Search Results (159)

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance and the increasing demand for a healthier lifestyle have set new goals for science and industry. In the search for new, more effective, and environmentally friendly antimicrobial agents, special attention is being paid to natural resources. In this regard, essential oils derived from plants, which are widely used in the cosmetic, food, and pharmaceutical industries, are one of the solutions. In view of the above, this study aims to investigate the biological effects of Abies alba essential oil (AAEO). The chemical profile of AAEO was evaluated by GC/MS analysis, which revealed a high abundance of limonene (52.2%) and α-pinene (36.2%). Antioxidant activity evaluation showed a higher potential of AAEO in scavenging ABTS radical species with an IC₅₀ value of 1.18 ± 0.05 mg/mL. In vitro antimicrobial activity was determined by disc diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration assays and showed that AAEO was more efficient in inhibiting the growth of G⁺ bacterial species. On contrary, in situ evaluations of antimicrobial effects of AAEO on different food models (strawberry, kiwi, white radish, and beetroot) resulted in more efficient suppression of G⁻ bacterial species. Although AAEO showed low effects on yeasts determined by in vitro methods, in situ investigations showed its higher potential in eradication of Candida yeast. The antibiofilm properties of the AAEO matrix were determined by means of crystal violet assay and MALDI-TOF MS Biotyper analysis against biofilm-forming Salmonella enterica. The analysis performed led to the conclusion that AAEO, when applied prior to biofilm formation, may contribute to the removal of planktonic cells and alter the abiotic surface, thereby reducing the suitability of Salmonella enterica for microbial attachment. Full article

Deep neural network (DNN) watermarking is a suitable method for protecting the ownership of deep learning (DL) models. It secretly embeds an identifier within the model, which can be retrieved by the owner to prove ownership. In this paper, we first provide a unified framework for white-box DNN watermarking schemes that encompasses current state-of-the-art methods and outlines their theoretical inter-connections. Next, we introduce DICTION, a new white-box dynamic robust watermarking scheme derived from this framework. Its main originality lies in a generative adversarial network (GAN) strategy where the watermark extraction function is a DNN trained as a GAN discriminator, while the target model acts as a GAN generator. DICTION can be viewed as a generalization of DeepSigns, which, to the best of our knowledge, is the only other dynamic white-box watermarking scheme in the literature. Experiments conducted on four benchmark models (MLP, CNN, ResNet-18, and LeNet) demonstrate that DICTION achieves a zero bit error rate (BER) while maintaining model accuracy within 0.5% of the baseline. DICTION shows superior robustness, tolerating up to 95% weight pruning compared to 80% for existing methods, and it demonstrates complete resistance to fine-tuning and overwriting attacks where competing methods fail, with a BER of >0.3. Full article

The search for sustainable and health-promoting food sources has increased interest in edible insects, which are rich in proteins and bioactive compounds with potential nutraceutical applications. In this study, we evaluated the bioactive properties of protein hydrolysates derived from Aegiale hesperiaris (maguey white worm, WW) and Comadia redtenbacheri (maguey red worm, RW), two culturally and economically significant insect species in Mexico. Hydrolysates were obtained via enzymatic treatments: either single hydrolysis with pepsin (PH) or sequential hydrolysis with pepsin followed by trypsin (PTH). The PTH hydrolysates exhibited strong antioxidant activity, with 2,2-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical inhibition above 90% and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging capacity between 75–85%. Additionally, they showed significant angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity, reaching IC₅₀ values of 0.35 and 0.017 $\mathsf{\mu }$g/mL for WWPH and RWPH, respectively—the latter outperforming the commercial drug Enalapril (IC₅₀ = 0.11 $\mathsf{\mu }$g/mL). SDS-PAGE analysis revealed low molecular weight peptides (<10 kDa), especially between 5–9 kDa, associated with enhanced bioactivity. Peptides from RW also showed low Hill coefficients, suggesting a gradual and sustained interaction with ACE. These findings support the use of insect-derived hydrolysates as promising multifunctional ingredients for the development of functional foods targeting cardiovascular health. Full article

Among grapevine trunk diseases, Eutypa dieback, caused by the fungus Eutypa lata, is one of the most critical ones, due to its widespread infection in vineyards and the lack of effective treatments. This fungus is a vascular pathogen that enters grapevines through pruning wounds. The infection process is associated with phytotoxic metabolites produced by the fungus, and as such, the identification of new metabolites from different culture conditions and broths could provide valuable insights into the fungus’s enzymatic system and help its control. For the purposes of this study, the OSMAC (one strain, many compounds) approach was applied to investigate the secondary metabolism of E. lata strain 311 isolated from Vitis vinifera plants in Spain. A total of twenty metabolites were isolated, including five reported for the first time from E. lata and four that are newly identified compounds in the literature: eulatagalactoside A, (R)-2-(4′-hydroxy-3′-methylbut-1′-yn-1′-yl)-4-(hydroxymethyl)phenol, (S)-7-hydroxymethyl-3-methyl-2,3-dihydro-1-benzoxepin-3-ol, and (3aR,4S,5R,7aS)-4,5-dihydroxy-6-((R)-3′-methylbuta-1′,3′-dien-1′-ylidene)hexahydrobenzo[d][1,3]dioxol-2-one. These compounds were extracted from fermentation broths using silica gel column chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Their structures were elucidated through extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, along with high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HRESIMS). Compounds were evaluated for phytotoxicity against Phaseolus vulgaris, with only eulatagalactoside A producing white spots after 48 h. Additionally, the antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Klebsiella pneumoniae of selected compounds was tested. The compounds (R)-2-(4′-hydroxy-3′-methylbut-1′-yn-1′-yl)-4-(hydroxymethyl)phenol and (S)-7-(hydroxymethyl)-3-methyl-2,3-dihydrobenzo[b]oxepin-3-ol showed the most significant antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, inhibiting S. aureus by over 75%, with IC₅₀ values of 511.4 µg/mL and 617.9 µg/mL, respectively. Full article

Efficient and accurate grey-box building models, including water-based heating and cooling systems, are crucial for simulating and optimizing the energy demand of building, neighborhood, and network scenarios. However, the numerical effort and the amount of input data required for existing models are still high, and the parameterization of these systems is very labor-intensive. This paper presents a grey-box model that addresses these limitations by requiring minimal input data and offering a highly efficient parameterization method. Using physical principles, the model was validated against a detailed physical building model and measurement data. Our results show that the grey-box model accurately predicts return temperatures (σ = 0.37 K, µ = 0.05 K) and room air temperatures (σ = 0.62 K, µ = 0.28 K). Compared to 8229 s for the detailed physical model, the model requires only 18 s for a one-year simulation. The model also shows robust behavior with alternative weather data and control strategies. The key contribution of this work is the development of a grey-box model that combines high accuracy and numerical efficiency with significantly reduced data and parameterization requirements, with possible applications in large-scale building simulations, demand-side management, short-term energy storage strategies, and model predictive control. Full article

The development of more effective disease-modifying treatments for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is compromised by the lack of streamlined measures to detect and monitor the full spectrum of neurodegeneration, including white matter pathology, which begins early. This study utilized an established intracerebral streptozotocin (STZ) model of AD to examine the potential utility of a non-invasive serum extracellular vesicle (SEV)-based liquid biopsy approach for detecting a broad range of molecular pathologies related to neurodegeneration. The design enabled comparative analysis of immunoreactivity in frontal lobe tissue (FLTX), frontal lobe-derived EVs (FLEVs), and SEVs. Long Evans rats were administered i.c. STZ or saline (control) on postnatal day 3 (P3). Morris Water Maze testing was performed from P24 to P27. On P31–32, the rats were sacrificed to harvest FLTX and serum for EV characterization. STZ caused brain atrophy, with deficits in spatial learning and memory. STZ significantly impacted FLEV and SEV nanoparticle abundance and size distributions and concordantly increased AD (Tau, pTau, and Aβ) and oxidative stress (ubiquitin, 4-HNE) biomarkers, as well as immunoreactivity to immature oligodendrocyte (PLP), non-myelinating glial (PDGFRA, GALC) proteins, MAG, nestin, and GFAP in FLTX and FLEV. The SEVs also exhibited concordant STZ-related effects, but they were limited to increased levels of 4-HNE, PLP, PDGFRA, GALC, MAG, and GFAP. The findings suggest that non-invasive EV-based liquid biopsy approaches could potentially be used to detect and monitor some aspects of AD-type neurodegeneration. Targeting brain-specific EVs in serum will likely increase the sensitivity of this promising non-invasive approach for diagnostic and clinical management. Full article

To explore the functions of peptides obtained from white mullet (Ophiocephalus argus var. Kimnra) meat, the meat was hydrolyzed via simulated digestion in vitro, and the functions (milk secretion ability, antioxidant activity, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity, and Fe²⁺ chelation) of the obtained peptide were evaluated. The results indicated that both low-dose and high-dose peptide promoted milk secretion in lactating rats in vivo; the peptides had scavenging effects on free radicals of 1,1-diphenyl-2-trinitrophenylhydrazine (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzo-thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS), OH⁻, and O²⁻, and the EC₅₀ concentrations were 55.94 mg/mL, 10.14 mg/mL, 52.92 mg/mL, and 28.53 mg/mL, respectively. The peptides had an inhibitory effect on ACE, and the IC₅₀ concentration was 15.81 mg/mL. The peptides had a chelating ability to Fe²⁺, and the IC₅₀ concentration was 69.05 mg/mL. These results indicate that peptides obtained from white mullet meat exhibit milk secretion-promoting ability, antioxidant activity, ACE-inhibitory activity, and Fe²⁺ chelation, making this an effective approach for isolating specific functional peptides and identifying their sequences from the digested solution of white mullet meat. Full article

Background: Candida auris is a significant global health concern, due to its rapid transmission, high mortality rate, and resistance to commonly available antifungal drugs. Methodology: During the current study, a cationic polymeric hydrogel was developed using chitosan (CS), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and methacrylic acid (MAA). The respective solutions were mixed in a volumetric ratio of 2:1:1. After characterization, the hydrogel was assessed using antifungal, antibiofilm, and hemocompatibility assays. Results: The hydrodynamic radius of 554.7 ± 90.1 nm and zeta potential of 15.6 ± 1.09 mV indicate the ideal size and charge for topical applications and in vivo studies, respectively. The formulation exhibited improved thermal stability, enhanced swelling, and a drug release profile for non-Fickian diffusion. The hydrogel effectively inhibited fungal growth in agar plates (42 ± 7.31 mm zone of inhibition), with a mean IC₅₀ of 15.17 ± 4.01 μg/mL and MIC of 29.30 ± 11.72 μg/mL. Calcofluor white (CFW) staining showed diffuse irregular yeast cells, suggesting increased membrane permeability, eventually leading to cell death. The hemocompatibility assay revealed no visible agglutination or hemolysis at the MIC value. The formulation exhibited significantly reduced biofilm formation compared to the growth control (p < 0.05). Additionally, in silico analysis revealed that MAA showed superior oral bioavailability, no inhibitory activity on cytochrome P450 enzymes, and low potential for toxicity through nuclear receptor signaling pathways. Conclusions: Cationic hydrogels show promise as potential antifungal treatments. The development of cost-effective and improved therapeutic methods is crucial to combat this deadly pathogen and to improve patient outcomes. Full article

Background/Objectives: Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) affect oxidative stress and systemic inflammation, which might modify the risk of thrombosis in asthmatic patients exposed to particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter smaller than 2.5 microns (PM_2.5). Therefore, we aim to know the systemic biomarkers of oxidative stress, inflammation, and coagulation in ICS-treated, well-controlled adult asthmatic patients after exposure to PM_2.5. Methods: This study was conducted to compare urinary biomarkers of oxidative stress, i.e., 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and blood biomarkers of inflammation and hypercoagulation, i.e., complete blood count (CBC), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), fibrinogen, D-dimer, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukins (IL-6 and IL-8), between well-controlled adult asthmatic patients and healthy controls in low and high-pollution periods. Results: Forty-one ICS-controlled asthmatic patients and twenty controls were included. Urinary 8-OHdG, white blood cells and differential counts, platelets count, hsCRP, IL-6, and IL-8 in the asthma group were not significantly higher than controls during the same period. The D-dimer level of the asthma patients was significantly higher than the controls (p < 0.05). The median level of TNF-α levels during the pollution period in asthma patients was significantly higher than the non-pollution period with levels of 14.3 (9.3, 27.4) and 11.3 (7.8, 21.1) pg/mL, p = 0.041, respectively. Conclusions: During exposure to PM_2.5, serum TNF-α was increased while the other markers of oxidative stress and inflammation were not high in ICS-treated asthma. ICS might mitigate PM_2.5-induced systemic oxidative stress, inflammation, and hypercoagulation in asthma. Full article

This study investigates the recovery of bioactive polyphenolic compounds from the pomace of two white winemaking grape varieties, Moschofilero and Rhoditis. The pomace was subjected to two drying techniques: air drying (AD) and solar drying (SD). Extraction methods included microwave-assisted extraction (MW), ultrasound-assisted extraction (US), and Soxhlet extraction (S), using water and water–ethanol (WE) solvents. Antioxidant activity (IC50), total phenolic content (TPC), and total flavan-3-ol content (TFC) were determined. For Moschofilero, SD pomace extracted with US-WE showed the highest antioxidant activity (IC50: 0.59 mg/mL) and the highest phenolic recovery (TPC: 285.76 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g) and flavan-3-ol content (TFC: 46.21 mg catechin equivalents (CE)/g). For Rhoditis, AD pomace extracted with US-WE demonstrated superior antioxidant activity (IC50: 1.08 mg/mL), phenolic content (TPC: 216.51 mg GAE/g), and flavan-3-ol content (TFC: 35.96 mg CE/g). HPLC analysis identified quercetin-3-glucuronide, myricetin, and quercetin as the main flavonols in both grape varieties, with Moschofilero also containing isorhamnetin-3-glucoside and syringetin-3-glucoside. Drying and extraction methods significantly influenced the recovery of bioactive compounds, with US combined with AD or SD yielding the best results for both grape varieties These findings show that improved drying and extraction methods can add value to grape pomace for use in functional foods and nutraceuticals. Full article

A diagnostic chemical analysis has been performed on a Roman Cippus funebris in precious white marble located close to an ancient Roman road. The Cippus was in good condition but almost completely covered by a black patina, requiring a conservative cleaning intervention. The restorer in charge of the restoration asked us to make a preliminary diagnosis, on the basis of which we could suggest the most appropriate intervention. The Cippus was dedicated to the young Quintus Cornelius Proclianus, who died at the age of 15, by his mother Valeria Calpurnia Scopele. It perfectly fits into the Roman funerary liturgy and also shows an Etruscan-type iconography that seems to confirm the Etruscan Gens of the family and its dating to the 1st century AD. Ion chromatography (IC) analyses were performed to determine anions and cations on solutions obtained from the extraction of salts from the four samples of the Cippus. pH, conductivity, and red-ox potential measures, as well as UV-visible spectra were carried out on the same solutions. A small fragment, spontaneously fallen from the Cippus’ surface, was also observed by optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). From the analyses, the dark patina that covered the surface before cleaning turned out to be made of black crusts, that is, smog particles adsorbed on sulfates, but above all, by a layer of microflora. The results allowed us to suggest some conservative interventions. Full article

Known as the “white oil”, lithium is a key raw material to support strategic emerging industries and future industrial development. Zabuye Salt Lake is the only one in Tibet, China that has so far realized the industrialization of lithium extraction from the salt lake brine. The green and low-cost lithium extraction technology by using the salinity-gradient solar pond (SGSP) adopted has always been paid much attention by lithium-related practitioners and researchers. In order to improve the lithium yield and grade of a single crystallization pond, the cross-year brine mixing method can be used to increase the initial temperature and CO₃²⁻ concentration of the raw brine for making the SGSP. The premise is to ensure that the summer brine with low Li⁺ and high CO₃²⁻ prepared in the previous year could be stored safely for overwintering with a minimal change in brine composition, for use in brine mixing in February and March of the next year, which can be realized by using the SGSP. In this paper, two experiments of brine storage for overwintering were carried out in the Zabuye mining area, Tibet in 2020 and 2021 by using the large-scale SGSP with an area of nearly 4000 m². The results show that during the operation of the SGSP in winter, the brine temperature in the lower convective zone (LCZ) can still rise to more than 20 °C and remain relatively stable, indicating that the coverage of surface ice layer not only has an effect of heat preservation and insulation on the SGSP, but also plays a positive role in the thermal storage capacity of the SGSP. The vertical distributions of brine temperature, density and salinity in the pond showed the ideal gradient curves increasing from top to bottom, and the concentrations of Li⁺ and CO₃²⁻ in the brine only decreased slightly. The structure of the salinity-gradient layer tended to stabilize faster when the brine filling depth was larger, but the boundary between the upper convective zone (UCZ) and the non-convective zone (NCZ) was relatively blurred. It is completely feasible to store the brine for overwintering by using the SGSP in the Zabuye mining area, and the experimental results could be directly scalable to larger industrial applications. It can not only provide high-quality raw brine for cross-year brine mixing, but also reduce the pressure of brine production, and a small amount of lithium mixed salt collected is helpful to increase the output of a single crystallization pond. Additionally, the potential challenges of maintaining the SGSP system during extreme winter conditions are described, and effective measures and suggestions are proposed to make the technology feasible in diverse climates. Full article

Three poplar species widely distributed in southern Romania were investigated for their chemical composition and bioactivity. Male buds from black poplar (Populus nigra L.), white poplar (Populus alba L.), and Euroamerican hybrid poplar (Populus × euramericana (Dode) Guinier.) were analyzed using HPTLC, HPLC, GC-MS, and spectrophotometric assays. The analysis revealed predominantly polyphenolic compounds, including phenolic acids and flavonoids, secondary metabolites recognized for their antioxidant properties, particularly valuable in alleviating oxidative stress disorders. Heavy metal content was measured using atomic absorption spectroscopy, and antioxidant capacity was assessed through DPPH and FRAP assays alongside a cytotoxicity evaluation. Polyphenolic content ranged from 19.26 to 33.37 mg GAE/g DW and flavonoid content from 2.15 to 4.45 mg RE/g DW. All three species demonstrated notable antioxidant capacity and cytotoxic activity. Hydroethanolic extracts of P. nigra and P. euramericana showed higher antioxidant activity than aqueous extracts, with P. nigra achieving the lowest IC₅₀ value overall, highlighting the influence of solvent choice on antioxidant efficacy. Furthermore, poplar hydroethanolic extracts exhibited concentration-dependent cytotoxicity against fibroblast-like human osteosarcoma MG63 cell lines, with IC₅₀ values of 42.55 µg/mL for P. nigra, 40.87 µg/mL for P. × euramericana, and 132.49 µg/mL for P. alba, underscoring significant interspecies variability in cytotoxic potency. These findings suggest that male floral buds from Romanian poplar species may serve as valuable sources of bioactive compounds with therapeutic potential. Full article

Lake ice has a major impact on the functioning of lake ecosystems, the thermal and gas regimes of lakes, habitat conditions, socio-economic aspects of human life, local climate, etc. The multifaceted influence of lake ice makes it important to study its changes associated with global warming, including lake ice phenology, ice thickness, and the snow–ice fraction. This article presents a study of lake ice changes in different regions of Eurasia: the Arctic (Lake Imandra in the Murmansk region and Lake Kilpisjärvi in Finland), the temperate zone (six small and medium lakes in Karelia, Mozhaysk Reservoir in the Moscow region, and Lake Pääjärvi in Finland), the arid zone (Lake Ulansuhai in China), and the highlands (lakes Arpi and Sevan in Armenia). In the study regions, a statistically significant increase in winter air temperature has been recorded over the past few decades. The number of days with thaw (air temperature above 0 °C) has increased, while the number of days with severe frost (air temperature below −10 °C and −20 °C) has decreased. The share of liquid or mixed precipitation in winter increases most rapidly in the temperate zone. For two Finnish lakes, lakes Vendyurskoe and Vedlozero in Karelia, and Mozhaysk Reservoir, a decrease in the duration of the ice period was revealed, with later ice-on and earlier ice-off. The most dramatic change occurred in the large high-mountain Lake Sevan, where the water area has no longer been completely covered with ice every winter. In contrast, the small high-mountain Lake Arpi showed no significant changes in ice phenology over a 50-year period. Changes in the ice composition with an increase in the proportion of white ice and a decrease in the proportion of black ice have occurred in some lakes. In the temperate lakes Pääjärvi and Vendyurskoe, inverse dependences of the thickness of black ice on the number of days with thaw and frost in December–March for the first lake and on the amount of precipitation in the first month of ice for the second were observed. In the arid study region of China, due to the very little winter precipitation (usually less than 10 mm) only black ice occurs, and significant interannual variability in its thickness has been identified. Full article

Moringa oleifera tree is recognised for its high content of bioactive compounds. This work explored the potential of incorporating its leaves or respective extracts into white chocolate to enhance its biological and sensory properties as white chocolate lacks the beneficial compounds found in cocoa. In this study, a phenolic-rich extract was obtained from Moringa oleifera leaf powder, and its biological properties and phenolic composition were characterised. The extract displayed good antioxidant capacity, especially against ABTS radical (IC₅₀ = 162.0 mg/L). Additionally, it exhibited strong inhibitory potential against α-amylase and β-glucosidase, achieving average inhibition rates of 79.9% and 98.0%, respectively. The main phenolic compounds identified included catechin (0.211 mg_compound/g_extract), caffeic acid (0.056 mg_compound/g_extract), and quercetin (0.031 mg_compound/g_extract). White chocolate samples were fortified with 1% and 3% M. oleifera leaf extract, resulting in increased antioxidant properties and oxidative stability. All formulations were microbiologically safe, and the sample containing 3% extract showed the highest DPPH inhibition after 15 days of storage and a higher delay in the autoxidation of lipids over time. The fortification of white chocolate with M. oleifera leaf extract has the potential to transform it into a functional product rich in antioxidants, providing health benefits and increased value. Full article