Search Results (3,184)

The high silica content of coal fly ash (CFA) poses a significant challenge for alumina extraction, resulting in high material and energy consumption. To reduce the silica content and improve alumina extraction efficiency, a novel process combining pre-desilication, vacuum reduction, and alkali dissolving is proposed. In the pre-desilication stage, amorphous silica in CFA is effectively removed by NaOH solution, increasing the Al₂O₃/SiO₂ mass ratio from 0.78 to 1.27. The desilicated coal fly ash (D-CFA) is then subjected to vacuum carbothermal reduction with the addition of Fe₂O₃ and CaO to produce Fe-Si alloys and CaO·xAl₂O₃. The resulting CaO·xAl₂O₃ can be dissolved via alkali dissolving to extract alumina, achieving an alumina dissolving rate of over 90%. The Fe-Si alloys remaining in the dissolved residue are subsequently recovered by magnetic separation. Compared with the process without pre-desilication, the current process reduces material input by 30.25% and energy consumption by 35.18%, demonstrating that this approach offers a low-cost, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly route for high-value-added utilization of CFA. Full article

6061 aluminum alloy is lightweight and has good thermal conductivity, while 304 stainless steel possesses excellent mechanical properties and corrosion resistance; both have broad application prospects in cooling circuits. Propylene glycol coolant shows great potential in liquid cooling systems due to its low toxicity and good antifreeze properties. However, during operation, galvanic corrosion may occur when the two metals come into direct contact within the coolant, thereby threatening system safety and service life. This study focuses on 6061 aluminum alloy, 304 stainless steel, and their galvanic couples. Electrochemical testing, SEM, 3D confocal microscopy, and XPS were used to systematically investigate their self-corrosion and galvanic corrosion behavior in propylene glycol coolant at pH values of 4.8, 6.8, and 8.8. The results indicate that 6061 aluminum alloy is more sensitive to pH changes; its corrosion resistance first increases and then decreases as pH rises, with the least corrosion occurring at pH = 6.8 and the most severe at pH = 4.8. 304 stainless steel exhibited lower corrosion rates at pH 6.8 and 8.8, but corrosion significantly worsened at pH 4.8. For the 6061 aluminum alloy/304 stainless steel couple, the galvanic current first decreased and then increased with rising pH, while the galvanic potential first increased and then decreased. The 6061 aluminum alloy consistently acted as the anode, and the 304 stainless steel consistently acted as the cathode, with the highest sensitivity to galvanic corrosion observed at pH 4.8. XPS analysis shows that under different pH conditions, the corrosion products of 6061 aluminum alloy are Al(OH)₃ and Al₂O₃, while the main components of the passivation film on 304 stainless steel remain unchanged. Full article

Background: Vitamin D is a key regulator of skeletal homeostasis, and hypovitaminosis D is highly prevalent among postmenopausal women, who are at increased risk of osteoporosis, sarcopenia, and related complications. Accurate assessment of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] is therefore essential. However, substantial variability exists among analytical methods, particularly between automated chemiluminescent immunoassays (CLIA) and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), the latter considered the reference technique. This study aimed to compare four analytical methods, three CLIA platforms, and LC-MS/MS for measuring circulating 25(OH)D levels in a cohort of menopausal and postmenopausal women. Methods: A total of 425 serum samples from menopausal and postmenopausal women representing the real-world distribution of vitamin D levels in this population were analyzed using three automated CLIA systems and LC-MS/MS. Method comparison, agreement, precision through quality control assessment, total error, and sigma were evaluated. Results: The evaluated CLIA platforms (Abbott, Snibe, and Siemens) showed strong correlation with LC-MS/MS, with r = 0.919, r = 0.978, and r = 0.879. Furthermore, all assays showed excellent precision (CV < 5%), with good-to-acceptable total error (TE) and Sigma-metric performance. Conclusions: In conclusion, these findings demonstrate that while CLIA platforms offer a reliable and precise alternative for routine clinical use, these findings underscore the importance of method selection and result interpretation in the clinical assessment of vitamin D status in postmenopausal women. Furthermore, it highlights the ongoing need to minimize inter-assay variability and ensure consistent vitamin D assessment. Full article

Vitamin D is believed to exert an immunomodulatory effect in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and may influence the intensity of inflammatory processes. Therefore, this study aimed to assess serum vitamin D levels in relation to selected cytokines in patients with CRSwNP and without nasal polyps (CRSsNP). This prospective study included patients with clinically and radiologically confirmed diseases. In total, 39 patients were included in three phenotypic groups: CRSwNP (n = 17), CRSsNP (n = 10), and controls (n = 12). Serum concentrations of vitamin D (25(OH)D3), interleukins 4, 5, 17A, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and immunoglobulin E were assessed preoperatively. The extent of subjective and objective mucosal disease was evaluated using endoscopic and radiological staging, based on the Lund–Kennedy and Lund–Mackay scoring systems in accordance with the Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-22 (SNOT-22), respectively. Patients with CRSwNP demonstrated higher serum IL-4 and IL-5 concentrations, consistent with a Th2-skewed inflammatory profile, whereas patients with CRSsNP showed higher IL-17A and IFN-γ levels, suggesting a mixed Th17/Th1 inflammatory pattern. IL-5 was positively associated with radiological disease severity. Serum vitamin D levels tended to be inversely associated with IL-5 concentration and disease severity; however, these associations did not reach statistical significance.: The findings of this study support differences in inflammatory profiles between CRSwNP and CRSsNP and confirm an association between IL-5 and radiological disease severity. Although lower vitamin D levels showed a trend toward greater inflammatory activity and disease severity, no statistically significant associations were demonstrated in this cohort. Further studies with larger populations are warranted to clarify the role of vitamin D in CRS endotypes. Full article

Background/Objectives: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and menopause are associated with low levels of vitamin D (25[OH]D). Primary trials reported the effects of cholecalciferol supplementation on glycemia and T2DM incidence with conflicting results. This uncontrolled longitudinal prospective study aimed to evaluate changes in metabolic and cardiovascular parameters in postmenopausal women with T2DM during sequential cholecalciferol supplementation. Methods: Thirty-four postmenopausal women (mean of 63.8 ± 7.5 years) with T2DM received 1000 IU/day of cholecalciferol for 12 months, followed by 2000 IU/day for another 12 months. Fasting blood tests, anthropometric assessments, and physical examinations were performed at baseline, 12 months, and 24 months after the intervention. The levels of 25(OH)D, fasting glycemia, glycated hemoglobin, fasting insulin, homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) of insulin resistance, HOMA of β-cell function (HOMA-β), total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), triglycerides, and C-reactive protein were evaluated. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure, waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio, and body mass index were also assessed. Results: Serum 25(OH)D and HDL-c levels increased over time during the follow-up period. Lower WC and SBP values were observed across follow-up assessments. Although fasting blood glucose values showed a median of 120 mg/dL at baseline and 110 mg/dL after cholecalciferol supplementation, and HOMA-β values were approximately 35% higher at the end of follow-up, these differences were not statistically significant (p = 0.059 and p = 0.158, respectively). Conclusions: The long-term 25(OH)D dosing regimen had modest beneficial effects on glucose homeostasis, lipid profiles, and blood pressure in postmenopausal women with T2DM. This study contributes to the search for an optimal daily 25(OH)D dose in postmenopausal women with diabetes. Full article

Background: Childhood dyslipidemia often tracks into adulthood and contributes to early atherosclerotic changes. Although serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) has been implicated in lipid metabolism, findings in children remain inconsistent, and whether these associations differ by overweight/obesity (ow/ob) status is unclear. We therefore aimed to investigate the associations of serum 25(OH)D concentrations and lipid profiles stratified by ow/ob status among children and adolescents aged 9–17 years. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 3067 children and adolescents from Guangzhou, southern China. Anthropometric measurements were obtained by trained staff, and ow/ob status was classified according to WHO criteria. Fasting blood samples were collected to measure serum 25(OH)D and lipid parameters. Multivariable regression analyses were adopted to determine the associations between serum 25(OH)D and lipid profiles. Stratified analysis and interaction tests were further applied according to ow/ob status. Results: Higher 25(OH)D concentrations were most consistently associated with lower TG (β = −0.026; 95% CI, −0.040 to −0.011), higher HDL-C (β = 0.025; 95% CI, 0.014 to 0.035), and lower TG/HDL-C ratios (β = −0.044; 95% CI, −0.061 to −0.027). Positive associations were also observed for TC, LDL-C, and non-HDL-C with serum 25(OH)D, but these were attenuated after further adjustment for HDL-C. No significant association was observed for the TC/HDL-C ratio. In stratified analyses, associations with several lipid parameters were observed mainly among children and adolescents without ow/ob, whereas significant inverse associations among those with ow/ob were largely limited to TG and the TG/HDL-C ratio. Significant interactions between vitamin D and ow/ob status were observed for TC and non-HDL-C, but were attenuated after further adjustment for HDL-C. Conclusions: In this cross-sectional study, serum 25(OH)D was associated with several lipid parameters among children and adolescents, most consistently with TG, HDL-C, and the TG/HDL-C ratios. Stratified analyses showed different vitamin D–lipid association patterns across ow/ob status, with statistically significant interactions observed only for TC and non-HDL-C. The attenuation of several associations after adjustment for HDL-C suggests that HDL-C may be involved in these observed patterns. Future longitudinal studies are needed to examine causality of vitamin D–lipid associations and the potential role of HDL-C in these associations. Full article

Background: Several studies reveal an inverse relation between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration and the risk of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). The aim of this study was to determine relationships between 25(OH)D concentration and the course and outcomes of AIS treatment and the level of indices of inflammatory response to brain injury. Patients and Methods: Retrospective analysis of medical documentation of 1381 real-world AIS patients hospitalized in a single center between 1 January 2020 and 31 May 2025. Serum 25(OH)D level, several inflammatory indices, and clinical data were assessed. Results: Compared to patients in the lowest quartile of 25(OH)D concentration, those in the highest quartile had a shorter length of in-hospital stay, a lower risk of all-cause death, and a lower score for disability on a modified Rankin scale (mRS). Along with an increase in 25(OH)D quartiles, we found: a decrease in neutrophil count; a decrease in glucose, HbA1c, albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and CRP-to-albumin, -lymphocyte, -neutrophil, and -platelet ratios; lower neutrophil-to-lymphocyte and -albumin ratios, and lower systemic immune inflammation, and systemic inflammation response indices. In multifactorial logistic regression, the quartile of 25(OH)D (OR, 95% CI: 1.52, 1.09–2.12; p = 0.012) was the only variable to have a positive association with a mRS score ≤ 2 at discharge from hospital, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, age, diabetes, and treatment with endovascular mechanical thrombectomy were biomarkers of poor functional status at discharge. Conclusions: Higher 25(OH)D concentration in AIS patients is related to better survival and a lower level of inflammatory response indices and disability at discharge. Full article

CdS and Cd-deficient CdS (D-CdS) were prepared using a simple hydrothermal method. Pristine CdS exhibited slow electron transfer and limited active sites in periodate (PI) activation, while Cd vacancy defect engineering proposed in this work effectively overcame these drawbacks. The optimal Cd-deficient D-CdS8 could effectively activate PI and exhibit excellent degradation performance toward tetracycline (TC). Within 90 min, the D-CdS8/PI system could achieve 92.3% removal of 10 mg L⁻¹ TC. This study systematically explores the influences of different factors and coexisting substances on TC degradation. Radical quenching experiments revealed that IO₃· and ·OH were the dominant reactive species for TC degradation in D-CdS8/PI system. Electrochemical characterization indicated that the introduction of Cd vacancies made D-CdS8 possess higher electron transfer efficiency. The D-CdS8/PI system achieved enhanced PI activation and improved TC degradation, with reaction rates 2.15 times superior to the CdS/PI system. Furthermore, degradation pathways and toxicological analysis of intermediates for TC degradation were also conducted. This study provided a simple and feasible strategy for developing efficient defective catalysts for the remediation of antibiotic-contaminated water. Full article

Copper(I) halides are promising for X-ray scintillation owing to high luminescence and solution processability, but their poor stability limits practical use. Here we report a zero-dimensional coordinative cluster, (DPPM)₂Cu₄I₄ (DPPM = bis (diphenylphosphino) methane), prepared by a simple anti-solvent crystallization that emits bright orange light with an absolute photoluminescence quantum yield of 91.11%. Spectroscopic analysis (long lifetime, large Huang–Rhys factor) indicates self-trapped-exciton dominated radiative recombination. The cluster shows outstanding thermal (stable to ≈362 °C), solvent (stable after 30 d in H₂O, EA, EtOH, IPA) and air stability (>60 d), addressing common durability issues of copper(I) halides. Using an in situ growth method, microcrystals of (DPPM)₂Cu₄I₄ were uniformly incorporated into a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) matrix to form flexible scintillator films. The composite exhibits a high light yield of 17,064 photons MeV⁻¹ and a spatial resolution of 14 lp mm⁻¹, highlighting its great potential for practical X-ray imaging applications. Full article

Background/Objectives: Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] is a clinically used biomarker of vitamin D nutritional status, although it is also influenced by sunlight exposure, supplementation, season, and other host factors. Short-term functional status after extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) for lateral epicondylitis varies. We evaluated whether serum 25(OH)D level and status were associated with 12-week functional outcomes among ESWT-treated patients. Methods: This single-center retrospective cohort included 62 adults with lateral epicondylitis who received outpatient ESWT and had baseline and 12-week assessments. Baseline variables included grip strength ratio, Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) score, serum 25(OH)D measured using the Architect 25-OH D vitamin kit, common extensor tendon (CET) thickness, age, sex, and body mass index. Multivariable linear regression was used in an analysis-of-covariance framework. Serum 25(OH)D was assessed continuously and as <20 versus ≥20 ng/mL in exploratory threshold analysis. Results: Serum 25(OH)D was 21.0 ± 8.4 ng/mL; 30 patients (48.4%) had <20 ng/mL, 22 (35.5%) had 20–29.9 ng/mL, and 10 (16.1%) had ≥30 ng/mL. QuickDASH decreased from 42.0 ± 17.4 to 27.0 ± 13.7, and grip strength ratio increased from 0.58 ± 0.14 to 0.76 ± 0.14. Higher serum 25(OH)D was associated with lower 12-week QuickDASH after adjustment (β per 10 ng/mL = −4.04, 95% CI −7.17 to −0.91; p = 0.012). Additionally, 25(OH)D <20 ng/mL was associated with higher 12-week QuickDASH (β = 6.43, 95% CI 1.17 to 11.69; p = 0.017). Serum 25(OH)D was not clearly associated with 12-week grip strength ratio. Conclusions: Lower serum 25(OH)D, interpreted as a vitamin D nutritional-status marker rather than as a nutrition-specific causal exposure, was associated with worse 12-week patient-reported function, but not grip strength ratio. The <20 ng/mL threshold analysis was exploratory and was not powered for subgroup inference. These findings should be interpreted as observational and hypothesis-generating. Full article

Background: Vitamin D is involved not only in calcium–phosphate homeostasis but also in immune and endothelial regulation. Vitamin D deficiency has been suggested to worsen disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Environmental and lifestyle factors, including seasonal sun exposure, smoking, diet, and supplementation, may influence vitamin D status and disease manifestations. This study aimed to evaluate the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels, disease activity, and anti-double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) antibody titers in patients with SLE, taking selected lifestyle and environmental factors into account. Methods: Serum 25(OH)D concentrations, SLE disease activity assessed by the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) score, and anti-dsDNA antibody titers were measured in patients with SLE and healthy controls. Blood samples were collected during sunny (April–September) and non-sunny (October–March) months. Information on vitamin D supplementation, smoking status, and dietary habits was obtained using a structured questionnaire. Associations between vitamin D status, disease activity, anti-dsDNA seropositivity, season of blood collection, supplementation, smoking, and diet were analyzed statistically. Results: Patients with SLE had significantly higher mean serum 25(OH)D levels than controls, mainly due to frequent vitamin D supplementation. No significant associations were observed between serum 25(OH)D levels and SLEDAI-2K scores or anti-dsDNA antibody positivity. Seasonality, smoking status, and adherence to special diets were not significantly related to disease activity or anti-dsDNA seropositivity. Vitamin D supplementation was strongly associated with sufficient 25(OH)D levels but did not translate into reduced disease activity or lower anti-dsDNA prevalence. Conclusions: Serum 25(OH)D concentration was not associated with clinical or immunological activity of SLE in this cross-sectional study, despite effective correction of deficiency through supplementation. These findings likely reflect the heterogeneity of SLE and the limitations of single time-point assessments, although regular monitoring and individualized vitamin D supplementation may still be considered in SLE care, particularly in the context of recommended photoprotection. Full article

A biological/synthetic hybrid graft copolymer was obtained by grafting poly(acrylic acid) (PAA, synthesized via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization) to amylopectin (AMP). The novel graft copolymer presents amphiphilic properties due to the inherent insolubility of AMP in water and was further utilized as a mediator for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) following an environmentally friendly in situ procedure. The AMP-g-PAA copolymer formation by the interaction of the PAA end groups with the C(6)-OH groups on an AMP backbone was confirmed by Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) and 1D (proton (¹H NMR) and carbon (¹³C NMR) nuclear magnetic resonance, and Distortionless Enhancement by Polarization Transfer (DEPT)) and 2D (correlation (COSY) and heteronuclear single quantum coherence (HSQC)) spectroscopies. The calculated degree of substitution of 1.17 suggests that the grafting was done at one OH from the three in an anhydroglycosidic unit (AGU) (preferably at that in C6 position), with a mean grafting efficiency of 76%. Additional information obtained using thermogravimetric analysis shows that the thermal decomposition of AMP-g-PAA occurs in two steps, with a residual mass of ~16 wt% at 700 °C, higher than AMP or PAA, indicating increased thermal stability of the copolymer. Dynamic and electrophoretic light scattering (DLS and ELS) measurements were used to determine the hydrodynamic size and ionic charge of the AMP-g-PAA self-assemblies in aqueous solution as well as their stability. The AMP-g-PAA was subsequently tested as a reducing agent in the environmentally friendly synthesis of AuNPs in aqueous solution, at different incubation temperatures, reaction duration, and inorganic/polymer weight ratios. The development of the surface plasmon resonance band of AuNPs, observed in UV–vis spectra, was consistently monitored over the reaction time. DLS analysis indicated time-dependent changes in the AuNPs’ particle size distributions, while scanning transmission electron microscopy confirmed that the AuNPs formed at the inorganic/polymer weight ratio of 0.36 and at 60 °C were predominantly well-dispersed, spherical-shaped nanoparticles. The AuNPs synthesized in situ within the copolymer matrix did not introduce additional cytotoxicity compared to the parent copolymer alone, with the composites representing a promising safety baseline for further investigation in biomedical applications. Full article

Background/Objectives: Psoriasis vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory skin condition with significant psychosocial burden. While phototherapy remains one of the most widely used treatment regimens, novel modalities like blue light therapy offer UV-free alternatives with potentially more favorable safety profiles, but their systemic immunomodulatory effects remain poorly understood. We aimed to evaluate the impact of full-body blue light irradiation on clinical outcomes and selected systemic biochemical and immunological markers in patients with mild-to-moderate psoriasis vulgaris. Methods: This preliminary study involved 21 patients (13 females, 8 males) with mild-to-moderate psoriasis vulgaris. Participants received ten sessions of full-body blue light therapy (453 nm, 40 mW/cm², 30 min per session). Clinical assessments (PASI, PGA, DLQI, VAS, Pruritus Scale) and serum analyses of inflammatory (TNF-α, IL-13, IL-17, IL-31), metabolic (adiponectin, 25(OH)D3), and neuroimmune markers (serotonin, kynurenic acid, quinolinic acid) were performed pre- and post-treatment. Results: Significant improvements were observed in PASI, PGA, DLQI, and pruritus scores (p < 0.05). 25(OH)D3, serotonin, and kynurenic acid levels increased significantly, while IL-31 and IL-17 levels decreased and IL-13 levels increased; TNF-α, adiponectin, and quinolinic acid levels showed no significant changes. Counterintuitively, correlation analysis demonstrated a moderate positive association between changes in IL-13 and PASI improvement (r = 0.51, p = 0.02), while changes in other biochemical parameters were not significantly associated with clinical outcomes. Conclusions: Full-body blue light therapy resulted in significant clinical improvement accompanied by heterogeneous systemic immunometabolic changes. These findings suggest complex, pathway-specific immunomodulation, but this requires further investigation in larger controlled studies. Full article

As a novel low-carbon material, alkali-activated materials (AAMs) can effectively mitigate the environmental burden caused by the cement industry, and their functional development can further enhance their additional commercial benefits. This study employed alkali-activated blast-furnace slag (AAS) as a matrix and incorporated steel slag (SS) as a functional component, and the compressive strength, workability, shrinkage characteristics, microstructure, and microwave-absorbing properties of SS-containing AAS were systematically investigated. The results show that although the low reactivity of SS impairs the compressive strength of AAS, it effectively reduces the setting rate of AAS. At an SS dosage of 50% (sample B-S50), the 28-day drying shrinkage of AAS reached a minimum value of 778 με. The dissolution and hydration of SS provide additional Ca²⁺ and OH⁻ for AAS, thereby effectively promoting the hydration of blast-furnace slag and facilitating the formation of C–(A)–S–H and N–A–S–H gels. Moreover, SS acts as a conductive functional component, enhancing the conductivity of AAS and enabling a minimum reflection loss of −29.47 dB with 0.53 GHz effective bandwidth at 20 mm thickness. After further modification with steel fibers, the thickness-dependence of the microwave-absorbing properties of AAS was reduced, allowing effective absorption across multiple thicknesses (5 mm, 15 mm, and 25 mm). This study offers new insights into the high-value utilization of low-reactivity industrial solid waste and offers design methods for its functional development. Full article

High-yielding dairy cows are highly susceptible to lactational oxidative stress, which compromises mammary barrier integrity and elevates mastitis risk. This study investigated the potential biological mechanisms by which dietary hydroxy-selenomethionine (HMSeBA) alleviates oxidative stress and improves health in dairy cows. Forty Holstein cows were assigned to a basal control group (0.32 mg Se/kg DM) or an HMSeBA-supplemented group (0.64 mg Se/kg DM) for 105 days. HMSeBA significantly enhanced selenium bioavailability in both milk and blood, comprehensively strengthening antioxidant defenses (increased glutathione peroxidase activity, decreased malondialdehyde) and elevated serum immunoglobulins (IgA, IgM, IgG), accompanied by a reduction in milk somatic cell count, without significantly affecting milk yield, feed intake, or milk production efficiency. Multi-omics analysis revealed that HMSeBA supplementation altered the rumen microenvironment by enriching fiber-degrading genera (Prevotellaceae_Ga6A1_group, Xylanibacter, Segatella) and shifting metabolites, including feed flavonoids, peptides, 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate, and 3-OH-C6-HSL. The positive correlation of ruminal 3-OH-C6-HSL with both blood selenium and these enriched taxa suggests a potential link between microbial activity and host selenium status. These findings indicate that HMSeBA supplementation improves the antioxidant and immune status of dairy cows, accompanied by exploratory, hypothesis-generating shifts in the ruminal microbiome and metabolome. Collectively, these findings highlight HMSeBA as a promising nutritional strategy to produce selenium-enriched milk while safeguarding udder health. Full article