Search Results (111,686)

Improving the effluent quality of municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is essential for sustainable water management and water quality protection in the Yellow River Basin. Many existing WWTPs in northern China were constructed under earlier discharge requirements and now face dual challenges of stricter effluent standards and poor low-temperature performance in winter. In this study, a municipal WWTP with a design capacity of 5 × 10⁴ m³/d in northern China was upgraded to improve winter treatment performance and support stable compliance with the discharge requirements of the Yellow River Basin. The original anaerobic + oxidation ditch process suffered from unstable effluent quality, excessive sludge loading, and insufficient pollutant removal under low-temperature conditions. A land-saving retrofit strategy was therefore proposed, involving oxidation ditch wall-height raising to extend the hydraulic retention time (HRT) and membrane bioreactor (MBR) integration to increase the mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) concentration. After the retrofit, the total HRT increased to 19.82 h, and the average MLSS concentration reached 7050 mg/L. The relative abundances of key nitrogen-removing bacteria, including Nitrospiraceae, Nitrosomonadaceae, and Rhodocyclaceae, increased markedly. Meanwhile, denitrification sludge loading and BOD₅ sludge loading decreased to 0.030 and 0.033 kg/(kg·d), respectively. Under low-temperature conditions, the theoretical removal capacities of total nitrogen (TN) and BOD₅ reached 44.32 and 286.19 mg/L, respectively, enabling stable effluent compliance. The results show that this retrofit strategy can improve WWTP effluent quality while avoiding large-scale land expansion, providing a practical and sustainable solution for upgrading cold-region WWTPs along the Yellow River Basin. Full article

Preserved ratio impaired spirometry (PRISm) is increasingly recognized as a clinically important non-obstructive spirometric phenotype associated with excess all-cause, respiratory, and cardiovascular mortality. PRISm is variably defined across studies and should be distinguished from pre-COPD and restrictive spirometric pattern, particularly in LMIC settings where diagnostic context may differ. Although most evidence has been generated in high-income settings, PRISm may be especially relevant in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where the phenotype appears to arise within a markedly different exposure environment. Rather than reflecting predominantly the smoking–obesity–metabolic profile commonly described in wealthier populations, PRISm in LMICs may more often emerge from the cumulative effects of tuberculosis, household biomass smoke, ambient particulate air pollution, poverty-related undernutrition, impaired lung growth, and other adverse life-course exposures. These factors may contribute both to low-volume lung-function impairment and to increased cardiovascular risk through shared pathways of chronic low-grade inflammation, immune activation, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, and metabolic dysregulation. In this context, PRISm may represent a measurable interface between environmental and infectious lung injury, social disadvantage, and systemic vascular vulnerability. The emerging literature further suggests that PRISm in LMICs may include distinct leaner, poverty-related, and infection-linked phenotypes that differ from the obesity-associated patterns more often described in high-income cohorts. This perspective has important clinical implications, as PRISm may identify individuals at elevated risk of cardiometabolic comorbidity, heart failure, stroke, and cardiovascular death who may otherwise remain unrecognized within current respiratory care pathways. Although direct causal evidence remains limited, the convergence of epidemiological, mechanistic, and clinical data supports the view that PRISm in LMICs should be considered a meaningful cardiopulmonary risk state rather than a benign spirometric abnormality. Further LMIC-focused longitudinal, mechanistic, and implementation research is needed to refine phenotyping, clarify causal pathways, and inform integrated prevention strategies. Full article

As a traditional tonic in Chinese herbal medicine, Codonopsis pilosula exerts anti-aging effects, but studies on Codonopsis pilosula polysaccharides (CPPs) in the regulation of gut microbiota dysbiosis and the associated pathways remain limited. This study explored CPP’s anti-aging effects and mechanisms using a D-galactose-induced aging mouse model. In vivo results showed that CPP improved cognitive deficits, alleviated systemic aging, reduced neuroinflammation/oxidative stress, mitigated pathological tissue changes, and inhibited aging markers (p53, p21, and p16). Transcriptomic/metabolomic analyses indicated that CPP regulated inflammation-related genes and metabolites, with anti-inflammatory effects mediated via the MAPK pathway. 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that CPP restored gut microbiota diversity. In vitro experiments confirmed CPP’s anti-aging effects and identified the MAPK/FOXO1 pathway as a potential target. In conclusion, CPP exhibits potential anti-aging effects, possibly through the MAPK pathway and gut microbiota modulation. Full article

Studies on the influence of radiotherapy on the structure, thermal properties, and thermo-oxidative decomposition of breast silicone implants were conducted. Additionally, the potential use of breast silicone implant waste as a component in layered composites was investigated. ATR-FTIR, DSC, and TG/DTG/FTIR analyses confirmed that radiation does not affect the structure, thermal properties, or oxidative decomposition behavior of the shell and gel layers of breast silicone implants. The conducted tests demonstrated the successful fabrication of composite materials using a PUM matrix and breast silicone implant waste. The presence of the PUM matrix in the manufactured composites influenced the crystallization and melting behavior of the silicone phase. Moreover, the incorporation of a silicone implant waste layer into the composites increased their thermal stability while decreasing the glass transition temperature, storage modulus and hardness compared to neat PUM. The type of implant waste layer used (shell or gel) in the preparation of the PUM composites did not significantly affect the melting and glass transition temperatures, thermal stability, or oxidative decomposition behavior of the newly developed materials. As demonstrated, new layered composite materials based on silicone implant waste (shell and gel), with properties valuable for practical applications, were successfully developed. Full article

This review evaluates recent progress in nanozyme-based biosensors for detecting circulating tumour cells, nucleic acids, and protein biomarkers, with particular attention to how peroxidase-, oxidase-, and catalase-like reactions enhance signal generation across electrochemical, optical, and microfluidic platforms. The roles of iron oxide–gold composites, silica nanostructures, quantum dots, and hybrid nanomaterials in improving analytical performance, enabling multiplexed detection, and facilitating assay miniaturization are critically assessed. Advances such as amplification-free detection approaches, smartphone-compatible point-of-care systems, and AI-assisted data analysis are discussed in relation to their translational potential. Key barriers, including regulatory requirements, reproducibility concerns, and manufacturing scalability, are also evaluated. By integrating mechanistic understanding with practical considerations for clinical deployment, this review outlines how next-generation nanozyme-based biosensors may strengthen early cancer detection, real-time monitoring, and precision oncology. Full article

Antioxidant biopolymeric films (ABFs) have emerged as promising bio-based and biodegradable polymer materials for sustainable food packaging, combining environmental sustainability with functional performance. This study identifies convergent design principles governing ABFs through a systematic mapping of research published between 2015 and 2025, organized into thematic discussions covering global trends, material strategies, processing technologies, and structure–property relationships. The analysis reveals a clear transition from biodegradable substitution materials toward performance-driven polymer systems engineered to modulate mass transport phenomena. Polysaccharide- and protein-based matrices dominate current developments due to their chemical functionality and compatibility with natural bioactive compounds; however, their inherent hydrophilicity introduces trade-offs between barrier resistance and controlled release. Recent advances increasingly employ blends, composites, and multilayer architectures to decouple mechanical stability from antioxidant migration. Processing technologies, including casting, extrusion, and multilayer assembly, are shown to play a decisive role in defining diffusion pathways and release kinetics. The findings demonstrate that the effectiveness of ABFs depends primarily on polymer–bioactive interactions and structure–property relationships rather than additive concentration alone. Future progress toward industrial implementation requires scalable fabrication strategies and predictive processing–structure–performance frameworks aligned with circular economy principles. This perspective positions ABFs as functional bio-based polymer systems capable of synchronizing antioxidant release with food oxidation kinetics, contributing to sustainable food packaging solutions. Full article

Aluminum chloride (AlCl₃)-induced rat models are widely used to investigate Alzheimer-like neurodegeneration, yet substantial methodological variability limits cross-study comparability. A structured synthesis focused specifically on the methodological architecture of these models, including dose, exposure duration, route of administration, and behavioral assessment, remains lacking. This review aimed to synthesize the behavioral paradigms used to assess learning and memory in rat models of aluminum chloride-induced Alzheimer’s disease, with particular emphasis on dose, duration, and route of administration. A structured narrative review incorporating systematic elements was conducted following PRISMA-informed procedures using PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. The reviewed literature showed a predominance of oral administration, low-to-moderate AlCl₃ doses and subchronic exposure durations, most commonly 31–60 days. Behavioral assessment was dominated by hippocampal-dependent paradigms, particularly the Morris water maze and Y-maze. Across studies, AlCl₃ exposure was associated with multidomain behavioral impairment accompanied by consistent hippocampal and cortical histopathological abnormalities and convergent biochemical and molecular changes, including cholinergic dysfunction, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and amyloid- and tau-related alterations. Overall, the available literature does not support a standardized experimental protocol or a clear overall dose–effect or duration–effect relationship. Greater harmonization of study design is needed to improve reproducibility and translational relevance. Full article

Low-temperature stress severely restricts the engineering application of anaerobic ammonia oxidation (anammox) technology in municipal mainstream wastewater treatment, leading to its slower large-scale implementation relative to industrial wastewater and reject water treatments. The inhibitory effects of low temperatures on the anammox process cannot be merely ascribed to conventional microbial metabolic responses. Elucidating the specific mechanisms underlying low-temperature impacts on anammox bacteria is therefore critical for formulating targeted mitigation strategies. In this study, a meta-analysis was performed to compare the response patterns of specific anammox activity (SAA) and nitrogen removal rate (NRR) to temperature variations. SAA declines gradually with decreasing temperature, while NRR displays a more dramatic and stepwise reduction. The T₅₀ values (temperature corresponding to 50% of the performance at 30 °C) for these two parameters are 20 °C and 15 °C, respectively. Low-temperature inhibition of anammox is a multifaceted process, encompassing direct physiological disturbances to individual anammox cells and impaired nitrite bioavailability within the microbial community. To address these temperature-related bottlenecks, a conceptual hybrid nitrogen removal system was rationally optimized by integrating conventional strategies with an innovative split-flow influent regulation strategy. This hybrid system is anticipated to enhance the stability and treatment efficiency of anammox under low-temperature conditions, thus facilitating its broader engineering application in cold climate regions. Full article

There has been an immense concern in the healthcare industry about the globally raising rate of cardiovascular disease (CVD). As per recent WHO reports, CVD is the leading cause of disability, hospitalization and premature death. Studies indicate that oxidative stress negatively impacts the heart and vascular system, which could potentially lead to myocardial infarction, hypertension, cardiomyopathies, atherosclerosis and diabetic heart failure, highlighting its significance as a prognostic indicator in cardiovascular conditions. Nowadays, many common experimental assays are used for in-vitro and in-vivo evaluation of oxidative stress and its negative effects on the cardiovascular system. This review aims to serve as a comprehensive guide for researchers seeking to evaluate the impact of oxidative stress on DNA damage in CVD utilizing standardized methods published by leading institutions. To achieve this, we analyzed 208 relevant articles from prominent databases such as Scopus, PubMed, ScienceDirect, etc., summarizing experimental validation of oxidative stress measurements from 1955 to the present. Oxidative stress-induced DNA damage is a key driver of cardiovascular disease progression, yet experimental approaches to study it remains highly variable. This review systematically summarizes established in-vitro and in-vivo models, oxidative stress inducers, and analytical assays used in cardiovascular research. By integrating mechanistic insights with standardized methodologies, it provides a practical framework to guide model selection, improve reproducibility, and enhance translational relevance. This work serves as a concise reference for researchers investigating redox biology, cardiovascular pathology, and antioxidant-based therapeutic strategies. Full article

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a prevalent and highly toxic mycotoxin in the food and feed chain and can directly injure the intestinal epithelium. Yet, its upstream determinants linking epithelial stress to cytotoxicity remain insufficiently defined. Here, we used porcine intestinal epithelial IPEC-J2 cells to characterize AFB1-induced cytotoxic and transcriptomic responses and to determine the role of the tight-junction scaffold, Cingulin-like 1 (CGNL1), a candidate gene identified through genome-scale CRISPR knockout library screening. The results showed that AFB1 exposure reduced cell viability in a dose-dependent manner and induced oxidative stress. RNA-seq profiling analysis revealed broad transcriptional remodeling, with activation of inflammatory pathways (including NF-κB and JAK–STAT signaling). Based on our constructed CGNL1-knockout IPEC-J2 cell line (CGNL1-KO IPEC-J2) using CRISPR/Cas9, it was found that CGNL1 deficiency markedly alleviated AFB1-induced cytotoxicity and oxidative stress. Comparative transcriptomics analysis showed that CGNL1 knockout attenuated AFB1-triggered aberrant expression of some CGNL1-dependent AFB1-responsive genes related to immune response under AFB1 challenge. Together, these findings identify CGNL1 as a potential modulator of epithelial susceptibility to AFB1 and support its involvement in the regulation of toxin-induced oxidative response. Full article

Self-powered photodetectors have attracted widespread attention in Internet of Things applications due to their low power consumption and high sensitivity. In this study, plasmonic self-powered poly(3-hexylthiophene)/zinc oxide (P3HT/ZnO) heterojunction photodetectors incorporating silver triangular nanoplates (AgTNPs) were fabricated using sol–gel and spin-coating techniques. The experimental results demonstrate that the incorporation of AgTNP nanostructures significantly enhances the photoelectric conversion efficiency of the plasmonic P3HT/AgTNPs/ZnO photodetectors across both the ultraviolet and visible spectral regions. The responsivity enhancement ratio of the plasmonic devices reached its maximum under illumination at a wavelength of 525 nm. Compared with the reference P3HT/ZnO device, the responsivity values of the P3HT/AgTNPs-1/ZnO and P3HT/AgTNPs-2/ZnO devices increased by factors of 3.24 and 4.21, respectively. The optimal P3HT/AgTNPs-2/ZnO device exhibited responsivity values of 9.49, 10.80, and 10.47 mA/W under irradiation at wavelengths of 440 nm, 460 nm, and 525 nm, respectively. The mechanism of performance enhancement induced by the plasmonic AgTNPs is also discussed. This work demonstrates that embedding triangular plasmonic metal nanoplates within semiconductor heterojunctions constitutes an effective strategy for performance enhancement, providing new insights for the rational design of high-performance optoelectronic devices. Full article

Weed interference and herbicide-induced phytotoxicity, particularly from HPPD inhibitors such as tembotrione, represent significant limitations to yield stability in grain sorghum. Developing strategies to enhance crop tolerance without compromising weed control is of high practical interest. This study tested the hypothesis that a commercial Ascophyllum nodosum-based biostimulant can mitigate tembotrione-induced oxidative stress and phytotoxicity in sorghum without compromising the weed-control activity of the herbicide. Sorghum plants at the V4 phenological stage (four fully expanded leaves) were subjected to five treatments: (1) untreated control; (2) biostimulant application alone; (3) tembotrione application alone; (4) simultaneous application of tembotrione and biostimulant; and (5) tembotrione followed by biostimulant application after six days of application (6 DAT). After 10 days of treatment, photosynthetic pigment synthesis, primary photochemistry, gas exchange, antioxidant metabolism, phytotoxicity levels, growth parameters, and yield indices were evaluated. The results support the hypothesis that A. nodosum-based biostimulants can act as effective mitigating agents. The biostimulant sustained carotenoid levels and preserved the stability of the photosynthetic apparatus (PSII), counteracting HPPD enzyme inhibition caused by the herbicide. Isolated biostimulant application upregulated net photosynthesis by 60%, while simultaneous co-application with tembotrione preserved membrane integrity and the leaf area index. Furthermore, the efficacy of the mitigation strategy was highly time-dependent, as simultaneous co-application proved superior to the delayed (6 DAT) intervention. From an agronomic perspective, the biostimulant reduced visual injury and restored the grain number per plant to control levels under simultaneous co-application, although the final yield of combined treatments did not differ statistically from either the untreated control or the treatment of tembotrione alone. This study shows that the integration of A. nodosum extracts into the chemical management of sensitive crops represents a viable biotechnological strategy to enhance herbicide selectivity and yield stability. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of dietary fortification of high plant protein aquafeeds with two microalgae-based functional ingredients on growth, muscle composition, oxidative status, digestive function, and intestinal morphology in juvenile Sparus aurata with an average body weight of 28.4 g. Four diets were tested: a control with high fishmeal and fish oil (CTF), a plant-based diet containing 5% fishmeal and 5% fish oil (CTV), and two CTV diets supplemented with 1% LB-IMMUNOboost (IB10) or 1% LB-LIVERprotect (LP10). Fish fed CTV and LP10 showed reduced growth compared to CTF, while IB10 partially mitigated these effects. High plant dietary inclusion reduced muscle protein and increased lipid content, except in IB10-fed fish. Reduction in fishmeal and fish oil decreased muscle saturated fatty acids, EPA, and DHA. Despite similar HUFA levels in the plant-based diets, IB10 and LP10 significantly reduced lipid peroxidation, indicating a direct antioxidant effect of the functional ingredients. Digestive enzyme activities were impaired in CTV-fed fish but partially recovered in IB10 and LP10, particularly IB10. Histology revealed shorter intestinal folds and more goblet cells in high plant protein diets, especially LP10, potentially impairing absorption. Overall, microalgae-based functional ingredients, particularly LB-IMMUNOboost, partially alleviated these adverse effects, supporting their use in more sustainable aquafeed formulations. Full article

Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular protozoan infecting approximately one-third of the global population, poses a significant yet underappreciated threat to reproductive health in both sexes. Although this parasite has long been linked to birth defects caused by infection during pregnancy, new research shows that it also reduces fertility in both sexes through different but related mechanisms. This review synthesizes knowledge on T. gondii-induced reproductive pathology across females and males, examining shared mechanistic themes while respecting tissue-specific differences, and evaluates emerging therapeutic strategies. In females, the parasite establishes persistent uterine reservoirs, triggers decidual immune dysregulation characterized by NK cell cytotoxicity, M1 macrophage polarization, Treg apoptosis, and inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis, while disrupting estrogen and progesterone signaling through both host receptor modulation and intrinsic parasite steroidogenic enzymes (TgCYP450mt, TgMAPR, Tg-HSD). In males, T. gondii breaches the blood–testis barrier, induces germ cell and Leydig cell apoptosis via ER stress and caspase pathways, impairs sperm quality parameters across acute and chronic infection, and disrupts the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis. Conserved molecular mechanisms—including NLRP3 inflammasome activation, PERK/eIF2α/ATF4/CHOP-mediated ER stress, and oxidative stress—operate in both reproductive tissues. The parasite’s intrinsic steroidogenic capability and bidirectional hormonal manipulation represent a paradigm shift in understanding host–parasite interactions. Conventional antiparasitics face limitations due to poor reproductive sanctuary penetration. Immunomodulatory approaches targeting Trem2, Tim-3, and the NLRP3 inflammasome show promise, along with natural products including Inonotus obliquus polysaccharide and ginseng polysaccharide. Nanomedicine platforms and mRNA vaccine candidates offer new directions for overcoming tissue barrier limitations. Toxoplasma gondii represents a fundamental threat to fertility and pregnancy outcomes rather than merely a risk for congenital infection. Integrated therapeutic strategies addressing direct parasitism, immunopathology, and endocrine disruption are needed. Longitudinal cohort studies, strain-specific mechanistic comparisons, and clinical trials of immunomodulatory adjuncts are urgently required. Full article

Sapling survival and growth depend on photosynthetic assimilates. Therefore, improving physiological performance during early stages may enhance subsequent performance and nursery production. This study evaluated whether exogenous oxidized glutathione (GSSG), reported to enhance photosynthesis, improves the photosynthetic, physiological, and growth-related traits of Larix gmelinii var. japonica saplings. Sixteen saplings were assigned to four treatments: GSSG, 5-aminolevulinic acid, Hyponex, and a water control. Photosynthetic, nitrogen-related, and growth traits were measured before treatment and at 3, 6, 13, and 31 days after treatment, and biomass was assessed after three months. The GSSG treatment showed no difference in the net CO₂ assimilation rate (A_max) compared with the control, but exhibited a significantly earlier peak at 6 days than the other treatments. This response was supported by the stability of GSSG-treated saplings against photoinhibition (F_v/F_m) and a tendency toward greater resilience to midday light stress (Φ_PSII). Enhanced photosynthetic performance was associated with reduced carbon and nitrogen fluctuations and was accompanied by numerically greater root and stem biomass in the 2024 terminal shoots. Although fertilization effects were generally weak and transient, GSSG elicited notable responses, suggesting that the immediate enhancement of photosynthesis underlies its impact. However, its antioxidant properties under stressful conditions warrant further investigation. Full article