Search Results (27,597)

With rising global temperatures, biostimulants might be a promising tool to alleviate plant stress and support adaptation. The potential of fresh (FBP) and lyophilized (LBP) banana peel aqueous extracts as biostimulants for protecting broccoli from high temperature (HT) stress was analyzed. Spectrophotometric and statistical analyses revealed that BP affected broccoli phytochemistry in a temperature-dependent manner. Under room temperature (RT), FBP and LBP decreased glucosinolates (−15% and −25%, respectively). Conversely, FBP increased flavonols and proanthocyanidins (141% and 202%, respectively). Under RT, LBP decreased sugars in broccoli (−27%). FBP had stronger effects at HT than at RT, further boosting phenolics (70%), flavonoids (89%), tannins (31%), and hydroxycinnamic acids (64%), and antioxidant capacity (FRAP) (10%). LBP also increased flavonoids (39%), flavonols (95%), and hydroxycinnamic acids (45%) under HT. Both FBP and LBP increased glucosinolates (47% and 46%, respectively) in HT-grown broccoli. HT significantly affected glucosinolates, decreased them in control plants, and increased them in BP-treated plants. All HT-grown plants had higher soluble sugars and lower hydrogen peroxide than RT-grown plants. Principal component analysis confirmed greater biochemical diversity under HT. Temperature–BP interaction significantly affected flavonoids and glucosinolates, highlighting the central role of environmental temperature in determining biostimulant outcomes. These findings suggest that global warming may markedly alter biostimulant efficacy and should be considered in their development. Full article

The growing need for effective air pollution control technologies has prompted significant interest in innovative flue gas treatment methods. This study investigates the plasma–chemical mechanisms and pollutant abatement performance of a pilot-scale microwave-assisted plasma reactor operating at 915 MHz and up to 75 kW for simultaneous removal of sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxides (NO_x), and carbon dioxide (CO₂) from combustion flue gas. Plasma treatment induced radical-driven oxidation of nitric oxide (NO), substantially enhancing the aqueous solubility of nitrogen oxides and thereby improving ammonia scrubbing efficiency. However, excessive plasma power resulted in thermal NO_x formation, governed by local gas temperature, highlighting the critical need for optimized specific energy input. A logarithmic correlation between plasma power and NO_x concentration was derived, enabling estimation of power thresholds necessary to suppress thermal NO formation. Complete or near-complete SO₂ removal and high CO₂ capture efficiency (50–100%) were achieved, demonstrating the synergistic coupling of plasma activation with alkaline scrubbing. These findings demonstrate the viability of microwave-assisted plasma technology as a flexible and efficient solution for integrated flue gas pollutant control with potential for industrial-scale deployment in coal-fired power plants and other combustion facilities. Full article

Plant SNAREs (soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors) constitute a large superfamily and play pivotal roles in diverse biological processes and responses to various abiotic stresses. Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa wild.) is a nutritionally superior crop endowed with robust tolerance to environmental stresses. In this study, we identified 88 CqSNARE genes in quinoa, which are unevenly distributed across 18 chromosomes and classified into 23 subfamilies. We systematically analyzed their physicochemical properties, phylogenetic relationships, gene and protein structures, and cis-acting elements. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis of quinoa leaves under saline–alkaline stress revealed that CqSNAP30a was the most significantly upregulated. This gene is predominantly expressed in leaves and localized on the plasma membrane. Constitutive expression of CqSNAP30a enhanced plant stress resistance by regulating ion homeostasis and antioxidant capacity. Our findings provide valuable insights into the SNARE genes of stress-tolerant crops and lays a theoretical foundation for the genetic improvement of stress resilience. Full article

Up to now, most hydrogel-related studies have been devoted to the preparation of drug-containing macromolecular gels via the introduction of polymer matrices, together with the clarification of their assembly mechanisms and biomedical applications. In contrast, studies concerning the design of small-molecule gel systems remain relatively limited. As gel research progresses, drug small-molecule hydrogels have attracted growing interest for formulation development. This study investigated whether designing a small-molecule hydrogel could serve as an effective solubilization approach for sulindac (SUL)—a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug clinically restricted by its poor aqueous solubility. Then, a SUL small-molecule hydrogel was prepared by straightforward mixing of SUL with biologically safe meglumine (MEG) in a minimal volume of deionized water, which exhibited a characteristic three-dimensional network structure and favorable viscoelastic properties. The characterization and simulation results indicated that the hydrogel formation was contingent upon the SUL-MEG miscibility, dissolution-aggregation equilibrium and intermolecular self-assembly. Consequently, the resulting SUL-MEG hydrogel exhibited 546 times higher solubility compared to the pure SUL. Meanwhile, the SUL-MEG hydrogel demonstrated superior release kinetics and supersaturation capacity, characterized by rapid attainment of peak concentrations and sustained supersaturated release. These enhanced performances were attributed to the high-energy state of the hydrogel itself and the molecular complexation between SUL and MEG. In conclusion, this study presents a feasible formulation strategy for overcoming the poor water solubility of insoluble drugs through the development of small-molecule hydrogel formulations. Full article

Background: Patients undergoing hemodialysis commonly exhibit deficiencies in water-soluble vitamins, primarily as a result of inadequate dietary intake and loss into the dialysate. Given the essential role of vitamin C in numerous metabolic pathways, routine supplementation has been proposed as a potentially beneficial intervention in this population. Aim: We aimed to evaluate the current evidence on vitamin C supplementation in patients undergoing hemodialysis, with particular attention to clinical conditions associated with renal replacement therapy, including anemia, chronic inflammation, restless legs syndrome (RLS), and secondary hyperparathyroidism. Methods: This systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. The MEDLINE (via PubMed) and EMBASE databases were searched. The initial search yielded 844 articles, of which 37 studies met the inclusion criteria for this review. Results: Evidence indicates that hemodialysis patients exhibit vitamin C deficiency, both in dietary intake and in plasma or serum concentrations. Despite its intrinsic antioxidant properties and proposed anti-inflammatory effects, vitamin C supplementation has demonstrated inconsistent effects on inflammatory markers. Most clinical studies support a beneficial role of vitamin C supplementation in functional iron deficiency and in alleviating symptoms of RLS within this population. Conclusions: Evidence on vitamin C supplementation for functional iron deficiency and RLS suggests that it might be an effective therapeutic approach. However, despite low serum vitamin C level in hemodialysis patients, current data does not justify the routine use of vitamin C in the hemodialyzed population for other comorbidities, including chronic inflammation and secondary hyperparathyroidism. Further high-quality studies are required to establish the broader clinical utility of targeted vitamin C supplementation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease for which there are no highly effective treatments, which highlights the need for novel therapeutics. Cannabidiol (CBD) has demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. Chronic CBD treatment (20 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg) reverses social recognition memory deficits of APP_Swe/PS1∆E9 (APP/PS1) transgenic mice; however, it does not produce effects on AD-relevant brain pathology. Methods: Here, we investigated whether chronic high-dose CBD treatment (i.e., 100 mg/kg intraperitoneally) in early symptomatic 7.5-month-old APP/PS1 males would reverse cognitive deficits while also influencing neuropathological markers relevant to AD. Mice were assessed for anxiety, recognition memory, and social and aggressive behaviours before carrying out neuropathological analyses of collected brain tissue. Results: Vehicle-treated APP/PS1 transgenic males demonstrated reduced aggressive behaviour and increased socio-positive behaviour. A moderate deficit in social recognition memory was restored by CBD. APP/PS1 mice also exhibited elevated cortical proBDNF levels under vehicle treatment, and hippocampal levels of TNF-α and IL-1β were reduced in all APP/PS1 mice. AD transgenic mice exhibited no changes in soluble or insoluble Aβ₄₂ levels or PPARγ isoforms. Conclusions: This study found that high-dose CBD restored a moderate social recognition memory deficit. However, CBD did not have marked effects on AD-relevant neuropathological markers assessed, most likely because the AD transgenic mice were evaluated at a disease stage too early to detect significant pathological changes. Thus, the underlying mechanisms for CBD’s effect on social recognition memory require further investigation. Full article

Background: SARS-CoV-2 poses significant global health challenges, necessitating effective antiviral strategies. Ticagrelor, an FDA-approved antiplatelet drug, has shown potential against SARS-CoV-2 but suffers from low solubility and bioavailability. This study aims to develop and characterize ticagrelor-loaded hybrid nanocarriers using polyoxyethylene 40 stearate and soya lecithin to enhance drug solubility and antiviral efficacy. Methods: Ticagrelor-loaded hybrid nanocarriers were prepared using the thin-film hydration technique with varying molar ratios of polyoxyethylene 40 stearate and soya lecithin. Characterization included particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, in vitro release profiles, and cytotoxicity and antiviral assays against SARS-CoV-2 in Vero-E6 cells. Results: The hybrid nanocarriers exhibited particle sizes ranging from 90 nm to 2459 nm and zeta potentials between −36.7 mV and −41.7 mV. Formulation F2.12 demonstrated the highest drug release (90% dissolution in 5 h) and the lowest cytotoxicity and antiviral concentration (CC₅₀ and IC₅₀ values), significantly surpassing the efficacy of ticagrelor in powder form. Conclusions: The developed ticagrelor-loaded hybrid nanocarriers significantly enhance the drug’s solubility and efficacy against SARS-CoV-2, providing a promising platform for improved antiviral therapies. These findings indicate potential clinical applications in addressing the limitations of conventional formulations in treating COVID-19 and similar viral infections. Further studies are warranted to explore their therapeutic potential. Full article

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by immune cell dysfunction and poor prognosis. CD44, a cell surface glycoprotein with multiple splice variants, has been implicated in tumor progression, but its compartment-specific roles in PDAC remain unclear. CD44 standard and variant isoform expression was analyzed in patient-derived lymph nodes (LNs) by quantitative PCR. Immune cell-specific CD44 expression was assessed by flow cytometry in LNs and peripheral blood. Soluble and exosome-associated CD44 (exo-CD44) were measured in plasma. Clinical associations and survival analyses were performed. Transcriptomic, immune infiltration, immune checkpoint, and drug sensitivity analyses were conducted using TCGA-PAAD and pharmacogenomic datasets. CD44 standard isoform expression was unchanged in PDAC LNs, whereas multiple CD44 variant isoforms (v4–v10) were significantly reduced and associated with metastatic disease and poor survival, particularly CD44v5, v6, v7, and v10. CD44 expression was enriched in CD45⁺ immune cells, with highest levels in CD4⁺ T cells in both LNs and blood. Soluble CD44 levels showed no clinical associations. In contrast, exo-CD44 levels were reduced overall in PDAC but increased in patients with distant metastasis, positive resection margins, systemic inflammation, and reduced survival. High CD44 expression was associated with advanced disease, immune cell infiltration, immune checkpoint gene expression, reduced sensitivity to gemcitabine, paclitaxel, rapamycin, and FMK, and distinct CTLA4/PD-L1 checkpoint profiles. CD44 exhibits compartment-specific regulation in PDAC, linking immune remodeling, exosome signaling, and therapeutic resistance to adverse clinical outcome. Full article

The sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) is an important fruit species in Eastern Europe due to its multiple uses. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ripening-stage-dependent compositional changes in some Hungarian-bred sour cherry varieties (“amarelle” type ‘Korai pipacs’, “morello” types ‘Érdi bőtermő’ and ‘Újfehértói fürtös’), with a special view on biologically active compounds (anthocyanins, polyphenols, vitamin C, melatonin), organic acids, sugars, and antioxidant characteristics. The measured soluble solid content varied within a narrower range than reported in the literature, whereas the total acid content and soluble solid content were consistent with previous data. As the analyses were based on samples from a single year (2022), potential year-to-year variability should be considered when interpreting the results. The “morello” type varieties reached a higher amount of different sugar compounds than the “amarelle” type variety. Among the examined organic acid compounds, malic acid was detected in the highest quantity (176.75 to 669.44 mg 100 mL⁻¹). The vitamin C data (5.74 to 13.46 mg 100 mL⁻¹) had similarity to the literature data. The “amarelle” type ‘Korai pipacs’ reached the highest antioxidant content (131.11 mM AS L⁻¹) in the third picking time. Among the naturally occurring pigments the “morello” type, straining sour cherries reached a higher amount (113.71 µg mL⁻¹ in ‘Érdi bőtermő’ and 59.4 µg mL⁻¹ in ‘Újfehértói fürtös’ of cyanidin glucosides), than the observed “amarelle” type (23.42 µg mL⁻¹ in ‘Korai pipacs’ of cyanidin glucosides). Melatonin was detected in all examined varieties (1.56 to 13.25 ng mL⁻¹). Full article

Iodine is a non-essential element for plants, yet recent studies have shown that it plays a role in mitigating abiotic stress. Heat stress (HS) and water stress (WS) impair maize growth and development, especially during the reproductive phase. This study evaluated whether iodine applications could mitigate HS and combined HS + WS during maize flowering. The experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions, growing maize plants in pots containing 3 kg of Oxisol. Treatments included foliar or soil applications of iodine under two stress conditions (HS and HS + WS). Iodine was applied to the soil via top dressing and as a foliar application at the start of flowering. On the last day of stress, chlorophyll levels, specific enzyme activity, compatible osmotic solutes, relative water content (RWC), and Fv:Fm (photosynthetic quantum efficiency) were measured. Grain yield was determined at the end of the crop. There was no mitigation of stress with iodine application under combined stress (HS + WS). Under HS, foliar application of iodine, compared with no iodine application mitigated stress, increasing Fv:Fm by 58% (values of 0.73 for foliar iodine application versus 0.02 for no iodine application), RWC by 83% (values of 99% for foliar iodine application), and grain yield by 35%, along with higher levels of chlorophyll a (+28%), chlorophyll b (+73%), total chlorophyll (+31%), and superoxide dismutase activity (SOD). This was also associated with a reduction in sucrose, reducing sugars, total soluble sugars, and total free amino acids. This increase in chlorophyll levels suggests greater photosynthetic capacity, while the higher SOD activity indicates a strengthened antioxidant system under HS. These mechanisms together maintain carbon assimilation and reproductive development, thereby increasing grain yield. Thus, it was concluded that iodine could help reduce HS effects during maize flowering. Full article

Morchella is a nutritious and artificially cultivable rare ascomycete, and its growth and development regulation mechanisms are a current research hotspot. High-temperature stress severely limits the annual yield of Morchella, and this challenge is intensifying with global warming. However, previous studies have lacked systematic screening for heat-tolerant Morchella strains, and their molecular response mechanisms to heat stress remain unclear. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of phenotypic characteristics, physiological metabolism, and transcriptomics on 19 Morchella strains under normal (25 °C) and high-temperature (30 °C) conditions. The heat-tolerant strain HLM exhibited superior performance in mycelial growth, morphology, and field cultivation. It maintained cell homeostasis under heat stress through mild osmotic regulation (elevated levels of proline, soluble sugars, and proteins), a robust antioxidant system (increased activities of CAT, POD, and SOD), and reduced malondialdehyde accumulation. Transcriptomic analysis identified a novel regulatory model of “stress perception—metabolic preparation—terminal detoxification” in the heat-tolerant strain HLM under heat stress. The rapid upregulation of the SMPD1 gene may mediate ceramide signal generation, promoting G6PDH expression to drive carbon flow into the pentose phosphate pathway, thereby increasing NADPH output. As the detoxification terminal, AKR4C uses this reducing power to eliminate toxic carbonyl end products like malondialdehyde, completing the defense loop. These findings offer new insights into the heat-tolerance mechanisms of large ascomycetes, provide a theoretical foundation for stress-resistant Morchella breeding and cultivation in high-temperature areas, and serve as valuable resources for exploring heat-tolerance mechanisms and molecular breeding in other edible fungi. Full article

Passiflora germplasm represents an important genetic resource for improving fruit yield and quality in breeding programs targeting semi-arid environments. This study aimed to assess the phenotypic diversity, genetic parameters, and breeding potential of Passiflora accessions conserved in the Passion Fruit Active Germplasm Bank of Embrapa Semiárido. A total of 55 accessions, predominantly Passiflora cincinnata Mast., were evaluated using morphoagronomic descriptors related to plant, flower, and fruit traits. Quantitative data were analyzed using mixed linear models (REML/BLUP) to estimate genetic parameters, and multivariate analyses were applied to characterize phenotypic divergence. Substantial phenotypic variability was observed, particularly for fruit-related traits. Fruit weight ranged from 43.25 to 142.88 g, pulp weight ranged from 7.86 to 51.37 g, and pulp yield ranged from 17.06% to 40.27% among accessions. Broad-sense heritability estimates for key fruit traits were moderate to high, reaching 0.50 for fruit weight, 0.49 for pulp weight, and 0.36 for pulp yield, indicating favorable prospects for selection. Principal Component Analysis explained 66.0% of the total variation in the first two components, with fruit size, pulp-related traits, and seed number contributing most strongly to accession differentiation. Multivariate analyses consistently identified accessions 1 and 16 as superior for fruit weight and pulp yield, whereas accession 55 combined high fruit weight with elevated soluble solid content (up to 14.24 °Brix) but lower pulp yield. Overall, the observed variability highlights the relevance of Passiflora germplasm conserved under semi-arid conditions as a valuable resource for breeding programs focused on fruit yield, quality, and adaptation to water-limited environments. Full article

Browning is the major physiological cause of quality loss in lotus root. This study explored the effects of temperature (4 °C, 25 °C, 35 °C) or ethylene (ET) on quality, especially browning, as well as polyphenol and starch metabolism in lotus root. Low temperature (4 °C) reduced browning and color changes (L*, a*), while retaining water and vitamin C (Vc) content. ET maintained Vc and soluble protein, while high temperature (35 °C) promoted total soluble solids (TSS) and soluble sugar accumulation. ET or 35 °C upregulated polyphenol metabolism-related genes including NnPAL1/4, NnCHS1, NnF3H and NnANR, increased total phenolic and flavonoid content, and enhanced antioxidant capacity. Moreover, 35 °C increased PAL activity, and ET also upregulated NnUGT88B1. Furthermore, 4 °C downregulated NnGBE1-1/2, promoted starch accumulation, while ET upregulated NnSSI, downregulated NnGBE1-1/2, and delayed starch decline. Meanwhile, ET elevated NnETR and NnEBF1-2 and mediated ethylene signaling transduction. In conclusion, 4 °C storage was optimal for delaying browning and starch metabolism of lotus root. Meanwhile, ET treatment or 35 °C were more beneficial to obtain more phenolics and flavonoids. Full article

Mining tailings are considered a significant environmental challenge due to their large quantities and high residual metal content, particularly iron. Recent developments in biogenic technologies offer a sustainable approach to recovering valuable materials from these waste streams. We consider a biogenic iron oxide nanoparticles production process from mining tailings as an environmentally friendly route to magnetic materials. Microorganisms, including iron-oxidizing and iron-reducing bacteria, microalgae, and fungi, can convert soluble and mineral-bound iron into iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs) phases such as magnetite, maghemite, and hematite. These biogenic iron oxide NPs often exhibit specific physicochemical properties, including controlled particle size, high surface area, and engineered magnetic properties, which make them potentially important for applications in environmental remediation, catalysis, and agriculture. The processes behind microbial iron conversion, the parameters governing mineral phase formation, and the approaches for optimizing the process are presented. This strategy supports the circular economy concept by combining biogenic synthesis with various forms of mining waste, thereby reducing environmental threats associated with tailings confinement and providing an environmentally friendly mechanism for the production of value-added magnetic materials. Full article

Due to the seasonality of its production and its polluting characteristics, the management and disposal of large amounts of grape pomace (GP) produced worldwide every year can pose a significant economic and environmental challenge. The research on the possible exploitation of GP for various purposes has been constantly growing during recent years, due to the increased general sensitivity to issues like the sustainability of agro-industrial production and the growing consumer demand for the use of natural versus synthetic compounds. This work concerned the determination of the polyphenolic profile and the dietary fiber content of skins and seeds from unfermented and fermented white and red grape pomace of different cultivars, sampled from local wineries in the Piedmont area (Italy) after winemaking. A double extraction was performed to maximize the extraction of polyphenols from grape pomace flours. The extractable polyphenols content (EPP) was determined in the extracts, while the non-extractable polyphenols (NEPP) linked to fiber were quantified as condensed tannins in the residue after extraction. The total dietary fiber (TDF) was determined for skins and seeds; limited to skins, the analysis was extended to the distinction between soluble and insoluble dietary fiber (SDF and IDF). The polyphenolic and dietary fiber content was significantly higher in seeds than in skins. However, from a nutritional point of view, the dietary fiber of skins may be more interesting due to the higher NEPP content than in seeds; moreover, the winemaking technique influenced the quantity and characteristics of skin fiber, which contained SDF, almost absent in seeds. Full article