Search Results (696)

Bacterial resistance and the demand for novel antibacterial strategies represent major challenges in contemporary medicine. In this study, zinc-doped hydroxyapatite (Zn-HA) samples with 3, 5, and 10 wt% Zn(II) were synthesized using wet precipitation synthesis and sintered at 700 and 800 °C. The samples were characterized by X-ray Diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Raman Spectroscopy, and Scanning Electron Microscopy. The antimicrobial properties of the Zn-HA were tested against four bacterial strains—Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli—and the fungus Candida albicans. Both 5 wt% and 10 wt% Zn-HA effectively inhibited the growth of all microorganisms. Notably, 10wt% Zn-HA exhibited the best results, with inhibition rates of 50.2% against S. aureus, 36.5% against E. faecalis, 47.5% against P. aeruginosa, 31.8% against E. coli, and 24.7% against C. albicans. There were no significant differences in the growth of adipose mesenchymal stem cells between the prepared samples and the control. For osteogenic differentiation, dye uptake was 1.2 times higher for HA and 5 wt% Zn-HA, and 1.3 times higher for 3 wt% Zn-HA compared to the control. These results suggest that developed ceramics may be effective in regenerative medicine, paving the way for innovative treatments. Full article

Extreme maximum temperatures in summer present a significant risk to agroindustry as crops and their ecological interactions have critical thermal limits that can affect their performance and microorganisms-related. Gray mold disease caused by Botrytis cinerea is the most critical disease affecting crops worldwide. In this sense, the impact of temperature on agricultural productivity is well documented in the Northern Hemisphere; the risk of extreme temperatures on the infection rate of B. cinerea in Central Chile is limited. This study analyzes historical climate data from January and February between 1951 and 2023 for the cities of Santiago, Talca, Chillán, and Los Ángeles. The aim was to examine trends in extreme maximum temperatures (EMTs) and develop a simple model to estimate the infection rate of B. cinerea. Linear trend analyses were conducted, as was analysis of the probability of occurrence. Additionally, five-year averages were calculated, and a generic model was presented to assess the effects of warming on the infection rate. The analysis shows positive growth in extreme maximum temperatures in January and February, with projections for 2024, 2025, and 2026 at 70%, 80%, and 80%, respectively. February showed the most significant thermal increase among all stations, with Chillán and Los Ángeles recording higher increases than Santiago and Talca. Projections suggest temperatures near 40–41 °C. The five-year averages for Chillán and Los Ángeles exceeded 37 °C in the 2016–2020 period, the highest values during the analyzed time frame. Trends for 2021–2026 indicate upper limits above 38 °C. These trends, combined with dry summers, could increase the severity of infections and modify the optimal thermal conditions for the pathogen. The results suggest that thermal changes could reduce the infection risk by B. cinerea on fruit crops in Central Chile, and a theoretical approach is proposed to develop predictive tools to facilitate risk assessment in a warming environment. Full article

Rangelands play a crucial socioeconomic and environmental role worldwide. In South America, desertification and overgrazing has led to their deterioration and declining productivity. Breeding programs that use native forage species of economic and ecological importance, such as Festuca pallescens (St. Yves) Parodi, may provide locally adapted germplasm that enhances productivity without threatening local biodiversity. These programs may even promote the conservation of native species. To this end, we characterized the phenotypic variation of nondestructive variables (growth and reproductive traits) related to forage and seed production during spring and early summer (growth and reproductive periods). Plants from ten populations were grown under common garden conditions in two environmental settings (sites) over two years. By early summer of the second year, most populations maintained a consistent relative performance with higher values for basal diameter, height and synflorescence production at site 2. This suggests more favorable environmental conditions for the species and highlights their potential for enhancing both seed and forage production. The growth and reproductive traits were probably largely influenced by micro-environmental cues (i.e., soil type and moisture), showing predominantly plastic patterns. The populations displaying phenotypic plasticity and above-average values for both traits were selected for further evaluation in breeding programs. Full article

Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient, yet its deficiency remains a global concern. This study investigates the biofortification of alfalfa (Medicago sativa cv. ProINTA Super Monarca GR9) via foliar Se application to enhance Se accumulation and transformation into bioavailable organic forms. A controlled environment experiment in a plant growth chamber and a one-season open-field trial (January 2023, Argentina) were conducted. Treatments included sodium selenate (Se(VI)), sodium selenite (Se(IV)), and a 1:1 mixture, applied at 45 and 90 g Se ha⁻¹, with and without the biostimulant BIOFORGE^®. Treated plants exhibited increased Se content, correlating with the applied doses. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) confirmed that most inorganic Se was transformed into organic Se forms, with Se(IV) treatments yielding the highest concentrations of organic Se species such as selenocysteine (SeCys) and selenomethionine (SeMet). Open-field trials showed a complete conversion of Se, though total Se accumulation was lower than in controlled conditions. Se treatments did not affect forage quality or biomass production. The biostimulant slightly reduced Se uptake but did not compromise biofortification. These results highlight Se(IV) as the optimal treatment for alfalfa biofortification, presenting a sustainable strategy to enhance dietary Se intake through functional foods. Full article

In the scientific literature, it is highlighted that industrialized construction has significant comparative advantages over traditional construction, primarily in four indicators: (i) cost reduction, (ii) time reduction, (iii) increased energy performance, and (iv) reduced environmental impacts. However, there is no certainty about the range of variation of these indicators for these comparative advantages, creating uncertainty about the real impact of industrialized construction. In this work, through a systematic literature review based on PRISMA, 90 articles that met the selection criteria related to the four mentioned indicators were selected and analyzed. The results show that industrialized construction has comparative advantages over traditional construction but with a wide spectrum of variation in each of the indicators. In the cost indicator, reductions between 7% and 50% and increases between 26% and 72% are observed; in time, reductions between 9% and 50% and increases up to 32% are recorded, and reductions in energy demand between 20% and 90% are also reported. For the environmental indicators, data were only provided for projects in the design stage or for construction solutions on a scale, demonstrating the need to obtain indicators in the operational stage. It is concluded that although industrialized construction offers significant advantages, it is essential that new construction solutions consider contextual variations, initial investment, logistical challenges, and specialized labor to maximize their benefits. Full article

This study investigated the effects of adding a blend of essential oils, tannins, bioflavonoids (ANAVRIN^®, VetosEurope, Lugano, Switzerland), monensin, and their combination on the daily gain, feed conversion, and rumen fermentation of finishing steers fed a total mixed ration (TMR). Thirty finishing steers (441 kg body weight, 34.3 months old) consuming a TMR were blocked by BW and randomly assigned to three treatments according to the addition of (1) EOTB (ANAVRIN^® at 0.35 g/100 kg body weight), (2) MON (monensin at 0.033 g/kg dry matter), and (3) EOTB + MON (at the same dose as in (1) and (2). A 60-day feeding trial was conducted, including a 19-day adaptation period. Data collected included daily dry matter intake (DMI), average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and rumen fermentation parameters (pH, NH₃-N, and volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations). EOTB resulted in higher DMI compared to EOTB + MON, while no significant differences were observed in ADG or FCR. The ruminal pH and NH₃-N concentrations were similar among treatments, but there were interactions among treatment × hour for VFAs. The EOTB + MON led to a more stable VFA concentration in rumen, suggesting possible complementary supplementation effects. However, more studies are needed to confirm this and to go deeper into the underlying mechanism of action. Full article

This study proposes a sustainable Innovation Management Model (MGI) for the plantain agroindustrial chain, applied to the Quindío region of Colombia. A mixed-methods approach was employed, incorporating various techniques, including a systematic literature review using the Scopus database, which analyzed 95 documents through the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) framework. The identification and prioritization of relevant variables, along with the validation of the proposed model, were also conducted through the use of three questionnaires, supplemented by relevance and congruence indices. The analysis identified 53 variables for the entry stage, 36 for the transformation stage, and 31 for the exit stage. The findings revealed significant gaps within the agroindustrial chain, particularly in areas such as leadership, strategic management, and resilience among key stakeholders. The MGI, as prioritized by stakeholders, provides a framework that integrates variables and information flows, facilitating the development of new open innovation challenges. These challenges engage not only seekers—entities that require innovation—but also solvers—organizations that offer solutions. The implementation of this model will require supportive public policies, projects, and web platforms, such as Innocentive/Wazoku, Ninesigma, Ruta N, Yet2.com, Itonics, and Ennomotive, which, with the aid of artificial intelligence, can connect innovation supply and demand through open challenges. Full article

Background/Objectives: Kidney transplantation (kTx) is the preferred treatment for end-stage kidney disease. Limited evaluation of structural changes in transplanted kidneys hinders the timely prediction of disease progression and the implementation of treatment modifications. Protocol biopsies provide valuable insights but are invasive and carry risks of biopsy-related complications. This study investigates whether multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including T1 and T2 mapping and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), can predict kidney function and the progression of interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy (IF/TA) in the early post-transplant period. Methods: A prospective study was conducted at The Hospital of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Kauno Klinikos from May 2022 to March 2024. Thirty-four patients receiving kidney transplants from deceased donors underwent baseline biopsies and post-transplant MRI scans. Follow-up assessments included kidney function evaluation, biopsies, and MRI scans at three months post-transplant. Results: Significant correlations were observed between MRI parameters and kidney function: T1 and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) corticomedullary differentiation (CMD) correlated with eGFR at discharge (r = −0.338, p = 0.05; r = 0.392, p = 0.022, respectively). Linear and logistic regression models demonstrated that post-transplant T1 and ADC CMD values significantly predicted kidney function at discharge. Furthermore, T1 CMD values measured 10–15 days post-transplant predicted IF/TA progression at three months post-kTx, with an area under the curve of 0.802 (95% CI: 0.616–0.987, p = 0.001) and an optimal cut-off value of −149.71 ms. The sensitivity and specificity were 0.818 and 0.273, respectively (Youden’s index = 0.545). T2 mapping was not predictive. Conclusions: This study highlights the potential immediate clinical utility of MRI-derived biomarkers, particularly ADC and T1 CMD, in centers equipped with advanced imaging capabilities as tools for assessing kidney function in the early post-transplant period. With an AUROC of 0.802, T1 CMD demonstrates strong discriminatory power for predicting IF/TA progression early in the post-transplant period. Full article

This survey aims to develop a successful protocol through in vitro multiplication and ex vitro rooting of a native shrub, i.e., Myrtus communis L., in order to obtain the rapid production of large number of healthy plants. The in vitro proliferation showed how the two different genotypes (MR and MB) produced higher values in terms of shoot lengths, mean multiplication index (MMI) and number of nodes when treated with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) compared to the thidiazuron (TDZ) + 1-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) combination. Concerning in vitro rooting, the experiment resulted in a high rooting rate (75%) and an average number of roots (5.13) by quickly dipping the basal portions in an indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) concentration of 3300 mg L⁻¹, followed by transfer to a hormone-free growth medium (BM). In comparison, the other two concentrations tested (0.3 and 0.6 mg L⁻¹) resulted in higher root length values. During the acclimatization phase, the study showed how the different treatments affected the development of the test shoots differently. In particular, shoots of both genotypes pre-treated by quickly dipping them in Clonex^® to induce ex vitro rooting showed abundant root production only 10 days after the treatment compared to the in vitro rooting, in which roots were formed after 30 days. This suggests that ex vitro pre-treatment with Clonex^® not only accelerates the rooting process compared to in vitro treatment, resulting in lower costs and easier processing, but also significantly increases root density, contributing to improved transplant success and plantlets quality. These results support the thesis that ex vitro rooting optimises plant propagation protocols, offering economic and practical advantages for nurseries and other propagation systems. Full article

Background and Objectives: Long COVID as a condition typically manifests itself three months after the initial onset of SARS-CoV-2 infection, with symptoms persisting for a minimum of two months. The aim of the present research was to identify potential predictors of post-COVID-19 syndrome (long COVID-19) and to evaluate factors associated with the presence of post-COVID-19 interstitial lung disease and functional decline. Materials and Methods: 210 patients hospitalized for confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections mild, moderate, severe, and critical form have been evaluated at 3, 6 and twelve months. Results: Among them only one has been with a suspicion of interstitial lung disease after one year, the rest had no change in the lung. No risk factor from the baseline/3-month or 6-month evaluations significantly influenced patients’ status at 12 months. The longer the duration of hospitalization, the lower the FVC and DLCO were at 3 months, but the longer the duration of hospitalization, the higher the number of symptoms at 3 months and 6 months. In a multivariate linear regression analysis, the number of hospitalization days remained statistically significant only for the number of symptoms at 3 months and 6 months. Conclusions: Long COVID seems to be related to the severity of the initial disease, and among the most persistent. Post-COVID-19 interstitial lung disease does not seem to be a frequent entity, as in our study only 0.5% out of 210 patients had it. Full article

This work focused on the evaluation of nine clones of fresh garlic and its aged product, black garlic, and the comparison of their nutritional qualities, bioactive compounds, antioxidant activities, and the correlation among these traits. The results showed that the moisture content material of black garlic was reduced, while the crude protein, crude fiber, crude ash, and carbohydrate contents were considerably improved. Black garlic had a higher total phenolic content than fresh garlic and four to nine times more antioxidant activity. Hydroxycinnamic acid derivates were the main phenolic acids found in both fresh and black garlic. The antioxidant activity was correlated with polyphenol content and pungency levels. Finally, recommendations about the most suitable clones for black garlic production were made. These findings highlight the need for the consideration of garlic clones in both dietary and therapeutic contexts. Full article

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly lethal cancer. Late diagnosis and acquisition of chemoresistance contribute to its dismal prognosis. While surgical resection improved the clinical outcome of patients, only ~20% of them are eligible due to advanced disease at diagnosis. Thus, the development of new therapeutic approaches is a master priority for an improved management of this cancer. The helicase DDX21 was proposed as a prognostic marker in several tumors, including PDAC. Methods: DDX21 expression was evaluated in PDAC samples and cell lines; RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analyses of DDX21-depleted PANC-1 silenced cells; functional analyses of autophagy, cell cycle and proliferation. Results: DDX21 is expressed at higher levels in liver metastasis of PDAC patients. Transcriptomics analyses of DDX21-depleted cells revealed an enrichment in genes involved in autophagy and cell cycle progression. The inactivation of DDX21 by RNA interference enhanced the basal autophagic flux and altered the cell cycle by reducing the rate of G1-S transition. Coherently, PDAC cell proliferation and clonogenic activity was significantly reduced. Conclusions: Our results support the oncogenic role of DDX21 in PDAC and uncover a new role for this helicase in the regulation of basal autophagy. Full article

The objective of this work is to evaluate the nutritional and functional composition of microgreens of different species. Beet, pea, adzuki bean, popcorn, onion, and carrot were studied. The nutritional composition was determined according to the AOAC. The content of total phenolic compounds, flavonoids, chlorophylls, total carotenoids, and the in vitro antioxidant activity were evaluated by spectrophotometry. The results show that the aduki bean showed the highest levels of chlorophylls and carotenoids. For total phenolic compounds and flavonoids, onion and carrot micro vegetables had the highest content of these bioactive compounds that also showed the highest antioxidant activity. The results obtained show that micro vegetables are an excellent alternative to fresh foods, providing the scope and importance for the introduction of these vegetables into the diet, as they, sometimes, require long production cycles and more resources or are not usually accepted by consumers. Full article

Early detection and monitoring of invasive forest pests are crucial for effective pest management, particularly in preventing large-scale damage, reducing eradication costs, and improving overall control effectiveness. This study investigates the potential of machine learning models and remote sensing at various spatiotemporal scales to assess forest damage caused by the woodwasp Sirex noctilio in pine plantations. A Random Forest (RF) model was applied to analyze Planetscope satellite images of Sirex-affected areas in Neuquén, Argentina. The model’s results were validated through accuracy analysis and the Kappa method to ensure robustness. Our findings demonstrate that the RF model accurately classified Sirex damage levels, with classification accuracy improving progressively over time (overall accuracy of 87% for five severity categories and 98% for two severity categories). This allowed for a clearer distinction between healthy and Sirex-infested trees, as well as a more refined categorization of damage severity. This study highlights the potential of machine learning models to accurately assess tree health and quantify pest damage in plantation forests, offering valuable tools for large-scale pest monitoring. Full article

Botryosphaeria dieback disease is a significant grapevine trunk disease (GTD) caused by species of Botryosphaeriaceae in Chile and worldwide. Moreover, Botryosphaeriaceae have been described attacking fruit and nut crops in Chile. However, it remains unknown whether fungal isolates from tree hosts have the potential to infect grapevines in Chile. The aggressiveness and potential cross infection of species of Botryosphaeriaceae collected from crops (grapevines, apples, blueberries, and walnuts), was assessed on grapevines. Plant materials, including nursery cuttings, lignified canes, and green shoots of grapevine cultivars (Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, Malbec, Aspirant Bouschet, and Merlot), were inoculated with Diplodia mutila, D. seriata, Dothiorella sarmentorum, Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Neofusicoccum arbuti, and N. parvum, under greenhouse and vineyard conditions. Regardless of the origin of the isolates, most species of Botryosphaeriaceae were pathogenic on plant materials, causing necrotic lesions of mean lengths from 11.9 to 86.2 mm using mycelial suspension and from 24.8 to 253.7 mm with mycelial plugs. Notably, Neofusicoccum species were the most aggressive, regardless of host origin. Other less aggressive species included L. theobromae, D. mutila, and D. seriata isolated from apple and walnut. This study highlights the potential of species of Botryosphaeriaceae from alternative fruit hosts as inoculum sources for grapevines in Chile. Full article