Search Results (133)

Apple black rot, a destructive postharvest disease caused by Alternaria alternata, poses significant economic threats during fruit storage and transportation. However, effective biocontrol bacteria to manage this disease remain limited. In this study, Leuconostoc mesenteroides strain GY-2, isolated from healthy apple fruit surfaces, had a remarkable biocontrol ability on apple black rot. While GY-2 exhibited no direct inhibitory effects in confrontation assays, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by the strain suppressed colony diameter of A. alternata by 70.8% in dual plate assays, indicating potent fungistatic activity. Notably, these VOCs produced by L. mesenteroides displayed broad-spectrum antifungal properties against multiple apple fungal pathogens. Microscopic analysis revealed that VOC exposure induced structural anomalies in A. alternata hyphae, including surface perforations and protoplast leakage, suggesting membrane integrity disruption. The VOCs produced by strain GY-2 were identified; four compounds had antifungal activities, among them, isoamylol exhibited the highest antifungal activity. Applying bacterial suspensions of strain GY-2 on apple fruit significantly reduced 91.4% of lesion areas of black rot. The strain exhibited robust colonization capacity on fruit surfaces, maintaining viable populations for over 15 days post-application, guaranteeing a sustained disease prevention. Furthermore, GY-2 treatment enhanced systemic resistance in apple fruit, as evidenced by upregulated antioxidant enzymes and defense-related enzymes. Importantly, application of GY-2 did not adversely affect key parameters of fruit quality, including firmness, soluble solids content, or acidity. These findings showed that the bacterial L. mesenteroides GY-2 was a promising biocontrol agent for managing postharvest black rot of apple fruit. Full article

Mesoporous silica materials with well-organized architectures were synthesized using a series of Pluronic PE-type triblock copolymers (PE6800, PE9200, PE9400, PE10500) as structure-directing agents under acidic conditions. The study aimed to elucidate the impact of synthesis parameters—copolymer type, presence of a swelling agent, 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene, aging temperature, and silica precursor—on the structural, textural, and functional properties of the resulting mesocellular foam materials. Characterization by Nitrogen Adsorption/Desorption, Transmission Electron Microscopy, X-ray Diffraction, and Small-angle X-ray Scattering revealed that structural ordering and pore morphology are significantly influenced by the EO/PO ratio of the copolymers and the use of the expander. Materials synthesized with PE9400 and PE10500 in the presence of a swelling agent exhibited highly uniform bottle-shaped mesopores with increased surface area and pore volume. Thermal behavior studied via Differential Scanning Calorimetry indicated a correlation between pore size and melting point depression of confined water, consistent with the Gibbs–Thomson effect. Adsorption capacity and kinetics for methylene blue varied significantly with pore structure, with materials possessing narrow mesopores showing superior dye uptake, and materials with larger mesopores and open-pore architecture exhibiting faster adsorption rates. This work demonstrates the tunability of mesoporous silica structure through precise control of synthesis conditions and highlights its potential in applications involving adsorption and phase phenomena in confined pore systems. Full article

Protein toxins are biologically active polypeptides produced by a variety of organisms, including bacteria, plants, fungi, and animals. These molecules exert potent and specific toxic effects on target cells and are primarily associated with pathogenicity and defense mechanisms of the organisms. In the past few decades, significant progress has been made in understanding their structure, mechanisms of action, and regulation. Among these, bacterial protein toxins have emerged as valuable tools particularly in the development of targeted therapies. A notable example is Botulinum toxin, originally known for its neurotoxic effects, which was approved as a therapeutic agent in 1989 for strabismus treatment, paving way for repurposing bacterial toxins for clinical use. This review provides an overview of the different classes of bacterial toxin-based therapeutics, with a particular focus on Pseudomonas exotoxin A (PE) from Pseudomonas aeruginosa and anthrax toxin from Bacillus anthracis. The modular architecture and potent cytotoxicity of these A-B type toxins have enabled their successful adaptation into targeted cancer therapies. The clinical approval of the PE-based immunotoxin, moxetumomab pasudotox, for the treatment of hairy cell leukemia, underscores the potential of this strategy. This review also discusses current challenges and outlines future directions for the advancement of bacterial toxin-based therapeutics. Full article

Building on the early investigation by Sidney W. Fox that dry-heated amino acids can spontaneously form microspheres, this research studies the self-organization of glycine and alanine with hydrogen in a liquid system. This study aimed to investigate the spontaneous formation of membraneless, microscale amino acid assemblies under simulated prebiotic hydrothermal conditions, such as hot mineral sources and ponds. Aqueous solutions of glycine and alanine were prepared in a hydrogen-rich mineral buffer and thermally incubated at 75 °C. Phase-contrast microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and molecular modeling were employed to analyze the morphology and internal organization of the resulting structures. Microscopy revealed that zwitterionic glycine and alanine spontaneously self-organize into spherical microspheres (~12 µm), in which the charged –NH₃⁺ and –COO⁻ groups orient outward, while the hydrophobic methyl groups of alanine point inward, forming a stabilized internal core. The primary studies were performed with hot mineral water from Rupite, Bulgaria, at 73.4 °C. The resulting osmotic pressure difference Δπ ≈ 2490 Pa, derived from the van’t Hoff equalization. This suggests a chemically asymmetric system capable of sustaining directional water flux and passive molecular enrichment. The zwitterionic nature of glycine and alanine, which possesses both –NH₃⁺ and –COO⁻ groups, supports the formation of microspheres in our experiments. Under conditions with hot mineral water and hydrogen acting as a reducing agent in the primordial atmosphere, these amino acids self-organized into dense interfacial microspheres. These findings support the idea that thermally driven, zwitterion-mediated aggregation of simple amino acids, such as glycine and alanine, with added hydrogen, could generate membraneless, selectively organized microenvironments on the early Earth. Such microspheres may represent a plausible intermediate between dispersed organisms and microspheres. Full article

Sugar amino acids (SAAs) represent a privileged class of molecular chimeras that uniquely merge the structural rigidity of carbohydrates with the functional display of amino acids. These hybrid molecules have garnered significant attention as programmable conformational constraints, offering a powerful strategy to overcome the inherent limitations of peptide-based therapeutics, such as proteolytic instability and conformational ambiguity. The strategic incorporation of SAAs into peptide backbones, particularly within cyclic frameworks, allows for the rational design of peptidomimetics with pre-organized secondary structures, enhanced metabolic stability, and improved physicochemical properties. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the synthetic methodologies developed to access the diverse structural landscape of SAAs, with a focus on modern, stereoselective strategies that yield versatile building blocks for peptide chemistry. A critical examination of the structural impact of SAA incorporation reveals their profound ability to induce and stabilize specific secondary structures, such as β- and γ-turns. Furthermore, a comparative analysis positions SAAs in the context of other widely used peptidomimetic scaffolds, highlighting their unique advantages in combining conformational control with tunable hydrophilicity. We surveyed the application of SAA-containing cyclic peptides as therapeutic agents, with a detailed case study on gramicidin S analogs that underscores the power of SAAs in elucidating complex structure–activity relationships. Finally, this review presents a forward-looking perspective on the challenges and future directions of the field, emphasizing the transformative potential of computational design, artificial intelligence, and advanced bioconjugation techniques to accelerate the development of next-generation SAA-based therapeutics. Full article

Soil organic carbon (SOC) represents a crucial factor in agricultural production, and its accumulation is influenced by soil microbial community and microbial metabolism. Straw returning combined with decomposing agents is recognized practice to enhance SOC. On the other hand, the impacts of controlled-release nitrogen fertilizer (CR) on the function of the decomposing agent in degrading straw are underexplored. In this study, an incubation experiment with ¹³C labeled straw in three nitrogen fertilizer treatments (CK, no nitrogen applied; UR, urea applied; CR, controlled-release fertilizer applied) was carried out to elucidate how CR regulates the straw decomposition agent and bacterial community to influence the SOC sequestration, based on field experiments. And we examined the changes in soil organic carbon and the stability of the bacterial networks by combining co-occurrence networks and a structural equation model. In the incubation experiment, the results demonstrated that CR increased the relative abundance of straw decomposition agent and straw-derived SOC (SO¹³C). Additionally, CR enhanced the stability of soil bacterial networks, compared with UR, by strengthening the interactions within the soil bacterial community. Pearson correlations confirmed that straw decomposition agent was positively associated with SO¹³C. Moreover, the straw decomposition agent was positively correlated with the activities of the nitrogen-cycling enzyme (urease, N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase) and carbon-degrading enzyme (β-1,4-glucosidase, cellulase). Furthermore, structural equation modeling indicated that soil inorganic nitrogen played the most direct role in changes in the straw decomposition agent and then indirectly stimulated the activity of cellulase, ultimately increasing straw-derived carbon in the soil. This study elaborates the mechanism of straw returning combined with straw decomposition agent and controlled-release fertilizers to enhance the SOC of coastal saline–alkali soil from the perspective of underground biology. Collectively, the results of this research might improve the management of straw returning and sustainable utilization of fertility in saline–alkali soil. It provides a new perspective on fertilization for increasing soil carbon sequestration in future farmland ecosystems. Full article

Animal venoms are complex biochemical secretions rich in highly potent and selective bioactive molecules, including peptides, enzymes, and small organic compounds. Once associated primarily with toxicity, these venoms are now recognized as a promising source of therapeutic agents for a wide range of medical conditions. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the pharmacological potential of venom-derived compounds, highlighting their mechanisms of action, such as ion channel modulation, receptor targeting, and enzyme inhibition. Successful venom-derived drugs like captopril and ziconotide exemplify the translational potential of this biological arsenal. We discuss therapeutic applications in cardiovascular diseases, chronic pain, cancer, thrombosis, and infectious diseases, as well as emerging peptide candidates in clinical development. Technological advancements in omics, structural biology, and synthetic peptide engineering have significantly enhanced the discovery and optimization of venom-based therapeutics. Despite challenges related to stability, immunogenicity, and ecological sustainability, the integration of AI-driven drug discovery and personalized medicine is expected to accelerate progress in this field. By synthesizing current findings and future directions, this review underscores the transformative potential of animal venoms in modern pharmacotherapy and drug development. We also discuss current therapeutic limitations and how venom-derived compounds may address unmet needs in specific disorders. Full article

As the global population continues to age, the incidence of neurodegenerative diseases and neural injuries is increasing, presenting major challenges for healthcare systems. Due to the brain’s limited regenerative capacity, there is an urgent need for strategies that promote neuronal repair and functional integration. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a key regulator of synaptic plasticity and neuronal development. In this study, we investigated whether constitutive BDNF expression in human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neural progenitor cells (NPCs) enhances their neurogenic and integrative potential in vitro. We found that NPCs engineered to overexpress BDNF produced neuronal cultures with increased numbers of mature and spontaneously active neurons, without altering the overall structure or organization of functional networks. Furthermore, BDNF-expressing neurons exhibited significantly greater axonal outgrowth, including directed axon extension in a compartmentalized microfluidic system, suggesting a chemoattractive effect of localized BDNF secretion. These effects were comparable to those observed with the early supplementation of recombinant BDNF. Our results demonstrate that sustained BDNF expression enhances neuronal maturation and axonal projection without disrupting network integrity. These findings support the use of BDNF not only as a therapeutic agent to improve cell therapy outcomes but also as a tool to accelerate the development of functional neural networks in vitro. Full article

This study reports a successful selective waste collection initiative led by UFSC’s Araranguá campus in a municipality without a recycling system. The initiative, named “Recicla UFSC Ara”, was structured around three main components: (i) the installation of color-coded bins for recyclable waste (including paper, plastic, metals, and polystyrene) and non-recyclable waste in indoor and common areas; (ii) the establishment of a Voluntary Delivery Point (PEV) to gather specific recyclable materials, such as glass, electronics waste, plastic bottles, writing instruments, and bottle caps; and (iii) the execution of periodic educational community-focused campaigns aimed at encouraging participation from both the university and the broader local community. Recyclables were manually sorted and weighed during regular collection rounds, and contamination rates were calculated. Quantitative data collected from 2022 to 2025 were analyzed using descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA to assess waste generation and contamination trends. Gathered recyclables were directed to appropriate partner institutions, including local “Ecoponto”, non-profit organizations, and corporate recycling programs. The study also conducted a literature review of similar university-led waste management programs to identify standard practices and regional specificities, providing a comparative analysis that highlights both shared elements and distinctive contributions of the UFSC model. Results demonstrate a significant volume of waste diverted from landfills and a gradual improvement in waste disposal practices among the university community. Targeted communication and operational changes mitigated key challenges, improper disposal, and logistical issues. This case underscores the role of universities as agents of environmental education and local sustainable development. Full article

Cultural and ecological heritage is often an essential ingredient for sustainable urban and regional regeneration and needs to be properly managed for an environment-benign development. Many heritage-led areas in Europe, named here ‘cultural-ecological complexes’ (CECs), seek a sustainable, regenerative, and actionable strategy. Our study aims to identify successful CECs from the viewpoint of their transformative cultural potential, assessed through surveys among visitors and residents. The research focuses on the assessment of seven Cultural-Ecological Complexes (CECs) in Europe: Karlsborg (Sweden), Mark (Sweden), Larnaca (Cyprus), Basilicata (Italy), Huesca (Spain), Vojvodina (Serbia), and Sibiu (Romania/Moldova). The European areas under study are selected on the basis of their transformative cultural tourism profile and potential, with the aim of tracing a balanced, sustainable development and a positive regenerative or circular transition. Each CEC was analyzed based on its transformative cultural potential and sustainability impact using multivariate Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). Each region under consideration comprises a set of ‘information agents’, in particular visitors and residents, who may be regarded as informal stakeholders providing crucial or decisive information and guidelines on the sustainability situation in the region and on ways to proceed to transformative cultural tourism. This novel approach is essentially a form of citizen-based or agent-based co-creation. In our study, empirical information on the perceptions, preferences, and involvement of such agents was collected through systematically structured and consistently administered surveys among hundreds of participants (visitors, residents, etc.) in seven CECs in Europe. The research methodology is based on a blend of multivariate statistics (in particular, Principal Component Analysis—PCA) and spatial efficiency analysis (using Data Envelopment Analysis—DEA). The agents in each region are conceived of as spatial decision-making units (DMUs) in a DEA framework. Our DEA assessment model contains a multiscalar structure organized in a cascadic and interactive form with two constituents, namely cultural-ecological areas (CECs) and place-based information agents. The findings from this novel Multivariate DEA provide generic directives for an enhancement of the cultural-ecological performance for CECs and offer quantitative information for place-based efficiency-improving strategies of CECs in various contexts. Full article

Increasing multidrug resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae poses a serious and escalating public health crisis. The World Health Organization has classified N. gonorrhoeae as a high-priority pathogen for developing new antimicrobials. Natural products provide a promising avenue for antimicrobial discovery, serving as direct therapeutic agents or prototypes for novel drug development. Among these, gibbilimbol B, a compound isolated from Piper malacophyllum, is particularly attractive due to its biological potential and simple structure. In this study, eight synthetic phenylalkylamides (1–8) inspired by gibbilimbol B were synthesized and evaluated for their antibacterial activity against N. gonorrhoeae. The in vitro bacterial assays revealed that these compounds exhibit notable antibacterial activity, including against resistant strains selected from the CDC/FDA antimicrobial panel (strains AR-173, AR-174, AR-187, and AR-200). All synthesized compounds demonstrated superior efficacy in killing N. gonorrhoeae compared to gibbilimbol B. Notably, compound 8 [(E)-4-chloro-N-(oct-4-en-1-yl)benzamide] showed an MBC50 of 6.25 µM, representing a four-fold improvement in bactericidal activity over the natural compound. This study represents the first exploration of gibbilimbol analogs for antibacterial applications, highlighting the novelty of the work and paving the way for the development of new antibacterial agents. Full article

Anti-washout admixtures (AWAs) are a unique component of underwater non-dispersive concrete (UNDC), which gives the concrete the ability to remain undispersed in water. On some special occasions, freshly mixed underwater non-dispersive concrete is exposed to the erosion of moving water, and conventional acrylamide-based AWAs are only suitable for static water or the water flow rate is small. In this study, the inorganic component nanosilica (NS) is modified, treated, and copolymerized with the organic components acrylamide (AM) and acrylic acid (AA) to form an inorganic–organic hybrid polymer with a hyperbranched structure, which changes the linear structure of the original polyacrylamide molecule, and we optimize the synthesis process. The polymers are characterized at the microscopic level and their compatibility with polycarboxylic acid water-reducing agents (SP) is investigated. In addition, the polymers are compared and evaluated with commonly used PAM in terms of their working performance. The experimental results indicated that under specific process conditions, polymers endow cement mortar with good resistance to water erosion. At the same time, the polymers’ three-dimensional network structure is prominent, with good compatibility with SP and better anti-dispersity. The microstructure of the cement paste with added polymers is dense and flat, but its flowability and setting time are slightly worse. This study provides a new development direction for the development of AWAs under a dynamic water environment, which has specific engineering significance. Full article

Urushiol, the principal bioactive component of natural lacquer, has emerged as a promising candidate for developing eco-friendly antimicrobial coatings due to its unique catechol structure and long alkyl chains. This review systematically elucidates the molecular mechanisms underpinning urushiol’s broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, including membrane disruption via hydrophobic interactions, oxidative stress induction through redox-active phenolic groups, and enzyme inhibition via hydrogen bonding. Recent advances in urushiol-based composite systems—such as metal coordination networks, organic–inorganic hybrids, and stimuli-responsive platforms—are critically analyzed, highlighting their enhanced antibacterial performance, environmental durability, and self-healing capabilities. Case studies demonstrate that urushiol derivatives achieve >99% inhibition against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens, outperforming conventional agents like silver ions and quaternary ammonium salts. Despite progress, challenges persist in balancing antimicrobial efficacy, mechanical stability, and biosafety for real-world applications. Future research directions emphasize precision molecular engineering, synergistic multi-target strategies, and lifecycle toxicity assessments to advance urushiol coatings in medical devices, marine antifouling, and antiviral surfaces. This work provides a comprehensive framework for harnessing natural phenolic compounds in next-generation sustainable antimicrobial materials. Full article

Power operates across multiple scales, from physical action to complex social dynamics, and is constrained by fundamental principles. In the social realm, power is shaped by interactions and cognitive capacity: socially-facilitated empowerment enhances an agent’s information-processing ability, either by delegating tasks or leveraging collective resources. This computational advantage expands access to policies and buffers against vulnerabilities, amplifying an individual’s or group’s influence. In AIF, social power emerges from the capacity to attract attention and process information effectively. Our semantic habitat—narratives, ideologies, representations, etc.—functions through attentional scripts that coordinate social behavior. Shared scripts shape power dynamics by structuring collective attention. Speculative scripts serve as cognitive tools for low-risk learning, allowing agents to explore counterfactuals and refine predictive models. However, dominant scripts can reinforce misinformation, echo chambers, and power imbalances by directing collective attention toward self-reinforcing policies. We argue that power through scripts stems not only from associations with influential agents but also from the ability to efficiently process information, creating a feedback loop of increasing influence. This reframes power beyond traditional material and cultural dimensions, towards an informational and computational paradigm—what we term possibilistic power, i.e., the capacity to explore and shape future trajectories. Understanding these mechanisms has critical implications for political organization and technological foresight. Full article

Organophosphorus compounds (OPC) are a large class of organic compounds that provide a wide range of applications, and their importance has grown steadily in recent years. In each category and family, these compounds have similarities and differences. Due to their immense variety, these chemicals have various properties and, therefore, various applications. In fact, various works have been published recently that present the main applications of OPC, especially in metal extraction. Despite their extemsive range of use, optimizing their performance as extractant agents remains a challenge due to their structural variability and sensitivity to process parameters. This review provides a critical analysis of pentavalent OPCs, focusing on how their chemical nature influences heavy metal extraction efficiency. For the first time, we present a novel classification system for OPCs based on phosphorus valency and heteroatom coordination, offering a framework to guide future research. Our findings reveal that the direct coordination of the phosphorus to heteroatoms such as oxygen, sulfur, and nitrogen has a great influence on the physicochemical characteristics of the extractant and the metal extraction efficiency. This observation is in line with Pearson’s Hard and Soft Acids and Bases (HSAB) theory in the sense that it demonstrates that altering the heteroatom alters the metal affinity of the ligand. As a result, these structural modifications can improve the extraction performance by up to 40% for some heavy metals, highlighting the potential for optimized molecular designs to maximize industrial applications. In the future, this work offers a solid foundation for future studies on the rational design of organophosphorus-based extractants. Using HSAB theory and our novel classification system, researchers can rationally design OPCs for their target metal with unparalleled precision. These results have transformative impacts on metal recovery efficiency-intensive sectors like mining, waste recycling, and clean energy technologies. Full article