Search Results (18,696)

Carbendazim (CBDZ) is widely used for the prevention and control of fungal diseases in agricultural crops. Its extensive and recurrent application may lead to the occurrence of residues in agricultural environments and increase the potential for contamination of aquatic systems. In this study, analytical diafiltration was used to investigate the transport and interfacial association of CBDZ with regenerated cellulose membranes (CELms) rather than to evaluate size-exclusion-based pesticide removal. Continuous diafiltration experiments using the washing mode were performed with an 8.0 ppm CBDZ solution and 10 kDa of CELm at different pH values (3.0–9.0), while permeate flow rate and CBDZ concentration in successive permeate fractions were monitored throughout the process. CBDZ membrane retention (Rm) ranged from (7.4 ± 3.3%) at pH 9.0 to (23.2 ± 2.0%) at pH 3.0, with a maximum membrane-associated amount (\(R_m^{max}\) ) of 478 μg CBDZ per g of CELm. The pH dependence of Rm was accurately described by Rm = 24.9740 + 0.1814 ph − 0.2375 ph² for 3.0 ≤ pH ≤ 9.0 (r² = 0.999). The results are consistent with adsorption-mediated interfacial association, mainly involving physicochemical interactions with hydroxyl- and carboxyl-containing functionalities of CELms, while electrostatic interactions contributed less than 3.0% within the pH range of 6.0–7.0. The diafiltration profiles were successfully described by the ExDM–IDZ model. The parameters governing the shape of the retention profile were Rm, associated with the horizontal asymptote, and (j), which describes the decay rate and was related to the evolution of CBDZ concentration and its apparent residence behavior during diafiltration. Overall, these results demonstrate that analytical diafiltration provides a useful framework for investigating the transport, partitioning, and adsorption-mediated interactions of low-molecular-weight, water-soluble pesticides with membrane materials. Full article

Key lime (Citrus aurantifolia (Christm.) Swingle) is an important fruit crop in northern Peru; however, inadequate canopy management can limit productivity and fruit quality. This study evaluated the effects of different pruning systems on vegetative growth, flowering, yield, and fruit quality of key lime under the growing conditions of the Piura region. The experiment was conducted during the 2024 and 2025 growing seasons in two commercial orchards using a randomized complete block design with four pruning systems, namely maintenance pruning (MP), thinning pruning (TP), maintenance pruning combined with thinning pruning (MP + TP), and no pruning (NP), with four replicates per system. Vegetative growth, flowering, yield, and fruit quality variables were evaluated. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), Tukey’s honestly significant difference (HSD) test (p < 0.05), principal component analysis (PCA), hierarchical cluster analysis, and correlation analysis. Pruning significantly affected vegetative growth, flowering, yield, and fruit physical attributes, whereas juice soluble solids, vitamin C content, and titratable acidity were not significantly affected. MP, TP, and MP + TP were associated with higher yields than NP, while MP also showed greater values for several fruit physical attributes. Some responses varied with growing season and/or study site. Overall, pruning modified vegetative and productive responses in key lime, and MP combined relatively high yield with greater values for several fruit physical attributes under the edaphoclimatic conditions of the studied orchards in Piura. Full article

The increasing incidence of herbicide-resistant weeds and concerns over synthetic herbicides are driving the search for natural alternatives. This study evaluated the post-emergence bioherbicidal activity and mode of action of Santolina chamaecyparissus L. essential oil against Bidens pilosa L. seedlings. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry revealed a chemically complex oil dominated by oxygenated monoterpenes, including cuminic alcohol, cis-carveol, cis-pinocarveol, α-phellandrene, and limonene. A preliminary dose–response assay identified an ED₅₀ of 0.82% (v/v). At this concentration, visible injury reached 75.9% at 72 h, while leaf relative water content declined to 40.0%. Electrolyte leakage reached 77.6% at 24 h, accompanied by a threefold increase in malondialdehyde, indicating severe membrane damage and lipid peroxidation. Chlorophyll fluorescence imaging showed impaired photosystem II function, reduced electron transport, altered energy dissipation, and loss of photosynthetic vitality. Photosynthetic pigments declined after 24 h, with chlorophyll a reduced by approximately 32.5%. Untargeted metabolomics revealed time-dependent depletion of soluble sugars, organic acids, ascorbate, and shikimate, together with accumulation of proline, γ-aminobutyric acid, trehalose, and branched-chain amino acids. Network analysis indicated loss of metabolic coordination. Overall, under the controlled experimental conditions used here, S. chamaecyparissus essential oil exhibited a rapid contact-type phytotoxic action characterised by membrane disruption, oxidative damage, dehydration, photosynthetic impairment, and extensive metabolic perturbation. Full article

The development of less toxic nanoparticles capable of producing and selectively sensing organic pollutants remains a significant challenge in biological and environmental applications. In this study, ZnInS/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) were synthesized via an aqueous-phase doping approach to integrate manganese (Mn) and enhance the singlet oxygen quantum yield (SOQY). The as-synthesized QDs displayed an average particle size of 7.40 nm, prolonged photoluminescence lifetimes, and tunable emission characteristics. Introduction of Mn into the host QDs enhanced the absolute quantum yield by up to twofold at the optimal concentrations, while the increased concentrations resulted in reduced luminescence due to increased non-radiative recombination. The surface chemistry of stabilizing agents further improved the formation of singlet oxygen. Thioglycolic acid (TGA)- and gelatin-capped QDs generated higher SOQY than QDs capped with citrate and TGA. Furthermore, as-synthesized Mn-doped QDs detected different organic pollutants such as trinitrophenol (TNP), dichlorophenol (DCP), naphthalene (NP), phenanthrene (PH), and pyrene (PY). Among these pollutants, TNP showed quenching behavior, while the others showed enhancement behavior. The QDs detected 620 µM of TNP following a linear Stern–Volmer relationship. These results show the potential of water-soluble Mn–ZnInS/ZnS QDs as multifunctional nanoprobes for phototherapy and environmental sensing applications. Full article

Plant-derived bioactives offer diverse pharmacological activities, but their development is often limited by poor aqueous solubility, instability, rapid metabolism, and low tissue exposure. This review examines delivery platforms used to address these constraints, including liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, phytosomes, niosomes, polymeric and protein-based carriers, extracellular vesicles, and self-assembled polyphenol systems. The platforms are compared according to payload compatibility, loading and release behavior, biological barriers, manufacturing requirements, and formulation-specific safety risks. Though carriers of natural origin offer a sustainable and often less toxic alternative, their ability to induce immunogenicity, organ accumulation, and repeated-dose toxicity require product-specific assessment. The review also discusses sustainable extraction and formulation, emphasizing that green performance depends on the entire process rather than on the feedstock alone. Preclinical studies frequently report improved stability, exposure, or therapeutic activity, whereas human evidence remains limited and is concentrated in early-phase studies of curcumin and silybin formulations and a small number of plant-derived extracellular-vesicle preparations. Translation will require standardized characterization, defined critical quality attributes, scalable Good Manufacturing Practice-compliant production, batch consistency, comparative pharmacokinetic and toxicological studies, and appropriately powered clinical trials. These considerations support rational carrier selection based on the physicochemical properties of the bioactive, intended route and target, release requirements, and strength of the available evidence. Full article

Saline–alkali stress is a major abiotic constraint limiting crop production worldwide. To address the lack of a systematic evaluation system for oat seedling saline–alkali tolerance adapted to soda saline–alkali soil in the Hetao Plain, 80 oat accessions with diverse genetic backgrounds were used as materials in this study. Seedlings were subjected to stress induced by a 75 mM composite saline–alkali solution (NaCl:Na₂SO₄:NaHCO₃:Na₂CO₃ = 1:9:9:1), which simulates the typical salt composition of local soda saline–alkali soils. Six seedling-stage traits, including seedling emergence rate, chlorophyll content, relative electrolyte leakage, malondialdehyde content, free proline content, and soluble sugar content, were determined, and the saline–alkali tolerance coefficient of each trait was calculated. Principal component analysis, the subordinate function method, and hierarchical cluster analysis were integrated to construct a comprehensive evaluation system for saline–alkali tolerance. The results showed that the coefficients of variation of all tested traits ranged from 21.15% to 113.66%, indicating abundant genotypic variation among different germplasms. Three principal components with eigenvalues greater than 1 were extracted, with a cumulative contribution rate of 65.79%; these components mainly reflected cell membrane status, osmotic substance accumulation, and growth performance, respectively. The comprehensive evaluation value (D-value) ranged from 0.290 to 0.884, and stepwise regression analysis identified soluble sugar, relative electrolyte leakage, and proline as core screening indicators. Combined with hierarchical cluster analysis, the 80 oat germplasms were classified into five saline–alkali tolerance grades, and significant differences in key traits were observed among grades. Germplasms with high saline–alkali tolerance performed outstandingly in maintaining membrane integrity and accumulating osmotic substances. This study established a practical multi-index comprehensive evaluation system for seedling-stage saline–alkali tolerance in oats adapted to soda saline–alkali environments and identified three candidate tolerant germplasm resources. These results provide technical methods and preliminary candidate materials for oat saline–alkali tolerance breeding and saline–alkali land utilization in the Hetao Plain, while the tolerance performance of the selected germplasms still needs to be verified under multi-concentration stress and field conditions. Full article

Almond expeller is high in protein content and produced in large quantities every year; however, its utilization in the food industry remains limited. To provide new strategies to enhance the performance of protein-based emulsion gels and expand the applications of sweet almond expeller globulin (SAEG) in the food industry, emulsion gels were formed using sweet almond expeller globulin modified by ultrasonication and chlorogenic acid conjugation (SAEG-UCA) in this study. The results showed that ultrasonication and chlorogenic acid grafting improved the emulsifying capacity (from 67.51 to 143.65 m²/g) and emulsion stability (from 70.37% to 87.18%) of SAEG by increasing its solubility and interface sorption capacity and enhancing the zeta potential within the emulsion (p < 0.05). Compared with the SAEG-emulsion gel, the SAEG-UCA-emulsion gel exhibited a more compact and denser gel structure, higher crystallinity (30.71%), bound water content and viscosity, and superior rheological stability (lower loss factor) and elasticity. Furthermore, the SAEG-UCA-emulsion gel showed superior oxidative stability, and higher chewiness (32.35 g), springiness (0.77), hardness (78.63 g), and cohesiveness (0.72) than SAEG-emulsion gel. Additionally, the SAEG-UCA-emulsion gel improved the photostability, encapsulation and loading capacities, and bioaccessibility of curcumin (p < 0.05). However, more specific mechanisms should be investigated in future research. Full article

Background/Objectives: Hybrid microparticles (HMP) based on silylated vegetable oils have recently emerged as promising carriers for the sustained delivery of poorly water-soluble drugs, offering a controlled release without a burst effect and excellent biocompatibility. However, their limited degradability and the acidic conditions required for the sol–gel encapsulation process restrict their biomedical applicability, particularly for acid-sensitive active compounds. The aim of the present study was to develop new degradable vegetable oil-based HMP with improved drug-solubilization capacity while preserving compatibility with acid-sensitive molecules through an adapted mild sol–gel process, buffered with sodium citrate. Methods: Two new modified oils were synthesized from castor oil derivatives, including a monoglyceride (glyceryl monoricinoleate) and a polylactic acid (PLA) conjugate, to enhance both solubilization capacity and degradability. The acid-sensitive, lipophilic antitumor compound JMV5038 was used as a model drug. Modified oils were evaluated for drug-solubilization capacity, and the resulting HMPs were characterized for particle size, encapsulation efficiency, in vitro release kinetics, cytocompatibility, antiproliferative activity against melanoma cells, and in vitro enzymatic degradability. The sol–gel protocol was optimized to minimize drug degradation during encapsulation. Results: Microparticles (20–111 µm) exhibited a hybrid composition with efficient cross-linking. Encapsulation efficiencies of 85–100% were achieved, aided by up to 10-fold higher drug solubility in the new oils compared to original ICOe. Release kinetics were sustained and linear (11–53 days), fastest for IGRe- and slowest for ICOLAe-based HMP. Enzymatic degradation reached up to 46% after 30 days in the presence of fungal lipases, twofold higher than previously published ICOe microparticles, with ICOLAe degrading fastest due to PLA incorporation. Encapsulated JMV5038 retained its cytotoxic efficacy against A375 melanoma cells. Conclusions: These results highlight the promising use of such microparticles as versatile carriers for the prolonged release of lipophilic and acid-sensitive drugs. Full article

Background: Endotoxemia and oxidative stress may contribute to adverse body-composition changes in patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis, but their relationships with adiposity and muscularity remain incompletely defined. We investigated whether the concentrations of circulating lipopolysaccharide (LPS), soluble NOX2-derived peptide (sNox2-dp), and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) showed differential associations with bioimpedance-derived body-composition compartments and explored their relationships with normalized protein catabolic rate (nPCR), a surrogate of protein intake. Methods: In this observational, cross-sectional study, adult patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis were enrolled at a single center. Serum LPS and sNox2-dp and H₂O₂ concentrations were measured before dialysis. Body composition was assessed by bioimpedance analysis; fat mass (FM) was used as an index of adiposity, whereas intracellular water indexed to height squared (ICW/h²) was used as a proxy of muscularity. Associations were examined using Spearman correlation and multivariable linear regression adjusted for age, sex, and nPCR. Results: A total of 58 participants were included with a median age of 73 years; 64% were male and mean body mass index was 24.6 ± 4.2 kg/m². LPS correlated with sNox2-dp (rho = 0.420, p = 0.001), whereas sNox2-dp correlated with H₂O₂ (rho = 0.352, p = 0.007); the LPS–H₂O₂ association was borderline (rho = 0.259, p = 0.050). sNox2-dp correlated positively with fat-free mass, total body water, ICW, and ICW/h², whereas LPS correlated with FM (rho = 0.305, p = 0.023). Participants with nPCR > 0.89 g/kg/day had higher LPS concentrations than those with lower nPCR (p = 0.015), and nPCR correlated with ICW/h² (rho = 0.36, p = 0.007). In multivariable analysis, LPS remained independently associated with FM (β = 0.210, p = 0.046). nPCR was positively associated with ICW/h² at the threshold of statistical significance (β = 1.393, p = 0.050), whereas sNox2-dp showed a nonsignificant positive trend (p = 0.060). Conclusions: In maintenance hemodialysis, endotoxemia and NOX2 activation showed differential associations with body composition: LPS with adiposity and sNox2-dp with muscularity. Higher nPCR was associated with both greater muscularity and higher LPS concentrations, suggesting a complex relationship between protein intake, the gut–oxidative-stress axis, and body composition. Full article

Background/Objectives: Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is an important regulator of pulmonary vascular tone; however, the mechanisms underlying its biphasic contractile and relaxant effects, as well as the distinct contributions of endogenous and exogenous H₂S to nitric oxide (NO) signaling, remain incompletely understood. This study investigated the roles of endogenous and exogenous H₂S in regulating pulmonary vascular responses under physiological and oxidative stress conditions. Methods: Rat intrapulmonary arteries were studied using wire myography and simultaneous measurements of vascular force and intracellular Ca²⁺. Pharmacological inhibitors were used to examine the contribution of endogenous H₂S synthesis, NO synthase, soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC), K_ATP channels, and oxidative stress to vascular responses. Results: Sodium hydrogen sulfide (NaHS) produced biphasic concentration-dependent responses, with contraction at low concentrations followed by relaxation at higher concentrations. Simultaneous measurements of vascular force and intracellular Ca²⁺ showed that the initial contractile response to low concentrations of NaHS was not accompanied by a clear increase in intracellular Ca²⁺, whereas relaxation developed despite maintained or increasing intracellular Ca²⁺, indicating that NaHS-induced relaxation cannot be explained solely by reduced intracellular Ca²⁺ levels. Inhibition of endogenous H₂S synthesis reduced vascular responsiveness to the NO donor sodium nitroprusside, whereas relaxation induced by exogenous NaHS was largely preserved after inhibition of NO synthase or sGC, indicating distinct roles of endogenous and exogenous H₂S. Oxidative stress impaired acetylcholine- and riociguat-induced relaxation, while NaHS partially restored endothelial function. Conclusions: Endogenous and exogenous H₂S regulate pulmonary vascular tone through distinct mechanisms. Endogenous H₂S supports vascular responsiveness to NO, whereas exogenous H₂S induces relaxation largely independently of NO–sGC signaling. Furthermore, NaHS-induced relaxation occurs despite maintained intracellular Ca²⁺, suggesting an important contribution of Ca²⁺-independent mechanisms, and partially preserves endothelial function under oxidative stress. Full article

A water-soluble, low-molecular-weight polysaccharide fraction, designated OJP-2, was extracted from the roots of Ophiopogon japonicus; its structural characteristics and immunomodulatory activity in macrophages were subsequently investigated. OJP-2 exhibited a narrow apparent molecular weight distribution with an average molecular weight (Mw) of 3568 Da and was primarily composed of fructose (0.784) and glucose (0.208). Structural analysis—integrating UV spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and 1D/2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy—revealed that OJP-2 is an inulin-type fructan. Its structure is characterized predominantly by β-(2→1)-linked Fruf chains and terminal α-D-Glcp residues, with potential signals indicating C-6-substituted Fruf units. In vitro immunological studies demonstrated that OJP-2 promoted nitric oxide (NO) production and enhanced the secretion of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α in RAW264.7 macrophages. Under LPS/IFN-γ stimulation, OJP-2 induced non-monotonic changes in the CD86/CD206 macrophage phenotype, with the most pronounced effects observed at a concentration of 50 μg/mL. Furthermore, Western blot analysis showed that, compared to the Model group, treatment with OJP-2 resulted in a downward trend in the relative levels of p-p65/p65 and p-IκBα/IκBα across the tested concentration range. Collectively, these findings indicate that OJP-2 modulates macrophage activation phenotypes and influences NF-κB-related signaling pathways. Thus, OJP-2 is a candidate fructan for further investigation of immunomodulatory activity. Full article

Multicomponent antibiotic–anti-inflammatory systems have recently attracted considerable attention, as this combination is becoming a standard therapy for infectious diseases. This study aimed to develop a multicomponent system comprising norfloxacin (NOR), an old fluoroquinolone antibiotic, and niflumic acid (NIF), another old, poorly soluble anti-inflammatory drug, to improve the physicochemical properties, antibiotic potency, and anti-inflammation effect, as well as their safety. First, a phase diagram was constructed to ensure solid-state reaction and to predict its stoichiometry; subsequently, the multicomponent system was prepared by solvent-drop grinding. The product was analyzed by a series of thermal analyses and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD). Next, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance elucidated the molecular interactions, and the final 3D structure was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, followed by Hirshfeld surface analysis. Afterward, the solubility and chemical stability were assessed using high-performance liquid chromatography, and the physical stability of the multicomponent system was evaluated by PXRD. Antimicrobial potency against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, as well as anti-inflammatory activity in vivo, were also evaluated. The results demonstrated that a newly formed antibiotic–anti-inflammatory multicomponent system, named norfloxacin–niflumate (NORNIF), in a salt dihydrate form, significantly improved the stability and antibiotic potency of NOR, including against the resistant microbe, as well as the solubility and in vivo anti-inflammatory effect of NIF simultaneously. In addition, preliminary in silico studies using Swiss-ADME and ProTox-3 predicted that the salt was well absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract and could be classified as toxicity class 4 (non-toxic). Full article

This study investigated the differences between ripening patterns of two homozygous lineages of melons, yellow A5, a non-climacteric inodorus, and Charentais C1, a climacteric cantalupensis, regarding the physiological processes related to postharvest quality with a focus on carbohydrate metabolism and osmotic potential. Melons underwent significant changes as maturation progressed from 24 to 34 days after pollination (DAP) for the non-climacteric A5 lineage and from 18 to 28 DAP for the C1 climacteric lineage. The most discriminant variables for the non-climacteric pattern of A5 melons were the higher activity of cell wall hydrolase PME and lower firmness, the higher activity of enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism, and sucrose accumulation. In contrast, climacteric C1 melons reach physiological maturity at 24 DAP, do not accumulate sucrose, and enzyme β-GAL plays a key role in cell wall breakdown, contributing to softening and to soluble solids content. A5 melons exhibited greater TSS and soluble solids content, and even though the osmotic potential did not change significantly, the VIP results highlighted it as an important variable for discriminating between its maturation stages. Meanwhile, in the C1 melon, the increase in soluble solids content influences the more negative values of osmotic potential, not by changes in TSS content, and thus may be associated with fruit growth. Full article

Objectives: Herpetrione (HPE) is a bioactive lignan recognized for its hepatoprotective properties; however, it exhibits limited oral bioavailability. This study aimed to classify HPE within the framework of the biopharmaceutics classification system (BCS) and to develop a nanoparticle formulation. Methods: To this end, a comprehensive investigation was conducted, encompassing computer prediction analysis, equilibrium solubility measurements across the gastrointestinal pH range, Caco-2 bidirectional transportation, in situ single-pass intestinal perfusion (SPIP), and molecular docking with P-glycoprotein (P-gp). Results: In silico analyses suggested that HPE possesses low solubility and low permeability characteristics. Experimental assays revealed pH-dependent solubility and inherently low aqueous dissolution. Unlike the computer prediction results, Caco-2 studies revealed moderate permeability but a high efflux ratio, suggestive of possible P-gp substrate activity for HPE, a finding further supported by molecular docking simulations. Conversely, SPIP studies demonstrated that the effective permeability (P_eff) of jejunal intestinal segments exceeded the high-permeability threshold, thereby classifying HPE as a high-permeability drug. Based on these findings, HPE was classified as a BCS class II compound. To overcome its solubility-limited absorption, a nanoparticle was developed, resulting in a marked enhancement of both solubility and dissolution rates. Conclusions: These findings underscore the importance of integrating experimental biopharmaceutical evaluations with computational tools when designing delivery systems for natural products. Full article

Degradation processes forming as a result of direct and indirect environmental interactions with soluble salts are important for the structural material of marble and in geotechnical applications. This is necessary, not only to identify the source and describe the material, but also to ensure the sustainability of artifacts and to be able to provide appropriate material for preservation and restoration. In this study, the durability of Afyon–İscehisar marbles (calcitic and dolomitic) to cyclic salt mist was investigated in a laboratory environment by considering weight, color, and ultrasonic pulse velocity values. Additionally, comprehensive experiments including mineralogical and petrographic investigations (polarizing microscope, X-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscope (SEM/EDX), geochemical investigations, and physical and mechanical tests) were performed to evaluate the durability against the effect of salt mist. The results show that the calcite content in the calcitic marbles varied from 96% to 99%, while the dolomite content in the dolomitic marbles reached 64%–74%, in line with microscopic and semi-quantitative XRD analyses and geochemical investigations. The calcitic–dolomitic differentiation was tightly controlled by the magnesium (Mg) content. With the effect of salt mist, the samples had negligible weight changes (0.02% in the KH sample) and there was no significant material loss in any of the groups. For color analyses, total color differences (ΔE) in the KH and MN samples reached 4.39 and 4.06, respectively, and exceeded the human perception threshold. The dolomitic KS and PB samples and calcitic KP sample had increases identified for ultrasonic pulse velocity. Contrary to this, the GR (calcitic) sample was found to have a 15.15% reduction in ultrasonic pulse velocity. These findings provide critical selection, performance prediction and preservation criteria for Afyon–İscehisar marbles in both modern structural engineering applications and in archeological studies. Full article