Rock cliffs are a significant component of world coastal zones. However, rocky coasts and factors contributing to their erosion have not received as much attention as soft cliffs. In this study, two rocky-cliff systems in the southern Baltic Sea were analyzed with Airborne Laser Scanners (ALS) to track changes in cliff morphology. The present contribution aimed to study the volumetric changes in cliff profiles, spatial distribution of erosion, and rate of cliff retreat corresponding to the cliff exposure and rock resistance of the Jasmund National Park chalk cliffs in Rugen, Germany. The study combined multi-temporal Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data analyses, rock sampling, laboratory analyses of chemical and mechanical resistance, and along-shore wave power flux estimation. The spatial distribution of the active erosion areas appear to follow the cliff exposure variations; however, that trend is weaker for the sections of the coastline in which structural changes occurred. The rate of retreat for each cliff–beach profile, including the cliff crest, vertical cliff base, and cliff base with talus material, indicates that wave action is the dominant erosive force in areas in which the cliff was eroded quickly at equal rates along the cliff profile. However, the erosion proceeded with different rates in favor of cliff toe erosion. The effects of chemical and mechanical rock resistance are shown to be less prominent than the wave action owing to very small differences in the measured values, which proves the homogeneous structure of the cliff. The rock resistance did not follow the trends of cliff erosion revealed by volume changes during the period of analysis.

A prerequisite for solving issues associated with surf zone variability, which affect human activity in coastal zones, is an accurate estimation of the effects of coastal protection methods. Therefore, performing frequent monitoring activities, especially when applying new nature-friendly coastal defense methods, is a major challenge. In this manuscript, we propose a pipeline for performing low-cost monitoring using RGB images, accessed by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and a four-level analysis architecture of an underwater object detection methodology. First, several color-based pre-processing activities were applied. Second, contrast-limited adaptive histogram equalization and the Hough transform methodology were used to automatically detect the underwater, circle-shaped elements of a hybrid coastal defense construction. An alternative pipeline was used to detect holes in the circle-shaped elements with an adaptive thresholding method; this pipeline was subsequently applied to the normalized images. Finally, the concatenation of the results from both the methods and the validation processes were performed. The results indicate that our automated monitoring tool works for RGB images captured by a low-cost consumer UAV. The experimental results showed that our pipeline achieved an average error of four pixels in the test set.

Oxidative stress (OS) is a central regulator of health and productivity in livestock, emerging from complex interactions between dietary inputs, microbiome composition, environmental stressors, and host metabolism. This narrative review synthesizes current knowledge on OS in cattle, pigs, sheep, and poultry, emphasizing mechanistic pathways, tissue-specific responses, and translational applications. We highlight the central role of redox–inflammatory signaling hubs, including nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2)/Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), and inflammasomes, as integrators of metabolic and immune stress. Microbiome–metabolome interactions modulate systemic oxidative responses, influencing liver, mammary gland, gastrointestinal tract, adipose tissue, and reproductive tissues. Oxidative stress-related biochemical and molecular alterations are captured by a range of biomarkers, such as malondialdehyde (MDA), Total Antioxidant Capacity (TOAC), gluthatione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), paraoxonase-1 (PON1), cytokines, and gene expression profiles, measurable in blood, milk, saliva, and tissues. Integrating these markers enables precision diagnostics, early disease detection, and evidence-based nutritional interventions. Furthermore, computational modeling and spatial–socioeconomic perspectives offer novel approaches to translate molecular redox insights into practical livestock management strategies. By framing OS as a regulated, context-dependent process rather than a simple imbalance of reactive oxygen species, this review advances a conceptual, cross-species framework for understanding, monitoring, and mitigating oxidative stress in livestock. This integrative perspective provides a foundation for targeted antioxidant strategies and sustainable production practices, bridging molecular mechanisms with practical applications in animal health and productivity.

Effective treatment of central nervous system (CNS) infections remains a major challenge, as most therapeutic agents do not efficiently cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and the blood–cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCSFB). Coumarin derivatives are of particular interest due to their broad pharmacological activity, favorable safety profile, and potential to penetrate biological barriers. Eight novel coumarin-based peptidomimetics functionalized with trifluoromethyl or methyl scaffolds were synthesized and evaluated as antimicrobial agents with the ability to cross the blood–brain barrier. Antimicrobial activity of the investigated compounds was tested against Staphylococcus aureus and multiple Escherichia coli strains (K12, R2, R3, R4) using minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) assays. Cytotoxicity was assessed in vitro in BALB/c-3T3 mouse fibroblasts and αT3-1 pituitary gonadotrope cells using the MTT assay. In vivo studies were performed in sheep to assess transfer of the compounds from blood to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). All synthesized derivatives demonstrated antimicrobial activity and acceptable cytotoxicity, comparable to those of clinically used antibiotics. CF₃-modified coumarin peptidomimetics show promise as antimicrobial agents with the potential to penetrate the BBB/BCSFB. These findings support further investigation of coumarin-based scaffolds as a platform for the development of novel therapeutics for CNS infections.

This study investigated the influence of long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on the activity of antioxidant defence systems and DNA repair enzymes in the liver of newborn piglets born to gilts that were supplemented with fish oil or algal oil during pregnancy. The oils were offered in their natural form or as nanoparticles. Daily doses of both natural and nano-encapsulated oils were calculated to provide each gilt with 3100 mg of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 600 mg for the gilt and 250 mg for each foetus). Liver samples were collected from six piglets per gilt within 24 h after birth. Activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were measured spectrophotometrically, while DNA repair enzyme activities—formamidopyrimidine-DNA glycosylase (FPG), thymine-DNA glycosylase (TDG), and N-methylpurine DNA glycosylase (MPG)—were assessed by Fpg protein digestion. SOD activity was lowest in piglets from gilts supplemented with algal oil, fish oil, and nano-encapsulated fish oil. Piglets born to the gilts that received algal oil nanoparticles showed higher activity (1.57 U/mg), while the highest activity was recorded in control piglets. CAT activity followed a similar trend; it was lowest in algal oil-supplemented mothers and highest in controls. GPx activity was lowest in piglets born to gilts that received algal oil (both forms) and highest in controls. The FPG activity in piglets birthed by PUFA-supplemented gilts was approximately half that of MPG and TDG, indicating reduced oxidative DNA damage. Both fish oil and algal oil, regardless of the form administered, effectively reduce oxidative stress in pregnant gilts and the associated DNA damage in the livers of their offspring. These findings suggest that maternal supplementation with long-chain n-3 PUFAs can protect newborn piglets from oxidative damage. Furthermore, regional disparities in access to functional foods underline the importance of targeted strategies that integrate local food systems and health planning to promote nutritional equity.

Base excision repair (BER) is an important mechanism for maintaining genomic integrity and preventing DNA damage and mutations induced by oxidative stress. This study aimed to examine the relationship between oxidative stress and BER activity in newborn piglets by supplementing their mothers’ diets during pregnancy with long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) from algal and fish oils, provided either in natural form or as nanoparticles. BER enzyme activity was assessed using a nicking assay, and their gene expression levels by RT-qPCR in the livers of pregnant gilts and their offspring. Preliminary results indicated that maternal supplementation with oils rich in long-chain n-3 PUFAs significantly reduced (by 32%) BER capacity in the livers of their offspring. A corresponding decrease in mRNA expression of BER genes (TDG, MPG, OGG1) was observed in piglets from gilts receiving fish and algal oil supplements. Maternal supplementation with long-chain n-3 PUFAs may protect foetuses and neonates against oxidative stress, reducing DNA damage and enhancing genomic stability, which could positively influence early postnatal growth. The observed reduction in BER enzyme activity in newborn piglets likely reflected improved DNA integrity, and natural oil forms appeared more effective than their nanoparticle formulations. Disparities in socioeconomic areas related to access to functional foods with health-promoting properties highlight the importance of targeted strategies that integrate local systems and promote nutritional equity.