Search Results (14,105)

Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) is shortened in adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D), but less data is available concerning pediatric cases. Multiple factors affect LTL, namely genes, epigenetics, environmental factors, oxidation, and psychological stress. Children with T1D and their families experience chronic stress. This study aimed to investigate LTL in children with T1D (n = 35) aged 6–13 years old, in comparison to age-matched healthy counterparts (n = 35), and assess any correlation of LTL with perceived stress. Relative LTL (rLTL) was assessed through real-time qPCR. Morning serum cortisol, high-sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hsCRP), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were measured. Children completed the validated questionnaires “Stress in Children” and “Pediatric Quality of Life”. Parents answered the “Perceived Stress Scale”. Children with T1D had a lower rLTL (p = 0.02) compared to age-matched healthy controls, higher hsCRP (p = 0.031), and a lower estimated quality of life (p = 0.01). RLTL was found to be lower in females with T1D (p < 0.001) and was positively related to the ‘gender–social support’ factor (p = 0.002) and diabetes duration (p = 0.045), adjusted for children’s age, parental age, and sociodemographic characteristics. These pilot findings indicate early emergence of shorter rLTL in T1D, pointing to a sexual dimorphism pattern. Insights into preventing LTL shortening in pediatric T1D can be gained from large-scale studies examining the impact of gender and social support. Full article

Oil–water emulsions constitute essential components in a wide range of industries. Despite their extensive use in emulsion systems, synthetic emulsifiers are often associated with environmental concerns and high costs. In this study, lignin—a by-product of the pulping industry—was polymerized with acrylic acid and employed as an emulsifier in a xylene–water system to address this challenge. When testing two lignin–acrylic acid copolymers, the results confirmed that the one possessing a higher molecular weight (7.99 × 10⁵ g/mol) and charge density (4.7 mmol/g) (KL-AA-10) generated xylene–water emulsions with improved stability, and higher viscosity and viscoelastic moduli. These observations were consistent with the greater adsorption of this polymer, relative to the counterparts with a lower molecular weight and charge density at the xylene–water interface, as monitored using a Quartz Crystal Microbalance. The adsorption of KL-AA-10 resulted in the formation of smaller emulsion droplets (D50 = 0.6 µm) within the system, as evidenced by confocal microscopy analysis. This study underscores the potential of lignin as a renewable emulsifier for diverse applications. Full article

Arsenic-contaminated groundwater is a major environmental concern, particularly in northern Argentina. Here, Microbacterium oxydans AE038-20, isolated from arsenic-rich groundwater, was investigated to elucidate its tolerance and transformation capacity. Growth assays showed that the strain tolerates inorganic arsenic [As(III), As(V)] and methylarsenite [MAs(III)] without significant inhibition. Speciation analyses revealed progressive oxidation of As(III) to As(V), reaching near-complete conversion after 10 days. Similarly, MAs(III) was fully oxidized to MAs(V). Genome sequencing identified ars-related determinants, including arsR, arsC, putative arsenite efflux systems, and arsP, supporting detoxification via arsenate reduction and arsenite efflux. Proteomic analyses confirmed the expression of proteins related to arsenic resistance, oxidative stress response, and metal transport. However, no canonical arsenite oxidases were detected at either the genomic or proteomic level. Despite this, M. oxydans AE038-20 exhibited clear arsenic oxidation activity. The detection of pigment-associated proteins and in vitro oxidation assays suggest an alternative mechanism potentially mediated by redox-active pigments. These findings highlight an alternative pathway for arsenic transformation in environmental bacteria. Full article

The global construction industry urgently requires sustainable alternatives to ordinary Portland cement (OPC) to mitigate its immense carbon footprint. Red mud (RM), a highly alkaline bauxite residue, presents tremendous but challenging potential as a supplementary cementitious material. This review systematically bridges the gap between atomic-level interfacial bonding mechanisms and macroscopic engineering performance, highlighting how these properties are significantly dictated by specific RM sources (e.g., Bayer vs. Sintering processes). We first elucidate advanced pretreatment strategies, notably CO₂ mineralization, which synergistically mitigates extreme alkalinity and sequesters carbon. Crucially, the fundamental bonding mechanisms are decoded: beyond physical filling, RM integration induces significant micro-morphological densification via intense aluminosilicate depolymerization—evidenced by the Al[VI] to Al[IV] coordination shift—and the quantitative integration of approximately 40% reactive iron phases into stable Fe-S-H networks. By clearly distinguishing between traditional hydration and clinker-free alkali-activation pathways, we evaluate holistic structural parameters beyond mere 28-day compressive strength (40–67 MPa), explicitly addressing flexural capacity, modulus of elasticity, and volume stability. Environmental assessments confirm exceptional heavy metal immobilization (>95% efficiency, leaching < 0.010 mg/L) and a substantial 50–80% reduction in Global Warming Potential (GWP), provided the environmental burden of alkaline activators is rigorously accounted for. Furthermore, the long-term risk of Alkali–Silica Reaction (ASR) is evaluated as a primary durability concern. Finally, to overcome persistent rheological bottlenecks, this paper highlights transformative future trajectories, particularly data-driven Machine Learning (ML) for complex mix optimization and 3D concrete printing for advanced infrastructure. Ultimately, this review provides a robust theoretical foundation and a pragmatic roadmap for upcycling RM into safe, high-performance, and ultra-low-carbon building materials. Full article

Phelipanche aegyptiaca is a root parasitic weed that causes severe yield losses in tomato production. Current control methods are constrained by limited efficacy and environmental concerns. Although biocontrol microbes and amino acids have each been reported to suppress broomrape parasitism individually, their synergistic effects and underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unexplored. This study evaluated the biocontrol performance of Bacillus velezensis strain N35, applied alone or in combination with five amino acids (methionine, isoleucine, valine, histidine, and proline), against P. aegyptiaca parasitism in tomato using pot experiments coupled with transcriptomic profiling of host roots. Both individual and combined treatments significantly reduced the number and fresh weight of P. aegyptiaca parasitic tubercles. Notably, the combinations of methionine + N35 and isoleucine + N35 achieved near-complete suppression of parasitism. Transcriptomic analysis revealed extensive reprogramming of gene expression in tomato roots, with significant enrichment in pathways associated with plant hormone signal transduction, MAPK signaling, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and carotenoid biosynthesis. The synergistic treatments coordinately activated ethylene, jasmonic acid, and salicylic acid-mediated signaling, while suppressing auxin and abscisic acid signaling. Moreover, key strigolactone biosynthesis genes (CCD7 and CCD8) were strongly downregulated, and specific genes involved in the biosynthesis of defense-related secondary metabolites were selectively upregulated. Collectively, these findings demonstrate a pronounced synergy between B. velezensis N35 and specific amino acids in suppressing P. aegyptiaca parasitism. This enhanced host resistance is achieved through the coordinated reprogramming of hormonal and metabolic networks, particularly via interference with strigolactone-mediated germination signal secretion. This study provides a theoretical basis for the development of microbe–metabolite synergistic strategies as sustainable and environmentally benign alternatives for broomrape management. Full article

With the rapid growth of the medicinal cannabis sector, there is a growing concern regarding its environmental impact and sustainability. In recent years, life cycle assessment (LCA) studies on medicinal cannabis cultivation and processing have been conducted since 2021. However, there is a lack of comprehensive LCA studies that include all stages of medicinal cannabis cultivation and processing. In this systematic review, various LCA studies conducted from 2021 to 2025 using the ISO 14040/44 methodology are reviewed and discussed in terms of their goal and scope, life cycle inventory (LCI), life cycle impact assessment (LCIA), and result interpretation. Various environmental impact indicators are considered in this review, such as greenhouse gas emissions, energy demand, water usage, eutrophication, acidification, and resource depletion. All of these impact indicators point to a significant environmental impact of indoor cultivation in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, which vary from 2.3 × 10³ to 5.2 × 10³ kg CO₂ eq kg⁻¹ of dried cannabis product. Nevertheless, it is important to note that this is significantly influenced by regional electricity sources. Low-carbon-based electricity sources, especially hydro-based sources, can reduce emissions to a significant level. Cultivation outdoors presents significantly lower emissions of (60–110 kg CO₂ eq kg⁻¹), but fertilizers and substrates used in cultivation contribute significantly to emissions. Also, outdoor plants use 22.7 L plant⁻¹ d⁻¹ water at peak growth, while indoor plants use 9–11 L plant⁻¹ d⁻¹ water. Improvements in the life cycle of cannabis cultivation can be achieved through renewable energy use, water and fertilizers, substrate use and reuse, and inventories for post-harvesting activities like drying and extraction. Botanical parameters including genotype, planting density, and harvesting frequency are identified as significant but under-characterized determinants of LCA outcomes. Ethical and legal barriers are shown to be structural drivers of the LCA data gap. A SWOT analysis contextualizes the opportunities and constraints of the sector. Future research should focus on cradle-to-grave LCA and incorporate socio-economic factors for sustainability in the medicinal cannabis sector. Full article

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of synthetic chemicals notable for their high persistence and extensive applications. With the advancement of detection technologies in recent years, PFAS have been frequently identified in environmental media and human biological samples, raising significant global concerns about their potential health risks. PFAS exhibit distinctive toxicokinetic behaviors, including efficient absorption, strong protein binding, limited metabolism, and slow excretion, which lead to prolonged biological half-lives and considerable bioaccumulation in humans. These properties contribute to a range of adverse health outcomes, such as endocrine disruption, immune suppression, liver damage, reproductive toxicity, carcinogenic potential, and cardiovascular disease. This review synthesizes evidence on PFAS-associated health risks from a multisystem, multitarget perspective, elucidating the key molecular pathways involved, thereby providing a scientific basis for understanding their complex toxicological effects and for developing targeted prevention and control strategies. Future research should prioritize characterizing the toxicological profiles of individual PFAS compounds, evaluating the health impacts of combined (mixture) exposures, and assessing risks associated with chronic, low-dose exposure to support the development of public health strategies and regulatory decisions. Full article

Water scarcity is becoming an increasingly critical global challenge, driven by climate change, rapid population growth, pollution, and unsustainable water use. Drought further intensifies this crisis by reducing water availability across agricultural, environmental, and socio-economic systems. In this context, nanotechnology has emerged as a promising tool for improving water management and enhancing drought resilience. This review examines the role of nanotechnology in drought mitigation and water conservation through multiple pathways, including the enhancement of plant drought tolerance, improvement in soil water retention, the development of smart irrigation and nano-sensing systems, and the expansion of water resources through purification, desalination, and wastewater reuse. In addition, the broader drought–water nexus is discussed to position nano-enabled approaches within existing water management strategies. While numerous studies report improvements in water-use efficiency, stress tolerance, and treatment performance under controlled conditions, significant limitations remain. These include concerns related to environmental safety, nanotoxicity, scalability, cost, and the gap between laboratory findings and field-level applications. Overall, nanotechnology should be considered a complementary approach rather than a stand-alone solution for addressing water scarcity under drought conditions. Future research should focus on long-term environmental impacts, techno-economic feasibility, and large-scale field validation to support the safe and effective integration of nanotechnology into sustainable water management systems. Full article

Ethylene is a key phytohormone regulating fruit ripening, the senescence of ornamental plants, and the post-harvest quality of horticultural products. Although numerous studies have described compounds that inhibit ethylene biosynthesis or perception, the available evidence remains fragmented across chemical groups, plant species, and pre- and post-harvest applications. This review addresses that gap by critically integrating current knowledge on the principal inhibitors of ethylene biosynthesis and perception used in horticulture, with emphasis on their sites of action, practical effectiveness, and limitations. Biosynthesis inhibitors, including aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG), aminooxyacetic acid (AOA), daminozide, benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC), and oxalic acid (OA), reduce ethylene production at different stages of the ethylene pathway, whereas perception inhibitors such as 1-methylcyclopropene, 1-DCP, silver compounds, alkenes, and diazocyclopentadiene interfere with receptor binding and downstream ripening responses. The available literature indicates that 1-methylcyclopropene remains the most widely used commercial inhibitor, while oxalic acid is emerging as a promising natural modulator of ethylene-related processes. However, the efficacy of these compounds is strongly dependent on species, maturity stage, dose, temperature, and storage conditions, and some are additionally constrained by regulatory concerns, incomplete mechanistic understanding, or inconsistent performance. Overall, ethylene inhibitors are important tools for extending shelf life, maintaining firmness, delaying senescence, and reducing post-harvest losses. Further comparative and crop-specific studies are needed to optimize application strategies, improve environmental safety, and support the development of effective natural alternatives. Full article

The increasing agricultural and industrial use of rare earth elements (REEs) has raised growing concerns about their environmental accumulation and ecotoxicity, yet the molecular and epigenetic basis underlying their dose-dependent effects on crops remains poorly understood. In this study, soybean plants were foliar treated with Cerium (Ce) at 0, 5, 10, and 50 mg·L⁻¹. Growth, elemental uptake, genome wide DNA methylation, and gene expression were analyzed using ICP-MS, WGBS, and qRT-PCR. Low dose Ce (5 mg·L⁻¹) showed a hormetic effect, promoting growth and grain quality, whereas high dose Ce (50 mg·L⁻¹) markedly inhibited growth. Foliar absorbed Ce was poorly translocated to roots and seeds, thus reducing food chain contamination risk. Ce significantly altered methylation levels of CG, CHG, and CHH contexts in soybean leaves. Low Ce increased CG methylation, while high Ce decreased CHH methylation. Differentially methylated genes (Low-dose Ce induced 52 hypermethylated DMGs and 23 hypomethylated DMGs, while high-dose Ce induced 76 hypomethylated DMGs and 17 hypermethylated DMGs) were enriched in oxidation–reduction, DNA repair, and cell cycle pathways. qRT-PCR confirmed that Ce mediated toxic responses and growth by regulating methylation related enzymes, oxidative detoxification, and DNA repair genes. This study provides novel genome-wide bisulfite sequencing evidence linking foliar Ce exposure to context-specific DNA methylation reprogramming in a major legume crop. These results demonstrate that the dose-dependent phytotoxicity of Ce in soybean is associated with context-specific changes in genome-wide DNA methylation, supporting the safety evaluation and rational agricultural application of rare earth elements. Full article

Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) contamination in agricultural soils poses a significant risk to environmental and food safety owing to its high mobility and acute toxicity. To investigate possible mitigation strategies, a greenhouse pot experiment was conducted using sandy loam and silty loam soils spiked with Cr(VI) at 30 mg kg⁻¹ and amended with natural clinoptilolite and modified HDTMA-Br (hexadecyl-trimethyl-ammonium-bromide) zeolite, while celery (Apium graveolens) was cultivated to assess chromium bioavailability and plant accumulation. Hexavalent chromium concentrations declined in all treatments (up to 88.2% in sandy loam and 73.5% in silty loam), indicating progressive reduction to Cr(III), although amendment effectiveness varied by soil type. In addition, celery accumulated extremely high chromium concentrations, particularly in sandy loam soil, where root Cr(VI) reached 1776 mg kg⁻¹, indicating substantial safety concerns. Translocation factor values were below 1 across treatments, indicating limited relocation of Cr from roots to shoots. In the zeolite treatments, Cr(VI) concentrations in aboveground biomass decreased; however, plant uptake was not completely inhibited. Nonetheless, the high bioaccumulation factor (Cr in plant over available Cr in soil) of as high as 34 in the Cr(VI)-amended treatment indicated an uptake potential under Cr load. We conclude that modified zeolite was successful in mitigating Cr(VI) uptake in plants. Further investigation on the effectiveness of the materials in open-field conditions is required to establish a remediation framework for Cr species Full article

Urban agglomerations have become the dominant spatial platform of urbanization, regional coordination, and economic transformation in China. Yet whether the expansion of agglomeration scale at the urban-agglomeration level alleviates or intensifies energy use remains insufficiently understood. Extending the scale of analysis from individual cities to integrated urban agglomerations, this study investigates 64 cities in four major Chinese urban agglomerations, including Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei, the Yangtze River Delta, the Pearl River Delta, and Chengdu–Chongqing, over the period 2006–2023. Using panel data models, this study examines the impact of the scale agglomeration within urban agglomeration on urban energy intensity. The results show that the overall agglomeration scale generated by urban agglomeration formation significantly suppresses energy intensity while indicating a robust energy-saving effect: every 10% increase in agglomeration scale is associated with a decline of approximately 0.0893 million tons of standard coal per CNY 100 million of GDP. This finding remains stable after addressing endogeneity concerns and performing a series of robustness checks. Mechanism analyses further suggest that this effect operates primarily through talent agglomeration, technological progress, and public transportation expansion. In addition, the energy-saving effect is more pronounced in smaller cities, cities with lower administrative rank, cities with weaker factor mobility, and cities characterized by poorer air quality but stronger public environmental attention. These findings contribute to the literature on urban agglomeration and green development by showing that the agglomeration scale within urban agglomerations can generate inclusive energy-efficiency gains, especially for relatively disadvantaged cities, thereby offering important implications for spatial governance and low-carbon transition in rapidly urbanizing economies. Full article

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global concern, exacerbated by the overuse of antibiotics in livestock farming. Honey bees (Apis mellifera), widely used as bioindicators of environmental contamination, may also serve as sentinels for monitoring the environmental spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). This study investigated the presence of ARGs and the gut microbiota composition of honey bees sampled from 11 apiaries located in a region of Northwestern Italy characterized by intensive livestock farming. PCR and Sanger sequencing analyses revealed a widespread presence of tetracycline resistance genes—particularly tetB and tetC—as well as occasional detection of blaTEM, qnrB, and int1 genes. tetB and tetC were also identified in three bacterial colonies isolated from bee guts, notably in Hafnia spp. 16S rRNA gene sequencing of the gut microbiota revealed dominance of genera such as Bartonella, Snodgrassella, Gilliamella, Bombilactobacillus, and Lactobacillus. Some samples showed shifts in the microbial diversity. The findings confirm the potential of honey bees as bioindicators for environmental AMR surveillance and underscore the need for further research to elucidate correlations between ARG presence and microbial community structure in honey bees from various ecological contexts. Full article

Opisthorchis viverrini infection remains a significant public health concern in Southeast Asia, particularly in rural communities of Northeast Thailand, where persistent environmental and behavioral factors sustain transmission. A quasi-experimental study aimed to identify environmental and behavioral risk factors for infection and to evaluate the effectiveness of a community-based intervention program. The intervention program study was conducted over 10 months and comprised three phases: baseline survey‚ health education intervention program implementation‚ and follow-up evaluation. The results were analyzed for the prevalence of parasitic infections, and multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify associated factors. The majority of study participants were female (67.94%)‚ aged 55 to 64 years (48.09%)‚ and farmers (89.31%). Parasitic infections‚ especially O. viverrini‚ substantially decreased during the follow-up period‚ and independent risk factors predicting infection included lower education‚ previous infection‚ raw fish consumption‚ and pesticide use‚ according to multivariable logistic regression analysis. This intervention considerably improved knowledge; mean knowledge score increased by 6.29 points (p < 0.001). Analysis of fecal sludge after treatment with the sand-drying system identified S. stercoralis larvae (20 eggs/L) and Taenia spp. eggs (12.4 eggs/g). These findings indicated that, despite treatment, integrated behavioral and environmental interventions can be effective in interrupting parasite transmission in rural endemic settings. Full article

Modern agriculture depends heavily on machinery to maximize operational efficiency and, consequently, profitability, but the wear-and-tear on the mechanical components of machinery due to ageing can lead to reduced efficiency, more downtime, and higher maintenance expenses, thus raising the operative costs. These problems have been addressed by the use of specific lubricant additives for machinery; however, additives have known disadvantages, such as compatibility restrictions and environmental concerns, which represent critical issues especially in case of possible dispersion in the environment. Modern industry is always looking for techniques and solutions to increase efficiency and productivity, and this study investigates the possible advantages of employing nanotechnology in lubricant formulations. Amongst all possible substances, SiO₂ nanoparticles are increasingly promising as lubricant additives due to their unique properties, which include heat resistance, high levels of stability, and good biocompatibility. Moreover, biolubricants, derived from renewable sources, offer an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional lubricants. This article contributes to the field of agricultural technology by demonstrating the potential of SiO₂ nanoparticles in formulations of biolubricants thought to be used in agricultural machines. Key degradation parameters, including density, viscosity, total acid number (TAN), total base number (TBN), oxidation, and elemental composition, were systematically analysed. The results showed that SiO₂ nanoparticles mitigate viscosity loss and density increase, optimize TAN and TBN, reduce oxidation of the biolubricants by up to 17.7% at 1.00 wt% SiO₂, and stabilize elemental composition during ageing. Nanoparticles remained uniformly dispersed without sedimentation for over 30 days. This provides insights that can prevent machinery performance degradation over time, reduce lubricant changes, and suggest a more sustainable and environmentally friendly lubrication solution, thus promoting more sustainable industry. Full article