Search Results (38,443)

Atriplex hortensis var. rubra (red orache, RO) is a halotolerant species rich in nutraceutical compounds, which makes it a valuable crop for human nutrition. This plant could also be exploited for phytoremediation of contaminated soil and wastewater, and for saline aquaponics. A root rot disease was observed on hydroponically grown RO plants, caused by Pythium deliense and Pythium Cluster B2a sp. Identification was based on morphology, molecular analysis (ITS and COI), and phylogenetic analysis. We assessed disease severity in plants grown in a growth chamber with nutrient solutions containing different NaCl concentrations (0, 7, and 14 g L⁻¹ NaCl). In vitro growth at different salinity levels and temperatures was also evaluated. Both Pythium species were pathogenic but showed different responses. Pythium deliense was significantly more virulent than Pythium Cluster B2a sp., causing a steady reduction in root dry weight (RDW) of 70% across all salinity levels. Pythium Cluster B2a sp. reduced RDW by 50% at 0 and 7 g L⁻¹ NaCl while no symptoms were observed at 14 g L⁻¹ NaCl. Pythium deliense grew best at 7 and 14 g L⁻¹ NaCl, while Pythium Cluster B2a sp. growth was reduced at 14 g L⁻¹ NaCl. Both pathogens had an optimum temperature of 30 °C. This is the first report of Pythium spp. causing root rot on RO grown hydroponically. The effective use of halophytic crops must consider pathogen occurrence and fitness in saline conditions. Full article

The increasing demand for critical raw materials such as copper and cobalt highlights the need for efficient beneficiation of low-grade ores. This study investigates a copper–cobalt sulfide ore (0.99% Cu, 0.028% Co) using froth flotation to produce high-grade concentrates. Various types of surfactants are applied in different ways, each serving an essential function such as acting as collectors, frothers, froth stabilizers, depressants, activators, pH modifiers, and more. A series of flotation tests employing different collectors (SIPX, PBX, AERO, DF 507B) and process conditions was conducted to optimize recovery and selectivity. Methyl isobutyl carbinol (MIBC) was consistently used as the foaming agent, and 700 g/L was used as the slurry density at 25 °C. Dosages of 30 and 100 g/t¹ were used in all tests. Notably, adjusting the pH to ~4 using HCl significantly improved cobalt concentrate separation. The optimized flotation conditions yielded concentrates with over 15% Cu and metal recoveries exceeding 80%. Mineralogical characterization confirmed the selective enrichment of target metals in the concentrate. The results demonstrate the potential of this beneficiation approach to contribute to the European Union’s supply of critical raw materials. Full article

While the Ankom RF system facilitates efficient high-throughput in vitro fermentation studies, its high cost and limited flexibility constrain its broader applicability. To address these limitations, we developed and validated a low-cost, modular gas monitoring system (FerME), assembled from commercially available components. To evaluate its performance and reproducibility relative to the Ankom RF system (Ankom Technology, Macedon, NY, USA), in vitro rumen fermentation experiments were conducted under strictly controlled and identical conditions. Whole rumen contents were collected approximately 2 h post-feeding from individual mid- or late-lactation dairy cows and immediately transported to the laboratory. Each fermenter received 50 mL of processed rumen fluid, 100 mL of anaerobically prepared artificial saliva buffer, and 1.2 g of the donor cow’s diet. Bottles were sealed with the respective system’s pressure sensors, flushed with CO₂, and incubated in a 50 L water bath maintained at 39 °C. FerME (New Taipei City, Taiwan) and Ankom RF fermenters were placed side-by-side to ensure uniform thermal conditions. To assess the effect of filter bag use, an additional trial employed Ankom F57 filter bags (Ankom Technology, Macedon, NY, USA; 25 μm pore size). Trial 1 revealed no significant differences in cumulative gas production, volatile fatty acids (VFAs), NH₃-N, or pH between systems (p > 0.05). However, the use of filter bags reduced gas output and increased propionate concentrations (p < 0.05). Trial 2, which employed filter bags in both systems, confirmed comparable results, with the FerME system demonstrating improved precision (CV: 4.8% vs. 13.2%). Gas composition (CH₄ + CO₂: 76–82%) and fermentation parameters remained consistent across systems (p > 0.05). Importantly, with 12 pressure sensors, the total cost of FerME was about half that of the Ankom RF system. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that FerME is a reliable, low-cost alternative for real-time rumen fermentation monitoring and could be suitable for studies in animal nutrition, methane mitigation, and related applications. Full article

Background: Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting 10–15% of women of reproductive age. Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have accounted for only a fraction of its high heritability, indicating the need for alternative approaches to identify rare genetic variants contributing to its etiology. To this end, we performed whole-exome sequencing (WES) in a multi-affected family. Methods: A multigenerational family was studied, comprising three sisters, their mother, grandmother, and a daughter, all diagnosed with endometriosis. WES was conducted on the three sisters and their mother. We used the enGenome-Evai and Varelect software to perform our analysis, which mainly focused on rare, missense, frameshift, and stop variants. Results: Bioinformatic analysis identified 36 co-segregating rare variants. Six missense variants in genes associated with cancer growth were prioritized. The top candidates were c.3319G>A (p.Gly1107Arg) in the LAMB4 gene and c.1414G>A (p.Gly472Arg) in the EGFL6 gene. Variants in NAV3, ADAMTS18, SLIT1, and MLH1 may also contribute to disease onset through a synergistic and additive model. Conclusions: We identified novel candidate genes for endometriosis in a multigenerational affected family, supporting a polygenic model of the disease. Our study is an exploratory family-based WES study, and replication and functional studies are warranted to confirm these preliminary findings. Full article

To address the central cracking problem in continuous casting slabs of 38CrMoAl steel, high-temperature tensile tests were performed using a Gleeble-3800 thermal simulator to characterize the hot ductility of the steel within the temperature range of 600–1200 °C. The phase transformation behavior was computationally analyzed via the Thermo-Calc software, while the microstructure, fracture morphology, and precipitate characteristics were systematically investigated using a metallographic microscope (MM), a field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Additionally, the effects of different holding times and cooling rates on the microstructure and precipitates of 38CrMoAl steel were also studied. The results show that the third brittle temperature region of 38CrMoAl steel is 645–1009 °C, and the fracture mechanisms can be classified into three types: (I) in the α single-phase region, the thickness of intergranular proeutectoid ferrite increases with rising temperature, leading to reduced hot ductility; (II) in the γ single-phase region, the average size of precipitates increases while the number density decreases with increasing temperature, thereby improving hot ductility; and (III) in the α + γ two-phase region, the precipitation of proeutectoid ferrite promotes crack propagation and the dense distribution of precipitates at grain boundaries causes stress concentration, further deteriorating hot ductility. Heat treatment experiments indicate that the microstructures of the specimen transformed under water cooling, air cooling, and furnace cooling conditions as follows: martensite + proeutectoid ferrite → bainite + ferrite → ferrite. The average size of precipitates first decreased, then increased, and finally decreased again with increasing holding time, while the number density exhibited the opposite trend. Therefore, when the holding time was the same, reducing the cooling rate could increase the average size of the precipitates and decrease their number density, thereby improving the hot ductility of 38CrMoAl steel. Full article

Background/Objectives: Hemodialysis catheter-related bloodstream infection (HD-CRBSIs) is a main cause of morbidity in hemodialysis. New preventive strategies have emerged, such as using lock solutions with antiseptic or antibiotic capacity. In this study, the antimicrobial effect was analyzed in vitro and with a catheter model of lock solutions of gentamicin (LSG), gentamicin/heparin (LSG/H), and gentamicin/citrate (LSG/C) in clinical and ATCC strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Methods: The formation, minimum inhibitory concentration, and minimum inhibitory concentration of the biofilm and minimum biofilm eradication concentration of the lock solutions were determined. Additionally, colony-forming unit assays were performed to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of the lock solutions in a hemodialysis catheter inoculation model. Results: The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of planktonic cells of both P. aeruginosa and S. aureus for LSG/H and LSG/C was 4 µg/mL. In the minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC) tests, the LSG/H was less effective than LSG/C, requiring higher concentrations for inhibition, contrary to the minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC), where LSG/H was more effective. All lock solutions eradicated P. aeruginosa biofilms in the HD catheter model under standard conditions. Nevertheless, under modified conditions, the lock solutions were not as effective versus ATCC and clinical strains of S. aureus. Conclusions: Our analysis shows that the lock solutions studied managed to eradicate intraluminal mature P. aeruginosa in non-tunneled HD catheters under standard conditions. Biofilm inhibition and eradication were observed at low gentamicin concentrations, which could optimize the gentamicin concentration in lock solutions used in HD catheters. Full article

Mechanical friction offers a frequent approach for sustainable energy harvesting, as it can be captured and transformed into electricity by means of the triboelectric phenomenon. Theoretically, this electricity may subsequently be employed to drive electrochemical water purification processes. Herein, the experimental results confirm that the SiC particles effectively trigger the tribocatalytic decomposition of Rhodamine B (RhB). During the tribocatalytic decomposition of dye, mechanical friction is generated at the contact surface between the tribocatalyst and a custom-fabricated polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) rotating disk, under varying conditions of stirring speed, temperature, and pH value. Hydroxyl radicals and superoxide radicals are confirmed as the dominant reactive species participating in tribocatalytic dye decomposition, as demonstrated by reactive species inhibition experiments. Furthermore, the SiC particles demonstrate remarkable reusability, even after being subjected to five consecutive recycling processes. The exceptional tribocatalytic performance of SiC particles makes them potentially applicable in water purification by harnessing environmental friction energy. Full article

We investigated the role of the intermediate-conductance, Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channel K_Ca3.1 and volume-regulatory anion channel LRRC8A in regulating C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) expression in THP-1-differentiated M₂ macrophages (M₂-MACs), which serve as a useful model for studying tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). CCL2 is a potent chemoattractant involved in the recruitment of immunosuppressive cells and its expression is regulated through intracellular signaling pathways such as ERK, JNK, and Nrf2 in various types of cells including macrophages. The transcriptional expression of CCL2 was suppressed in M₂-MACs following treatment with a K_Ca3.1 activator or an LRRC8A inhibitor via distinct signaling pathways: ERK–CREB2 and JNK–c-Jun pathways for K_Ca3.1, and the NOX2–Nrf2–CEBPB pathway for LRRC8A. Under in vitro conditions mimicking the elevated extracellular K⁺ concentration ([K⁺]_e) characteristic of the tumor microenvironment (TME), CCL2 expression was markedly upregulated, and this increase was reversed by treatment with them in M₂-MACs. Additionally, the WNK1–AMPK pathway was, at least in part, involved in the high [K⁺]_e-induced upregulation of CCL2. Collectively, modulating K_Ca3.1 and LRRC8A activities offers a promising strategy to suppress CCL2 secretion in TAMs, potentially limiting the CCL2-induced infiltration of immunosuppressive cells (TAMs, T_regs, and MDSCs) in the TME. Full article

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a serious clinical condition that is linked to markedly higher rates of morbidity and mortality in cirrhosis patients. Its diagnosis is challenging due to overlapping clinical and laboratory features among causes such as hepatorenal syndrome (HRS), acute tubular injury (ATI), and prerenal hypovolemia. In order to address the distinct pathophysiology and clinical context of cirrhosis, the definitions and classification of AKI have changed over time, moving from RIFLE and AKIN to KDIGO and ICA-AKI. Because cirrhosis patients have altered muscle mass and fluid retention, traditional markers like serum creatinine (sCr) and urine output have significant limitations. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), interleukin-18 (IL-18), and cystatin C (CysC) are some of the new biomarkers that have shown promise in early AKI detection and in differentiating structural from functional kidney injury. NGAL and KIM-1 are sensitive indicators of tubular damage with potential prognostic implications. IL-18 reflects inflammatory injury, and CysC offers a more reliable measure of glomerular filtration. Incorporating these markers may improve early diagnosis, risk stratification, and treatment decisions, representing a key direction for future research in managing AKI in cirrhosis. Full article

This study investigates the hot deformation behaviour and microstructural evolution of two AISI 430 ferritic stainless steel variants: 0A (basic) and 1C (modified). These variants primarily differ in chemical composition, with 0A containing higher austenite-stabilizing elements (C, N) compared to 1C, which features lower interstitial content and slightly higher Si and Cr. This research aimed to optimize hot rolling conditions for enhanced forming properties. Uniaxial hot compression tests were conducted using a Gleeble thermo-mechanical system between 850 and 990 ${}^{\circ }$C at a strain rate of 3.3 s${}^{-1}$, simulating industrial finishing mill conditions. Analysis of flow curves, coupled with detailed microstructural characterization using electron backscatter diffraction, revealed distinct dynamic restoration mechanisms influencing each material’s response. Thermodynamic simulations confirmed significant austenite formation in both materials within the tested temperature range, notably affecting their deformation behaviour despite their initial ferritic state. Material 0A consistently exhibited a strong tendency towards dynamic recrystallization (DRX) across a wider temperature range, particularly at 850 ${}^{\circ }$C. DRX led to a microstructure with a high concentration of low-angle grain boundaries and sharp deformation textures, actively reorienting grains towards energetically favourable configurations. However, under this condition, DRX did not fully complete the recrystallization process. In contrast, material 1C showed greater activity of both dynamic recovery and DRX, leading to a much more advanced state of grain refinement and recrystallization compared to 0A. This indicates that the composition of 1C helps mitigate the strong influence of the deformation temperature on the crystallographic texture, leading to a weaker texture overall than 0A. Full article

This study aimed to evaluate solid-state fermentation (SSF) as a sustainable approach for the simultaneous detoxification of olive pomace (OP) and the production of industrially relevant enzymes. OP, a semisolid byproduct of olive oil extraction, is rich in lignocellulose and phenolic compounds, which limit its direct reuse due to phytotoxicity. A native strain of Aspergillus sp., isolated from OP, was employed as the biological agent, while grape pomace (GP) was added as a co-substrate to enhance substrate structure. Fermentations were conducted at two scales, Petri dishes (20 g) and a fixed-bed bioreactor (FBR, 2 kg), under controlled conditions (25 °C, 7 days). Key parameters monitored included dry and wet weight loss, pH, color, phenolic content, and enzymatic activity. Significant reductions in color and polyphenol content were achieved, reaching 68% in Petri dishes and 88.1% in the FBR, respectively. In the FBR, simultaneous monitoring of dry and wet weight loss enabled the estimation of fungal biotransformation, revealing a hysteresis phenomenon not previously reported in SSF studies. Enzymes such as xylanase, endopolygalacturonase, cellulase, and tannase exhibited peak activities between 150 and 180 h, with maximum values of 424.6 U·g⁻¹, 153.6 U·g⁻¹, 67.43 U·g⁻¹, and 6.72 U·g⁻¹, respectively. The experimental data for weight loss, enzyme production, and phenolic reduction were accurately described by logistic and first-order models. These findings demonstrate the high metabolic efficiency of the fungal isolate under SSF conditions and support the feasibility of scaling up this process. The proposed strategy offers a low-cost and sustainable solution for OP valorization, aligning with circular economy principles by transforming agro-industrial residues into valuable bioproducts. Full article

Invasive candidiasis (IC), characterized by the most common clinical manifestation of candidemia, is a fungal infection with a high mortality rate and a significant impact on global public health. It is estimated that each year there are between 227,000 and 250,000 hospitalizations related to IC, with more than 100,000 associated deaths. In Latin America and the Caribbean (LA&C), the absence of a standardized surveillance system has led to multicenter studies documenting incidences ranging from 0.74 to 6.0 cases per 1000 hospital admissions, equivalent to 50,000–60,000 hospitalizations annually, with mortality rates of up to 60% in certain high-risk groups. Armed conflicts and structural violence in LA&C cause forced displacement, the collapse of health systems, and poor living conditions—such as overcrowding, malnutrition, and lack of sanitation—which increase vulnerability to opportunistic infections, such as IC. Insufficient specialized laboratories, diagnostic technology, and trained personnel impede pathogen identification and delay timely initiation of antifungal therapy. Furthermore, the empirical use of broad-spectrum antibiotics and the limited availability of echinocandins and lipid formulations of amphotericin B have promoted the emergence of resistant non-albicans strains, such as Candida tropicalis, Candida parapsilosis, and, in recent outbreaks, Candidozyma auris. Full article

Coffee silverskin (CS), a by-product generated during coffee roasting, contains high levels of xylan hemicellulose and protein, making it a promising substrate for functional ingredient production. This study developed an integrated bioprocess to simultaneously produce bioactive peptides and xylooligosaccharides (CS-XOS) from CS. Conventional alkaline extraction (CAE) under optimized conditions (1.0 M NaOH, 90 °C, 30 min) yielded 80.64 mg of protein per gram of CS and rendered the solid residue suitable for XOS production. Enzymatic hydrolysis of the extracted protein using protease_SE5 generated low-molecular-weight peptides (0.302 ± 0.01 mg/mL), including FLGY, FYDTYY, and FDYGKY. These peptides were non-toxic, exhibited in vitro antioxidant activity (0–50%), and showed ACE-inhibitory activities of 60%, 26%, and 79%, and DPP-IV-inhibitory activities of 19%, 18%, and 0%, respectively. Concurrently, the alkaline-treated CS solid residue (ACSS) was hydrolyzed using recombinant endo-xylanase, yielding 52.5 ± 0.08 mg of CS-XOS per gram of ACSS. The CS-XOS exhibited prebiotic effects by enhancing the growth of probiotic lactic acid bacteria (μ_max 0.100–0.122 h⁻¹), comparable to commercial XOS. This integrated bioprocess eliminates the need for separate processing lines, enhances resource efficiency, and provides a sustainable strategy for valorizing agro-industrial waste. The co-produced peptides and CS-XOS offer significant potential as functional food ingredients and nutraceuticals. Full article

Brown algae such as Ascophyllum nodosum (AN) and Fucus vesiculosus (FV) are gaining considerable attention as functional feed additives due to their health-beneficial properties. This study evaluated the antioxidant potential of AN and FV extracts in intestinal epithelial cells and the in vivo model Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). Aqueous AN and FV extracts were characterized for total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant capacity (TEAC, FRAP), and phlorotannin composition using LC-HRMS/MS. Antioxidant effects were assessed in vitro, measuring AAPH-induced ROS production in Caco-2 and IPEC-J2 cells via H₂DCF-DA, and in vivo, evaluating the effects of paraquat-induced oxidative stress and AN or FV treatment on worm motility, GST-4::GFP reporter expression, and gene expression in C. elegans. FV exhibited higher total phenolic content, antioxidant capacity (TEAC, FRAP), and a broader phlorotannin profile (degree of polymerization [DP] 2–9) than AN (DP 2–7), as determined by LC-HRMS/MS. Both extracts attenuated AAPH-induced oxidative stress in epithelial cells, with FV showing greater efficacy. In C. elegans, pre-treatment with AN and FV significantly mitigated a paraquat-induced motility decline by 22% and 11%, respectively, compared to PQ-stressed controls. Under unstressed conditions, both extracts enhanced nematode healthspan, with significant effects observed at 400 µg/g for AN and starting at 100 µg/g for FV. Gene expression analysis indicated that both extracts modulated antioxidant pathways in unstressed worms. Under oxidative stress, pre-treatment with AN and FV significantly reduced GST-4::GFP expression. In the nematode, AN was more protective under acute stress, whereas FV better supported physiological function in the absence of stressors. These findings demonstrate that AN and FV counteract oxidative stress in intestinal epithelial cells and in C. elegans, highlighting their potential as stress-reducing agents in animal feed. Full article

The phase equilibria of the Si-C-Cu ternary system at 700 °C and 810 °C were experimentally investigated for the first time. Fifteen key alloys were prepared via powder metallurgy and analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). Isothermal sections were constructed based on the identified equilibrium phases. At 700 °C, eight single-phase regions and six three-phase regions—(C)+(Cu)+hcp, (C)+hcp+γ-Cu₃₃Si₇, (C)+γ-Cu₃₃Si₇+SiC, γ-Cu₃₃Si₇+SiC+ε-Cu₁₅Si₄, SiC+ε-Cu₁₅Si₄+η-Cu₃Si(ht), and SiC+(Si)+η-Cu₃Si(ht)—were determined. At 810 °C, nine single-phase regions and seven three-phase regions were identified. The solubility of C and Si/Cu in the various phases was quantified and found to be significantly higher at 810 °C compared to 700 °C. Key differences include the presence of the bcc (β) and liquid phases at 810 °C. The results demonstrate that higher temperatures promote increased mutual solubility and reaction tendencies among Cu, C, and Si. Motivated by these findings, the influence of vacuum hot pressing parameters on SiC-fiber-reinforced Cu composites (SiC_f/Cu) was investigated. The optimal processing condition (1050 °C, 60 MPa, 90 min) yielded a high bending strength of 998.61 MPa, attributed to enhanced diffusion and interfacial bonding facilitated by the high-temperature phase equilibria. This work provides essential fundamental data for understanding interactions and guiding processing in SiC-reinforced Cu composites. Full article