Comparison of Two Synthesis Methods for 3D PLA-Ibuprofen Nanofibrillar Scaffolds.

Objectives: This study aimed to synthesize polylactic acid (PLA) nanofibrillar scaffolds loaded with ibuprofen (IBU) using electrospinning (ES) and air-jet spinning (AJS). The scaffolds were evaluated for their physicochemical properties, drug release profiles, and biocompatibility to assess their potential for local analgesic applications.

Methods: Solutions of 10% (/) PLA combined with IBU at concentrations of 10%, 20%, and 30% were processed into nanofibrillar membranes using ES and AJS.

Structure-Function Relationship of the β-Hairpin of HB27 Laccase.

Thermus thermophilus HB27 laccase (Tth-Lac) is a thermostable enzyme that contains a β-hairpin (Ala292-Gln307) covering the substrate entrance. We analyzed the role of this β-hairpin in the enzymatic activity of Tth-Lac through three β-hairpin mutants: two variants without the β-hairpin (C1Tth-Lac and C2Tth-Lac) and one with a partially modified β-hairpin (P1Tth-Lac). Enzymatic activity was assayed with different substrates with and without copper.

Chemical Composition of Mexicali Propolis and Its Effect on Gastric Repair in an Indomethacin-Induced Gastric Injury Murine Model.

Propolis is a resinous substance produced by bees that has several biomedical properties that could contribute to the repair process of the gastric mucosa, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, healing, and gastroprotective properties. Thus, this study aimed to determine the chemical composition of Mexicali propolis, its antioxidant capacity, and its effect on gastric repair. Three polarity-directed extracts were obtained: the ethanolic extract, the ethyl acetate extract, and the hexane extract.

Amphibian-Derived Peptides as Natural Inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease (Mpro): A Combined In Vitro and In Silico Approach.

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has highlighted the urgent need for novel therapeutic agents targeting viral enzymes such as the main protease (Mpro), which plays a crucial role in viral replication. In this study, we investigate the inhibitory potential of 23 peptides isolated from the skin of amphibians belonging to the Hylidae and Leptodactylidae families against SARS-CoV-2 Mpro. Five peptides demonstrated significant inhibition using a colorimetric Mpro inhibition assay, with IC50 values ranging from 41 to 203 µM.

Conformational versatility among crystalline solids of L-phenylalanine derivatives.

In this study, we present a new N-derivative of L-phenylalanine with 2-naphthaldehyde (PN), obtained by the Schiff base formation procedure and its subsequent reduction. This compound was crystallized as a zwitterion {2-[(naphthalen-2-ylmethyl)azaniumyl]-3-phenylpropanoate, CHNO}, as an anion in a sodium salt (catena-poly[[diaquasodium(I)-di-μ-aqua] 2-[(naphthalen-2-ylmethyl)amino]-3-phenylpropanoate monohydrate], {[Na(HO)](CHNO)·HO}), as a cation in a chloride salt [(1-carboxy-2-phenylethyl)(naphthalen-2-ylmethyl)azanium chloride acetic acid monosolvate, CHNO·Cl·CHCOOH], and additionally acting as a ligand in the pentacoordinated zinc compound aquabis{2-[(naphthalen-2-ylmethyl)amino]-3-phenylpropanoato-κO}zinc(II), [Zn(CHNO)(HO)] or [Zn(PN)(HO)], denoted (PN-Zn), with the amino acid derivative in its carboxylate form.

The Effect of Temperature over the Growth and Biofilm Formation of the Thermotolerant .

is a medically relevant fungus, particularly in tropical regions. Although its aflatoxin production and thermotolerance are well documented, its biofilm-forming ability has received less attention, despite being a key factor in the virulence of as an opportunistic pathogen, which can significantly impact therapeutic outcomes. To investigate the influence of temperature on the growth and biofilm formation of an isolate, we compared it on solid media with the reference strain ATCC 22546 and documented morphological changes during conidial germination.

Exploring Innovative Approaches for the Analysis of Micro- and Nanoplastics: Breakthroughs in (Bio)Sensing Techniques.

Plastic pollution, particularly from microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs), has become a critical environmental and health concern due to their widespread distribution, persistence, and potential toxicity. MPs and NPs originate from primary sources, such as cosmetic microspheres or synthetic fibers, and secondary fragmentation of larger plastics through environmental degradation. These particles, typically less than 5 mm, are found globally, from deep seabeds to human tissues, and are known to adsorb and release harmful pollutants, exacerbating ecological and health risks.

Assessment of temperature dynamics during methane oxidation in a pilot scale compost biofilter.

Biological methane oxidation can sustain high temperatures in organic matrices, such as landfill covers and compost biofilters. This study investigates the temperature dynamics, methane removal efficiency, and microbial community responses in a pilot scale compost biofilter under three methane concentrations (2, 4, and 8 % v v in air) with a 23-minute empty bed residence time. Complete methane removal was achieved at 2 %, with compost bed temperatures reaching 51 °C.

Dataset of aerial photographs acquired with UAV using a multispectral (green, red and near-infrared) camera for cherry tomato ( var. ) monitoring.

A dataset of aerial photographs acquired with an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) DJI Phantom 4 Pro is presented for monitoring a cherry tomato ( var. ) crop in Navolato, Mexico. Seven photogrammetric flights were carried out to assess the plant growth using a Mapir Survey 3W multispectral camera.

Impact of glyphosate herbicide exposure on sperm motility, fertilization, and embryo-larval survival of pejerrey fish (Odontesthes bonariensis).

The herbicide glyphosate is widely used in agricultural practices around the world, can reach aquatic environments, and potentially impact non-target organisms. This study aimed to investigate the effects of glyphosate exposure (both as the active ingredient and its formulated product) on sperm quality, fertilization success, and development of pejerrey (Odontesthes bonariensis), a native freshwater fish species from Argentina. Results revealed a statistically significant increase in sperm motility at the highest concentration of the formulated product.

Twoline Skiffia's Latency to Exit a Refuge and to Locate Food When Socialising With Invaders and Raising Temperatures.

Aquatic ecosystems are reservoirs of biodiversity and are highly threatened. Among the main threats to biodiversity are invasive species and global warming, the later has allowed the establishment of invasive species from originally warmer climates outside their native range by reducing the barriers to their establishment and distribution. Behaviour is the immediate response that species modify to counteract changes in their environment.

The regulatory network that controls lymphopoiesis.

Lymphopoiesis is the generation of the T, B and NK cell lineages from a common lymphoid-biased haematopoietic stem cell. The experimental study of this process has generated a large amount of cellular and molecular data. As a result, there is a considerable number of mathematical and computational models regarding different aspects of lymphopoiesis.

Tumor microenvironment noise-induced polarization: the main challenge in macrophages' immunotherapy for cancer.

Disturbance of epigenetic processes can lead to altered gene function and malignant cellular transformation. In particular, changes in the epigenetic landscape are a central topic in cancer biology. The initiation and progression of cancer are now recognized to involve both epigenetic and genetic alterations.

Phylogenomics and species delimitation in the Lepidophyma sylvaticum complex (Squamata: Xantusiidae) using ddRADseq and morphological data.

The Lepidophyma sylvaticum complex occurs from west-central Nuevo León to the Sierra de Chiconquiaco in central Veracruz, Mexico. Morphological studies have revealed population groups that are "moderately divergent from each other" within the complex. In addition, a molecular phylogenetic study found L.

Extreme droughts in the Amazon Basin during cyclic ENSO events coupled with Indian Ocean Dipole modes and Tropical North Atlantic warming.

The teleconnections between El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), and Tropical North Atlantic warming (+TNA) play a critical role in characterizing extreme drought events in the Amazon Basin (AB). This study examines the seven most recent drought extreme events up to 2023, using seasonal composites of the sea surface temperature and atmospheric variables over a five-quarter period starting at the austral spring(-1) of the year preceding that when the lowest water level at Manaus port was recorded. Two distinct patterns emerge, driven by consecutive ENSO events with opposite phases, referred to as cyclic La Niña-El Niño and cyclic El Niño-La Niña drought events.

Defending Ti6Al4V against Biofilm Formation with Albumin Biofunctionalization.

Surface biofunctionalization with structurally perturbed albumin, as well as with other plasmatic proteins, inhibits the initial bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation, involved in numerous healthcare-associated infections. In fact, we have reported this protective effect with thermally treated plasmatic proteins, such as albumin and fibrinogen, adsorbed on flat silica surfaces. Here, we show that albumin biofunctionalization also works properly on flat Ti6Al4V substrates, which are widely used to fabricate medical devices.

Dredging and sediment discharge in a river with floodplain. Physicochemical and microbiological effects in Paraná river.

Alterations caused by human activities in the environment, such as dredging, modify the physicochemical conditions and affect the habitat. Maintenance dredging that allows large vessels access to inland ports is a recurring disruptive action. The study aimed to evaluate, during a maintenance dredging operation in a port area of the Paraná River, the modifications in the structure of the river, the presence of contaminants and bacterial organisms.

Towards a unified fold-cusp model for bond polarity scaling: electron rearrangements in the pyrolytic isomerization of cubane to cyclooctatetraene.

Context: This study meticulously examines the criteria for assigning electron rearrangements along the intrinsic reaction coordinate (IRC) leading to bond formation and breaking processes during the pyrolytic isomerization of cubane (CUB) to 1,3,5,7-cyclooctatetraene (COT) from both thermochemical and bonding perspectives. Notably, no cusp-type function was detected in the initial thermal conversion step of CUB to bicyclo[4.2.

Rare earth element (REEs) imprints and provenance of wetland sediments from Oaxaca coast, Mexico.

REEs in wetland sediments from the Oaxaca coast in southern Mexico were used to infer the sources and depositional processes by involving both the geochemical characteristics and geostatistical approaches. Statistically strong positive correlation between REEs confirmed similar origin in all the cores. Light REEs (LREEs) represented >84 % of ΣREE mean concentrations varies between 47.

Impact of Wood Smoke Exposure on Aortic Valve Mineralization: Microvesicles as Mineral Conveyors in Patients with Coronary Stenosis.

Aortic valve calcification results from degenerative processes associated with several pathologies. These processes are influenced by age, chronic inflammation, and high concentrations of phosphate ions in the plasma, which contribute to induce mineralization in the aortic valve and deterioration of cardiovascular health. Environmental factors, such as wood smoke that emits harmful and carcinogenic pollutants, carbon monoxide (CO), and nitrogen oxide (NO), as well as other reactive compounds may also be implicated.

Analysis of Autonomous Penetration Testing Through Reinforcement Learning and Recommender Systems.

Conducting penetration testing (pentesting) in cybersecurity is a crucial turning point for identifying vulnerabilities within the framework of Information Technology (IT), where real malicious offensive behavior is simulated to identify potential weaknesses and strengthen preventive controls. Given the complexity of the tests, time constraints, and the specialized level of expertise required for pentesting, analysis and exploitation tools are commonly used. Although useful, these tools often introduce uncertainty in findings, resulting in high rates of false positives.

The Properties of Damaged Starch Granules: The Relationship Between Granule Structure and Water-Starch Polymer Interactions.

The morphology of wheat starch granules with different damaged starch (DS) content was analyzed using a particle size analyzer and scanning electron microscopy (SEM); the granular structure was studied using FT-IR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD); and the granule-water interaction was evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and dynamic vapor sorption (DVS). The increase in the level of DS shifted the population of B-type granules towards larger particle diameters and shifted the population of A-type granules towards smaller particle diameters. The appearance of the surface of the starch-damaged granules was rough and flaky (SEM images).

Development of Composite Semiconductor Films Based on Organotin Complexes Doped with Cobalt Porphine for Applications in Organic Diodes.

In this work, we present the green synthesis of complex - derived from β-hidroxymethylidene indanones by ultrasound, which allowed for the obtaining of compounds in a shorter time and with good yields. These organotin complexes were then doped with cobalt porphine and incorporated into a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(4-styrenesulfonate) matrix to manufacture composite semiconductor films. The semiconductor films were characterized through atomic force microscopy, examining their topography, Knoop hardness (around 17 HK), and tensile strength, which varied from 5 × 10 to 7 × 10 Pa.

Tip-to-base bark cross-sectional areas contribute to understanding the drivers of carbon allocation to bark and the functional roles of bark tissues.

Along their lengths, stems experience different functional demands. Because bark and wood traits are usually studied at single points on stems, it remains unclear how carbon allocation changes along tip-to-base trajectories across species. We examined bark vs wood allocation by measuring cross-sectional areas of outer and inner bark (OB and IB), IB regions (secondary phloem, cortex, and phelloderm), and wood from stem tips to bases of 35 woody angiosperm species of diverse phylogenetic lineages, climates, fire regimes, and bark morphologies.

Hybrid coating prepared with PMMA/Ti-O-Si tested under vacuum conditions for use in nanosatellites.

A hybrid coating made of poly (methyl methacrylate) with SiO2-TiO2 particles (PMMA/SiO2-TiO2) has been developed for use as a coating on nanosatellites, evaluating its resistance to high vacuum by quantifying its weight loss. The coating was applied on an Al 7075 aluminum substrate used for the aerospace sector. PMMA/SiO2-TiO2 hybrid coatings were prepared using sol-gel reaction in situ assisted with sonochemistry.