Search Results (1,764)

Bacterial infections can delay wound healing and represent serious medical problems both in the hospital and community settings, especially skin wound infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus. In this work, a gelatin hydrogel modified with photo-cross-linkable methacrylamide groups at 10% concentration (GelMA10%), enriched with titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂NPs), and loaded with Neomycin sulphate was developed with the aim to realize a tissue for wound care with improved mechanical and antimicrobial properties. TiO₂ nanocomposite GelMA films with two concentrations of TiO₂NPs were characterized to assess physicochemical, structural and mechanical properties by scanning electron microscopy equipped with an energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (SEM/EDX), micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). TiO₂ nanocomposite GelMA films showed a more compact structure, reduced pore sizes and a higher compressive modulus at the increasing concentration of TiO₂NPs. They were able to absorb and retain water for a prolonged time; however, no significant differences in the swelling degree at the increasing concentration of TiO₂NPs were observed. In vitro drug release and antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus of TiO₂ nanocomposite GelMA film enriched with higher concentrations of TiO₂NPs, identified as a suitable candidate for wound healing, were investigated. Both GelMA10% and TiO₂ nanocomposite GelMA films loaded with drug exhibited a strong antibacterial action, whereas GelMA10% containing only TiO₂NPs did not show any antimicrobial properties. Full article

Commercial production of sweet cherries is possible up to approximately 60° N latitude in Norway and is among the most economically important fruit crops in the country. The harvest is late, but yields are very high, and the fruit is intended solely for the fresh market. The objective of this study was to assess whether sweet cherry can be grown in pots and to determine fruit quality (sugar, acid, polyphenol, and mineral content) of three sweet cherry cultivars (‘Van’, ‘Lapins’, and ‘Regina’) grown in high tunnels with varying levels of fertigation (F) and the application of slow-release (SR) fertilisers. Trees were planted in 35 L plastic bags, trained as spindle trees, with a spacing of 1 × 2.5 m (4000 trees/ha). The tunnel was covered with polythene from flowering until harvest. Fruit produced in pots had low levels of sugars and acids and high levels of phenolic acids and flavonoids, while the mineral content depended on treatment and cultivar. The main sugar components (glucose and fructose), the sweetness index, phenolic acids (chlorogenic acid and ferulic acid), flavanols (catechin, rutin, quercetin, and hyperoside), and minerals (P, K, Mg, Ca, and Na) were much higher in the F treatment. SR treatments were more effective in increasing the content of acids (shikimic, malic, and quinic) and total phenolic content (TPC). Radical scavenging activity (RSA) and total sugars showed no statistically significant differences between the treatments studied. ‘Lapins’ fruit obtained from the fertigation regimes (when Kristalon brown + Calcinit + Magnesium-sulphate were added from mid-April to 1 September and plain water for the rest of the season, up to an electric conductivity (EC) of 0.5 and 1.0) contained the highest levels of minerals (P, K, Mg, Ca). The ‘Van’ cultivar from F treatments, especially VF2 (when Kristalon brown + Calcinit + Magnesium-sulphate were added from mid-April to 1 September and plain water for the rest of the season, with EC 1.0) and VF3 (when Kristalon brown is added in July, Kristalon brown + Calcinit + Magnesium-sulphate in August, and plain water for the rest of the season) had the highest sweetness index, glucose, fructose, chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid, and hyperoside in sweet cherry fruit. ‘Regina’ under the RSR1 (50 g Multicote and 30 g chalk lime per tree) and RSR2 regimes (100 g Multicote and 30 g chalk lime per tree) produced fruit with the highest acid components, RSA and TPC. This suggests that sweet cherry trees can be grown in pots under high tunnels, but nutrition should be adjusted for each cultivar according to its physiological responses to specific microclimate conditions. Full article

Background: Dietary fibre has been increasingly recognised for its potential role in modulating inflammation, gut-derived uraemic toxins, nutritional status, and kidney-related outcomes in chronic kidney disease (CKD), particularly through mechanisms involving the gut–liver–kidney axis. While nutritional management in CKD has traditionally focused on protein intake, despite growing evidence supporting soluble and insoluble types, the role of dietary fibre remains insufficiently reflected in clinical guidelines. Objective: This systematic review evaluated the effects of dietary fibre intake on inflammatory markers, gut-derived uraemic toxins, nutritional status, kidney function, and mechanistic pathways relevant to gut–liver–kidney axis among CKD patients. Methods: PubMed, Scopus and Medline Complete were searched for observational and interventional human studies. Review articles and animal studies were excluded. A total of 45 met eligibility criteria. Risk-of-bias (RoB) was assessed using domain-based tools, and findings were synthesised narratively across predefined outcome domains. Results: Higher fibre intake was generally associated with reductions in interleukin-6 (IL-6) and selective improvements in inflammatory tone including Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-α), while effects on C-reactive protein (CRP) varied. Several fermentable fibres were frequently linked with reduced gut-derived uraemic toxins, including indoxyl sulphate (IS), p-cresyl sulphate (pCS), and less consistently trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO). Nutritional markers such as albumin, BMI and overall diet quality were typically maintained or improved. Kidney function was stable across short-term interventions, with suggestions of slower decline in longer studies incorporating fibre-rich dietary patterns. Mechanistic studies frequently reported increased saccharolytic activity and favourable changes in fermentation profiles. Despite growing evidence, soluble fibre remains an underrepresented component in CKD dietary guidelines, warranting further high-quality interventional studies to confirm its therapeutic potential. Full article

Our previous work demonstrated that bovine milk-derived extracellular vesicles (mEVs) could alleviate the inflammatory response of mice colitis, along with hundreds of differentially expressed (DE) mRNAs. This study further analyzed the profiles of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) and explored the correlation with DE mRNAs by constructing ceRNA networks. Six-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were fed either a control diet or a diet added with mEVs for 30 days. Then the mice were given dextran sulphate sodium in drinking water for 7 days to induce colitis. A total of 40 miRNAs, 541 lncRNAs and 643 circRNAs exhibited changes in mEVs pretreatment group. Among these DE miRNAs, mEVs pretreatment significantly increased the expressions of miR-122, miR-147, miR-210, miR-1224, miR-148a, and miR-212, which might participate in the inflammatory response of the colitis models. The expression of Tug1 increased after mEVs pretreatment, while Snhg5 and H19 decreased, which might be involved in intestinal barrier restoration. Functional analysis of the DE ncRNAs suggested mEVs might exert protective effects not only through modulation of inflammatory responses but also by enhancing intestinal stem cell function and epithelial regeneration, which were mainly regulated by Wnt and Hippo signaling pathways according to the ceRNA networks. Full article

The protective effect of physical activity on breast cancer recurrence may be mediated changes in by sex hormone levels. In this study, we examined the association between habitual physical activity and estrogen and androgen plasma levels in postmenopausal women with localised breast cancer. We conducted a cross-sectional study among 47 postmenopausal women who were breast cancer survivors with estrogen receptor-positive tumours (enrolled at the Medical Oncology Department of University Hospital Dr. Peset, Valencia, Spain). Habitual physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and a weighted estimate of total physical activity per week (MET∙min∙wk⁻¹) was calculated. Total plasma levels of estrone, 17β-estradiol, progesterone, androstenedione, testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate (DHEA-sulphate) were measured. Bivariate analyses by the Spearman correlation test were done between physical activity and each hormone concentration. Multivariate analyses (linear regression) using concentration of each hormone as the dependent variable and physical activity, age, marital status, BMI, Charlson Comorbidity Index, tumour stage, previous radiotherapy, or previous chemotherapy as predictor variables. Estrone concentration was positively and significantly correlated with BMI (ρ = 0.332, p = 0.022), but no other correlations were found between BMI and the other hormone concentrations, nor were concentrations of any hormone associated with age or Charlson Comorbidity Index (p > 0.05 in all cases). Physical activity was significantly and inversely correlated with estrone concentration (ρ = −0.308; p = 0.035). Linear regression analysis confirmed a statistically significant association between estrone concentration and BMI and physical activity, after adjusting for all potential confounders (for BMI: standardised β coefficient = 0.407; non-standardised β coefficient = 1.054; t = 2.898; p = 0.006; 95% CI for non-standardised beta: 0.318- to 1.790; for physical activity: standardised β coefficient = −0.300; non-standardised β coefficient = −0.005; t = −2.135; p = 0.039; 95% CI for non-standardised beta: −0.010- to 0.000). The relationship between estrone concentration and physical activity may be further explored as a biomarker for evaluating the protective effect of physical activity against breast cancer recurrence in women receiving anti-estrogen therapies. Full article

Cement production accounts for approximately 8% of global CO₂ emissions, and while calcined clays have attracted growing attention as supplementary cementitious materials, the literature remains fragmented across clay types and performance metrics, with no unified comparative framework examining how mineralogical composition and calcination conditions jointly govern pozzolanic reactivity and downstream performance outcomes. This study addresses that gap through a PRISMA-guided systematic review of 32 peer-reviewed studies, validated by structured expert interviews, and a comparative assessment of five calcined clay categories: metakaolin (MK), limestone-calcined clay blends (LC³), illite-rich clays, montmorillonite (MM)- based clays, and ceramic waste (CW)- derived clays. Findings establish clear performance hierarchies with direct implications for the construction sector. MK at 10–15% cement replacement delivers compressive strength gains of 8–36%, chloride permeability reductions of 61–87%, and sulphate expansion reductions of up to 89%, confirming its suitability for high-performance, chemically aggressive-environment structural concrete. LC³ systems enable 30–50% clinker substitution, yielding an estimated 30–40% embodied CO₂ reduction alongside 6–10% strength gains and 64–90% reductions in chloride migration, representing the most significant decarbonisation opportunity reviewed. Illite-rich clays reduce compressive strength by 6–25%, limiting application to non-structural uses despite moderate durability gains. MM-based clays exhibit highly variable performance, ranging from a 60% strength loss to an 8% gain, with workability penalties of up to a 90% slump reduction, constraining adoption. CW-derived clays achieve 50–69% reductions in chloride diffusion while valorising industrial waste, though strength reductions of 11–20% limit structural applications. Across all clay types, superplasticiser demand increases by 1.5–3.6 times, posing a universal cost and logistics challenge for practitioners in mix design. Full article

Background: Patients with kidney failure requiring dialysis experience a high burden of vaccine-preventable diseases, and vaccine hypo-responsiveness is a key contributor. Uraemic toxins and gut dysbiosis are potential causes of hypo-responsiveness. Aim: This study aimed to determine whether uraemic toxin concentrations or gut dysbiosis are associated with vaccine response in haemodialysis patients. Methods: This was a single centre, observational cohort study of maintenance dialysis patients receiving a conventional 2-dose primary COVID-19 vaccination course. Demographic, clinical and vaccination data were collected from the eMR. Vaccine response (Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoassay), serum uraemic toxin concentrations (indoxyl sulphate, p-cresyl sulphate, and trimethylamine N-oxide by liquid chromatography), and stool microbiome (16S rRNA gene sequencing) were measured 8 weeks after the second dose of vaccine. Results: Forty participants (43% female, mean age 66 years; 59% Caucasian) were included, 70% of whom were classified as a vaccine responder. Antibiotic exposure, prednisolone use and lymphopenia were significantly associated with hypo-responsiveness. Microbiome profiling identified differences in beta diversity between responders and non-responders, positively correlated with short-chain fatty acid producers (Parabacteriodes) and negatively with pathobionts (Escherichia/Shigella). Differential abundance analysis identified lower levels of Tyzzerella, Gemmiger, and Hungatella and higher levels of Turicibacter in vaccine responders. Total uraemic toxin burden and individual toxin concentrations did not differ between responders and hypo-responders (all p > 0.05). Stratification by low versus high/very high toxin burden groupings was not associated with response (p > 0.99). Conclusions: Differences in gut microbial composition were observed between vaccine responder groups, while uraemic toxin concentrations were not associated with vaccine responsiveness. These findings suggest gut microbiota composition may contribute to vaccine hypo-responsiveness in individuals receiving dialysis and warrant further investigation in larger mechanistic studies. Full article

This study evaluated the fermentative potential of eight industrial strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for producing mead from honeys originating from the Caatinga Biome in the semi-arid region of Pernambuco, Brazil. Despite presenting similar ethanol yields around 0.38 g/g, the strains differed in fermentation rate, residual sugar profile, and metabolic composition of the final products. Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains Renaissance TR313 and Fermol Distiller JP1 were selected for more detailed analyses, with JP1 standing out for its higher volumetric productivity (0.23 g/L/h) and shorter fermentation time of 20 days. Further fermentations demonstrated that increasing biomass, supplementing with the inorganic nitrogen source ammonium sulphate, or cell immobilization accelerates fermentation without compromising yield. Thus, the JP1 strain shows promise as a ferment for producing regionally identified mead from honeys typical of the Caatinga biome of the semi-arid Northeast of Brazil. The use of this strain with the honey of the Sertão can characterize the regional product and increase its value. Full article

The present study provides an exhaustive exploration of twelve macroalgal species from the Adriatic Sea, including seven brown algae (Ericaria amentacea, Fucus virsoides, Cutleria multifida, Cystoseira compressa, Cystoseira corniculata, Gongolaria barbata and Padina pavonica), three green algae (Codium adhaerens, Codium vermilara and Ulva lactuca), and two red algae (Scinaia furcellata and Asparagopsis taxiformis). Matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) was applied as the extraction technique, using generally recognized as safe (GRAS) solvents. The bioactive profile of the extracts was assessed through the quantification of total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity. Among the three phyla, U. lactuca, F. virsoides and S. furcellata exhibited the highest TPC (0.8, 26 and 3.0 mgGAE·g⁻¹) and antioxidant activity (1.9, 38 and 7.5 mgTE·g⁻¹), respectively. Targeted HPLC-MS/MS analysis enabled the identification of nineteen phenolic compounds across all taxa. Chlorophyta showed a characteristic profile enriched in coumarins, benzaldehydes and flavanones, including the selective detection of 7-hydroxycoumarin in species with higher antioxidant potential. Additionally, compounds such as chlorogenic, rosmarinic and caffeic acids exhibited taxon-specific distributions that may explain differences in antioxidant activity. Complementary untargeted ultra-high performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight (UHPLC-QToF) metabolomics analysis provided broader coverage, revealing eighty metabolites spanning phenolics, sugars, organic acids, lipids, amino acids and their derivatives. Notably, the proposed detection of fatty acid esters of hydroxy fatty acids (FAHFAs) represents the first report of these compounds in macroalgae, alongside a pronounced presence of sulphated phenolics. Overall, these findings provide a robust baseline on the bioactivity and chemical composition of Adriatic macroalgae, highlighting their value as a natural source of functional compounds. Full article

Waste products of zinc hydrometallurgy, such as Pb–Ag jarosite sludge, represent a significant environmental problem due to toxic properties associated with elevated lead content. At the same time, this material has economic value, making its valorization beneficial from both ecological and financial perspectives. This study investigates the chloride leaching of pretreated Pb–Ag jarosite sludge, which underwent sulphation roasting followed by water leaching. The experiments were conducted with a constant solid/liquid ratio of 1:20, a stirring rate of 150 rpm, and using a 4 mol dm³ MgCl₂ solution as the leaching agent, while temperature (40–80 °C) and leaching time (up to 120 min) were varied. The results showed that temperature significantly affects the lead leaching degree, with the highest (95%) achieved at 80 °C after 60 min. Kinetic analysis revealed a diffusion-controlled mechanism, with an activation energy of 18.40 kJ mol⁻¹. Due to the characteristics of the leaching curve, the process was divided into four segments, with corresponding activation energies determined for each segment (16.48, 11.80, 13.88, and 20.50 kJ mol⁻¹). The proposed MgCl₂ system enables efficient lead leaching with a reduced amount of leaching agent, thus representing a more sustainable approach to the valorization of Pb–Ag jarosite sludge. Full article

Abandoned mining areas provide valuable opportunities to investigate ore-forming processes, supergene mineral transformations, and the geochemical behaviour of metals. In this sense, the old Preguiça mine (Beja, Portugal), exploited for Fe–Zn–Pb, was studied providing new mineralogical and geochemical data aimed at improving the understanding of the secondary mineral assemblages of this deposit. A total of 70 samples collected from three accessible underground levels (first, second and third) and mine waste, complemented by 16 samples from a deeper level (fourth) previously collected, were analysed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and a portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) equipment. Mineralogical phases are dominated by a wide range of secondary oxides, carbonates, arsenates, vanadates, silicates, phosphates and sulphates, but remnants of primary sulphides were also found. The following minerals can be emphasised: goethite, hematite, calcite, dolomite, descloizite, willemite, mimetite, cerussite, smithsonite and fraipontite. The presence of massicot in the Preguiça mine, is described for the first time. Bulk geochemical analyses show high concentrations of Fe, Ca, Zn and Pb, consistent with the observed mineralogy. The presence of vanadium- and arsenic-bearing minerals highlights the occurrence of critical raw materials, supporting the importance of reassessing other abandoned mining areas in the context of sustainable resource management and strategic raw-material planning. Full article

Background/Objectives: Epigenetic factors are increasingly recognized to contribute to the pathogenesis of intestinal diseases, yet the precise mechanisms through which these factors influence ulcerative colitis (UC) remain poorly understood. Methods: Transcriptome profiles pertaining to UC and genes associated with epigenetic factors (EFRGs) were retrieved from publicly accessible datasets. Candidate genes were ascertained through the intersection of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and EFRGs. Key genes were screened through machine learning algorithms and validated via the Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model. Enrichment analysis and immune infiltration assays were conducted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of these genes. The hub gene, CBX4 (Chromobox homolog 4), was validated through immunohistochemical analysis of both healthy controls and patients with UC, and the correlation was evaluated using UC-related clinical parameters. Additionally, CBX4 expression was knocked down in dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-treated mice to examine its regulatory function. Unlike conventional broad-spectrum biomarker screens, this study specifically integrated epigenetic factor-related genes (EFRGs) with machine learning and experimental validation using both clinical samples and animal models. Results: SMARCB1, JAK2, CBX4, and PPARGC1A were identified as key genes, with SMARCB1, JAK2, and CBX4 being upregulated in the UC group, while PPARGC1A was significantly downregulated. The ANN model exhibited excellent diagnostic performance. Enrichment analysis revealed that the key genes were associated with pathways such as the “chemokine signaling pathway”. Immune cell infiltration analysis results revealed marked differences in the abundances of 13 immune cell types between the UC and control groups, and there were notable associations between immune cell infiltration and key genes. Notably, CBX4 expression was elevated in both DSS-treated mice and patients with UC, showing positive correlations with clinical indicators of UC. Further in vivo experiments revealed that silencing CBX4 alleviated DSS-induced colon damage and inflammation. Conclusions: This study identifies four EFRG-related key genes (SMARCB1, JAK2, CBX4, PPARGC1A) in UC, suggesting that CBX4 may play a significant role as an epigenetic regulator. CBX4 is upregulated in UC intestinal tissues, and its knockdown mitigates DSS-induced colitis. These findings provide critical theoretical support for developing targeted therapies for UC. Full article

Atmospheric aerosols modulate Earth’s radiation balance through direct effects and through their role as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN), contributing to variability in near-surface temperature (NST). Galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) further influence aerosol–cloud interactions by enhancing particle formation and growth, but combined aerosol optical depth (AOD)–GCR effects on NST remain poorly constrained across climates. Using satellite and reanalysis data, we examine joint influences on NST anomalies at three neutron-monitoring stations, Oulu, Newark, and Hermanus, during 2000–2022. The sites share similar geomagnetic cutoffs but contrasting climates, enabling separation of ionization from geomagnetic shielding. Multiple linear regression (MLR) captures AOD effects and their modulation by GCR flux. Adding an interaction term (AOD × GCR) improves fit, raising adjusted R² from 0.22→0.31 (Oulu), 0.37→0.52 (Newark), and 0.69→0.78 (Hermanus). ECMWF reanalysis shows hydrophilic organic matter aerosol (OMA) dominates (0.19, 0.29, 0.41 µg kg⁻¹ at Oulu, Newark and Hermanus), with sulphate elevated at Oulu/Newark and coarse sea salt at Hermanus. Elevated OMA and sulphate at Oulu/Newark imply GCR-enhanced fine CCN and cooling, whereas humid, sea-salt-rich Hermanus favors ion-mediated growth of larger hygroscopic particles that increase longwave trapping and warming. Findings provide site-specific evidence that GCR ionization modulates aerosol processes and contributes to regional NST variability, informing improved parameterizations in climate models. Full article

Background and Objectives: In many neurodegenerative diseases, the pathological changes occurring in the central nervous system may be reflected in the periphery. The aim of this study was to examine the possible relationship between the retina, choroid, and nerve fibre layer thicknesses measured on optic coherence tomography (OCT) and the serum microbiota metabolite levels of trimethyl amine-N-oxide (TMAO), S-equol, Indoxyl sulphate (IS), and Maresin 1 (MaR1). Materials and Methods: This study included a total of 60 subjects, comprising 30 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and a control group of 30 healthy individuals. A sociodemographic form was given to all the subjects and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) to the schizophrenia patients. The eye fundus was evaluated with OCT. A 5 mL blood sample was taken from the arm of each subject, and the microbiota metabolite levels of TMAO, S-equol, IS, and MaR1 were examined. Results: The retina nerve fibre layer (RNFL) analysis results showed that the RNFL superior (p = 0.016), inferior (p = 0.002), central choroid (p = 0.033), nasal choroid (p = 0.004), temporal choroid (p = 0.038), and TMAO (p = 0.001) values were significantly lower in the schizophrenia patients than in the control group. In the patient group, a significant negative correlation was determined between the RNFL temporal measurements and IS, as well as a significant positive correlation between the central choroid measurement and the nasal choroid and temporal choroid measurements and between the nasal choroid and temporal choroid measurements. A statistically significant positive correlation was seen between S-equol and TMAO. A significant negative correlation was seen between the MaR1 level and age and disease duration. Conclusions: The study results showed that fundus changes are associated with serum microbiota metabolite levels in schizophrenia patients. Therefore, these parameters may be considered potential exploratory biomarkers; however, their clinical applicability requires validation in larger longitudinal studies. Full article

Compact carbonate stones are widely used in architectural heritage for their aesthetic value and cultural significance, yet their long-term durability in saline environments remains insufficiently understood, particularly when assessed using standard salt crystallization tests developed primarily for porous lithotypes. This study investigates salt-induced deterioration in Portoro limestone, a compact ornamental carbonate extensively employed in historic architecture, considering four commercial varieties representative of heritage applications. Salt crystallization tests were performed using saturated sodium sulphate (Na₂SO₄) and sodium chloride (NaCl) solutions following the relevant European standard procedure, with the protocol extended to 45 cycles to capture delayed deterioration processes. Both untreated specimens and samples subjected to controlled thermal pre-conditioning at 300 °C and 500 °C were tested to activate latent microstructural weaknesses. Material decay was assessed through mass variation, porosity changes, surface observations, Leeb rebound hardness and ultrasonic pulse velocity measurements. Results demonstrate that deterioration is primarily controlled by salt type and microstructural characteristics rather than by total porosity. Sodium sulphate induced severe internal damage and abrupt structural failure associated with mirabilite crystallization, often following a prolonged phase of apparent stability. In contrast, sodium chloride causes mainly superficial effects with negligible mechanical impact. Thermal pre-conditioning accelerated damage development, while non-destructive techniques revealed internal deterioration well before visible damage occurred. These findings indicate that standard crystallization tests may be inadequate for low-porosity stones and that extended-cycle approaches provide a more reliable framework for durability assessment in saline environments. Full article