Ivermectin (IVM), a macrocyclic lactone derived from Streptomyces avermitilis, is widely recognized as a "wonder drug" for its broad-spectrum efficacy against internal and external parasites in human and veterinary medicine. Owing to its potent pharmacological activity, precise quantification of IVM is essential for therapeutic monitoring and dose optimization. In this study, we report the design of a novel electrochemical sensor based on molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) technology, specifically tailored for the selective detection of IVM. The sensor was fabricated via an electropolymerization strategy employing methacrylic acid (MAA) as the functional monomer and aniline as the comonomer in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS, pH 7.0). To the best of our knowledge, this represents the first electropolymerization-based MIP sensor developed for IVM determination. The resulting MAA-IVM@MIP/GCE sensor was thoroughly characterized using cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Electrochemical detection was achieved through an indirect redox-probe approach with 5.0 mM [Fe-(CN)6]3-/4-, providing a wide linear range (1 × 10-12 -1 × 10-11 M) and remarkably low limits of detection (LOD: 2.91 × 10-13 M) and quantification (LOQ: 9.71 × 10-13 M). The sensor demonstrated high sensitivity, reproducibility, and selectivity, clearly distinguishing IVM from structurally related compounds. It maintained strong analytical performance in pharmaceutical formulations, biological matrices, and environmental samples such as tap water and soil, showing minimal matrix interference. These results confirm the platform's robustness and applicability. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to evaluate template-monomer interactions and determine the optimal template:monomer ratio for the MIP-based sensor. The results revealed that the 1:1 complex exhibited the most favorable binding characteristics, consistent with the experimental findings. In addition, the sensor fabrication strategy was designed in accordance with green analytical chemistry principles. The electropolymerization process was performed in aqueous phosphate-buffered saline under mild conditions without the use of excessive cross-linkers or hazardous reagents. The approach minimizes organic solvent consumption, reduces energy requirements, and enables sensor reusability, thereby contributing to a sustainable and environmentally responsible analytical platform. Overall, this cost-effective, scalable, and environmentally conscious electrochemical sensor provides a practical tool for reliable IVM monitoring and has strong potential for clinical diagnostics, pharmacokinetics, and pharmaceutical quality control.
This study reports the sustainable green synthesis of magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgONPs) using peel extracts from two avocado cultivars, Persea americana Mill. Hass and Fuerte, and demonstrates the strong influence of cultivar-dependent phytochemistry on nanoparticle properties and performance. UV–Vis spectroscopy confirmed MgONP formation with characteristic absorption bands at 220–280 nm, while FT-IR spectra revealed Mg–O stretching vibrations at 541 cm−1 (Hass) and 552 cm−1 (Fuerte), together with abundant hydroxyl and oxygen-containing functional groups derived from phytochemical capping agents. SEM analysis showed nanoscale particles (20–50 nm) forming porous and aggregated morphologies favorable for surface-mediated interactions. The synthesized MgONPs exhibited pronounced antibacterial and antifungal activity, with Fuerte-derived MgONPs producing larger inhibition zones (21 ± 1 mm against Escherichia coli, 23 ± 1 mm against Staphylococcus aureus, and 26.5 ± 1 mm against Aspergillus niger). Molecular docking studies supported these findings, revealing exceptionally strong binding affinities of MgONPs toward key bacterial outer membrane proteins (− 14.1 to − 16.9 kcal/mol) and fungal targets, including 1,3-β-glucan synthase (− 14.1 kcal/mol) and CYP51 (− 11.3 kcal/mol), surpassing those of reference antimicrobial agents. Environmental applicability was demonstrated through dye removal studies using five model dyes, where MgONPs showed dye-specific, dose-dependent removal with efficiencies exceeding 90% for selected dyes. Overall, Fuerte-derived MgONPs consistently outperformed Hass-derived counterparts, highlighting avocado peel–mediated MgONPs as efficient, low-cost, and multifunctional nanomaterials for antimicrobial and environmental remediation applications.
Kenya's Environmental Management and Coordination (Amendment) Act (2015) mandates Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) for mineral processing projects, yet evidence from Siaya County's gold leaching sector suggests widespread non-compliance, raising critical questions about whether licensing frameworks translate into improved environmental practices. This study evaluates the effectiveness of Kenya's licensing regime by examining whether licensing status, specifically EIA licenses and mineral dealers (processing) licenses, correlates with operational practices in cyanide handling, cyanidation wastewater treatment, and tailings management. Using purposive sampling based on operational scale, 15 gold leaching plants were assessed using structured key informant interviews with close-ended questions using an assisted questionnaire format, and Spearman's correlation analysis was employed to examine relationships between licensing status and management practices. Results revealed that 86.7% of surveyed plants operated without mandatory EIAs, exploiting agent-based mineral licensing loopholes that allow multiple facilities to circumvent individual environmental obligations. Critically, no significant correlations emerged between licensing status and any measured practice; cyanide, cyanidation wastewater and tailings management practices (p > 0.05 across all parameters), exposing Kenya's regime as symbolic regulation that prioritizes procedural compliance over substantive environmental safeguards. These findings align with global artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) challenges, where licensing often fails to mitigate hazards. The study identifies three governance failures: (1) regulatory loopholes enabling systemic non-compliance, (2) ceremonial adoption of policies without implementation, and (3) fragmented oversight between environmental and mining agencies. To address these gaps, the study advocates for outcome-based licensing, e.g., tying permits to verified practices, hybrid governance integrating community monitoring, and technology-specific standards such as mandatory closed-loop systems. These reforms offer a transferable model for mineral-dependent economies, emphasizing enforceable compliance over bureaucratic formalities to achieve sustainable mining.
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Heavy metal contamination remains a critical global environmental issue due to the persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity of metal ions such as Pb2+, Cd2+, Hg2+, and As³+. Although conventional analytical techniques provide high sensitivity and accuracy, they often rely on energy-intensive instrumentation, hazardous reagents, and generate considerable chemical waste, raising concerns regarding their environmental sustainability. In this context, molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP)-based electrochemical sensors have emerged as promising alternatives, offering high selectivity, operational simplicity, and compatibility with miniaturized and in situ analysis. This review critically examines the integration of Green Analytical Chemistry (GAC) principles into the design and fabrication of MIP-based electrochemical sensors for heavy metal monitoring. Particular attention is given to material selection, polymerization strategies, template removal approaches, and electrode modification techniques, with emphasis on their environmental implications. The applicability of quantitative greenness assessment tools, including the Analytical Eco-Scale, GAPI, AGREE, and AGREEMIP, is discussed in the context of sensor development workflows, highlighting both their strengths and current limitations in addressing fabrication stages, nanomaterial synthesis, and end-of-life considerations. By identifying methodological bottlenecks, particularly solvent-intensive template removal and limited reusability, this review outlines practical directions for advancing more sustainable sensor platforms. Overall, the work provides a critical framework for aligning analytical performance with environmental responsibility in next-generation MIP-based electrochemical sensing systems.
Developing innovative and effective technologies for the purification of wastewater contaminated with toxic pollutants is crucial worldwide for securing access to clean drinking water. In this context, catalytic reduction has emerged as a prominent and highly effective methodology. In this study, Ag nanoparticles with an average size of 30 nm were immobilized on magnetically recoverable sodium alginate/TiO₂/Fe₃O₄ hybrid microspheres (Ag@SA/TiO₂/Fe₃O₄) and evaluated as a heterogeneous nanocatalyst for the remediation of environmental pollutants. The synthesized Ag@SA/TiO₂/Fe₃O₄ nanocatalyst exhibited remarkable catalytic performance in the rapid reduction of nitroaromatic compounds, including 2-nitroaniline (2-NA), 4-nitro-o-phenylenediamine (4-NPDA), 4-nitroaniline (4-NA), and 4-nitrophenol (4-NP), completing reactions within 29-43 s. In addition, efficient degradation of organic dyes such as rhodamine B (RhB), methyl orange (MO), and methylene blue (MB) was achieved within 0-21 s. Additionally, the apparent rate constants (kapp) for 2-NA, 4-NPDA, 4-NA, 4-NP, RhB, and MO were calculated to be 0.034 s-1, 0.028 s-1, 0.05 s-1, 0.026 s-1, 0.091 s-1, and 0.024 s-1, respectively. Furthermore, Ag@SA/TiO₂/Fe₃O₄ was successfully recovered and reused up to seven times for 2-NA reduction. To evaluate its environmental safety, the ecotoxicological effects of the composite were assessed using Lemna gibba and Lemna minor as model aquatic organisms. The results indicated that no observable toxicity occurred at 2.0 g/L, while higher concentrations (2.5 g/L) induced sublethal effects such as biomass reduction and necrosis. Overall, the developed Ag@SA/TiO₂/Fe₃O₄ hybrid microspheres present promising, efficient, and environmentally compatible catalytic system for wastewater treatment.
This study investigated the biological mechanisms underlying temporomandibular disorder (TMD) pain in monozygotic twins discordant for the condition, isolating environmental factors from genetic influence. Twenty women (ten pairs of discordant twins) underwent standardized examinations and venous plasma analysis. Inflammatory biomarkers (IL-6, IL-10), oxidative markers (MDA, SOD, catalase), matrix remodeling proteins (MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, TIMP-2), and neurotrophic factors (BDNF, β-NGF, α2M) were measured. Twins with painful TMD demonstrated greater pain severity, functional interference, and mechanical sensitivity compared to discordant controls. Significant within-pair differences were identified in IL-6, IL-6/IL-10 ratio, MDA/SOD ratio, MMP-9, TIMP-2, and BDNF levels. Pro-inflammatory and oxidative indices positively correlated with pain intensity and palpation sensitivity, while reduced BDNF associated with greater symptom burden. Principal component analysis revealed a dominant inflammatory-oxidative profile that discriminated painful twins from controls. In genetically identical individuals, painful TMD associates with selective peripheral biological alterations involving inflammation, oxidative imbalance, and extracellular matrix remodeling. These findings could demonstrate that environmental and experiential factors biologically may contribute to vulnerability to chronic orofacial pain, highlighting the importance of epigenetic mechanisms in TMD pathogenesis beyond genetic predisposition. This article identifies specific peripheral biomarker profiles distinguishing monozygotic twins with and without painful TMD, and could show that inflammation, oxidative imbalance, matrix remodeling, and reduced neurotrophic support characterize the painful phenotype. These mechanistic insights could enable clinicians to develop targeted, biologically informed therapeutic strategies and potentially predict pain vulnerability in genetically susceptible individuals.
Ambient temperature and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) are important environmental determinants of chronic disease, yet their joint effects remain insufficiently understood. This study investigated the joint effects of long-term temperature-related exposures (annual mean temperature, diurnal temperature range [DTR], heatwaves, and cold spells) and PM2.5 chemical components on arthritis risk among 11,057 older adults in China. Cox proportional hazards models with time-varying exposures were applied to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We assessed multiplicative interactions between temperature-related exposures and PM2.5 components. Over the follow-up period, 3,042 (27.5%) participants developed arthritis. A 1°C increase in annual temperature was associated with a 4.3% lower risk of arthritis (HR 0.957, 95% CI 0.946 to 0.968), while a 1°C increase in DTR was associated with an 8.5% higher risk (HR 1.085, 95% CI 1.050 to 1.121). Cold spells were likewise associated with elevated arthritis risk. Notably, higher PM2.5 component levels attenuated the temperature-related risks (P for interaction <0.05 for most components). These findings suggest that colder temperature patterns and greater diurnal variability are important environmental risk factors for arthritis, and that temperature and air pollution should be considered jointly in relation to arthritis risk.
The traditional linear no-threshold model of toxicity and stress fails to capture the complex, adaptive nature of biological systems. Hormesis-a biphasic dose-response phenomenon where low-dose stress induces beneficial, adaptive responses while high doses cause harm-offers a more comprehensive paradigm. This article asserts that hormesis is a major, unifying explanatory principle of life that efficiently integrates evolutionary theory, genetics, and epigenetics. From an evolutionary perspective, hormesis is an energy-efficient strategy of adaptive homeostasis, permitting organisms to build biological capital during mild hardships/stresses to survive subsequent acute or chronic environmentally and/or age-related life-threatening challenges. Mechanistically, this survival strategy is hardwired into the genome via highly conserved stress-response networks (e.g., Nrf2, FOXO, Sirtuins) that upregulate cytoprotective pathways upon the detection of mild stressors. Furthermore, epigenetics provides the temporal bridge, recording these stress events via chromatin remodeling to create a lasting 'memory' of resilience, which may even be transmitted transgenerationally to prime/adapt offspring for future adversity. Ultimately, synthesizing these three biological domains through the lens of hormesis redefines biomedically based understandings of health, aging, and disease, demonstrating that biological resilience is actively maintained through manageable environmental and age-related challenges rather than the absence of stress.
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) standardization is largely based on chemical equivalence, yet achieving reproducible therapeutic efficacy remains challenging. This limitation reflects an implicit assumption that medicinal plants are chemically static materials, overlooking their nature as dynamically regulated biological systems. This commentary emphasizes plant epigenetic and metabolic plasticity as a missing dimension in current quality assessment strategies. Environmental and developmental factors can establish stable regulatory states through epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation and histone modification, thereby shaping metabolic organization beyond immediate growth conditions. Because therapeutic efficacy emerges from coordinated metabolic networks, evaluation based solely on static chemical composition is inherently limited. I propose an epigenetically informed materia medica framework for next-generation quality assessment. By integrating dynamic metabolic signatures, such as metabolite relationships and pathway coordination, with epigenetic indicators of regulatory history, this approach redefines consistency as predictable functional performance rather than chemical uniformity. This perspective provides a biologically realistic foundation for improving reproducibility while aligning standardization with the systemic principles of herbal therapeutics.
N-terminal acetylation (Nt-acetylation) is one of the most prevalent co-translational modifications in eukaryotes, affecting nearly 80% of the human proteome. Despite its ubiquity, the potential impact of this phenomenon on biomolecular condensation has been largely overlooked. Here, we uncover how this chemically subtle modification can exert broad and multifaceted control over phase behaviour, using Grh1, a Golgi-associated protein involved in stress-induced secretion in yeast, as a model system. We show that Nt-acetylation reshapes protein partitioning and condensate formation, reduces droplet size and number, dampens pH sensitivity, weakens electrostatic contributions, and suppresses water dipolar relaxation within condensates, indicating reduced internal hydration and environmental responsiveness. These effects are accompanied by acetylation-dependent dimerisation and local structural changes, including a concentration-dependent gain in α-helicity. Remarkably, co-condensation assays reveal that acetylated and non-acetylated forms of the same protein are only partially miscible, giving rise to core-shell architectures driven by differences in interfacial tension. Together, our findings highlight Nt-acetylation as a potent, generalisable regulator of condensate material properties, linking primary sequence chemistry to mesoscale organisation. Given its evolutionary conservation and prevalence across eukaryotic proteomes, Nt-acetylation may represent a widespread mechanism for modulating protein condensation in health and disease.
With the advancement of green chemistry and process intensification, continuous flow technology has emerged as a powerful tool in the manufacturing of fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals. Owing to their highly regular porous architectures, diverse chemical compositions, and excellent catalytic activity, porous materials have proven to be ideal supports and catalytic platforms for continuous flow catalysis. This review systematically summarizes the recent progress in the design and application of porous materials in continuous flow catalysis, with a focus on several major structural categories, including metal-organic frameworks, covalent organic frameworks/polymers, cages, porous silicates, monoliths, and polymeric carbon nitrides. It also covers various reactor types, including fixed bed, packed bed, and microreactors. Special emphasis is placed on elucidating the relationships among pore structure, electronic structure, active sites, and reaction-diffusion kinetics of porous catalysts within flow reactors. Their practical applications are outlined in areas such as selective catalysis of small molecules, photocatalysis, photothermal catalysis, and multistep cascade reactions in bioconversion processes. Furthermore, focusing on the technical challenges encountered during the industrial scale-up of continuous flow systems based on porous catalysts, this review examines key issues such as insufficient precise control over structure and function, limitations in the compatibility of particle and overall morphology design, difficulties in regulating low-pressure-drop fluid dynamics, and the challenge of maintaining high catalytic stability over extended operation. It also provides a systematic analysis of potential solutions to these problems. Finally, current challenges and future directions in the field are discussed, underscoring the pivotal role of porous materials in flow chemistry. It is hoped that this review will stimulate further research on the application of porous materials in continuous flow catalysis and facilitate the rational design of novel heterogeneous porous catalysts for industrial applications.
Nanoplastics (NPs) are emerging environmental contaminants capable of crossing biological barriers, accumulating in tissues, and disrupting physiological pathways. The male reproductive system is particularly vulnerable during the postnatal period, a developmental window characterized by intense testicular differentiation and epididymal maturation. This study investigated whether exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NP) during the juvenile and pubertal periods alters epididymal morphophysiology and sperm quality in C57BL/6 male mice. Animals (postnatal day, PND 22) received PS-NP orally at doses of 0.1 mg/day (PS-NP1X) or 1 mg/day (PS-NP10X) for 50 consecutive days. Body and epididymal weights showed no significant differences among groups. However, stereological analyses revealed marked epididymal remodeling, particularly in the caput segment, characterized by increased epithelial compartment volume and reduced stromal and luminal compartments in animals exposed to the higher dose. Leukocyte infiltrates were detected in both epididymal regions, suggesting inflammatory activation. Cytokine quantification indicated region- and dose-dependent imbalances between pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators, reflecting disrupted local homeostasis. PS-NP exposure reduced the percentage of morphologically normal sperm in both exposed groups and decreased total motile sperm in the high-dose group. Mitochondrial activity assessment revealed a higher proportion of sperm lacking mitochondrial function, indicating impaired energetic metabolism. In contrast, sperm viability and chromatin maturation remained unaffected. Together, these findings demonstrate that PS-NP exposure during postnatal development induces epididymal structural alterations, inflammatory dysregulation, and functional impairments in sperm quality, reinforcing the heightened vulnerability of this developmental window to plastic-derived contaminants.
The seed microbiome supports plant health and increases resilience under adverse environmental conditions. Seeds are also an important vector for transgenerational transfer of the plant microbiota. Even though research over the last decade has provided valuable insights into the functional roles of seed-associated microbes, these important members of the plant microbiome remain underexplored. This review systematically highlights recently discovered key functions of the seed microbiota. It covers taxonomic composition and diversity across plant species, transmission mechanisms, functional roles in germination and seedling establishment, growth promotion, and stress resistance. The review also addresses methodological challenges and highlights critical open questions regarding assembly, spatial compartmentalization, and translation into applications. Further research into seed microbiomes has the potential to not only increase the sustainability in plant production but also to increase food security in a changing climate. Reaching such outcomes will be facilitated by mechanistic studies that will disclose the remaining secrets of plant-microbe interplay at the very first developmental stage of most plants that nowadays inhabit Earth. Video Abstract.
Trachoma is a serious disease that gets little attention. It has a higher impact on low-income population categories. Due to this reason, the World Health Organization plans to enhance SAFE strategies to boost community contribution. There are few studies done in Ethiopian cities and towns on trachoma prevention practices. Due to this, the current study focused on the level of trachoma prevention practice among mothers who had children aged 1–9 years to provide timely data for local authorities and scientific communities. A community-based cross-sectional study design was used from 10 November to 30 December 2024 to assess the level of trachoma prevention practice. A single population proportion formula was used to sample the study units. Structured questionnaires and an observational checklist were used to gather data. A pretest was used to verify the quality of the data collection instruments. The binary logistic regression analysis model was used to examine the data using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Science) version 27.0. For the independent variables, those with p < 0.05 were deemed statistically significant using the 95% CI. Among the respondent, 30.29% (95% CI: 21.31–46.71) of mothers had good trachoma preventive practice. Mothers who completed secondary or higher education had 1.35 times more likely good trachoma prevention practice than those had no formal education (AOR = 1.35; 95% CI: 1.08–3.05). Similarly, mothers who received health education within one year had good trachoma prevention practice 2.45 times more likely than their counterparts (AOR = 2.45; 95% CI: 1.71, 4.20). Mothers who spent < = 30 min for fetching water had good trachoma prevention practice 1.48 times more likely than who spent > 30 min (AOR = 1.48; 95% CI: 1.24, 2.64). Mothers who had good knowledge had good trachoma prevention practice 2 times more likely than their counterparts (AOR = 2.00; 95% CI: 1.45, 5.07). Similarly, Mothers who had good attitude had good trachoma prevention practice 2.01 times more likely than their counterparts (AOR = 2.01; 95% CI:1.24, 5.21). In this study, most mothers had poor trachoma prevention practices. Completed secondary education, good knowledge, a good attitude, and a shorter time traveling to fetch water were significantly associated factors. This indicates that works are required to intervene such factors.
The welfare of non-human animals is central to ethical discussions on animal use, with increasing attention to fish welfare across research, aquaria, aquaculture, and fisheries. This paper reviews current theoretical approaches to animal welfare and recent advances in defining and assessing fish welfare since the seminal paper by Huntingford et al. (2006; J Fish Biol 68: 332-372), highlighting the growing role of cognitive and affective processes. It also includes the concept of positive welfare and some of the current research advances in this field. Methods for measuring, monitoring and assessing welfare via the utilisation of outcome- and input-based indicators are outlined, ranging from practical operational tools to laboratory-based measures. Welfare concerns in wild-capture fisheries are examined in relation to stress, flesh quality and sustainability, including the welfare of released fish. Recent advances in fish neurobiology, cognition and pain perception are summarised, together with technological innovations that enhance welfare monitoring and management. The paper also explores the relationship between fish welfare, sustainability, public concerns and consumer demand, and legal and moral recognition across contexts, situating fish welfare within the 'One Health' and 'One Welfare' frameworks that link animal welfare, environmental stewardship and human well-being. Ongoing challenges include climate change, cultural factors and the interpretation of fish sentience and cognition among others.
Chloroplast genome analyses provide critical insights into plant genetic diversity, evolution, and responses to abiotic stress. In Beta vulgaris L., a major crop contributing approximately 20% of global sugar production, breeding efforts have focused on improving root and sugar yield, including the introgression of traits from wild relatives such as Beta maritima for resistance to Rhizomania, Cercospora leaf spot, and nematodes. Haploid and doubled haploid technologies have further accelerated the development of homozygous lines for hybrid seed production. In this study, chloroplast genomes from ten cultivated and wild Beta genotypes were analyzed to elucidate their structural and functional features. All genomes displayed a typical quadripartite structure with conserved gene content and organization, encoding 113 unique genes related to photosynthesis, ribosomal RNA, and tRNA. Comparative analyses revealed conserved codon usage and identified polymorphisms, including single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and simple sequence repeats (SSRs), which serve as valuable genetic markers. SSR analysis detected 44-53 loci per genome, predominantly mononucleotide A/T repeats, while SNP analysis identified 333 A/G transitions and 306-309 C/T transitions across Beta species. Promoter analysis of photosystem genes further revealed a conserved regulatory architecture characterized by plastid-encoded RNA polymerase (PEP) - 10/-35 motifs and nuclear-encoded RNA polymerase (NEP) YRTA-type elements (TATA, TGTA, and CATA). Despite overall conservation, minor SNPs, particularly in B. corolliflora, were observed within promoter regions, indicating subtle regulatory variation. The coexistence of conserved PEP and NEP elements with limited polymorphism suggests a finely tuned transcriptional system that supports stable photosynthetic gene expression while allowing adaptive responses to environmental stress.