Search Results (59,072)

Background: The visceral organs of sea cucumbers belonging to the family Stichopodidae, also known as Stichopodidae Viscus (SV), have been traditionally used for the management of gastrointestinal disorders. Experimental evidence has shown that the ethanol extract of SV (SVE) alleviates ulcerative colitis (UC) symptoms in a mouse model. However, the chemical constituents of SVE and the potential molecular targets mediating its effects in UC remain unclear. Methods: In this study, SVE was prepared from Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka). A reliable and sensitive strategy integrating advanced analytical and informatics tools was employed to profile the chemical components of SVE. Analyses were performed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with ion mobility spectrometry and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry operating in high-definition MS^E (UPLC-IMS-Q-TOF-HDMS^E), with data processed using the UNIFI scientific information system. Constituent identification relied on retention time (RT), accurate mass (MS1), experimentally acquired HDMS^E (MS2) spectra, and collision cross-section (CCS). Metabolomics-based approaches were further applied to characterize the in vivo exposure profile of SVE components in mouse serum and colon tissue after oral administration. Subsequently, the putative bioactive constituents and their underlying mechanisms of action were investigated using network pharmacology and molecular docking. Results: Based on the integrated identification strategy, a total of 78 compounds, including saponins, phenolic acids, fatty acids, and amino acids, were annotated in SVE, among which 6 compounds were verified using authentic reference standards to ensure unambiguous identification. Subsequently, 35 features in serum and 24 in the colon were found to be significantly altered following a single oral dose of SVE in mice, and were defined as SVE-related differential constituents. After network pharmacology analyses, 129 shared targets were identified between potential targets of SVE-related components in serum and UC-related targets, including PIK3CA, EGFR, and AKT1. Functional enrichment analysis suggested that SVE might exert its effects in UC through modulation of key nodes within the PI3K-Akt and EGFR signaling pathways, as well as lipid- and atherosclerosis-related pathways. Molecular docking results further indicated moderate binding affinities of representative SVE-related differential components toward PIK3CA, AKT1, and EGFR. Conclusions: This study clarifies the chemical basis and potential UC-related mechanisms of SVE, providing a scientific rationale for the development of SV-derived therapeutic candidates for UC. Full article

Hypoxia frequently triggers mass mortality events in pearl oysters during the summer months. Hypoxic preconditioning (HP), repeated exposure to sublethal low-oxygen conditions, has been proposed as a potential strategy to enhance stress resistance. Here, we investigated how HP affects hypoxia tolerance in the pearl oyster Pinctada fucata martensii, with emphasis on host apoptotic and immune regulation and the gut microbiota. Pearl oysters assigned to HP (experimental group, EG) and to a non-preconditioned control group (CG) were subjected to sustained hypoxic challenge (1.5 ± 0.1 mg/L DO for 15 days). HP significantly increased the expression of apoptosis- and immunity-related genes (MyD88, IκK, NF-κB) while suppressing JNK expression in gills after extended hypoxia (MyD88: EG 2.26 ± 0.65 vs. CG 0.96 ± 0.29, p < 0.05, ~2.3-fold increase; NF-κB: EG 1.50 ± 0.20 vs. CG 0.81 ± 0.31, p < 0.05, ~1.8-fold increase; IκK: EG 1.55 ± 0.38 vs. CG 0.65 ± 0.12, p < 0.05, ~4.0-fold increase; JNK: EG 0.49 ± 0.25 vs. CG 1.44 ± 0.51, p < 0.05, ~0.34-fold), consistent with a pre-activated yet controlled stress response. In parallel, HP markedly reshaped the intestinal microbial community under hypoxia, increasing alpha diversity (Ace, Chao, and Sobs indices) and enriching potentially beneficial bacterial phyla such as Planctomycetota, Nitrospirota, and Fusobacteriota, groups often linked to nutrient cycling and short-chain fatty acid production. Collectively, these results suggest that HP-enhanced hypoxia tolerance in P. f. martensii is associated with coordinated modulation of host apoptotic and immune signaling and concomitant shifts in gut microbiome diversity. These findings highlight the role of the host–microbiota axis in environmental acclimation and suggest that HP may be a practical tool for improving bivalve performance under hypoxic stress in aquaculture. Full article

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation induces DNA damage and oxidative stress in melanocytes, shaping pigmentation phenotypes and elevating photocarcinogenesis risk. Human models that capture donor-linked genetic determinants of UV sensitivity remain limited. Here, we establish a genotype-informed UV response model using induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived melanocytes from donors carrying defined MC1R variants. Differentiated cells recapitulated melanocytic morphology, marker expression, and pigmentation consistent with donor sun-sensitivity traits. Following narrowband UVB exposure, melanocyte lines with higher UV sensitivity showed reduced survival, prolonged checkpoint activation, and CPD-associated DNA damage signaling dynamics. Mechanistic analysis suggests that the interferon-regulated GTPase MX2 is associated with amplification of UV-induced p53 and p38 activation while promoting apoptosis independently of AKT. These findings support MX2 as a physiological enhancer of DNA damage signaling in normal melanocytes, distinct from its interferon-mediated role in melanoma. Our study provides a human-relevant platform linking pigmentation genotype to UV resilience and supports iPSC-derived systems as new approach methodologies (NAMs) for mechanistic and translational phototoxicology. Full article

OBJECTIVE: To explore healthcare professionals’ beliefs and concerns about doxyPEP by systematically reviewing the literature. METHOD: A systematic review of three bibliographical databases (CINAHL, EMBASE and MEDLINE) and MedRxiv in August 2024, updated in February 2026 explored healthcare professionals’ beliefs and concerns about doxyPEP. Three researchers independently reviewed full-text manuscripts for eligibility and narratively synthesized data. We used the Joanna Briggs Institute toolkit to assess risk of bias. This review was registered on PROSPERO (ID:CRD42024570646). RESULTS: Eight manuscripts were included in the final review: five cross-sectional studies, two qualitative studies, and one mixed method study from the USA (n = 5), Australia (n = 1), Kenya (n = 1), and the UK (n = 1) published between 2020–2025 and including 1840 healthcare professionals. Healthcare professionals recognised the high burden of bacterial STIs and believed that doxyPEP should be made available to MSM. There was a strong willingness to provide doxyPEP to MSM with the support of national guidelines. Healthcare professionals suggest that implementing doxyPEP would be feasible with educational support, but were concerned about antimicrobial resistance, drug–drug interactions, pill burden, cost, implementation logistics and the effect on clinical service demands. They acknowledged the lack of research and access to doxyPEP for other groups, specifically trans people and cis-gendered women. They also highlighted the need for community involvement in the implementation of doxyPEP. CONCLUSIONS: This review highlights that healthcare professionals were willing and ready to provide doxyPEP; however, they have concerns including antimicrobial resistance, the effect on service capacity, and the lack of research on cis-gendered women and trans people. Patients and health professionals need to be involved in the implementation of doxyPEP. Full article

This study provides a structured review of statistical arbitrage research in the context of artificial intelligence, with a particular focus on machine learning based methods. The reviewed literature highlights the evolution from linear, rule-based strategies to increasingly complex data-driven models, while also documenting persistent challenges related to tail-risk exposure, regime instability, limited interpretability, and regulatory and governance constraints in practical applications. Building on this literature synthesis, the paper develops a conceptual AI-led, human-in-the-loop statistical arbitrage framework that integrates ML-generated signal modeling with structured human oversight—encompassing risk calibration, discretionary intervention, and interpretability review. This framework resonates with human-AI collaboration systems across other financial domains, collectively supporting the proposition that collaborative systems show potential to enhance resilience compared to purely AI-driven alternatives under specific market stress scenarios. It is positioned as a governance-oriented synthesis that qualitatively extends existing human-in-the-loop concepts by structurally embedding adaptive oversight within the statistical arbitrage decision architecture. Full article

Structures made of wood are used extensively in applications that require mechanical reliability under variable environmental conditions. Several softwood species were investigated, including pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), spruce (Picea abies), and larch (Larix decidua). This study investigated the tensile deformation behavior of each species with a special focus on the mechanical energy demand of the tensile process. Samples were conditioned in an aqueous saline medium for defined exposure periods and compared with controls. The energy of deformation was determined from stress–strain relationships of tensile tests under identical loading conditions. Results indicate that saline conditioning alters the tensile response of the examined wood species in a species-dependent way. Tensile strength increased in pine wood after exposure, whereas spruce and larch showed different trends depending on conditioning duration. A wide range of tensile strengths was recorded for all samples, ranging from 5.4 MPa to 102.0 MPa. Controlled saline exposure significantly influences the mechanical behavior of softwood species, as indicated by the findings. Evaluating wood performance under modified environmental conditions, both deformation energy and strength parameters should be considered. The main novelty of this study is the introduction of an energy-based description of tensile deformation, in which the total tensile work is calculated from force–displacement relationships, enabling differentiation of specimens with similar tensile strengths but fundamentally different deformation and failure properties. A practical advantage of the proposed energy-based approach is that it provides additional insight into the deformation tolerance and failure behavior of saline-conditioned wood, thus enabling a more reliable assessment of material performance under unpredictable environmental conditions. Full article

6-PPD quinine (6-PPDQ) affects intestinal barrier function; however, its underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. In the current study, we examined the role of reduction in phosphatidic acid synthesis in mediating the toxicity of 6-PPDQ in affecting intestinal barrier function. In Caenorhabditis elegans, 6-PPDQ exposure reduced the phosphatidic acid content, which was accompanied by the decreased expression of acl-5 and acl-6 encoding glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase. The RNAi of acl-5 and acl-6 lowered the phosphatidic acid content, enhanced intestinal permeability, and resulted in the increased accumulation of 6-PPDQ. Meanwhile, acl-5 and acl-6 RNAi caused susceptibility to 6-PPDQ toxicity by upregulating the expressions of insulin ligands and receptor genes and downregulating the expressions of daf-16 and its target genes. Moreover, the RNAi of acl-5 and acl-6 elevated the expression of let-363, and the RNAi of let-363 could reduce the expressions of insulin ligand genes and confer resistance to 6-PPDQ toxicity. The double RNAi of acl-5 and acl-6 caused more severe enhanced intestinal permeability and 6-PPDQ toxicity. Therefore, 6-PPDQ exposure potentially disrupts phosphatidic acid synthesis to affect intestinal barrier function by downregulating acl-5 and acl-6 expressions. Full article

This study investigates the degradation mechanisms of glass-fibre- and carbon-fibre-reinforced polymer (GFRP and CFRP, respectively) composites fabricated either with epoxy, vinyl-ester, or bio-epoxy resins under a hygrothermal environment. Composite laminates were manufactured using the vacuum-assisted resin infusion technique and exposed to high moisture and elevated in-service temperatures of 23 °C (room temperature), 40 °C and 60 °C for up to 125 days. Changes in the physical, microstructural, chemical and mechanical properties were then assessed. CFRP and GFRP composites showed distinct differences in their hygrothermal ageing depending on the resin system used in the manufacturing. CFRP composites consistently demonstrated higher stability than GFRP composites. Epoxy resin exhibited high resistance to water absorption and hydrolysis under hygrothermal exposure. After 125 days at 60 °C, glass/epoxy (GE) and carbon/epoxy (CE) composites retained 79.0% and 72.1% of their tensile strength and 46.9% and 72.6% of their interlaminar shear strength (ILSS), respectively. Vinyl-ester composites showed high mechanical retention, with glass/vinyl-ester (GV) and carbon/vinyl-ester (CV) retaining 70.8% and 83.1% of tensile strength and 67.5% and 80.3% of ILSS, respectively. Despite this mechanical stability, evidence of hydrolysis indicated ongoing chemical degradation of the vinyl-ester resin under prolonged hygrothermal exposure. In contrast, bio-epoxy composites exhibited relatively low overall durability. Glass/bio-epoxy (GB) retained 126.5% tensile strength and 68.8% ILSS, whereas carbon/bio-epoxy retained 61.0% tensile strength and 44.3% ILSS after 125 days at 60 °C. Overall, fibre and resin types were found to have a significant effect on the hygrothermal ageing of polymer composites. Full article

Hurricanes have intensified and become more persistent under a changing climate, increasing the risk of infrastructure damage and property loss in coastal regions, threatening their sustainability. This study examines how hurricane intensity and persistence influence infrastructure loss, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of climate-related risks. Using data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Storm Events Database from 1996 to 2024, we develop a series of machine learning models to predict property losses based on storm characteristics and contextual vulnerability factors. Narrative-based text analysis and time-series feature engineering were applied to extract meteorological and temporal attributes, while regression and ensemble models were used for predictive evaluation. Results show that storm intensity alone explains only a small portion of loss variance, with persistence influencing damage primarily through rainfall and hydrological effects. The findings highlight that vulnerability, exposure, and cumulative risk dynamics are essential for accurate long-term prediction and for assessing infrastructure sustainability. Overall, the study demonstrates that combining machine learning techniques with climate and vulnerability data can inform future research on infrastructure sustainability. The quantified vulnerability-versus-intensity breakdown presented here can support post-disaster resource allocation, insurance risk modeling, and the prioritization of infrastructure maintenance in hurricane-prone regions. Full article

Urban flood risk management in southern Chile is often constrained by fragmented territorial information, discontinuous hydrological records, and weak integration between hazard assessment and formal land-administration systems. These limitations are particularly evident in persistently cloudy cities such as Temuco, where optical satellite imagery is frequently unusable. This study examines how satellite-derived flood observations can be incorporated into municipal land-administration practices. Flood-prone areas were identified using multitemporal Sentinel-1 SAR imagery (2018–2025) and integrated into a municipal multipurpose cadastre structured according to the ISO 19152 Land Administration Domain Model (LADM). Rather than remaining as standalone GIS maps, detected inundation areas were translated into standardized cadastral entities representing spatial units and hazard-related planning constraints. The analysis identified recurrent flooding along the Cautín River floodplain, characterized by strong winter seasonality and increasing exposure linked to urban expansion. More importantly, the results demonstrate that satellite-based hazard observations can be structured as interoperable administrative information with defined semantics, temporal validity, and traceable data sources. The proposed framework enables flood information to support territorial planning, emergency preparedness, and municipal risk management without altering property legal status. By linking Earth observation data with cadastral information infrastructures, the study provides a replicable approach for integrating environmental observations into land-administration systems in regions affected by institutional fragmentation and recurring hydrometeorological hazards. Full article

The sustainable valorization of citrus processing by-products represents a key challenge for the food industry, aiming to reduce waste while recovering valuable bioactive compounds. In this study, a cloud point extraction strategy was developed using soy lecithin as a natural, food-grade surfactant to isolate phenolic antioxidants from orange juice industry residues. Response Surface Methodology was applied to two streams of orange juice by-products, to evaluate the combined effects of pH, NaCl concentration, and lecithin content on extraction efficiency, with total polyphenolic content, DPPH radical scavenging activity, and ferric reducing antioxidant power serving as response variables. Partial Least Squares (PLS) analysis was additionally employed to integrate all antioxidant responses and identify a multivariate optimum. The optimized conditions (pH 3.4, 12% NaCl, 11% lecithin) enabled maximal recovery of antioxidant constituents, highlighting the effectiveness of lecithin-based micellar systems. To assess practical applicability, the optimized extract from the oil emulsion residue (Stream A) was incorporated into tsipouro, a traditional Greek distillate, and its stability was monitored under controlled light and temperature conditions for 30 days at three concentration levels. Results demonstrated that both environmental factors significantly influenced antioxidant retention and physical stability, underscoring the importance of formulation design. Specifically, high gel concentration at 2% w/v, low temperature at 20 °C and light exposure provided the highest overall desirability for TPC, FRAP, and DPPH responses. Overall, this work introduces a green, scalable, and food-compatible extraction approach that not only supports circular economy principles but also opens new opportunities for the development of functional alcoholic beverages enriched with natural antioxidants. Full article

This study focused on children residing near a smelter in Baiyin, and investigated the impact mechanism of different soil particle sizes on children’s exposure to heavy metals. By analyzing the distribution pattern of concentrations and bioaccessibilities of typical heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb) across four particle size fractions (<63 μm, 63–150 μm, 150–250 μm, 250–352 μm), and incorporating the size-selective adherence characteristics of children’s hand-loaded dust, this research quantitatively assessed the contribution of each particle size fraction to children’s health risks from oral exposure. The results showed that fine particle size soil (<63 μm) exhibited both higher concentration and bioaccessibility of heavy metals, which were 1.3–1.9 times and 1.1–2.2 times higher, respectively, than those of the coarsest fraction (250–352 μm). The proportion of particles < 63 μm in children’s hand-loaded dust (64.3%) was significantly higher than that in ambient soil, demonstrating selective adherence towards finer particles during children’s exposure. Due to the particle size-selective effects on metal concentration, bioaccessibility, and actual child exposure, fine soil particles constituted the primary source of heavy metal exposure risk via oral ingestion in children. Soil particles with a size of <63 μm contributed 48–60% to the total exposure risk of the five heavy metals. Therefore, in the health risk assessment of soil around smelting plants, the influence of particle size on the occurrence characteristics of metals, bioaccessibility, and children’s actual exposure behavior should be considered concurrently to enhance the accuracy and targetability of assessment and control measures. Full article

Iron oxide particles (magnetite Fe₃O₄, hematite α-Fe₂O₃, and maghemite γ-Fe₂O₃) are prevalent constituents of atmospheric particulate matter (PM) and have gained increasing attention due to potential health implications. This scoping review provides a broad mapping of published in vivo and in vitro studies addressing the biological and toxicological effects of iron oxide particles across particle size fractions (PM10, PM2.5, PM1.0, and nanoscale) and exposure routes, including inhalation, intranasal instillation, and intravenous administration. As a scoping review, no formal risk-of-bias appraisal was conducted; however, studies were selected through predefined eligibility criteria and a structured screening workflow. Iron oxide exposure is consistently associated with oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, while mitochondrial dysfunction, genotoxicity, and neurological effects are frequently reported depending on particle characteristics and exposure context. Among studies with explicit crystalline phase identification, magnetite is most frequently associated with higher biological reactivity, whereas hematite and maghemite display more variable and context-dependent responses. Limited human evidence aligns with experimental findings, identifying magnetite-rich nanoparticles in neural and cardiovascular tissues alongside markers of oxidative and mitochondrial damage. Overall, this scoping review highlights dominant research trends, mechanistic pathways, and key knowledge gaps regarding iron oxide-containing PM, emphasizing the need for integrative approaches linking atmospheric particle characterization with toxicological research. Full article

Arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg) are trace elements of major environmental and public health concern. Their relevance is due to their well-documented toxicological effects. In rapidly urbanizing port-industrial cities, soil contamination by these elements represents a critical challenge. This situation compromises sustainable urban development and environmental governance. This study had three main objectives: First, to evaluate the contamination status of As and Hg in urban soils using multiple geochemical indices; Second, to assess the potential human health risks associated with exposure in the urban environment of Talcahuano; Third, to identify the relative contributions of geogenic and anthropogenic sources based on spatial distribution patterns. A total of 420 soil samples were collected. These included 140 topsoil samples (TS; 0–10 cm), 140 subsoil samples (SS; 10–20 cm), and 140 deep-soil samples (DS; 150 cm). Arsenic concentrations were determined using hydride-generation atomic absorption spectrometry (HG-AAS). Mercury concentrations were measured by cold-vapour atomic absorption spectrometry (CV-AAS). Median As concentrations were 2.7 mg kg⁻¹ in TS, 3.1 mg kg⁻¹ in SS, and 2.5 mg kg⁻¹ in DS. The corresponding median Hg concentrations were 0.2 mg kg⁻¹ in TS and 1.4 mg kg⁻¹ in both SS and DS. Spatial distribution maps were generated through ordinary kriging interpolation. Geochemical baseline values were calculated using the median + 2 × MAD approach. The resulting baseline values were 7.8 mg kg⁻¹ for As and 3.6 mg kg⁻¹ for Hg. Contamination assessment was conducted using the geoaccumulation index (Igeo), enrichment factor (EF), and contamination factor (Cf). Results indicate that most soils are classified as uncontaminated. Enrichment levels were minimal and contamination factors were low. Nevertheless, isolated outliers were identified. These included one significantly enriched As sample and several moderately enriched or slightly contaminated Hg samples. Human health risk assessment incorporated the Hazard Index (HI) and Total Carcinogenic Risk (TCR). Results indicate that neither non-carcinogenic nor carcinogenic risks exceed acceptable thresholds at any investigated soil depth. Spatial analysis suggests that anthropogenic activities are the dominant sources of As and Hg in the study area. Traffic emissions and industrial activities appear to be the primary contributors. Full article

Bacterial endophytes isolated from medicinal and wild plant species have recently gained significant attention for their medicinal properties, often closely linked to those of their plant hosts. This study identified two endophytic Bacillus isolates using 16S rRNA sequencing-based phylogeny. The impact of sublethal concentrations (0.5 mg/mL) of cadmium and hydrogen peroxide on metabolite production and bioactivity was also investigated. Phytochemical testing and antimicrobial and antioxidant assays revealed shifts in metabolite production under stress conditions. According to the phylogenetic analysis, Bacillus sp. NV35 and NV1 are respectively related to Bacillus cereus and B. mycoides. Phytochemical screening of methanolic crude extracts from both isolates tested positive for alkaloids, flavonoids, and saponins. Notably, tannins were detected only after cadmium treatment, while steroids were present following exposure to both cadmium and H₂O₂. LC-MS fingerprinting confirmed the presence of several tannins and steroids in treated samples. The untreated crude extracts exhibited an IC₅₀ of ~3 mg/mL with the DPPH assay, which decreased to ~1.5 mg/mL after treatment with cadmium or H₂O₂, demonstrating enhanced antioxidant potential under stress conditions. Additionally, extracts from both treated and untreated bacteria displayed antimicrobial activity against selected bacterial pathogens, with MIC values ranging from 62.5 μg/mL to 125 μg/mL. LC-MS analysis identified various antimicrobial and antioxidant metabolites, including phenoxymethylpenicilloyl, maculosin, (S,R,S)-alpha-tocopherol, 3-indoleacrylate, procyanidin A2, cis-11-eicosenamide, 3-hydroxy-3-phenacyloxindole, and 9-octadecenamide. Full article