Search Results (11,454)

This study examines the roles of startup hubs within the cultural and creative industries (CCIs) and their implications for cultural innovation and tourism in European cities. Despite the growing importance of CCIs in urban development and destination branding, few studies have explored the organisational, social and communicative dynamics of cultural startup hubs. To address this gap, a comparative mixed-methods approach is applied to analyse 91 incubated startups in three European hubs: 104factory (Paris, France), Makerversity (London, UK) and A Lab (Amsterdam, The Netherlands). This study integrates structural variables (sustainability and institutionalisation), social variables (gender representation in leadership) and communication variables (activity and engagement on Instagram). The results reveal distinct organisational models, from highly institutionalised structures to more flexible, community-oriented approaches, with notable differences in terms of sustainability and gender distribution. In terms of communication, greater engagement is associated with content focused on community, identity and collective creativity, rather than promotional strategies. These findings highlight the role of startup hubs as hybrid intermediaries that not only support cultural entrepreneurship, but also contribute to the symbolic positioning and tourist appeal of the cities in which they are located. This study offers theoretical and practical insights for the development of more inclusive, sustainable and effectively communicative cultural ecosystems. Full article

Heart inflammation and oxidative stress are pivotal pathological drivers in the pathophysiology of various cardiovascular diseases. The present study aims to investigate the beneficial effects induced by extracts derived from edible plants, such as Olea europaea, and sugar cane on heart health. In particular, we investigated the effects of a novel combination constituting Olea europaea, Scutellaria baicalensis, and policosanol extracts on heart, in in vitro and ex vivo models. Olea europaea, S. baicalensis, policosanol extracts and their combination prevented H₂O₂-induced reduction in H9c2 cell (immortalized myoblasts, isolated from rat heart tissue) viability. Moreover, pre-incubation with the combination significantly reduced H₂O₂-induced ROS levels in the same cells. Our present findings also showed that Olea europaea, S. baicalensis and policosanol extracts, as well as their combination, increased lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced catalase gene expression at all concentrations tested, in mouse heart specimens. In addition, we also observed that Olea europaea, S. baicalensis and policosanol extracts, as well as their combination, significantly inhibited LPS-induced inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, nuclear factor-kB, and tumor necrosis factor-α gene expression, in the same experimental model. Interestingly, the combination was more effective at decreasing the mRNA levels of all pro-inflammatory markers investigated. Finally, the combination was also able to suppress LPS-induced B-type natriuretic peptide and cardiac troponin I gene expression ex vivo. In conclusion, these findings suggest that this plant-based combination could offer potential benefits for cardiovascular health and support overall heart function in humans. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of Nypa fruticans fruit pellet supplementation combined with different CP levels on rumen fermentation characteristics and CH₄ production using an in vitro gas production technique. A 3 × 4 factorial arrangement was used, consisting of three CP levels (12, 14, and 16%) and four levels of Nypa fruticans fruit pellet supplementation (0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5% of substrate dry matter), with incubation run included as a random effect in the statistical model. Rumen fluid from Thai native beef cattle was incubated under anaerobic conditions. Gas production kinetics, ruminal pH, ammonia–nitrogen (NH₃–N), protozoal populations, digestibility, volatile fatty acids (VFA), and CH₄ production were determined. Significant interactions between CP level and Nypa fruticans fruit pellet supplementation were observed for gas production kinetics. Ruminal pH was influenced by CP level at 24 h, while NH₃–N increased with higher CP levels but decreased with increasing supplementation. Protozoal populations were reduced by Nypa fruticans fruit pellets. Methane production was affected by CP level, Nypa fruticans fruit pellet supplementation, and their interaction. A clearer reduction was observed at 24 h, particularly at higher supplementation levels. At 24 h of incubation, total VFA, propionate, and butyrate concentrations increased with supplementation, whereas no clear effects were observed at 12 h. In vitro dry matter digestibility was affected at 24 h (p < 0.05), but no effect was observed at 48 h, while organic matter digestibility remained unchanged. In conclusion, Nypa fruticans fruit pellets, in combination with CP level, modified rumen fermentation patterns and were associated with lower CH₄ production under in vitro conditions, without negatively affecting digestibility. These findings suggest potential for further in vivo evaluation. Full article

Petroleum contamination of soils remains a significant environmental problem in boreal regions, where low temperatures constrain natural attenuation processes and complicate bioremediation. Nitrogen biostimulation is widely used to enhance petroleum hydrocarbon degradation; however, the combined effects of temperature regime, nitrogen form, contamination level, and nitrogen dosage remain insufficiently resolved for sandy podzolic soils of northern regions. This study investigated nitrogen-assisted biostimulation of petroleum-contaminated sandy podzolic soil collected in the Khanty–Mansi Autonomous Okrug (Western Siberia, Russia) using a factorial experimental design. Soil samples were artificially contaminated with crude oil at concentrations of 25, 50, and 100 g kg⁻¹ and incubated under warm and cold temperature regimes. Two nitrogen sources, urea and ammonium nitrate, were applied at several dosages. Changes in residual petroleum hydrocarbon content were monitored together with the abundance of culturable microorganisms under the applied cultivation conditions at the intermediate contamination level on day 60. Nitrogen supplementation enhanced petroleum hydrocarbon removal relative to the untreated control, but the magnitude of the effect depended substantially on temperature, nitrogen form, and contamination level. Under the tested conditions, ammonium nitrate was generally associated with stronger hydrocarbon removal than urea, particularly at the intermediate contamination level (50 g kg⁻¹). The results indicate that the response to nitrogen biostimulation in sandy boreal soils is controlled by interacting experimental factors rather than by nitrogen addition alone. These findings improve the positioning of nutrient-assisted remediation in cold-region soils and provide a basis for future mechanistic and field-scale studies. Full article

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is an effective treatment for hematologic malignancies. However, it is limited by high costs, risk of severe toxicities such as cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity, and heterogeneous patient responses. The current therapy monitoring depends largely on subjective symptom assessment, routine laboratory tests, and basic vital signs, without real-time, quantitative evaluation of CAR T-cell expansion or activation in clinical practice. This lack of timely immune monitoring hampers individualized care and contributes to increased treatment costs. To address this need, we present a proof-of-concept, label-free rapid optical imaging (ROI) biosensor with automated machine learning analysis for direct quantification of CAR T-cells from whole blood. This microfluidic platform integrates red blood cell (RBC) removal, CAR T-cell capture, and imaging-based quantification on a single chip, eliminating the need for centrifugation, staining, and operator-dependent interpretation. For validation, 50 μL whole blood samples spiked with Jurkat cells expressing CD19 CARs underwent RBC depletion by agglutination and microfiltration. The remaining blood components were then incubated on a sensor chip functionalized with recombinant CD19 protein. Captured CAR T-cells were imaged by brightfield microscopy and automatically enumerated using a machine learning algorithm trained on fluorescence-validated cells. The CD-19 cells’ capture performance was validated by flow cytometry and fluorescence imaging. The trained machine learning model validated at 88% sensitivity and 96% specificity. Buffer and whole blood calibration curves were established across clinically relevant concentrations (1–1000 cells/µL) with triple replicates. The results showed high correlation (0.975 and 0.990 R²) between the spiked concentration and the detected CAR T-cells, with a 95% certainty limit of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) of 0.6 and 1.1 cells/µL for spiked buffer, and 14 and 67 cells/µL for spiked whole-blood, respectively. Full article

Infections of chronic wounds are a major healthcare burden worldwide and can lead to poor health outcomes such as amputations of limbs and death. Detecting infections early significantly increases the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions. Screening of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from wound swab samples can potentially serve as a highly specific indicator of infection. Profiling of VOCs from infected and non-infected wounds was carried out. Swab samples were collected from 26 wounds from 23 patients (n = 20 diabetic patients; n = 3 non-diabetic patients). There were 16 wounds sampled that were clinically determined as infected, and 10 as non-infected. Headspace-solid phase microextraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-GC-MS) was used to rapidly sample and detect VOCs from the swabs following a short incubation period. A total of 42 compounds were identified and included for analysis. Infected wounds emitted more diverse VOCs compared to non-infected wounds. Higher numbers of compounds with significantly higher abundances were detected from severely infected wounds compared to less severely infected wounds. Abundances of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and branched-chain fatty acids (BCFAs) were found to be the strongest discriminators of infected from non-infected wounds. Further validation is needed, but the results of this pilot study highlight the potential of detecting these compounds as a highly specific and targeted route to predicting or detecting wound infections in the future. Full article

This study investigates the effects of a novel marine byproduct oil extracted from the cephalopod Nototodarus sloani (Arrow squid) on human platelets and red blood cells (RBCs). The oil was produced using enzyme-assisted extraction under varying pH conditions without further refining. The level of oxidation of the different oils was determined. Hemocompatibility and oxidative effects were evaluated after 24 h of incubation at physiological and fever-like conditions. Hemolysis levels varied with extraction conditions and with the amount of oil in contact with the cells. Oils extracted using 0.5% Alcalase^® and 1% Protamex^{TM ®} at pH 5.9 demonstrated superior hemocompatibility. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels presented a dose-dependent increase, with higher levels observed in oils extracted at a higher pH. Although there was no direct correlation between hemolysis rate, ROS levels and oxidation, the less oxidized oils presented lower ROS formation and better hemocompatibility. Additionally, the oils exhibited a strong anticoagulant effect and low IC₅₀ values against TRAP-6-induced platelet aggregation. These findings highlight the potential of Nototodarus sloani as a source of bioactive compounds, providing initial evidence of potential cardiovascular benefits and resource valorization, underlining the importance of extraction conditions in determining the biological properties of marine byproduct oils. Full article

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a major cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, and effective therapeutic options for advanced disease are still limited. Oridonin (ORI), a naturally derived diterpenoid compound, has shown anti-tumor activity in several malignancies, but its molecular mechanisms in CRC remain incompletely understood. In this study, the anti-cancer effects of ORI were evaluated in HT-29 and HCT116 colorectal cancer cells using in vitro assays, integrated transcriptomic and proteomic analyses, Western blotting, and an HT-29 xenograft model. ORI reduced cell viability in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, induced G1-phase cell cycle arrest, increased cell death, and reduced wound closure under the tested in vitro conditions. Integrated omics analyses in HT-29 cells identified extensive alterations in gene and protein expression, with significant enrichment of pathways related to cell cycle regulation and apoptosis. Western blotting further showed that ORI increased the expression of BAX, BID, CYCS, and CASP3 while decreasing BCL2 expression. In vivo, ORI significantly inhibited tumor growth in nude mice bearing HT-29 xenografts. These findings indicate that ORI suppresses CRC growth through coordinated regulation of cell cycle progression and apoptosis and suggest that ORI may serve as a potential therapeutic candidate for colorectal cancer. Full article

CARP-1, a perinuclear phospho-protein, is a biphasic regulator of cell survival and apoptosis signaling. We previously found that UV cross-linking of proteins from HeLa cervical cancer cells resulted in STAT3 interacting with the CARP-1 (614–638) peptide. Mutagenesis and co-IP-WB experiments revealed that CARP-1 interacts with a 40-amino-acid epitope from positions 441–480 (CE Epitope) located in the STAT3 DNA-binding domain. Overexpression of mutant STAT3 with in-frame deletion of the CE epitope (Gst-STAT3 (ΔCE) mutant), but not Gst-STAT3 (WT), failed to translocate to the nucleus in IL-6-treated cells. The small GTPase p21Rac1 interacts with and regulates STAT3 activation and nuclear translocation. Here we report the interaction of p21Rac1 with the CE epitope of STAT3 and the CARP-1 (600–650) region, suggesting that CARP-1 is part of a dynamic STAT3-p21Rac1 complex that functions in STAT3 activation and nuclear translocation. Expression of a STAT3 (ΔCE) mutant abolished STAT3 Y705 phosphorylation in cells that were treated with EGF or IL-6. Fine mapping revealed that scrambling the CE epitope peptide or a small peptide from positions 456–465 within the CE epitope resulted in abrogation of STAT3 Y705 phosphorylation by IL-6. Moreover, STAT3 phosphorylation by EGF or IL-6 was diminished in multiple CARP-1 null cancer cells. Importantly, incubation of a TAT-tagged STAT3 (454–467) peptide but not its scrambled version resulted in a reduction in STAT3 Y705 phosphorylation by IL-6/EGF. Taken together, our data demonstrates that the STAT3 CE epitope interacts with CARP-1 and p21Rac1, harbors novel sequences that activate STAT3 and promotes its nuclear translocation by IL-6/EGF. Full article

The plastisphere can have a significant impact on the buoyancy, toxicity, and functionality of microplastics (MPs). Little is known about plastisphere structure, especially in salt-impacted lakes, despite the growing focus on the salinization of lakes. Virgin polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate MPs were incubated for two weeks in flow-through containers in the epilimnion (low phosphorus, low salinity, high light) or hypolimnion (high P, high salinity, and low light) of a salt-impacted lake and then incubated in the lab in either their original water or water from the alternate depth to determine plastisphere response should the lake fully turn over. Environmental factors, including phosphorus concentration, light level, salinity level, and temperature, rather than polymer type, influenced community composition. Bacterial communities on MPs in the epilimnion exhibited higher diversity compared to those in the hypolimnion. Algal communities on MPs showed a similar trend, with greater diversity in the epilimnion. Overall, initial community composition had a stronger influence on community structure (priority effect) than the environment in which the plastisphere was grown. For those plastisphere communities capable of responding to species-specific desirable environmental conditions, lake mixing that results in increases in phosphorus and salinity from the hypolimnion to the epilimnion will increase the abundance of algae on MPs in the photic zone. Full article

Root exudates are key drivers of rhizosphere microbial assembly, yet their effects across coexisting plant species with different functional roles remain unclear. We examined the effects of root exudates from five desert steppe species in Inner Mongolia: one constructive species, two dominant species, and two accompanying species. Exudates were collected hydroponically and applied to bulk soil in a three-week incubation experiment. Microbial communities were analyzed using high-throughput sequencing, functional prediction, and co-occurrence network analysis. Exudate addition significantly altered bacterial community composition, reducing bacterial richness, while fungal communities showed weaker responses. Exudates from constructive and dominant species enriched Actinobacteria, including Rubrobacter, Arthrobacter, and Solirubrobacter, and increased functional groups linked to chemoheterotrophy and nitrogen transformation. In contrast, exudates from accompanying species induced distinct microbial assemblages without promoting Actinobacteria dominance. Exudate addition also increased bacterial network complexity, suggesting enhanced microbial interactions. Soil pH decreased and available nitrogen and phosphorus increased, strongly correlating with bacterial community shifts. Overall, root exudates mediate species-specific microbial assembly and functional reorganization in desert steppe soils, driven mainly by plant functional roles rather than taxonomic relatedness. This study provides new insights into how plant-derived substrates regulate microbial communities and nutrient cycling in arid ecosystems. Full article

Protected cultivation of pepper in southern China’s red soil region often leads to soil degradation and continuous cropping obstacles. To investigate whether biochar can alleviate these problems by regulating the soil microenvironment, pot and incubation experiments were conducted from 2021 to 2023 with biochar application rates of 0~10% (w/w). The results showed that appropriate biochar application significantly improved pepper yield and soil quality. Under the 6% biochar treatment, pepper yield and dry matter accumulation increased by 89.05% and 36.79%, respectively, compared to the control. Soil bacterial and fungal abundances increased by 346.61% and 107.37%, and their OTU numbers rose by 64.13% and 35.15%, respectively. Biochar application also elevated soil pH, organic matter, available potassium, and total nitrogen contents, improved aggregate stability, and enhanced the activities of urease, catalase, sucrase, and acid phosphatase. Furthermore, biochar altered the rhizosphere microbial community structure and increased bacterial diversity. These findings demonstrate that biochar can promote pepper growth by improving soil physicochemical properties, enzyme activities, and microbial community structure, providing a viable strategy for mitigating continuous cropping obstacles in protected cultivation. Full article

Salinity is a critical environmental stressor that inhibits seed germination and seedling growth globally. This study aimed to determine the optimal priming conditions for hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) seeds to alleviate salt stress-induced germination and growth reductions. Priming treatments included hydro-priming, chemical-priming (24-epibrassinolide (EBL), sodium nitroprusside (SNP), and polyamines), halo-priming (KNO₃), and modified drum-priming. Following treatment, germination characteristics, total polyphenol content (TPC), ABTS⁺ radical scavenging activity, and seedling growth traits were evaluated under 100 mM NaCl stress. Optimal conditions were identified as hydro-priming (50 h), chemical-priming (10⁻⁶ M EBL, 10⁻⁴ M SNP, 50 mM putrescine), halo-priming (300 mM KNO₃), and drum-priming (20 h hydration and 60 h incubation). Although NaCl treatment significantly reduced all germination traits, priming effectively mitigated these declines. A modified drum-priming method resulted in the shortest mean germination time (MGT) of 4.0 days, the highest germination rate (GR) of 25.2%·day⁻¹, and a 94% healthy seedling percentage (HSP), whereas the results for the untreated control were recorded as 6.6 days, 15.2%·day⁻¹, and 66%, respectively, under stress conditions. EBL and drum-priming showed the highest TPC and ABTS⁺ radical scavenging activity. Furthermore, priming prevented salt-induced reductions in seedling growth. EBL and drum-priming treatments resulted in the highest vitality index (VI). These results indicate that drum-priming and EBL priming are highly effective strategies for enhancing salt tolerance and ensuring uniform stand establishment in pepper seeds. Full article

Insect farming generates frass as a co-product alongside insect biomass, creating interest in its valorization within circular bioeconomy strategies and in its use as a fertilizer, soil improver, or plant biostimulant. This review adopts a claim-led framework linking product classification, composition, post-treatment, microbiological safety, environmental risks, and the evidence required to support specific agronomic claims, with particular emphasis on the EU regulatory context. Evidence from incubation, pot, greenhouse, and field studies, together with regulatory and technical sources, show that frass is a heterogeneous material whose performance depends on insect species, rearing substrate, product fraction, soil conditions, application rate, and processing history. Its relevance is increasing, particularly in regions where insect farming is expanding under established regulatory and industrial frameworks, including the European Union, North America, and parts of Asia. Across the reviewed evidence, the most scientifically and regulatorily defensible current positioning of frass is as a product-specific fertilizer or soil improver, whereas broader biostimulant or plant-protection claims require stronger product-level evidence. The review further concludes that safe and credible deployment depends on transparent characterization, appropriate hygienization and storage, contaminant screening where relevant, and claim-specific alignment with the applicable regulatory route. Full article

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have numerous applications in science and industry. Therefore, their potential phytotoxicity should be investigated. Garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.) is a useful model plant for assessing the effects of chemicals released into the environment. The aim of this study was to prepare alginate gels containing AuNPs for plant exposure experiments, evaluate their physicochemical properties, and determine their effects on selected biochemical parameters of garden cress seedlings. Gold nanoparticles were synthesized in sodium alginate at an initial concentration of 50 mg/L, using xylose and maltose as reducing agents. The gels were diluted with distilled water to obtain AuNP concentrations of 5 and 25 mg/L. Garden cress seeds were placed on filter paper soaked with the tested formulations, while distilled water and sodium alginate solutions without AuNPs served as controls. After 5 days of incubation at 20 °C under light conditions, the plant material was collected and selected bioactive compounds were determined. AuNP-containing gels significantly affected the biochemical status of the seedlings. In particular, AuNPs synthesized with xylose at 25 mg/L significantly increased the contents of photosynthetic pigments and total polyphenolic compounds. All tested AuNP formulations increased the antioxidant activity of seedlings, suggesting the activation of abiotic stress-related defense responses, however, direct markers of oxidative damage were not assessed in the present study. Overall, the results indicate that alginate-based AuNPs can modify selected biochemical parameters in garden cress seedlings, and these effects depend on nanoparticle concentration and reducing sugar used during synthesis, which may be relevant for the future development of plant-targeted nanomaterials for agricultural applications. Full article