Search Results (17,394)

This study explores the use of lignocellulosic Tectona grandis seeds (TGs), hydrochar (HC-230-4), and activated carbon (AC-850-5) produced via hydrothermal carbonization and followed by CO₂ activation for removing acridine yellow G (AYG) and acridine orange 14 (ABO) from water. HC-230-4 showed a rich presence of surface functional groups and irregular morphology with some sphere-like structures. In contrast, AC-850-5 exhibited a much higher surface area (729.7 m²/g), though with fewer surface functional groups than HC-230-4. The batch method was used to study the effects of contact time, pH, dye concentration, and temperature. Among the materials, AC-850-5 showed the highest adsorption capacity of 198 mg/g for AYG and 171 mg/g for ABO at 25 °C, around 12% higher than commercial activated carbon. The adsorption process was spontaneous and endothermic, fitting well to the Langmuir isotherm model, suggesting monolayer coverage. The adsorption kinetics followed the pseudo-second-order model, indicating that the rate depends on the surface site availability. Intraparticle diffusion analysis further confirmed a multi-step adsorption process. These findings show the strong potential of TG-derived activated carbon as an effective and sustainable material for removing acridine dyes from polluted water. Full article

This study aimed to examine the proximal effects of blood flow restriction (BFR) training on shoulder muscle function and subjective discomfort during low-intensity external rotation exercise. Twenty-four healthy adults were randomly assigned to a BFR group or a control group and performed shoulder stabilization exercises with or without BFR. Outcome measures included shoulder external rotation range of motion, maximal isometric strength, muscle endurance, electromyographic activity of the rotator cuff muscles, and perceived discomfort. Both groups demonstrated significant within-group improvements in all outcomes except posterior deltoid and supraspinatus activity (p < 0.05). Between-group comparisons showed significantly greater gains in maximal strength and infraspinatus and teres minor activation in the BFR group than in the control group (p < 0.05), while discomfort and fatigue scores were also higher in the BFR group (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that BFR applied at the proximal upper arm can enhance the strength and activation of key rotator cuff muscles even when cuff placement near the shoulder is limited by anatomy. Proximal BFR may serve as an effective intervention for improving shoulder function when high-intensity exercise is contraindicated, although strategies to minimize discomfort are needed to improve clinical feasibility. Full article

Access to clean water remains a global challenge, particularly in areas where populations rely on surface water. These water sources must be treated. Coagulation with chemicals causes environmental problems and adverse effects on human health. Natural coagulants obtained from papaya (Carica papaya) waste are presented as an alternative that is safe for human health, non-polluting, and biodegradable. The effectiveness of these natural coagulants is compared to that of aluminum sulfate using jar tests and synthetic and natural surface water, with statistical tools to model treatment processes. All coagulants have competitive results, reaching turbidity remotion levels above 90%. However, in equivalent tested ranges, natural coagulants require lower dosages and perform better with high initial water turbidity due to their polymeric bridging mechanisms and adsorption processes through the action of their functional groups, as detected by FTIR analysis. Additional testing with contaminated water from the Valsequillo dam confirms the use of these coagulants to treat water, with papaya seed coagulant yielding the best results and requiring lower doses, making it a competitive alternative. It can be concluded that papaya-based coagulants obtained from waste can be used as an eco-friendly alternative to aluminum sulfate in physicochemical treatments to purify surface water for human consumption. Full article

Background and Purpose: There remains a need for effective and accessible education methods to support recovery after total hip replacement. To evaluate the effects of video-based education on daily living activities and wound healing of patients undergoing total hip replacement surgery. Methods: A randomised controlled trial was used. Eligible participants were those aged 18 years and over who had undergone total hip replacement surgery in a training and research hospital. The intervention group received video-based training, while the control group received only routine care. Results: Patients in the video-based training group showed significantly greater improvement in daily living activities, hip function, and wound healing on postoperative days 5 and 30 compared to the control group (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Video-based education significantly improved daily living activities, hip function, and wound healing in patients undergoing total hip replacement. Clinicaltrials ID: NCT06523829 Full article

Non-diabetic chronic kidney disease (ND-CKD) refers to the progressive and irreversible decline in kidney function occurring in the absence of diabetes mellitus—a distinction that sets it apart from the more prevalent diabetic CKD. While diabetic nephropathy remains the leading cause of CKD globally, ND-CKD encompasses a heterogeneous group of etiologies, including hypertensive nephrosclerosis, glomerulonephritis, and interstitial nephritis. Its incidence and prevalence are steadily increasing, particularly in aging populations, and are often underrecognized. Importantly, ND-CKD is not a benign entity; it independently contributes to systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, and metabolic dysregulation, which in turn amplify cardiovascular risk. Among the most severe complications is heart failure (HF), a complex syndrome arising from structural and functional impairments in cardiac performance. Despite ongoing advancements in HF management, mortality remains unacceptably high, ranging from 2–3% at 30 days to up to 50–75% over five years. Standard pharmacologic therapies frequently fall short in halting disease progression and may provoke undesirable side effects. This therapeutic gap has spurred growing interest in natural compounds with multi-targeted effects. Bioactive molecules such as arjunolic acid, kaempferol, luteolin, and resveratrol have shown anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that may offer dual benefits for both renal and cardiac function. By modulating shared molecular pathways—including those involved in inflammation, oxidative damage, and cellular dysfunction—these agents hold promise as adjunctive treatments in ND-CKD complicated by heart failure. Full article

Background/Objectives: Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive primary brain tumor with limited therapeutic options despite multimodal treatment. Small interfering RNA (siRNA)-based therapeutics can silence tumor-promoting genes, but achieving efficient and tumor-specific delivery remains challenging. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are promising siRNA carriers; however, conventional antibody conjugation can impair antigen recognition and complicate manufacturing. This study aimed to establish a modular Fc-binding peptide (FcBP)-mediated post-insertion strategy to enable PD-L1-targeted delivery of VEGF-siRNA via LNPs for GBM therapy. Methods: Preformed VEGF-siRNA-loaded LNPs were functionalized with FcBP–lipid conjugates, enabling non-covalent anchoring of anti-PD-L1 antibodies through Fc interactions. Particle characteristics were analyzed using dynamic light scattering and encapsulation efficiency assays. Targeted cellular uptake and VEGF gene silencing were evaluated in PD-L1-positive GL261 glioma cells. Anti-tumor efficacy was assessed in a subcutaneous GL261 tumor model following repeated intratumoral administration using tumor volume and bioluminescence imaging as endpoints. Results: FcBP post-insertion preserved LNP particle size (125.2 ± 1.3 nm), polydispersity, zeta potential, and siRNA encapsulation efficiency. Anti-PD-L1–FcBP-LNPs significantly enhanced cellular uptake (by ~50-fold) and VEGF silencing in PD-L1-expressing GL261 cells compared to controls. In vivo, targeted LNPs reduced tumor volume by 65% and markedly suppressed bioluminescence signals without inducing weight loss. Final tumor weight was reduced by 63% in the anti-PD-L1–FcBP–LNP group (656.9 ± 125.4 mg) compared to the VEGF-siRNA LNP group (1794.1 ± 103.7 mg). The FcBP-modified LNPs maintained antibody orientation and binding activity, enabling rapid functionalization with targeting antibodies. Conclusions: The FcBP-mediated post-insertion strategy enables site-specific, modular antibody functionalization of LNPs without compromising physicochemical integrity or antibody recognition. PD-L1-targeted VEGF-siRNA delivery demonstrated potent, selective anti-tumor effects in GBM murine models. This platform offers a versatile approach for targeted nucleic acid therapeutics and holds translational potential for treating GBM. Full article

In this study, four types of Fe₃O₄-based magnetic nanospheres were functionalized with distinct surface groups to examine how surface chemistry influences their co-transport with tetracycline (TC) in porous media. The functional groups investigated are carboxyl (−COOH), epoxy (−EPOXY), silanol (−SiOH), and amino (−NH₂). Particles bearing −COOH, −EPOXY, or −SiOH are negatively charged, facilitating their transport through porous media, whereas −NH₂-modified particles acquire a positive charge, leading to strong electrostatic attraction to the negatively charged TC and quartz sand, and consequently substantial retention with reduced mobility. Adsorption of TC onto Fe₃O₄-MNPs is predominantly chemisorptive, driven by ligand exchange and the formation of coordination complexes between the ionizable carboxyl and amino groups of TC and the surface hydroxyls of Fe₃O₄-MNPs. Additional contributions arise from electrostatic interactions, hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic effects, and cation–π interactions. Moreover, the carboxylate moiety of TC can coordinate to surface Fe centers via its oxygen atoms. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal a hierarchy of adsorption energies for TC on the differently modified surfaces: Fe₃O₄-NH₂ > Fe₃O₄-EPOXY > Fe₃O₄-COOH > Fe₃O₄-SiOH, consistent with experimental findings. The results underscore that tailoring the surface properties of engineered nanoparticles substantially modulates their environmental fate and interactions, offering insights into the potential ecological risks associated with these nanomaterials. Full article

Metal contamination poses serious environmental and human health risks, which results in the need for low-cost remediation approaches. The utilization of agricultural byproducts for the removal of metal contaminants is considered cost-effective and environmentally sustainable. Garlic byproducts are rich in sulfur-containing compounds, and various functional groups contribute to metal binding. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of garlic stem and peel for the removal of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and arsenic (As) from aqueous solutions and for their immobilization in contaminated soils. Batch sorption experiments conducted at pH 7 for 24 h showed that garlic stem removed 71.5% of Cd and 70.8% of Pb, while garlic peel achieved 65.4% and 79.4% removal, respectively. The higher Pb removal by garlic peel might be attributed to its higher sulfur content. However, both byproducts were less effective in removing As(III) and showed negligible removal of As(V), as these species predominantly occur in neutral or negatively charged species at neutral pH, resulting in weak interactions with negatively charged surface functional groups. Soil incubation experiments were conducted using 1% and 5% amendments of garlic stem and peel in Pb- and As-contaminated soils. Extractable Pb concentrations significantly increased in soils treated with 1% garlic peel because of the formation of labile complexes of Pb with dissolved organic carbon. However, a column experiment to evaluate the impact on Pb mobility under saturated and unsaturated conditions showed that Pb concentration in soil pore water decreased with garlic stem. Pb concentration was lower under saturated conditions, possibly due to the precipitation of Pb as PbS. Although the short-term application of raw agricultural byproducts increased extractable metal concentrations, long-term incubation reduced Pb levels in pore water. These findings suggest that unmodified garlic stem is a promising, cost-effective amendment for Pb immobilization in soil. Nevertheless, caution is needed in its application to prevent unintended metal mobilization in soil. Full article

Swimming research has determined that rounded shoulders, forward head, and scapular dyskinesis are common imbalances that may lead to injury without correction. This case study aimed to evaluate a preventative exercise program designed to reduce injuries, correct postural deviations, and improve shoulder function over one collegiate swimming season. Twenty female NCAA Division I swimmers (average age = 21.6 ± 1.3 years) participated over 25 weeks, completing pre-, mid-, and post-season assessments of injury rates, shoulder range of motion, and stability using standardized tests. Injuries were included as diagnosed and reported by an athletic trainer. Testing included internal rotation, external rotation, the Hawkins-Kennedy test, Neer’s sign, Sulcus sign, and the Closed Kinetic Chain Upper-Extremity Stability Test (CKCUEST). Compared to the season prior with no intervention, swimmers who completed the program were 44% less likely to sustain an upper-extremity injury, as assessed from the CKCUEST scores (p < 0.01 for all metrics), shoulder internal rotation (p < 0.01 for both shoulders), and total range of motion (p < 0.01 for both shoulders). These findings suggest that a targeted corrective exercise program can effectively reduce injury rates and improve shoulder mobility and function in collegiate athletes. The interpretation of these results is limited by the study’s non-randomized design and absence of a control group. Full article

This study investigates the anti-obesity and antidiabetic potential of P. palmata extracts produced through sequential enzymatic and alkaline treatments. Among the treatment groups, the extract treated solely with Alcalase^® (Alc) demonstrated the highest protein content (10.11 ± 0.15%) and degree of hydrolysis (30.36 ± 0.77%), significantly outperforming other treatments (p < 0.05). The Alc extract also exhibited superior inhibitory activity against porcine pancreatic lipase and α-amylase, achieving the lowest IC₅₀ for lipase (2.29 ± 0.87 mg.mL⁻¹) and showing significant enzyme inhibition across all tested concentrations (p < 0.05). Ultrafiltration of the Alc extract revealed that peptide fractions < 1 kDa and 1–3 kDa were most effective in enzyme inhibition, with IC₅₀ values of 3.25–3.55 mg.mL⁻¹ for both lipase and α-amylase. Peptides were identified via LC-MS/MS analysis and database searching using SequestHT, resulting in 536 sequences, of which bioinformatic screening yielded 51 non-toxic, non-allergenic candidates (PeptideRanker score > 0.6); four of these contained known inhibitory motifs for lipase and α-amylase. Molecular docking confirmed strong binding affinities between these peptides and their respective enzymes, supporting their potential as natural enzyme inhibitors. These findings indicate the functional food potential of Alcalase^®-derived P. palmata peptides for managing obesity and type 2 diabetes. Full article

Aquaculture is an important food sector, which involves the commercial production of fish for consumption. Tilapias (Oreochromis sp.) are hardy and are one of the most commonly produced fishes in the aquaculture industry. Disease outbreaks caused by Streptococcus agalactiae, however, widely affect tilapia farms, resulting in high mortality. Consequently, this may lead to the misuse of antibiotics for the prevention of disease or overuse of antibiotics when used for the treatment of fishes, contributing to antibiotic resistance. In this study, date palm pits, a waste product from the date palm industry, were tested for potential antibacterial activity against S. agalactiae and for their ability to act as an immune enhancer in vitro through the use of the head kidney and serum from healthy adult tilapias. An in vivo study was performed by dividing tilapias into two groups, consisting of infected S. agalactiae and uninfected S. agalactiae. Each group consisted of extract-fed and distilled-water-fed tilapia. Then, the serum, spleen and head kidney were isolated from both groups and tested for their respiratory burst, lysozyme and myeloperoxidase activities. The results from this study indicate that the Raziz methanol extract at a concentration of 1 g/mL inhibited the growth of S. agalactiae, and concentrations of 10 mg/mL, 2 mg/mL and 0.016 mg/mL displayed the highest respiratory burst, lysozyme and myeloperoxidase activities, respectively, in vitro. In the infected group, extract-fed tilapias showed a significant effect on respiratory burst activity and lysozyme activity compared to the distilled-water-fed tilapias, while no significant activity was observed in the uninfected group. In conclusion, the Raziz methanol extract has promising potential to act as an antibacterial agent, and it enhanced the innate immune function during active infection of S. agalactiae. Full article

This study investigated the effects of individual and combined supplementation of eucalyptus essential oil (EEO) and soy isoflavones (SI) on the growth performance, intestinal health and meat quality of weaned meat rabbits. A total of 120 Ira female rabbits were stratified by body weight (BW) and randomly allocated into four treatment groups. The rabbits were fed for 35 days using (a) basal diet (Control), (b) basal diet + 150 mg/kg EEO, (c) basal diet + 25 mg/kg SI, or (d) basal diet + 150 mg/kg EEO + 25 mg/kg SI. The results showed that supplementing EEO and SI in the diet had a synergistic effect on production performance by increasing BW and average daily gain and reducing the feed intake/gain ratio. The EEO + SI group exhibited the most pronounced improvement in growth performance. Compared with the Control group, individual or combined supplementation significantly increased both semi-clean slaughter and total eviscerated slaughter rates, and showed a synergistic effect when supplemented together. The antioxidant capacity of the rabbits was enhanced, with the EEO + SI group showing the largest improvement. Serum biochemical analysis revealed that the combined treatment improved hepatic and cardiovascular functions. Additionally, we observed that the combined addition of EEO and SI has a synergistic effect on increasing the height of intestinal villi and the villus height/crypt depth ratio. Moreover, EEO and SI synergistically improved meat quality by elevating pH value, water-holding capacity, tenderness, and fat proportion. Notably, supplementation of EEO and SI in the diet regulated the composition of the intestinal microbiota, demonstrating increased relative abundance of beneficial Bacteroides and Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group. In conclusion, the combination of EEO and SI outperformed individual supplements in promoting growth and intestinal barrier function, potentially through enhancing antioxidant activity, attenuating oxidative stress, protecting the hepatic/cardiovascular systems, and improving intestinal morphology and microbial composition, thereby collectively enhancing growth performance, slaughter traits, and meat quality. Full article

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurological condition with limited effective pharmaceutical treatments, often accompanied by side effects. This has increased interest in plant-based alternatives. This study examined the cognitive effects of a Natural Polyherbal Extract (NPX) on scopolamine-induced memory deficits in mice. Male C57BL/6 mice (10 weeks old, n = 36) were divided into four groups: control (saline), scopolamine (1 mg/kg, i.p.), tacrine (10 mg/kg, oral), and NPX (1000 mg/kg, oral). NPX and tacrine were administered daily by oral gavage for two weeks. Cognitive function was assessed weekly using the Y-maze task. Brain tissues were collected for biochemical analysis, including AChE activity and immunohistochemical detection of neurodegeneration-related markers. Results: Mice treated with NPX demonstrated improved spontaneous alternation behavior compared to the scopolamine group. NPX also significantly reduced acetylcholinesterase activity. Immunohistochemistry revealed decreased expression of amyloid-beta (Aβ) and caspase-3, with enhanced choline acetyltransferase levels. These outcomes were comparable to those observed in the tacrine-treated group. Conclusions: NPX alleviated scopolamine-induced memory impairment through enhancement of cholinergic signaling and mitigation of neurodegenerative markers. The findings suggest that NPX may serve as a promising plant-derived candidate for managing memory-related disorders, including AD. Full article

In response to the actual needs of pure copper bonding wires, it is crucial to develop a chromium-free passivator that is environmentally friendly and has excellent corrosion resistance. In this study, three different composite organic formulations of chromium-free passivation solutions are selected: 2-Amino-5-mercapto-1,3,4 thiadiazole (AMT) + 1-phenyl-5-mercapto tetrazolium (PMTA), 2-mercaptobenzimidazole (MBI) + PMTA, and Hexadecanethiol (CHS) + sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). The performance analysis and corrosion mechanism were compared with traditional hexavalent chromium passivation through characterization techniques such as XRD, SEM, and XPS. The results show that the best corrosion resistance formula is the combination of the PMTA and MBI passivation agent, and all its performances are superior to those of hexavalent chromium. The samples treated with this passivation agent corrode within 18 s in the nitric acid drop test, which is better than the 16 s for Cr⁶⁺ passivation. The samples do not change color after being immersed in salt water for 48 h. Electrochemical tests and high-temperature oxidation test also indicate better corrosion resistance than Cr⁶⁺ passivation. Through the analysis of functional groups and bonding, the excellent passivation effect is demonstrated to be achieved by the synergistic action of the chemical adsorption film formation of PMTA and the anchoring effect of MBI. Eventually, a dense Cu-PMTA-BMI film is formed on the surface, which effectively blocks the erosion of the corrosive medium and significantly improves the corrosion resistance. Full article

Understanding the soil fungal community in vineyards sheds light on the interactions between plants and their associated microorganisms. For example, identifying arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), which are beneficial to grapevine growth, is a good indicator of soil health. In contrast, other fungi, such as the pathogen group, can be detrimental to vine growth. The present study aimed to characterize the soil fungal community and the fungal diversity present at six Mediterranean vineyards located in Burgos (Spain), delving into fungal functional guilds and focusing on AMF and pathogenic fungal groups. The fungal structure was investigated using DNA metabarcoding in three soil samples taken from each vineyard, and differences in the abundance of functional guilds were assessed. Similar soil fungal community structures were observed among soil sample repetitions within vineyards. In contrast, adjacent vineyards presented differences in their microbial composition. Saprophytes followed by pathogens were the dominant fungal functional guilds across all vineyards. However, no differences in the relative abundance of the different fungal functional groups were observed among sites. The vineyard with the highest relative abundance of AMF (0.5%) also had the lowest pathogen relative abundance from all the sites (29.76%). Also, sites presenting a high relative abundance of pathogens in soil (>35%) had a low relative abundance of AMF (<0.05%). Our results suggest that the fungal community is affected by the intrinsic properties of the soil and the characteristics of each vineyard’s microsite over the effect of the geographical proximity. In addition, to improve our understanding of the soil microbial ecology, we highlight the necessity of prospecting soil fungal analyses into functional groups, interpreting diversity results within taxonomic groups alongside the total abundance of target groups/species. Full article