Search Results (2,956)

Hard ceramic coatings are essential for extending the performance of metal parts under the extreme heat and stress found in aerospace and defense environments. There is a major knowledge gap regarding this topic in the current literature. While there has been significant research on individual fabrication methods or specific coating materials separately, no previous review has combined experimental lifecycle data with a broad computational design approach that covers the entire design-to-deployment process. This review fills that gap by offering a unified roadmap from integrated computational materials engineering (ICME) to machine learning (ML). This roadmap speeds up the rational design of coatings for next-generation aerospace systems. The practical importance of this framework is its clear use in gas turbine engine qualification, hypersonic vehicle thermal protection, and landing gear surface engineering. It can cut down on experimental trial-and-error cycles by allowing ML-guided composition screening and condition-based maintenance through digital twin integration. The main ceramic material systems, tungsten carbide (WC), boron nitride (BN), boron carbide (B₄C), silicon carbide (SiC), alumina (Al₂O₃), and zirconia (ZrO₂), are examined for their protective roles in aerospace-grade alloys. A key contribution is the multiscale computational framework that includes density functional theory, molecular dynamics, finite element analysis, and ML-driven inverse design. Together, these methods improve predictions for thermal breakdown, multi-axial stress responses, and coating lifetime. Future research should focus on ultra-high-temperature ceramics, multifunctional self-healing coatings, and surface engineering methods driven by data. Full article

Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic immune-mediated enteropathy triggered by the ingestion of gluten in genetically predisposed individuals. While the adaptive immune response to deamidated gliadin peptides represents a central pathogenic mechanism, growing evidence suggests that epithelial stress and innate immune activation play a fundamental role in the onset and persistence of the disease. Heat shock proteins (Hsps), central regulators of cellular proteostasis, have emerged as potential mediators at the interface between epithelial distress and immune signaling. This review discusses the involvement of major Hsp families, including Hsp27, Hsp60, Hsp70, and Hsp90, in the pathophysiology of CD. The altered expression of Hsp27 and Hsp70 in the intestinal mucosa reflects a persistent state of epithelial stress that often persists despite a strict gluten-free diet (GFD). We focus specifically on Hsp60, whose extracellular release under stress conditions may allow it to function as a damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP), engaging Toll-like receptors and promoting NF-κB- and inflammasome-dependent inflammatory pathways. Although direct mechanistic evidence linking Hsp60 to CD remains limited, the convergence of epithelial stress signs, Toll-like receptor (TLR) upregulation, and prolonged innate immune activation supports the hypothesis of a stress-induced inflammatory amplification circuit in the coeliac mucosa. Further studies are essential to clarify the pathogenic relevance and potential therapeutic implications of this proposed axis. Full article

Jasmonate ZIM-domain (JAZ) proteins are pivotal repressors in the jasmonate (JA) signaling pathway, yet their specific roles in garlic (Allium sativum) remain largely unexplored. In this study, 28 AsJAZ genes were identified through a genome-wide analysis. The expansion of this family was primarily driven by whole-genome duplication events, with a significant majority (71.43%) of members belonging to a lineage-specific clade, Subfamily E. While AsJAZ proteins harbor conserved TIFY and Jas domains, they exhibit diverse gene structures and subcellular localization patterns. Notably, AsJAZ17 is strictly localized to the nucleus, whereas AsJAZ16 shows a nucleocytoplasmic distribution, suggesting potential functional compartmentalization within the family. Transcriptomic and qRT–PCR analyses revealed that most AsJAZ genes are responsive to heat, salt, and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) treatments. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) modeling and yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) assays confirmed that AsJAZ17 physically interacts with the MYC2 transcription factor, identifying it as a key regulator within the conserved COI1-JAZ-MYC2 signaling module. Functional validation demonstrated that overexpression of AsJAZ17 in Arabidopsis significantly enhances salt tolerance. This improvement is attributed to an optimized growth-defense trade-off and a reinforced antioxidant defense system, as evidenced by the increased activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT), which collectively maintain reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis under stress. These findings provide comprehensive insights into the evolutionary and functional landscape of the garlic JAZ family and identify AsJAZ17 as a promising candidate gene for molecular breeding to improve abiotic stress resilience in Allium crops. Full article

The increasing fragmentation of plastic debris into nanosized particles represents a threat to freshwater ecosystems, yet the biological effects of nanoplastics (NPs) on freshwater invertebrates remain poorly understood. This study investigated tissue distribution, cellular effects and immune responses following acute exposure to polyethylene terephthalate nanoplastics (PET-NPs) in the freshwater gastropod Pomacea canaliculata, a species of high ecological relevance and physiological resilience. Adult snails were injected with PET-NPs at 5 or 10 mg/L and sampled after 24 and 72 h. PET-NPs accumulation in the anterior and posterior kidneys was assessed by fluorescence imaging and tissue morphology was evaluated. Stress- and inflammation-related genes (Pc-Heat Shock Protein (HSP)70, Pc-HSP90 and Pc-Allograft inflammatory factor 1) expression was quantified by RT-qPCR. PET-NPs uptake and phagocytic activity were analyzed in circulating hemocytes in vivo and ex vivo. PET-NPs were accumulated in renal tissues, persisting up to 72 h without histopathological alterations. Gene expression analyses revealed non-linear and dose/time-dependent responses. Hemocytes of different morphologies internalized PET-NPs in a dose-dependent manner and showed intercellular particle transfer. Overall, acute PET-NP exposure determines rapid immune handling and tissue sequestration with limited short-term physiological impact, underscoring the potential involvement of immune processes in NPs fate and highlighting the need for chronic exposure studies. Full article

This study establishes an integrated qualification workflow combining mechanical testing, microstructural characterization, and statistically defined eddy current testing (ECT) on the same material heats to provide a coherent and traceable material qualification methodology. Forged 316 and rolled 304L were fully annealed and subsequently subjected to a 700 °C/1 h low-temperature stress-relief (recovery) treatment. Room-temperature tensile testing and Charpy impact testing at room and cryogenic temperatures were performed alongside optical and electron microscopy to quantify grain size, δ-ferrite content, and representative fracture morphology under the investigated conditions. ECT responses were evaluated using a statistically defined threshold (T = μ + 3σ) as a decision criterion for indication screening under assumed noise conditions and calibrated near-surface inspection sensitivity. The tested specimens showed stable measured mechanical responses, the examined fracture surfaces were consistent with predominantly ductile fracture behavior, and no reportable ECT indications were observed above the adopted threshold. The proposed framework provides a reproducible and scalable strategy for reducing uncertainty in material qualification and strengthening integration between destructive and non-destructive evaluation in stainless steel applications. Full article

Recently, a strain of Streptococcus agalactiae serotype Ia sequence type 7 clonal complex 1 (SaIa ST7 CC1) has emerged in Latin American tilapia aquaculture as an international threat. This study evaluated outbreaks of acute streptococcosis occurring between 2021 and 2025 on commercial Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) farms in six Latin American countries, aiming to integrate molecular, clinical, pathological, and environmental data. In total, 360 moribund or recently dead fish at various production stages (larvae/fry, pre-grow-out, and grow-out) were examined, and 25 S. agalactiae isolates were serotyped and subjected to real-time PCR analysis, multilocus sequence typing (MLST), virulence and antimicrobial resistance gene profiling, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. All isolates belonged to SaIa and shared the same ST7 CC1 MLST profile, forming a highly homogeneous cluster with reference SaIa ST7 CC1 strains previously isolated from tilapia farms in Asia. These results are consistent with the regional spread of a single clonal line. At the larval and fry stages, SaIa ST7 CC1 was associated with hyperacute septicemia, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and frequent intestinal intussusception, whereas in pre-grow-out and grow-out fish, neurological signs were more prominent, followed by ocular signs, systemic hemorrhages, and coelomic lesions. Histopathological examination showed profuse colonization of the brain, spleen, liver, and intestine by Gram-positive cocci, accompanied by marked acute circulatory and inflammatory lesions and few chronic granulomatous responses, consistent with a rapidly progressing, highly aggressive infectious process. All outbreaks occurred during extended periods of warm water (>32 °C), with large day–night thermal gradients and reduced dissolved oxygen, suggesting that thermal stress may exacerbate disease expression in affected systems. All SaIa ST7 CC1 strains exhibited phenotypic susceptibility to florfenicol and amoxicillin, whereas 84% (21/25) and 100% (25/25) exhibited intermediate susceptibility to oxytetracycline and enrofloxacin, respectively. In total, 5 of the 21 isolates (23.8%) with intermediate susceptibility to oxytetracycline carried tetracycline resistance genes (tetM, tetO). These findings identify SaIa ST7 CC1 as a clinically significant emerging threat associated with thermally facilitated and geographically expanding streptococcosis in tilapia production in Latin America. Immediate priorities include screening imported broodstock using MLST or whole-genome sequencing (WGS), harmonized regional molecular surveillance, climate-adaptive farm management practices, prudent antimicrobial use, and serotype-matched vaccination and breeding strategies that improve both disease and heat resilience. Full article

Background: This study aimed to investigate the anti-aging mechanisms of Alpinia oxyphylla polysaccharides (AOFs) through integrated in vivo experiments, network pharmacology, and molecular docking. Methods: Three purified fractions (AOF1, AOF2, and AOF3) were structurally characterized for monosaccharide composition and molecular weight. Anti-aging and antioxidant activities were evaluated using Caenorhabditis elegans, followed by gene expression analysis, network pharmacology target identification, and molecular docking validation. Results: All AOFs significantly extended lifespan, enhanced resistance to oxidative and heat stress, reduced reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation, and upregulated superoxide dismutase and catalase activities. Gene expression analysis revealed activation of the insulin/insulin-like growth factor signaling pathway through upregulation of daf 16, skn 1, sod 3, ctl 1, and hsp 16.2. Network pharmacology identified 254, 85, and 119 core targets for AOF1, AOF2, and AOF3 respectively, enriched in PI3K/AKT, MAPK, hypoxia, and xenobiotic response pathways. KEGG analysis further implicated lipid and atherosclerosis, HIF 1, FoxO, and PI3K Akt signaling. Molecular docking showed that critical monosaccharides and metformin formed stable hydrogen-bonded complexes with AKT1, INS, SRC, and STAT3. Among the fractions, AOF1 and AOF3 exhibited superior activities. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate the multi-target, multi-pathway anti-aging actions of AOFs and support their potential as natural antioxidants and functional food ingredients for anti-aging therapeutics. Full article

To improve the efficiency of comparative process-window screening in selective laser melting (SLM), this study developed a finite element simulation-driven machine learning framework for 316L stainless steel. A simulation dataset covering laser power (LP), scanning speed (SS), heat-source diameter (HSD), and substrate preheating temperature (SPH) was generated using ANSYS and used to train nine regression models. In the present work, the primary machine learning target was defined as the simulated average thermal stress, σ_avg, which is used as a simulation-derived comparative thermal stress indicator for ranking process conditions within the investigated parameter window rather than as a direct prediction of the final residual-stress field. Among the evaluated models, the Backpropagation Neural Network (BPNN) showed the best predictive performance and was selected as the representative surrogate model because of its strong predictive accuracy, stable behavior, and direct applicability to the present structured tabular dataset. Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) and partial dependence plots (PDPs) indicated that LP is the dominant variable governing the σ_avg-based response, followed by SPH, whereas SS and HSD mainly affect the response through secondary or coupled effects. Within the investigated parameter window, conditions near 180–200 W corresponded to a relatively lower predicted σ_avg level. Experimental observations provided limited but meaningful trend-level support for the simulation-guided screening results: metallographic examination showed improved forming quality near 200 W, while XRD-derived macroscopic stress estimates exhibited a similar variation trend to the simulated σ_avg values under the tested LP–SS conditions. These results suggest that the proposed framework can serve as an efficient surrogate-based tool for comparative parameter screening in SLM-fabricated 316L stainless steel within the assumptions and parameter range of the present model. Full article

Soybean (Glycine max) is a vital food and oil crop in China, yet its yield and quality are severely threatened by piercing–sucking damage caused by Riptortus pedestris (Hemiptera: Alydidae) to soybean pods. Under global climate warming and expanded soybean cultivation, temperature has become a key environmental factor driving the spread of and aggravated damage caused by R. pedestris. We investigated the effects of temperature (32, 36, 40, 42, and 44 °C) and exposure duration (1–4 h) on the energy substances and antioxidant enzyme activities in adult R. pedestris. These two factors also had significant effects on the pest’s energy substances and antioxidant defense. Under short-term high-temperature stress, the water loss rate and fat, total sugar, and glycogen contents increased significantly, while protein content showed a fluctuating upward trend, with distinct sexual differences in these responses; the water loss and energy substance levels within the lethal high-temperature range, around 44 °C, were generally higher than those in the sublethal range (36–42 °C). R. pedestris showed physiological changes consistent with enhanced heat tolerance and adaptability, including water balance regulation, carbohydrate and lipid accumulation, and modulation of protein synthesis and degradation. In the sublethal high-temperature range, antioxidant enzyme activity patterns were altered, and SOD activity was increased; meanwhile, the MDA content also rose, and POD and CAT activities decreased. In the lethal high-temperature range, the overall antioxidant enzyme activities were lower than in the suitable temperature range, with the POD activities and MDA content still rising. These results suggest that the dynamic adjustment of antioxidant enzyme activities may contribute to alleviating oxidative damage and rapid adaptation to temperature-induced oxidative stress in R. pedestris. These findings indicate that R. pedestris possesses physiological plasticity to cope with sublethal heat stress through metabolic reallocation and antioxidant defense activation, but extreme temperatures cause severe physiological disruption. This study provides insights into the thermal biology and heat resistance mechanisms of this pest under climate warming scenarios. Full article

Brassica napus L. is a globally important crop and its productivity is constrained by multiple abiotic stresses (salinity, drought, and heat). Calcineurin B-like proteins (CBLs) act as calcium sensors and play key roles in regulating ion homeostasis and stress-responsive signaling pathways, thereby contributing to plant adaptation under unfavorable environmental conditions. Here, through detailed bioinformatics analyses, the BnCBL gene family has been identified along with its role in tolerance to multiple abiotic stresses. The identified 17 BnCBLs comprised four groups, as in Arabidopsis thaliana. The predicted molecular weights of the CBL proteins ranged from approximately 24.35 kDa (BnCBL3 and -9) to 29.7 kDa (BnCBL5), with protein lengths spanning 213 (BnCBL3, -9, -10, -12 and -15) to 260 amino acids (BnCBL5). Sequence, promoter, and structural analyses showed that BnCBL proteins harbor palmitoylation and myristoylation motifs in their EF-hand domains, contain hormone- and stress-responsive cis-elements, and exhibit characteristic post-translational modification sites and tertiary structures. RNA-seq and RT-qPCR expression analyses showed that several BnCBL genes (BnCBL2, -6, -9, -10, and -15) exhibit differential expression (3~6-fold) under NaCl, drought, and heat stresses, as well as in response to phytohormones (IAA, GA₃, ABA, and JA). In addition, BnCBL2, -3, -6, -8, -9, -11, -12 and -16 showed significant expression (around 7-fold) against biotic stresses (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary and Plasmodiophora brassicae (Woronin, 1877), indicating their roles in both biotic and abiotic stress tolerance and potential utility in biotechnological breeding of stress-enduring B. napus cultivars. Full article

Concrete and cementitious composites exhibit brittle failure under shear stress, limiting their resilience in seismic and high-load applications; this study investigates whether crimped NiTi shape memory alloy (SMA) fibers can enhance pure shear strength and ductility of mortar specimens, with particular focus on the effect of thermal activation. Z-shaped mortar specimens were prepared with SMA fiber volume fractions of 0%, 1.0%, and 1.25%, tested under both non-heated and heated conditions using a Universal Testing Machine, with deformation monitored via LVDTs and Digital Image Correlation. SMA fiber reinforcement increased peak shear strength by 13% and 14.5% for 1.0% and 1.25% fiber volumes, respectively, under ambient conditions, reaching up to 22% enhancement after thermal activation due to recovery-stress-induced prestressing; the 1.0% fiber volume achieved the highest ductility index of 4.05 compared to 1.03 for plain mortar, while SMA fibers had negligible influence on initial shear modulus but substantially improved post-cracking response and crack bridging. These findings demonstrate that crimped SMA fibers effectively improve shear resilience of cementitious composites, with 1.0% fiber content offering the optimal balance between strength and ductility, though activation protocols require careful calibration to minimize thermal degradation of the matrix. Full article

High-temperature stress severely limits the growth, development, and productivity of tomatoes. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying its thermotolerance is crucial for breeding heat-resistant varieties. This study employed a stepwise experimental strategy to systematically elucidate the role of the chlorophyll a/b-binding protein SlCAB3 in tomato thermotolerance. First, a high-temperature responsive transcription factor, SlDREBA4, previously identified in our lab, was used in a yeast two-hybrid screen to identify potential interacting proteins, including SlCAB3. The interaction between SlDREBA4 and SlCAB3 was further validated using tobacco in vivo luciferase complementation imaging (LCI) and in vitro pull-down assays. Subsequently, the expression patterns of SlCAB3 under heat stress were analyzed, and its biological function was further evaluated through overexpression, gene silencing, and knockout experiments. Additionally, reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, antioxidant enzyme activities, chlorophyll content, and the expression of stress-responsive genes were measured to comprehensively assess their physiological and molecular regulatory roles. The results indicate that SlCAB3 encodes a typical chlorophyll a/b-binding protein and is rapidly induced by heat stress. Overexpression of SlCAB3 significantly enhances plant thermotolerance, evidenced by reduced heat damage, increased chlorophyll content, decreased ROS accumulation, elevated antioxidant enzyme activities, and upregulation of antioxidant-related genes. Conversely, silencing SlCAB3 produces opposite effects. Moreover, co-expression of SlCAB3 with SlDREBA4 further improves thermotolerance, accompanied by enhanced expression of heat shock protein-related and antioxidant-related genes. In conclusion, SlCAB3 is a positive regulator of tomato thermotolerance, and the interaction module formed with SlDREBA4 may collectively enhance heat resistance by strengthening antioxidant defense and heat stress response mechanisms. Full article

Radiation-induced trismus (RIT) is a common and function-limiting late complication of radiotherapy for head and neck cancers, particularly when the masticatory muscles and temporomandibular joint receive high doses. Despite advances in intensity-modulated radiotherapy, RIT remains a significant survivorship problem, and robust biological biomarkers capable of predicting individual susceptibility are lacking. Heat shock protein 27 (HSP27; HSPB1) is a small heat shock protein that regulates multiple cellular stress responses, including proteostasis, cytoskeletal dynamics, redox homeostasis, apoptosis, and inflammatory signaling. In head and neck malignancies, HSP27 overexpression has been associated with treatment resistance and fibrosis-prone tissue remodeling. Experimental studies further demonstrate that HSP27 promotes transforming growth factor-β-mediated myofibroblast differentiation and extracellular matrix deposition, whereas pharmacologic or genetic inhibition attenuates radiation- or bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in vivo. Evidence from skeletal muscle biology also indicates that HSP27 modulates muscle integrity, denervation-associated atrophy, inflammatory signaling, and cytoskeletal stability. Although HSP27 has been widely investigated in radiation responses, fibrosis, and skeletal muscle stress adaptation, its potential involvement in the pathogenesis of RIT has not been systematically examined. This review proposes a conceptual framework in which HSP27 functions as an integrative molecular mediator linking radiation-induced oxidative stress, endothelial injury, and fibro-atrophic remodeling within the masticatory apparatus. By integrating current evidence on the epidemiology, dosimetric determinants, imaging correlates, and pathophysiology of RIT with the structural and functional biology of HSP27, this review provides the first tissue-specific synthesis of molecular stress signaling and clinical mechanisms relevant to RIT susceptibility. We further suggest that HSP27 signaling may influence susceptibility to fibro-neuromuscular injury in irradiated masticatory tissues. Given the absence of direct experimental or clinical evidence in this setting, these considerations are derived from mechanistic convergence across related biological systems and should be interpreted as biologically plausible but unproven, with potential implications for future biomarker development and biologically informed prevention strategies. Full article

This investigation elucidates the elevated-temperature (650 °C) monotonic mechanical response and very-high-cycle fatigue (VHCF) characteristics of Inconel 718 superalloys additively manufactured via selective laser melting (SLM), with a comparative assessment between the as-built and post-process heat-treated states. The results indicate that mechanical performance improves after heat treatment, primarily due to the formation of γ′ and γ″ precipitates, which interact with dislocations to strengthen the alloy. Relative to the as-built specimens, the fatigue strength of the specimen after heat treatment has increased by more than twice. For the as-built specimen, fatigue cracks nucleate at the specimen surface. However, in the high stress range, crack initiation in the heat-treated specimens consistently occurs at the free surface, whereas under low stress conditions, the crack initiation site transitions to the subsurface region encompassing internal defects. Post heat treatment, the fatigue crack trajectory adopts a markedly ductile and tortuous morphology, engendered by the concerted influence of grain-boundary (Laves/δ) precipitates that enforce repeated crack deflection, matrix-strengthening phases that homogenize plastic strain and the attendant reduction in local strain accumulation under the effect of cyclic load. Full article

Autophagy and apoptosis are two evolutionarily conserved catabolic processes that play important roles in maintaining cellular homeostasis and in determining cell fate when cells are exposed to various stresses in vivo. The interaction between autophagy and apoptosis has been studied extensively in cancer research, and it has been shown to affect cancer initiation and tumor formation, disease progression, therapeutic resistance, and overall survival. Autophagy typically functions as a cytoprotective mechanism in cancer cells subjected to metabolic, hypoxic, or therapeutic stress, whereas apoptosis primarily functions as an intrinsic programmed cell death pathway. While apoptosis and autophagy function as distinct pathways, there is significant molecular crosstalk, allowing cells to modulate their behavior from survival to death depending on the severity and duration of exposure to a given stressor and the cellular environment. This review examines the molecular landscape of the autophagy–apoptosis interplay in cancers, with special attention paid to the major signaling pathways involved and their biological outcomes in oncology. We examine the molecular mechanisms and signal transduction pathways involved in the crosstalk between autophagy and apoptosis in cancer. In particular, we focus on several key proteins that regulate this crosstalk, including kinases, caspases, heat shock proteins and transcription factors. Furthermore, we describe the major signal transduction pathways that regulate this crosstalk, including the PI3K/Akt/mTOR, MAPK, unfolded protein response, oxidative stress, and calcium signaling pathways. Additionally, we discussed how dysregulation of these pathways contributes to cancer progression and treatment resistance. Finally, we summarized the use of currently available therapeutic agents targeting the crosstalk between autophagy and apoptosis, including FDA-approved drugs and natural products, with the potential to enhance the effectiveness of anticancer treatments. A better understanding of this complex process will allow the development of new, precision-based, combination cancer therapies. Full article