Search Results (782)

Tebuconazole (TBZ), a triazole-class fungicide widely used in agriculture, is frequently detected in aquatic environments due to runoff and leaching, where it poses a threat to non-target aquatic organisms. This study investigates the acute toxicity of TBZ on juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), a commercially important cold-water fish species. The 96 h LC₅₀ value was determined to be 9.05 mg/L using probit analysis. In addition to mortality, the physiological responses of fish exposed to both LC₅₀ and maximum tolerance concentration (MTC; 6 mg/L) were evaluated through haematological and histological assessments. TBZ exposure significantly suppressed key haematological parameters, particularly WBC, RBC, HGB, HCT, and LYM, indicating immunosuppression and potential hypoxia. Histological examination revealed progressive and regressive damage in gill tissues, including epithelial lifting, hyperplasia, and hypertrophy, which were more severe in the LC₅₀ group. These alterations were quantified using a semi-quantitative scoring system. Additionally, significant changes in biochemical parameters such as ALT, AST, creatinine, total protein, and glucose levels were observed, further indicating hepatic and renal dysfunctions induced by TBZ exposure. The findings demonstrate that TBZ exposure induces substantial physiological and structural impairments in rainbow trout, highlighting the importance of assessing the ecological risks of fungicide contamination in aquatic environments. The study also provides a dose–response model that can be used to estimate mortality risk in aquaculture operations exposed to TBZ. Full article

Plant secondary metabolites regulate plant growth and serve as valuable pharmaceutical resources. Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach.), a Poaceae species, shows potential as a functional food. In this study, we employed high-resolution mass spectrometry combined with a data-independent acquisition (DIA) strategy for the untargeted detection of anthocyanins, a group of secondary metabolites, in napier grass. Clear MS² fragmentation patterns were observed for anthocyanins, characterized by diagnostic aglycone signals and sequential losses of hexosyl (C₆H₁₀O₅), deoxyhexosyl (C₆H₁₀O₄), pentosyl (C₅H₈O₄), and p-coumaroyl groups (C₉H₈O₃). Based on matching with authentic standards and an in-house database, ten anthocyanins were identified, seven of which were newly reported in napier grass. In a single-laboratory validation analysis, both absolute and semi-quantitative results reliably reflected the specific distribution of metabolites across different cultivars and plant organs. The purple cultivar (TS5) exhibited the highest anthocyanin content, with the cyanidin 3-O-glucoside content reaching 5.0 ± 0.5 mg/g, whereas the green cultivar (TS2), despite its less pigmented appearance, contained substantial amounts of malvidin 3-O-arabinoside (0.7 ± <0.1 mg/g). Flavonoid profiling revealed that monoglycosylated anthocyanins were the dominant forms in floral tissues. These findings shed light on napier grass metabolism and support future Poaceae breeding and functional food development. Full article

Background/Objectives: Oral cavity wound recovery presents unique challenges due to constant moisture exposure and functional mechanical stresses. Nanoscale extracellular vesicles (exosomes) with regenerative properties offer promising therapeutic potential for tissue regeneration, contributing to improved health outcomes. This study evaluated human exosomal preparations in promoting oral mucosal regeneration. Methods: We established standardized full-thickness wounds in the buccal mucosa of SD rats and divided subjects into experimental (receiving 50 billion human exosomes) and control (receiving carrier solution only) groups. Comprehensive wound assessment occurred at predetermined intervals (days 0, 3, 7, and 10) through photographic documentation, histological examination, and quantitative measurement. Results: Exosomal-treated tissues demonstrated statistically significant acceleration in closure rates (p < 0.05), achieving 87.3% reduction by day 10 versus 64.1% in the controls. Microscopic analysis revealed superior epithelial development, reduced inflammatory infiltration, and enhanced collagen architectural organization in exosomal-treated specimens. Semi-quantitative evaluation confirmed consistently superior healing metrics in the experimental group across all assessment timepoints. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that human exosome preparations significantly enhance oral mucosal regeneration in SD rats, suggesting potential clinical applications for accelerating recovery following oral surgical procedures. Full article

(1) Background: Elemental imaging methods such as XRF, SEM/TEM-EDS, LIBS and LA-ICP-MS are widely used in clinical diagnostics. Based on the results obtained, it is possible to assess the safety of both standard and innovative therapies, diagnose diseases, detect pathogens or determine intracellular processes. In addition to bioimaging, these techniques are used for semi-quantitative and quantitative analyses. Some of them also enable highly valuable speciation of analytes. However, the quality of information about elemental tissue composition depends on a number of different factors. Although the crucial parameters of quantitative analysis are the same for each technique, their impact varies depending on the bioimaging method. Due to the fact that imaging results are often crucial in clinical decision-making, it is important to clearly indicate and describe the parameters affecting the quality of results in each technique. Therefore, the aim of this review is to describe the influence of these crucial parameters on bioimaging results based on the methodology and results of studies published in the last ten years. (2) Methods: In order to collect relevant publications, the Scopus database was searched using the keywords “element AND imaging AND human tissue”. Next, studies were selected in which methodological aspects allowed relevant conclusions to be made regarding the quality of the results obtained. (3) Results: One of the most important parameters for all techniques is measurement selectivity resulting from the complexity of human tissue. Quantitative analyses using bioimaging techniques are difficult due to the lack of suitable calibration materials. For the same reason, it is challenging to assess the accuracy of the results obtained. Particular attention should be paid to the results obtained for trace elements. (4) Conclusions: The discussed bioimaging techniques are a powerful tool in the elemental analysis of human tissues. Nevertheless, in order to obtain reliable results, a number of factors influencing the measurements must be taken into account. Full article

Background/Objectives: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a major complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and recent research highlights that amino acid composition—rather than total protein intake alone—may influence DKD risk. This study aimed to evaluate the associations between dietary protein intake, specific amino acid profiles, and the risk of DKD among adults with T2DM. Methods: A total of 378 T2DM patients were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Dietary intake was assessed via a 24 h recall and a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Nutrient analysis was based on the Taiwanese Food Composition Database. Participants were categorized into three protein intake groups: Group 1 (≤0.8 g/kg), Group 2 (0.9–1.2 g/kg), and Group 3 (≥1.3 g/kg). Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the associations of crude protein, branched-chain amino acids to aromatic amino acids (BCAA/AAA) ratio, and ketogenic amino acid intake with DKD risk. Adjustments were made for age, sex, diabetes duration, and blood pressure. Results: While crude protein intake showed no significant association with DKD risk, higher intake of ketogenic amino acids (e.g., leucine and lysine) was consistently and significantly associated with reduced DKD risk (adjusted HR range = 0.698–0.716, p < 0.01). Our findings highlight the protective potential of ketogenic amino acids such as leucine and lysine, which were significantly associated with lower DKD risk. The BCAA/AAA ratio also showed a downward trend in DKD risk, though not statistically significant. Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed that moderate protein intake (0.9–1.2 g/kg) corresponded to the most favorable DKD-free survival. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that, beyond total protein quantity, the intake of ketogenic amino acids may play a protective role in DKD prevention. Moderate protein consumption combined with higher leucine and lysine intake appears beneficial. These results support incorporating amino acid profiling in dietary strategies for DKD risk reduction. Further longitudinal and interventional studies are recommended to validate these associations. Full article

The carbonate content serves as a fundamental proxy in lacustrine sediments for reconstructing palaeoclimate and environmental changes. Although multiple analytical techniques exist for its quantification, systematic comparisons between different methodologies and the precise identification of carbonate mineralogy are still needed. In this study, a 1020 cm continuous sediment core (YZH-1) from Lake Yangzong in Yunnan Province was employed. Initially, the semi-quantitative calcium (Ca) concentration was obtained via X-ray fluorescence (XRF) core scanning. Subsequently, the total inorganic carbon (TIC) content was determined using both the loss on ignition (LOI) and gasometric (GM) methods to evaluate methodological discrepancies and potential biases. Furthermore, a quantitative regression model was developed to estimate carbonate abundance based on the relationship between XRF-derived Ca data and the analytically determined carbonate content. A comparative analysis revealed a strong positive correlation (r = 0.97) between LOI and GM measurements, though LOI-derived values are systematically elevated by 2.6% on average. This overestimation likely stems from the thermal decomposition of non-carbonate minerals during LOI analysis. Conversely, GM measurements exhibit a ~5% underestimation relative to certified reference materials, attributable to instrumental limitations such as gas leakage. Strong covariation (r = 0.92) between XRF-Ca intensities and the TIC content indicates that carbonate minerals in Lake Yangzong sediments predominantly consist of calcite. A transfer function was established to convert XRF-Ca scanning data into absolute Ca concentrations, leveraging the robust Ca-TIC relationship. The proposed quantification model demonstrates high reliability when applied to standardized XRF-Ca datasets, offering a practical tool for paleolimnological studies in similar geological settings. Full article

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), including small EVs (sEVs) such as exosomes, play crucial roles in intercellular communication and disease pathology. Their heterogeneous nature, shaped by cellular origin and activation state, requires precise and multiplexed profiling of surface markers for effective characterization. Despite recent advances, current analytical methods remain complex, costly, or inaccessible for routine laboratory use. Here, we present a simple and cost-effective flow cytometry-based assay for the multiplexed analysis of tetraspanin markers (CD63, CD81, CD9) on fluorescently labeled sEVs. Our method combines metabolic labeling with paraformaldehyde fixation and low-speed centrifugation using a benchtop centrifuge, enabling efficient removal of unbound antibodies and minimizing nonspecific signals while preserving vesicle integrity. Using either metabolically labeled exosomes or bulk sEVs stained with carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE), we demonstrate robust recovery and accurate, semi-quantitative profiling of tetraspanin expression. The assay reveals substantial variability in tetraspanin distribution across different cell lines and does not require ultracentrifugation or immunocapture. Notably, this versatile and reproducible method supports high sEV recovery and is adaptable to additional protein markers. Its compatibility with standard laboratory equipment makes it a practical and scalable alternative to more complex techniques, expanding access to multiplex sEV analysis for both research and clinical applications. Full article

Background/Objectives: Extranodal NK-/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTCL) is a rare and highly aggressive lymphoma with a bad prognosis. The aim of our analysis is to evaluate existing research on the potential usefulness of fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography or positron/computed tomography (2-[18F]FDG PET or PET/CT) in the management of patients with ENKTCL. Methods: A complete search of the literature was conducted across Scopus, PubMed/MEDLINE, and Embase databases, focusing on articles published up to March 2025. Results: A total of 21 studies that investigated the role of 2-[18F]FDG PET or PET/CT in ENKTCL were included in our analysis. The main findings from the literature analysis were (1) 2-[18F]FDG PET/CT seems to be helpful in staging settings, showing a better diagnostic performance than conventional imaging and a positive impact on clinical stage; (2) 2-[18F]FDG PET/CT had excellent negative predictive value for detecting bone marrow involvement, especially in early-stage disease; and (3) qualitative and semiquantitative PET parameters might predict prognosis. Conclusions: Despite several limitations affecting this analysis, especially related to the heterogeneity of the studies included, 2-[18F]FDG PET/CT seems to be a useful tool for the evaluation of ENKTCL. Full article

Background/objectives: Pathological complete response (pCR) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in breast cancer (BC) is a solid indicator of favourable prognosis, potentially also being useful for more conservative patient management. We aim to explore the potential of [¹⁸F]FDG PET/CT as a non-invasive method to predict response to NAC. Methods: In this prospective, observational cohort study, we enrolled BC patient candidates for NAC who underwent baseline and preoperative [¹⁸F]FDG PET/CT. NAC response was determined using final histopathology. PET images were assessed qualitatively and semi-quantitatively, and the findings correlated with NAC response. Results: In total, 133 BC patients were included. The visual analysis of preoperative PET/CT detected residual disease (RD) with high specificity (>93%) and moderate sensitivity, based on pCR/RD classification and RCB index. Semiquantitative measures (SUVmax, TBR) were significantly higher in non-responders across the classification methods (p < 0.001 for all). Conclusions: These findings highlight the potential of preoperative [¹⁸F]FDG PET/CT as a complementary tool for identifying excellent responders to NAC across BC subtypes or response criteria. This could inform personalised treatment and potentially allow for surgery to be omitted in selected patients. Full article

Background/Objectives: Prognostic information for nonmetastatic prostate cancer (nmPC) patients with prevalent vertebral fractures (PVFs) is very limited. Vertebral fractures can impair physical function, limit activities of daily living, and decrease quality of life. Prevention of vertebral fractures may be important to improve patient prognosis. This study aims to investigate the impact of the presence and severity of PVFs on overall survival in patients with nmPC undergoing androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Methods: A total of 275 men (median age: 73 years) with nmPC who underwent ADT were studied retrospectively. The median observation period was 55 months. Variables included age, body mass index, T classification, N classification, Gleason score, and pretreatment serum prostate-specific antigen levels. PVF was diagnosed from the sagittal computed tomography images of Th1 to L5 before initiating ADT, and the severity was determined by the number of PVFs and the Semiquantitative (SQ) method. Hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals for overall survival were calculated using the Cox proportional hazards model. Results: During the observation period, 30 patients died from all causes. Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified multiple PVFs and high-grade PVFs, as determined by the SQ method, as significant predictors of overall survival. The analysis utilized two adjustment models: one adjusted for age only and the other adjusted for age, Gleason score, and clinical T stage. Conclusions: Multiple PVFs and high-grade PVF determined by the SQ method prior to ADT initiation were associated with higher all-cause mortality in nmPC patients treated with ADT. Full article

Background/Objectives: Semiquantitative grading of the vertebral body (SQ) is an easy screening method for vertebral body deformation. The validity of SQ as a risk factor and screening tool for incident osteoporotic fractures in the vertebral body (OF) was investigated using retrospective case-control data. Methods: Outpatients with osteoporosis who were followed up for ≥2 years as patients with osteoporosis were recruited. All of them were tested using X-ray images of the lateral thoracolumbar view and other tests at baseline. Patients were classified according to the SQ grade, and potential risk factors were compared for each SQ group. Cox regression analyses were conducted on the incident OFs. Statistical differences in the possible risk factors among the groups and the likelihood of incident OFs in the variables were examined. After propensity score matching (PSM) and inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) for confounding factors, the possibility of incident OFs was compared between the SQ grade groups. Results: In the crude dataset, the probability of incident OF in SQ Grade 3 was significantly higher than in other grade groups. Using a Cox regression analysis in multivariate mode, SQ grade was the only statistically significant factor for incident OF. However, no significant differences were observed between PSM and IPTW. Conclusions: These results suggest that the SQ classification was inappropriate for predicting incident OFs. However, the grading showed a significantly higher risk than that available for screening. Full article

PoRV is a significant etiological agent of neonatal diarrhea in piglets, resulting in substantial economic losses within the global swine industry due to elevated mortality rates and reduced productivity. To address the urgent need for accessible and rapid diagnostics in resource-limited settings, we have developed a CRISPR/Cas12a-based assay integrated with recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) for the visual detection of PoRV. This platform specifically targets the conserved VP6 gene using optimized RPA primers and crRNA, harnessing Cas12a’s collateral cleavage activity to enable dual-readout via fluorescence or lateral flow dipsticks (LFDs). The assay demonstrates a detection limit of 10² copies/μL within 1 h, exhibiting no cross-reactivity with phylogenetically related pathogens such as Transmissible Gastroenteritis Virus (TGEV). By eliminating reliance on thermal cyclers or specialized equipment, this method is fully deployable in swine farms, veterinary clinics, or field environments. The lateral flow format provides immediate colorimetric results that require minimal technical expertise, while the fluorescence mode allows for semi-quantitative analysis. This study presents a robust and cost-effective platform for decentralized PoRV surveillance in swine populations, addressing the critical need for portable diagnostics in resource-limited settings and enhancing veterinary health management. Full article

This study evaluated the histopathological impact of three commonly used pesticides—pirimiphos-methyl, propamocarb hydrochloride, and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D)—on the kidneys of common carp (Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758) after 96-h acute exposure. The histopathological analysis demonstrated that all three tested pesticides induced structural changes. The histopathological changes were assessed using a semi-quantitative scoring system and categorised into circulatory, degenerative, proliferative, and inflammatory alterations. While circulatory alterations were absent in all treatments, clear and statistically significant degenerative, proliferative, and inflammatory responses were recorded, which escalated with increasing pesticide concentrations. Additionally, various statistical analyses were conducted to evaluate the lesions in kidney structure and function. Before the statistical analysis, normality and variance homogeneity were assessed using the Shapiro–Wilk and Levene’s tests, respectively. Due to non-normal data distribution, non-parametric methods were applied. Hence, the non-parametric statistical methods showed distinct group-level differences in the kidney damage indices. The Kruskal–Wallis test revealed significant differences across treatments (p < 0.001), and Mann–Whitney U tests identified specific pairwise differences. The degenerative and proliferative lesions were most prominent in fish exposed to 2,4-D at 100 µg/L (IK = 34), followed by pirimiphos-methyl and propamocarb hydrochloride. Inflammatory changes were mainly observed in the pirimiphos-methyl groups. The histopathological lesions were concentration-dependent, with 2,4-D causing irreversible renal damage at higher concentrations. These findings highlight the nephrotoxic risks posed by common pesticides and validate that the use of histopathological indices, combined with robust non-parametric testing, provides a reliable approach to evaluating organ-specific pesticide toxicity. These biomarkers offer sensitive early warning indicators of environmental risk, reinforcing the suitability of common carp as a model species for ecotoxicological assessment. Full article

Solid-state ¹³C NMR spectroscopy using cross-polarization magic-angle spinning is a highly valuable technique for the semi-quantitative analysis of complex solid matrices. One of its key advantages is that it does not require any manipulation of the matrix, such as extractions or other treatments, which is particularly important for preserving the integrity of unstable secondary metabolites. Glucosinolates (β-thioglucoside-N-hydrosulphates) are crucial secondary metabolites specific to Brassica species, and many of them are known to be highly unstable. In this study, we evaluated solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy as an alternative method for the identification and quantification of total glucosinolates in the seeds of Sisymbrium officinale, Brassica napus, Sinapis alba, Brassica nigra, and Moringa oleifera. The results obtained with this method showed good agreement with those from conventional chemical analyses of the seed material. Although, based on a limited number of samples, this preliminary study suggests that the proposed approach could be a useful alternative for quantifying total glucosinolate content in seeds. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for rapid, cost-effective tools to monitor transmission and immune response. We developed two novel paper-based colorimetric biosensors using glutaraldehyde as a protein dye—its first use in this context. Glutaraldehyde reacts with amino groups to generate a brown color, enabling detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Wathman filter paper was functionalized with (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) to immobilize virus-like particles (VLPs) and nucleocapsid protein (N-protein) as biorecognition elements. Upon incubation with antibody-containing samples, glutaraldehyde enabled colorimetric detection using RGB analysis in ImageJ software. Both sensors showed a linear correlation between antibody concentration and RGB values in buffer and serum. The VLP sensor responded linearly within the range of 1.0–20 µg/mL (green coordinate) in 500-fold diluted serum and the N-protein sensor from 1.0–40 µg/mL (blue coordinate) in 250-fold diluted serum. Both sensors demonstrated good selectivity, with glucose causing up to 18% interference. These biosensors represent a paradigm shift, as they provide a sensitive, user-friendly, and cost-effective option for semi-quantitative serological analysis. Furthermore, their versatility goes beyond the detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and suggests broader applicability for various molecular targets. Full article