Rising microplastic (MP) pollution can significantly affect engineered treatment systems such as anaerobic digestion (AD). While prior studies have investigated the influence of individual polymers, varying concentrations and sizes on AD, the role of MP morphology and polymer interactions remains underexplored. This study investigated these factors using polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyamide 6 (PA6) MPs, both in isolation and in combination (1:1 ratio), introduced as microfibres (MFs) and fragments at three concentrations, 1, 5, and 15mg/gTS. Results revealed morphology-dependent effects on methane production. MF exposure inhibited methane yield by 10-17% (p < 0.01), with PET and mixed polymers exhibiting a correlation to MP concentration. In contrast, fragments enhanced methane yield, particularly PA6 and mixed (PET and PA6) polymers increased methane output by 9 and 17% at the highest dose, respectively. Kinetic modelling further revealed that MFs consistently reduced methane production potential, apparent degradation and hydrolysis rate, whereas fragment trends were polymer-driven. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs showed greater surface roughness in PA6, which enhanced microbial colonization compared to PET. Elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels with MF addition, especially at the highest concentration, suggested higher oxidative stress and microbial inhibition. Microbial community analysis showed that exposure to MP fragments resulted in similar bacterial shifts across different polymer types, compared to the more diverse effects observed with MFs. Archaeal diversity was more affected by particle shape than polymer composition. All MP treatments favoured a shift toward hydrogenotrophic over aceticlastic methanogenesis. PET and mixed MF addition resulted in a substantial decline in the relative abundance of Actinobacteria (18-20%) from 42% in the control and other methanogenic taxa compared to their fragment counterparts. MF addition disrupted community structure, suppressed additive-degrading taxa, and increased acetogenic groups such as Synergistetes. Overall, the findings suggest that a comprehensive understanding of all influencing factors, including MP morphology, polymer type and concentrations, is important for effective AD system management.

The key challenges for commercializing reversible proton ceramic electrochemical cells (R-PCECs) are the insufficient proton conductivity and inferior thermomechanical stability of oxygen electrodes in air with water vapor. We report a multielement micro-doped BaCoO3-δ-based perovskite material, in which disorder is induced in the ionic substructure to maximize the oxygen-water reaction activity. Atom probe tomography and density functional theory calculations reveal that reduced proton adsorption/diffusion energy barriers are triggered by homogeneous ion distributions in the perovskite oxide. Moreover, the thermally driven mild oxygen release can be further offset by beneficial proton uptake, thereby increasing the thermomechanical durability of the oxygen electrode. The resulting R-PCECs obtain a peak power density of 1.56 W cm-2 and an electrolysis current density of 2.0 A cm-2@1.3 V at 600 °C while demonstrating long-term stability exceeding 780 hours, with degradation rates of 19.3 and 16.9 μV h-1 in fuel cell and electrolysis modes, respectively.

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4), a key regulator of glucose metabolism that cleaves glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), is a critical therapeutic target for type 2 diabetes. Conventional DPP-4 inhibitors like alogliptin act through competitive active-site inhibition, requiring sustained exposure, which can lead to resistance and off-target effects. Here, we leveraged proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) technology to develop a heterobifunctional DPP-4 degrader. The PROTAC (DeDPP4) was synthesized by conjugating alogliptin, a high-affinity DPP-4 ligand, with a cereblon (CRBN)-recruiting E3 ubiquitin ligase ligand. The DeDPP4 demonstrated a dose-dependent DPP-4 depletion effect in A549 cells, with a maximal degradation rate of >80%. In an in vivo experiment, a single administration of the DeDPP4 (10 mg/kg) elicited prolonged glycemic control, maintaining reduced blood glucose levels over 60 h, which was 5 times that of alogliptin. The DeDPP4 induced sustained GLP-1 elevation and enhanced glucose tolerance, correlating with DPP-4 degradation in liver and adipose tissues.

The effective promotion of exciton dissociation to increase the electron density in BiOBr has garnered significant attention. Here, we effectively promote exciton dissociation and enhance photocatalytic activity through a simple sulfur-doped strategy. We demonstrated that sulfur doping markedly increased the built-in electric field (BIEF) strength of BiOBr, which in turn provided the driving force for exciton dissociation and promoted the rapid separation and transport of charge carriers. Additionally, the introduction of abundant oxygen vacancies on BiOBr enhanced its ability to activate oxygen. Consequently, in degradation experiments, S-doped BiOBr exhibited an 8.07-fold increase in the degradation rate of sulfisoxazole (SIZ) compared to that of pure BiOBr. Following this, quenching experiments and electron spin resonance identified holes, superoxide, and singlet oxygen as the primary reactive species involved in photocatalysis, leading to the proposal of a photocatalytic mechanism. Furthermore, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry identified 8 intermediate products and elucidated three degradation pathways. Finally, the impact of different influencing conditions on the degradation of the SIZ was thoroughly examined. To summarize, this study proposes a strategy to enhance photocatalytic activity by adjusting the BIEF and manipulating exciton effects, providing a new perspective on charge transfer mechanisms in photocatalytic systems.

Poly(L-Lactic acid) (PLLA) is a bio-based and biodegradable thermoplastic polymer widely recognized as a leading sustainable alternative to conventional petroleum-based plastics. While its environmental benefits are well established, PLLA faces challenges in end-of-life management due to its slow degradation in natural conditions and the harsh requirements of industrial composting. This study introduces an efficient chemical recycling strategy for PLLA based on hydrolysis reactions performed both in solution and under solvent-free conditions, catalyzed by a homoleptic phenoxy-imine pyridine zinc complex. Both conventional and microwave-assisted heating methods were evaluated. Hydrolysis in solution exhibited consistent degradation rates across various solvents, irrespective of the heating technique. In contrast, microwave-assisted heterogeneous hydrolysis significantly improved both reaction rate and selectivity. Notably, this process enables the direct conversion of postconsumer PLLA products into lactic acid under mild reaction conditions, without the need for additional solvents or pressure build-up. The catalytic approach demonstrates a scalable, energy-efficient pathway for closing the PLLA lifecycle, offering a viable solution for industrial monomer recovery with low waste generation.

Introduction: In the current research, simple and isocratic analytical methods were developed and validated by ICH Q2 (R1) guidelines for the accurate quantitative measurement of Vitamin D3 and Biotin in Calpond Gold Gel suspension. Methods: The analytical methods were developed using RP-HPLC with the best chromatographic conditions. These methods were validated for system suitability, specificity, linearity, LOD, LOQ, accuracy, precision, and robustness. Moreover, an accelerated stability study was carried out for Vitamin D3 and Biotin to estimate the rate of degradation at accelerated conditions (Temp. 40°C ± 2°C and RH 75% ± 5% for 6 Months). Results: Methods showed good suitability (tailing factor ˂ 2%, Theoretical plates ˃ 2000), robustness and specificity without any significant interference, exhibited good linearity (R2 ˃ 0.990) over concentration ranges (3200 – 9600) IU for Vitamin D3 and (12.5 – 37.5) μg/ml for Biotin, precision (RSD ˂ 2%), recovery rates (˃ 99%), and LOD, LOQ were found to be 608.79 IU, 1844.82 IU and 1.72 μg/ml, 5.22 μg/ml for Vitamin D3 and Biotin. Additionally, the % Assay complied with the in-house acceptance criteria (˂ 90%) of label claim from 0-6 months. Discussion: The developed methods were found in accordance with ICH Q2 (R1) guidelines. The validation parameters remained within the acceptable limits, indicating that the methods are reliable for the quantitative determination of Vitamin D3 and Biotin in Calpond Gold Gel suspension. Moreover, Vitamin D3 and Biotin were found to be stable during the accelerated stability study. Conclusion:: The simple and isocratic RP-HPLC methods were successfully developed and validated according to the current ICH guidelines. The developed methods might be useful for the estimation of vitamin D3 and Biotin in feed supplements, veterinary, and pharmaceutical formulations.

Fingermarks have been crucial in forensic investigations for centuries, aiding in both individual identification and crime scene reconstruction. However, a reliable method for dating fingerprints found at crime scenes remains elusive. This study explores the use of Raman spectroscopy to analyze the chemical composition of latent fingermarks residues and track changes over time, specifically within 90 days of deposition. Fingermarks from three male donors were collected and aged under controlled conditions. Raman spectra revealed several chemical markers, with carotenoids showing a significantly faster degradation rate than lipids, following first-order kinetics and varying among donors. Both carotenoids and lipids underwent molecular changes, with carotenoids shifting from trans to cis-isomers, and lipids from cis to trans. These transformations led to oxidation processes and the generation of by-products. Lipid degradation showed a gradual decrease in unsaturated bonds during the first 40 days, followed by a more rapid decline. Raman data also indicated continuous lipid hydrolysis over time. The study provides insights into the chemical aging of fingermarks and suggests that Raman spectroscopy could become a useful non-destructive method for estimating the age of fingermarks in forensic applications.

Acclimation-enhanced ofloxacin biodegradation by Tetradesmus obliquus: Unveiling physiological and transcriptomic adaptation mechanisms.

Worsening water contamination by organic pollutants, such as industrial dyes, mineral processing reagents, and medical antibiotics, calls for the design of efficient and inexpensive remediation technologies. Herein, a new ternary nanocomposite photocatalyst SnO 2 /g-C 3 N 4 /Dt was prepared by a simple hydrothermal method and calcination, exploiting the strong photocatalytic activity of SnO 2 and g-C 3 N 4 , and the structural dispersion ability of diatomite (Dt) to construct a stable heterojunction system. Characterization results indicated that a large specific surface area, optimized pore structure, and abundant active sites were obtained, while agglomeration of nanoparticles was effectively suppressed. Under simulated visible-light irradiation, the ternary composite exhibited a broad photocatalytic activity with degradation percentages of Methyl Orange (MO), Sodium Ethyl Xanthate (SEX), and Tetracycline Hydrochloride (TCH) of 94.29%, 99.63%, and 93.31% in 60 minutes - significantly better than its single and binary counterparts. The degradation process followed pseudo-first-order kinetic behavior, with degradation rates improved by 3.5-4.1 times compared to the pristine materials. Recycling experiments also demonstrated that the SnO 2 /g-C 3 N 4 /Dt nanocomposite exhibit excellent reusability as photocatalysts and hold significant potential for application in the treatment of industrial wastewater containing organic pollutants.

Objectives: This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of adding walnut (Juglans regia L.) green husk (WGH) on the quality of alfalfa mixed silage, protein degradation, microbial community, and their interrelationships. Methods: Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) fresh grass and WGH dried powder were used as raw materials to prepare three mixed silages of alfalfa fresh grass with 80 g/kg (A1), 120 g/kg (A2), and 160 g/kg (A3) of WGH dried powder, respectively, with alfalfa fresh grass silage as the control group (CK). After 60 days of ensilage, samples were taken and analyzed, with three replicates per treatment. Results: WGH treatment significantly improved alfalfa silage fermentation and nutritional quality. It reduced undesirable fermentation products while promoting beneficial lactic acid bacteria and preventing mold growth. Increasing the WGH ratio enhanced dry matter content and digestibility, with only a minor effect on crude protein. These results suggest that WGH is an effective silage additive for improving both fermentation characteristics and feed value. With the increase in the proportion of WGH, the proportions of rapidly degradable protein (PB1) and medium rate degradable protein (PB2) increased linearly, while the proportions of free amino acid nitrogen (FAA-N), peptide nitrogen (Peptide-N), slow degradable protein (PB3) and binding protein (PC) decreased linearly and the protease activity decreased significantly (p &lt; 0.05). Bacterial community analysis showed that the relative abundance of Lactiplantibacillus and Levilactobacillus in the silage increased after WGH was added, while the relative abundance of Acetobacter, Pantoea, Weissella and Serratia decreased. Conclusions: Compared with pure alfalfa silage, the addition of WGH has a positive effect on silage quality, protein degradation and bacterial community structure, and the addition of WGH with 120 g/kg is more suitable.

Cattle manure composting is an effective strategy for recycling agricultural waste. However, the presence of lignocellulosic materials in cattle manure–maize straw mixtures can limit the degradation efficiency during composting. This study investigated the effects of microbial inoculation on composting performance using three treatments: a lignocellulose-degrading microbial consortium (MC1), a commercial microbial inoculant (BS1), and a non-inoculated control (CK). The results showed that the MC1-treated pile entered the thermophilic phase (&gt;50 °C) earlier than the BS1-treated pile. After 49 days of composting, the lignocellulose degradation rates in the MC1, BS1, and CK treatments were 46.25%, 37.5%, and 29.8%, respectively. Based on compost maturity indicators, including temperature, C/N ratio, pH, and electrical conductivity (EC), the composting period required to reach maturity was shortened by 8 days in the MC1 treatment compared with the BS1 treatment (37 vs. 45 days). Microbial community analysis indicated that MC1 inoculation increased the relative abundance of key microbial groups, particularly Ascomycota and Firmicutes, thereby enhancing lignocellulose degradation and accelerating composting. These findings provide insights into the application of lignocellulose-degrading microbial inoculants for improving cattle manure composting efficiency.

ABSTRACTTo isolate lactic acid bacteria with significant triglyceride‐degrading ability from traditional fermented foods in Guizhou and develop probiotic tablets, providing a basis for the development of functional probiotics. Strains with triglyceride‐degrading ability were screened from 26 isolated strains. Morphological analysis, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and stress resistance tests were conducted. The lyoprotectant composition for tablet preparation was optimized, and the stability and survival rate of the probiotic tablets were evaluated. Six LAB strains were selected, all exhibiting a triglyceride degradation rate exceeding 60%. Among them, PYC02 (Limosilactobacillus fermentum), SZ02 (Weissella cibaria), and PLHB02 (Weissella cibaria) showed degradation rates greater than 80%. PYC02 and PLHB02 maintained survival rates above 80% under conditions of pH 3 and 0.3% bile salts. The optimal lyoprotectant composition for maximum probiotic survival was 8% defatted milk powder, 5% sodium alginate, 2% maltodextrin, and 8% trehalose. After 30 days of storage at 4°C and 25°C, the survival rates of the probiotic tablets exceeded 80% and 60%, respectively, with triglyceride degradation rates greater than 60%. The triglyceride‐degrading effects of PYC02 and PLHB02 were significant. These strains exhibited strong stress resistance and high safety, showing potential for the development of functional probiotics, offering new approaches for the prevention and treatment of hypertriglyceridemia.

Heparin-incorporated whey protein isolate-derived hydrogels with an intended dual function as snakebite wound dressings and drug delivery systems inhibit spitting cobra venom-induced cytotoxicity.

Senescence is the biological aging associated with the gradual deterioration of cells and functions of various organs over time. This irreversible process is caused by genetic, metabolic, and environmental factors, such as telomere shortening, exposure to cytotoxic substances, and accumulated cellular damage over time, although the rate of degradation can be modified by lifestyle factors. Immunosenescence specifically refers to senescent changes in the innate and adaptive immunity and is associated with low inflammation known as inflammaging. As immunosenescence implies, reduced immune function leads to impaired tissue function and an increased risk of infection and heightened susceptibility to chronic, autoimmune, and neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in the elderly. An increase in senescent cells is common in aging, which leads to age-associated diseases. Cellular senescence may also contribute to the onset and severity of Parkinson’s disease (PD) neuropathology. Inflammaging with high levels of proinflammatory marker expression may result from changes in immune responses, chronic antigenic stimulation, and senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors, such as increased expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6), insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) and matrix metalloproteinase-10 (MMP-10) has been reported in AD patients. The levels of the senescence marker p16INK4a and several SASP factors, such as MMP-3, IL-6, IL-1α and IL-8 are elevated along with low levels of astrocytic lamin B1 in the substantia nigra of PD. This review discusses recent developments in neurosenescence and immunosenescence in AD and PD, as well as potential senolytic therapies.

Tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP), a representative chlorinated organophosphate ester (Cl-OPE) widely used as a flame retardant, is frequently detected in aquatic environments and sediments due to its high water solubility and persistence. Anaerobic microbial transformation is a key process determining its environmental fate, in which Dehalococcoides plays an important role. A comprehensive understanding of the environmental fate of TCEP requires elucidating its degradation mechanisms and interactions with co-occurring contaminants. This study focuses on the anaerobic biotransformation mechanisms of TCEP mediated by a Dehalococcoides-containing enrichment culture (8E-N), also considering the transformation processes under co-contamination with polychlorinated biphenyl congeners (PCB85). The presence of PCB85 markedly inhibited TCEP degradation. In the absence of PCB85, TCEP transformation followed pseudo-zero-order kinetics (degradation rate = 0.1005 μM·h-1), yielding bis(2-chloroethyl) phosphate and ethene in near-stoichiometric amounts (mass balance = 95.63 ± 3.43%). Significant carbon and chlorine isotope fractionation (εC = -1.10 ± 0.01‰, εCl = -1.01 ± 0.01‰) indicated that C-Cl bond cleavage of TCEP was the initial and rate-limiting step. Quantum chemical calculations further supported this mechanism, revealing strong orbital overlap between the HOMO of cob(I)alamin and the lowest-energy unoccupied orbital of TCEP, enabling one-electron transfer and subsequent radical-mediated bond scission. Free energy analysis showed that the anaerobic transformation mechanism of TCEP involves an initial single-electron transfer followed by proton-coupled electron transfer, which is thermodynamically the most favorable pathway and consistent with the observed products. Overall, these findings reveal that PCB co-contamination inhibits TCEP degradation, present the first evidence of isotope fractionation during anaerobic TCEP transformation, and provide mechanistic insights into the environmental fate of Cl-OPEs.

A new insight into PCDD/Fs degradation from MSWI fly ash during CaCO3 oligomer crystallization via low-temperature thermal induction.

Genes are connected in complex networks of interactions where often the product of one gene is a transcription factor that alters the expression of another. Many of these networks are based on a few fundamental motifs leading to switches and oscillators of various kinds. And yet, there is more to the story than which transcription factors control these various circuits. These transcription factors are often themselves under the control of effector molecules that bind them and alter their level of activity. Traditionally, much beautiful work has shown how to think about the stability of the different states achieved by these fundamental regulatory architectures by examining how parameters such as transcription rates, degradation rates and dissociation constants tune the circuit, giving rise to behavior such as bistability. However, such studies explore dynamics without asking how these quantities are altered in real time in living cells as opposed to at the fingertips of the synthetic biologist's pipette or on the computational biologist's computer screen. In this paper, we make a departure from the conventional dynamical systems view of these regulatory motifs by using statistical mechanical models to focus on endogenous signaling knobs such as effector concentrations rather than on the convenient but more experimentally remote knobs such as dissociation constants, transcription rates and degradation rates that are often considered. We also contrast the traditional use of Hill functions to describe transcription factor binding with more detailed thermodynamic models. This approach provides insights into how biological parameters are tuned to control the stability of regulatory motifs in living cells, sometimes revealing quite a different picture than is found by using Hill functions and tuning circuit parameters by hand.

Although biodegradable Zn alloy fine wires are promising for staples, most exhibit inadequate mechanical properties, and current studies remain preliminary. In this work, Zn-2Cu-0.8Li (wt%) alloy fine wires (0.22 mm) for staples with outstanding mechanical properties were fabricated via hot extrusion, multi-pass drawing at room temperature and annealing. The microstructure, property evolutions and application feasibility for staples were systematically studied. The drawing process induces dramatic elongation of the β-LiZn4 matrix, accompanied by dynamic recovery (DRV) and continuous dynamic recrystallization (CDRX). The low-angle grain boundary fractions significantly increase and the average grain sizes dramatically decrease. The η-Zn distributes as fine equiaxed grain bands due to DRX. The tensile yield strength (TYS) and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) increase from 376 MPa and 423 MPa to 596 MPa and 631 MPa, respectively, due to grain boundary (GB) and texture strengthening. Meanwhile, the deformability remains good with fracture elongation (EL) of 25.4% owing to DRV, CDRX and the presence of η-Zn. The wires annealed at 120 °C for 1 h show optimal mechanical properties (TYS: 492 MPa, UTS: 537 MPa and EL: 44.2%). The wires exhibit uniform degradation mode with a higher degradation rate of 327 μm∙year−1 than as-extruded wires due to increased GB densities. The fabricated staples show an ultimate tensile force of 1.86 N comparable to Ti staples. They can achieve satisfactory anastomosis of beagle gastric tissue, and show appropriate degradation properties in vitro and in vivo. These findings indicate that Zn-2Cu-0.8Li fine wires and staples are promising for clinical applications.

Abstract Kiwifruit is prone to rapid softening due to ethylene accumulation and is highly susceptible to microbial infection and decay. To address these two major challenges, a multifunctional film was developed via electrospinning using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and pullulan (PUL) as a composite polymer matrix, and incorporated with titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles and thymol (THY) as photocatalyst and natural antimicrobial agent, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) confirmed the uniform dispersion of TiO2 nanoparticles within the fibers without obvious aggregation. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) results verified the successful integration of anatase TiO2 and THY into the nanofiber film. The nanofiber film nearly completely degraded ethylene (200×10–6) within 4 h under irradiation, corresponding to a degradation rate of 12.5 µL/(g·h). Furthermore, the nanofiber film exhibited 100% antibacterial efficiency against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Botryosphaeria. Compared with PUL/PVA film, the TiO2/THY/PUL/PVA composite film exhibited enhanced thermal stability, ultraviolet absorption capacity, and mechanical strength. Under 4 °C storage condition, the active packaging film extended the shelf life of kiwifruit to more than 35 d, effectively maintained fruit firmness and color, delayed the decline in total soluble solids, vitamin C, and anthocyanins, decelerated weight loss and malondialdehyde accumulation, and markedly suppressed microbial infection. This study provides an effective strategy for developing active packaging materials with ethylene degradation and antimicrobial functions, offering considerable potential for advancing postharvest preservation technologies for kiwifruit and other climacteric fruits.

Abstract Titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) and its composites are widely investigated for environmental remediation due to their favorable physicochemical properties. In this study, Si/TiO 2 nanocomposites were synthesized by incorporating a very low amount (0.1 wt%) of silicon nanoparticles prepared via a free-space reactor (FSR) into a TiO 2 matrix using a sol–gel method. Three types of silicon nanoparticles with distinct intrinsic properties, denoted as Si(1), Si(2), and Si(3), were employed to systematically evaluate the influence of silicon structure on photocatalytic performance under identical synthesis conditions. The photocatalytic activity of the nanocomposites and pristine TiO 2 was assessed using two reference pollutant molecules widely reported in the literature, methyl orange as a model dye and imidacloprid as a representative persistent organic contaminant, under UV, UV + visible, and visible-light irradiation using low-energy light sources. Among the investigated samples, Si(1)/TiO 2 exhibited the highest photocatalytic efficiency, achieving degradation rates of 94 % for methyl orange (UV irradiation, 240 min) and 60 % for imidacloprid (UV irradiation, 360 min), outperforming pristine TiO 2 (76 % and 53 %, respectively). The enhanced performance is attributed to improved interfacial charge transfer, optimized textural properties, and extended light absorption induced by silicon incorporation. The research demonstrates that Si/TiO 2 nanocomposites with ultra-low silicon content and reduced energy input represent promising, energy-efficient photocatalysts for sustainable water treatment and environmental remediation applications.