Search Results (109,416)

Biofilm-associated infections remain a major barrier to wound healing, implant integration, and chronic infection management. Rare-earth oxides (REOs) have emerged as promising antibiofilm materials, though their mechanisms, limitations, and translational potential are still being defined. Cerium oxide (CeO₂) serves as the benchmark due to its redox adaptability, oxygen-vacancy-driven catalytic activity, and host compatibility. In contrast, non-ceria REOs show antibiofilm effects under more restricted conditions, often requiring surface functionalization, composite architectures, or hybrid organic–inorganic interfaces—such as polyphenol coatings or hydroxyapatite-based composites—to achieve comparable activity. Across systems, biofilm control arises not from bactericidal potency but from matrix-level mechanisms including extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) destabilization, extracellular DNA (eDNA) sequestration, redox modulation, and quorum-sensing interference. Preclinical and near-clinical evidence, particularly in chronic wound models, supports the translational relevance of these mechanisms, though the evidence base remains preliminary. This review synthesizes mechanistic data across cerium-, samarium-, lanthanum-, and strontium-based systems to establish a unified framework for REO-mediated biofilm disruption. REOs are positioned as biofilm-modulating platforms that complement antibiotics, enhance healing, and improve outcomes. Design rules emphasize controlled redox activity, targeted coordination chemistry, functional surface engineering, and host-compatible performance, alongside regulatory and manufacturing guidance for future development. Full article

The elevated metabolic demands of lactation in dairy cows cause an excess of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the mammary tissue, which disrupts redox homeostasis and ultimately induces oxidative stress. This oxidative stress directly damages mammary epithelial cells, reduces milk yield and quality, and exacerbates oxidative damage in the mammary gland, ultimately leading to significant economic losses. Therefore, alleviating oxidative stress is essential to safeguard the health of dairy cow mammary glands and ensure farming profitability. Pulsatilla saponin B4 (PSB4), a triterpenoid saponin monomer derived from the roots of Pulsatilla chinensis, possesses antioxidant activities. However, its protective effect against oxidative injury in bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMECs) and the exact mechanisms are not fully elucidated. Therefore, this study aims to elucidate the specific protective effects and mechanisms of PSB4 against oxidative damage induced by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). The results demonstrated that PSB4 effectively alleviates oxidative stress on two fronts: by enhancing the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) to boost total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and by significantly reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and suppressing excessive ROS production. Mechanistically, PSB4 primarily functions by enhancing the nuclear relocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and upregulating antioxidant response genes. Furthermore, PSB4 effectively reduced H₂O₂-induced apoptosis in BMECs, a finding jointly confirmed by JC-1 assay (effectively reversed mitochondrial depolarization) and flow cytometry (showing reduced apoptotic rates). This protective effect was linked to the normalization of apoptosis-associated protein expression, primarily through an increased B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2)/BCL2-associated X Protein (Bax) ratio and decreased cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase 3 (Caspase-3) expression. Notably, these protective effects of PSB4 could be antagonized by an AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-specific inhibitor (Compound C, CC). Overall, this preliminary study confirms that at the tested concentrations, PSB4 exerts a protective effect against oxidative damage in BMECs, likely through modulation of the AMPK/Nrf2/Caspase-3 signaling axis. These findings provide a rationale for future in vivo studies and support the potential development of PSB4 as a nutritional supplement or therapeutic agent to alleviate oxidative stress and improve mammary health in dairy cows. Full article

The growing demand for higher-energy lithium-ion batteries, encompassing consumer electronics, stationary grid storage, and electric mobility to specialized sectors like aerospace, medical devices, and industrial robotics, requires cathode materials that offer higher capacity while remaining cost-effective. This trend has intensified the development of nickel-rich LiNi_1−x−yMn_xCo_yO₂ (NMC) systems. However, high-Ni NMCs such as LiNi_0.9Mn_0.05Co_0.05O₂ (NMC90) suffer from limited thermal and cycling stability. Core–shell architectures using LiNi_0.6Mn_0.2Co_0.2O₂ (NMC622) as a shell can partially alleviate these drawbacks, but structural degradation caused by interdiffusion between the core and shell persists as a major challenge. This study investigates whether a tungsten oxide interlayer can act as a protective barrier that suppresses interdiffusion, stabilizes the crystal structure, and improves long-term electrochemical performance. In this work, NMC cathode powders were synthesized via a one-pot oxalate co-precipitation route, followed by structural characterization using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and ion scattering spectroscopy (ISS). Electrochemical performance, including capacity retention, cycling stability, and internal resistance, was evaluated through galvanostatic charge–discharge (GCD) testing and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The core–shell configuration delivered higher specific discharge capacity compared to the individually synthesized core-only and shell-only reference materials, and the incorporation of a tungsten oxide interlayer resulted in a twofold increase in cycle life. These results demonstrate that tungsten oxide effectively enhances cycling stability by inhibiting core–shell interdiffusion, offering a promising pathway toward more durable high-Ni NMC cathodes. Full article

Ammonia nitrogen stands as a pivotal water quality indicator within the frameworks of aquatic ecological quality assessment and aquatic ecological governance systems. This study focuses on the adsorption method, selecting four inorganic adsorbents—clinoptilolite, volcanic rock, bentonite, and fly ash—as research subjects, and introduces rare earth modifiers for rare earth-loading modification. Various modifications were applied to the adsorbents to enhance their ammonia nitrogen adsorption efficacy. Combined with material characterization, the microscopic features and adsorption behaviors of the adsorbents were elucidated, aiming to provide a theoretical foundation for addressing practical engineering challenges and to screen out the optimal inorganic adsorbent and the most effective modification protocol. Based on the experimental findings, cerium chloride modification can significantly enhance the ammonia nitrogen adsorption performance of clinoptilolite. Under the optimal preparation conditions (cerium chloride concentration: 1.0%, solid–liquid ratio: 1:40, pH = 9), the ammonia nitrogen removal efficiency reaches 85.45%. This modification process leads to the formation of new substances: a large amount of cerium oxide and cerium hydroxide are loaded onto the surface of clinoptilolite, which contributes to the increases in specific surface area (21.92 m²/g), average pore diameter (12.27 nm), and total pore volume (0.07 cm³/g). Furthermore, during the modification, cerium hydroxide undergoes hydroxylation, rendering the clinoptilolite surface negatively charged—this facilitates the adsorption of ammonia nitrogen via electrostatic interaction. Notably, the characteristic structural peaks of clinoptilolite remain unchanged before and after modification, indicating that the modification primarily acts on the material surface. This not only improves the ammonia nitrogen adsorption efficiency but also preserves the structural stability of clinoptilolite. Full article

Mitochondria are a key organelle in maintaining metabolic homeostasis. It not only generates most of the cell’s energy through oxidative phosphorylation but also acts as a complex sensor of the redox state and oxygen in the cell. This review thoroughly analyzes the interactions among mitochondrial iron metabolism, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS), and lipid peroxidation (LPO), the triggering factors of ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of programmed cell death. We point out research showing that intrinsic mitochondrial machinery, such as iron–sulfur (Fe-S) cluster assembly and heme metabolism, is both an important cofactor and a master regulator. If these processes are disrupted, they can lead to ferroptosis. Unlike views that focus on the cytosol, we explain that the stability of Fe-S clusters in complexes such as aconitase and respiratory Complex I is crucial for preventing electron leakage and excessive mtROS formation. The Fenton reaction and its direct effect on cardiolipin (CL) oxidation in the inner membrane of mitochondria is a central event in cardiometabolic diseases. Its peroxidation and breakdown make the organelle very unstable and lead to cell death though Ca²⁺ overload and a significantly decreased reduced/oxidized glutathione ratio. Additionally, the functions of essential iron transporters and glutathione homeostasis are examined, and their dysregulation is correlated with ferroptosis-associated progression of cardiometabolic and neurodegenerative disorders, such as obesity and Alzheimer’s disease. This review focused on the need to revisit the classic bioenergetic core of the mitochondria as a key player in the pathophysiology of metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases. Full article

Oxide materials represent a versatile and fundamental platform for photonics, allowing the manipulation of light through optical property engineering. This review focuses mainly on the physics and applications of simple oxides, analysing their use in the realisation of dielectric mirrors, in particular of distributed Bragg reflectors, and planar microcavities. Critical aspects regarding the design of multilayer structures, the control of optical confinement and the improvement of the quality factor in passive devices are discussed. However, to provide a complete picture of the evolution of the field, the section dedicated to oxide materials anticipates future directions dominated by complex oxides such as lithium niobate, lithium tantalate and barium titanate required for active photonics. In this context, a necessary technological paradigm shift is highlighted: the transition from the current use of film-on-insulator platforms to the direct epitaxial growth of these functional materials, an essential step for the scalability and monolithic integration of future photonic devices. Full article

For optimizing the tribological behaviors of sliding bearing, an equal ratio structure of rectangular micro-grid is well constructed and then filled with the SnAgCu-CaF₂ (SC) to form a surface micro/nanostructure. The reciprocating wear tests are performed at different sliding frequencies, ensuring that the tribological property at 7 Hz of a TASC-G4 is the best. During wear, the SC in a grid structure migrates to the friction surface and then spreads out to form an SC-rich lubrication film. In this film, a good wrapping in SnAgCu of CaF₂ is ensured, helps a plastic enhancement of SnAgCu, an oxidation reduction and the rolling friction of CaF₂. These enhance the lubrication film to resist friction damage, reduce sliding resistance, and strengthen interface lubrication, subsequently improves the tribological behaviors of the TASC-G4. The methods and conclusions are obtained to provide an important reference for improving tribological adhibition of the sliding bearings. Full article

Cold-pressed sunflower oil has gained increasing attention for its superior nutritional quality and retention of natural antioxidants compared to refined oils. Its composition and oxidative stability, however, are strongly influenced by both genetic factors and environmental conditions during seed development. Variations in temperature, solar radiation, and humidity can alter the activity of desaturase enzymes and the accumulation of bioactive compounds, thereby determining the sensory and functional quality of the oil. This study provides a comparative assessment of cold-pressed sunflower oils obtained from oil-type hybrids cultivated in Serbia and Argentina, and confectionery hybrids (intended for food use) grown in Serbia, in order to elucidate the combined effects of climatic conditions and genetic diversity on oil quality. Oils from Serbian-grown hybrids exhibited higher oleic acid (30.54–42.72%) and lower linoleic acid contents (46.03–58.44%) compared with those from Argentina, indicating temperature-driven desaturase inhibition. Total tocopherol content ranged from 341.56 to 719.41 mg/kg, while carotenoids and chlorophylls varied between 3.75–17.78 mg/kg and 0.02–1.43 mg/kg, respectively, with elevated pigment accumulation under higher solar irradiance. All oils met Codex Alimentarius standards and showed low peroxide (1.54–7.06 mmol/kg) and acid values (0.40–3.87 mg KOH/g). Principal component analysis differentiated oils according to geographical origin and hybrid type, explaining over 77% of the total variance. These results demonstrate that both genotype and climate decisively modulate fatty acid composition, antioxidant content, and oxidative behavior, shaping the nutritional properties of cold-pressed sunflower oils. Full article

Background/Objectives: Intestinal dysbiosis is a pivotal trigger of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Our previous studies confirmed that composite probiotics derived from fermented camel milk (CPCM), containing Lactobacillus harbinensis and 13 other strains, can ameliorate glucose and lipid metabolism in T2DM mice by reshaping bile acid profiles, and its effect may be associated with the PPARγ-LXRα-NPC1L1 signaling pathway. Methods: Metagenomic analysis characterized alterations in intestinal microbiota structure and functional genes post-CPCM intervention, proteomic analysis detected changes in protein expression profiles related to glucose and lipid metabolism in mice, and Caco-2 cells were used for in vitro validation to clarify the regulatory effect of exopolysaccharides (EPS) (the active component of CPCM) on the PPARγ-LXRα-NPC1L1 signaling pathway. Results: The results showed that CPCM significantly improved glucose and lipid metabolism and remodeled the intestinal flora structure in mice, markedly enriching beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Akkermansia and enhancing the expression of functional genes related to the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathway and short-chain fatty acid synthesis in the microbiota. Proteomic analysis revealed that CPCM reversed the expression of key proteins involved in fatty acid oxidation and transport, thereby restoring the function of the PPAR signaling pathway. In vitro experiments validated that extracellular polysaccharides, the active component of CPCM, significantly upregulated the expression of PPARγ and liver X receptor α (LXRα) and inhibited the expression of Niemann–Pick C1-Like 1 (NPC1L1), a cholesterol absorption transporter, in Caco-2 cells. Conclusions: In conclusion, CPCM ameliorates glucose and lipid metabolic disorders in T2DM through multiple mechanisms: reshaping the intestinal probiotic community, enhancing its beneficial metabolic functions, restoring the activity of the PPARγ-LXRα signaling pathway, and subsequently downregulating NPC1L1. Full article

Cobalt, a toxic heavy metal frequently present in wastewater, poses serious environmental and health risks but also represents a valuable resource for recovery. This study investigates a novel, environmentally friendly continuous flow in-liquid plasma discharge (CFILPD) system for simultaneous removal of cobalt, zinc, copper, and lead ions from aqueous solutions. The reactor contains two conductive channels where a stable plasma discharge forms between dielectric plates separating opposing electrodes, generating energetic electrons and hydroxyl radicals that react with dissolved metal ions. The effects of varying concentrations (5, 10, 50, and 100 ppm) of zinc, copper, and lead ions on the removal efficiency of 100 ppm cobalt ions were examined under constant conditions: 0.2 L/min argon flow rate, 200 W input power, and 50 mL/min liquid flow rate for 30 min. Results showed that increasing concentrations of co-existing metals significantly inhibited cobalt removal, with the largest reduction (91%) observed in multi-metal systems. Among individual metals at equimolar levels with cobalt, copper showed the strongest inhibitory effect (85% reduction), followed by zinc (53%) and lead (52%). Characterization of the recovered solids revealed cobalt–metal oxide composites (2.5–3 µm), suggesting their potential reuse in technological applications. Full article

This study quantifies the effect of air and fuel filter restriction on fuel consumption, regulated pollutants (CO and HC), and CO₂ greenhouse gas emissions under real driving conditions in a hilly high-altitude environment. Four filter configurations were evaluated: clean air filter–clean fuel filter (CAF–CFF, reference), dirty air filter–clean fuel filter (DAF–CFF), clean air filter–dirty fuel filter (CAF–DFF), and dirty air filter–dirty fuel filter (DAF–DFF). Each test was repeated three times over the same RDE route in Quito (≈2100–2900 m). Fuel consumption was estimated from ECU-based signals, and CO₂ emission factors and regulated pollutant (CO and HC) emission factors were computed from measured exhaust concentrations and distance normalization. Results were analyzed by RDE section (urban, rural, motorway) and expressed as percent changes relative to the reference configuration to directly isolate filter restriction effects. Relative to CAF–CFF, DAF–CFF produced the largest increase in average fuel consumption (+7.2%) and the largest urban CO₂ penalty (+22.7%), indicating a strong efficiency sensitivity to intake restriction under transient operation. CAF–DFF increased average fuel consumption by 6% and produced the strongest motorway penalties for CO (+77.3%) and HC (+44.4%), suggesting that fuel delivery restriction has a stronger influence on incomplete oxidation products under sustained higher load. The combined restriction (DAF–DFF) showed non-additive responses depending on the operating regime. Random Forest models were trained to estimate CO₂, CO, and HC, achieving R² values of 0.8571, 0.8229, and 0.7690, respectively, while multiple linear regression achieved an R² of 0.852 for fuel consumption. The proposed approach supports data-driven monitoring of filter restriction effects under real driving operation, while acknowledging that fuel consumption and CO₂ are obtained through different measurement and conversion paths and may not yield identical percent changes. Full article

Mitochondrial dysfunction lies at the core of numerous cardiac pathologies, yet restoring mitochondrial health remains a therapeutic frontier. In recent years, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as nature’s delivery nanocarriers, capable of transporting a wide array of biomolecules, including mitochondrial-associated microRNAs (mito-miRs). These miRNAs regulate bioenergetics, redox homeostasis, and apoptotic signaling—making them prime candidates for non-cellular mitochondrial therapy. This review explores the evolving landscape of mitochondrial miRNA encapsulation within EVs, focusing on their potential to restore mitochondrial transcriptional and metabolic programs governing ATP synthesis and redox balance, enhance cellular energy output, and mitigate oxidative stress. We integrate insights from stem cell biology, RNA epigenetics, systems cardiology, and bioengineering, offering a unifying framework for therapeutic applications across ischemic heart disease, heart failure, and chemotherapy-induced cardiomyopathy. An integrative narrative synthesis of recent peer-reviewed literature was performed across major biomedical databases, prioritizing mechanistic studies linking EV-mediated mito-miR delivery to cardiomyocyte mitochondrial function. By harmonizing multi-omic signaling, vesicle engineering, and mitochondrial medicine, this review seeks to guide future research toward targeted, customizable, and scalable bioenergetic interventions—unlocking a next-generation path for cardiovascular regeneration. Full article

Tripterygium glycoside (TG) is known to disrupt the oxidative balance in bio-systems, inducing oxidative stress-mediated toxic effects on testicular tissue. This study aimed to explore the therapeutic potential of coumestrol (COU) against these adverse effects. Sixty-four male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomized into control and Tripterygium glycoside (TG) groups for four weeks. Following initial intervention, eight rats per group were sacrificed to verify the establishment of the oligospermia model and hormonal dysfunction. The remaining rats were subdivided into five therapeutic subgroups, TG, TG + L-carnitine, and three COU dosage groups (low, medium, and high) to evaluate potential protective effects. The present study comprehensively analyzed its impacts on testicular histomorphology, circulating testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels, and redox balance status, as well as a suite of serum biochemical and physiological biomarkers. Our results revealed that TG induced oligospermia in rats, causing significant testicular oxidative stress characterized by excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), alongside depleted superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC). Conversely, COU treatment effectively mitigated these impairments by significantly downregulating ROS and MDA levels while restoring SOD activity and T-AOC. Full article

Small-airway disease (SAD) is a key feature of severe asthma and is associated with poor symptom control and frequent exacerbations. Dupilumab has demonstrated efficacy in improving lung function and reducing exacerbations, but real-world evidence on its effects in SAD remains limited. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of 12 months of dupilumab treatment on SAD, clinical outcomes, and type 2 inflammation. We included 21 patients. Small-airway function was assessed by impulse oscillometry (R5–R20) and spirometry FEF25–75% predicted at baseline (T0) and after 3 (T3), 6 (T6), and 12 (T12) months of treatment. Additional assessments included FEV₁, the Asthma Control Test (ACT), exacerbation frequency, oral corticosteroid (OCS) use, the blood eosinophil count (BEC), and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO). At baseline, 62% of patients exhibited SAD (R5–R20 > 0.07 kPa/L/s). Dupilumab treatment led to a significant and sustained improvement in small-airway function: mean R5–R20 decreased from 0.18 ± 0.17 kPa/L/s to 0.09 ± 0.07 at T12 (p = 0.04), while predicted FEF25–75% increased from 29.5 ± 20.8% to 47.0 ± 21.1% (p < 0.001). ACT scores improved from 13.1 ± 4.9 to 19.6 ± 3.8 (p < 0.001). FeNO levels declined from 64.1 ± 50.7 ppb to 24.8 ± 20.9 ppb (p = 0.01). Improvements in R5–R20 correlated with better ACT and FeNO reductions. In this real-world cohort, dupilumab significantly improved SAD, lung function, and asthma control, while reducing exacerbations, OCS dependence, and type 2 inflammation over 12 months. Full article

Oxidative stress (OS) and sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) are complementary contributors to male infertility. OS characterizes a compromised seminal redox status, whereas SDF quantifies downstream genomic damage. Human sperm are highly susceptible to redox damage due to lipid-rich membranes and disrupted post-meiotic DNA-repair capacity. Excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) can cause lipid peroxidation, oxidative base lesions, and DNA strand breaks that impair fertilization, embryo development, and pregnancy outcomes. This review explains how OS promotes genomic instability and summarizes the main laboratory assays that assess redox status and SDF in semen. These include direct ROS chemiluminescence assay, oxidation–reduction potential, total antioxidant capacity/ferric reducing antioxidant power, and lipid peroxidation biomarkers, alongside SDF platforms (Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling, alkaline/neutral Comet, and sperm chromatin dispersion). Additionally, guideline-aligned indications are highlighted to clarify the conditions for testing OS and SDF. OS testing is most relevant in men with leukocytospermia or suspected genital tract infection or inflammation, including dysbiosis; in cases of major modifiable exposures such as smoking or heat; and for early monitoring after treatment. SDF testing is particularly informative in couples with recurrent pregnancy loss and in unexplained infertility with normal semen parameters. Combined OS and SDF testing is recommended in clinical varicocele, repeated in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) failure, poor embryo development, and follow-up after targeted therapy. Management centers on treating infection and inflammation, improving lifestyle and environmental factors, considering varicocelectomy when indicated, using targeted antioxidant therapy in men with documented OS, and selectively applying sperm selection technologies or testicular sperm for ICSI when SDF remains high. Priorities include assay standardization, etiologic attribution of DNA damage, and trials testing OS/SDF-guided pathways with live birth as the primary endpoint. When used selectively and in the appropriate context, OS and SDF testing can help refine diagnosis, improve counseling, and help personalize care of infertile couples. Full article