Valvular heart disease remains a major global health burden, with currently available prosthetic heart valves failing to fully reproduce the adaptive, regenerative, and long-term functional properties of native valves. Tissue-engineered heart valves (TEHVs) have emerged as a promising alternative, aiming to develop living valve replacements capable of growth, remodeling, and physiological integration. However, despite substantial progress, the clinical translation of TEHVs remains limited, indicating the need for design strategies that go beyond material selection toward functionally mature constructs. This review presents recent advances in TEHV development from a biomimetic perspective, using native heart valves as a biological reference characterized by hierarchical structure, anisotropic mechanical behavior, mechanoresponsive cell populations, immune regulation, and temporally coordinated remodeling. We integrate current understanding of valve biology and mechanobiology with advances in scaffold materials and architecture, bioactive functionalization, biomechanical conditioning, and emerging fabrication and monitoring technologies. We discuss how biomimetic scaffold designs aim to replicate native extracellular matrix organization and nonlinear mechanics, how biological cues are used to regulate thrombosis, immune response, and cell recruitment, and how dynamic bioreactor systems support functional tissue maturation through controlled mechanical stimulation. Finally, key challenges for clinical translation are highlighted, and future directions are outlined, emphasizing integrated and biomimetically informed design approaches. Overall, this review aims to define guiding principles that may accelerate the development of durable, regenerative, and clinically translatable tissue-engineered heart valves. We argue that successful TEHV translation requires synchronized control of scaffold anisotropy, immune modulation, and mechanical conditioning rather than incremental material optimization.

From biocide to biohazard: influence of methylchloroisothiazolinone on physiological integrity of Mytilus galloprovincialis

Glycine ameliorates aging-related dysfunctions associated with Nmdmc-mediated mitochondrial one-carbon metabolism.

Background: Permanent pacemaker implantation in pediatric patients with severe malnutrition presents a unique surgical challenge due to the absence of a viable subcutaneous protective envelope. In this population, standard device fixation frequently results in recurrent wound dehiscence and device extrusion, often necessitating lead abandonment or epicardial placement. This study evaluates the efficacy of a dual-modality salvage technique integrating a Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) mesh barrier with vascularized fasciocutaneous tissue coverage. Case presentation: We present the case of a 3-year-old male with congenital complete atrioventricular block and severe acute malnutrition, defined by a Weight-for-Height Z-score of less than -3 SD. The clinical course was complicated by three consecutive implant failures over an 8-month period, including two thoracic and one abdominal extrusion, characterized by aseptic pressure necrosis. To salvage the cardiac hardware, a novel sealed-device technique was employed. The pulse generator was encapsulated in a non-absorbable PTFE mesh to minimize the coefficient of friction and placed in a sub-fascial plane. Simultaneously, a random-pattern fasciocutaneous rotation flap was harvested to provide robust, vascularized coverage. Biochemical analysis revealed severe hypoalbuminemia (2.1 g/dL) and anemia pre-operatively. Conclusion: At the 12-month follow-up, the surgical site demonstrated complete physiological integrity with no recurrence of erosion, seroma, or infection. The combination of PTFE encapsulation to mitigate mechanical shearing forces and a fasciocutaneous flap to restore perfusion offers a durable salvage strategy for refractory device extrusion in cachectic pediatric patients.

Multi-omics analysis reveals AaaaNAT1 as a critical regulator of physiological homeostasis in Aedes aegypti.

Drought stress severely compromises the physiological integrity and secondary metabolism of medicinal plants. This study integrated physiological, biochemical, and ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) analyses to investigate the effects of exogenous methyl jasmonate (MeJA) on drought-stressed Ilex rotunda seedlings. Drought reduced relative water content by 29% and chlorophyll by >50%, while elevating H2O2 (76%) and malondialdehyde (120%). MeJA application mitigated these impairments, reducing oxidative markers by 25% and enhancing non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity, as shown by a 74% increase in DPPH radical scavenging activity and a 141% rise in total phenolic content. Hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA), principal component analysis (PCA), and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), and pathway mapping confirmed a significant reprogramming of the phenolic metabolome, particularly within phenylpropanoid and benzoate biosynthesis pathways. Drought + MeJA-treated plants exhibited a distinct and enriched profile compared to both well-watered control and drought-stressed groups. This reprogramming specifically elevated key hydroxycinnamates, including verbascoside and neochlorogenic acid (increased by 50% and 52%, respectively), while suppressing alternative phenolic branches. These findings demonstrate that MeJA orchestrates a shift from enzymatic scavenging to a potent metabolite-based antioxidant system, positioning it as an effective elicitor for enhancing drought resilience and enriching the high-value phytochemicals in I. rotunda.

Aging is characterized by the progressive loss of physiological integrity, leading to impaired tissue function and increased vulnerability to chronic diseases. Although the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is well established as a key regulator of embryonic development and tumorigenesis, emerging evidence suggests it also plays vital roles in adult tissue maintenance, regeneration and immune modulation-processes that are intimately linked to aging. Here we synthesize recent findings demonstrating that the controlled activation of Hh signaling across diverse tissues, including the brain, liver, heart, lung, bone, skin and adipose tissue, can counteract hallmark features of aging such as stem cell exhaustion, mitochondrial dysfunction and chronic inflammation. In preclinical models, Hh pathway modulation enhances tissue regeneration, supports progenitor cell function and suppresses senescence-associated secretory phenotypes. Promising therapeutic strategies-ranging from gene delivery to pharmacological agonists-have shown efficacy in mitigating age-related decline, though challenges remain regarding tissue specificity, long-term safety and tumorigenic risk. By integrating insights from developmental biology, regenerative medicine and geroscience, this Review positions Hh signaling as a compelling target for anti-aging interventions aimed at preserving organ function and extending healthspan.

Physiological and ecological adaptation mechanisms of tobacco under combined stress of acid rain and cadmium.

In the Anthropocene era, climate change is increasingly subjecting the crops to overlapping abiotic stressors such as drought, elevated temperatures, and air pollution, thereby disrupting their physiological integrity and functional performance. This review synthesises current knowledge on responses of N2-fixing plants to such stressors, focusing on core physiological processes and symbiotic nitrogen fixation via nodulation. The intricate interdependence between these traits is explored through the lens of altered source-sink relationships, which are highly sensitive to multifactorial environmental perturbations. A key emphasis is placed on the emerging concept of multi-stress interactions, where the convergence of abiotic stressors leads to nonlinear, often compounding effects on plant metabolism, growth, and resource allocation. The modulatory role of elevated atmospheric CO2 (carbon fertilisation effect) is also examined, particularly in enhancing photosynthetic assimilation, and sustaining nitrogen-fixing potential under stress. By identifying critical knowledge gaps and integrating physiological, biochemical, and ecological insights, this review provides a holistic framework to understand legume function under compounded climate threats. Such understanding is pivotal for breeding climate-resilient legumes that not only withstand abiotic stresses but also sustain yield and soil health. This discourse directly contributes to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), notably SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 13 (Climate Action), by highlighting the role of legumes in securing global food systems and ecological resilience in the face of climate uncertainty.

Against the backdrop of global climate change and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, a central scientific question has emerged: how do plants adapt to such "pulsed" stressors? While traditional research has focused on immediate physiological responses and long-term genetic adaptation, this review introduces "ecological memory" as a novel integrative framework. It emphasizes the ability of plants to actively "record" past stress experiences through epigenetic mechanisms, thereby enhancing their adaptability to future adversities. This article systematically elucidates the molecular basis whereby abiotic stressors induce specific epigenetic modifications (e.g., DNA methylation and histone modifications) to form memories. It further discusses how such memories mediate physiological integration mechanisms, such as acclimation and priming-induced resistance at the individual level, and highlights potential pathways for transgenerational epigenetic memory transmission, which may accelerate population-level adaptive evolution. Finally, we evaluate the applications of the ecological memory concept in predicting species distribution, enhancing ecosystem resilience, and guiding the design of "climate smart" crops, aiming to shift the research paradigm from static tolerance studies to dynamic memory and adaptation frameworks.

Monitoring microplastic pollution relies increasingly on bioindicators that integrate environmental exposure across habitats. This review presents animals explicitly proposed as microplastic bioindicators in recent literature and qualitatively evaluates their appropriateness using established biomonitoring criteria encompassing ecological, physiological, and methodological dimensions. In aquatic systems, bivalves (clams and mussels) demonstrate high suitability due to wide distribution, habitat-specific feeding, effective microplastic retention, and well-established analytical protocols. Fish exhibit intermediate suitability, as ecological representativeness and retention vary among species, and standardized methods often require multi-species approaches. Sessile organisms, including barnacles and sea anemones, align strongly with all three dimensions through spatial fidelity, effective retention, and methodological ease. Crustaceans and sponges also exhibit robust ecological relevance and high retention, with sponges uniquely integrating fine particles over time. Terrestrial and aerial indicators, such as carabid beetles and insectivorous birds, provide complementary coverage with moderate physiological integration and feasible ethical sampling. Sea turtles demonstrate exceptional physiological integration and methodological robustness at regional scales, despite non-sedentary behavior. Overall, taxa combining sedentary or spatially faithful ecology, effective microplastic retention, and standardized laboratory applicability, particularly bivalves, sponges, barnacles, sea anemones, and sediment-associated crustaceans, emerge as the most suitable bioindicators. Future research should prioritize harmonized, multi-taxa frameworks to improve standardization, cross-ecosystem comparability, and long-term microplastic monitoring.

The viability of cells is a key indicator of cellular function and physiological integrity. There are great metabolic differences between live and dead cells. However, most mass spectrometric metabolic studies overlook this issue, leading to a potential misunderstanding of biological systems. Here, we propose the development of a high-throughput and label-free viability-informed single-cell mass spectrometry (ViSCMS) technique for the simultaneous measurement of cell viability and metabolic profiles. The signal of phosphocholine (PC) 34:1 was used for the confirmation of cell events. Glutathione (GSH) was identified as an intrinsic marker to further accurately distinguish live and dead cells. The viability rates obtained by ViSCMS were in good concordance with those of conventional AO/PI staining (mean bias: 0.33%). Excellent reproducibility (SD < 3%) was achieved across multiple cell lines with varied viability rates. The practicality of the method was demonstrated by the successful subtyping of six colorectal cancer (CRC) cell lines. The subtyping could only be achieved when the viability of cells was taken into consideration. Furthermore, clear viability-dependent metabolic differences were observed on HCT116 cells when treated with an anticancer drug. The results provided insights into how tumor cells adapt to chemotherapy stress at the single-cell level.

Developmental patterning-such as longitudinal zonation of roots in growth domains, the transversal subdivision into layers of distinct cell types, and asymmetric growth during tropisms-is inherently multiscale and multiprocess. Consequently, computational models integrating these processes and scales are powerful tools to test whether our current understanding of involved players is both necessary and sufficient. Additionally, models help identify missing factors and reveal how the whole exceeds the sum of its parts. In this review, we discuss influential models that have advanced our understanding of root development and its adaptation to environmental conditions. We also highlight the potential for further integration of growth, mechanics, physiology, and physicochemical processes in these models. Such expansions are critical to advance the explanatory power of current models beyond genetic causes and identify the importance of cell size, nutrients, forces, pH, and ionic charge for developmental processes.

T cells are fundamental for orchestrating cancer-specific cytotoxic responses that are central to the success of immune-activation-related cancer therapy. However, the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) undermines the effectiveness of T cell therapy by inducing dysfunction and promoting apoptosis of infiltrated T cells. Considering that nitric oxide (NO) is abundantly present in the immunosuppressive TME and acts as a mediator of T cell dysfunction, we aimed to modulate the NO levels within the local T cell environment to enhance the efficacy of T cell therapy. We designed membrane-fusible NO-scavenging liposomes (LipoNOX) to regulate intracellular NO accumulation in T cells within the TME. LipoNOX, which is composed of o-phenylenediamine-containing lipids and 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium-propane, effectively integrated into the plasma membrane and protected the T cells from NO-mediated protein modifications, including S-nitrosylation and tyrosine nitration. LipoNOX-engineered T cells (NOX-T cells) exhibited a revival of proliferation and activation in immunosuppressive TME-mimicking in vitro conditions without compromising their physiological integrity. This functionality significantly augmented the efficacy of T cell therapy in the B16-F10-OVA mouse model of tumor by increasing the population and activity of tumor-infiltrating T cells, thus providing a solid foundation for strategies targeting NO modulation in T cells.

Apricot is one of Türkiye’s most important horticultural crops, accounting for approximately 21% of global production. The Hacıhaliloğlu cultivar, responsible for 90% of the country’s dried apricot exports, is cultivated in Malatya, where declining precipitation due to climate change poses a significant threat to sustainable production. This study, conducted from 2021 to 2023, aimed to evaluate the effects of different drought irrigation regimes on the morpho-physiological and biochemical characteristics of Hacıhaliloğlu apricot trees under water stress. Four-year-old T-budded saplings were grown in pots and subjected to monthly irrigation treatments during the post-harvest period.The results revealed that drought stress significantly inhibited shoot elongation, reduced leaf size and dry matter accumulation, and impaired pistil development. The T0 treatment (full irrigation) consistently outperformed all other regimes in terms of shoot length, pistil length, specific leaf weight, and relative leaf dry weight. Drought-exposed trees, especially those under rainfall-only or late irrigation conditions (T1, T7, T8), exhibited increased oxidative damage, as indicated by elevated levels of membrane permeability, H₂O₂, MDA, and antioxidant enzyme activities (CAT, POD, SOD). Moreover, leaf water potential and chlorophyll content declined under prolonged stress conditions.These findings emphasize that irrigation during critical developmental stages particularly July and August, when flower bud differentiation and vegetative growth overlaps is vital for preserving productivity and physiological integrity in apricot trees. Strategic water management in arid and semi-arid regions can mitigate the negative effects of drought stress and enhance tree performance even under limited water availability.

The increase in combat sports practice and the creation of weight divisions for fairer competitions led to dehydration practice as a strategy of inclusion in inferior divisions. However, this technique can damage kidney and heart functions due to alterations in blood volume. This study evaluated the acute effects of weight loss through dehydration on the kidney function of Mixed Martial Arts and Muay Thai fighters. The sample was composed of 30 athletes of both Mixed Martial Arts (n = 15) and Muay Thai (n = 15) fighters. Both groups went through two protocols for collecting data about the athlete’s profile, vital signs, and urinary and blood samples in three different moments: before weigh‐in, official weigh‐in day, and fight day. The athletes’ profiles and the dehydration methods employed were found to be consistent with those reported in the literature. The participants lost weight 1 month before the fight and had alterations that developed into glycosuria, leukocyturia, and proteinuria noted on both official weigh‐in and combat days. Proteinuria and high creatinine depuration suggest acute kidney damage with an increase in filtration rate due to dehydration. As shown, there is a necessity for proper athlete orientation regarding dehydration and possible damage to the body’s physiological integrity and sport performance, and developing a guide on more appropriate weight control protocols that do not put athletes’ health at risk should be established and publicized.

The postharvest longevity and market value of cut Gypsophila paniculata L. largely depend on the maintenance of water relations and physiological integrity after harvest. The present investigation evaluated the effects of sucrose and selected antioxidant treatments, applied individually and in combination, on postharvest water balance, physiological weight changes, fresh and dry weight, and water uptake efficiency of cut Gypsophila cv. Star World. Fourteen treatments, including sucrose, ascorbic acid, potassium metabisulphite (KMS), calcium chloride, their combinations, and a control, were assessed under controlled laboratory conditions. The results clearly demonstrated that preservative solutions containing sucrose, particularly when combined with potassium metabisulphite, significantly improved postharvest performance. The treatment comprising sucrose (2%) + KMS (200 ppm) recorded the lowest physiological change in weight, highest fresh and dry weight retention, and superior water uptake to water loss ratio, indicating efficient hydration and delayed senescence. Sucrose alone enhanced water balance by improving osmotic regulation, while antioxidants and antimicrobial agents contributed to reduced microbial blockage and oxidative stress. In contrast, untreated flowers exhibited rapid moisture loss, poor water relations, and early senescence. Overall, the study highlights the synergistic role of sucrose and antimicrobial antioxidants in maintaining postharvest water relations and physiological stability, offering a scientifically validated preservative strategy for extending vase life and improving the commercial quality of cut Gypsophila.

This study introduces a portable radar system for real‐time monitoring of respiratory and heart rates in dairy cows. It uses millimeter‐wave Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) radar to perform noncontact physiological sensing, reducing behavioral disturbance. The radar system's design prioritizes portability, cost‐effectiveness, and robustness, allowing deployment in diverse farm environments. Experimental results show strong agreement between radar‐derived and reference measurements, confirmed through correlation analysis and supervised classification. Additionally, the study explores the integration of radar monitoring with advanced data analysis techniques, including Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Support Vector Machines (SVM), to enhance livestock health management processes. The system is validated for its capability to monitor respiratory and heart rates in real time and effectively classify cows' reproductive states, achieving a classification accuracy of 79.63% for estrus detection. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of radar‐based physiological monitoring and support future integration with data‐driven management tools. © 2025 The Author(s). IEEJ Transactions on Electrical and Electronic Engineering published by Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan and Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Aging is characterized by a progressive decline in physiological integrity, often accompanied by chronic inflammation and immune dysregulation. Immunoglobulin G (IgG), a key effector of humoral immunity, undergoes substantial structural and functional remodeling with age, particularly through changes in its glycosylation profile. These modifications shift IgG toward a proinflammatory state, linking it to inflammaging and multiple age-related diseases. This review synthesizes recent advances in understanding how IgG contributes to immune aging, with a specific focus on its glycosylation-dependent functions, tissue accumulation, and bidirectional crosstalk with the gut microbiota. We also highlight the potential of IgG as a biomarker and therapeutic target in aging-related interventions. We discuss the dual functional architecture of IgG and how age-related glycan shifts-namely, increased agalactosylation, afucosylation, and bisecting N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc)-enhance binding to activating Fcγ receptors, amplifying proinflammatory signaling. Experimental studies demonstrate that IgG accumulation in adipose tissue contributes to metabolic dysfunction via Neonatal Fc Receptor (FcRn)-dependent pathways. Additionally, sex hormones modulate IgG glycosylation patterns, partially explaining sex-specific differences in immune aging. The concept of "glycan clocks" has emerged as a tool to assess biological age and intervention responsiveness. Moreover, the gut microbiota plays a critical role in shaping the IgG repertoire, and aging disrupts this IgG-microbiota axis, resulting in altered mucosal immunity and systemic inflammation. Interventions targeting this axis-including microbiota modulation and glycoengineering-offer promising translational avenues for immune rejuvenation. Finally, we review emerging therapeutic strategies that leverage the gut-immune interface to mitigate aging-associated cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. IgG is not merely a biomarker but an active participant in the aging process, functioning at the intersection of immune regulation, microbial symbiosis, and systemic inflammation. Its age-associated transformation reflects broader changes in host immunity and highlights new opportunities for precision interventions in immunosenescence.

AI-powered in silico twins: redefining precision medicine through simulation, personalization, and predictive healthcare.