Contribution of the diatom Navicula sp. to the growth of Penaeus vannamei post-larvae in biofloc system: a quantitative stable isotope assessment.

The addition of Navicula sp. to shrimp nurseries can improve the growth of Penaeus vannamei reared in biofloc systems. However, the contribution of microalgae to the biofloc formation and the effective contribution to shrimp nutrition remain unknown. In this study, Navicula sp. was added to biofloc nursery systems of P. vannamei at distinct time frequencies for evaluating its nutritional contribution to shrimp growth. Nursery rearing was carried out in bioflocs for 35 days at a stocking density of 3000 post-larvae m-3. Shrimp were fed using a commercial feed plus fresh culture of Navicula sp. at different frequencies: no addition of Navicula sp. (WN - control), the addition of 10 × 104 cells mL-1 of the diatom every 5, 10 and 15 days (N5, N10 and N15, respectively). Food sources relative contribution to P. vannamei development was estimated using a Bayesian mixture model. The isotopic discrimination factor (Δ15N and Δ13C) for each food source was determined experimentally. After 35 days of culture, survival (∼93 %) was similar across all treatments but there was a significant difference in weight gain and feed conversion ratio. The N10 treatment (0.50 ± 0.05 g, 0.99 ± 0.01) exhibited better growth parameters when compared to the WN treatment (0.33 ± 0.07 g, 11.46 ± 0.30). Biofloc was the food source most assimilated by shrimp followed by Navicula sp. and commercial feed. Contribution of Navicula sp. was higher in the N5 treatment. In the treatments with diatom addition, an inverse correlation was observed between the relative contributions of biofloc and Navicula sp., indicating that Navicula sp. is not in the biofloc composition, but it is directly consumed by P. vannamei post-larvae. Biofloc and Navicula sp. exhibited larger contributions to the growth of shrimp, reinforcing the importance of natural food sources to the aquaculture of P. vannamei post-larvae.

Development of a Facile and Green Synthesis Strategy for Brightly Fluorescent Carbon Dots from Various Waste Materials.

Carbon dots (CDs) are fluorescent carbon-based nanomaterials with remarkable properties, making them more attractive than traditional fluorophores. Consequently, researchers focused on their development and application in fields such as sensing and bioimaging. One potential advantage of employing CDs is using organic waste as carbon precursors in their synthesis, providing a pathway for waste upcycling for a circular economy. However, waste-based CDs often have low fluorescence quantum yields (QYFL), limiting their practical applications. So, there is a need for a well-defined strategy to consistently produce waste-based CDs with appreciable QYFL, irrespective of the starting waste material. Herein, we developed a fabrication strategy based on the hydrothermal treatment of waste materials, using citric acid as a co-carbon precursor and ethylenediamine as N-dopant. This strategy was tested with various materials, including corn stover, spent coffee grounds, cork powder, and sawdust. The results showed consistently appreciable QYFL, reaching up to ~40%. A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study demonstrated that producing these waste-based CDs has lower environmental impacts compared to CDs made solely from commercial reagents. Thus, we have established a framework for the environmentally friendly production of CDs by upcycling different waste materials without significant sacrifices in performance (QYFL).

Shedding reduction and immunity modulation in piglets with an inactivated Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae vaccine encapsulated in nanostructured SBA-15 silica.

Mycoplasma (M.) hyopneumoniae is a primary etiological agent of porcine enzootic pneumonia (PEP), a disease that causes significant economic losses to pig farming worldwide. Current commercial M. hyopneumoniae vaccines induce partial protection, decline in preventing transmission of this pathogen or inducing complete immunity, evidencing the need for improving vaccines against PEP. In our study, we aimed to test the effectiveness of the SBA-15 ordered mesoporous silica nanostructured particles as an immune adjuvant of a vaccine composed of M. hyopneumoniae strain 232 proteins encapsulated in SBA-15 and administered by intramuscular route in piglets to evaluate the immune responses and immune-protection against challenge. Forty-eight 24-day-old M. hyopneumoniae-free piglets were divided into four experimental groups with different protocols, encompassing a commercial vaccine against M. hyopneumoniae, SBA-15 vaccine, SBA-15 adjuvant without antigens and a non-immunized group. All piglets were challenged with the virulent strain 232 of M. hyopneumoniae. Piglets that received the SBA-15 and commercial vaccine presented marked immune responses characterized by anti-M. hyopneumoniae IgA and IgG antibodies in serum, anti-M. hyopneumoniae IgA antibodies in nasal mucosa and showed an upregulation of IL-17 and IL-4 cytokines and downregulation of IFN-γ in lungs 35 days post-infection. Piglets immunized with SBA-15 vaccine presented a reduction of bacterial shedding compared to piglets immunized with a commercial bacterin. In addition, piglets from SBA-15 adjuvant suspension group presented increased IL-17 gene expression in the lungs without involvement of Th1 and Th2 responses after challenge. These results indicated that SBA-15 vaccine induced both humoral and cell-mediated responses in the upper respiratory tract and lungs, first site of replication and provided protection against M. hyopneumoniae infection with a homologous strain with reduction of lung lesions and bacterial shedding. Finally, these results enhance the potential use of new technologies such as nanostructured particles applied in vaccines for the pig farming industry.

Anthropogenic debris as nest material in three swift species: New insights into the interactions of atmospheric pollution with wildlife.

Plastic pollution has become a global concern, affecting many species around the world. While well-documented for marine ecosystems, the impact of plastic pollution on terrestrial ecosystems is comparatively limited. In fact, only recently have some studies begun to explore the occurrence, pathways, and impacts of plastic in the atmosphere and on terrestrial species. Here, we assess the presence of synthetic material in nests of three swift species breeding in the Western Palearctic: the common swift (Apus apus), the pallid swift (Apus pallidus), and the alpine swift (Tachymarptis melba). Using data from 487 nests spanning 25 colonies and seven European countries, we show that 36.5 % of the examined nests contained anthropogenic materials, mainly plastic debris. Notably, Pallid swifts' nests, with 85 % of the total nests examined with plastic, rank among birds with the highest plastic content in nests. We also demonstrate that the probability of finding plastic in the nest increased substantially with the human footprint of the landscape. Last, we recorded four cases of swifts entangled in their own nest, a low proportion compared to other species studied previously. Our study provides compelling evidence that plastic pollution may also be considered a concern for other terrestrial species, particularly for birds with highly aerial lifestyles, such as other swifts. The correlation with the human footprint suggests that areas with higher human activity contribute more significantly. Moreover, the entanglement cases, although low, indicate a threat to bird health and welfare. To our knowledge, our study is the first to report a direct interaction between floating plastic debris in the atmosphere and any species. Understanding this interaction is key, not only due to the lack of research on the topic, but also because it highlights that plastic pollution is a multifaceted environmental issue affecting various ecosystem categories, and the broader implications of atmospheric plastic circulation on wildlife and ecosystems health.

Radicality and safety of total mesopancreatic excision in pancreatoduodenectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic head cancer patients who undergo pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) often experience disease recurrence, frequently associated with a positive margin status (R1). Total mesopancreas excision (TMpE) has emerged as a potential approach to increase surgical radicality and minimize locoregional recurrence. However, its effectiveness and safety remain under evaluation. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to synthesize current evidence on TMpE outcomes. A systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases was conducted up to March 2024 to identify studies comparing TMpE with standard pancreatoduodenectomy (sPD). The risk ratio (RR) or mean difference (MD) was pooled using a random effects model. RESULTS: From 452 studies identified, 9 studies with a total of 738 patients were included, with 361 (49%) undergoing TMpE. TMpE significantly improved the R0 resection rate (RR 1.24; 95% CI 1.11-1.38; P < 0.05), reduced blood loss (MD -143.70 ml; 95% CI -247.92, -39.49; P < 0.05), and increased lymph node harvest (MD 7.27 nodes; 95% CI 4.81, 9.73; P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in hospital stay, postoperative complications, or mortality between TMpE and sPD. TMpE also significantly reduced overall recurrence (RR 0.53; 95% CI 0.35-0.81; P < 0.05) and local recurrence (RR 0.39; 95% CI 0.24-0.63; P < 0.05). Additionally, the risk of pancreatic fistula was lower in the TMpE group (RR 0.66; 95% CI 0.52-0.85; P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Total mesopancreas excision significantly increases the R0 resection rate and reduces locoregional recurrence while maintaining an acceptable safety profile when compared with standard pancreatoduodenectomy. Further prospective randomized studies are warranted to determine the optimal surgical approach for total mesopancreatic resection.

Effect of combining aminomethacrylate and fluoride against erosive and abrasive challenges on enamel and dentin.

This study evaluated the effect of solutions containing aminomethacrylate copolymer (AA) and sodium fluoride (F; 225 ppm F-) or fluoride plus stannous chloride (FSn; 225 ppm F-, 800 ppm Sn2+) against enamel and dentin erosion/abrasion. Solutions F, FSn, AA, F+AA, FSn+AA, and deionized water as negative control were tested. Bovine enamel and dentin specimens (n = 13/solution/substrate) underwent a set of erosion-abrasion cycles (0.3% citric acid [5 min, 4×/day], human saliva [1 h, 4×/day], brushing [15 s, 2×/day], and treatments [2 min, 2×/day]) for each of five days. Initial enamel erosion was evaluated using Knoop microhardness after the first and second acid challenge on day 1, and surface loss with profilometry after day 5. KOH-soluble fluoride was assessed. Data were analyzed with ANOVA/Tukey tests. The combination of fluoride and AA resulted in higher protection against enamel erosion, whereas this was not the case for the combination of AA and FSn. All treatments protected against enamel and dentin loss. The lowest surface loss values were observed with F+AA and FSn+AA. The polymer did not significantly influence the KOH-soluble fluoride formation on enamel/dentin specimens. The aminomethacrylate copolymer effectively enhanced the efficacy of sodium fluoride against initial erosion and improved the control of enamel and dentin wear of F and FSn solutions.

Application of Engineered Nanomaterials as Nanocatalysts in Catalytic Ozonation: A Review.

Given the growing scarcity of water and the continuous increase in emerging pollutants detected in water bodies, there is an imperative need to develop new, more effective, and sustainable treatments for wastewater. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are considered a competitive technology for water treatment. Specifically, ozonation has received notable attention as a promising approach for degrading organic pollutants in wastewater. However, different groups of pollutants are hardly degradable via single ozonation. With continuous development, it has been shown that using engineered nanomaterials as nanocatalysts in catalytic ozonation can increase efficiency by turning this process into a low-selective AOP for pollutant degradation. Nanocatalysts promote ozone decomposition and form active free radicals responsible for increasing the degradation and mineralization of pollutants. This work reviews the performances of different nanomaterials as homogeneous and heterogeneous nanocatalysts in catalytic ozonation. This review focuses on applying metal- and carbon-based engineered nanomaterials as nanocatalysts in catalytic ozonation and on identifying the main future directions for using this type of AOP toward wastewater treatment.

Biochemical and Anthropometric Outcomes in Paediatric Patients with Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia after COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdowns: An Exploratory Analysis.

The COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns affected the lifestyles of children and adolescents, leading to an increase in childhood obesity. Paediatric patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) may be more susceptible to lockdown effects due to their increased cardiovascular risk. However, data are lacking. We investigated the effect of lockdowns on the metabolic profile of paediatric patients with FH. Blood lipids and anthropometry measured in September 2021-April 2022 were retrospectively compared with pre-pandemic values. Thirty participants were included (1-16 years; 57% female). From baseline to post-pandemic, median [P25, P75] blood LDL-C concentration was 125 [112, 150] mg/dL vs. 125 [100, 147] mg/dL (p = 0.894); HDL-C was 58 [52, 65] mg/dL vs. 56 [51, 61] mg/dL (p = 0.107); triglycerides were 64 [44, 86] mg/dL vs. 59 [42, 86] mg/dL (p = 0.178). The BMI z-score did not change significantly (0.19 [-0.58, 0.89] vs. 0.30 [-0.48, 1.10], p = 0.524). The lack of deterioration in metabolic profiles during lockdowns is positive, as some deterioration was expected. We speculate that patients and caregivers were successfully educated about healthy lifestyle and dietary habits. Our results should be interpreted with caution since the study sample was small and heterogeneous. Multicentre research is needed to better understand the impact of lockdowns on this population.

Impaired Cardiac Sympathetic Activity Is Associated With Myocardial Remodeling and Established Biomarkers of Heart Failure.

BACKGROUND: 123Iodine-meta-iodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy is useful for assessing cardiac autonomic dysfunction and predict outcomes in heart failure (HF). The relationship of cardiac sympathetic function with myocardial remodeling and diffuse fibrosis remains largely unknown. We aimed to evaluate the cardiac sympathetic function of patients with HF and its relation with myocardial remodeling and exercise capacity. METHODS AND RESULTS: Prospectively enrolled patients with HF (New York Heart Association class II-III) were stratified into HF with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] ≥45%) and reduced LVEF. Ventricular morphology/function and myocardial extracellular volume (ECV) fraction were quantified by cardiovascular magnetic resonance, global longitudinal strain by echocardiography, cardiac sympathetic function by heart-to-mediastinum ratio from 123iodine-meta-iodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy. All participants underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing. The cohort included 33 patients with HF with preserved LVEF (LVEF, 60±10%; NT-proBNP [N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide], 248 [interquartile range, 79-574] pg/dL), 28 with HF with reduced LVEF (LVEF, 30±9%; NT-proBNP, 743 [interquartile range, 250-2054] pg/dL) and 20 controls (LVEF, 65±5%; NT-proBNP, 40 [interquartile range, 19-50] pg/dL). Delayed (4 hours) 123iodine-meta-iodobenzylguanidine heart-to-mediastinum ratio was lower in HF with preserved LVEF (1.59±0.25) and HF with reduced LVEF (1.45±0.16) versus controls (1.92±0.24; P<0.001), and correlated negatively with diffuse fibrosis assessed by ECV (R=-0.34, P<0.01). ECV in segments without LGE was increased in HF with preserved ejection fraction (0.32±0.05%) and HF with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (0.31±0.04%) versus controls (0.28±0.04, P<0.05) and was associated with the age- and sex-adjusted maximum oxygen consumption (peak oxygen consumption); (R=-0.41, P<0.01). Preliminary analysis indicates that cardiac sympathetic function might potentially act as a mediator in the association between ECV and NT-proBNP levels. CONCLUSIONS: Abnormally low cardiac sympathetic function in patients with HF with reduced and preserved LVEF is associated with extracellular volume expansion and decreased cardiopulmonary functional capacity.

Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil in a natural product-based formulation: Antimicrobial and healing effects in Staphylococcus aureus-infected wounds.

Owing to its exposed nature, the skin can be injured by various factors, including by Staphylococcus aureus, which inhabits its innate microbiota. Treatment of infected wounds presents an important challenge, making it imperative to develop new treatment options. Plant-derived formulations, such as those containing Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil (MaEO), are used for wound treatment because of their healing, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. This study presents a cream containing 2% MaEO (2% CMa) and evaluates its effects in an S. aureus-infected wound murine model. The 2% CMa was subjected to quality control testing and pH and analysis of density, organoleptic characteristics, and microbiological effects. The quality control parameters all revealed the good stability of the 2% CMa. The formulation strongly reduced the S. aureus ATCC 6538 colony-forming unit (CFU) count in an ex vivo porcine skin model. In the murine model, daily topical application of 2% CMa reduced the severity and size of S. aureus-infected wounds and the bacterial load. These effects may be due to the presence of terpinen-4-ol, which exhibits anti-inflammatory activity. Based on these findings, the formulation exhibits good quality and safety. We suggest the topical application of this formulation, which exhibited an antimicrobial effect, as an interesting treatment strategy for wound healing.

Anthropogenic forests simplify seed- but not pollen-dispersal networks.

Natural native forests are rapidly being replaced by anthropogenic forests often with a strong presence of invasive alien plant species. Eucalypt species are widely planted worldwide, with Eucalyptus globulus plantations being particularly expressive in Portugal. Poor forestry practices often lead to the associated expansion of invasive species, such as Acacia dealbata. However, we still know relatively little about the functioning of anthropogenic forests, such as seed and pollen dispersal services. Here, we compared bird abundance and richness and the seed and pollen dispersal networks in both forest types. Anthropogenic forests presented lower bird abundance, and smaller, more simplified, and more random (abundance-based) seed dispersal services than those of natural forests. Interestingly, the pollen dispersal network was more similar than the seed dispersal network for both forest types and dominated by opportunistic and neutral processes, given the absence of specialized nectarivorous. The proportion of birds transporting seeds decreased, while those carrying pollen significantly increased in the anthropogenic forest compared to the native forest. Our work highlights the impact of anthropogenic forests on bird abundance, with consequences for seed dispersal services and forest regeneration.

Birds optimize fruit size consumed near their geographic range limits.

Animals can adjust their diet to maximize energy or nutritional intake. For example, birds often target fruits that match their beak size because those fruits can be consumed more efficiently. We hypothesized that pressure to optimize diet-measured as matching between fruit and beak size-increases under stressful environments, such as those that determine species' range edges. Using fruit-consumption and trait information for 97 frugivorous bird and 831 plant species across six continents, we demonstrate that birds feed more frequently on closely size-matched fruits near their geographic range limits. This pattern was particularly strong for highly frugivorous birds, whereas opportunistic frugivores showed no such tendency. These findings highlight how frugivore interactions might respond to stressful conditions and reveal that trait matching may not predict resource use consistently.

Histological biomarkers and microbiological parameters of an estuarine fish from the Brazilian Amazon coast as potential indicators of risk to human health.

This study aimed to isolate and identify pathogenic bacteria in the intestinal tract, skin, and muscles of Sciades herzbergii; detect histopathological changes in the gill and liver; and use these biomarkers for the assessment of potential risks to human health. Fish were sampled during the rainy and dry seasons at two points in São Marcos Bay, Maranhão, Brazil: Ilha dos Caranguejos (IC) and Porto Grande (PG). Isolation and quantification were carried out using COLItest®. Colonies were subjected to identification and phenotypic investigation of antimicrobial resistance using Vitek®. Gill and liver samples were subjected to routine histological examination. The results indicated the presence of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli, the latter of which showed phenotypic resistance to norfloxacin and gentamicin. Fish caught at PG exhibited more extensive gill and liver damage than fish caught at IC. The findings suggest that histological changes in target organs of S. herzbergii may be influenced by infection with pathogenic bacteria.

Fabrication and characterization of physically crosslinked alginate/chitosan-based hydrogel loaded with neomycin for the treatment of skin infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus.

Staphylococcus aureus is a pathogen widely involved in wound infection due to its ability to release several virulence factors that impair the skin healing process, as well as its mechanism of drug resistance. Herein, sodium alginate and chitosan were combined to produce a hydrogel for topical delivery of neomycin to combat S. aureus associated with skin complications. The hydrogel was formulated by combining sodium alginate (50 mg/mL) and chitosan (50 mg/mL) solutions in a ratio of 9:1 (HBase). Neomycin was added to HBase to achieve a concentration of 0.4 mg/mL (HNeo). The incorporation of neomycin into the product was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy, FTIR and TGA analysis. The hydrogels produced are homogeneous, have a high swelling capacity, and show biocompatibility using erythrocytes and fibroblasts as models. The formulations showed physicochemical and pharmacological stability for 60 days at 4 ± 2 °C. HNeo totally inhibited the growth of S. aureus after 4 h. The antimicrobial effects were confirmed using ex vivo (porcine skin) and in vivo (murine) wound infection models. Furthermore, the HNeo-treated mice showed lower severity scores than those treated with HBase. Taken together, the obtained results present a new low-cost bioproduct with promising applications in treating infected wounds.

Gross, organoleptic and histologic assessment of cadaveric equine heads preserved using chemical methods for veterinary surgical teaching.

BACKGROUND: Preservation of biological tissues has been used since ancient times. Regardless of the method employed, tissue preservation is thought to be a vital step in veterinary surgery teaching and learning. OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to determine the usability of chemically preserved cadaveric equine heads for surgical teaching in veterinary medicine. METHODS: Six cadaveric equine heads were collected immediately after death or euthanasia and frozen until fixation. Fixation was achieved by using a hypertonic solution consisting of sodium chloride, sodium nitrite and sodium nitrate, and an alcoholic solution containing ethanol and glycerin. Chemically preserved specimens were stored at low temperatures (2°C to 6°C) in a conventional refrigerator. The specimens were submitted to gross and organoleptic assessment right after fixative solution injection (D0) and within 10, 20, and 30 days of fixation (D10, D20, and D30, respectively). Samples of tissue from skin, tongue, oral vestibule, and masseter muscle were collected for histological evaluation at the same time points. RESULTS: Physical and organoleptic assessments revealed excellent specimen quality (mean scores higher than 4 on a 5-point scale) in most cases. In some specimens, lower scores (3) were assigned to the range of mouth opening, particularly on D0 and D10. A reduced the range of mouth opening may be a limiting factor in teaching activities involving structures located in the oral cavity. CONCLUSIONS: The excellent physical, histologic, and organoleptic characteristics of the specimens in this sample support their usability in teaching within the time frame considered. Appropriate physical and organoleptic characteristics (color, texture, odor, and flexibility) of the specimens in this study support the use of the method described for preparation of reusable anatomical specimens.

Research Trends in Proteomic Studies Using Serum from COVID-19 Patients: A Bibliometric Analysis.

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the global populace, resulting in a staggering number of deaths across the globe. New approaches and biomarkers to evaluate disease progression are crucial for improving disease management. In this context, serum proteomics has emerged as a promising tool for identifying molecular alterations related to COVID-19. This work carried out a bibliometric evaluation of the current status and trends of studies applying serum proteomics to COVID-19 subjects. The search was performed using Web of Science and Scopus databases, and the results were analyzed in VOSviewer software. The investigation was limited to articles published between January 2020 and February 2023. The analysis found 48 articles, primarily experimental studies. China is the most influential country in this field, followed by the USA. The co-occurrence analysis performed by VOSviewer showed 170 keywords, of which 9 reached the occurrence threshold and were divided into two groups. The most cited words were related to biomarker identification and the use of proteomics for diagnosing and treating COVID-19. The most cited proteins include those classically associated with the immune system (IgG, IgM, interleukins, CXCL, CCL, MCP, CRP) and SAA1, SAA1, ApoA-1, TTR (prealbumin), SerpinA and ITIH4. Other studies have validated the predictive value of these serum markers and have the potential to improve the management of COVID-19 patients. The findings highlighted in this bibliometric study can help the researchers design new projects to enhance our understanding of the complex interplay between SARS-CoV-2 and host immunity.

Development of Ac2-26 Mesoporous Microparticle System as a Potential Therapeutic Agent for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.

Introduction: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) disrupt the intestinal epithelium, leading to severe chronic inflammation. Current therapies cause adverse effects and are expensive, invasive, and ineffective for most patients. Annexin A1 (AnxA1) is a pivotal endogenous anti-inflammatory and tissue repair protein in IBD. Nanostructured compounds loading AnxA1 or its active N-terminal mimetic peptides improve IBD symptomatology. Methods: To further explore their potential as a therapeutic candidate, the AnxA1 N-terminal mimetic peptide Ac2-26 was incorporated into SBA-15 ordered mesoporous silica and covered with EL30D-55 to deliver it by oral treatment into the inflamed gut. Results: The systems SBA-Ac2-26 developed measurements revealed self-assembled rod-shaped particles, likely on the external surface of SBA-15, and 88% of peptide incorporation. SBA-15 carried the peptide Ac2-26 into cultured Raw 264.7 macrophages and Caco-2 epithelial cells. Moreover, oral administration of Eudragit-SBA-15-Ac2-26 (200 µg; once a day; for 4 days) reduced colitis clinical symptoms, inflammation, and improved epithelium recovery in mice under dextran-sodium sulfate-induced colitis. Discussion: The absorption of SBA-15 in gut epithelial cells is typically low; however, the permeable inflamed barrier can enable microparticles to cross, being phagocyted by macrophages. These findings suggest that Ac2-26 is successfully delivered and binds to its receptors in both epithelial and immune cells, aligning with the clinical results. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate a simple and cost-effective approach to delivering Ac2-26 orally into the inflamed gut, highlighting its potential as non-invasive IBD therapy.