Morphological Features Research Articles

Acute myeloid leukemia with NUP98::RARG rearrangement: a case report and review of the relevant literature.

We herein report a rare case of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with t(11;12)(p15;q13) and NUP98::RARG, which seems to be involved in the development of AML. The morphological features were similar to those of classic acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), but unlike classic APL, this leukemia was resistant to treatment with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). We decided to use standard chemotherapy for AML with monitoring of minimal residual disease (MRD) by qualitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis for NUP98::RARG mRNA. Although MRD disappeared after induction chemotherapy, it later reappeared, and hematological relapse occurred during subsequent chemotherapies. The patient received haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation while not in remission and achieved a second molecular remission. However, relapse occurred 4months after transplantation. The specific mechanism of ATRA resistance in this unique case of AML remains unclear, and no standard treatment has been determined. This is the first case report of AML with NUP98::RARG rearrangement in Japan. Qualitative RT-PCR analysis for NUP98::RARG mRNA was helpful for the accurate diagnosis and evaluation of MRD to choose an adequate treatment for this type of AML.

Sensitivity of mesoscale modeling to urban morphological feature inputs and implications for characterizing urban sustainability

We examine the differences in meteorological output from the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model run at 270 m horizontal resolution using 10 m, 100 m and 1 km resolution 3D neighborhood morphological inputs and with no morphological inputs. We find that the spatial variability in temperature, humidity, and other meteorological variables across the city can vary with the resolution and the coverage of the 3D urban morphological input, and that larger differences occur between simulations run without 3D morphological input and those run with some type of 3D morphology. We also find that the inclusion of input-building-defined roughness length calculations would improve simulation results further. We show that these inputs produce different patterns of heat wave spatial heterogeneity across the city of Washington, DC. These findings suggest that understanding neighborhood level urban sustainability under extreme heat waves, especially for vulnerable neighborhoods, requires attention to the representation of surface terrain in numerical weather models.

Molecular phylogeny and morphology reveal a new Eichleriella species (Auriculariales, Basidiomycota) from China

A new wood-inhabiting fungus Eichleriella yunnanensis is proposed based on a combination of the morphological features and molecular evidence. Eichleriella yunnanensis is characterized by the buff to clay-pink hymenial surface, a monomitic hyphal system with thin- to thick walled generative hyphae having the clamp connections, and thin-walled, subglobose to subclavate basidia with longitudinally septate, and thin-walled, curved-cylindrical to allantoid basidiospores. The phylogenetic tree inferred from ITS+nLSU sequences revealed that the new species was nested into the family Auriculariaceae within the order Auriculariales, in which it was closely related to the species E. discolor and E. xinpingensis. On the basis of ITS sequences indicated that the new species was nested into the genus Eichleriella, and also grouped with the clade comprising E. discolor and E. xinpingensis.

Artificial Intelligence-Based Feature Analysis of Pulmonary Vein Morphology on Computed Tomography Scans and Risk of Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence After Catheter Ablation: A Multi-Site Study.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence (AF+) is common after catheter ablation. Pulmonary vein (PV) isolation is the cornerstone of AF ablation, but PV remodeling has been associated with the risk of AF+. We aimed to evaluate whether artificial intelligence-based morphological features of primary and secondary PV branches on computed tomography images are associated with AF+ post-ablation. Two artificial intelligence models were trained for the segmentation of computed tomography images, enabling the isolation of PV branches. Patients from Cleveland Clinic (n=135) and Vanderbilt University (n=594) were combined and divided into 2 sets for training and cross-validation (D1, n=218) and internal testing (D2, n=511). An independent validation set (D3, n=80) was obtained from University Hospitals of Cleveland. We extracted 48 fractal-based and 12 shape-based radiomic features from primary and secondary PV branches of patients with AF+ and without recurrence after catheter ablation of AF. To predict AF+, 3 Gradient Boosting classification models based on significant features from primary branch PV model (Mp), secondary branch PV model (Ms), and combined primary and secondary branch PV model (Mc) were built. Features relating to primary PVs were found to be associated with AF+. The Mp classifier achieved area under the curve values of 0.73, 0.71, and 0.70 across the 3 datasets. AF+ cases exhibited greater surface complexity in their primary PV area, as evidenced by higher fractal dimension values compared with AF nonrecurrence cases. The Ms classifier results revealed a weaker association with AF+, suggesting higher relevance to AF+ post-ablation from primary PV branch morphology. This largest multi-institutional study to date revealed associations between artificial intelligence-extracted morphological features of the primary PV branches with AF+ in 809 patients from 3 sites. Future work will focus on enhancing the predictive ability of the classifier by integrating clinical, structural, and morphological features, including left atrial appendage and left atrium-related characteristics.

Structural and morphological behavior of Al-based hybrid composites reinforced by SiC and WS2 inorganic material

Abstract Aluminum-based composites exhibit significant potential in automotive engineering, especially in engine components, with potential to improve efficiency and lifespan. The potential and usability of developing high-performance aluminum-based hybrid composites with silicon carbide and tungsten disulfide for automotive applications were investigated in the present study. This study investigates a novel aluminum-based hybrid composite, incorporating 10 wt.% SiC and varying WS2 concentrations (0–12 wt.%). WS2 addition reduces friction, enhancing engine efficiency and lifespan. The structural and morphological features with mechanical behavior of the hybrid composites manufactured via powder metallurgy were examined. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis reveals the phase identification with topographical features. Microstructural analysis reveals uniform SiC distribution and WS2 clustering at aluminum grain boundaries. Microhardness increases from 52.86 ± 1.264 HV to 71.12 ± 2.175 HV with increase in WS2 (1–9 wt.%). Wear decreases from 70.56 to 8.48 μm, indicating better lubrication. After 120 h, corrosion rates drop from 0.041 to 0.013 mm a−1 with WS2 (up to 9 wt.%). The research findings suggest that with addition of WS2 and SiC improves corrosion resistance and hardness, minimizing wear.

The development of orofacial complex in bats: Implications for orofacial clefting.

Orofacial morphology in mammals plays a critical role in essential life functions such as feeding and communication, which are influenced by the shapes of these anatomical structures. Bats are known to exhibit highly diversified orofacial morphotypes within their clade, reflecting their varied diets and echolocation behaviors. The presence of bony discontinuities between the premaxilla and maxilla or among the premaxillae is a notable feature of bat orofacial morphology, observed in certain lineages. It is suggested that these unique orofacial morphotypes, not generally found in other mammals, have evolved in relation to dietary adaptations rather than merely for echolocation mode. Until now, the developmental background of the bony discontinuities in the bat orofacial complex has been insufficiently investigated. Here, we present a comparative study of the chondrocranium and epithelial organs in the orofacial complex of three bat species: Cynopterus sphinx, Rhinolophus malayanus, and Vespertilio sinensis. Our observations indicate that the preceding morphogenesis of orofacial cartilage and epithelial structures is remarkably different among these three species. In C. sphinx and V. sinensis, the region forming from the regression of the palatine process of the premaxilla was filled with orofacial cartilage and epithelial structures. We also found that the clefted morphology observed in R. malayanus and V. sinensis was formed via contrastingly divergent developmental processes. Midline clefts among Yangochiroptera have been previously categorized to represent a uniform morphotype, but our study highlights that attributing midline clefts into a singular category should be revisited, advocating for a nuanced categorization of cleft morphology based on their morphogenetic patterns. Further research on the bat orofacial complex may enhance our understanding of bat evolutionary diversification and offer insights into the developmental mechanisms of human cleft palate.

MorphoGlia, an interactive method to identify and map microglia morphologies, demonstrates differences in hippocampal subregions of an Alzheimer’s disease mouse model

Microglia are dynamic central nervous system cells crucial for maintaining homeostasis and responding to neuroinflammation, as evidenced by their varied morphologies. Existing morphology analysis often fails to detect subtle variations within the full spectrum of microglial morphologies due to their reliance on predefined categories. Here, we present MorphoGlia, an interactive, user-friendly pipeline that objectively characterizes microglial morphologies. MorphoGlia employs a machine learning ensemble to select relevant morphological features of microglia cells, perform dimensionality reduction, cluster these features, and subsequently map the clustered cells back onto the tissue, providing a spatial context for the identified microglial morphologies. We applied this pipeline to compare the responses between saline solution (SS) and scopolamine (SCOP) groups in a SCOP-induced mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease, with a specific focus on the hippocampal subregions CA1 and Hilus. Next, we assessed microglial morphologies across four groups: SS-CA1, SCOP-CA1, SS-Hilus, and SCOP-Hilus. The results demonstrated that MorphoGlia effectively differentiated between SS and SCOP-treated groups, identifying distinct clusters of microglial morphologies commonly associated with pro-inflammatory states in the SCOP groups. Additionally, MorphoGlia enabled spatial mapping of these clusters, identifying the most affected hippocampal layers. This study highlights MorphoGlia’s capability to provide unbiased analysis and clustering of microglial morphological states, making it a valuable tool for exploring microglial heterogeneity and its implications for central nervous system pathologies.

Catasetum × vilhenense (Orchidaceae: Catasetinae), a new natural hybrid from the Amazon forest

This study describes a new natural hybrid of Catasetum, C. × vilhenense, from the State of Rondônia (Brazil) found in ombrophilous forests near the Roosevelt River. The hybrid shows intermediate morphological features between its parental species, C. ariquemense and C. multifidum, with specific differences in floral morphology and inflorescence structure. We provide detailed data on its habitat, ecology, and geographic distribution, and a photographic plate of the hybrid. Given its restricted range, limited to a single locality with an area of occupancy (AOO) of less than 10 km², C. × vilhenense may be Critically Endangered (CR) due to habitat loss and fragmentation. An identification key is also proposed for the species and natural hybrids of Catasetum with symmetrical and parallel antennae in the state of Rondônia, contributing to the understanding and classification of this genus in the Amazon forest.

Four new species of Phanerochaete (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) from China

Four new wood-inhabiting fungi viz. Phanerochaete castanea, P. citrinoalba, P. citrinorhizomorpha, and P. wuyiensisspp. nov. – are proposed based on a combination of morphological features and molecular evidence. Phanerochaete castanea is characterized by soft coriaceous basidiomata detachable from the substrate, becoming reddish brown in KOH, subulate cystidia with an obtuse apex. Phanerochaete citrinoalba is characterized by the coriaceous basidiomata with smooth, cracking hymenial surface, sterile margins with yellowish to whitish rhizomorphs, a monomitic hyphal system, generative hyphae mostly with simple septa and occasionally with clamp connections at basal hyphae. Phanerochaete citrinorhizomorpha is characterized by soft coriaceous basidiomata with a salmon to peach hymenial surface, a sterile margin with yellowish rhizomorphs, simple septate generative hyphae, and clavate to subfusiform or subulate cystidia with an obtuse apex. Phanerochaete wuyiensis is characterized by membranaceous basidiomata with smooth or locally tuberculate hymenial surface and the whitish rhizomorphs, generative hyphae with both simple septa and clamp connections at basal hyphae, cystidia projecting above hymenium. DNA sequences of the ITS and LSU markers of the studied samples were generated, and phylogenetic analyses were performed with Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference methods. The phylogenetic tree inferred from the concatenated ITS+nLSU dataset highlighted the placement of the four new species in the genus Phanerochaete (Phanerochaetaceae, Polyporales). Phylogenetically related and morphologically similar species to these four new species are discussed. Furthermore, an identification key to accepted species of Phanerochaete in China is given.

Predicting conversion of Alzheimer’s disease based on multi-modal fusion of neuroimaging and genetic data

Identifying progressive mild cognitive impairment (pMCI) and stable mild cognitive impairment (sMCI) play a significant role in the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and can be helpful in early treatment to reduce the risk of conversion to AD. We proposed a classification method of sMCIs and pMCIs based on multi-modality data fusion of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP), ratio of gray matter volume (RGV) obtained by morphometric measures, and sMRI images to predict the progression of AD. We validated the effectiveness of the proposed method by applying it to the task of identifying the disease status on the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative dataset. The results showed that the classification performances of our method was better than other state-of-the-art methods, and the accuracy rate for the classification of pMCI and sMCI reached 94.37%. The accuracy of our method was better than that of existing classification methods based on multi-modality images, and the accuracy rate for the classification of pMCI and sMCI reached 94.37%. Our study demonstrated that compared with unimodal and bimodal data, the method based on trimodal data fusion can better distinguish sMCI and pMCI, obtaining higher prediction accuracy for AD conversion. In addition, as a morphological feature, ratio of gray matter volume played a key role in distinguish of sMCI and pMCI, which can be used for the early diagnosis of AD.

Names of Hutong in Kaifeng

The common narrow lane in ancient cities of North China, the hutong, has long been of interest to scholars. However, the limited onomastic research on hutong names is mostly confined to Beijing, leaving the toponymic landscape of other well-known ancient cities underexplored. In view of this gap, this study, based on 67 hutong names and 201 non-hutong names of Kaifeng, explores the phonetic, morphological, and semantic features of these hodonyms. It is our hope that the findings of this study will improve public awareness of toponyms and provide references for toponymic research in China.

Growth Hormone-Secreting Pituitary Adenoma: Dura Mater Invasion Is Not a Predictor of Acromegaly Persistence After Trans-Sphenoidal Surgery

Objectives: In pituitary adenomas, examinations of surgical specimens have shown that dural invasion occurs in 42–85% of cases. No studies about dura mater invasion have been conducted specifically in acromegaly patients. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between histologically dural invasion and the main features of GH-secreting adenomas. Methods: This retrospective study included all consecutive acromegaly patients who underwent neurosurgery at our university hospital between 2017 and 2020. The following data were collected: (1) clinical, biochemical and morphological data at diagnosis, at three months, one year after neurosurgery, and at last follow-up; (2) pathological features (dura mater invasion, immunohistochemical analyses, proliferation index Ki-67, p53, and granulation pattern); and (3) radiological features on magnetic resonance images. Results: Of 35 acromegaly patients, 11 had dural invasion (INV+ 31%) and 24 did not (INV− 69%). GH levels at diagnosis were greater in INV+ patients (p = 0.02), and a GH value > 27 ng/mL was able to distinguish INV+ patients (Sensitivity 80%, Specificity 73%, AUC 0.760, p = 0.006). Indeed, patients with GH > 27 ng/mL at diagnosis had a tenfold greater risk of dura mater invasion (OR 10.7; 95% CI 1.74–65.27, p = 0.005). No differences were found in the other clinical, biochemical, morphological, radiological and pathological features. Regarding remission likelihood, IGF-1 levels at diagnosis were lower in cured patients (p = 0.03). Conclusions: The GH level at diagnosis is the only parameter significantly associated with dura mater invasion. Lower IGF-1 levels at diagnosis are significantly associated with remission one year after surgery.

Development of a Comprehensive Pollen and Spore Catalog Using Advanced Laboratory Techniques: A Case Study of Contemporary Dried and Fresh Flower Specimens from Bangladesh

This study focuses on the preparation of dry and fresh flower samples for pollen and spore observation using advanced laboratory techniques, identification of morphological characteristics, and the development of a pollen catalog that provides valuable insights into ecology and pollen morphology for different taxa. This research contributes to the field of palynology, an essential discipline in stratigraphy and biostratigraphy, by creating a detailed pollen catalog that enhances our understanding of paleoenvironmental conditions, depositional history, and potential hydrocarbon presence. Twenty-six fresh and dried flower samples from Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, and Dhaka Districts have been analyzed using acetolysis techniques. Pollen morphologies were examined at 400x and 1000x magnifications through transmitted and fluorescence light microscopy, and high-resolution imaging of one species was further enhanced with Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM). Pollen morphology documented for twenty-five species across twelve families, including Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, Solanaceae, Poaceae, Rubiaceae, Campanulaceae, Melastomataceae, Malvaceae, Verbenaceae, Oleaceae, and Heliotropiaceae as well as one spore from the Lygodiaceae family. The resulting catalog provides valuable ecological insights by highlighting morphological features and taxonomic classifications. It is an essential resource for researchers and professionals involved in Holocene pollen studies. This work contributes to the understanding of palynology and underscores the importance of advanced analytical technologies in reconstructing the prehistoric environment of Bangladesh. The data gathered is crucial for comprehending the ecological evolution of the world's largest delta.

The Spectrum of B-cell and Plasma Cell Proliferations in Nodal T Follicular Helper Cell Lymphomas.

B-cell and plasma cell proliferations are frequently observed in nodal T follicular helper (nTfh) cell lymphomas and can present a diagnostic challenge. These proliferations can be monotypic or monoclonal and morphologically resemble lymphoma or plasmacytoma, but their clinical behavior is poorly defined. In this study, we reviewed 414 cases of nTfh lymphoma seen over the past decade at our institution. We identified 78 (19%) cases that exhibited B-cell or plasma cell proliferation detected by morphology, flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, and/or molecular techniques. The B-cell/plasma cell proliferations occurred before (22%), concurrently with (50%), or after (28%) the diagnosis of nTfh lymphoma. We divided them into 3 categories: (1) focal or scattered B-immunoblastic proliferations recognized morphologically without a monotypic/monoclonal B-cell population (17%), (2) monotypic/monoclonal B-cell/plasma cells identified solely by flow cytometry or molecular clonality studies without morphologic confirmation (11%), and (3) unequivocal B-cell/plasma cell expansions recognized by morphologic assessment (72%). We further subdivided group 3 into proliferations associated with and possibly dependent on neoplastic Tfh cells versus those proliferations occurring in the absence of neoplastic Tfh cells and likely bona fide lymphomas. Follow-up biopsy specimens showed persistence of B-cell/plasma cell proliferations in various patient subcategories, with transformation to higher-grade B-cell proliferation or persistence without Tfh cells in some cases. In conclusion, our data support the notion that most B-cell and plasma cell proliferations associated with neoplastic Tfh clones have little impact on the clinical course of patients with nTfh lymphoma and likely do not constitute an independent B-cell lymphoma, especially those of small B cells of plasma cells. However, B-cell expansions exhibiting aggressive morphologic features may represent an independent B-cell lymphoma.

Taxonomic identification and prevalence of hard ticks on different breeds of sheep from district Quetta in Balochistan, Pakistan

Ticks, being ectoparasites, are vectors for the transmission of various pathogens that can infect animals and can also pose a significant threat to human health. Due to hot and humid climatic conditions across different agro-ecological regions of Pakistan, ticks are widespread and infest a diverse range of animal species. This study aimed for taxonomic identification and prevalence determination of ticks in sheep collected from four different marketplaces in the Quetta district of Balochistan. A total of 200 sheep from six different breeds, Balochi, Harnai, Turki, Mari wal, black Shinwari-Afghani, and Kooka, were examined, and ticks were collected from their five distinct anatomical regions. The species are identified over petri-dish and under microscope using their morphological features. Out of total 200 sheep, 107 were identified to be infested by ticks with an overall prevalence of 53.50 %. The class of ≤6 month's age are more prevalent and more prone to tick infestation, with tick prevalence of 55 %. The female sheep were found more prone to tick infestation (56 %) as compared to male species (51 %). A total of 559 species were documented including H. anatolicum, R. microplus, H. rufipes, H. dromedary, R. (Boophilus) annulatus, R. decoloratus, Ixodes Pilosus, R. camicasi, R. pravus, and R. turanicum. R. decoloratus was noted in higher abundance (N; 31) at larvae stage, while H. anatolicum are more in nymph stage (N: 30); the R. (Boophilus) annulatus species are dominating the adult sage (N: 60). The amount of tick infestation also varied according to the season and month of the year: in the summer, the highest number of sheep become infected with ticks, with July having the highest frequency of tick predominance; in the winter, the lowest prevalence of ticks is found in January. The specie abundance was noted to be 559, Specie richness to be 10, and the diversity was calculated as 0.93.

Study of the applicability of ACdSe (A – Co, Ni) thin films as catalysts for heavy metal capture

Expansion of the possibilities of using photoactive thin films with a unique combination of optical and morphological characteristics as a basis for creation of highly efficient catalysts for the aqueous media purification is one of the promising research areas in modern materials science, which has both fundamental significance and potential for practical application. This study examines the prospects for using modified thin CdSe films by substituting nickel or cobalt for cadmium and selenium as a basis for creating highly efficient catalysts for the aqueous media purification from heavy metals such as arsenic, manganese and iron. A rather inexpensive electrochemical synthesis method was proposed as a method for obtaining thin films, in which the substitution effect is achieved by addition of nickel or cobalt sulfates to the electrolyte, which allows obtaining films with an equally probable distribution of elements in the composition of the synthesized films. Optical spectroscopy methods were used as methods for characterization of the initial samples, which made it possible to establish the dependences of the change in the band gap and absorption bands on the composition of the synthesized films, as well as to anticipate the influence of morphological features on optical absorption. During the conducted studies it was established that partial substitution of nickel and cobalt for cadmium and selenium in the composition of films results in growth in the adsorption efficiency of heavy metals, alongside operation stability maintenance of modified films during cyclic tests. At the same time, enhancement of the adsorption efficiency of heavy metals for modified films is due to both an alteration in the optical properties of the films and morphological features associated with the specific surface area growth due to a reduction in the grain size and a more developed surface.

Enhanced photocatalytic and supercapacitor performance of CeO2 nano foam integrated MWCNT and rGO nanocomposites

In this study, Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2 NPs) with foam like morphology were prepared using the Moringa Oleifera seed extract-assisted green synthesis method. The prepared CeO2 NPs were integrated respectively with reduced graphene oxide (CeO2/rGO) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CeO2/MWCNT) via a simple one-pot reflex method. The structural and morphological features and elemental characteristics, including the physico-chemical and thermal characteristics of the samples, were assessed. The photocatalytic degradation ability of the catalyst was tested against Alizarin Red (AR) and Safranin (SF) dyes. Under sunlight, degradation efficiencies of 92.62%, 95.46%, and 99.62% were achieved against Safranin dye by CeO2, CeO2/MWCNT, and CeO2/rGO, respectively. The XRD analysis shows the structural phase stability of the nanocatalyst even after five cycles. The supercapacitor characteristics of all anode electrode samples were assessed. Moreover, the specific capacitance values of 370, 413, and 554 Fg-1 were measured using cyclic voltammetry at a scan rate of 5 mV/s for CeO2, CeO2/MWCNT, and CeO2/rGO, respectively. After undergoing 3000 charge-discharge cycles, the hybrid CeO2/rGO nanocomposite revealed admirable cycling stability with an 8.6% decrease in its specific capacitance. According to the results, the green-mediated CeO2/rGO heterojunction nano semiconducting materials are promising candidates for twin applications in photocatalysis and supercapacitors.

Slag rim structure and phase formation mechanism in molds during the continuous casting of high-Mn high-Al steel

The slag–steel reaction between low basicity mold flux and high-Mn and high-Al steel results in changes to the composition and properties of the mold flux, forming a slag rim at the meniscus of the mold during continuous casting. In this study, the slag rim was divided into five layers comprising the glass, columnar crystals, fine crystals, coarse crystals, and sinter layers from mold to molten steel based on their morphological features. Compared to the original slag, the Al2O3 content in the slag rim significantly increased and the SiO2 content decreased, thereby increasing the Al2O3/SiO2 mass ratio from 0.05 to 5.52. Phases with high melting points, such as Na2O·CaO·2Al2O3 and LiAlO2, were identified in the slag rim. According to crystallization process calculations using FactSage, these phases were the primary causes of slag rim formation. Thus, new slags with a low O/F mass ratio were subsequently designed to mitigate the generation and growth of Na2O·CaO·2Al2O3. These new compositions reduced the melting point and viscosity, thereby ensuring sufficient fluidity in slags with a high Al2O3/SiO2 mass ratio.

Spirulina platensis: Unveiling Phenotypic Plasticity impact on its Metabolic Profile and Bioactivity Via Chemometric Analysis

Spirulina platensis, a blue-green microalgae, is commonly cultivated for its nutritional benefits. it exhibits remarkable phenotypic plasticity. This study investigated the impact of environmental factors on the morphological features, phytochemical constituents, and bioactivity of two spirulina strains, SP1 and SPM2, cultivated under different climates in Egypt: Bilbeis (Nile Delta) and Alexandria (North Coast), respectively. Despite sharing 95% similarity in genetic profile using ISSR-PCR, these strains manifested distinct microscopic variations. Their phytochemical profiles, analysed using HPLC-PDA, revealed high amino acids and carotenoid content. Moreover, comprehensive metabolic profiling for both strains via UPLC-ESI-MS/MS exhibited substantial similarities and differences in their chemical profiles. The in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities characterized this functional biochemical variation, where SP1 was superior to SPM2. Further, a positive correlation exists between the detected bioactive metabolites and the observed biological activities. Such findings underscore the substantial impact of environmental determinants on spirulina bioactivity, regardless of its genotype. Also, it highlights the selection strategies to optimize the health-promoting potential of spirulina for functional food applications. Notably, it is the first approach to compare metabolic profiling for both strains cultivated in different climates correlated to their biological activity via chemometric analysis.

Valorization of dairy waste scum oil and rice husk ash-supported CuO nanocatalyst towards cleaner production of biodiesel: A waste-to-energy approach

This study surveys the valorization of dairy waste scum oils (DWSO) to synthesis biodiesel using a novel rice husk ash-supported CuO nanocatalyst. The rice husk ash-supported CuO nanocatalyst was synthesized through a facile impregnation method and characterized by BET, XRD, FTIR, EDX, CO2/TPD, TEM, and FESEM to confirm its structural and morphological features. Transesterification of DWSO was conducted under optimized conditions, achieving a maximum biodiesel yield of 97.42% at temperature of 62.36°C, methanol/DWSO proportion of 11:12, and nanocatalyst loading of 2.76wt.% within 2.85h. Kinetic studies revealed that the transesterification reaction follows a pseudo-first-order model with an activation energy of 100.34kJ/mol. Thermodynamic analysis indicated that the reaction is endothermic (ΔH = 100.26kJ/mol) and non-spontaneous (ΔG = -11043.6kJ/mol) at the studied temperature range, suggesting the requirement of external heat to drive the process. Reusability tests demonstrated that the rice husk ash-supported CuO nanocatalyst retains over 86% of its initial activity after seven cycles, highlighting its potential for practical applications. This study highlights the dual benefits of utilizing agro-industrial waste for both feedstock and catalyst support, promoting a cleaner and economically viable approach for biodiesel generation.