Search Results (36,022)

Synthesized by expressing natural collagen sequences in specific hosts, recombinant collagen exhibits multiple advantages, encompassing a higher content of bioactive domains, enhanced antioxidant activity, the absence of viral pathogens, favorable hydrophilicity, reproducible production, and low immunogenicity. Consequently, it has found extensive use in applications ranging from biomaterials and pharmaceuticals to skincare. This review systematically explores various expression systems for recombinant collagen, including those utilizing Escherichia coli, Pichia pastoris, plants, insect baculovirus, and mammalian cells. It provides a detailed comparison of their differences and commonalities in terms of production efficiency, post-translational modification capability, and cost-effectiveness. Key separation and purification techniques for recombinant collage-notably precipitation, affinity chromatography, ion-exchange chromatography, and gel filtration chromatography are further introduced, with an in-depth analysis of the applicable scenarios and purification outcomes for each method. Finally, the review comprehensively summarizes the characterization methods for both the physicochemical properties and biological functions of recombinant collagen. For physicochemical properties, techniques covered include scanning electron microscopy, micro-differential thermal analysis, circular dichroism spectroscopy, SDS-PAGE, mass spectrometry, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. For biological functions, the focus is on its roles and the corresponding assessment methods in processes such as cell proliferation, migration, adhesion, and wound healing. Building upon this comprehensive overview, current challenges facing recombinant collagen are identified, and future directions are proposed, emphasizing the need to reduce R&D costs, refine testing methods for cosmetic products, and improve safety evaluation protocols to advance the field. Full article

Freezing is the most commonly used preservation method for aquatic products, but the freeze–thaw cycle leads to the formation and growth of ice crystals, which seriously affects the quality of fish. This study evaluated the effect of dietary supplementation with theabrownins (TBs) on the quality attributes of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) muscle following freeze–thaw treatment. We examined changes in textural properties, ice crystal morphology and metabolomic profiles in response to TBs inclusion in feed. The results indicated that feeding TBs at 0.02% and 0.06% levels significantly improved the chewiness and cohesiveness of grass carp muscle. Histological analysis revealed that TB-containing feed effectively inhibited ice crystal growth, leading to smaller and more uniform ice crystals, thereby mitigating structural damage to muscle tissue. Metabolomic analysis identified distinct metabolite profile differences between the treatment groups and the control group, with both LTB (0.02% TBs) and HTB (0.06% TBs) groups showing significant upregulation of esters and aromatic compounds compared to the control group. The present study demonstrates that TBs, as a natural feed additive, can enhance the freeze–thaw tolerance of grass carp muscle by modulating ice crystal formation and influencing muscle metabolism. This study provides important insights and practical implications for developing novel strategies to improve the quality of frozen aquatic products. Full article

Adipocyte browning refers to the inducible transdifferentiation or de novo recruitment of thermogenically active beige adipocytes within white adipose tissue depots. Beige adipocytes, characterized by multilocular lipid droplets and high mitochondrial density, express uncoupling protein 1 and possess a metabolic phenotype similar to that of classical brown adipocytes. This plasticity of adipose tissue is regulated by a complex network of transcriptional coactivators (e.g., PRDM16, PGC-1α), epigenetic modulators, non-coding RNAs, and hormonal signals. Environmental cues, such as chronic cold exposure, exercise, and caloric restriction, further potentiate browning via sympathetic nervous system activation and endocrine crosstalk. At the systemic level, adipocyte browning enhances energy expenditure, improves insulin sensitivity, and mitigates lipid accumulation, making it a promising target for the treatment of obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and other metabolic syndromes. Several browning agents (natural products and repositioned drugs) and novel chemicals that induce browning have been reported. However, the translational application of these agents in humans faces challenges related to interspecies differences, depot-specific responses, and long-term safety. This review critically examines molecular regulators, existing browning agents, and the discovery of novel browning agents, with the aim of harnessing them for metabolic disease intervention. Full article

The ceramics industry has long embraced the principles of the circular economy, with a strong focus on the reuse and recovery of raw materials essential to the production cycle. This approach reduces costs by reintroducing secondary raw materials—such as production scraps and recycled materials—into the manufacturing process after appropriate recovery treatments. This study aims to contribute to the transition of the ceramic industry toward a circular economy by incorporating industrial by-products into monoporosa ceramic bodies, thereby transforming waste materials into valuable resources. Monoporosa is a porous, single-fired ceramic wall tile characterized by a high carbonate content and low bulk density. However, the role of secondary raw materials in monoporosa formulations, as well as their influence on processing behavior (e.g., during sintering) and on key technological properties, is not yet fully understood. This work investigates a standard monoporosa formulation based on conventional raw materials (sand, calcite, feldspars, and clays) and compares it with new formulations in which industrial waste materials from local and national sources—originating from other industrial processes—are used as partial or total substitutes for some of the traditional raw materials, particularly sand and calcite. The industrial by-products examined include biomass bottom ash, foundry sand, and marble cutting and processing sludge. All materials were characterized using chemical–mineralogical, thermal, and morphological analyses and were incorporated into the ceramic bodies at different substitution levels (10%, 50%, and 100%) to replace natural raw materials. Their behavior within the mixtures was evaluated to determine ceramic suitability and acceptable replacement ratios. Furthermore, the effects of these additions on water absorption, thermal expansion coefficient, and microstructural characteristics were assessed. Based on the positive results obtained, this study demonstrates the feasibility of using, in particular, two secondary raw materials—foundry sand and marble sludge—in monoporosa body formulations, allowing for the complete replacement of the original raw materials and thereby contributing to the development of more sustainable ceramic compositions. Full article

Depleted oil and gas reservoirs, owing to their large storage capacity and well-established infrastructure, are attractive sites for storing green energy carriers such as natural gas, hydrogen, and compressed air. During injection–production cycling in underground gas storage (UGS), variations in effective stress can cause repeated stress disturbances in the reservoir and surrounding rock, which may trigger borehole sand production. In this study, laboratory sand-production simulation tests were conducted to evaluate the effects of cyclic-loading stage, upper stress limit, and cycling frequency on borehole damage and sand-production behavior. The results show that sand production is stage-dependent. During the rapid-hardening and stable stages, the borehole remains largely intact and sand production is negligible. Once the failure and collapse stages are reached, borehole integrity deteriorates and sand production increases sharply, with fine particles becoming dominant. Cumulative sand production increases with the upper stress limit. Increasing the upper limit from 80% to 95% leads to a 2.53-fold increase in produced sand mass, together with a higher fine-sand fraction and a shift in the particle-size distribution (PSD) toward smaller sizes. The cycling frequency also plays an important role. When the frequency decreases, cumulative sand production increases and becomes 53.1% higher than the baseline at 0.001 Hz. Meanwhile, the median particle size (D50) decreases, indicating stronger particle breakage under low-frequency cycling. These findings provide guidance for designing injection–production schemes for UGS and for selecting appropriate sand-control completion strategies. Full article

The high bioavailability and low toxicity of organic selenium underscore its potential for nutritional fortification. This study investigated the biological effects of a novel 3-selenoureidoindole derivative (3-SeU-Ind) as a dietary selenium source in the invertebrate model organism silkworm (Bombyx mori). When reared on natural mulberry leaves, supplementation with 3-SeU-Ind (4–400 mg/L) had no significant effect on larval weight, pupal weight, or cocoon production performance. However, under compound diet conditions, the highest concentration (400 mg/L) significantly reduced both larval and pupal weights. Selenium was effectively accumulated in larval tissues and the pupal body. Under high-temperature stress, supplementation with 3-SeU-Ind (100 and 400 mg/L) significantly enhanced silkworm survival, which was associated with the upregulation of key antioxidant genes, including MnSOD, CAT, GPX, and TrxR. Furthermore, the supplementation altered methionine and lysine levels in the hemolymph in a sex-specific manner. Thus, 3-SeU-Ind demonstrated potential as a safe and effective selenium supplement. Full article

Diseases caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana, expressed as leaf spot blotch (SB) and common root rot (CRR), continue to limit spring wheat production, particularly in dry regions where yield losses may reach 35–40%. This study evaluated resistance to SB and CRR in fifty spring wheat genotypes at both seedling and adult plant stages and identified genetic sources of resistance using molecular markers linked to the Sb1 and Sb2 genes. Field trials were conducted in 2023 and 2024 in the Aktobe region under natural infection, artificial inoculation, and a fungicide-treated background. Based on leaf spot blotch severity quantified as the area under the disease progress curve (leaf AUDPC) under natural infection, nine genotypes displayed stable resistance across both years, while fungicide-treated plots revealed twenty-three resistant genotypes in 2023 and eighteen in 2024. Artificial inoculation identified five resistant lines in 2023 and one in 2024. Resistance to common root rot (CRR) was assessed independently based on subcrown internode (SCI) browning at the adult plant stage. Seedling assays confirmed consistent resistance in six genotypes, all of which carried Sb1, Sb2, or their combination. In total, Sb genes were detected in thirty-six of the fifty accessions, including genotypes from Kazakhstan, Russia, and several other countries. The presence of Sb1 or Sb2 was associated with reduced disease severity, particularly at the seedling stage. These findings identify valuable germplasm for breeding wheat with improved resistance to B. sorokiniana in Kazakhstan. Full article

Land degradation issues are getting complicated worldwide. Kazakhstan’s land use has sharply deteriorated over several decades, necessitating comprehensive assessment and restoration. Farmlands in Kazakhstan are grappling with multiple challenges related to climate change, intense anthropogenic disturbances, and aggressive industrial agricultural practices involving monoculture crop production. Soil depletion is widespread in Kazakhstan due to flood erosion and drought expansion, causing desertification. The land sustainability of farmland improvement, including the soil, geology, and water retention assessment, is currently under investigation through our project activities in North Kazakhstan. Nature-based methods for forest plantation along contour strips and topography-based design landscapes are rarely applied or are absent in many rural areas these days. The land use issues have resulted in the loss of the soil moisture protective functions and a reduction in agricultural efficiency. Geodesy geomatics tools were applied for a topography investigation with digital elevation, digital terrain model preparation, and potential retention ponds’ location identification for managed aquifer recharge introduction. The combination of effective water accumulation methods, considering topography, with the development of protective forest shelterbelts should enhance the land use strategies for sustainable development. This strategy is expected to reduce soil erosion, promote moisture accumulation, by improving the soil’s quality as a sponge in water collection, and increase crop yields. Alongside this, a system for developing the retention ponds with managed aquifer recharge locations for proper water collection to improve the agrolandscapes was presented. Full article

Air-dried pork coppa is highly favored for its unique organoleptic and flavor characteristics. However, the traditional long processing cycle and uncontrollable environmental conditions lead to unstable product quality. Staphylococcus mediates the reduction in nitrite to nitric oxide via nitrite reductase; the resulting nitric oxide then binds to myoglobin, forming nitrosylmyoglobin that endows meat products with a characteristic bright red. It could also improve the activity of lipase and protease, promoting the flavor. In this study, Staphylococcus carnosus and Staphylococcus xylosus as starter cultures have been applied to air-dried coppa. After Staphylococcus inoculation, the water activity and pH value of coppa significantly decreased compared with those of naturally fermented coppa (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, it improved the color and increased the hardness and chewiness, which in turn enhanced the overall taste of organoleptic acceptability. The ¹H NMR spectra showed that the main taste metabolites were free amino acids and organic acids. Citrulline, formic acid, isobutyric acid, and isovaleric acid might be the key metabolites distinguishing between those with or without Staphylococcus inoculation. This study suggested that inoculation with Staphylococcus xylosus and Staphylococcus carnosus played an important role in improving the physicochemical properties and taste development of coppa. Full article

FABP4 (fatty acid-binding protein 4) is a lipid chaperone and secreted adipokine linking dysregulated fatty acid handling with inflammation, cellular stress, and insulin resistance in obesity. By modulating nuclear receptor signaling (notably PPARγ) and enhancing NF-κB/MAPK activation in adipocytes and macrophages, FABP4 contributes to maladaptive adipose remodeling and systemic metabolic decline. This review critically summarizes recent preclinical evidence on natural bioactive compounds that regulate FABP4 expression and associated adipogenic programs in models of adipogenesis and diet-induced obesity. Data from 3T3-L1/OP9 adipocytes, rodent studies, and selected alternative models indicate that many plant-derived extracts and phytochemicals (e.g., polyphenols, saponins, coumarins, terpenoids, and fermented products) down-regulate FABP4 at mRNA and/or protein levels. These effects are frequently accompanied by suppression of PPARγ/C/EBPα/SREBP1c signaling, activation of AMPK-related pathways, reduced lipid accumulation, and improved metabolic outcomes including lower weight gain, reduced adipocyte hypertrophy, improved steatosis, and favorable serum lipid profiles. Natural compounds from non-plant sources (animal- and microbe-derived metabolites) further broaden FABP4-targeting strategies, supporting FABP4 as a cross-class therapeutic node. Key translational barriers include poor extract standardization, incomplete identification of active constituents, limited oral bioavailability, microbiome-dependent variability, and scarce clinical validation. Future work should prioritize well-characterized lead scaffolds, targeted delivery, rational combinations, and standardized, adequately powered clinical trials assessing dose, durability of FABP4 suppression, and cardiometabolic safety. Full article

Canine mammary tumors (CMTs) are among the most frequent neoplasms in female dogs, with current therapeutic options being limited and non-standardized, prompting the search for alternative treatments such as fungal secondary metabolites. In this study, the fungal pigment Epipyrone A (Epy A) was first isolated from Epicoccum nigrum and then tested in vitro on two CMT cell lines, P114 and CF33. The compound significantly reduced cell viability in both lines in a concentration- and time-dependent manner (p < 0.05), with the strongest effect observed at 175 µg/mL after 48 h (p < 0.0001), while showing no cytotoxicity in MDCK non-tumor cells. Epy A also inhibited cell migration and increased total antioxidant capacity in P114 cells, accompanied by a significant reduction in ROS levels. Western blot analysis revealed modulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, crucial in CMT biology. Specifically, P114 cells showed downregulation of mTOR and p-Akt, indicating inhibition of proliferative signaling, whereas CF33 cells exhibited increased Akt and p-Akt alongside reduced mTOR, consistent with a compensatory feedback mechanism, probably linked to the changing in oxidative balance after treatment. Overall, these results identified Epy A as a promising natural molecule with potential applications in innovative therapeutic approaches for veterinary and comparative oncology. Full article

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative condition with a multifactorial etiology, characterized by dopaminergic neurons being selectively absent in the midbrain. Clinically, PD manifests primarily with core motor symptoms of resting tremor, bradykinesia, and muscle rigidity, and is often accompanied by non-motor symptoms including depression, cognitive impairment, and gastrointestinal dysfunction. Among the extensive relevant research, few have explored the precise pathogenic mechanisms underlying PD, and no curative treatment is available. Current pharmacological therapies mainly provide symptomatic relief by enhancing central dopaminergic function or modulating cholinergic activity; however, their long-term efficacy is frequently constrained by waning therapeutic response, drug tolerance, and adverse reactions. Accumulating evidence suggests that several naturally derived neuroactive compounds—such as gastrodin, uncarin, and paeoniflorin—demonstrate significant potential in combating PD. In this systematic review, we examined original research articles published from 2010 to 2025, retrieved from PubMed, Web of Science, and CNKI databases, using predefined keywords of Parkinson’s disease, neuroprotective herbal compounds, traditional medicine, multi-target mechanisms, natural product, autophagy, neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress. Studies were included if they specifically investigated the mechanistic actions of natural compounds in PD models. Conference abstracts, review articles, publications not in English or Chinese, and studies lacking clearly defined mechanisms were excluded. Analysis of the available literature reveals that natural neuroactive compounds may exert anti-PD effects through multiple mechanisms, e.g., inhibiting pathological α-synuclein aggregation, attenuating neuronal apoptosis, suppressing neuroinflammation, mitigating oxidative stress, and restoring mitochondrial dysfunction. This review provides insights that may inform the clinical application of natural bioactive compounds and guide their further development as potential therapeutic candidates against PD. Full article

Horticultural facilities can boost crop yields and quality. However, their structures, costs, and resource efficiency vary significantly. Many facility operators prioritize short-term economic gains at the expense of long-term investments in energy efficiency and environmental management, ultimately leading to increased energy consumption and higher greenhouse gas emissions. A systems-based assessment of tomato production is essential for optimizing resource use. This study integrated emergy analysis (EMA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) to evaluate the sustainability of three tomato production systems: polytunnels, solar greenhouses, and glass greenhouses. The Results demonstrated that polytunnels exhibited the best environmental performance, with the lowest environmental loading ratio (ELR, 19.06) and environmental final index (EFI, 1.62). Solar greenhouses showed the best environmental composite index (ECI), outperforming others in mitigating potential environmental impacts. Glass greenhouses imposed the greatest environmental pressure (ELR, 168.51), primarily due to substantial natural gas consumption and infrastructure investment. Scenario analyses revealed that environmental performance across all systems could be significantly enhanced through shortening transport distance, extending the service life of construction materials, and managing energy use. The maximum reduction potentials for the environmental composite index (ECI)were 23.80% for polytunnels, 18.60% for solar greenhouses, and 19.90% for glass greenhouses. This study confirms that polytunnels are the most environmentally friendly option, and targeted management strategies can effectively steer facility-based agriculture toward a more sustainable trajectory. Full article

Indium is a strategically important metal, essential for the production of transparent conductive oxides, flat panel displays, thin-film photovoltaics, and advanced optoelectronic devices. Due to its limited natural abundance and its occurrence in trace amounts alongside other metals in both primary and secondary sources, the recovery of indium through efficient separation techniques has gained increasing attention. This review discusses three major separation strategies for indium recovery: solvent extraction, ion-exchange, and membrane processes, applied to both synthetic solutions and real leachates. D2EHPA has demonstrated its applicability as an effective agent for indium separation, not only in solvent extraction but also as an impregnating agent in polymer resins and membranes. While solvent extraction achieves high recovery rates, ion-exchange resins and membrane-based methods offer significant advantages in terms of reusability, reduced chemical consumption, and minimal environmental impact. The selective separation of indium from impurities such as Fe³⁺ and Sn²⁺ remains a key consideration, which can be addressed by optimizing feed solution conditions or adjusting the selective stripping stages. A comparative overview of these methods is provided, focusing on separation efficiency, operational conditions, and potential integration into close-loop systems. The article highlights recent innovations and outlines the challenges involved in achieving sustainable indium recovery, in line with circular economy principles. Full article

The extraction of land gas resources requires efficient methods to address the issue of pipeline obstruction due to the accumulation of natural gas hydrates. The existing ground heating, downhole throttling, and decompression measures are energy-intensive. The metal-reinforced composite heat-insulation pipe serves as the production string for terrestrial natural gas wells, effectively minimizing temperature loss of natural gas within the wellbore. This innovation eliminates the need for ground heating equipment and downhole throttling devices in large-scale gas well production, thereby fundamentally achieving environmentally sustainable natural gas extraction, energy conservation, and cost reduction. This research simulates the operational circumstances and environmental characteristics of the Sulige gas field. Utilizing predictions and analyses of the formation characteristics of natural gas hydrate, the gas–solid two-phase flow DPM model, RNG k-ε turbulence model, heat transfer characteristics, and population balance model are employed to examine the concentration distribution, pressure distribution, velocity distribution, and heat transfer characteristics of natural gas hydrate within the vertical tube of the structure. The findings indicate that a reduction in natural gas production or an increase in hydrate volume fraction leads to significant accumulation of hydrate adjacent to the tube wall, while the concentration distribution of hydrate is more uniform at elevated production conditions. The pressure distribution of hydrate under each operational state exhibits a pattern characterized by a high central concentration that progressively diminishes towards the periphery. The unit pressure drop of hydrate markedly escalates with an increase in flow rate. As the ambient temperature of the formation rises or the flow rate escalates, the thermal loss of the hydrate along the pipeline diminishes, resulting in an elevated exit temperature. Minimizing the thermal conductivity of the composite pipe can significantly decrease the temperature loss of the hydrate along the pipeline, greatly aiding in hydrate inhibition during the extraction of natural gas from terrestrial wells. This paper’s research offers theoretical backing for the enduring technical application of metal-reinforced composite insulating pipes in terrestrial gas fields, including the Sulige gas field. Full article