The growing demand for sustainable solutions in agriculture, driven by global population growth and increasing soil degradation, has intensified the search for sustainable soil conditioners. This study investigated the impact of adding nanoclay (NC) and nano lignin (NL) to thermoplastic starch (TPS) on its physical, chemical, and thermal properties, its effectiveness as a soil conditioner, and its resistance to UV-C degradation. TPS nanocomposites were prepared with varying NC (3 %, 5 %, 7 %) and NL (0.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOvergrazing is the primary human-induced cause of soil degradation in the Caatinga biome, intensely threatening lands vulnerable to desertification. Grazing exclusion, a simple and cost-effective practice, could restore soils' ecological functions. However, comprehensive insights into the effects of overgrazing and grazing exclusion on Caatinga soils' multifunctionality are lacking.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) accounts for 20% of all breast cancer cases and is notably resistant to radiotherapy (RT). Photodynamic therapy (PDT) using porphyrins or their derivatives has shown promise as a potential cancer treatment and immune activator. This study evaluated the effects of combining PDT and RT in sublethal conditions for TNBC using in vitro and in vivo models.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground/objectives: DNA vaccines are rapidly produced and adaptable to different pathogens, but they face considerable challenges regarding stability and delivery to the cellular target. Thus, effective delivery methods are essential for the success of these vaccines. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of capsules derived from the cell wall of the yeast as a delivery system for DNA vaccines.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAntimicrobials, widely used in livestock, have induced the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, prompting farmers to explore alternatives like copper. This study aims to determine antimicrobial residues and Cu concentrations in the liver and kidney of piglets and to investigate the correlation between Cu and antimicrobial use and the resistance to Cu and antimicrobials of isolated from piglets' faeces. Antimicrobial residues were quantified by UHPLC-ToF-MS; Cu was quantified using FAAS; microbiological methods were used for isolation, CuSO minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), and antimicrobial susceptibility; and to detect genes, Real-Time PCR was used.
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