Search Results (880)

Cellular senescence is closely connected with cancer progression, recurrence, and metastasis. Senotherapy aims to soothe the harmful effects of senescent cells either by inducing their apoptosis (senolytic) or by suppressing the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) (senomorphic). Fisetin, a well-studied senotherapeutic drug, was selected for this study to evaluate its efficiency when delivered in a liposomal formulation. The experiment evaluated the impact of liposome-encapsulated fisetin on senescent cells induced by doxorubicin (DOX) from two cell lines: WI-38 (normal lung fibroblasts) and A549 (lung carcinoma). Senescence was characterized by SA-β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) activity, proliferation, morphology, and secretion of pro-inflammatory interleukin 6 (IL-6) and interleukin 8 (IL-8). Due to fisetin’s hydrophobic nature, it was encapsulated in liposomes to enhance cellular delivery. Cellular uptake studies confirmed that the liposomes were effectively internalized by both senescent cell types. Treatment with fisetin-loaded liposomes revealed a lack of senolytic effects but showed senomorphic activity, as evidenced by a significant reduction in IL-6 and IL-8 secretion in senescent cells. The liposomal formulation enhanced fisetin’s therapeutic efficacy, showing comparable results even at the lowest tested concentration. Full article

Hormone-dependent breast cancer, particularly in its treatment-resistant forms, remains a significant therapeutic challenge. In this study, we applied a fully computational strategy to design steroid-based compounds capable of simultaneously targeting three key receptors involved in disease progression: progesterone receptor (PR), estrogen receptor alpha (ER-α), and HER2. Using a robust 3D-QSAR model (R² = 0.86; Q²_LOO = 0.86) built from 52 steroidal structures, we identified molecular features associated with high anticancer potential, specifically increased polarizability and reduced electronegativity. From a virtual library of 271 DFT-optimized analogs, 31 compounds were selected based on predicted potency (pIC₅₀ > 7.0) and screened via molecular docking against PR (PDB 2W8Y), HER2 (PDB 7JXH), and ER-α (PDB 6VJD). Seven candidates showed strong binding affinities (ΔG ≤ −9 kcal/mol for at least two targets), with Estero-255 emerging as the most promising. This compound demonstrated excellent conformational stability, a robust hydrogen-bonding network, and consistent multitarget engagement. Molecular dynamics simulations over 100 nanoseconds confirmed the structural integrity of the top ligands, with low RMSD values, compact radii of gyration, and stable binding energy profiles. Key interactions included hydrophobic contacts, π–π stacking, halogen–π interactions, and classical hydrogen bonds with conserved residues across all three targets. These findings highlight Estero-255, alongside Estero-261 and Estero-264, as strong multitarget candidates for further development. By potentially disrupting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, these compounds offer a promising strategy for overcoming resistance in hormone-driven breast cancer. Experimental validation, including cytotoxicity assays and ADME/Tox profiling, is recommended to confirm their therapeutic potential. Full article

Water infiltration into soil is a key process in regulating the hydrological cycle and sustaining ecosystem services in high-Andean environments. However, limited information is available regarding its dynamics in these ecosystems. This study evaluated the influence of three types of vegetation cover and soil properties on water infiltration in a high-Andean environment. A double-ring infiltrometer, the Water Drop Penetration Time (WDPT, s) method, and laboratory physicochemical characterization were employed. Soils under forest cover exhibited significantly higher quasi-steady infiltration rates (i_s, 0.248 ± 0.028 cm·min⁻¹) compared to grazing areas (0.051 ± 0.016 cm·min⁻¹) and agricultural lands (0.032 ± 0.013 cm·min⁻¹). Soil organic matter content was positively correlated with i_s. The modified Kostiakov infiltration model provided the best overall fit, while the Horton model better described infiltration rates approaching i_s. Sand and clay fractions, along with K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺, were particularly significant during the soil’s wet stages. In drier stages, increased Na⁺ concentrations and decreased silt content were associated with higher water repellency. Based on WDPT, agricultural soils exhibited persistent hydrophilic behavior even after drying (median [IQR] from 0.61 [0.38] s to 1.24 [0.46] s), whereas forest (from 2.84 [3.73] s to 3.53 [24.17] s) and grazing soils (from 4.37 [1.95] s to 19.83 [109.33] s) transitioned to weakly or moderately hydrophobic patterns. These findings demonstrate that native Andean forest soils exhibit a higher infiltration capacity than soils under anthropogenic management (agriculture and grazing), highlighting the need to conserve and restore native vegetation cover to strengthen water resilience and mitigate the impacts of land-use change. Full article

Oral delivery of hydrophobic compounds remains challenging due to their poor aqueous solubility and the potential toxicity associated with conventional surfactant-based emulsions. To address these issues, we present a surfactant-free encapsulation strategy using electrosprayed alginate hydrogel beads for the stable and controlled delivery of hydrophobic oils. Hydrophobic compounds were dispersed in high-viscosity alginate solutions without surfactants via ultrasonication, forming kinetically stable oil-in-water dispersions. These mixtures were electrosprayed into calcium chloride baths, yielding monodisperse hydrogel beads. Higher alginate concentrations improved droplet sphericity and suppressed phase separation by enhancing matrix viscosity. The resulting beads exhibited stimuli-responsive degradation and controlled release behavior in response to physiological ionic strength. Dense alginate networks delayed ion exchange and prolonged structural integrity, while elevated external ionic conditions triggered rapid disintegration and immediate payload release. This simple and scalable system offers a biocompatible platform for the oral delivery of lipophilic active compounds without the need for surfactants or complex fabrication steps. Full article

Ice accumulation on exposed surfaces presents substantial economic and safety challenges across various industries. To overcome limitations associated with traditional anti-icing methods, such as the use of nanoparticles, this study introduces a novel and facile approach for fabricating superhydrophobic and anti-icing microstructures using cost-effective LCD 3D printing technology. The influence of diverse pillar geometries, including square, cylindrical, hexagonal, and truncated conical forms, was analyzed to assess their effects on the hydrophobic and anti-icing/icephobic performance in terms of wettability, ice adhesion strength, and icing delay time. The role of microstructure topography was further investigated through cylindrical patterns with varying geometric parameters to identify optimal designs for enhancing hydrophobic and icephobic characteristics. Furthermore, the effectiveness of surface functionalization using a low surface energy material was evaluated. Our findings demonstrate that the synergistic combination of tailored microscale geometries and surface functionalization significantly enhances anti-icing performance with reliable repeatability, achieving ice adhesion of 13.9 and 17.9 kPa for square and cylindrical pillars, respectively. Critically, this nanoparticle-free 3D printing and low surface energy treatment method offers a scalable and efficient route for producing high-performance hydrophobic/icephobic surfaces, opening promising avenues for applications in sectors where robust anti-icing capabilities are crucial, such as renewable energy and transportation. Full article

To date, one of the main problems associated with the engineering application of metallic materials is corrosion protection. To increase their durability and reduce damage, a variety of protection methods have been studied and applied. In recent decades, coating techniques have become increasingly important. Among these coatings, Layered Double Hydroxides (LDHs) have shown unique properties, such as ion exchange, high adhesion, and hydrophobicity, particularly useful for biomedical applications. In this review, after a detailed exposition of the LDHs’ synthesis processes, the most recent corrosion protection methods are illustrated. Intercalation of corrosion inhibitors and release kinetics of intercalates are presented. Although this work is mainly focused on laboratory-scale investigations and fundamental research, the problems inherent to large-scale industrial manufacturing and application are outlined and briefly discussed. Full article

Lost circulation is a major challenge in oil and gas drilling operations, severely restricting drilling efficiency and compromising operational safety. Conventional bridging and plugging materials rely on precise particle-to-fracture size matching, resulting in low success rates. Self-healing gels penetrate loss zones as discrete particles that progressively swell, accumulate, and self-repair in integrated gel masses to effectively seal fracture networks. Self-healing gels effectively overcome the shortcomings of traditional bridging agents including poor adaptability to fractures, uncontrollable gel formation of conventional downhole crosslinking gels, and the low strength of conventional pre-crosslinked gels. This work employs stearyl methacrylate (SMA) as a hydrophobic monomer, acrylamide (AM) and acrylic acid (AA) as hydrophilic monomers, and graphene oxide (GO) as an inorganic dopant to develop a GO-based self-healing organic–inorganic hybrid plugging material (SG gel). The results demonstrate that the incorporation of GO significantly enhances the material’s mechanical and rheological properties, with the SG-1.5 gel exhibiting a rheological strength of 3750 Pa and a tensile fracture stress of 27.1 kPa. GO enhances the crosslinking density of the gel network through physical crosslinking interactions, thereby improving thermal stability and reducing the swelling ratio of the gel. Under conditions of 120 °C and 6 MPa, SG-1.5 gel demonstrated a fluid loss volume of only 34.6 mL in 60–80-mesh sand bed tests. This gel achieves self-healing within fractures through dynamic hydrophobic associations and GO-enabled physical crosslinking interactions, forming a compact plugging layer. It provides an efficient solution for lost circulation control in drilling fluids. Full article

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder associated with gut microbiota dysbiosis and impaired intestinal barrier function. Probiotic interventions have shown potential in alleviating intestinal inflammation and restoring microbial balance. This study explores the protective effects of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei (L. paracasei) E10 in mice. L. paracasei E10 demonstrated strong gastrointestinal transit tolerance, high mucosal adhesion, and probiotic properties such as hydrophobicity and aggregation ability (p < 0.05). The oral administration of L. paracasei E10 significantly alleviated colitis symptoms by reducing the disease activity index, preserving colonic architecture, increasing goblet cell density, and upregulating tight junction proteins, thereby enhancing intestinal barrier integrity. 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that L. paracasei E10 supplementation enriched microbial diversity, increased the abundance of Muribaculaceae, and modulated the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, contributing to gut homeostasis. These findings indicate that L. paracasei E10 is a potential candidate for IBD management. Full article

Silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) ceramic is widely used in the production of structural components. The surface wettability is closely related to the service life of materials. Laser surface texturing is considered an effective method for controlling surface wettability by processing specific patterns. This research focused on the laser surface texturing of a Si₃N₄ ceramic, employing rectangular patterns instead of the typical dimple designs, as these had promising applications in heat transfer and hydrodynamic lubrication. The effects of scanning speed and number of scans on the change of the morphologies and dimensions of the grooves were investigated. The results indicated that the higher scanning speed and fewer number of scans resulted in less damage to the textured surface. As the scanning speed increased, the width and depth of the grooves decreased significantly first, and then fluctuated. Conversely, increasing the number of scans led to an increase in the width and depth of the grooves, eventually stabilizing. The analysis of the elemental composition of different areas on the textured surface presented a notable increase in oxygen content at the grooves, while Si and N levels decreased. It was mainly caused by the chemical reaction between Si₃N₄ ceramic and oxygen during laser surface texturing in an air environment. This study also assessed the wettability of the textured surface, finding that the contact angle of the water droplet was significantly affected by the groove dimensions. After laser surface texturing, the contact angle increased from 35.51 ± 0.33° to 57.52 ± 1.83°. Improved wettability was associated with smaller groove volume, indicating better hydrophilicity at lower scanning speed and enhanced hydrophobicity with a fewer number of scans. Full article

Long-chain imidazolium-based ionic liquids (ILs) possess a broad-spectrum biological activity and are considered promising antifouling agents for protective coatings. A new hydrophobic IL, 1-dodecyl-3-methylimidazolium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (C₁₂C₁IM-DBS), has been synthesized, and a modified epoxy coating material containing 10, 20, and 30 wt% of this IL was prepared by dissolution of C₁₂C₁IM-DBS in commercial DER 331 epoxy resin, followed by a curing phase with diethylenetriamine. Infrared analysis revealed physicochemical interactions between the hydroxyl groups of the resin and the IL. Spectrophotometric studies showed no release of C₁₂C₁IM-DBS after 30 days of exposure of the modified coatings to water. The plasticizing effect of the IL on the epoxy resin was established by differential scanning calorimetry analysis. The introduction of 10 and 20% C₁₂C₁IM-DBS into DER 331 reduced its glass transition temperature from 122.8 °C to 109.3 and 91.5 °C, respectively. The hardness of epoxy resin decreased by approximately 26% after the introduction of the IL. Moreover, DER 331/C₁₂C₁IM-DBS coatings on steel substrates showed significantly improved impact resistance compared to neat resin. The antibiofilm efficiency of DER 331/C₁₂C₁IM-DBS coatings was evaluated by assessing the capability of two biofilm-forming model strains, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA01, to form attached biofilms on the surface. The IL effectively inhibited S. aureus surface-associated biofilm development even at the lowest content of 10%. On the contrary, an approximately 50% inhibition of biofilm metabolic activity was detected for DER 331/C₁₂C₁IM-DBS coatings containing 20% and 30% of the IL. Overall, the results of this study indicate that the hydrophobic IL C₁₂C₁IM-DBS is an efficient modifying additive for epoxy resins, which can significantly improve their operational properties for various industrial applications. Full article

Aggregation of tau protein is a hallmark feature of tauopathies such as Alzheimer’s disease. The microtubule-binding domain of tau plays a crucial role in the tau aggregation process. In this study, we investigated the dual effects of membrane interactions of tau_298–317, a fragment peptide from the microtubule-binding domain, on peptide-induced membrane disruption and membrane-mediated peptide self-assembly. Our results show that neither wild-type tau_298–317 nor its P301L or Ser305-phosphorylated mutants aggregate in the presence of zwitterionic POPC vesicles or cause lipid vesicle leakage, indicating weak peptide–membrane interactions. In contrast, tau_298–317 strongly interacts with negatively charged POPG liposomes, leading to a rapid transition of the peptide conformation from random coils to α-helical intermediate conformation upon membrane adsorption, which may further promote peptide self-association to form oligomers and β-sheet-rich fibrillar structures. Tau_298–317-induced rapid POPG membrane leakage indicates a synergistic process of the peptide self-assembly at the membrane interface and the aggregation-induced membrane disruption. Notably, phosphorylation at Ser305 disrupts favorable electrostatic interactions between the peptide and POPG membrane surface, thus preventing peptide aggregation and membrane leakage. In contrast, the P301L mutation significantly enhances membrane-mediated peptide aggregation and peptide-induced membrane disruption, likely due to alleviation of local conformational constraints and enhancement of local hydrophobicity, which facilitates fast conformational conversion to β-sheet structures. These findings provide mechanistic insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying membrane-mediated aggregation of crucial regions of tau and peptide-induced membrane damage, indicating potential strategies to prevent tau aggregation and membrane rupture by targeting critical electrostatic interactions between membranes and key local regions of tau. Full article

Membrane distillation (MD) has attracted increasing attention as a thermally driven separation process for water purification, desalination, and wastewater treatment. Its primary advantages include high rejection of non-volatile solutes, compatibility with low-grade or waste heat sources, and operation at ambient pressure. Despite these benefits, large-scale implementation remains limited due to the lack of membrane materials capable of withstanding harsh operating conditions and maintaining their hydrophobic character. Polymeric membranes have traditionally been used in MD applications; however, their limited thermal and chemical stability compromises long-term performance and reliability. In contrast, ceramic membranes are emerging as a promising alternative, offering superior mechanical strength, chemical resistance, and thermal stability. Nevertheless, their broader adoption in MD is hindered by several challenges, including high thermal conductivity, surface wettability, high fabrication costs, and limited scalability. This review provides a critical assessment of current developments, key opportunities, and ongoing challenges associated with the use of ceramic membranes in MD. Particular emphasis is placed on advances in surface modification techniques and the emerging applications in advanced MD configurations. Full article

Janus nanoparticles (JNPs) extend the concept of amphiphilicity beyond classical molecular surfactants into the nanoscale. Amphiphilic behavior is defined by the presence of hydrophobic and hydrophilic moieties within a single molecular structure. Traditionally, such molecular structures are known as surfactants or amphiphiles and are capable of reducing interfacial tension, adsorbing spontaneously at interfaces, stabilizing emulsions and foams, and forming micelles, bilayers, or vesicles. Recent experimental, theoretical, and computational studies demonstrate that these behaviors are scalable to nanostructured colloids such as JNPs. Amphiphilic JNPs, defined by anisotropic surface chemistry on distinct hemispheres, display interfacial activity driven by directional wetting, variable interfacial immersion depth, and strong interfacial anchoring. They can stabilize liquid/liquid and liquid/gas interfaces, and enable templated or spontaneous self-assembly into supra-structures, such as monolayer sheets, vesicles, capsules, etc., both in bulk and at interfaces. Their behavior mimics the “soft” molecular amphiphiles but also includes additional particularities given by their “hard” structure, as well as contributions from capillary, van der Waals, hydrophobic, and shape-dependent forces. This review focuses on compiling the evidence supporting amphiphilicity as a scalable property, discussing how JNPs function as colloidal amphiphiles and how geometry, polarity contrast, interfacial interactions, and environmental parameters influence their behavior. By comparing surfactant behavior and JNP assembly, this work aims to clarify the transferable principles, the knowledge gap, as well as the emergent properties associated with amphiphilic Janus colloids. Full article

Background/Objectives: Ceftiofur hydrochloride (CEF) is a third-generation cephalosporin widely used in cattle to treat various disease. The recommended dosage was 1.1 to 2.2 mg/kg BW for 3 to 5 consecutive days by intramuscular or subcutaneous injection. Incomplete treatment, overuse, or misuse, often observed in clinical practice, are major contributors to resistance development. This study aims to explore how different concentrations, durations, and dosing frequencies affect susceptibility and bactericidal efficacy of Staphylococcus aureus to optimize CEF dosage regimens. Methods: First, CEF was intermittently administered at 1/2 × minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), 2 × MIC, 6 × MIC, and 100 × MIC for 30 cycles. Second, CEF was continuously administered for 48, 72, 96, 120, 144, and 168 h. Bacterial susceptibility, regrowth, survival rate, and the emergence of persisters or tolerant phenotypes were assessed. Genetic mutations were identified by whole-genome resequencing. Membrane permeability, integrity, and efflux pump activity were analyzed to elucidate the mechanism of CEF. Results: After 30 cycles, the MIC increased eight-fold in the 2 × MIC group. No significant MIC increase was found in other groups, but a progression from susceptibility to persistence and then to tolerance was observed in the 100 × MIC intermittent group. The survival rate increased both in the 2 × MIC and 100 × MIC groups. With continuous exposure to ≥6 × MIC over 120 h, strains were completely eradicated without MIC increase. Resistance-associated single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) mutations were detected only in strains of the 2 × MIC and 100 × MIC intermittent groups. CEF altered the membrane hydrophobicity, damaging membrane integrity after 30 cycles. Conclusions: These findings suggest that high-dose, prolonged exposure is more effective for eliminating Staphylococcus aureus and avoiding resistance, whereas intermittent dosing may promote persistence, tolerance, and resistance evolution. Full article

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum B22 exhibits a high esterase/lipase activity, but the genomic and probiotic potential remains unclear. We employed an integrated approach combining whole-genome sequencing, molecular docking studies, and phenotypic assays to dissect the genomic and functional basis underlying the high lipolytic activity and probiotic traits of L.plantarum B22. This strain exhibited a robust lipase activity (3.45 ± 0.13 U/mL), with whole-genome analysis revealing that the complete genome of this strain spans 2,027,325 bp, encoding 2005 genes with a guanine-cytosine (GC) content of 35.06%. Notably, 13 esterase/lipase genes were identified, 4 of which (gene3060, gene3059, gene2553, gene0798) harbor conserved catalytic triads (Ser-His-Gly/Ala), essential for lipase function. Molecular docking studies confirmed strong binding affinity to tributyrin (ΔG ≤ –5.52 kcal/mol) and elucidated the interaction mechanisms, involving hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions between the esterase/lipase enzymes and tributyrin. Phenotypic and genomic analyses further demonstrated that L. plantarum B22 possesses excellent tolerance to simulated human gastrointestinal tract conditions, along with potent antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, highlighting its strong probiotic potential. Genomic annotation also identified 68 genes associated with lipid metabolism and an intact fatty acid synthesis pathway. Importantly, the analysis of phenotypes and genes involved in virulence factors, and the production of harmful metabolites suggests that L. plantarum B22 is safe. Collectively, this study offers novel insights into the genome-guided functional characterization of L. plantarum B22, providing a robust foundation for its development as a functional probiotic strain. Full article