Search Results (117,224)

Despite significant therapeutic advances, T2DM remains a global public health challenge that leads to multiple complications, including cardiovascular, renal, hepatic, and neurodegenerative disorders. Mitochondrial dysfunction and impaired mitophagy remain fundamental, yet incompletely understood, mechanisms driving pancreatic β-cell failure, chronic inflammation, insulin resistance and diabetic complications. Emerging evidence indicates that noncoding RNAs (including microRNAs, long noncoding RNAs, and circular RNAs) are critical regulators of mitophagy and mitochondrial quality control mechanisms across metabolically active tissues. This review comprehensively examines the interplay between mitochondrial dysfunction, mitophagy impairment, and T2DM pathophysiology. It provides an overview of recent mechanistic insights into mitophagy–noncoding RNA interactions in T2DM, emphasizing tissue-specific effects, and highlights the translational potential of mitophagy-associated proteins and regulatory ncRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. By bridging fundamental molecular biology with translational and clinical perspectives, further it provides a comprehensive framework to guide future research, accelerate biomarker discovery, and support the development of personalized interventions aimed at reducing the growing worldwide burden of T2DM and its complications. Full article

Benzaldehyde is a key intermediate in the fine chemical, pharmaceutical, fragrance, and agrochemical industries, and the development of efficient and sustainable synthetic routes remains a major research priority. This review critically examines the principal catalytic pathways reported for benzaldehyde production, with particular emphasis on the oxidation of benzyl alcohol and the partial oxidation of toluene. Reaction conditions, catalytic systems, and performance descriptors such as conversion and selectivity are systematically analyzed, highlighting the strengths and limitations of each approach. Special attention is given to the choice of oxidants, reaction phase, and operating temperature, as these factors strongly influence process efficiency and product distribution. From a sustainability perspective, conventional routes are compared with greener alternatives based on molecular oxygen or air, aiming to reduce energy consumption and the generation of hazardous by-products. The review further discusses current challenges associated with catalyst stability, overoxidation, and process scalability. It identifies the principal scientific gaps limiting the industrial implementation of heterogeneous catalytic systems and critically examines how catalyst design, synthesis methodologies, sustainable feedstocks, waste-derived materials, and techno-economic considerations can collectively contribute to scalable and environmentally responsible benzaldehyde production. Finally, future research directions are proposed to guide the development of highly selective, economically viable, and sustainable catalytic processes. Full article

This study aims to investigate the feasibility of ethanol-digested calcium oxide (CaO-E) as a novel dechlorination sorbent for the efficient removal of hydrogen chloride (HCl) from coal-fired flue gas and further evaluate its influence on mercury speciation and transformation in flue gas, thereby addressing the low efficiency and limited multi-pollutant control capability of conventional dry dechlorination technologies. Based on a laboratory-scale injection reaction system, ethanol-digested calcium-based sorbents were injected into simulated coal-fired flue gas to systematically examine the effects of key factors, including Ca/Cl molar ratio, SO₂, and fly ash, on dechlorination efficiency. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were further employed to elucidate the reaction mechanisms. Meanwhile, mercury-laden flue gas was introduced to investigate the removal characteristics of elemental mercury (Hg⁰) and oxidized mercury (Hg²⁺) by CaO-E. The experimental results demonstrated that ethanol-digested CaO exhibited significantly superior performance compared with untreated samples, and the formation of a porous calcium hydroxide structure was identified as the key factor responsible for its high dechlorination efficiency. When the Ca/Cl molar ratio reached 4.0, the dechlorination efficiency could be stably maintained above 80%. SO₂ showed a pronounced inhibitory effect on the dechlorination process, whereas fly ash exhibited a slight promoting effect. Mercury removal experiments revealed that CaO-E had limited removal capability toward Hg⁰ but effectively reduced the concentration of Hg²⁺. Specifically, when the Ca/Cl molar ratios were 3 and 5, the Hg²⁺ concentrations decreased to 1.4 and 0.6 μg/m³, respectively. This behavior can be attributed to the fact that Hg²⁺ mainly exists in chlorinated forms such as HgCl₂, which possess strong polarity and can be readily adsorbed by the alkaline active sites on the CaO-E surface. In addition, as the dechlorination process proceeded, chlorine-containing species in the flue gas were gradually consumed, suppressing the oxidation conversion of Hg⁰ to Hg²⁺ and thereby further reducing the Hg²⁺ concentration. Theoretical calculations indicated that both HCl and SO₂ could undergo chemisorption on calcium active sites, while HCl possessed a lower reaction energy barrier and therefore dominated the competitive adsorption process, exhibiting preferential reactivity. Overall, ethanol-digested calcium oxide not only demonstrates excellent HCl removal performance, but also shows the capability to regulate mercury speciation in flue gas to a certain extent, providing both theoretical insights and technical support for the synergistic control of multiple pollutants in coal-fired flue gas. Full article

Background/Objectives: Oxidative stress and low-grade chronic inflammation are implicated in the early pathogenesis of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Malondialdehyde (MDA), a biomarker of lipid peroxidation, may reflect subclinical oxidative stress in apparently healthy young adults. This study aimed to establish a population-specific reference interval for plasma MDA in healthy Thai undergraduate students and evaluate associations with lifestyle risk factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 141 Thai college students aged 18–27 years. Plasma MDA was measured using the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assay. A reference interval was determined non-parametrically (P2.5–P97.5) following IFCC recommendations in a reference subgroup (n = 94). The 75th percentile (P75) was used as an exploratory cutoff for elevated MDA. Associations between MDA and lifestyle risk factors were assessed using logistic regression and multiple linear regression. Results: The plasma MDA reference interval was 1.16–9.23 µmol/L, with P75 = 6.07 µmol/L. Using this cutoff, 25.5% of participants had elevated MDA. High sugar intake was associated with elevated MDA in the P75-based model (adjusted OR = 3.42; 95% CI: 1.08–10.87; p = 0.036). In the linear regression model, BMI emerged as independently associated with MDA (p = 0.004). Conclusions: This study established the first population-specific plasma MDA reference interval for Thai young adults. High sugar intake and BMI emerged as complementary exploratory associations with elevated lipid peroxidation across different models. These findings support plasma MDA as a practical, cost-effective candidate biomarker, providing a basis for further early oxidative stress surveillance and NCD prevention in young populations. Full article

Phenolic resin pyrolytic carbon is a key matrix phase in carbon-based refractories and carbon/carbon composites; however, its defect-rich glassy carbon structure exhibits poor oxidation resistance at elevated temperatures. In this work, we report a facile one-step thermal-treatment strategy using melamine as a nitrogen source to prepare nitrogen-modified phenolic resin pyrolytic carbon (NC). The structural evolution and oxidation behavior of samples carbonized at 500–800 °C were systematically investigated by XRD, SEM, TEM, FT-IR, Raman, XPS, BET, and TG-DSC. The results reveal that melamine-derived nitrogen exists in two distinct forms: at 500–700 °C, a carbon nitride-rich phase consistent with graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) forms sheet- and belt-like structures on the carbon surface and partially fills the internal pores; at 800 °C, its long-range crystalline signature disappears, while pyridinic, pyrrolic, and graphitic nitrogen remain in the carbon framework. From 500 to 800 °C, the relative N 1s fraction of pyridinic N decreases from 72.33% to 44.38%, whereas graphitic N increases from 0.47% to 24.09%. Meanwhile, the pore structure evolves from a mesopore-dominated architecture with a limited accessible surface area at 500–600 °C to a micropore-rich structure at 700–800 °C. Relative to unmodified PR-800, NC-800 exhibits an approximately 30 °C higher onset oxidation temperature and an approximately 40 °C higher complete oxidation temperature, together with a lower maximum mass-loss rate and a delayed, broadened exothermic response. These results show that melamine-derived pore regulation and skeletal nitrogen doping jointly retard oxygen transport and suppress oxidation-active defect sites, providing a simple and potentially scalable route for improving the high-temperature oxidation resistance of phenolic resin pyrolytic carbon. Full article

Background: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of irreversible vision loss and is strongly driven by oxidative stress and inflammation. This study investigated the protective effects of cynarin against sodium iodate (NaIO₃)-induced retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) injury, focusing on the MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways. Materials and Methods: Human ARPE-19 cells were exposed to NaIO₃, and cell viability was assessed by the MTT assay. Protein expression of MAPK components (p38, JNK, ERK) and the NF-κB pathway was analyzed by Western blotting, and pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) mRNA expression was measured by RT-qPCR. In vivo, NaIO₃-induced retinal degeneration in C57BL/6 mice was treated with cynarin (3 or 10 mg/kg) for seven days, and retinal changes were evaluated by fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, and OCT. Results: Cynarin preserved ARPE-19 cell viability without cytotoxicity. It significantly attenuated NaIO₃-induced p38 and JNK phosphorylation, IκB degradation, and NF-κB activation while downregulating IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α expression. In vivo, cynarin reduced drusen-like lesions, hyperfluorescent abnormalities, and retinal thinning, and dose-dependently suppressed ocular pro-inflammatory cytokines. Conclusions: Cynarin protects against oxidative stress-induced retinal degeneration by suppressing MAPK and NF-κB inflammatory signaling, representing a promising therapeutic candidate for preventing or delaying NaIO₃-induced dry AMD-like retinal injury. Full article

Wearable sweat biosensors require electrode materials with high surface area, conductivity and mechanical compliance, yet chemically polymerized polyaniline forms dense, low-surface-area films with limited flexibility. In this work, flexible free-standing nanofiber mats were fabricated by coaxial electrospinning, using a sulfuric-acid-doped polyacrylonitrile/polyaniline (PAN/PANI) core and a shell containing graphene oxide nanoscrolls (GONS) at 1 and 3 wt%, followed by gold nanoparticle and ferrocene incorporation, glucose oxidase (GOx) immobilization and a Nafion coating. Scanning electron microscopy showed uniform bead-free fibers with an interconnected pore network and an apparent image-derived porosity of approximately 40%. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy confirmed the uniform distribution of carbon, oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur across the matrix. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy retained the nitrile band at 2243 cm⁻¹ and the quinoid and benzenoid bands at 1547 and 1476 cm⁻¹, while amide bands at 1730 and 1641 cm⁻¹ confirmed retention of protein from enzymes. X-ray diffraction gave crystallinities of 76.6% for GONS and 60% for the pure PANI. Four-point probe measurements showed conductivity increasing from 0.0481 S/cm to 1 wt% GONS to 0.0595 S/cm for the 3 wt% mat with additives. These material and structural characterizations establish a promising foundation for future electrochemical validation and sensor development. Full article

Postharvest spoilage of cherry tomatoes caused by pathogenic microorganisms and oxidative browning leads to significant economic losses and food waste. Natural bioactive compounds are gaining increasing attention as alternatives to synthetic pesticides. In this study, a nanoemulsion (NED) formulation of nature-derived 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol was developed and evaluated for its potential to preserve cherry tomato quality during storage. The NED was prepared using high-pressure homogenization, and demonstrated good water solubility and stability. The particles and polydispersity index of NED were an average size of 80–170 nm and 0.2389, respectively. The conductivity and zeta potential of the nanoemulsion were detected as 1.007 mS/cm and 1.611 mV, respectively. Antimicrobial assays showed that the nanoemulsion effectively inhibited the growth of major postharvest pathogens, including human-pathogenic bacterial S. aureus, and phytopathogenic fungal B. cinerea, with minimum inhibitory concentration values of 1.0, 2.0 μL/mL, respectively. Preservation performance tests indicated that the nanoemulsion was effective under both room temperature and refrigerated conditions. When applied to cherry tomatoes, the NED significantly reduced surface bacterial quantity, and preserved fruit quality, as evidenced by a lower weight loss rate, and higher levels of soluble sugars, protein, total phenolics, flavonoids, and ascorbic acid, and total antioxidant capacity (all comparisons were statistically evaluated by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s HSD test, p < 0.05). Importantly, the NED can be completely removed after three times of washing. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that NED is an effective and safe bioactive preservative under laboratory-scale conditions. However, further validation under commercial postharvest handling conditions is necessary prior to practical application. This work provides a fundamental basis for the application of nanoencapsulated natural phenolic compounds in the postharvest preservation of fruits and vegetables. Full article

Vitiligo is a chronic acquired depigmenting disorder characterized by progressive melanocyte loss. Its pathogenesis involves a multifactorial interplay among oxidative stress, impaired melanocyte regeneration, immune-mediated cytotoxicity, and neuroendocrine dysregulation. In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)-derived active ingredients have attracted increasing research interest as potential interventions for vitiligo, although most isolated compounds remain at the preclinical stage. This review summarizes pharmacological and natural compounds applied in vitiligo treatment and highlights their regulatory mechanisms on core pathogenic modules. A comprehensive analysis of natural and semisynthetic active ingredients is provided, covering their preclinical and clinical evidence, mechanisms of action, and therapeutic relevance. Multiple ingredients, including baicalein, quercetin, curcumin, paeoniflorin, kaempferol, glycyrrhizin, and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), have demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and neuroprotective effects that are involved in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. Some TCM-derived interventions, such as Ginkgo biloba L. extract and compound glycyrrhizin, have been evaluated clinically, whereas most isolated active compounds, including baicalein and quercetin, remain at the preclinical stage. Overall, TCM-derived active ingredients represent a promising therapeutic strategy for vitiligo. However, continued translational and clinical research is still required to optimize formulations, dosing regimens, and safety profiles, thereby facilitating their integration into routine clinical practice. Full article

Rubus saxatilis L. (Rosaceae) is used in traditional medicine in Central Kazakhstan, yet the effect of the extraction method on its phenolic profile and biological activity has not been studied systematically. Three extracts were compared: two prepared by ultrasound-assisted extraction differing only in solvent—water (WE) and 50% ethanol (UAE)—and one by microwave-assisted extraction with 50% ethanol (MAE), allowing the effect of solvent (WE vs. UAE) and of extraction technique (UAE vs. MAE) to be assessed separately. Phenolic composition was determined by HPLC-UV-ESI-MS; antioxidant activity in vitro; cytotoxicity for Artemia salina; and antigenotoxic effects using Escherichia coli K12 MG1655 lux-biosensors (pKatG::lux, pSoxS::lux, pColD::lux) and Drosophila melanogaster models. Four phenolics were identified, with gallic acid dominant in the UAE and MAE extracts and hyperoside predominant in WE, while rutin was not detected in WE. MAE showed the strongest radical-scavenging activity (DPPH, IC₅₀ = 7.44 µg/mL), whereas WE had the highest reducing power (FRAP, EC₅₀ = 52.97 µg/mL). All extracts were non-toxic for A. salina and induced neither oxidative stress nor the SOS response; instead, they attenuated dioxidine-induced SOS signalling by up to 57%, suggesting an antigenotoxic (DNA-protective) effect at the bacterial level. In Drosophila, extracts produced moderate extract-dependent genotoxicity: the lowest damage was observed for MAE. The extraction method governs the phenolic profile and biological activity of R. saxatilis, with MAE being most favorable. Full article

The Galinge deposit in East Kunlun, China is a large Fe-polymetallic skarn system with a significant by-product, Co, but the respective roles of magmatism, skarn evolution, and wall rock interaction in Co enrichment remain incompletely understood. We integrate zircon and garnet U–Pb geochronology, zircon Lu–Hf isotopes and trace elements, whole-rock geochemistry, and SEM-EDS and EPMA mineral chemistry. Granodiorite and diorite porphyry yield zircon U–Pb ages of 230.09 ± 0.91 Ma and 229.4 ± 1.3 Ma, respectively, whereas skarn garnet yields 224.4 ± 9.3 Ma, placing intrusion and skarn formation within a Late Triassic magmatic–hydrothermal system. Both suites are metaluminous, LREE-enriched, and Nb–Ta–Ti-depleted; zircon ε_Hf(t) values of −9.4 to −1.8 indicate the predominant reworking of older crustal material with variable input from a more radiogenic component. Strictly screened Ti-in-zircon temperatures and lattice strain Ce anomalies yield median apparent ΔFMQ values of +3.36 for granodiorite and +3.04 for diorite porphyry, indicating comparably oxidized magmatic conditions. The analyzed intrusions contain 2.12–13.4 ppm Co, whereas cobaltite and Co-bearing arsenopyrite contain 32.83–34.14 wt% and 0.38–4.53 wt% Co, respectively. Spatial and paragenetic relations place Co enrichment after magnetite deposition, during an early sulfide-stage hydrothermal sulfarsenide event within the skarn system. We infer that Late Triassic intrusions supplied heat, fluids, and ligands, whereas structural focusing and cooling, coupled with carbonate wall rock reactions and a reduction in carbonaceous or Fe²⁺-bearing domains, promoted As–S-rich Co precipitation; the leaching of intermediate–mafic wall rocks may have supplemented the Co inventory. Full article

This comprehensive review systematically examines the fundamental and contemporary concepts underlying the Toms effect—the phenomenon of turbulent drag reduction (DR) induced by the addition of minute concentrations of high-molecular-weight linear polymers to turbulent flows. The evolution of scientific understanding is traced from the classical studies of the mid-twentieth century to contemporary machine-learning-based approaches. The influence of four key parameters is examined in detail: the dimensionless solvent viscosity ratio $\beta$, Reynolds number $Re$, conformational chain length $L_c/MW$, and macromolecular relaxation time $\lambda$. Polymer concentration $C$ is treated as an independent control variable through which the values of these four parameters are partially determined. The principal physical mechanisms at the molecular and hydrodynamic levels are described. The capabilities of numerical modeling approaches (DNS, LES, and RANS) are critically reviewed, along with promising directions for the application of artificial intelligence. Finally, practical guidelines are proposed for validating and interpreting experimental and numerical drag-reduction data over a broad range of hydrodynamic conditions. Full article

Coronary artery disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in modern medicine. In contrast, surgical myocardial revascularization via coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) remains the gold standard of treatment for complex multivessel disease. The great saphenous vein remains the most frequently used conduit due to its availability and technical simplicity, but its long-term patency is significantly inferior to that of arterial grafts. The primary pathological process responsible for vein graft failure is intimal hyperplasia, which represents a complex response of the vascular wall to surgical trauma, vein arterialization, inflammation, and hemodynamic stress. This process is characterized by endothelial dysfunction, inflammatory cell activation, proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells, and extracellular matrix remodeling. Underpinning these alterations are numerous molecular pathways, including NF-κB, MAPK, PI3K/Akt, TGF-β, and mTOR signaling, as well as substantial contributions from oxidative stress, cytokines, growth factors, and microRNAs. Contemporary research indicates that the phenotypic transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells constitutes the central event in the development of intimal hyperplasia. Understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying this disease’s onset enables the development of novel therapeutic strategies to preserve long-term graft patency. This review paper aims to provide a systematic overview of current knowledge regarding the molecular and cellular mechanisms of intimal hyperplasia development in vein grafts following CABG. Full article

This paper presents an analytical compact DC current model and a numerical gate capacitance model for p-type cylindrical gate-all-around (GAA) nanowire metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs). The models are formulated within the Landauer transport framework, incorporating source-to-drain tunneling (SDT) and quantum statistical charge analysis. The proposed current model is validated against non-equilibrium Green’s function (NEGF) simulations for different channel lengths, nanowire radii, and bias conditions, showing good agreement with the NEGF results in the ballistic limit. The model parameters are separated into physical parameters obtained or calibrated from the NEGF simulations and a single set of global empirical fitting parameters. The latter is extracted once and remains unchanged across the investigated device geometries and bias conditions, allowing its transferability to be evaluated. The compact model is implemented in Verilog-A, and its SPICE compatibility is verified through DC simulations of PMOS inverter circuits. All NEGF comparisons in this work are performed with a zero channel backscattering coefficient corresponding to the ballistic transport limit; validation of the quasi-ballistic regime is left for future work. Full article

Retinal degeneration is characterized by progressive photoreceptor loss driven by oxidative stress and chronic inflammation, yet effective mutation-independent therapeutic strategies remain limited. Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs) possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities; however, the structural features responsible for their retinal protective effects remain poorly defined. In this study, crude LBP was fractionated by DEAE-cellulose ion-exchange chromatography, and the most bioactive fraction, LBPF2, was identified using H₂O₂-injured 661W cone photoreceptor-like cells. LBPF2 was subsequently characterized by high-performance anion-exchange chromatography, SEC-MALLS-RI, GC–MS methylation analysis, and one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy, and its protective effects were evaluated in H₂O₂-treated 661W cells and rd10 mice. LBPF2 was identified as a homogeneous glucose-rich polysaccharide with an average molecular weight of approximately 41 kDa and a backbone mainly composed of →4)-α-D-Glcp-(1→ and →4,6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→ residues. LBPF2 reduced oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in H₂O₂-treated 661W cells, preserved retinal morphology, improved electroretinographic responses and partial retention of rhodopsin immunoreactivity relative to untreated rd10 mice, and restored redox homeostasis in rd10 mice. Pharmacological inhibition of Nrf2 using ML385 attenuated these protective effects, supporting the involvement of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling. Collectively, these findings identify LBPF2 as a structurally characterized neuroprotective polysaccharide that mitigates retinal degeneration through coordinated regulation of oxidative stress and inflammation and highlight its therapeutic potential for retinal degenerative diseases. Full article