Search Results (12,413)

The performance of a sequencing batch biofilter granular reactor (SBBGR), followed by a dual media granular activated carbon (GAC) column, was evaluated in terms of its ability to remove selected per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from landfill leachate. The results show that the SBBGR achieved an overall reduction of 51%, with the preferential removal of long-chain PFAS, while short-chain PFAS were only partially removed. Subsequent GAC treatment exhibited compound-specific breakthrough behavior, which was governed by chain length. Short-chain PFAS (e.g., perfluorobutanoic acid) exhibited rapid bed volumes at 50% breakthrough (BV₅₀ ≈ 88), whereas long-chain PFAS (e.g., perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid) were substantially more retained (BV₅₀ ≈ 446 and 361, respectively), with perfluorohexanesulfonic acid and perfluorodecanoic acid failing to reach BV₅₀ within the monitored period. Mass balance analysis showed that the hybrid GAC column captured ~73% of the influent PFAS mass. This resulted in >80–95% retention of long-chain PFAS and <40% retention of short-chain PFAS. Although long-chain PFAS were preferentially adsorbed, mobile short-chain species dominated residual effluent loads. These findings highlight the need for optimized contact times or dual-media strategies to control the breakthrough of short-chain PFAS. Full article

This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and Cervus and Cucumis polypeptide (CCP) injections in rats with post-traumatic osteoarthritis (OA). The model was established by transection of the anterior cruciate ligament, and the animals were subsequently treated with PRP and CCP. Articular cartilage degeneration was assessed through gross morphological observation, histopathological staining, and a standardized scoring system. Concurrently, pain-related behaviors, joint swelling, levels of inflammatory cytokines, and markers associated with extracellular matrix degradation were measured. The results demonstrated that, compared with the OA model group, PRP and CCP exhibited varying degrees of functional improvement, specifically, a reduction in pain-related behaviors and an alleviation of joint swelling. Furthermore, cartilage morphological damage was diminished, inflammatory marker levels decreased, and indicators of extracellular matrix degradation were attenuated. Histopathological examination of liver and kidney tissues revealed no apparent abnormalities. This study provides valuable experimental evidence for further treatment strategies for OA. Full article

This article presents a new combined post-processing concept to improve the quality of laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) of 17-4PH stainless steel (SS) cylindrical parts fabricated from N₂-atomised LaserForm 17-4PH (B) powder. The concept is based on consecutive heat treatment procedures and diamond burnishing (DB) processes. A two-stage study was conducted. The first stage was an LPBF process experiment. The following combination of LPBF parameter values was selected after optimisation: a laser power of $\mathrm{P}=150 \mathrm{W}$, laser scanning speed of v = 1200 mm/s, and layer thickness of $\mathrm{t}=40 \mathsf{\mu }\mathrm{m}$. In the second stage, this combination was used to evaluate the effects of two heat treatment procedures (HT1 and HT2) and two DB processes (using burnishing forces of 100 N and 300 N) on the tensile properties and surface integrity of LPBF 17-4PH SS cylindrical samples. The HT2 procedure, including annealing $({1200}^{\circ }$, $4 \mathrm{h})$, solution treatment (${1060}^{\circ }$, $1 \mathrm{h})$, cooling (${-70 }^{\circ }\mathrm{C},2 \mathrm{h}$), and ageing (${482}^{\circ }$, $4 \mathrm{h}$) led to yield limit, tensile strength, and Vickers hardness values of $\mathrm{Y}\mathrm{L}=1071 \mathrm{M}\mathrm{P}\mathrm{a}$, $\mathrm{T}\mathrm{S}=1410 \mathrm{M}\mathrm{P}\mathrm{a}$, and $523 \mathrm{H}\mathrm{V},$ respectively. The concept presented takes advantage of the combination of the transformation, precipitation and strain-hardening effects. The combined effect was most pronounced in the samples subjected to the HT2 procedure and subsequent DB (300 N), for which a retained austenite fraction of 6.93%, surface microhardness of ${563 \mathrm{H}\mathrm{V}}_{0.05}$ and the maximum values of the compressive axial and hoop RSs of $-1426.3 \mathrm{M}\mathrm{P}\mathrm{a}$ and $-1095.9 \mathrm{M}\mathrm{P}\mathrm{a}$, respectively, were measured. Full article

Water pollution caused by antibiotics is a growing problem. Therefore, photodegradation by efficient catalysts is an environmentally friendly technology that can effectively degrade organic pollutants in water. In this work, a method was innovatively used to prepare a ternary heterostructure of plasmon-enhanced Ag-CuO/TiO₂. The composite was synthesized through a facile stepwise strategy involving the formation of CuO nanorods, TiO₂ coating, and subsequent deposition of Ag nanoparticles on their surface using AgNO₃, enabling intimate interfacial contact among the different components. The prepared samples were characterized by XRD, HRTEM, XPS, and UV-Vis. The chemical composition of the composite Ag-CuO/TiO₂ showed a Cu/Ti atomic ratio of 2.58, as well as a Ag/Cu ratio of 0.91. The UV-Vis spectrum reveals the largest absorption peak at 550 nm for the composite Ag-CuO/TiO₂. The prepared Ag-CuO/TiO₂ composites were applied to the visible-light degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride, with the photocatalytic degradation rate reaching 80.7% under the optimal conditions within 60 min, which is significantly better than CuO and CuO/TiO₂ without silver nanoparticles. Capture experiments indicated that h⁺ are involved during the course of the photodegradation and that h⁺ are the main active substances. Furthermore, the proposed mechanism for the photodegradation of the Ag-CuO/TiO₂ composites is given. It has potential applications in the treatment of organic pollutants in water. Full article

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) remains a major complication of extreme prematurity, driven in part by persistent inflammation. Interleukin (IL)-1–mediated signaling plays a central role in sustaining lung injury, making IL-1 blockade a potential therapeutic target. Evidence on the use of anakinra, a recombinant IL-1 receptor antagonist, in neonatal BPD is still limited. We report the case of a female preterm infant (28⁺² weeks’ gestation, birth weight 800 g, −1.41 zs) affected by BPD requiring prolonged respiratory support. Due to persistent respiratory failure despite standard therapies, off-label treatment with subcutaneous anakinra (5 mg/kg twice daily) was initiated at 150 days of life. Clinical respiratory parameters and exploratory salivary inflammatory biomarkers (IL-6 and soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor, suPAR) were longitudinally monitored. Following anakinra initiation, the patient showed a gradual improvement in respiratory parameters, with reduction in oxygen requirement, mean airway pressure, and improved gas exchange. Respiratory support was gradually de-escalated from nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation to continuous positive airway pressure and subsequently to high-flow nasal cannula. Salivary suPAR levels demonstrated a decreasing trend, while IL-6 showed transient fluctuations, partly associated with intercurrent infections. Treatment was generally well tolerated during the observation period. The infant was discharged on minimal respiratory support, with continued improvement during follow-up. This case suggests a possible role of IL-1 blockade in the modulation of persistent inflammation in BPD with a refractory clinical course, although the observed clinical course may also reflect the natural evolution of the disease. Longitudinal salivary biomarkers may represent a feasible, exploratory, non-invasive approach to describe inflammatory dynamics over time. Larger prospective studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and optimal treatment protocols of anakinra. Full article

Historical buildings are highly prone to degradation because they are continuously exposed to the external environment, which represents an extremely aggressive factor. Globally, there are so many historical buildings that need urgent restoration. This paper focuses on finding a new consolidant for real oak old wood and presents a new recipe based on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) decorated with zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles dispersed in PHBHV solution, aimed at improving old wood properties. The research was conducted on Banloc Castle oak wood, which is predominant throughout the castle. The obtained treatment was applied by brushing onto the wood surface, while the retention and uniform application of the consolidation were confirmed by optical microscopy. One major advantage of the treatment is that the natural color of the wood is not affected, with the total color difference being very small. Another advantage gained after consolidation was the enhanced hydrophobic behavior of the old wood confirmed through water absorption, humidity and contact angle tests. In contrast, untreated wood exhibited hydrophilic behavior and high water and moisture absorption capacity, making aged wood extremely vulnerable to environmental degradation over time. Mechanical tests confirmed that the consolidant solution significantly improved the properties of the wooden material, due to the effective impregnation of the treatment into the wood structure. Furthermore, the MWCNT-based consolidant inhibited the growth of the Aspergillus niger strain, providing antifungal protection and preventing the colonization of microorganisms within the wood structure and its subsequent degradation. Through the methods investigated in this work, it was proven that the treatment is suitable for the consolidation of aged and degraded oak wood materials. Full article

Bamboo, as a rapidly renewable and sustainable material, has gained increasing attention in the construction, furniture, automotive interiors, and packaging industries due to its excellent mechanical properties, light weight, and environmental friendliness. However, the inherent flammability of bamboo, characterized by its porous structure and high hemicellulose content, poses a significant fire hazard that severely limits its wide application. This review systematically synthesizes recent advances in the fire performance and flame-retardant modification of bamboo-based materials. First, the thermal degradation behavior and combustion mechanisms of bamboo are discussed in relation to its primary chemical constituents, including cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Subsequently, various flame-retardant strategies are reviewed, including inorganic flame retardants, phosphorus–nitrogen systems, nanomaterial-based additives, and bio-based flame-retardant approaches. The effectiveness of different modification techniques, such as impregnation treatment, adhesive modification, and surface coating, is also analyzed. Future research directions are proposed, emphasizing the development of environmentally friendly flame-retardant systems, multifunctional modification strategies, and the design of high-performance flame-retardant bamboo-based materials. This review aims to provide a comprehensive framework for advancing the fire safety design and sustainable application of bamboo-based materials. Full article

Diesel is a major soil contaminant that poses significant environmental risks, making its removal essential. This study investigates the synergistic application of thermal desorption (TD) and thermal plasma for the remediation of diesel-contaminated soil, while simultaneously converting desorbed contaminants into valuable gaseous products. Artificially contaminated soil (25 g/kg) was treated by TD at 250–300 °C and the resulting off-gas and volatilized diesel were subsequently processed in a thermal plasma system. Soil samples were characterized using CHNS, EDX, FTIR, and TGA/DTG analyses, while gas composition was determined using a gas analyzer. The results demonstrate that TD achieved diesel removal efficiencies of up to 86% at 300 °C and 65% at 250 °C. TD off-gas and volatilized diesel were predominantly converted into synthesis gas (H₂ + CO) in a thermal plasma environment, with H₂ and CO concentrations reaching up to 15.49 vol% and 7.61 vol%, respectively, depending on the plasma-forming gas, carrier gas flow rate, and remediation temperature. Thermal treatment of diesel-contaminated soil significantly altered key physicochemical properties, including reduced organic matter content, increased soil compaction, and temperature-dependent shifts in pH and nitrogen speciation (decreased NO₃⁻-N and increased NH₄⁺-N). These changes were accompanied by enhanced phosphorus availability, indicating substantial thermally induced transformation of soil nutrients. Phytotoxicity assessment using Lepidium sativum in a soil leachate-based bioassay indicated that higher treatment temperature (300 °C) increased toxicity and inhibited plant growth, whereas treatment at 250 °C resulted in lower phytotoxicity. These findings highlight the adaptability of the proposed combination of methods enabling effective soil remediation while supporting energy recovery. Full article

In light of our previous publication, we hypothesized that chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells also recruit monocytes to acquire survival advantage. To test this, we treated Buffy coat-driven monocytes with exosomes isolated from the peripheral blood of 45 treatment-naïve patients. The CLL-derived exosomes turned monocytes into IL-6-producing cells as an increase of 13-fold in the IL-6 levels was obtained in the growth medium of the exposed monocytes. Subsequently, we filtered out the monocytes and added CLL cells to this IL-6 enriched medium. As a result, the oncogene STAT3 became phosphorylated, and thus may have provided the cells with a survival advantage. A total of 67 phosphoproteins were upregulated in response to CLL-derived exosomal exposure in the recipient monocytes, with TFIIF being among the top scored proteins in this analysis. Transfection of monocytes with a TFIIF-containing vector increased the levels of IL-6 about 14-fold in the culture medium. Importantly, the CLL-derived exosomes induced the transformation of a portion of the recipient monocytes (45% compared to 30% of the unexposed cells) to become nurse-like fibrocyte cells. Taken together, CLL cells communicate with monocytes through the exosomes that they release. Once they are taken up by monocytes, they turn them into IL-6-producing cells, which provide a survival advantage to the neoplastic cells, creating a vicious circle that promotes disease progression. Full article

Background: Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) represents a group of rare systemic autoimmune disorders marked by inflammation and damage to small- and medium-sized blood vessels. The clinical presentation of AAV is highly variable, ranging from isolated organ involvement to severe, life-threatening multisystem disease, posing significant challenges in diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. Objective: To demonstrate the clinical heterogeneity and different outcomes in three pediatric cases of ANCA-positive disease and emphasize the importance of integrating clinical findings with laboratory and imaging investigations for accurate diagnosis. Methods: We present three pediatric patients (ages 12–15 years) with ANCA-positive results but distinct clinical presentations, evaluated at the Children’s Emergency Hospital “Louis Turcanu”, Timisoara, between 2020 and 2024. All cases were investigated according to EULAR/PRINTO/PReS criteria for pediatric vasculitis. Results: Case 1 (PR3-ANCA positive) developed severe multi-organ involvement, including granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) with pulmonary hemorrhage, pericarditis, thrombotic events, and renal impairment, requiring intensive immunosuppression with cyclophosphamide, rituximab, and mycophenolate mofetil, ultimately developing chronic kidney disease stage 3a. Case 2 (BPI-ANCA positive) presented with purpuric lesions and painless joint swelling, responding favorably to corticosteroid therapy with subsequent remission. Case 3 (MPO-ANCA) manifested as polyarticular arthritis without other organ involvement and was ultimately diagnosed as seronegative juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), achieving complete remission with adalimumab therapy. Conclusions: This case series highlights the diverse clinical and biological features of ANCA-positive conditions in children, emphasizing that ANCA positivity requires careful clinical correlation as it may indicate true vasculitis requiring aggressive treatment or alternative diagnoses such as JIA with incidental ANCA positivity. Tailored therapeutic strategies based on clinical presentation and continued research are essential to improve patient outcomes. Full article

Plasma-assisted nitrogen fixation has emerged as a promising strategy for sustainable nitrate production. However, the coexistence of multiple interfaces and complex multi-step reaction pathways within the plasma-liquid system often leads to the formation of mixed nitrogen species, posing a significant challenge for achieving high product selectivity. In this study, a dual-cell reactor was introduced in liquid-phase plasma (LPP) system, enabling selective product distribution. Optical emission spectroscopy revealed pronounced signals corresponding to the second positive system (SPS) of N₂ and the first negative system (FNS) of N₂⁺, indicative of strong plasma excitation and ionization processes that facilitated the formation of reactive nitrogen oxide intermediates. These species were subsequently converted into aqueous NO₂⁻ and further oxidized into NO₃⁻ only in the reaction cell where reactive species are generated. The effects of key parameters, including electrode material, treatment time, solution pH, and discharge conditions, were comprehensively evaluated. As a result, the reaction cell achieved a nitrate selectivity of 98.9%, whereas the absorption cell achieved a nitrite selectivity of 100%. Findings from EPR and scavenger analyses collectively provide a detailed mechanistic understanding of LPP-driven nitrogen fixation and highlight the importance of controlling plasma parameters to achieve highly selective production of nitrogen compounds. Full article

Background: Although less frequently encountered, aortic valve stenosis is associated with complications separate from its hemodynamic burdens, such as infective endocarditis. Case Summary: We report the case of a 77-year-old female patient with regular cardiac follow-up in the setting of an asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis, who presented to the emergency department with signs and symptoms of sepsis and acute decompensated heart failure. Echocardiography revealed two vegetations attached to the tricuspid valve, an abscess of the anterior aortic ring, and a high-velocity ventricular septal defect. The patient was started on adequate antibiotic therapy. Surgical treatment in an urgent manner (within a few days) was decided by the Heart Team, in accordance with the ESC guidelines on the management of infective endocarditis. Whilst awaiting surgery, the patient presented with a sudden hemodynamic deterioration a few days after diagnosis, with cardiopulmonary arrest and subsequent death. Discussion: We hypothesize that the patient developed an infective endocarditis of the degenerated stenotic aortic valve with extension from left to right via a ventricular septal defect, the development of which was facilitated by the high trans-aortic valve gradient. Some reported cases describe a ventricular septal defect as a complication of native aortic valve endocarditis, though not all involve concomitant aortic stenosis. In conclusion, our case illustrates a very rare scenario of infective endocarditis complicating aortic stenosis with fulminant development. This case highlights a rare, albeit severe complication associated with aortic stenosis and therapeutic challenges in managing the dismal evolution of endocarditis in this setting. Full article

Background/Objectives: The therapeutic arsenal for axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) now includes multiple biologic and targeted synthetic DMARDs (b/tsDMARDs). Following the failure of an advanced therapy, clinicians may either cycle (switch to another drug with the same mechanism of action) or swap (switch to a drug with a different mechanism). The optimal strategy remains unclear. This study aimed to compare the real-world effectiveness of cycling versus swapping in axSpA patients. Methods: This mono-centric, retrospective observational study included axSpA patients who failed ≥1 line of b/tsDMARD therapy. Subsequent treatment courses were classified as cycling (CG) or swapping (SG). Drug retention rates were compared using Kaplan–Meier analysis. A Cox proportional hazards model identified factors associated with treatment persistence. Results: We analyzed 156 patients (59 radiographic, 97 non-radiographic), corresponding to 343 treatment courses (CG: 213; SG: 130). Retention rates at 1, 2, and 3 years were 62.7%, 49.3%, and 39.2% (CG) versus 69.8%, 47.8%, and 31.8% (SG) (HR: 1.13, 95% CI: 0.83–1.53; p = 0.442). In the multivariable model, only a more recent prescription year was associated with higher discontinuation risk (HR: 1.08 per year, 95% CI: 1.03–1.12; p < 0.001). Conclusions: In this real-world cohort, cycling and swapping strategies demonstrated comparable treatment persistence over three years following advanced therapy failure in axSpA. The choice of subsequent therapy should be individualized, as no strategy proved superior. Full article

Peptide-based cancer vaccines have emerged as a prominent focus in contemporary oncological research, as the quest for innovative cancer treatment modalities continues to gain momentum. A pivotal facet of their development is the precise delineation and characterization of immunogenic tumor antigens. In this context, VaxiJen stands out as one of the most widely used and cited computational servers for predicting immunogenicity, making it an invaluable tool for in silico antigen prediction. However, the database underpinning VaxiJen’s predictions has not undergone a comprehensive update for over fifteen years. To address this, a systematic search of the PubMed database was conducted to identify scholarly articles reporting data on novel immunogenic proteins and peptides undergoing human testing. The corresponding sequences of these proteins and peptides were subsequently curated from UniProtKB. Therefore, in this study, we introduce an updated dataset encompassing a repertoire of tumor immunogens, comprising 546 full-length human proteins and 212 human tumor peptides, as well as tumor non-immunogens, comprising 548 full-length human proteins and 181 human tumor peptides. The recently compiled VaxiGen tumor dataset is openly accessible. Researchers can conveniently download, search, and process it. This dataset, when paired with a suitable negative dataset, can further serve as a valuable training set, thereby facilitating improved predictions of the potential immunogenicity of hitherto uncharacterized protein or peptide sequences. Full article

15Cr14Co12Mo5Ni2, as a new type of low-carbon high-alloy aviation gear steel, has shown significant application potential in the transmission systems of aero engines due to its excellent high-temperature performance. In this paper, the aviation gear steel 15Cr14Co12Mo5Ni2 was treated by a carburizing and quenching process. The microstructure distributions of the carburized and quenched aviation gear steel at different austenitization temperatures (1020 °C, 1050 °C and 1080 °C) were analyzed by OM, SEM and EBSD. Subsequently, the axial tension–compressive fatigue tests (stress ratio R = −1) were carried out using a high-frequency fatigue testing machine after heat treatment at different austenitization temperatures, and the stress–number of cycles (S-N) curves were obtained by fitting the number of fatigue fracture cycles. The fracture morphologies were observed by SEM and the fracture mechanisms were analyzed. The research results show that the distribution of the microstructure and carbides exhibits gradient characteristics, and the carbide content decreases and the effective carburized layer depth decreases from 0.65 mm to 0.45 mm with increasing austenitization temperature, and the main carbide types are M₂₃C₆ and M₇C₃. The fatigue life of 15Cr14Co12Mo5Ni2 gear steel decreases as the austenitization temperature increases. Within the selected temperature range of 1020 °C, 1050 °C, and 1080 °C in this study, the fitted fatigue strengths at a given fatigue life of 10⁶ cycles are 192 MPa, 183 MPa, and 158 MPa, respectively. No obvious crack initiation site can be directly observed from the fracture morphologies of all specimens. Based on the characteristics of crack propagation, it is inferred that the crack source is located in the core or near-core region, and the cracks propagate outward from the core and the propagation rate accelerates with the increasing austenitization temperature, eventually fracturing in the carburized layer. The fracture mechanism of 15Cr14Co12Mo5Ni2 gear steel at the austenitization temperatures of 1020 °C was a mixed mode of intergranular and cleavage brittle fracture, while at 1050 °C and 1080 °C, it was mainly brittle fracture accompanied by local ductile fracture. Full article