Search Results (1,074)

Background: currently, there is a growing trend toward multifunctional cosmetics, which combine several active ingredients in a single product to enhance efficacy and user convenience. As ingredients may influence one another, it is important to study the behavior of mixing multiple compounds in complex formulations, especially regarding their interaction with the skin. Piceatannol, for instance, is a naturally occurring stilbene recognized for its in vitro potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging activities, making it a promising candidate for dermocosmetic use in suncare. But despite its beneficial biological activities, its cutaneous permeation remains poorly understood, particularly when delivered from complex formulations containing multiple ingredients. Objectives: in this sense, this study aimed to evaluate the in vitro skin diffusion profile of piceatannol from a passion fruit seed extract (P_ext) incorporated into a topical base (B_em) or an organic sunscreen emulsion (O_em), with or without a spilanthol-rich Acmella oleracea extract (J_ext) used as a natural permeation enhancer. Methods: due to ethical and variability issues with human and animal skins, the Strat-M™ synthetic membrane was chosen as a standardized model for the in vitro skin permeation assays. Piceatannol localization within membrane layers was examined by confocal Raman microscopy (CRM), while compound identification in donor and receptor compartments was performed via UHPLC-DAD. Results: piceatannol from B_em was detected up to 140 µm from the Strat-M™ surface and exceeded 180 µm in depth when J_ext and organic sunscreens were included in the formulation. Notably, formulations containing J_ext and those based on O_em promoted enhanced accumulation in both the stratum corneum and deeper skin layers, suggesting an improved delivery potential in lipid-rich vehicles. Conclusions: even though some instability issues were observed, piceatannol penetration into Strat-M™ from the proposed formulations was confirmed, and the results provide a foundation for further research on its topical delivery, supporting the rational development of formulations capable of harnessing its demonstrated biological properties. Full article

Background/Objectives: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder, and hyperglycemia results in abnormal brain function. Since glycolysis is the main energy pathway in glial cells, astrocytes possess a more developed glyoxalase (Glo) system than neurons and exhibit better survival. Glycolysis helps to protect glia from (i) dicarbonyl stress and (ii) formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Since aminoguanidine (AG) is an inhibitor of AGE production, the purpose of this study was to determine the role of AG in crucial astrocytic proteins, such as Kir4.1, Glo1, and Glo2, in hyperglycemic conditions. Methods: We cultured astrocytes in normal (5 mM)- and high (25 mM)-glucose conditions. After two weeks, we seeded the cells in six-well plates, with 300,000 cells/well, and then treated them with 9 mM of AG for 24 h. Results: Expression of the glyoxalases Glo1 and Glo2, and of Kir4.1, is decreased in hyperglycemic conditions; however, treatment with AG recovers the expression of the Kir4.1 protein as well as the inward currents of hyperglycemic astrocytes. Conclusion: We demonstrated that regulation of the glyoxalase system via AG or another scavenger of carbonyl and aldehydes containing polyamine groups can contribute to the recovery of astrocyte function in diabetic patients. Full article

Crop diseases cause significant losses in agricultural production; early capture and identification of disease spores enable disease monitoring and prevention. This study experimentally optimized the preparation of Au@Ag NRS (Gold core@Silver shell Nanorods) sol as a Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) enhancement reagent via a modified seed-mediated growth method. Using an existing microfluidic chip developed by the research group, disease spores were separated and enriched, followed by combining Au@Ag NRS with Crop Disease Spores through electrostatic adsorption. Raman spectroscopy was employed to collect SERS fingerprint spectra of Crop Disease Spores. The spectra underwent baseline correction using Adaptive Least Squares (ALS) and standardization via Standard Normal Variate (SNV). Dimensionality reduction preprocessing was performed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Successive Projections Algorithm combined with Competitive Adaptive Reweighted Sampling (SCARS). Classification was then executed using Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Multilayer Perceptron (MLP). The SCARS-MLP model achieved the highest accuracy at 97.92% on the test set, while SCARS-SVM, PCA-SVM, and SCARS-MLP models attained test set accuracy of 95.83%, 95.24%, and 96.55%, respectively. Thus, the proposed Au@Ag NRS-based SERS technology can be applied to detect airborne disease spores, establishing an early and precise method for Crop Disease detection. Full article

Background: Parathyromatosis, an exceptional clinical and pathological entity, involves multiple small nodules of hyper-functional parathyroid tissue scattered throughout the neck and/or mediastinum, in relationship with a prior parathyroidectomy (mostly) or embryologic remnant. Since its first identification in 1975, many aspects of this condition have remained a matter of debate. Objective: We introduce an updated perspective on parathyromatosis covering the main clinical points for everyday practice, from diagnosis to management, as well as the current level of pathogenic understanding. Methods: A narrative review. Results: A total of 22 patients were identified, with the following characteristics: an age range of 33–68 (mean 46.18) years; 4/22 subjects <40 years; female-to-male ratio = 14:8. Of the 22 subjects, 21 had undergone previous parathyroidectomy for primary (n = 14) or secondary (n = 7) hyperparathyroidism. One case was a surgically naïve patient. Analysis of the surgical procedures (seeding circumstances) revealed the following: parathyroid cyst removal, left/right parathyroidectomy; removal of 3.5 parathyroids ± self-transplantation, VATS for mediastinal parathyroid tumours. Parathyroidectomy was accompanied by thyroid surgery (n = 3 patients), specifically hemi-thyroidectomy, partial left-thyroid lobectomy, and partial thyroidectomy. The shortest timeframe from parathyroidectomy to parathyromatosis-related hyperparathyroidism recognition was 1 year, and the longest was 17 years. The highest number of previous surgeries was four. The recognition of parathyromatosis was due to the clinical picture of associated hyperparathyroidism, except for in 2/21 cases with incidental detection. The implant sites coincided with the prior surgical area, but also with unusual locations (clavicle, pleura, mediastinum, sternocleidomastoid muscle and forearm, thyroid). The imaging evaluation included ultrasound plus CT plus 99m-Tc sestamibi scintigraphy, as well as (variable rates) neck MRI, SPECT/CT, 11-Choline PET-CT, Gallium-68 DOTATATE, and 4D CT. Surgery implied serial procedures in some cases (e.g., up to seven). The surgery spectrum largely varied, including not only cervicotomy, but also thoracoscopy, VATS, pericardial adipose tissue excision and thymectomy, etc. Conclusions: Awareness remains a key factor when approaching such an unusual ailment underlying little-understood pathogenic loops, which, if left unrecognized and untreated, might impair patients’ quality of life and the overall parathyroid disease burden. Full article

Allogeneic chondrocyte therapies present an attractive alternative to existing autologous therapies for the repair of cartilage defects, enabling the selection of optimal donor cells and streamlined manufacturing processes. This study investigates the potential of juvenile chondrocytes derived from human infantile (aged 0–4 y) polydactyly digits and the iliac apophysis for cartilage repair using Good Manufacturing Practice bioreactor expansion. Iliac apophysis (n = 4) and polydactyly tissues (n = 4) were assessed histologically. Chondrocytes were isolated enzymatically and cultured using standard tissue culture plastic (TCP) methodology. Upon sufficient cell expansion, chondrocytes were seeded into the Quantum^® bioreactor system or onto TCP (±vitronectin coating). The manufactured chondrocytes growth rates, total cell yields, chondrogenic pellet forming capacity (GAG/DNA, histology), immunoprofiles (flow cytometry) and gene expression (RT-qPCR) were assessed. Equivalent chondrocyte numbers were isolated from polydactyly and iliac apophysis donors per wet weight of tissue. Quantum^®-expanded chondrocytes from both sources yielded comparable cell numbers; however, growth was slowed in the Quantum^® compared to TCP. Polydactyly and iliac apophysis-derived chondrocytes expressed chondrocyte cell surface markers (CD166, CD44, CD151, SOX9) and formed chondrogenic pellets. Quantum^® bioreactor expansion did not alter, gene expression or capacity to form glycosaminoglycans (GAGs (normalised to DNA content)) compared to matched TCP expansion. Juvenile cartilage donors are a promising chondrocyte source for the development of an allogeneic therapy. This novel study expanding juvenile chondrocytes in the Quantum^® GMP-compliant bioreactor suggests that culture conditions may need modification to improve growth, whilst retaining cartilage forming capacity. Full article

The germination, seedling growth, and crop productivity of maize seeds are significantly impacted by seed aging. This study investigated the efficacy of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as a seed priming agent for maize inbred lines exhibiting varying degrees of aging tolerance. Two inbred lines, aging-sensitive I178 and aging-tolerant X178, were used. AgNP treatment significantly promoted the germination of I178 (from 55% to 85%, compared with water treatment). Notable improvements were observed in root length, shoot length, and lateral root formation after AgNP treatment in I178. However, X178 showed no significant changes in germination and seedling growth after the AgNP treatment. Further transcriptomic analysis was performed on X178 and I178 before (water treatment) and after AgNP treatment to study genes and the expression network of the mechanism induced by AgNP promotion. In I178, AgNP treatment led to a substantial increase in differentially expressed genes (DEGs). A total of 800 DEGs were identified, with 517 being upregulated and 283 downregulated. The DEGs in I178 were mainly involved in metabolic processes, stress responses, and membrane repair. For example, genes related to lipid metabolism and membrane integrity were upregulated, along with seven genes associated with antioxidant action and redox metabolism. This indicates that AgNPs might enhance membrane stability and stress tolerance in I178. In contrast, X178 had a limited transcriptomic response to AgNP treatment. Although 874 DEGs were detected, the number of genes related to key processes like those in I178 did not change significantly, which is in line with its inherent aging tolerance. Overall, these results suggest that AgNPs can effectively improve seed vigor and counteract the negative effects of seed aging, especially in aging-sensitive maize lines. The mechanism likely occurs through regulating gene expression related to stress response, metabolic repair, and membrane stability. This study provides new insights into the molecular basis of AgNP-mediated seed vigor enhancement, which has potential implications for improving seed quality in agricultural production. Full article

Small noncoding RNAs are recognized as crucial regulators of seed germination, but their role in seed aging remains unclear. To address this, we performed RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) on barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) seeds with varying viability levels after long-term storage in hermetically sealed containers since the 1972 harvest. This globally unique material, characterized by genetic homogeneity and contrasting germination capacities, enabled an in-depth analysis of microtranscriptomic changes during germination. We identified 62 known miRNAs from 11 families and 234 novel miRNAs, with miR159, miR168, and miR166 showing consistently high expression across all germination stages and viability groups. Differential expression analysis revealed 28 miRNAs whose abundance varied significantly with seed viability and germination phase. Functional predictions supported by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT–PCR) and degradome-based target identification indicated that these miRNAs regulate key developmental and metabolic pathways. Several isomiRs exhibited sample-specific expression, suggesting the viability-dependent activation of distinct molecular mechanisms. Gene Ontology analysis highlighted processes related to nucleic acid binding, nuclear organization, and cytoplasmic metabolism as central during germination. We propose that miRNA profiles may reflect an “epigenetic inheritance”—a molecular memory of aging stored in seeds—rather than solely a response to current conditions. This concept may help explain aging-related phenotypes such as delayed germination and reduced vigor, warranting further investigation. Full article

The application of bio-organic fertilizers (BOFs) represents a promising strategy for mitigating soil degradation in continuous monoculture systems, yet their long-term mechanistic impacts in aged cotton fields remain poorly elucidated. This study aims to uncover how BOFs enhance soil health, reshape microbial communities, and sustain cotton productivity under decades-long continuous cropping in Xinjiang, China. A two-year field experiment compared conventional chemical fertilization (CK, N−P−K: 300–180–150 kg·ha⁻¹) with combined chemical and BOF treatment (BOF, N−P−K: 300−180−150 kg·ha⁻¹, BOFs: 4159 kg·ha⁻¹ in 2023 and 4545 kg·ha⁻¹ in 2024). The BOFs used in this study contained ≥40.0% organic matter and ≥0.20 × 10⁸ CFU·g⁻¹ of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. The results demonstrated that BOF application significantly increased seed cotton yield by 19.82–28.17% and total plant biomass by 56.66–61.97%, with the latter reflecting improved root development and nutrient acquisition—key factors contributing to yield gains. Soil analysis indicated substantial elevations in organic matter (12.05–17.72%) and available nutrients without altering pH. Metagenomic sequencing revealed that the BOF treatment enriched beneficial taxa (e.g., Lysobacter increased by 50.53%), suppressed Fusarium (decreased by 36.08%), enhanced microbial network complexity, and reinforced disease-suppressive functions. These findings provide mechanistic insights into the role of BOFs in restoring rhizosphere ecology and promoting soil resilience. This study supports the practical integration of BOFs as a sustainable measure for rejuvenating degraded cotton monoculture systems and optimizing fertilizer management in arid agroecosystems. Full article

Background/Objectives: The Seeds of Literacy project has followed infants at family risk for dyslexia (FR group) and infants not at family risk (NFR group) since the age of 5 months, exploring whether infant measures of auditory sensitivity and phonological skills are related to later reading achievement. Here, we retrospectively assessed relations between infant performance on a rise time discrimination task with new pre-reading behavioural measures administered at 60 months. In addition, we re-classified dyslexia risk at 60 months and again assessed relations to rise time sensitivity. Participants were re-grouped using the pre-reading behavioural measures as either dyslexia risk at 60 months (60mDR) or no dyslexia risk (60mNDR). Methods: FR and NFR children (44 English-learning children) completed assessments of rise time discrimination at 10 and/or 60 months, phonological awareness, phonological memory, rapid automatised naming (RAN), letter knowledge, and language skills (receptive vocabulary and grammatical awareness). Results: Longitudinal analyses showed significant time-lagged correlations between rise time sensitivity at 10 months and both RAN and letter knowledge at 60 months. Rise time sensitivity at 60 months was significantly poorer in those children re-grouped as 60mDR, and rise time sensitivity was significantly related to concurrent phonological awareness, RAN, letter knowledge, and receptive vocabulary, but not to tests of grammatical awareness. Conclusions: The data support the view that children’s rise time sensitivity is significantly related to their pre-reading phonological abilities. These findings are discussed in terms of Temporal Sampling theory. Full article

This study addresses the task of simultaneous age estimation and gender classification from facial images using convolutional neural networks (CNNs). The objective was to develop a unified model capable of handling both regression and classification tasks effectively. Four models with varying architectures, loss functions, and preprocessing strategies were implemented and evaluated. The best-performing model achieved over 90% accuracy in gender classification and a mean absolute error (MAE) below four years for age estimation. Performance analysis showed variation across age groups, with reduced accuracy for elderly individuals due to dataset imbalance and improved predictions for younger and middle-aged adults. To assess generalization, the model was also tested on external images, maintaining strong performance, particularly in gender classification. Challenges such as overfitting and face misdetection were addressed through preprocessing adjustments and model tuning. Beyond empirical results, this work consolidates a unified, reproducible protocol for joint age estimation and gender classification on a widely used face database. We standardize preprocessing, implement a consistent image-level split with a published seed, and define task-appropriate metrics. All training details are documented to provide a baseline, enhanced by a qualitative error analysis, enabling consistent reporting and facilitating future extensions. This approach demonstrates the effectiveness of CNNs for age and gender prediction and highlights their potential integration into recommendation systems that personalize content based on demographic attributes. Full article

Dry seed longevity varies considerably among species, but little is known about its relation with the climate and the molecular mechanisms that determine seed lifespan. Salicaceae species, with more than 620 species worldwide, are known to produce short-lived seeds, making them particularly good models to explore ageing processes in the glassy state rather than under accelerated ageing. We compared seed lifespan for 13 species of Salix and Populus across a broad geographical range (up to 2200 m a.s.l.). High-quality seeds were obtained by optimizing collection time (just before capsule dehiscence) and post-harvest handling (i.e., the use of negative pressure to remove seed hairs). At optimal moisture contents (MCs) between 6 and 9%, most species seeds demonstrated minimal decreases in viability after storage at −20 °C or in liquid nitrogen for 3 years. Dry room (15% RH, 15 °C) storage differentiated between species’ seed lifespans (P₅₀s) of c. 150 to >1200 d. Unlike Salix, Populus species from warm wet environments tended to produce longer-lived seeds in dry storage. Based on transcriptome data on Populus davidiana (longer-lived) and Populus euphratica (shorter-lived), we revealed high correlations between late seed maturation genes, such as 60% of HSP and 67% of LEA genes showed higher expression in P. davidiana seeds, while 70% of WRKY transcription factors showed significantly higher expression in P. euphratica seeds. For these two species, genes related to oxidative stress might be the most important contributor to different seed longevity in the dry glassy state. Full article

Cloud seeding is a targeted weather modification strategy aimed at enhancing precipitation, particularly in regions facing water scarcity. This study evaluates the impacts of wintertime cloud seeding events in the western United States, focusing on three regions: the Lake Tahoe area, the Santa Rosa Range, and the Ruby Mountains, using an integrated remote sensing approach. Ground-based AgI generators were deployed to initiate seeding, and the atmospheric responses were assessed using multispectral observations from the Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) aboard the GOES-R series satellites and regional radar reflectivity mosaics derived from NEXRAD data. Satellite-derived cloud microphysical properties, including cloud top brightness temperatures, optical thickness, and phase indicators, were analyzed in conjunction with radar reflectivity to evaluate microphysical changes associated with seeding. The analysis revealed significant regional variability: Tahoe events consistently exhibited strong seeding signatures, such as droplet-to-ice phase transitions, cloud top cooling, and thickened cloud structures, often followed by increased radar reflectivity. These outcomes were linked to favorable atmospheric conditions, including colder temperatures, elevated mid-to-upper tropospheric moisture, and sufficient supercooled liquid water. In contrast, events in the Santa Rosa Range generally showed weaker responses due to warmer, drier conditions and limited cloud development, while the Ruby Mountains presented mixed outcomes. This study improves the detection of seeding impacts by characterizing microphysical changes and precipitation development, capturing the progression from initial cloud phase transitions to hydrometeor development. The results highlight the importance of aligning seeding strategies with local atmospheric conditions and demonstrate the practical value of satellite-based tools for evaluating seeding effectiveness, particularly in data-sparse regions. Overall, this work contributes to advancing both the scientific insight and operational practices of weather modification through remote sensing. Full article

This study proposes “Prosuming-Parks,” spatial models that integrate industrial activities with green infrastructure to revitalize South Korea’s border regions. A dataset of 2126 brownfields—including aging industrial sites, military facilities, water infrastructure, public buildings, schools, and railways—was compiled and evaluated through a Prosuming-Park Typology Index linking brownfield types with eight industrial sectors. Six models are derived and applied to fifteen municipalities, suggesting tailored strategies for industrial restructuring and ecological restoration. The framework demonstrates how brownfields can seed scalable green networks and, with future inter-Korean cooperation, evolve into transboundary ecological systems. Full article

The present research investigates the fine-scale spatial genetic structure (SGS) and gene flow dynamics in the endangered relict tree Tetracentron sinense, a keystone species in China’s montane ecosystems facing severe habitat fragmentation and genetic erosion. Utilizing genome-wide SNPs from 378 individuals across four natural populations (BMXS, MGFD, GLGS, SXFP), derived from ddRAD-seq, we quantified genetic diversity, SGS (Sp statistic), and dispersal patterns through spatial autocorrelation, parentage analysis, and age-class stratification. Results indicated critically low heterozygosity (observed heterozygosity, H_O = 0.019–0.022) and high inbreeding coefficient (Fis = 0.147–0.304), with moderate SGS (Sp = 0.0076–0.021) suggesting restricted gene flow (effective dispersal radius: 11–32 m). Seed-mediated dispersal was predominant, but topography and rainfall constrained dispersal (<5% beyond 50 m). Saplings exhibited stronger SGS, and the SXFP population experienced 100% sapling mortality due to inbreeding depression. Conservation efforts should prioritize assisted gene flow, habitat restoration, and ex situ sampling at distances greater than 115 m to preserve genetic diversity and adaptive potential. This study highlights the urgent need for genomics-informed conservation strategies in fragmented montane ecosystems. Full article

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as key regulators of gene expression during seed development and physiology. This review examines the diverse roles of lncRNAs in key stages of seed development, including embryogenesis, maturation, dormancy, germination, and aging. It integrates the current understanding of the biogenesis and classification of lncRNAs, emphasizing their functional mechanisms in seeds, particularly those acting in cis and trans. These mechanisms include the scaffolding of polycomb and SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complexes, the guidance of RNA-directed DNA methylation, the ability to function as molecular decoys, and the modulation of small RNA pathways via competitive endogenous RNA activity. This review highlights the regulatory influence of lncRNAs on abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellin (GA) signaling pathways, as well as light-responsive circuits that control dormancy and embryonic root formation. Endosperm imprinting processes that link parental origin to seed size and storage are also discussed. Emerging evidence for epitranscriptomic modifications, such as m6A methylation, and the formation of LncRNA–RNA-binding protein condensates that maintain resting states and coordinate reserve biosynthesis are also reviewed. Advances in methodologies, including single-cell and spatial transcriptomics, nascent transcription, direct RNA sequencing, and RNA–chromatin interaction mapping, are expanding the comprehensive lncRNA landscape during seed development and germination. These advances facilitate functional annotation. Finally, possible translational research applications are explored, with a focus on developing lncRNA-based biomarkers for seed vigor and longevity. Full article