Search Results (231)

A simple and rapid precipitation process was successfully employed to prepare silver phosphate (SP, Ag₃PO₄). Two different phosphate sources: diammonium hydrogen phosphate ((NH₄)₂HPO₄) and dipotassium hydrogen phosphate (K₂HPO₄) were applied separately as the precursor, obtaining ((NH₄)₂HPO₄)⁻ and K₂HPO₄⁻ derived SP powders, named SP-A or SP-P, respectively. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra pointed out the vibrational characteristics of P–O and O–P–O interactions, confirming the presence of the PO43– functional group for SP. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns revealed that the SP crystallized in a cubic crystal structure. Whereas the field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) exposed spherical SP particles. The potentially antibacterial activity of SP-A and SP-P against bacterial Bacillus stratosphericus, yeast Meyerozyma guilliermondii, and fungal Phanerodontia chrysosporium was subsequently investigated. All studied microorganisms were recovered and isolated from the aquatic plant during the tissue culture process. The preliminary result of the antimicrobial test revealed that SP-A has higher antimicrobial activity than SP-P. The superior antimicrobial efficiency of SP-A compared to SP-P may be attributed to its purity and crystallite size, which provide a higher surface area and more active sites. In addition, the presence of potassium-related impurities in SP-P could have negatively affected its antimicrobial performance. These findings suggest that SP holds potential as an antimicrobial agent for maintaining sterility in tissue cultures, particularly in aquatic plant systems. The growth of both B. stratosphericus and M. guilliermondii was suppressed effectively at 30 ppm SP-A, whereas 10 ppm of SP-A can suppress P. chrysosporium development. This present work also highlights the potential of SP at very low concentrations (10–30 ppm) for utilization as an effective antimicrobial agent in tissue culture, compared to a commercial antimicrobial agent, viz., acetic acid, at the same concentration. Full article

Based on ethnographic data collected in Germany, this article compares ultra-conservative Salafi and progressive, LGBTQI-plus Muslim movements and examines their negotiation of religious identity and practice within and in contrast to ‘mainstream Islam’ (e.g., DİTİB). While on the surface these movements appear to be on the fringes of Islam and clearly opposed to each other, a closer look reveals interesting moments of convergence and publicly gained prominence. In doing so, this article explores the actor biography issues that drive affiliation, including negative experiences with mainstream mosques and the search for authentic expression and roots. It analyses the politics of labelling (e.g., ‘Salafi’, ‘liberal’), and how these groups define their target audiences in relation to the perceived mainstream. It examines the negotiation of cultural diversity and Islamic ‘purity’, contrasting Salafi reform with progressive interpretations. Finally, it examines strategies for challenging mainstream institutions. By comparing these groups, the article offers a nuanced insight into Islamic practices at the margins. It sheds light on the various strategies employed to discredit mainstream Islamic institutions, ranging from theological differences to power struggles within the contested religious field. Full article

Free-ranging dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) pose a significant but often overlooked threat to wildlife populations and global conservation efforts while also having the potential to contribute positively to conservation initiatives. As generalist predators and scavengers, these adaptable animals can lead to biodiversity loss through predation, disease transmission, competition, and behavioral disruption of native species. This review synthesizes global studies on their ecological impact, highlighting notable cases of predation on endangered species, such as the markhor (Capra falconeri cashmiriensis) in Pakistan and elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) in Mexico, as well as the spread of zoonotic diseases like Echinococcus spp. and canine distemper. A growing concern is hybridization between free-ranging dogs and wild canids. Such genetic mixing can erode local adaptations, reduce genetic purity, and undermine conservation efforts for wild canid populations. Current management strategies—including lethal control, trap–neuter–release, and vaccination—have produced mixed results and face challenges related to data limitations, regional variability, and cultural barriers. This review advocates for integrated, context-specific management approaches that consider ecological, social, and economic dimensions. Future research should prioritize standardized definitions and data collection, long-term evaluation of intervention effectiveness, and the socio-economic drivers of dog–wildlife interactions to develop sustainable solutions for mitigating the multifaceted threats imposed by free-ranging dogs to global diversity. Full article

This study investigates the potential use of the freshwater centric diatom Stephanocyclus meneghinianus as a sustainable source of high-purity biosilica. We analyzed its morphology, microstructure, and optimal culture conditions, and developed a pretreatment method to recover intact biosilica frustules. The isolated diatoms exhibited small and uniform cell sizes (8–10 μm) with distinctive features such as regularly arranged spines, striae, and fultoportulae. Electron microscopy revealed around 4000 nanoscale pores per valve, mostly along the costae. The pretreatment process using ethanol and hydrogen peroxide effectively removed organic materials and mucilage, preserving the structural integrity of the biosilica. Crystallinity analysis confirmed the amorphous nature of the biosilica, indicating good biodegradability, while elemental analysis showed its composition as being primarily of silicon and oxygen. Growth optimization experiments revealed the highest specific growth rate in DM medium at 20–25 °C under light intensities of 60–120 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹. These results demonstrate that S. meneghinianus can be cultured efficiently to produce biodegradable biosilica with well-defined nanostructures. This biosilica shows promise for applications in biomaterials, nanotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and environmental remediation. Full article

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have a broad clinical potential, but their selection and expansion on plastic cause unknown purity and phenotypic alterations, reducing therapy efficiency. Furthermore, their behavior in non-adherent conditions during systemic transplantation remains poorly understood. The sphere formation from single cells is commonly used to assess stemness, but MSCs lack this ability, raising questions about their anchorage dependence for proliferation. We investigated whether bone marrow-derived MSCs can complete cytokinesis in non-adherent environments. Primary human and mouse bone marrow-derived MSCs were synchronized in early mitosis using nocodazole and were cultured on soft, rigid, or non-adherent surfaces. Both human and mouse MSCs displayed an ALIX (abscission licensor) recruitment to the midbody 40–90 min post-nocodazole release, regardless of the substrate adherence. Cells maintained for 4hr in the suspension remained viable, and daughter cells rapidly migrated apart upon the re-adhesion to fibronectin-coated surfaces, demonstrating cytokinesis completion in suspension. These findings distinguish MSCs from fibroblasts (which require adhesion for division), provide a more general stemness feature, and suggest that adhesion-independent cytokinesis is a trait relevant to the post-transplantation survival and tissue homing. This property may offer strategies to expand MSCs with an improved purity and functionality and to enhance engraftment by leveraging cell cycle manipulation to promote an early extracellular matrix deposition at target sites. Full article

Microorganisms metabolising low-value carbon sources can produce a diverse range of bio-based and biodegradable materials compatible with circular economy principles. One such material is bacterial cellulose (BC), which can be obtained in high purity through the fermentation of sweetened tea by a Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast (SCOBY). In recent years, there has been a growing research interest in SCOBYs as a promising solution for sustainable material design. In this work, we have explored a novel method to grow SCOBYs vertically using a waste-based scaffold system. Waste sheep wool and cotton fabric were soaked in a SCOBY infusion to serve as scaffolds, carrying the infusion and facilitating vertical growth through capillary forces. Remarkably, vertical membrane growth up to 5 cm above the liquid–air interface (LAI) was observed after just one week. Membranes with different microstructures were found in sheep wool and cotton, randomly oriented between the scaffold fibre, resulting in a high surface area. This study demonstrated that vertical growth in scaffolds is possible, proving the concept of a new method of growing composite materials with potential high-value applications in biomedicine, energy storage, or filtration. Full article

Carotenoids are part of a diverse group of isoprenoid compounds. Due to the many properties they possess, they may become an alternative to synthetic additives in various industrial sectors. The increase in consumer demand and awareness determines research into extracting them from plants, algae and microorganisms. The extraction of carotenoids from plants is an inefficient method and generates additional production costs. On the other hand, the carotenoid potential of microorganisms, especially among yeasts, has not been fully exploited. The diversity of yeast species and strains influences the extraction of many fractions of carotenoids, including the less known ones such as thorulene and tholuradine. The developed adaptability of yeast enables the optimisation of their culture, which facilitates the understanding of their metabolic pathways. At the same time, the coordination of carotenoid and lipid synthesis may prevent their degradation or the loss of their bioactive properties. Application research has been conducted mainly in the feed industry, where their colouring and antimicrobial or immunomodulating properties are used. In the medical and pharmaceutical fields, there is not much research due to safety restrictions and the necessity of the high purity of the fractions. This review also highlights the overlooked aspect of carotenoids’ biodegradability, which is required to exploit the bioactive properties of microbial carotenoids. Full article

This study offers a comparative analysis of preparatory practices in Buddhist meditation, focusing on the Tiantai tradition of medieval China and the Nyingma tradition of tenth-century Tibet. Challenging the view of meditation as solely a mental experience, it highlights the critical role of the body in shaping contemplative training. Drawing on recent Buddhist studies and cultural embodiment theory, the paper argues that preparatory practices are essential stages of psychophysical transformation, not just preliminary steps. The study explores early Chinese Tiantai texts, particularly Zhiyi’s meditation manuals, which present twenty-five preparatory practices involving posture, diet, breath control, and ethical restraint. In parallel, the paper examines Nupchen Sangye Yeshe’s bSam gtan mig sgron from the Tibetan Nyingma tradition, highlighting its emphasis on physical integrity, ritual purity, four supportive conditions, and environmental harmony. While Tiantai sources provide a structured methodology, Nyingma practices integrate these elements within broader tantric and visionary frameworks. The paper concludes that these practices are not only supportive of meditation, but also performative enactments of Buddhist cosmology and ethics, positioning the body as central to meditation’s transformative potential. Full article

The ongoing demand for reliable, cost-effective, and scalable diagnostic solutions during the COVID-19 pandemic emphasized the need for innovative production platforms. In this study, we present a plant-based molecular farming (PMF) strategy for the production of the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein fused with an Fc region (RBDw-Fc). The RBDw-Fc antigen was transiently expressed in the Nicotiana benthamiana plant, achieving high yields and purity. Its functionality was assessed through antigen–antibody binding assays. The purified antigen was subsequently employed in the development of a rapid diagnostic blot assay capable of screening plasma EDTA samples from pre- and post-vaccinated as well as pre- and post-infected individuals, demonstrating high sensitivity and specificity. Our results show that the RBDw-Fc-based assay is effective for SARS-CoV-2 detection and offers considerable advantages in terms of production speed, scalability, and cost efficiency compared to traditional systems, such as cell-culture-based production. The assay delivers accurate results in just a few minutes, making it particularly suitable for clinical and resource-limited settings. This study highlights the versatility of PMF as a platform for producing high-quality reagents, with promising applications beyond SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics. The RBDw-Fc antigen-based method provides a model for the rapid, economical, and flexible development of screening tools for emerging infectious diseases and future pandemics. Full article

β-glucans from filamentous fungi are important for human health. There is limited research on polysaccharides from filamentous fungi, and no reports have been published regarding the optimization of culture media to produce β-glucans from Rhizopus oryzae using liquid waste from potato starch processing. In this regard, the fermentation conditions to produce β-glucans from Rhizopus oryzae M10A1 were optimized using the one variable at a time (OVAT) and response surface methodology (RSM). The β-glucans were chemically characterized by determining moisture, nitrogen, protein, fat, ash, and total carbohydrates. The color, molecular weight, β-glucan content, monosaccharide composition, and structural and conformational characteristics were assessed by colorimetry, gel permeation chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, respectively. The microbial indicators, mesophilic aerobes, molds, yeasts, and Escherichia coli were quantified following ISO standard protocols. Optimization indicated that supplementation with 0.8% (w/v) glucose and ammonium sulfate enhanced heteroglycan production (3254.56 mg/100 g of biomass). The β-glucans exhibited high purity, a light brown color, a molecular weight of 450 kDa, and a composition predominantly consisting of glucose and galactose. These findings suggest that β-glucans from Rhizopus oryzae M10A1 could be used for food and health applications. Full article

Metacyclogenesis is a critical process in the Trypanosoma cruzi life cycle. This transition naturally occurs in an insect vector’s gut. Although Triatomine Artificial Urine (TAU) medium is the widely adopted approach to metacyclogenesis in vitro, its efficiency decreases with prolonged epimastigote culture, limiting the availability of metacyclic trypomastigotes for study. We aimed to establish a practical and efficient method for generating high concentrations and purities of metacyclic trypomastigotes in vitro. Epimastigotes of the Dm28c strain were exposed to pH shifts in nutrient-rich (MT-LIT) and nutrient-poor (M16) media, under static or agitated conditions. Both media promoted higher metacyclogenesis rates than TAU, with epimastigotes’ adherence to the substrate being a crucial factor. Metacyclogenesis efficiency varies depending on the strains and culture conditions. Notably, both LIT and M16 at pH 6 produced metacyclic trypomastigotes with infective capacity on Vero cells. Under these conditions, a variety of intermediate forms were observed compared to those induced by TAU metacyclogenesis. Our findings further emphasize the strain-dependent nature of optimal in vitro metacyclogenesis conditions and offer new opportunities for studying the intermediate forms involved in this essential process. Full article

In-vitro spermatogenesis holds great potential in addressing male infertility, yet one of the main challenges is separating round spermatids from other germ cells in spermatogonial stem cell cultures. STA-PUT, a method based on velocity sedimentation, has been extensively tested for this application. Though somewhat effective, it requires bulky, expensive equipment and significant time. In contrast, the method of inertial microfluidics offers a compact, cost-effective, and faster alternative. In this study, we designed, fabricated, and tested a microfluidic spiral channel for isolating round spermatids and purifying spermatogenic cells. A commercially available spiral device close to the calculated specifications was tested for rapid prototyping, achieving 79% purity for non-spermatid cells in a single pass, with ability to achieve higher purity through repeated passes. However, the commercial device’s narrow outlets caused clogging, prompting the fabrication of a custom polydimethylsiloxane device matching the calculated specifications. This custom device demonstrated significant improvements, achieving 86% purity in a single pass compared to STA-PUT’s 38%, and that without any clogging issues. Further purification could be attained by repeated passes, as shown in earlier studies. This work underscores the efficacy of inertial microfluidics for efficient, high-purity cell separation, with the potential to revolutionize workflows in in-vitro spermatogenesis research. Full article

In this paper, a new TaMoNbTiZr multielement alloy has been designed, using chemical elements that exhibit extremely low bio-toxicity for the human body. The alloy was obtained by melting in vacuum arc remelting (VAR) equipment MRF ABJ 900 from high-purity chemical elements (99.5%) as mini-ingots having about 40 g weight each. The biocompatible alloys underwent changes in hardness after performing the annealing at 900 °C for 2 h, followed by cooling in water. The new alloy had an average hardness in the cast state of 545 HV0.5, and after heat treatment, it hardened to a value of 984 HV0.5, over 40% higher than that in the casting state, which ensures a longer working period. To use them as materials for medical instruments, their biocompatibility was highlighted through specific laboratory tests. For this, mesenchymal stem cells isolated from bone tissue and a human fibroblast cell line were cultured in vitro on the TaMoNbTiZr alloy’s surface. The biocompatibility of the alloy with the biological environment was evaluated by analyzing cell viability, adhesion, and proliferation, and in parallel, the cytolysis effects manifested by the increase in lactate dehydrogenase activity in the culture media were analyzed. Full article

Intellectual preferences often align with the broader concept of standardization. The centralizing tendency observed in the sciences mirrors the patterns seen in linguistic standardization, such as the establishment of standard dialects in diverse speech communities. In both cases, there is a deliberate disregard for the complexities of the “lower” systems within the hierarchy and an exaggerated belief in the purity of the dominant system. The process of language standardization involves minimizing linguistic variation, often leading to the marginalization of non-standard varieties and reinforcing social hierarchies by privileging certain forms of language, which can restrict access to opportunities and institutional authority. The hierarchical tendencies observed in both scientific disciplines and linguistic standardization reflect a broader intellectual preference for centralized, “pure” systems, often at the expense of diversity and complexity. This paper explores the relationship between linguistic and scientific standardization, highlighting their influence on knowledge, authority, and social structures. Focusing on the global use of Greco-Latin scientific terminology, it examines both the practical advantages and cultural implications of standardized scientific language. While proponents emphasize its unifying role, critics argue it threatens linguistic purity and cultural identity. Through historical and contemporary debates, the paper argues that standardization serves as both a tool for communication and a contested space reflecting ideological tensions about language, culture, and knowledge. Topics include the politics of language standardization, the globalization of scientific vocabulary, debates on the interlingual lexicon, and the conflict between global communication and Arabic language preservation. Full article

The character “雜” (zá), commonly found in Chinese Buddhist literature, typically conveys the meaning of “mixed” or “varied”. However, in the translations of the renowned Tang dynasty translator Xuanzang, its usage stands out both in frequency and distinctiveness, setting his work apart from that of other translators. Terms traditionally conveyed using “不淨” (bù jìng, “impure”) or “穢” (huì, “filth”) were deliberately transformed by Xuanzang into “雜染” (zá rǎn, “mixed defilement”) and “雜穢” (zá huì, “mixed filth”), with “雜” nearly becoming synonymous with impurity. Examining the original meaning of “雜”, we find that it primarily signifies “to gather” or “miscellaneous”, typically carrying a neutral connotation. However, when used as an adjective describing a state, “雜” transcends its neutral sense of “various” or “diverse” to encompass notions of impurity, disorder, and deviation from normative standards—often with negative implications. Building on this understanding, it becomes clear that the abstract opposition between purity and impurity in the doctrinal meanings of Buddhist scriptures was reinterpreted by Xuanzang as a concrete opposition between “清淨” (qīng jìng, “purity”) and “雜穢” (mixed filth). This reinterpretation allowed “雜” to describe anything defiling the mind or carrying negative overtones—even when the original Sanskrit text did not explicitly indicate such a notion—thereby constituting a strategic substitution in translation. Furthermore, Xuanzang and his contemporaries frequently employed “雜” as a functional component within disyllabic compounds that collectively expressed negative meanings. Some terms containing “雜” thus cannot be understood simply as “mixed” or “varied”; instead, “雜” functions as a negative marker, reinforcing unfavorable connotations. This paper provides a focused case study on the lexical strategies of ancient Buddhist translators, illustrating how particular concepts—including 雜—were leveraged to reshape doctrinal content. In doing so, it highlights the deliberate linguistic and interpretative choices made by translators like Xuanzang, offering insights into their motivations and the cultural–linguistic contexts that framed their work. Full article