Search Results (5,016)

Background and Objectives: SGLT2 inhibitors are foundational in heart failure therapy, yet their impact on left ventricular (LV) remodeling immediately following acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains less defined. This study evaluated the association between early SGLT2 inhibitor initiation and structural recovery in a real-world post-ACS cohort. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study including 238 revascularized ACS patients, stratified into an SGLT2 inhibitor group (n = 71) and a control group (n = 167). Changes in LV ejection fraction (LVEF) and indexed LV mass (LVMi) were assessed by echocardiography at baseline and follow-up (mean 286 days). Multivariable regression models were adjusted for baseline imbalances and tested for interactions with diabetes status. Results: A significant “confounding by indication” was observed; the SGLT2 group presented a high-risk phenotype with higher diabetes prevalence (56.3% vs. 25.7%, p < 0.001), lower baseline LVEF (38.3% vs. 43.3%), and greater hypertrophy. After adjustment, statistical independence was attenuated by baseline severity, yet the SGLT2 group achieved follow-up structural outcomes comparable to lower-risk controls. Interaction analysis indicated these trends were consistent regardless of diabetes status (p > 0.05). Conclusions: In this high-risk ACS population, early SGLT2 inhibitor therapy was associated with stabilization of cardiac structure. Despite a profound baseline disadvantage, the recovery trajectory effectively aligned with that of a lower-risk population, highlighting a clinically relevant pattern of structural stabilization consistent across metabolic subgroups. Full article

Recent studies have shown that wood tar exhibits excellent potential as an additive to polymers for food packaging. In this study, we demonstrated that the differential temperature of dry pyrolysis of wood affects the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of the liquid pyrolysis products (LPP). Birch LPP showed, on average, approximately 16% higher reducing power in the ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay and, on average, approximately 29% lower free radical scavenging activity than pine LPP. Thermal characterization suggests a qualitatively similar chemical composition among the tested fractions, with the 500 °C pyrolysis fraction showing the highest thermal resistance (lowest mass loss). Thermal characterization indicated similarities in the qualitative chemical composition of the tested fractions. Analyzed products demonstrated bactericidal activity against human- or plant-pathogenic bacteria and exhibited poor antimicrobial activity towards probiotic bacteria. Specifically, Lactoplantibacillus sp. and L. rhamnosus were, on average, approximately 61% and 45% less affected, respectively, compared to the most sensitive E. coli. We demonstrate apparent, predominantly substrate-driven differences in antibacterial activity, with Gram-negative bacteria being more susceptible to pine products and Gram-positive bacteria being more susceptible to birch products. Full article

Microplastics (MPs) and Antifouling Paint Particles (APPs) are pervasive anthropogenic pollutants that threaten global ecosystems, with distinct yet overlapping environmental behaviors and toxic impacts. MPs disperse widely in aquatic systems via runoff and wastewater; their toxicity stems from physical, chemical, and synergistic effects. APPs are concentrated in coastal zones, estuaries, and shipyard areas, and are acutely toxic due to their high metal and biocide content. This study systematically characterized the composition, concentration, and size distribution of common MPs and APPs in ship-hull derusting wastewater produced by ultra-high-pressure water jetting, using pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) coupled with particle size analysis. The wastewater exhibited a total suspended solids (TSS) concentration of 20.04 g·L⁻¹, within which six types of MPs were identified at 3.29 mg·L⁻¹ in total and APPs were quantified at 330.25 mg·L⁻¹, representing 1.65% of TSS. The residual fraction primarily consisted of algae, biological debris, and inorganic particles. Particle size distribution ranged from 3.55 to 111.47 μm, with a median size (D50) of 31 μm, while APPs were mainly 5–100 μm, with 81.4% < 50 μm. Extrapolation to the annual treated ship-hull surface area in 2024 indicated the generation of ~57,440 m³ wastewater containing ~0.2 tons of MPs and ~19 tons of APPs. These findings highlight the magnitude of pollutant release from ship maintenance activities and underscore the urgent need for targeted treatment technologies and regulatory policies to mitigate microplastic pollution in marine environments. Full article

Background: There exists some inconsistent evidence on the relationship between altered cardiac morphology, its function, and frailty. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the associations among frailty, lean body mass, central arterial stiffness, and cardiac structure and geometry in older people with a normal ejection fraction. Methods: A total of 205 patients >65 years were enrolled into this ancillary analysis of the FRAPICA study and were assessed for frailty with the Fried phenotype scale. Left ventricular dimensions and geometry were assessed with two-dimensional echocardiography. Fat-free mass was measured using three-site skinfold method. Parametric and non-parametric statistics and analysis of covariance were used for statistical calculations. Results: Frail patients were older and women comprised the majority of the frail group. Frail men and women had comparable weight, height, fat-free mass, blood pressure, central blood pressure, and carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity to their non-frail counterparts. There was a linear correlation between the sum of frailty criteria and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (Spearman R = −0.17; p < 0.05) and relative wall thickness (Spearman R = 0.23; p < 0.05). In the analysis of covariance, frailty and gender were independently associated with left ventricular mass (gender: β of −0.37 and 95% CI of −0.50–−0.24 at p < 0.001), the left ventricular mass index (gender: β of −0.23 and 95% CI of −0.37–−0.09 at p < 0.001), and relative wall thickness (frailty: β of −0.15 and 95% CI of −0.29–−0.01 at p < 0.05; gender: β of 0.23 and 95% CI of 0.09–0.36 at p < 0.01). Frailty was associated with a shift in heart remodeling toward concentric remodeling/hypertrophy. Conclusions: Frailty is independently associated with thickening of the left ventricular walls and a diminished left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, which are features of concentric remodeling or hypertrophy. This association appears to be more pronounced in women. Such adverse cardiac remodeling may represent another phenotypic feature linked to frailty according to the phenotype frailty criteria. Full article

Microplastics (MPs) are prevalent in freshwater systems; consequently, fish ingest them either accidentally or intentionally. Once ingested, MPs can translocate to various organs and cause physiological effects. Most studies have focused on tropical and marine fishes, and many have used mass-based methods that measure exposure only by the total mass of microplastics, ignoring particle number and size. These studies have also rarely examined MP effects or fate after a depuration period, limiting our understanding of MP impacts on temperate fishes, hindering the harmonisation of toxicological studies, and complicating assessments of food safety for cultured and wild fish. This study investigated the physiological impacts of dietary exposure to polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs; 1–10 µm) in Salmo trutta fed a diet with ~5.4 × 10⁶ PS-MPs g⁻¹ feed for 21 days, followed by a 90-day depuration period. PS-MPs translocation from the intestine to the liver and muscle was investigated. Enzymatic biomarkers of oxidative stress and metabolism were analysed in the liver, digestive enzyme activity was assessed in the intestine, and inflammatory enzyme responses were evaluated in both liver and intestinal tissues. In addition, malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, an indicator of lipid peroxidation, was quantified in blood, muscle, and liver samples. Results show that 1–5 µm PS-MPs translocated to the liver and muscle, while 10 µm particles largely remained in the intestine, with a small fraction detected in muscle tissue but not in the liver. Most biochemical markers were unaffected; however, both trypsin and peroxidase activities significantly decreased after 21 days, and lipid peroxidation increased in blood following 90 days of depuration. PS-MPs persisted in muscle following 90 days of depuration. These findings demonstrate that dietary exposure to PS-MPs in the size range 1–10 µm leads to selective physiological alterations in S. trutta and results in persistent accumulation of MPs in organs, especially muscle tissue consumed by humans, highlighting a clear concern for food safety. Full article

Background/Objectives: Ethnicity is associated with differences in cardiac structure and function in non-pregnant populations, but pregnancy-specific data—particularly for myocardial deformation—remain limited. We investigated whether ethnicity influences cardiac geometry, biventricular and biatrial mechanics, hemodynamics, and carotid vascular indices in healthy women during the third trimester of pregnancy. Methods: In this prospective, monocentric study, 80 healthy women with singleton third-trimester pregnancies were enrolled, including 40 Asian and 40 Caucasian women matched for age and body mass index. All participants underwent standardized clinical and laboratory evaluation, comprehensive transthoracic echocardiography with Doppler, speckle-tracking analysis of both ventricles and atria, and bilateral carotid ultrasonography. Logistic regression analyses were performed in Asian women to identify correlates of supranormal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF ≥ 70%) and enhanced left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS > 20%). Results: Age and gestational age were similar between groups, whereas body surface area was lower in Asian women (1.65 ± 0.12 vs. 1.77 ± 0.15 m², p < 0.001). Asian women exhibited smaller left ventricular dimensions and volumes but higher LVEF (median 71.6% vs. 66.4%, p < 0.001). Heart rate and blood pressure were comparable, whereas stroke volume [45.5 ± 9.6 vs. 68.0 (48.9–110) mL, p < 0.001] and cardiac output (3.9 ± 0.9 vs. 4.9 ± 0.8 L/min, p < 0.001) were lower in Asian women, who also demonstrated higher total peripheral resistance and lower ventricular–arterial coupling (0.31 ± 0.09 vs. 0.37 ± 0.07, p = 0.001). Speckle-tracking echocardiography revealed higher LV-GLS (21.9 ± 1.9% vs. 20.5 ± 2.0%, p = 0.002), higher LV global circumferential strain, enhanced right ventricular longitudinal strain, and higher reservoir strain of both atria in Asian women. Carotid ultrasonography showed smaller common carotid diameter and cross-sectional area in Asian women (10.7 ± 2.5 vs. 13.7 ± 2.3 mm², p < 0.001). In regression analyses, supranormal LVEF was independently associated with smaller LV end-diastolic diameter (OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.16–0.97), while enhanced LV-GLS was independently associated with lower neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (OR 0.04, 95% CI 0.00–0.87). Conclusions: Ethnicity is associated with multidimensional differences in cardiac geometry, myocardial mechanics, vascular load, and carotid structure in healthy third-trimester pregnancy. Ethnicity-aware interpretation and tailored reference ranges may improve the accuracy of echocardiographic assessment during late gestation. Full article

Today, PHB and its copolymers—potential plastic substitutes—are produced by fermenting sugar, which is not scalable to the volumes of plastic consumption. PHB from CH₄ can offer a sustainable process route, with CH₄ potentially produced from a variety of waste biomass streams through anaerobic digestion, gasification, and methanation. The high molar mass (M_w) of PHB is a key determinant of its mechanical properties, and strain, culture conditions and downstream processing influence it. In this work, the strain Methylocystis sp. GB 25 (DSMZ 7674) was grown on natural gas as the sole carbon and energy source and air (1:1) in a loop reactor with 350 L active fermentation volume, at 35 °C and ambient pressure. After two days of continuous growth, the bacteria were limited in P and N for 1, 2, and 2.5 days to determine the optimal conditions for PHB accumulation and the highest Mw as the target. The biomass was then centrifuged and spray-dried. For downstream processing, chloroform solvent extraction and selected enzymatic treatment were deployed, yielding ~40% PHB from the biomass. The PHB obtained by solvent extraction exhibited high average weight molar masses of M_w ~1.1–1.5 × 10⁶ g mol⁻¹. The highest M_w was obtained after one day of limitation, whereas enzyme treatment resulted in partially degraded PHB. Cold chloroform maceration, interesting due to energy savings, did not achieve sufficient extraction efficiency because it was unable to extract high-molar-mass PHB fractions. The extracted PHB has a high molar mass, more than double that of standard commercial PHB, and was characterized by DSC, which showed a high degree of crystallinity of up to 70% with a melting temperature of close to 180 °C. Mechanical tensile properties measurements, as well as dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), were performed. Degradation of the PHB by enzymes was also determined. Methanotrophic PHB is a promising bioplastics material. The high M_w can limit and delay polymer degradation in practical processing steps, making the material more versatile and robust. Full article

In this study, a laboratory-scale slag–steel reaction experiment was conducted to systematically evaluate the influence of the initial MgO content (3–7 wt.%) in LF refining slag on the cleanliness of GCr15 bearing steel. The assessment was performed from multiple perspectives by comparing the total oxygen content (T[O]) in molten steel, the inclusion area fraction, and the inclusion number density after 30 min of slag–steel interaction. To further elucidate the thermodynamic driving forces and kinetic mechanisms governing inclusion capture by slag, a predictive slag adsorption model was developed using an in-house computational code coupled with FactSage 8.1. Under conditions of slag basicity R (CaO/SiO₂) ranging from 4.0 to 8.0, MgO content varying from 0 to 7 wt.%, and a constant Al₂O₃ content of 32 wt.%, the chemical driving force ΔC (the mass-fraction difference between slag components and inclusions), the slag viscosity η, and the combined parameter ΔC/η were calculated at 1600 °C for three representative inclusion types: Al₂O₃, MgO·Al₂O₃, and MgO. In addition, the model was employed to quantitatively characterize the adsorption capacity of slag toward Mg–Al binary inclusions under varying MgO levels. Both experimental observations and model calculations demonstrate that the slag–steel reaction markedly enhances inclusion removal, as evidenced by pronounced decreases in T[O], inclusion number density, and inclusion area fraction after reaction. With increasing MgO content in slag, T[O] and inclusion-related indices exhibit a consistent trend of first decreasing and then increasing, reaching minimum values at an MgO level of 5 wt.%. Further analysis reveals a positive correlation between the apparent inclusion-removal rate constant ko and ΔC/η corresponding to MgO·Al₂O₃ inclusions. Moreover, the slag’s adsorption capacity toward Mg–Al binary inclusions decreases overall as the MgO fraction in inclusions increases. Notably, when the MgO content in inclusions exceeds 29 wt.%, the adsorption capacity undergoes an abrupt drop, indicating a pronounced cliff-like attenuation behavior. Full article

This study presents an eccentric pipe separator (EPS) designed according to the shallow pool principle and Stokes’ law as a compact alternative to conventional gravitational tank separators for offshore platforms. To investigate the internal oil-water flow characteristics and separation performance of the EPS, both field experiments with crude oil on an offshore platform and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were conducted, guided by dimensional analysis. Crude oil volume fractions were measured using a Coriolis mass flow meter and the fluorescence method. The CFD analysis employed an Eulerian multiphase model coupled with the renormalization group (RNG) k-ε turbulence model, validated against experimental data. Under the operating conditions examined, the separated water contained less than 50 mg/L of oil, while the separated crude oil achieved a purity of 98%, corresponding to a separation efficiency of 97%. The split ratios between the oil and upper outlets were found to strongly influence the phase distribution, velocity field, and pressure distribution within the EPS. Higher split ratios caused crude oil to accumulate in the upper core region and annulus. Maximum separation efficiency occurred when the combined split ratio of the upper and oil outlets matched the inlet oil volume fraction. Excessively high split ratios led to excessive water entrainment in the separated oil, whereas excessively low ratios resulted in excessive oil entrainment in the separated water. Crude oil density and inlet velocity exhibited an inverse relationship with separation efficiency; as these parameters increased, reduced droplet settling diminished optimal efficiency. In contrast, crude oil viscosity showed a positive correlation with the pressure drop between the inlet and oil outlet. Overall, the EPS demonstrates a viable, space-efficient alternative for oil-water separation in offshore oil production. Full article

The study of high-redshift active galactic nuclei (AGN) and their small-scale environment is necessary to investigate the different processes that control and influence the evolution of massive galaxies. In this paper we present a case study of cid_1253 ($z=2.15$) and its companion galaxy using archive CO(3–2) and 340 GHz continuum observations with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array, supplemented by multi-wavelength photometry. Previous studies treated the system as a whole, without separating its components in order to match large-beam infrared observations. Our goal is to study cid_1253 and its companion separately by re-analysing the available archive data of the system. Based on our analysis, the companion galaxy is not only more gas-rich ($M_{{\mathrm{H}}_2}\sim {10}^{11}{\mathrm{M}}_{\odot }$) but also has a higher dust mass, indicative of obscured star formation. Moreover, as cid_1253 is not detected at 340 GHz, it is possible that a large fraction of the unresolved, Herschel-detected infrared emission is associated with the companion, rather than cid_1253. The presented case study highlights the need to be more cautious with blended sources before drawing our conclusions and the necessity of high-resolution observations. Full article

The issue of formulating scientifically sound standards for mercury (Hg) content in Arctic soils is becoming increasingly pertinent in view of the rising human impact and climate change, which serve to augment the mobility of Hg compounds and their involvement in biogeochemical processes. In the absence of uniform criteria for regulating Hg concentrations, it is particularly important to determine its geochemical baseline values and the factors that determine the spatial and vertical distribution of the element in the soil profile. The study conducted a comprehensive investigation of Hg content and patterns of its distribution in various types of tundra soils in the European North-East of Russia. The mass fraction of total Hg was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry, and the spatial features of accumulation were analysed using geoinformation technologies. The distribution of Hg in the soils of the tundra zone was found to be distinctly mosaic in nature, determined by the combined influence of organic matter, granulometric composition, and hydrothermal conditions. It has been established that the complex influence of the physicochemical properties of soils determines the spatial heterogeneity of Hg distribution in the soils of the tundra zone. The most effective Hg accumulators are peat and gley horizons enriched with organic matter and physical clay fraction, while in Podzols, vertical migration of Hg is observed in the presence of a leaching water regime. In order to standardise geochemical baseline Hg values, a 95% upper confidence limit (UCL_95%) is proposed. This approach enables the consideration of natural background fluctuations and the exclusion of extreme values. The results obtained provide a scientific basis for the establishment of standards for Hg content in background soils of the Arctic. Full article

Adsorption chillers can produce chilled and desalinated water using low-grade heat, but their performance is limited by low coefficient of performance (COP) and large system mass. Enhancing heat and mass transfer in the sorbent bed is key to improving efficiency. This work introduces and systematically evaluates binder-stabilized silica gel composites as a structural and thermal enhancement strategy for adsorption chillers. Silica gel composites bonded with epoxy resin and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) were evaluated for adsorption chiller applications. Thermal stability, conductivity, microstructure, equilibrium sorption, and sorption hysteresis were assessed. The results indicate that PVA-based composites were thermally unstable and discarded, whereas epoxy-bonded silica gel showed high thermal stability and mechanically robust granules with preserved pore connectivity. The epoxy composite exhibited 109% higher thermal conductivity than loose silica gel, improving internal heat transfer. This improvement is accompanied by a reduction in sorption capacity of approximately 58%, attributable to the inert resin fraction. Notably, the composite exhibits a reduced and locally negative sorption hysteresis, indicating facilitated desorption and lowered internal diffusion resistance. The epoxy-bonded silica gel therefore provides a promising combination of thermal stability, improved heat transfer, and enhanced sorption–desorption behaviour, supporting its potential to increase the efficiency of next-generation adsorption chillers. Full article

We present a linearly implicit and structure-preserving scheme to solve the space-fractional Ginzburg–Landau–Schrödinger equation. The fully discrete scheme is obtained by combining the modified leap-frog method in the temporal direction and the finite difference methods in the spatial direction. It is shown that the scheme can be unconditionally energy-stable. In particular, the equation becomes the space-fractional Schrödinger equation. Then, the scheme can keep both the discrete mass and energy conserved. Moreover, convergence of the scheme is obtained. Numerical experiments are performed to confirm the theoretical results. Full article

Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy disorder of unknown etiology. One of its cellular hallmarks is increased mitochondrial dysfunction in placental tissue. Further investigation into this aspect may help elucidate the molecular basis of preeclampsia. A total of 24 pregnant women who delivered by cesarean section participated in the study: n = 13 controls and n = 11 diagnosed with preeclampsia. Maternal blood samples were collected to assess the biochemical profile, and demographic and clinical data were recorded. Placental trophoblast samples were processed to isolate mitochondria and perform molecular biology assays. Women with preeclampsia exhibited the characteristic clinical features of the disease, along with biochemical alterations consistent with an inflammatory process. A significant decrease (73%) in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number in trophoblastic tissue and a reduction in citrate synthase (CS) activity (−51%) in cytotrophoblast mitochondria-enriched fractions were observed in preeclampsia, indicating mitochondrial dysfunction accompanied by a loss of functional mitochondrial mass. In addition, we detected a marked decrease in MnSOD levels (−32%), together with an increase in the LC3II/LC3I ratio (47%) in cytotrophoblast mitochondria-enriched fractions, supporting the presence of mitochondrial alterations and suggesting the possible activation of mitophagy specifically in this cell type. Moreover, coenzyme Q₁₀ (CoQ₁₀) levels were elevated by 31% in trophoblastic villi. A pronounced 2.5-fold increase in CoQ₁₀ normalized to CS activity (CoQ₁₀/CS) was detected specifically in cytotrophoblasts from preeclamptic placentas. Importantly, we did not observe these alterations in the syncytiotrophoblast. In conclusion, preeclampsia is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and increased CoQ₁₀ levels normalized to CS activity, specifically in cytotrophoblast mitochondria, with findings being consistent with a possible involvement of mitophagy in this cell type. These findings suggest that cytotrophoblast mitochondrial metabolism may be more affected in preeclampsia compared with syncytiotrophoblasts, and that CoQ₁₀ accumulation together with the possible activation of mitophagy may represent cellular defense mechanisms. Due to the limitations of the study, it should be considered exploratory and hypothesis-generating, and its results should be regarded as preliminary. Full article

Background/Objectives: Sex and diabetes are important determinants of risk in heart failure with mildly reduced and preserved ejection fraction (HFmrEF/HFpEF), yet their combined effects have not been systematically evaluated. This study examined how sex–diabetes phenotypes influence clinical characteristics and the risk of heart failure rehospitalization. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 1018 HFmrEF/HFpEF patients (2019–2023), classified into four sex–diabetes phenotypes, and performed group comparisons. The primary endpoint was heart failure rehospitalization. Results: Over a mean follow-up of 1463 ± 496 days, 307 patients (30.1%) were rehospitalized for heart failure decompensation. The four phenotypes differed significantly in age, renal function, LV mass, LV dimensions, glycemia, and comorbidity burden (all p < 0.05). Men—particularly those with diabetes—had greater structural remodeling and higher prevalence of smoking, hypercholesterolemia, and atrial fibrillation. In univariate analysis, male sex, diabetes, smoking, NYHA class, lower TAPSE, and lower LVEF were associated with increased risk of rehospitalization. After adjustment for LVEF and NYHA class, male sex (HR 1.28; p = 0.035) and diabetes (HR 1.28; p = 0.036) remained independent predictors. Kaplan–Meier curves demonstrated a clear gradient in event-free survival (log-rank p = 0.015), with women without diabetes showing the best prognosis and diabetic men the worst. Conclusions: Sex and diabetes interact to define distinct risk profiles in HFmrEF/HFpEF. Women without diabetes represent a low-risk phenotype, whereas diabetic men exhibit the highest risk of recurrent heart failure decompensation. These findings support incorporating sex–diabetes phenotyping into routine risk stratification and personalized management. Full article