Search Results (485)

Proper joint function has a significant impact on people’s quality of life. Joints are the point of connection between two or more bones and consist of at least three elements: joint surfaces, the joint capsule, and the joint cavity. Joint diseases are a serious social problem. Risk factors for the development of these diseases include overweight and obesity, gender, and intestinal microbiome disorders. Another factor that is considered to influence joint diseases is trace elements. Under normal conditions, elements such as iron (Fe), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), iodine (I), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), silver (Ag), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni) selenium (Se), boron (B), and silicon (Si) are part of enzymes involved in reactions that determine the proper functioning of cells, regulate redox metabolism, and determine the maturation of cells that build joint components. However, when the normal concentration of the above-mentioned elements is disturbed and toxic elements are present, dangerous joint diseases can develop. In this article, we focus on the role of trace elements in joint function. We describe the molecular mechanisms that explain their interaction with chondrocytes, osteocytes, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and synoviocytes, as well as their proliferation, apoptosis, and extracellular matrix synthesis. We also focus on the role of these trace elements in the pathogenesis of joint diseases: rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis (OA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We describe the roles of increased or decreased concentrations of individual elements in the pathogenesis and development of joint diseases and their impact on inflammation and disease progression, referring to molecular mechanisms. We also discuss their potential application in the treatment of joint diseases. Full article

Background/Objectives: Infectious endophthalmitis is a vision-threatening complication of intraocular surgery and intravitreal injections. Standard treatment involves intravitreal antibiotics; however, concerns regarding multidrug resistance and vancomycin-associated hemorrhagic occlusive retinal vasculitis (HORV) highlight the need for alternative antimicrobial strategies. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of a protocol combining intravitreal injection of 1.25% povidone-iodine (PI) with intraoperative irrigation using low concentrations of vancomycin and ceftazidime. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 11 eyes from patients diagnosed with postoperative or injection-related endophthalmitis. Six of the eleven cases received an initial intravitreal injection of 1.25% PI, followed by pars plana vitrectomy with irrigation using balanced salt solution PLUS containing vancomycin (20 μg/mL) and ceftazidime (40 μg/mL). A second intravitreal PI injection was administered at the end of surgery in all cases. Additional PI injections were administered postoperatively based on clinical response. Clinical outcomes included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), microbial culture results, corneal endothelial cell density, and visual field testing. Results: All eyes achieved complete infection resolution without recurrence. The mean BCVA improved significantly from 2.18 logMAR at baseline to 0.296 logMAR at final follow-up (p < 0.001). No adverse events were observed on specular microscopy or visual field assessment. The protocol was well tolerated, and repeated PI injections showed no signs of ocular toxicity. Conclusions: This combination protocol provides a safe and effective treatment strategy for infectious endophthalmitis. It enables rapid and complete infection resolution while minimizing the risks associated with intravitreal antibiotics. These findings support further investigation of this protocol as a practical and globally accessible alternative to standard intravitreal antimicrobial therapy. Full article

Iopamidol (IPM), as a typical recalcitrant emerging pollutant and precursor of iodinated disinfection by-products (I-DBPs), is unsuccessfully removed by conventional wastewater treatment processes. This study comprehensively evaluated the ozone/peracetic acid (O₃/PAA) process for IPM degradation, focusing on degradation kinetics, environmental impacts, transformation products, ecotoxicity, disinfection byproducts (DBPs), and microbial inactivation. The O₃/PAA system synergistically activates PAA via O₃ to generate hydroxyl radicals (^•OH) and organic radicals (CH₃COO^• and CH₃CO(O)O^•), achieving an IPM degradation rate constant of 0.10 min⁻¹, which was significantly higher than individual O₃ or PAA treatments. The degradation efficiency of IPM in the O₃/PAA system exhibited a positive correlation with solution pH, achieving a maximum degradation rate constant of 0.23 min⁻¹ under alkaline conditions (pH 9.0). Furthermore, the process demonstrated strong resistance to interference from coexisting anions, maintaining robust IPM removal efficiency in the presence of common aqueous matrix constituents. Furthermore, quenching experiments revealed ^•OH dominated IPM degradation in O₃/PAA system, while the direct oxidation by O₃ and R-O^• played secondary roles. Additionally, based on transformation products (TPs) identification and ECOSAR predictions, the primary degradation pathways were elucidated and the potential ecotoxicity of TPs was systematically assessed. DBPs analysis after chlorination revealed that the O₃/PAA (2.5:3) system achieved the lowest total DBPs concentration (99.88 μg/L), representing a 71.5% reduction compared to PAA alone. Amongst, dichloroacetamide (DCAM) dominated the DBPs profile, comprising > 60% of total species. Furthermore, the O₃/PAA process achieved rapid 5–6 log reductions of E. coli. and S. aureus within 3 min. These results highlight the dual advantages of O₃/PAA in effective disinfection and byproduct control, supporting its application in sustainable wastewater treatment. Full article

Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is a leading preventable cause of neurocognitive impairment. Its incidence appears to be rising in several countries. We analysed 27 years of newborn-screening data (1997–2023) from the largest Chilean screening centre, covering 3,225,216 newborns (51.1% of national births), to characterise temporal trends and potential drivers of CH incidence. Annual CH incidence was modelled with Prais–Winsten regression to correct for first-order autocorrelation; additional models assessed trends in gestational age, sex, biochemical markers, and aetiological subtypes. We identified 1550 CH cases, giving a mean incidence of 4.9 per 10,000 live births and a significant yearly increase of 0.067 per 10,000 (95 % CI 0.037–0.098; p < 0.001). Mild cases (confirmation TSH < 20 mU/L) rose (+0.89 percentage points per year; p = 0.002). The program’s recall was low (0.05%). Over time, screening and diagnostic TSH values declined, total and free T4 concentrations rose, gestational age at diagnosis fell, and a shift from thyroid ectopy toward hypoplasia emerged; no regional differences were detected. The sustained increase in CH incidence, alongside falling TSH thresholds and growing detection of in situ glands, suggests enhanced recognition of milder disease. Ongoing surveillance should integrate environmental, iodine-nutrition, and genetic factors to clarify the causes of this trend. Full article

The development of rapid detection methods to identify mercury ions in aqueous solutions is crucial for effectively monitoring environmental contamination. Fluorescent chemical sensors offer a fast and reliable approach to detect and analyze these metal ions. In this study, a sensor utilizing aggregation-induced emission (AIE) is introduced as a ’turn-on’ fluorescent sensor specifically designed for mercury ions in aqueous solutions. The sensor, based on carbazole, forms aggregates in aqueous solutions, resulting in a significant 800% enhancement of its fluorescence signal. When elemental iodine is added to the solution, the fluorescence of the aggregates is quenched by 90%. However, upon subsequent addition of mercury ions, the fluorescence is regenerated, and the intensity of the emission signal is directly proportional to the concentration of the ions across a wide concentration range. The carbazole-iodine complex acts as a fluorescent probe, enabling the detection of mercury ions in aqueous solutions. Full article

Povidone-iodine (PVP-I), a widely used aquaculture disinfectant, remains poorly understood in terms of sublethal toxicity and damage reversibility. This study employed Macrobrachium rosenbergii as the model organism to evaluate the acute toxicity and sublethal effects of PVP-I through a 4-day exposure experiment followed by a 7-day depuration period. Acute toxicity tests enabled the determination of 24–96 h median lethal concentrations (LC₅₀), with the 96 h LC₅₀ being 5.67 mg/L and the safe concentration (SC) being 1.37 mg/L. Based on this, three sublethal concentrations (1.14, 1.89, and 2.84 mg/L) were tested over a 4-day exposure followed by a 7-day depuration period. Investigated endpoints included gill ultrastructure, apoptosis, and antioxidant and immune-related gene expression. Subacute exposure at 1.89 and 2.84 mg/L induced mitochondrial vacuolization, upregulated apoptosis-related genes (Cyt-c, Caspase-3, Bok), and downregulated antioxidant gene expression (SOD, CAT, GSH-Px). The high-concentration group also showed sustained Toll-like receptor (Toll) gene overexpression and acid phosphatase (ACP) gene suppression. After depuration, antioxidant gene expression normalized; however, apoptotic markers in gill tissue remained impaired. Overall, high PVP-I concentrations cause irreversible gill damage via mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis, whereas lower concentrations (≤1.14 mg/L) allow for greater recovery. These results offer crucial toxicodynamic insights for safer PVP-I use and risk assessment in M. rosenbergii aquaculture. Full article

This study presents research on the production of activated biocarbons derived from herbal waste. Sage stems were chemically activated with two activating agents of different chemical natures—H₃PO₄ and K₂CO₃—and subjected to two thermal treatment methods: conventional and microwave heating. The effect of the activating agent type and heating method on the basic physicochemical properties of the resulting activated biocarbons was investigated. These properties included surface morphology, elemental composition, ash content, pH of aqueous extracts, the content and nature of surface functional groups, points of zero charge, and isoelectric points, as well as the type of porous structure formed. In addition, the potential of the prepared carbonaceous materials as adsorbents of model organic (represented by Triton X-100 and methylene blue) and inorganic (represented by iodine) pollutants was assessed. The influence of the initial adsorbate concentration (5–150 (dye) and 10–800 mg/dm³ (surfactant)), temperature (20–40 °C), and pH (2–10) of the system on the efficiency of contaminant removal from aqueous solutions was evaluated. The adsorption kinetics were also investigated to better understand the rate and mechanism of contaminant uptake by the prepared activated biocarbons. The results showed that materials activated with orthophosphoric acid exhibited a significantly higher sorption capacity for all tested adsorbates compared to their potassium carbonate-activated counterparts. Microwave heating was found to be more effective in promoting the formation of a well-developed specific surface area (471–1151 m²/g) and porous structure (mean pore size 2.17–3.84 nm), which directly enhanced the sorption capacity of both organic and inorganic contaminants. The maximum adsorption capacities for iodine, methylene blue, and Triton X-100 reached the levels of 927.0, 298.4, and 644.3 mg/g, respectively, on the surface of the H₃PO₄-activated sample obtained by microwave heating. It was confirmed that the heating method used during the activation step plays a key role in determining the physicochemical properties and sorption efficiency of activated biocarbons. Full article

Depression affects approximately 280 million people worldwide and is becoming increasingly prevalent, particularly among young people. Despite numerous studies on the pathogenesis of this disorder, many factors remain unclear. New data in the literature suggest that proper concentrations of essential macro- and micronutrients play an important role in maintaining mental health and that disturbances in the metabolism of mineral compounds may contribute to the development and progression of depressive disorders. Numerous clinical and epidemiological studies have shown that low concentrations of these elements are associated with impaired neurotransmitter activity, increased exposure to oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation, all of which may contribute to the onset or exacerbation of depression. Additionally, some macro- and micronutrients may contribute to metabolic and hormonal disorders, thereby exacerbating their impact on mood regulation. A comprehensive literature search of the PubMed database covering the period from 2020 to 2025 yielded relevant human studies on calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, selenium, and iodine in relation to depression, which were selected based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. This review summarizes the effects of calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, selenium, and iodine on supporting prevention, slowing progression, and helping treatment of depression. Understanding the impact of proper nutrition, including ensuring optimal concentrations of minerals, can help develop dietary strategies or proper supplementation of macronutrients and micronutrients aimed at preventing and improving the functioning of patients with depression. Full article

Apple pomace, a by-product from the production of concentrated juice, is a major contributor to global food waste. Despite its beneficial nutritional profile, apple pomace is predominantly disposed of in landfills. Rapid fermentation and spoilage caused by microorganisms are compounding factors in this demise, despite significant research into upcycling strategies. Thus, there is an unmet need for economical approaches that allow for the preservation of pomace during storage and transportation to centralized processing facilities from regional hubs. To address this challenge, we investigated the potential of different preservatives for preventing microbial growth and the spoilage of apple pomace, including antimicrobials (natamycin and iodine), polysaccharides (chitosan and fucoidan), and acetic acid. Spread plates for total microbial and fungal counts were employed to assess the effectiveness of the treatments. High concentrations (10,000 ppm) of chitosan were effective at reducing the microbial load and inhibiting growth, and in combination with antimicrobials, eliminated all microbes below detectable levels. Nevertheless, acetic acid at an equivalent concentration to commercial vinegar displayed the highest economic potential. Apple pomace submerged in 0.8 M acetic acid (3 kg pomace per liter) resulted in a five-log reduction in the microbial colony-forming units (CFUs) out to 14 days and prevented fermentation and ethanol production. These results provide a foundation for the short-term storage and preservation of apple pomace that could contribute to its upcycling. Full article

Erosion detection in materials exposed to plasma-generated species, such as those used for space propulsion systems, is critical for ensuring their reliability and longevity. This study introduces an efficient image processing technique to monitor the evolution of the erosion depth in boron nitride (BN) subjected to multiple cycles of iodine plasma exposure. Utilising atomic force microscopy (AFM) images from both untreated and treated BN samples, the technique uses a modified semi-automated image registration method that accurately aligns surface profiles—even after substantial erosion—and overcomes challenges related to changes in the eroded surface features. The registered images are then processed through frequency-domain subtraction to visualise and quantify erosion depth. Our technique tracks changes across the BN surface at multiple spatial locations and generates erosion maps at exposure durations of 24, 48, 72 and 84 min using both one-stage and multi-stage registration methods. These maps not only reveal localised material loss (up to 5.5 μm after 84 min) and assess its uniformity but also indicate potential re-deposition of etched material and redistribution across the surface through mechanisms such as diffusion. By analysing areas with higher elevations and observing plasma-treated samples over time, we notice that these elevated regions—initially the most affected—gradually decrease in size and height, while overall erosion depth increases. Progressive surface smoothing is observed with increasing iodine plasma exposure, as quantified by AFM-based erosion mapping. Notably, up to 89.3% of surface heights were concentrated near the mean after 72–84 min of plasma treatment, indicating a more even distribution of surface features compared to the untreated surface. Iodine plasma was compared to argon plasma to distinguish material loss during degradation between these two mechanisms. Iodine plasma causes more aggressive and spatially selective erosion, strongly influenced by initial surface morphology, whereas argon plasma results in milder and more uniform surface changes. Additional scale-dependent slope and curvature analyses confirm that iodine rapidly smooths fine features, whereas argon better preserves surface sharpness over time. Tracking such sharpness is critical for maintaining the fine structures essential to the fabrication of modern semiconductor components. Overall, this image processing tool offers a powerful and adaptable method for accurately assessing surface degradation and morphological changes in materials used in plasma-facing and space propulsion environments. Full article

Daylily (Hemerocallis spp.) are perennial herbaceous flowers with high ornamental and medicinal value. Currently, the breeding of new daylily cultivars was mainly achieved through hybrid breeding, but issues such as self-incompatibility, hybridization barriers, and asynchronous reproductive phenology severely hinder the breeding process. Understanding pollen viability was essential for daylily breeding and cultivar improvement. In this study, we systematically investigated the effects of pollen viability determination methods, collection time, medium combinations, culture temperature and storage conditions on the pollen germination characteristics of daylily, using five daylily cultivars introduced in the Zhanjiang region of China as materials. Comparing the Iodine-potassium iodide (I₂-KI) staining and Acetocarmine staining, the results of 2,3,5-Triphenyltetrazolium Chloride (TTC) staining showed a significant positive correlation (p < 0.05) with the in vitro germination rate, which is suitable for the rapid detection of daylily pollen vigor. The daylily variation of pollen vigor was significant in different cultivars, and most cultivars had the highest vigor at 9:00–12:00 a.m., which was suitable for artificial pollination. The in vitro germination experiment showed that sucrose concentration was the key factor for daylily pollen germination and pollen tube growth, and the optimal medium for pollen in vitro germination was 50 g/L⁻¹ sucrose + 0.1 g/L⁻¹ H₃BO₃ + 0.06 g/L⁻¹ KNO₃ + 0.2 g/L⁻¹ Ca(NO₃)₂. The temperature experiment showed that the optimum temperature for pollen germination was 24.1–26.7 °C, and the optimum range for pollen tube growth was 24.1–25.7 °C, and the high temperature significantly inhibited the elongation rate of pollen tube. Storage experiments showed that low temperature (−40 °C) combined with drying treatment could significantly prolong pollen life, and the “Water Dragon” variety still maintained 41.29% vigor after 60 days of dry storage. This study provides theoretical basis and technical support for the introduction and domestication of daylily in South China, hybridization and garden application. Full article

In the presented work, an attempt was made to digest kefir enriched with microalgae additives from the species Arthrospira platensis and Chlorella pyrenoidosa in four concentrations—0.1, 0.5, 1, and 5%. The level of released protein, phosphorus, iron, iodine, and selected vitamins from the B group was analyzed, and their bioavailability was additionally estimated. The amount of iron released in these conditions increased significantly from 0.1% of the supplementation level. Higher values of iron were obtained for Chlorella, and in the case of protein, slightly higher values were noted for Spirulina. In turn, for vitamin B2, higher amounts were noted for Chlorella for doses of 1 and 5%. In the case of vitamin B12, significantly higher amounts were noted in the case of Spirulina supplementation. After in vitro digestion, an increase in the bioavailability of protein and phosphorus was observed with an increase in the dose of microalgae. The relative bioavailability of iron decreased with an increase in the dose of microalgae used, similarly to vitamin B12. Chlorella was characterized by higher iron bioavailability than Spirulina, and in the case of vitamin B2 only at the highest doses of 1 and 5% of the algal supplement. The tests carried out show that microalgae supplementation significantly increases the content of protein, phosphorus, iron, and vitamin B12 in the tested kefir. Full article

Objectives: Iodine and selenium are key elements for thyroid. There is also evidence of their immunoregulatory potential. However, the current state of knowledge of potential interactions among iodine—selenium—thyroid—immune system is not sufficient. The aim of the study was to evaluate iodine and selenium statuses and examine the relationship between them and the functioning of the thyroid and immune system in a group of women of reproductive age, without previously diagnosed disease. Methods: The study involved a group of 60 women aged 19–40 from southern Poland. The concentrations of iodine and selenium were determined in serum samples using the ICP-MS and AAS methods, respectively. Thyroid function was assessed by determining serum levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (fT4), and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (anti-TPO) by electrochemiluminescence methods. Glutathione peroxidase 3 (GPX3) and ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) in serum were measured by spectrophotometric methods. Immune functions were evaluated by analyzing cytokine levels using ELISA tests, including interferon-γ, interleukin-4, interleukin-17, and transforming growth factor-β. Results: No significant correlations between selenium and thyroid or immunological parameters were observed. The level of iodine in serum positively correlated with free thyroxine, indicating its importance for maintaining normal thyroid function, as well as with FRAP in serum, suggesting a protective role of iodine-mediated antioxidant activity on thyroid function. Conclusions: Our results underline the complexity of the system of correlations between iodine–selenium–thyroid–immune function. Nevertheless, understanding them may turn out to be crucial for developing preventive and therapeutic strategies in the context of thyroid diseases. Full article

Background/Objectives: Lactating mothers have increased nutritional requirements, but nutritional adequacy is difficult to achieve. Additionally, human milk (HM) composition depends on maternal diet. However, the nutritional intake and status of mothers with hospitalized very preterm infants (MHVPIs) (<32 weeks of gestational age) have rarely been assessed. Hence, the aim of the present study was to determine the intake of macronutrients, micronutrients, and lipids, as well as the nutritional status of MHVPIs. The results were compared with a group of HM donors (HMDs), and associations with HM composition were evaluated using multiple linear regression. Methods: For dietary assessment, a 5-day dietary record including supplement intake was completed by 15 MHVPIs and 110 HMDs. Vitamins and fatty acids (FA) were determined in plasma and erythrocytes; minerals and methylmalonic acid were determined in urine; and macronutrients, vitamins, minerals, and the lipid profile were determined in HM. Results: Considering dietary reference intakes, the dietary evaluation of MHVPIs revealed a high percentage of inadequate nutrient intake in relation to total energy, as well as for iodine and vitamins B8, B9, C, D, and E. A high protein intake was observed. The percentage of energy from carbohydrates was low, whereas the percentage of energy from fat was high. However, the diet of MHVPIs did not differ substantially from the diet of HMDs. Associations were observed between the study groups (MHVPI vs. HMD) and the HM concentration of protein, several micronutrients, and fatty acids independent from intake and status. Conclusions: Deficient nutrient intakes did not appear to be exclusively related to MHVPI but rather seemed to be widespread in both study groups. However, for preterm infants, an insufficient supply of nutrients is critical and should be addressed in order to improve preterm infant’s outcomes. Furthermore, we provided additional insights into the exploration of HM by relating its composition to prematurity. Full article

Background: This study aimed to evaluate whether low-concentration iodine contrast-enhanced multiphase low-monoenergetic computed tomography (LCLM CT; 270 mg I/mL, 40 keV) is non-inferior to standard-dose computed tomography (SDCT; 350 mg I/mL) in image quality and lesion detectability for chronic liver disease patients. Methods: Sixty-seven patients underwent both protocols. Image quality was assessed using a 5-point scale with a non-inferiority margin of −0.5. Quantitative metrics included signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). Lesion detectability was evaluated using jackknife free-response receiver operating characteristic (JAFROC) analysis with a −0.1 margin. Results: LCLM CT reduced iodine dose per kilogram by 21.9%. Despite higher image noise, it achieved higher CNR for the aorta and hepatic lesions, as well as superior hepatic artery clarity. Image quality was non-inferior (difference: −0.119; 95% CI: −0.192 to −0.047), and lesion detectability (FOM: 0.744 vs. 0.721; difference: 0.023; 95% CI: −0.170 to 0.218) also showed non-inferiority. Conclusions: LCLM CT maintains diagnostic performance and improves vascular contrast while reducing iodine burden, supporting its clinical utility in longitudinal HCC surveillance. Full article