Search Results (757)

Hydraulic calcium silicate cements (HCSCs) are contemporary materials in vital pulp therapy (VPT) and regenerative endodontic therapy (RET) due to their favorable effects on pulpal and periodontal cells, including cell differentiation and hard tissue formation. Recent studies also indicated the involvement of several S100A proteins in inflammatory, differentiation, and mineralization processes of the pulp. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of HCSCs on S100A gene expression in human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs). Human DPSCs were isolated and characterized by multi-lineage stem-cell markers and differentiation protocols. In stimulation experiments hDPSCs were exposed to ProRoot^®MTA, Biodentine^®, IL-1β, and dexamethasone. Cell viability was determined by XTT assay. IL-6 and IL-8 mRNA expression was measured to analyze proinflammatory response. In addition, odontogenic differentiation and biomineralization assays were conducted (DSPP- and ALP-mRNA expression, ALP activity, and Alizarin Red staining). Differential expression of 13 S100A genes was examined using qPCR. Low concentrations of HCSCs enhanced the proliferation of hDPSCs, whereas higher concentrations exhibited cytotoxic effects. HCSCs induced a pro-inflammatory response and led to odontogenic differentiation and biomineralization. This was accompanied by significant alterations in the expression levels of various S100A genes. ProRoot^®MTA and Biodentine^® significantly affect the expression of several S100A genes in hDPSCs, supporting their role in inflammation, differentiation, and mineralization. These findings indicate a link between the effects of HCSCs on human pulp cells during VPT or RET and S100A proteins. Full article

(1) Background: The synthetic eleven-amino acid peptide P₁₁-4, derived from DMP-1, self-assembles into β-sheet tapes, ribbons, fibrils, and fibers that form a 3D matrix enriched with calcium-binding sites. This study investigated whether P₁₁-4 modulates gene and protein expression or induces adverse metabolic alterations in odontoblast-like cells. (2) Methods: MDPC-23 cells were cultured under standard conditions and stimulated with different concentrations of P₁₁-4, followed by assessments of cell viability using the MTT assay, proliferation and migration, cytoplasmic calcium kinetics, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, osteogenic differentiation-related gene expression via PCR array, and expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) using confocal microscopy and flow cytometry. (3) Results: The MTT assay showed that P₁₁-4 at 6.3, 12.6, and 25.2 µmol/L was non-cytotoxic and did not alter MDPC-23 cell proliferation or migration. Only the 25.2 µmol/L concentration induced a detectable Ca²⁺ influx and a slight increase in ROS. Among the 84 genes examined, P₁₁-4 at 6.3 µmol/L upregulated 79 genes, including transcription factors, signaling molecules, and extracellular matrix-related proteins. Furthermore, P₁₁-4 did not increase IL-6 expression under any condition tested. (4) Conclusion: P₁₁-4 markedly modulates mineralization-associated gene regulation without causing metabolic damage in odontoblast-like cells. Full article

Lignocellulosic bio-based materials, such as wood, biocomposites, and natural fibers, exhibit desirable structural properties. This comprehensive review emphasizes the foundational and latest advancements in bioinspired improvement strategies, such as direct mineralization, biomineralization, lignocellulosic nanomaterials, protein-based treatments, and metal-chelating processes. Significant focus was placed on biomimetics, emulating natural protective mechanisms, with discussions on relevant topics including hierarchical mineral deposition, free-radical formation and quenching, and selective metal ion binding, and relating them to lignocellulosic bio-based material property improvements, particularly against fire and fungi. This review evaluates the effectiveness of different bioinspired processes: mineralized and biomineralized composites improve thermal stability, nanocellulose and lignin nanoparticles provide physical, thermal, and chemical barriers, proteins offer biochemical inhibition and mineral templating, and chelators interfere with fungal oxidative pathways while simultaneously improving fire retardancy through selective binding with metal ions. Synergistic approaches integrating various mechanisms could potentially lead to long-lasting and multifunctional protection. This review also highlights the research gaps, challenges, and potential for future applications. Full article

Urease-producing bacteria (UPB) have great potential for the bioremediation of heavy-metal pollution through biomineralization and adsorption. In this study, a strain of UPB, C7-12, was isolated from heavy-metal-contaminated soil in a lead–zinc mining area and identified as Serratia marcescens. The heavy-metal removal ability, influencing factors, and precipitation mode of this UPB strain in solution were investigated. The cadmium (Cd) removal rate in a Cd (1 mg/L) solution from C7-12 reached 85%, and pH was the main influencing factor. With urea mediation, S. marcescens C7-12 biomineralizes the Cd²⁺ in solution to form CdCO₃ and removes it through extracellular precipitation and surface adsorption. Furthermore, the removal rates of Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Cu²⁺ in solution by S. marcescens C7-12 were 33–65%, 28–32%, 22–49%, and 38–44%, respectively. The precipitation mode involves coprecipitation of multiple heavy metals to form a mineral. These heavy metals are adsorbed on the surface of bacteria through the participation of carboxyl, amino, and phosphate functional groups and extracellular polymeric substances. Therefore, S. marcescens C7-12 has strong biomineralization and adsorption capacity for heavy-metal ions in solution, which can provide potential resources for the bioremediation of heavy-metal-contaminated soil and water. Full article

Concrete is the most widely used construction material worldwide, yet its production and disposal pose significant environmental challenges due to high carbon emissions and limited recyclability. While microbial colonization of concrete is often associated with structural deterioration, recent research has highlighted the potential of microorganisms to contribute positively to concrete recycling and self-healing. In this study, we investigated the bacterial and fungal communities inhabiting urban concrete samples using amplicon-based taxonomic profiling targeting the 16S rRNA gene and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. Our analyses revealed a diverse assemblage of microbial taxa capable of surviving the extreme physicochemical conditions of concrete. Several taxa were associated with known metabolic functions relevant to concrete degradation, such as acid and sulphate production, as well as biomineralization processes that may support crack repair and surface sealing. These findings suggest that concrete-associated microbiomes may serve as a reservoir of biological functions with potential applications in sustainable construction, including targeted biodegradation for recycling and biogenic mineral formation for structural healing. This work provides a foundation for developing microbial solutions to reduce the environmental footprint of concrete infrastructure. Full article

Extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) produced by actinomycetes of the genus Rhodococcus play crucial roles in their ecological success, metabolic versatility, and biotechnological value. This review summarizes existing studies of Rhodococcus EPSs, emphasizing the biochemical composition, functional attributes, and practical significance of EPSs, as well as their importance in biomedicine, bioremediation, and other applications (food industry, biomineralization) with respect to the EPS chemical composition and biological roles. Rhodococcus species synthesize complex EPSs composed primarily of polysaccharides, proteins and lipids that, like in other bacteria, support cell adhesion, aggregation, biofilm formation, and horizontal gene transfer (and can prevent exogenous DNA binding) and are highly important for resistance against toxicants and dissolution/assimilation of hydrophobic compounds. EPSs produced by different species of Rhodococcus exhibit diverse structures (soluble EPSs, loosely bound and tightly bound fractions, capsules, linear and branched chains, amorphous coils, rigid helices, mushroom-like structures, extracellular matrix, and a fibrillar structure with a sheet-like texture), leading to variations in their properties (rheological features, viscosity, flocculation, sorption abilities, compression, DNA binding, and interaction with hydrophobic substrates). Notably, the EPSs exhibit marked emulsifying and flocculating properties, contributing to their recognized role in bioremediation. Furthermore, EPSs possess antiviral, antibiofilm, anti-inflammatory, and anti-proliferating activities and high viscosity, which are valuable in terms of biomedical and food applications. Despite extensive industrial and environmental interest, the molecular regulation, biosynthetic pathways, and structural diversity of Rhodococcus EPSs remain insufficiently characterized. Advancing our understanding of these biopolymers could expand new applications in biomedicine, bioremediation, and biotechnology. Full article

C-type lectins (CTLs) are a large family of calcium-dependent carbohydrate-binding proteins that play crucial roles in innate immunity as pattern recognition receptors. Bivalve mollusks possess exceptionally diverse and expanded repertoires of CTLs, yet a systematic review integrating their structural, functional, and regulatory aspects has been lacking. This article provides a comprehensive synthesis of current knowledge on bivalve CTLs, analyzing their biosynthesis, complex tissue-specific expression under both normal and stressed conditions, and their multifaceted roles in immune defense and other physiological processes. Our analysis consolidates data on their diverse domain architectures, phylogenetic relationships, and the variability of key motifs within their carbohydrate-recognition domains. The results demonstrate that bivalve CTLs are not only critical for pathogen recognition, agglutination, and phagocytosis but also involved in processes like nutrition, development, byssus formation and biomineralization. However, a significant finding is that the detailed carbohydrate specificity for most bivalve CTLs remains poorly characterized, often limited to monosaccharide inhibition assays. In conclusion, while the immune role of bivalve CTLs is well-established, this review underscores a critical gap in understanding their fine glycan-binding profiles. Therefore, a shift in the focus of future research towards elucidating their structure and carbohydrate specificity is required for a full understanding of their biological functions and an assessment of their biomedical potential. Full article

Palladium, a non-toxic platinum-group metal, is widely used in catalysis, electronics, hydrogen storage, and chemical industries because of its excellent physical and chemical properties. However, given that the number of palladium-producing countries is limited, recycling is considered essential for ensuring a stable and sustainable global supply. Here, I describe a simple and efficient method for palladium recovery from electronic waste (e-waste) using Enterobacter oligotrophicus CCA6^T. To clarify biomineralization capacity, the role of electron donors in modulating biomineralization capacity was examined. Findings showed that formic acid was the most effective donor, enhancing the relative recovery rate to 44% compared to 23% without electron donors. Transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed palladium particles (1–10 nm) distributed across the cell wall, periplasmic space and cytoplasm, confirming active biomineralization rather than passive biosorption. Moreover, based on a comparison with the biomineralization mechanism of Escherichia coli, the biomineralization mechanism of E. oligotrophicus CCA6^T was estimated . Reaction parameters were then optimized by testing the effects of formic acid concentration, reaction temperature, and reaction pH. Under optimized conditions, the relative recovery rate exceeded 99% within 6 h using 40 mg/L palladium. When this method was applied to a metal dissolution solution prepared from e-waste , a recovery rate of 94% was achieved from trace concentrations (36 µg/L), and palladium loss from bacteria after the palladium recovery test was negligible (<0.01%). Taken together, these results demonstrate that biomineralization using E. oligotrophicus CCA6^T could potentially be applied to the recovery of palladium from e-waste, particularly for trace-level concentrations where conventional methods are ineffective. Full article

Egg quality is a critical economic trait in poultry production, influencing consumer preference and production efficiency. The genetic and epigenetic regulation of egg quality involves complex biological pathways across various traits such as shell quality, albumen composition, and yolk biochemistry. This review synthesizes recent advances in the genetic, molecular, and epigenetic mechanisms that determine poultry egg quality. Specifically, it focuses on external traits such as eggshell strength, color, and thickness, and internal traits including albumen height, yolk composition, and the Haugh unit. Through genome-wide association studies (GWAS), quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping, whole-genome sequencing (WGS), and multi-omics approaches, key candidate genes such as OC-116, CALB1, CA2 (shell formation), OVAL, SPINK5, SERPINB14 (albumen quality), and FGF9, PIAS1, NOX5 (lipid metabolism) have been identified. These genes play a pivotal role in shell biomineralization, albumen protein regulation, and yolk lipid transport. This review also explores the heritability of these traits, emphasizing the challenges posed by polygenic architecture and the influence of environmental factors. Furthermore, it addresses the dynamic spatiotemporal regulation of egg quality traits, including epigenetic layers such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, RNA methylation, and post-translational protein modifications. This paper highlights the application of these findings to breeding programs via genomic selection, marker-assisted breeding, and epigenetic engineering approaches. Future directions for precision breeding and the development of functional eggs with enhanced quality are also discussed. Full article

The built environment (BE) encompasses an enormous volume and substantial material mass. However, structures within it typically serve single, limited functions. Enhancing these structures with multifunctional capabilities holds significant potential for achieving broader sustainability goals and creating impactful environmental benefits. Among these potential multifunctional applications, carbon capture, reduction, and storage are especially critical, given the current built environment’s substantial contribution of approximately 40% of global energy and CO₂ emissions. Keeping this potential in view, this comprehensive review critically evaluates carbon management strategies for the built environment via three interrelated approaches: carbon capture (via photosynthesis, passive concrete carbonation, and microbial biomineralization), carbon storage (employing carbonation curing, mineral carbonation, and valorization of construction and demolition waste), and carbon reduction (integrating industrial waste, alternative binders, and bio-based materials). The review also evaluates the potential of novel direct air-capture materials, assessing their feasibility for integration into construction processes and existing infrastructure. Key findings highlight significant advancements, quantify CO₂ absorption potentials across various construction materials, and reveal critical knowledge gaps, thereby providing a strategic roadmap for future research direction toward a low-carbon, climate-resilient built environment. Full article

Magnetosomes (MTS), membrane-enclosed magnetic nanoparticles naturally biomineralized by magnetotactic bacteria, are promising materials for tumor hyperthermia owing to their good biocompatibility and heating efficiency. However, their application is limited by poor suspension stability and low injectability at high concentrations. This study aimed to enhance magnetosome stability and delivery performance through surface cationization combined with collagen matrix stabilization. The resulting cationic magnetosomes (CMTS) exhibited an increased positive charge on the outer membrane. Collagen, functioning as a negatively charged matrix under mildly alkaline conditions, effectively stabilized the cationic magnetosomes, forming CMTS–collagen aqueous suspensions (CMTS-Colas) that remained well-suspended for over 24 h and could be easily resuspended after 10 days of storage. Compared with native magnetosome suspensions, CMTS in collagen displayed smaller hydrodynamic diameters and significantly improved injectability through 26G and 31G fine needles. Under an alternating magnetic field, 2 mg/mL CMTS-Colas efficiently induced over 98% apoptosis in hepatoma cells after two treatment sessions and led to complete loss of cell viability after three sessions. These findings demonstrate that CMTS-Colas substantially improve the suspension stability and injectability of magnetosomes while maintaining strong hyperthermic efficacy, suggesting a promising strategy for stabilizing magnetosomes and potentially benefiting other charged, aggregation-prone magnetic biomaterials. Full article

Magnetosomes are organelle-like structures within magnetotactic bacteria that store iron biominerals in membrane-bound vesicles. In bacteria, formation of these structures is highly regulated by approximately 30 genes, which are conserved throughout different species. To compartmentalize iron in mammalian cells and provide gene-based contrast for magnetic resonance imaging, we introduced key magnetosome proteins. The expression of essential magnetosome genes mamI and mamL as fluorescent fusion proteins in a human melanoma cell line confirmed their co-localization and interaction. Here, we investigate the expression of two more essential magnetosome genes, mamB and mamE, using confocal microscopy to describe fluorescent fusion protein expression patterns and analyze the observed intracellular mobility. Custom software was developed to characterize fluorescent particle trajectories. In mammalian cells, essential magnetosome proteins display different diffusive behaviours. However, all magnetosome proteins travelled at similar velocities when interacting with mammalian mobile elements, suggesting that MamL, MamL + MamI, MamB, and MamE interact with similar molecular motor proteins. These results confirm that localization and interaction of essential magnetosome proteins are feasible within the mammalian intracellular compartment. Full article

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is the most significant anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG), accounting for approximately 81% of total emissions, with methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and fluorinated gases contributing the remainder. Rising atmospheric CO₂ concentrations, driven primarily by fossil fuel combustion, industrial processes, and transportation, have surpassed the Earth’s natural sequestration capacity, intensifying climate change impacts. Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) offers a portfolio of solutions to mitigate these emissions, encompassing pre-combustion, post-combustion, oxy-fuel combustion, and direct air capture (DAC) technologies. This review synthesizes advancements in CO₂ capture materials including liquid absorbents (amines, amino acids, ionic liquids, hydroxides/carbonates), solid adsorbents (metal–organic frameworks, zeolites, carbon-based materials, metal oxides), hybrid sorbents, and emerging hydrogel-based systems and their integration with utilization and storage routes. Special emphasis is given to CO₂ mineralization using mine tailings, steel slag, fly ash, and bauxite residue, as well as biological mineralization employing carbonic anhydrase (CA) immobilized in hydrogels. The techno-economic performance of these pathways is compared, highlighting that while high-capacity sorbents offer scalability, hydrogels and biomineralization excel in low-temperature regeneration and integration with waste valorization. Challenges remain in cost reduction, material stability under industrial flue gas conditions, and integration with renewable energy systems. The review concludes that hybrid, cross-technology CCUS configurations combining complementary capture, utilization, and storage strategies will be essential to meeting 2030 and 2050 climate targets. Full article

In order to address the poor volume stability and low reactivity of steel slag powder (SS) as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM), this study investigates a microbial-assisted carbonation method for its enhancement. Using untreated SS as a control, we compared the performance and microstructure of carbonated steel slag powder (CSS) and bio-mineralized steel slag powder (BSS). Results indicate that, compared to CSS, BSS exhibits a more significant reduction in the content of f-CaO and f-MgO (from 6.25% and 3.19% to 0.8% and 1.36%, respectively) and a greater improvement in 7-day and 28-day activity indices (from 59% and 72% to 78% and 87%), leading to markedly enhanced volume stability and reactivity. Calculations show that each ton of BSS can sequester 114.2 kg of CO₂, and it achieves a cement replacement ratio exceeding 30%. The utilization of BSS as an SCM not only addresses the inherent technical challenges of steel slag powder but also creates dual environmental benefits through emission reduction and active carbon sequestration, demonstrating significant potential for advancing the low-carbon transition in the construction materials industry. Full article