Search Results (9,828)

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) includes Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), chronic immune-mediated conditions of the gastrointestinal tract characterized by alternating periods of disease activity and remission with a complex multifactorial pathogenesis. Persistent intestinal inflammation in IBD is a key driver of disease progression and is strongly associated with the development of complications such as dysplasia, colorectal cancer (CRC), intestinal strictures, and fistulas. It may also result in changes in anorectal function, identifiable and classifiable using high-resolution anorectal manometry. Histologic and endoscopic assessments are essential for the evaluation of intestinal inflammation. Cumulative inflammatory burden (CIB) is an important concept that quantifies inflammatory exposure in IBD over time by integrating the severity and duration of histologic inflammation across the disease course, highlighting the importance of long-term inflammatory activity in the development of CRC. Histologic healing may be an important therapeutic target in IBD to reduce the risk of long-term complications. In parallel, emerging precision medicine approaches aim to improve risk stratification and enable early, individualized interventions to reduce disease-related outcomes. Endoscopy also plays a fundamental role in monitoring high-risk patients and guiding treatment decisions. This review aims to characterize the main intestinal complications extending beyond the mucosa that are associated with cumulative chronic inflammation in patients with IBD, including dysplasia, CRC, strictures, fistulas, and anorectal dysfunction in an era increasingly focused on achieving complete mucosal healing. Particular attention is drawn to the significant role of persistent histologic and endoscopic inflammation in disease progression and development of complications, highlighting the specific features and associated risk factors of these disease-related outcomes. Throughout, this review emphasizes the fundamental role of endoscopy in the timely detection, monitoring, and therapeutic management of IBD-related complications, thereby reinforcing its role in comprehensive patient care. Full article

Heavy metal(loid) pollution in watersheds surrounding mining areas originates from multiple and complex sources, posing persistent threats to terrestrial–aquatic ecosystems and human dietary safety. This study systematically investigated the pollution characteristics, spatial distribution, ecological risks and human health hazards of seven typical heavy metal(loid)s (As, Pb, Cr, Cd, Cu, Zn, and Ni) in the integrated water–soil–vegetable continuum of a mining-affected watershed in Southwest China. Field sampling was carried out in three functional zones with different mining disturbance intensities, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to detect heavy metal(loid) concentrations in all samples. Multiple pollution evaluation indices and the USEPA human health risk assessment model were adopted for comprehensive quantitative analysis. The results showed that 44.0% of surface water samples exceeded national permissible limits, with high-pollution areas concentrated in intensive mining zones, presenting moderate overall aquatic heavy metal(loid) pollution. Although the average concentrations of seven heavy metal(loid)s in riparian soils complied with Chinese agricultural soil screening standards, localized significant enrichment was observed for As (1.98 times), Cd (4.62 times), Cu (1.81 times), and Zn (2.72 times) compared with regional background values, causing mild comprehensive soil pollution. Farmland soils exhibited prominent Cu and Zn accumulation, and leafy vegetables in the study area suffered severe Pb and Cd pollution, with potential dietary exposure risks. Health risk assessment indicated that children face higher non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks than adults via soil hand-to-mouth exposure; dietary intake of vegetables leads to moderate carcinogenic risks for children caused by As and Ni exposure. Overall, this study clarifies the migration and enrichment rules of heavy metal(loid)s in the water–soil–vegetable system of mining watersheds, confirms the prominent ecological and human health risks of Cd, As and Pb in the study area, and provides targeted basic data for regional heavy metal(loid) pollution prevention and food safety management. Full article

Single-crystal diamond (SCD) is an ideal substrate material for semiconductor devices due to its extremely wide bandgap and exceptionally high thermal conductivity. However, diamond’s extreme hardness and chemical inertness pose challenges for the fabrication of ultra-smooth surfaces. Traditional polishing processes are not only inefficient but also prone to introducing subsurface defects, which severely degrade device performance. To address the above issues, this study proposes a hybrid polishing process combining reactive ion etching (RIE) surface modification with chemical mechanical polishing (CMP), which enables low-loss atomic-level processing of SCD. The study found that RIE treatment induces lattice disorder on the diamond surface, forming a sp²-hybridized amorphous carbon-modified layer. Compared to the sp³ structure of native diamond, this modified layer has lower hardness and is easier to remove. We conducted the verification of the optimized process using high-quality single-crystalline diamond (SCD) samples with an initial surface roughness Ra of 0.68 nm. Under the optimized RIE parameters (substrate bias power: 200 W, etching time: 600 s, gas flow ratio of Ar:O₂:CF₄ = 40:50:10), the surface roughness Ra was reduced to as low as 0.35 nm after 2 h of CMP treatment. Furthermore, systematic characterization of the SCD’s as-received surface, RIE-modified surface, and CMP-treated surface was performed using Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), elucidating the “etching modification–mechanical removal” polishing mechanism. Full article

In vitro maturation (IVM) is a critical step affecting the efficiency of bovine in vitro embryo production; however, oxidative stress during in vitro culture can impair oocyte quality and subsequent developmental competence. This study investigated the effects of cysteine supplementation on bovine oocyte IVM, redox homeostasis, mitochondrial status, and transcriptomic changes. Bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes were cultured in IVM medium supplemented with 0, 25, 50, 75, 100, or 125 μM cysteine, and 75 μM was identified as the optimal concentration. Compared with the control group, 75 μM cysteine increased the first polar body extrusion rate from approximately 78% to 81% and improved the fertilization/cleavage rate from approximately 74% to 82%. It also significantly increased the proportions of 2-cell, 4-cell, and 8-cell embryos, whereas morula and blastocyst rates were not significantly affected. At the cellular level, 75 μM cysteine significantly reduced ROS levels and increased GSH content, as indicated by changes in relative fluorescence intensity. JC-1 staining showed that the JC-1 monomer signal decreased from approximately 16.0 to 13.5, whereas the JC-1 aggregate signal increased from approximately 13.2 to 14.8, indicating improved mitochondrial membrane potential status. In addition, lipid droplet fluorescence intensity increased from approximately 11.8 to 13.4, mitochondrial fluorescence intensity increased from approximately 6.0 to 7.0, and cytoskeletal fluorescence intensity showed no significant difference between groups. Smart-seq2 transcriptomic analysis identified 1935 differentially expressed genes, including 1778 upregulated and 157 downregulated genes, which were mainly enriched in translation, ribosomal structural components, RNA binding, oxidative phosphorylation, and metabolism-related pathways. qRT-PCR further confirmed the upregulation of key genes, including NDUFS2, VDAC3, ANXA2, MTHFD1L, and SCD. Overall, 75 μM cysteine improves bovine oocyte IVM quality by enhancing antioxidant capacity, improving mitochondrial membrane potential, increasing lipid-derived energy substrate storage, and regulating genes related to energy metabolism and developmental competence. Full article

Introduction: Establishing baseline descriptions of inorganic elements in the early life stages of sharks and in their respective nursery areas is essential for assessing anthropogenic impacts and supporting conservation strategies. Objectives: This study presents the first baseline of plasma trace element concentrations (Al, Zn, As, Cu, Cr, Cd, Co, Mn, Ti, Ni, Hg, Pb) for four juvenile shark species (Carcharhinus limbatus, Paragaleus pectoralis, Rhizoprionodon acutus, and Sphyrna lewini) from Sal Rei Bay, Boa Vista Island, Cabo Verde—the first multi-species shark nursery area described in Atlantic Africa. Methodology: Seawater and sediment samples were collected from eight sites and analyzed along with plasma samples using total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (TXRF). Sediment granulometry and pollution indices, including the enrichment factor (EF), ecological risk index (RI), and metal pollution index (MPI), were used to characterize habitat contamination. Data were analyzed using statistical models to explore spatial and element-specific patterns. Results: Overall, environmental contamination was low, with slight increases in Cd, Co, and Hg at sites 1 and 2, near the fishing port, and at site 5, likely reflecting natural transport, sediment redistribution, and enhanced nearshore deposition. Juvenile sharks exhibited generally low plasma trace element concentrations, although species-specific elemental signatures were evident: elevated levels of Al and Cu in C. limbatus, Zn in S. lewini, and As in R. acutus and P. pectoralis. Conclusions: These findings establish critical baseline reference values for trace elements in juvenile sharks from a key Atlantic nursery area. The results provide an essential framework for future biomonitoring efforts and contribute to the management and conservation of Cabo Verdean shark nursery habitats. Full article

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with microbial dysbiosis, yet subtype-specific alterations in the tongue-coating microbiome remain insufficiently characterized. In this cross-sectional study, tongue-coating samples from 158 participants (94 healthy controls [HC], 19 ulcerative colitis [UC] patients, and 45 Crohn’s disease [CD] patients) were analyzed by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. We compared alpha and beta diversity, taxonomic composition, differential taxa, exploratory random-forest feature rankings, and SPIEC-EASI co-occurrence networks. Species richness did not differ significantly among groups, whereas Shannon and Simpson indices were lower in UC than in HC and CD. Bray–Curtis and Jaccard ordinations showed significant but partially overlapping community differences among the three groups. UC was characterized by enrichment of Proteobacteria, Neisseria, and Porphyromonass (p < 0.001), whereas CD showed higher relative abundances of Prevotella, Veillonella, Leptotrichia, and TM7x. Random forest and LEfSe analyses yielded concordant candidate discriminative taxa, but no independent validation cohort was available. Network analysis suggested group-specific co-occurrence patterns, with results interpreted as statistical associations rather than direct microbial interactions. These findings support the presence of subtype-associated tongue-coating dysbiosis in IBD and identify candidate taxa for future validation. Full article

The mechanism of cadmium (Cd) accumulation was analyzed in the marine alga Ulva compressa. The alga was cultivated with 10 µM Cd, with 10 µM of Cd and increasing concentrations of a sulfide donor (NaHS), or with a sulfide acceptor (hypotaurine), and intracellular Cd levels were monitored for 7 d. Glutathione (GSH) and phytochelatins (PCs) levels, and metallothioneins (MTs) transcript levels were also quantified, along with the extrusion of Cd, GSH, and PCs to the culture medium. The results showed that the sulfide donor increased intracellular Cd levels, whereas the sulfide acceptor decreased them. GSH, PCs, and MTs levels did not correlate with intracellular Cd contents. Both Cd and GSH were extruded to the culture medium, along with lower amounts of PCs. TEM-EDXS analysis revealed electron-dense nanoparticles containing Cd and O, likely CdO or Cd bound to fatty acids; in the presence of NaHS, nanoparticles containing Cd and S (likely CdS) or Cd, S, and N (likely Cd bound to GSH) were also observed. In conclusion, Cd accumulates as insoluble nanoparticles—probably not bound to GSH, PCs, or MTs—and is extruded to the culture medium together with GSH in the marine alga U. compressa. Full article

The Chishui River Basin, a core production area for Chinese sauce-aroma Baijiu (exemplified by Moutai), supports sorghum cultivation critical to the liquor’s distinctive quality. The soil environment quality within this region, therefore, directly impacts the safety and quality of both raw material and the final distilled spirit. To underpin the safe production and sustainable development of this iconic beverage, it is essential to assess soil heavy metal contamination in the soils and quantify the contributions from various sources. In this study, 172 surface soil samples were collected from typical sorghum planting bases in the Renhuai area. Concentrations of eight heavy metals (loids) (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn) were determined. The contamination status was evaluated using the geostatistical inverse distance weighting interpolation, the Nemerow pollution index (P_N), and the potential ecological risk index (RI). Source identification and quantification were performed using the positive matrix factorization receptor model (PMF). Results revealed significant enrichment of Cd and Hg in the soil, with mean concentrations 2.07 times and 2.54 times the soil background values for Guizhou Province, respectively. Pollution index results (P_i, P_N) indicated that soil Cd contamination is relatively severe, whereas contamination from other elements is minimal. Overall, approximately 86.5% of the study area was classified as clean or only slightly polluted. Cd poses a moderate ecological risk and was the primary contributor to the total ecological hazard. Other elements exhibited lower risk, resulting in a slight overall potential ecological risk. The soil environmental quality in certified organic sorghum bases was generally favorable. PMF analysis identified three principal sources: historic industrial emissions and traffic-related sources (contributing 46%), weathering of carbonate rocks combined with agricultural activities (37%), and natural background coupled with organic fertilizer application (17%). In conclusion, while the overall soil heavy metal pollution level in the sorghum planting areas is low, the notable enrichment and higher ecological risk of Cd necessitate enhanced dynamic monitoring and targeted risk control measures to ensure long-term soil health and product safety. Full article

Anemia represents one of the most frequent systemic complications of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), with a consistently higher prevalence reported in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) compared with ulcerative colitis (UC). While chronic inflammation, impaired iron absorption, and intestinal blood loss are recognized contributors, microbiome-mediated mechanisms influencing host iron availability remain insufficiently explored. Emerging evidence indicates that CD-associated dysbiosis is characterized by an increased abundance of siderophore-producing bacteria, particularly members of the Enterobacteriaceae family. Because siderophores are high-affinity iron-chelating molecules capable of competing with host iron acquisition systems and partially escaping lipocalin-2-mediated sequestration, their expansion may contribute to reduced luminal iron bioavailability. In this systematic review, we analyzed comparative microbiome studies published between 2016 and 2026 that directly evaluated microbial differences between CD and UC. CD microbiota consistently demonstrated enrichment in siderophore-associated taxa relative to UC. Based on these findings, we propose that microbiome-driven iron competition may represent an additional mechanistic contributor to the increased prevalence and persistence of anemia observed in CD. Although direct in vivo quantification of siderophore activity in IBD remains limited, the convergence of ecological, functional, and strain-level microbiome evidence supports a biologically plausible interaction between microbial iron-scavenging strategies and host iron metabolism. Full article

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent, chemically stable compounds widely used in daily life. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) were identified as the most relevant PFAS due to their prevalence and toxicity. This study aimed to investigate the immunotoxic mechanisms of a mixture of these PFAS using an in silico approach. Comparative Toxicogenomic Database (CTD), GeneMANIA, CytoHubba (Cytoscape), ToppGene Suite, and Metascape were used for the analysis. A total of 65 immune-related genes were identified as common to all four PFAS, with IFNG, TNF, IL1B, IL6, TYK2, CD3E, CASP8, VAV1, ARHGAP4, and CARD11 emerging as key hub genes. CTD phenotype analysis indicated immune dysregulation, with decreased humoral and adaptive immune responses in humans and tissue-specific modulation of B- and T-cell activity in mice, while no immune-related phenotypes were observed for PFNA. Network analysis identified functional modules associated with apoptotic and immune signaling, endothelial cell migration and angiogenesis, and shared inflammatory and viral response pathways. Disease enrichment analysis associated PFAS with autoimmune disorders (rheumatoid arthritis, asthma), metabolic conditions, and cardiovascular diseases (experimental diabetes, hypertensive disease). These results highlight PFAS involvement in immune modulation, cytokine signaling, and disease susceptibility. Full article

Background and Objectives: Blood group antigens are well known for their importance in transfusion medicine and transplant compatibility; however, their biological role extends beyond these functions and includes associations with the risk of several diseases. In this study, we investigated the relationship between ABO blood groups and the circulating levels of 73 different molecules. Patients and Methods: Fifty-six healthy donors were enrolled, including 24 individuals with blood group O, 19 with blood group A, and 13 with blood group B. Blood samples were collected and analyzed in a single laboratory using Luminex fluorescent bead-based assay panels to determine the concentrations of 73 circulating molecules. Depending on data distribution, ANOVA or Kruskal–Wallis tests and Student’s t-test or Kolmogorov–Smirnov tests were applied to identify significant differences among groups. Associations were further assessed by binary logistic regression analysis. Results: Subjects with blood group A showed significantly higher circulating levels of IL-1R1, IL-13, IL-23, PDGF-BB, VEGF-A, VEGF-D, soluble VEGF-R2 (KDR), soluble VEGF-R3 (FLT-4), VLA-4, CD141, MMP-1, syndecan-1 (SDC-1), and mannose-binding lectin (MBL) compared with the other blood groups. In contrast, individuals with blood group B exhibited significantly higher levels of IL-22, IL-23, PDGF-BB, CD62P (P-selectin), and amyloid β1–42. Several significant associations were identified by logistic regression analysis. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that ABO blood groups are associated with distinct circulating molecular profiles, supporting the existence of biological differences that may contribute to variations in disease susceptibility among individuals with different blood types. Nevertheless, given the exploratory’s nature and limited sample size of this study, further investigations are required to validate these findings, confirm the observed associations, and clarify their potential clinical implications. Full article

A time-saving approach to gelatin-based hydrogels with versatile properties is highly desirable. Herein, we report the rapid fabrication of new gelatin-containing hydrogels with favorable mechanical properties, biocompatibility and antibacterial capability. Frontal polymerization (FP) of acrylic acid (AA), acrylamide (AM), hydroxypropyl acrylate (HPA) with gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) enables the rapid formation of multifunctional hydrogels within 7 min, providing a highly efficient route for gelatin-based hydrogel fabrication. The effect of GelMA content on FP features and hydrogel properties was systematically investigated. The resultant hydrogels show attractive collective properties with tensile strength up to 101.3 kPa, elongation at break up to 227.7%, cell viability of 96% after 24 h, and antibacterial activity against S. aureus (92.2%). In addition, the FP of the hydrogels with use of forsythia-derived carbon dots (F-CDs) as bioactive nanofillers is explored, conferring the hydrogels with enhanced mechanical performance and biocompatibility, demonstrating the applicability of this FP strategy upon incorporating functional additives. This work provides a simple and effective approach for the rapid preparation of gelatin-containing hydrogels with versatile functions promising for biomedical applications such as wound healing and tissue engineering. Full article

Data in sickle cell disease (SCD) shows that 30–50% of adults have chronic pain. Chronic pain is a life-shaping condition that is often inadequately managed with chronic opioid therapy (COT). Buprenorphine–naloxone (bup-nal) is an alternative (to COT), yet patient perspectives on its use remain limited. This is a phenomenological qualitative study exploring how adults with SCD experience chronic pain and consider treatment options including COT and bup-nal. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 26 adults with SCD and chronic pain who were offered pain management with bup-nal, including individuals who declined or discontinued treatment. Participants described pain as a constant, embodied experience around which they structured their daily functioning, relationships, well-being, and treatment. Those receiving bup-nal consistently reported improved daily functioning, greater independence, enhanced mood, and reduced healthcare utilization. In contrast, participants not receiving bup-nal described ongoing pain interference, reduced daily functioning, and continued reliance on acute care services. Importantly, participants emphasized functional improvement and stability, rather than pain elimination, as the most meaningful outcomes. These findings suggest that buprenorphine–naloxone may shift pain from a dominant, disabling experience to a more manageable condition that improves participation in work, relationships, and daily activities. To optimize management of chronic pain in SCD, it is necessary to align treatment with patient priorities. Full article

The Santiago River is a highly anthropogenically impaired lotic system globally, yet the mechanisms governing its contaminant transport remain poorly understood under static monitoring paradigms. This study evaluates how hydrological forcing dictates the mobilization and bioavailability of trace metals by integrating a 15-year public hydrochemical database from 10 monitoring nodes with SAR-derived discharge estimates and thermodynamic metal modeling (PHREEQC). To validate the structural integrity of the mass load estimates against hydrometric uncertainties, a deterministic boundary-sensitivity analysis was conducted. Results empirically refute the classical dilution paradigm, introducing the “Anthropogenic Pulse” to describe the non-linear acceleration of pollutant export during high-flow events (discharge Q surging from 36.62 to 286.13 m³/s). While climate-driven parameters follow seasonal cycles, industrial stressors (COD, Pb, Cd) remain in a chronic steady state, decoupling from volumetric dilution. Based on coupled × CQ × C (discharge × concentration) estimates, this dynamic induces a synchronized flushing of toxic burdens, exporting monthly peak loads exceeding 51,000 kg of Zinc, 6500 kg of Lead, and 3100 kg of Cadmium. Thermodynamic simulations reveal that this hydrological flushing functions as a chemical activator; the seasonal dilution of natural Alkalinity and Hardness suppresses the river’s theoretical buffered pH (from 8.5 to 7.0), maintaining metals in their uncomplexed free-ion states (Me²⁺). Modeling indicates that nearly 90% of the exported Cadmium remains in this highly labile, toxic form due to a dual coupling with both river Discharge (r_s = 0.87) and pH (r_s = 0.79). The identification of stochastic arsenic peaks 100 times above regulatory limits at Paso de Guadalupe (RS-08) underscores the failure of concentration-based monitoring. Our findings suggest that restoration strategies should shift toward mass-loading-based regulatory frameworks and targeted sediment management at critical nodes to mitigate the chronic export of bioavailable industrial waste. Full article

SIGLECs are well-known receptors that distinguish self from non-self by binding to sialic acid-containing glycoconjugates, thereby regulating normal immune functions. They have also been associated with several diseases, including systemic sclerosis, leukemia, and Alzheimer’s disease. To identify pathogenic regions related to ligand binding in SIGLECs using a novel approach, we employed the in silico Individual Meta Random Forest (InMeRF) program, which predicts disease-related amino acid substitutions. InMeRF predicted a novel three-amino-acid motif (LSI) consisting of highly pathogenic amino acid residues in SIGLEC-7 and other CD33-related SIGLECs. Alanine substitution experiments and point-mutation energy calculations using SIGLEC-7 as a representative model member of the SIGLEC family showed that mutations in the LSI motif altered binding to ganglioside ligands compared with the wild type (WT) and affected structural stability, as reflected by changes in mutation energy. Structural analysis based on the crystal structure of SIGLEC-7 revealed that the LSI motif forms a buried β-strand located beneath the previously identified sialic acid-binding region (Site 2) in CD33-related SIGLEC-7. Taken together, these findings demonstrate the utility of InMeRF for identifying previously unrecognized pathogenic regions and provide new structural and functional insights into the SIGLEC family. Full article