Background: When chemically defined media are used for in vitro maturation (IVM), fetal calf serum (FCS) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) are often replaced with synthetic macromolecules such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). However, the developmental competence of oocytes under these conditions is typically reduced, with lower blastocyst formation rates. This study aimed to quantify the transcripts of GDF9, BMP15, and OOSP1 in oocytes, and GREM1, PTGS2, PFKP, AREG, EREG, HAS2, VCAN, PTX3, ADAM10, and ADAM17 in cumulus cells. Methods: Oocytes were divided into three groups: immature oocytes at the germinal vesicle stage (GV), in vivo matured oocytes (IVMO), and oocytes matured in vitro in IVM medium supplemented with 10% FCS, 4 mg/mL BSA, or 1 mg/mL PVA. For the IVMO group, ten donor cows were superovulated with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) were recovered by ovum pick-up (OPU) 19-20 hours after gonadorelin administration. Gene expression was evaluated in oocytes and cumulus cells using quantitative real-time PCR. Results: The relative transcript levels of GREM1, PTGS2, PFKP , and AREG were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in cumulus cells from IVMO compared with those from GV or IVM oocytes. Additionally, oocytes matured in vitro in medium supplemented with FCS showed increased (p < 0.05) expression of GREM1 and AREG compared with those cultured with BSA or PVA. Conclusions: FCS supplementation during IVM positively influenced the transcription of GREM1 and AREG. However, the superior expression profile observed in cumulus cells from in vivo matured oocytes highlights the need for improved IVM media and culture conditions to enhance oocyte competence.

Nickel-cobalt layered double hydroxide (NiCo-LDH) is a promising supercapacitor material, but its performance is limited by nanosheet stacking and poor conductivity. Incorporating a porous carbon support is an effective strategy to overcome these issues. Herein, porous carbon derived from both puffed and unpuffed sorghum seeds was synthesized at various pre-carbonization temperatures. The optimized carbon from puffed seeds (PH-R4A7), abundant in pyridinic-N and oxygen groups, facilitates the uniform growth of NiCo-LDH. The resulting NiCo-LDH/PH-R4A7 composite delivers a high specific capacitance of 807.2 C g− 1 at 1 A g− 1 and excellent capacitance retention (69.9% at 20 A g− 1), surpassing both pristine NiCo-LDH and its unpuffed counterpart (NiCo-LDH/PC-R4A7). Furthermore, an asymmetric supercapacitor (NiCo-LDH/PH-R4A7//PH-R6A7) achieves a high energy density of 85.1 Wh kg− 1 at a power density of 799.9 W kg− 1, along with outstanding cycling stability (88.4% capacitance retention after 10,000 cycles). This work demonstrates that puffing pretreatment is an important strategy for enhancing the structural and electrochemical properties of NiCo-LDH/ porous carbon composites.

Catalytic decomposition of methane (CDM) enables COx-free H2 while co-producing solid carbon. Its viability hinges on catalysts that couple high activity with stable carbon co‑product formation. We evaluate Ni catalysts on FeAl2O4 (hercynite) and identify ~ 40 wt% NiO as the optimum loading that balances activity with carbon yield. Promoter screening (La, Mg, Co; 5 wt%) reveals distinct control of reducibility and metal–support interaction (MSI). La lowers the reduction temperature, refines Ni/NiO crystallites, and increases Ni dispersion, delivering the highest initial CH4 conversion (52.3%) and H2 production rate (90.6 mmol gcat −1 min−1), albeit with deactivation at ~ 150 min due to rapid carbon encapsulation. Mg strengthens the MSI and stabilizes residual NiO through MgO/MgAl2O4, lowering the initial activity. In contrast, Co promotes spinel formation and Ni aggregation, yielding the weakest activity. CDM is highly selective to H2 with carbon as the sole co-product; the carbon forms multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with ~ 16–24 nm diameters. Operating parameters further tune performance, with 650 °C being most effective. Lowering the space velocity extends the timeon- stream to ~ 450 min, increases the initial conversion to 59.4%, and raises the carbon yield from ~ 970% to ~ 1470%. Comprehensive characterization links promoter-dependent reducibility and metal–support interaction to activity, stability, and MWCNT yield. These results provide practical guidance for co-optimizing composition and operating conditions in CDM. NiO/FeAl2O4 with ~ 40 wt% NiO can serve as a baseline; La addition elevates initial rates, and operating at lower space velocity mitigates carbon-induced deactivation, thereby increasing H2 productivity and improving CNT quality.

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a prevalent and potentially life-threatening condition with rising global incidence and substantial morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Early management centers on supportive care, with fluid resuscitation being a pivotal intervention during the acute phase. However, recent evidence has questioned the efficacy of aggressive fluid administration, previously thought to improve outcomes by mitigating hypovolemia and complications. This review synthesizes current data regarding fluid resuscitation strategies in AP, emphasizing the variability in individual fluid needs, the central roles of endothelial and glycocalyx integrity, and the risks of both under- and over-hydration. Notably, findings from large randomized controlled trials, including the influential WATERFALL study, demonstrate that aggressive fluid resuscitation increases the incidence of fluid overload without improving clinical outcomes compared to moderate strategies. Subsequent meta-analyses and guideline updates now endorse a moderate fluid resuscitation approach, as reflected in the 2024 American College of Gastroenterology recommendations. The review concludes that while fluid therapy remains the cornerstone of early AP management, a shift toward tailored, moderate fluid administration is warranted to optimize outcomes and minimize harm. Continued research is essential to refine individualized resuscitation protocols, with particular attention to biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction and fluid requirements.

Medium- and low-temperature coal tar pitch can be prepared as coal-based mesophase pitch for its high value-added utilization. However, its lower aromaticity and higher content of heteroatoms (especially O atoms) led to a higher content of the resulting mesophase pitch mosaic structure. In this study, mesophase pitch was prepared by co-carbonization of high aromaticity, low oxygen content high-temperature refined pitch (RHCTP) with medium- and low-temperature coal tar refined pitch (RCTP). The impact of various blending ratios on the optical and microcrystalline structures of mesophase pitch was analyzed using polarized light microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy. The addition of RHCTP to modify RCTP significantly enhanced the optical and microcrystalline structures of the co-carbonized products. The optimal blending ratio (R-25%) was obtained. Needle coke prepared from mesophase pitch obtained from R-25% had superior fine fiber structure, lowest average resistivity (157.37 μΩ·m) and high true density (2.125 g/cm3). The thermal conversion behavior of the blended refined pitch during co-carbonation was analyzed using thermogravimetric data of the R-25% sample through four isoconversion methods. The thermal conversion of the R-25% sample occurs in three stages: the first stage follows the Parabola law model, while the second and third stages adhere to the random nucleation and nuclei growth model. This analysis of thermal conversion kinetics offers theoretical insights for optimizing mesophase pitch preparation process conditions and reactor design.

In this study, GNPs/FeCoNiCuAl particles synergistically reinforced aluminum matrix composites are developed by friction stir processing (FSP) to explore the effects of different GNPs contents (1, 3, and 5%) on the microstructure, mechanical performance, and wear resistance of the materials. The results show that the incorporation of GNPs affects the formation of the diffusion layer between the FeCoNiCuAl particles and the aluminum matrix. As the content of GNPs increases, the thickness and integrity of the diffusion layer between FeCoNiCuAl particles and aluminum matrix gradually decrease. In addition, the introduction of GNPs is beneficial in enhancing the proportion of high-angle grain boundaries in the composites, but the grain size of the specimen increases slightly to about 5.5 μm at a content of 5% GNPs. When the content of GNPs is 1%, the composites achieve the highest microhardness and the lowest specific wear rate (0.1459 × 10⁻⁶ mm3/ N·m), with the wear mechanism dominated by abrasive wear. Nonetheless, when the GNPs content in the composite increases to 5%, the thickness and integrity of the diffusion layer are minimal, causing the tensile strength of the composite to be reduced to 250 MPa, and the specific wear rate increased to 0.4244 × 10– 6 ( mm3/N·m), with the wear mechanism transformed to abrasive–adhesive mixed wear. This study demonstrates that the appropriate ratio of GNPs and FeCoNiCuAl particles can effectively enhance the mechanical and wear resistance properties of aluminum matrix composites, providing a theoretical basis for the design and development of high-performance aluminum matrix composites.

Poor bonding occurs with resin due to surface inertness of carbon fiber (CF), so CF surfaces were often treated. In some common surface treatments, sizing was a simple and effective modification method. Polyurethane (PU) was used as the main component of sizing agents due to its similar structure to polyamide 6 (PA6). The CF/PA6 composites’ interfacial properties were improved using PU as a sizing agent. Meanwhile, in this paper, glycidol (GLD) was introduced into the PU emulsion so that the epoxy group reacted with the carboxyl group on the acidified CF. After testing, when the content of glycidyl in the sizing agent is 2%, the CF/PA6 composites showed an important improvement in tensile, impact, and flexural strengths, which increased by 49.4%, 94.6%, and 53.2%, respectively. In addition, the effect of modified WPU sizing agents with different GLD contents on the properties of CF/PA6 composites was investigated.

This study examined planting seasons, crop rotation, and seed utilization across nine Andean p rovinces i n Ecuador: Carchi, I mbabura, Pichincha, C otopaxi, T ungurahua, C himborazo, Cañar, Azuay, and Loja. A total of 67 farms, representing 60.9% of those surveyed, employed legumes such as peas, beans, broad beans, lupins, and green beans to enhance soil fertility through rotation or intercropping. Among the 110 farms surveyed, 59 (53.6%) implemented a combined crop rotation scheme (including both pastures-to-crop and crop-to-crop rotations), 27 (24.5%) utilized a crop-to-crop rotation, and 18 (16.4%) focused solely on pastures-to-crop rotation. High-quality or certified seeds developed by the Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (INIAP) were used in 58 fields (19% of the surveyed fields), while the remaining 81% relied on self-saved seeds. These findings indicate that family farming in the Ecuadorian Andes is increasingly adopting sustainable agricultural practices that are resilient to climate change, thereby promoting biodiversity through the use of locally adapted agricultural resources.

It is challenging to treat canine brucellosis due to the immune evading and stealthy characteristic of the causative bacteria, Brucella (B.) canis. Gold nanoparticle aptamer (AuNP-Apt) conjugated antimicrobial peptide (AMP) is a promising alternative to antibiotics for various bacterial infections. However, the toxicity of AuNP-Apt has been variable throughout research, and the in vivo toxic mechanism has not been fully elucidated. This study evaluated the therapeutic potential against B. canis, and the toxicity of AuNP-Apt conjugated antimicrobial peptide, RW-BP100 (AuNP-AptHis-RW-BP100His), in a mouse model. Intravenous (IV) treatment with AuNP-AptHis-RW-BP100His reduced the bacteria burden and histopathologic lesions. The IV treatment also induced CD4+ T cell differentiation and modulated serum cytokine levels. However, high-dose AuNP-Apt was lethal, resulting in tissue accumulation and vessel embolism. Therefore, AuNP-AptHis-RW-BP100His is a promising therapeutic agent for B. canis treatment, but due to its toxicity, further studies are needed for its utilization in clinical practice.

Electrospun nanofibers have emerged as transformative materials due to their unparalleled surface-to-volume ratios, tunable porosity, and excellent mechanical flexibility, making them suitable for energy storage, catalysis, biomedicine, and environmental remediation. However, their inherent surface limitations—poor chemical stability, insufficient active sites, and limited functionality—restrict their full potential. Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) has risen as a game-changing postsynthesis modification strategy, enabling atomic-scale precision in surface engineering. This is also impactful for carbonbased nanofibers, where surface inertness limits their electrochemical performance. This review critically examines advanced CVD techniques, including atomic layer deposition (ALD), plasma-enhanced CVD (PECVD), and initiated CVD (iCVD), which enable the formation of conformal coatings, hierarchical functionalization, carbon nanotube integration, and interfacial optimization of as-spun nanofibers. We highlight breakthroughs in hydrophobicity, catalytic activity, biocompatibility, and energy storage performance, with applications ranging from oil–water separation to nerve gas detoxification, pH-responsive drug delivery, and high-capacity carbon-composite lithium-ion batteries. By dissecting deposition mechanisms, material innovations, and emerging applications, this work highlights the synergy between as-spun nanofibers and the exploitation of CVD techniques in designing versatile materials. Furthermore, advancements hinge on computational modeling, novel precursors, including carbon-rich sources, and scalable processes to bridge lab-scale innovations with industrial deployment are desired. This comprehensive analysis provides a guiding framework for researchers utilizing CVD techniques as a postmodification tool to develop nanofiber-based solutions addressing global challenges in sustainability, healthcare, and energy.

Autophagy is a ubiquitous and fundamental catabolic vital process for maintaining cellular homeostasis, achieved by degrading and recycling cytoplasmic components, particularly under conditions of nutrient deprivation or metabolic stress. This mechanism is also integral to the selective clearance of misfolded or aggregated proteins, the removal of dysfunctional organelles (such as mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum), and the intracellular degradation of pathogens, including those associated with peroxisomes. In this study, we screened and identified sesamin, a bioactive compound isolated from Hypericum hookerianum extracts, as a novel autophagy activator. Our results demonstrated that sesamin effectively induces autophagy and activates the lysosome biogenesis pathway.

Polypropylene waste significantly contributes to environmental pollution due to its low biodegradability. Numerous experiments have shown that laser irradiation of polymers can lead to the conversion of laser-induced graphene (LIG). In this paper, the LIG formation process in polypropylene (PP), polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), and polypropylene/polydimethylsiloxane (PP/PDMS) systems in a vacuum environment was simulated using molecular dynamics. The LIG yields and carbon network sizes of the systems in oxygen and vacuum environments at different temperatures were analyzed to determine the optimal temperature for upgrading PP to LIG. It was observed in all three systems that the LIG structure was formed. The structure was composed not only of six-membered carbon rings, but also of five-membered and seven-membered rings, resulting in out-of-plane fluctuations and bending. A vacuum environment and high temperature promote LIG formation with high yield, large size, and minimal defects. The current study provides theoretical guidance for optimizing the laser graphene process for PP assisted with PDMS in a vacuum environment and helps to understand the mechanism underlying the conversion from polyolefins to graphene under CO2 laser at the atomic level.

This study investigated the effects of oxidative firing parameters and raw material characteristics on the pelletization of Australian and Minh Son (Vietnam) iron ore concentrates. The influence of firing temperature (1050°C–1150°C) and holding time (15–120 min) on pellet compressive strength was examined, focusing on microstructural changes during consolidation. Green pellets were prepared using controlled particle size distributions and bentonite as a binder. Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analyses revealed that grain boundary diffusion, liquid phase formation, and densification significantly improved mechanical strength. X-ray diffraction confirmed the complete oxidation of magnetite to hematite at elevated temperatures, a critical transformation for metallurgical performance. Optimal firing conditions for both single and blended ore compositions yielded compressive strengths above 250 kgf/pellet, satisfying the requirements for blast furnace applications. These results provide valuable guidance for improving pellet production, promoting the efficient utilization of diverse ore types, and enhancing the overall performance of ironmaking operations.