Search Results (4,481)

Background/Objectives: Synthetic stimulants represent the most prevalent subclass on the new psychoactive substances (NPSs) market. However, the toxicokinetic properties of M-ALPHA, a regioisomer of MDMA and N-methyl-cyclazodone a pemoline derivative, are not yet characterized. Methods: Therefore, this study investigated the metabolism of both NPSs in pooled liver S9 fraction and rat urine, characterized cytochrome P450 (CYP) kinetics and plasma protein binding (PPB), and assessed the CYP inhibition potential of M-ALPHA, using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-HRMS/MS). Results: Four metabolites of M-ALPHA were detected including one phase I and three phase II metabolites, resulting from demethylenation followed by subsequent methylation or glucuronidation. For N-methyl-cyclazodone, one phase I metabolite formed via N-demethylation was identified. The primary enzymes involved in M-ALPHA metabolism were CYP2B6 and CYP2D6. Notably, M-ALPHA inhibited these enzymes to a strong or moderate extent, respectively. In contrast, the metabolism of N-methyl-cyclazodone was primarily mediated by CYP2A6. PPB studies indicated low-to-moderate binding for both compounds, suggesting that significant protein-binding interactions are unlikely. Conclusions: As M-ALPHA only formed metabolites that overlapped with those of MDMA, differing only by minor retention time shifts, reliable HPLC-HRMS/MS-based identification may be challenging in clinical and forensic toxicology settings as well as doping analysis. Furthermore, drug–drug interactions following polydrug use cannot be excluded for either NPS, particularly when co-ingested with other CYP substrates metabolized by the same isoforms. Full article

Background/Objectives: Alcohol misuse among medical students is commonly attributed to academic stress, yet the specific role of coping mechanisms in this relationship has received limited attention. We investigated whether substance use coping, rather than stress exposure itself, drives alcohol use risk in Romanian medical students, and whether distinct coping-based subgroups can be identified through cluster analysis. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey among 244 medical students (mean age 21.95 ± 3.27 years; 67.2% female) at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Romania. Alcohol use was measured with the AUDIT and coping strategies with the Brief COPE. Analyses included Mann–Whitney U tests, Spearman correlations, multiple linear and binary logistic regression, and k-means clustering. Results: At-risk drinking (AUDIT ≥ 8) was identified in 19.7% of participants. The tendency to use substances to cope with stress (substance use coping) was the strongest predictor of AUDIT scores in both linear regression (B = 2.090, p < 0.001, R² = 0.513) and logistic regression (OR = 2.026, p < 0.001). Male sex independently predicted at-risk status (OR = 2.572, p = 0.025), while planning was protective in both models (B = −0.657, p = 0.005; OR = 0.691, p = 0.029). Humor also emerged as a significant risk factor (OR = 1.638, p = 0.005). K-means analysis (k = 5) revealed five coping profiles with significantly different AUDIT distributions (Kruskal–Wallis H = 47.26, p < 0.001). The Substance-Oriented cluster (13.1% of students) had a mean AUDIT of 12.66, compared with 3.00–4.13 in other clusters. Conclusions: In a subgroup of medical students, alcohol use appears integrated into the coping repertoire rather than merely being a consequence of stress. The identified coping profiles should be interpreted as prototypical configurations with overlapping boundaries rather than discrete categorical types, given the low silhouette coefficient (0.094) of the cluster solution. The strong predictive effect of substance use coping should be interpreted with the caveat that the Brief COPE Substance Use subscale and the AUDIT share content related to alcohol use behavior, which may inflate the observed association. These findings point to the need for coping-specific interventions. Planning skills training and a more nuanced understanding of humor’s role in drinking contexts may offer avenues for prevention. However, the logistic model’s sensitivity of 50.0% indicates that coping-based identification alone would miss approximately half of at-risk students, underscoring the need for further refinement before clinical application. Full article

Drought stress severely restricts agricultural productivity. Effective drought mitigation requires both improved rhizosphere water retention and enhanced nutrient availability. Poly-γ-glutamic acid (PGA) was expected to enhance water retention, while residue after evaporation (RAE) of 2-keto-L-gulonic acid fermentation was expected to supply labile carbon and promote nutrient mobilization. We hypothesized that their combined application would synergistically optimize the rhizosphere environment and enhance maize seedlings’ resistance to drought. A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the growth of maize under simulated drought conditions, containing four treatments: control (C), RAE alone (R), PGA alone (P), and their combination (M). Results demonstrated that the M treatment synergistically promoted maize seedling growth, increasing the seedling growth index by 125% compared to the control. Co-application also synergistically enhanced the accumulation of osmotic adjustment substances (proline, soluble proteins, and soluble sugars) and ascorbic acid content, while reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) level. Furthermore, the M treatment markedly increased soil ammonium nitrogen and total organic carbon, thereby improving soil moisture and optimizing the rhizosphere conditions. Mantel analysis revealed that the M treatment restructured soil bacterial communities and enzyme activities by enhancing nutrient and organic carbon availability, which subsequently improved overall soil properties. These findings suggest that co-application of PGA and RAE improves maize seedling drought resilience and soil nutrient supply, offering a promising and economically viable strategy for sustainable agriculture in drought-prone regions by valorizing industrial by-products. Full article

This study investigates the degradation characteristics, pathways, and mechanisms of ochratoxin A (OTA) by Weizmannia coagulans CGMCC 9951 (W. coagulans CGMCC 9951), as well as its detoxification effect on Cornus officinalis pulp through fermentation. The strain efficiently degraded 300 ng/mL of OTA within 72 h (98% degradation) under optimal conditions of 37 °C, pH 5.0, and 180 rpm. Active degradation substances were primarily localized in the cell-free supernatant (CF). The degradation activity was significantly inhibited by heat treatment, proteinase K, EDTA, Cu²⁺, and organic reagents, suggesting an enzymatic mechanism. UHPLC-MS and MS/MS analysis indicated that OTA appears to be degraded to a product consistent with ochratoxin α (OTα). Based on homology to known OTA-degrading carboxypeptidases, the gene encoding WGU28473.1 was selected, expressed in E. coli, and confirmed to possess OTA-degrading activity. Molecular docking suggested potential interactions between the enzyme and OTA. Under optimal conditions, co-fermentation with Cornus officinalis pulp contaminated with 300 ng/mL OTA for 96 h resulted in a 74% degradation of OTA. The fermentation process increased the pulp’s sugar content and ABTS⁺ free radical scavenging capacity, reduced acidity, and improved the safety of the pulp. These findings demonstrate that W. coagulans CGMCC 9951 efficiently degrades OTA and improves pulp quality, highlighting its potential as a starter culture for detoxifying OTA-contaminated food. Full article

Nitrogen and sulphur are among the most important plant nutrients (along with C, H, and O) and the main elements comprising the organic substance of plants. In this study, it is assumed that light soils (Cambisols) do not naturally meet the nitrogen and sulphur needs of spring wheat and, consequently, impact the phosphorus and silicon content in the plant biomass. Therefore, to determine the effect of N and S on the content and uptake of these elements at specific growth stages (BBCH 30–31: in leaves, BBCH 55–59: in whole plants, BBCH 89–90: in grain and straw), a three-year field experiment was conducted using different doses of nitrogen (0, 40, 80, and 120 kg ha⁻¹) and sulphur (0, 50 kg ha⁻¹). The results show that fertilisation with N and S had a significant effect on increasing the content and uptake of P and Si by phytomass in the phenostages studied. In general, as the N fertilisation dose increased, the yields of phytomass and grain increased. A beneficial effect of S on increases in green weight, straw, and spring wheat grain was found. A significant effect of N and S fertilisation on the growth of the Si:P ratio in individual parts of plants in the studied stages was also observed. A significant positive correlation between P and Si content was proven, indicating that the two elements do not act antagonistically towards each other. In contrast, a negative correlation was observed between the P content in plants and their Si uptake. Si is taken up more strongly by plants under conditions of N and S fertilisation, as evidenced by the increase in the Si:P ratio and the fact that plants accumulated on average 3.5 times more Si than P. The highest Si content was found in the green parts of plants in the BBCH 30–31 and BBCH 55–59 stages, while in BBCH 89–92, straw had nearly half that amount and grain contained a thousand times less silicon. Full article

Microplastics (MPs), particularly low-density polyethylene (LDPE), are widespread pollutants in aquatic environments and may affect cyanobacterial physiology. This study investigated the concentration-dependent effects of LDPE-MPs on the physiology and transcriptomic responses of Arthrospira platensis. Cultures were exposed to 10–5000 mg/L LDPE-MPs (nominal size ≤ 500 µm) for 16 days. Low to moderate concentrations (10–1000 mg/L) produced minimal effects on growth, biomass accumulation, or pigment contents. In contrast, higher concentrations (3000–5000 mg/L) were associated with reduced growth and biomass, accompanied by declines in chlorophyll a (Chl a) and phycobiliproteins over time. By day 16 at 5000 mg/L, biomass and Chl a decreased to 1.47 ± 0.03 g/L and 8.39 ± 0.24 µg/mL, respectively, compared with 1.64 ± 0.04 g/L and 10.81 ± 0.52 µg/mL in the control (p < 0.05). Accordingly, Chl a yield decreased by 13%. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy revealed adhesion of LDPE particles to filament surfaces and the formation of extracellular polymeric substance (EPS)-rich aggregates, which may influence light availability and nutrient exchange. Transcriptomic analysis indicated changes in several metabolic pathways, including nitrogen assimilation, photosynthetic electron transport, carbon metabolism, and metal homeostasis, together with differential expression of genes related to stress responses and EPS biosynthesis. Overall, these findings suggest that relatively high concentrations of LDPE microplastics may influence physiological and metabolic processes in A. platensis. Full article

The increasing consumption of pharmaceuticals associated with global population growth has intensified concerns regarding their release into aquatic environments and potential ecotoxicological effects. In this context, this study evaluated the ecotoxicity and biodegradation of the widely used corticosteroid prednisone. Ecotoxicity assays were performed using aquatic organisms representing different trophic levels: Artemia salina (microcrustacean), Aliivibrio fischeri (marine bacterium), and the cyanobacterium Microcystis novacekii. Biodegradation assays were conducted using M. novacekii. Prednisone was tested at concentrations ranging from 5 to 100 mg/L, corresponding to its maximum solubility in water. All experiments were carried out in accordance with standardized protocols (ABNT NBR 16530, ABNT NBR 15411-3, ISO 11348-3, and OECD 201). No toxic effects were observed for prednisone in any of the tested organisms, as responses at all tested concentrations, including the highest, were not significantly different from the control. Therefore, it was not possible to estimate EC50 values within the tested concentration range. According to the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), substances with effect concentrations above 100 mg/L are considered non-toxic to aquatic organisms. During biodegradation assays, a reduction in prednisone concentration was observed during the growth of M. novacekii, which was associated with an increase in the pH of the culture medium. These results suggest that prednisone degradation occurred indirectly through pH changes caused by cyanobacterial growth rather than through direct metabolic pathways. Full article

Microplastics (MPs) in wastewater treatment plants are predominantly retained in sewage sludge, making sludge processing a critical stage for MP transformation and potential pollutant release. However, the aging of polyethylene (PE) MPs and the release of MP-derived dissolved organic matter (MP-DOM) during sludge dewatering remain poorly understood. In this study, representative sludge conditioners were set up in dewatering experiments to investigate the changes in PE MP surface properties, pollutant-carrying potential, and MP-DOM release behavior. The results showed that sludge dewatering induced pronounced surface aging of PE MPs, including wrinkling, cracking, particle fragmentation, and the formation of polar oxygen-containing functional groups. These changes significantly increased the Cd adsorption potential of PE MPs, reaching 8228 ± 568 mg kg⁻¹. Lime conditioning promoted stronger fragmentation and a greater reduction in particle size than other conditionings, which likely increased the specific surface area. Meanwhile, a substantial release of PE MP-DOM was observed, with dissolved organic carbon concentrations in sludge process water being 2–30 times higher than those in deionized water. Fluorescence and molecular analyses showed that PE MP-DOM was dominated by protein-like and fulvic-like substances and also contained phthalates, fatty acids, and acetamide-based plasticizers. The magnitude and composition of PE MP-DOM release were strongly regulated by conditioner-induced pH and ionic strength. Alkaline conditions and increasing concentrations of Ca²⁺ (0.1–2.1 mol L⁻¹) and Fe³⁺ (0.006–0.6 mol L⁻¹) enhanced PE MP additive release. These findings demonstrate that sludge dewatering is an active process that accelerates PE MP aging and associated organic release. This work provides new insight into the environmental behavior of MPs during sludge treatment and offers a basis for developing sustainable sludge management. Full article

To reveal how the characteristic flavor of jasmine tea is generated, this study analyzed the coordinated changes in sensory properties, chemical components, and aroma migration behavior during scenting. Sensory evaluation, biochemical assays, and headspace solid-phase microextraction–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) integrated with orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) and relative odor activity value (rOAV) filtering were applied to tea samples before and after scenting. After scenting, aroma and taste scores increased significantly, and liquor color shifted from tender green to pale yellow. Amino acids and soluble sugars increased, while astringent substances such as tea polyphenols and catechins decreased. Key floral compounds, including cis-3-hexenyl benzoate and methyl anthranilate, were transferred from jasmine flowers to the tea base and enriched, likely contributing to the typical aroma profile. The retention rate of aroma in spent flowers was positively correlated with hydrophobicity (logP, r > 0.46, p < 0.01) and negatively with polarity (TPSA, r > −0.42, p < 0.05), suggesting regulation by hydrophobic partitioning. In contrast, aroma transfer to the tea base showed no simple correlation with any single physicochemical parameter, suggesting multi-factor regulation. This study provides insights into the scenting process and offers a theoretical reference for quality control in jasmine tea production. Full article

Drought stress profoundly affects plant growth and survival, but comparisons of integrated adaptive strategies across multiple tree species remain unclear. In this study, seedlings of Elaeagnus angustifolia (E. angustifolia), Populus euphratica (P. euphratica) and Xanthoceras sorbifolium (X. sorbifolium) were subjected to well-watered (CK), mild (T1), moderate (T2), and severe (T3) drought treatments. Leaf microanatomical traits, non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs), stoichiometric elements, biomass allocation, and key stress indicators were measured. The results showed that P. euphratica seedlings thickened leaves and vascular tissues and accumulated soluble sugars (SSs) and starch (ST) under T1–T2, but under T3, they prioritized root investment (root biomass +26.0%); their antioxidant enzymes were activated only under mild-to-moderate stress and declined under severe stress. E. angustifolia seedlings exhibited moderate leaf structural thickening, sharply increased root biomass (+97.2% under T3) while maintaining stem biomass, continuously elevated activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) as well as osmoregulatory substances (soluble protein SP, proline Pro), and showed the lowest malondialdehyde (MDA) content; their leaf carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) contents decreased the least, and their stoichiometric ratios remained stable. In contrast, X. sorbifolium seedlings progressively reduced leaf thickness and vascular area, depleted NSC reserves, exhibited unstable antioxidant responses, showed a significant decrease in Pro under severe drought, accumulated the highest MDA, and had the lowest N/P ratio, indicating the strongest nitrogen limitation. These results demonstrate that E. angustifolia combines structural plasticity, efficient nutrient use, robust osmotic adjustment, and sustained antioxidant capacity, conferring the strongest drought tolerance; P. euphratica* shows moderate tolerance through transient structural and carbon investment but suffers under extreme drought; X. sorbifolium has the weakest drought tolerance. Full article

Achnanthidium catenatum exhibits both epiphytic and planktonic ecological types and forms multiple large-scale diatom blooms in different drinking water reservoirs. This study determined its growth and physiological characteristics under different nitrogen (N) or phosphorus (P) conditions. The study found that N ≤ 2.5 mg/L promoted its growth, while the promoting effect weakened at ≥5 mg/L. The lag phase of the growth cycle was shorter, taking only 6 days to reach peak density; meanwhile, it showed strong adaptability to P (0.5–3.5 mg/L), with peak density occurring by approximately 12 days. It was found that N-induced blooms formed earlier and lasted longer, whereas P-induced blooms were relatively delayed, more intense, and shorter in duration. Low and high concentrations of N, as well as P concentrations (≥0.1 mg/L), significantly promoted the formation of multicellular chain colonies (p < 0.05). The percentage of chain colonies was relatively higher during the lag phase and tended to exist as single cells during the stationary phase, at which time the colloidal extracellular polymeric substance (CEPS) content was higher and significantly correlated with changes in cell density. Alkaline phosphatase activity (APA) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content varied markedly under different N or P concentrations (p < 0.05). These results reveal the potential impact of N or P variations on the bloom-forming capacity of A. catenatum. Full article

Background: Dermatological conditions represent a leading cause of global nonfatal disease burden, accounting for approximately 42.9 million disability-adjusted life years annually. Their complex pathogenesis is increasingly understood through the skin–brain–exposome axis, a bidirectional neuroimmunological and environmental communication network. The study aims to synthesize the neurobiological mechanisms of the skin–brain–exposome axis with macroscopic sociodemographic modifiers, clinical manifestations, and evidence-based psychodermatological interventions. Methods: A narrative review was conducted, following a structured search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (from inception to February 2026), yielding 54 sources. Mechanistic and interventional data (including randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses) were integrated with large-scale population-based epidemiological findings, anchored by a recent cross-sectional Polish cohort of 27,000 adults. Results: Psychological distress is associated with hyperactivation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and peripheral neurogenic inflammation (e.g., Substance P, corticotropin-releasing hormone), exacerbating stress-sensitive conditions such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, acne, and chronic pruritus. External exposome factors (urbanization, pollution) and sociodemographic variables (education, gender) may modify biological risk and diagnostic capture rates, frequently generating an epidemiological diagnostic paradox. Randomized trials support that psychotherapeutic interventions, particularly Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), effectively disrupt the physical itch–scratch–stress cycle and improve disease-specific quality of life, serving as evidence-based adjunctive strategies in comprehensive care. Conclusions: Effective dermatological management requires targeting both the cutaneous barrier and the psychological exposome. Integrating routine psychosocial screening and stratified behavioral interventions into standard clinical care is essential for addressing the neuroimmune chronicity of inflammatory skin diseases. Full article

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common Gram-negative bacterium in hospital infections and one of the main pathogens causing opportunistic infections in humans. In recent years, the drug resistance of P. aeruginosa has become increasingly severe. Therefore, it is urgent to explore new targets for antibacterial therapy. In P. aeruginosa, iron is an essential element not only for cell growth but also for successful infection. Two siderophores are produced by P. aeruginosa: pyoverdine and pyochelin. They help P. aeruginosa to obtain iron and play an important role in interspecific competition, anti-oxidative stress, and virulence. Furthermore, siderophores have been used to design “Trojan horse” antibiotics. These antibiotic–siderophore conjugates enter the cytoplasm of P. aeruginosa via siderophore uptake systems for pyoverdine and pyochelin, releasing antibacterial substances and exerting corresponding effects against P. aeruginosa. This review discusses the synthesis, secretion, and uptake of siderophores in P. aeruginosa as well as the role of the “Trojan horse” strategy in treating P. aeruginosa infections. Full article

Food waste filtrate (FW) and landfill leachate (LL) are high-strength organic wastewaters with complex compositions that pose significant challenges for conventional biological treatment. Anaerobic co-digestion is considered an effective strategy to improve process stability and methane recovery through substrate complementarity. In this study, an internal circulation (IC) anaerobic reactor was used to evaluate the co-digestion performance of FW and LL at different volumetric mixing ratios (3:7, 5:5, and 7:3). Methane production, COD removal, pH, volatile fatty acids (VFA), alkalinity, extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), enzyme activities, sludge morphology, and sludge structural and spectroscopic characteristics were analyzed to evaluate process performance and explore stability-related responses under different mixing ratios. The results showed that the 5:5 mixing ratio achieved the best overall performance. Under this condition, methane content remained at 78.79–81.60%, the volumetric methane production rate reached 893.38–1080.43 L CH₄/(m³·d), and methane yield was 0.219–0.265 L CH₄/g COD. COD removal efficiency was maintained at 86.93–88.35%. Meanwhile, the reactor operated within a relatively stable window, with pH of 6.98–7.80, VFA of 485.6–521.6 mg/L, alkalinity of 2000–3100 mg CaCO₃/L, and a VFA/TA ratio of 0.167–0.261. Compared with the other ratios, the 5:5 condition was associated with higher EPS levels, more favorable enzyme activity patterns, and a more compact sludge structure. Overall, FW-LL co-digestion exhibited clear ratio dependence, and the 5:5 mixing ratio provided the best balance between methane production, organic matter removal, and process stability. These findings offer quantitative support for substrate-ratio optimization and stable operation of anaerobic treatment systems for high-strength organic wastewaters. Full article

The present study aimed to investigate the migration of potentially hazardous compounds from plastic food packaging into edible oils, bottled water and soft drinks available on the market in the Republic of Moldova. GC–MS screening was applied to identify plastic additives and unintentionally added substances (NIAS). The influence of key extraction parameters, including solvent type, extraction time, pH, alcohol content and sugar concentration, was systematically investigated. The optimized procedure demonstrated satisfactory analytical performances, with recoveries ranging from 81 to 96%, repeatability below 5% and detection limits between 0.006 and 0.01 mg/L. To allow a comprehensive assessment of total phthalate contamination, an additional analytical approach based on the hydrolysis of phthalate esters and the determination of o-phthalic acid using capillary electrophoresis with spectrophotometric detection was proposed. The method showed a linearity range of 0.1–5.0 mg/L and a limit of quantification of 0.07 mg/L. The combined chromatographic and hydrolysis-capillary electrophoresis approaches provide a reliable tool for the integrated determination and evaluation of phthalate residues in aqueous-alcoholic systems and beverages, accessible to laboratories performing food quality control. Full article