Search Results (88,154)

Magnesium (Mg) is a vital element for various metabolic and physiological functions in the human body, including its crucial role in skeletal muscle health. Hypomagnesaemia is frequently reported in many muscle diseases, and it also seems to contribute to the pathogenesis of skeletal muscle impairment in patients with neuromuscular diseases. The aim of this scoping review is to analyze the role of Mg in skeletal muscle, particularly its biological effects on muscle tissue in neuromuscular diseases (NMDs) in terms of biological effects and clinical implications. This scoping review followed the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews) guidelines. From the 305 studies identified, 20 studies were included: 4 preclinical and 16 clinical studies. Preclinical research has demonstrated that Mg plays a critical role in modulating pathways affecting skeletal muscle homeostasis and oxidative stress in muscles. Clinical studies have shown that Mg supplementation can improve muscle mass, respiratory muscle strength, and exercise recovery and reduce muscle soreness and inflammation in athletes and patients with various conditions. Despite the significant role of Mg in muscle health, there is a lack of research on Mg supplementation in NMDs. Given the potential similarities in pathogenic mechanisms between NMDs and Mg deficiency, further studies on the effects of Mg supplementation in NMDs are warranted. Overall, maintaining optimal Mg levels through dietary intake or supplementation may have important implications for improving muscle health and function, particularly in conditions associated with muscle weakness and atrophy. Full article

The objects of the study were converter slags from the Balkhash copper plant in their initial state and after heat treatment. Using mineralogical and X-ray phase analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), it was found that the initial converter slag and its thermally treated samples have identical matrices with almost complete coincidence in mineral and phase compositions. The distinguishing feature is the quantitative ratio of mineral components in the slag mass. Almost all of the iron is oxidized and present in the form of fayalite, magnetite, and magnetite, with other elements (silicon, copper, zinc, and aluminum) incorporated into its lattice. The structure of all slag samples indicates an association of sulfur exclusively with copper. Copper in the slags was identified in both metallic and sulfide forms. Slow cooling of the converter slag after its remelting contributes to the reduction in the sulfide–metal suspension in the volume of the melt and its coarsening. During slow cooling, structural changes occur not only in the main oxide part of the slag but also in the polymetallic globules. Full article

As the global population ages, the incidence of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s is rapidly rising. These diseases present a significant public health challenge, as they severely impair cognitive and motor functions, ultimately leading to a substantial reduction in quality of life and placing a heavy burden on healthcare systems worldwide. Although several therapeutic agents have been developed to manage the symptoms of these diseases, their effectiveness is often limited, and there remains an urgent need for preventive strategies. Growing evidence indicates that bioactive compounds from natural products possess neuroprotective properties through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, modulating key pathways such as phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor–tropomyosin receptor kinase B–cAMP response element-binding protein (BDNF-TrkB-CREB), which are crucial for neuronal survival. These compounds may also reduce amyloid-beta and tau pathology, as well as enhance cholinergic neurotransmission by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase activity. By targeting oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration, natural products offer a promising approach for both prevention and treatment. These findings suggest that natural products may be promising for preventing and treating neurodegenerative diseases. This review aims to explore the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, the limitations of current therapies, and the potential role of natural products as therapeutic agents. Full article

Global concern over arsenic contamination in drinking water necessitates innovative and sustainable remediation technologies. This study evaluates the adsorption performance of Fe–Mn binary oxide (FMBO) nanocomposites developed by coating polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) with FMBO for the removal of As(III) and As(V) from water. Adsorption kinetics were rapid, with equilibrium achieved within 1–4 h depending on the material and pH. PET-FMBO and FMBO exhibited faster rates and higher arsenic removal (up to 96%) than PE-FMBO. Maximum As(III) adsorption capacities ranged from 4.76 to 5.75 mg/g for PE-FMBO, 7.2 to 12.0 mg/g for PET-FMBO, and up to 20.8 mg/g for FMBO, while capacities for As(V) ranged from 5.20 to 5.60 mg/g, 7.63 to 18.4 mg/g, and up to 46.2 mg/g, respectively. The results of the Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherm model, with free energy (E_a) values exceeding 16 kJ/mol, suggest chemisorption is the dominant mechanism, which is supported by the kinetics data. Given the effective removal of As(III), chemisorption likely proceeds through ligand exchange during the Mn oxide-mediated oxidation of As(III) and complexation with hydroxyl groups on the nanocomposite. These findings highlight the strong potential of Fe–Mn polymer nanocomposites, particularly PET-FMBO, for efficient arsenic removal during practical water treatment applications. Full article

Background: Cadmium (Cd), a highly toxic heavy metal from agricultural activities, and its exposure can lead to impaired renal function by increasing reactive oxygen species. The atemoya fruit is known for its high phenolic and antioxidant compounds. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of atemoya extracts on renal function, oxidative stress parameters, and inflammatory biomarkers in a cadmium-induced nephrotoxicity model. Methods: Three aqueous extracts were prepared from different parts of the atemoya fruit: seeds, peel, and pulp. Twenty-five male Wistar rats were allocated into four groups: control, seed, peel, and pulp extracts at 2 g/kg for 25 days. All treatment groups administered intraperitoneal injections of cadmium chloride (CdCl₂) (2 mg/kg) to induce renal damage. Results: The cadmium-treated groups showed decreased creatinine clearance, SOD, CAT, and GPx activities (p < 0.05) and increased serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The treatment with seed, peel, and pulp extracts increased creatinine clearance (p < 0.05), increased SOD, CAT, and GPx activities (p < 0.05), and reduced serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 compared to the Cd group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: This study supports the use of atemoya as a promising candidate for mitigating nephrotoxicity and highlights the importance of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in renal health. Full article

Background/Objectives: Telomeres consist of repetitive nucleotide sequences and associated proteins that safeguard chromosome ends from degradation and fusion with neighboring chromosomes. As cells divide, telomeres shorten due to the end-replication problem and oxidative stress, ultimately contributing to cellular senescence. Telomeres therefore play a role in cellular health and aging. Measuring telomere length has emerged as a significant biomarker in various fields of research, including aging, cancer, and chronic diseases. Accurate measurement of telomere length is critical for interpreting research findings and clinical applications. Variability in measurement techniques can lead to inconsistent results, underscoring the need for standardized protocols. Methods and Results: The Telomere Research Network (TRN), an initiative from the National Institute of Aging and National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, has established recommended guidelines to standardize the measurement of telomere length using qPCR to ensure accuracy and reproducibility in population-based studies. The monochrome multiplex quantitative PCR (MMqPCR) assay has emerged as a robust method endorsed by the TRN for its accuracy and reproducibility in quantifying telomere length in epidemiology ad population based studies. The absolute telomere length (aTL) qPCR assay is currently being evaluated by the TRN for its capability to utilize an oligomer standard, enabling the generation of absolute telomere lengths. The oligomer feature facilitates a more direct comparison of results across experiments and laboratories. Conclusions: This paper outlines a novel dual-labeled multiplex aTL method by incorporating dual-labeled multiplex probes to measure average absolute telomere length, providing a clear advantage over the relative telomere length assay, which quantifies the ratio of telomeric repeats to single-copy gene numbers. Full article

Background/Objectives: Acute kidney injury (AKI) syndrome is distinguished by a quick decline in renal excretory capacity and usually diagnosed by the presence of elevated nitrogen metabolism end products and/or diminished urine output. AKI frequently occurs in hospital patients, and there are no existing specific treatments available to diminish its occurrence or expedite recovery. For an extended period in the food industry, Pediococcus acidilactici has been distinguished by its robust bacteriocin production, effectively inhibiting pathogen growth during fermentation and storage. Methods: In this study, the aim is to assess the effectiveness of P. acidilactici GKA4, dead probiotic GKA4, and postbiotic GKA4 against cisplatin-induced AKI in an animal model. The experimental protocol involves a ten-day oral administration of GKA4, dead probiotic GKA4, and postbiotic GKA4 to mice, with a cisplatin intraperitoneal injection being given on the seventh day to induce AKI. Results: The findings indicated the significant alleviation of the renal histopathological changes and serum biomarkers of GKA4, dead probiotic GKA4, and postbiotic GKA4 in cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. GKA4, dead probiotic GKA4, and postbiotic GKA4 elevated the expression levels of HO-1 and decreased the expression levels of Nrf-2 proteins. In addition, the administration of GKA4, dead probiotic GKA4, and postbiotic GKA4 significantly reduced the expression of apoptosis-related proteins (Bax, Bcl-2, and caspase 3), autophagy-related proteins (LC3B, p62, and Beclin1), and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-related proteins (GRP78, PERK, ATF-6, IRE1, CHOP, and Caspase 12) in kidney tissues. Notably, GKA4, dead probiotic GKA4, and postbiotic GKA4 also upregulated the levels of proteins related to organic anion transporters and organic cation transporters. Conclusions: Overall, the potential therapeutic benefits of GKA4, dead probiotic GKA4, and postbiotic GKA4 are significant, particularly after cisplatin treatment. This is achieved by modulating apoptosis, autophagy, ER stress, and transporter proteins to alleviate oxidative stress. Full article

Plants are continuously exposed to environmental challenges, including pollutants, pesticides, and heavy metals, collectively termed xenobiotics. These substances induce oxidative stress by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can damage cellular components such as lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. To counteract this, plants have evolved complex metabolic pathways to detoxify and process these harmful compounds. Oxidative stress in plants primarily arises from the overproduction of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), superoxide anions (O₂^•−), singlet oxygen (¹O₂), and hydroxyl radicals (^•OH), by-products of metabolic activities such as photosynthesis and respiration. The presence of xenobiotics leads to a notable increase in ROS, which can result in cellular damage and metabolic disruption. To combat this, plants have developed a strong antioxidant defense mechanism that includes enzymatic antioxidants that work together to eliminate ROS, thereby reducing their harmful effects. In addition to enzymatic defenses, plants also synthesize various non-enzymatic antioxidants, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, and vitamins. These compounds effectively neutralize ROS and help regenerate other antioxidants, offering extensive protection against oxidative stress. The metabolism of xenobiotic substances in plants occurs in three stages: the first involves modification, which refers to the chemical alteration of xenobiotics to make them less harmful. The second involves conjugation, where the modified xenobiotics are combined with other substances to increase their solubility, facilitating their elimination from the plant. The third stage involves compartmentalization, which is the storage or isolation of conjugated xenobiotics in specific parts of the plant, helping to prevent damage to vital cellular functions. Secondary metabolites found in plants, such as alkaloids, terpenoids, and flavonoids, play a vital role in detoxification and the defense against oxidative stress. Gaining a deeper understanding of the oxidative mechanisms and the pathways of xenobiotic metabolism in plants is essential, as this knowledge can lead to the formulation of plant-derived strategies aimed at alleviating the effects of environmental pollution and enhancing human health by improving detoxification and antioxidant capabilities, as discussed in this review. Full article

In this study, a new composite adsorbent, namely magnesium oxide modified graphene oxide (hereafter abbreviated GO@MgO), was prepared for the removal of Ibuprofen (IBU), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) compound. Graphene oxide was modified with MgO to improve its properties. Several factors important for the evolution of the adsorption process were investigated, such as the dose of the adsorbent, the pH, and the initial IBU content, as well as the duration of the procedure and temperature. According to the results obtained, it was found that at pH 3.0 ± 0.1, by applying 0.5 g/L GO@MgO to 100 mg/L IBU, more than 80% was removed, reaching 96.3% with the addition of 1.5 g/L adsorbent in 24 h. After 30 min, the equilibrium was reached (77% removal) by adding 0.5 g/L of GO@MgO. This study proves that GO@MgO is capable of economical and efficient adsorption. The IBU kinetic data followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were used to interpret the adsorption, but the Freundlich model described the adsorption method more accurately. The positive values of ΔH⁰ (14.465 kJ/mol) confirm the endothermic nature of the adsorption. Due to the increase of ΔG⁰ values with temperature, the adsorption of IBU on GO@MgO is considered to be spontaneous. Full article

HTS 2G tapes used in Superconducting Fault Current Limiters (SFCLs) have properties that allow for the effective limitation of short-circuit currents; however, due to the specificity of the device operation, they should be characterized by the high stability of the parameters when repeatedly leaving the superconducting state. During the operation of SFCLs, a situation may occur in which the parameters of the HTS tapes used will change several times as a result of the action of short-circuit currents that exceed the critical current I_C of the superconductor of the tape used. This paper presents the results of microstructural tests of 2G HTS tapes intended for SFCLs, subjected to surge currents corresponding to prospective short-circuit currents with values higher than their critical currents I_C and for which I_C changes were observed. The HTS tapes were examined using a JEOL 7600F field emission scanning electron microscope (SEM), and their chemical composition was analyzed using Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS). The test results indicate the possibility of micro-damage in the form of cracks in the superconductor layer, as well as the interruption of the buffer layers and the oxidation of the silver layers. The analysis of the chemical composition of the HTS tape layers may indicate the occurrence of diffusion processes. Full article

Hypoxia in the mammary gland epithelial cells of milk buffalo (BMECs) can affect milk yield and composition, and it can even cause metabolic diseases. Nitidine chloride (NC) is a natural alkaloid with antioxidant properties that can scavenge excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, the effect of NC on the hypoxic injury of BMECs and its molecular mechanisms are still unknown. Here, an immunofluorescence assay, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and flow cytometry, combined with untargeted metabolomics, were used to investigate the protective effect of NC on hypoxic stress injury in BMECs. It was found that NC can significantly reduce cell activity (p < 0.05) and inhibit cellular oxidative stress (p < 0.05) and cell apoptosis (p < 0.05). A significant decrease in mitophagy mediated by the PINK1-Parkin pathway was observed after NC pretreatment (p < 0.05). In addition, a metabolic pathway enrichment analysis demonstrated that the mechanisms of NC against hypoxic stress may be related to the downregulation of pathways involving aminoacyl tRNA biosynthesis; arginine and proline metabolism; glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism; phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis; and phenylalanine metabolism. Thus, NC has a protective effect on hypoxic mitochondria, and it can regulate amino acid metabolism in response to hypoxic stress. The present study provides a reference for the application of nitidine chloride to regulate the mammary lactation function of milk buffalo. Full article

Gas sensors based on metal oxide semiconductors (MOS) have been widely used for the detection and monitoring of flammable and toxic gases. In this paper, p-type Cr₂O₃ and Ti-doped Cr₂O₃ (CTO) thin films were synthesized using an aerosol-assisted chemical vapor deposition (AACVD) method. Detailed analysis of the thin films deposited, including structural information, their elemental composition, oxidation state, and morphology, was investigated using XRD, Raman analysis, SEM, and XPS. All the gas sensors based on pristine Cr₂O₃ and CTO exhibited a reversible response and good sensitivity to isobutylene (C₄H₈) and ammonia (NH₃) gases. Doping Ti into the Cr₂O₃ lattice improves the response of the CTO-based sensors to C₄H₈ and NH₃. We describe a novel mechanism for the gas sensitivity of p-type metal oxides based on variations in the oxygen vacancy concentration. Full article

Gastric cancer (GC) is an asymptomatic malignancy in early stages, with an invasive and cost-ineffective diagnostic toolbox that contributes to severe global mortality rates on an annual basis. Ectopic expression of the lineage survival transcription factors (LS-TFs) GATA4 and 6 promotes stomach oncogenesis. However, LS-TFs also govern important physiological roles, hindering their direct therapeutic targeting. Therefore, their downstream target genes are particularly interesting for developing cancer-specific molecular biomarkers or therapeutic agents. In this work, we couple inducible knockdown systems with chromatin immunoprecipitation and RNA-seq to thoroughly detect and characterize direct targets of GATA-mediated transcriptional regulation in gastric cancer cells. Our experimental and computational strategy provides evidence that both factors regulate the expression of several coding and non-coding RNAs that in turn mediate for their cancer-promoting phenotypes, including but not limited to cell cycle, apoptosis, ferroptosis, and oxidative stress response. Finally, the diagnostic and prognostic potential of four metagene signatures consisting of selected GATA4/6 target transcripts is evaluated in a multi-cancer panel of ~7000 biopsies from nineteen tumor types, revealing elevated specificity for gastrointestinal tumors. In conclusion, our integrated strategy uncovers the landscape of GATA-mediated coding and non-coding transcriptional regulation, providing insights regarding their molecular and clinical function in gastric cancer. Full article

During storage and transportation, meat is susceptible to the effects of microorganisms, endogenous enzymes, and oxygen, leading to issues such as moisture loss, spoilage, and deterioration. Superchilling, as a preservation method that combines the benefits of refrigeration and freezing, can effectively slow the growth and reproduction of microorganisms, control protein and lipid oxidation, reduce water loss, and maintain the quality and sensory properties of meat. This paper reviews the current application status of superchilling technology in meat preservation, focusing on the mechanisms of ice crystal formation, water retention, tenderness preservation, protein and fat oxidation control, and microbial growth inhibition under superchilling conditions. Additionally, it summarizes the research progress on the combined application of superchilling with emerging technologies such as electric fields, magnetic fields, and electron beams in meat preservation and explores its potential and future prospects for improving meat quality. The aim is to provide scientific evidence and technical support for the application of superchilling technology in enhancing meat quality. Full article

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a severe neurodegenerative disorder marked by the gradual loss of motor neurons, leading to significant disability and eventual death. Despite ongoing research, there are still limited treatment options, underscoring the need for a deeper understanding of the disease’s complex mechanisms and the identification of new therapeutic targets. This review provides a thorough examination of ALS, covering its epidemiology, pathology, and clinical features. It investigates the key molecular mechanisms, such as protein aggregation, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and excitotoxicity that contribute to motor neuron degeneration. The role of biomarkers is highlighted for their importance in early diagnosis and disease monitoring. Additionally, the review explores emerging therapeutic approaches, including inhibitors of protein aggregation, neuroinflammation modulators, antioxidant therapies, gene therapy, and stem cell-based treatments. The advantages and challenges of these strategies are discussed, with an emphasis on the potential for precision medicine to tailor treatments to individual patient needs. Overall, this review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of ALS research and suggest future directions for developing effective therapies. Full article