Search Results (1,400)

Heavy metal contamination in natural waters and soils poses a significant environmental challenge, necessitating efficient and sustainable water treatment solutions. This study presents the computational design of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) films functionalized with iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles (NPs) for enhanced water purification applications. Composite materials containing 5%, 10%, and 15% were synthesized and characterized in terms of adsorption efficiency, surface morphology, and reusability. Advanced molecular modeling using BIOVIA Pipeline was employed to investigate charge distribution, functional group behaviour, and atomic-scale interactions between polymer chains and metal ions. The computational results revealed structure–property relationships crucial for optimizing adsorption performance and understanding geochemically driven interaction mechanisms. The LDPE/Fe₃O₄ composites demonstrated significant removal efficiency of Cu²⁺ and Ni²⁺ ions, along with favourable mechanical properties and regeneration potential. These findings highlight the synergistic role of mineral–polymer interfaces in water remediation, presenting a scalable approach to designing multifunctional polymeric materials for environmental applications. This study contributes to the growing field of polymer-based adsorbents, reinforcing their value in sustainable water treatment technologies and environmental protection efforts. Full article

This literature review provides an overview of the food safety and toxicological characteristics of various heavy metals and metalloids and the public health significance of their occurrence in food. Metals also occur as natural components of the environment, but they can enter food of animal origin and the human body primarily due to anthropogenic (industrial, agricultural, transport-related) activities. The persistent heavy metals (e.g., Hg, Pb, Cd) found in the environment are not biodegradable, can accumulate, and can enter the bodies of higher animals and subsequently, humans, where they are metabolized into various compounds with differing toxicity. Thus, due to their environmental contamination, they can accumulate in living organisms and their presence in the food chain is of great concern for human health. Regulations of the European Community in force lay down maximum levels for a limited number of metals, and the types of regulated foodstuffs of animal origin are also narrower than in the past, e.g., wild game animals and eggs are not included. The regulation of game meat (including offal) deserves consideration, given that it is in close interaction with the environmental condition of a given area and serves as indicator of it. Full article

Alzheimer’s dementia (AD) is a disease of the ageing brain. It begins in the hippocampal region with the epicentre in the entorhinal cortex, then gradually extends into adjacent brain areas involved in memory and cognition. The events which initiate the damage are unknown and under intense investigation. Localization to the hippocampus can now be explained by anatomical features of the blood vessels supplying this region. Blood supply and hence oxygen delivery to the area are jeopardized by poor flow through narrowed arteries. In genomic and metabolomic studies, the respiratory chain and mitochondrial pathways which generate ATP were leading pathways associated with AD. This review explores the notion that ATP depletion resulting from hippocampal hypoperfusion has a prime role in initiating damage. Sections cover sensing of ATP depletion and protective responses, vulnerable processes with very heavy ATP consumption (the malate shuttle, the glutamate/glutamine/GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid) cycle, and axonal transport), phospholipid disturbances and peroxidation by reactive oxygen species, hippocampal perfusion and the effects of hypertension, chronic hypoxia, and arterial vasospasm, and an overview of recent relevant genomic studies. The findings demonstrate strong scientific arguments for the proposal with increasing supportive evidence. These lines of enquiry should be pursued. Full article

The C-terminus of the BoNT/A heavy chain (BoNT/AHC) mediates binding to its receptor, SV2, a critical step for toxicity. Antibody inhibition of this interaction enhances neuronal survival. We previously identified a functional anti-BoNT/AHC nanobody, HM. To extend its in vivo half-life, we designed and prepared two Fc-optimized nanoparticles, HM-Fc5 and HM-Fc6. Structural modeling (homology/docking) of the HM Fv-AHC complex predicted that HM engages key AHC residues (Tyr¹¹⁵⁵, Phe¹¹⁶⁰, Ile¹¹⁶¹, Val¹¹⁸⁴, Asn¹¹⁸⁸, Lys¹¹⁸⁹, Glu¹¹⁹⁰), which overlap with the SV2 binding site. This suggests HM’s protective mechanism involves blocking toxin-receptor binding and cellular entry. HM-Fc5 and HM-Fc6 retained the stability and function of the parental HM antibody while exhibiting prolonged in vivo half-life. These optimized nanobodies offer economical candidates potentially enabling longer dosing intervals, beneficial for prophylaxis or chronic disease treatment. Significance Statement: The purpose of the study is to design and prepare two Fc optimized nanoparticles, HM-Fc5 and HM-Fc6, and predict the key residues involved in the interaction between HMs and AHC. The experimental results showed that HM-Fc5 and HM-Fc6 have the same stability as the parent HM antibody but have a longer half-life in vivo. The key residues Tyr¹¹⁵⁵, Phe¹¹⁶⁰, Ile¹¹⁶¹, Val¹¹⁸⁴, Asn¹¹⁸⁸, Lys¹¹⁸⁹, and Glu¹¹⁹⁰ overlap with the SV2 binding site. Our experimental results indicate that these nanobody candidates are not only more economical and convenient, but may also have longer dosing intervals, providing strong evidence and reference for prolonging the in vivo half-life of nanomaterials. Full article

Ferritin nanocages with spherical shells carry proteins or antigens that enable their use as highly efficient nanoreactors and nanocarriers. Mimicking the surface Spike (S) receptor-binding domain (RBD) from SARS-CoV-2, ferritin nanocages induce neutralizing antibody production or block viral entry. Herein, by implementing molecular dynamics simulation, we evaluate the efficiency in the interaction pattern (active or alternative sites) of H-ferritin displaying the 24 S RBDs with host-cell-receptor or monoclonal antibodies (mAbs; B38 or VVH-72). Our constructed nanocage targeted the receptor- or antibody-binding interfaces, suggesting that mAbs demonstrate an enhanced binding affinity with the RBD, with key interactions originating from its variable heavy chain. The S RBD interactions with ACE2 and B38 involved the same binding site but led to divergent dynamic responses. In particular, both B38 chains showed that asymmetric fluctuations had a major effect on their engagement with the Spike RBD. Although the receptor increased the binding affinity of VVH-72 for the RBD, the mAb structural orientation on the nanocage remained identical to its conformation when bound to the host receptor. Overall, our findings characterize the essential pharmacophore formed by Spike RBD residues over nanocage molecules, which mediates high-affinity interactions with either binding partner. Importantly, the ferritin-displayed RBD maintained native receptor and antibody binding profiles, positioning it as a promising scaffold for pre-fusion stabilization and protective RBD vaccine design. Full article

Pangasius (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) minced muscle with 1 and 2% salt was treated with different high-pressure processing and thermal methods, including conventional heat-induced gels (HIGs), high-pressure processing (HPP) prior to cooking (PC), HPP prior to setting (PS), and setting prior to HPP (SP), to evaluate for their effects on the selected physicochemical properties. The results showed that the PC treatment produced gels with a significantly higher gel strength (496.72–501.26 N·mm), hardness (9.62–10.14 N), and water-holding capacity (87.79–89.74%) compared to the HIG treatment, which showed a gel strength of 391.24 N·mm, a hardness of 7.36 N, and a water-holding capacity of 77.98%. PC gels also exhibited the typical microstructure of pressure-induced gels, with a denser and homogeneous microstructure compared to the rough and loosely connected structure of HIGs. In contrast, SP treatment exhibited the poorest gel quality in all parameters, with gel strength ranging from 319.79 to 338.34 N·mm, hardness from 5.87 to 6.31 N, and WHC from 71.91 to 73.72%. Meanwhile, the PS treatment showed a comparable gel quality to HIGs. SDS-PAGE analysis revealed protein degradation and aggregation in HPP-treated samples, with a decrease in the intensity of myosin heavy chains and actin bands. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis showed minor shifts in protein secondary structures, with the PC treatment showing a significant increase in α-helices (28.09 ± 0.51%) and a decrease in random coil content (6.69 ± 0.92%) compared to α-helices (23.61 ± 0.83) and random coil structures (9.47 ± 1.48) in HIGs (p < 0.05). Only the PC treatment resulted in a significant reduction in total plate count (TPC) (1.51–1.58 log CFU/g) compared to 2.33 ± 0.33 log CFU/g in the HIG treatment. These findings suggest that HPP should be applied prior to thermal treatments (cooking or setting) to achieve an improved gel quality in reduced-salt pangasius products. Full article

With water scarcity becoming worse, and demand increasing, the urgency for the water industry to hit net-zero carbon is accelerating. Even as a multitude of utilities have pledged to reach net-zero by 2050, advancing beyond the energy–water nexus remains a heavy lift. This paper, using a systematic literature review that complies with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA), aims to propose sustainable water resource management (SWRM) strategies that may assist water utilities in decarbonizing their value chains and achieving net-zero carbon. In total, 31 articles were included from SCOPUS, ResearchGate, ScienceDirect, and Springer. The findings show that water utilities are responsible for 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions and could reduce these emissions by more than 45% by employing a few strategies, including the electrification of transport fleets, the use of renewables, advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) and energy-efficient technologies. A broad-based case study from Scottish Water shows a 254,000-ton CO₂ reduction in the period since 2007, indicative of the potential of these measures. The review concludes that net-zero carbon is feasible through a mix of decarbonization, wastewater reuse, smart systems and policy-led innovation, especially if customized to both large and small utilities. To facilitate a wider and a more scalable transition, research needs to focus on development of low-cost and flexible strategies for underserved utilities. Full article

(1) Background: The sophisticated function of the aortic root relies on the coordinated movement of its constituent components. This study examines the extracellular components of the interleaflet triangles (ILTs) and characterises the cells that are present within this region of the aortic root. (2) Methods: A total of 10 human aortic valves and 6 porcine aortic valves were processed for immunohistochemical staining, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy. (3) Results: The three ILTs differed in size and macroscopic appearance. Each triangle comprised up to five distinct layers of tissue: an innermost endothelial layer, an inner elastin-rich layer, a thicker outer layer comprising densely packed layers of collagen and glycosaminoglycans, and an outer layer of intermingled myocardial and adipose tissue. A band of cells near the luminal surfaces of all ILTs expressed smooth muscle cell α-actin with variable expression of smooth muscle myosin heavy chain. In all the ILTs, there was evidence of neurofilament staining, indicating the presence of nerve fibres. (4) Conclusions: Each ILT is unique in its structure and organisation, with differing amounts of elastin and collagen, as well as myocardial, adipose, and fibrous content. The ILTs contain multiple cell types in varying abundance. Functional studies are required to determine the role of the different cells and their organisation in contributing to the sophisticated, dynamic behaviour of the aortic root. Full article

Proteomics combined with peptidomics approaches were used to analyze the protein degradation and the release pattern of umami peptides in stewed chicken. The results showed that a total of 422 proteins were identified, of which 273 proteins consistently existed in samples stewed for 0–5 h. Myosin heavy chain exhibited the highest abundance (26.29–30.26%) throughout the stewing process. The proportion of proteins under 20 kDa increased progressively with the duration of stewing and reached 61% at 4–5 h of stewing. A total of 8018 peptides were detected in the soup samples, and 2323 umami peptides were identified using the prediction platforms iUmami-SCM, UMPred-FRL, Umami_YYDS, and TastePertides-DM. Umami peptides derived from titin (accession number A0A8V0ZZ81) were determined to be the most abundant, accounting for 24% of the total umami peptides, and Val534 and Lys33639 were the key N-terminal and C-terminal amino acids of these umami peptides. Abundance analysis showed that the umami peptides KK16 and SK18 ranked among the top 5 in the samples stewed for 0–5 h, and they were most abundant in the 3 h stewed samples. The results obtained will provide data support for promoting the industrialization of high-quality chicken soup products. Full article

Background and Purpose: Glioblastoma remains a therapeutic challenge with a poor prognosis despite multimodal treatments. Reporter-based magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers a promising approach for tumor visualization, but its efficacy depends on sufficient reporter gene expression. This study aimed to develop a chimeric element-regulated ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1) reporter system to enhance MRI-based glioma detection while enabling targeted therapy via transferrin receptor (TfR)-mediated drug delivery. Methods: Using gene cloning techniques, we constructed a chimeric FTH1 expression system comprising tumor-specific PEG3 promoter (transcriptional control), bFGF-2 5′UTR (translational enhancement), and WPRE (mRNA stabilization). Lentiviral vectors delivered constructs to U251 glioblastoma cells and xenografts. FTH1/TfR expression was validated by Western blot and immunofluorescence. Iron accumulation was assessed via Prussian blue staining and TEM. MRI evaluated T2 signal changes. Transferrin-modified doxorubicin liposomes (Tf-LPD) were characterized for size and drug loading and tested for cellular uptake and cytotoxicity in vitro. In vivo therapeutic efficacy was assessed in nude mouse models through tumor volume measurement, MR imaging, and histopathology. Results: The chimeric system increased FTH1 expression significantly over PEG3-only controls (p < 0.01), with an increase of nearly 1.5-fold compared to the negative and blank groups and approximately a two-fold increase relative to the single promoter group, with corresponding TfR upregulation. Enhanced iron accumulation reduced T2 relaxation times significantly (p < 0.01), improving MR contrast. Tf-LPD (115 nm, 70% encapsulation) showed TfR-dependent uptake, inducing obvious apoptosis in high-TfR cells compared with that in controls. In vivo, Tf-LPD reduced tumor growth markedly in chimeric-system xenografts versus controls, with concurrent MR signal attenuation. Conclusions: The chimeric regulatory strategy overcomes limitations of single-element systems, demonstrating significant potential for integrated glioma theranostics. Its modular design may be adaptable to other reporter genes and malignancies. Full article

Excessive levels of Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ in seawater pose significant combined toxicity to marine organisms, resulting in harmful effects and further threatening human health through biomagnification in the food chain. Traditional methods for detecting marine Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ rely on laboratory analyses, which are hindered by limitations such as sample degradation during transport and complex operational procedures. In this study, we present an electrochemical sensor based on intelligent mobile detection devices. By combining G-COOH-MWCNTs/ZnO with differential pulse voltammetry, the sensor enables the efficient, simultaneous detection of Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ in seawater. The G-COOH-MWCNTs/ZnO composite film is prepared via drop-coating and is applied to a glassy carbon electrode. The film is characterized using cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy, while Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ are quantified using differential pulse voltammetry. Using a 0.1 mol/L sodium acetate buffer (pH 5.5), a deposition potential of −1.1 V, and an accumulation time of 300 s, a strong linear correlation was observed between the peak response currents of Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ and their concentrations in the range of 25–450 µg/L. The detection limits were 0.535 µg/L for Pb²⁺ and 0.354 µg/L for Cd²⁺. The sensor was applied for the analysis of seawater samples from Maowei Sea, achieving recovery rates for Pb²⁺ ranging from 97.7% to 103%, and for Cd²⁺ from 97% to 106.1%. These results demonstrate that the sensor exhibits high sensitivity and stability, offering a reliable solution for the on-site monitoring of heavy metal contamination in marine environments. Full article

Age-related neurodegeneration is characterized by oxidative stress and iron-dependent cell death, yet the neuroprotective mechanisms of folic acid in modulating ferroptosis remain unclear. This study systematically investigated the role of folic acid in inhibiting ferroptosis and attenuating neuronal damage in aging, with a focus on the solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11)-glutathione (GSH)-glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX₄) antioxidant pathway, using aged rats supplemented with folic acid (<0.1, 2.0, and 4.0 mg/kg·diet) for 22 months, with young adult rats as controls. Brain iron accumulation and ferroptosis-related proteins (SLC7A11, GPX₄, Ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1)) were evaluated. In vitro, HT-22 hippocampal neuronal cells were pre-treated with folic acid (0, 10, 20 μmol/L) for 72 h before combining with Erastin (10 μmol/L)-induced ferroptosis for an additional 24 h. Intracellular Fe²⁺, lipid peroxidation (LPO), malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), along with cystine, GSH, and ferroptosis-related protein levels were quantified. Stable sh-SLC7A11 knockdown and control (sh-NC) cell lines were used to validate the dependency of folic acid’s protective effects on SLC7A11 expression. Folic acid supplementation in aged rats dose-dependently reduced aging-related brain iron accumulation and enhanced the expression of SLC7A11, GPX₄, and FTH1. In Erastin-induced HT-22 cells, folic acid significantly mitigated ferroptosis hallmarks. Mechanistically, folic acid increased extracellular cystine uptake and intracellular GSH synthesis, thereby activating the SLC7A11-GSH-GPX₄ antioxidant pathway. Notably, molecular docking technique suggested that compared to GPX₄, folic acid stabilized SLC7A11’s active conformation. sh-SLC7A11 knockdown completely abolished folic acid-mediated protection against ferroptosis, as evidenced by restored loss of cystine, GSH and GPX₄ production. This study innovatively emphasized the critical role of folic acid supplementation in inhibiting ferroptosis by up-regulating the SLC7A11-GSH-GPX₄ antioxidant pathway, primarily through enhancing cystine availability and SLC7A11 expression. These findings established folic acid as a potential dietary intervention for aging-related neurodegenerative diseases characterized by neuronal ferroptosis, providing preclinical evidence for folic acid based neuroprotection. Full article

Muscle aging and atrophy in the elderly are closely associated with increased oxidative stress in muscle tissue. Bioactive peptides derived from protein hydrolysates have emerged as promising functional ingredients for alleviating sarcopenia due to their antioxidant properties and enrichment in essential amino acids. In a preliminary screening, mackerel protein hydrolysate (MPH) showed notable protective effects in a myotube atrophy model. This study evaluated the anti-atrophic potential of MPHs produced using different enzymes in H₂O₂-treated C2C12 myotubes. Among five hydrolysates, the alcalase-derived hydrolysate (MHA) demonstrated the most potent effects in maintaining myotube diameter, restoring myosin heavy chain (MYH) expression, and downregulating the atrophy-related genes MAFbx and MuRF1. Mechanistically, MHA activated the Akt/FoxO signaling pathway and inhibited NF-κB activation, thereby reducing muscle protein degradation. Additionally, MHA significantly lowered intracellular ROS levels and showed strong direct antioxidant activity. Amino acid and molecular weight profiling revealed high levels of essential amino acids and low-molecular-weight peptides, suggesting a synergistic contribution to its bioactivity. These findings suggest that MHA is a promising food-derived functional material with anti-atrophic and antioxidant properties and may be useful in preventing or managing age-related muscle loss such as sarcopenia, warranting further preclinical validation. Full article

Fermented feed has considerable potential as a high-quality protein source in animal production. This research aimed to examine the effects of a low-protein (LP) diet, supplemented with fermented feed, on the meat quality and intestinal health of growing–fattening pigs. The pigs were randomly divided into three groups, and a total of 72 growing–fattening pigs were subjected to the experiment. They were fed the control (CON) diet, LP diet, and LP diet supplemented with fermented rapeseed meals and fermented distiller’s grains (FLP), respectively. The results indicated that the FLP diet altered the structure of the intestinal microbiota and regulated the composition of unsaturated fatty acids in the longissimus dorsi. Furthermore, the FLP diet upregulated the expression of genes associated with myosin heavy chain isoforms (p < 0.05) and modified the content of short-chain fatty acids in the intestines (p < 0.05). In summary, the addition of fermented distiller’s grains (FDGs) and fermented rapeseed meals (FRMs) to the LP diet enhanced fatty acid metabolism and intestinal barrier function in growing–fattening pigs. Full article

Potentially toxic elements such as cadmium (Cd) in agricultural soils represent a global concern due to their toxicity and potential accumulation in the food chain. However, our understanding of cadmium’s complex sources and the mechanisms controlling its spatial distribution across diverse edaphic and geological contexts remains limited, particularly in underexplored agricultural regions. Our study aimed to assess the total accumulated Cd content in soils under avocado cultivation and its association with edaphic, geochemical, and geomorphological variables. To this end, we considered the total concentrations of other metals and explored their associations to gain a better understanding of Cd’s spatial distribution. We analyzed 26 physicochemical properties, the total concentrations of 22 elements (including heavy and trace metals such as As, Ba, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sr, Tl, V, and Zn and major elements such as Al, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, and Na), and six geospatial variables in 410 soil samples collected from various avocado-growing regions in Peru in order to identity potential associations that could help explain the spatial patterns of Cd. For data analysis, we applied (1) univariate statistics (skewness, kurtosis); (2) multivariate methods such as Spearman correlations and principal component analysis (PCA); (3) spatial modeling using the Geodetector tool; and (4) non-parametric testing (Kruskal–Wallis test with Dunn’s post hoc test). Our results indicated (1) the presence of hotspots with Cd concentrations exceeding 3 mg·kg⁻¹, displaying a leptokurtic distribution (skewness = 7.3); (2) dominant accumulation mechanisms involving co-adsorption and cation competition (Na⁺, Ca²⁺), as well as geogenic co-accumulation with Zn and Pb; and (3) significantly higher Cd concentrations in Leptosols derived from Cretaceous intermediate igneous rocks (diorites/tonalites), averaging 1.33 mg kg⁻¹ compared to 0.20 mg·kg⁻¹ in alluvial soils (p < 0.0001). The factors with the greatest explanatory power (q > 15%, Geodetector) were the Zn content, parent material, geological age, and soil taxonomic classification. These findings provide edaphogenetic insights that can inform soil cadmium (Cd) management strategies, including recommendations to avoid establishing new plantations in areas with a high risk of Cd accumulation. Such approaches can enhance the efficiency of mitigation programs and reduce the risks to export markets. Full article