Search Results (12,709)

Background/Objectives: African swine fever is currently the most devastating viral disease affecting domestic and wild suids, causing major economic losses and severe impacts on natural populations. Oral immunization could become an important tool to control the panzootic and support wild pig conservation. However, this requires safe and effective vaccines, baits accepted by target species, and vaccine reservoirs that reliably release the vaccine during bait intake while maintaining vaccine integrity. Methods: We evaluated different bait types and vaccine containers in four wild Suiformes species, including Eurasian wild boar. In the same wild boar, we assessed oral vaccination with the live attenuated vaccine candidate “ASFV-G-ΔI177L”. Environmental monitoring approaches were applied to detect potential virus shedding, and vaccine immunogenicity and dissemination were evaluated. Vaccine stability was tested in vitro in two container types under different temperature conditions. Results: Bait uptake and container performance varied between manufacturers and among species. Environmental samples were largely negative for vaccine virus genome under controlled laboratory conditions, with only a few positive cotton ropes (0.43% of all samples). After oral bait vaccination, 45% (9/20) of wild boar seroconverted, with a higher proportion in animals receiving the vaccine in the slightly less attractive bait (gelatine-based). Vaccine virus dissemination was limited to a small number of organs, including gastrohepatic and mandibular lymph nodes. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that wild pigs can be vaccinated orally with “ASFV-G-ΔI177L” while virus shedding appears minimal. Although the tested baits show potential for multiple target species, baits and containers require optimization. Environmental monitoring methods also need refinement for field application. Full article

Saturated fatty aldehydes are products from lipid oxidation that negatively affect the organoleptic properties and nutritional quality of food and represent a risk to human health. For this reason, they are frequently used as indicators of oxidation in food safety. Usually, their determination is carried out by derivatization using an excess of 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH), but the excessive use of derivatizing agents requires a high proportion compared to the analyte concentration to ensure a complete reaction, which causes interferences and limits the chromatographic separation of derivatized products. In this context, the encapsulation of DNPH in alginate spheres is proposed to determine aldehydes concentration in edible vegetable oil samples, allowing the gradual release of DNPH to form the corresponding hydrazones, which were subsequently separated and analyzed by HPLC-DAD. The proposed method was optimized by a Taguchi L₉(3⁴) experimental design, validated, and applied for the determination of aldehydes in edible oils. Limits of detection in the intervals of 0.77 to 1.41 mg L⁻¹ were obtained with adequate precision (expressed as relative standard deviation < 10%), which are suitable values for monitoring lipid oxidation in foods The proposed methodology represents a viable alternative to apply in quality control studies and lipid degradation profiles. Full article

Tendon healing is often hindered by unresolved inflammation and dysregulated immune responses, highlighting the need for innovative regenerative strategies. This study developed an immune-informed platform by functionalizing validated 3D tendon-mimetic poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) scaffolds with immunomodulatory conditioned media (CM), referred to as CMI_NF to emphasize its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, derived from ovine amniotic epithelial stem cells (AECs), offering a potential cell-free therapeutic solution. Three functionalization methods were compared: physical adsorption, and hydrochloric acid (HCl) or sodium hydroxide (NaOH) pre-treatments. FT-IR spectroscopy and protein adsorption analyses identified NaOH as the most effective method, enhancing retention and release of Amphiregulin (AREG), an AEC key immunomodulatory protein. Kinetic studies revealed a sustained, controlled release of AREG over 7 days (d) from CM_INF-functionalized scaffolds (3D-CM_INF), preserving bioactivity. Functionally, 3D-CM_INF scaffolds significantly suppressed T-cell activation and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) proliferation. The released CM from 3D-CM_INF (CM_R) exhibited time-dependent immunomodulatory effects: early T-cell inhibition (6–72 h) and delayed suppression of PBMC proliferation (48 h–7 d). Macrophage polarization analysis revealed a shift towards the pro-regenerative M2 phenotype, with increased expression of M2 over M1 markers in 3D-CM_INF-adherent cells. Flow cytometry confirmed a preferential induction of regulatory M2b macrophages alongside reductions in pro-inflammatory M1 and pro-fibrotic M2a subsets. These results demonstrate that 3D-CM_INF scaffolds can finely modulate immune responses, balancing inflammatory and reparative cues relevant to early tendon healing processes. This platform, integrating structural and immunomodulatory elements, presents a promising, cell-free, and translational immunoengineering strategy to control inflammation and support tendon repair. Full article

A novel co-encapsulation platform based on curcumin-loaded liposomes (Cur-Lip) incorporated into thermosensitive hydrogels (TSH) was developed to address the physicochemical and biological limitations of topical curcumin (Cur) delivery. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to optimize Pluronic^® F-127, glycerol, and alginate concentrations with respect to gelation time and viscosity. The optimized formulation (22% Pluronic^® F-127, 5% glycerol, and 0.5% alginate) exhibited rapid time sol–gel transition (~86 s), suitable viscosity (~377 mPa·s), excellent model fitting (R² = 0.99) and prediction accuracy. Three formulations (TSH, Cur-TSH, and Cur-Lip-TSH) were subsequently prepared and displayed appropriate thermoresponsive behavior. The Cur-Lip system showed high encapsulation efficiency (~78%). Upon incorporation into the TSH, Cur-Lip-TSH displayed increased viscosity and mechanical strength at physiological temperature. In vitro studies confirmed its cytocompatibility toward human keratinocytes, significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and no irritation potential as assessed by the Hen’s Egg Test on the Chorioallantoic Membrane assay (HET-CAM). Overall, Cur-Lip-TSH represents a safe and robust thermosensitive platform that provides a foundation for future studies on controlled curcumin release and topical performance. Full article

Urban wetlands on the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau are increasingly recognized as potentially important components of city-scale carbon budgets; however, their CO₂ flux dynamics and associated environmental drivers remain insufficiently quantified, particularly under high-altitude urban conditions. In this study, we addressed this knowledge gap by conducting continuous eddy covariance observations at Haihu Wetland Park in Xining City, China. Carbon fluxes were monitored throughout 2023 using the Huangshui Park Station flux tower. We quantified the temporal dynamics of gross primary productivity (GPP), ecosystem respiration (Re), and net ecosystem exchange (NEE), and systematically assessed their responses to key environmental drivers across multiple temporal scales. GPP and Re exhibited unimodal seasonal patterns, with substantially higher values during the growing season. NEE showed pronounced diel cycling, with nighttime CO₂ release and daytime uptake, and shifted seasonally between net source and net sink states. At the daily scale (n = 365), Pearson correlations showed that air temperature (T_a), 5 cm soil temperature (T_s5) and volumetric soil water content (SWC) exhibited the strongest associations with the flux components, whereas photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) showed moderate associations and precipitation was weak. At the monthly scale (n = 12), Mantel tests further highlighted a dominant thermal control on GPP and Re (T_a and T_s5), whereas precipitation showed additional associations with Re and NEE. Overall, the ecosystem acted as a net CO₂ sink in 2023 (annual NEE = −292.25 g C m⁻² yr⁻¹ under our sign convention), with uptake concentrated in the first eight months of the year. Under the combined effects of multiple environmental factors, plateau urban wetlands functioned as a strong carbon sink, and the results of this study provide a data basis for improving the accuracy of carbon budget estimates for this type of ecosystem. Full article

Metastatic breast cancer remains a significant therapeutic challenge due to its high invasiveness and resistance to conventional treatments. In this study, an ultrasound-responsive copper-calcium phosphate (Ca₁₉Cu₂(PO₄)₁₄) nanomaterial is developed for synergistic ion-mediated tumor therapy. The Ca₁₉Cu₂(PO₄)₁₄ nanomaterials exhibit a uniform morphology and crystalline structure, as well as good colloidal stability. Upon ultrasound irradiation, the release of Cu²⁺ and Ca²⁺ is spatiotemporally controlled via mechanical and cavitation effects. In vitro studies using highly metastatic 4T1 cells demonstrate that a combination of Ca₁₉Cu₂(PO₄)₁₄ and ultrasound significantly enhances apoptosis to 37.56%, while inducing 41.37% cell viability at 20 μg/mL of Ca₁₉Cu₂(PO₄)₁₄+ US. In contrast, Ca₁₉Cu₂(PO₄)₁₄ alone exhibits negligible cytotoxicity. Mechanistic investigations reveal that the combined release of Cu²⁺ and Ca²⁺ induces pronounced mitochondrial stress by suppressing the mitochondrial copper/redox regulator FDX1 and the PDH complex E2 subunit DLAT, thereby impairing mitochondrial metabolic homeostasis and promoting mitochondrial dysfunction. Overall, this study presents an ultrasound-triggered Ca₁₉Cu₂(PO₄)₁₄ nanoplatform for the effective ablation of tumor cells. Full article

Petroleum contamination significantly impacts soil microbial communities and vegetation; however, the long-term effectiveness of phytoremediation remains poorly understood. This study evaluated soil microbiological activity, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations, and physiological responses five years after the remediation of a petroleum spill site in central Poland. Following a pipeline failure in June 2020 that released diesel fuel and gasoline into the riparian habitat, the contaminated area underwent remediation using Urtica dioica L. as the primary phytoremediator. Soil samples from five plots along a contamination gradient were analyzed for microbial abundance (total bacteria, fungi, fluorescent Pseudomonas sp.), PAH fractions (C6–C12, C13–C16, C17–C35), and physicochemical properties. Chlorophyll fluorescence (JIP test) on two species was used to assess plant photosynthetic efficiency. Results revealed that successful PAH degradation required high fungal abundance rather than optimal soil fertility. Plots with 8–9-fold higher fungal populations achieved 69–81% reduction in heavy PAHs (C17–C35), while the Control plot, despite superior physicochemical properties, maintained high contamination due to low fungal colonization. Urtica dioica exhibited exceptional tolerance (stable maximum quantum yield of PSII (Fv/Fm) and elevated photosynthetic performance index (PIabs)) across all contamination levels, whereas Poa trivialis L. showed significant stress responses. The principal component analysis confirmed that soil texture influences fungal establishment, with sandy soils favoring aerobic degradation despite lower nutrient retention. These findings demonstrate that phytoremediation success depends critically on fungal-mediated biodegradation rather than baseline soil quality alone. Full article

Post-cholecystectomy non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), now encompassed within metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), is increasingly linked to persistent disruption of bile acid kinetics and gut–liver axis signaling after gallbladder removal. Continuous bile delivery to the intestine reshapes the bile acid pool, perturbs FXR–FGF19/TGR5 pathways, remodels gut microbiota, and compromises epithelial barrier integrity, collectively promoting portal endotoxemia, chronic hepatic inflammation, and fibrogenic remodeling. Hydrogel-based biomaterials offer a mechanistically aligned therapeutic platform for this setting because they enable localized, sustained, and stimuli-responsive interventions at intestinal or hepatic sites. Functional hydrogels can sequester excess bile acids, protect and deliver probiotics/prebiotics/postbiotics, reinforce mucosal barrier function, and provide controlled release of anti-inflammatory or antifibrotic agents with reduced systemic exposure. In this review, we map emerging hydrogel strategies relevant to post-cholecystectomy NAFLD across four pathogenic nodes, bile acid dysregulation, dysbiosis, inflammation, and fibrosis, and highlight design principles (polymer chemistry, charge/hydrophobicity balance, mucoadhesion, and pH/redox/enzyme responsiveness) that enable targeted modulation of the gut–liver axis. Finally, we identify key translational gaps, including the lack of post-cholecystectomy-specific experimental models and standardized outcome measures integrating bile acid profiling, microbiome readouts, and hepatic histology. Hydrogel technologies represent a promising route toward localized and multimodal therapy in metabolic liver disease, warranting focused preclinical validation and clinical development. Full article

Mitochondria are central regulators of cardiac homeostasis, integrating energy production, redox balance, calcium handling, and innate immune signaling. In cardiovascular disease (CVD), mitochondrial dysfunction acts as a unifying mechanism connecting oxidative stress, metabolic inflexibility, inflammation, and structural remodeling. Disturbances in mitochondrial quality control—encompassing fusion–fission dynamics, PINK1/Parkin- and receptor-mediated mitophagy, biogenesis, and proteostasis—compromise mitochondrial integrity and amplify cardiomyocyte injury. Excess reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial DNA release, and calcium overload further activate cGAS–STING, NLRP3 inflammasomes, and mPTP-driven cell death pathways, perpetuating maladaptive remodeling. Therapeutic strategies targeting mitochondrial dysfunction have rapidly expanded, ranging from mitochondria-targeted antioxidants (such as MitoQ and SS-31), nutraceuticals, metabolic modulators (SGLT2 inhibitors, metformin), and mitophagy or biogenesis activators to innovative approaches including mtDNA editing, nanocarrier-based delivery, and mitochondrial transplantation. These interventions aim to restore organelle structure, improve bioenergetics, and reestablish balanced quality control networks. This review integrates recent mechanistic insights with emerging translational evidence, outlining how mitochondria function as bioenergetic and inflammatory hubs in CVD. By synthesizing established and next-generation therapeutic strategies, it highlights the potential of precision mitochondrial medicine to reshape the future management of cardiovascular disease. Full article

Plastic shrinkage and self-desiccation, along with the associated early-age cracking, are still among the most important factors that influence long-term performance of concrete structures, including durability. Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) have been widely researched for application in concrete to mitigate shrinkage through facilitating effective internal curing by releasing water into the mixture to promote continuous hydration of cement. The acoustic emission (AE) monitoring technique, due to its high sensitivity, has proven very effective in tracking the process of water release by SAPs in concrete during early-stage curing. Typically, AE parameters such as cumulative activity, amplitude and energy are utilized to characterize the kinetics of curing processes. While these parameters indicate well the internal activity of SAPs in time, they do not offer information on the precise location of the active sources within the material’s volume, leaving a crucial gap in the understanding of the ongoing microstructural changes caused by internal water distribution and cement hydration. In this sense, AE event source localization can offer information about the active zones of water hydration activity in the material 3D domain, allowing detection of their evolution during concrete curing. Meanwhile, Acoustic Emission Tomography (AET) computes ultrasonic velocity distributions in different periods of monitoring, which are governed by acoustic characteristics of the concrete mixtures, to visualize material stiffness development spatially and temporally. This level of insight is particularly important for SAP concrete, where uniformity of internal water curing is essential for ensuring long-term durability and material soundness. By visualizing how the hydration sources evolve in real time, these methods offer an effective, non-destructive, and cost-effective solution for early-age concrete quality control, which would be challenging to achieve through other techniques. Full article

Chronic and infected wounds continue to pose significant clinical challenges due to microbial infections, biofilm development, inflammation, and poor tissue regeneration. Traditional antibiotics medications often show low efficacy and lack stability. The demand for new therapeutic approaches is increasing due to bacterial resistance. Metal-based nanozymes have intrinsic enzyme-like catalytic activity and emerged as a promising class of antibacterial agents for wound-healing applications. The functionalization with metals such as silver (Ag), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), cerium (Ce), platinum (Pt) and gold (Au) enhances peroxidase (POD)-, oxidase (OXD)-, and catalase (CAT)-like biomimetic activities. This improvement enables efficient reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, biofilm inhibition, and microenvironment-responsive antibacterial activity. These metal-nanozymes also alter the immune response, increase angiogenesis, and promote extracellular matrix remodeling when combined with metals and also polysaccharides. This review summarizes recent advances in metal-incorporated antibacterial nanozymes including their design, catalytic mechanisms, structure–activity relationships, and integration into hydrogels, films, and fibers for wound healing. Key challenges such as biosafety, metal ion release, the inflammatory balance, and clinical translation are critically discussed. Emerging directions such as single-atom nanozymes, cascade enzyme systems, and stimuli-responsive platforms are highlighted as promising routes for next-generation wound therapeutics. Overall, this review underscores the clinical potential of metal-functionalized nanozymes for infected wound management; however, concerns regarding ion leakage and long-term safety persist emphasizing the need for controlled designs and biocompatible systems to enable safe translation. Full article

Cow’s milk allergy (CMA) is characterized by an exaggerated immune response where dendritic cells (DCs) play a crucial role. Additionally, extracellular vesicles (EVs) can be released by immune cells, modulating this allergic response. Moreover, eosinophils also contribute to tissue damage and perpetuate inflammation in allergic reactions. Therefore, the aim of this work was to study the role of EVs from monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDCs) on eosinophil and lymphocytes in CMA. Sixteen infants with IgE-mediated cow’s milk allergy (CMAIE) and three non-allergic controls were recruited. Peripheral blood monocytes were purified and differentiated to moDCs. EVs were obtained from the culture supernatant by ultracentrifugation and characterized by nanoparticle tracking analysis and Western blot. Interaction among EVs, eosinophils and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were analyzed with confocal microscopy. Additionally, these cells were incubated with EVs to assess lymphocyte proliferation, as well as eosinophil migration and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by flow cytometry. Moreover, multiplex analysis was performed to evaluate the cytokines released by PBMCs following stimulation with EVs. Proteins characteristic of EVs were identified (CD9, CD63, CD81 and Alix). Furthermore, the size of the nanovesicles was ~185 nm, which is consistent with previously published reports. Confocal microscopy revealed that EVs internalized and localized in the cytoplasm of eosinophils, while in PBMCs, EVs were located in the perinuclear region. A proliferation assay revealed an increase in the proliferation of Th1 and Th2 lymphocytes, with higher levels of IL-4. Moreover, EVs were able to significantly increase eosinophil ROS production and migration. However, these effects were not observed after stimulation with EVs from non-allergic controls. This exploratory study shows that EVs from the moDCs of children with CMAIE could induce chemotactic and stimulatory functions on eosinophils and lymphocytes, which could perpetuate inflammation and contribute to tissue damage in this type of allergy. Full article

Against the backdrop of global climate governance and evolving ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) infrastructure, this study examines how market-based ESG ratings drive corporate carbon performance. Employing a staggered difference-in-differences (DID) approach based on a quasi-natural experiment with the initial release of SynTao Green Finance’s ESG ratings as an exogenous shock, we analyze Chinese A-share listed firms (2014–2022) from an internal and external interaction perspective. The results show ESG ratings significantly enhance carbon performance by improving internal control quality and analyst attention. Equity balance degree and public environmental concern strengthen these effects internally and externally, respectively. The positive impact is more pronounced in non-polluting industries, firms with low customer concentration, and those undergoing digital transformation. This study reveals the dual transmission mechanisms and boundary conditions of ESG ratings, offering theoretical and policy insights for achieving “dual carbon” goals. Full article

Against the backdrop of global population and food security challenges, improving crop nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) is essential for sustainable agriculture. Conventional nitrogen fertilizers suffer from low utilization rates and significant environmental pollution. In contrast, controlled-release nitrogen fertilizers (CRNFs) synchronize nutrient supply with crop demand, offering significant advantages in enhancing yield, efficiency, and environmental sustainability. This review systematically outlines the developmental types of CRNFs, with a focus on their agronomic and ecological benefits. Key quantitative outcomes include yield increases of 3.0–15.3% in winter wheat, 12.38–22.67% in cotton, and maintained or improved maize yield even with a 20% reduction in nitrogen input. CRNFs also reduce ammonia volatilization by 20–43% in paddy fields. The review further elucidates the synergistic mechanisms through which CRNFs optimize root growth, enhance photosynthetic efficiency, and improve NUE. Major challenges such as high costs, release control precision, and coating material sustainability are critically assessed. Future directions include developing biodegradable coatings, smart fertilization systems, and stronger policy frameworks to facilitate broader adoption. This work provides a comprehensive theoretical and practical foundation for advancing the efficient and sustainable use of CRNFs in modern crop production. Full article

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) represent promising nanoplatforms for drug delivery due to their high surface area, tunable surface chemistry, and unique physicochemical properties. This study investigated the effect of chemical functionalization on the dispersion, drug loading, release behavior, aerosolization, and preliminary in vitro cytotoxicity of CNT-based drug delivery systems, with a view toward potential intranasal applications. Pristine CNTs and CNTs functionalized with hydroxyl (–OH) and carboxyl (–COOH) groups were loaded with methylene blue as a model therapeutic compound. The nanosystems were characterized using Raman spectroscopy, UV–Vis analysis, aerosol deposition measurements, electrical mapping by conductive atomic force microscopy (C-AFM), and MTT cytotoxicity assays. Functionalization significantly enhanced CNT dispersion stability and drug release control, with COOH–CNTs exhibiting the most sustained release profile and improved cytocompatibility, maintaining cell viability above XX% at concentrations up to YY µg/mL. Aerosolization tests demonstrated stable droplet formation compatible with nasal delivery devices. Overall, this work provides a proof-of-concept physicochemical and technological assessment of functionalized CNTs as potential carriers for intranasal drug delivery, laying the groundwork for future in vivo validation. Full article