Search Results (4,015)

Recent intensive research on the cypress bark beetle, Phloeosinus aubei was prompted because of its invasion of Central Europe that caused serious damage to scale-leaved conifer ornamental trees. This dynamic also increased the risk of accidental introduction into North America. In contrast to other historically well-studied bark beetles infesting spruce, pine or broad-leaf trees, intense study of the pheromones and host plant kairomones of bark beetles associated with cupressaceous trees has only begun in the past decade. This highly specialized clade is represented by the genus Phloeosinus. The pressing need for semiochemical-baited traps demands the identification of behavior-modifying compounds. This challenge involves unraveling the various stimuli interacting in the complex communication system to reveal the composition of signal bouquets and the absolute configuration of their components capable of evoking behavior responses. In this short overview we describe the recent research results on host-finding and intraspecific chemical communication of P. aubei, with a short outlook on the species of this genus. Full article

Yeast biosensors represent a promising biotechnological innovation for ensuring the safety and quality of fermented beverages such as beer, wine, and kombucha. These biosensors employ genetically engineered yeast strains to detect specific contaminants, spoilage organisms, or hazardous compounds during fermentation or the final product. By integrating synthetic biology tools, researchers have developed yeast strains that can sense and respond to the presence of heavy metals (e.g., lead or arsenic), mycotoxins, ethanol levels, or unwanted microbial metabolites. When a target compound is detected, the biosensor yeast activates a reporter system, such as fluorescence, color change, or electrical signal, providing a rapid, visible, and cost-effective means of monitoring safety parameters. These biosensors offer several advantages: they can operate in real time, are relatively low-cost compared to conventional chemical analysis methods, and can be integrated directly into the fermentation system. Furthermore, as Saccharomyces cerevisiae is generally recognized as safe (GRAS), its use as a sensing platform aligns well with existing practices in beverage production. Yeast biosensors are being investigated for the early detection of contamination by spoilage microbes, such as Brettanomyces and lactic acid bacteria. These contaminants can alter the flavor profile and shorten the product’s shelf life. By providing timely feedback, these biosensor systems allow producers to intervene early, thereby reducing waste and enhancing consumer safety. In this work, we review the development and application of yeast-based biosensors as potential safeguards in fermented beverage production, with the overarching goal of contributing to the manufacture of safer and higher-quality products. Nevertheless, despite their substantial conceptual promise and encouraging experimental results, yeast biosensors remain confined mainly to laboratory-scale studies. A clear gap persists between their demonstrated potential and widespread industrial implementation, underscoring the need for further research focused on robustness, scalability, and regulatory integration. Full article

This study introduces a novel hybrid model for an electromembrane stack, unifying an equivalent electrical circuit model incorporating specific resistance ($R_M,R_s$) and capacitance ($C_{gs},C_{dl}$) parameters with an empirical fouling model in a single framework. The model simplifies the traditional approach by serially connecting N ($N=10$) ion exchange membranes (anionic PC-SA and cationic PC-SK) and is validated using $NaCl$ and $N{a}_{2}S{O}_4$ solutions in comparison with laboratory tests using various voltage signals, including direct current and electrically pulsed reversal operations at frequencies of 2000 and 4000 Hz. The model specifically accounts for the chemical stratification of the cell unit into bulk solution, diffusion, and Stern layers. We also included a calibration method using correction factors (${\alpha }_i$) to fine-tune the electrical current signals induced by voltage stimulation. The empirical component of the model uses experimental data to simulate membrane fouling, ensuring consistency with laboratory-scale desalination processes performed under pulsed reversal operations and achieving a prediction error of less than 10%. In addition, a comparative analysis was used to assess the increase in electrical resistance due to fouling. By integrating electronic and empirical electrochemical data, this hybrid model opens the way to the construction of simple, practical, and reliable models that complement theoretical approaches, signifying an advance for a variety of electromembrane-based technologies. Full article

Individuals across their lifespan may experience hearing loss from medications or chemicals, prompting concern about ototoxic environmental exposures. This study applies computational modeling as a screening-level hazard identification and chemical prioritization approach and is not intended to constitute a human health risk assessment or to estimate exposure- or dose-dependent ototoxic risk. We evaluated in silico drug-induced ototoxicity models on 80 environmental chemicals, excluding 4 with known ototoxicity, and analyzed 76 chemicals using fingerprinting, similarity assessment, and machine learning classification. We compared predicted environmental ototoxicants with ototoxic drugs, paired select polychlorinated biphenyls with the antineoplastic drug mitotane, and used PCB 177 as a case study to construct an ototoxicity pathway. A systems biology framework predicted and compared molecular targets of mitotane and PCB 177 to generate a network-level mechanism. The consensus model (accuracy 0.95 test; 0.90 validation) identified 18 of 76 chemicals as potential ototoxicants within acceptable confidence ranges. Mitotane and PCB 177 were both predicted to disrupt thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor signaling, suggesting thyroid-mediated pathways may contribute to auditory harm; additional targets included AhR, transthyretin, and PXR. Findings indicate overlapping mechanisms involving metabolic, cellular, and inflammatory processes. This work shows that integrated computational modeling can support virtual screening and prioritization for chemical and drug ototoxicity risk assessment. Full article

Communication in mammals constitutes a complex, multimodal system that integrates visual, acoustic, tactile, and chemical signals whose functions extend beyond simple information transfer to include the regulation of social relationships, coordination of behaviour, and expression of emotional states. This article examines the fundamental mechanisms of communication from biological, neuroethological, and behavioural perspectives, with particular emphasis on domesticated and farmed species. Analysis of sensory signals demonstrates that their perception and interpretation are closely linked to the physiology of sensory organs as well as to social experience and environmental context. In companion animals such as dogs and cats, domestication has significantly modified communicative repertoires ranging from the development of specialised facial musculature in dogs to adaptive diversification of vocalisations in cats. The neurobiological foundations of communication, including the activity of the amygdala, limbic structures, and mirror-neuron systems, provide evidence for homologous mechanisms of emotion recognition across species. The article also highlights the role of communication in shaping social structures and the influence of husbandry conditions on the behaviour of farm animals. In intensive production environments, acoustic, visual, and chemical signals are often shaped or distorted by crowding, noise, and chronic stress, with direct consequences for welfare. Furthermore, the growing importance of multimodal technologies such as Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) and Animal–Computer Interaction (ACI) is discussed, particularly their role in enabling objective monitoring of emotional states and behaviour and supporting individualised care. Overall, the analysis underscores that communication forms the foundation of social functioning in mammals, and that understanding this complexity is essential for ethology, animal welfare, training practices, and the design of modern technologies facilitating human–animal interaction. Full article

Declining Leydig cell steroidogenesis contributes to late-onset hypogonadism and to age-associated impairment of male reproductive health. Determinants of dysfunction extend beyond chronological aging. This review synthesizes recent experimental and translational evidence on cellular and molecular processes that compromise Leydig cell endocrine output and the interstitial niche that supports spermatogenesis. Evidence spanning environmental endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), obesity and metabolic dysfunction, and testicular aging is integrated with emphasis on oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, mitochondrial dysregulation, apoptosis, disrupted autophagy and mitophagy, and senescence-associated remodeling. Across model systems, toxicant exposure and metabolic stress converge on impaired organelle quality control and altered redox signaling, with downstream loss of steroidogenic capacity and, in some settings, premature senescence within the Leydig compartment. Aging further reshapes the testicular microenvironment through inflammatory shifts and biomechanical remodeling and may erode stem and progenitor Leydig cell homeostasis, thereby constraining regenerative potential. Single-cell transcriptomic atlases advance the field by resolving Leydig cell heterogeneity, nominating subsets that appear more vulnerable to stress and aging, and mapping age-dependent rewiring of interstitial cell-to-cell communication with Sertoli cells, peritubular myoid cells, vascular cells, and immune cells. Many mechanistic insights derive from rodent in vivo studies and in vitro platforms that include immortalized Leydig cell lines, and validation in human tissue and human clinical cohorts remains uneven. Together, these findings frame mechanistically informed opportunities to preserve endogenous androgen production and fertility through exposure mitigation, metabolic optimization, fertility-preserving endocrine stimulation, and strategies that target inflammation, senescence, and regenerative capacity. Full article

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) can be traditionally treated by edible and medicinal species rich in flavonoids and triterpenoids known for their metabolic benefits. Cucumis prophetarum L. has shown antioxidant and antidiabetic properties in decoction extracts. Since solvent polarity strongly influences the extraction of secondary metabolites, this study investigated the hydroalcoholic extracts of C. prophetarum L. to explore their chemical composition and insulin-sensitizing potential. Hydroalcoholic extracts from the leaf, stem, and root of C. prophetarum L. were analyzed by UV-Vis spectroscopy, ATR-FTIR, and UHPLC-ESI-QqTOF–MS/MS to profile their secondary metabolites. The insulin-sensitizing potential of each extract was assessed using an in vitro model of palmitic-acid-induced insulin resistance in L6 skeletal muscle cells, followed by Western blot analysis of key insulin-signaling proteins. Flavonoid glycosides such as apigenin-C,O-dihexoside, apigenin-malonylhexoside, and luteolin-C,O-dihexoside were abundant in leaf and stem extracts, while cucurbitacins predominated in the root. MTT assay confirmed that hydroalcoholic stem and root extracts of C. prophetarum L. were non-cytotoxic to L6 myotubes, whereas the leaf extract reduced viability only at higher concentrations. Oil Red O staining revealed a pronounced decrease in lipid accumulation following stem and root extract treatment. Consistently, the stem extract enhanced insulin signaling through the activation of the IRS-1/PI3K/Akt pathway, while the root extract primarily modulated the AMPK–mTOR pathway. Importantly, both extracts promoted GLUT4 translocation to the plasma membrane, highlighting their complementary mechanisms in restoring insulin sensitivity. Hydroalcoholic extracts of C. prophetarum L. alleviate insulin resistance through multiple molecular mechanisms, with bioactivity and composition differing markedly from previously reported in the decoctions, which highlight a promising source of insulin-sensitizing phytochemicals and underscore the importance of solvent selection in maximizing therapeutic potential. Full article

Background: Chronic nonbacterial prostatitis (CNP), the major subset of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS), imposes a substantial global burden yet lacks satisfactory therapies. Maizibizi Wan (MZBZ) has long been used clinically for prostatitis, but its pharmacodynamic substance basis and mechanisms remain unclear. Methods: Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–Q-Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-HRMS) coupled with Global Natural Products Social Molecular Networking (GNPS) molecular networking profiled MZBZ constituents and rat plasma–exposed prototype components and metabolites was used. Based on blood-absorbable components, network pharmacology predicted core targets/pathways; representative interactions were validated by molecular docking. A λ-carrageenan–induced CNBP rat model underwent histopathology (H&E), serum cytokine assays (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6/IL-17), immunohistochemistry (COX-2, TNF-α, MMP-9), and Western blotting (P-p65/p65, p-AKT/AKT, COX-2, TGF-β1, BCL2). Results: A total of 188 chemical constituents were identified in MZBZ (79 flavonoids, 38 organic acids, 30 alkaloids, 15 phenylpropanoids, 7 steroids, 4 phenylethanoid glycosides, 15 others). A total of 35 blood-absorbable components (18 prototype components, 17 metabolites) were identified, mainly involving Phase I oxidation and Phase II glucuronidation/sulfation. Network analysis yielded 54 core targets enriched in NF-κB and PI3K/AKT signaling and apoptosis. Docking indicated stable binding of key flavonoids to COX-2, NFKB1, TNF, IL-6, and BCL2. In vivo, MZBZ ameliorated prostatic inflammation, reduced serum TNF-α/IL-1β/IL-6/IL-17 (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01); decreased P-p65/p65, p-AKT/AKT, COX-2, and TGF-β1; and increased BCL2 in prostate tissue. Conclusions: MZBZ exerts anti-CNBP effects via multi-component synergy (prototypes + metabolites) that suppresses inflammatory cytokines, modulates apoptosis, and inhibits NF-κB and PI3K/AKT pathways. These findings provide a mechanistic basis and quality control cues for the rational clinical use of MZBZ. Full article

Root exudates are key mediators of plant–soil–microbe interactions, shaping rhizosphere dynamics and influencing agroecosystem resilience. Comprising diverse primary and secondary metabolites, these compounds are actively secreted through specific transport pathways and are modulated by intrinsic plant traits and environmental conditions. Root exudates serve as chemical signals that recruit and structure microbial communities, facilitating nutrient mobilization, microbial feedbacks, and the regulation of plant growth and stress responses. By modulating soil chemical, physical, and biological properties, exudates contribute to carbon cycling, soil health, and the maintenance of ecosystem services. Moreover, they play multifunctional roles in enhancing plant tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses, while also mediating interactions with neighboring plants. This review provides a holistic perspective on root exudation, encompassing their mechanisms and drivers, roles in rhizosphere ecology and plant stress adaptation, and methodological advances, while highlighting opportunities to harness these processes for resilient, productive, and sustainable agroecosystems. Full article

Clostridium perfringens is one of the main causes of death in poultry with no vaccines approved for poultry at present. The appropriate adjuvant is critical for the development of vaccines in C. perfringens in poultry. Here, we utilized Levilactobacillus brevis for high-yielding selenium biotransformation and demonstrated that heat-inactivated nano-selenium Lactobacillus (HiSeL) is a safe, efficient, and chemically stable selenium immunopotentiator for C. perfringens vaccines. We evaluated the effectiveness of HiSeL as an immune adjuvant to modulate the efficacy of multi-epitope vaccine in mice. Subcutaneous immunization mice with HiSeL promoted high levels of specific IgG, modulated cytokine secretion, downregulated stress-related gene expression, and provided 100% protection against lethal challenge with C. perfringens. Surprisingly, we found that HiSeL can quickly and effectively induce SIgA production even by subcutaneous immunization. Transcriptome sequencing revealed the pivotal role of TGF-β and NF-κB signaling pathways in IgA immune responses in mice immunized with the HiSeL-adjuvanted multi-epitope vaccine. Collectively, our study provides proof-of-concept evidence that HiSeL functions as a potent adjuvant candidate for the multi-epitope vaccine in a murine model, offering new insights into the development of engineered postbiotic-based adjuvants. Full article

Transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channels function as multimodal cation channels that integrate chemical and mechanical cues to regulate cellular signaling. Among them, TRPC3 and TRPC6 have been studied primarily in the context of cardiovascular and renal physiology, and their roles in other organ systems are now increasingly recognized. Although these channels are known to be activated downstream of phospholipase C (PLC) signaling, especially 1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG) production, their precise modes of activation under native physiological conditions remain incompletely understood. Recent structural and functional studies have greatly advanced our understanding of their primary activation by DAG. This review summarizes how decades of physiological analyses have revealed multiple modes of TRPC3 and TRPC6 channel activation beyond DAG gating, providing a broader perspective on their diverse regulatory mechanisms. This review also highlights recent progress in elucidating the channel properties, activation mechanisms, and the physiological as well as pathophysiological roles of TRPC3 and TRPC6 in cardiovascular contractility and remodeling, and discusses the remaining challenges that will lead to the establishment of TRPC3 and TRPC6 as validated therapeutic targets. Full article

Metal–organic framework (MOF)-based surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensors have emerged as a versatile platform for high-sensitivity and selective detection in agricultural, environmental, and biomedical applications. By integrating plasmonic nanostructures with tunable MOF architectures, these hybrid systems combine ultrahigh signal enhancement with molecular recognition, analyte preconcentration, and controlled hotspot distribution. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the fundamental principles underpinning MOF–SERS performance, including EM and chemical enhancement mechanisms, and highlights strategies for substrate design, such as metal–MOF composites, plasmon-free frameworks, ligand functionalization, and hierarchical or core–shell architectures. We further examine their applications in environmental monitoring, pesticide and contaminant detection, pathogen identification, biomarker analysis, and theranostics, emphasizing real-sample performance, molecular selectivity, and emerging integration with portable Raman devices and AI-assisted data analysis. Despite notable advances, challenges remain in reproducibility, quantitative reliability, matrix interference, scalability, and biocompatibility. Future developments are likely to focus on rational MOF design, sustainable fabrication, intelligent spectral interpretation, and multifunctional integration to enable robust, field-deployable sensors. Overall, MOF-based SERS platforms represent a promising next-generation analytical tool poised to bridge laboratory innovation and practical, real-world applications. Full article

The transition toward Industry 4.0 requires advanced sensing platforms capable of delivering real-time, high-fidelity data under extreme industrial conditions. Thin-film sensors, leveraging both photonic and functional approaches, are emerging as key enablers of this transformation. By exploiting optical phenomena such as Fabry–Pérot interference, guided-mode resonance, plasmonics, and photonic crystal effects, thin-film photonic devices provide highly sensitive, electromagnetic interference-immune, and remotely interrogated solutions for monitoring temperature, strain, and chemical environments. Complementarily, functional thin films including oxide-based chemiresistors, nanoparticle coatings, and flexible electronic skins extend sensing capabilities to diverse industrial contexts, from hazardous gas detection to structural health monitoring. This review surveys the fundamental optical principles, material platforms, and deposition strategies that underpin thin-film sensors, emphasizing advances in nanostructured oxides, 2D materials, hybrid perovskites, and additive manufacturing methods. Application-focused sections highlight their deployment in temperature and stress monitoring, chemical leakage detection, and industrial safety. Integration into Internet of Things (IoT) networks, cyber-physical systems, and photonic integrated circuits is examined, alongside challenges related to durability, reproducibility, and packaging. Future directions point to AI-driven signal processing, flexible and printable architectures, and autonomous self-calibration. Together, these developments position thin-film sensors as foundational technologies for intelligent, resilient, and adaptive manufacturing in Industry 4.0. Full article

Phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance (³¹P NMR) spectroscopy is a powerful analytical physical chemistry experimental technique that is widely used to study the structure and dynamics of phosphorus-containing compounds today. Accurate calculation of ³¹P NMR chemical shifts lies in the basis of the proper assignment of NMR signals, as they can be closely spaced to each other in the NMR spectra of systems that bear nuclei with subtly different electron environments, like complex organophosphorus compounds, nucleic acids, and phosphates, etc. The most advanced quantum chemistry (QC) methods allow us to reach the agreement between theoretical values of ³¹P NMR chemical shifts and experiments within a few ppm, which makes them a useful tool for studying chemical structure, reaction mechanisms, and catalyst design with the aid of the NMR method. This review surveys the application of both density functional and wave function methods of electron structure to the calculation of ³¹P NMR chemical shifts and proposes a thorough discussion of the latest findings related to the factors affecting the final accuracy of the ³¹P NMR chemical shifts prediction, including basis sets, the geometry factor effect, solvent, vibrational, and relativistic corrections. Full article

Seasonal fluctuations in the chemical composition of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) are known to influence its toxicological properties; however, their integrated biological effects remain incompletely understood. In this study, PM_2.5 was continuously collected over two consecutive years at a single urban site in Japan and classified by season. The samples were comprehensively characterized for ionic species, metals, carbonaceous fractions, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and their pulmonary effects were evaluated in vivo following intratracheal administration in mice. Seasonal PM_2.5 exhibited pronounced compositional differences, with higher levels of secondary inorganic aerosol components in summer and enrichment of PAHs and mineral-associated components in winter. These seasonal differences translated into distinct biological responses. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production (1.6–2.7-fold increase) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) neutrophil infiltration were strongly associated with PAH-rich PM_2.5, whereas interleukin-1α (IL-1α) showed robust positive correlations with mineral components, including K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺, which were predominantly enriched in winter PM_2.5. In contrast, secondary inorganic aerosol species displayed a limited capacity to induce IL-1α. Compared with summer samples, winter PM_2.5 induced significantly higher levels of ROS production and IL-1α (approximately 1.5–2.6-fold increase). Using TLR2- and TLR4-deficient mice, we further demonstrated that PM_2.5-induced increases in BAL cell counts, ROS, IL-6, and TNF-α were partially attenuated in TLR4 knockout mice, indicating a contributory but not exclusive role for TLR4 signaling in PM_2.5-driven pulmonary inflammation. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that seasonal variations in PM_2.5 composition, not particle mass alone, critically shape oxidative stress and innate immune responses in the lungs. In particular, winter PM_2.5 enriched in mineral-associated components preferentially activates IL-1α-mediated alarmin pathways, underscoring the importance of the particle composition in determining seasonal air pollution toxicity. Full article