Search Results (1,490)

Combining products of natural origin with different mechanisms of action on insect herbivores may provide an alternative among methods of plant protection against pests that are less risky for the environment. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of mixtures of Thuja occidentalis L. essential oil and diatomite (EO + DE) compared to each substance separately in reducing economically important pests such as black bean aphid (BBA) Aphis fabae Scop., Colorado potato beetle (CPB) Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say., and pea leaf weevil (PLW) Sitona lineatus L. The effects on mortality (all pests) and foraging intensity (CPB and PLW) were tested. The improvement in effectiveness using a mixture of EO + DE versus single components against BBA was dose- and the developmental stage-dependent. The effect of enhancing CPB foraging inhibition through DE addition was obtained at a concentration of 0.2% EO (both females and males of CPB) and 0.5% EO (males) in no-choice experiments. In choice experiments, mixtures EO + DE with both 0.2% and 0.5% EO concentrations resulted in a significant reduction in CPB foraging. A significant strengthening effect of EO 0.5% through the addition of DE at a dose of 10% against PLW males was observed in the no-choice experiment, while, when the beetles had a choice, the synergistic effect of a mixture of EO 0.5% and DE 10% was also apparent in females. In conclusion, the use of DE mixtures with EO from T. occidentalis appears to be a promising strategy. The results support the idea of not using doses of EO higher than 0.5%. Full article

Constipation is a prevalent gastrointestinal disorder that significantly impairs quality of life. While pharmacological agents such as loperamide are widely used to induce constipation in experimental models, there is increasing interest in natural alternatives for alleviating intestinal dysfunction. In this study, we investigated the laxative effects of soybean powder fermented by Bacillus subtilis DKU_09 in a loperamide-induced rat model of constipation. The probiotic strain was isolated from cheonggukjang, a traditional Korean fermented soybean paste, and its identity was confirmed through 16S rRNA sequencing. Fermented soybean powder was characterized morphologically via scanning electron microscopy and chemically via HPLC to assess its isoflavone content. Rats were administered loperamide (5 mg/kg) for four days to induce constipation and were then treated with fermented soybean powder at doses of 100, 200, or 300 mg/kg. No pharmacological laxatives (e.g., PEG) were used as a positive control; instead, values from the treatment groups were compared with those from the loperamide-only constipation group. Key outcomes of fecal output, water content, colonic fecal retention, and gastrointestinal transit ratio were measured. The fermented product significantly improved stool frequency and moisture content, reduced colonic fecal retention, and restored gastrointestinal transit in a dose-dependent manner. Notably, the 300 mg/kg group demonstrated nearly complete recovery of fecal parameters without affecting body weight. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc test. These findings suggest that Bacillus subtilis-fermented soybean powder exerts synergistic laxative effects through the combined action of probiotic viability and fermentation-enhanced bioactive compounds such as aglycone isoflavones. This study supports the potential use of fermented soybean-based nutraceuticals as a natural and safe intervention for constipation and gastrointestinal dysregulation. Full article

Aging is a complex physiological process that profoundly affects the functionality of the musculoskeletal system, contributing to an increase in the incidence of diseases such as osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and sarcopenia. Cellular senescence plays a crucial role in these degenerative processes, promoting chronic inflammation and tissue dysfunction through the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Recently, senotherapeutics have shown promising results in improving musculoskeletal health. Natural compounds such as resveratrol, rapamycin, quercetin, curcumin, vitamin E, genistein, fisetin, and epicatechin act on key signaling pathways, offering protective effects against musculoskeletal decline. On the other hand, molecules such as dasatinib, navitoclax, UBX0101, panobinostat, and metformin have been shown to be effective in eliminating or modulating senescent cells. However, understanding the mechanisms of action, long-term safety, and bioavailability remain areas for further investigation. In this context, physical exercise emerges as an effective non-pharmacological countermeasure, capable of directly modulating cellular senescence and promoting tissue regeneration, representing an integrated strategy to combat age-related diseases. Therefore, we have provided an overview of the main anti-aging compounds and examined the potential of physical exercise as a strategy in the management of age-related musculoskeletal disorders. Further studies should focus on identifying synergistic combinations of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions to optimize the effectiveness of anti-aging strategies and promoting healthier musculoskeletal aging. Full article

This research examines the compounding risks of global environmental change, including climate change, environmental law, biodiversity loss, and pollution, which threaten the stability of economic systems worldwide. While digital technology and global governance regulation are increasingly being proposed as solutions, their synergistic potential in advancing economic sustainability has been less explored. How can these technologies mitigate environmental risks while promoting sustainable and equitable development, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals? We analyze policy global environmental data from the World Bank and the United Nations, as well as literature reviews on digital interventions, artificial intelligence, and smart databases. Global environmental change presents economic stability and rule of law threats, and innovative governance responses are needed. This study evaluates the potential for digital technology to be leveraged to enhance climate resilience and regulatory systems and address key implementation, equity, and policy coherence deficits. Policy recommendations for aligning economic development trajectories with planetary boundaries emphasize that proactive digital governance integration is indispensable for decoupling growth from environmental degradation. However, fragmented governance and unequal access to technologies undermine scalability. Successful experiences demonstrate that integrated policies, combining incentives, data transparency, and multilateral coordination, deliver maximum economic and environmental co-benefits, matching digital innovation with good governance. We provide policymakers with an action plan to leverage technology as a multiplier of sustainability, prioritizing inclusive governance structures to address implementation gaps and inform legislation. Full article

The Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is widely recognized for promoting Müllerian duct regression in higher vertebrates and regulating key reproductive functions like steroidogenesis, folliculogenesis, and Leydig cell development. In teleost fish, which lack Müllerian ducts, Amh primarily influences male reproductive functions, including sex determination, testis differentiation, and germ cell proliferation. In adult fish, Amh supports gonad development and spermatogenesis, but its role in teleost gonadal physiology remains largely underexplored. This study reveals a novel steroidogenic function in the European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) using in vitro testis culture, in vivo plasmid injection, and cell-based transactivation assays. The Amh-induced significant increase in androgen levels was also confirmed in Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) treated with recombinant sea bass Amh. Beyond activating the canonical Smad pathway, Amh also triggered the cAMP/PKA signalling pathway via its cognate type II receptor, Amhr2. Inhibitors of these pathways independently and synergistically counteracted Amh-induced CRE-Luc activity, indicating pathway crosstalk. Moreover, inhibition of the cAMP pathway suppressed Amh-induced androgen production in testis cultures, emphasizing the crucial role of protein kinase A in mediating Amh steroidogenic action. These findings uncover a novel steroidogenic function of Amh in teleosts and highlight its broader role in male reproductive physiology. Full article

The MIM1-BH3 mimetic, which inhibits the Mcl-1 antiapoptotic protein, may be an efficacious molecule able to induce apoptosis. Previously, we found that moxifloxacin (MXFL) is able to modulate Mcl-1 protein expression. Therefore, in the current study, we assessed the impact of the MXFL, MIM1, and MXFL/MIM1 mixtures on viability and apoptosis in amelanotic A375 and melanotic G361 melanoma cells. The obtained results showed that MXFL and MIM1 exerted high cytotoxic and proapoptotic potential. In the case of two-component models, we have demonstrated that the use of the MIM1 and MXFL mixtures resulted in a significant intensification of both cytotoxic and proapoptotic activity, shown as a modulatory effect on the early and late phases of apoptosis toward the analyzed melanoma cells when compared with MIM1 or MXFL alone. We report, for the first time, the high proapoptotic activity of MIM1 and MXFL applied in a two-component model toward melanoma cells, pointing to the Mcl-1 protein as an important molecular target. The observed potential synergistic mode of action—expressed as cytotoxic and proapoptotic activity enhancement, detected for MIM1 and MXFL—may represent a new direction for further in vitro and in vivo experiments concerning the role of the Mcl-1 protein in the treatment of melanoma. Moreover, the presented results certainly contribute to expanding the knowledge of the pharmacology of both fluoroquinolones and BH3 mimetics, and also enable a better understanding of melanoma cell biology. Full article

Reactive molecules, including oxygen and nitrogen species, serve dual roles in human physiology. While they function as essential signaling molecules under normal physiological conditions, they contribute to cellular dysfunction and damage when produced in excess by normal metabolism or in response to stressors. Oxidative/nitrosative stress is a pathological state, resulting from the overproduction of reactive species exceeding the antioxidant capacity of the body, which is implicated in several chronic human diseases. Antioxidant therapies aimed at restoring redox balance and preventing oxidative/nitrosative stress have demonstrated efficacy in preclinical models. However, their clinical applications have met with inconsistent success owing to efficacy, safety, and bioavailability concerns. This summative review analyzes the role of reactive species in human pathophysiology, the mechanisms of action of antioxidant protection, and the challenges that hinder their translation into effective clinical therapies in order to evaluate potential emerging strategies such as targeted delivery systems, precision medicine, and synergistic therapeutic approaches, among others, to overcome current limitations. By integrating recent advances, this review highlights the value of targeting reactive species in the prevention and management of chronic diseases. Full article

Nosocomial infections caused by ESKAPE pathogens represent a significant burden to global health. These pathogens may exhibit multidrug resistance (MDR) mechanisms, of which mechanisms such as efflux pumps and biofilm formation are gaining significant importance. Multidrug resistance mechanisms in ESKAPE pathogens have led to an increase in the effective costs in health care and a higher risk of mortality in hospitalized patients. These pathogens utilize antimicrobial efflux pump mechanisms and bacterial biofilm-forming capabilities to escape the bactericidal action of antimicrobials. ESKAPE bacteria forming colonies demonstrate increased expression of efflux pump-encoding genes. Efflux pumps not only expel antimicrobial agents but also contribute to biofilm formation by bacteria through (1) transport of molecules and transcription factors involved in biofilm quorum sensing, (2) bacterial fimbriae structure transport for biofilm adhesion to surfaces, and (3) regulation of a transmembrane gradient to survive the difficult conditions of biofilm microenvironments. The synergistic role of these mechanisms complicates treatment outcomes. Given the mechanistic link between biofilms and efflux pumps, therapeutic strategies should focus on targeting anti-biofilm mechanisms alongside efflux pump inactivation with efflux pump inhibitors. This review explores the molecular interplay between efflux pumps and biofilm formation, emphasizing potential therapeutic strategies such as efflux pump inhibitors (EPIs) and biofilm-targeting agents. Full article

A global poly-crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, dwindling natural resources, geopolitical instability, among other complex challenges, is on the rise. Societal transformations are therefore imminent, whether intended or unintended. The key question is how to steward and facilitate such changes where fragmentation and siloed ways of working persist. The concept of synergies and the notion of synergic action could help overcome fragmented efforts to steer transformative changes. However, there exists a critical research gap in understanding the conditions needed to enable synergic action. This paper thus explores how synergic action is currently undertaken and the key essentials needed to deliver synergic action. The study uses a case study of the Yorkshire food system transformation to learn from its exemplar practitioners. The study used semi-structured interviews and a thematic analysis process to reach our two key findings. First, we highlight the three types of synergic action: (1) Non-systemic synergic action, (2) Non-systemic synergic action with multiple outcomes, and (3) Systemic synergic action. Differentiating types of synergic action can help identify where synergic action is already underway and guide more explicit efforts towards transformative change. The second key finding is the five essentials for synergic action, which are (1) leadership for synergic action; (2) networking, partnerships, and collaborations; (3) care and understanding; (4) a systems approach; and (5) intentionality for synergic action. This study brings to the fore the importance of intentionality, without which the first four essentials are less likely to coalesce. This is important to inform the reflection and learning of practitioners of systemic change about how they are currently and could be working more synergistically in the future, driven by clear intentionality. Full article

Landscape quality and the productivity of $\mathit{Rhododendron\; simsii}$ are directly related to the maintenance of ecological functions in the alpine region. The specific relationship between the spatial pattern of colour patches and the visual quality of R. simsii landscape recreational forests has been insufficiently explored. In this study, we constructed a model of the relationship between landscape colour patches and the aesthetic value of such a forest, analysing the key factors driving changes in its landscape quality. A total of 1549 participants were asked to assess 16 groups of landscape photographs. The results showed that variations in perceived aesthetic quality were stimulated by colour patch dynamics and spatial heterogeneity. Utilising structural equation modelling (SEM), we identified key indicators synergistically influencing aesthetic quality, including the area percentage, shape, and distribution of colour patches, which demonstrated strong explanatory power ($R^2$ = 0.83). The SEM also revealed that the red patch area, mean perimeter area ratio, and separation index are critical latent variables with standardised coefficients of 0.54, 0.65, and 0.62, respectively. These findings provide actionable design strategies: (1) optimising chromatic contrast through high-saturation patches, (2) controlling geometric complexity, and (3) improving spatial coherence. These results advance the theoretical framework for landscape aesthetic evaluation and offer practical guidance for landscape recreational forest management. Full article

Due to the stroke-protective effects of dietary fiber and anthocyanin together with the synergistic interaction, we hypothesized that the functional drink containing the anthocyanins and dietary fiber-enriched functional ingredient from banana and germinated black Jasmine rice (BR) should protect against ischemic stroke. BR at doses of 300, 600, and 900 mg/kg body weight (BW) was orally given to male Wistar rats weighing 290–350 g once daily for 21 days, and they were subjected to ischemic reperfusion injury induced by temporary occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCAO/IR) for 90 min. The treatment was prolonged for 21 days after MCAO/IR. They were assessed for brain infarction volume, neuron density, Nrf2, MDA, and catalase in the cortex together with serum TNF-α and IL-6. Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium spp. in feces were also assessed. Our results showed that BR improved the increase in brain infarcted volume, MDA, TNF-α, and IL-6 and the decrease in neuron density, Nrf2, catalase, and both bacteria spp. induced by MCAO/IR. These data suggest the stroke-protective effect of the novel functional drink, and the action may involve the improvement of Nrf2, oxidative stress, inflammation, and the amount of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium spp. Full article

In rapidly urbanizing environments, environmental stressors—such as air pollution, noise, heat, and green space depletion—substantially exacerbate public health burdens, contributing to the global rise of non-communicable diseases, particularly hypertension, cardiovascular disorders, and mental health conditions. Despite expanding research on green spaces and health (+76.9%, 2019–2025) and optimization and algorithmic approaches (+63.7%), the compounded and synergistic impacts of these stressors remain inadequately explored or addressed within current urban planning frameworks. This study presents a Mixed Methods Systematic Review (MMSR) to investigate the potential of AI-driven urban design optimizations in mitigating these multi-scalar environmental health risks. Specifically, it explores the complex interactions between urbanization, traffic-related pollutants, green infrastructure, and architectural intelligence, identifying critical gaps in the integration of computational optimization with nature-based solutions (NBS). To empirically substantiate these theoretical insights, this study draws on longitudinal 24 h dynamic blood pressure (BP) monitoring (3–9 months), revealing that chronic exposure to environmental noise (mean 79.84 dB) increases cardiovascular risk by approximately 1.8-fold. BP data (average 132/76 mmHg), along with observed hypertensive spikes (systolic > 172 mmHg, diastolic ≤ 101 mmHg), underscore the inadequacy of current urban design strategies in mitigating health risks. Based on these findings, this paper advocates for the integration of AI-driven approaches to optimize urban environments, offering actionable recommendations for developing adaptive, human-centric, and health-responsive urban planning frameworks that enhance resilience and public health in the face of accelerating urbanization. Full article

Lymphoma continues to pose a serious challenge to global health, underscoring the urgent need for new therapeutic strategies. Recently, the gut microbiome has been shown to play a potential role in regulating immune responses and influencing cancer progression. However, its molecular mechanisms of action in lymphoma remain poorly understood. This study investigates the antiproliferative and apoptotic activities of gut microbiota-derived metabolites, specifically nisin (N) and urolithin B (UB), individually and in combination 7:3 (5750 μM), against the human lymphoma cell line HKB-11. Comprehensive evaluations were performed using Alamar Blue viability assays, combination index (CI) analyses, reactive oxygen species (ROS) quantification, flow cytometry for apoptosis detection, and advanced bottom-up proteomics analyses. N and UB exhibited potent antiproliferative activity, with the 7:3 combination demonstrating strong synergistic effects (CI < 1), significantly enhancing apoptosis (p < 0.01) and ROS production (p < 0.0001) compared to the untreated control. Proteomics analyses revealed substantial alterations in proteins crucial to ribosomal biogenesis, mitochondrial function, cell cycle control, and apoptosis regulation, including a marked downregulation of ribosomal proteins (RPS27; Log₂FC = −3.47) and UBE2N (Log₂FC = −0.60). These findings highlight the potential of N and UB combinations as a novel and practical therapeutic approach for lymphoma treatment, warranting further in vivo exploration and clinical validation. Full article

Cellulose, the most abundant organic polymer in soil, is degraded by the action of microbial communities. Cellulolytic taxa are widespread in soils, enhancing the biodegradation of cellulose by the synergistic action of different cellulase enzymes. β-glucosidases are the last enzymes responsible for the degradation of cellulose by producing glucose from the conversion of the disaccharide cellobiose. Different soils from the states of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, and New York were analyzed by direct DNA extraction, PCR analysis, and next generation sequencing of amplicon sequences coding for β-glucosidase genes. To determine the community structure and diversity of microorganisms carrying β-glucosidase genes, amplicon sequence variant analysis was performed. Results showed that the majority of β-glucosidase genes did not match any known phylum or genera with an average of 84% of sequences identified as unclassified. The forest soil sample from New York showed the highest value with 95.62%. When identification was possible, the bacterial phyla Pseudomonadota, Actinomycetota, and Chloroflexota were found to be dominant microorganisms with β-glucosidase genes in soils. The Delaware soil showed the highest diversity with phyla and genera showing the presence of β-glucosidase gene sequences in bacteria, fungi, and plants. However, the Chloroflexota genus Kallotanue was detected in 3 out of the 4 soil locations. When phylogenetic analysis of unclassified β-glucosidase genes was completed, most sequences aligned with the Chloroflexota genus Kallotenue and the Pseudomonadota species Sphingomonas paucimobilis. Since most sequences did not match known phyla, there is tremendous potential to discover new enzymes for possible biotechnological and pharmaceutical applications. Full article

Traditional manual crack inspection methods often face limitations in terms of efficiency, safety, and consistency. To overcome these issues, a new approach based on autonomous robotic systems has gained attention, combining robotics, artificial intelligence, and advanced sensing technologies. However, most existing reviews focus on individual components in isolation and fail to present a complete picture of how these systems work together. This study focuses on robotic crack detection and proposes a structured framework that connects three core modules: the physical platform (robots and sensors), the cognitive core (crack detection algorithms), and autonomous action (navigation and planning). We analyze key technologies, their interactions, and the challenges involved in real-world implementation. The aim is to provide a clear roadmap of current progress and future directions, helping researchers and engineers better understand the field and develop smart, deployable systems for infrastructure crack inspection. Full article