Search Results (6,019)

A thermosensitive collagen-based gel (TSV gel), containing type I and III collagen, has been developed to improve the handling and stability of bone graft materials. However, its direct effect on osteoblasts is not well understood. This in vitro study evaluated the biological response of human oral osteoblasts to four bone substitutes: OsteoBiol^® GTO^® (larger granules with 20% TSV gel), Gen-OS^® (smaller granules), Gen-OS^® combined with 50% TSV gel (Gen-OS^®+TSV), and TSV gel alone. Cell proliferation, adhesion, morphology, collagen and calcium deposition, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, gene expression of osteogenic markers and integrins, and changes in pH and extracellular calcium and phosphate levels were investigated. All materials supported osteoblast activity, but Gen-OS+TSV and GTO showed the most pronounced effects. These two groups promoted better cell adhesion and proliferation, higher ALP activity, and greater matrix mineralization. GTO improved cell adhesion, while the addition of TSV gel to Gen-OS enhanced biological responses compared with Gen-OS alone. Integrins α2, α5, β1, and β3, important for cell attachment to collagen, were notably upregulated in Gen-OS+TSV and GTO. Both groups also showed increased expression of osteogenic markers such as BMP-2, ALP, and osteocalcin (OCN). Higher extracellular ion concentrations and a more alkaline pH were observed, particularly in conditions without cells, suggesting active ion uptake by osteoblasts. In conclusion, combining TSV gel with collagen-based granules improves the cellular environment for osteoblast activity and may support bone regeneration more effectively than using either component alone. Full article

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of breed and sex (3 × 2) on the basic chemical composition, concentration of some minerals, and physicochemical properties of edible giblets of farm geese. The study material consisted of edible giblets (livers, gizzards, hearts) obtained from 42 geese from three Polish native breeds (Rypin, Suwałki, Kartuzy) at 220 weeks of age. Edible giblets were obtained during goose evisceration from seven males and seven females of each breed. Each bird was an experimental unit. Goose breed and sex had a significant effect on the chemical composition and physicochemical properties of the edible giblets. Rypin geese had higher (p < 0.05) intramuscular fat content in the gizzard and heart, as well as higher protein content in the heart and lower water content in the gizzard, compared to Kartuzy and Suwałki geese. Kartuzy geese, in turn, had higher content of water in the heart, and higher concentrations of phosphorus, calcium, iron, manganese, sodium, and chromium in the liver, compared to Rypin and Suwałki geese. In turn, Suwałki geese had higher concentrations of phosphorus in the gizzard, and potassium, phosphorus, copper, and iron in the heart compared to the hearts of Rypin and Suwałki geese, while Kartuzy and Suwałki geese higher concentrations of sodium, magnesium, zinc, and manganese in hearts than the hearts of Rypin geese. In these studies, the highest lightness (L*) was observed in the liver and heart of Rypin geese, the lowest yellowness (b*) was observed in the gizzard of Suwałki geese, and the highest pH₂₄ and EC₂₄ were observed in the heart of Kartuzy geese. Regardless of breed, males had higher protein, collagen, and intramuscular fat contents in the heart, a higher water content in the gizzard, higher concentrations of potassium, and sodium in the liver and gizzard, copper in the heart and liver, and phosphorus in the gizzard, and less water in the heart and zinc in the liver, as well as higher (p < 0.05) concentrations of iron in the liver and heart compared with females. The breed by sex interaction was significant for intramuscular fat and water content in the gizzard and heart, and protein content in the heart. Significant differences were also noted for EC₂₄ in the liver and heart, yellowness of the gizzard, and concentrations of most labeled minerals in edible giblets. The obtained results indicate that the nutritional value and suitability of edible goose giblets for the poultry industry vary depending on breed and sex. Due to the limited research on the chemical composition and physicochemical properties of goose giblets, further research in this area is necessary in the future. Full article

Magnetic parameters of river sediments are commonly used as end-members for source tracing in the coasts and shelves. The eastern continental shelf area of China, with multiple sources of input, is a key region for discussing sediment sources. However, magnetic parameters are influenced by grain size, and the nature of this influence remains unclear. In this study, the Jiulong River was selected as a case to analyze the magnetic parameters and mineral characteristics for both the coarse (>63 μm) and fine-grained (<63 μm) fractions. Results show that the magnetic minerals mainly contain detrital-sourced magnetite and hematite. In the North River, a tributary of the Jiulong River, the content of coarse-grained magnetic minerals increases from upstream to downstream, contrary to fine-grained magnetic minerals, suggesting the influence of hydrodynamic forces. Some samples with abnormally high magnetic susceptibility may result from the combined influence of the parent rock and human activities. In the scatter diagrams of magnetic parameters for provenance tracing, samples of the <63 μm fractions have a more concentrated distribution than that of the >63 μm fractions. Hence, magnetic parameters for the <63 μm fraction are more useful in provenance identification. Full article

Agriculture is one of the most important sectors of the global economy, but it increasingly faces sustainability challenges in meeting rising food demands. The intensive use of mineral fertilizers not only improves yields, but also causes negative environmental impacts such as increasing greenhouse gas emissions, water eutrophication, and soil degradation. To develop more sustainable solutions, the focus is on organic fertilizers, which are produced using waste and biostimulants such as amino acids. The aim of this study was to develop and characterize liquid nitrogen–calcium–magnesium fertilizers produced by decomposing dolomite with nitric acid followed by further processing and to enrich them with a powdered amino acid concentrate Naturamin-WSP and liquid extracts from digestate, a by-product of biogas production. Nutrient-rich extracts were obtained using water and potassium hydroxide solutions, with the latter proving more effective by yielding a higher organic carbon content (4495 ± 0.52 mg/L) and humic substances, which can improve soil structure. The produced fertilizers demonstrated favourable physical properties, including appropriate viscosity and density, as well as low crystallization temperatures (eutectic points from –3 to –34 °C), which are essential for storage and application in cold climates. These properties were achieved by adjusting the content of nitrogenous compounds and bioactive extracts. The results of the study show that liquid fertilizers enriched with organic matter can be an effective and more environmentally friendly alternative to mineral fertilizers, contributing to the development of the circular economy and sustainable agriculture. Full article

Perennial wall rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia L.—DC.) exhibits genotype-dependent responses to biostimulant applications, which have not yet been deeply investigated. A two-year greenhouse factorial experiment was carried out to assess the interactions between five cultivars (Mars, Naples, Tricia, Venice, and Olivetta), three biostimulant formulations (Cystoseira tamariscifolia L. extract; a commercial legume-derived protein hydrolysate, “Dynamic”; and Spirulina platensis extract) plus an untreated control, and three crop cycles (autumn, autumn–winter, and winter) on leaf yield and dry matter, organic acids, colorimetric parameters, hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidant activities, nitrate concentration, nitrogen use efficiency, and mineral composition, using a split plot design with three replicates. Protein hydrolysate significantly enhanced yield and nitrogen use efficiency in Mars (+26%), Naples (+25.6%), Tricia (+25%), and Olivetta (+26%) compared to the control, while Spirulina platensis increased the mentioned parameters only in Venice (+36.2%). Nitrate accumulation was reduced by biostimulant application just in Venice, indicating genotype-dependent nitrogen metabolism responses. The findings of the present research demonstrate that the biostimulant efficacy in perennial wall rocket is mainly ruled by genotypic factors, and the appropriate combinations between the two mentioned experimental factors allow for optimization of leaf yield and quality while maintaining nitrate concentration under the regulation thresholds. Full article

Low-commercial-value natural pistachios (broken, closed, or immature) can be revalorised through oil extraction, obtaining a high-quality oil and partially defatted flour as by-product. This study evaluated the techno-functional and nutritional properties of the flours obtained by hydraulic press (HP) and single-screw press (SSP) systems, combined with pretreatment at 25 °C and 60 °C. The extraction method significantly influenced flour’s characteristics, underscoring the need to tailor processing conditions to the specific technological requirements of each food application. HP-derived flours presented lighter colour, greater tocopherol content, and higher water absorption capacity (up to 2.75 g/g), suggesting preservation of hydrophilic proteins. SSP-derived flours showed higher concentration of protein (44 g/100 g), fibre (12 g/100 g), and minerals, and improved emulsifying properties, enhancing their suitability for emulsified products. Pretreatment at 25 °C enhanced functional properties such as swelling power (~7.0 g/g) and water absorption index (~5.7 g/g). The SSP system achieved the highest oil extraction yield, with no significant effect of pretreatment temperature. The oils extracted showed high levels of unsaturated fatty acids, particularly oleic acid (~48% of ω-9), highlighting their nutritional and industrial value. The findings support the valorisation of pistachio oil extraction by-products as functional food ingredients, offering a promising strategy for reducing food waste and promoting circular economy approaches in the agri-food sector. Full article

Due to the feeding system (high-concentrate diet) during the early lactation stage, ruminal pH in dairy cows follows a diurnal pattern and can remain below the critical level of 5.5 for extended periods of the day. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of low ruminal pH on blood concentrations of certain macrominerals, trace minerals, and fat-soluble vitamins and on the oxidative status of dairy cows during the first half of lactation. Fifty-three randomly selected lactating Holstein cows were used; blood and ruminal fluid samples were collected from all cows on days 30, 90 and 150 of lactation. Blood samples were obtained via coccygeal venipuncture, while the ruminal fluid was obtained by rumenocentesis and the pH was measured immediately after collection. Using a threshold pH of 5.5, samples were classified as normal (pH > 5.5) or low pH (pH ≤ 5.5). Serum concentrations of Ca, Mg, K, Cr, Mn, Zn, Se, and vitamins A, D3, E, and K were not significantly affected by ruminal pH, either by days in milk or by their interaction (p > 0.05). Plasma malondialdehyde and reduced glutathione followed the same trend (p > 0.05). Copper concentration was significantly higher (p < 0.05), and Fe concentration tended to be higher in cows with low pH compared to those with normal pH (p = 0.052). On day 150 of lactation, Cu, Fe, and Co concentrations were significantly higher in low-pH cows compared to normal-pH cows (p < 0.05). Low ruminal pH is associated with significant changes in serum concentrations of copper, iron, and cobalt but has no significant effect on the oxidative status of the animals or on the serum concentrations of the macro elements and fat-soluble vitamins studied. Full article

This study evaluates the production of base oils for biolubricants using fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) derived from sunflower oil as the raw material. The production process involved the synthesis of oleochemical esters through a single-step alkaline transesterification reaction with a high-molecular-weight polyol, such as trimethylolpropane (TMP). To assess the effectiveness of the developed catalytic system in conducting the transesterification reactions and its impact on the properties of the final product, two types of alkaline catalysts were used. Specifically, the reactions were carried out using either Ca/TEA alkoxide or sodium methoxide as catalysts in various configurations and concentrations to determine the optimal catalyst concentration and reaction conditions. Sodium methoxide served as the commercial benchmark catalyst, while the Ca/TEA alkoxide was prepared in the laboratory. The optimal concentration of Ca/TEA was determined to be 3.0% wt. in the presence of iso-octane and 3.5% wt. under vacuum, while the corresponding concentrations of CH₃ONa for both cases were determined to be 2.0% wt. The synthesized biolubricant esters exhibit remarkable performance characteristics, such as high kinematic viscosities and low pour points—ranging from 33–48 cSt at 40 °C, 7.68–10.03 cSt at 100 °C, to −14 to −7 °C, respectively—which are comparable to or improved over those of mineral oils such as SN-150 or SN-500, with the Ca/TEA alkoxide-catalyzed systems showing superior oxidation stability and reduced byproduct formation. Full article

The cosmetics industry has been seeking to develop products with renewable natural ingredients to reduce the use of or even replace synthetic substances. Biosurfactants can help meet this demand. These natural compounds are renewable, biodegradable, and non-toxic or have low toxicity, offering minimal risk to humans and the environment, which has attracted the interest of an emerging consumer market and, consequently, the cosmetics industry. The aim of the present study was to produce a biosurfactant from the yeast Starmerella bombicola ATCC 22214 cultivated in a mineral medium containing 10% soybean oil and 5% glucose. The biosurfactant reduced the surface tension of water from 72.0 ± 0.1 mN/m to 33.0 ± 0.3 mN/m after eight days of fermentation. The yield was 53.35 ± 0.39 g/L and the critical micelle concentration was 1000 mg/L. The biosurfactant proved to be a good emulsifier of oils used in cosmetic formulations, with emulsification indices ranging from 45.90 ± 1.69% to 68.50 ± 1.10%. The hydrophilic–lipophilic balance index demonstrated the wetting capacity of the biosurfactant and its tendency to form oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions, with 50.0 ± 0.20% foaming capacity. The biosurfactant did not exhibit cytotoxicity in the MTT assay or irritant potential. Additionally, an antioxidant activity of 58.25 ± 0.32% was observed at a concentration of 40 mg/mL. The compound also exhibited antimicrobial activity against various pathogenic microorganisms. The characterisation of the biosurfactant using magnetic nuclear resonance and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that the biomolecule is a glycolipid with an anionic nature. The results demonstrate that biosurfactant produced in this work has potential as an active biotechnological ingredient for innovative, eco-friendly cosmetic formulations. Full article

The purpose of this work was to obtain specialized enrichment cultures from an original extreme acidophilic consortium of extremely acidophilic microorganisms and to study their microbial community composition and biotechnological potential. At temperatures of 25, 35, 40 and 50 °C, distinct enrichments of extremely acidophilic microorganisms used in the processes of bioleaching sulfide ores were obtained using nutrient media containing ferrous sulfate, elemental sulfur and a copper sulfide concentrate as nutrient inorganic substrates, with and without the addition of 0.02% yeast extract. The microbial community composition was studied using the sequencing of the V3–V4 hypervariable region of the 16S rRNA genes. The different growth conditions led to changes in the microbial composition and relative abundance of mesophilic and moderately thermophilic, strict autotrophic and mixotrophic microorganisms in members of the genera Acidithiobacillus, Sulfobacillus, Leptospirillum, Acidibacillus, Ferroplasma and Cuniculiplasma. The dynamics of the oxidation of ferrous iron, sulfur, and sulfide minerals (pyrite and chalcopyrite) by the enrichments was also studied in the temperature range of 25 to 50 °C. The study of enrichment cultures using the molecular biological method using the metabarcoding method of variable V3–24 V4 fragments of 16S rRNA genes showed that enrichment cultures obtained under different conditions differed in composition, which can be explained by differences in the physiological properties of the identified microorganisms. Regarding the dynamics of the oxidation of ferrous ions, sulfur, and sulfide minerals (pyrite and chalcopyrite), each enrichment culture was studied at a temperature range of 25 to 50 °C and indicated that all obtained enrichments were capable of oxidizing ferrous iron, sulfur and minerals at different rates. The obtained enrichment cultures may be used in further work to increase bioleaching by using the suitable inoculum for the temperature and process conditions. Full article

Numerical simulations enable us to couple multiphase flow and geochemical processes to evaluate how sequestration impacts brine chemistry and reservoir properties. This study investigates these impacts during CO₂ storage at the San Juan Basin CarbonSAFE (SJB) site. The hydrodynamic model was calibrated through history-matching, utilizing data from saltwater disposal wells to improve predictive accuracy. Core-scale simulations incorporating mineral interactions and equilibrium reactions validated the model against laboratory flow-through experiments. The calibrated geochemical model was subsequently upscaled into a field-scale 3D model of the SJB site to predict how mineral precipitation and dissolution affect reservoir properties. The results indicate that the majority of the injected CO₂ is trapped structurally, followed by residual trapping and dissolution trapping; mineral trapping was found to be negligible in this study. Although quartz and calcite precipitation occurred, the dissolution of feldspars, phyllosilicates, and clay minerals counteracted these effects, resulting in a minimal reduction in porosity—less than 0.1%. The concentration of the various ions in the brine is directly influenced by dissolution/precipitation trends. This study provides valuable insights into CO₂ sequestration’s effects on reservoir fluid dynamics, mineralogy, and rock properties in the San Juan Basin. It highlights the importance of reservoir simulation in assessing long-term CO₂ storage effectiveness, particularly focusing on geochemical interactions. Full article

Background/Objectives: Tamoxifen, a selective estrogen receptor modulator widely used as an adjunct in the treatment of breast cancer, has known effects on bone metabolism, although its impact on osseointegration and cellular responses during early bone healing remains unclear. Understanding these effects is essential given the increasing use of dental implants in cancer survivors. The study aimed to observe the influence of tamoxifen on human osteosarcoma (SAOS-2) cells lines, as well on the osseointegration of titanium implants in ovariectomized female rats. Methods: SAOS-2 cells were incubated with Dulbecco’s modified growth medium. Six titanium (Ti) disks were used at each time point. The samples were divided into groups with the presence (TAM, n = 36) or not (CTR, n = 36) of tamoxifen in a concentration of 2 μM. In vivo, 72 animals were divided in groups with bilateral ovariectomy or SHAM and tamoxifen administration or not (15 mg/kg). Cell viability, mineralization rate, and collagen synthesis were assessed, as well as bone/implant contact (BIC) and bone ingrowth (BIN). Results: Tamoxifen caused a decrease in SAOS-2 viability, although an increase in the mineralization rate was observed. In vivo, the TAM groups presented higher BIC and BIN when compared to their control, but a lower percentage of mature collagen cells. Conclusions: Based on our findings, in vitro, the therapy with TAM slightly reduced the viability of SAOS-2 cells while significantly increasing the mineralization rate. In vivo, the therapy positively influenced BIC and BIN during the osseointegration phase. Full article

Deep marine shale is the primary carrier of shale gas resources in Southwestern China. Because the occurrence and gas content of methane vary with burial conditions, understanding the microscopic mechanism of methane occurrence in deep marine shale is critical for effective shale gas exploitation. The temperature and pressure conditions in deep shale exceed the operating limits of experimental equipment; thus, few studies have discussed the microscopic occurrence mechanism of shale gas in deep marine shale. This study applies molecular simulation technology to reveal the methane’s microscopic occurrence mechanism, particularly the main controlling factor of adsorbed methane in deep marine shale. Two types of simulation models are also proposed. The Grand Canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) method is used to simulate the adsorption behavior of methane molecules in these two models. The results indicate that the isosteric adsorption heat of methane in both models is below 42 kJ/mol, suggesting that methane adsorption in deep shale is physical adsorption. Adsorbed methane concentrates on the pore wall surface and forms a double-layer adsorption. Furthermore, adsorbed methane can transition to single-layer adsorption if the pore size is less than 1.6 nm. The total adsorption capacity increases with rising pressure, although the growth rate decreases. Excess adsorption capacity is highly sensitive to pressure and can become negative at high pressures. Methane adsorption capacity is determined by pore size and adsorption potential, while accommodation space and adsorption potential are influenced by pore size and mineral type. Under deep marine shale reservoir burial conditions, with burial depth deepening, the effect of temperature on shale gas occurrence is weaker than pressure. Higher temperatures inhibit shale gas occurrence, and high pressure enhances shale gas preservation. Smaller pores facilitate the occurrence of adsorbed methane, and larger pores have larger total methane adsorption capacity. Deep marine shale with high formation pressure and high clay mineral content is conducive to the microscopic accumulation of shale gas in deep marine shale reservoirs. This study discusses the microscopic occurrence state of deep marine shale gas and provides a reference for the exploration and development of deep shale gas. Full article

The Jinbaoshan Pt-Pd deposit is China’s largest independent PGM deposit. However, the deposit has not been utilized until now because of the low grade of precious metals, the complex mineral composition, and, notably, the presence of precious metals in the microgranular material disseminated to other minerals. Its high MgO content, in particular, is regarded as a challenge for efficiently recovering precious metals via mature pyrometallurgical methods. In this research, the feasibility of a smelting process to recover precious metals from Jinbaoshan Pt-Pd concentrates at a conventional smelting temperature (1350 °C) with the addition of iron ore as a metal collector and SiO₂ and CaO as fluxes was verified on the basis of thermodynamic slag design and experimental analyses. Under the optimal conditions of 100 g of the Pt-Pd concentrates, 32.5 g of SiO₂, 7.5 g of CaO, and 30 g of iron ore at 1350 °C for 1 h, the extraction efficiencies of Au, Pt, and Pd were 94.66%, 96.75%, and 97.28%, respectively. This strategy enables the rapid collection of PGMs from Jinbaoshan Pt-Pd concentrates at the conventional temperature within a short time and minimizes the use of fluxes and collectors, contributing to energy and cost conservation. Full article

Accelerated industrialization and surging energy demands have led to continuously rising atmospheric CO₂ concentrations. Developing sustainable methods to reduce atmospheric CO₂ levels is crucial for achieving carbon neutrality. Concurrently, the rapid development of new energy vehicles has driven a significant increase in demand for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), which are now approaching an end-of-life peak. Efficient recycling of valuable metals from spent LIBs represents a critical challenge. This study employs conventional hydrometallurgical processing to recover valuable metals from spent LIBs. Subsequently, Ni-doped Co₃O₄ (Ni:Co₃O₄) supported on the natural mineral attapulgite (ATP) was synthesized via a sol–gel method. The incorporation of a small amount of Ni into the Co₃O₄ lattice generates oxygen vacancies, inducing a localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect, which significantly enhances charge carrier transport and separation efficiency. During the photocatalytic reduction of CO₂, the primary product CO generated by the Ni:Co₃O₄/ATP composite achieved a high production rate of 30.1 μmol·g⁻¹·h⁻¹. Furthermore, the composite maintains robust catalytic activity even after five consecutive reaction cycles. Full article