Search Results (5,271)

Welan gum, a high-molecular-weight exopolysaccharide from Sphingomonas sp., exhibits exceptional rheological stability and robust hydrogel properties, emerging as a highly promising agricultural biomaterial. In this study, we show that the application of welan gum promotes maize seedling growth by enhancing nitrogen use efficiency via the coordinated transcriptional reprogramming of nitrogen regulators and transporters. Mechanistically, welan gum activates the TOR pathway and the MAPK cascade, leading to the phosphorylation of ZmS6K and the terminal MAPK ZmMPK3-1. Notably, TOR inhibition reduces ZmMPK3-1 phosphorylation, demonstrating that TOR activity is indispensable for MAPK activation. Furthermore, the TOR components ZmTOR and ZmLST8 physically interact with ZmMPK3-1, and ZmLST8 independently enhances ZmMPK3-1 kinase activity, revealing a multilayered regulatory mechanism triggered by welan gum. In addition, welan gum upregulates MPK3-targeted defense genes, effectively reconciling the plant growth–defense trade-off. Elucidating this TOR–MAPK crosstalk provides the mechanistic basis for translating welan gum into sustainable gel-based biofertilizers. Collectively, this study uncovers a cooperative signaling network that underpins welan gum-mediated growth promotion, establishing the strong potential of PGPR-derived polysaccharide hydrogels as sustainable, functional biofertilizers for modern agriculture. Full article

Intermittent fasting (IF) has gained increasing attention as a dietary strategy to improve metabolic health and prevent cardiometabolic disorders. Accumulating evidence suggests that modulation of the gut microbiota may represent one of the mechanisms underlying the physiological benefits of IF. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the mechanisms by which IF modulates gut microbial ecology and how these changes influence host metabolic and immune functions. We examine the effects of IF on gut microbiota diversity and composition, highlighting shifts in key microbial taxa associated with metabolic regulation. In addition, we discuss how fasting-induced microbial remodeling affects microbiota-derived metabolites, including short-chain fatty acids and bile acids, which play central roles in energy homeostasis, intestinal barrier integrity, and inflammatory signaling. Increasing evidence indicates that IF interacts with circadian rhythms, influencing both microbial oscillations and host metabolic pathways that coordinate nutrient sensing and energy metabolism. Furthermore, we explore the bidirectional crosstalk between the gut microbiota and the intestinal immune system, emphasizing that fasting-driven microbial changes may modulate inflammatory responses, epithelial barrier function, and immune cell activity. Finally, we discuss nutritional strategies that may enhance the beneficial effects of IF, including the incorporation of prebiotics, dietary fiber, and probiotic supplementation, to promote microbial diversity and functional resilience. Collectively, these findings support a model in which IF acts as a key modulator of the gut microbiota–immune–metabolic axis. Future integrative studies combining gut microbiome, metabolomic, and immunological approaches are needed to better understand these interactions and optimize microbiota-targeted dietary interventions. Full article

HS-1-associated protein X-1 (HAX-1) is a ubiquitously expressed, multifunctional protein that regulates Ca²⁺ homeostasis and cell survival in cardiac muscle. In addition to its well-established anti-apoptotic function, HAX-1 has recently been implicated in autophagy regulation. In the present study, we explored the molecular mechanisms underlying HAX-1-mediated autophagy modulation in cellular models, including cardiac-derived H9c2 myotubes. HAX-1 overexpression enhanced autophagic activity, as evidenced by decreased sequestosome-1 (p62), increased microtubule-associated protein light chain 3-II (LC3-II), enhanced LC3 puncta formation, and elevated autophagic flux. Conversely, HAX-1 knockdown attenuated autophagic activity. Mechanistically, co-immunoprecipitation assays showed that HAX-1 associates with both p62 and LC3. Bioinformatic analysis of the HAX-1 protein sequence identified two conserved LC3-interacting region (LIR) motifs within its N-terminal domain. Deletion of this LIR-containing region (HAX-1ΔLIR) reduced LC3 association, decreased autophagic activity, and impaired autophagy-dependent clearance of HAX-1 itself following autophagy induction, suggesting the importance of these motifs. At a cardiac-relevant level, HAX-1 promoted a chloroquine-sensitive reduction in protein levels of its known binding partner, phospholamban (PLN), a key regulator of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca²⁺ cycling. These findings indicate a previously unrecognized LC3/LIR-dependent mechanism underlying HAX-1-mediated autophagy modulation and suggest a potential role for HAX-1 in SR protein proteostasis. Full article

(1) Background: Impaired diabetic wound healing stems from systemic dysregulation of the wound-healing cascade under hyperglycemic conditions, producing a disordered microenvironment marked by sustained inflammation, defective angiogenesis, and aberrant extracellular matrix remodeling, multifactorial, multistage pathological interactions demanding multi-target intervention. (2) Methods: We constructed a multifunctional nanocomposite hydrogel dressing (PGAs@CDV) based on a “drug-carrier integration” strategy, targeting the dysregulated hemostasis, inflammation, and proliferation phases of diabetic wound healing. An amphiphilic micelle carrier (PNO-GA) was synthesized by covalently conjugating Panax notoginseng oligosaccharide with gallic acid, loaded with Anemoside B4 to yield drug-loaded nanomicelles (PGAs), embedded into a carboxymethyl chitosan-dopamine-vanillin hydrogel (CDV) matrix to form PGAs@CDV. We then examined how PGAs@CDV affected diabetic wound healing. (3) Results: In vitro, PGAs@CDV enhanced cell migration and angiogenic capacity, exhibited potent antioxidant activity, and promoted M1-to-M2 macrophage polarization. We tested PGAs@CDV in a streptozotocin-induced diabetic mouse wound model. Wounds treated with PGAs@CDV closed faster than those treated with the control, CDV, PNO@CDV, and AB4@CDV. Four readouts tracked this difference: hemostasis was quicker, inflammation was lower, more blood vessels formed, and collagen deposition was higher. At the pathway level, PGAs@CDV suppressed NF-κB signaling and activated PI3K/AKT/HIF-1α. These two arms map onto the anti-inflammatory and pro-angiogenic effects observed above. (4) Conclusions: This nanocomposite hydrogel integrates a bioactive carrier with a therapeutic payload to enable coordinated intervention across multiple phases of diabetic wound repair. By combining structural support with sustained pharmacological activity, it offers a promising strategy for the treatment of chronic diabetic wounds. Full article

Background and aim: Crohn’s disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract resulting from a complex interplay among genetic susceptibility, immune dysregulation, environmental factors, and alterations in the gut microbiota. Among these, diet has emerged as a key modifiable factor influencing intestinal inflammation, barrier integrity, and disease progression. This review aims to critically evaluate the role of dietary patterns and food additives in the pathogenesis and management of Crohn’s disease, with particular emphasis on their effects on intestinal inflammation, epithelial barrier function, and host–microbiota interactions. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases up to March 2026. Clinical trials, observational studies, and mechanistic research were included based on their relevance to dietary factors, food additives, and intestinal inflammation in CD. Evidence was synthesized narratively to integrate clinical and experimental findings. Results: Dietary interventions such as the Crohn’s disease exclusion diet (CDED), specific carbohydrate diet (SCD), low-FODMAP diet, and Mediterranean diet (MD) demonstrate varying degrees of efficacy in improving clinical symptoms and, in some cases, inflammatory markers. In contrast, high consumption of ultra-processed foods is consistently associated with increased disease risk and activity. Emerging evidence highlights the role of food additives—particularly emulsifiers and artificial sweeteners—in disrupting gut barrier integrity, promoting dysbiosis, and enhancing inflammatory responses. Recent human studies further suggest that exposure to these compounds may correlate with disease activity, supporting their potential role in CD pathophysiology. Conclusions: Diet plays a significant adjunctive role in the management of Crohn’s disease. Reducing exposure to ultra-processed foods and potentially harmful food additives, while promoting balanced dietary patterns, may improve clinical outcomes. Further research is needed to clarify long-term effects and to develop personalized, evidence-based nutritional strategies for patients with CD. Full article

Integrated project delivery (IPD), as the practical manifestation of lean construction principles, integrates people, systems, and business structures into a collaborative process that harnesses the collective skills of all participants. This approach enhances sustainability by reducing waste and advancing alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The purpose of this study is to develop a practical framework that elucidates the interacting factors influencing IPD implementation within New Zealand’s (NZ) construction industry, offering transferable insights for other countries with comparable demographics. A systematic literature review of 66 articles identified 127 factors affecting IPD adoption. Deductive reasoning informed the development of open-ended questions for semi-structured interviews with 18 experts, yielding 142 factor interactions. These findings were triangulated with 137 survey responses for validation. Statistical analysis using t-tests confirmed 88 significant interactions (based on p-values), which were ranked via the Relative Importance Index (RII), visualised using Vensim software, and analysed through centrality techniques to construct a comprehensive IPD interaction framework. This study represents the first comprehensive investigation of IPD factor interactions in the NZ construction sector. The resulting framework provides researchers and practitioners with deeper insights into these dynamics to overcome barriers and promote wider IPD adoption for sustainable construction outcomes. Full article

Promoting learners’ knowledge construction during inquiry-based learning has long been a central concern in the learning sciences. To support learners’ logical reasoning, this study developed an instructional system integrating generative AI-based dynamic scaffolding with a physical robotic arm. The system incorporates two logic reasoning tasks—the Bottle-Taking Game and the River-Crossing Game—to provide adaptive AI-assisted guidance through embodied interaction for problem-solving. A quasi-experimental nonequivalent pretest–posttest design was conducted with 64 sixth-grade students. The experimental group (n = 31) learned through an AI-assisted robotic interaction mode, whereas the control group (n = 33) received conventional hands-on instruction. The results showed that the experimental group achieved significantly better logical reasoning performance than the control group. ARCS-V motivation analysis revealed that high-achieving students in the experimental group scored significantly higher on the Attention, Relevance, Confidence, and Volition dimensions than their peers in the control group, whereas low-achieving students scored significantly lower on Relevance. No significant between-group differences were found in cognitive load, indicating that AI-assisted scaffolding did not impose additional cognitive burden. Furthermore, students perceived the proposed system as useful, easy to use, and satisfactory. Overall, the findings demonstrate that integrating AI-assisted scaffolding with embodied robotic interaction enhances logical reasoning performance while maintaining learning motivation and cognitive processing and fostering positive technology acceptance. These results provide empirical evidence supporting AI-assisted robotic game-based learning and contribute to STEM education. Full article

The Earth’s environment is deteriorating, and biodiversity is declining. The use of plant-based cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) as structural materials can reduce environmental impact, and further technological developments are anticipated. This review article introduces types of cellulose derived from wood, weeds, bamboo, and fruits, and examines the potential technological applications of CNFs. It is hypothesized that maintaining an appropriate content of Mn, Ca, and O—including the interactions of Ca within carbon-based structures—could contribute to plant health, while the exclusion of elements such as V, Cd, and Sn (regardless of the effectiveness of partial sequestration) could promote cell activity. Calcium deposition can influence wood growth depending on the elemental composition in the bark, and a hypothesis regarding pH adjustment for shoot formation is proposed (see textbook on inorganic chemistry). Furthermore, manufacturing processes for CNFs and their mechanical properties—including evaluation methods—are summarized. This overview focuses on nanostructures that exhibit heterogeneous functional and mechanical properties and offer potential benefits in reducing environmental impact through processes such as 3D printing and coating. CNFs derived from fruit peels can yield lightweight and durable materials. Furthermore, the roles of proteins and fruit-derived components in neutralizing acidic environments and reducing oxides are discussed. A concept is proposed that links the processing of fruit-peel-based materials with environmental applications such as forest restoration and combating desertification. The hypothesis is put forward that cytoplasmic activity and cell wall strengthening could be enhanced through chlorophyll-related processes and water transport mechanisms. Optimizing pH conditions could promote shoot formation in plants such as conifers. Sustainable greening can be achieved through the use of cellulose-based materials in combination with water-retaining components such as bamboo-derived resources. The interaction between CNFs, plant bark, and water-bound proteins can contribute to forest regeneration and the curbing of slash-and-burn practices. Overall, this approach can contribute to environmental remediation, the reduction of environmental impact, and urban greening in degraded regions. Full article

Gas-assisted discharge of granular materials plays a critical role in shaft furnaces, moving-bed reactors, and other industrial multiphase systems, where interstitial gas flow strongly influences arch stability and may induce progressive flow blockage. Existing analytical models generally neglect aerodynamic gas–particle interactions, whereas CFD–DEM simulations provide high predictive accuracy at the expense of substantial computational cost. To bridge this gap, the present study develops and validates a physically based Torque-Balance Model for predicting gas-assisted granular discharge, arch stability, and flow blockage. A comprehensive experimental investigation was performed using a quasi-two-dimensional transparent apparatus and a thermally stabilized shaft model operated under controlled conditions. Gas-assisted discharge was examined for different gas-flow directions, gas properties, outlet geometries, and particulate materials using hydrogen, helium, and air. High-speed imaging together with gravimetric measurements enabled detailed characterization of discharge regimes and arch evolution. The proposed analytical framework explicitly incorporates interparticle mechanical interactions, aerodynamic drag, outlet geometry, and gas-pressure effects within a unified torque-balance formulation. The model describes successive stages of the discharge process, including stable discharge, transition to blockage, and complete flow suppression, while maintaining computational efficiency suitable for engineering calculations. Experimental results demonstrated that gas-flow direction governs arch stability and discharge behavior. Co-current gas flow promoted repeated arch collapse and enhanced discharge, whereas counter-current flow progressively stabilized the granular arch and ultimately produced complete flow blockage. Validation against the complete experimental database demonstrated excellent agreement between theoretical predictions and experimental observations, yielding an average prediction error below 10%, a maximum deviation within ±20%, and a coefficient of determination of R² = 0.96. The proposed Torque-Balance Model provides a computationally efficient and physically interpretable engineering framework that bridges the gap between simplified empirical correlations and computationally intensive CFD–DEM simulations and can be applied to the prediction and optimization of gas-assisted granular discharge in industrial multiphase systems. Full article

Tight conglomerate reservoirs in the Mahu area are characterized by strong heterogeneity, complex fracture–matrix interactions, and rapid pressure depletion after volumetric fracturing, which severely restricts the sustainable production of horizontal wells. To clarify the applicability of post-fracturing energy replenishment and enhanced oil recovery strategies, this study establishes single-fracture and field-scale numerical models for tight conglomerate reservoirs and systematically investigates the effects of gas injection timing, injection volume, fracture conductivity, injection media, gas–water ratio, and well-pattern cooperation on huff-n-puff performance. The results show that immediate gas injection after fracturing is not the optimal strategy because the injected gas mainly migrates through hydraulic fractures and has limited contact with matrix oil. For the base-case single-fracture model, a favorable injection timing was obtained when oil production entered a slow-decline stage and the reservoir pressure decreased to approximately 3–4 MPa below the bubble-point pressure, resulting in a simulated recovery-factor increase of 12.3% relative to the reference case. CO₂ shows strong advantages in oil swelling, viscosity reduction, diffusion, and extraction, whereas water injection provides more effective pressure maintenance. Therefore, a gas–water synergistic huff-n-puff mode can simultaneously improve matrix oil mobilization and reservoir energy replenishment. The optimal gas–water ratio should be dynamically adjusted during different cycles, with a higher CO₂ proportion in the early stage and an increased water slug proportion in later cycles to compensate for pressure depletion. At the field scale, a cooperative scheme of edge-water injection and central gas injection is proposed. Edge-water injection forms a high-pressure barrier that suppresses gas channeling, extends CO₂ retention time, and promotes deeper gas migration into the matrix. Field-scale simulation results indicate that this scheme increases the simulated cumulative oil production by 6.9% compared with the reference scheme. This study provides a practical gas–water synergistic development strategy for improving oil recovery in Mahu and similar tight conglomerate reservoirs. Full article

New Quality Productive Forces (NQPF) constitute a key driver of Industrial Structure Optimization and Upgrading (ISOU), while the advancement of ISOU provides an essential industrial foundation for the cultivation and development of NQPF. The coordinated development of these two systems is therefore critical to promoting high-quality regional economic development in China. This study develops a theoretical framework to clarify the formation of NQPF and the interactive relationship between NQPF and ISOU. It subsequently employs the coupling coordination degree model to examine the spatiotemporal evolution of their coordinated development across China from 2011 to 2023 and applies the Geodetector model to identify the principal driving factors. The results reveal three main findings. First, both NQPF and ISOU exhibited sustained upward trends during the study period, accompanied by pronounced spatial disparities. The eastern region consistently maintained the highest development levels in both systems, whereas the western region remained comparatively underdeveloped, with the east–west gap continuing to widen. Second, the national coupling coordination degree between NQPF and ISOU increased steadily, shifting from moderate imbalance to mild imbalance. Nevertheless, nearly 77% of provinces remained in an imbalanced state in 2023. High-value coupling coordination areas gradually formed a multicore spatial configuration centered on Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, and Jiangsu, resulting in an overall pattern characterized by eastern leadership, central transition, and western lagging. Third, the factors influencing coupling coordination exhibited marked regional heterogeneity. At the national level, economic development demonstrated the strongest explanatory power, followed by education and human capital accumulation. In the Yangtze River Economic Belt, economic development remained the dominant factor, while government intervention played an increasingly prominent role. In the Yellow River Basin, education surpassed economic development as the leading factor, whereas human capital was not statistically significant, indicating distinct regional driving mechanisms. Interaction detection further showed that most combinations of influencing factors generated nonlinear enhancement effects. These findings demonstrate that the coordinated development of NQPF and ISOU is shaped by both regional development disparities and the synergistic effects of multiple factors. Accordingly, regionally differentiated and multidimensional policy measures should be adopted rather than uniformly applying standardized policy instruments. Full article

Nitrites and nitrates are admitted into the body through the consumption of various foods, primarily cured meat products. These nitrites and nitrates are precursors of reactive nitrogen species NO and NO₂, which, in excess, promote nitrosative stress. Attempts have been made to combat oxidative and nitrosative stress through C₆₀ fullerenols in animal models. Furthermore, experimental and theoretical studies have shown that the use of carbon nanomaterials such as defective or doped graphene and C₆₀ metallofullerenes facilitates the capture of NO_x pollutants contained in the air. This leads us to propose that the inclusion of metals in C₆₀ fullerenols may have the potential to capture these reactive nitrogen species and be considered in nitrosative stress tests in animal models. Alternatively, viewed from another perspective, a certain grade of hydroxylation of metallofullerenes could enhance the capture of atmospheric nitrogen pollutants. Therefore, Li, Ca and Y metals were included in C₆₀ fullerenols at different coating grades. Using density functional theory (DFT), we analyzed the antiradical character of these metallofullerenols, and the adsorption energies of the free radicals (NO_x) were calculated to evaluate the ability of these metallofullerenols to adsorb these nitrogen species. Although both fullerenols and endohedral metallofullerenes have individually shown promise as radical scavengers, a systematic understanding of how the encapsulated metal and the grade of hydroxylation jointly govern the capture of nitrogen species is still lacking. In particular, it remains unclear whether increasing the number of hydroxyl groups monotonically enhances the capture capacity or whether optimal combinations of metal identity and surface functionalization exist. Addressing this gap is crucial, since excessive hydroxylation may alter the electronic structure, stability, and mechanism of interaction with NO_x radicals, potentially compromising capture capacity. Therefore, a rational evaluation that simultaneously considers electronic donor–acceptor properties, local reactivity, and adsorption thermodynamics is required to identify metallofullerenols with possible potential to sense or scavenge NO_x. Full article

Pepper fruits contain diverse primary and secondary metabolites, including ascorbic acid, carotenoids, phenolics, and flavonoids, which contribute to nutritional quality, antioxidant capacity, coloration, and consumer acceptance. Chilaca chili pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is a Mexican cultivar valued for its distinctive flavor and pungency, representing a valuable resource for studying fruit quality and sustainable crop improvement. This study evaluated the individual and combined effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on growth, physiological responses, antioxidant activity, and fruit quality traits. Twelve treatments in a 3 × 2 × 2 factorial designs were evaluated for chlorophyll, soluble solids, biomass, APX and LOX activities, and vitamin C and capsaicin contents at three ripening stages (green, mid-red, and red). Enzyme activities were determined spectrophotometrically, and bioactive compounds were quantified from methanolic fruit extracts. Microbial inoculation primarily improved fruit physiological quality rather than vegetative growth. Biomass and growth traits showed no significant differences among treatments (p > 0.05), whereas biochemical responses exhibited distinct ripening-dependent patterns. APX activity, vitamin C, and capsaicin increased from green to mid-red stages and declined at full ripeness. Bacillus sp.-based treatments (T1 and T2) produced a significant transient increase in LOX activity during mid-ripening, while T7 showed a similar but weaker response. AMF progressively enhanced LOX activity and capsaicin accumulation in green fruits. PGPR effects were strain-dependent, with Bacillus sp. promoting early capsaicin accumulation and A. deleyi favoring higher levels during advanced ripening. Overall, AMF and PGPR differentially regulate antioxidant metabolism, vitamin C accumulation, and capsaicinoid biosynthesis while interacting with mineral fertilization to improve fruit quality. These findings support beneficial microorganisms as sustainable tools for enhancing nutrient-use efficiency and fruit nutritional and functional value without replacing mineral fertilization. Full article

In recent years, the application of virtual reality (VR) in rehabilitation medicine has gained increasing attention. VR is generally classified into two types: non-immersive and immersive systems. Non-immersive VR allows patients to interact with virtual environments through screens while maintaining a connection with the real world. Several studies have reported that the combined application of non-immersive VR and adjunctive technologies such as transcranial direct current stimulation and hand exoskeleton devices could facilitate functional recovery of hemiparetic limbs after stroke. In contrast, immersive VR is applied with the use of head-mounted displays to encompass the user’s visual field, providing a high level of immersion and an enhanced sense of presence. This enhanced experience has been shown to promote patients’ attention and motivation, which are important factors in motor learning. Emerging evidence suggests that immersive VR is effective for improving upper limb motor function in post-stroke hemiparetic patients. Furthermore, rehabilitative training performed in immersive virtual environments may facilitate the transfer of acquired motor skills to real activities of daily living. Future research should aim to generate high-quality evidence through large-scale, multicenter randomized controlled trials to better establish the clinical efficacy and optimal implementation of VR-based interventions in stroke rehabilitation. Full article

This study investigated the formation of a co-amorphous complex between ursolic acid and quercetin as a chemically defined model system for improving the formulation performance of a poorly soluble triterpenoid acid. Co-amorphous systems were prepared by solvent evaporation and physical grinding at different mass ratios. The optimal formulations were identified and evaluated by water-solubility measurement, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and in vivo expectorant–antitussive assays. The solvent-derived system showed higher water solubility than the ground system. PXRD and FTIR results suggested that the solvent method more effectively promoted loss of crystallinity and probable intermolecular interactions, whereas the grinding method largely retained the crystalline features of ursolic acid. Both ursolic acid–quercetin formulations exhibited enhanced expectorant and antitussive activities compared with pure ursolic acid. Although quercetin may contribute intrinsic pharmacological activity, the overall improvements were broadly consistent with the altered physicochemical properties of the co-amorphous systems, which may facilitate ursolic acid delivery. As a secondary exploratory comparison, plant-derived triterpenoid-acid-rich and flavonoid-rich fractions from Eriobotrya japonica leaves were also co-processed; however, because these fractions were not compositionally characterized, their results were interpreted cautiously and were not used as the primary basis for mechanistic conclusions. Overall, the present study demonstrates that co-amorphous complexation of ursolic acid and quercetin is a promising strategy for improving the solubility-related properties and in vivo activity of a poorly soluble triterpenoid acid. Full article