Search Results (331)

Colorectal cancer (CRC), characterized by epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) overexpression, is often associated with poor prognosis and limited therapeutic response to conventional chemotherapy. In this study, we developed EGFR-targeted extracellular vesicles (EGFR-tEVs) by transiently engineering donor cells to display the GE11 peptide, aiming to enhance the precision of doxorubicin (Dox) delivery. The physicochemical properties of EGFR-tEVs were characterized using TEM, NTA, and Western blot. In vitro, EGFR-tEV-Dox exhibited increased cellular uptake in EGFR-overexpressing HCT-116 cells, leading to the activation of the p53-Bax-cleaved PARP1 apoptotic pathway. Notably, while Dox treatment induced p53 in normal colon fibroblasts (CCD18-Co), it did not trigger significant Bax activation or PARP1 cleavage, suggesting a preference for survival-related signaling in non-malignant cells. In a xenograft mouse model, EGFR-tEVs + Dox administration resulted in a 33.1% reduction in tumor volume and an 82.8% decrease in Ki-67 expression compared to the control group. These results indicate that transient receptor-mediated targeting enhances functional drug delivery to malignant tissues while minimizing pro-apoptotic induction in normal cells. Our findings suggest that EGFR-tEVs + Dox represents a balanced therapeutic strategy that improves antitumor efficacy with a favorable safety profile for EGFR-positive colorectal cancer. Full article

Electrocatalytic H₂O₂ production via the two-electron oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is a highly sustainable alternative to industrial methods. To further optimize non-noble catalysts, we report an interfacial engineering strategy to stabilize the metastable P6₃/mmc-La₂O₃ phase on SrTiO₃. This symmetry evolution from the low-symmetry $\mathrm{P}\stackrel{\mathrm{-}}{3}\mathrm{m}1$ (trigonal) to the high-symmetry P6₃/mmc (hexagonal) space group yields a composite with >95% H₂O₂ selectivity. Mechanistic studies demonstrate that the symmetry-regulated interface optimizes *OOH conversion and suppresses O–O bond cleavage. This work offers a robust design principle for high-performance, noble-metal-free H₂O₂ electrosynthesis. Full article

Heavy oil and extra-heavy oil represent mobility-limited petroleum resources because supramolecular associations of asphaltenes and resins, together with strong interfacial resistance, generate extremely high apparent viscosity. In recent years, nanotechnology has emerged as a promising approach for viscosity management and enhanced oil recovery (EOR). This review critically examines recent advances in nano-assisted viscosity reduction from a reservoir-operational perspective and organizes the literature into two field-relevant categories: metal-based and non-metal nano-systems. Metal-based nanoparticles (NPs) mainly promote catalytic aquathermolysis and related bond-cleavage and hydrogen-transfer reactions under hydrothermal conditions, enabling partial upgrading and persistent viscosity reduction during thermal recovery. In contrast, non-metal nano-systems—particularly silica- and graphene-oxide-derived materials—primarily operate through interfacial and structural regulation mechanisms at low or moderate temperatures. These effects include wettability alteration, interfacial-film stabilization, modification of asphaltene aggregation behavior, and the formation of dispersed-flow regimes such as Pickering-type emulsions that reduce apparent flow resistance in multiphase systems. Beyond summarizing nanomaterial types, this review emphasizes reservoir-scale considerations governing field applicability, including brine stability, NPs transport and retention in porous media, and formulation compatibility. Comparative analysis highlights the distinct operational windows of thermal catalytic nano-systems and cold-production nano-systems, providing a reservoir-oriented framework for designing nano-assisted viscosity-reduction technologies. Full article

Fenvalerate residues on edible mushrooms pose significant risks to food safety and aquatic ecosystems. This study investigated the efficiency, degradation mechanisms, toxicity evolution, and quality effects of atmospheric cold plasma (ACP) for removing fenvalerate from shiitake mushrooms. Fenvalerate degradation increased with ACP treatment voltage and exposure time, reaching a maximum efficiency of 82.5% at 80 kV for 15 min. Quantum chemical calculations based on Fukui functions and frontier molecular orbitals identified phenoxy and chlorophenyl moieties as primary reactive sites. High-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry revealed degradation pathways dominated by hydroxylation, ester bond cleavage, and oxidative transformations. Toxicity assessment using ECOSAR predictions and yeast bioassays demonstrated substantial reductions in acute and chronic toxicity by ACP treatment, although some intermediates retained residual toxicity. In addition, ACP preserved mushroom quality during refrigerated storage. Overall, ACP represents a promising non-thermal strategy for pesticide detoxification while preserving edible mushroom quality. Full article

Non-metallic hydride donors have emerged as an interesting, highly tunable class of compounds capable of CO₂ reduction, with benzimidazoles being simple, yet efficient and regenerable, representatives. In this work, the role of superbases as auxiliary groups attached to the benzimidazole framework was investigated using the CPCM(CH₃CN)/ωB97xD/aug-cc-pVTZ//CPCM(CH₃CN)/ωB97xD/6-31+G(d,p) approach. Three modes of operation were assessed through hydricity calculations and the modeling of two different CO₂ reduction mechanisms. Among the superbases considered, phosphazene substituents yielded the largest increase in the hydride donation ability, lowering hydricity by 6 kcal mol⁻¹ relative to 2-methylbenzimidazole, with the α-substitution exerting a stronger effect than β-substitution. For most systems, changes in hydricity correlate with changes in aromaticity, except in systems where steric congestion limits optimal substituent alignment. CO₂ activation pathways encompassing guanidine/CO₂ hydrogen bonding and guanidinium carboxamidine formation were modeled. In the former, transition state structures were significantly stabilized, and the overall exergonicity of the reduction is enhanced. Also, utilizing the longer and more flexible linker additionally decreases the barrier for the reaction. The carboxamidine pathway is disfavored because of the high stability of the carboxamidine intermediate and low barrier for the C–N bond cleavage, which reverses the mechanism to the reduction of isolated CO₂. Full article

The utilization of hydrogen as a clean energy carrier requires an assessment of existing natural gas pipelines with respect to hydrogen embrittlement (HE). In this study, the structural integrity and hydrogen sensitivity of X52 (L360) pipeline steel from the Bulgarian gas transmission network after 31 years of service were investigated, focusing on production (longitudinal) and girth (circumferential) welded joints. Hydrogen content was measured in the base metal, production weld and girth weld before and after electrochemical charging, while in situ hydrogen charging during tensile testing was applied to simulate service conditions. Mechanical behavior was evaluated by tensile tests, and microstructural and fracture characteristics were analyzed by SEM and TEM. The results show significant spatial variations in hydrogen concentration, related to local microstructural heterogeneity and hydrogen trapping. In the as-operated state, fracture was localized mainly in the heat-affected zone. Hydrogen charging led to a pronounced reduction in ductility (approximately twofold), whereas yield and tensile strengths were only slightly affected. Failure analyses indicate a transition toward more brittle fracture mechanisms, dominated by quasi-cleavage and intergranular cracking in the as-charged state, with hydrogen embrittlement susceptibility indices demonstrating higher hydrogen sensitivity of the girth-welded joints. Full article

Chelating agents can extend the operational pH range of iron-based advanced oxidation processes, yet comprehensive studies on chelated Fe-activated persulfate systems for textile dye degradation remain scarce. This study establishes an integrated framework for optimizing Fe(II)/persulfate (PS) systems using chelating ligands and hybrid energy inputs under near-neutral conditions. Among the tested systems, Fe(II)/PS complexed with citric acid (CA) exhibited superior performance, achieving ~91% dye removal within 20 min at pH 6.5 under optimized conditions (1.25 mM Fe(II), 10 mM PS, 0.1 mM CA). Chelation stabilized Fe redox cycling and prevented precipitation, enabling effective catalysis across pH 3–10. Optimal CA/Fe and Fe/PS ratios (0.1:1.25 and 1.25:10) yielded ~96% decolorization and 67.65% TOC removal in 60 min, while excessive chelation reduced activity. Transition metal screening (Mn(II), Zn(II), Cu(II), Co(II), and Ni(II) confirmed Fe(II) as the most effective activator, providing removal efficiencies up to 3.2-fold higher than competing metals. Mixed-dye experiments showed competitive degradation, with >37% color removal after 60 min for ternary dye mixtures. Mineralization reached ~92% TOC reduction after 120 min, indicating deep oxidation beyond chromophore cleavage. Reactive species quenching revealed a mixed oxidation mechanism involving ^•OH radicals and high-valent Fe(IV) species. Hybrid assistance improved mineralization, with UVC increasing TOC removal by 15.6%, while solar irradiation provided moderate enhancement under low-energy input. In contrast, low-power ultrasound (40 kHz, 60 W) delivered only 17.6 W acoustic power to the solution and did not improve performance due to limited cavitation and mixing. This work thus contributes a robust platform for advancing chelated iron-persulfate oxidation systems toward practical, effective treatment of recalcitrant dye-contaminated wastewaters under near-neutral conditions. Full article

Azo dyes represent the largest and most extensively used class of synthetic dyes in industries such as textiles, leather, paper, food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Due to their complex aromatic structures and the presence of azo (–N=N–) bonds, these dyes exhibit high chemical stability and resistance to degradation, leading to their persistent discharge into the environment through industrial wastewater. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the chemistry, sources, environmental fate, and toxicological impacts of azo dyes, with a particular focus on microbial remediation strategies. The roles of bacteria, fungi, algae, and microbial consortia, along with their enzymatic mechanisms and influencing factors, are critically discussed. The presence of azo dyes in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems causes severe environmental problems, including reduced light penetration, disruption of photosynthetic activity, and deterioration of water quality. Moreover, the reductive cleavage of azo dyes can result in the formation of toxic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic aromatic amines, posing significant risks to ecological and human health. Conventional physicochemical treatment methods, although effective in decolorization, suffer from limitations such as high cost, energy demand, sludge generation, and incomplete mineralization. This review identifies key strategies for achieving scalable and eco-friendly solutions for industrial wastewater management. Full article

The influence of phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) impregnation on the pyrolysis and CO₂ gasification behavior of dairy manure was evaluated using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), with kinetic parameters assessed through iso-conversional kinetic analysis (Frieman method). H₃PO₄ pretreatment altered early decomposition by partially removing hemicellulose and promoting the formation of thermally stable, condensed char structures. The resulting chars exhibited reduced CO₂ reactivity, as evidenced by higher gasification temperatures, lower syngas yields, and elevated activation energies, indicating hindered CO₂ diffusion and slower Boudouard reaction kinetics. In contrast, NaOH pretreatment caused only minor changes in both pyrolysis and gasification behavior. A slight reduction in pyrolysis activation energy suggested Na⁺ catalyzed bond-cleavage reactions; however, this effect did not enhance CO₂ gasification reactivity. Chars produced from NaOH-treated manure exhibited slightly higher activation energies during CO₂ gasification and syngas yields, which remained close to or slightly above those of raw manure, attributed to complex mineral interactions that diminish the catalytic influence of sodium. Overall, these findings clarify how acid and base chemical pretreatments govern char evolution and carbon-CO₂ reactivity, providing a foundation for optimizing pretreatment strategies and reactor conditions for manure conversion in CO₂-based pyrolysis and gasification systems. Full article

Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) is a critical failure mechanism that arises from the synergistic interaction between tensile stress and corrosive environments, leading to sudden and often catastrophic failures in structural components across various industries, including aerospace, nuclear energy, oil and gas, and marine engineering. This review synthesizes current understanding of SCC mechanisms, including film rupture and anodic dissolution, hydrogen embrittlement, and adsorption-induced cleavage, and evaluates material susceptibility across steels, aluminum alloys, nickel-based alloys, titanium, and emerging high-entropy alloys. Environmental factors such as aqueous chemistry, temperature, pressure, pH, and dissolved gases are examined for their roles in SCC initiation and propagation. Advanced testing methodologies, including slow strain rate testing, bent-beam configurations, electrochemical monitoring, and high-resolution microscopy, are discussed for characterizing SCC behavior. Engineering mitigation strategies are presented, encompassing material selection, stress reduction, surface treatments, and environmental control. Case studies illustrate real-world SCC failures and inform best practices. Emerging trends highlight the potential of machine learning for predictive maintenance and the development of SCC-resistant materials through additive manufacturing and microstructural engineering. This comprehensive review provides mechanical engineers with actionable insights for designing, maintaining, and safeguarding components against SCC in demanding service environments. Full article

In the search for new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of skin cancer, cannabinoids have become the focus of scientific interest. The present study investigated the effects of the phytocannabinoids Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) on the viability, apoptosis, and mitochondrial function of human melanoma (A375) and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cells (A431). Both cannabinoids caused a time- and concentration-dependent loss of viability and an upregulation of caspase-3/7 activity, associated with the induction of initiator caspases-8 and -9, PARP cleavage, and an increase in the autophagy marker LC3A/B-II. Inspired by the latest work on the dual role of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in cell fate, the expression of this enzyme was examined and found to be upregulated at the mRNA and protein level by THC and CBD. Inhibition of HO-1 activity by tin protoporphyrin IX (SnPPIX) reduced the loss of viability caused by both cannabinoids, suggesting a cytotoxic rather than cytoprotective mediator role for this enzyme here. At the mitochondrial level, THC and CBD caused a reduction in membrane potential, a release of cytochrome c into the cytosol, and electron microscopically detectable mitochondrial damages. A more detailed functional analysis revealed an inhibition of mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate, accompanied by a decrease in various subunits of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation complexes. In conclusion, our data demonstrate a strong cytotoxic effect of THC and CBD on melanoma and cutaneous SCC cells involving mitochondrial apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction. Full article

Fragrance lotus (Nymphaea hybrid) is a tropical interspecific cultivar characterized by large flowers and high scent intensity, offering dual potential for ornamental commerce and natural fragrance extraction. Floral scent determines both economic value and pollinator attraction, yet the biosynthetic organs and metabolic routes remain undocumented. To fill this gap, single flowers of the high-aroma cultivar ‘Eldorado’ at full anthesis were dissected into petal (PE), stamen (ST) and pistil (PI); each organ was subjected to untargeted LC-MS/MS metabolomics and Illumina RNA-seq. Organ-specific gene–metabolite co-expression networks were constructed by pairwise integration of transcript and metabolite matrices. All three organs formed distinct clusters in principal-component space. Compared with PE, 6221, 3352 and 5891 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) together with 30, 24 and 39 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) were identified in ST, PI and PE, respectively. The phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway (map00940) was the only route simultaneously enriched at both transcript and metabolite levels; 59 DEGs mapped to this pathway co-linearly with three scent-related DAMs. ST contained the highest concentration of scent-active volatiles; phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), cinnamate-4-hydroxylase (C4H), 4-coumarate-CoA ligase (4CL) and benzaldehyde reductase (BAR) were all significantly up-regulated in this organ, driving the accumulation of p-coumaric acid that is subsequently channeled into benzyl alcohol via side-chain cleavage and BAR-mediated reduction, thereby generating the characteristic fragrance of Nymphaea. This study provides the first organ-level resolution of scent biosynthesis and metabolic flux partitioning in fragrance lotus, furnishing molecular targets for directed aroma improvement and efficient natural fragrance extraction. Full article

Haliotis discus hannai meat has a firm texture that makes it difficult to chew and swallow, so tenderizing is necessary. Ultrasonic treatment and papain enzyme processing are used to reduce the hardness of abalone meat. This study tests physicochemical indicators and protein changes to assess meat quality and protein alterations. The maximum reduction in hardness of raw meat reached 60.58%, while heat-treated abalone meat achieved 61.13%, with free water and bound water converting to immobile water. The L* value of the meat decreased, while the a* and b* values increased. In raw meat, the content of TCA-soluble peptides increased with increasing treatment intensity. However, in heat-treated meat, this peptide content decreased with rising temperature. Muscle fiber filament breaks and pore numbers increased. The BPB binding content showed a negative correlation with the percentage of α-helix. Total sulfhydryl and free amino groups in raw meat decrease with increasing treatment intensity; both parameters in cooked meat decrease with rising temperature. Changes in tertiary protein structure cause alterations in fluorescence intensity, with secondary structure shifting from α-helix to β-sheet conformation. The results suggested that ultrasonic and papain treatments can induce structural alterations in proteins. This leads to protein cleavage and depolymerization, collectively resulting in softening of abalone meat texture and redistribution of internal moisture. These processes result in softening of abalone meat and redistribution of internal moisture. This study provides a theoretical basis for developing abalone tenderizers. Full article

Purpose: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the degree of surface wear in implant drills from four commercial systems subjected to standardized osteotomy cycles. Materials: Four implant systems (Osstem, Megagen, Straumann, and Bego) were evaluated using sets of three drills of increasing diameters. A total of 120 osteotomies were performed in standardized porcine rib specimens under controlled drilling conditions (1200 rpm, continuous 4 °C saline irrigation, 32:1 reduction handpiece). After each drilling series, drills were cleaned, sterilized, and analyzed using SEM in three orientations. Wear was assessed using a seven-parameter scoring system. Multifactorial ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and hierarchical clustering were employed to evaluate the effects of drill brand, diameter, and wear patterns. Results: Both drill brand and diameter significantly influenced total wear scores (p < 0.001). Small-diameter pilot drills exhibited the highest wear, while large-diameter drills showed minimal degradation. Among the systems tested, Bego drills demonstrated the greatest overall wear, whereas Osstem drills—particularly the 2.0 mm drill—displayed unusually low wear for their size. A strong negative correlation between drill diameter and wear score was observed. Cluster analysis identified distinct wear patterns associated with specific drill sizes, with small drills showing prominent guide-face nicks and accumulation formation, medium drills exhibiting chipping and rake angle cleavage, and large drills presenting minimal wear. SEM imaging confirmed progressive surface deterioration, including edge rounding, microchipping, and irregular surface defects. Conclusions: Implant drill wear is strongly dependent on drill diameter, and cutting geometry. Small-diameter drills are most susceptible to surface degradation, which may increase friction and thermal load during osteotomy. Systems with enhanced material properties or optimized geometries demonstrated superior wear resistance. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring drill condition, adhering to recommended reuse limits, and considering advanced drill coatings or materials to ensure safe and predictable implant site preparation. Further research incorporating real-time thermal measurements and extended drilling cycles is needed to establish evidence-based guidelines for drill longevity and clinical performance. Full article

Cadmium (Cd) is a ubiquitous environmental pollutant that enters the circulation from the lungs and gastrointestinal tract. For most people, staple foods form the main route of Cd exposure. Current evidence suggests that Cd may increase the prevalence of iron deficiency and anemia in environmentally exposed people. Concerningly, intravenous iron administration to treat iron deficiency anemia has resulted in adverse bone outcomes at a higher-than-expected frequency, for which reasons remain unclear. The bone-derived hormone fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), the regulator of vitamin D and phosphate homeostasis, has been speculated to be implicated, given that anemia, iron deficiency and inflammatory conditions are all known to increase FGF23 expression levels in osteoblasts. Additionally, early studies have demonstrated that Cd increases FGF23 expression by osteoblast-like cells and suppresses FGF23 cleavage, leading to an abrupt rise in serum FGF23, which, in turn, mediates an effect of Cd on tubular phosphate reabsorption. In this review, experimental breakthrough studies showing Cd-induced iron deficiency and a reduction in iron absorption by Cd are summarized, together with intestinal absorption of Cd and an increment in Cd uptake and Cd body burden in those with low body iron stores. Potential contributions of Cd, anemia and iron deficiency in the context of hypophosphatemic osteomalacia development after intravenous iron supplementation are discussed. The molecular basis of Cd-induced ferroptosis in pathogenesis of osteoporosis, emphasizing heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1)/bilirubin axis and zinc deficiency, is presented. Full article