Clioquinol alleviates Aspergillus fumigatus keratitis through antifungal and anti-inflammatory effects associated with metal chelation and Nrf2/HO-1 signaling.

Development of a fit-for-purpose method using the analytical quality by design approach for quantifying a sesquiterpenoid and an 8-hydroxyquinoline derivative in a porcine hoof permeation model.

Shoot Apical Meristem (SAM) morphoanatomy of the Mexican cactus Mammillaria san-angelensis and its significance for Evolutionary Developmental Biology.

Tailoring magnetic and optical properties of NiO/NiCr₂O₄ nanocomposites via chemical co-precipitation: A study on composition-structure-property relationships

Developing high-capacity transition-metal layered oxide cathodes is crucial for building high-energy sodium-ion batteries. Increasing the redox-active nickel content in O3-type layered cathodes effectively boosts the output capacity, yet a high Ni content (>40%) accounts for the formation of NiO impuritie during the high-temperature solid-state synthesis and compromises the reversible capacity of the cathode. Herein, we revealed the underlying mechanism of NiO formation during sintering, which was driven by the lattice sodium volatilization at an elevated temperature. We further proposed a low-temperature annealing method coupled with an excessive amount of Na to eliminate NiO impurities in the layered cathodes. The optimized NiO-free NaNi0.41Zn0.01Fe0.11Mn0.32Ti0.1Al0.05O2 cathode delivers a high reversible capacity of 156 mAh g-1 at 0.1C and 144 mAh g-1 at 1C in a voltage range of 2.0-4.2V vs. Na+/Na, with a capacity retention of 91.3% after 100 cycles, showing promise to practically realize high-energy Na-ion batteries.

Nanostructured bimetallic Ni–Pt catalysts supported on KIT-5 mesoporous silica were developed and assessed for their efficiency in the continuous dry reforming of methane (DRM) to generate synthesis gas. Both monometallic variants (Ni/KIT-5 and Pt/KIT-5) and a range of bimetallic Ni–Pt/KIT-5 catalysts were synthesized using co-impregnation and sequential impregnation methods. Comprehensive characterization of the catalysts was conducted through techniques such as high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HR-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). In the monometallic Ni-based catalysts, nickel primarily existed in the form of NiO. In contrast, the bimetallic catalysts exhibited surface species such as Ni2O3 and NiPt2O4. In the bimetallic Ni–Pt catalysts, thermally stable PtO2 and NiPt2O4 phases were identified. Reduction in hydrogen led to the development of Ni–Pt alloy phases on the surface, which enhanced the overall catalytic performance. The bimetallic Ni–Pt catalysts outperformed their monometallic counterparts in DRM activity. The nanofibrous structure of KIT-5, characterized by its interconnected pore network, provided improved accessibility to active sites and facilitated efficient diffusion of reactants and products. Among the catalysts evaluated, the 9.5%Ni–0.5%Pt/KIT-5 composition achieved the highest conversions of both methane and carbon dioxide, while maintaining a relatively low H2/CO product ratio. Durability assessments at 700 °C over a period of six hours demonstrated high thermal stability and negligible deactivation due to carbon deposition. Post-reaction analyses of the spent catalysts using XRD and HR-SEM revealed minimal structural deterioration. TGA measurements indicated that carbon deposition resulted in approximately 10% weight loss, suggesting the presence of mainly amorphous carbon and confirming the catalyst's excellent resistance to coking. The fibrous architecture of KIT-5 effectively suppressed nickel particle sintering and carbon build-up. These findings underscore the potential of Ni–Pt/KIT-5 systems, particularly with optimized metal loadings, as robust and coke-resistant catalysts for syngas production via dry reforming of methane.

Bio-derived NiO-Carbon nanocomposites were prepared using Neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf extract through a green combustion approach. Structural analysis confirmed the formation of face-centered cubic NiO with crystallite sizes in the 25-50nm range. The optimized 1:1 NiO: C composite demonstrated a limit of detection calculated via the 3σ/slope method in the millimolar range, along with a linear sensing response between 1 and 6 mM for glyphosate. In addition, the material achieved 98.78% degradation of Congo Red (CR dye) under UV irradiation (365nm, 15 mW/cm²) while maintaining strong reusability and stability. The improved performance is attributed to the presence of conductive carbon, which facilitates charge transport, reduces electron-hole recombination, and increases the availability of active surface sites. Electrochemical impedance analysis further confirmed reduced charge-transfer resistance in the optimized composite, supporting its enhanced interfacial kinetics. The scalable and cost-effective synthesis, combined with stability in acidic media, highlights the potential of this composite as a multifunctional platform for pesticide monitoring and wastewater remediation.

HighlightsA straight-channel NiO/CeO2 ceramic reactor was fabricated via one-step mesh-assisted phase inversion, simplifying the preparation of structured catalysts.The reactor, featuring efficient mass transfer, achieves direct and efficient catalytic oxidation of ventilation air methane, and exhibits excellent thermal shock resistance and structural robustness under actual operating conditions.Optimal parameters (60 wt% NiO, 1300 °C) based on balancing catalytic activity and mechanical strength were obtained, achieving long-term stable operation.Ventilation air methane (VAM) has an extremely low concentration, making its abatement exceptionally challenging. Catalytic oxidation offers a promising route for VAM treatment, but industrial application requires integrated catalysts with high activity and efficient mass transfer. In this study, a novel straight-channel NiO/CeO2 ceramic reactor was fabricated via mesh-assisted phase inversion, with NiO content systematically optimized to screen the optimal ratio. The 60 wt% NiO was the optimal composition, exhibiting excellent VAM oxidation performance. Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis confirmed that this optimal ratio yielded the largest specific surface area. Furthermore, H2-temperature-programmed reduction (H2-TPR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed that this optimal ratio facilitated the formation of abundant NiO–CeO2 active interfaces, effectively inducing surface Ce3+ species and oxygen vacancies. These merits significantly enhanced the reactor’s oxygen adsorption capacity and redox properties, thus realizing efficient methane activation in catalytic oxidation. Moreover, the optimal reactor successfully passed 10 thermal cycle tests, further verifying the thermal stability of the catalytic structure. In addition, it exhibited outstanding long-term stability during a 100 h test, with no carbon deposition or active phase sintering observed. This work develops an optimized straight-channel NiO/CeO2 ceramic reactor and offers a practical and scalable design strategy for VAM oxidation.

Abstract Cross-response remains a major challenge for semiconducting metal oxide (SMO) resistive gas sensors, as interference from non-target gases often limits selectivity. In this study, NiO nanofibers (NFs) were synthesized via a simple electrospinning process. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated an optimal calcination temperature of 600 °C. FESEM imaging showed that the as-spun fibers had diameters of 200–300 nm, which decreased to 80–100 nm after calcination. EDX confirmed the presence of Ni and O in the NFs, while the Si signal originated from the Si/SiO2 substrate. XRD analysis verified the formation of crystalline cubic-phase NiO. The gas-sensing performance of the NiO NF sensor was evaluated toward NO2 (1–10 ppm), acetone, ethanol (25–200 ppm), and H2 at operating temperatures of 350–450 °C. Furthermore, an intelligent algorithm (PCA) successfully classified the tested gases, demonstrating its potential to enhance gas identification and reduce cross-response in practical sensing applications.

Compartmentalized structures act as catalytic hubs, facilitating prebiotic chemical transformations without enzymes. However, emulating their dynamic behavior and catalytic activity with temporal precision in artificial systems poses a formidable challenge. This study presents the development of supramolecular compartmentalized structures that exhibit controlled growth, differentiation, and transient catalytic activity. Small nanoassemblies of amphiphiles expand into larger suprasomal structures through host-guest interactions with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD). The Zn2 + triggers a structural transition to cube-like compartments, which promote esterase-like activity, releasing the active ion transporter, clioquinol (CQ), from clioquinol ester (CQE). Incorporation of ester derivatives of EDTA (EDTAE), as negative feedback regulators, reverses compartmentalization and deactivates catalysis, imparting temporal control and transient catalytic properties. This design strategy provides a foundation for self-regulating, compartmentalized structures that simulate life-like behavior, advancing the development of biomimetic artificial cells.

A broad spectrum of seabed deformation structures, including pockmarks and domes, related to various processes, have been observed on continental margins worldwide. This study provides the first regional-scale inventory and quantitative characterization of pockmarks and domes potentially linked to subsurface fluid-escape processes on the continental shelf and upper slope in the Gulf of Lions (NW Mediterranean). Using high-resolution multibeam bathymetry and seismic reflection data, approximately 29,000 pockmarks and domes were identified. Morphometric and seismic analyses reveal distinct groups that differ in size, shape, and spatial organization. Among them a widespread population of domes rooted on the Holocene maximum flooding surface, which represent ~ 85% of the occurrences. The remaining 15% are pockmarks, divided into five main subtypes. Spatial association of domes and pockmarks suggests a genetic relationship between dome formation and subsequent collapse (pockmarks). Machine learning-based spatial modeling extends the estimated total to ~ 80,000 between 10 and 1000m water depth, including zones not covered by swath-bathymetric surveys. Among various controlling factors, sediment thickness, water depth, and grain-size variability exert primary controls on the distribution of pockmarks and domes. These results demonstrate that seabed deformations in the Gulf of Lions are spatially organized, reflecting the interplay between fluid-related processes, stratigraphic architecture, and sediment properties.

Inhibiting catalytic activity of Plasmodium falciparum aspartate protease plasmepsin V: A biochemical approach to malaria intervention.

This study explores the use of AI-assisted data handlingin spectrophotometric method development, providing a flexible and globally accessible alternative to traditional manual software algorithms.Quadriderm cream combines four active ingredients: Clioquinol (CLIO), Betamethasone (BETA), Tolnaftate (TOL), and Gentamicin (GEN) with the preservative Chlorocresol (CC). Building on our previous research on complex pharmaceutical mixtures with challenging ratios, this study applied established protocols for CLIO and GEN while focusing on the more analytically demanding ternary subsystem (TOL, BETA, and CC).The integration of AI-enhanced spectral handling and interpretation reduces operator-dependent variability and streamlines the analytical workflow. This includes generating calibration graphs and regression equations, as well as effectively handling scanned spectral data via consecutive prompts. Validation data such as accuracy and precision are assessed to ensure reliability. Furthermore, the system enables intelligent, simultaneous analysis of laboratory mixtures and pharmaceutical formulations, enhancing both efficiency and accuracy. The AI strategy, trained on spectral data supplied and monitored by the expertiseanalyst, can automatically predict optimal wavelengths with minimal interference, while manual handling strategy rely on analyst-driven selection. Two novel approaches were developed: the factorized derivative ratio extraction using double divisor (MAN-[DD- DDE])via Spectra Manager® software and the automated double divisor derivative ratio (AUTO-[DD-DD]) via AI tools and for resolving ternary mixtures with severely overlapping UV spectra and comparing the results with those of(MAN-[DD- DD])at coincidence points. Linear working ranges were 0.5–5.0 µg/mL (TOL), 3.0–30.0 µg/mL (BETA), and 2.0–20.0 µg/mL (CC); LODs were 0.09, 0.09, and 0.26 µg/mL, respectively. AI-driven data processing strategy matched the accuracy and reproducibility of traditional strategy manipulation while reducing subjective steps and effort. Finally, the UV-spectrophotometric method for pharmaceutical cream analysis was evaluated using the MA Tool (2025) to assess sustainability across green, white, and AI-driven criteria. AI-assisted scoring via Microsoft Copilot enabled rapid, reproducible assessment, yielding a Whiteness Score of 60.9% and providing actionable recommendations for greener and more efficient workflows.

Cost-effective and simple solid-state reactions-mediated synthesized nanocrystalline NiO and nanocomposites formation of ZnO-NiO: A comparative study of structure, spectral, and biological properties

Research subject. The Svetlinskoye gold–telluride deposit, the largest operating deposit in the Southern Urals, localized within the Svetlinskoye thrust zone of the Kochkar Anticlinorium. Aim. To develop a new geological-genetic model of the deposit based on the results of long-term research at the Svetlinskoye open pit. Materials and methods. The results of geological and structural observations in the open pit, geochemical and mineralogical research, 40 Ar/ 39 Ar isotopic dating of potassium-bearing minerals were analyzed. A review of literature sources was conducted. Results. The formation of the deposit was preceded by the emergence of a deep thrust (D 3 ) related to the onset of the Uralian collision, which destabilized the geological environment. The tectonic couple “thrust–buckling” was in operation, leading to the formation of the Anticlinorium, heating of rocks in its core, plastic and quasi-plastic deformations, growth of dome structures, zonal highgradient metamorphism, and deep metasomatic alterations of rocks. At early stages, a shallow marine basin emerged in the footwall of the thrust, accumulating terrigenous-carbonate sediments with numerous submarine landslide phenomena. The marine basin closed in the С 1v due to the formation of the Anticlinorium and uplift of the territory. The Svetlinsky dome, on whose western slope the deposit is located, played a key role in the localization and transformation of the ore cluster. The growth of the dome led to the deformation and partial destruction of the thrust zone, forming systems of tectonic detachments (thrusts), which became the main fluid-conducting and ore-hosting structures. Dome formation, zonal metamorphism, and granitization were associated with the mobilization and redistribution of ore components (Au, Te). The main ore-forming processes occurred at the early post-collisional stage, in the interval of 289–277 Ma. Conclusions. The structural preparation and ore-mobilizing processes during the formation of the Svetlinskoye deposit took place at the collisional stage (380–290 Ma), while ore deposition and deposit formation occurred in the interval of 289–277 Ma. The Svetlinsky dome played the main role in the formation and localization of the deposit; its formation was likely related to the emergence of deep thrusts under the conditions of the Late Paleozoic collision. This model provides a satisfactory explanation for the gold mineralization of periand inter-dome structures in the Kochkar Anticlinorium, thus indicating their priority for prospecting.

The unique chemical and physical properties of Ga-based liquid metal (Ga-LM) interfaces present an intriguing platform for the in situ synthesis of novel composites. Mechanical shearing can effectively disperse bulk Ga-LM into micro/nanosized droplets, significantly increasing their interfacial area and enhancing their reactivity. Herein, we report the room-temperature, one-step fabrication of a novel ternary Ga-LM/CuO-NiO heterojunction through the interaction between liquid metal micro/nano droplets and an alkaline solution containing cupric sulfate and nickel nitrate, leading to the simultaneous formation of CuO and NiO. The morphology, elemental composition, chemical states, and crystallographic structure were comprehensively characterized with XPS, SEM, TEM, and XRD. The proposed mechanism for CuO and NiO formation on the LM interface involves the adsorption of [HGaO3]2- species at the interface, which subsequently react with [Cu(NH3)4]2+ and [Ni(NH3)6]2+ complexes concurrently formed in an ammonia solution. This reaction leads to the in situ formation and growth of CuO and NiO nanosheets directly on the LM interface. Band gap analysis shows that the Ga-LM/CuO-NiO composite possesses a narrower band gap (4.74 eV) than the LM (5.64 eV) and LM/CuO (5.48 eV) composites. Finally, the photocatalytic performance was investigated in the degradation of methylene blue, showing an excellent degradation efficiency of 97.1% over the Ga-LM/CuO-NiO composite within 110 min under simulated sunlight. The photodegradation rate constant over the Ga-LM/CuO-NiO composite is 16.5 and 3.4 times higher than those over the LM and LM/CuO composite, respectively. The significant photocatalytic performance of the Ga-LM/CuO-NiO composite is attributed to the synergistic effect of its three components. The brilliant structural stability and reusability of the composite were also confirmed. This study not only introduces a novel synthetic route for Ga-LM-based functional composites but also underscores the immense potential of the reactive Ga-LM interface as a versatile platform for designing advanced materials with enhanced performance, particularly in photocatalytic applications.

Abstract Introduction and aims Dermal interstitial fluid (ISF) offers a promising alternative to blood-based sampling procedures for biomarker analysis due to its rich chemical composition. However, existing ISF extraction methods are invasive. Skin stretching through the topical application of vacuum pressure can transiently increase the permeability of the skin barrier. This study aimed to understand whether skin stretching can noninvasively extract ISF and the types of biomarkers it contains. Methods Two types of stretching devices were employed: one that stretches by forming a skin dome (dome) and another that suppresses dome formation (flat), both driven by vacuum pressure. The ability of the devices to extract ISF from the forearm skin of healthy human volunteers was tested. The bicinchoninic acid assay determined ISF extraction volumes to calculate protein concentration as a surrogate for ISF volume. A panel of nine cytokines were quantified using a Mesoscale device in the ISF extracted using the two devices. Results The flat skin stretching was more tolerable and extracted significantly more ISF than domed stretching using 10 min of −4.5 psi vacuum pressure (1.58 µL ± 0.36 vs. 0.67 µL ± 0.23, P < 0.001). TEWL demonstrated reversible permeabilization of the tissue. Flat stretching detected all nine cytokines in the Mesoscale discovery assay, but dome stretching detected only two. Of the two cytokines detected by both stretching approaches, significantly higher levels were detected with the flat device [interleukin (IL)-17: domed 0.4274 fg ± 1.047, flat 14.34 ± 8.909; P = 0.003; IL-1β: domed 1462 fg ± 1144, flat 11315 fg ± 7541; P = 0.0092]. Conclusions The flat skin stretching device allowed extraction of significantly more ISF and cytokine biomarkers than the dome device. This suggests skin stretching without vertical displacement is more suitable for biomarker extraction. Future work will focus on using the flat device to assess biomarkers in health and disease.

Hydrostatic pressure in living organisms is crucial for the formation and stability of hollow structures in tissues and organs. However, the underlying mechanisms governing the collective cell responses to pressure in these processes have not yet been fully understood. Here, we developed a hydrostatic pressure generator to produce various pressures of physiological magnitudes and explored their effects on dome structure formation in the epithelial monolayer. We found that the positive hydrostatic pressure promoted dome formation, while the negative one suppressed it. The positive pressure induced cell autophagy and thus increased transepithelial electrical resistance, which elevated osmotic pressures inside the dome. In addition, the positive pressure induced reorganization of the actin-cytoskeleton, which stabilized the cytoskeleton network and weakened cell-matrix adhesion. Interestingly, during dome expansion, the negative pressure promoted the expansion, which eventually led to dome rupture, while the positive pressure suppressed the expansion and subsequent rupture. Our numerical simulations revealed that the negative pressure produced larger intercellular normal stress within the dome wall, making the dome more prone to rupture. These findings revealed the biophysical mechanisms by which hydrostatic pressure regulates dome formation and stability and provided insights into the effect of external pressure on collective cell behaviors during tissue morphogenesis.

Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) is a tryptophan-derived microbial metabolite increasingly recognized for its role in intestinal homeostasis, immune regulation, and epithelial function. However, the IAA molecular effects on intestinal epithelial cells remain incompletely defined. Here, we investigated the effects of increasing IAA concentrations on intestinal epithelial biology using intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cell line, with a focus on cytotoxicity, epithelial repair, and differentiation. Cell viability was assessed by MTT assay; colony-forming assays were used to evaluate stemness potential; cytokine’s expression was quantified by qPCR. Differentiation was analyzed through dome formation and analysis of DPPIV, SI, KLF4 and E-cadherin differentiation markers by qPCR and immunofluorescence. IAA treatment exerts concentration-dependent effects, reducing the viability and colony-forming capacity of Caco-2 cells. At higher concentrations, IAA also decreased IL-17, IL-1β, IL-6 expression. Interestingly, IAA enhanced dome formation and upregulated several differentiation markers, suggesting a shift toward a more mature epithelial phenotype. Altogether, our results indicate that IAA directly influences epithelial cell biology by modulating viability, inflammatory signaling, repair capacity, and differentiation. Our data support a potential role for this metabolite in regulating intestinal growth, repair and differentiation suggesting that IAA may contribute to intestinal homeostasis and disease pathophysiology. However, further studies are essential to understand the potential therapeutic implications related to colorectal cancer.Graphical abstractSupplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13577-026-01397-x.

A Fe-Sn-Ni ternary metal oxide nanocomposite (FSN-MONC) was synthesized via co-precipitation for the efficient adsorption of Congo Red (CR), an azo dye micropollutant known for persistence and toxicity. Structural and morphological analyses confirmed the irregular porous architecture and nanoscale particle aggregation, offering high surface area and abundant adsorption sites. Elemental mapping verified the homogeneous distribution of Fe, Sn, and Ni, while TEM and SAED confirmed highly crystalline nanoparticles (2–20 nm) with polycrystalline multi-phase structure. FTIR and XRD analyses identified metal–oxygen bonds and the coexistence of individual oxide phases (Fe 2 O 3 , SnO 2 , NiO) and mixed phases (NiFe 2 O 4 spinel). BET analysis revealed mesoporosity with a surface area of 243.78 m²/g. Adsorption studies achieved 87.92 % CR removal under optimized conditions, fitting pseudo-second-order kinetics and Langmuir isotherm, consistent with chemisorption and monolayer coverage. Comparative analysis with literature data shows that FSN-MONC exhibits competitive performance (76.87 mg/g). Box–Behnken Design systematically evaluated the effects of pH, adsorbent dosage, concentration, contact time, and temperature. The Fe-Sn-Ni combination imparted synergistic stability, surface activity, and adsorption capacity. FSN-MONC maintained excellent reusability over five cycles, underscoring its promise as a cost-effective, sustainable adsorbent for CR dye removal in wastewater treatment. • Fe-Sn-Ni ternary metal oxide nanocomposite synthesized for Congo Red removal. • Porous morphology: 2–20 nm particles, 243.783 m²/g surface area (FE-SEM/TEM/BET). • XRD shows Fe₂O₃, SnO₂, NiO, and NiFe₂O₄ spinel phase formation. • Pseudo-second order kinetics, Langmuir isotherm confirm chemisorption. • Statistical model: R² = 83.78 %, p < 0.0001, F = 6.46; 5-cycle reusability.