Soil-Plant Characterization in Agrosilvopastoral System Established in a Fe-Mn Abandoned Mine After Long-Term Closure.

Small abandoned mining areas of Fe and Mn oxides located in the Portuguese sector of the Iberian Pyrite Belt (SW of Europe) have been converted into agrosilvopastoral systems with very few environmental management measures after their closure. Although at the landscape scale, no visible differences were observed between the former mining intervention areas and adjacent areas, it is essential to assess the state and environmental risk of the soil-plant system, especially in the herbaceous pastures grazed by domestic animals. This was carried out in the Ferragudo mining area, where an agrosilvopastoral system, composed of holm oak and dryland pasture, had been established after the closure of the mine at ≈45 years.

Phytotoxic Activity Analysis of 2-Methoxyphenol and 2,6-Di--butyl-4-methylphenol Present in L. Essential Oil.

The evaluation of the wide variety of allelochemicals present in allelopathic plants allows the detection of safer bioherbicides with new mechanisms of action. This study tested two phenolic compounds of essential oil (2-Methoxyphenol and 2,6-Di--butyl-4-methylphenol), which are commercially available. At 0.

Phytochemical Characterization and Biological Activity of Two Species from Guinea-Bissau.

The dried leaves of A.Rich. and Planch.

Polyamide Microparticles with Immobilized Enological Pectinase as Efficient Biocatalysts for Wine Clarification: The Role of the Polymer Support.

Free pectinase is commonly employed as a biocatalyst in wine clarification; however, its removal, recovery, and reuse are not feasible. To address these limitations, this study focuses on the immobilization of a commercial pectinolytic preparation (Pec) onto highly porous polymer microparticles (MPs). Seven microparticulate polyamide (PA) supports, namely PA4, PA6, PA12 (with and without magnetic properties), and the copolymeric PA612 MP, were synthesized through activated anionic ring-opening polymerization of various lactams.

Recovery of Nd and Dy from E-Waste Using Adsorbents from Spent Tyre Rubbers: Batch and Column Dynamic Assays.

This paper investigates the use of spent tyre rubber as a precursor for synthesising adsorbents to recover rare earth elements. Through pyrolysis and CO activation, tyre rubber is converted into porous carbonaceous materials with surface properties suited for rare earth element adsorption. The study also examines the efficiency of leaching rare earth elements from NdFeB magnets using optimised acid leaching methods, providing insights into recovery processes.

Impact of Polysorbate 80 on the Antimicrobial Activity of Oregano and Thyme.

Plant-derived essential oils (EOs) possess significant antimicrobial potential against spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms. However, their efficacy can vary depending on the test method, making it difficult to standardise results. This study aimed to investigate the effect of polysorbate 80, a common surfactant used to emulsify EOs, on antimicrobial activity and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determinations.

Bar Adsorptive Microextraction Approach for Trace Determination of Local Anesthetics in Urine Matrices.

The present work reports the development, optimization, and validation, of a methodology to determine lidocaine, procaine, tetracaine, and benzocaine in urine matrices. Two extractive preconcentration techniques, solid-phase microextraction (SPME) LC Tips and bar adsorptive microextraction (BAμE), were studied and applied to the four target anesthetics, followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Several parameters that could affect microextraction and back-extraction were optimized using two different designs of experiments (Box-Behnken and full-factorial) to maximize extraction efficiency from aqueous media.

Latest Advances in Green Extraction of Polyphenols from Plants, Foods and Food By-Products.

Phenolic compounds present in plants and foods are receiving increasing attention for their bioactive and sensory properties, accompanied by consumers' interest in products with health benefits derived from natural rather than artificial sources. This, together with the sustainable development goals for the 21st century, has driven the development of green extraction techniques that allow obtaining these compounds with the safety and quality required to be applied in the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Green extraction of natural products involves practices aiming at reducing the environmental impact of the preparation processes, based on using natural or less-polluting solvents, lower energetic requirements and shorter extraction times, while providing greater efficiency in the recovery of target compounds.

New Insights on Strain 1B Surface-Active Biomolecules: Gordofactin Properties.

Biosurfactants/bioemulsifiers (BSs/BEs) can be defined as surface-active biomolecules produced by microorganisms with a broad range of applications. In recent years, due to their unique properties like biodegradability, specificity, low toxicity, and relative ease of preparation, these biomolecules have attracted wide interest as an eco-friendly alternative for several industrial sectors, escalating global microbial BS/BE market growth. Recently, strain 1B, a bacterium with significant biotechnological potential, well known for its biodesulfurizing properties, carotenoid production, and broad catabolic range, was described as a BS/BE producer.

Let-7b, miR-29b, and miR-125b as Potential Biomarkers for Differentiating Canine Mammary Carcinoma Histological Types.

Epigenetics is the study of changes in organisms that result from modifications in gene expression rather than alterations in the genetic code itself [...

Low prevalence of copy number variation in pfmdr1 and pfpm2 in Plasmodium falciparum isolates from southern Angola.

Background: Malaria is the parasitic disease with the highest global morbidity and mortality. According to estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO), there were around 249 million cases in 2022, with 3.4% occurring in Angola.

Comparison of Muscle Growth and Dynamic Strength Adaptations Induced by Unilateral and Bilateral Resistance Training: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Currently, great debate exists over the proposed superiority of some resistance exercises to induce muscular adaptations. For example, some argue that unilateral exercise (meaning one limb at a time) is superior to bilateral exercises (meaning both limbs). Of note, an evidence-based answer to this question is yet to be determined, particularly regarding muscle hypertrophy.

Ecological dynamics of Enterobacteriaceae in the human gut microbiome across global populations.

Gut bacteria from the Enterobacteriaceae family are a major cause of opportunistic infections worldwide. Given their prevalence among healthy human gut microbiomes, interspecies interactions may play a role in modulating infection resistance. Here we uncover global ecological patterns linked to Enterobacteriaceae colonization and abundance by leveraging a large-scale dataset of 12,238 public human gut metagenomes spanning 45 countries.

The cranium from the Octagon in Ephesos.

During excavations in 1929, a well-preserved skeleton was discovered in a sarcophagus in the Octagon at Ephesos (Turkey). For the following century, archaeologists have speculated about the identity of this obviously notable person. Repeated claim is that the remains could represent Arsinoë IV, daughter of Ptolemy XII, and younger (half-)sister of Cleopatra VII.

Evaluation of the potential of phage phSE-5 to fight Salmonella typhimurium in milk, liquid whole egg and eggshell.

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the potential of phage phSE-5 to inactivate Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium in milk (at 4, 10 and 25°C), liquid whole egg and eggshell (at 25°C for both matrices).

Methods And Results: Since the success of phage treatment in food depends on maintaining phage viability towards different food conditions, firstly the stability of phage phSE-5 at different temperatures and pHs was assessed. The effect of phage phSE-5 against S.

The International System for Serous Fluid Cytopathology (TIS) survey in preparation for TIS 2.0.

Introduction: The International System for Serous Fluid Cytopathology (TIS) has gained acceptance and has led to literature validating original concepts and suggesting refinements. In preparation for the second edition of TIS, editors generated a survey to solicit experience with and opinions about TIS.

Materials And Methods: An online survey available from March 8 to June 15, 2024, included 56 questions, offered in 7 languages, related to the practice of serous fluid cytopathology.

A critical analysis of the potential of iron heterobimetallic complexes in anticancer research.

Due to their diverse chemical properties and high ability to interact with biological molecules and cellular processes, transition metal-based compounds have emerged as promising candidates for cancer therapy. Iron complexes are among them, however, there is a gap in the comprehensive analysis of heterometallic iron complexes in the anticancer field. This review aims to fill this gap by summarizing recent progress in the study of Fe(II) and Fe(III) heterobimetallic complexes for anticancer applications and to gather important insights and future perspectives, with special emphasis on their theranostic capabilities.

Unravelling the complex influence of dissolved organic matter on microbial diversity in a salinized lake.

Ecosystems in cold and arid regions, such as Dai Lake - a typical inland, salinized lake in the semi-arid region of northern China - face severe environmental challenges, including salinization and biodiversity loss. This study investigates the chemical composition of dissolved organic matter (DOM) and the structure of microbial communities in lake water and sediments, offering novel insights into the ecosystem's dynamics. In winter, DOM in the lake water is primarily derived from decaying plant and animal matter, while sediment DOM is predominantly associated with microbial activity.

Controversies in Myopia Control Treatment: What Does it Mean for Future Research?

Purpose: Treatment of myopia has been informed by more than 3 decades of clinical trials and other observations. However, controversies regarding myopia control remain, such as when to stop treatment and what is the long-term efficacy of treatment. This perspective aims to describe clinically relevant and current controversies regarding myopia treatment.

Real-world effectiveness and safety of bulevirtide monotherapy for up to 96 weeks in patients with HDV-related cirrhosis.

Background And Aims: Bulevirtide (BLV) 2 mg/day is EMA approved for treatment of compensated chronic hepatitis due to Delta virus (HDV) infection, however real-life data in large cohorts of patients with cirrhosis are lacking.

Methods: Consecutive HDV-infected patients with cirrhosis starting BLV 2 mg/day since September 2019 were included in a European retrospective multicenter real-life study (SAVE-D). Patient characteristics before and during BLV treatment were collected.

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli-targeting phages for biofilm biocontrol in the poultry industry.

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) is a principal etiologic agent of avian colibacillosis, responsible for significant economic losses in the poultry industry due to high mortality and disease treatment with antibiotics. APEC and its ability to form biofilms on food and processing surfaces contributes to its persistence within farms. Bacteriophages are promising antibacterial agents for combating APEC.

Voices of Nanomedicine: Blueprint Guidelines for Collaboration in Addressing Global Unmet Medical Needs.

The "" under this Perspective underline the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and partnerships across several disciplines, such as medical science and technology, medicine, bioengineering, and computational approaches, in bridging the gap between research, manufacturing, and clinical applications. Effective communication is key to bridging team gaps, enhancing trust, and resolving conflicts, thereby fostering teamwork and individual growth toward shared goals. Drawing from the success of the COVID-19 vaccine development, we advocate the application of similar collaborative models in other complex health areas such as nanomedicine and biomedical engineering.

Dynamical properties of the composed Logistic-Gauss map.

This study focuses on the analysis of a unique composition between two well-established models, known as the Logistic-Gauss map. The investigation cohesively transitions to an exploration of parameter space, essential for unraveling the complexity of dissipative mappings and understanding the intricate relationships between periodic structures and chaotic regions. By manipulating control parameters, our approach reveals intriguing patterns, with findings enriched by extreme orbits, trajectories that connect local maximum and minimum values of one-dimensional maps.

Temporal Unfolding of Spelling-to-sound Mappings in Visual (Non)word Recognition.

Behavioral research has shown that inconsistency in spelling-to-sound mappings slows visual word recognition and word naming. However, the time course of this effect remains underexplored. To address this, we asked skilled adult readers to perform a 1-back repetition detection task that did not explicitly involve phonological coding, in which we manipulated lexicality (high-frequency words vs.