Search Results (858)

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a multifactorial neurodegenerative disorder characterized by amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition, tau hyperphosphorylation, neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress. Despite recent advances, current therapies offer little benefit, and AD remains a significant challenge. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), have attracted attention for their neuroprotective effects primarily through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, but also for their ability to influence membrane fluidity and neuronal function. DHA is the predominant omega-3 PUFA in nerve cell membranes and is critical for synaptic plasticity and cognitive function. Some evidence has demonstrated that marine omega-3 supplementation reduces Aβ deposition, modulates microglial activation, and prevents cognitive decline in animal models. Even with heterogeneous results, preclinical and clinical studies suggest that long-term DHA/EPA supplementation can improve cognitive function in subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and reduce neuroinflammation markers. However, individual variability and brain bioavailability pose significant challenges. This review summarizes and discusses the current knowledge on the importance of PUFAs for human health, exploring novel mechanistic hypotheses, such as the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on brain iron homeostasis, the microbiota–gut–brain axis, the glymphatic system, and miRNAs. Furthermore, it focuses on the therapeutic potential of PUFAs in the treatment of AD and proposes future directions for translational research. Full article

Prostate cancer (PCa) is among the highest incidence malignancies in men, with high rates of inevitable resistance development, relapse, and mortality. Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) continued to pose substantial therapeutic challenges, highlighting the urgent need for effective treatment options. This study assessed the marine cembranoid sarcophine activity against the progression and recurrence of the metastatic CRPC (mCRPC) in mouse xenograft models. Protein and phosphorylation levels were assessed by immunoblotting and mRNA expression by qPCR and RNA sequencing. The in vivo efficacy was evaluated through tumor progression over 3 weeks followed by primary tumor excision and recurrence monitoring over an 8-week course. Sarcophine significantly reduced the mCRPC CWR-R1ca tumor volume by 74.1% and suppressed the epigenetic regulators EZH2 and SMYD2; lineage plasticity factors ASCL1 and BRN2; Wnt/stemness signaling markers β-catenin and LGR6; AKT total expression and activation; and invasion-associated proteins TRPC4 and MMP2 in primary tumors. Sarcophine effectively prevented the mCRPC locoregional recurrence, as well as lung and spleen distant recurrences, and effectively reduced recurrence in other organs. Transcriptomics-RNA-Seq analysis of primary tumors identified 2697 downregulated and 3534 upregulated genes, indicating broad transcriptional reprogramming following sarcophine treatments. These findings demonstrate coordinated suppression of multi-oncogenic pathways and validate the therapeutic potential of sarcophine to control mCRPC. Full article

Plastic pollution is a problem for many municipalities, water authorities, and industries, including transportation, energy, agriculture, fisheries, real estate, tourism, hospitality, insurance, and healthcare. Efforts to understand and mitigate plastic pollution would benefit from a dedicated map satisfying basic criteria including traceability, scalability, spatio-temporal resolution, and data flexibility. This article details and demonstrates how several existing pollution maps satisfy these criteria and makes recommendations on their use for specific activities, including temporal monitoring, root-cause analysis (RCA), cleanups, and tourism guides. Advantages of using plastic density rather than piecewise logs as the primary data format are highlighted, in particular feasible memory requirements and access to cloud data. Environmental plastic mapping by passive optical sensors, which offer the potential of comprehensive qualified data, is also surveyed, including demonstration of an original shortwave infrared (SWIR) polarization imager, and dynamic plastic pollution monitoring is demonstrated through the application-programming interface (API) of the Google Maps platform utilizing both sensor and published survey data. Full article

Introduction: Marine heatwaves are increasing in frequency and intensity, posing major challenges for fishes inhabiting shallow coastal ecosystems. Short-term exposure to extreme warming can alter metabolic performance and thermal tolerance, with potential consequences for species persistence and school composition in thermally variable habitats. Understanding the capacity of coastal fishes to withstand acute warming events is therefore essential for predicting ecological responses to climate change. Objective: We aimed to determine the effects of simulated marine heatwaves on thermal tolerance and metabolic performance in juvenile grey mullets, Chelon labrosus and Chelon aurata, two abundant sympatric species inhabiting the Ria Formosa lagoon (southern Portugal). Methodology: Juvenile mullets acclimated at 17 °C were exposed to simulated heatwave treatments of 23, 27, or 33 °C and sampled either at peak temperature or after 48 h and 1-week recovery at 17 °C. Critical thermal maximum (CTmax, using a 1 °C/min thermal ramp), static oxygen consumption (MO2), and intermittent respirometry parameters were measured. Standard metabolic rate (SMR), maximum metabolic rate (MMR), and aerobic scope (AS) were derived from intermittent respirometry. A complementary temperature-ramp (>3 h at each temperature step 17, 23, 27 and 33 °C) was performed to evaluate routine metabolic rate and estimate Q10 values across increasing temperatures. Additional plasma and tissue analyses are being conducted to assess energetic substrate mobilization and cellular responses to thermal and oxidative stress. Results: CTmax increased significantly with warming in both treatment modes, demonstrating rapid heat hardening in juvenile mullets. Fish exposed to 27 and 33 °C exhibited higher CTmax than control fish, and this elevated tolerance persisted after recovery. Chelon labrosus showed slightly higher CTmax values than C. aurata. Oxygen consumption increased with temperature, with the strongest responses occurring at 33 °C. SMR increased markedly with warming, particularly in heatwave-exposed fish, while MMR increased mainly at the highest temperature treatment. In contrast, AS showed no clear thermal optimum or decline across treatments. Routine metabolic rate increased non-linearly with temperature in the complementary ramp experiment, with a mean Q10 of 2.28, confirming strong thermal dependence of metabolism. Conclusions: Juvenile mullets possess substantial short-term thermal plasticity and can rapidly increase heat tolerance during marine heatwaves but this enhanced tolerance is accompanied by elevated metabolic costs under extreme warming, indicating potential energetic trade-offs near upper thermal limits. Differential physiological responses between species may influence school composition and ecological performance across thermal landscapes. Ongoing plasma and tissue analyses will further clarify the energetic and cellular mechanisms underlying thermal and oxidative stress resilience in coastal fishes. Full article

Introduction: The discharge of treated wastewater into coastal and marine environments represents a continuous source of pollutants, including pharmaceuticals and plastic additives with endocrine-disrupting (ED) potential. These compounds are of increasing concern for the European Union due to their capacity to interfere with hormonal systems and their inclusion in current environmental monitoring priorities. ED compounds may induce sublethal effects in aquatic organisms, particularly in vertebrates, where endocrine pathways are highly conserved. In this context, the use of Cyprinodon variegatus, a euryhaline fish species, provides a suitable model to assess potential risks in marine ecosystems. Despite advances in wastewater treatment technologies, the persistence of biologically active substances in treated effluents remains a concern. Objective: This study aims to evaluate whether treated effluent water still contains compounds with endocrine-disrupting activity and to assess their potential effects on marine organisms. Methodology: Larvae of C. variegatus from a laboratory stock maintained at ECIMAT (University of Vigo), one of the few available stocks of this species in Europe, were exposed for 48 h to environmentally relevant dilutions (1:10, 1:30, and 1:100) of wastewater treatment plant effluent collected after UV disinfection as the final treatment step. Pools of 10 larvae were used for each condition. Sublethal effects were assessed through gene expression analysis using quantitative PCR (qPCR), targeting biomarkers involved in endocrine regulation. Two housekeeping genes (tbp and hprt) were used for normalization. Estrogenic responses were evaluated through vtgab and zp2, while androgenic responses were assessed using 17hsd and 11hsd. Results: Preliminary results indicate significant alterations in estrogen-related gene expression, particularly in vitellogenin (vtgab) and zona pellucida (zp2), highlighting the activation of estrogenic pathways and supporting the presence of endocrine-disrupting activity in treated effluent water. Conclusions: This study highlights the relevance of assessing endocrine disrupting activity in treated effluents and supports the use of molecular biomarkers as sensitive tools for evaluating their potential impact on marine ecosystems, contributing to the improvement of wastewater monitoring and management strategies. Full article

Mass–balance discrepancies exist between estimated land-based inputs and observed marine plastic inventories. While current global mass–balance models predominantly treat the open ocean as a passive terminal sink, they overlook the rapid expansion of offshore and deep-sea industrial frontiers. This review identifies offshore and deep-sea activities as active, in situ emission nodes of microplastics (MPs). Through a bibliometric analysis and numerical descriptions of studies, we document that direct offshore emissions are underrepresented in the current literature. By synthesizing these limited quantitative data, preliminary metrics indicate localized MP enrichment signals and elevated biological exposure near specific offshore infrastructures. Furthermore, plastics released directly into the marine environment bypass terrestrial weathering, undergoing distinct multiscale aging pathways governed by the complex interplay of wave-induced physical fragmentation bounded by critical size thresholds, UV-driven chemical photo-oxidation, and biological interactions. We conclude that refining global plastic budgets supports moving toward an integrated ocean-industrial framework. However, the synthesis remains constrained by data scarcity and high methodological heterogeneity across different environmental matrices. Future strategies must prioritize standardized in situ flux quantification and the incorporation of MP emission risks into offshore Environmental Impact Assessments. Full article

Introduction: The early stages of fish represent a critical phase for survival and recruitment, as they are highly vulnerable to both biotic and abiotic factors, as well as anthropogenic pressures. To enhance survival, many marine species use estuaries as nursery areas. However, these ecosystems are increasingly exposed to contaminants such as microplastics (MPs; plastic particles < 5 mm) that can cause several direct or indirect negative impacts on fish larvae, namely impairing their development or survival. Objective: This study aimed to quantify and compare temporal changes in the ratio of microplastics (MPs) to fish larvae (FL) (MP:FL) in the Douro estuary (NW Portugal), assessing how exposure to MPs varies across years and seasons. Methodology: Seasonal sampling campaigns were conducted in the Douro estuary during 2021/2022 and 2025. Multiple stations along the estuary were sampled using plankton tows with a 0.5 mm mesh size. In the laboratory, fish larvae were sorted and identified, and the remaining material was processed to isolate and quantify MPs. The recovered MPs were subsequently characterized according to type, size, and color. Results: Data from 2022 indicated that Clupeidae, Gobiidae, and Gadidae were the most abundant fish families, while colorless and blue fibers between 2 and 3 mm were the dominant MP types. Data from 2025 showed that Gobiidae, Labridae, and Atherinidae were the most abundant families, with similar MP types observed in water in 2022. The ratio of MPs:FL in summer and autumn of 2021/2022 was 36 and 65 MPs:1 FL, respectively, whereas in 2025 it was 0.26 and 3.80 MPs:1 FL, respectively. Conclusions: These preliminary results indicate a decreasing trend in the ratio of MP:fish larvae over time. Although further data analysis is ongoing, the observed interannual differences highlight the importance of long-term monitoring of estuarine nursery areas to better understand contamination dynamics and their potential effects on early fish life stages. Full article

Extended producer responsibility (EPR) is intended to link producer design decisions to end-of-life costs, but collective EPR schemes typically weaken this link by routing funding through producer responsibility organisations. We develop a multi-level framework of consumer-integrated environmental protection (CIEP) and argue that individual producer responsibility (IPR), where producers bear product-specific end-of-life liability, can function as a governance mechanism that reconnects design, consumer behaviour and waste governance. This paper is a qualitative multiple-case research study—not a systematic review—which draws on three funded research projects: (i) small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) tools for design-for-recyclability, (ii) an artificial intelligence (AI) application for household waste sorting, and (iii) closed-loop recycling of fishing gear in Vietnam. Within the first project (ToCoReRaM), a PRISMA-based systematic review of web-accessible circular economy tools finds that only 2 of 23 tools are SME-accessible through standard web searches. The AI-based waste-sorting application achieves approximately 75% classification accuracy under real-world conditions. The fishing gear study demonstrates technical and economic viability of closed-loop recycling, and a survey of more than 1500 Vietnamese fishers finds 95.8% willingness to return used gear given appropriate incentives. Together, the cases show that effective circular governance requires four complementary elements: IPR-based producer accountability, SME-accessible design tools, digital consumer guidance at the point of disposal, and context-sensitive governance capacity. These findings inform policy pathways for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12 and SDG 14. Full article

In recent decades, plastic consumption has risen across various industries and everyday products, leading to greater plastic use and the generation of waste, which results in the leaching of micro- and nanoplastics into the environment. This review summarizes recent analytical methods for the detection of nanoplastics (NPs) in several marine matrices, divided into three main stages: extraction, separation, and identification. The literature reviewed indicates that chemical and enzymatic digestion are the most commonly used procedures for the extraction step. For the separation step, flotation, filtration, and centrifugation are the most used techniques. Finally, two groups of techniques may be used for the identification step. The first category consists of methods used for qualitative identification, with spectroscopic methods such as Raman and FTIR being the most frequently used. The second category comprises those used for the quantitative analysis of NPs, where fluorescence-based methods and nanoparticle tracking analysis are increasingly used for this assessment. Despite these advances, significant challenges remain, such as matrix interferences caused by salinity and organic matter, low environmental concentrations of NPs, and the lack of standardized protocols. This review highlights the need for standardized protocols, validated reference materials, and integrated multi-technique approaches to improve the comparability of nanoplastics measurements in marine environments. Full article

Due to the environmental concerns associated with petroleum-based plastics, industry and academia have directed increasing attention toward marine-derived biodegradable biopolymers, particularly those obtained from seaweed. In line with global efforts to enhance resource efficiency and sustainability by introducing non-fossil raw materials into the circular economy, seaweed valorization has emerged as a promising pathway. Seaweeds are attractive feedstocks due to their biodegradability, non-toxicity, antioxidant activity, and excellent film-forming capacity. This review provides a critical and application-oriented overview of seaweed biomass for food packaging applications by comparatively discussing the relationship between seaweed composition, extraction technologies, material functionality, packaging performance, and regulatory considerations. Emphasis is placed on the role of structural biopolymers and bioactive compounds in the development of passive, active, and intelligent packaging systems. Recent advances in extraction technologies, polymer modification strategies, and incorporation of functional additives are critically discussed in relation to their influence on the physicochemical, mechanical, barrier, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties of seaweed-based composites. Furthermore, the review highlights key challenges limiting industrial implementation, including high hydrophilicity, high variability between the batches, energy-intensive drying processes, regulatory compliance, migration safety, and long-term material stability. Overall, seaweed-derived materials demonstrate strong potential as sustainable alternatives to conventional packaging systems, particularly in food applications. However, further optimization of processing technologies, material standardization, techno-economic feasibility, and end-of-life management are still required before large-scale commercialization can be achieved. Full article

Plastic pellet spills are a growing environmental concern, yet response strategies remain limited and poorly adapted. This study evaluates whether existing oil spill recovery tools, including booms, skimmers, and specialized vessels, can be repurposed to respond to acute releases of plastic pellets at sea. Plastic pellets, although small (typically 1–5 mm in diameter), exhibit variation in physical properties, including polymer type, size, shape, color, and density. These features strongly influence dispersion dynamics and the feasibility of cleanup. Our analysis reveals critical limitations in current response technologies, primarily due to their oil-centric design and lack of consideration for the unique behavior of plastic pellets. By bridging expertise in oil spills and emerging plastic threats, we outline opportunities for adaptive, cross-sector response strategies tailored to the realities of plastic-pellet spills. This study includes a field demonstration in the Northern Adriatic Sea, where oil-spill skimmers and booms were successfully tested for plastic pellet recovery under real-world marine conditions. Full article

Abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) is a global challenge that negatively affects marine ecosystems and fishers’ livelihoods. Survey results from 1864 capture fishers in Vietnam show that the total mass of ALDFG is 82,720 kg/year, with an average loss rate of 0.24% of the total plastic used. The average ALDFG mass from gillnet fisheries is 26.0 ± 1.2 kg/vessel/year, trap fisheries 16.1 ± 2.6 kg/vessel/year, hook and line fisheries 13.8 ± 1.4 kg/vessel/year, trawl fisheries 8.8 ± 1.1 kg/vessel/year, stick-held falling net fisheries 5.1 ± 2.1 kg/vessel/year, and purse seine fisheries 4.2 ± 1.4 kg/vessel/year. Polyethylene (PE) accounts for 47.4%, polyamide (PA) 29.5% and polypropylene (PP) 17.2% of the total ALDFG mass. Results from the selected partial proportional odds model show that fishers’ concern about ALDFG increases with education, fishing experience, vessel length, and stronger awareness of environmental and economic impacts, whereas age, days at sea, perceived navigation hazards, and perceived impacts on fish stocks are negatively associated with concern; perceived tourism impacts show a statistically significant threshold-varying effect across concern levels. These findings provide a scientific basis for developing sustainable fishing-gear management policies, aiming to reduce marine plastic pollution in Vietnam. These findings provide evidence for conservation-oriented fishing-gear management in Vietnam by identifying the gear types and fisher perceptions most relevant to reducing ghost fishing, marine plastic leakage, and risks to marine biodiversity and coastal ecosystems. Full article

Fish nutritional value is a complex trait, highly influenced by fatty acid composition, which is correspondingly affected by a variety of factors, such as seasonality, abiotic conditions, and genetic background. Herein, the seasonal variations in lipid metabolism and the composition of fatty acids in three economically important mullet species (Chelon auratus, Chelon ramada, and Mugil cephalus) in an appropriate fisheries model marine area, Klisova Lagoon, Greece, were investigated. From seasonal sampling across one year, data regarding the sea temperature, fatty acid profiles in fish fillet, lipid-related gene expression (acc, hoad, and atgl), and key enzymatic activities (citrate synthase, HOAD, and lipase) in liver and muscle were obtained. Biochemical, molecular, and enzymatic analyses revealed pronounced interspecific and seasonal differences in lipid metabolism and the composition of fatty acids among Chelon auratus, Chelon ramada, and Mugil cephalus. M. cephalus exhibited strong metabolic plasticity, with enhanced lipid oxidation during colder periods and increased lipid synthesis and mobilization during warmer months. In contrast, C. ramada and C. auratus generally showed higher PUFA and ω-3 contents, although nutritional quality across all species was largely season-dependent, with colder periods favoring unsaturated fatty acid accumulation. Coordinated seasonal shifts in gene expression and enzyme activities reflected these temperature-driven metabolic regulation and distinct thermal-adaptation strategies. These metabolic traits support the ecological success of mullets in Mediterranean environments and highlight underutilized C. ramada and C. auratus mullet species as nutritionally valuable, sustainable alternatives for regional fisheries and aquaculture, supporting both sustainable fisheries and consumer awareness within the EU seafood market. Full article

Gradient-structured materials have attracted considerable attention due to their gradient microstructural distribution and the resulting unique mechanical properties, showing great potential in aerospace, marine, and energy applications. This review presents a comprehensive overview of plastic deformation methods for fabricating gradient-structured materials, according to the loading conditions and resulting deformation modes, which are categorized into localized loading-localized deformation, localized loading-localized/global deformation, and global loading-localized/global deformation strategies. The applications of gradient-structured materials are further summarized in terms of surface properties, bulk mechanical properties, and forming performance. Finally, the current challenges and future research directions are discussed, focusing on quantitative structure-property relationships for inverse design, efficient and scalable fabrication strategies, and the synergistic effects of multi-level microstructures. This review offers significant insights into plastic-deformation-based fabrication methods and the diverse application properties of gradient-structured materials. Full article

Microplastics (MPs) adsorb hazardous substances and are ingested by a wide range of organisms; therefore, indicators for managing their environmental concentrations are needed. Ideally, threshold values should be based on health impacts. However, the diversity of MPs and the complexity of their environmental behavior make it difficult to establish unified environmental concentration standards. In this study, we propose a threshold for the presence of MPs on sandy beaches based on “visual cleanliness,” derived from the amount of MPs that people find psychologically unacceptable. Three types of MPs were used: white polypropylene (PP), blue PP, and white polystyrene (PS; expanded polystyrene). The survey was conducted in Japan, and the number of valid responses was 245. For defining a narrow-range cleanliness threshold, volume concentration was more appropriate than mass concentration. White particles were expected to be less noticeable because they tended to blend with white shell fragments, which are ubiquitous on beaches. In contrast, blue particles were expected to be less acceptable owing to their rarity. However, we found no difference in unacceptability between white PP and blue PP. The threshold, defined as the volume concentration at which half of the respondents find MPs psychologically unacceptable, ranged from 1 to 2 cm³-MPs/m²-sand. Gender, age, travel time to the beach, and frequency of beach visits did not influence unacceptability. Strong concern about marine plastic pollution and experience in cleaning public spaces were associated with a tendency toward low tolerance for MP contamination on beaches. Full article