Search Results (1,451)

Caffeoyl CoA O-methyltransferase (CCoAOMT) is one of the key regulatory enzymes in the lignin biosynthesis pathway. In addition, it participates in the modification of flavonoids, which significantly impacts plant growth, development, and antioxidant capacity, and it plays a crucial role in plant responses to stress and adversity. There is a current research gap in the CCoAOMT gene family of Isatis indigotica, particularly in terms of systematic identification and functional validation. Therefore, this study employed bioinformatics techniques to determine the composition of the CCoAOMT gene family in the Isatis indigotica genome. Eight members of the IiCCoAOMT gene family were identified, and their gene structures and motifs are relatively conserved. These members of the IiCCoAOMT family are located on three different chromosomes (3, 6, and 7) and exhibit significant tandem replication. According to phylogenetic research, IiCCoAOMT is divided into four distinct groups: Ia, Ib, Ic, and II. It is worth noting that the IiCCoAOMT genes in group Ia may be candidate genes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis and indirectly affect the content of flavonoid components., Subsequently, a yeast one-hybrid experiment verified that IiWRKY48 and IiWRKY54 could activate the CCoAOMT gene promoter in Isatis indigotica. These results provide a theoretical basis for understanding the function of CCoAOMT genes. Full article

Genetic variability in terrestrial mammals is essential for understanding population and evolutionary dynamics, as well as for establishing effective strategies in conservation biology. This comprehensive review aimed to critically analyze invasive and non-invasive techniques used to assess genetic variability in wild terrestrial mammals. Using the PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) format and following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive literature search was conducted in Web of Science, Scopus and Science Direct databases, including articles published in English from January 2015 to April 2025. Thirty-one experimental studies were selected that met specific criteria related to genetic evaluation using invasive (direct blood or tissue collection) and non-invasive (stool, hair and saliva collection) techniques. The results indicate that invasive techniques provide samples of high genetic quality, albeit with important ethical and animal welfare considerations. In contrast, non-invasive techniques offer less disruptive methods, although they present significant challenges in terms of quantity and purity of DNA obtained, potentially affecting the accuracy and confidence of genetic analysis. Detailed analysis of selected studies showed diverse patterns of heterozygosity and inbreeding coefficients between different taxonomic orders (Carnivora, Artiodactyla, Proboscidea, Primates and Rodentia). In addition, the main anthropogenic threats and current conservation strategies implemented in different species were identified. An overall genetic variability ranging from high to moderate was observed, with large species being more vulnerable to genetic reduction due to changes in habitat and human activities. Rather than a static comparison, our synthesis traces a clear methodological arc from small short tandem repeats (STR, or microsatellites) panels towards SNP-based approaches enabled by next-generation sequencing, including reduced representation (ddRAD), amplicon panels (GT-seq), and hybridisation capture tailored to degraded DNA from hair, faeces, and environmental substrates. Over 2015–2025, study designs shifted from presence/absence and coarse diversity estimates to robust inference of relatedness, assignment, effective population size, and gene flow using hundreds–thousands of SNPs and genotype-likelihood frameworks tolerant of allelic dropout and low coverage. Laboratory practice converged on multi-tube replication, synthetic blocking oligos, and capture-based enrichment; bioinformatics adopted probabilistic genotype calling, error-aware filtering, and replication-based consensus. This review provides a solid basis for optimizing genetic sampling methods, allowing for more ethical and efficient studies. Furthermore, it contributes to strengthening conservation strategies by underlining the importance of adapting the sampling method to the biological and ecological particularities of each species studied. Ultimately, these findings can significantly improve genetic conservation decision-making, benefiting the sustainability and resilience of wild land mammal populations. Full article

The inherent spatial inaccessibility of cliff inscriptions and the dilemma between preservation and public access have made digital dissemination essential for their legacy. Using the digital design of the “Shimen Thirteen Inscriptions” in Hanzhong as a case study, this research integrates the four-dimensional experience economy model with the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to construct a mixed evaluation framework combining expert rational weighting and user perceptual scoring. Weightings were determined by seven experts, and user experience data was collected from 198 questionnaires. The priority for platform optimization was then identified via a “weight × gap” matrix. The results show the following: (1) In digital settings, the experience structure is significantly reordered, with interactivity (44.4%) and immersion (29.8%) taking the lead. (2) Overall platform satisfaction was good (4.05 out of 5.00), but diversity of operations and depth of knowledge emerged as the main shortcomings. (3) A staged optimization scheme of “progressive interaction + hierarchical knowledge delivery” is proposed, which can enhance sustainable dissemination effectiveness without increasing technological barriers. This study proposes a sustainability-oriented strategy prototype for the digital communication of cliff inscriptions, develops second-level constructs for design and measurement support, and employs AHP-based expert weighting to prioritize strategy elements and derive design pathways. The platform functions as a research prototype for academic inquiry and methodological demonstration, without involvement in operational KPI loops or full system deployment. The contribution lies in offering a replicable user experience evaluation grid and a closed-loop optimization process, rather than advancing 3D/AR/VR techniques per se. Full article

Background/Objectives: The rate of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is expected to increase in the next years worldwide, mainly due to increasing volume of total joint replacement, longer prosthesis lifespans, and patients with multiple comorbidities. The aim of this study is to describe our personal technique, the modified Hofmann Articulated Spacer (mHAS), in which a CR femoral shield and a partially threaded cannulated screw are inserted into the liner replicating a tibial stem, and to evaluate the efficacy of the spacer as a definitive treatment option in selected patients with knee infections. Methods: A consecutive series of 132 patients were treated for orthopedic infection at the Orthopedic and Trauma Center, University of Turin, between November 2023 and May 2025. All patients included in the study had undergone knee prosthesis removal followed by the implantation of a modified Hofmann Articulated Spacer (mHAS). Functional recovery was evaluated through clinical examination, particularly knee range of motion, and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), including the Knee Society Score (KSS), Oxford Knee Score (OKS), and the EQ-5D-5L Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Results: Nine patients were enrolled in the study, at a mean follow-up of 8.12 months (range: 3–13). The mean range of motion of the knee was 95 degrees (range: 80–120°, SD: 15°). The Knee Society Score (KSS) presented a mean value of 71.9 (SD: 18.11). The Oxford Knee Score (OKS) showed a mean value of 30.8 (SD: 8.5). The EuroQol-5 Dimension-5 Level Visual Analogue Scale (EQ-5D-5L VAS) scores demonstrated an excellent quality of life among the participants. Conclusions: The Modified Hofmann Articulated Spacer demonstrated good functional, qualitative outcomes and eradication rates in patients who underwent the first-stage revision TKA for PKI. This has led us to propose it as a definitive treatment option for more critical and low-demand patients and to postpone the second-stage surgery in the remaining cohort due to satisfactory spacer joint function without pain. Full article

The sanitation sector faces significant challenges in achieving the universalisation goals established by the new 2020 regulatory framework. Prioritising these investments is essential due to the limited financial resources available, especially in sanitation projects. This article proposes a prioritisation model based on the Measuring Attractiveness by a Category-Based Evaluation Technique (MACBETH) method, aiming to order the execution of sewage projects by municipality when considering the perspectives of water and sewage concessionaires. The methodology involves brainstorming and Web-Delphi steps to identify criteria and subcriteria, as well as the use of the M-MACBETH software version 2.5.0 to define weights and value judgements. The research, conducted as a case study, employs a qualitative, quantitative, exploratory, and descriptive approach, emphasising interdisciplinary collaboration and model validation with experts. The conclusion highlights that the proposed model can be replicated in various contexts, enabling dealers to make more informed and effective decisions. Suggestions for future research include adapting the model to other areas of sanitation and integrating advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence, for dynamic data analysis and management. Full article

This study aims to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with AMPs on the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal health of squabs. Furthermore, metagenomic and metabolomic approaches were employed to identify key differential bacterial species and metabolites associated with growth performance, and thereby the potential mechanisms underlying the enhancement of squab growth and development by AMPs being elucidated. One hundred and twenty pairs of healthy adult White Carneau pigeons (2 years old) were randomly divided into two groups, the control group (CK, fed with basal diet) and antimicrobial peptide group (AP, fed with basal diet +200 mg/kg antimicrobial peptide), with 10 replicates per group and 6 pairs of breeding pigeons per replicate. The experiment lasted for 53 days, including 7 days of prefeeding, 18 days of incubation and 28 days of feeding. In this study, squabs were weighed at 0 and 28 days of age to evaluate growth performance. At 28 days of age, duodenal contents were collected to assess digestive enzyme activities, while jejunal and liver tissues were harvested to determine antioxidant capacity. Intestinal morphology was examined using tissue samples from the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. Finally, ileal contents were collected for a comprehensive analysis of microbial composition and metabolite profiles in the two experimental groups, employing high-throughput sequencing and LC-MS/MS techniques. The results showed that body weight, liver total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), jejunal malondialdehyde (MDA) content, jejunum and ileum villus height-to-crypt depth ratio (VH/CD) were significantly increased, and jejunal crypt depth (CD) was significantly decreased in the AP group at 28 days of age (p < 0.05). In addition, the microbiome data showed that Lactobacillus in the AP group was a biomarker with significant differences (p < 0.05). Metabolomics analysis showed that the steroid hormone biosynthesis pathway was significantly different between the two groups (p < 0.01). In addition, the content of potentially beneficial metabolites (Biotin, beta-Tocotrienol, 7-Chloro-L-tryptophan and Dihydrozeatin) was significantly increased in the AP group (p < 0.05). These results indicate that dietary AMPs can significantly improve the body weights, liver antioxidant capacity and jejunum and ileum VH/CD of squabs. Full article

This study investigated a novel method of recovering energy from iron ore sinter using solid iron oxide heat transfer materials. Traditionally, air is passed through the sinter either in an open conveyor or a sealed vessel to recover energy. The bed materials used were a magnetite concentrate, hematite ore, goethite–hematite ore and sinter fines. A shortwave thermal camera and quartz reactor were used measure infrared radiation from the process. The thermal imaging was combined with image analysis techniques to visualise the transfer of thermal energy through the system. The results showed that energy moved rapidly through the system with peak heating rates of 18 °C/min at a lump sinter temperature of 600 °C. The ratio of heating rate to cooling rate was as high as 8.6:1.0, indicating efficient retention of energy by the bed materials. The bed composition, determined by X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction was used to calculate the heat capacity based on pure material properties. The resultant energy balance determined thermal efficiency to be between 32 and 46% for the sinter fines and hematite–goethite ore, resulting in predicted fuel savings of up to 9.4kg/tonne with similar heat utilisations to the air recovery process. Thermal imaging combined with Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area measurements and scanning electron microscopy analysis experimentally replicated mathematical heat transfer model predictions that a smaller total pore volume resulted in less thermally resistive bed. Image analysis illustrated the breaking of the heat front between the less resistive solid and more resistive air in porous beds versus even conduction of heat through a dense bed. The oxide distribution in the bed materials impacted heat transfer, as at a lump temperature of 500 °C was controlled by hydrated oxide content whereas at 600 °C Fe₂O₃ was the more dominant driver. Full article

The glial tube is a longitudinal structure predominantly composed of densely bundled, aligned astrocytes that projects from the subventricular zone (SVZ) to the olfactory bulb. Neural precursor cells (NPCs) generated in the SVZ migrate through this glial tube—referred to as the rostral migratory stream (RMS)—to replace olfactory bulb interneurons in the mammalian brain. RMS astrocytes have distinct morphological and functional characteristics. These characteristics facilitate the unique purpose of the RMS as an endogenous living scaffold directing NPC migration and maturation. However, the transcriptomic factors underlying these unique structure–function attributes versus standard stellate astrocytes have not been examined. We previously developed biofabrication techniques to create the first tissue-engineered rostral migratory stream (TE-RMS) that replicates key features of the glial tube in vivo. We have shown that TE-RMS astrocytes exhibit elongated nuclei, longitudinally aligned intermediate filaments, and enrichment of key functional proteins—cytoarchitectural and surface features characteristic of native RMS astrocytes. In the current study, we performed RNA-seq on TE-RMS astrocytes in comparison to planar astrocyte cultures to identify gene expression patterns that may underlie their profound morphological and functional differences. Remarkably, we found 4,008 differentially expressed genes in TE-RMS astrocytes, with 2076 downregulated (e.g., LOC690251 and ccn5) and 1932 upregulated (e.g., lrrc45 and cntn1) compared to planar astrocytes. Moreover, there were 256 downregulated and 91 upregulated genes with >3-fold change. We also conducted analyses of gene sets related to cytoskeleton and nuclear structure, revealing the greatest enrichment of actin-related components. Overall, the TE-RMS offers a platform to study the interplay between transcriptomic and cytoarchitectural dynamics in a unique astrocyte population. Full article

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance has become a pivotal driver of firm valuation, investment flows, and capital market stability and a critical dimension of corporate sustainability and investor decision-making. Yet, emerging markets face structural barriers to standardized ESG measurement due to limited data availability and inconsistent disclosures. This study addresses this gap by developing a simplified, transparent and indicator-based ESG assessment model tailored to the Moroccan capital market using publicly available data from 20 companies listed in the MASI ESG Index on the Casablanca Stock Exchange. The framework evaluates 12 equally weighted indicators across environmental, social, and governance pillars, and employs the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), a Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) method, to generate firm-level ESG scores and rankings. In addition to equal-weighted rankings, the model was stress-tested using entropy-based and expert-informed weights. Results reveal a wide disparity in ESG maturity: while environmental reporting is relatively advanced, social and governance disclosures lag behind. Top-ranking firms align closely with international frameworks such as GRI, whereas others lack fundamental transparency. By offering a replicable, low-data ESG scoring method applicable to other emerging markets, this research provides actionable insights for investors, regulators, and corporate leaders. The findings contribute to the financial literature on ESG integration, support the design of sustainable investment strategies, and advance policy efforts to strengthen capital market resilience across the MENA region. Full article

High variability in stem cell research is a well-known limiting phenomenon, with technical variation across experiments and laboratories often surpassing variation caused by genotypic effects of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines. Evaluation of kidney organoid protocols and culture conditions across laboratories remains scarce in the literature. We used the original air-medium interface protocol to evaluate kidney organoid success rate and reproducibility with several human iPSC lines, including a novel patient-derived GRACILE syndrome iPSC line. Organoid morphology was assessed with light microscopy and immunofluorescence-stained maturing glomerular and tubular structures. The protocol was further adapted to four microplate-based high-throughput approaches utilizing spheroid culture steps. Quantitative high-content screening analysis of the nephrin-positive podocytes and ECAD-positive tubular cells revealed that the choice of approach and culture conditions were significantly associated with structure development. The culture approach, iPSC line, experimental replication, and initial cell number explained 35–77% of the variability in the logit-transformed proportion of nephrin and ECAD-positive area, when fitted into multiple linear models. Our study highlights the benefits of high-throughput culture and multivariate techniques to better distinguish sources of technical and biological variation in morphological analysis of organoids. Our microplate-based high-throughput approach is easily adaptable for other laboratories to combat organoid size variability. Full article

Research on in vitro skin models has advanced remarkably, driven by a better understanding of the skin and the search for more ethical and efficient methods. The development of these models was initially motivated by the need for reduced animal testing and a faster and more ethical approach for the safety evaluation of cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. Stricter regulations and growing ethical awareness have driven further evolution, resulting in more refined and reliable methods. Diversity of cell types is crucial to replicating the complexity of human skin, including epithelial, dendritic, endothelial, and adipose cells, providing environments that closely mimic the physiological skin environment. This allows for more precise studies on skin interactions with cosmetic, dermatological, and pharmaceutical products. In vitro skin models have applications in toxicity testing, dermatological product evaluation, skin ageing studies, and drug research, reducing dependence on animal testing. This review presents a look at the different types of in vitro skin models developed for various applications, with a brief look at their strengths and drawbacks. Models developed for disease-specific applications are also covered. Techniques such as bioprinting and organ-on-a-chip have revolutionised the manufacturing of these models. Challenges persist, such as the need to improve vascularisation and faithfully replicate skin architecture. The promising future of these models points to an exciting path forward for dermatological research and the cosmetic industry. This review addresses the history and regulations of skin models, explores various skin models, and highlights the most recent advances, outlining future perspectives and offering a comprehensive overview. Full article

The comprehensive renovation of existing buildings has become imperative and is recognized as a central priority within the European Union’s agenda (European Green Deal). The objectives of this initiative include reducing energy consumption, mitigating environmental pollution, and achieving long-term decarbonization targets. This research addresses the case of load-bearing masonry buildings constructed in the post-World War II period, characterized by specific geometric and volumetric features. Current regulations on seismic design and thermal protection reveal significant deficiencies in both the structural safety and the energy performance of these buildings. Recent seismic events and the increasing demand for electricity further highlight the urgency of integrated retrofitting measures that simultaneously enhance structural resistance and improve thermal protection. This research aims to develop an integrated retrofitting approach that simultaneously improves seismic resistance and energy efficiency. A review of strengthening techniques and thermal upgrades was carried out, followed by a critical assessment of their applicability. The proposed intervention combines two comparable seismic reinforcement schemes with thermal improvements, implemented through a one-sided reinforced cement mortar overlay coupled with external thermal insulation materials. Analyses demonstrate that the retrofit increases the structural resistance to a_gR = 0.10 g and upgrades the building envelope to current energy efficiency requirements. The results confirm that the method is both effective and feasible, offering a replicable solution for similar residential masonry buildings. This study concludes that integrated retrofitting can extend building service life, enhance occupant safety and comfort, and provide a practical framework for large-scale application in sustainable renovation practices, which is especially significant for Serbia and other Balkan countries, considering that the analyzed case study buildings are characteristic representatives for these regions. Full article

In the contemporary urban context, safety in public space presents profound inequalities linked to gender, especially in the night period. This research explores how the subjective perception of security in the central district of Madrid affects women’s mobility patterns and use of public space. Through a mixed methodology, which combines spatial analysis with sensitive cartographies and collective mapping, it seeks to make visible the conditions of (in)security experienced in the city. The approach adopts a feminist and multi-scalar perspective, ranging from the object to the district scale. The analysis is structured around four layers: mobility, urban environment, green areas and night-time uses. Tools such as Geographic Information Systems were used for the treatment of objective data and qualitative techniques such as interviews and tours accompanied by a set of subjective perceptions. The results show the existence of multiple barriers that condition women’s access to and enjoyment of public space, revealing a discrepancy between what is planned and what is lived. The final considerations anticipate the possibility of replicating the methodology applied in urban planning, proposing future strategies to build safer, more inclusive and sensitive environments to the diversity of their inhabitants. Full article

Urban streetscapes are among the most frequently encountered spatial environments in daily life, and their restorative visual features have a significant impact on well-being. Although existing studies have revealed the relationship between streetscape environments and perceived restorativeness, there remains a lack of scalable, data-driven methods for quantifying such perception at the street level. This study proposes an interpretable and replicable framework for predicting streetscape restorativeness by integrating semantic segmentation, perceptual evaluation, and machine learning techniques. Taking Liwan District of Guangzhou as a case study, street-view images (SVIs) were collected and processed using the Mask2Former model to extract the following five key visual metrics: greenness, openness, enclosure, walkability, and imageability. Based on the Perceived Restorativeness Scale (PRS), an online questionnaire was designed from four dimensions (fascination, being away, compatibility, and extent) to score a random sample of images. A random forest model was then trained to predict the perceptual levels of the full dataset, followed by K-means clustering to identify spatial distribution patterns. The results revealed that there were significant differences in visual characteristics among high, medium, and low restorativeness street types. The proposed framework enables scalable, data-driven evaluation of perceived restorativeness across diverse urban streetscapes. By embedding perceptual metrics into large-scale urban analysis, the framework offers a replicable and efficient approach for identifying streets with low restorative potential—thus providing urban planners and policymakers with a novel tool for prioritizing street-level renewal, improving public well-being, and supporting perception-oriented urban design without the need for labor-intensive fieldwork. Full article

Objectives: The objective of this study was to enhance the solubility and bioavailability of canagliflozin (CFZ) using a spray drying technique with a Quality-by-Design (QbD) approach. Methods: The formulation of CFZ-loaded solid dispersions (CFZ-SDs) was optimized using a Box–Behnken design (BBD) with three factors at three levels, resulting in a total of fifteen experiments, including three central point replicates. The design space was determined using the BBD, and the optimized CFZ-SD was evaluated for reproducibility, morphology, and physical properties and subjected to in vitro and in vivo tests. Results: The optimal values for each X factor were identified using a response optimization tool, achieving a yield (Y1) of 62.8%, a solubility (Y2) of 9941 μg/mL, and a particle size (Y3) of 5.89 μm, all of which were within the 95% prediction interval (PI). Additionally, amorphization induced by spray drying was confirmed for the optimized CFZ-SD using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) analyses. In in vitro dissolution tests, the final dissolution rate of the CFZ-SD increased 3.58-fold at pH 1.2 and 3.84-fold at pH 6.8 compared to an Invokana^® tablet. In addition, relative to CFZ, it showed an 8.67-fold and 8.85-fold increase at pH 1.2 and pH 6.8, respectively. The in vivo pharmacokinetic behavior of CFZ and the CFZ-SD was evaluated in Sprague–Dawley rats following oral administration at a dose of 5 mg/kg. The AUC of the CFZ-SD increased 1.9-fold compared to that of CFZ. Conclusions: In this study, a solid dispersion (SD) formulation of CFZ, a BCS class IV SGLT2 inhibitor, was developed and optimized using a QbD approach to enhance solubility and oral bioavailability. Full article