Search Results (2,926)

Microplastics are pervasive environmental pollutants that pose risks to human health through ingestion and inhalation. This review synthesizes current practices to reduce exposure and toxicity by examining major exposure routes and dietary interventions. More than 130 papers were analyzed to achieve this aim. The findings show that microplastics contaminate a wide range of food products, with particular concern over seafood, drinking water, plastic-packaged foods, paper cups, and tea filter bags. Inhalation exposure is mainly linked to indoor air quality and smoking, while dermal contact poses minimal risk, though the release of additives from plastics onto the skin remains an area of concern. Recommended strategies to reduce dietary exposure include consuming only muscle parts of seafood, moderating intake of high-risk items like anchovies and mollusks, limiting canned seafood liquids, and purging mussels in clean water before consumption. Avoiding plastic containers, especially for hot food or microwaving, using wooden cutting boards, paper tea bags, and opting for tap or filtered water over bottled water are also advised. To mitigate inhalation exposure, the use of air filters with HyperHEPA systems, improved ventilation, regular vacuuming, and the reduction of smoking are recommended. While antioxidant supplementation shows potential in reducing microplastic toxicity, further research is needed to confirm its effectiveness. This review provides practical, evidence-based recommendations for minimizing daily microplastic exposure. Full article

Vitamin D is the only vitamin that is conditionally essential, as it is synthesized from precursors after UV light exposure, whilst also being obtained from the diet. It has numerous health benefits, with deficiency becoming a major concern globally, such that dietary supplementation has more recently achieved vital importance to maintain satisfactory levels. In recent years, measurements made from blood have, therefore, become critical to determine the status of vitamin D levels in individuals and the larger population. Tests for vitamin D have routinely relied on laboratory analysis with sophisticated equipment, often being slow and costly, whilst rapid immunoassays have suffered from poor specificity and sensitivity. Here, we have evaluated a new rapid immunoassay test on the market (Rapi-D & IgLoo) to quickly and accurately measure vitamin D levels in small capillary blood specimens and compared this to measurements made using the standard laboratory method of liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Our results show that vitamin D can be measured very quickly and over a broad range using the new method, as well as correlate relatively well with standard laboratory testing; however, it cannot be fully relied upon currently to accurately diagnose deficiency or sufficiency in individuals. Our statistical and comparative analyses find that the rapid immunoassay with digital quantification significantly overestimates vitamin D levels, leading to diminished diagnosis of vitamin D deficiency. The speed and simplicity of the rapid method will likely provide advantages in various healthcare settings; however, further calibration of this rapid method and testing parameters for improving quantification of vitamin D from capillary blood specimens is required before integration of it into clinical decision-making pathways. Full article

Firstly, this paper reviews the fundamental theories of solid surface wettability and contact angle hysteresis. Subsequently, it further introduces four typical wettability-engineered surfaces with low hysteresis (superhydrophobic, superamphiphobic, super-slippery, and liquid-like smooth surfaces). Finally, it focuses on the latest research progress in the field of droplet manipulation on open planar surfaces with engineered wettability. To achieve droplet manipulation, the core driving forces primarily stem from natural forces guided by bioinspired gradient surfaces or the regulatory effects of external fields. In terms of bioinspired self-propelled droplet movement, this paper summarizes research inspired by natural organisms such as desert beetles, cacti, self-aligning floating seeds of emergent plants, or water-walking insects, which construct bioinspired special gradient surfaces to induce Laplace pressure differences or wettability gradients on both sides of droplets for droplet manipulation. Moreover, this paper further analyzes the mechanisms, advantages, and limitations of these self-propelled approaches, while summarizing the corresponding driving force sources and their theoretical formulas. For droplet manipulation under external fields, this paper elaborates on various external stimuli including electric fields, thermal fields, optical fields, acoustic fields, and magnetic fields. Among them, electric fields involve actuation mechanisms such as directly applied electrostatic forces and indirectly applied electrocapillary forces; thermal fields influence droplet motion through thermoresponsive wettability gradients and thermocapillary effects; optical fields cover multiple wavelengths including near-infrared, ultraviolet, and visible light; acoustic fields utilize horizontal and vertical acoustic radiation pressure or acoustic wave-induced acoustic streaming for droplet manipulation; the magnetic force acting on droplets may originate from their interior, surface, or external substrates. Based on these different transport principles, this paper comparatively analyzes the unique characteristics of droplet manipulation under the five external fields. Finally, this paper summarizes the current challenges and issues in the research of droplet manipulation on the open planar surfaces and provides an outlook on future development directions in this field. Full article

Tocopherols, major lipid-soluble components of vitamin E, are essential natural products with significant nutritional and pharmacological value. Their structural diversity and uneven distribution across vegetable oils require accurate analytical strategies for compositional profiling, quality control, and authenticity verification, amid concerns over food fraud and regulatory demands. Analytical challenges, such as matrix effects in complex oils and the cost trade-offs of green extraction methods, complicate these processes. This review examines recent advances in tocopherol analysis, focusing on extraction and detection techniques. Green methods like supercritical fluid extraction and deep eutectic solvents offer selectivity and sustainability, though they are costlier than traditional approaches. On the analytical side, hyphenated techniques such as supercritical fluid chromatography-mass spectrometry (SFC-MS) achieve detection limits as low as 0.05 ng/mL, improving sensitivity in complex matrices. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) provides robust analysis, while spectroscopic and electrochemical sensors offer rapid, cost-effective alternatives for high-throughput screening. The integration of chemometric tools and miniaturized systems supports scalable workflows. Looking ahead, the incorporation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in oil authentication has the potential to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of future analyses. These innovations could improve our understanding of tocopherol compositions in vegetable oils, supporting more reliable assessments of nutritional value and product authenticity. Full article

Multistage centrifugal pumps, owing to their high head characteristics, are commonly applied in domains like subsea resource exploitation and groundwater extraction. However, the wear of flow passage components caused by solid particles in the fluid severely threatens equipment lifespan and system safety. To investigate the influence of solid-liquid two-phase flow on pump performance and wear, this study conducted numerical simulations of the solid-liquid two-phase flow within multistage centrifugal pumps based on the Euler–Lagrange approach and the Tabakoff wear model. The simulation results showed good agreement with experimental data. Under the design operating condition, compared to the clear water condition, the efficiency under the solid-liquid two-phase flow condition decreased by 1.64%, and the head coefficient decreased by 0.13. As the flow rate increases, particle momentum increases, the particle Stokes number increases, inertial forces are enhanced, and the coupling effect with the fluid weakens, leading to an increased impact intensity on flow passage components. This results in a gradual increase in the wear area of the impeller front shroud, back shroud, pressure side, and the peripheral casing. Under the same flow rate condition, when particles enter the pump chamber of a subsequent stage from a preceding stage, the fluid, after being rectified by the return guide vane, exhibits a more uniform flow pattern and reduced turbulence intensity. The particle Stokes number in the subsequent stage is smaller than that in the preceding stage, weakening inertial effects and enhancing the coupling effect with the fluid. This leads to a reduced impact intensity on flow passage components, resulting in a smaller wear area of these components in the subsequent stage compared to the preceding stage. This research offers critical theoretical foundations and practical guidelines for developing wear-resistant multistage centrifugal pumps in solid-liquid two-phase flow applications, with direct implications for extending service life and optimizing hydraulic performance. Full article

In this work, the thermodynamics of molecular transport between two compartments connected by a nanochannel is investigated through an analysis of internal energy and entropy changes, with a focus on how these changes depend on intermolecular interaction strength. When interactions are weak, resembling gas-like behavior, entropy dominates and favors configurations in which molecules are evenly distributed between the two compartments, despite an increase in internal energy. In contrast, strong interactions, characteristic of liquid-like behavior, lead to dominant energetic contributions that favor configurations with molecules localized in a single compartment, despite entropy loss. Intermediate interaction strengths yield comparable entropic and energetic contributions that cancel each other out, resulting in oscillatory behavior between evenly distributed and localized configurations, as observed in previous work. This thermodynamic analysis reveals energy–entropy compensation, in which entropic and energetic contributions offset each other across different interaction strengths; notably, this compensatory relationship exhibits a linear trend. These findings provide insight into the thermodynamic origins of molecular transport behavior and highlight fundamental parallels between molecular transport and molecular binding, the latter being particularly relevant to molecular recognition and drug design. Full article

The protein p53, often referred to as the “guardian of the genome,” is essential for preserving cellular balance and preventing cancerous transformations. As one of the most commonly altered genes in human cancers, its impaired function is associated with tumor initiation, development, and resistance to treatment. Exploring the diverse roles of p53, which include regulating the cell cycle, repairing DNA, inducing apoptosis, reprogramming metabolism, and modulating immunity, provides valuable insights into cancer mechanisms and potential treatments. This review integrates recent findings on p53′s dual nature, functioning as both a tumor suppressor and an oncogenic promoter, depending on the context. Wild-type p53 suppresses tumors by inducing cell cycle arrest or apoptosis in response to genotoxic stress, while mutated variants often lose these functions or gain novel pro-oncogenic activities. Emerging evidence highlights p53′s involvement in non-canonical pathways, such as regulating tumor microenvironment interactions, metabolic flexibility, and immune evasion mechanisms. For instance, p53 modulates immune checkpoint expression and influences the efficacy of immunotherapies, including PD-1/PD-L1 blockade. Furthermore, advancements in precision diagnostics, such as liquid biopsy-based detection of p53 mutations and AI-driven bioinformatics tools, enable early cancer identification and stratification of patients likely to benefit from targeted therapies. Therapeutic strategies targeting p53 pathways are rapidly evolving. Small molecules restoring wild-type p53 activity or disrupting mutant p53 interactions, such as APR-246 and MDM2 inhibitors, show promise in clinical trials. Combination approaches integrating gene editing with synthetic lethal strategies aim to exploit p53-dependent vulnerabilities. Additionally, leveraging p53′s immunomodulatory effects through vaccine development or adjuvants may enhance immunotherapy responses. In conclusion, deciphering p53′s complex biology underscores its unparalleled potential as a biomarker and therapeutic target. Integrating multi-omics analyses, functional genomic screens, and real-world clinical data will accelerate the translation of p53-focused research into precision oncology breakthroughs, ultimately improving patient outcomes. Full article

The separation of three proton pump inhibitors (omeprazole, lansoprazole, and rabeprazole) as exemplified molecules containing chiral sulfoxide groups was investigated in polar organic liquid chromatographic mode on seven different polysaccharide stationary phases (Chiralcel OD and OJ; Chiralpak AD, AS, and IA; Lux Cellulose-2 and -4). Different alcohols, such as methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, and their combinations, were used as eluents. After method optimization, semi-preparative enantioseparation was successfully applied for the three proton pump inhibitors to collect the individual enantiomers. A detailed investigation was conducted into elution order reversal, thermodynamic parameters, the effect of eluent mixtures, and the hysteresis of retention time and selectivity. Using Chiralpak AS, containing the amylose tris[(S)-α-methylbenzylcarbamate] chiral selector, the separation of the investigated enantiomers was achieved in all four neat eluents, with methanol providing the best results. In many cases, a reversal of the enantiomer elution order was observed. In addition to chiral-selector-dependent reversal, eluent-dependent reversal was also observed. Notably, even replacing methanol with ethanol altered the enantiomer elution order. Both enthalpy- and entropy-controlled enantioseparation were also observed in several cases; however, temperature-dependent elution order reversal was not. The hysteresis of retention and selectivity was further investigated on amylose-type columns in methanol–2-propanol and methanol–ethanol eluent mixtures. The phenomenon was observed on all amylose columns regardless of the eluent mixtures employed. Hystereticity ratios were calculated and used to compare the hysteresis behaviors of different systems. Multivariate statistical analysis revealed that Chiralpak AS exhibited the most distinct enantioselective behavior among the tested columns, likely due to the absence of a direct connection between the carbamate moiety and the aromatic substituent. The present study aided in understanding the mechanisms leading to enantiomer recognition, which is crucial for developing new chiral stationary phases and chiral HPLC method development in general. Full article

Retired chemically polluted sites in southern Jiangsu Province, China, are characterized by dense nonaqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs) and extremely thick aquifers (>30 m), which pose substantial challenges for determining investigation and remediation depths during redevelopment and exploitation. This study constructed a 2D groundwater transport model using TMVOC to systematically investigate the migration, diffusion, and natural attenuation processes of two typical DNAPLs—1,2-dichloroethane (DCE) and carbon tetrachloride (CTC)—under three scenarios: individual transport, mixed transport, and heterogeneous aquifer conditions, with a simulation period of 35 years. In individual transport scenarios, DCE and CTC showed distinct migration behaviors. DCE achieved a maximum vertical transport distance of 14.01 m and a downstream migration distance of 459.58 m, while CTC reached 13.57 m vertically and 453.51 m downstream. When transported as a mixture, their migration was inhibited: DCE’s vertical and downstream distances decreased to 13.76 m and 440.46 m, respectively; and CTC’s to 13.23 m and 420.32 m, likely due to mutual solvent effects that altered their physicochemical properties such as viscosity and solubility. Under natural attenuation conditions, both DNAPLs ceased downstream transport by the end of the 6th year. DCE concentrations dropped below its risk control value (0.81 mg/L) by the 14th year, and CTC (with a risk control value of 0.23 mg/L) by the 11th year. By the 10th year, DCE’s downstream plume had retreated to 48.65 m, and CTC’s to 0.95 m. In heterogeneous aquifers, vertical upward transport of DCE and CTC increased to 14.82 m and 14.22 m, respectively, due to the partial absence of low-conductivity silt layers, while their downstream distances decreased to 397.99 m and 354.11 m, constrained by low-permeability lenses in the migration path. These quantitative results clarify the dynamic differences in DNAPL transport under varying conditions, highlighting the impacts of multicomponent interactions, natural attenuation, and aquifer heterogeneity. They provide critical references for risk management, scientific determination of remediation depths, and safe exploitation of retired chemically polluted sites with similar hydrogeological characteristics. Full article

Diverticulosis is characterized by sac-like bulges of the mucosa through weakened portions of the intestinal wall, and is a common pathology observed in adult patient populations. The majority of diverticular disease and associated complications, such as inflammation of diverticula, form within the colon, with less frequent cases of diverticular disease observed in the small bowel. We present the case of a 48-year-old female who presented to the emergency department with a two-day history of abdominal pain, fever, and nausea. Upon admission, vital signs indicated fever and laboratory analysis demonstrated elevated white blood cell count. The patient’s workup included a computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen which revealed diffuse small bowel diverticulitis with surrounding inflammation, lymph node enlargement, and bowel wall thickening. CT scan of the abdomen with evidence of diverticula in the bowel wall is diagnostic of diverticulosis. Treatment could include bowel rest, clear liquid diet, broad-spectrum antibiotics, or surgical intervention. This case emphasizes the importance of CT imaging and consideration of broad differential diagnosis in patients presenting with abdominal pain due to the rare presentation of small bowel diverticulitis and aims to contribute to the current understanding and treatment of clinically significant diverticular pathologies. Full article

The demand for rare earth elements (REEs) is continuously increasing due to the important roles they play in low-carbon and green energy technologies. Unfortunately, the global REE reserves are limited and concentrated in only a few countries, so the reprocessing of alternative resources like tailings is of critical importance. This study investigated carrier magnetic separation using coarse magnetite particles as a carrier to recover finely ground monazite from tailings. The monazite and carrier surfaces were modified by sodium oleate (NaOL) to improve the hydrophobic interactions between them. The results of zeta potential and contact angle measurements implied the selective adsorption of NaOL onto the surfaces of the monazite and magnetite particles. Although their hydrophobicity increased, heterogenous agglomeration between them was not substantial. To improve heterogenous agglomeration, emulsified kerosene was utilized as a bridging liquid, resulting in more extensive attachment of fine monazite particles onto the surfaces of carrier particles and a dramatic improvement in monazite recovery by magnetic separation—from 0% (without carrier) to 70% (with carrier). A rougher–scavenger–cleaner carrier magnetic separation can produce REE concentrates with a total rare earth oxide (TREO) recovery of 80% and a grade of 9%, increased from 3.4%, which can be further increased to 23.2% after separating REEs and the carrier. Full article

Powdery mildew caused by Sphaerotheca fusca poses a significant threat to cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) production worldwide, underscoring the need for sustainable disease management strategies. This study investigates the potential of L-lysine, abundantly produced by Bacillus subtilis M 320 (BSM320), to prime systemic acquired resistance (SAR) pathways in cucumber plants. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis identified L-lysine as the primary bioactive metabolite in the BSM320 culture filtrate. Foliar application of purified L-lysine significantly reduced powdery mildew symptoms, lowering disease severity by up to 92% at concentrations ≥ 2500 mg/L. However, in vitro spore germination assays indicated that L-lysine did not exhibit direct antifungal activity, indicating that its protective effect is likely mediated through the activation of plant immune responses. Quantitative reverse transcription PCR revealed marked upregulation of key defense-related genes encoding pathogenesis-related proteins 1 and 3, lipoxygenase 1 and 23, WRKY transcription factor 20, and L-type lectin receptor kinase 6.1 within 24 h of treatment. Concurrently, salicylic acid (SA) levels increased threefold in lysine-treated plants, confirming the induction of an SA-dependent SAR pathway. These findings highlight L-lysine as a sustainable, residue-free priming agent capable of enhancing broad-spectrum plant immunity, offering a promising approach for amino acid-based crop protection. Full article

A three-year optimization study was conducted at a mechanical biological treatment plant with the aim of enhancing organic fractions recovery from mechanically separated fine fractions (MSFF) of residual waste using a screw press. The study aimed to optimize key operating parameters for the employed screw press, such as pressure, liquid-to-MSFF, feeding quantity per hour, and press basket mesh size, to enhance volatile solids and biogas recovery in the generated press water for anaerobic digestion. Experiments were performed at the full-scale facility to evaluate the efficiency of screw press extraction with other pretreatment methods, like press extrusion, wet pulping, and hydrothermal treatment. The results indicated that hydrolysis of the organic fractions in MSFF was the most important factor for improving organic extraction from the MSFF to press water for fermentation. Optimal hydrolysis efficiency was achieved with a digestate and process water-to-MSFF of approximately 1000 L/ton, with a feeding rate between 8.8 and 14 tons per hour. Increasing pressure from 2.5 to 4.0 bar had minimal impact on press water properties or biogas production, regardless of the press basket size. The highest volatile solids (29%) and biogas (50%) recovery occurred at 4.0 bar pressure with a 1000 L/ton liquid-to-MSFF. Further improvements could be achieved with longer mixing times before pressing. These findings demonstrate the technical feasibility of the pressing system for preparing an appropriate substrate for the fermentation process, underscoring the potential for optimizing the system. However, further research is required to assess the cost–benefit balance. Full article

This study focuses on S32654 super austenitic stainless steel (SASS) and systematically characterizes the morphology of the sigma (σ) phase and the segregation behavior of alloying elements in its as-cast microstructure. High-temperature confocal scanning laser microscopy (HT-CSLM) was employed to investigate the effect of the rare earth element yttrium (Y) on the solidification microstructure and σ phase precipitation behavior of SASS. The results show that the microstructure of SASS consists of austenite dendrites and interdendritic eutectoid structures. The eutectoid structures mainly comprise the σ phase and the γ₂ phase, exhibiting lamellar or honeycomb-like morphologies. Regarding elemental distribution, molybdenum displays a “concave” distribution pattern within the dendrites, with lower concentrations at the center and higher concentrations at the sides; when Mo locally exceeds beyond a certain threshold, it easily induces the formation of eutectoid structures. Mo is the most significant segregating element, with a segregation ratio as high as 1.69. The formation mechanism of the σ phase is attributed to the solid-state phase transformation of austenite (γ → γ₂ + σ). In the late stages of solidification, the concentration of chromium and Mo in the residual liquid phase increases, and due to insufficient diffusion, there are significant compositional differences between the interdendritic regions and the matrix. The enriched Cr and Mo cause the interdendritic austenite to become supersaturated, leading to solid-state phase transformation during subsequent cooling, thereby promoting σ phase precipitation. The overall phase transformation process can be summarized as L → L + γ → γ → γ + γ₂ + σ. Y microalloying has a significant influence on the solidification process. The addition of Y increases the nucleation temperature of austenite, raises nucleation density, and refines the solidification microstructure. However, Y addition also leads to an increased amount of eutectoid structures. This is primarily because Y broadens the solidification temperature range of the alloy and prolongs grain growth perio, which aggravates the microsegregation of elements such as Cr and Mo. Moreover, Y raises the initial precipitation temperature of the σ phase and enhances atomic diffusion during solidification, further promoting σ phase precipitation during the subsequent eutectoid transformation. Full article

The escalating heat flux densities in high-performance electronics necessitate superior thermal management. This study enhanced pool-boiling heat transfer, a method offering high heat removal capacity, by leveraging Binder Jetting 3D Printing (BJ3DP) to create complex porous copper structures without the need for chemical treatments. This approach enables a reliable utilization of phenomena like capillarity for improved performance. Three types of porous copper structures, namely Large Lattice, Small Lattice, and Staggered, were fabricated on pure copper substrates and tested via pool boiling of de-ionized and de-gassed water at atmospheric pressure. Compared to a plain polished copper surface, which exhibited a critical heat flux (CHF) of 782 kW/m² at a wall superheat of 18 K, the 3D-printed porous copper surfaces showed significantly improved heat transfer performance. The Staggered surface achieved a conventional CHF of 2342.4 kW/m² (a 199.7% enhancement) at a wall superheat of 24.6 K. Notably, the Large Lattice and Small Lattice structures demonstrated exceptionally stable boiling without reaching the typical catastrophic CHF within the experimental parameters. These geometries continued to increase in heat flux, reaching maximums of 2397.7 kW/m² (206.8% higher at a wall superheat of 55.6 K) and 2577.2 kW/m² (229.7% higher at a wall superheat of 39.5 K), respectively. Subsequently, a gradual decline in heat flux was observed with an increasing wall superheat, demonstrating an outstanding resistance to the boiling crisis. These improvements are attributed to the formation of distinct vapor–liquid pathways within the porous structures, which promotes the efficient rewetting of the heated surface through capillary action. This mechanism supports a highly efficient, self-sustaining boiling configuration, emphasizing the superior rewetting and vapor management capabilities of these 3D-printed porous structures, which extend the boundaries of sustained high heat flux performance. The porous surfaces also demonstrated a higher heat transfer coefficient (HTC), particularly at lower heat fluxes (≤750 kW/m²). High-speed digital camera visualization provided further insight into the boiling phenomenon. Overall, the findings demonstrate that these BJ3DP structured surfaces produce optimized vapor–liquid pathways and capillary-enhanced rewetting, offering significantly superior heat transfer performance compared to smooth surfaces and highlighting their potential for advanced thermal management. Full article