Cancer cells contain higher levels of ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species) and RNS (Reactive Nitrogen Species) than normal cells. The increased levels of ROS/RNS in cancer cells stimulate proliferation as well as metastasis processes. Therefore, maintaining the level of these reactive species is an important factor in antitumor therapy. Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (BAL) probiotics have been attracting much attention for the last few years due to the increasingly noticeable results in the field of anticancer activity. These live microbes in combination with food products, such as mushrooms, have great potential in cancer therapy.

This study aimed to examine the individual antioxidant effect of the probiotic BAL on HeLa cells (cervical cancer cell line), as well as its activity in co-treatment with the ethyl acetate extract of the mushroom L. sulphureus (EALS – concentration 10 µg/mL). NBT assay was used to quantify superoxide anion radicals' level (O₂^.-), Griess assay for NO₂^-, and glutathione test for GSH according to standard procedures. Cervical cancer cells were incubated with treatments in a modified 2D co-culture system, and the results were evaluated after 12 and 24 h.

Our results suggest a strong antioxidant activity of BAL probiotics on HeLa cells. The levels of ROS and RNS, as well as GSH, remained at significantly low levels compared to the control. This is especially important if we consider that it is favorable for cancer cells to have reactive species elevated. On the other hand, in the BAL/EALS 10 µg/mL treatment, the parameters of oxidative status were higher compared to BAL, which indicates that the EALS extract slightly reduced the antioxidant activity of the tested probiotic. Overall, the results of this study indicate that BAL and BAL/EALS 10 µg/mL treatments are valuable subjects for future studies of antioxidative activity in HeLa cells.

Bismuth ferrite (BiFeO₃, BFO) is highly regarded for its high-temperature ferroelectric and magnetic properties, making it ideal for advanced applications such as ferroelectric photovoltaic devices. This study aims to enhance BFO’s performance by doping it with zirconium (Zr) cations. Thin films of both undoped and Zr-doped BFO were prepared using the sol–gel method and spin-coated onto fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrates. X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the films retained a rhombohedral crystal structure, while UV–Visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy indicated high transparency and a direct band gap. Notably, the band gap narrowed with Zr doping, improving the material's suitability for visible light applications. Ferroelectric measurements revealed that Zr doping led to increased saturation polarization, coercive field, and remnant polarization in the films. Photoconductivity tests further demonstrated that Zr-doped films exhibited reduced leakage current densities, attributed to the co-doping effect, enhancing the films efficiency for photovoltaic applications. These findings highlight the significant improvements in optical and ferroelectric properties of Zr-doped BFO films, making them crucial for the advancement of photovoltaic technology. By combining improved optical transparency and enhanced ferroelectric characteristics, Zr-doped BFO films represent a promising avenue for developing high-performance ferroelectric photovoltaic devices. This research underscores the potential of Zr-doped BFO in contributing to next-generation photovoltaic technologies, paving the way for more efficient energy harvesting and utilization. The integration of Zr-doped BFO films in photovoltaic systems could lead to substantial advancements in energy efficiency and the development of innovative energy solutions.

The Huisgen reaction, also known as 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition, has become an indispensable tool in modern organic chemistry. This type of reactions is now widely employed for the preparation of heterocycles and is also involved in many applications for the synthesis of natural products and biologically active compounds. The success of cycloaddition reactions relies on their potential to provide access to four-, five-, and six-membered rings with excellent stereocontrol and yield. For instance, the Diels–Alder reaction is a [4+2] cycloaddition that yields a functionalized six-membered ring product. Generally, it is well known that cycloaddition reactions are commonly characterized by a concerted mechanism, and thus, the atoms on the dienophile or the diene maintain their orientation in the product. Additionally, 1,3-dipolar reactions have also been theoretically investigated over the last few decades by theoretical chemists in order to explain their kinetics mechanism and study their yields, regioselectivity, and stereochemistry with available theories and approaches. The analogy to the electronically equivalent Diels–Alder reactions was evident. Back in 1960, the concerted reaction mechanism of cycloadditions was proven by both experiment and theory, and it was found to be a good explanation for most [3+2] cycloadditions. In this study, the most popular density functional theory (DFT) B3LYP method was used to characterize two 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions, i.e., the regioselectivity using conceptual DFT, such as Fukui and Parr functions, and the exploration of reaction mechanisms via the elaboration of the energetic profile.

Introduction

Nanobiosenors, i.e., probes encapsulated in nanoparticles, have been widely employed in disease diagnosis and pharmacokinetic analysis. In our published work, a probe with a dialkylcarbocyanines skeleton (generally known as DiR) was incorporated into solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) to produce DiR-SLN, which was intended for biological fate tracking after pulmonary delivery. As shown by the previous results, the self-synthesized DiR-SLN possessed great chemical and physical stability during storage. Of note is that the stabilization mechanism of such a system remained unclear. Based on a preliminary study and literature survey, we hypothesized that the strong interaction between DiR molecules and SLN carrier materials guaranteed great stability. In order to validate this hypothesis, we examined the interaction between DiR and the main components of SLN, viz. cetyl palmitate (CP) and Tween 80 (T80) by the isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) technique.

Methods

ITC was a technology commonly used in biochemistry to unravel the interaction pattern between various molecules. In the present study, titrations of DiR towards CP and DiR towards T80 were performed, in a cosolvent of 98% acetone–water (v/v). The tests were conducted in triplicates.

Results

It was shown that both DiR-CP and DiR-T80 titrations exhibited negative peaks (peak value -2 and -4 μcal/s, respectively), suggesting exothermal interaction modes. After integration processing, the change in enthalpy (ΔH) was calculated to be approximately -5 and -20 kcal/mol for DiR-CP and DiR-T80, respectively. Considering the exothermal nature and the ΔH values, it was inferred that weak (in DiR-CP) and moderate (in DiR-T80) hydrogen bonds were generated.

Conclusions

The hydrogen bonds between cargo and carrier might be a critical contributor to system stability. Our study provided a potential approach to analyze the stabilization mechanism of nanobiosenors, which could pave the way for the future studies.

This study investigates the application of Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINNs) to solve the differential algebraic equations (DAEs) governing the complex dynamics of a Two-Phase Reactor and Condenser with Recycling system (TPRCR system). The TPRCR system is characterized by highly nonlinear, stiff, and interdependent equations that describe variables such as concentrations, temperatures, and pressures. Traditional numerical methods often struggle with these equations due to their complexity, sensitivity, and potential partial unknowns, such as difficult-to-model transport phenomena and reaction kinetics. PINNs offer a unique data-driven approach by directly embedding the physical laws governing the TPRCR system into the neural network's training process, thereby bypassing the need for a fully explicit derivation from the governing equations. This makes them particularly effective for systems like TPRCR, where exact analytical solutions are elusive and traditional methods require significant computational effort. In this study, we trained multiple PINN models using the AdamW optimizer with a learning rate of 0.001 over 500 epochs. These models accurately predicted system dynamics, including concentrations, temperatures, and pressures. The root-mean-squared error was employed as the loss function to guide optimization and ensure high accuracy in predictions. Our results demonstrate that PINNs successfully capture the complex behaviour of the TPRCR system, with predictions aligning closely with those obtained from conventional DAE solutions. The computational efficiency and fast convergence of PINNs further highlight their potential for robust performance in chemical process modelling. This study underscores the value of PINNs in addressing the specific challenges posed by the TPRCR system, making them a promising tool for future research and industrial applications in chemical engineering.

One way to implement the global program for sustainable development and ensure adequate nutrition for the population is by creating mass-consumption products, minced meat products utilizing sources of various biologically active compounds. Polyunsaturated fatty acids of sunflower oil, polyphenolic complexes, antioxidants, dietary fibers of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) and dried leaves of black currant (Ribes nigrum L.) (DLBC) not only significantly increased the nutritional and biological value of the products but also improved their functional and technological properties, organoleptic characteristics, reduced losses after heat treatment, and extended the shelf life of the products. The stability of minced meat emulsions (SE) with sunflower oil and fenugreek or sunflower oil and DLBC was evaluated based on the mass fraction of the intact emulsion, which lost a certain amount of moisture and fat after heat treatment at a temperature of 75–80°C for 60 minutes. The SE index for minced meat with a mass fraction of fenugreek of 1.7% and 3.4% exceeded the SE of the sample without fenugreek by 3.0% and 4.9%, respectively. The SE for minced meat with a mass fraction of DLBC of 0.75% and 1.85% exceeded the results of the sample without DLBC by 7.5% and 8.9%, respectively. The indicators of fat-holding capacity and water-holding capacity of minced meat with the addition of fenugreek or DLBC exceeded the results of samples without supplements by 6.3%, 3.2%, and 14.5%, 20.6%, respectively. The protein content of ready-made meat products with plant supplements was 16.5-18.5%. The products contained vitamins E, A, β-carotene, and minerals such as sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, and iron. Due to the use of fenugreek, the iron content increased from 1.27±0.03 mg% to 1.71±0.04 mg% and 2.14±0.04 mg%. The created products can be characterized as health products that can be recommended for adjusting the diet of the population.

The simulation of routes and the optimization of urban traffic are crucial research areas for improving mobility in contemporary cities, particularly in Brazil. With population growth and a rapidly expanding vehicle fleet, urban areas face increasing challenges, such as traffic congestion, pollution, and extended travel times. This study centers on an initial traffic analysis using computational models to predict and optimize road and public transport flows. The methodology integrates real-time traffic data from public agencies and georeferenced information from bus fleets to analyze congestion patterns and vehicle behavior.
Various scenarios are examined, including modifications to road infrastructure, the use of intelligent traffic light systems, and the promotion of alternative transportation modes like bike lanes and enhanced public transport. These scenarios are tested to assess their potential impact on reducing congestion and improving public transit usage. Optimization tools like genetic algorithms and linear programming are employed to determine the most effective traffic management strategies.
Using simulation software as BEAM— Behavior, Energy, Autonomy, and Mobility, together with exact models such as the Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP) and the K-Rural Postman Problem (K-RPP) allow us to archive these goals. The preliminary results showed the critical parts of traffic and the pollution caused by it. With this data we can simulate changes in bus routes and schedules, and also make interventions. This way, we can increase traffic speed, reduce congestion, and improve the functioning of public transport. This study supports sustainable urban planning by providing a data-driven foundation for decision-making on urban mobility. By using real-world data from Brazil, we can test which models perform best in more complex environments like Pernambuco, where disorganized growth presents significant challenges for maintaining efficient transit flow.

Introduction:

The global energy transition towards renewable sources is a critical challenge to mitigate the effects of climate change. With an energy system highly dependent on hydropower, Chile faces a unique challenge due to the megadrought that limits water resource availability. This situation drives the need to diversify the energy matrix with non-conventional renewable sources, such as solar and wind energy, to reduce vulnerability to extreme weather events.

Methodology:

This study conducts a bibliometric analysis to identify the main research lines on using renewable energy resources in megadrought. The search was carried out in the Scopus database using critical terms related to renewable energies, drought, and the optimization of photovoltaic and wind plants. Data were analyzed using Bibliometrix and VOSviewer, generating co-authorship, keyword, and publication networks. After applying exclusion filters, 82 documents were selected, and a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the results was conducted.

Main Results:

The bibliometric analysis showed an exponential increase in the scientific production of renewable energies over the last six years. The most studied areas include solar energy (26.83%), climate change (29.27%), and renewable energies in general (25.61%). The most relevant keywords were "renewable energy," "solar energy," and "wind energy," reflecting the focus on energy diversification and the search for solutions to water scarcity. China and the United States lead scientific output, with Stanford University and Nanjing University being among the top institutions.

Main Conclusions:

This study highlights the importance of non-conventional renewable energies in Chile’s energy matrix, especially in prolonged droughts. The integration of solar and wind technologies offers high potential to mitigate the impacts of climate change and ensure the country’s energy security. Further research on optimizing these energy sources and policies that promote the energy transition and reduce dependence on vulnerable water resources is needed.

A clean water source is essential for the continuity of the vital activities of all living things in the world. However, water pollution has become a global problem that threatens all living and non-living ecosystems. In response to this problem, both proven and alternative technologies have been used recently for the treatment of wastewater. Among these technologies, the adsorption method has gained popularity as it is a simple and environmentally friendly, highly effective method. The main role of the method is the adsorbents used, especially the different designed adsorbents obtained from waste materials and their surfaces come to the fore. The main goal in designing or modifying is to increase adsorption capacity by improving properties such as specific surface area, pore distribution and modification ability. The main purpose of this research is to evaluate the surface and functional structures of materials such as tuff, olive stone, coffee waste and date waste. In many studies, these materials are modified in terms of their surface structure to ensure the removal of different pollutants. In order to investigate the surface structure and chemistry of the adsorbents selected in the study, including functional groups, analyses were performed with Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).

Background: The use of plant-based additives with high nutritional value in the bakery technologies is an important trend in the development of functional foods.

Objective: The aim of this study was to develop the technology of wheat and rye breads as functional foods with antioxidant properties using plant-based by-products of oil industry. The inclusion of additives such as wheat germ and rosehip cake meal was carried out by partially replacing flour in the wheat and rye bread formulation in the range of 3-20% (depending on the type of additive).

Methods: The total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and the total polyphenol content (TPC) of the samples were determined by galvanostatic coulometry with electrogenerated bromine as a model oxidant and a spectrophotometric Folin—Ciocalteu method, respectively. The TAC and TPC values of the samples were classified using multivariate statistical methodology techniques such as cluster and principal component analysis.

Results: It was found that the inclusion of plant-based additives increased both the antioxidant properties of TAС and TPС of both wheat and rye bread. The greatest effect of an increase in TAС at the level of 10% was observed in samples of wheat bread with the inclusion of rosehip meal. The TAC of rye bread samples was higher than wheat bread samples. There is a positive correlation between TAC and TPC values for samples with a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.898. This confirms the possibility of using TAC as a preliminary characteristic of the antioxidant properties of samples. The use of cluster analysis methodology allowed us to classify the effect of additives on increasing antioxidant properties in the form of two clusters. The results of multivariate analysis were discussed.

Conclusion: The inclusion of wheat germ flour and rosehip cake in the bread formulation develops a functional food with increased antioxidant properties.