Search Results (9,058)

The orthodontic landscape is currently witnessing a significant technological evolution with the emergence of direct 3D-printed aligners (DPAs), which promise to close the digital workflow loop by eliminating the geometric limitations and solid model waste inherent to traditional thermoformed clear aligners (TCAs). This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the material science governing this transition from inert thermoplastic sheets to reactive photocurable resins. We explore the fundamental chemistry of DPA materials, and the pivotal role of post-processing in ensuring mechanical integrity and biocompatibility. Beyond passive mechanics, this review highlights preclinical research in functional material engineering, detailing how experimental DPAs are being investigated for the integration of antibacterial agents, remineralization fillers, and drug delivery systems. Furthermore, we evaluate the limited but emerging clinical data on DPAs, contrasting their shape-memory properties and force delivery profiles with conventional appliances, while critically addressing emerging safety concerns regarding monomer elution and microplastic generation. We conclude that while DPA technology offers superior dimensional control, comprehensive life cycle assessments and long-term in vivo trials are essential to fully substantiate their clinical efficacy, overall sustainability, and potential as advanced orthodontic appliances. Full article

Background: In this study, we aimed to determine whether cold-water swimming could serve as a potential strategy to enhance antioxidant capacity, improve NADH utilization in oxidative metabolism, and consequently lead to better muscle metabolism and improved mitochondrial function in the skeletal muscles of rats. We hypothesized that cold-water swimming may upregulate malate–aspartate shuttle (MAS) expression, leading to more efficient NADH utilization in oxidative pathways and thereby improving muscle metabolism and mitochondrial function. Methods: We analyzed the expression of all MAS components, as well as the expression of phosphofructokinase I (PFK-1)—a key regulatory enzyme of glycolysis (which, under oxidative conditions, serves as a source of NADH for MAS)—in the skeletal muscles of rats subjected to cold-water swimming training. The study involved 32 male and 32 female rats aged 15 months, randomly assigned to control sedentary animals, animals training in cold water at 5 ± 2 °C, or animals training in water at thermal comfort temperature (36 ± 2 °C). The rats underwent swimming training for nine weeks, gradually increasing the duration of the sessions from 2 min to 4 min per day, five days a week. Results: Our findings revealed increased expression of all MAS enzymes involved in the delivery of NADH to mitochondria, elevated expression of the active form of PFK-1 indicating intensified glycolysis, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and upregulation of antioxidant enzymes. Conclusions: Cold-water swimming can improve metabolism and enhance mitochondrial function in the muscles of older adult rats subjected to cold-water swimming training. Full article

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by chronic immune activation, enhanced type I interferon signaling, and epigenetic dysregulation, conditions that may promote the reactivation of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs). Whether HERV activation in SLE is global or selective, however, remains unclear. We analyzed the expression of HERV-H, HERV-K, and HERV-W, along with the HERV-derived envelope genes Syncytin-1 and Syncytin-2, in samples from lupus patients and healthy controls. In parallel, we assessed the expression of the epigenetic repressors TRIM28 and SETDB1. HERV-H expression was comparable between groups, whereas HERV-K and HERV-W were significantly overexpressed in lupus patients. Syncytin-1 and HERV-W env transcripts were markedly increased in SLE, while Syncytin-2 expression was unchanged. Lupus patients showed reduced TRIM28 and increased SETDB1 expression, consistent with altered regulation of HERV repression pathways. Notably, HERV-H and HERV-W pol expression correlated with the type I interferon score, suggesting an association between interferon signaling and selective HERV activation. These findings indicate that SLE is associated with the selective activation of immunostimulatory HERV families, particularly HERV-W. The observed associations with interferon signaling suggest that HERV-W-related transcripts may represent disease-associated molecular signatures, warranting further mechanistic investigation. Full article

The analytical surveillance of sulfite species (SO₃²⁻, SO₂ and HSO₃⁻) is critical for food safety due to their roles as preservatives and potent allergens. Despite stringent regulations, conventional methods like Monier-Williams distillation remain limited by labor-intensive protocols and matrix interferences. This review elucidates the chemical mechanisms of sulfites in food matrices and critically evaluates recent advancements in electrochemical sensing. A primary focus is placed on delineating physicochemical bottlenecks, such as electrode fouling and cross-reactivity from polyphenols and organic acids, which hinder commercialization. We analyze the strategic integration of nanostructured interfaces—including bimetallic nanoparticles, carbon-based hybrids (rGO/PPy), and nanozymes—to reduce oxidation overpotentials and enhance sensitivity below regulatory thresholds. Furthermore, the transition from laboratory prototypes to decentralized, field-deployable platforms using screen-printed electrodes (SPEs) and smartphone-based potentiostats is explored. By synthesizing technical innovations with “green” analytical principles, this work provides a roadmap for real-time quality control in the food industry, bridging the gap between fundamental electrochemistry and industrial scalability. Full article

Abiotic stresses severely constrain the growth, yield, and quality of horticultural plants, collectively posing major challenges to sustainable production under changing climatic conditions. Nitric oxide (NO) is a key signaling molecule that modulates plant responses to abiotic stress by integrating with redox regulation systems, hormonal crosstalk pathways, ion homeostasis mechanisms, and transcriptional control networks. Rather than functioning as an isolated regulator, NO participates in dynamic signaling frameworks whose outcomes depend on concentration, timing, cellular redox status, and interaction with other signaling molecules. This review synthesizes current knowledge on NO-mediated mechanisms contributing to abiotic stress tolerance and examines their relevance to sustainable horticultural crop management. After outlining the historical recognition of NO as a plant signaling molecule, we discuss stress-responsive NO-dependent processes, including S-nitrosylation-based post-translational modification, NO–reactive oxygen species (ROS) interactions, and the modulation of stress-responsive transcriptional programs. The roles of NO in tolerance to drought, salinity, extreme temperature, and heavy metal stress are analyzed with emphasis on experimentally supported physiological and molecular responses. We further evaluate evidence from fruit, vegetable, ornamental, and medicinal crops, highlighting how NO-associated signaling correlates with yield stability, quality-related traits, and post-harvest performance under stress conditions. Finally, NO-based strategies such as priming, donor application, and integration with biostimulants are critically assessed in the context of climate-resilient and sustainable horticulture, with attention to translational constraints and field-level feasibility. By connecting mechanistic insights with applied considerations, this review provides a structured framework for evaluating the potential and limitations of NO-based approaches in abiotic stress management of horticultural crops. Full article

Optimal Power Flow Operation (OPFO) is a large-scale, nonlinear, and highly constrained optimization problem that plays a central role in achieving economical, reliable, and environmentally sustainable power system operation. Despite the widespread use of metaheuristic algorithms for OPFO, many methods primarily depend on global-best updates or complex hybrid operators, leading to issues like premature convergence and diminished population diversity. Furthermore, recent literature tends to focus on numerical improvements without sufficiently addressing the underlying interaction structures that ensure stability in convergence. To address these limitations, this paper proposes an Improved Starfish Optimization (ISFO) algorithm incorporating a hybrid fitness-aware population-based search mechanism for solving OPFO problems involving the simultaneous regulation of synchronous generator outputs, on-load tap-changing transformer ratios, and reactive power compensation devices. The proposed method introduces an adaptive Fitness-Aware Collective (FAC) interaction strategy that systematically models pairwise fitness relationships to guide attraction toward superior solutions and repulsion from inferior ones, thereby strengthening exploitation while preserving diversity through controlled stochastic peer-based perturbations. A dual-mode search framework further balances global exploration and local intensification without introducing additional control parameters, enhancing robustness and scalability. The OPFO problem is formulated as a constrained nonlinear optimization model, where equality constraints enforce power flow balance equations and inequality constraints represent operational limits of generators, transformers, voltages, and transmission lines. The proposed ISFO is validated on the IEEE 57-bus power system under three operating scenarios: fuel cost minimization, transmission loss minimization, and emission minimization. Comparative results demonstrate consistent superiority over the standard Starfish Optimization Algorithm (SFOA). In cost minimization, ISFO reduces the total generation cost from 41,697.85 $/h to 41,669.34 $/h while simultaneously decreasing real power losses by 5.22%. Under loss minimization, ISFO achieves a minimum transmission loss of 10.77 MW, corresponding to a 9.23% reduction relative to SFOA, with improved convergence stability. For emission minimization, ISFO attains the lowest emission level of 1.474 ton/h, representing a 6.65% reduction compared to SFOA, alongside an additional 5.67% reduction in system losses. Statistical evaluations based on 30 independent runs further confirm the robustness and reliability of the proposed approach, demonstrating reduced variance, narrower confidence intervals, and statistically significant improvements across all investigated objectives. Full article

Persimmon polyphenols (PP) are natural polyphenols with high reactivity and strong deodorization potential; however, their practical application in odor control is limited by their poor solubility. In this study, natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs) were employed for the green extraction of PP, and the capabilities of extracts on the removal of ammonia (NH₃) and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) were investigated. In addition, the underlying mechanisms were explored by integrating spectroscopic analysis, molecular dynamics simulations, and quantum chemical calculations. The results showed that chloride-citric acid (CC-CA) was the optimal system in both PP extraction and sustained NH₃ removal, while the betaine-urea (B-U) system was more effective for H₂S removal. NH₃ removal was governed by acid-base neutralization, with the resulting ammonium species being further stabilized within the PP-regulated NADES hydrogen-bond network. In contrast, H₂S interacted with the solvent network not only through acid-base neutralization but also via Van der Waals forces and hydrophobic contacts. Our data supported that NADESs enhanced the deodorization performance of PP through cooperative microenvironment regulation rather than irreversible chemical conversion. This work highlighted that NADESs could not only function as highly efficient extraction media for polyphenols, but also active platforms for enhancing selective gas-capture capability for polyphenols. Furthermore, it provided a new strategy for the rational design of green, persimmon-derived deodorants. Full article

The intensive management of double-cropping rice systems relies on high inputs of fertilizer and labor to sustain high yields. However, this leads to substantial reactive nitrogen (Nr) losses and severe environmental degradation. Although both enhanced-efficiency nitrogen fertilizers (EENFs) and deep placement are recognized for mitigating specific Nr loss pathways within individual seasons, robust field evidence for their combined, cross-seasonal efficacy across multiple loss pathways remains scarce. This study assessed the integrated agronomic, environmental, and economic performance of deep-placed EENFs in a double-rice cropping system. The EENFs included stabilized urea (SU) and controlled-release urea (CRU). Nitrogen release patterns differed significantly between fertilizers: SU showed strong season-dependent dynamics, while CRU provided a stable, consistent supply across both early and late rice seasons, achieving superior synchronization with crop nitrogen demand. Crucially, deep placement was indispensable for reducing environmental risks. The integrated strategy of deep-placing CRU (CRUD) facilitated a “spatiotemporal dual regulation” of nitrogen, spatially mitigating surface losses via deep placement and temporally synchronizing nutrient release with crop demand via the controlled-release mechanism. Compared with conventional surface-applied urea, CRUD significantly enhanced grain yield (16.1% and 17.5%), increased nitrogen recovery efficiency (41.5% and 67.4%), reduced total N losses (42.3% and 31.3%), and improved net economic benefits (35.0% and 30.9%) in early and late rice, respectively. It provides a concrete, actionable solution for advancing sustainable intensification in double-cropping rice systems, contributing directly to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Full article

This study investigated the combined effects of leaching agents and iron distribution on the migration behavior of pollutants in municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash (MSWI-BA). A column leaching experiment was designed where the control group (CK) employed deionized water with uniformly distributed iron. This baseline was systematically compared against treatment groups involving two leaching agents (Na₂CO₃, Na₂SO₄) and three iron distribution scenarios (Top, Bottom, and Removal). Compared to the CK, the introduction of Na₂CO₃ significantly intensified pollutant mobilization: the abundance of microplastics (MPs) increased by 49.33%, chloride leaching rose by 189.99%, and heavy metal (HM) concentrations (Cu, Cr, Pb, As) surged by 2.0–40.6 times. Furthermore, iron distribution played a critical regulatory role; specifically, manipulating iron placement further elevated MP abundance by 80.2% and chloride leaching by 191.03%. Morphological analysis indicated that MPs primarily existed as transparent or yellow particles, films, and fibers, characteristics that remained stable across treatments. Crucially, these findings offer engineering insights for real-world scenarios: retaining a bottom iron-rich layer during stockpiling can act as a reactive barrier to intercept pollutants, whereas carbonate-rich landfill environments require pH-buffering to mitigate MP co-migration. This study provides a theoretical basis for optimizing pretreatment processes (e.g., coordinated washing and magnetic separation) to ensure the safe resource recovery of BA. Full article

A retrospective analysis of atmospheric volatile organic compounds in urban Beijing during spring 2017–2019 and 2025 reveals a profound transition in pollution characteristics following long-term control policies. Integrating field observations with positive matrix factorization (PMF), results reveal a fundamental atmospheric transition toward mobile source predominance and reduced chemical reactivity. Total volatile organic compound concentrations declined by 31.0% (to 23.7 μg/m³), driven by a massive 90.7% reduction in aromatics. Conversely, gasoline vehicle exhaust surged to constitute 66.9% of total volatile organic compound mass. This shift altered the chemical reactivity pattern: alkenes replaced aromatics as the primary drivers of ozone formation potential (46.4%), yet residual aromatics continued to dominate secondary organic aerosol formation potential (83.3%). Crucially, a coordinated total volatile organic compounds:NOx reduction ratio of 0.48:1 compared to 2017 successfully lowered spring O₃ levels by 8.4%. These findings substantiate the efficacy of past synergistic controls but emphasize that future deep abatement must prioritize targeting high-reactivity alkenes from mobile sources and residual solvent-based aromatics. Full article

Cerebral ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury is a major pathological contributor to neurological deterioration following ischemic stroke (IS) and remains a critical barrier to effective neuroprotection. Accumulating evidence indicates that cerebral I/R injury is driven not by isolated stress responses but by coordinated and dynamic interactions among multiple cellular pathways. Among these, the bidirectional crosstalk between mitophagy and oxidative stress has emerged as a central regulatory axis. Moderate oxidative stress can function as an adaptive signal, activating protective mitophagy through key pathways such as AMPK/ULK1 signaling and cardiolipin externalization, thereby facilitating mitochondrial quality control and maintaining cellular homeostasis. Conversely, appropriately regulated mitophagy limits excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by removing dysfunctional mitochondria, forming a negative feedback mechanism. However, dysregulation or excessive activation of either process disrupts this balance, leading to a self-amplifying cycle of mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative damage that exacerbates neuronal injury. This review systematically summarizes the molecular mechanisms governing the oxidative stress–mitophagy crosstalk in cerebral I/R injury, highlighting key signaling nodes and regulatory pathways that determine protective versus detrimental outcomes. Furthermore, we discuss emerging therapeutic strategies aimed at precisely modulating this axis in a spatiotemporal- and intensity-dependent manner. By integrating mechanistic insights with translational perspectives, this review provides a conceptual framework for developing targeted neuroprotective interventions based on coordinated regulation of mitochondrial quality control and redox homeostasis. Full article

Background: Oxidative stress arises from an imbalance in redox homeostasis, leading to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species. This condition is associated with premature aging, as well as the progression of several chronic noncommunicable diseases. Among the natural products, geopropolis stands out as a source of molecules with different biological properties. Despite reports of its therapeutic potential, data on the effects on biomolecules and lifespan remains unexplored. Objectives: In this context, we investigated the effects of hydroethanolic geopropolis extracts of Melipona orbignyi and Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides on in vitro and in vivo protection against oxidative stress, as well as their toxicity and effects on lifespan. Methods: Firstly, we assessed the effect on protein integrity under AAPH-induced oxidative stress and on DNA stability following exposure to hydrogen peroxide and UV radiation. Furthermore, we evaluated the extracts toxicity, protection against juglone-induced oxidative stress and thermal stress, and effects on longevity in a Caenorhabditis elegans preclinical model. Results: In vitro, both extracts protected bovine serum albumin (BSA) from AAPH-induced oxidation, with maximum BSA integrity reaching 98.2 ± 1.8% (HGMO) and 91.7 ± 3.0% (HGMQ). In a UV/H₂O₂ plasmid assay, both extracts protected against oxidative DNA fragmentation across the tested range, achieving 100% protection (fully preserved DNA integrity) at the highest evaluated concentrations. In vivo, HGMO and HGMQ showed no acute toxicity (24–48 h), with survival comparable to controls, and increased survival under juglone-induced oxidative stress (80 µM, 24 h), with maximum viability gains of 37.3% (HGMO) and 23.9% (HGMQ). Both extracts extended lifespan, increasing maximum lifespan from 24 to 32 days (+33%). Conclusions: Overall, these findings support geopropolis extracts as promising candidates for biotechnological products targeting oxidative stress and healthy aging. Full article

The challenges of ensuring the security of electricity supply (SoES) in large aluminium smelters—particularly those that are self-supplied—provide a compelling rationale for further investigation, as research on this class of industrial systems is limited. Firstly, this paper presents an expert technical perspective on the distinct characteristics and operational challenges associated with aluminium potline loads and their supply systems in self-supplied aluminium smelters. This study then examines the supply infrastructure at Emirates Global Aluminium’s plant in Dubai, which has an installed power generation capacity of 3000 MW, supplying a 2000 MW load on a continuous basis through a network of three 132 kV substations. This high-voltage network is modelled and simulated using the CYME network analysis software module. We consider the following key approaches to ensure stable system voltage for desirable SoES: steady-state voltage control, outage planning and reactive power reserve management, active power flow management and load participation. We then study the influence each of these has on the system voltage and, hence, on the overall SoES of the smelter, using time-domain voltage and frequency curves at key network nodes and active power flow through important network interconnectors. The simulation results clearly demonstrate a significant improvement in the base case event by positively damping the oscillations in these responses, highlighting the significance of maintaining a healthy system voltage within a limit of ±2% of the nominal voltage to ensure SoES of the smelter. Full article

Background: Postoperative wounds may arise from several etiologies, including open partial pedal amputation, postoperative infection, and dehiscence of surgical sites from wound failure or patient compliance issues. If negative pressure wound therapy is the gold standard, its application in the toes area could be challenging, and as a consequence, standard care is most likely used. The control of the wound microenvironment, both in terms of pH levels and presence of reactive oxygen species, is a key part of the normal wound-healing process. This study evaluated the effectiveness of an oxygen-enriched oil-based device (OEOd) in post-surgical diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). Methods: This prospective controlled comparative pilot study enrolled 40 patients with diabetes mellitus and post-surgical foot wounds (narrow and deep lesions, including tunneling ulcers) treated at the Diabetic Foot Unit of San Donato Hospital, Arezzo (March 2024–April 2025). Patients were allocated into two groups: those treated by the standard wound care (n = 20) and those treated by OEOd (n = 20). The primary outcome was complete wound healing at 16 weeks; other exploratory endpoints were wound area reduction at 4 and 16 weeks, onset of infection, need for re-intervention, and adverse events. Results: Complete wound healing was achieved in 85.0% of OEOd patients versus 45.0% in the control group (p = 0.020). At 16 weeks, wound area reduction was significantly greater in the OEOd group compared with standard therapy (89.8% vs. 64.0%, p = 0.013). Although infection rates (10.0% vs. 35.0%, p = 0.130) and need for re-intervention (0% vs. 25.0%, p = 0.056) did not reach statistical significance, both favored the OEOd group. No adverse events were reported. Conclusions: OEOd significantly improved the chance of healing post-surgery and showed favorable trends in reducing complications, with an excellent safety profile. Larger randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm these findings and assess long-term outcomes. Full article

This paper proposes a real-time active control strategy for a static volt–ampere reactive compensator (SVC) that can simultaneously respond to source phase variations and load fluctuations. Conventional SVC control schemes based on the total reactive power compensation suffer from degraded power factors and reduced power quality under unbalanced load conditions. In contrast, phase-wise control methods can maintain the power factor during load imbalance, which can result in reactive power overcompensation or undercompensation when source phase variations occur, leading to power factor deterioration. The proposed real-time active SVC control strategy effectively addresses both source phase variations and load fluctuations, thereby improving the power factor and overall power quality. PSIM version 2025 software-based simulations and digital signal processing-based hardware experiments were conducted to validate the effectiveness of the proposed method. The experimental results confirm that the proposed control strategy successfully achieved the target power factor even under simultaneous source phase variations and unbalanced load conditions. These results demonstrate the high applicability of the proposed method to practical industrial power systems and renewable energy-integrated systems. The method is expected to contribute to the efficient design of large-capacity power quality control systems in the future. Full article