Search Results (11,401)

Background/Objectives: Malignant ascites is characterized by extensive tumor dissemination within the peritoneal cavity, abnormal fluid accumulation, and progressive multiorgan dysfunction, including hepatic and renal impairment. Methods: The present study was conducted to evaluate the protective effects of resveratrol (RSV) and its nanocrystal formulation (NANO-RSV) at doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg against Ehrlich ascites tumor (EAT)-induced hepatic and renal injury by assessing proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression and apoptosis/necrosis rates, which are key indicators of tissue injury, repair, and regeneration. In addition, microvessel density (MVD) was evaluated in peritoneal tumor tissue, liver, and kidneys to assess angiogenesis and tissue remodeling, while macrophage polarization in the spleen was examined to determine the immunomodulatory effects of RSV and NANO-RSV. Results: Resveratrol and its nano formulations acted as potent inhibitors of EAT cells growth through downregulation of PCNA expression, leading to increased tumor cell death via apoptosis and secondary necrosis. In EAT-bearing mice, the hypoxic microenvironment was associated with increased PCNA expression, enhanced angiogenesis, and reduced apoptosis in hepatic tissue. In contrast, treatment with resveratrol and nano-resveratrol reduced PCNA expression, increased apoptotic activity, suppressed angiogenesis, and induced hepatic steatosis. Progression of steatosis, particularly in resveratrol-treated animals, was associated with impaired hepatic regenerative capacity. In the kidneys, elevated PCNA expression and increased cell death indicated active tissue injury accompanied by compensatory proliferative responses. Furthermore, increased splenic arginase-1 activity correlated with enhanced tissue damage and activation of M2 macrophage-mediated repair mechanisms. Conclusions: In conclusion, resveratrol exhibits significant antitumor activity but may induce organ toxicity, whereas its nanocrystals formulation demonstrates improved safety while maintaining efficacy. Enhanced stability, bioavailability, and sustained-release properties of nano-resveratrol contribute to reduced hepatic and renal injury compared with native resveratrol. Full article

Fungal decay poses a significant threat and causes substantial economic losses worldwide. Graphene is a nanomaterial with positive results in improving paints and finishes, eventually protecting the substrates from damages, including fire and wood-decay fungi. This study investigated the effectiveness of graphene in an acrylic paint to protect unheated and thermally modified wood substrates from Trametes versicolor. Three commercial wood species were coated with either plain or graphene-enriched paints; a separate set of specimens was prepared for thermal modification at 185 °C. Exposure to T. versicolor was carried out for four months, and the impact of fungal degradation was evaluated through mass loss and a mechanical property. Incorporation of graphene markedly reduced mass loss in both unheated and thermally modified specimens; it also improved the compression strength compared with the controls, demonstrating its dual protective and reinforcing effects. These results highlighted the potential of graphene as an efficient and practical additive in acrylic paints, offering a viable and easy-to-apply method for protection of hardwood and softwood substrates against fungal biodeterioration. Full article

Imperatorin (IPT) is a naturally occurring coumarin with recognized antioxidant and anti-aging properties; unfortunately, its poor water solubility and low oral bioavailability severely limit its practical use. To get around these issues, we formulated IPT-loaded NLCs using grape seed oil and glyceryl monostearate—both food-grade excipients—with the goal of enhancing oral absorption. Optimized IPT@NLCs were prepared by high-pressure homogenization, featuring uniform spherical morphology, an average particle size of 186.63 ± 1.65 nm, a PDI of 0.188 ± 0.008, an encapsulation efficiency of 99.54 ± 0.10%, and a drug loading capacity of 9.08 ± 0.23%. IPT@NLCs remained stable in SGF, while their cumulative in vitro release over 48 h reached 90.56 ± 3.12% in SIF. We established a Caco-2/HT29-MTX-E12 co-culture monolayer to examine mucus penetration, cellular uptake, and transcellular transport routes. In parallel, oxidative stress experiments using 3T3-L1 cells, along with in vivo pharmacokinetic and gastrointestinal safety evaluations, were conducted to provide complementary evidence. Our results indicate that NLC encapsulation significantly improves both the dissolution and intestinal uptake of IPT, primarily by shifting the absorption mechanism from passive diffusion to energy-dependent active transport. In addition, IPT@NLCs effectively reduce intracellular oxidative damage through modulation of endogenous antioxidant enzyme activities. Animal studies further reveal an approximately 9-fold increase in relative oral bioavailability, with no notable irritation to gastrointestinal tissues. Overall, GSO-based NLCs offer safe and efficient oral delivery, enhancing IPT bioavailability and antioxidant activity, providing a strategy for developing natural-product-based formulations. Full article

Ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation is a major environmental factor contributing to skin photoaging through excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, activation of stress-responsive signaling pathways, DNA damage, cellular senescence, and extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation. Mangiferin, a naturally occurring xanthone glucoside with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, has attracted considerable interest as a potential photoprotective agent. The present study investigated the protective effects of mangiferin against UVB-induced photoaging in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs). The effects of mangiferin on oxidative stress, RAGE/NF-κB/MAPK signaling, DNA damage, cellular senescence, and ECM degradation were evaluated. Mangiferin significantly suppressed UVB-induced ROS accumulation and attenuated activation of the RAGE/NF-κB/MAPK signaling cascade. Furthermore, mangiferin reduced γ-H2AX expression, indicating protection against UVB-mediated DNA damage, while decreasing p16, p21, and p53 expression and restoring LMNB1 levels. Mangiferin also inhibited MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities as well as collagenase, elastase, and hyaluronidase activities, suggesting preservation of ECM homeostasis. These findings demonstrate that mangiferin protects dermal fibroblasts against UVB-induced photoaging through suppression of oxidative stress, inhibition of RAGE/NF-κB/MAPK signaling, attenuation of DNA damage and cellular senescence, and preservation of ECM integrity, supporting its potential application in photoprotective and anti-photoaging dermocosmetic formulations. Full article

The stability of surrounding rock in operational tunnels is critically influenced by the degradation of its mechanical properties under repeated disturbances. To investigate the evolutionary patterns of mechanical performance and resistivity in surrounding rock under such conditions, this study conducted uniaxial cyclic loading–unloading experiments on limestone core samples while simultaneously monitoring resistivity. The results demonstrate a significant coupling relationship between rock pressure and resistivity: resistivity decreases with increasing pressure and increases upon unloading, exhibiting a characteristic “steep–gentle–steep” nonlinear trend. A quantitative model of the pressure-resistivity relationship was established, revealing the mechanisms behind resistivity changes from the perspectives of micro-fracture closure, propagation, and the evolution of conductive pathways. Furthermore, a three-phase rock resistivity model (rock matrix–pore water–pore gas), improved by integrating Maxwell’s conductivity formula with a series-parallel model, was developed. This model accurately reflects the influence of porosity, saturation, and volume changes on resistivity. The findings confirm that resistivity serves as a sensitive indicator for characterizing rock damage. This research provides a theoretical foundation and a novel, non-destructive technical approach for the stability monitoring and early warning of surrounding rock in operational tunnels. Full article

Rosin- and castor-oil-derived resins provide a renewable platform for rapidly curable protective coatings, but the effects of formulation and curing route remain insufficiently resolved. Four composite formulations containing modified rosin glycerol ester (MRGE) and modified castor oil anhydride (MCOA) were cured thermally using ultraviolet irradiation or electron beam (EB) irradiation. Surface C=C conversion, thermal behavior, morphology, mechanical properties, neutral salt spray resistance, electrochemical barrier performance, and AC dielectric breakdown strength were evaluated. Among the formulations tested, F2 (MRGE/MCOA = 3:1) showed the best overall property balance under each curing route. For F2, EB curing produced a surface C=C conversion of 92 ± 2%, a glass transition temperature of 88 ± 1 °C, an 800 °C residue of 12.5 ± 0.3%, and an atomic force microscope (AFM) roughness Ra of 5.8 ± 0.5 nm. F2-EB exhibited 9H pencil hardness, 5B adhesion, an impact resistance of 55 ± 2 cm·kg, and a flexibility value of 1.0 ± 0.1 mm. After 500 h of neutral salt spray, both F2-EB and F2-UV achieved a protection rating of 10 with no measurable corrosion creep at the scribe; time-resolved photographs at 100, 300, and 500 h confirmed that F2-EB showed the least visible damage evolution among the three curing routes. After 1 day of immersion in 3.5 wt% NaCl, F2-EB exhibited the largest low-frequency impedance and the lowest fitted corrosion current density among the EB-cured formulations, indicating the strongest short-term electrolyte barrier behavior. The AC dielectric breakdown strength of F2-EB reached 21.5 ± 0.3 kV mm⁻¹. The combined results are consistent with more extensive EB-induced network formation, although direct measurements of through-thickness conversion and crosslink density are still required. These findings demonstrate the potential of EB curing for rapidly preparing rosin/castor-oil-derived protective coatings for electrical insulation applications. Full article

The rapid development of Generation IV nuclear reactors has imposed stringent requirements on structural materials, demanding excellent irradiation resistance to withstand long-term exposure to complex radiation environments, including neutron and ion irradiation. Under irradiation, a large number of defects are generated inside materials via displacement cascades, and the dynamic evolution of these defects gradually leads to macroscopic property deterioration, potentially triggering major accidents such as equipment failure and even posing system safety hazards. Thus, understanding the law of defect evolution in materials under irradiation and exploring the microscopic mechanism of irradiation damage are core prerequisites for material service life prediction, radiation resistance optimization, and safety risk assessment. In recent years, computational simulation, leveraging its unique advantages in multiscale and multiphysics coupling research, has yielded numerous innovative achievements in the irradiation field. This review overviews the progress of computational simulation studies on irradiation damage in nuclear structural materials over the past few decades, focuses on summarizing the “generation-evolution-annihilation” process of irradiation defects, and further discusses the impact of irradiation on the macroscopic mechanical properties of materials. The content and outlook of this review can advance the microscopic-level comprehension of irradiation damage mechanisms in structural materials and provide guidance for the development of a new generation of materials with excellent irradiation resistance. Full article

In order to meet its need of functional improvement, the existing masonry structure generally adopts the method of replacing partial walls with concrete frame columns to expand the openings and reduce the number of the longitudinal walls. However, the partial removal of longitudinal masonry walls and the introduction of large openings may result in a nonuniform distribution of lateral stiffness in plan and consequently induce torsional response under horizontal seismic loading. In order to investigate the seismic performance of the existing masonry structure after replacement, a 1:4 scale four-story brick masonry–concrete structure model was designed and made. Based on the principle of stiffness equivalence, the partial walls on the side of the large openings of the model ground-level floor were replaced by frame columns and frame beams, and then the pseudo-static test was conducted on the model. Through the test, the failure patterns of each floor in the structure and the seismic performance indexes such as hysteresis curve, skeleton curve, displacement ductility, stiffness degradation, and energy dissipation capacity, were obtained. The results showed that the yield load of the ground-level floor with the equivalent frame columns is approximately 138% of that of the second and third floors, while its yield displacement is approximately 59% of that of them. That is, after the structure enters the yield stage, its ground-level floor has good bearing capacity and resistance to deformation. The ground-level floor of the structure consumes the least energy as compared to the second and third floors, while the second floor consumes the most energy and has stiffness mutation, and the damage to the walls in such layer is also the most serious. Hence, seismic strengthening of the second story should be considered to prevent the formation of a weak or soft story and the consequent risk of structural collapse. Although there is a significant difference in the material properties between reinforced concrete frames and masonry structures, it is feasible to use the replacement method based on the stiffness equivalence to solve the problem of structure torsion caused by the irregular plane arrangement. Full article

Saline soils subjected to short-term waterlogging are a constraint on the sustainable production of protected vegetables, triggering soil structural degradation, salt accumulation, and oxidative damage in plants, which seriously damages crop yield and quality. Calcium-based amendments have attracted considerable attention for improving soil conditions and enhancing plant stress tolerance. However, the effects of calcium lactate amendment on saline soil improvement and pepper physiological responses under short-term waterlogging conditions remain insufficiently understood. Different application rates of calcium lactate were applied to saline pepper croplands under waterlogged conditions. The effects on soil physicochemical properties, nutrient availability, plant antioxidant physiology, fruit yield, and quality were analyzed. Calcium lactate improved the physicochemical properties of waterlogged soil and increased the available nutrients in the soil, with the content of available phosphorus and available potassium increasing by 565–855% and 1.60–35.54%, respectively. It enhanced the activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase, reduced malondialdehyde accumulation (up to 39% compared with CK), and increased proline content (up to 54.62% compared with CK), thereby promoting plant physiological adaptation under short-term waterlogging conditions and improving pepper yield and fruit quality. Higher doses of calcium lactate exhibit better ameliorative effects. Correlation analysis and partial least squares path modeling suggested that calcium lactate application was associated with improved pepper yield and quality through pathways related to soil improvement and plant physiological regulation. This study provides insights into the potential application of calcium lactate for saline soil improvement and sustainable pepper production under short-term waterlogging conditions. Full article

The mixed application of plant residues to treat petroleum-contaminated soil may increase remediation efficiency by leveraging their mixed decomposition effects. However, it remains unclear whether this approach may also lead to opposite effects. In this study, plant residues of 7 common plant species, namely, Bothriochloa ischaemum (Bi), Lespedeza davurica (Ld), Artemisia gmelinii (Ag), Heteropappus altaicus (Ha), Artemisia annua (Aa), Sophora davidii (Sd), and Agropyron cristatum (Ac), from the petroleum-producing area of northern Shaanxi and their 9 mixtures were used to treat petroleum-contaminated soil with a crude oil content of 15.00 g kg⁻¹. The samples were incubated at 25 °C under constant humidity for 120 days to determine the potential effects of mixed plant residues on stimulating contaminant degradation and restoring soil biological and chemical properties. The results revealed that (1) among all mixed plant residue treatments, combinations of BiLdAg, LdSd and HaAa significantly weakened the overall contaminant degradation efficiency. In particular, the LdSd and HaAa mixtures simultaneously strongly inhibited the degradation of saturated hydrocarbons and aromatic hydrocarbons; compared with the expected theoretical values, their degradation rates decreased by 12.36–35.25% and 9.91–19.82%, respectively (p < 0.05). (2) Mixtures including LdAgHa, BiLdAg, LdSd, LdAgHaAa, LdHa and HaAgAcSd significantly impaired the capacity of plant residues to replenish soil available nutrients and activate soil enzyme activities. The LdAgHa mixture exhibited the strongest antagonistic effect: its improvement efficiency in terms of soil nitrate nitrogen content and sucrase, dehydrogenase and polyphenol oxidase activities (the increase relative to that in contaminated soil) decreased by 30.60–76.89% relative to the theoretical expectations (p < 0.05). Overall, the effects of mixed plant residue addition on contaminant degradation and the restoration of damaged soil biochemical properties were negatively correlated. (3) Increased chemical specialization of mixed residues and higher mass proportions of Ld and Bi residues in mixtures tended to aggravate the above antagonistic inhibitory effects. When all the remediation indicators were comprehensively evaluated, the mixed application of plant residues failed to universally improve the remediation performance of crude oil-contaminated soil. Under experimental conditions, BiLdAg and LdSd residue combinations may lead to remarkable antagonistic interactions and lower the efficiency of necrophytoremediation, which should be avoided in practical field applications of this remediation technology. Full article

Background: Solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a major contributor to skin damage, driving the demand for safer and more sustainable photoprotective systems. Mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) have emerged as promising natural UV filters due to their strong absorption and photostability; however, their application is limited by poor chemical stability in aqueous environments. Objective: The present study aimed to develop and optimize a nanoemulsion-based lip balm incorporating a MAAs-rich extract from Catenella sp., addressing stability limitations while enhancing photoprotective performance. Methods: A MAAs-rich extract was obtained and characterized by UHPLC-DAD, followed by cytotoxicity evaluation in NIH-3T3 fibroblasts and stability assessment under stress conditions. A water-in-oil (w/o) nanoemulsion was rationally developed using pseudo-ternary phase diagrams and optimized through a Box–Behnken experimental design, considering aqueous phase, surfactant mixture, and sonication time as key variables. The optimized nanoemulsion was subsequently incorporated into a lip balm matrix, which was formulated and optimized using a mixture design approach to evaluate thermal, mechanical, and sensory properties. Results: The extract exhibited a high MAAs content (9.53 mg g⁻¹ DW) and low cytotoxicity (IC₅₀ > 100 µg/mL), but pronounced hydrolytic instability, particularly under alkaline conditions, while remaining photostable. The optimized nanoemulsion achieved a droplet size below 200 nm and low polydispersity (PDI < 0.3). Importantly, incorporation of MAAs into nanoemulsion significantly enhanced the in vitro sun protection factor (SPF), increasing from 16.1 (extract) to 35.4, while maintaining broad-spectrum UV coverage (λc = 380 nm). The blank nanoemulsion also contributed to UV attenuation, indicating a synergistic effect of the colloidal system. The optimized lip balm formulation (33% beeswax, 40% nanoemulsion, 22% shea butter, 1% candelilla wax, 4% carnauba wax) demonstrated suitable melting behavior, mechanical resistance, and high sensory acceptance. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that nanoemulsion-based structuring combined with statistical formulation design provides an effective strategy to stabilize MAAs and enhance their photoprotective efficacy, supporting the development of high-performance, natural sunscreen products. Full article

This study primarily aimed to evaluate how the chemical form and carrier medium of radionuclide contamination influence the effectiveness of skin decontamination procedures. In addition, the study sought to identify decontamination strategies that align with recommended practices while reducing reliance on intensive mechanical cleaning methods. Although skin damage was not directly evaluated, the findings provide valuable information for improving the safety of decontamination procedures used by personnel handling radioactive materials and by emergency responders involved in radiological and CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) incidents. Accidental spills of radiopharmaceuticals in laboratories and medical facilities, as well as contamination associated with uranium mining, fuel-cycle operations, spent fuel management, and the decommissioning of nuclear facilities, may involve radioactive isotopes present in a variety of chemical forms and solutions. Fresh porcine skin was used as an experimental model, and skin temperature was maintained at 37 °C to simulate physiological conditions. Europium-152 (¹⁵²Eu) was selected as the model radionuclide. Deionized water, concentrated nitric acid (HNO₃), saturated sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution, and ethanol were used as carrier media representing different chemical environments of ¹⁵²Eu contamination. To simulate realistic contamination scenarios, contaminating solutions were allowed to dry on the skin surface before decontamination. The influence of contaminant chemistry, carrier medium, and drying conditions on radionuclide penetration and subsequent decontamination effectiveness was investigated. Particular attention was given to the extent to which different physicochemical forms of contamination affected radionuclide removal from the skin. The results demonstrated that the chemical form of the contaminant and the drying conditions were key factors determining decontamination efficiency. Among the tested methods, a decontamination kit consisting of a soap-based solution, the complexing agent DTPA, and an absorbent non-woven swab achieved the highest radionuclide removal efficiency. These findings indicate that successful radionuclide decontamination depends strongly on the physicochemical properties of the contaminant. The combined use of a complexing agent, detergent-based formulation, and absorbent material can significantly enhance radionuclide removal from contaminated skin surfaces. Furthermore, the study highlights the importance of considering contaminant chemistry when developing effective and safe decontamination protocols for radiological and CBRN incidents. Full article

The widespread use of carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRPs) in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) structures increases the importance of understanding low-velocity impact damage, which is often barely visible yet can significantly reduce residual strength and lead to structural failure during service. This study investigates the impact behavior and healing capability of a multidirectional CFRP laminate with a thermally activated self-healing matrix (CompPair HealTech^®). Laminates with a thickness of 1.45 mm were subjected to drop-weight impacts at 5 J and 10 J. After impact, specimens were thermally activated at 150 °C for 30 min and re-impacted under identical conditions. Impact response was evaluated from force, energy, and displacement histories, while residual properties were assessed by compression after impact (CAI) testing and X-ray phase-contrast imaging (XPCI). At 5 J, the re-impact response was nearly identical to the initial impact, with a peak force of approximately 2.1 kN, indicating largely reversible damage. At 10 J, the peak force decreased from ~3.0 kN to ~2.6 kN and displacement increased, reflecting incomplete stiffness recovery caused by more severe damage. Nevertheless, residual compressive strength recovered to ~99% and ~91% of the virgin level for the 5 J and 10 J conditions, respectively. The corresponding healing efficiencies were 86% and 49%. X-ray observations revealed a transition from localized matrix cracking and interfacial damage at 5 J to more extensive internal damage at 10 J. The combined analysis of impact response, residual strength, and damage morphology establishes a direct relationship between damage severity and healing efficiency, demonstrating the potential of thermally activated self-healing composites for rapid recovery of lightweight aerospace structures and UAV components. Full article

Rotational molding is a shear-free technology to produce hollow plastic parts. Rotomolded poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and its biocomposites remain in a largely amorphous state, which limits their stiffness, toughness, and thermal resistance. Post-processing thermal annealing develops crystallinity without additives, but its combined effect with natural fibers has rarely been quantified. This work evaluates annealing at 100 °C for 1 h on rotomolded PLA biocomposites reinforced with 10, 20, and 30 wt.% of agave, coir, or pine fibers. Crystallinity (DSC, XRD), density and porosity, morphology (SEM), water absorption, mechanical properties (tensile, flexural, Charpy impact, Shore D hardness), and 28-day disintegration under lab-scale composting conditions were measured for treated and untreated samples. Annealing raised the matrix crystallinity from below 21% to 41–56% and produced predominantly α crystals with a nearly constant average size of about 20 nm. The treatment improved the matrix-dominated properties for every formulation: for neat PLA, Charpy impact strength increased by 120% (28.1 to 61.7 J/m), flexural strength by 53% (61.1 to 93.4 MPa), and flexural modulus from 3264 to 4511 MPa. Tensile strength and modulus, in contrast, remained unchanged or decreased. Porosity, set by fiber content, was unaffected by annealing; at 30 wt.%, the matrix barrier nonetheless reversed, and annealed samples absorbed more water and disintegrated faster than untreated ones. Fiber content sets the balance between matrix crystallinity and the interfacial damage caused by crystallization-induced contraction. Full article

The cyclic material properties are crucial for accurate assessment of structural response; however, conventional numerical methods often fail to replicate the mechanical degradation caused by ultra-low cycle fatigue (ULCF) damage accumulation. This paper focuses on a novel constitutive model characterizing the continuous degradation in yield stress and stiffness under large-strain tension–compression cyclic loads. A series of 32 cyclic tests on circular notched specimens covering a range of stress triaxialities are first revisited to systematically identify the cyclic softening behavior. The corresponding limitations of the widely applied classical Chaboche theory are examined, and an enhanced elastoplastic constitutive framework is proposed accordingly. On this basis, the stress-weighted ductile fracture model (SWDFM), which is developed from micro-damage mechanics, is then employed as the internal damage criterion of the proposed constitutive model. Explicit functional relationships linking the evolved yield stress and Young’s modulus to the imposed damage index are established and calibrated against the test data. Based on these findings, a new cyclic ductile constitutive model is developed, which is programmed into the UMAT subroutine compatible with ABAQUS/Standard. Numerical validations against the experimental cyclic responses exhibit good agreement, as indicated by the considerably low average errors of 5% for both strength and stiffness, demonstrating its validity in terms of the hysteretic behavior simulation for metals subjected to progressive ULCF damage. Full article