Search Results (6,107)

Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic non-essential heavy metal that severely impairs plant growth, compromises crop yield and quality, and threatens food safety and human health. Jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA) are well-characterized endogenous phytohormones that serve as central regulators in modulating plant adaptive responses to Cd stress. This review comprehensively synthesizes current knowledge on the involvement of JA and SA in regulating Cd accumulation and tolerance in plants, including their Cd-induced biosynthetic dynamics and signaling transduction pathways, as well as their functions in restricting Cd uptake and translocation, modulating chelation and sequestration, reinforcing antioxidant defense systems and protecting photosynthetic apparatus. Moreover, we analyze the antagonistic and synergistic crosstalk between JA and SA, and discuss how this interplay shapes Cd resilience in plants. Finally, the application potential of JA and SA in developing Cd-safe crops and phytoremediation in Cd-contaminated farmland is explored. This review provides a systematic analysis of the regulatory roles of JA and SA in plant responses to Cd stress, along with an in-depth discussion of their crosstalk. These insights contribute to the rational development of hormone-based breeding strategies for Cd-safe crops and the optimization of agronomic management practices. Full article

Advanced glycation end products arise during thermal processing and endogenous metabolism, contributing to oxidative stress, inflammation, and the progression of chronic diseases. Dietary polyphenols have emerged as promising advanced glycation end product (AGE) inhibitors through antioxidant activity, carbonyl trapping, metal chelation, and modulation of inflammatory pathways. This review summarizes current evidence on the effects of polyphenols in food systems and highlights how different polyphenol subclasses vary in their antiglycation potential depending on chemical structure, food matrix, and cooking conditions. Although experimental studies consistently demonstrate inhibitory effects, the translation to humans remains limited by low bioavailability, metabolic transformation, and heterogeneous analytical methods. Standardized AGE measurements are needed to improve mechanistic insight, and evaluations of dose–response relationships are needed to clarify their relevance in real-world diets. Future research should prioritize long-term human studies and practical culinary strategies to determine whether polyphenol-rich foods can meaningfully reduce dietary AGE exposure and support chronic disease prevention. Full article

Whether zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) bioaccumulation in the Pacific oyster (Magallana gigas) reflects toxicological stress or is an incidental consequence of growth remains unclear. We cultured three commercial triploid M. gigas stocks for approximately one year, sampling gill and hepatopancreas at the start and end of this period, when Zn/Cu burden was naturally low and high, respectively. Pooled samples from both time points were profiled by whole-transcriptome sequencing, enzyme activity and oxidative damage assays, qPCR validation, and protein–protein interaction network analysis. Transcriptome-wide changes in both tissues tracked the culture period, but growth and Zn/Cu burden were too highly collinear (r = 0.92–0.98) to separate statistically. Critically, of the four metals measured (Zn, Cu, iron [Fe], and manganese [Mn]), only Zn and Cu increased with growth, whereas Fe and Mn did not, indicating metal-specific rather than generalized accumulation. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and the transcript abundance of its copper/zinc isoform (Cu/Zn-SOD) increased with growth in both tissues, whereas catalase (CAT) activity was unchanged and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity rose only in gill. Malondialdehyde (MDA), a marker of oxidative damage, increased in both tissues. Gill mounted a broader response than hepatopancreas, including upregulation of KEAP1 alongside downregulation of detoxification, proteostasis, and ribosome-related genes. Stock-level qPCR further revealed stock-dependent regulation of antioxidant genes in hepatopancreas. Together, these results indicate that Zn/Cu bioaccumulation in M. gigas co-varies with growth in a metal-specific manner, consistent with cofactor demand for Cu/Zn-SOD. The accompanying oxidative and proteostatic changes therefore more plausibly reflect growth physiology than an independent pollutant signal. Full article

Low-pressure cold spray (LPCS) and medium-pressure cold spray (MPCS) provide field-deployable alternatives to stationary high-pressure cold spray (HPCS) for lightweight metallic component repair, although lower particle velocities and narrower process windows restrict the range of compatible repair materials. This review evaluates portable LPCS and MPCS repair as a distinct class of cold spray application using HPCS as the reference baseline. The article synthesises evidence on process windows, critical velocity, particle velocity ratio, deposition efficiency, deposit build-up capability, substrate preparation, porosity, oxide disruption, ceramic-assisted densification, interfacial bonding mechanisms, adhesion strength, hardness, residual stress, tensile behaviour, and fatigue performance. Attention is given to repair geometry, including blend-out depth, taper angle, aspect ratio, spray angle, and stand-off distance, because these factors govern particle impact conditions and interfacial integrity across practical repair geometries. Available evidence indicates that LPCS can achieve dimensional restoration, surface protection, and, in some cases, fatigue performance comparable with that of the substrate. However, structural qualification remains constrained by limited portable system fatigue data, few direct LPCS–MPCS comparisons under equivalent conditions, and inconsistent reporting of powder characteristics, surface preparation, porosity, and repair geometry. MPCS may extend the range of compatible repair materials while maintaining field deployability, but its peer-reviewed evidence base remains limited. Future work should prioritise controlled LPCS–MPCS comparisons, geometry-sensitive fatigue testing, standardised deposit quality metrics, and qualification procedures linking process window control with repair integrity. Full article

Nanomaterials are increasingly used in manufacturing, medicine, consumer products, and environmental technologies due to their unique physicochemical properties. Although these materials offer substantial technological and societal benefits, their widespread use has raised concerns about potential health risks. Of particular importance is exposure during pregnancy, as certain nanoparticles can cross the placental barrier and reach the developing embryo. Fetal tissues are highly sensitive to environmental insults, so maternal exposure to nanoparticles may disrupt normal development and increase the risk of abnormal pregnancy outcomes. This review examines the current understanding of nanoparticle-induced developmental toxicity, with a focus on the vulnerability of the maternal–fetal unit. We discuss the structure and function of the placental barrier and the mechanisms that enable nanoparticle transfer from mother to fetus. Particular attention is given to how nanoparticle characteristics, including size, shape, composition, and surface chemistry, influence biodistribution, placental transport, tissue accumulation, and toxicity. We summarize the major molecular and cellular mechanisms implicated in fetotoxicity, highlighting oxidative stress, apoptosis, autophagy, and DNA damage as recurring pathways identified across experimental studies. These interconnected processes contribute to placental dysfunction, impaired fetal growth, developmental abnormalities, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. We also compare findings across different classes of nanoparticles, including metal, metal oxide, carbon-based, and polymeric nanomaterials, identifying both shared toxicological mechanisms and material-specific effects. Evidence from animal models demonstrates that susceptibility varies according to nanoparticle properties, exposure conditions, and species, underscoring the complexity of nanoparticle–biological interactions and the limitations of extrapolating experimental findings directly to humans. Overall, the available evidence indicates that nanoparticle exposure during pregnancy represents a potential risk to fetal health, although important knowledge gaps remain regarding human exposure and long-term developmental outcomes. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying nanoparticle-induced fetotoxicity is essential for improving human health risk assessment, refining experimental models, informing regulatory policies, and supporting the safe-by-design development of nanomaterials. Such knowledge will help ensure the responsible application of nanotechnology while minimizing potential risks during pregnancy. Finally, this review is distinguished by its integrated analysis of how the chemical characteristics of nanoparticles govern placental transfer and the mechanistic pathways of fetotoxicity across multiple nanomaterial classes, providing a unified framework that connects material properties with their potential for abnormal fetal development and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Full article

Current airway stents, including silicone and metallic devices, remain associated with important complications such as migration, restenosis, mucus retention and the need for repeated interventions. Biodegradable stents offer a promising alternative by providing temporary mechanical support while avoiding the long-term presence of a permanent implant. However, the influence of stent geometry and material properties on their mechanical performance and interaction with airway tissue is still not fully understood. This study presents a computational framework integrating computer-aided design and finite element analysis to investigate the mechanical behaviour of biodegradable tracheobronchial stents. Two stent architectures (X-pattern and W-pattern) were analysed over a range of wire thicknesses using two biodegradable materials: a PLA/PCL; 70/30 wt.% blend and AZ31 magnesium alloy. Radial compression, diameter recovery after radial compression and stent–tissue interaction simulations were performed to evaluate the influence of geometry, material selection and design parameters on device performance. The results suggested that both stent geometry and material properties strongly influence the mechanical behaviour of biodegradable airway stents, although they affect different aspects of the stent–tissue interaction. The X-pattern consistently exhibited greater resistance to radial compression, lower elastic diameter recovery after radial compression and improved maintenance of the expanded lumen compared with the W-pattern. Material properties primarily affected the magnitude of the mechanical response, as further confirmed by the quantitative contact-pressure analysis, with AZ31 providing greater radial support, while the spatial distributions of stress and strain within the tracheal wall were mainly governed by the stent architecture. Based on the computational analyses, X-pattern stents manufactured from the PLA/PCL; 70/30 wt.% blend were selected for in vivo evaluation in a rabbit model. Endoscopic observations revealed tissue features that were qualitatively consistent with the mechanical patterns predicted by the numerical simulations, although no direct causal relationship can be established from the available observations. These findings support the ability of the proposed framework to represent the principal aspects of stent–tissue interaction. The proposed computational framework provides a practical tool for the rational design and mechanical assessment of biodegradable airway stents and may facilitate the future development of customised airway prostheses. Full article

Chronic wounds are complex environments marked by persistent inflammation, oxidative stress, hypoxia, and conditions that favor antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Conventional antibiotics often fail due to bacterial persistence and the physicochemical barriers of the wound milieu. Biofilm-associated extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), efflux pump activity, quorum sensing (QS), and horizontal gene transfer (HGT) collectively drive antimicrobial tolerance and resistance dissemination, turning chronic wounds into reservoirs of multidrug-resistant pathogens. Consequently, emerging wound therapies demand multifunctional strategies that modulate the wound microenvironment while interfering with resistance-associated phenotypes. Hydrogel–metal–organic framework (MOF) composites have been explored as multifunctional interfaces that combine extracellular matrix-mimetic properties, tunable porosity, stimuli-responsiveness, and controlled therapeutic delivery with the bioactive functions of MOFs. Depending on their composition and architecture, these systems may exert antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects through ionic, electrostatic, osmotic, catalytic, and oxidative mechanisms, while also influencing ROS levels, inflammation, angiogenesis, and local drug transport. However, antimicrobial activity alone does not equate to resistance modulation. Evidence for direct effects on efflux systems, resistance phenotypes, or HGT remains inconsistent across reported platforms. This review critically examines representative hydrogel–MOF systems for chronic wound applications, comparing their composition, physicochemical properties, biological functions, proposed resistance-related mechanisms, advantages, limitations, and current level of evidence. We emphasize distinguishing experimentally demonstrated resistance-modulating effects from mechanistically proposed functions, and identifying design trade-offs and evidence gaps that must be addressed to develop wound interfaces capable of both supporting tissue regeneration and improving infection control. Full article

Estuarine and river-influenced coastal ecosystems are recognized as important sinks and channels for transfer of heavy metals into the marine environment. Continuous intake of metal pollutants could create chronic exposure situations, perhaps leading to molecular and cellular damage to resident biota, even if environmental concentrations are within regulatory limits. Thus, the incorporation of molecular and genotoxicity biomarkers into environmental monitoring programs has received growing interest, as changes in gene expression are among the earliest detectable responses to pollutant stress and may precede genotoxic effects, including DNA damage, at higher or prolonged levels of contaminant exposure. The present study aimed to determine the levels of heavy metals in the coastal zone where the Deliçay River flows into the Gulf of Iskenderun in the extreme northeastern Mediterranean Sea, Türkiye, and to investigate the genotoxic effects in the euryhaline ray-finned fish golden grey mullet (Chelon auratus). In this study, seasonal water samples (n = 3 per site per season) and C. auratus specimens (n = 10 per site per season; total n = 80) were collected from a reference site and the Deliçay estuary. Water samples were analyzed for metals (cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn)) and fish samples were analyzed with the micronucleus (MN) test for determining nuclear abnormalities and the comet test for DNA damage levels. The concentrations of Fe, Zn, and Pb in seawater exceeded the Criterion Continuous Concentration (CCC) thresholds during the summer and autumn seasons, as well as in terms of annual mean values, indicating a potential chronic ecological risk to marine organisms. From the results of the micronucleus test performed in the present study, the highest MN frequencies (10.16 ± 0.15%) and other erythrocytic nuclear anomalies [kidney-shaped (10.36 ± 0.32%), binucleated (14.20 ± 0.10%), notched (14.63 ± 0.20%), lobed (15.43 ± 0.11%), and budded (15.33 ± 0.15%)] were found along the studied coastal zone in summer season. Results of the comet test, supporting the micronucleus test results, showed the highest percentages of DNA damage determined in all seasons in the gill and liver tissues of fish sampled in the studied coastal zone. This study is the first to evaluate the effects of heavy metal-induced genotoxic stress on ecological integrity in this coastal zone using a biomarker-based approach, and the results underscore the need for comprehensive environmental monitoring and pollution reduction strategies to protect ecosystem health. Full article

Ultra-thin metal bipolar plates are critical components of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), and their forming characteristics decisively influence service performance. This study proposes a constitutive model incorporating size effects to elucidate how sheet thickness and grain size govern stress–strain responses and formability of ultra-thin plates. The verified model is employed in finite element analysis for formability of ultra-thin plates. Based on the results of simulation, key stamping die parameters were optimized using Random Forest and XGBoost surrogate models. Results indicate that increasing grain sizes reduces grain boundary density, leading to stress localization within coarse grains and promoting local thinning. This effect increases stored elastic energy and simultaneously raises the maximum stress, thinning rate, and springback angle. Conversely, the increasing sheet thickness strengthens triaxial constraint and raises forming stress, while suppressing thinning and springback through enhanced strain redistribution and plastic dissipation. Thus, grain coarsening degrades formability overall, whereas increasing thickness introduces a trade-off between higher forming stress and improved dimensional stability. Both surrogate models demonstrated high predictive accuracy on unseen data (maximum error is 2.01%), identifying a non-standard parameter combination (α = 16.0°, R = 0.30 mm, h = 0.48 mm, W = 1.46 mm, S = 0.73 mm) that yields a thinning rate of 4.43% and a springback angle of 0.151°, a level of precision that is difficult to achieve using conventional orthogonal experimental design. This result was verified by additional finite element simulations. The proposed constitutive model and optimization approach provide a theoretical framework and practical guideline for micro-scale bipolar plate die design. Full article

Global poultry consumption continues to rise, while worldwide bans on in-feed antibiotic growth promoters raise an urgent requirement for eco-friendly alternatives to guarantee production efficiency and food safety. Probiotics, live beneficial microorganisms that improve host intestinal health, are reviewed. We elaborate four core functional pathways of probiotics: competitive exclusion of pathogens, enhancement of intestinal barrier integrity, immune modulation and regulation of microbial metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids. Their mitigating effects against heat stress, suboptimal rearing environments, mycotoxin contamination, heavy metal exposure and immune stress are analyzed. We further evaluate the capacity of single and compound probiotics to control major poultry diseases. Early-life intervention strategies and innovative preparations (multistrain probiotics, synbiotics, postbiotics) are systematically summarized. Critical bottlenecks restricting industrial translation are highlighted, including empirical strain combination, non-standardized administration protocols, divergent evaluation indicators and single-factor laboratory challenge models inconsistent with actual farm conditions. Finally, we propose future research directions covering multi-omics-assisted strain screening, optimized delivery technology, unified industrial quality control standards and field verification under compound stress. This review offers integrated references for mechanistic research, strain development and precise industrial application of probiotics in sustainable antibiotic-free poultry breeding. Full article

Predicting the fatigue lives of high-performance alloys, specifically aluminum 7075-T6 and Inconel 718, is essential for ensuring structural integrity in applications such as aerospace and energy. While Poisson’s ratio is typically treated as a constant within fracture mechanics and finite element analysis, it has been found to vary significantly with increased temperatures and substantial amounts of plastic deformation. Variations in Poisson’s ratio can, therefore, have a significant impact on local stress fields around cracks and the behavior at crack tips. This study introduces a novel approach by systematically isolating the effects of varying Poisson’s ratios on fatigue life cycles, stress distributions, and fatigue crack growth using finite element analysis with the robust ANSYS SMART crack growth feature. The results indicate a stark difference in the effects of Poisson’s ratio on the fatigue life of aluminum 7075-T6 compared to Inconel 718. A strong negative correlation exists between Poisson’s ratio and fatigue life cycle numbers for aluminum 7075-T6, whereas a more linear trend is observed for all fatigue life cycle numbers of Inconel 718. The underlying reasons for these trends lie in the differing sensitivities of elastic, shear, and bulk moduli between the two alloys. Overall, a higher Poisson’s ratio intensifies the maximum principal stress for both alloys. Additionally, an increase in Poisson’s ratio leads to a decrease in von Mises stress for both metals. Furthermore, these numerical results demonstrate that an increase in Poisson’s ratio corresponds to a decrease in the cyclic plastic zone size at the crack tip for both alloys, indicating enhanced hydrostatic constraint and reduced shear deformation. The findings presented herein underscore the necessity of eliminating the use of static values for Poisson’s ratio when evaluating the structural performance of high-performance alloys under extreme operational environments. Additionally, this research highlights several key areas where existing modeling approaches are lacking and establishes a framework for developing improved constitutive models for fatigue life prediction. Full article

Sulfur is an essential nutrient involved in plant growth, redox regulation, and responses to environmental stresses. Sulfate transporters (SULTRs) control sulfate uptake and distribution, thereby affecting sulfur availability for metabolic processes and stress adaptation. However, the characteristics and stress-responsive functions of SULTRs in the halophyte Sesuvium portulacastrum remain unclear. In this study, we identified and characterized the SULTR family in S. portulacastrum through phylogenetic analysis, gene structure comparison, conserved motif analysis, promoter characterization, synteny analysis, and expression profiling. A total of 22 SpSULTRs were identified and classified into three subfamilies. Most SpSULTRs contained conserved Sulfate_transp and STAS domains and were predicted to localize to the plasma membrane. Transcriptome analysis combined with qRT-PCR validation revealed that SpSULTRs displayed diverse tissue-specific expression patterns under salt, cadmium, and copper stresses. Of these, SpSULTR3;1 and SpSULTR3;2 showed strong responses to salt stress and were mainly expressed in leaves. Protein interaction predictions suggested that these two transporters may be associated with sulfur assimilation, antioxidant metabolism, and stress-related pathways. These results reveal the structural diversification and stress-responsive characteristics of the SULTR family in S. portulacastrum and provide a basis for further investigation of sulfur transport mechanisms underlying halophyte adaptation. Full article

Methanol compression-ignition engines are vital for transport carbon neutrality, yet methanol’s low cetane number, corrosivity, low viscosity, and cavitation tendency compromised piezoelectric injector reliability. This study proposed systematic optimization strategies tailored to methanol’s fuel properties. A sealed thin-walled metal encapsulation, fabricated from precipitation-hardening martensitic stainless steel, was designed to isolate corrosive methanol media. The geometry of the tubular spring was optimized to meet the stiffness requirements for high-frequency injections. A monolithic nozzle without side pin holes, also upgraded to the same precipitation-hardening martensitic stainless steel, effectively suppressed stress corrosion cracking by leveraging the material’s combined high strength and excellent corrosion resistance. A dedicated return-line backpressure valve compensated for hydraulic leakage and improved fuel replenishment, and nozzle hole taper and inlet fillet radius were optimized to mitigate cavitation. Cold-motoring reliability tests showed the optimized injector maintained flow deviation within 3% after 100 million cycles, whereas the unoptimized prototype reached 8% deviation at 60 million cycles. The single-cycle injected fuel quantity coefficient of variation dropped from 4% to 1.3%. Spray characteristic comparison tests further confirmed that the optimized injector maintained stable flow consistency and atomization quality after prolonged cyclic operation. These optimizations effectively resolved corrosion, wear, and hydraulic instability caused by methanol, significantly enhancing flow consistency and durability over the service life. The results provided critical component-level technical support for advancing methanol compression-ignition engines from laboratory research to industrial application, addressing key reliability barriers that previously hindered engineering deployment of methanol-fueled powertrains. Full article

Heavy metal contamination in agricultural soils threatens food security and ecosystem sustainability worldwide. Microbial inoculants have been widely used to alleviate heavy metal phytotoxicity, yet the factors determining their efficacy remain unclear. Here, we conducted a global meta-analysis of 774 paired observations from 70 studies to evaluate the effects of microbial inoculation on plant performance under heavy metal stress. Overall, microbial inoculation significantly increased plant biomass, with greater benefits under higher levels of metal stress. Combined bacterial and fungal inoculation consistently outperformed single inoculations, while non-mycorrhizal beneficial fungi produced the strongest positive effects among individual inoculants. Soil organic carbon and sand content were positively associated with inoculation efficacy, whereas mean annual temperature was negatively associated with inoculation efficacy. Our results demonstrate that microbial inoculation is an effective strategy for enhancing plant tolerance to heavy metal stress and that its efficacy is strongly influenced by inoculation strategy and soil properties. These findings provide a quantitative basis for optimizing microbial-assisted remediation and developing context-specific management strategies for contaminated agricultural soils. Full article

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element for humans and animals, with nutritional functions and abiotic stress regulation capacity, and has been confirmed to alleviate heavy metal toxicity and inhibit its accumulation in crops. Soil lead contamination has become a prominent environmental safety problem in agricultural production, particularly in South China, and lead over-standard in edible crops poses irreversible threats to the human nervous system and blood circulation through food chain transmission. As an efficient exogenous antagonist, Se can comprehensively regulate the absorption, translocation, and compartmentalization of lead in soil–plant systems. This review systematically summarizes the interactive effects of soil physicochemical properties, crop genotypes, and Se speciation on plant lead uptake, and focuses on phytochelatin synthase (PCS), the core rate-limiting enzyme for intracellular heavy metal chelation, to elucidate the molecular cascade of Se-mediated PCS-dependent lead detoxification. We further outline multi-pathway agronomic Se applications for lead reduction; analyze key limiting factors, including Se concentration, application method, and rhizosphere microbial community; and discuss contradictory results and unresolved questions in existing studies. Current evidence confirms that appropriate Se treatment increases glutathione (GSH) content via antioxidant system regulation, upregulates PCS gene transcription and activity, promotes phytochelatins (PCs) polymerization, and forms stable PC-Pb complexes sequestered in vacuoles to reduce cytoplasmic lead mobility. Additionally, Se reshapes rhizosphere microbial community composition to lower soil Pb²⁺ bioavailability and enhances lignin and pectin biosynthesis in root cell walls to physically block root Pb²⁺ influx. Nevertheless, critical knowledge gaps remain unaddressed: (1) upstream signal transduction cascades triggering Se-induced differential PCS expression; (2) precise Pb²⁺ binding sites and affinity of PC oligomers; (3) valence-dependent disparities in selenate, selenite, and nano-Se (SeNPs) modulating PCS activity; and (4) standardized field Se fertilization protocols tailored to staple and tropical tuber crops such as cassava. This review provides systematic theoretical reference and technical foundations for dissecting Se-Pb antagonistic molecular networks, developing Se-enriched low Pb²⁺ functional fertilizers, and mitigating Pb²⁺ contamination risk in agricultural commodities. Full article