Radio-frequency (RF) and microwave dielectric ceramics are key materials for high-frequency electronic devices. Among them, perovskites outperform conventional dielectrics due to their high quality factor ( Q = 1/dielectric loss) and exceptional reliability. However, their practical application is limited by the trade-off between Q & times; f and the temperature coefficient of resonant frequency ( rf ), as well as by their high densification temperature ( >= 1500 degrees C). Here, a synergistic strategy combining B-site complex-ion modification with composite sintering-aid engineering is proposed. The optimized 95CZT05CMN composition exhibits excellent microwave dielectric properties of dielectric constant sr = 32.4, Q & times; f = 34,240 GHz, and rf = + 16.8 ppm/ degrees C at 1540 degrees C. More importantly, the 5G1L0.5C-modified ceramics can be densified at 950-1050 degrees C while retaining favorable dielectric properties ( sr = 27.3-31.9, Q & times; f = 12,920-13,400 GHz, rf = -6.1 to -11.6 ppm/ degrees C), together with a high flexural strength of 212 MPa. Furthermore, a C-band dielectric resonator antenna delivers radiation efficiency above 85%, while multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) fabricated show excellent C0G-type stability ( AC / C25 degrees C within +/- 0.3%) and a dielectric loss of similar to 0.06% at 1 MHz. These results establish a viable route toward low sintering temperature, low-loss and thermally stable CaZrO3 -based perovskites for advanced RF and integrated electronic applications. (c) 2026 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The editorial office of Journal of Materials Science & Technology.
Peptic ulcer disease remains clinically important despite effective Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication and acid-suppressive therapy. Gastric injury reflects an imbalance between aggressive factors, including acid-pepsin activity, H. pylori, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), ethanol, oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and microvascular disturbance and protective mechanisms such as mucus-bicarbonate secretion, prostaglandin signaling, nitric oxide-regulated blood flow, epithelial restitution, and endogenous antioxidant defenses. Bixa orellana L. (annatto or achiote) is a tropical medicinal plant whose seed arils are rich in the apocarotenoids bixin and norbixin, whereas its leaves contain variable phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, alkaloids, and other constituents depending on geography, maturity, and extraction method. This critical narrative review uses a structured search and qualitative evidence-appraisal framework to evaluate extract-specific phytochemistry, direct gastric evidence, indirectly relevant gastrointestinal and vascular evidence, mechanistic plausibility, safety, quality control, and translational readiness. The available literature supports B. orellana as a biologically plausible preclinical mucosal-protective candidate, particularly for prevention of acute chemical injury; however, it does not establish clinical efficacy or chronic ulcer-healing activity. Confidence is limited by the small number of direct gastric studies, incomplete chemical characterization, inconsistent separation of leaf and seed evidence, limited dose-response testing, narrow model selection, and insufficient mechanistic and histological endpoints. Future studies should use authenticated plant material, voucher specimens, chromatographic fingerprints, quantitative markers, complementary prevention and healing models, acute and repeated-dose toxicology, mucus and prostaglandin measurements, oxidative and inflammatory biomarkers, and blinded histological scoring before human investigation is justified.
Streptococcus suis is a swine-associated bacterial pathogen of zoonotic relevance in Asia, where its epidemiology reflects the intersection of widespread porcine carriage, diverse production systems and human exposure pathways. Across Asian swine populations, S. suis circulates endemically, with asymptomatic carriage established early in life and maintained through to slaughter, providing a persistent reservoir for both animal disease and zoonotic spillover. Reported detection frequencies and serotype composition of S. suis varied widely across countries and studies. While serotype 2 remained most consistently associated with invasive disease and human infection, non-serotype 2 and non-typeable strains still contributed substantial genetic and antimicrobial resistance diversity. The distribution of classical virulence determinants similarly reflected overlapping reservoirs of highly virulent and carriage-associated lineages rather than a strict pathogenic-commensal divide. Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns across Asia suggested sustained selective pressure from veterinary antimicrobial use, with widespread resistance to several commonly used classes. This was contrasted by generally preserved activity of selected β-lactams and critically important agents, with notable context-dependent exceptions. In humans, S. suis infection in Asia was observed to be predominantly foodborne or occupational, embedded within slaughter, handling and consumption practices rather than arising from rare or accidental exposure. Control experiences across Asian regions demonstrated that improved diagnostic recognition and surveillance can rapidly redefine disease burden. However, long-term risk reduction remains constrained by informal production systems, entrenched sociocultural practices and uneven regulatory implementation. In conclusion, the Asian S. suis landscape is characterised by endemic circulation in pigs, substantial regional and strain-level heterogeneity and persistent zoonotic risk linked to food and occupational exposure. Thus, S. suis exemplifies a One Health pathogen and effective control depends on a sustained, integrated approach across animal health, food systems and human clinical care.
A large amount of fruit is wasted each year due to postharvest physiological metabolism (e.g., respiration and transpiration and ripening), improper storage conditions (e.g., gas environment, temperature, and humidity), and deterioration triggered by microbial multiplication, of which tissue browning is particularly serious. Although a large number of experiments have been conducted focusing on one or more factors affecting enzymatic browning in postharvest fruit, there are few systematic and comprehensive summaries of those core factors that influence fruit browning during postharvest storage. Therefore, this paper comprehensively summarizes the key factors, including cell membrane integrity, browning-related enzymes, associated enzyme substrates, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as how they influence fruit browning after harvest under different conditions. Based on the synergistic interaction of multiple factors, membrane structural disruption induced by important postharvest factors serves as the primary prerequisite for enzymatic browning, while ROS act as key signaling molecules that intensify the process. Under such conditions, enzyme catalyzed-browning reactions become inevitable, but the degree of browning is significantly regulated by various postharvest treatments. Furthermore, how different fruit varieties and ripening stages respond to these core factors is also significantly varied. Future research should focus on elucidating the synergistic regulatory mechanisms governing enzymatic browning influenced by these factors, especially carefully considering the variations among different fruit types and ripening stages. Furthermore, the necessity of using combined technologies targeting these core factors is emphasized for inhibiting postharvest fruit browning.
Nanocellulose (NC) has emerged as a multifunctional, renewable nanomaterial with immense potential to advance the performance, sustainability, and functionality of next-generation construction systems. This mini review critically examines recent developments in the integration of NC into a broad range of construction materials including clay bricks, cementitious binders, geopolymers, gypsum, and polymeric composites with a focus on eco-efficiency and multifunctionality. We explored domains such as thermal insulation, mechanical resilience, fire resistance, moisture regulation, and fresh-state rheological properties, alongside functionalities including self-cleaning, antimicrobial efficacy, and passive climatic modulation. Particular emphasis is placed on hybrid systems that combine NC with materials such as MXenes, TiO2, nanosilica, and ZnO for synergistic effects. Challenges including dispersion in mineral-rich matrices, long-term durability, cost-effective scale-up, and the absence of regulatory standards are also critically discussed. This mini review is concluded by outlining key future directions, including lifecycle assessment, pilot-scale testing, and multifunctional surface engineering, to accelerate the adoption of NC in sustainable, smart, and climate-resilient infrastructure.
