Search Results (2,001,597)

The enzymatic conversion of lignocellulosic biomass (LB) into fermentable sugars is important for the development of sustainable biorefineries. This study investigated the immobilisation of Trichoderma reesei (T. reesei) cellulase on amine-functionalised magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and evaluated the resulting biocatalyst for the hydrolysis of pretreated hemp hurd (HH) biomass. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) provided evidence consistent with cellulase association with the nanoparticles, with the estimated dry-state particle diameter increasing from 22.4 ± 0.4 to 27.8 ± 0.3 nm after immobilisation. The selected immobilised catalyst loading produced approximately 89% of the total filter-paper assay response obtained with the selected free-enzyme loading, although this comparison was not normalised to protein content. During 7 h hydrolysis experiments, glucose production increased progressively for both enzyme forms. Across the tested enzyme dilutions, immobilised cellulase generated approximately 88–91% of the glucose produced by free cellulase. The immobilised enzyme also retained approximately 64% of its initial hydrolysis performance after five reuse cycles. These findings demonstrate the potential of magnetic cellulase nanobiocatalysts for recoverable and reusable hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass. However, further studies are required to determine protein-normalised activity, immobilisation efficiency, longer-term stability, process economics and industrial scalability. Full article

Plant A/T-rich sequence and zinc-binding protein (PLATZ) transcription factors are pivotal regulators of plant growth, development, and abiotic stress responses. Although PLATZ genes have been extensively studied and functionally characterized in various plant species, little information is available regarding these genes in the legume model plant Medicago truncatula. In this study, a total of 16 PLATZ genes (designated MtPLATZ1 to MtPLATZ16) were identified from the M. truncatula genome and distributed across six of the eight chromosomes. Subcellular localization prediction analysis indicated that all MtPLATZ proteins are localized in the nucleus, with eight representative members experimentally validated by transient expression assays. Collinearity analysis indicated that five segmental duplication pairs were the primary driver of MtPLATZ gene expansion. Based on phylogenetic analysis, these genes were classified into four groups, comprising 6, 2, 4, and 4 genes, respectively. Gene structure analysis demonstrated that these genes possess three or four exons. Most MtPLATZ genes were found to contain at least one ABRE cis-element in their promoter regions, and a few also harbored LTR, CAT-box, ARE, and DRE cis-elements. Expression analysis revealed that MtPLATZ genes exhibit distinct expression patterns across different tissues, suggesting that they may be differentially regulated by abiotic stresses in a tissue-specific manner. Under PEG-induced osmotic stress, acute NaCl shock, acute heat shock, and acute cold shock, the expression levels of these eight genes exhibited significant changes, particularly MtPLATZ2, MtPLATZ6, and MtPLATZ9, indicating that MtPLATZ gene family members may play a broad role in abiotic stress responses. In summary, these findings provide valuable insights for future functional exploration of MtPLATZ genes and contribute to a deeper understanding of their roles in stress responses in M. truncatula. Full article

Background: Burnout, defined by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment, is a major occupational health concern among healthcare professionals. Burnout has been linked to depression, anxiety, and medical errors, but its association with suicidality in healthcare settings remains insufficiently explored. Objective: To investigate the association between burnout dimensions and suicidality among healthcare professionals, and to identify occupational and demographic factors influencing this relationship. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 195 healthcare professionals in Romania, recruited through voluntary participation in an anonymized online survey. Burnout was assessed using an adapted tool inspired by the Maslach Burnout Inventory, while suicidality outcomes included suicidal ideation, self-harm, and suicide attempts. Descriptive statistics were calculated for demographic and professional variables. Pearson correlations and multivariable linear regression analyses, adjusted for age, professional experience, and shift work, were performed to evaluate associations between burnout dimensions and suicidality. Results: Emotional exhaustion (r = 0.42, p < 0.001) and depersonalization (r = 0.37, p < 0.001) were positively correlated with suicidality, while reduced personal accomplishment was negatively correlated (r = −0.29, p = 0.002). In multivariable regression, emotional exhaustion remained the only statistically significant independent predictor of suicidality after adjustment for demographic and occupational characteristics. Younger age and rotating/night-shift work were associated with higher suicidality in unadjusted analyses but were not independent predictors after multivariable adjustment. Strong correlations between burnout dimensions and physical symptoms highlighted the interplay between psychosocial strain and somatic health. Conclusions: Burnout, particularly emotional exhaustion, was independently associated with suicidality among healthcare professionals, while depersonalization demonstrated a significant unadjusted association that did not remain statistically significant after multivariable adjustment. Younger clinicians, shift workers, and those with less experience appear especially vulnerable. These findings emphasize that burnout is a multifactorial construct with both psychological and somatic dimensions, shaped by systemic workplace stressors. These findings support further evaluation of systematic screening, organizational reforms, mentorship programs, and confidential mental health support as potential components of suicide-prevention strategies for healthcare professionals. Full article

P4-ATPases maintain transbilayer lipid asymmetry, yet their functional roles in legume crops remain poorly understood. In the present study, GmALA1-a plasma membrane-localized P4-ATPase in soybean, was identified and characterized. Its physical interaction with the β-subunit GmALIS2 at the plasma membrane via biomolecular fluorescence complementation was confirmed. Heterologous expression in the P4-ATPase-deficient yeast strain ZHY709 demonstrated that GmALA1 fully complemented the cold-sensitive growth phenotype, while co-expression with GmALIS2 only partially restored growth, suggesting GmALIS2 may modulate rather than simply stimulate GmALA1 activity, though the mechanism remains unresolved. GmALA1 suppresses triacylglycerol accumulation while elevating lysophosphatidylethanolamine and lysophosphatidylcholine content in both wild-type and mutant yeast. These findings were consistent with GmALA1-driven remodeling of membrane lipid flux. In yeast and transgenic soybean hairy roots, GmALA1 alone or in combination with GmALIS2 differentially altered the internalization and tissue-specific distribution of multiple phospholipid classes, with the pattern of NBD-lipid accumulation differing depending on GmALIS2 co-expression and cellular context. GmALA1 expression was also associated with altered yeast sensitivity to divalent cations including Ca²⁺, Co²⁺, and Zn²⁺. Also, cellular cation accumulation in the P4-ATPase-deficient background was enhanced. However, whether this reflects a direct interaction between GmALA1 and cation homeostasis machinery remains to be established. These findings establish GmALA1 as a functionally active phospholipid flippase that coordinates transmembrane lipid redistribution in concert with GmALIS2. These findings advance our understanding of P4-ATPase biology in soybean and legume crops. Full article

The pulmonary microvasculature plays an essential role in maintaining alveolar integrity, but the direct effects of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) on pulmonary endothelial cell function remain poorly understood. We investigated the effects of budesonide, formoterol, and their combination on endothelial network formation, apoptosis, migration, proliferation, and efferocytosis using human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HPMEC-ST1.6R), A549 alveolar epithelial cells, and phagocytic cell models. Budesonide, alone or combined with formoterol, altered endothelial network formation on Matrigel by reducing total tubule length and the number of junctions while increasing tubule thickness, indicating reduced branching complexity. Budesonide also decreased epithelial secretion of the pro-angiogenic mediators VEGF, IL-8, and MCP-1. An independent set of experiments showed that fluticasone propionate similarly reduced VEGF, IL-8, MCP-1, TNF-α, and IL-6, supporting a class effect of corticosteroids on the epithelial secretome. Despite reducing angiogenic responses, budesonide protected endothelial cells from apoptosis, reduced caspase-3/7 activity, accelerated wound closure without affecting proliferation, preserved endothelial spheroid integrity, and enhanced efferocytosis. Formoterol alone had minimal effects and did not consistently enhance budesonide responses. Together, these in vitro findings suggest that, in the cell models studied, pulmonary endothelial responses to the ICS/LABA combinations tested are determined predominantly by the corticosteroid component, which suppresses pro-angiogenic mediator secretion while preserving endothelial survival and repair. As an exploratory cell-based study, these observations are hypothesis-generating and require confirmation in primary cells and in vivo models before clinical inferences can be drawn. Full article

Low-temperature stress severely restricts the growth, development, and ornamental value of Osmanthus fragrans Lour. However, the molecular mechanisms by which brassinolide (BR) and melatonin (MT) alleviate low-temperature-induced damage remain unclear. Here, O. fragrans branches were exposed to low-temperature stress (5, 0, −5, −10, −15, and −20 °C for 12 h) and treated with exogenous MT (50, 100, and 200 μM) or BR (0.5, 1, and 2 μM). An integrated approach combining phenotypic observation, physiological measurements, transcriptomics, and metabolomics was employed to elucidate the regulatory mechanisms underlying BR- and MT-mediated cold tolerance. The results showed that low-temperature stress significantly increased electrolyte leakage (EL), malondialdehyde (MDA), and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) accumulation, while reducing superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) activities. Compared with the control, BR and MT treatments alleviated leaf chlorosis and wilting, reduced oxidative damage, and enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities. Integrated transcriptome–metabolome analyses demonstrated that BR and MT commonly activated phenylpropanoid and flavonoid biosynthesis, thereby promoting antioxidant metabolite accumulation, while suppressing α-linolenic acid and linoleic acid metabolism associated with stress-induced lipid remodeling. Network-based transcriptomic analyses identified transcription factors, including ARF, EIL, bHLH, and GRAS, as potential regulators of cold-responsive pathways. Furthermore, BR primarily regulated hormone-responsive networks, whereas MT mainly maintained redox homeostasis and metabolic reprogramming. These findings reveal the coordinated regulatory mechanisms underlying BR- and MT-mediated cold tolerance, providing potential targets for improving cold resilience in O. fragrans. Full article

We develop a framework in which quantum field equations are reconstructed from a multi-branch Hamilton–Jacobi structure supplemented by density functionals on configuration space. Each branch is defined by a solution of a functional Hamilton–Jacobi equation, while the associated density encodes measure-theoretic and dynamical information. Under suitable analytical assumptions, we show that the superposition of these branchwise contributions yields a wave functional satisfying the functional Schrödinger equation. The construction is established in a mathematically controlled setting, including finite-dimensional regularizations and a continuum limit under appropriate convergence hypotheses. Explicit examples demonstrate the exact reconstruction of both free and interacting scalar quantum field equations. Extensions to fermionic and gauge fields are outlined, highlighting the role of graded structures and constraints. Beyond the reconstruction result, the framework provides a structural reinterpretation of quantum theory. Classical dynamics is encoded in the space of Hamilton–Jacobi solutions, while quantum phenomena arise from the coherent superposition of these classical configurations through density and phase. From a geometric viewpoint, the construction is naturally related to multisymplectic structures and admits a cohomological interpretation. This approach establishes a direct bridge between classical variational principles and quantum field theory, offering a unified perspective on the emergence of quantum behavior from structured ensembles of classical configurations. Full article

The expansion of sustainable timber harvesting on peatland forests is important for forest owners, contractors, and the forest industry. This study investigated the effects of site-specific conditions on summertime harvesting operations and modeled the influence of a light nine-ton forwarder on rut formation. Three logistic mixed-effects models predicted peat surface disturbance (ROC = 0.60, 0.63, and 0.67), while a linear mixed model predicted rut depth when rutting occurred (R² = 0.35). Rut formation was associated with the number of machine passes, cumulative load, groundwater table depth, peat layer thickness, and interactions between stand and harvesting variables. The results indicate that timber can be successfully forwarded from drained peatlands with limited bearing capacity when operations are adapted to local site conditions. The findings highlight the importance of road-network planning, load management, and operator decision-making in reducing rut formation. This modeling approach also supports operator training, thereby contributing to more sustainable timber harvesting on low-bearing-capacity sites. Full article

Background: Dementia is a major geriatric syndrome associated with nutritional vulnerability and functional decline among older adults. This study aimed to compare oral functional impairment, nutritional risk, and functional dependence according to dementia status and to examine their associations with dementia among community-dwelling older Koreans. Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed data from 10,078 adults aged ≥65 years who participated in the 2023 National Survey of Older Koreans. Dementia was defined based on self-reported physician diagnosis. Oral functional impairment, nutritional risk factors, and functional dependence, including activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), were assessed using structured survey questionnaires. Chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed using four sequentially adjusted models. Results: Older adults with dementia exhibited significantly greater oral functional impairment, nutritional risk, and functional dependence than those without dementia. In the fully adjusted model, denture use remained independently associated with dementia (OR = 1.692, 95% CI: 1.179–2.428). Fewer than two meals per day (OR = 3.156, 95% CI: 1.771–5.623) and difficulty shopping for or preparing meals (OR = 2.408, 95% CI: 1.648–3.520) were significantly associated with dementia. In addition, severe ADL dependence (OR = 5.895, 95% CI: 2.947–11.794) and IADL dependence (OR = 4.598, 95% CI: 3.099–6.822) showed strong associations with dementia. Conclusions: Dementia was significantly associated with oral functional impairment, nutritional risk, and functional dependence, indicating multidimensional geriatric vulnerability and highlighting the need for integrated assessment in dementia care. Full article

The taxonomic status of Cipangopaludina chinensis and C. cathayensis remains controversial due to morphological overlap. We combined morphometrics (24 landmarks vs. 200 semilandmarks) with multi-locus phylogenetics (COI, 16S rRNA, H3, 28S rRNA) and haplotype networks on sympatric populations from Liuzhou and GenBank. Morphometrics completely separated C. chinensis_lz from C. cathayensis_lz in shell shape; key diagnostic traits include aperture size, spire height, and body whorl inflation. The high-density semilandmark method outperformed discrete landmarks in dimensionality reduction and fine-scale resolution, capturing subtle apex and lateral whorl variations. No sexual dimorphism occurred in C. cathayensis_lz, with only weak dimorphism in C. chinensis_lz. Molecular data were ambiguous: the species tree and mitochondrial gene tree recovered C. chinensis and C. cathayensis as monophyletic, but the nuclear gene tree showed mixing of C. chinensis_lz/C. cathayensis_lz with C. wisseli, C. chinensis, and C. cathayensis. Haplotype networks revealed haplotypes sharing between C. chinensis_lz and C. cathayensis_lz, yet neither population shared haplotype with GenBank sequences of the two nominal species. Morphology strongly supports C. chinensis_lz and C. cathayensis_lz as distinct species, whereas molecular evidence shows only low-level differentiation and discordant signals between mitochondrial and nuclear markers. We conclude they are likely valid species, yet mitonuclear discordance warrants further genomic investigation. Despite no evidence of microhabitat partitioning, the stable morphological divergence between these sympatric morphospecies supports separate management units to conserve phenotypic diversity and local adaptive potential. This study validates geometric morphometrics as an efficient frontline tool for biodiversity assessment in morphologically diverse yet genetically conserved freshwater snails, and reinforces the need for genome-wide data to resolve species boundaries within the Cipangopaludina complex. Full article