Search Results (10,147)

This study investigated the effect of an apple pectin coating enriched with gamma-decalactone (GDL) on the physicochemical and microbiological quality of strawberries over 9 days of refrigerated storage. Strawberries were coated with pectin solutions containing a plasticizer and emulsifier, with or without GDL, and compared to uncoated controls. The coatings were evaluated for their effects on fruit mass loss, pH, extract content (°Brix), firmness, color parameters (L*, a*, b*, C*, h*, ΔE), and microbial spoilage. The pectin coating limited changes in extract, pH, and color and slowed firmness loss. Notably, GDL-enriched coatings significantly reduced spoilage (14.29% after 9 days vs. 57.14% in the control) despite accelerating pulp softening. Extract content increased the most in the GDL group (from 9.92 to 12.00 °Brix), while mass loss reached up to 22.8%. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) confirmed coating type as a major factor differentiating sample quality over time. These findings demonstrate the potential of bioactive pectin-based coatings to enhance fruit preservation and support the development of active packaging strategies. Further studies should optimize coating composition and control the release kinetics of functional compounds. 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

The incorporation of waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as a modifier for asphalt presents a promising approach to addressing the environmental pollution associated with waste plastics while simultaneously extending the service life of road surfaces. This study investigates the fundamental physical properties and rheological properties of asphalt modified with waste PET at both high and low temperatures. Utilizing the theory of fractional derivatives, performance evaluation indicators, such as the deformation factor and viscoelasticity factor, have been developed for the assessment of waste PET-modified asphalt. The underlying mechanism of this modification was examined through scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results indicate that the addition of waste PET enhances the high-temperature stability of the base asphalt but reduces its resistance to cracking at low temperatures. The fractional derivative model effectively describes the dynamic shear rheological properties of waste PET-modified asphalt, achieving a maximum correlation coefficient of 0.99991. Considering the performance of modified asphalt at both high and low temperatures, the optimal concentration of waste PET was determined to be 6%. At this concentration, the minimum creep stiffness of the PET-modified asphalt was approximately 155 MPa at −6 °C. Additionally, the rutting factor of the waste PET-modified asphalt achieved a maximum value of 527.12 KPa at 52 °C. The interaction between waste PET and base asphalt was primarily physical, with mutual adsorption leading to the formation of a spatial network structure that enhanced the deformation resistance of the asphalt. This study provides a theoretical foundation and technical support for the engineering application of waste PET as a modifier in asphalt. Full article

Glioblastoma (GBM) remains one of the most aggressive and treatment-resistant brain tumors, largely due to its profound intratumoral heterogeneity and immunosuppressive microenvironment. Various classifications of GBM subtypes were created based on transcriptional and methylation profiles. This effort, followed by the development of new technology such as single-nuclei sequencing (snRNAseq) and spatial transcriptomics, led to a better understanding of the glioma cells’ plasticity and their ability to transition between diverse cellular states. GBM cells can mimic neurodevelopmental programs to resemble oligodendrocyte or neural progenitor behavior and hitchhike the local neuronal network to support their growth. The tumor microenvironment, especially under hypoxic conditions, drives the tumor cell clonal selection, which then reshapes the immune cells’ functions. These adaptations contribute to immune evasion by progressively disabling T cell and myeloid cell functions, ultimately establishing a highly immunosuppressive tumor milieu. This complex and metabolically constrained environment poses a major barrier to effective antitumor immunity and limits the success of conventional therapies. Understanding the dynamic interactions between glioma cells and their microenvironment is essential for the development of more effective immunotherapies and rational combination strategies aimed at overcoming resistance and improving patient outcomes. Full article

Subsurface mass concrete infrastructure—including immersed tunnels, dams, and nuclear waste containment systems—frequently faces calcium-leaching risks from prolonged groundwater exposure. An anisotropic stress-leaching damage model incorporating microcrack propagation is developed for underground concrete’s chemo–mechanical coupling. This model investigates stress-induced anisotropy in concrete through the evolution of oriented microcrack networks. The model incorporates nonlinear anisotropic plastic strain from coupled chemical–mechanical damage. Unlike conventional concrete rheology, this model characterizes chemical creep through stress-chemical coupled damage mechanics. The numerical model is incorporated within COMSOL Multiphysics to perform coupled multiphysics simulations. A close match is observed between the numerical predictions and experimental findings. Under high stress loads, calcium leaching and mechanical stress exhibit significant coupling effects. Regarding concrete durability, chemical degradation has a more pronounced effect on concrete’s stiffness and strength reduction compared with stress-generated microcracking. Full article

Microplastics are pervasive environmental pollutants that pose risks to human health through ingestion and inhalation. This review synthesizes current practices to reduce exposure and toxicity by examining major exposure routes and dietary interventions. More than 130 papers were analyzed to achieve this aim. The findings show that microplastics contaminate a wide range of food products, with particular concern over seafood, drinking water, plastic-packaged foods, paper cups, and tea filter bags. Inhalation exposure is mainly linked to indoor air quality and smoking, while dermal contact poses minimal risk, though the release of additives from plastics onto the skin remains an area of concern. Recommended strategies to reduce dietary exposure include consuming only muscle parts of seafood, moderating intake of high-risk items like anchovies and mollusks, limiting canned seafood liquids, and purging mussels in clean water before consumption. Avoiding plastic containers, especially for hot food or microwaving, using wooden cutting boards, paper tea bags, and opting for tap or filtered water over bottled water are also advised. To mitigate inhalation exposure, the use of air filters with HyperHEPA systems, improved ventilation, regular vacuuming, and the reduction of smoking are recommended. While antioxidant supplementation shows potential in reducing microplastic toxicity, further research is needed to confirm its effectiveness. This review provides practical, evidence-based recommendations for minimizing daily microplastic exposure. Full article

Background: Developments in biology, genetics, soil science, plant breeding, engineering, and agricultural microbiology are driving advances in soil microbiology and microbial biotechnology. Material and methods: The literature for this review was collected by searching leading scientific databases such as Embase, Medline/PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Results: Recent advances in soil microbiology and biotechnology are discussed, emphasizing the role of microorganisms in sustainable agriculture. It has been shown that soil and plant microbiomes significantly contribute to improving soil fertility and plant and soil health. Microbes promote plant growth through various mechanisms, including potassium, phosphorus, and zinc solubilization, biological nitrogen fixation, production of ammonia, HCN, siderophores, and other secondary metabolites with antagonistic effects. The diversity of microbiomes related to crops, plant protection, and the environment is analyzed, as well as their role in improving food quality, especially under stress conditions. Particular attention was paid to the diversity of microbiomes and their mechanisms supporting plant growth and soil fertility. Conclusions: The key role of soil microorganisms in sustainable agriculture was highlighted. They can support the production of natural substances used as plant protection products, as well as biopesticides, bioregulators, or biofertilizers. Microbial biotechnology also offers potential in the production of sustainable chemicals, such as biofuels or biodegradable plastics (PHA) from plant sugars, and in the production of pharmaceuticals, including antibiotics, hormones, or enzymes. Full article

Cyclic triaxial tests are widely used in laboratory studies to assess the liquefaction susceptibility of soils. Although standardized procedures exist for conducting these tests, there is no universally accepted criterion for defining liquefaction. The choice of a liquefaction criterion significantly influences the interpretation of test results and subsequent engineering analyses. This study evaluates the impact of different liquefaction criteria by analyzing 42 cyclic triaxial tests performed on soil mixtures containing plastic fines. Both stress-based and strain-based liquefaction criteria were applied to assess their influence on test outcomes. The analyses focused on two key parameters: the number of loading cycles required to initiate liquefaction and the normalized dissipated energy per unit volume needed for liquefaction to occur. Results indicate that for soils susceptible to liquefaction failures, these parameters remain relatively consistent across different failure criteria. However, for soils prone to cyclic mobility failures, the number of loading cycles and the dissipated energy required for liquefaction vary significantly depending on the selected failure criterion. These findings highlight the importance of carefully selecting a liquefaction criterion, as it directly affects the assessment of soil behavior under cyclic loading. A better understanding of these variations can improve the accuracy of liquefaction susceptibility evaluations and inform geotechnical design and hazard mitigation strategies. Full article

Urochloa brizantha (Brizantha) is cultivated under varying altitudinal and management conditions. Twelve full-sun (monoculture) plots and twelve shaded (silvopastoral) plots were established, proportionally distributed at 170, 503, 661, and 1110 masl. Evaluations were conducted 15, 30, 45, 60, and 75 days after establishment. The conservation and integration of trees in silvopastoral systems reflected a clear anthropogenic influence, evidenced by the preference for species of the Fabaceae family, likely due to their multipurpose nature. Although the altitudinal gradient did not show direct effects on soil properties, intermediate altitudes revealed a significant role of CaCO₃ in enhancing soil fertility. These edaphic conditions at mid-altitudes favored the leaf area development of Brizantha, particularly during the early growth stages, as indicated by significantly larger values (p < 0.05). However, at the harvest stage, no significant differences were observed in physiological or productive traits, nor in foliar chemical components, underscoring the species’ high hardiness and broad adaptation to both soil and altitude conditions. In Brizantha, a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in stomatal size and density was observed under shade in silvopastoral areas, where solar radiation and air temperature decreased, while relative humidity increased. Nonetheless, these microclimatic variations did not lead to significant changes in foliar chemistry, growth variables, or biomass production, suggesting a high degree of adaptive plasticity to microclimatic fluctuations. Foliar ash content exhibited an increasing trend with altitude, indicating greater efficiency of Brizantha in absorbing calcium, phosphorus, and potassium at higher altitudes, possibly linked to more favorable edaphoclimatic conditions for nutrient uptake. Finally, forage quality declined with plant age, as evidenced by reductions in protein, ash, and In Vitro Dry Matter Digestibility (IVDMD), alongside increases in fiber, Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF), and Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF). These findings support the recommendation of cutting intervals between 30 and 45 days, during which Brizantha displays a more favorable nutritional profile, higher digestibility, and consequently, greater value for animal feeding. Full article

Kefiran, the extracellular polysaccharide produced from the Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) bacteria in kefir grains, with its well-documented functional and health-promoting properties, constitutes a promising biopolymer with a variety of possible uses. Its compatibility with other biopolymers, such as milk proteins, and its ability to form standalone cryogels allow it to be utilized for the fabrication of films with improved properties for applications in the food and biomedical–pharmaceutical industries. In the present work, the properties of kefiran films were investigated in the presence of milk proteins (sodium caseinate, native and heat-treated whey proteins, and their mixtures), alongside glycerol (as a plasticizer) and cryo-treatment of the film-forming solution prior to drying. A total of 24 kefiran films were fabricated and studied for their physical (thickness, moisture content, water solubility, color parameters and vapor adsorption), mechanical (tensile strength and elongation at break), and optical properties. Milk proteins increased film thickness, solubility and tensile strength and reduced water vapor adsorption. The hygroscopic effect of glycerol was mitigated in the presence of milk proteins and/or the application of cryo-treatment. Glycerol was the most effective at reducing the films’ opacity. Heat treatment of whey proteins proved to be the most effective in increasing film tensile strength, reducing, at the same time, the elongation at break, while sodium caseinates in combination with cryo-treatment resulted in films with high tensile strength and the highest elongation at break. Cryo-treatment, carried out in the present study through freezing followed by gradual thawing of the film-forming solution, proved to be the most effective factor in decreasing film roughness. Based on our results, proper selection of the film-forming solution composition and its treatment prior to drying can result in kefiran–glycerol films with favorable properties for particular applications. Full article

The transgenic animals have been yielding invaluable insights into amyloid pathology by replicating the key features of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, there is no clear relationship between senile plaques and memory deficits. Instead, cognitive impairment and synaptic dysfunction are particularly linked to a rise in Aβ_1-42 oligomer level. Thus, injection of Aβ_1-42 oligomers into a specific brain region is considered an alternative approach to investigate the effects of increased soluble Aβ species without any plaques, offering higher controllability, credibility and validity compared to the transgenic model. The hippocampal CA1 (cornu ammonis 1) region is selectively affected in the early stage of AD and specific targeting of CA1 region directly links Aβ oligomer-related pathology with memory impairment in early AD. Next, the inhibitory avoidance (IA) task, a learning paradigm to assess the synaptic basis of CA1-dependent contextual learning, triggers training-dependent synaptic plasticity similar to in vitro HFS (high-frequency stimulation). Given its reliability in assessing contextual memory and synaptic plasticity, this task provides an effective framework for studying early stage AD-related memory deficit. Therefore, in this review, we will focus on why Aβ_1-42 oligomer injection is a valid in vivo model to investigate the early stage of AD and why dorsal CA1 region serves as a target area to understand the adverse effects of Aβ_1-42 oligomers on contextual learning through the IA task. Full article

Soil respiration (Rt), consisting of heterotrophic (Rh) and autotrophic respiration (Ra), plays a vital role in terrestrial carbon cycling and is sensitive to soil temperature and moisture. In dryland agriculture, plastic film mulching (PM) is widely used to regulate soil hydrothermal conditions, but its effects on Rt components and their temperature sensitivity (Q₁₀) across regions remain unclear. A two-year field study was conducted at two rain-fed maize sites: Anding (warmer, semi-arid) and Yuzhong (colder, drier). PM significantly increased Rt, Rh, and Ra, especially Ra, due to enhanced root biomass and improved microclimate. Yield increased by 33.6–165%. Peak respiration occurred earlier in Anding, aligned with maize growth and soil temperature. PM reduced Q₁₀ of Rt and Ra in Anding, but only Ra in Yuzhong. Rh Q₁₀ remained stable, indicating microbial respiration was less sensitive to temperature changes. Structural equation modeling revealed that Rt and Ra were mainly driven by soil temperature and root biomass, while Rh was more influenced by microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Despite increased CO₂ emissions, PM improved carbon emission efficiency (CEE), particularly in Yuzhong (+67%). The application of PM is recommended to enhance yield while optimizing carbon efficiency in dryland farming systems. Full article

Adolescence represents a critical period of neurodevelopment during which brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a fundamental role in neuronal survival and synaptic plasticity. While exercise-BDNF relationships are well-documented in adults, evidence in adolescents remains limited and inconsistent. This systematic review examined the effects of exercise modalities on circulating BDNF concentrations in adolescent populations. A systematic search was conducted following PRISMA guidelines across multiple databases (FECYT, PubMed, SPORTDiscus, ProQuest Central, SCOPUS, Cochrane Library) through June 2025. Inclusion criteria comprised adolescents, exercise interventions, BDNF outcomes, and randomized controlled trial design. Methodological quality was assessed using the PEDro scale. From 130 initially identified articles, 8 randomized controlled trials were included, with 4 rated as excellent and the other 4 as good quality. Exercise modalities included aerobic, resistance, concurrent, high-intensity interval training, Taekwondo, and whole-body vibration, with durations ranging 6–24 weeks. Four studies demonstrated statistically significant BDNF increases following exercise interventions, four showed no significant changes, and one reported transient reduction. Positive outcomes occurred primarily with vigorous-intensity protocols implemented for a minimum of six weeks. Meta-analysis was not feasible due to high heterogeneity in populations, interventions, and control conditions. Moreover, variation in post-exercise sampling timing further limited comparability of BDNF results. Future research should standardize protocols and examine longer interventions to clarify exercise-BDNF relationships in adolescents. Full article

The 2020 southern Puerto Rico earthquake sequence highlighted the severe seismic vulnerability of informally constructed two-story reinforced concrete (RC) houses. This study examines the failure mechanisms of these structures and assesses the effectiveness of first-floor RC shear-wall retrofitting. Nonlinear pushover and dynamic time–history analyses were performed using fiber-based distributed plasticity models for RC frames and nonlinear macro-elements for second-floor masonry infills, which introduced a significant inter-story stiffness imbalance. A bi-directional seismic input was applied using spectrally matched, near-fault pulse-like ground motions. The findings for the as-built structures showed that stiffness mismatches between stories, along with substantial strength and stiffness differences between orthogonal axes, resulted in concentrated plastic deformations and displacement-driven failures in the first story—consistent with damage observed during the 2020 earthquakes. Retrofitting the first floor with RC shear walls notably improved the performance, doubling the lateral load capacity and enhancing the overall stiffness. However, the retrofitted structures still exhibited a concentration of inelastic action—albeit with lower demands—shifted to the second floor, indicating potential for further optimization. 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