ABSTRACT The increasing diabetic population, as well as the prevalence of high‐fat diet‐induced pre‐diabetic conditions, have made it imperative to develop more effective and safe long‐term prevention and treatment strategies. In recent years, both the physical method static magnetic field (SMF), and the endogenous hormone fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) have shown promising treatment efficacy in type 2 diabetic animals. In this study, we further examined the effects of SMFs and FGF21 SS (a thermal‐stable FGF21 analog) on the other two types of diabetes, pre‐diabetes and type 1 diabetes (T1D) in mice. Our results show that continuous SMF exposure alone can reduce hyperglycemia by 28.5% ( p < 0.05) in T1D mice and 12.5% ( p < 0.05) in pre‐diabetic mice. Moreover, SMF can significantly enhance the anti‐diabetic effects of FGF21 SS , and the fasting blood glucose reduction was increased from 29.3% in FGF21 SS groups to 50.3% in the combinational groups for T1D mice ( p < 0.05), and from 9.7% in FGF21 SS groups to 19.2% in the combinational groups for pre‐diabetic mice ( p < 0.05). Tissue examination shows that the combination of SMF and FGF21SS can effectively reduce oxidative stress in the mouse liver and pancreatic islets, as well as lipid deposition in the liver, which contributes to alleviating diabetes. Therefore, our study presents an effective and safe strategy that can be potentially applied in diabetes management in the future.
Tumor treating fields (TTFields) is a non-invasive therapeutic technology that disrupts mitotic division via intermediate-frequency alternating electric fields. For non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) at 150 kHz, complex thoracic anatomy and heterogeneous tissue properties often hinder the attainment of the therapeutic threshold (≥ 1 V/cm). To overcome this, high-fidelity Duke (male) and Ella (female) anatomical models were employed for full-wave simulations. The coordinated deployment of orthogonal transducer arrays (AP-20, LR-20, LR-13) with sex-specific tuning substantially enhanced electric-field coverage in the lower and lateral lung regions. Furthermore, modifying lung dielectric parameters by 20% demonstrated that these configurations maintain stable therapeutic coverage, exhibiting robustness against potential physiological or pathological variations. To provide an experimental foundation, in vivo murine measurements were conducted. Rather than attempting to replicate deep spatial complexities of the human body, these experiments served as a translational bridge to validate macroscopic voltage transfer efficiency and system-level losses. By introducing a physically derived correction factor (Roi) to account for voltage delivery drops, statistical analyses confirmed a high agreement between simulated and in vivo datasets, verifying the reliability of the computational framework. Regarding safety, the computed electrode-skin current density remained strictly below 31 mA/cm2, which, alongside built-in clinical hardware temperature limits, effectively mitigates the risk of thermal and stimulation-induced injuries. Ultimately, this optimized strategy provides a complementary, independent physical modality that integrates bioelectromagnetic modeling with preclinical validation, offering a reliable theoretical reference to facilitate individualized NSCLC treatment planning.
When studying high dilutions, we concluded that the main role in their activity is played by the vibrational effect accompanying the dilution of the initial substance during their preparation. This concept served as the basis for developing a novel "crossing" technology, in which the initial substance and a neutral carrier (water or lactose), placed in separate, closely spaced vials, are subjected to joint vibrational processing. Consequently, the neutral carrier acquires the capacity of exerting a modifying effect on the initial substance or its target, thereby altering its physicochemical and biological properties, with the resulting product termed a vibrational iteration. In this work, the influence of vibrational iterations obtained from a neutrophil suspension as the initial substance on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by neutrophils was studied using a cellular chemiluminescence assay. The role of the magnetic characteristics of the fields under which the vibrational iterations were prepared was also investigated. It was shown that vibrational iterations prepared under geomagnetic field conditions exerted only a minor effect on ROS production by neutrophils. At the same time, vibrational iterations prepared under a combined magnetic field comparable to the geomagnetic background and supplemented with a low-amplitude variable component (50 nT with a frequency of 12.6 Hz) increased the ability of neutrophils to produce ROS by 44% ± 12%. These findings demonstrate the possibility of preparing vibrational iterations from various initial substances, including biological material. The modulating effect of combined magnetic fields on their activity was also demonstrated.
In this study, we investigated radio‑frequency electromagnetic field (RF‑EMF) levels at the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, a large‑scale international event that attracted approximately 26 million visitors during the event period. Spot and portable measurements were conducted for broadcast, 4G, 5G, and ISM bands in both indoor and outdoor environments. The observed E‑field strengths remained below the reference levels specified in the Japanese Radio Radiation Protection Guidelines, with the maximum E-field strength corresponding to 0.4% of the guideline limits. The RF‑EMF levels measured at the venue were comparable to those measured in typical urban areas and consistent with findings from similar studies conducted overseas. These results confirm that the level of RF‑EMF exposure during high‑density public events in Japan remains below regulatory limits and exhibits behavior trends similar to those observed in ordinary urban environments.
Lipids undergo oxidative degradation during storage, leading to quality deterioration and potential health risks; therefore, rapid and reliable monitoring methods are needed. This study evaluated dielectric measurements as an alternative approach to determine the oxidative status of different lipid systems (bulk oil, emulsion, and fatty acid methyl esters, FAMEs) during auto-oxidation. Samples were analyzed simultaneously by conventional chemical methods (peroxide value, p-anisidine value, and induction time) and microwave dielectric measurements in the 2-20 GHz frequency range using a coaxial probe. Strong correlations were observed between dielectric parameters and peroxide values as well as induction time in all lipid systems. Good correlations were also found between dielectric data and p-anisidine values in bulk oil and FAMEs, whereas correlations were moderate in emulsions. The results demonstrate that dielectric measurements show strong potential as a rapid, non-destructive, and environmentally friendly approach for assessing lipid oxidation.
In the highly corrosive wellbore environment, the commonly used material for oil casing, P110 steel, often forms a galvanic couple with the sacrificial anode magnesium (Mg) alloy. Sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) can further exacerbate metal corrosion through their metabolic activities, leading to premature failure of downhole equipment. However, the regulatory mechanism of SRB on the galvanic corrosion behavior of the AZ63 alloy and P110 steel has not yet been well understood. The results in this study showed that SRB could adsorb on the surface of the AZ63 alloy and form a dense biofilm, which enhanced the electrical resistance of the product film. The maximum pitting depth of the coupled Mg alloy decreased from 377 μm in the abiotic solution to 128 μm in the biotic solution. For the P110 steel, even cathodically protected by the Mg alloy, SRB could still accelerate its localized corrosion through multiple pathways. The galvanic current transferred from the Mg alloy provided the energies for SRB metabolism, forming a positive feedback loop of current-enhanced SRB activity-FeS formation-accelerated corrosion. The maximum pitting depth of the coupled P110 steel reached 7.7 μm, significantly greater than the 1.8 μm observed for uncoupled P110 steel in the biotic solution.
Efficiently reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) to high-value organic chemicals in microbial electrosynthesis (MES) systems hinges on the electrochemical performance of electrode materials. This study increased the efficiency of CO2 reduction to acetic and formic acids by creating a carbon felt (CF) cathode co-modified with nickel‑cobalt bimetallic oxide (NiCo2O4) and carbon nanotubes (CNT) coupled with an enriched mixed microbial community derived from anaerobic sludge. Compared to NiCo2O4/CF and CF cathodes, the CNT-NiCo2O4/CF cathode increased acetate yield by 1.3- and 2.3-fold, and formate yield by 1.1- and 2.4-fold, respectively. Within 8 days, the system achieved 742.98 mg/L acetate and 566.37 mg/L formate. Performance gains stem from: (1) the synergistic effect of CNT and NiCo2O4, which increased electrode surface area and electron transfer efficiency; (2) enhanced hydrophilicity, which improved microbe-electrode interactions; and (3) the presence of Co/Ni ions, which boosted CF conductivity and the selective enrichment of electroactive microbes (e.g., Sporomusa and Cupidesulfovibrio). This study provides an innovative strategy for developing high-performance MES electrode materials. Through the synergistic design of bimetallic oxides and nanocarbon materials, the conversion of CO2 to acetic acid and formic acid was achieved, offering a feasible technical pathway toward carbon neutrality.
Plasma l-citrulline is widely recognized as a clinically important biomarker, primarily serving as an indicator of intestinal function; it is used to assess and monitor the severity of intestinal failure and short bowel syndrome, as well as to diagnose congenital citrullinemia associated with urea-cycle disorders. However, its rapid and simple quantification remains challenging. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an amperometric biosensor for l-citrulline. In this work, the biosensor was developed based on mediated electron transfer (MET)-type bioelectrocatalysis of l-citrulline dehydrogenase (CitDH). The enzyme was immobilized on a mesoporous carbon electrode modified with graphene-coated porous silica spheres (G/PSS) and quinoline-5,8-dione (QD). A catalytic current for l-citrulline oxidation was obtained through QD-mediated electron transfer between immobilized CitDH and the electrode. The biosensor exhibited a linear amperometric response to l-citrulline concentrations ranging from 0.040 to 0.787 mM, with a sensitivity of 1.08 ± 0.17 μA cm-2 mM-1. Interference from l-arginine was minimal at low concentrations (approximately 0.1 mM), with a 3.7-fold higher sensitivity observed for l-citrulline within the linear response range. The sensor performance covers clinically relevant concentration ranges for hypercitrullinemia, demonstrating the feasibility of amperometric citrulline sensing. This study provides a new electrochemical platform for practical citrulline detection.
Enzyme-powered DNA walker suffers from limited loading capacity of substrate strand and incompatible recognition and enzymatic catalysis environments. To improve the sensitivity, AuNPs@Fe3O4 was employed as track interface to construct an enzyme-driven DNA walker, which features magnetic separation characteristic and high specific surface area. Upon recognition of kanamycin, a large amount enzymatic cleavage fragment presented in the supernatant after consecutive cleavage of substrate strand by activated walking strand. To further amplify the signal, these enzymatic cleavage products mediated an in-situ deposition of polyaniline (PANI) on the tetrahedral DNA nanostructure (TDNA) modified electrode enables a label-free detection of kanamycin. Owing to the introduction of magnetic separation, the background signal was substantially reduced compared with that obtained using DNA-AuNPs, resulting in approximately 2.5-fold enhancement in the signal-to-noise ratio (S/N). Under optimal experimental conditions, a good linear relationship was observed between the logarithmic concentration of kanamycin and the current signal difference in the range of 5-100 pM and the limit of detection was 1.1 pM. Furthermore, the practical performance of the proposed method had been well-demonstrated through real sample validation in spiked milk samples, with recoveries ranging from 92.0% to 102%, confirming its practical application capability.
This study investigated the potential impact of fifth-generation (5 G) radiofrequency (RF) on the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Electrocardiograms (n = 43) and salivary samples (n = 33) were collected from healthy young volunteers before, during, and after exposure to a 3.5 GHz frequency (electrical field intensity ~1-2 V/m) emitted by an antenna while participants were seated at rest. Heart-rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) indices, including time and frequency domain measures, were analyzed from short-term epochs during both "real" and "sham" exposure sessions, under eyes-open (EO) and eyes-closed (EC) conditions. Initial variations in RR intervals and HR were observed during 5 G exposure; however, these effects were not confirmed by post-hoc analyses after correction for multiple comparisons, suggesting the absence of consistent exposure-related modulation. The only statistically significant result was a time-by-exposure interaction for the RMSSD parameter during the final exposure period. This effect was small in magnitude, limited to a single time point, and not supported by other parasympathetic indices, and should therefore be interpreted cautiously as it may reflect normal physiological variability or a statistical artifact. No consistent exposure-related effects were detected in salivary stress biomarkers, including cortisol, alpha-amylase, and chromogranin A. Although minor variations were observed in some measures, all values remained within normal physiological ranges, and their clinical relevance remains uncertain. These findings are restricted to the specific experimental conditions examined, namely short-term far-field exposure (25.5 min) at low specific absorption rate (SAR) levels (0.008 mW/kg in the brain). Overall, the results provide preliminary baseline human data at 3.5 GHz rather than confirmatory evidence of biological effects. Further studies involving larger cohorts and longer exposure durations are required to determine whether subtle or cumulative autonomic effects of 5 G exposure can be reliably detected. Bioelectromagnetics. 00:00-00, 2026. © 2026 Bioelectromagnetics Society.
Formal risk assessment considers characteristics such as proximity, dose, and vulnerability. However, public risk perception may also be influenced by other-possibly less relevant-factors such as visibility and novelty. The introduction of 5G and its associated infrastructure and radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) may therefore change perceptions of RF-EMF from mobile communications in general. To explore this, we conducted an online survey in 10 European countries (n = 10,358) using a picture-based approach. Respondents perceived daily RF-EMF exposures as moderate but expected them to increase with 5G. A mobile phone at the ear was generally associated with higher perceived exposure than multiple base stations. Overall, distance to the RF-EMF source most strongly influenced perceived exposure, followed by the number of sources. 5G reception was linked to higher exposure perception than 4G or Wi-Fi reception. These patterns were consistent across most countries. We conclude that when assessing RF-EMF exposure, people rely on heuristics (e.g., more sources imply more exposure) that often guide them correctly. Understanding when and why people feel particularly exposed can help develop more effective communication about true levels of exposure and risk.
Electrokinetics-assisted phytoremediation of Cd contamination is an effective method. This study conducted a hydroponic experiment to investigate the mechanism by which electric field enhances Cd extraction by hyperaccumulator. AC electric field induced a significant increase in biomass yield and Cd accumulation. Cd concentration in the xylem sap was clearly elevated by AC. Exposure to AC led to a remarkable increase in the proportions and content of Cd in shoot cell wall and soluble component fractions, and Cd distribution in root organelles and soluble component fractions. Furthermore, the level of IAA and ABA in plants was clearly increased by AC. AC application also induced a significant increase in the activities of POD, CAT, and APX in both shoots and roots. Quantitative analysis revealed that the relative expression levels of most genes encoding IRT, ZIP, NRAMP, HMA, MTs, and PCs proteins related to Cd transport and detoxification in S. alfredii were significantly upregulated by AC. Mantel analysis indicated a significant correlation between biomass yield and photosynthesis, phytohormone, nutrient uptake, as well as antioxidase activity. Mantel analysis and PLS-PM revealed that the upregulation of gene expression levels caused by AC stimuli plays a crucial and positive role in Cd enrichment in hyperaccumulator.
TC4 (Ti-6Al-4 V) titanium alloy resists seawater corrosion by forming a TiO2 passive film, yet its integrity is strongly affected by biofilm-induced interfacial heterogeneity. This work examined passive film modification under five conditions: sterile artificial seawater, Bacillus safensis, Pseudoalteromonas nigrifaciens, Chlorella marina, and a bacterial-algal symbiotic system. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, polarization curves, Mott-Schottky analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and cell quantification were combined to correlate biofilm features with semiconductor defects and corrosion performance. Bacterial and mixed biofilms developed extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) barriers that stabilized n-type TiO2 with oxygen-vacancy defects, raising electron escape and improving protection. P. nigrifaciens produced a compact, viscous EPS layer that yielded the best corrosion resistance, while B. safensis showed dynamic evolution from early protection to mid-stage defect increase and late partial self-repair. In contrast, the porous algal film of C. marina generated p-type defects, facilitating Cl- ingress and poorer resistance. The symbiotic system balanced these effects through concurrent O2 generation and EPS shielding. The overall corrosion-resistance order was P. nigrifaciens > ASW ≈ B. safensis > Symbiotic > C. marina. These findings reveal how biofilm structural properties mediates passive film semiconductor properties and suggest an EPS-based interfacial design to improve the durability of marine titanium components.
This study developed a novel molecularly imprinted electrochemical cell sensor for ultrasensitive detection of deoxynivalenol (DON). Using o-phenylenediamine as the functional monomer and Caspase-3 as the template molecule, a molecularly imprinted polymer film was synthesized on screen-printed electrodes via electropolymerization. After elution, the sensor was integrated into a three-electrode system. Upon DON exposure, Caspase-3 released from HepG2 cells specifically binds to the imprinted cavities, altering the current response of the electrochemical indicator [Fe(CN)₆]4-/3-. Using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), the peak current showed a linear relationship with DON concentration from 0.2 to 100 pg/mL, with a detection limit of 0.193 pg/mL (R2 = 0.9977). This work provides a new method for rapid DON detection in food and expands the application of molecular imprinting in mycotoxin analysis.
Magnetic field therapy is a non-invasive, safe, and simple method used to directly treat various diseases and pathologies. The aim of this systematic review is to examine the evidence for the efficacy of bio-electro-magnetic-energy-regulation (BEMER), a magnetic field therapy, in the treatment of musculoskeletal pain. A database search was conducted using the following resources: PubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, and WoS. The following search strategy was used and adapted for each database: ("pain") AND ("BEMER" OR "BEMER therapy" OR "PEMF" OR "bio-electromagnetic energy regulation" OR "pulsed electromagnetic field" OR "vascular therapy"), in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 statement. Randomized controlled trials involving pain assessment in musculoskeletal pathologies, written in English, published between 1 January 1990 and 30 July 2023 were included; cell, animal, and in vitro studies, reviews, and conference proceedings were excluded. The PEDro scale was used to assess the risk of bias. Seven randomized controlled trials were included. Across the included studies, some reductions in pain were reported after BEMER therapy; however, only one of four sham-controlled studies found BEMER to be superior to sham treatment. Considerable heterogeneity was observed in treatment protocols. Overall, the current evidence does not demonstrate that BEMER therapy is more effective than sham/placebo in reducing musculoskeletal pain. Standardized, high-quality trials are needed to clarify whether BEMER has any specific treatment effect beyond placebo. Bioelectromagnetics. 00:00-00, 2026. © 2026 Bioelectromagnetics Society.
Biorefineries offer a sustainable model that supports circular economy and nutrient recovery from waste feedstocks. Biorefineries were centered on microalgae for biomass and biofuel generation, but the concept has shifted toward inclusion of more versatile microorganisms to cope with diversity of waste substrates. Purple phototrophic bacteria (PPB) are particularly interesting, as they can treat wastewater while producing biomass, polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), and carotenoids. Furthermore, PPB can utilize electrodes as extracellular electron donors, enhancing the synthesis of these products. Additionally, electrochemical moving bed reactors have been shown to improve PHB production by supporting electroactivity in planktonic cells. In this study, a photo microbial electrochemical moving bed reactor (photoME-MBR) was scaled up from 250 mL to 50 L, which constitutes the largest example for a bioelectrochemically-assisted PPB case study. The new configuration was operated under cathodic conditions to assess biomass, PHB, and carotenoid production; brewery wastewater treatment efficiency, and bioelectrochemical performance. Synthesis of value-added products at pilot scale was comparable to laboratory-scale productivity, while achieving organic pollutants removal at a rate of 136 gTOC/m3·d. Cathodic polarization significantly enhanced PHB production (100 mgPHB/gDryBiomass) by promoting extracellular electron uptake from the conductive bed. Microbial community analysis identified Rhodopseudomonas sp. and Bradyrhizobium sp. as dominant genera.
The present work reports the development of an electrochemical immunosensor using a metal-organic framework (MOF)/metallic nanocluster electrode surface for the detection of 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 (VitD3). The copper metal-coordinated organic porphyrin linker, 4,4,4,4-(Porphine-5, 10, 15, 20-tetrayl) tetrakis (benzoic acid) (Cu-TCPP) was prepared and utilized for the synthesis of Zirconium-based PCN-222(Cu) MOF, which was further conjugated to gold nanoclusters (AuNC). The fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) was sequentially modified with this nanoconjugate, p-phenylenediamine (PDA), bioreceptor antibodies (anti-VitD3), and blocking agent, 6-mercaptohexanol (MCH) to achieve the biosensor electrode, i.e., FTO/AuNC@PCN-222(Cu)/PDA/anti-VitD3/MCH. The electrode was used to detect VitD3 in a wide linear range, i.e., 1 to 108 fg/ml via electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The detection limit and analytical sensitivity were found to be 0.088 fg/ml and 1.35 × 102 Ω/fgml-1 cm-2, respectively, with retained ∼91.9% of the actual response till 42 days in the presence of 103 fg/ml VitD3. The ultra-sensitivity of the biosensor in spiked human serum and real samples, was validated with the standard ELISA. Its outstanding selectivity and analytical performance open up new avenues for integrating AuNC@PCN-222(Cu)-based electrochemical sensors into miniaturized, cheaper, and real-time diagnostics.
This study aimed to investigate the synergistic effect of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) and pulsed electric field (PEF) in inducing immunogenic cell death (ICD) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells. CAP and PEF devices were self-developed. MDA-MB-231 cell line was used and divided into five groups: Control, CAP, PEF, CAP before PEF, and PEF before CAP. Optical emission spectroscopy confirmed that CAP produced reactive species such as He, OH, N₂ and O, and infrared thermal imaging showed that the maximum temperature during the treatment did not exceed 28.3 °C. CAP could significantly increase the content of H₂O₂, NO₂- and NO₃- in PBS. Scavenger experiments showed that the cytotoxicity of CAP was completely reversed by Catalase and N-Acetylcysteine (NAC), while that of PEF was only reversed by NAC. Furthermore, CAP before PEF treatment had the strongest killing and pro-apoptotic effects on TNBC cells, and the increase in ICD markers was the most significant. Mechanically, pre-treatment with CAP allowing PEF to cause more extensive membrane disintegration. CAP before PEF treatment also triggered the most intense mitochondrial oxidative stress, leading to a significant rise in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels.
Cardiac troponin I (cTnI) is the primary disease marker for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). In this study, we successfully constructed an electrochemical immunosensor based on diazotization reaction to achieve ultrasensitive detection of cTnI. Taking their structural advantages, gold nanostars (Au NSs) were introduced to combine more capture antibodies. Through diazotization reaction, graphene aerogels (GAs) successfully captured thionine (Thi) molecules obtaining GAs-Thi. Specifically, the three-dimensional porous network structure of GAs was utilized to capture more Thi molecules and the chemical bond effect ensures a stable signal output. Meanwhile, the structural advantages of GAs also contribute to the anchoring of detection antibodies. Under the specific recognition effect of antigens and antibodies, a sandwich-like biosensor was successfully constructed, which showed a wide detection range (1 × 10-4 - 100 ng mL-1) and a low detection limit (27.2 fg mL-1). Given the stable signal output, the signal reproducibility of sensors from different batches was excellent with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of only 1.07%. Even more surprisingly, the sensor's signal response remained at 90.35% of the initial value after 3 weeks. Finally, the biosensor demonstrated good accuracy in human serum samples, conforming its high potential for biomedical applications.
Heavy metal contamination is persistent due to non-biodegradability and toxicity. Here, a hierarchical MXene/NiCo2O4/PANI-modified carbon felt anode was developed to enhance extracellular electron transfer (EET) and thereby improve cathodic Cu2+ removal in microbial fuel cells (MFCs). The engineered anode reduced interfacial charge-transfer resistance, promoted electroactive biofilm formation, and reshaped the microbial community toward exoelectrogenic taxa (e.g., Geobacteraceae), leading to a markedly improved power output (Pmax = 2.47 ± 0.08 W m-2). In the cathode chamber, rapid Cu2+ remediation was achieved (99.2 ± 0.1% within 15 h at 30 mg L-1), following a dual-pathway process involving initial interfacial capture and subsequent electroreduction to insoluble Cu0/Cu2O. Moreover, stable Cu2+ removal under intermittent operation was enabled by the pseudocapacitive charge-buffering behavior of the NiCo2O4/PANI framework. This work clarifies how anodic interfacial engineering governs cathodic metal reduction and provides a scalable strategy for coupling metal remediation with energy recovery.
