Search Results (344,652)

Urushiol, the key component of natural lacquer, is emerging as a versatile bio-based phenolic platform for advanced polymer systems. Its unique catechol structure, combined with an unsaturated aliphatic side chain, provides multiple reactive sites, enabling diverse chemical pathways and tunable network architectures. This review presents a systematic analysis of urushiol-based materials within a “structure–reaction–property–application” framework. The intrinsic reactivity of urushiol, including oxidative polymerization, dynamic covalent bonding, and metal–phenolic coordination, is correlated with the formation of crosslinked networks exhibiting controllable mechanical properties, strong interfacial adhesion, and stimuli responsiveness. Recent advances in functional coatings, self-healing and reversible polymers, bioactive materials, and cultural heritage conservation are highlighted. Special emphasis is placed on dynamic network design and low-sensitization strategies to overcome limitations of traditional lacquer systems. Finally, key challenges and future directions toward controllable curing, structure–property relationships, and sustainable material design are discussed, positioning urushiol as a bridge between traditional materials and next-generation functional polymers. Full article

Background/Objectives: The Japanese Veterinary Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (JVARM) conducts longitudinal monitoring of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in indicator bacteria from food-producing animals. For Escherichia coli from healthy pigs, slaughterhouse-based sampling has been conducted for approximately a decade, yielding a substantial accumulation of MIC data. While JVARM reporting has traditionally focused on annual resistance proportions by drug, the availability of long-term data enables investigation of cross-drug relationships, including MIC similarity and co-resistance patterns. This study aimed to (i) identify the co-resistance structure among antimicrobial agents using MIC- and phenotype-based similarity measures and (ii) identify drug resistances most strongly associated with multidrug resistance (MDR). Methods: We analyzed broth microdilution MIC data obtained annually for E. coli isolates from healthy pigs in the JVARM program in Japan between 2012 and 2023. Antimicrobial resistance was classified from MIC results and annual resistance prevalence was calculated for each antimicrobial. For the co-resistance and MDR analyses, isolate-level data were pooled across the full study period. To identify co-resistance structure, we performed hierarchical clustering using (i) correlation-based similarity of MIC profiles and (ii) Jaccard similarity of binary resistance profiles (resistant/susceptible classification). Multidrug resistance (MDR; ≥3 antimicrobial classes) was further modeled using XGBoost with each drug resistance as a predictive feature, and feature contributions were evaluated using gain, permutation importance, and SHAP values. We also examined how SHAP-based attributions varied when the outcome definition was set to ≥1-, ≥2-, or ≥3-class resistance. Results: Within the study period, resistance remained highest for tetracycline and moderate for streptomycin, ampicillin, sulfamethoxazole–trimethoprim, and chloramphenicol, whereas resistance to other agents was low. MIC-based correlation analysis revealed coordinated variation among ampicillin, sulfamethoxazole–trimethoprim, streptomycin, chloramphenicol, and tetracycline. Separately, Jaccard similarity of binary resistance profiles identified two closely positioned co-resistance groupings (Ampicillin/Streptomycin/Tetracycline and chloramphenicol/sulfamethoxazole–trimethoprim). Ampicillin was identified as the medoid in both MIC-based and resistance-profile similarity spaces, with streptomycin also positioned near the center in both structures. In the XGBoost model for MDR (≥3 classes), ampicillin resistance was consistently the highest-contributing feature when evaluated by gain, permutation importance, and SHAP. When we examined how SHAP-based attributions varied across outcome definitions (≥1-, ≥2-, and ≥3-class resistance), feature importance largely followed resistance prevalence at ≥1–≥2 classes (tetracycline highest) but shifted at ≥3 classes to ampicillin as the top feature. Conclusions: Both MIC-based and phenotype-based analyses revealed co-resistance structures. Under the MDR definition used in this study, explainable machine-learning analyses showed that ampicillin resistance emerged as a leading resistance feature associated with MDR. Because these findings are associative rather than causal, further work will be needed to clarify mechanisms. These findings have important implications for antimicrobial resistance control in the Japanese pig sector, indicating that stewardship strategies may need to be tailored according to antimicrobial class and underlying co-resistance structure. Full article

Bone is a hierarchically organized composite material with unique mechanical properties and an intrinsic regenerative capacity that conventional repair strategies, including autografts, allografts, xenografts, and metallic or ceramic implants, fail to fully replicate due to donor scarcity, immunogenicity, mechanical mismatch, and poor long-term integration. Bone tissue engineering (TE) offers a biologically informed alternative by integrating osteoconductive scaffolds, osteogenic progenitor cells, and osteoinductive signaling molecules into a unified regenerative framework. Unlike existing reviews that evaluate these components in isolation, this review provides a mechanistically integrated analysis that repositions scaffold design as a biologically instructive platform whose topography, stiffness, porosity, and surface chemistry collectively govern cell adhesion, mechanotransduction, osteogenic differentiation, and extracellular matrix remodeling. Critically, it moves beyond cataloging materials and fabrication approaches to evaluate how specific scaffold features drive biological outcomes and to identify frequently understated limitations, including polymer-ceramic degradation kinetics and the inadequacy of small-animal models for clinical translation. By synthesizing advances in biomaterials, additive manufacturing, and smart scaffold technologies within this integrative framework, this review provides researchers and clinicians with a structured framework for evaluating emerging strategies and prioritizing future directions in functional bone regeneration. Full article

It is well recognized that dynamic equivalent modeling plays an important role in power system analysis, where ZIP-based structures are widely used to represent aggregated load behavior. However, parameter identification of such models under short-duration disturbances often suffers from limited excitation, which raises fundamental questions regarding parameter identifiability. This paper investigates the non-uniqueness of parameter identification in ZIP-based dynamic equivalents from a regression and excitation perspective. A unified identification framework is established to analyze how limited excitation affects the structure of the regression problem and leads to ambiguity in parameter estimation. In this context, conventional and learning-based methods are examined not as competing algorithms, but as representative solution-selection mechanisms within the same feasible parameter set. Quantitatively, all methods achieve high response reconstruction accuracy, where the errors are below 2%. The corresponding parameter estimation errors, meanwhile, remain significantly larger. These results demonstrate that accurate reproduction of active and reactive power responses does not imply unique parameter identification under limited excitation conditions. From a theoretical perspective, this phenomenon is explained by the ill-conditioned structure of the regression problem under limited excitation, where near-null directions in the regression matrix lead to strong parameter coupling and give rise to a feasible set of behaviorally equivalent parameter combinations. These findings reveal a fundamental characteristic of dynamic equivalent modeling in which the preservation of external behavior does not imply a unique internal parameter decomposition, and equivalent models should therefore be interpreted as behavior-preserving representations rather than structure-identifying models. Furthermore, the present results suggest that, under the studied disturbance scenarios, enhancing excitation diversity may be more effective than solely refining identification algorithms in improving parameter distinguishability. Full article

Developing sustainable and fire-resistant infrastructure is a critical technological, economic, and environmental challenge for modern construction stakeholders. Traditional cementitious composites experience severe microstructural degradation under extreme temperatures and their high carbon footprint exacerbates global environmental concerns. While the individual high-temperature behaviors of supplementary cementitious materials and fibers have been widely studied, the long-term synergistic mechanisms of high-volume fly ash combined with steel fibers under extreme thermal shock remain critically underinvestigated. To address this urgent need and bridge this scientific gap, hybrid mortars incorporating high-volume fly ash (FA) and steel fibers (SF) were tested under prolonged curing (150 days) and extreme heat (up to 600 °C). In terms of engineering and construction effects, the optimal CFA50-F hybrid composite delivered the highest residual compressive and flexural capacities (retaining nearly 60% of its late-age compressive strength at 32.00 MPa), preserved acoustic continuity (restricting UPV loss to 41.4%), and severely restricted high-temperature capillary permeability (limiting the water absorption increase to 49.7%) compared to traditional plain matrices. Scientifically, this superior resistance is governed by a two-step protective mechanism. High-volume FA chemically stabilizes the matrix by consuming vulnerable portlandite and preventing the formation of expansive calcium oxide. Simultaneously, ultra-fine FA particles physically densify the interfacial transition zones, securely anchoring the steel fibers and preventing premature high-temperature pull-out, while enabling the fibers to bridge thermally induced macro-cracks successfully. Environmentally and economically, an annualized service-life Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) revealed that substituting 50% of the cement with FA completely subsidizes the production-stage carbon penalty of the metallic reinforcement. By extending the operational lifespan to 40 years, the CFA50-F composite achieves a net 27% reduction in annualized global warming potential, providing a highly sustainable and cost-effective material solution. Full article

Candida albicans is a yeast found in the oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract, and vaginal mucosa. This species is the most prevalent and virulent in conditions such as oral candidiasis. Myrtenol is a bicyclic monoterpene alcohol recognized for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory attributes. Its primary source is the essential oil extracted from plants of the Myrtaceae family. This study evaluated the effect of (−)-myrtenol on the virulence factors of Candida albicans. Ten clinical isolates of Candida albicans and one reference strain (ATCC 90028) were used in this study. The virulence factors examined included adhesion, morphogenesis, and lipase production. Assays were conducted in the presence and absence of (−)-myrtenol, using a concentration corresponding to the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC; 256 µg/mL). Results: The compound reduced the adherence of C. albicans to human oral epithelial cells (92.24 vs. 28.69), and reduced filamentation in liquid (3.17 vs. 2.57) and solid media. Furthermore, (−)-myrtenol inhibited lipase activity (0.68 vs. 1.00). Virulence factors expressed by C. albicans contribute to increased infection rates and, consequently, increased morbidity and mortality. The present findings demonstrate that (−)-myrtenol affects virulence-associated phenotypes of C. albicans in vitro. This compound represents a promising candidate for further investigation, particularly in studies addressing its mechanisms of action, safety, and potential applicability. Full article

Objective: Current knowledge surrounding the diagnosis and mechanisms that result in immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated diabetes (ICI-DM) remain to be fully defined. We present clinical vignettes of patients that have presented to our hospital to illustrate the heterogenous clinical profiles that patients with ICI-DM can experience. We also provide an update on ICI-DM, focusing on current and future perspectives and emerging therapies. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of the electronic records of five ICI-DM patients who presented to St. Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne between 2020 and 2024, with patients identified from the hospital endocrinology and oncology databases. We also performed a literature review via a PubMed search using the keywords “checkpoint inhibitors” and “diabetes” between the years 2015 and 2025 to allow us to collate a descriptive review on ICI-DM. Results: Our cases show some heterogeneity in presentation, with biochemical evidence of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in 4/5 patients, presentation 18–253 days (median 47 days) from ICI commencement, HbA1c 59–78 mmol/mol (median 66 mmol/mol), and c-peptide 0.06–0.77 pmol/mL (median 0.09 pmol/mL). Islet autoantibodies were present in 4/5 cases and high-risk HLA alleles identified in 1/2 tested patients. The findings from our descriptive review support a similar heterogeneity in ICI-DM presentations. Inconsistent diagnostic criteria for ICI-DM were noted with low c-peptide being the most common biochemical presentation. Pancreatic volume is emerging as a useful predictive marker of ICI-DM development. We found no reports of the reversal of ICI-DM with immunosuppression in humans, although recent preclinical studies suggest that this approach is feasible. Conclusions: Diagnostic criteria should include new-onset hyperglycaemia with low paired c-peptide, and may be supported with T1DM-associated autoantibodies and evidence of pancreatic atrophy on imaging. Further research is needed in the realm of predicting ICI-DM and considering the role of immunosuppression as a treatment modality. Full article

Background: Edible and medicinal mushrooms have attracted growing attention as functional foods due to their rich content of bioactive compounds and their potential to modulate host physiology through microbiota-mediated mechanisms. Methods: This narrative review was conducted through a comprehensive literature search across major scientific databases, including PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, selecting studies focused on mushroom-derived compounds, gut microbiota, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and the gut–brain axis (GBA). Results: Current evidence indicates that mushroom-derived polysaccharides, particularly β-glucans, along with polyphenols, trehalose, and chitin, resist digestion and are fermented by intestinal microorganisms, promoting SCFA production. These metabolites contribute to intestinal barrier integrity, immune regulation, and metabolic homeostasis and may also influence neuroinflammation and neurotransmitter pathways via the GBA. However, significant variability in mushroom preparations and the limited availability of well-designed human clinical trials remain important limitations. Conclusions: Edible and medicinal mushrooms represent a promising source of novel prebiotic compounds with potential systemic health benefits, although further standardized studies and robust clinical trials are needed to confirm their efficacy and mechanisms of action. Full article

In the cement-based stabilization of organic soil, the alkaline environment produced by cement hydration dissolves organic matter from the soil skeleton while simultaneously promoting the precipitation of neophases. This study investigates the coupled effects of structural deterioration and neophase compensation on the microstructural and mechanical properties of organic soil. Organic soil was treated with an alkaline Ca(OH)₂ solution (pH = 12.0) utilizing a model testing apparatus over an 80-day duration. Consolidation and permeability tests were combined with microstructural analyses (FTIR, XRD, and SEM-EDS) to elucidate the fundamental mechanisms. The results show that humus acid in organic soil was dissolved in an alkaline environment, significantly enlarging soil pores and forming interconnected dissolution channels. Consequently, the permeability coefficient and additional settlement increased by 49.21% and 18.07%, respectively, compared to the pristine soil samples. Concurrently, within the OH⁻-and Ca²⁺-rich environment, clay minerals underwent a pozzolanic reaction, generating C-(A)S-H gels. Dissolved humus acid formed complexes with Ca²⁺ ions. While these formed neophases provide microstructural compensation for the organic soil, their compensatory effect is limited. These findings provide a critical theoretical framework for understanding the coupled deterioration–compensation mechanisms, which is essential for optimizing engineering design and promoting the long-term durability of alkaline-reinforced organic geotechnical environments. Full article

Granuloma annulare is a non-infectious granulomatous dermatosis with a probable pathogenic mechanism of delayed-type hypersensitivity, in which the dermal histiocytic granulomatous infiltrate is usually accompanied by a lesser component of lymphocytes. Although there are more common clinical and histopathological patterns of presentation, there are less well-known variants that may pose significant diagnostic challenges by mimicking other inflammatory cutaneous processes or even neoplastic conditions. One of the rarest forms of granuloma annulare is the pseudolymphomatous variant, in which the lymphocytic component is not only highly prominent but may, in some cases, partially or completely obscure the histiocytic component itself. This feature, together with the fact that the clinical presentation of this variant is often atypical—frequently lacking the characteristic annular morphology of conventional granuloma annulare—renders the diagnosis particularly challenging. From an immunohistochemical standpoint, the infiltrates described are predominantly composed of T cells, with only a sparse and scattered B-cell component. In this article, we present a case of granuloma annulare with a pseudolymphomatous B-cell component (PAX5⁺, CD79⁺) and minimal T-cell involvement, observed in a 4 mm skin nodule located on the shoulder of a 48-year-old male. This case therefore broadens the concept of pseudolymphomatous granuloma annulare to include infiltrates predominantly composed of B lymphocytes. Full article

In this study, a microcrystalline cellulose (MCC)-stabilized Pickering emulsion approach was developed to integrate hydrophobic natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES; menthol:decanoic acid, 1:1 molar ratio) into agar-based biopolymer films. MCC was evaluated not only as a filler but also as a functional interfacial component governing hydrophobic phase distribution and structural organization. SEM analysis showed that MCC concentration significantly influenced morphology; films with 0.2% MCC exhibited a more homogeneous structure, whereas 0.5% MCC led to heterogeneous and irregular formations. Mechanically, films with 0.2% MCC showed higher elongation at break (16.37%) compared to 0.5% MCC (9.86%), while tensile strength remained similar (2.75–2.78 MPa). Increased MCC content enhanced surface hydrophobicity, as indicated by higher contact angle values. The 0.5% MCC films exhibited high moisture content (85%) and water solubility (93%), attributed to increased free volume and structural irregularity. Swelling index exceeded 40% in 0.2% MCC films but decreased at higher MCC levels. HS-GC-MS analysis revealed temperature-dependent controlled release of menthol, with significant release at 50 °C compared to 25 °C. Antimicrobial tests demonstrated broad-spectrum activity (8.9–24.2 mm). These results highlight MCC as an effective stabilizer for hydrophobic NADES integration and support the potential of these films for active packaging applications. Full article

Heme metabolism is central to the biology of malaria parasites and to the mechanism of action of artemisinin-based therapies. Within malaria-infected red blood cells (RBCs), heme-related chemistry arises from multiple nested metabolic sources that function as “Russian dolls”: the truncated heme biosynthetic capacity of the host erythrocyte, the parasite’s own heme synthesis pathway, and host heme released through hemoglobin digestion in the parasite food vacuole. These overlapping metabolic layers create distinct pools of heme that can influence redox balance and drug activation. Recent studies highlight that exogenous 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) can perturb host heme biosynthesis in infected erythrocytes, potentially increasing intracellular levels of the heme intermediate protoporphyrin IX and sensitizing parasites to oxidative stress. However, the extent to which such metabolic perturbations affect artemisinin susceptibility depends strongly on parasite stage and exposure duration. Here we review the compartmentalized architecture of heme metabolism in malaria-infected RBCs and discuss how these nested vulnerabilities may be exploited for therapeutic intervention. Full article

To improve coating adhesion and tribological stability on aircraft-grade aluminum, this work utilizes periodic fiber-laser microtexts as a surface-engineering pre-treatment before applying an epoxy primer. AA2024-T3 panels were imprinted with rhombus, hexagon, and circular lattices (scale factors 100–250 µm; scan speeds 250–750 mm s⁻¹), then primed with an aerospace epoxy primer and evaluated within reciprocating sliding wear tests. Areal profilometry and sessile-drop goniometry measured topography and wettability, whereas friction–distance traces and scratch-track metrology resolved interfacial integrity. The textures expanded surface area and modified energy states in a geometry- and scale-dependent fashion, producing stable friction plateaus and smaller, less-lateral scratch scars compared to the untextured reference. Circular dimples reliably provided the best damage-tolerant behavior, a function of improved mechanical interlocking and debris/film management (reservoir and micro-trap effects), whereas polygonal lattices evidenced greater sensitivity to both scale and speed. Factorial analyses disclosed prevalent interaction effects amongst geometry, scale, and scan speed, reinforcing the notion that performance arises from co-optimized texture architecture rather than a single parameter. In systemic terms, laser-defined microtexts complemented with aerospace-standard primers represent a controllable pathway to vary friction, dampen wear, and improve coating–substrate adhesion. These results provide practical selection guides; and a broad selection prefers larger, well-spaced circular dimples for best-in-class performance and a transferable framework for designing texture-coating systems across aerospace and allied manufacturing contexts. Full article

Gum arabic (GA) is a widely used natural hydrocolloid in food processing because its protein–polysaccharide architecture combines high water solubility, low bulk viscosity, and useful interfacial activity. These attributes make GA valuable as an emulsifier, encapsulating agent, and film-forming material, but native GA is constrained by source-dependent heterogeneity, limited antioxidant functionality, relatively high dosage requirements in some emulsions, and modest barrier and mechanical performance in dried matrices. This review synthesizes recent advances in chemical functionalization, enzymatic and oxidative grafting, physical fractionation and complexation, and Maillard-type bioconjugation as routes to tailor GA for food engineering applications. Emphasis is placed on process-relevant structure–property relationships, including dynamic adsorption, interfacial rheology, emulsifying and encapsulation efficiency, bulk rheology, powder glass transition and hygroscopicity, film barrier behavior, and release kinetics. Across beverage emulsions, spray-dried powders, coacervates, coatings, and delivery systems, the evidence shows that modification must be selected according to the dominant process bottleneck, such as adsorption kinetics, oxidative stability, drying behavior, or humidity-sensitive matrix mobility. This review also identifies priorities for translation, including model-ready measurements, the management of raw-material variability, scale-up-aware processing, and sustainability and regulatory practicality. Overall, modified GA emerges as a versatile platform for designing more robust, application-specific food colloids, encapsulates, and functional coatings. Full article

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent complication in critically ill patients and is associated with high morbidity, mortality, and an increased risk of progression to chronic kidney disease (CKD). In this context, nutritional management represents a key component of supportive therapy, as AKI is commonly characterized by hypercatabolism, negative nitrogen balance, and protein-energy wasting. Current nutritional strategies primarily focus on the quantity of protein intake required to compensate for catabolic losses, particularly in patients undergoing renal replacement therapy (RRT). However, growing evidence suggests that the quality and metabolic effects of dietary protein sources may also influence renal physiology and recovery. Plant-based proteins have recently gained attention as a potentially advantageous nutritional strategy in kidney disease. Compared with animal-derived proteins, plant-based proteins are associated with a lower dietary acid load, reduced production of gut-derived uremic toxins, and beneficial effects on the intestinal microbiota. In addition, their amino acid profile may modulate oxidative stress, inflammatory pathways, and renal hemodynamics. These characteristics may contribute to a more favorable metabolic environment in patients with AKI, potentially supporting renal recovery and reducing the risk of AKI-to-CKD transition. This review examines the pathophysiological mechanisms linking protein metabolism, renal injury, and nutritional support in AKI. Particular attention is given to the role of plant-based proteins, their amino acid composition, and their potential nephroprotective effects. Understanding the interaction between dietary protein sources, metabolic pathways, and the gut–kidney axis may help guide future nutritional strategies aimed at improving outcomes in critically ill patients with AKI. Full article