Search Results (1,152)

The buildup of non-biodegradable plastic waste and poor management of agro-industrial by-products have caused a major environmental crisis. The present research addresses the development of novel materials supporting the circular bioeconomy. This study aimed to develop and characterize bio-composite films derived from native Oxalis tuberosa starch and keratin microparticles (KMPs) extracted from cattle horn waste. The experimental methodology employed a 2³ factorial design and involved the characterization of the films included the evaluation of physical and optical properties and the identification of functional groups via spectroscopy, mechanical tests, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results revealed significant interactions (p ≤ 0.05). Higher processing temperatures were the main reason for the drop in water activity (a_w) and moisture content (MC) levels. Concurrently, the incorporation of KMPs reduced water solubility, increased opacity, and enhanced thermal stability. FTIR analysis confirmed the existence of intermolecular interactions between the hydroxyl and amide functional groups. In conclusion, bio-composites composed based on Oxalis tuberosa starch and keratin microparticles represent a sustainable alternative to mitigate the use of conventional plastics in the industry. Full article

Background/Objectives: The Chinese porcupine (Hystrix hodgsoni) is a distinctive rodent species characterized by specialized ecological adaptations and sensory traits; however, genomic resources for this species have remained limited. This study aims to provide a reliable reference for comparative and evolutionary analyses by constructing a high-quality genome. Methods: We generated a chromosome-level genome assembly of the Chinese porcupine using long-read sequencing combined with chromatin conformation-based scaffolding, followed by comprehensive structural and functional annotation. Comparative genomic analyses across representative mammals and functional enrichment analyses were conducted to investigate lineage-specific gene family dynamics. Results: The assembled genome shows high contiguity and completeness. Comparative analyses revealed a substantial number of gene families significantly expanded along the porcupine lineage. Functional enrichment demonstrated strong overrepresentation of olfactory-related processes, including olfactory receptor activity, odorant binding, and detection of chemical stimuli. Additionally, several expanded families were associated with epidermal differentiation, keratinization, and skin development. Conclusions: Gene family expansions in the Chinese porcupine are biased toward sensory perception and epidermal functions, suggesting potential genetic bases for its enhanced environmental sensing and integumentary specialization. This assembly provides an important genomic resource for porcupine research and new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying sensory and skin-related adaptations in rodents. Full article

Inherited ichthyoses are clinically and genetically heterogeneous disorders of cornification caused by disruption of epidermal barrier genes involved in keratinization and lipid homeostasis. Pathogenic variants in more than 50 genes have been implicated in nonsyndromic ichthyosis vulgaris (IV) and autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis (ARCI). Here, we investigated the genetic basis of ichthyosis in four consanguineous Pakistani families presenting with IV or ARCI phenotypes. Exome sequencing followed by segregation analysis identified pathogenic variants in four established ichthyosis-associated genes: CYP4F22, FLG, ALOX12B, and NIPAL4. Identified variants include one novel nonsense allele of CYP4F22 (c.296G>A; p.Trp99*) and three known variants previously not reported in the Pakistani population. These known variants include a nonsense change in FLG, a frameshift allele of ALOX12B, and a missense variant in NIPAL4. Standardized phenotypic annotation using Human Phenotype Ontology terms revealed overlapping but variable clinical features across families, consistent with known genotype–phenotype heterogeneity in inherited ichthyosis. In silico protein modeling using AlphaFold2 and Ramachandran plot analysis predicted structural perturbations associated with the identified variants, supporting their pathogenic relevance. Publicly available scRNAseq datasets revealed greater heterogeneity of keratinocyte-associated expression patterns of these ichthyosis-associated genes in aging samples. Collectively, our findings expand the allelic and phenotypic spectrum of inherited ichthyosis in the Pakistani population and highlight the utility of comprehensive genetic analysis in consanguineous families for accurate molecular diagnosis, genetic counseling, and disease epidemiology. Full article

Dermatophytosis is commonly assessed using potassium hydroxide (KOH) microscopy, yet accurate recognition of fungal hyphae is hindered by preparation-related artifacts, heterogeneous keratin clearance, and notable inter-observer variability. This study presents a transformer-based object detection framework using the RT-DETR architecture for precise, query-driven localisation of fungal structures in high-resolution KOH images. A dataset of 2540 routinely acquired microscopy images was manually annotated using a multi-class strategy that explicitly distinguishes fungal elements from confounding artifacts, enabling the model to actively suppress false detections arising from visually similar mimics. To assess architectural trade-offs, RT-DETR was benchmarked against two CNN-based detectors (YOLOv11 and Faster R-CNN) under identical training and inference conditions. Five-fold stratified cross-validation was performed, and each fold-level model was evaluated on the same independent held-out test set (n = 254). Across the five evaluations, RT-DETR achieved a mean AP@0.50 of $89.73\%\pm 1.48\%$, a mean recall of $0.831\pm 0.011$, and a mean precision of $0.921\pm 0.014$. At the image level, the model achieved a mean sensitivity of $0.989\pm 0.022$ on the independent test set, with a mean of $0.2\pm 0.4$ missed positive cases across the five evaluations. These results demonstrate the technical feasibility of a transformer-based artificial intelligence (AI) system as a decision-support aid for fungal region detection in KOH microscopy, pending prospective multi-center validation to establish clinical generalisability. Full article

Background: Osteoinduction and bone regeneration are fundamental biological mechanisms enabling osseointegration and long-term durability of endosseous dental implants. In clinical practice, poor bone conditions, aesthetic demands, and peri-implant soft tissue problems commonly need the utilization of regenerative techniques targeted at optimizing both hard and soft tissue results. The purpose of this narrative review was to examine osteo-inductive and regenerative strategies currently employed in implant dentistry, with particular emphasis on the mechanobiological integration of hard–soft tissue regeneration and its implications for peri-implant tissue stability, osseointegration, and clinical predictability. Methods: A narrative literature review was done using PubMed and Scopus databases. Based on predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria, studies published in English during the previous five years were reviewed. The core narrative analysis comprised a selection of physiologically relevant research that addressed osteo-inductive techniques, bone regeneration, osseointegration, and peri-implant soft tissue outcomes, as well as clinical studies, randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and narrative reviews. A narrative synthesis was carried out because of methodological variability. Special emphasis was placed on evidence addressing the biological and clinical interaction between hard- and soft-tissue regenerative strategies, reflecting the specific conceptual focus of the review. Results: The evidence presented suggests that implant surface biofunctionalization, biologically active grafting materials, guided bone regeneration, and supplementary biological treatments may have a favorable impact on implant stability and peri-implant bone healing. Several investigations also underlined the biological dependency between peri-implant bone regeneration and soft tissue architecture, stressing the significance of soft tissue thickness, keratinized mucosa, and emergence profile stability. Even in inflammatory environments, bioactive titanium surface changes showed osteogenic potential, indicating a supporting function in early osseointegration. Conclusions: By promoting osseointegration and improving peri-implant tissue outcomes, osteo-inductive and regenerative techniques are essential to modern implant dentistry; however, their greatest potential may lie in integrated hard–soft tissue regenerative approaches aimed at improving long-term clinical predictability. To further understand the clinical efficacy of combination hard–soft tissue regeneration methods, future well-designed clinical trials with standardized outcome measures are needed. Future research should further clarify the mechanobiological principles underlying these integrated regenerative approaches. Full article

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are among the most promising clean energy conversion technologies, offering high efficiency and zero emissions. However, their large-scale commercialisation is limited by the high cost and environmental impact of conventional perfluorosulfonic acid membranes such as Nafion. In recent years, increasing attention has been directed toward biopolymer-based membranes as sustainable, low-cost, and biodegradable alternatives. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in the development and modification of biopolymer membranes, including polysaccharide-based materials such as chitosan, cellulose, gellan gum, sodium alginate, and starch, as well as protein-based materials such as keratin and collagen. Various modification strategies, including sulfonation, phosphorylation, cross-linking, and incorporation of inorganic or hybrid fillers, are analysed for their impact on key parameters, including proton conductivity, methanol permeability, and power density. Comparative data indicate that several modified biopolymer membranes achieve proton conductivities of 50 mS/cm or higher. However, higher conductivity values are generally reported for membranes primarily composed of synthetic polymers, where the biopolymer is incorporated only as an additive. In addition, some biopolymer-based membranes exhibit significantly lower methanol permeability than Nafion. The lowest reported value among the membranes discussed in this article is 0.98 × 10⁻¹⁶, representing the best-performing biopolymer membrane in terms of methanol permeability alone. Although many biopolymer membranes demonstrate relatively poor performance in single PEMFC tests, several have achieved power densities comparable to Nafion, while simultaneously offering improved environmental compatibility and sustainability. Finally, current challenges and future directions are discussed, emphasising the potential of these renewable materials to advance PEMFC technology toward more sustainable and economically viable energy systems. Full article

Consumer demand for sustainable solutions to protect against hair damage is growing, yet quantitative studies linking molecular interactions to mechanical strengthening and structural changes remain limited. Here, we investigated the effectiveness of biotechnologically obtained Saccharomyces Lysate as a formulated active ingredient for hair care. Molecular modeling was used to explore the interactions between peptides in the lysate and keratin and suggested a network of intermolecular interactions at multiple sites on the proteins. Based on these observations, the strength and structural integrity of hair fibers treated with Saccharomyces Lysate were assessed using tensile measurements. We observed an improvement in the strength of bleached hair tresses, with an increased Young’s modulus compared to tresses treated only with water along with a significantly increased break stress. To visualize the hair fibers and their surface roughness after treatment with the lysate, we employed micro-computed tomography (µ-CT) offering high-resolution visualization of hair fibers. We introduce this method to qualitatively highlight surface appearance following application of a cosmetic product and complemented it with combing force measurements. Our results demonstrate the potential of this complex mixture of small peptides to strengthen hair integrity and we propose a hypothesis for its putative mode of action at the molecular level. Full article

Background/Objectives: Trichoblastoma is a benign follicular adnexal tumor that typically arises on the head and neck. Large variants at atypical locations pose considerable diagnostic challenges because their clinical presentation can be indistinguishable from malignant soft tissue neoplasms. Herein, we describe a case of trichoblastoma presenting as a large subcutaneous thigh mass that was correctly diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration cytology. Case Presentation: A 49-year-old male presented with a 7 cm, slowly enlarging, subcutaneous mass in the left thigh of 20 years’ duration. Magnetic resonance imaging raised the possibility of a low-grade sarcoma. Fine-needle aspiration cytology yielded cohesive clusters of basaloid cells with peripheral palisading, delicate spindle-shaped follicular stromal cells intimately admixed with the epithelial component, and orangeophilic keratinous material in the background. The absence of nuclear atypia, mitotic figures, and mucinous stroma supported a preoperative cytological diagnosis of a benign follicular germinative tumor consistent with trichoblastoma, thereby guiding conservative surgical excision. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis. Immunohistochemistry revealed focally positive BerEP4, CD34-positive stroma, negative androgen receptor, and positive bcl-2, consistent with trichoblastoma and distinguishing the tumor from basal cell carcinoma. The patient remained recurrence-free 12 months after surgery. Conclusions: Careful assessment of characteristic cytomorphological features, particularly a dual population of basaloid epithelial cells with peripheral palisading and specialized follicular stromal cells, is vital for the accurate preoperative cytological characterization of trichoblastoma, even at atypical anatomical sites. Full article

Maxillary canine impaction is a common clinical condition often requiring a combined surgical–orthodontic approach; however, the effect of different surgical strategies on periodontal outcomes remains unclear. This systematic review aimed to evaluate periodontal outcomes following treatment of impacted maxillary canines, with particular focus on the influence of surgical technique (open vs. closed) and impaction site (palatal vs. buccal). A comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science was conducted up to January 2026 in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, and the protocol was registered in PROSPERO. Randomized controlled trials, controlled clinical studies, observational studies, case series, and case reports reporting periodontal parameters were included. Primary outcomes comprised probing pocket depth, keratinized tissue width, gingival thickness, plaque and bleeding indices, and gingival recession. Twenty-seven studies were included. Overall, treated canines were associated with periodontal conditions comparable to normally erupted teeth, with probing depths generally within physiological limits and minimal gingival recession. Buccally impacted canines tended to show slightly reduced keratinized tissue compared with palatal impactions, although without clear clinical relevance. No consistent superiority of open or closed techniques was identified. Surgical–orthodontic treatment is generally associated with favorable periodontal outcomes, and treatment selection should be individualized according to anatomical and orthodontic factors. Full article

This work introduces a circular biopolymer-based strategy for valorizing keratin-rich industrial residues through the fabrication of biodegradable cotton agrotextiles functionalized with latex–hydrogel coatings. Keratin hydrolysates and gelatin-derived biofertilizer capsules were incorporated into polymer–hydrogel matrices and applied onto cotton substrates to enhance soil moisture regulation and controlled nutrient release. The composite coatings were characterized in terms of water absorption capacity, mechanical performance, biodegradation profiles, and their impact on plant growth using Phaseolus vulgaris as a model species. Hydrogel-rich formulations (LH20 and LH40Z) provided the most favorable balance of tensile strength and controlled degradation while significantly increasing soil moisture availability and overall plant biomass compared with uncoated controls. The gelatin–keratin microcapsules enabled sustained nutrient release and induced a slight increase in soil pH, further supporting plant development. These findings demonstrate the dual functionality of the developed latex–hydrogel coatings as water-management and nutrient-delivery systems and highlight the potential of keratin biowaste upcycling toward high-value, biodegradable agricultural materials aligned with circular economy principles. Full article

Indigenous sheep breeds represent valuable reservoirs of genetic diversity shaped by long-term adaptation to local environments and management systems. Greek autochthonous sheep breeds remain underrepresented in genomic and functional studies. The objective of this study was to characterize and compare coding sequence variation in three indigenous Greek sheep breeds—Lesvos (LES), Serres (SER), and Thrace (THR)—and to identify shared and breed-associated functional patterns. The study was designed using a two-stage approach, comprising a discovery (exploratory) phase and a validation phase. In the discovery phase, whole genome sequencing data (one animal per breed; total n = 3; mean sequencing depth ~36.9×) were analyzed to identify protein-altering exonic variants, focusing on missense single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and exonic insertions/deletions (indels). Variants were examined at breed-specific and comparative levels, followed by functional enrichment analyses using Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG pathways. Normalized variant density metrics identified genes with elevated polymorphism levels. In the validation phase, a subset of prioritized missense SNPs was genotyped in an independent cohort of 54 animals (18 per breed) using MassARRAY genotyping. Genes harboring prioritized missense SNPs showed a conserved enrichment profile across breeds, dominated by genome maintenance, DNA repair, cytoskeletal organization, and core regulatory functions. Distinct breed-associated patterns were also observed. LES showed enrichment in metabolic, biosynthetic, and sensory-related processes, SER in regulatory and signaling functions, and THR in cytoskeletal, extracellular matrix, and organelle-associated pathways. Polymorphism density analyses highlighted highly variable genes across breeds, including olfactory receptor (OR) gene families, keratin-associated protein genes (KRTAPs), and loci involved in immune and regulatory functions (e.g., PRKDC, CDH15). The validation phase confirmed the expected allele frequency patterns for most prioritized SNPs, supporting the robustness of the approach. This study identifies functionally relevant coding variation across Greek indigenous sheep breeds, revealing conserved genomic patterns and breed-associated signatures linked to metabolic, structural, and regulatory processes. Full article

This study aims to investigate epithelial cell (EpC) heterogeneity in odontogenic keratocysts (OKCs) and the molecular mechanisms driving their characteristic keratinization and rapid proliferation. We integrated single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and spatial transcriptomics to profile OKC EpCs, validating findings via immunostaining and comparative analysis with normal oral mucosa. The regulatory roles of interleukin-17 (IL-17) and the transcription factor EHF were functionally assessed in vitro using human oral keratinocytes. Multi-omics mapping identified a distinct epithelial subpopulation (EpC2) characterized by robust keratinization, elevated keratin 13 (KRT13), and upregulated IL-17 signaling. Clinical OKC tissues exhibited significant upregulation and spatial co-localization of IL-17 and KRT13. In vitro, IL-17 robustly promoted cellular proliferation and KRT13 expression. Regulon analysis pinpointed EHF as the core transcription factor driving EpC2. EHF knockdown suppressed proliferation and downregulated KRT13, while overexpression amplified these processes. Crucially, IL-17 stimulation failed to rescue KRT13 expression in EHF-depleted cells, suggesting EHF as a critical downstream mediator. We present a comprehensive single-cell and spatial transcriptomic atlas of the OKC epithelium. The IL-17/EHF signaling axis appears to be a fundamental driver of OKC pathogenesis, promoting pathological hyperkeratinization and cellular proliferation. Targeting this axis presents a promising therapeutic strategy to manage OKC growth and prevent recurrence. Full article

Intermittent fasting confers protection in diverse diseases through various mechanisms, including the clearance of senescent and pathogenic cells, modulation of tissue inflammation and enhancement of stem/progenitor cell niche and functionality. Our previous study demonstrated the beneficial impact of alternate-day fasting (ADF) on xerostomia and sialadenitis, along with an improvement in salivary gland ductal compartments, where salivary gland progenitor cells reside, in non-obese diabetic mice, a spontaneous model of Sjögren’s syndrome (SS). In the present study, we induced SS-associated hyposalivation in KRT5^CreERT2; R26^tdTomato lineage tracing mice by immunizing them with submandibular gland proteins from wild-type C57BL/6 mice. ADF alleviated salivary gland hypofunction, which was accompanied by decreased expression of the senescent cell marker p16^INK4a, reduced protein levels of anti-apoptotic proteins BCL-2, BCL-XL, and MCL-1, and attenuated NLRP3 inflammasome activity in the submandibular glands, particularly within the ductal compartments, of this inducible model. Furthermore, immunofluorescence staining of submandibular gland sections revealed the expression of the acinar cell marker aquaporin 5 in a small subset of Keratin 5⁺ cells in 2 of 9 mice that were subjected to ADF, whereas no such cells were detected in the control mice. Taken together, these findings indicate that ADF favorably modulates the salivary gland progenitor cell niche, potentially by promoting apoptosis-mediated senescent cell clearance, suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome signaling, and promoting Keratin 5⁺ progenitor cell-derived acinar cell replenishment, thereby contributing to the structural and functional restoration of damaged salivary glands in autoimmune exocrinopathy. Full article

Cutaneous disorders such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, acne vulgaris, and rosacea, together with UV-induced skin injury and photoaging, are highly prevalent conditions that involve varying contributions from dysregulated immune responses, cutaneous inflammation, oxidative stress, barrier dysfunction, microbiome alteration, and exogenous injury. However, these conditions are biologically heterogeneous and should not be regarded as a single mechanistic class. Sulforaphane, a naturally occurring isothiocyanate found primarily in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables, has attracted interest in dermatology because of its antioxidant, cytoprotective, and context-dependent anti-inflammatory properties. Sulforaphane exerts its biological effects by modulating key signaling pathways, particularly the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway and, in some settings, NF-κB-related signaling, thereby reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, regulating immune responses, enhancing skin barrier function, and potentially influencing the cutaneous microbiome. Preclinical studies and limited human data suggest that sulforaphane may reduce erythema, edema, and other markers of cutaneous damage in selected settings. This comprehensive review explores the role of sulforaphane across heterogeneous cutaneous conditions, with emphasis on molecular mechanisms, disease-specific differences, current evidence, and discusses key translational constraints including formulation, delivery, lack of standardized dosing, and the limitations of cell culture and animal models for predicting human efficacy. Overall, sulforaphane should presently be regarded as a promising but still early-stage translational candidate in dermatology. Robust human efficacy data remain lacking for chronic inflammatory dermatoses such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, acne, and rosacea, whereas the strongest current human evidence relates to UV-associated skin outcomes and photoprotection. Full article

Ochetobibus elongatus (Kner) is a migratory fish found in the Yangtze River basin and areas south of it, and listed as a critically endangered (CR) fish on the China Red List of Vertebrates. To achieve group recovery and artificial breeding, this study investigated the dietary characteristics of O. elongatus based on high-throughput sequencing of its intestinal contents, and its digestive system morphology, and its histology. Results showed that the digestive system of O. elongatus lacked a stomach and mainly consisted of the oropharynx, pharyngeal teeth, esophagus, intestine, and anus. The gut index was 0.88, with clear segmentation of the foregut, midgut, and hindgut, and the visceral mass index was 7.35%. Histological analysis of the digestive system revealed the presence of keratinized dental plates or pharyngeal teeth in the pharynx, as well as a high density of taste bud cells in the soft palate of the oral cavity. The surface layer of the intestinal villi contained numerous mucous cells, with the average number of mucous cells per villus gradually increasing from the esophagus to the hindgut, and the foregut having the longest and most abundant mucosal folds. The esophagus exhibited well-developed circular and longitudinal muscle layers, while in the hindgut, both the circular and longitudinal muscle layers were slightly thicker than those in the midgut. High-throughput sequencing of the intestinal contents of O. elongatus revealed the following phyla based on 18S V4 meta-barcoding: Chlorophyta, Diatoms, Arthropoda, Basidiomycetes, and Ascomycetes, with the genus Hypophthalmichthys and algae being the main classifications. In contrast, based on COI meta-barcoding, the study newly identified the phyla Cnidaria and Mollusca, with the genera Chlorophyta, Scenedesmus, Pectinodesmus, and zooplankton such as Pseudodiaptomus. Metagenomic sequencing revealed that the gut microbiota at the phylum level was predominantly composed of Pseudomonadota, Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Chytridiomycota, and Bacillota, with key genera including Cetobacter, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Aeromonas, and Clostridium. This study indicates that O. elongatus is an omnivore with carnivorous tendencies. Basic biological research on O. elongatus is of great significance for the restoration of the population, artificial breeding, and the development of its artificially formulated feed. It also provides important data for the formulation of biodiversity conservation measures. Full article