Search Results (2,512)

Methylcellulose is a thermoresponsive polymer that undergoes thermally induced association and gelation upon heating, with behavior strongly influenced by thermal history, concentration, and ionic environment. In this work, dynamic light scattering (DLS) was used beyond conventional particle size analysis to monitor the temperature-dependent mobility of methylcellulose solutions through the apparent diffusion coefficient, complemented by transmittance and oscillatory rheology. For a 0.1 wt.% methylcellulose solution, rheology showed a sol–gel transition during heating between approximately 50 and 60 °C, but no complete gel–sol transition during cooling, indicating pronounced thermal hysteresis. Transmittance and DLS confirmed this path dependence while revealing different recovery behavior: optical turbidity recovered near 38–40 °C, whereas apparent mobility recovered at slightly lower temperatures, around 30–35 °C. A simple Arrhenius-type model described sol-state mobility but not the full heating cycle. Therefore, a two-state phenomenological model was introduced, representing DLS-derived mobility as weighted sol-like and gel-like contributions. The model captured mobility loss, recovery, and a hysteresis window of about 22 °C. Overall, DLS-derived apparent mobility provides a useful descriptor of methylcellulose association, dissociation, and hysteresis, complementing rheology and turbidity measurements. Full article

The present study investigates the physicochemical behavior of the first-line anti-tuberculosis drugs isoniazid (INH) and ethambutol, in the form of dihydrochloride (E·(HCl)₂), in aqueous solutions containing the synthetic macrocyclic resorcinarene, C-tetra(propyl)resorcin[⁴]tetrasulfonate (Na₄PRA) at 298.15 K. Taylor dispersion experiments were conducted to determine the ternary diffusion coefficients of these systems, offering valuable insights into their transport properties. Non-zero cross-diffusion coefficients (D₁₂ and D₂₁) demonstrate significant coupled transport, collectively indicating interactions between these antibiotics and the resorcinarene host. This behavior is highly consistent with the formation of a host–guest complex. These diffusion measurements were complemented by NMR spectroscopy, which confirmed the formation of host–guest complexes between the respective drugs and this resorcinarene, Na₄PRA. Full article

The tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) essential oil (TTEO) exhibited in vitro antioxidant activities with an inhibition concentration (IC50) of 29.02 ± 0.57 µg/mL. This is due to its content of bioactive compounds; practically α-pinene (1.52%), eucalyptol (9.05%), 2-bornanone (57.94%), 1-dotriacontanol (1.82%), 1-decanol, 2-hexyl- (1.99%), and 1-heptatriacotanol (4.90%). Therefore, this research aimed to determine changes in growth, antioxidant capacity, immune functions, and disease resistance in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) when fed on a low-fishmeal (FM) diet enriched with TTEO. Nile tilapia juveniles (14.6–15.9 g) were fed on a low-FM diet containing 0.0 (the control), 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, and 0.25 g TTEO/kg feed up to apparent satiety three times a day for 70 days. Following the feeding trial, fish were intraperitoneally injected with Aeromonas hydrophila, and fish mortality was recorded for an additional 10 days. It is noted that feeding the fish on 0.2 g TTEO/kg feed increased the feed intake as well as the growth indices. Marked declines in FCR values were seen in fish fed on 0.15–0.25 g TTEO/kg feed. However, fish fed on a diet with 0.2 g TTEO/kg feed exhibited highest enhancements in intestinal villi width/length and absorption area compared with other TTEO levels. No statistical (p > 0.05) differences were observed in glucose and cortisol levels among TTEO-fed groups, indicating no stress effects on fish. Conversely, ALT and AST activities in Nile tilapia declined significantly (p < 0.05), especially at 0.20 and 0.25 g TTEO/kg feed, with no difference (p > 0.05) between the two treatments. It is noted that high TTEO levels (0.2–0.25 g/kg feed) increased hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities as well as the mRNA expression of hepatic SOD, CAT, and GPx genes. Compared with other TTEO groups, feeding the fish with 0.2 g TTEO/kg feed showed higher alkaline phosphatase, lysozyme, complement C3, and ACH50 levels, along with marked increases in IL-8 and IL-10 genes expression and declines in the expression TNF-α, IL-1ß, HSP70, Caspase-3, and Caspase-9 genes. After A. hydrophila infection, fish fed on the control diet exhibited the highest mortality (76.7%), whereas fish fed on 0.2 and 0.25 g TTEO/kg feed were more resistant to bacterial infection, with mortality rates of 23.3% and 26.7%, respectively, with no difference (p > 0.05) between them. The results confirmed that dietary TTEO enhanced growth, antioxidant capacity, immunological biomarkers, and disease resistance in Nile tilapia when added to low-FM diets, with an optimum dose of 0.2 g TTEO/kg feed. Full article

Walnuts are commercially important tree nuts whose moisture content (MC) influences quality, shelf life, and post-harvest processing. This study evaluated the potential of low-cost acoustic sensing combined with machine learning for non-destructive MC prediction. Sixty in-shell walnuts were subjected to controlled drying at 40 °C for 26 h, with acoustic recordings and physical measurements collected every two hours. Acoustic signals were processed using Wavelet Soft Threshold Denoising (WSTD), Short-Time Fourier Transform (STFT), and Variational Mode Decomposition (VMD), and features were extracted from the resulting signals. Predictive models included generalized linear models (GLM), random forests (RF), gradient boosting machines (GBM), and Partial Least Squares (PLS) approaches. Following grouped walnut-level validation, the highest MC prediction performance was achieved by the model combining dimensional and acoustic descriptors (RF: R² = 0.836; GBM: R² = 0.826), while the model combining drying time and acoustic descriptors achieved moderate predictive performance (RF: R² = 0.762; GBM: R² = 0.760). Overall, the results provide proof-of-concept evidence that acoustic descriptors may complement physical measurements for non-destructive walnut moisture-content prediction. However, substantially larger independent datasets collected across multiple cultivars, production batches, acquisition conditions, and external validation studies will be required before practical industrial implementation can be considered. Full article

Frailty is a multidimensional syndrome of reduced physiological reserve that is particularly prevalent in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Identifying objective biochemical markers to complement clinical screening tools, such as the FRAIL scale, is an increasingly important unmet need. Periostin, a matricellular protein involved in tissue remodeling, bone metabolism, and chronic complications of diabetes, has emerged as a potential candidate. In this cross-sectional study of 137 adults with type 2 diabetes (65 ± 8 years), participants were classified as robust, pre-frail, or frail according to FRAIL scores. Frailty correlated positively with age (p < 0.001), BMI (p = 0.006), waist circumference (p = 0.01), and diabetes duration (p = 0.040), and negatively with TBS (p = 0.001), HDL-c (p = 0.040), and eGFR (p = 0.009). A stronger positive correlation was observed with serum periostin (p < 0.001). Frail individuals showed higher periostin levels than pre-frail (p = 0.006) and robust participants (p = 0.008), independent of age. Periostin demonstrated moderate discriminatory capacity for frailty status (AUC = 0.710; p < 0.001), while adding periostin to clinical variables resulted in a numerical increase in overall model discrimination (AUC = 0.900 vs. 0.858). A threshold of >1307 pmol/L yielded 77.8% sensitivity and 66.7% specificity. These preliminary findings indicate that periostin is significantly associated with frailty in type 2 diabetes and may represent a complementary biochemical biomarker of frailty status, warranting further validation in longitudinal studies. Full article

Rising temperatures and the occurrence of heat waves due to climate change can increase the risk of various skin disorders. Moreover, elevated temperatures worsen oxidative damage and inflammation caused by other climate change stressors, such as UV exposure. Consequently, there is growing interest in innovative solutions to protect skin health from the effects of pollution and climate change stressors. Among natural cosmeceuticals, carotenoids are recognized for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study evaluated the thermoprotective effects of Hematococcus lacustris (the microalga formerly called Hematococcus pluvialis) extract (HLE), which is considered the richest natural source of carotenoid astaxanthin, against acute hyperthermia, which mimics the conditions of heat waves. In addition, we separately assessed the effects of HLE against UVA and hydrogen peroxide stress, complementing the antioxidant profile of the extract under study. The evaluation was conducted using in vitro tests on human HaCaT keratinocytes and the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, which is a model organism sensitive to environmental stressors. The treatment of HaCaT keratinocytes with HLE counteracted the intracellular formation of reactive oxygen species and cytotoxicity induced by hyperthermia, UVA, and hydrogen peroxide exposure. Under the same experimental conditions, HLE also restored the impaired expression of stress-sensitive genes, such as matrix metalloproteinase-1, in HaCaT keratinocytes and promoted wound closure mimicking the process of re-epithelization. Lastly, experiments in C. elegans confirm that HLE reduces heat stress-induced oxidative damage and preserves motility, supporting a systemic protective effect consistent with dietary uptake of the extract. These findings suggest that HLE, rich in carotenoid astaxanthin, can protect keratinocytes against oxidative damage and cytotoxicity induced by thermal stress, indicating its potential role in mitigating thermal aging. Full article

Background: Pain is a multidimensional experience shaped not only by nociceptive input but also by cognitive, emotional, and social processes. In musculoskeletal (MSK) rehabilitation, outcome variability among patients with similar clinical presentations suggests that determinants beyond tissue pathology may influence pain perception and recovery. Contextual factors (CFs)—communication, therapeutic relationship, patient expectations, and environmental cues—are increasingly recognized yet remain inconsistently integrated into routine practice. Objective: To map how CFs are represented in the physiotherapy literature indexed under that terminology, and to identify where empirical evidence in MSK rehabilitation is present and where it is absent. Methods: A narrative review with a systematic search strategy, reported following SANRA, was conducted in PubMed and Scopus, searched on 31 March 2026. Records were screened against predefined eligibility criteria, including publication from 2006 onwards and English language. Two reviewers independently screened records and resolved disagreements by consensus. Methodological quality was appraised using the Cochrane RoB2 tool for randomized controlled trials and an adapted Newcastle–Ottawa Scale for observational and cross-sectional studies. Conceptual publications were not formally appraised. Each publication was classified as direct clinical evidence (Tier A), indirect mechanistic or implementation-level evidence (Tier B), or conceptual contribution (Tier C). Results: Eight publications were included: no source provided direct clinical evidence in a musculoskeletal rehabilitation population (Tier A), five provided indirect mechanistic or implementation-level evidence (Tier B), and three were conceptual contributions (Tier C). The single randomised controlled trial retrieved was conducted in asymptomatic volunteers and was at high risk of bias for the between-group comparisons of all reported outcomes. Findings are organised as contextual domains, mediating mechanisms, and outcomes. No direct clinical evidence was retrieved; claims regarding expectations, therapeutic alliance, non-verbal communication, and the clinical environment rest on indirect or conceptual sources. Conclusions: CFs may contribute to pain and rehabilitation variability through cognitive, emotional, and relational pathways, complementing rather than replacing evidence-based care. The scarcity of direct clinical evidence within the literature indexed under this terminology is itself a finding. Construct-level searches and pragmatic trials are required to clarify the contribution of individual contextual domains. Full article

Since October 2019, screening for methylmalonic acidemia (MMA) has been implemented in the Dutch Newborn Screening (NBS) program. Since implementation, most referrals for MMA have been the result of (maternal) vitamin B12 deficiency. Although vitamin B12 deficiency is an important condition and early detection can confer health benefits, its identification was not the original objective of the screening. We therefore examined whether genetic forms of MMA can be distinguished from acquired forms. Early distinction between these forms is essential for guiding clinical management, informing prognosis, and enabling appropriate genetic counseling. Specifically, we tested whether the use of Collaborative Laboratory Integrated Reports (CLIR) to complement NBS results improved specificity of the test for genetic MMAs. We found that with the use of CLIR, genetic conditions including methylmalonyl-CoA mutase (mut) deficiency and cobalamin (cbl) A, B, C and D deficiency can be partially differentiated from acquired causes. This results in a significant reduction in the number of second-tier tests required. However, this approach may also exclude certain other genetic causes. Based on all findings, we provide considerations and implications for MMA screening that may inform decision-makers in (other) NBS programs. Full article

The durability of alkali-activated materials (AAMs) in acidic environments is a key factor governing their suitability as sustainable alternatives to ordinary Portland cement (OPC). This study investigates the acid resistance of fly ash–slag alkali-activated mortars prepared with either seawater-based or distilled water-based activator solutions, thereby addressing the feasibility of substituting potable water in activator preparation. Eleven binder blends were tested, ranging from 100% fly ash (F100G0) to 100% ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS, F0G100) in 10% replacement increments, each prepared with both distilled-water (D-series) and seawater-based (M-series) activator solutions. Mortar cubes were exposed to hydrochloric acid (HCl) and sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄) after curing for 28, 60, 90, and 180 days. Durability was assessed through mass change, compressive strength retention, and ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), complemented by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis to elucidate mineralogical transformations. Results showed that acid resistance was governed primarily by binder composition: calcium-rich slag (C–A–S–H) systems deteriorated mainly by decalcification under acid exposure, whereas low-calcium fly ash (N–A–S–H) systems degraded more slowly by dealumination. Seawater activation did not significantly compromise acid resistance relative to distilled-water systems, with the two-activator series performing comparably under both HCl and H₂SO₄. Paired comparisons of the reported blend values showed small, age-dependent differences between the two-activator series: seawater activation modestly delayed strength loss under HCl at intermediate ages, while under H₂SO₄ it carried a small late-age penalty attributable to reaction of activator-derived chloride compounds with the acid; at most ages, the two series were statistically indistinguishable. X-ray diffraction showed essentially identical phase assemblages in the two series: no crystalline products formed under HCl, where an amorphous silica-rich residue accumulates on fly-ash-rich blends, whereas gypsum was the sole crystalline product under H₂SO₄, enhanced in seawater-activated fly-ash-rich blends. The findings clarify the role of marine ions in influencing acid degradation and provide guidance for designing sustainable binder systems for chloride- and sulphate-rich service environments. Overall, seawater is shown to be a viable substitute for potable water in activator preparation, retaining acid resistance comparable to distilled-water systems and supporting the development of more sustainable alkali-activated binders. Full article

Objectives: Initial caries lesions (ICLs) are the earliest manifestation of dental caries, characterized by subsurface porosity that affects enamel’s optical properties while maintaining its surface integrity. Resin infiltration is a minimally invasive approach to managing these lesions by penetrating and sealing pores with low-viscosity resin, potentially modifying their visual appearance. In order to provide a quantifiable, objective assessment of this optical behavior, this study aimed to evaluate the modulation of color coordinates and VITA Classical shade transitions within the initial lesions immediately following infiltration with Icon Smooth Surface (DMG, Hamburg, Germany). Materials and Methods: Forty-nine extracted human premolars with naturally occurring proximal ICLs (subsurface demineralization) were selected. Lesions were assessed for fluorescence level using 655 nm laser fluorescence (DIAGNOdent pen). Reflectance spectrophotometry (SpectroShade Micro) was employed to record color coordinates in the CIELab and CIELCh spaces, alongside VITA Classical shades, before and after resin infiltration. Results: The infiltration procedure resulted in a statistically significant increase in b* (yellowness) and subsequent C* (chroma) parameters (p < 0.05). VITA Classical shade guide analysis showed an insignificant shift in color distribution according to value (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The present exploratory study provides quantitative insights into the immediate color-modifying effects of a resin infiltration procedure on natural initial proximal caries lesions, complementing the existing literature with objective CIELab/CIELCh and VITA Classical measurements. The p-values should be interpreted as descriptive indicators of potential trends rather than definitive statistical proof. Further research with larger cohorts and long-term follow-up is needed to validate the durability and clinical relevance of these esthetic outcomes. Full article

(1) Background: methicillin‑resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a zoonotic pathogen, and its hemolysins serve as key virulence factors. Functional membrane microdomains (FMMs) are protein-enriching platforms and regulate diverse physiological functions by recruiting and assembling various proteins. However, whether and how FMMs regulate the hemolytic ability of MRSA remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate FMM-mediated regulation of MRSA hemolysins and the underlying mechanisms. (2) Methods: Homologous recombination was employed to generate FMM-disrupted (N315ΔfloA) and complemented (N315ΔfloA::floA) strains from the MRSA N315 wild-type strain (N315 WT). The three strains were compared with respect to hemolytic activity, transcript levels of key virulence and regulatory genes, and in vivo virulence. (3) Results: Disruption of FMMs significantly enhanced hemolytic activity compared with N315 WT and complemented strains. Meanwhile, FMM disruption repressed the two-component system genes (vraS and vraR), while activating the agr operon (agrB, agrD, agrC and agrA) and its effector molecule RNAIII, leading to upregulation of hemolysin genes (hla, hlb, hld). In vivo, N315ΔfloA infection markedly increased mortality in G. mellonella larvae and BALB/c mice, with significantly elevated pro-inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β) in mouse plasma. All these phenotypes were effectively reversed in N315ΔfloA::floA. (4) Conclusions: Disruption of FMMs potentiates both hemolytic activity and overall virulence in MRSA, with the potential underlying mechanism involving the VraS/R-Agr regulatory axis that drives transcriptional upregulation of hemolysin-encoding genes. Full article

Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. (Apiaceae) is widely incorporated into dermatological and wound-healing formulations, where dechlorophylization is commonly used to improve extract stability, although its biological consequences are not fully understood. In this study, an ethanolic extract of C. asiatica leaves (CAE) was compared with a dechlorophylized C. asiatica extract (DCAE) in terms of cytotoxicity, wound-healing, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities, complemented by network pharmacology analysis. DCAE exhibited improved cytocompatibility, remaining non-cytotoxic up to 100 µg/mL, whereas CAE showed cytotoxic effects above 25 µg/mL. In contrast, CAE demonstrated superior wound-healing performance, reducing the residual wound area to 21.77% compared with 36.81% for DCAE and inducing higher Ki67 expression (1.94-fold versus 1.58-fold). These findings suggest that chlorophyll-associated constituents may contribute to keratinocyte proliferation and re-epithelialization. Although DCAE was enriched in pentacyclic triterpenes, including asiatic acid, asiaticoside, madecassic acid, and madecassoside, it showed stronger anti-inflammatory effects by more effectively suppressing CXCL10, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-8 expression. Both extracts displayed weak antibacterial activity but moderate antifungal effects against Candida albicans, likely mediated through membrane disruption. Network pharmacology further indicated that wound-healing activity is associated with the regulation of COL1A1 and VEGFA through quercetin, kaempferol, and asiatic acid by way of the PI3K-Akt and MAPK signaling pathways, whereas anti-inflammatory effects involve modulation of PTGS2 and TNF through the NF-κB and IL-17 pathways. Overall, DCAE enhances cytocompatibility and anti-inflammatory activity, while CAE retains stronger regenerative capacity. These findings support the rational design of tailored formulations for specific dermatological applications, such as promoting wound repair or alleviating chronic skin inflammation. Full article

Diamond has emerged as a promising ultrawide-bandgap semiconductor material for next-generation electronics because of its unique combination of a wide bandgap, high critical electric field, superior carrier transport properties, exceptionally high thermal conductivity, and strong chemical and radiation stability. Over the past two decades, progress in crystal growth, substrate engineering, surface control, dielectric integration, and device fabrication has advanced diamond electronics beyond early proof-of-concept demonstrations. The review connects material properties, growth, doping, defects, and figures of merit with reported performance in hydrogen-terminated field-effect transistors, MOSFETs, Schottky and p–i–n diodes, and related power-device architectures. Emerging opportunities in ultraviolet photodetectors, multifunctional electronics, and memory-oriented diamond devices are also briefly considered. Among the device classes reviewed, diamond diodes currently show the strongest evidence of high-voltage capability, whereas transistor development remains constrained by threshold-voltage control, normally off operation, contact resistance, interface stability, and reliability. Diamond is therefore more likely to complement than replace established SiC and GaN technologies, particularly in specialized high-field, high-temperature, radiation-rich, and chemically demanding applications. Broader deployment will require scalable low-defect wafers, reliable n-type doping, stable interfaces and contacts, and more cost-effective manufacturing. Full article

The orthoflavivirus capsid (C) protein is a multifunctional protein that plays essential roles throughout the viral life cycle. Besides viral RNA encapsidation for nucleocapsid assembly, it associates with lipid droplets, interacts with host proteins, and translocates to the nucleus, although its nuclear functions are still poorly understood. How these diverse activities are coordinated remains an open question. Post-translational modifications (PTMs), which are key regulators of protein function, have emerged as critical modulators of the infection cycle in many RNA viruses. However, little is known about the occurrence and functional significance of PTMs in orthoflavivirus C proteins. Here, we review the current evidence on PTMs in orthoflavivirus C proteins and integrate insights from studies of other RNA viruses to propose mechanisms by which PTMs may regulate C protein function. To complement this review, we performed a comparative in silico analysis of predicted PTM sites in the C proteins of dengue, Zika, West Nile, and Japanese encephalitis viruses. By integrating PTM predictions with experimentally validated modification sites, residue conservation, and structural mapping, we identified conserved regulatory hotspots that represent promising targets for future experimental validation. Together, these findings highlight PTMs as an underexplored regulatory mechanism in orthoflavivirus capsid biology and provide a framework for future mechanistic investigations. Full article

Background and Clinical Significance: Sideroblastic anemia with immunodeficiency, fevers, and developmental delay (SIFD) syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by biallelic variants in the TRNT1 gene, which encodes tRNA nucleotidyltransferase 1. The disease typically presents early in life with microcytic anemia, recurrent febrile episodes, developmental delay, and immune dysfunction. Because of its rarity and variable clinical expression, diagnosis may be challenging, and broad genetic testing can identify additional variants whose clinical significance requires careful interpretation. Case Presentation: We report a 4-month-old male infant with recurrent febrile episodes, severe recurrent microcytic anemia, recurrent infections, mild psychomotor developmental delay, and multisystem involvement. Genetic analysis identified two heterozygous TRNT1 variants inherited from different parents and confirmed to be in trans: a maternally inherited pathogenic frameshift variant, c.428_431del, p.(Asp143Glyfs12), and a paternally inherited missense variant, c.1246A>G, p.(Lys416Glu), initially classified as a variant of uncertain significance and subsequently interpreted as likely pathogenic in the context of the clinical phenotype and segregation findings. These findings supported the diagnosis of TRNT1-related SIFD syndrome. An additional heterozygous pathogenic C7 variant, c.633_643del, p.(Ser212Hisfs4), was identified. No second pathogenic C7 allele was detected, and functional complement testing was not performed; therefore, complement component 7 deficiency could not be established. Conclusions: This case highlights the importance of early genetic evaluation in infants with recurrent fever, microcytic anemia, immune abnormalities, and multisystem involvement. It also emphasizes the need for cautious interpretation of additional monoallelic pathogenic variants detected by broad genetic panels when functional confirmation and a compatible inheritance pattern are lacking. Full article