This study explores the biological and pharmacological potential of Inula aschersoniana Janka (I. aschersoniana) by utilizing both in silico computational and in vitro analyses, focusing on anticancer, antioxidant, and enzyme inhibitory activities. I. aschersoniana extracts were observed to have effective properties against breast cancer (MCF-7) and human colon adenocarcinoma (HT-29) cell lines compared to normal human umbilical vein endothelial (HUVEC) cell line. Also, effective antioxidant activity of the plant sample was determined by using several in vitro antioxidant methods. Furthermore, inhibitory effects of I. aschersoniana extracts against alpha-glucosidase (α-Gly) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) enzymes were evaluated. The IC50 value of I. aschersoniana ethyl acetate extract was determined as 4.05µg/mL for α-Gly and 1.67µg/mL for GST. Similarly, IC₅₀ value of the ethanol extract was measured as 3.74µg/mL for α-Gly and 2.71µg/mL for GST. Also, main organic compounds of I. aschersoniana were detected to be vanillic acid, rutin, and naringin by HPLC technique. Finally, integrated network pharmacology, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulations were performed to elucidate the potential interactions between the active components of I. aschersoniana and genes associated with breast and colon cancer. To ensure reliability, molecular docking results were validated using re-docking and comparison with reference inhibitors or co-crystallized ligands. RMSD and RMSF analyses revealed that naringin, the major compound of I. aschersoniana, exhibited dynamically stable binding within the active sites of AKT1, EGFR, and PPARG proteins, with AKT1@Naringin and PPARG@Naringin complexes displaying a more stable dynamic profile. In this network pharmacology study, forty-five common targets between the major compounds of I. aschersoniana with breast and colon cancers were identified.

In mammalian cells, lipid monolayers support the integrity of lipid droplets (LDs), organelles that function as storage for neutral lipids. Liver-targeting illnesses such as liver cancer interrupt normal LD metabolism and prompt changes in the chemical content of these organelles, which can have effects on structural and organizational behavior of the lipids. In LDs, liver cancer induces concentric crystalline phases of cholesteryl esters (CEs) and triglycerides near the NL-monolayer interface, which become more pronounced as CE concentration increases. Yet, there is little known about how this phenomenon may link to persistence of undigested LDs in liver cancer patients. To shed light on this, all-atom molecular dynamics simulations were used to model LD micropipette aspiration experiments and gain insight into the effect of CE concentration on partitioning, structural, and mechanical properties of LDs. We successfully model micropipette aspiration by application of constant surface tension laterally, which stretches lipid bilayers and monolayers as the magnitude increased. The results show increased phospholipid packing due to insertion of CE fatty tails into the monolayer. Increasing CE concentration induces a non-linear change in surface packing defects on the LDs, notable rigidification, and stiffness. Taken together, these insights improve our understanding of the physical properties at the LD monolayer-core interface during liver cancer progression.

To address the slow curing and low early strength of conventional modified epoxy emulsified asphalt repair materials, this study introduced steel slag aggregate into epoxy emulsified asphalt mixtures. Experimental techniques including heat absorption–heat transfer rate tests, Marshall stability tests, COMSOL numerical simulation, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were adopted to analyze rapid and uniform heating under microwave radiation. The influence of steel slag’s chemical composition, content, and particle size on epoxy curing, asphalt demulsification, and early strength of the mixture was systematically examined. Results show that steel slag containing Fe and Mg elements exhibits higher microwave absorption efficiency. When its content exceeds 15%, the heating rate increases by approximately 0.335 °C/s under the tested conditions. Particles sized 0.6~2.36 mm show better wavelength matching with the applied microwave frequency (2.45 GHz), thereby enhancing absorption. After 140 s of microwave radiation, the core temperature of the mixture reaches 110 °C, which is the appropriate temperature to achieve rapid epoxy curing and synchronous asphalt demulsification. These two processes synergistically form a continuous network structure, thereby improving the compactness and initial laboratory Marshall stability of the mixture. Nevertheless, this study has several limitations. The microwave absorption efficiency depends strongly on the specific mineralogy and Fe/Mg content of steel slag, both of which may vary with source. The conclusions are based on laboratory-scale tests under fixed microwave power and mixture proportions. Despite these limitations, the results demonstrate that steel slag can serve as an effective microwave-absorbing component in epoxy emulsified asphalt mixtures, enabling rapid curing and demulsification to accelerate early strength development.

Phase coexistence in multilayer phospholipid films treated with certain cryoprotectants.

Background Erectile dysfunction (ED) is one of the underexplored conditions commonly affecting older adults. Recently, it has been reported even among younger men and linked to the use of sex-enhancing substances (SESs). The determinants of ED and the impacts of using SESs are poorly understood. We determined the proportion of ED, its associated sociodemographic factors, and explored the awareness of ED and the types of SES used among young and adult men in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Methods We conducted an explanatory mixed-method study employing an analytical cross-sectional study design for the quantitative arm and a case study design for the qualitative arm. We collected data in June 2024 among 503 young and adult men in the Ilala district, Dar es Salaam. We used frequency and proportions to summarize categorical data and logistic regression to determine the sociodemographic factors associated with ED. Thematic analysis using an inductive approach was used to analyze qualitative data. Results The proportion of young and adult males with ED was 29.2% and most participants in qualitative arm incorrectly defined ED. Compared to participants aged 20–35, those aged 36–45 years were 2.39 (95% CI: 1.23–4.74) times as likely to have ED. One hundred and seven (21.27%) participants reported having ever used SES reasons being an easy availability, affordability, and good customer care from the SES sellers. The most commonly mentioned SES was Congo dust “Vumbi la mkongo”. Conclusion The proportion of ED among young and adult males was high, with older men being highly affected. SES use was reported even among participants with no ED. We recommend further exploration of the chemical contents of SES alongside improving regulatory practices to guide community access to SES. Additionally, public health interventions should also focus on promoting male sexual reproductive health.

Textile chemicals may constitute a hazardous exposure and lead to skin sensitization or other health problems. Children, due to their thinner, less developed skin, are more susceptible to this exposure. To investigate the occurrence and levels of 50 textile chemicals in children´s skin-close clothing. Further, to investigate the washout effect of these textile chemicals and their tendencies to migrate from the textile fibres into artificial sweat. Screening of 60 children's clothes purchased on the Swedish retail market was performed using coupled automated thermal desorption-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (ATD-GC/MS). Among the most frequently occurring chemicals were non-regulated quinolines, halogenated arylamines, phthalates, and nitrobenzenes. The highest concentrations were found for benzyl benzoate, 1400 μg/g, and 2-bromo-4,6-dinitroaniline, 300μg/g. The highest number and levels of chemicals were detected in garments made of 100% polyester, while the fewest and lowest levels were determined in light-coloured cotton. Laundry experiments revealed that cotton garments had the greatest washout effect, whereas most of the chemical content remained in 100% polyester garments even after 10 laundry cycles. Results indicate a lower exposure from the investigated cotton garments, especially after laundry. On the other hand, cotton exhibited threefold greater chemical migration into artificial sweat than polyester. The strong dependence on fibre material is important to consider when estimating the bioaccessible chemical exposure from garments and related health risks.

Abstract Cigarettes are a product that contains thousands of dangerous chemicals that can disrupt the function of body organs and even threaten life. Nicotine is the most dangerous compound of cigarettes due to its addictive effect, and one way to reduce nicotine dependence is to use citronella oil. This study began with a quality test of citronella oil from Jatijejer Village using Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC), Stahl Distillation, and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) instruments. Next, an in silico study was conducted to assess drug-likeness, bond energy, and bond interactions. The results of the quality test showed that citronella oil was proven to have good quality, and there were 5 spots indicating the presence of essential oils through TLC testing with a total essential oil content of 0.82% w/v, which was determined by the Stahl distillation method. The chemical content of citronella oil from Jatijejer Village has a content profile and chromatogram pattern that is quite similar to PT.N, as proven by GC-MS testing. The results of in silico testing show that one of the chemical contents, namely Geraniol (−6.3 kcal/mol), has a lower binding energy value (ΔG) than nicotine and can bind to important amino acids, so that it has the potential to replace nicotine. Based on the results of the drug-likeness analysis, the compound has also met Lipinski's rule of five and Veber's rule but does not meet the Ghose Filter Law. Meanwhile, based on the interaction, the chemical content of (1R)-cis-Verbenol and Geranial dimethyl acetal has the most appropriate %similarity to nicotine, and the chemical content of Chavibetol has the most appropriate %similarity to varenicline.

This study aims to evaluate the blanching process of wasted Undaria pinnatifida as a ruminant feed source by assessing chemical compositions, in vitro nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation characteristics, greenhouse gas emissions, and rumen microbes. The blanching process was conducted at different temperatures (15 vs. 80 vs. 90 °C) and times (2 vs. 4 min) to assess the chemical and mineral contents. Supplementation levels of U. pinnatifida (0 vs. 0.5 vs. 1 vs. 2%) were observed with the blanching process (non-blanching (NBL) vs. blanching (LOS)). Increasing blanching temperature and time decreased (p < 0.05) dry matter, crude ash, and the mineral contents, including sodium, phosphorus, and arsenic. Moreover, LOS treatment increased (p < 0.01) in vitro dry matter and neutral detergent fiber digestibility, ruminal pH, and the acetate-to-propionate ratio, but reduced (p < 0.01) CH4 (mL/g NDFD). Additionally, 2% of LOS treatment reduced the abundance of protozoa, fungi, fibrolytic microbes, methanogenic archaea, Methanobrevibacter ruminantium, Methanosarcina barkeri, and Methanosphaera stadtmanae (p < 0.01). Therefore, blanching at 80 °C for 2 min improved the nutritional profile by reducing antinutritional minerals. Subsequent in vitro fermentation suggested that supplementing the diet with 0.5–1% of LOS improved digestibility and altered fermentation, potentially reducing methane yield (per NDFD).

Differential analysis of Gastrodia elata f. glauca and Gastrodia elata f. viridis based on metabolomics, and origin traceability of Yunnan Gastrodia elata f. glauca using near-infrared spectroscopy combined with DD-SIMCA.

Mitochondria, acting as the energy powerhouse, biosynthetic center, and reductive equivalent hub of the cell, participate in cellular metabolic activities. However directly imaging mitochondrial chemical content and quantifying metabolic activity in living cells remain challenging. Here, by Self-PErmutation Noise2noise Denoiser enhanced Hyperspectral Stimulated Raman Scattering (SPEND-hSRS) microscopy, we demonstrate fingerprint-region metabolic imaging of fumarate, a key intermediate in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, with sub-millimolar sensitivity. In chemotherapy-stressed bladder cancer cells, fumarate imaging revealed two mitochondrial subpopulations with divergent TCA metabolic preferences quantified by ratio metric analysis. Pixel-wise least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) spectral unmixing further reconstructs fumarate and lipid maps, uncovering localized fumarate enrichment in protrusions. Extending to CH-window hyperspectral SRS imaging, we uncover the interplay between mitochondria and lipid droplets (LDs) in protrusions, where fatty acid is found to be released from LDs, to fuel the TCA cycle. Together, our work establishes SPEND-hSRS as high-resolution platform for linking fumarate to mitochondrial heterogeneity. Our results provide new insights into how mitochondrial heterogeneity and interaction with LDs drive cancer cell adaptation to stress.

A rapid method for quantitative analysis of traditional Chinese medicine activity: A case study on antioxidant activity of Gastrodia elata.

Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), a brominated flame retardant in legacy back-coated textiles, persists despite restrictions. This study quantifies HBCD emissions from back-coated fabrics subjected to thermal aging (25–90 °C), ultraviolet irradiation (UVA-340, 1.25 W m−2), and mechanical abrasion (25,000 cycles), emphasizing synergistic thermal–UV interactions. Emissions were characterized using first-order kinetic, dynamic headspace sampling, and size-resolved particulate analysis. Thermal aging at 90 °C yielded 0.167 ± 0.01% volatilization, while UV exposure alone generated 0.162 ± 0.02%. Combined thermal–UV stress accelerated kinetics, yielding a synergy factor S = 1.92 ± 0.25 (p = 0.014) and a 0.233 ± 0.03% cumulative release. The rate constant increased from 0.018 d−1 (thermal) to 0.129 d−1 (combined). Mechanical abrasion released particulate-associated HBCD at 6.53 µg m−2 cycle−1. UV pre-aging shifted particle emissions toward nanoscale fractions (30–260 nm), increasing particle chemical content from 12.5% to 29.2%. Airborne particle concentrations were ≈ 250 µg m−3 (unaged) and 0.8 –60 µg m−3 (UV-aged). While cumulative volatile release was low (≤0.233%), matrix depletion reached 48.4%, suggesting polymer-embedded transformation dominate HBCD fate. These findings show multi-stressor environmental conditions significantly alter emission pathways, affecting exposure assessments for legacy materials.

Fructus Mume (FM) is derived from the nearly ripe fruit of Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc., and widely used as a traditional medicine in Asian countries. FM has the effect of calming Liver to stop endogenous Wind, and has been used for thousands of years in the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD), as recorded in ancient formulas such as Wumei Pills. However, the specific mechanism by which it treats PD remains larger unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects and mechanisms by which the active ingredients of FM (Fructus Mume flavonoids, FMF) mitigate the progression of PD. We isolated FMF from FM and explored its chemical composition and active compound content. In vivo and in vitro PD models were employed to investigate the alleviative effects of FMF on PD and its underlying mechanisms. We identified 193 compounds and quantified 154 flavonoid compounds in the FMF. Six compounds were present at concentrations exceeding 100μg/g, namely Isorhamnetin (1287.0639μg/g), Narcissin (764.9639μg/g), Nicotiflorin (613.8568μg/g), Quercetin (435.5215μg/g), Nepitrin (295.4833μg/g), and Kaempferol (241.9767μg/g). Moreover, FMF alleviated behavioral deficits in PD rats. FMF also inhibited the loss of neurons and the formation of α-synuclein aggregates, and promoted the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase in the substantia nigra pars compacta in PD rats. In vivo and in vitro PD models demonstrated that autophagy inhibition significantly abolished the neuroprotective effects of FMF. Mechanically, FMF could enhance mitophagy to attenuate the mitochondrial dysfunction by activating the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase β (CaMKKβ)/AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway. FMF promotes neuronal mitophagy to exert the neuroprotective effects by activating the CaMKKβ/AMPK signaling pathway. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for the application of FM in the treatment of PD and promote the clinical application of FM.

Abstract Palm swamps are key humid ecosystems of the Brazilian Cerrado, providing essential ecosystem services such as water regulation and biodiversity maintenance. Despite legal protection, these areas have increasingly been converted to agricultural use, particularly in regions with springs and streams, leading to soil degradation and loss of ecological functions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the chemical attributes and carbon content in soil in two veredas environments, preserved and anthropized, to identify changes caused by agricultural use. The study was conducted in the municipality of Bonito de Minas, MG, Brazil. Two transects were defined in each area, and samples of disturbed and undisturbed soil were collected at depths of 0–5, 5–10, and 10–20 cm. Analyses included pH, Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , K + , Na + , H + Al, Al 3+ , phosphorus (P), total organic carbon (TOC), bulk density (BD), and carbon stock (CS), as well as calculated sum of bases (SB), cation exchange capacity (T), and base saturation (V). The results show that anthropization significantly altered soil properties in the studied areas. Anthropized areas showed lower pH, higher Al 3+ , reduced basic cations, and decreases in SB, T, and V, indicating reduced soil fertility. TOC and CS were also lower, while BD increased, reflecting structural degradation and reduced carbon storage. Principal Component Analysis and correlation analyses clearly distinguished preserved from anthropized environments. These results highlight the negative impact of agricultural use and reinforce the need for conservation and sustainable management of veredas.

Abstract Moisture protection of wood remains challenging due to its intrinsic porosity and susceptibility to liquid water uptake, while conventional hydrophobic coatings often rely on high concentrations of active agents and film-forming layers that can alter appearance or restrict vapour transport. This work presents graphene-activated coatings (GAC) as a high-performance, breathable solution for wood veneer substrates. Graphene activation enables a substantial reduction in active chemical content while delivering a marked enhancement in hydrophobic performance, with static water contact angles increasing by approximately 50% during curing. GAC outperforms all commercially available reference coatings tested evaluated in this study and exceeds the performance of high-loading benchmark systems, while remaining visually invisible and non-film-forming. Time-dependent wetting measurements further demonstrate sustained resistance to liquid water penetration, with stable water droplet behaviour maintained over extended residence times. These results establish graphene-activated coatings as a durable and resource-efficient strategy for advanced moisture protection of wood surfaces in architectural and interior applications.

Biodegradable bioplastics offer an environmentally friendly alternative. One type of bioplastic being developed is Polybutylene Adipate-Co-Terephthalate (PBAT), an aliphatic-aromatic polyester capable of decomposing through microbial activity. This study aimed to analyze the potential of bioplastic waste as a compost mixture ingredient and determine the optimal composition of bioplastic waste mixtures for compost production. The study utilized a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The quality of the compost made from bioplastic waste mixtures was evaluated based on SNI 7763:2024 standards, with parameters including pH, temperature, additional substances, and chemical content, such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and organic carbon (C-organic). The composting process lasted 60 d, using mixtures of bioplastics and cow manure organic waste in proportions of 95:5, 90:10, 85:15, 80:20, 75:25, and 70:30, each weighing 1 kg. Some mixtures were supplemented with 30 mL of activated EM4 to accelerate decomposition, whereas the control group used only cow manure. The results indicate that the compost produced generally met the SNI 7763:2024 standards. The most effective composition was 80% organic waste, 20% bioplastic, and 30 mL EM4. This composition achieved N+P2O5+K2O levels of 2.88%, C-organic content of 30.46%, moisture content of 24.60%, and pH of 7.60.

The expansive clay soils like black cotton soil are very difficult in civil engineering because of high plasticity and swelling capacity as well as low bearing capacity. To enhance the engineering characteristics of these problematic soils, soil stabilization is normally embraced. An experimental study was conducted in the current research to determine the impact of calcium lignosulfonate on strength properties of clayey soil. The black cotton soil was sprayed with different percentages of calcium lignosulfonate in 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 percent of weight of dry soil. The laboratory tests involved Atterberg limits, compaction properties, and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) tests to determine the enhancement of the soil properties. It was found that there was a visible decrease in plasticity and an increase in the compaction properties after the presence of the stabilizing agent was added. CBR values were found to rise sharply with the chemical content to reach an optimum dosage of 4, than the change was minimal. The greatest value of CBR occurred at 4% calcium lignosulfonate, which shows that the stabilized soil had a high load-bearing capacity. It can be concluded that calcium lignosulfonate may be a good eco-friendly stabilizing agent to enhance the strength properties of clayey soils turning them into appropriate pavement subgrade materials. Keywords: Lignosulfonate; black cotton soil; California bearing ratio test

We present an investigation of the evolutionary pathways of green valley (GV) galaxies, defined as galaxies with a distance to the star-forming main sequence in the range -1.3<Δ_ ̊m SFMS <-0.5, drawn from the SDSS-IV/MaNGA survey. Our goal is to examine the connection between the dynamical galaxy structure, specifically, its stellar angular momentum, and its key physical properties, including gas-phase metallicity, star formation history (SFH), and chemical enrichment history (ChEH). By exploring these correlations, we aim to constrain the physical processes that govern the evolution of green valley galaxies. We divided our sample into fast- and slow-rotating galaxies using a criterion motivated by the bimodal distribution of the stellar spin and compared their integrated stellar and gas-phase metallicities. Additionally, using a simple but comprehensive galaxy chemical evolution model, optimised to fit the gas-phase metallicity estimates and the integrated stellar spectra for each galaxy, we reconstructed the past star formation and chemical enrichment histories of the galaxies. The derived SFHs and ChEHs, along with parameters governing the gas-infall timescale and outflow strengths, offer valuable insights into the physical processes driving the evolution and quenching of our GV sample galaxies. We found that fast-rotating galaxies exhibit systematically higher metallicities in the gas and stellar phases compared to slow-rotating galaxies. However, in the gas phase, the difference is significant only at the low-mass end, while the stellar metallicity offset is observed consistently across the full stellar mass range. Our modelling framework yields simple but physically motivated explanations for these trends. At low stellar masses, the model predicts similar gas-infall and star formation timescales for fast- and slow-rotating galaxies, but the stronger outflows inferred for the slower population substantially reduce their chemical content in the gas and stars. At high masses, slow-rotating galaxies show shorter gas-infall and star formation timescales; the combination of a reduced pristine gas inflow and more efficient gas removal produces gas-phase metallicities that are comparable to those of fast-rotating galaxies, but systematically lower stellar metallicities. The systematic differences in stellar and gas-phase metallicity, as well as in model-inferred gas-accretion and outflow parameters, highlight the contrasting properties of fast- and slow-rotating galaxies in our GV sample. Interpreting these differences within our chemical evolution framework and combining evidence from theoretical studies suggests distinct past evolutions. Slow-rotating galaxies likely experienced more merger events, usually associated with strong gas removal processes, leading to their systematically lower metallicities. At low masses, stronger supernova-driven outflows reduce their chemical content while leaving star formation timescales similar to those of fast-rotating galaxies. At high masses, merger-triggered feedback from active galactic nuclei may rapidly deplete and suppress gas infall, producing the shorter star formation timescales seen in slow-rotating galaxies. Alternative environmental and assembly-driven scenarios are also discussed.

Apilarnil, a relatively understudied bee-derived product from drone larvae, has recently gained attention due to its diverse chemical content and biological activities. Imatinib, a selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor widely used in cancer treatment, is recognized for its effectiveness but is also associated with off-target toxicities including disturbances in redox homeostasis. While previous studies have mainly focused on the roles of the key antioxidant enzymes glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione-S transferase (GST) and thioredoxin reductase (TrxR1) in tumor resistance mechanisms, their inhibition in non-cancerous cells may contribute systemic toxicity. This study investigated whether co-administration of apilarnil could alleviate the inhibitory effects of imatinib on these enzymes in vivo. The secondary metabolite profile of apilarnil was characterized using liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) revealing a richness in phenolic compounds, notably isorhamnetin, phenolidzin, ascorbic acid, liquiritigenin, leucoside, 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl) propionic acid and caffeic acid. Enzyme activity assays showed that imatinib significantly suppressed the activities of G6PD, 6PGD, GR, GST and TrxR1 compared to the control group. However, co-treatment with apilarnil particularly at a dose of 400 mg/kg, markedly restored activities of these enzymes. Furthermore, molecular docking analysis was performed to assess the binding affinities and interaction profiles of imatinib with target enzymes, confirming its potent inhibitory potential and revealing distinct but comparable binding interactions. These findings suggest that apilarnil may exert a protective effect against imatinib-induced toxicity by modulating disruptions in metabolic enzyme activities.

In the modern development of reinforced concrete structures is not intended to use low carbon steel as reinforcement, so that the connection of steel bars is the welded joint, and the connection by sleeve, bushing and binding wire is the main one. International Organization (ISO) and some countries have standardized reinforcement mainly for non-welded reinforced concrete structures, and therefore, carbon content is not specified in the chemical element content regulations. Therefore, we have developed and adopted a new grade for steel bars with carbon content ranging from 0.25 to 0.37, and determined their standard strength and computational strength to be applicable to the design of reinforced concrete structures.