Search Results (1,519)

The low-carbon transition is increasingly mineral-intensive, raising the question of whether industrial-metal market conditions coincide with different carbon-intensity adjustments across inherited mineral structures. We examine 45 Asian and Pacific economies over 2005–2022 (756 economy-year observations), combining a real aluminium–copper–nickel–tin–zinc price index with predetermined mineral dependence measured from 1995–2004 non-fuel mineral rents. Economy and year fixed-effects estimates indicate a positive exposure gradient: across the interquartile exposure difference, a one-standard-deviation larger annual metal-price movement is associated with a 0.00577-log-point (0.58%) differential in annual carbon-intensity change. Design-aware inference is weaker than conventional economy-clustered inference (economy-CR2/Satterthwaite p = 0.0571; exact circular-shift p = 0.0556). The accounting decomposition yields point estimates of 0.0097 for primary-energy intensity and 0.0012 for CO₂ per unit of primary energy, although their difference is not statistically distinguished under CR2 inference. Allowing world industrial activity and oil-price movements to separate mineral dependence slopes reduces the focal coefficient to 0.00448 (p = 0.474), and identifying support is concentrated among materially mineral-dependent economies. The evidence documents a bounded exposure-conditioned association embedded in the wider industrial and commodity cycle. For planning, the findings support assessing energy demand, efficiency, and the carbon characteristics of supporting energy supply alongside mineral development decisions. Full article

Nutrient deficiency is a major constraint on crop productivity, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying adaptation to different essential nutrient deficiencies remain poorly understood in quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.). We performed the first comparative transcriptomic analysis of quinoa responses to deficiencies of twelve essential macro- and micronutrients across leaf and root tissues, generating 104 RNA-sequencing libraries analyzed using differential expression, multivariate, co-expression network, and pathway enrichment approaches. Nutrient deficiencies differed substantially in the magnitude and character of their transcriptional responses, with the number of differentially expressed genes ranging from 225 (boron) to 4367 (magnesium) across treatments, and leaves generally exhibiting greater transcriptional plasticity than roots, particularly under nitrogen, potassium, magnesium, and zinc deficiencies. Despite these differences, a conserved transcriptional response centered on protein turnover, ion transport, and nutrient recycling was triggered across nearly all nutrient deficiencies in roots, while suppression of photosynthesis-related genes recurred independently across several deficiencies in leaves; individual deficiencies also elicited distinct regulatory signatures reflecting their physiological functions. Macronutrient deficiencies primarily affected central metabolism, whereas micronutrient deficiencies predominantly altered metal homeostasis, redox balance, and specialized cofactor-dependent pathways. Together, these findings demonstrate that quinoa integrates conserved, tissue-specific stress responses with nutrient-specific regulatory mechanisms to cope with nutrient limitation. This work provides a comparative transcriptomic framework and candidate genes for improving nutrient use efficiency in quinoa and its adaptation to nutrient-limited environments. Full article

Traditional processing can modify the nutritional and volatile characteristics of cereal-based foods. This study evaluated Moroccan Bandek production, comprising soaking, steaming, solar drying, and roasting, using three durum wheat genotypes—conventional Svevo, high-amylose Svevo HA, and soft-kernel Faridur—and the high-β-glucan hull-less barley Chifaa. Raw wholemeal flours and corresponding Bandek products were analyzed for color, protein, β-glucan, resistant starch, iron, zinc, phenolic compounds, antioxidant capacity, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In vitro starch hydrolysis and predicted glycemic index (pGI) were determined in Bandek products. Compared with the corresponding flours, Bandek products were darker and showed higher resistant starch, extractable phenolic compounds, antioxidant capacity, iron, and zinc concentrations, whereas protein content was lower. However, marked differences emerged among the cereal matrices. Among the durum wheats, Svevo HA Bandek had the highest resistant starch content (6.82%) and a lower pGI than conventional Svevo, whereas Faridur showed the highest pGI (74.75%). In contrast, Chifaa barley Bandek retained 6.03% β-glucan and had the lowest pGI (53.78), clearly distinguishing it from the durum wheat products. Following standardized sample preparation, total semi-quantitative VOC abundance was higher in Bandek than in flour, with pyrazines providing the clearest distinction between the processed and raw matrices and additional variation attributable to genotype. These findings demonstrate that Bandek characteristics depend strongly on the cereal species and genotype, highlighting the distinct nutritional potential of high-β-glucan barley and high-amylose durum wheat. Full article

A physical–mathematical model was previously developed to estimate dust emissions from granular surfaces exposed to wind erosion. The model is based on the main physical mechanisms governing wind-driven dust emissions, whereby the release of fine particles is controlled by saltation and the associated sandblasting process. A probabilistic Monte Carlo approach is used to simulate saltator impacts on the erodible surface and estimate Particulate Matter (PM) emissions from the mass of elementary particles released during each collision. While the original study provided only a qualitative assessment, the present work introduces computational refinements and presents the first quantitative evaluation of the model in terms of both numerical performance and the physical consistency of the predicted PM emission behaviour. The algorithm was modified by introducing a fixed number of simulated impacts, thereby reducing computational cost. The revised model was applied to lead and zinc sulphide concentrates from an industrial plant in Sardinia (Italy) to evaluate the effects of the proposed model improvements. The assessment focused on (i) the sensitivity of the simulated emissions to the number of simulated impacts and (ii) the ability of the revised model to reproduce the PM emission magnitude, sandblasting efficiency, and their dependence on wind friction velocity. The results show that reducing the number of simulated impacts from 10,000 to 500 resulted in a median relative difference of 3.35% in the simulated PM emissions compared with the highest-sampling configuration investigated, while reducing the computational time by approximately 95%. Moreover, the model reproduces emission magnitudes and key emission parameters generally consistent with those reported in the literature for materials with similar physical properties. Overall, the revised model provides an efficient, physically based tool for estimating PM emissions from industrial granular materials. Full article

Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) is one of the most lethal biological substances to humans, which inhibits acetylcholine release by the presynaptic nerve in neuromuscular junctions. Of the existing BoNT serotypes, BoNT serotype A (BoNT/A) is particularly potent, making it the primary focus in neurotoxin research. Its catalytic domain exhibits similar structural features and zinc-dependent activity as thermolysin, a key bacterial enzyme, which provides a foundation for designing antibacterial agents targeting related protease mechanisms. Repurposing of preapproved drugs or existing medications has recently proven an effective strategy to accelerate drug discovery. Accordingly, we employed drug-likeness screening, quantitative estimation of drug-likeness (QED), and molecular docking to screen about 9000 ligands from the FDA-preapproved drug library using the known crystal structures of the toxin’s light chain, and we identified potential inhibitors with the highest binding affinity. We further refined our selection using molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the stability of the receptor–ligand complexes. The binding mode analysis and binding free energies of the receptor–ligand complexes provide crucial information about the mechanism of action of our top-ranked potential inhibitors. Notably, 16 ligands exhibit a binding affinity greater (in magnitude) than that of the hydroxamate inhibitors that are co-crystallized in the X-ray structure. Most of these ligands contain fluorine, carboxylic and phosphate moieties as key functional groups that enhance their interactions with key residues of the BoNT active site. Our results suggest that dinoprost and 15 other clinically investigated ligands may serve as candidate scaffolds for further evaluation as potential BoNT/A LC inhibitors, pending experimental validation. Full article

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are widely used in biomedical, agricultural, and industrial applications, raising concerns about their potential hepatotoxicity. This study investigated the effects of 28-day oral ZnO NP exposure on hepatic function, oxidative stress, apoptosis, inflammatory signaling, and microRNA expression in rats. Sixty male Wistar albino rats were allocated to three groups (n = 20 each),control, low dose (30 mg/kg), and high dose (100 mg/kg), and treated by oral gavage. The administered material had a nominal particle size of 50 nm and a supplier-stated purity of 99.9%. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH), histopathology, immunohistochemistry, mRNA expression, and hepatic microRNAs were assessed. ZnO NPs induced dose-related liver injury: ALT increased from 31.26 ± 2.5 to 75.48 ± 12.3 IU/L, while AST increased from 32.47 ± 4.1 to 85.57 ± 18.9 IU/L. Hepatic MDA increased, whereas GSH increased at the low dose but was depleted at the high dose. Histopathology demonstrated sinusoidal congestion, hepatocellular necrosis, and inflammatory infiltration. Immunohistochemistry indicated reduced B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and increased caspase-3 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) immunoreactivity. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) were upregulated, whereas superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) was downregulated. At the high dose, miR-122-5p, miR-34a-5p, and miR-21-5p increased by 8.74-, 6.53-, and 4.38-fold, respectively (all p < 0.05). Their expression levels were also strongly and positively correlated with biochemical, oxidative, and histopathological indicators of liver injury. These findings indicate that ZnO NP exposure is associated with oxidative, inflammatory, apoptotic, and microRNA responses; the altered hepatic microRNAs may represent candidate tissue indicators of ZnO NP-induced liver injury. Full article

Iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) are essential trace elements for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular homeostasis, acting as enzymatic cofactors in energy metabolism and antioxidant defence. However, disruption of metal homeostasis can amplify oxidative injury through direct Fe/Cu redox chemistry or indirect Zn-dependent pathways. Ferroptosis and cuproptosis have been investigated as context-dependent mechanisms in various cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases (CCVDs), such as atherosclerosis, ischaemic/haemorrhagic stroke, diabetic vascular disease, and abdominal aortic aneurysm. This review summarizes the physiological regulation of metal homeostasis and examines pathways through which metal dyshomeostasis may contribute to vascular and neural injury, including oxidative biomolecular modification, mitochondrial dysfunction and inflammatory signalling. It further summarizes therapeutic strategies targeting metal metabolism, such as metal chelators, trace element supplementation and nanomedicine-based targeted delivery systems, which have shown protective effects predominantly in experimental models by restoring metal homeostasis and scavenging reactive oxygen species. Finally, the review highlights key challenges in clinical translation, such as tissue-specific metal detection and targeted inhibitor development, and emphasizes that precise regulation of metal metabolism may offer therapeutic opportunities for CCVDs. Full article

Polyethylene (PE)-based composites reinforced with lignocellulosic fillers undergo a gradual decline in performance under weathering conditions. This review combines a bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer 1.6.20 with a critical assessment of the literature to examine the weathering behavior of these composites and discuss its implications for the circular economy, particularly with respect to extending service life. The literature shows that mechanical property retention depends primarily on the lignocellulosic filler content (below 50 wt%), fiber-matrix interfacial adhesion, composite microstructure, and environmental exposure conditions. Because lignocellulosic fibers are inherently hydrophilic, water uptake and subsequent microcrack formation can compromise the structural integrity of the composite. Conversely, lignin present in the lignocellulosic reinforcement, coupling agents such as maleic anhydride-grafted polyethylene (PE-g-MA), and ultraviolet (UV) stabilizers such as zinc oxide enhance fiber–matrix adhesion, mitigate photo-oxidative degradation and improve the retention of mechanical properties during weathering. Although the relationship between weathering and the circular economy has rarely been explicitly addressed, the available evidence identifies the material compositions and exposure conditions that favor property retention, thereby supporting longer service life and increasing the potential for circular use of PE-based lignocellulosic composites. Full article

This work investigated the extraction behavior of Zn, Cu, and Fe during sulfuric acid leaching of metallurgical waste from the Ust-Kamenogorsk zinc production plant. At the same time, the detailed kinetic analysis was restricted to Zn dissolution. This study aimed to determine the structural and morphological characteristics of metallurgical wastes and the extraction efficiencies of Zn, Cu, and Fe, and to evaluate the apparent kinetics of Zn dissolution comparatively. The phase composition of the initial and mechanically treated samples was studied by X-ray diffraction analysis, functional groups by FTIR spectroscopy, and morphological features by scanning electron microscopy. Leaching experiments were conducted to assess the effect of sulfuric acid concentration, temperature, and process duration. The results showed that mechanical treatment produced qualitative morphological and structural changes in the slag and was accompanied by improved extraction of Zn, Cu, and Fe during sulfuric acid leaching. The extraction behavior depended on the experimental variable investigated. In the sulfuric acid concentration series, extraction from the mechanically treated sample reached 70.55 ± 0.88% for Zn, 90.50 ± 0.47% for Cu, and 42.37 ± 0.47% for Fe at 1.0 M H₂SO₄. In the leaching time series conducted at 1.0 M H₂SO₄ and 75 °C, Zn extraction reached 78.06 ± 0.92% at 120 min after mechanical treatment, whereas Cu extraction reached its maximum of 90.78 ± 0.55% at 60 min. The time-dependent extraction behavior differed among the investigated metals, and no single leaching time maximized Zn, Cu, and Fe extraction simultaneously. Comparative analysis using Shrinking Core Model expressions indicated that both surface-reaction and product-layer-diffusion expressions provided comparable descriptions of the Zn leaching data; however, the limited number of kinetic data points does not allow definitive identification of a unique rate-controlling mechanism. For Zn dissolution, the apparent activation energies were 8.16 and 10.17 kJ mol⁻¹ for the surface chemical reaction expression and 14.37 and 17.81 kJ mol⁻¹ for the product-layer diffusion expression before and after mechanical treatment, respectively. A conceptual leaching pathway based on the available experimental observations was proposed to relate the observed structural and morphological changes to Zn extraction and the formation of a gypsum-containing solid residue. The results indicate that mechanical treatment is a promising pretreatment approach for improving the hydrometallurgical processing of the investigated metallurgical waste under the tested conditions. Full article

Copper nanoparticles possess broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, and aerogels with 3D interconnected porous networks can trap bacteria and sustain metal ion release to boost bactericidal effects. Zinc is another low-toxicity antibacterial metal, and the Cu–Zn combination is predicted to generate synergistic inhibition. Herein, monometallic Cu aerogel and CuZn alloy aerogel were fabricated by a one-step method, and comparative experiments were performed to verify whether Zn alloying improves the antibacterial performance of Cu aerogel. TEM and XRD suggest the probable formation of Cu–Zn substitutional solid solution; Zn addition refined nanoparticles and relieved particle aggregation. Quantitative viability tests, agar diffusion and biofilm inhibition assays proved that CuZn alloy aerogel exhibited superior bactericidal and anti-biofilm activity against E. coli and S. aureus. Mechanistic investigations revealed that the bimetallic alloy induced strain-dependent intracellular ROS accumulation and disrupted bacterial membrane potential to cause irreversible bacterial death. DC2.4 cell tests validated its good cytocompatibility, with cell viability over 70% at 100 ppm, the concentration delivering excellent antibacterial capacity. This work explores the combined antibacterial advantages of Cu-Zn bimetallic alloy aerogel and offers a facile strategy to fabricate biocompatible metal aerogels for biomedical antibacterial applications. Full article

Background/Objectives: Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] is a toxic metal that enters the environment due to natural and anthropogenic processes. The liver is a major target organ of Cr(VI) exposure through drinking water, resulting in an increased risk of exposed individuals developing chronic liver diseases and cancers. Cr(VI) exposure is also associated with neurological dysfunction. Essential metal dyshomeostasis is a well-characterized biomarker of liver and neurological diseases, but the role Cr(VI) plays in altering essential metal levels in both organs is poorly understood. Methods: Male and female Hartley guinea pigs were exposed to 0 or 5 mg Cr(VI)/L in drinking water for 90 days. Chromium accumulation and essential metal levels in the liver, blood and brain were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Results: Chromium significantly accumulated in a sex-dependent manner in the livers and blood of guinea pigs given 5 mg Cr(VI)/L in their drinking water, with sex- and region-specific chromium deposition observed in the brain. The livers and blood of female guinea pigs were more vulnerable to Cr(VI) exposure, as evident in the significant chromium accumulation and dyshomeostasis of several essential metals, including hepatic magnesium, zinc and potassium. Conversely, male guinea pigs were more vulnerable to Cr(VI)-induced essential metal dyshomeostasis in the brain, with significant changes in molybdenum and cobalt in nearly half of the 11 brain regions assessed. Conclusions: This study begins the process of establishing a novel model to study Cr(VI)-induced hepatotoxicity, neurotoxicity and organ crosstalk. Overall, Cr(VI) induced sex-dependent essential metal dyshomeostasis in the liver and blood, along with sex- and region-specific essential metal dyshomeostasis in the brain. These results suggest essential metal dyshomeostasis may play an important role in Cr(VI)-induced liver and neurodegenerative diseases, and these effects should guide future mechanistic investigations. Full article

This study reports a systematic, single-additive investigation of biodegradable films based on polylactic acid (PLA) and polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) blends (T2308 and F2332) from Ecovio^® for packaging applications by incorporating additives such as nisin, essential oils (tea tree, lemongrass, eucalyptus, clove leaves), curcumin, and zinc oxide nanoparticles. Their effects on structure, morphology, thermal behavior, mechanical properties, barrier performance, and optical properties were evaluated by FTIR, SEM with EDX, TGA, DSC, DMA, XPS, mechanical testing, water vapor permeability, moisture absorption, contact angle measurements and UV/visible transmittance. FTIR confirmed additive incorporation with bonding interactions. SEM revealed matrix-dependent morphologies, with T2308 being denser and more heterogeneous, F2332 being more homogeneous and flexible. DSC/TGA showed curcumin markedly reduces crystallinity and melting enthalpy in T2308 (weaker effects in F2332), while oils generally decrease crystallinity and shift Tg depending on molecular structure. Mechanical testing indicated modulus is highly matrix-dependent: curcumin, nisin, and ZnO decrease stiffness in T2308, whereas F2332 shows smaller or opposite trends. UV shielding increases with curcumin and ZnO, and clove oil improves barrier performance. Biodegradation was assessed only for neat films: weight loss averaged ~4–6% after 49 days, with PET/HDPE remaining largely inert. These results illustrate the importance of matrix–additive interactions in enabling tailored biodegradable packaging materials. Full article

Modern nutritional science places increasing emphasis not only on absolute nutrient content, but primarily on bioavailability and interactions with the food matrix. This paper presents a comprehensive comparison of the bioavailability of protein, vitamins (A, D, and B₁₂), and key minerals (iron, zinc, and calcium) from animal-source foods (ASF) and plant-based alternatives. Based on the literature indexed in the Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and ScienceDirect databases, this review assessed nutrient absorption and matrix effects, including both antinutritional factors and health-promoting compounds. The analysis shows that while ASF generally exhibit higher baseline bioavailability of several essential micronutrients and protein (measured by PDCAAS and DIAAS) due to the absence of phytates and oxalates, plant-based matrices offer distinct physiological benefits, including dietary fiber and phytonutrients. Moreover, the lower bioavailability in plant sources can be significantly improved through food processing techniques (e.g., fermentation, germination, thermal treatment) and strategic dietary combinations. Therefore, adequate nutrient intake depends not only on the food’s origin but also on its preparation methods and the overall dietary pattern. It is also important that the best diet is both nutritionally adequate and sustainable for the individual and the environment. Full article

Increasingly, mycelium-based biomaterials are being investigated as sustainable alternatives to conventional packaging materials, but their inherent brittleness limits their practical application. The present study investigated the properties of pure mycelium sheets sourced from Ganoderma sp., Lentinus sp., and Pleurotus sp., employing glycerol plasticization and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs). The findings revealed that growth and structural attributes varied according to the species, with Ganoderma and Lentinus exhibiting enhanced colonization rates. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) examination indicated that Lentinus developed dense fiber networks, Ganoderma exhibited compact structures, while Pleurotus presented a porous morphology. Glycerol enhanced flexibility but diminished tensile strength, while ZnONPs offered marginal reinforcement. Lentinus exhibited the greatest density, whereas untreated Ganoderma exhibited the highest thermal stability among the control samples (284.97 °C), while glycerol-treated Pleurotus exhibited the highest thermal stability overall (287.39 °C). Glycerol-treated sheets demonstrated improved ductility and heightened hydrophilicity. The properties of mycelium are species-dependent and can be modulated through targeted post-treatment strategies. Lentinus and Ganoderma exhibit significant potential as sustainable bio-based materials for packaging applications. These findings demonstrated that Lentinus sp. treated with glycerol achieved the optimal balance of flexibility and density for sustainable packaging, while glycerol-treated Pleurotus sp. exhibited superior thermal stability. Full article

Burns injuries present critical health and care challenges and remain one of the leading causes of preventable morbidity globally. The pathophysiology of burns injuries combines barrier disruption, dysregulated inflammation and biofilm-driven polymicrobial infection. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NP) offer unique, multi-functional capabilities of broad-spectrum antimicrobial, pro-regenerative zinc (II) ion sources and an intrinsic transducer that is piezoelectric, photoresponsive and pH-responsive. This paper presents a comprehensive review of ZnO NP for the treatment of skin burns injuries with a focus on its multifunctional nanotherapeutic and sensor-integrated platforms. A structured literature search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase and IEEE Xplore covering the period 2015 to 2025 was conducted to identify and consolidate relevant pre-clinical and clinical evidence on ZnO-based and sensor-integrated burn wound platforms. From the survey across hydrogels, electrospun nanofibers, films, sprays, and three-dimensional bio-printed constructs, it is established that ZnO formulations achieve 60–95% wound closure by day 14 versus 30–55% for untreated controls, with 3–7 log10 colony-forming-unit reductions and minimum inhibitory concentrations of 8–256 micrograms per millilitre against multidrug-resistant pathogens. Wound healing is driven by sustained Zn²⁺ release, reactive-oxygen-species-mediated bactericidal action, matrix-metalloproteinase-9 modulation, vascular-endothelial-growth-factor and hypoxia-inducible-factor-1-alpha angiogenesis, and nuclear-factor-kappa-B suppressed inflammation. Emerging closed-loop sensor-integrated dressings deliver real-time wound pH, temperature, and matrix-metalloproteinase-9 readout coupled to near-field-communication actuated on-demand zinc release. Clinical translation is affected by several factors such as dose-dependent cytotoxicity associated with excessive ROS generation or dissolution, limited standardisation of green-synthesis methodologies, batch-to-batch variability in nanoparticle physicochemical properties and limited clinical trial data. ZnO-based theranostic platforms hold practical clinical translation potentials provided reproducible GMP-scale synthesis, long-term biocompatibility validation and comprehensive regulatory classification is systematically addressed. Full article