Search Results (14,031)

Spoilage date palm fruits are produced in large quantities and represent an underutilized agrowaste resource. Their high sugar content and balanced nutrient composition make them promising candidates for microbial bioprocessing. This study explored their potential as a low-cost substrate for Talaromyces atroroseus QA2602 (PZ091940) to simultaneously produce biodiesel grade lipids, natural pigments, and fungal chitosan within an integrated biorefinery approach. Spoiled date fruits were chemically characterized and applied at varying concentrations to cultivate T. atroroseus QA2602 (PZ091940). Thermal and thermo-chemical pretreatments were tested to enhance sugar availability. Lipid accumulation, fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) profiles, pigment production, and pigment stability were assessed. Biodiesel quality was estimated from FAME composition. De-oiled fungal biomass wastes were further processed to extract and characterize chitosan, and pigment–chitosan composites were evaluated for antioxidant activity. Optimal lipid and pigment production by T. atroroseus occurred at moderate concentration of spoiled date fruit substrate used in the culture medium, while dilute acid pretreatment of spoiled date fruits at high temperature resulted in the highest reducing sugar release from the substrate, which subsequently enhanced fungal biomass formation. The resulting C16–C18 rich oil displayed fuel properties consistent with high quality biodiesel. Pigments exhibited strong pH and thermal stability, along with potent antioxidant activity. De-oiled biomass produced chitosan with a high degree of deacetylation, and the pigment–chitosan composite showed enhanced antioxidant capacity. Rotted date fruits provide an effective, sustainable feedstock enabling the co-production of biodiesel, pigments, and chitosan by Talaromyces atroroseus QA2602 (PZ091940), supporting their integration into circular bioeconomy frameworks. Full article

Garden pruning waste from Cynodon sp. is a lignocellulosic resource with high lignin content, which limits anaerobic digestion efficiency. White-rot fungi degrade biomass through solid-state fermentation (SSF). The efficacy of these organisms, however, depends on the balanced removal of lignin and the subsequent preservation of fermentable carbohydrates. The present study evaluated the effect of SSF durations (8, 21, and 36 days) with Trametes hirsuta on enzymatic activity and subsequent biogas production. Laccase activity increased progressively, reaching 983.84 U/L at 36 days, while manganese and versatile peroxidases peaked at 21 days. Fungal-pretreated samples exhibited reduced methane yields, with a maximum of 225.32 NmL/gVS at 8 days, compared with untreated biomass (381.66 NmL/gVS). The total lignin content increased across treatments, suggesting the formation of pseudo-lignin during autoclave sterilization, while glucose and xylose decreased. These results underscore the complexity of optimizing fungal pretreatment and highlight the need to balance fermentation time to preserve carbohydrates while modifying lignin structure. Full article

Creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera), a widely used cool-season turfgrass, is highly susceptible to heat stress, which severely impairs its growth and physiological functions. In this study, two cultivars with contrasting heat tolerance, the heat-tolerant 13M and the heat-sensitive Seaside II (SII), were pretreated with diethyl aminoethyl hexanoate (DA-6) or distilled water and then exposed to either normal temperature or heat-stress conditions. Physiological traits and lipidomics were analyzed to investigate the regulatory role of DA-6 in lipid remodeling under high-temperature stress. Results showed that exogenous DA-6 application significantly mitigated physiological damage in both genotypes under heat stress. Under heat stress, compared with their corresponding untreated plants, DA-6 pretreatment increased the Fv/Fm by 15% in 13M and by 33% in SII; for the PI_ABS, DA-6 pretreatment increased it by 32% in 13M and by 55% in SII; for electrolyte leakage, DA-6 pretreatment reduced it by 24% in 13M and by 11% in SII. The analysis of lipidomics found that heat stress significantly reduced the accumulation of total lipids, phospholipids (PLs), glycolipids (GLs), and sphingolipids (SLs) in two genotypes, but under heat stress, 13M maintained significantly higher content of these lipids than SII. Exogenous DA-6 application significantly alleviated the heat-induced decline in photosynthesis-related glycolipids in SII. Specifically, MGDG, DGDG, and SQDG increased by 186%, 85%, and 32% in heat-stressed SII + DA-6, respectively, relative to heat-stressed SII without DA-6 pretreatment. In addition, DA-6 treatment also alleviated the heat-induced reduction in chloroplast- and mitochondria-associated lipids, including PG, LPG, and CL, in both genotypes. For heat-stressed 13M + DA-6, these lipids increased by 20%, 114%, and 22%, respectively, compared with heat-stressed 13M without DA-6 pretreatment; for heat-stressed SII + DA-6, they increased by 141%, 76%, and 184%, respectively, compared with heat-stressed SII without DA-6 pretreatment. These changes may contribute to improved stability of chloroplasts and mitochondria under heat stress. Furthermore, DA-6 application significantly promoted the accumulation of PC, PE, LPC, LPE, Cer, CerP, and Hex3Cer in both genotypes under heat stress. For 13M, the increases ranged from 18% to 120%; for SII, from 44% to 254%. In heat-stressed SII + DA-6 only, DA-6 also increased PA, PS, MLCL, DLCL, Hex1Cer, and Hex2Cer by 82%, 45%, 84%, 59%, 53%, and 41%, respectively, relative to heat-stressed SII without DA-6 pretreatment. These PLs and SLs are essential for maintaining plasma membrane integrity and mediating stress signal transduction. In addition, the application of DA-6 significantly reduced the heat-induced increase in unsaturation levels of total lipids in both genotypes, indicating that the DA-6 improved lipid saturation levels to better adapt to heat stress. Current findings demonstrated that the DA-6 application improved heat tolerance of creeping bentgrass associated with its regulation of lipid remodeling. Future investigations incorporating multi-omics approaches could comprehensively dissect the DA-6-induced signaling pathways and regulatory networks underlying heat-stress response in cool-season grass species. Full article

Background: Hepatic ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI) remains a major challenge in liver transplantation (LTx) and hepatectomy. Previous studies identified a 12/15-lipoxygenase (12/15-LOX)-driven lipid peroxidation cascade promoting cell death, whereas glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPx4)-dependent metabolism acts antagonistically. This study investigated whether tacrolimus protects against hepatic IRI through this redox axis. Methods: Male C57BL/6 mice underwent 65% partial hepatic warm ischemia and reperfusion with or without tacrolimus preconditioning. Liver tissue and serum were analyzed by spectral photometry, Western blotting, TUNEL assay, and serum enzyme measurement. Results were statistically analyzed and compared with previously published results of 12/15-LOX inhibition by baicalein pretreatment and its carrier DMSO. Also, the combination of both tacrolimus and baicalein was investigated. Results: Tacrolimus increased the oxidative glutathione activity quotient (GSSG/GSH) by 75.1% (p = 0.0302), attenuated MAPK signaling, reduced SAPK/JNK by 84.6% (p = 0.0059), with ERK1/2 showing a downward trend, decreased Caspase-3 activation by 66.9% (p < 0.001) and PARP cleavage by 59.9% (p = 0.0330), and lowered TUNEL-positive cell death by 61.8% (p = 0.0015). Tacrolimus achieved hepatoprotection comparable to 12/15-LOX inhibition, but without hepatotoxicity, whereas combined treatment conferred no additional benefit yet bore toxic properties. Conclusions: Tacrolimus preconditioning mitigates hepatic IRI through a glutathione-linked redox–signaling–cell death axis and exerts cytoprotective effects beyond immunosuppression. Full article

In this study, binary and ternary DES systems were prepared using choline chloride (ChCl) with lactic acid (LA), glycerol (GL), urea, and acrylic acid (AA) to extract lignin from Paulownia. The chemical structure of lignin was analyzed to evaluate the structural changes induced by various DES systems, and the isolated lignin was used to prepare DES gels. The results showed that lignin extracted using different DES systems shares similarities in its basic structural framework, with all samples retaining an intact benzene ring structure. However, there are certain differences in the content of the linking bonds and the S/G ratio, and the acidic DES caused the breakage of the β-O-4′ linkage in the lignin molecule, promoting its separation. The molecular weight distribution varied among the DES systems. In the ternary DES, the addition of acrylic acid disrupted lignin’s internal chemical linkages, leading to the precipitation of relatively small lignin molecules. TGA results demonstrated varying levels of thermal resistance among lignin extracted from different DES systems varied, with the best stability observed for lignin extracted from the ChCl-LA system. Lignin extracted from Paulownia using different DES systems was added to the DES gels, and the effects of lignin structure on the properties of the DES gels were investigated. The mechanical, swelling, microstructural, and thermal properties of DES gels prepared from different Paulownia lignin structures showed slight differences; however, no significant discrepancies were observed among the gels. The present work offers a novel strategy for the valorization of lignin derived from lignocellulosic biomass. Full article

Given the increasing demand for low-phosphorus molten iron in high-value-added steel production and the rising phosphorus content in raw materials caused by the use of high-phosphorus ores in blast furnaces, the traditional converter single-slag process faces challenges such as high dephosphorization pressure, high slag consumption, and unstable endpoint control. This study systematically investigates the process principles and key influencing factors of the converter double-slag method (MURC process) as an efficient pretreatment technology for molten iron. Through thermodynamic analysis combined with industrial tests, the core process parameters affecting dephosphorization efficiency were identified, including temperature, slag basicity (R), iron oxide (T.Fe) content, and bottom-blowing stirring intensity. The results show that the optimal temperature during the dephosphorization stage is 1350–1400 °C, with slag alkalinity controlled at 1.6–2.0 and T.Fe content maintained at 19–23%. During the decarburization stage, the optimal temperature is 1620–1640 °C, and the final slag alkalinity should be increased to above 3.5. After applying the optimized “low-high-low” oxygen supply pattern and enhanced bottom-blowing stirring (0.04–0.20 Nm³/(t·min)), significant improvements were achieved in industrial practice on 180-t and 60-t converters. Lime consumption was reduced by more than 30%, the average endpoint phosphorus content decreased by approximately 0.005%, the phosphorus removal rate remained stable at above 90%, and the oxygen content in molten steel at the endpoint decreased by 50–100 ppm. This study provides a systematic theoretical basis and practical guidance for efficient and stable dephosphorization using the converter double-slag process. Full article

The global construction industry urgently requires sustainable alternatives to ordinary Portland cement (OPC) to mitigate its immense carbon footprint. Red mud (RM), a highly alkaline bauxite residue, presents tremendous but challenging potential as a supplementary cementitious material. This review systematically bridges the gap between atomic-level interfacial bonding mechanisms and macroscopic engineering performance, highlighting how these properties are significantly dictated by specific RM sources (e.g., Bayer vs. Sintering processes). We first elucidate advanced pretreatment strategies, notably CO₂ mineralization, which synergistically mitigates extreme alkalinity and sequesters carbon. Crucially, the fundamental bonding mechanisms are decoded: beyond physical filling, RM integration induces significant micro-morphological densification via intense aluminosilicate depolymerization—evidenced by the Al[VI] to Al[IV] coordination shift—and the quantitative integration of approximately 40% reactive iron phases into stable Fe-S-H networks. By clearly distinguishing between traditional hydration and clinker-free alkali-activation pathways, we evaluate holistic structural parameters beyond mere 28-day compressive strength (40–67 MPa), explicitly addressing flexural capacity, modulus of elasticity, and volume stability. Environmental assessments confirm exceptional heavy metal immobilization (>95% efficiency, leaching < 0.010 mg/L) and a substantial 50–80% reduction in Global Warming Potential (GWP), provided the environmental burden of alkaline activators is rigorously accounted for. Furthermore, the long-term risk of Alkali–Silica Reaction (ASR) is evaluated as a primary durability concern. Finally, to overcome persistent rheological bottlenecks, this paper highlights transformative future trajectories, particularly data-driven Machine Learning (ML) for complex mix optimization and 3D concrete printing for advanced infrastructure. Ultimately, this review provides a robust theoretical foundation and a pragmatic roadmap for upcycling RM into safe, high-performance, and ultra-low-carbon building materials. Full article

Although ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir plus dasabuvir (OPrD) therapy is highly effective for chronic hepatitis C (CHC), clinicians frequently encounter transient hyperbilirubinemia, which can be misidentified as hepatotoxicity. This study investigated the role of SLCO1B1 (OATP1B1) and SLCO1B3 (OATP1B3) genetic polymorphisms in predicting bilirubin spikes and distinguishing transporter-mediated interference from hepatocellular injury. In this prospective study of 65 patients with HCV genotype 1, genotyping for OATP1B1 (c.388A>G, c.521T>C) and OATP1B3 (c.334T>G, c.699G>A) was performed using PCR-RFLP and capillary electrophoresis (QIAxcel Advanced System). Clinical and biochemical parameters were monitored over a 12-week treatment period. Hyperbilirubinemia (total bilirubin >1.1 mg/dL) developed in 18.5% of the cohort, typically within the first month. A distinct ‘AST-dominant’ biochemical signature, elevated bilirubin and AST paired with stable ALT, was identified, suggesting transporter-specific interference rather than hepatocyte damage. Statistical analysis pinpointed the OATP1B3 c.699G>A (rs7311358) variant as the sole genetic driver (p = 0.007). Carriers of the c.699G>A allele faced a 6.3-fold higher risk of developing hyperbilirubinemia (OR: 6.30, 95% CI: 1.48–26.80, p = 0.032), while no significant associations were found for OATP1B1 variants. We conclude that OATP1B3 c.699G>A is a potent predictor of OPrD-induced hyperbilirubinemia. Identifying this genotype pre-treatment allows clinicians to anticipate transient, benign bilirubin elevations and prevent unnecessary drug discontinuation, thereby mitigating therapeutic inertia and ensuring treatment continuity for CHC patients. Full article

Objectives: This study aimed to analyze longitudinal changes in masticatory muscle volume at pretreatment and after orthognathic surgery in skeletal Class III patients with and without facial asymmetry. Methods: Patients were divided into symmetry and asymmetry groups (n = 30, each; male: female ratio 1: 1, for both groups; age at T1: asymmetry group 25.4 ± 8.1, symmetry group 22.9 ± 7.7). Computed tomography images were obtained at pretreatment (T1), one month after surgery (T2), and at 22 months postoperatively (T3). Three-dimensional reconstruction software was used to measure the volumes of the masseter, temporalis, medial pterygoid, and lateral pterygoid muscles. Results: At T1, the asymmetry group exhibited significantly smaller masseter and temporalis muscle volumes on the deviated side. These differences tended to decrease at T3. No significant bilateral differences were observed in the medial or lateral pterygoid muscles at each point. Longitudinal analyses showed that temporalis and lateral pterygoid muscle volumes decreased from T1 to T2 and increased from T2 to T3, whereas masseter muscle volume did not have a significantly longitudinal difference and the medial pterygoid muscle volume decreased significantly at T3. Conclusions: In Class III patients with facial asymmetry, pretreatment asymmetry of the masseter and temporalis muscle volumes tended to improve postoperatively as bilateral muscle volume increased. Full article

Background: The CD163+ macrophage is considered a key component of the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) in osteosarcoma (OS) in relation to tumor progression and chemotherapy resistance. However, the relationship between CD163+ macrophage infiltration and the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in OS remains unexplored. Methods: This study collected a total of 195 biopsy samples from newly diagnosed, pretreated OS patients. The infiltration of CD163+ macrophages was evaluated using immunohistochemical (IHC) staining with anti-CD163 antibody. Additionally, multiplex fluorescence staining (CD8, CD68, CD163, and PDL1) was employed to further characterize the TIME profiles associated with different levels of CD163+ macrophage infiltration. The relationships between various clinical characteristics, survival outcomes, and CD163+ macrophage infiltration levels were also assessed. Results: CD163+ macrophages in biopsy tissues ranged from 2.25 cells/mm² to 3974.79 cells/mm² and 1.37 cells/mm² to 3027.20 cells/mm² in the training and validation cohorts respectively. Multivariate analysis identified that CD163+ macrophage density was an independent predictor for NACT response. Importantly, patients with high CD163+ macrophage infiltration exhibited poorer DFS, DMFS, and RFS than their counterparts. Conclusions: CD163+ macrophage infiltration was an independent predictor for NACT response. Patients with high CD163+ macrophage density benefited less from NACT and exhibited a more immunosuppressive TIME than low-density patients. Full article

Traditional leaf area index (LAI) measurement methods are destructive, time-consuming, and labor-intensive. In this study, 282 four-year-old central-leader apple trees were used as research subjects. Canopy reflectance spectra in the range of 4000−10,000 cm⁻¹ were collected, and the corresponding true LAI values were measured destructively by harvesting all leaves from a representative branch of each tree using a leaf area meter. The dataset was randomly divided into training (70%) and testing (30%) sets. Eight spectral pretreatment methods were compared. The Competitive Adaptive Reweighted Sampling (CARS) algorithm was employed to extract characteristic wavelengths. Subsequently, both a BP neural network and a Support Vector Machine (SVM) model for LAI prediction were constructed. The optimal model was selected based on evaluation metrics including the coefficient of determination (R²), mean absolute error (MAE), mean bias error (MBE), and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE). The combined preprocessing of MSC and SD yielded the optimal results, screening out 26 characteristic wavelengths. The SVM linear kernel model (c = 5, g = 0.3) constructed based on MSC + SD preprocessing performed best, achieving a validation set R² of 0.90, MAE of 0.2117, MBE of −0.1214, and MAPE of 16.09%. The performance on the training set and validation set was comparable, with no overfitting observed. The MSC + SD preprocessing combined with CARS feature screening and SVM linear kernel modeling enables rapid, non-destructive estimation of apple canopy LAI, providing an effective technical tool for precision orchard management. Full article

Blueberries are widely consumed due to their richness in nutrients, yet they are also prone to quality deterioration after being harvested, even at cold temperatures. Non-thermal physical technology is an important auxiliary method worth considering for maintaining the quality of this fruit while refrigerated. In this study, a static magnetic field (SMF) was applied as a complementary pretreatment strategy prior to cold storage of blueberries. The optimal SMF parameters were identified as 5 mT exposure for 12 h, as this significantly retarded decay and softening. The contents of ascorbic acid, total polyphenols, flavonoids and proanthocyanidins were elevated by 20.0%, 17.7%, 23.9%, and 9.1%, respectively. Concurrently, DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical-scavenging capacity, catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity markedly improved. Targeted metabolomic analysis revealed that SMF pretreatment significantly regulated polyphenol metabolic pathways and redirected polyphenol biosynthesis toward more stable and functional compounds, including three hydroxycinnamic acids, quercetin, dihydromyricetin, glycosylated hesperetin, and acylated delphinidin derivates. The synergistic effect of these SMF-elevated phenolics and the reinforced antioxidant system preserved the overall cold-storage quality of blueberries. These findings underscore the potential of SMF pretreatment as an effective physical technique for reducing postharvest blueberry losses. Full article

To investigate how steam-explosion pretreatment affects humification during sawdust composting, an aerobic composting experiment was conducted using sawdust, chicken manure, and spent mushroom substrate as feedstocks. Two treatments were established—a steam-explosion-pretreated sawdust group (SEW) and an untreated sawdust control (CK)—each with three replicate reactors. Samples were collected dynamically at five key composting stages (initial, heating, thermophilic, cooling, and maturation) for physicochemical, enzymatic, and microbial community analyses. Linear mixed-effects model analysis revealed that enzyme activities were significantly affected by treatment, composting time, and their interaction. SEW significantly enhanced cellulase and polyphenol oxidase activities, and increased laccase and peroxidase activities at specific stages. Compared with CK (humic substances, 75.30 g/kg), SEW promoted higher humic substance accumulation (120.80 g/kg) and altered the dynamics of dissolved organic carbon. Microbial co-occurrence networks in SEW (50 nodes, 602 edges) were more complex than CK (49 nodes, 464 edges), indicating tighter microbial interactions. Path analysis revealed that HS in CK was mainly influenced by DOC and temperature, while HS in SEW was associated with enzyme activities, microbial diversity, and Pseudogracilibacillus. These results suggest that steam-explosion pretreatment enhances substrate transformation and humic substance formation during composting. Full article

Iodoacetic acid (IAA), a highly cytotoxic disinfection byproduct commonly detected in drinking water, poses a potential risk to female reproductive health. The direct molecular mechanisms underlying its effects on the reproductive system epithelium remain unclear. This study demonstrates that IAA induces glycational stress in primary porcine uterine (UECs) and oviduct epithelial cells (OECs), representing an early event contributing to extensive cellular toxicity. IAA exposure inhibited Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (GAPDH) enzymatic activity and promoted the accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) Nε-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML), triggering mitochondrial dysfunction, redox imbalance, calcium dyshomeostasis, and endoplasmic reticulum stress. These disturbances activated a dysregulated signaling network involving the p38 MAPK, AKT, and NF-κB pathways, ultimately causing G1/S cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Notably, pretreatment with the AGE inhibitor pyridoxamine reduced CML accumulation, restored mitochondrial function, and alleviated apoptotic cell death. These findings identify glycational stress as a key initiating mechanism for IAA-induced reproductive epithelial toxicity, providing mechanistic insight into the potential health risks of environmental disinfection byproducts. Full article

Reliable quantification of microplastics in water remains challenging because most Raman-based methods require filtration, drying, or complex flow systems, which can lead to particle loss and signal instability. Here, we propose a simple dual-laser Raman strategy for the direct, real-time quantification of microplastics in water without pretreatment. By simultaneously integrating backscattering and transmission geometries using two identical 532 nm lasers, spatial variations in Raman scattering cross-sections, arising from particle motion and focal depth fluctuations, are effectively mitigated. The dual-laser configuration enhances Raman intensity by approximately 1.5-fold compared with backscattering and threefold compared with transmission alone (p < 0.001), enabling robust real-time detection with a temporal resolution of 0.1 s. Accurate particle counting is demonstrated using polystyrene (PS) standard beads and further validated for polyamide 6 (PA6) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) particles with irregular morphologies and broad size distributions, with no false-positive events observed. By prioritizing simplicity and quantitative reliability over ultimate size resolution, the proposed strategy provides a practical approach for routine monitoring of microplastics in drinking water and industrial aqueous systems. Full article