Search Results (15,629)

Major depressive disorder (MDD) affects over 330 million people globally, yet up to 30% of patients fail initial pharmacotherapy due to genetic variability in drug metabolism. This narrative review synthesizes evidence on pharmacogenomic (PGx) guided approaches for MDD, emphasizing their integration with POC diagnostics and engineering solutions. Approximately 40–50% of patients carry actionable variants in CYP2C19 or CYP2D6, which govern the metabolism of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Landmark trials (GUIDED, PRIME Care, GAPP-MDD) and meta-analyses demonstrate that PGx-informed prescribing modestly but significantly improves remission and response rates, particularly in treatment-resistant depression. Established guidelines from CPIC and the Dutch Pharmacogenetics Working Group provide actionable recommendations for CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 phenotypes. Emerging POC platforms, including Genomadix Cube and Genedrive, now deliver CYP2C19 results within one hour, supporting rapid clinical decisions. However, psychiatric-specific implementation data remain limited compared to cardiology; current POC devices lack multi-gene capabilities, and most studies underrepresent diverse populations. Persistent barriers include variable reimbursement, limited clinician education, and fragmented electronic health record integration. Future directions include pre-emptive genotyping, expanded multi-gene panels, and embedded clinical decision support. With continued engineering innovation and rigorous validation, PGx-guided care holds promise for reducing the trial-and-error burden and advancing precision psychiatry. Full article

Corrosion continues to be a major concern in industrial systems, causing material degradation and raising maintenance costs. In recent years, plant-derived corrosion inhibitors have gained interest as environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional chemical treatments. In this work, ethanolic extracts from the leaves of Citrus limon (L.) Osbeck and Eucalyptus globulus Labill. were evaluated as green corrosion inhibitors for C45 carbon steel in 1 M HCl solution. The extracts were prepared by continuous Soxhlet extraction and characterized through antioxidant activity measurements using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl DPPH radical scavenging method, gravimetric (weight loss) tests, and electrochemical techniques including potentiodynamic polarization. In addition, the extraction parameters were optimized using a face-centered central composite design (CCD) within a response surface methodology (RSM) framework, and the resulting models were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA). The effects of inhibitor concentration and temperature on corrosion inhibition performance were systematically examined. The antioxidant assay indicated that E. globulus extract reached a scavenging activity above 95% at 1000 mg/L, while C. limon extract showed moderate activity around 71%. Gravimetric tests revealed that both extracts reduced the corrosion rate, with optimal inhibition efficiencies of approximately 67% for C. limon (at 0.3 g/100 mL) and 82% for E. globulus (at 1.0 g/100 mL). Beyond these optimal concentrations, a decline in performance was observed, suggesting surface saturation. The statistical optimization showed that the C. limon response model was solvent-driven (R² = 92.05%), whereas the E. globulus model was curvature-driven (R² = 95.45%), with contrasting response surface topographies. Electrochemical measurements confirmed that both extracts acted as mixed-type inhibitors, shifting the corrosion potential toward less negative values and reducing the corrosion current density. Overall, E. globulus extract demonstrated superior performance across all methods, and both extracts represent promising candidates for sustainable corrosion protection in acidic industrial environments. Full article

Neurological and mental disorders are among the main causes of disability worldwide, affecting over three billion people and increasing the socioeconomic burden. Advances in molecular genetics and genome engineering have led to gene-targeted therapies that address root causes rather than just symptoms. This review covers current genome-editing tools, including CRISPR/Cas, base editing, and prime editing. The focus is on the benefits of gene editing in the central nervous system, where post-mitotic neurons allow lasting effects after a single treatment. It also discusses emerging delivery platforms such as viral vectors, nanoparticles, and exosome systems, as well as methods to bypass the blood–brain barrier. Recent clinical progress in spinal muscular atrophy, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease is highlighted, with promising preclinical results for autism, bipolar disorder, epilepsy, and other neurogenetic conditions. The review concludes with regulatory issues, market trends, and ongoing clinical trials, underscoring the potential of gene therapies to transform disease management and provide long-term solutions. Full article

Background/Objectives: The human brain is responsible for controlling various physiological functions, and hence, the presence of tumors in the brain is a major concern in the medical field. The correct identification and categorization of tumors in the brain using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a major requirement for the diagnosis and treatment of a tumor. The proposed research will focus on designing a CNN model that is optimized for tumor image classification. Methods: This research proposes an optimized CNN model featuring strategically placed dropout layers and hyperparameter optimization. This study uses a dataset of 640 MRI scans (320 tumor and 320 non-tumor) collected from a private hospital in Saudi Arabia. The proposed method utilizes a learning rate of 0.001 in combination with the Adam optimizer to ensure stable and efficient convergence. Its performance was benchmarked against established architectures, including VGG-19, Inception V3, ResNet-10, and ResNet-50, with evaluation based on classification accuracy and computational cost. Results: The experimental results show that the optimized CNN proposed in this work performs much better than the deeper architectures. The network reached a maximum training accuracy of 97.77% and a final test accuracy of 95.35% with a small test loss of 0.2223. The test accuracy of the optimized VGG-19 and Inception V3 networks was much lower, with a training time per epoch that was several orders of magnitude higher. The validation stability of the proposed network was high (92.25% to 95.35%) during the final stages of training. Conclusions: The conclusion drawn from this study is that hyperparameter optimization and strategic regularization are more advantageous for tumor classification using MRI images than the mere depth of the model. The accuracy of 95.35% with low computational complexity makes this lightweight CNN model a feasible solution for real-time applications. Full article

Microbial electrochemical technologies (METs) have emerged as promising approaches for coupling wastewater treatment with energy and resource recovery. Considerable progress has been made in elucidating extracellular electron transfer, biofilm behavior, and electrode development, enabling laboratory systems to achieve high removal efficiencies under controlled conditions. Despite these advances, implementation in real treatment infrastructure remains limited. This review evaluates the progression of METs from laboratory studies to pilot-scale and field applications within the wider landscape of electrochemical wastewater treatment. The effects of reactor setup, material strength, and operational difficulty on performance at different scales are emphasized. Evidence from recent pilots consistently shows reduced energy recovery, along with challenges such as internal resistance, mass-transfer constraints, fouling, and cathode degradation. Laboratory-scale MFC systems have reported peak power densities of up to 23,000 mW/m² and normalized energy recoveries of up to 1.2 kWh/kg COD removed under optimized, controlled conditions; however, pilot-scale systems typically recover only 0.01–0.05 kWh/kg COD removed, representing one to two orders of magnitude below laboratory-reported values. This contrast underscores the persistent gap between controlled experimental performance and operational reality. Proposed solutions, such as modular scale-out, membrane simplification, and the use of low-cost, replaceable materials, are assessed based on their maturity and practical applicability. Techno-economic and life-cycle analyses indicate that component longevity and integration strategy are often more decisive than peak electrochemical output. METs are therefore most likely to provide near-term benefits in hybrid or niche applications rather than as standalone replacements. Advancement toward wider implementation will require standardized metrics, long-term demonstrations, and engineering designs prioritizing robustness and maintainability. Full article

Soil contamination in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is increasingly driven by rapid industrialization, intensive agriculture, mining activities, and urban expansion, posing significant risks to food safety, ecosystem services, and human livelihoods. Despite the growing scale of the problem, low-cost, locally adaptable remediation technologies are widely available and technically feasible within the region. Organic waste and waste-derived products—such as compost, manure, biochar, vermicompost, digestate, and agro-industrial residues—have emerged as sustainable and cost-effective amendments for the remediation of contaminated soils. These materials can immobilize heavy metals, enhance the microbial degradation of organic pollutants, and improve soil health, making them especially suitable for resource-constrained settings. This review synthesizes the current knowledge on the use of organic waste-based remediation approaches in SSA, highlighting technologies already applied at the laboratory, pilot, and field scales, as well as their effectiveness across different contaminant types. However, despite their demonstrated potential, their widespread adoption remains limited. The primary challenge is not the absence of affordable solutions, but rather the systemic constraints characteristic of many SSA countries, including limited technical capacity, weak policy and regulatory frameworks, low stakeholder awareness, and insufficient financial and institutional support for large-scale implementation. To enable broader uptake, there is a need to strengthen waste segregation and treatment systems, standardize composting and pyrolysis processes, and develop robust regulatory guidelines and certification schemes. Investments in monitoring infrastructure, practitioner training, and knowledge transfer mechanisms will also be critical to translating scientific advances into scalable, field-ready solutions for sustainable soil remediation in SSA. Full article

For the purpose of investigating the hydrochemical signatures and formation processes of mine water at the Feicheng Coal Mine, a total of 61 samples—including fresh mine water (FLW), old goaf water (OGW), and old lode water (OLW)—were collected and examined via statistical and hydrochemical approaches for the assessment of mine water suitability for irrigation employed sodium content (Na%), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), permeability index (PI), and magnesium hazard ratio (MHR). The mine water proves slightly alkaline, featuring Na⁺ as the leading cation and SO₄²⁻/HCO₃⁻ as the leading anions. By average concentration, cations decrease in the order Na⁺ > Ca²⁺ > Mg²⁺, and anions decrease as SO₄²⁻ > HCO₃⁻ > Cl⁻. The hydrochemical types of OLW and FLW samples were primarily Ca-HCO₃ and Ca-Mg-Cl, whereas the OGW samples were predominantly of the Na-Cl-SO₄ and Na-HCO₃ types. Rock weathering serves as the main control on water chemistry, with hydrochemical components sourced largely from evaporite and carbonate dissolution. The sodium present in the water is likely attributable to silicate mineral dissolution or cation exchange processes. Cation exchange, with forward exchange dominant, is also a key hydrogeochemical process in the study area. SI results reveal that calcite and dolomite have reached saturation, while gypsum and halite remain undersaturated and tend to dissolve further. Irrigation suitability assessments indicate that most of the water quality in the Feicheng Coal Mine is excellent or good. A limited number of samples exhibited relatively high salinity, and most of them can be directly irrigated. To this end, this study proposes targeted treatment solutions, thus facilitating mine water development and utilization. Full article

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of blindness and vision impairment in individuals over 60 years of age in the United States (US). Despite this, current treatment options have limitations related to drug efficacy and durability. Gene therapy provides a potential solution by providing a more durable and longer- acting treatment option that can decrease treatment burden and improve long-term visual outcomes. This review presents the current treatment approaches, routes of administration, and vectors being investigated for gene therapy delivery in AMD. It also provides an update on the ongoing gene therapy clinical trials for dry and wet AMD. As these therapies advance into later-stage clinical trials, ophthalmologists need to be mindful of the many challenges pertaining to gene therapy delivery, including safety, limitations related to immunogenicity, long-term ocular and systemic side effects, and potential barriers to drug manufacturing and access. Continued efforts are required to improve precision, safety, and efficacy, including identifying the safest and most effective vectors and delivery routes, and minimizing potential adverse effects. In addition, guidelines need to be established to guide appropriate patient selection before gene therapy can be integrated into clinical practice. Full article

This study investigates the mechanism of cell death associated with discharge plasma treatment from the perspective of electrical energy injection, using equivalent circuit network analysis to represent cells, buffer solutions, and well plates as electrical components. Our analysis demonstrated that the observed cell death cannot be adequately explained by a One-Step Model, which assumes that cell death occurs when the total injected electrical energy simply reaches a specific threshold. Accordingly, we proposed a Two-Step Model that explicitly incorporates biological tolerance to external stimuli. In this model, a stimulus accumulates only when the instantaneous power exceeds a primary threshold, and cell death is induced only when this accumulated stimulus surpasses a secondary threshold of energy. The proposed Two-Step Model successfully reproduced the experimental cell death data. These findings suggest that plasma-induced cell death is not a simple physical destruction process governed solely by cumulative energy, but instead reflects a biologically regulated response characterized by a specific power-dependent tolerance. Consequently, this Two-Step Model could provide a theoretical foundation for future optimization of delivery conditions for macromolecules such as messenger RNA (mRNA). Full article

High-strength stainless steels are essential materials for critical load-bearing aerospace components, and solution treatment serves as a core process governing their strength–toughness balance. However, in novel multi-element alloy systems, the complex dissolution behavior of precipitates and its underlying mechanisms affecting matrix phase transformations require further investigation. This study systematically explores the thermodynamic evolution and microstructural response of a novel Fe-Ni-Cr-Mo-Al-Ti ultra-high-strength stainless steel during solution treatment. The research highlights how solution temperature drives Laves phase dissolution, controls prior austenite grain growth, redistributes local chemical elements, and dictates retained austenite stability. By establishing the relationship between microstructural features and macroscopic properties, this study aims to provide crucial theoretical guidance for optimizing heat treatment protocols to achieve superior comprehensive mechanical properties in advanced high-strength stainless steels. Full article

Water scarcity and pollution from anthropogenic activities are major challenges, increasing the need for sustainable wastewater treatment solutions. Constructed wetlands mimic natural wetland ecosystems using macrophytes and substrates, representing a possible nature-based solution aligned with circular economy principles and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. So, this revision integrates recent literature, providing an overview of natural wetlands and examining the design and operation of constructed wetland systems. Also, incorporates a case study that focuses on a constructed wetland implemented at an eco-friendly dog shelter in Portugal—a unique example globally—demonstrating practical wastewater treatment and small-scale water reuse, and offering insights for sustainable management. Performance assessment based on previous work indicates that the system effectively reduces most water quality parameters to levels compliant with national and European irrigation standards. Removal efficiencies exceeded 97% for chemical oxygen demand, total suspended solids, and turbidity, while maintaining low energy consumption and minimal maintenance. Overall, constructed wetlands emerge as a sustainable alternative to conventional wastewater treatment systems; however, several challenges remain to be addressed. Future research should focus on improved aeration strategies, optimized substrate–macrophyte combinations, and long-term monitoring under climate variability, with floating wetlands offering promising opportunities to further enhance treatment efficiency. Full article

A highly efficient ZnO/biochar (ZnO/BC) composite was synthesised from phytoremediation residue and evaluated for the advanced sonocatalytic degradation of malachite green in aqueous solutions. The structural, chemical, and morphological properties of the composite were characterised using physicochemical techniques, confirming the successful impregnation of zinc oxide (ZnO) onto the biochar matrix. The catalytic performance of the synthesised composite in treating malachite green was systematically evaluated and optimised using response surface methodology (RSM), specifically a central composite design (CCD), to analyse the interactive effects of initial dye concentration, catalyst loading, and ultrasonic irradiation time. The developed model exhibited a high coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.996 and an adequate precision of 62.67, confirming the model’s significance. Optimal degradation was observed at an initial malachite green concentration of 73.71 mg/L, a catalyst loading of 0.527 g/L, and a sonocatalytic treatment duration of 18.7 min. Furthermore, the ZnO/biochar composite demonstrated excellent mineralisation capabilities, with chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total organic carbon (TOC) removal efficiencies reaching 89.79% and 68.43%, respectively, after 60 min of treatment. These findings establish ZnO/BC as a highly active sonocatalyst, offering a promising approach for the remediation of organic dyes in industrial wastewater treatment. Full article

Fish oil (FO) has been shown to confer beneficial effects on hepatic diseases in both humans and animals. This study aimed to investigate whether dietary fish oil (FO) supplementation alleviates deoxynivalenol (DON)-induced liver injury by modulating the ferroptosis signaling pathway in weaned piglets. Twenty-four weaned piglets were allocated to a 2 × 2 factorial design, with the main factors consisting of dietary treatment (5% corn oil or 5% FO supplementation) and DON exposure (basal diet or diet contaminated with 4 mg/kg DON). After 21 days of dietary treatment, piglets were euthanized for collection of blood and liver samples. Dietary FO significantly attenuated DON-induced hepatic structural damage and inflammatory infiltration. Specifically, FO supplementation reduced the activities of aspartate transaminase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), as well as the AST/alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ratio following DON exposure. Dietary FO also decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations in both the liver and serum, lowered hepatic 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) level and Fe²⁺ content, and increased hepatic glutathione (GSH) content. Moreover, dietary FO ameliorated ultrastructural liver damage induced by DON. Furthermore, DON significantly downregulated the mRNA levels of multiple genes associated with iron metabolism and ferroptosis, including heat shock protein beta-1 (HSPB1), acyl-CoA synthetase long chain family member 4 (ACSL4), and arachidonate 15-lipoxygenase (ALOX15), and upregulated the mRNA levels of transferrin (TF), ferritin heavy chain (FTH), solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11), and transferrin receptor 1 (TFR1). Dietary FO counteracted these alterations by decreasing the mRNA of SLC7A11, TFR1, FTH, and TF after DON exposure. Finally, FO significantly decreased the protein expression of SLC7A11, iron-responsive element-binding protein 2 (IREB2), and FHT1 and increased the GPX4 protein expression following DON exposure. These findings suggest that FO may ameliorate DON-induced liver injury in weaned piglets, possibly through suppressing the ferroptosis signaling pathway. Full article

The circular economy necessitates the identification of waste management methods that minimise the use of environmental resources and do not generate secondary waste streams, whose management poses further challenges. The aim of this analysis was to evaluate the environmental and energy performance of slaughterhouse waste treatment using anaerobic digestion and incineration. The quantity of greenhouse gases emitted during slaughterhouse waste processing was adopted as the evaluation criterion. Although the incineration of slaughterhouse waste delivered a higher net energy yield compared with anaerobic digestion, it was characterised by substantially higher carbon dioxide emissions per unit of energy. Anaerobic digestion of poultry slaughterhouse waste demonstrated superior environmental performance, provided that the resulting digestate is utilised as a source of plant nutrients. The modification of the anaerobic digestion technology did not lead to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions per unit of energy produced. The most effective method for the treatment of poultry slaughterhouse waste was anaerobic digestion without co-digestion, combined with the use of digestate as a feedstock for fertiliser production. For small slaughterhouses generating less than 3 tonnes of waste per day, incineration was the more rational solution. The efficient utilisation of slaughterhouse waste critically depends on its processing at the place of generation. Full article

This study investigated the correlation between mechanical strengthening and electrochemical corrosion behavior in 18Ni300 maraging steel fabricated via laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). To evaluate the impact of post-processing, specimens were analyzed under four conditions: solution treated (S), solution peened (SP), solution aged (SA), and solution aged peened (SAP). The aging treatment (490 °C for 6 h) effectively enhanced the corrosion resistance by homogenizing the martensitic matrix and promoting the formation of a stable passive film, resulting in the lowest corrosion current density (<!-- MathType@Translator@5@5@MathML2 (no namespace).tdl@MathML 2.0 (no namespace)@ --> Full article