future research directions for the development of advanced biodegradable materials with tailored properties. Full article

Stabilizing thermoplastic polymers against thermal degradation is an important aspect that must be addressed during material development and becomes critical in the case of bio-polymers, which often reveal reduced thermal stability and a narrow processing temperature window. Herein, we propose a new methodology to analyze and compare the thermal stability of thermoplastic materials, exampled by several types of bio-polyesters, such as aliphatic PBS and PBSA, aliphatic-aromatic PBAT and PBST, and amorphous PHBV, and evaluate the impact of thermal stabilizer on their processability and thermal stability. The proposed method relies on multi-step torque rheometry experiments that involve controlled cycling of the tested material under varied thermal conditions, shear forces, and processing times to acquire and evaluate the changes in flow behavior of the sample after its processing. By monitoring polymer melt behavior and comparing the changes before and after repetitive processing steps, we can gain valuable insights into the material performance and stabilizing efficiency of additives. The thermal stability of polymers and the efficiency of thermal stabilizers can be assessed by means of the relative change in temperature-normalized torque, $∆\tau \left(\%\right)$, measured after different processing steps. Significantly, we demonstrate that the obtained $∆\tau \left(\%\right)$ values correlate with changes in the molar mass of neat polymers as a result of their processing. The proposed approach enables a semi-quantitative evaluation of the thermal stability of various polymers and the study of the efficiency of thermal stabilizers and their performance, providing a robust strategy for optimizing compound formulations, particularly regarding the optimal fractions required. Full article

Black crust and spalling are common deterioration phenomena affecting marble relics, yet their correlation remains inadequately understood. Hyperspectral imaging, reflectance spectroscopy, portable X-ray Fluorescence (p-XRF), infrared thermography, Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with Energy-Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and microbiological analysis was employed to connect these two types of deterioration on the Danbi stone carving of the Confucian Temple in Beijing. Spectral and thermal analyses reveal that black crust significantly reduces reflectance and increase solar absorption by 27%, resulting in thermal stress. p-XRF and SEM-EDS analyses indicated that black crust is enriched in Fe, Ti, Zn, Pb, As and clay minerals, while spalling areas display increase Ca, reflecting substrate exposure. Microscopy reveals microcracks at the layer–substrate interface. Microbiological analyses identify Cladosporium anthropophilum and Alternaria alternata as contributors to surface-darkening. These multi-scale datasets collectively demonstrate that alterations in surface chemistry and bio-mediated darkening promoting the formation of black crusts, which subsequently induce marble spalling due to solar absorption and thermal stress. These findings clarify the coupled physical–chemical–biological pathways through which black crust accelerates stone spalling. Full article

Biopolymeric films based on chitosan and starch offer an ecological alternative for food protection. Nevertheless, their practical application is often limited by their low mechanical properties and high solubility in aqueous solutions, due to weak interactions between the chains of the biopolymers. One approach to resolve this problem is to obtain biopolymeric films based on (bio)polyelectrolyte complex ((bio)PEC). These films exhibit stronger electrostatic interactions and homogeneous biopolymeric structure. In this study, films based on (bio)PEC were obtained by the casting method, using chitosan and carboxymethyl cassava starch with different degrees of substitution with a biopolymer concentration of 2.5 wt.% at pH = 6. The obtained films were analyzed using the optical and scanning microscopy, color method, ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, mechanical analysis under tension, solubility in water, simulated gastric fluid (SGF), and phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solutions, and contact angle of water. The results demonstrated that the tensile strength and Young’s modulus of films based on (bio)PEC increased by 2–4 times, and the elongation at break by 20% compared to films based on a mixture chitosan and starch. This is due to the increase in the attraction between oppositely charged polyelectrolytes in (bio)PEC films. Additionally, the solubility of (bio)PEC films was reduced by ~40%, 35% and 70% in water, SGF and PBS solutions, respectively, when the carboxymethyl starch with highest degree of substitution was used, and z was near to 1. Full article

A novel series of Gd₂O₃-doped Pb₃O₄–Sb₂O₃–B₂O₃–Bi₂O₃ glasses was synthesized via the conventional melt-quenching technique to explore their structural, thermal, and optical properties for potential photonic and medical phototherapy applications. X-ray diffraction and SEM analyses confirmed the amorphous and homogeneous nature of the samples, while their FTIR spectra revealed characteristic Pb–O, Sb–O, Bi–O, and B–O vibrational bands indicative of a stable glass network. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) demonstrated good thermal stability, suitable for high-temperature optical applications. Optical absorption and emission studies indicated the presence of prominent Gd³⁺ ion transitions, with a strong and sharp ultraviolet emission at 311 nm (⁶P_7/2→⁸S_7/2) when excited at 274 nm. The emission intensity and lifetime increased with Gd₂O₃ concentrations of up to 1.0 mol%, beyond which concentration quenching was observed. The optimized composition exhibited a reduced optical band gap and enhanced NB-UVB emission efficiency, suggesting efficient energy transfer with minimal non-radiative losses. These results establish the designed glass system as a promising multifunctional material for NB-UVB-based phototherapy, UV-laser generation, scintillation, and other next-generation photonic devices. Full article

The performance of heterogeneous polymer-based materials is largely governed by the efficiency of interfacial adhesion and the strength of interactions between their constituent phases. This work mainly focuses on correlating the properties of dielectrically active interfaces, identified through broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS), with the mechanical behavior of heterogeneous polymer-based materials. Blends of polypropylene (PP) and biodegradable poly (butylene succinate) (PBS) were investigated across a wide composition range (100/0, 80/20, 70/30, 50/50, 20/80, and 0/100 PP/PBS). The interface between the immiscible PP and PBS phases induces a Maxwell–Wagner–Sillars (MWS) interfacial polarization in the permittivity spectrum. For the 80PP/20PBS formulation, the high activation energy of this polarization is well correlated with the material’s elevated tensile strength measured under uniaxial tension. A series of nanocomposites based on the 80PP/20PBS blend and reinforced with organically modified montmorillonite (Cloisite 20A) were thoroughly investigated. A strong correlation was established between their mechanical performance and the additional interfacial polarization arising from charge accumulation at the clay–matrix interface. The 80PP*/20PBS–3%C20 nanocomposite demonstrated superior matrix–filler adhesion, reflected by the highest activation energy of interfacial polarization and a marked increase in Young’s modulus (~22%) and zero-shear viscosity η₀ (~44%). Complementary rheological measurements confirmed a substantial increase in viscosity and relaxation time for the 80PP/20PBS–3%C20 nanocomposites, indicating restricted chain mobility and the formation of a percolated network. Morphological analysis by SEM provided insights into the overall microstructure of the polymer blends and nanocomposites. These results demonstrate a direct correlation between interfacial structure, chain dynamics, and macroscopic performance in immiscible polymer blends and nanocomposites. Full article

This manuscript investigates the effect of MWCNT addition on the morphological and water absorption properties of bio-based polyester nanocomposites made from PLA and PBS. The nanocomposites were produced by the melt-mixing method using a twin-screw extruder. An analysis of the percentage by mass of water absorbed was used to determine the absorption properties of polyesters. The addition of MWCNTs to the polyester matrix is a big challenge because agglomerated MWCNTs can introduce micro-voids and defects that act as a channel for water permeation. The SEM images show that the polyester fracture surface becomes rough with several voids after the addition of MWCNTs. The water absorption properties of bio-based polyesters such as PBS show significant changes (an increase of 185%) compared to pure PBS. These findings reveal that the addition of MWCNTs in a small amount (1 wt%) affects the morphology and water absorption capacity of bio-based polyesters. Full article

Freshwater ecosystems face increasing contamination by heavy metals, yet their transfer patterns remain poorly understood. This study aimed to assess the extent of pollution by ten potential toxic elements (As, Ni, Zn, Pb, Cd, Cr, Fe, Cu, Mn and Se) in water, sediment, Spirogyra sp., and two endemic fish species (Tropidophoxinellus callensis and Luciobarbus callensis) in the El Mellah River. The element concentrations were measured in four matrices using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Bioaccumulation Factor and Trophic Transfer Factor were used to depict bioaccumulation patterns across the ecological strata and two levels of the food web. The results showed that all sediment samples demonstrated very high ecological risk, consistently exceeding critical thresholds (PLI > 1, RI > 600). Contamination factor and geoaccumulation index revealed moderate to extreme contamination by As and Cd throughout all samples. Both fish species exhibited a bio-accumulation affinity for Cr, Cd, Mn, and Zn from water, while concurrently accumulating As from Spirogyra sp. Muscle tissue concentrations of As, Pb, Cr, and Cd in both species exceeded international guideline values. Health risk assessment indicated that children face elevated exposure risks, with Cd intake exceeding safe limits and total hazard quotient surpassing safety thresholds by 2.6-fold, while carcinogenic risks from Cd and Cr exceeded acceptable levels for both adults and children. These findings provide baseline contamination data for this tributary system and highlight elevated risks to both human health (through fish consumption) and ecosystem integrity, indicating the need for targeted monitoring and risk management measures. Full article