Search Results (897)

This study aimed to investigate culture conditions for the efficient micropropagation of apple cultivars ‘Golden Delicious’ and ‘Royal Gala’ in liquid medium by temporary immersion. RITA^® bioreactors were used for the multiplication stage whereas RITA^® or Plantform™ were used for the rooting stage. Murashige and Skoog media (MS) with N⁶-benzyladenine (BA) was used for shoot multiplication and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) for root induction. During the multiplication phase, we evaluated the mineral medium, BA concentration, immersion frequency, silver nitrate and activated charcoal supplementation and the use of physical supports to hold explants in an upright position. The results demonstrated that longer incubation periods (10 weeks) were better than shorter periods (6 weeks) for decreasing hyperhydricity and increasing the multiplication coefficient (MC). For ‘Golden Delicious’, the highest MC were obtained either with explants placed directly on the bioreactor basket and immersed six times per day for 60 s in MS with 2.2 µM BA or explants placed between rockwool cubes cultivated with 4.4 µM BA (both yielding MC of 8.9 and 5–10% hyperhydricity). These results were superior to ‘Royal Gala’, which showed a MC of 7.3 and 23% of hyperhydricity when cultivated in MS with half nitrates, 1.55 µM BA and rockwool cubes. Both varieties rooted efficiently (96–100%), and resulting plantlets were successfully acclimated. This is the first report in the micropropagation of these two commercial fruiting cultivars in temporary immersion, demonstrating the potential of this technology to enhance large-scale plant production for the apple nursery industry. Full article

Sulfides are frequently encountered in natural mineral water and different wastewater streams, and their presence significantly impedes subsequent water treatment or utilization. Sulfide removal, or at least its reduction, can be accomplished in different ways, but there is one straightforward method where sulfide is captured on a carbon-based sorbent, with the consequent sorbent regeneration producing electricity in liquid fuel cell mode. This multi-functional approach combines sulfide removal, energy generation, and water pre-treatment for various applications. The present work aims to show sulfide removal from sulfide-containing wastewater streams from alcohol and beverage manufacturing. The clean water could be used for biogas production. Sorbent regeneration was performed in fuel cell mode and was accompanied by electricity production. The experiments, conducted in a liquid-phase fuel cell, used electrode compartments that were separated by an anion-exchange membrane. Electroconductive charcoal, produced via the pyrolysis of residues from tire production and doped with zinc oxide, was used as a sorbent. The experimental treatments of vinasse, whey, and stillage for sulfide removal by this method show the sustainable performance of the sorbent for up to twelve consecutive runs. The biogas yield produced from vinasse was increased more than three times for the treated substrate compared to the reference case. Full article

Activated charcoal (AC) is an adsorbent that can prevent the accumulation of boar taint-causing compounds in the fat, but is not an approved dietary additive for livestock animals. Biochar (BC) is a similar feed-approved charcoal adsorbent that may be an alternative dietary additive to control boar taint. This study was conducted to evaluate AC and BC, both in vitro and in vivo, as dietary treatments for boar taint. This was done by first conducting an in vitro binding study to compare binding between AC, BC, and spent filter aid (SFA) for boar taint compounds. Results of the in vitro study showed that both AC and BC had significantly higher B_max for androstenone (AC: 97.2 ± 0.4% and BC: 84.5 ± 0.8%) and skatole (AC: 106.1 ± 0.2%, BC: 113.2 ± 0.7%), compared to SFA with a B_max of 50.5 ± 0.2% for androstenone and 97.1 ± 5.3% for skatole. AC and BC were then tested as feed additives in finisher diets fed to slaughter weight boars. Both adsorbents were successful at preventing boar taint in a subset of animals (83%), while having no effect on plasma levels of estrone sulfate or androstenone, and growth and performance parameters. These findings suggest that BC is a suitable alternative for AC as a dietary additive to prevent boar taint. Full article

A zoo-housed alpaca was found recumbent with profuse frothy salivation and an inability to stand. Supportive treatment, including intravenous fluid therapy via the jugular vein and oral administration of activated charcoal, was initiated. Despite these interventions, the animal’s condition progressively worsened, with clinical signs including vomiting and neurological manifestations such as paddling movements and opisthotonus. The alpaca died approximately 4 h after discovery by first observation of clinical signs. Necropsy revealed a large volume of white, foamy fluid present in the tracheal and bronchial lumens. The lungs were dark red and markedly congested and edematous throughout all lobes. Multiple ecchymotic hemorrhages were observed on the mucosal surface of the pyloric region of the third compartment of the stomach and on the serosal surface of the duodenum. Histopathological examination revealed severe pulmonary congestion and edema, along with marked congestion of the liver, spleen, and kidneys. The gastric contents were green and contained plant material, including ten leaves morphologically identified as Japanese pieris (Pieris japonica). Postmortem inspection of the enclosure revealed the presence of Japanese pieris shrubs with evidence of browsing. Based on these findings, acute poisoning from ingestion of Japanese pieris was diagnosed. Full article

Actions related to reducing CO₂ emissions have led to the development of technologies using raw materials in the form of broadly understood biomass as CO₂-neutral fuels. There has been a rapid development of pyrolysis processes (carbonization, dry distillation) of various types of biomass toward the production of biochar for industrial applications. Particularly high hopes are associated with the use of biochar as a substitute for fossil fuel in energy-intensive sectors of the economy, especially the metallurgical and steel industries. This paper characterizes the current state and potential for biochar application, using the iron and steel industry as a case study. The analysis focuses primarily on the characteristics of biochar production and its industrial application potential. The characterization includes the diversity of biomass feedstocks, processing methods, and reactor types, the influence of operational parameters on biochar yield, as well as the properties and applications of biochar. As part of the analysis of biomass use potential in the iron and steel industry, the study reviews the current levels of coal substitution achieved at the laboratory scale and presents examples of biochar implementation in existing industrial facilities. In addition, key factors limiting the feasibility of coal substitution in the iron and steel industry are identified. The summary includes the main directions for further research aimed at increasing the use of biochar in industry. Full article

The accumulation of blood toxins, including urea, uric acid, creatinine, bilirubin, p-cresyl sulfate, and indoxyl sulfate, poses severe health risks for patients with renal failure. Effective removal strategies are essential to mitigate complications associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and improve patient outcomes. Functional carbon-based materials, such as activated carbon (activated charcoal) and graphene oxide, have emerged as promising adsorbents due to their large surface area, adjustable porosity, and biocompatibility. This review comprehensively explores the latest advancements in carbon-based materials for blood purification across three key therapeutic modalities: (1) Hemoperfusion, where activated and modified carbonaceous materials enhance the adsorption of small-molecule and protein-bound toxins; (2) Hemodialysis, where functionalized carbon materials improve clearance rates and reduce treatment duration; and (3) Oral Therapeutics, where orally administered carbon adsorbents show potential in lowering systemic toxin levels in CKD patients. Furthermore, we present a comparative analysis of these approaches, highlighting their advantages, limitations, and future research directions for optimizing carbon-based detoxification strategies. The findings discussed in this review emphasize the significance of material engineering in advancing blood purification technologies. By enhancing the efficiency of toxin removal, carbon-based materials have the potential to revolutionize renal failure treatment, offering improved clinical outcomes and enhanced patient quality of life. Full article

Micromeria graeca (L.) Benth. ex Rchb. (Lamiaceae) is a promising medicinal plant valued for its antioxidant, anti-hyperglycemic, anti-hypertensive, antimicrobial, and anti-aflatoxigenic properties. It is rich in phenolic and flavonoid compounds, supporting its traditional use for digestive, respiratory, cardiovascular, and dermatological conditions. Plant tissue culture facilitates controlled in vitro propagation to study plant growth and bioactive properties. The effects of activated charcoal and varying subculture intervals on multiplication and biomass production in M. graeca shoot cultures were investigated. The phenolic composition of methanolic extracts from in vitro-grown plants was characterized using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), identifying rosmarinic, caffeic, and syringic acids as the primary phenolic compounds. Antimicrobial activity against selected microbial strains was evaluated using a micro-well dilution assay. Anticancer activity of selected extracts was assessed in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2, with flow cytometry (Annexin-V/PI staining) used to analyze cell death mechanisms, and compared to pure rosmarinic acid (RA). Activated charcoal showed no beneficial effects on multiplication or biomass production, but significantly increased phenolic acid content (up to 4-fold). RA dominated the phenolic profiles, with other phenolic acids present in lower amounts. Methanolic extracts exhibited negligible antimicrobial activity compared to reference antibiotics and fungicide. Extracts from 4-week-old shoot cultures displayed modest anti-hepatoma activity (IC50 values of CV assay ranging from 193 to 274 µg mL⁻¹), inducing HepG2 cell apoptosis via oxidative stress, independent of RA. Our results suggest that the metabolic output of M. graeca shoot cultures and consequently their biological activity can be modulated by varying in vitro culture conditions. These findings underscore the potential of their methanolic extracts for biotechnological production and therapeutic applications. Full article

Bamboo, as a rapidly renewable biomass material, has garnered significant attention in contemporary research due to its cost effectiveness as a viable source for supercapacitor electrode materials. However, untreated bamboo as an electrode material often leads to poor connectivity and uneven pore distribution. This study introduces a novel approach by using bamboo-derived biological carbon as a conductive substrate, subjecting it to carbonization through white-rot fungal pretreatment to enhance the pore structure and then loading it with nano-MnO₂ sheets via a hydrothermal process. The result is a binderless, self-supporting supercapacitor electrode material, denoted as MnO₂/hyphae/bamboo-derived carbon (HBC-2M). When compared to untreated bamboo carbon (HBC-0), HBC-2M exhibits an increased number of energy storage sites, enhanced electrolyte ion transport channels, and superior electrochemical performance. HBC-2M achieves a maximum mass-specific capacitance of 133.69 F·g⁻¹ and a maximum area-specific capacitance of 2367.95 mF·cm⁻² and retains approximately 87.46% of its capacitance after 2000 cycles. This research suggests a promising future for bamboo charcoal in supercapacitors. Full article

Hypolepis punctata, an aromatic fern with insect-resistant and ornamental potential. Up to date, no studies have reported its micropropagation, particularly using vegetative organs as explants. The optimized stolon sterilization (81.11%) employed 75% ethanol (30 s) and 15% sodium hypochlorite (12 min). The optimal conditions for GGB induction (75.56%) and proliferation (8.46 mm) were achieved using Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium + 2.0 mg/L 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) + 0.2 mg/L 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). The optimal plant growth regulator (PGR) formula for sporophyte regeneration was 0.5 mg/L BA + 0.1 mg/L NAA + 2 g/L activated charcoal (AC), achieving a 98.89% induction rate and 49.19 buds per explant. The 1/4 MS medium had the greatest promoting effect on biomass accumulation and leaf expansion. Optimal shoot elongation (97.78% success, 4.83 cm) was achieved in 1/4 MS + 0.5 mg/L BA + 0.1 mg/L NAA + 2 g/L AC, and optimized rooting (92.22%) was achieved using 1/4 MS + 0.5 mg/L indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) + 0.1 mg/L NAA + 2 g/L AC, producing 25.27 roots per plantlet. Crucially, ISSR analysis confirmed the genetic stability of all regenerants. This optimized protocol establishes a scalable micropropagation system, enhancing both commercial cultivation and genetic improvement potential in Hypolepis punctata. Full article

The Northern Rocky Mountains, USA contain a vast forested landscape, managed primarily by the federal government. This region contains some of the highest elevations forests and most iconic endangered and threatened species in the contiguous United States. The influence of human impacts and climate change are evident on the landscape today, with larger and more frequent fires impacting vegetation composition and recovery. This project uses paleoecological data from six lake sediment cores to investigate what drives fire across this region over the Holocene. Count regression was used to predict charcoal influx as a function of Pinus pollen accumulation rates (PAR) and percent. The results show that fire activity increases significantly with Pinus pollen, and that baseline fire activity varies significantly across sites, largely following an elevation gradient. The results of this analysis illustrate a novel way to use paleoecological data to provide valuable information to federal agencies as they prepare for future management of these ecologically valuable areas. Full article

Background: The aesthetic performance of single-shade polymer-based restorative materials (SPRs) can be compromised by extrinsic stains. Understanding the effects of novel whitening interventions on SPRs is crucial. Objective: This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the effects of different whitening interventions, including a novel purple tooth serum and charcoal-based whitening toothpaste with and without in-office bleaching, on the color of a new coffee-stained SPR. Materials and Methods: Seventy disc-shaped SPR specimens were prepared, stained, and then divided into seven groups (n = 10). Three groups were subjected directly to 2500 cycles of brushing simulation with regular toothpaste (control), charcoal toothpaste, or purple tooth serum. The rest were divided into bleaching groups, and the four groups underwent a simulation of bleaching and then brushing with the three products. The color parameters were recorded at the stained baseline, after brushing, after bleaching, and after post-bleaching brushing. The color change (ΔE00) was calculated, and the data were analyzed statistically using the Kruskal–Wallis test and Dunn–Bonferroni pairwise comparisons (p < 0.05). Results: In-office bleaching without brushing had a statistically significantly higher ΔE00 value than all other groups (p < 0.001). Post hoc tests indicated that the ΔE00 values of the brushed specimens were not significantly different from each other when assessed with and without bleaching (p > 0.05). When using the charcoal toothpaste, the post-bleaching brushed specimens had a noticeable color change above the PT. Conclusions: Bleaching improved the stained SPR color initially, but other treatments may offer longer-lasting aesthetics. The charcoal toothpaste showed promising results when combined with bleaching. The purple serum showed limited effectiveness. Full article

Advanced prostate cancer frequently develops resistance to antiandrogen therapy and acquires an aggressive neuroendocrine phenotype. Antiandrogens stimulate peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARG) signaling and cancer progression. Molecular iodine (I₂) induces cytotoxic effects in prostate cancer cell lines and antineoplastic effects in neuroblastoma and breast cancer through the indirect activation of PPARG. We investigated the adjuvant effects of I₂ and androgen deprivation in prostate cancer, as well as the role of PPARG in these projections. We used androgen-dependent and androgen-independent cell lines and TRAMP mice (transgenic adenocarcinoma of the mouse prostate) as biological models, as well as bicalutamide (Bic), enzalutamide (Enz), and charcoal-stripped fetal bovine serum (CS-FBS) as androgen deprivation models. I₂ promoted cytotoxic effects, whereas in surviving cells, it stimulated the outgrowth of neurite-like projections, regulated lipid content, and reduced invasive capacity. Androgen deprivation plus I₂ magnified these effects, while GW9662 (PPARG antagonist) did not block them. In vivo, I₂ increased the degree of prostatic desmoplasia in the sham mice but did not amplify the stromal response or reduce the epithelial lesion score induced by castration in TRAMP. In conclusion, I₂ showed anti-cancer (cytotoxic, anti-invasive) and pro-cancer (pro-neurite, lipid accumulation, desmoplasia) effects through a PPARG-independent mechanism. Full article

Background: Campylobacter represents a significant global public health threat, with rising prevalence and increasing concern over antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This study aims to assess the prevalence, evaluate the antimicrobial resistance profiles, and identify risk factors associated with infection in dogs from Kelantan, Malaysia. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive investigation of Campylobacter spp. in dogs within this region. Methods: Campylobacter was isolated from rectal swabs of 50 dogs using modified charcoal cefoperazone deoxycholate agar (mCCDA) and confirmed biochemically, with Campylobacter identified via polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Antimicrobial resistance profile of the isolates was determined using the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method. Data on risk factors were assessed through a semi-structured questionnaire. Results: The results revealed an overall prevalence of Campylobacter spp. 28.0% (14/50) in dogs. C. helveticus was the predominant species in dogs (40.7%). The resistance rates of Campylobacter isolates showed notable resistance to ampicillin (85.71%), amoxicillin (71.43%), erythromycin (64.29%), tetracycline (57.14%), and sulfonamides (50%), respectively. Overall, multiple antimicrobial resistance (MAR) indices for all Campylobacter isolates were consistently above the 0.2 threshold, signifying multidrug resistance. Risk factors such as dogs that are semi-roamers and those fed homemade /raw feed were found to be associated with higher risk of Campylobacter (odds ratios: 1.180, p-value = 0.025 semi-roamers; odds ratio: 1.196, p-value = 0.019 fed homemade/raw feed). Conclusions: This study reveals significant prevalence and a remarkable antimicrobial resistance profile, thus advocating the need for improved pet management, responsible antimicrobial use, and targeted interventions to mitigate the spread of multidrug-resistant Campylobacter in companion animals. Full article

The reliability of passive samplers in measuring volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in indoor air depends on whether the uptake rate is constant given the environmental conditions and sampler exposure duration. The first phase of this study evaluated the performance of charcoal-based, solvent-extracted passive samplers (e.g., Radiello^® 130 passive samplers with white diffusive bodies) over exposure periods ranging from 1 week to 1 year in a test house with known vapor intrusion (VI). Chloroform %Bias values exceeded the ±30% acceptance criterion after 4 weeks exposure. Benzene, hexane, and trichloroethylene (TCE) concentrations were within the acceptance criterion for up to three months. Toluene and tetrachloroethylene (PCE), the two least volatile compounds, demonstrated uniform uptake rates over one year. In the second phase of this study, testing of the longer exposure times of 6 months and 1 year were evaluated with three additional passive samplers: Waterloo Membrane Sampler^TM (WMS^TM), SKC 575 with secondary diffusive cover, and Radiello^® 130 passive samplers with yellow diffusive bodies. The SKC 575 and Radiello^® 130 passive samplers produced acceptable results (%Bias ≤ 30%) over the 6-month exposure period, while the WMS^TM sampler results favored petroleum hydrocarbon more than chlorinated solvent uptake. After the 1-year exposure period, the passive sampler performances were acceptable under specific conditions of this study. The results suggest that all three samplers can produce acceptable results over exposure time periods beyond 30 days and up to a year for some compounds. Full article

The feasibility of utilizing biochar as a static floating material for agricultural applications was researched to prevent evaporation from open water static storage systems or as a floating barrier in slurry pits, for instance. Five types of biochar were created from chips, bark, and pellets of pine and residues from two acacia species using a pyrolysis time between 60 and 120 min and mean temperatures between 380 and 690 °C in a simple double-chamber reactor. Biomass and biochar were characterized for their main properties: bulk density, moisture content, volatile matter, ash content, fixed carbon, and pH. Biochar was also evaluated through a basic floatability test over 27 days (648 h) in distilled water. The highest fixed carbon content was observed in pine bark biochar (69.5%), followed by the pine pellets (67.4%) and pine chips (63.4%). Despite their high carbon content, the pellets exhibited a low floatability level, whereas pine bark biochar showed superior static floatage times, together with chip and ground chip biochar. These results suggest that biochar produced from bark and wood chips may be suitable for application as floatability material in water or slurry management systems. These results warrant further research into the static floating of biochar. Full article