Search Results (4,185)

Melatonin is a naturally occurring compound that regulates many aspects of plant growth and development. Recently, its stress-protective potential has been extensively studied. This study investigates the effect of exogenous melatonin on non-enzymatic antioxidants, gene expression, and activity of key antioxidant enzymes in young winter wheat plants subjected to 5 days of drought. Melatonin was root-supplemented 24 h before or after the stress. The parameters were analyzed in the leaves of two Bulgarian cultivars at the end of drought, and after recovery. Drought activated both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant defense in both cultivars, with distinct responses reflecting their tolerance. The drought-tolerant cv. Gines showed marked increase in total phenolics, thiol containing compounds, catalase (CAT) and glutathione reductase (GR) activities, and catalase (CATA, CAT3) and class III peroxidase (POX2) transcript levels. The less tolerant cv. Fermer exhibited more limited induction, primarily involving CATA, CAT3 and GR transcripts and the glutathione pool. Melatonin pre-treatment generally attenuated drought-induced antioxidant responses. This effect was more pronounced in cv. Fermer, where the most drought-responsive parameters were also the most alleviated by melatonin, whereas in cv. Gines only CATA expression, and CAT and GR activities were significantly influenced, suggesting cultivar-dependent modulation of antioxidant systems by melatonin. During recovery, both pre- and post-drought melatonin applications produced comparable effects on the antioxidant defense. The post-treatment selectively enhanced the studied transcripts in a cultivar-specific manner. Full article

Cold stress severely impairs grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) growth, development, and productivity, necessitating the identification of elite cold-resistance genes for breeding tolerant cultivars. Chinese wild grape germplasm, particularly the endemic Vitis yeshanensis ‘Yanshan’ ecotype, represents a valuable reservoir of stress-resistance alleles with exceptional cold hardiness. In this study, we isolated an R2R3-MYB transcription factor gene VyMYB24 from ‘Yanshan’ grape and systematically characterized its function in low-temperature responses. VyMYB24 expression was rapidly and strongly induced by cold stress, with transcript levels peaking at 12 h after treatment. Heterologous overexpression of VyMYB24 in transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana benthamiana) induced pronounced architectural changes. Transgenic plants exhibited a dwarf and compact stature with enhanced lateral branching, thickened stems, and robust root systems. In addition, anatomical analysis revealed markedly increased xylem and phloem thickness. Under cold stress, transgenic lines outperformed wild-type plants, with reduced wilting, lower water loss, and improved survival and recovery rates. Physiologically, VyMYB24 activated the antioxidant defense system, elevated the activities of key reactive oxygen species (ROS)-scavenging enzymes, suppressed H₂O₂ and superoxide accumulation, and reduced malondialdehyde content and electrolyte leakage, thereby preserving cellular homeostasis. This study provides functional evidence for the positive regulatory role of VyMYB24 in cold tolerance via heterologous expression, underscores the genetic value of ‘Yanshan’ grape germplasm, and lays a preliminary foundation for improving crop stress resistance through the utilization of native wild germplasm genes. Full article

Agri-food processing generates large quantities of residues that are increasingly recognized as sustainable sources of bioactive ingredients for high-value applications. This narrative review examines agri-food by-products as sources of antioxidant compounds and provides an integrated mechanistic perspective on their applications in skin, oral, and hair care. By highlighting the shared antioxidant mechanisms of action underlying these applications, the review offers a comprehensive framework for understanding the cosmeceutical potential of agri-food-derived bioactive compounds. Peer-reviewed studies published mainly between 2015 and 2026 were considered, focusing on the chemical composition of by-products, green recovery strategies, biological mechanisms, and evidence from in vitro, ex vivo, in vivo, and clinical studies. Fruit and vegetable peels, seeds, skins, pomaces, and other agro-industrial residues contain polyphenols, flavonoids, phenolic acids, tannins, carotenoids, vitamins, lipids, peptides, and polysaccharides with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, photoprotective, anti-aging, moisturizing, and pigmentation-modulating properties. These compounds can reduce oxidative stress, support endogenous antioxidant defences, modulate redox-sensitive signaling pathways, attenuate inflammation, preserve extracellular matrix integrity, and improve skin barrier-related outcomes. Green extraction technologies, including ultrasound-assisted extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, pressurized liquid extraction, and natural deep eutectic solvents, enhance their sustainable recovery. Overall, agri-food by-products represent promising resources for circular cosmeceutical innovation, although extract standardization, safety, stability, skin bioavailability, formulation performance, and controlled clinical validation remain essential for translation. Full article

Thermal variability associated with climate change is an increasing constraint for finfish aquaculture because water temperature directly affects feed intake, nutrient utilization, endocrine stress responses, oxidative balance, immunity, intestinal integrity and survival. The literature search was conducted without a lower publication-year restriction through 5 July 2026. Database and citation-linked searches identified 386 candidate records, of which 274 remained after duplicate removal; 71 full-text articles were assessed; and 28 peer-reviewed primary feeding studies with publicly available final versions of record were retained for qualitative evidence mapping. The eligible studies were published between 2012 and 2026, with 2012 representing the earliest eligible publication rather than a prespecified starting year. Functional aquafeeds have therefore emerged as promising nutritional tools for supporting physiological resilience under heat, cold and sub-optimal temperature conditions. This review developed a PRISMA-guided systematic evidence map of dietary functional-aquafeed strategies evaluated for thermal-stress tolerance, immune regulation, antioxidant defense and metabolic homeostasis in cultured finfish. The main synthesis emphasizes studies with direct dietary thermal-stress interventions and extractable mechanistic outcomes, including sodium butyrate, organic selenium, selenium nanoparticles with riboflavin, astaxanthin, Bacillus spp., propolis, bay laurel essential oil, Spirulina-based strategies and essential oils. Overall, the available evidence suggests that selected functional aquafeeds may support thermal-stress resilience through coordinated improvements in antioxidant capacity, reduced oxidative damage, modulation of cortisol/glucose and heat-shock responses, enhancement of innate and mucosal immunity, improved intestinal or tissue condition and stabilization of metabolic indicators. The most biologically coherent translational patterns were observed when dietary interventions improved multiple response domains simultaneously rather than a single biomarker. However, such cross-domain improvement was interpreted as mechanistic and translational support rather than as an independent indicator of evidence confidence, which depended primarily on independent replication, consistency of response direction and methodological quality. Nevertheless, the current evidence remains uneven across species, stress models, life stages and outcome domains, with limited data for marine carnivores, repeated temperature fluctuation, post-stress recovery, disease challenge and multiomics integration. Therefore, the findings should be interpreted as a structured evidence map rather than universal formulation guidance. Future studies should use standardized thermal-challenge protocols, dose–response designs, clear tank-level experimental-unit reporting and integrated biomarker panels to support practical development of climate-resilient functional aquafeeds. Full article

Background: Elderly and frail patients undergoing surgery for urological cancer have increased vulnerability to postoperative complications, delayed recovery, and functional decline. The da Vinci Single-Port (SP) platform may reduce surgical stress by enabling regionalized extraperitoneal, retroperitoneal, or transvesical access through a single incision. Objective: The objective was to provide a narrative review of the comparative evidence on da Vinci SP versus conventional multi-port (MP) robotic surgery in elderly or frail urological cancer patients. Methods: A structured search was performed to identify comparative studies reporting outcomes in patients defined as elderly by chronological age (≥65 years) or as frail by a validated frailty index. Findings are reported separately according to the vulnerability construct that was actually measured. Because of procedural and methodological heterogeneity, a narrative synthesis was performed, and the risk of bias was appraised qualitatively along the domains of the ROBINS-I tool. Results: Only three retrospective comparative studies are currently available: two on robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (one in patients aged ≥65 years and one in patients stratified by the 5-item modified frailty index) and one on robot-assisted partial nephrectomy in patients aged ≥65 years. Across these studies, SP surgery was associated with fewer early postoperative complications, shorter length of stay, and more favourable recovery-related endpoints, and in the frailty-stratified study the apparent protective effect increased with frailty burden. All estimates are those published by the original authors, are reported descriptively, and were not pooled. Importantly, in none of the three studies was the SP platform compared with MP surgery performed through the same access route: SP procedures were predominantly extraperitoneal or retroperitoneal and MP procedures were predominantly transperitoneal, so the effect of the platform cannot be separated from that of the access route. Conclusions: The available data are compatible with a reduction in early perioperative morbidity after SP robotic surgery in selected elderly or frail urological cancer patients, particularly when the platform enables extraperitoneal or retroperitoneal access. Because this evidence rests on three retrospective studies at serious risk of bias, the findings are preliminary and hypothesis-generating rather than confirmatory. Prospective studies incorporating geriatric screening, validated frailty metrics, patient-reported recovery, cost-effectiveness, and long-term oncological outcomes are needed. Full article

Post-stroke epilepsy (PSE) is one of the most common long-term neurological complications of stroke and represents a major contributor to disability, reduced quality of life, and increased healthcare burden. Although numerous risk factors and biomarkers have been proposed, many current risk models still emphasize lesion-related predictors and do not fully account for the temporal evolution of post-stroke network excitability. This narrative review aims to examine post-stroke epileptogenesis as a dynamic process of network reconfiguration and to summarize current evidence on biological, neurophysiological, imaging, and clinical biomarkers across different stages following stroke. A structured narrative review of the literature was performed using major biomedical databases. Studies addressing mechanisms of post-stroke epileptogenesis, biomarkers, network dysfunction, neuroinflammation, EEG findings, neuroimaging correlates, and longitudinal monitoring strategies were evaluated and synthesized qualitatively. Evidence suggests that post-stroke epileptogenesis is driven by complex interactions among structural injury, neuroinflammation, blood–brain barrier dysfunction, neurotransmitter imbalance, maladaptive plasticity, and large-scale network reorganization. Importantly, many biomarkers demonstrate substantial temporal variability, and their clinical significance depends on the stage of recovery and the evolving state of brain networks. Emerging data indicate that sleep disturbances, stress, mood disorders, metabolic factors, and other state-dependent influences may further modulate seizure susceptibility after stroke. Post-stroke epileptogenesis may be better conceptualized as a dynamic process of network instability rather than a fixed consequence of focal brain damage. It is proposed that the post-stroke brain can transiently or persistently enter an “irritable brain state”, characterized by increased vulnerability to pathological synchronization under the influence of biological and behavioral modulators. This framework may facilitate the development of longitudinal biomarker strategies and personalized monitoring approaches in future research. However, it should be emphasized that the “irritable brain state” remains a conceptual and hypothesis-generating construct; no validated diagnostic criteria exist, and prospective evidence demonstrating that interventions targeting this state reduce the incidence of post-stroke epilepsy is currently lacking. Full article

In conventional anaerobic digestion (AD) of livestock manure, temperature regulation faces an inherent paradox: thermophilic conditions facilitate pathogen inactivation but inhibit methanogenesis, whereas mesophilic conditions enable efficient methane production but are less effective at eliminating pathogens. This study systematically analyzed the methanogenic performance, microbial physiology, and the dynamics of biosafety factors during AD of chicken manure at 4 °C, 35 °C, and 55 °C. Additionally, a ceramic membrane (CM) coupled with ozone micro-nano bubbles (O₃-MNBs) backwashing was configured for advanced digestate purification. Contrary to conventional understanding, mesophilic conditions (35 °C) simultaneously achieved optimal methanogenic efficiency (277.83 mL/gVS) and the efficient removal of viruses (66.65%) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) (>77.11%), supported by a more diverse microbial community. While thermophilic conditions (55 °C) inactivated certain viruses, methanogenic efficiency was significantly inhibited by thermal stress. Moreover, the residual plasmid-borne ARGs were 3.04-fold higher than under mesophilic conditions. The integration of CM filtration with O₃-MNBs backwashing effectively retained and inactivated pathogens while reducing the membrane fouling rate by 83.97%. The integration of mesophilic digestion, membrane filtration, and O₃-MNBs processes synergistically achieved efficient energy recovery and robust pathogen control, providing technical support for the safe treatment and high-value resource utilization of manure. Full article

To elucidate the response characteristics of radial growth and water use strategies in coniferous forests of cold-arid regions to drought stress, this study focused on Larix sibirica in different forestry areas of the Altai Mountains. Using dendrochronology and stable isotope techniques, we calculated the basal area increment (BAI) and intrinsic water-use efficiency (iWUE), and combined these with the standardized precipitation–evapotranspiration index (SPEI) to identify drought events, to investigate tree growth and water-use efficiency responses to climate variability. The results showed that drought years were characterized by reduced radial growth and increased iWUE in Larix sibirica across both forest regions, and tree-ring-derived intercellular CO₂ concentration (Ci) increased with rising atmospheric CO₂ concentrations, whereas the Ci/Ca ratio remained relatively stable throughout the study period. Scenario analysis revealed that, prior to 1980, the long-term trend in iWUE was more consistent with the constant Ci scenario, suggesting relatively strong stomatal regulation. After 1980, iWUE trends became more closely aligned with the constant Ci/Ca scenario, indicating that trees maintained a relatively stable Ci/Ca ratio to balance carbon assimilation and water loss. With increasing drought severity, drought resistance declined in both forest regions; however, substantial spatial differences were observed in drought responses. Under moderate drought conditions, trees in the Haba-River forest area exhibited higher resistance, whereas trees in the Hanaslin forest area showed greater recovery capacity and ecological resilience. Winter temperature, growing-season temperature, late-season temperature, and water availability were identified as key climatic factors influencing variations in the radial growth and iWUE of Larix sibirica. Overall, under the combined influences of rising atmospheric CO₂ concentrations and increasing water limitations, Larix sibirica exhibited adaptive adjustments in carbon–water regulation; however, enhanced iWUE did not fully compensate for the negative effects of drought on radial growth. These findings provide valuable insights into the responses and adaptive strategies of cold-arid forest ecosystems under ongoing climate change and offer scientific support for the conservation and sustainable management of Larix sibiric forests. Full article

The incorporation of bio-derived modifiers in bitumen binders presents a practical pathway toward sustainable, carbon-sequestering road pavement infrastructure. This study evaluates commercially produced ECHO2 softwood biochar as a modifier for Australian viscosity-graded C170 bitumen, combining microstructural, thermal, physical, and rheological characterization to assess its suitability as a high-temperature reinforcing modifier. In this study, biochar was incorporated at 3%, 6%, 9%, and 12% by weight, utilizing particles smaller than 75 µm to maximize interfacial interaction. Characterization via SEM-EDS, XRD, and TGA revealed a highly stable, carbon-rich, amorphous material with a rough, porous morphology, favourable for physical interlocking with the bitumen matrix. Physical and rheological investigations demonstrated that ECHO2 biochar measurably enhances binder stiffness and high-temperature deformation resistance. Compared with the control, 12% biochar modification reduced penetration by approximately 27% and increased the softening point by approximately 10%, indicating a reduction in temperature susceptibility. Dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) temperature sweeps highlighted substantial increases in the complex shear modulus (G*) and rutting factor (G*/sinδ) without altering the phase angle (δ), confirming the modifier acts as a rigid, particulate reinforcing agent rather than an elastomer. Multiple stress creep recovery (MSCR) testing supported these findings; non-recoverable creep compliance (J_nr) decreased progressively. Critically, under the AASHTO M 332 specification, while the neat bitumen binder barely met the standard traffic (S) criteria, the progressive reduction in J_nr (particularly at 12%) delivered a substantially higher factor of safety against rutting within the standard traffic designation. Finally, ECHO2 biochar demonstrates strong potential as a sustainable modifier that restricts viscous flow through particulate stiffening, enhancing high-temperature rutting resistance at elevated temperatures. Full article

To improve the efficiency of waste tire rubber powder modification in asphalt and its high-temperature performance, desulfurized rubber powder with different solubilities was prepared using a twin-screw extrusion process. Desulfurized rubber powder-modified asphalt was then produced using three types of base asphalt, Shell 90#, Zhenhai 90#, and GS 90#, as the base asphalt matrix. Dynamic shear rheometry (DSR), multi-stress creep recovery (MSCR), frequency scanning, Black curves, and complex modulus master curves were used to investigate the effects of rubber powder solubility. We focused on the complex shear modulus (G*), phase angle (δ), rut factor (|G*|/sin δ), creep recovery rate (R), and irreversible creep modulus (J_nr). The results indicate that desulfurization via twin-screw extrusion effectively breaks the sulfur cross-links in the rubber powder, as inferred from the significant increase in solubility, significantly improving rubber powder-asphalt compatibility. Of the three modified asphalts, Shell 90# desulfurized rubber powder-modified asphalt exhibited the slowest decay in high-temperature complex shear modulus, the smallest increase in phase angle, and the best high-temperature rutting factor stability. MSCR tests further confirmed that Shell 90# desulfurized rubber powder-modified asphalt exhibited the highest creep recovery rate, the lowest irreversible creep modulus, and the greatest resistance to permanent deformation. The black curve and the complex modulus master curve confirm that Shell 90# modified asphalt has the best viscoelastic balance and the most stable microstructure. These findings provide a theoretical basis for designing rubber-modified asphalt pavement materials for use in regions with high temperatures and heavy rainfall. Full article

Efficient laser cleaning of glazed ceramic tiles requires the ink layer to be removed without damaging the brittle glaze. We investigated the removal of acrylic ink using a 1064 nm, 10 ns Nd:YAG laser operating at 1 Hz. The lens-to-sample working distance L, pulse energy, and pulse number were varied, and the cleaned regions were evaluated by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDS), theoretical analysis, and COMSOL simulation. At L = 20 cm, the sample was close to the nominal focal plane, and the high local fluence removed the ink rapidly, but it also produced whitening, depressions, micro-pits, and glaze damage. Increasing L to 25–30 cm enlarged the measured spot diameter, lowered the average fluence, and widened the controllable cleaning range. Two low-damage conditions were identified at L = 30 cm: 30.80 J/cm² with 3 pulses and 41.00 J/cm² with 2 pulses. SEM–EDS showed that cleaning quality cannot be judged from exposed area or carbon content alone; morphology, preservation of the native glaze microstructure, the C/O ratio, and recovery of substrate-related elements must be considered together. Under the stated model assumptions, the calculated local temperature exceeded the acrylic decomposition temperature, and the thermoelastic stress reached tens to hundreds of MPa. These results make thermal decomposition and stress-assisted interfacial separation physically plausible. However, the present data do not separate thermoelastic stress from pressure-wave loading. Likewise, visible air breakdown and non-monotonic cleaning at high pulse energy only suggest possible plasma-related attenuation because plasma density and transmitted laser energy were not measured. The reported combinations should therefore be regarded as a system-specific process window rather than a universal optimum. Full article

The structural safety of a marine remotely operated vehicle (ROV) launch and recovery system (LARS) under extreme sea conditions determines the reliability of underwater exploration. To address the susceptibility of traditional rigid frames to local yielding and dynamic instability under transient high-frequency impacts from a mother ship, this study conducts structural dynamics simulation and vibration reduction optimization for a heavy-duty ROV LARS. A spatial finite element model was established, introducing boundary conditions that decouple the static gravity field from the transient inertial mass. Mechanical responses under eight typical operating conditions were systematically evaluated. Results indicate that the rigid frame experiences significant limitations under a 1 g horizontal transient impact, with peak stress reaching 195.38 MPa and deformation exceeding 20 mm. Consequently, a non-invasive vibration reduction strategy using viscoelastic damping boundaries is proposed, alongside an equivalent buffer dynamics model. Verifications demonstrate that this flexible damping constraint prolongs collision momentum transfer time and dissipates impact kinetic energy. Post-optimization, maximum transverse and longitudinal von Mises stresses decrease by over 37%, and transient deformation is reduced by over 64%. This study addresses the weight penalty of traditional strengthening designs, providing a mechanical reference for the lightweight design and impact protection of heavy-duty marine equipment. Full article

Background/Objectives: Aging is associated with physiological changes that impair thermoregulation and may increase vulnerability to thermal stress. Body composition, particularly adiposity and skeletal muscle mass, may influence skin temperature distribution and thermographic asymmetry; however, evidence in older adults remains limited. This study aimed to characterize thermographic asymmetry patterns in older adults and examine their association with body composition parameters potentially influencing thermoregulatory function during aging. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 127 community-dwelling older adults from Burgos, Spain. Body composition was assessed using multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (InBody S10), including the body fat percentage (PBF), appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI), phase angle, and extracellular water-to-total body water ratio (ECW/TBW). Infrared thermography was performed using an FLIR E6390 thermal camera (FLIR Systems Inc., Wilsonville, OR, USA), and thermographic images were analyzed with ThermoHuman software version 3.0. Variables included global temperature, trunk thermal asymmetry, upper-limb thermal asymmetry, mean absolute thermal asymmetry, the Thermal Recovery Index (TRI), and the Symmetry Assessment Parameter (SAP). Sex differences, Spearman correlations, and multiple linear regression analyses were performed. Results: Women presented significantly higher body fat percentage and greater thermographic asymmetry than men (p < 0.05). Body fat percentage was positively associated with upper-limb thermal asymmetry (ρ = 0.229, p = 0.015), mean absolute thermal asymmetry (ρ = 0.280, p = 0.003), TRI (ρ = 0.250, p = 0.008), and SAP (ρ = 0.276, p = 0.003). In contrast, the ASMI, phase angle, and ECW/TBW ratio showed no significant associations with thermographic asymmetry indices. In the adjusted regression analysis, body fat percentage showed a statistically significant coefficient for mean absolute thermal asymmetry; however, the overall model was not statistically significant and explained only 5% of the variance (R² = 0.050, p = 0.144). Conclusions: Body fat percentage showed modest associations with several thermographic asymmetry parameters, whereas skeletal muscle mass showed limited relationships with thermographic outcomes. Given the weak magnitude of the correlations and the limited explanatory capacity of the regression model, these findings should be considered exploratory. Body composition may represent one of several factors associated with thermographic variability in older adults. Full article

Work-related stress and difficulties in managing the work–life interface represent significant challenges for psychological well-being. While research has increasingly examined coping and recovery processes, less attention has been paid to the role of nature-based leisure activities in supporting these dynamics. This qualitative study explores how adult workers who regularly practice surfing use this activity to cope with work-related stress and how it relates to the development of personal resources and the work–life interface. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 Italian workers, and the data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Three main themes emerged. First, surfing was described as a coping strategy that supports emotional regulation, psychological detachment from work, and recovery, particularly through immersion in a natural environment. Second, participants reported that experiences developed in surfing, such as managing uncertainty, risk, and decision making, were transferable to the work context. Third, surfing played a complex role in the work–life interface, contributing to balance but also generating time-based tensions when not adequately integrated into daily routines. Overall, the findings highlight the active role of individuals in using extra-work activities as resources for coping and recovery and underline the importance of considering nature-based experiences within broader models of occupational well-being and work–life dynamics. Full article

Temperature constrains stable mycelial growth and production of Oudemansiella raphanipes, but its molecular response to heat stress followed by recovery remains insufficiently resolved. We integrated untargeted LC-MS metabolomics and RNA sequencing to compare control mycelia maintained at 28 °C (HPJZ28) with mycelia exposed to 42 °C for 6 h and then allowed to recover at 28 °C for 2 h (HPJZ42-R). Metabolomic and transcriptomic profiles separated clearly between the two conditions, indicating broad post-heat recovery-associated molecular remodeling. Most differential metabolites were lower in HPJZ42-R, whereas a smaller subset accumulated, suggesting selective metabolic reorganization rather than generalized activation. Transcriptome analysis identified extensive gene-expression remodeling, with 1081 upregulated and 1878 downregulated genes in the HPJZ28 versus HPJZ42-R comparison. Pathway-level analyses implicated central carbon metabolism, lipid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, peroxisome-related processes, and calcium signaling. Because the sampling design included a recovery period and a single post-stress time point, integrated gene–metabolite correlations are interpreted as exploratory associations rather than evidence of direct regulatory coupling. These results provide species-level multi-omics evidence for the post-heat recovery state of O. raphanipes and identify candidate pathways for future functional and physiological validation. Full article