Laboratory automation is transforming biotechnology, yet current microalgal phenotyping platforms lack the integration and scalability needed for comprehensive trait analysis under diverse conditions. To address this, PhenoSelect was developed, an automated system combining robotics, spectroscopy, fluorometry, flow cytometry, and data analytics for high-throughput, multi-trait phenotyping. Five algal species were profiled across 96 environmental and chemical conditions, quantifying photosynthetic efficiency, growth rate, and cell size. Phenotypic plasticity was quantified using convex hull volume, with trait patterns visualized through Ranked Spider Plots and heatmaps. Haematococcus pluvialis exhibited the largest phenome size, indicating broad plasticity, while Nannochloropsis australis showed the smallest. Optimal growth and photosynthetic performance varied by species, with low light and nutrient-rich media as key drivers. PhenoSelect enables precise, reproducible phenotyping with minimal manual input, supporting applications in biofuels, bioremediation, and nutraceuticals. By accelerating strain screening and optimisation, PhenoSelect bridges phenotyping gaps and drives scalable microalgal biotechnology.
This paper introduces a novel neutron production system for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) that employs a lithium beam in inverse kinematics to generate forward-directed neutrons through the 7Li (p,n)7Be reaction. The system utilizes a thin polypropylene target and an optimized beam configuration to achieve high neutron yield and precise directional control. A tape target mechanism is incorporated to effectively manage thermal loads, ensuring stable and reliable operation. The proposed system could offer substantial advantages over conventional neutron sources, including enhanced neutron directionality and a reduced shielding requirement. This approach increases the potential for precise tumor targeting while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues, paving the way for a more accessible and efficient BNCT treatment option.
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Phytoremediation is a plant-driven process, widely regarded as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly in situ approach for remediating contaminated soil and water by taking up contaminants including potentially toxic elements (PTEs). In the last two decades, substantial research has focused on elucidating the mechanisms of phytoremediation and enhancing its efficiency, primarily through the identification of optimal plant species and the use of various amendments. Nevertheless, real-scale application of phytoremediation remains rare, and several critical questions need to be addressed, including selection of most effective species, improved effectiveness of phytoremediation process, and managing the safe utilisation of contaminated biomass. This review specifically focuses on phytoremediation of potentially toxic metals and metalloids in major metallophyte groups (wild herbaceous species, trees, and agricultural crops) recognizing the most efficient species for the anthropogenically influenced soils in Europe. It summarises the current state of knowledge regarding the use of respective plant species, highlighting the phytoremediation efficiency, critically examining existing and novel phytoremediation enhancement strategies and biomass utilisation pathways for each particular group. Future perspectives and research needed to refine the efficiency and economic viability of the phytoremediation process in Europe lay in better recognition of underlying physiological mechanism for metal stress tolerance, particularly among the most effective species and genera, application of synergistic enhancing techniques for delineated group of metallophytes and development of sustainable and cost-effective biomass utilisation routes.
- Keywords
- Contaminated biomass utilisation, Hyperaccumulation, Metalloids, Metallophytes, Phytoremediation, Potentially toxic elements,
- MeSH
- Biodegradation, Environmental * MeSH
- Biomass MeSH
- Metals * metabolism MeSH
- Soil Pollutants * metabolism MeSH
- Soil chemistry MeSH
- Plants metabolism MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Review MeSH
- Geographicals
- Europe MeSH
- Names of Substances
- Metals * MeSH
- Soil Pollutants * MeSH
- Soil MeSH
Covalent triazine framework (CTF) derivatives have emerged as promising metal-free electrocatalysts due to their high nitrogen content and intrinsic porosity. However, their performance remains limited by sluggish interfacial charge transport and the inaccessibility of active sites. Herein, we report an interfacial covalent bridging strategy based on grafting polymerization to construct a carbon heterostructure electrocatalyst, featuring vertically aligned nitrogen-doped nanosheets covalently anchored onto graphene (v-N/CNS/Gr) support. The covalently bridged interface promotes interfacial charge transfer across the heterostructure, activating otherwise dormant nitrogen active sites and amplifying the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) reactivity. In situ spectroscopic analyses and theoretical simulations reveal that the covalent bridged bonding promotes charge transport and oxygen activation, and optimizes the adsorption/desorption of intermediates, collectively contributing to reduced energy barriers along the 4e- ORR pathway. As a result, the v-N/CNS/Gr delivers excellent ORR activity with a half-wave potential of 0.85 V (vs RHE). When employed as the cathode in a Zn-air battery, v-N/CNS/Gr achieves a high-power density and stable operation over 850 h. This work demonstrates a generalizable triazine-polymer-based interfacial bridge strategy for enhancing active site accessibility and charge transport in metal-free electrocatalysts.
- Keywords
- Zn-air battery, covalent bridging strategy, directed charge transfer, metal-free electrocatalyst, oxygen reduction reaction, triazine polymer,
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Dried blood spot (DBS) technique has gained significant attention due to the growth of decentralized diagnostics. This technique reduces the number of hospital visits for patients and the workload for personnel in specialized hospitals. This microsampling method provides an environmentally friendly (green) and patient-friendly alternative to conventional phlebotomy. Challenges related to sample heterogeneity in traditional DBS cards have been overcome by the volumetric DBS sampling using new types of commercially available devices. Due to the unstable nature of the analytes, commercial volumetric DBS devices allow blood sampling at primary care units in remote settings and facilitate transport it via temperature-controlled systems. Blood sample stability has improved from 24 h at 4-8 °C to 30 days at -80°C. DBS also requires over 1000 times less shipping and storage space than liquid blood. We optimized the DBS method to require only 10 µL of blood and achieve extraction efficiencies of over 90 % for retinol when the result from validated method is the reference value. However, α-tocopherol recovery varied from 53 to 75 % depending on the filter paper type used. Furthermore, we successfully developed a liquid-liquid extraction method for both analytes from whole blood, with over 90 % recovery. Our approaches eliminate the need for separate serum and erythrocyte extractions, simplify sample preparation, and reduce reagent use and energy consumption. Both devices enable reliable volumetric collection. Our approach makes micronutrient monitoring more accessible and enables sample collection in decentralized settings. This aligns with the objectives of green analytical chemistry and universal health coverage.
- Keywords
- Bioanalysis, Dried blood spot, Miniaturization, Retinol, Whole blood, α-tocopherol,
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Wharton's Jelly multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (WJ-MSCs) hold potential for regenerative medicine, particularly in soft tissue engineering. However, their adipogenic differentiation capacity is inferior to adipose tissue-derived MSCs (AT-MSCs). This study aimed to optimize adipogenic differentiation for WJ-MSCs by leveraging insights from the comparative analysis of WJ- and AT-MSC lipidomic profiles. Lipidomic profiles of non-induced cells were compared, and adipogenic differentiation was induced with and without exogenous oleic or linoleic acid supplementation. Differentiation efficiency was determined based on lipid droplet formation, triglyceride (TG) content quantification, and the expression of adipogenic markers. Significant differences in TG composition were observed, with WJ-MSCs showing higher levels of 52-carbon TGs and AT-MSCs having more 56-carbon species. Both cell types had similar fatty acid (FA) profiles, with 18-carbon FAs making up over 50%. Adding oleic acid to the differentiation medium significantly enhanced lipid droplet formation and upregulated adipogenic markers in WJ-MSCs, aligning their adipogenic capacity more closely with AT-MSCs. In contrast, linoleic acid showed no significant benefits. The study underscores the critical role of the initial lipidomic profile in the adipogenic differentiation of MSCs. Supplementation with oleic acid represents a promising approach for improving adipogenic differentiation of WJ-MSCs and their utility in soft tissue engineering.
- Keywords
- Adipogenic differentiation, Adipose tissue, Linoleic acid, Lipidomic profile, Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells, Oleic acid, Triglycerides, Wharton’s jelly,
- MeSH
- Adipogenesis * drug effects MeSH
- Cell Differentiation drug effects MeSH
- Cells, Cultured MeSH
- Linoleic Acid pharmacology MeSH
- Oleic Acid pharmacology MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Lipidomics * methods MeSH
- Fatty Acids * metabolism pharmacology MeSH
- Mesenchymal Stem Cells * metabolism cytology drug effects MeSH
- Triglycerides metabolism MeSH
- Adipose Tissue cytology metabolism MeSH
- Wharton Jelly * cytology metabolism MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Names of Substances
- Linoleic Acid MeSH
- Oleic Acid MeSH
- Fatty Acids * MeSH
- Triglycerides MeSH
Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have shown promise as photocatalysts for chemical transformations. However, their dense micropores and poor pore connectivity hinder mass transport and charge separation/transfer, limiting their efficiency. Herein, we develop a one-step self-sacrificing template strategy to synthesize three-dimensional ordered macroporous COFs (3DOM-COFs). This approach uniquely integrates in situ Tp-Tta COF crystallization with synchronized degradation of polystyrene templates under solvothermal conditions. This method introduces unreported kinetic match between template decomposition and framework growth. Such a confined growth mechanism leads to structurally robust and highly ordered macroporosity without post-processing. 3DOM architecture enables uniform dispersion of fine ZnCdS nanoparticles for the generation a 3DOM-COF based S-scheme heterojunction, which exhibits remarkable performance in the oxidation of benzylamine (BA) for simultaneous N-benzylbenzaldimine production with 99% selectivity at a rate of 15.1 mmol g-1 h-1 and H2 generation with a rate of 17.8 mmol g-1 h-1. The 3DOM architecture confers 50-fold faster mass transport than bulk COFs, while the heterojunction facilitates directional charge separation and interface charge transfer. Density functional theory calculations confirm that the heterojunction optimizes reaction thermodynamics by lowering the potential energy barriers of BA activation. The work pioneers a template-concurrent synthesis paradigm, resolving COFs' critical pore engineering challenges.
- Keywords
- COFs, Charge separation, H2 evolution, Imine synthesis, Mass transfer,
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Selection of the optimal makeup solvent composition is critical for achieving sensitive and reproducible ionization in supercritical fluid chromatography-mass spectrometry (SFC-MS). This study investigated the ionization processes in a spray-based ionization source called UniSpray (US), by an artificial neural network driven approach, emphasizing the effect of makeup solvent composition. A set of compounds with different physicochemical properties was analyzed using a generic SFC method and 24 makeup solvents. Artificial neural networks were used to correlate molecular descriptors with MS responses and to identify key analyte properties affecting ionization. Statistical analysis of this extensive dataset revealed significant differences in ionization efficiency compared to electrospray ionization (ESI), depending on makeup solvent composition and analyte properties. While US outperformed ESI for 82 % of compounds, certain analytes, including basic beta-blockers, fluorine-substituted compounds, and small lipophilic molecules, benefited from ESI. Optimized makeup solvent compositions differed notably between ESI and US. For example, ethanol and isopropanol were recommended for US+ but not for ESI+. The use of water and ammonia also affected MS responses differently between sources and ionization modes, with optimal concentrations varying depending on the analyte and organic modifier of the SFC mobile phase. This study highlights key differences between SFC-ESI-MS and SFC-US-MS ionization efficiency and demonstrates the utility of data-driven methodologies for faster and more efficient method development.
- Keywords
- Artificial neural networks, Chemometrics, Electrospray, Mass spectrometry, Supercritical fluid chromatography, UniSpray,
- MeSH
- Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization * methods MeSH
- Mass Spectrometry * methods MeSH
- Neural Networks, Computer MeSH
- Solvents chemistry MeSH
- Chromatography, Supercritical Fluid * methods MeSH
- Artificial Intelligence * MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Names of Substances
- Solvents MeSH
The current effective antibiotic therapy requires modern approaches focused on optimizing treatment and slowing the growth of antimicrobial resistance. A key tool in hospitals is the concept of antimicrobial stewardship, which relies on collaboration in multidisciplinary teams composed of infectious disease specialists, microbiologists, clinical pharmacists, and epidemiologists. These teams focus on the correct choice of antibiotic and its dosage, monitoring its effectiveness and minimising adverse effects. Expanding possibilities in the field of monitoring and interpretation of plasma concentrations of an increasing number of antibiotics enable effective and safe optimization of dosing and administration methods (prolonged and continuous infusions) adjusted for individual patients, thereby allowing a personalized approach to pharmacotherapy. The optimization of antibiotic dosing is further supported using modern administration tools. In the hospital setting, electronic parametric prescribing, centralized preparation and dispensing of anti-infectives by the hospital pharmacy also leads to improved safety. In outpatient care, possibilities are expanding with the concept of outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy, which reduces the risk of nosocomial infections and provides the comfort of a home environment for patients. However, its broader use is hindered mainly by the lack of official stability data for antibiotic preparations, as well as administrative and financial barriers associated with integrating this innovative concept into routine practice.
Indigenous bacteria are very potent and useful in remediating hazardous pollutants specific to particular geographical locations. This work aimed to isolate two potent acid red dye decolorizing bacterial strains, namely Bacillus sp. strain UoMP1 and Citrobacter sp. strain UoMP2, from a textile effluent sample and aimed to optimize the conditions and explore the probable enzymatic involvement. The two isolates, namely D2 and D3, exhibited tolerance towards dye in an optimized concentration range of 2-4%. The decolourization percentage was approximately 80% for D2 and 75% for D3. The optimized conditions for decolourization were 72 h of incubation, pH 7, and a temperature of 37 °C. It is well known that the enzymes from the class reductase play a key role in the decolourization of various dyes and other xenobiotics. In this study, the azoreductase activity in D2 and D3 was found to be remarkably high under optimal conditions. The maximal intracellular azoreductase activity was 6.5 and 2.5 µg of acid dye reduced/min per mg of protein in D2 and D3 isolates, respectively. In the D2 isolate, an increased concentration of extracellular polysaccharides under dye stress suggested a possible role of extracellular decolourization and complexation mechanisms. Based on the 16 s RNA gene amplification, sequencing, and analysis, D2 and D3 were identified as Bacillus sp. strain UoMP1 and Citrobacter sp. strain UoMP2, respectively. Bacillus sp. strain UoMP1, an indigenous bacterial isolate, was found to be very efficient in decolourization of an azo dye-acid red dye used in the silk industry. This study provides valuable insights into the non-toxic tolerable dye concentration for these bacterial cells, which employ both enzyme-based decolourization mechanisms and extracellular mechanisms via extracellular polysaccharide production. Further exploration of biochemical and molecular mechanisms will help refine these isolates for field applications.
- Keywords
- Bacillus sp., Citrobacter sp., Azoreductase, Decolourization, Enzyme activity, Textile effluents,
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
