Search Results (3,568)

Neutrophils are increasingly recognized as key players in the tumor microenvironment (TME), displaying functional plasticity that enables them to either promote or inhibit cancer progression. Depending on environmental cues, tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs) may polarize toward antitumor “N1” or protumor “N2” phenotypes, exerting diverse effects on tumor growth, metastasis, immune modulation, and treatment response. While previous studies have focused on the pathological roles of TANs in cancer, less attention has been given to how cancer therapies themselves influence the behavior of TANs. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of current knowledge regarding the dynamics of TANs in response to major cancer treatment modalities, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, cell-based immunotherapies, and oncolytic viral and bacterial therapies. We discuss how these therapies influence TAN recruitment, polarization, and effector functions within the TME, and highlight key molecular regulators involved. By consolidating mechanistic and translational insights, this review emphasizes the potential to therapeutically reprogram TANs to enhance treatment efficacy. A deeper understanding of context-dependent TAN roles will be essential for developing more effective, neutrophil-informed cancer therapies. Full article

Antibiotic misuse accelerates resistance dissemination via plasmid conjugation, but quorum sensing (QS) regulatory mechanisms remain undefined. Using Escherichia coli (E. coli) MG1655 conjugation models (RP4-7/EC600 plasmids), we demonstrate that long-chain acyl-homoserine lactones (C10/C12-HSL) enhance transfer frequency by up to 7.7-fold (200 μM C12-HSL; p < 0.001), while quorum-quenching by sub-inhibitory vanillin suppressed this effect by 95% (p < 0.0001). C12-HSL compromised membrane integrity via ompF upregulation (4-fold; p < 0.01) and conjugative pore assembly (trbBp upregulated by 1.38-fold; p < 0.05), coinciding with ROS accumulation (1.5-fold; p < 0.0001) and SOS response activation (recA upregulated by 1.68-fold; p < 0.001). Crucially, rpoS and rmf deletion mutants reduced conjugation by 65.5% and 55.8%, respectively (p < 0.001), exhibiting attenuated membrane permeability (≤65.5% reduced NPN influx; p < 0.0001), suppressed ROS (≤54% downregulated; p < 0.0001), and abolished transcriptional induction of conjugation/stress genes. Reciprocal RpoS–RMF (ribosomal hibernation factor) crosstalk was essential for AHL responsiveness, with deletions mutually suppressing expression (≤65.9% downregulated; p < 0.05). We establish a hierarchical mechanism wherein long-chain AHLs drive resistance dissemination through integrated membrane restructuring, stress adaptation, and RpoS–RMF-mediated genetic plasticity, positioning QS signaling as a viable target for curbing resistance spread. Full article

Plastic pollution in marine environments poses a new global threat. Microplastics (MPs) can bioaccumulate in marine organisms, leading to oxidative stress (OS). This study investigates MP accumulation and associated OS responses in six invertebrate species (Bivalvia, Gastropoda, and Malacostraca) and three key fish species of the Bulgarian Black Sea ecosystems. The target hydrobionts were collected from nine representative coastal habitats of the northern and southern aquatory. MPs were quantified microscopically, and OS biomarkers (lipid peroxidation, glutathione, and antioxidant enzymes) were analyzed spectrometrically in fish liver and gills and invertebrate soft tissues (STs). The specific OS (SOS) index was calculated as a composite indicator of the ecological impact, incl. MP effects. The results revealed species-specific MP bioaccumulation, with the highest concentrations in Palaemon adspersus, Rathke (1837) (0.99 ± 1.09 particles/g ST) and the least abundance in Bittium reticulatum (da Costa, 1778) (0.0033 ± 0.0025 particles/g ST). In Sprattus sprattus (Linnaeus, 1758), the highest accumulation of MPs was present (2.01 ± 2.56 particles/g muscle). The correlation analyses demonstrated a significant association between MP counts and catalase activity in all examined species. The SOS index varied among species, reflecting different stress responses, and this indicated that OS levels were linked to ecological conditions of the habitat and the species-specific antioxidant defense potential to overcome multiple stressors. These findings confirmed the importance of environmental conditions, including MP pollution and the evolutionarily developed capacity of marine organisms to tolerate and adapt to environmental stress. This study emphasizes the need for novel approaches in monitoring MPs and OS to better assess potential ecological risks. Full article

In this work, the microstructure and mechanical properties of the FeAlCrNiV complex concentrated alloy (CCA) were studied in the as-cast and annealed states. The material was annealed at 800 °C for 16 days to test microstructure stability and phase evolution. It was found that the microstructure does not differ in the two investigated states, and the results of differential scanning calorimetry and dilatometry showed that there is almost no difference in the thermal response between the as-cast and annealed states. Both investigated states exhibit eutectic structure with bcc solid solution and ordered phase with B2 symmetry. In a single grain, several regions with B2 laths in the bcc matrix were observed. Inside the B2 laths and in the bcc matrix, bcc spheres and B2 spheres were observed, respectively. All three features—laths, matrix and spheres—are fully crystallographically coherent. Nevertheless, in the adjacent region in the grain, the crystal structure of the matrix, laths and sphere changed to the other structure, i.e., the characteristics of the microstructure feature with B2 symmetry changed to bcc, and vice versa. Compression deformation tests were performed for various temperatures from room temperature to 800 °C. The results showed that the material exhibits exceptional yield stress values, especially at high temperatures (820 MPa/800 °C), and excellent plasticity (25%). Full article

Nano- and microplastic pollution, together with the ongoing rise in global temperatures driven by climate change, represent increasingly critical environmental challenges. Although these stressors often co-occur in the environment, their combined effects on plant systems remain largely unexplored. To test the hypothesis that their interaction may exacerbate the effects observed under each stressor individually, we investigated the response of seedlings of Triticum turgidum to treatments with fluorescent polystyrene nanoplastics under optimal (25 °C) and elevated (35 °C) temperature conditions. We evaluated seedling growth, photosynthetic pigment content, and oxidative stress markers using both biochemical and histochemical techniques. In addition, we assessed enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant responses. The use of fluorescently labeled nanoplastics enabled the visualization of their uptake and translocation within plant tissues. Elevated temperatures negatively affect plant growth, increasing the production of proline, a key protective molecule, and weakly activating secondary defense mechanisms. Nanoplastics disturbed wheat seedling physiology, with these effects being amplified under high temperature conditions. Combined stress enhances nanoplastic uptake in roots, increases oxidative damage, and alters antioxidant responses, reducing defense capacity in leaves while triggering compensatory mechanisms in roots. These findings underscore a concerning interaction between plastic pollution and climate warming in crop plants. Full article

Microplastics (MPs) can affect fish health by inducing oxidative stress, but their impact on structural coloration remains poorly understood. This study investigated the effects of environmentally relevant concentrations (16 and 160 μg/L) of MPs and nanoplastics (NPs) exposure on growth, oxidative stress and structural coloration in blue strain guppy fish (Poecilia reticulata). Results showed exposure to 160 μg/L MPs significantly reduced specific growth rate of fish compared to controls. Plastic accumulation followed a dose-dependent pattern, especially within gut concentrations. Oxidative stress responses differed between MPs and NPs: 160 μg/L MPs decreased SOD activity in skin and reduced GSH levels, while 160 μg/L NPs increased MDA levels in gut tissues, indicating severe lipid peroxidation. Structural coloration analysis revealed exposure to 160 μg/L MPs decreased lightness and increased yellowness, demonstrating reduced blue coloration. This was accompanied by an increase in skin uric acid content, suggesting that guanine conversion might occur to combat oxidative stress. These findings demonstrate that MPs, particularly at high concentrations, impair growth and induce oxidative stress in guppies. To counteract stress, guanine in iridophores may be converted into uric acid, leading to a decline in structural coloration. This study is the first to reveal that MPs disrupt structural coloration of fish, providing new insights into the ecological risks of plastic pollution on aquatic organisms. Full article

Temperature dependence of the deformation behavior and the residual stress in 304 stainless steel beams with single-sided Al₂O₃ coatings of varying thicknesses are analyzed using the image relative method. The results demonstrate that, due to the mismatch of thermal expansion coefficient between the coating and substrate, residual stresses were produced, which caused the bending deformation of the single-side coated specimens. Moreover, coating thickness significantly influences the deformation behavior of specimens. Within the elastic deformation regime, the single-side coated specimens would exhibit alternating bending and flattening deformations in response to the fluctuations of temperature. The higher ratio of the coating thickness to the substrate thickness is, the smaller bending curvature of specimens becomes, and the lower residual compressive stresses in the coating are. For the specimens undergoing elastic deformation, residual stresses can be effectively calculated through the Stoney’s formula. However, as the thickness of coating is close to that of substrate (the corresponding specimens would be regarded as the laminated composites), plastic deformation occurs. And the residual stresses in those specimens vary along the direction of the thickness and the length. In addition, the residual stress decreased with increasing temperature because of the stress relaxation. Full article

The matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family includes several membrane-bound enzymes. Membrane-type 5 matrix metalloproteinase (MT5-MMP) is unique amongst the MMP family in being primarily expressed in the brain and during development. It is proposed to contribute to synaptic plasticity and is implicated in several pathologies, including multiple cancers and Alzheimer’s disease. In cancer, MT5-MMP expression has been correlated to cancer progression, but a distinct mechanistic role has yet to be uncovered. In Alzheimer’s disease, MT5-MMP exhibits pro-amyloidogenic activity, functioning as an η-secretase that cleaves amyloid precursor protein (APP), ultimately generating two synaptotoxic fragments, Aη-α and Aη-β. Several intracellular binding partners for MT5-MMP have been identified, and of these, N4BP2L1, EIG121, BIN1, or TMX3 binding to MT5-MMP results in a significant increase in MT5-MMP η-secretase activity. Beyond direct effects on APP, MT5-MMP may also facilitate APP trafficking to endosomal/lysosomal compartments and enhance proinflammatory responses. Overall, the substrate profile of MT5-MMP has not been well defined, and selective inhibitors of MT5-MMP have not been described. These advances will be needed for further consideration of MT5-MMP as a therapeutic target in Alzheimer’s disease and other pathologies. Full article

Soil phosphorus (P) availability is an important determinant of productivity in Pinus massoniana (Masson pine) forests. The mechanistic bases governing the physiological and growth responses of Masson pine to varying soil P conditions remain insufficiently characterized. This study aims to decipher the adaptive strategies of Masson pine to different soil P levels, focusing on root morphological–architectural plasticity and the allocation dynamics of nutrient elements and photosynthetic assimilates. One-year-old potted Masson pine seedlings were exposed to four P addition treatments for one year: P0 (0 mg kg⁻¹), P1 (25 mg kg⁻¹), P2 (50 mg·kg⁻¹), and P3 (100 mg kg⁻¹). In July and December, measurements were conducted on seedling organ biomass, root morphological indices [root length (RL), root surface area (RSA), root diameter (RD), specific root length (SRL), and root length ratio (RLR) for each diameter grade], root architectural indices [number of root tips (RTs), fractal dimension (FD), root branching angle (RBA), and root topological index (TI)], as well as the content of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), carbon (C), and non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) in roots, stems, and leaves. Compared with the P0 treatment, P2 and P3 significantly increased root biomass, root–shoot ratio, RL, RSA, RTs, RLR of finer roots (diameter ≤ 0.4 mm), nutrient accumulation ratio in roots, and starch (ST) content in roots, stems and leaves. Meanwhile, they decreased soluble sugar (SS) content, SS/ST ratio, C and N content, and N/P and C/P ratios in stems and leaves, as well as nutrient accumulation ratio in leaves. The P3 treatment significantly reduced RBA and increased FD and SRL. Our results indicated that Masson pine adapts to low P by developing shallower roots with a reduced branching intensity and promoting the conversion of ST to SS. P’s addition effectively alleviates growth limitations imposed by low P, stimulating root growth, branching, and gravitropism. Although a sole P addition promotes short-term growth and P uptake, it triggers a substantial consumption of N, C, and SS, leading to significant decreases in N/P and C/P ratios and exacerbating N’s limitation, which is detrimental to long-term growth. Under high-P conditions, Masson pine strategically prioritizes allocating limited N and SS to roots, facilitating the formation of thinner roots with low C costs. Full article

Plastic pollution is a growing environmental and social concern, particularly in Southeast Asia, where urban rivers serve as key pathways for transporting waste to marine environments. This scoping review examines 110 peer-reviewed studies to understand how plastic pollution in waterways is being researched, addressed, and reconceptualized. Drawing from the literature across environmental science, technology, and social studies, we identify four interconnected areas of focus: urban pollution pathways, innovations in monitoring and methods, community-based interventions, and interdisciplinary perspectives. Our analysis combines qualitative synthesis with visual mapping techniques, including keyword co-occurrence networks, to explore how real-time tools, such as IoT sensors, multi-sensor systems, and geospatial technologies, are transforming the ways plastic waste is tracked and analyzed. The review also considers the growing use of novel theoretical frameworks, such as post-phenomenology and ecological materialism, to better understand the role of plastics as both pollutants and ecological agents. Despite progress, the literature reveals persistent gaps in longitudinal studies, regional representation, and policy translation, particularly across the Global South. We emphasize the value of participatory models and community-led research in bridging these gaps and advancing more inclusive and responsive solutions. These insights inform the development of plastic tracker technologies currently being piloted in Vietnam and contribute to broader sustainability goals, including SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 14 (Life Below Water). Full article

DNA connects the domains of genetic regulation and environmental interactions and plays a crucial role in neural development and cognitive function. The complex roles of genetic and epigenetic processes in brain development, synaptic plasticity, and higher-order cognitive abilities were reviewed in this study. Neural progenitors are formed and differentiated according to genetic instructions, whereas epigenetic changes, such as DNA methylation, dynamically control gene expression in response to external stimuli. These processes shape behavior and cognitive resilience by influencing neural identity, synaptic efficiency, and adaptation. This review also examines how DNA damage and repair mechanisms affect the integrity of neurons, which are essential for memory and learning. It also emphasizes how genetic predispositions and environmental factors interact to determine a person’s susceptibility to neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. Developments in gene-editing technologies, such as CRISPR, and non-viral delivery techniques provide encouraging treatment avenues for neurodegenerative disorders. This review highlights the fundamental role of DNA in coordinating the intricate interactions between molecular and environmental factors that underlie brain function and diseases. Full article

Because artificially cemented granular (ACG) materials employ diverse combinations of aggregates and binders—including cemented soil, low-cement-content cemented sand and gravel (LCSG), and concrete—their stress–strain responses vary widely. In LCSG, the binder dosage is typically limited to 40–80 kg/m³ and the sand–gravel skeleton is often obtained directly from on-site or nearby excavation spoil, endowing the material with a markedly lower embodied carbon footprint and strong alignment with current low-carbon, green-construction objectives. Yet, such heterogeneity makes a single material-specific constitutive model inadequate for predicting the mechanical behavior of other ACG variants, thereby constraining broader applications in dam construction and foundation reinforcement. This study systematically summarizes and analyzes the stress–strain and volumetric strain–axial strain characteristics of ACG materials under conventional triaxial conditions. Generalized hyperbolic and parabolic equations are employed to describe these two families of curves, and closed-form expressions are proposed for key mechanical indices—peak strength, elastic modulus, and shear dilation behavior. Building on generalized plasticity theory, we derive the plastic flow direction vector, loading direction vector, and plastic modulus, and develop a concise, transferable elastoplastic model suitable for the full spectrum of ACG materials. Validation against triaxial data for rock-fill materials, LCSG, and cemented coal–gangue backfill shows that the model reproduces the stress and deformation paths of each material class with high accuracy. Quantitative evaluation of the peak values indicates that the proposed constitutive model predicts peak deviatoric stress with an error of 1.36% and peak volumetric strain with an error of 3.78%. The corresponding coefficients of determination R² between the predicted and measured values are 0.997 for peak stress and 0.987 for peak volumetric strain, demonstrating the excellent engineering accuracy of the proposed model. The results provide a unified theoretical basis for deploying ACG—particularly its low-cement, locally sourced variants—in low-carbon dam construction, foundation rehabilitation, and other sustainable civil engineering projects. Full article

Understanding the alterations to the shoot and root traits of rapeseed (Brassica napus) in response to salt stress is vital for improving its ability to thrive in saline-prone regions. This research aims to evaluate the responses of shoot and root traits of rapeseed at the vegetative stage under salt- and salicylic acid-induced stress in hydroponic culture. Five parents and ten F₃ segregants of rapeseed were subjected to three treatments: T1: control, T2: 8 dSm⁻¹ salt, and T3: 8 dSm⁻¹ salt + 0.1 mM salicylic acid at 21 days of age. Salinity stress significantly reduced the estimated root surface area by 54% compared to control, highlighting the plasticity of roots under stress. The simultaneous application of salt and SA did not alleviate the salinity stress, but rather reinforced the degree of stress and decreased the number of leaves, diameter of the main axis, chlorophyll content, and estimated root surface area by 18.5%, 15.4%, 38.8%, and 23%, respectively, compared to T2. The parental genotype M-245 followed by F₃ genotype M-232×M-223 accounted for the higher overall estimated root surface area. These results provide novel insights into the responses of root traits in rapeseed breeding lines under dual treatment, which hold promising implications for future rapeseed breeding efforts focused on sustainable rapeseed production. Full article

Greenhouses have positively impacted plant production by allowing the cultivation of different crops per year. However, the accumulation of agricultural plastics, potentially contaminated with agrochemicals, raises environmental concerns. This work evaluates the combined effect of Bordeaux mixture and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) microplastics (<5 mm) on the growth of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and soil microbial communities. Different levels of Bordeaux mixture (0, 100 and 500 mg kg⁻¹), equivalent to Cu(II) concentrations (0, 17 and 83 mg kg⁻¹), LDPE microplastics (0, 1% and 5%) and their combination were selected. After 28 days of growth, biometric and photosynthetic parameters, Cu uptake, and soil microbial responses were evaluated. Plant germination and growth were not significantly affected by the combination of Cu and plastics. However, individual Cu treatments influenced root and shoot length and biomass. Chlorophyll and carotenoid concentrations increased with Cu addition, although the differences were not statistically significant. Phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis revealed a reduction in microbial biomass at the highest Cu dose, whereas LDPE alone showed limited effects and may reduce Cu bioavailability. These results suggest that even at the highest concentration added, Cu can act as a plant nutrient, while the combination of Cu–plastics showed varying effects on plant growth and soil microbial communities. Full article

Cutaneous malignant melanoma is an extraordinarily aggressive and heterogeneous cancer that contains a small subpopulation of tumor stem cells (CSCs) responsible for tumor initiation, metastasis, and recurrence. Identification and characterization of CSCs in melanoma is challenging due to tumor heterogeneity and the lack of specific markers (CD271, ABCB5, ALDH, Nanog) and the ability of cells to dynamically change their phenotype. Phenotype-maintaining signaling pathways (Wnt/β-catenin, Notch, Hedgehog, HIF-1) promote self-renewal, treatment resistance, and epithelial–mesenchymal transitions. Tumor plasticity reflects the ability of differentiated cells to acquire stem-like traits and phenotypic flexibility under stress conditions. The interaction of CSCs with the tumor microenvironment accelerates disease progression: they induce the formation of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and neo-angiogenesis, extracellular matrix remodeling, and recruitment of immunosuppressive cells, facilitating immune evasion. Emerging therapeutic strategies include immunotherapy (immune checkpoint inhibitors), epigenetic inhibitors, and nanotechnologies (targeted nanoparticles) for delivery of chemotherapeutic agents. Understanding the role of CSCs and tumor plasticity paves the way for more effective innovative therapies against melanoma. Full article