Search Results (7,644)

Argan oil production generates large amounts of press cake that remain underexploited despite their potential as a functional ingredient due to their high protein and fiber content. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of solid-state fermentation of argan press cake (APC) for 24 h and 48 h at 30 °C using Pediococcus pentosaceus LUHS183, Pediococcus acidilactici LUHS29, and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LUHS135. The effects of fermentation were assessed by determining pH, viable counts of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), free amino acid (FAA) profiles, including γ-aminobutyric acid, biogenic amine (BA) concentrations, fatty acid (FA) and volatile compound (VC) profiles. Additionally, antimicrobial activity was evaluated against 15 pathogenic strains. Fermented samples showed LAB growth, lower pH values than the control, and antimicrobial activity against several of the tested strains. FAA profiles varied among the samples. Only two of the eight BA analyzed, namely spermidine and spermine, were detected in all APC samples. Their concentrations in the control were 29.4 ± 2.29 mg/kg and 29.7 ± 3.66 mg/kg, respectively. Unfermented and fermented samples shared the same predominant FA. Overall, the observed biochemical profiles and antimicrobial activity support further investigation of fermented APC as a potential value-added ingredient in food applications. Full article

Global agricultural expansion has profoundly reshaped terrestrial landscapes, yet the ecological consequences of farmland transformation across multiple spatial scales remain insufficiently understood. This study investigates how farmland dynamics influence ecosystem service (ES) provision in China’s Songnen Plain by integrating long-term land-use trajectories, remote sensing data, and landscape ecological analysis. Using annual 30 m land-use/land-cover datasets from 2000 to 2020, we identified diverse farmland transformation pathways, including stable cultivation, reclamation, abandonment, fallow, afforestation, and urban encroachment. The InVEST model was applied to quantify three key ecosystem services: food supply, soil conservation, and carbon storage, while grid-level Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR) was employed to identify their major drivers. Results revealed substantial spatial and temporal heterogeneity in ecosystem services. Food supply and soil conservation generally increased during the study period, whereas carbon storage exhibited a declining trend. Landscape-level characteristics, particularly Shannon diversity index (SHDI), aggregation index (AI), and patch density (PD), were identified as dominant factors regulating ecosystem service variation. Class-level indicators, including farmland area (FA) and mean patch area (MPA), also showed significant but comparatively weaker effects. This study provides new insights into the ecological consequences of intensive farmland transformation and highlights the importance of optimizing multi-scale landscape configurations to balance agricultural production and ecosystem sustainability. Full article

The oil and gas industry needs seamless steel pipes resistant to hydrogen-induced cracking, driven by the development of increasingly complex, deep, and high-pressure fields, oil production with high hydrogen sulfide content, and the growing number of hydrogen-based decarbonization projects. The aim of the work was to investigate the mechanism of formation of non-metallic inclusions in 13ChFA-grade steel that are potentially significant for HIC pipe steel, a low-alloy steel similar to AISI 5115, and to develop steelmaking-process modifications that improve its resistance to hydrogen-induced cracking. Non-metallic inclusions in seamless-pipe samples were examined by micro-X-ray spectral analysis across 11 laboratory protocols comprising 213 spectra. Based on the identified inclusion-formation mechanism, process modifications were developed and tested in five pilot heats at the electric-arc-furnace, ladle-furnace, and vacuum-degassing stages; the effect was verified on samples from serial production. Resistance to hydrogen-induced cracking was evaluated according to the NACE TM0284-2011 standard, and inclusion content according to the GOST 1778 standard. In 8 of the 11 cases of defects examined (≈73%), the recorded steelmaking defects were associated with two types of inclusions potentially significant for HIC: endogenous conglomerates of magnesian spinel, calcium aluminate, and sulfide phases (about 45%), and manganese–iron silicate films (about 27%); the remaining 27% were exogenous slag inclusions. Reducing the oxygen content before tapping, increasing the addition of lime and fluorspar, limiting the metal residence time in the ladle, and controlling the calcium-to-sulfur ratio during secondary treatment yielded pilot heats with zero crack sensitivity, crack length, and crack thickness ratios, while inclusion content complied with the steel-cleanliness standard. In a series of five trial heats—conducted without a parallel control group—a consistent relationship was observed between controlled ladle treatment parameters, the type and quantity of inclusions potentially significant for HIC, and a standardized hydrogen-induced cracking resistance index. The resulting set of process modifications, tested under industrial conditions across five heats, represents a practical approach to enhancing the resistance of low-alloy pipe steels to hydrogen cracking. Full article

Intelligent tire technology enables real-time monitoring of tire–ground interaction states and provides an effective approach for improving the intelligence of wheeled tractors. However, the relative effectiveness of different sensing signals for vertical load sensing in agricultural tractor tires remains insufficiently understood. To address this issue, a feature selection framework combining finite element analysis, random forest, and Pearson correlation analysis was developed. A finite element model of a 280/85 R24 tractor radial tire was established in ABAQUS and validated through static loading experiments, with the maximum error in radial deformation remaining below 7%. Based on the validated model, tire rolling simulations were conducted under different vertical loads, inflation pressures, and slip ratios, and strain, radial displacement, and radial acceleration signals were extracted during tire–ground interaction. Seventeen time- and frequency-domain features were constructed for each sensing signal, and informative and non-redundant features were identified using random forest importance and Pearson correlation analysis. The resulting feature subsets contained 10, 7, and 6 features for strain, displacement, and acceleration signals, respectively. Within the final selected feature subsets, the highest correlations with vertical load were obtained for the strain T-mean feature (r = 0.97), the acceleration FA-max feature (r = 0.96), and the displacement FA-max feature (r = 0.72). These results demonstrate that strain signals contain the strongest load-related information, followed by acceleration signals, whereas displacement signals show relatively limited effectiveness. The findings provide guidance for sensor selection and the development of tire-based vertical load sensing systems for agricultural vehicles. Full article

In regions where suitable natural aggregates are scarce or expensive, soils are often treated with cement to produce pavement base and subbase materials. This study evaluated soil–RCA geopolymer mixtures as a sustainable alternative for these applications. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to prepare mixtures containing soil, recycled concrete aggregate (RCA), Class F fly ash (FA), sodium hydroxide, and sodium silicate. The effects of FA, RCA, and liquid sodium silicate (Na₂SiO₃) in the alkaline activator solution on compressive strength ($f_c$), elastic modulus (E), and density were examined using regression analysis, Analysis Of Variance, and sensitivity analysis. Selected mixtures were further evaluated using wetting and drying, freeze and thaw, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Geopolymer stabilization increased strength and stiffness compared with untreated soil. FA improved both $f_c$ and E, while RCA produced a nonlinear response, with 15% RCA providing favorable mechanical performance. Increasing Na₂SiO₃ reduced both responses under the tested conditions. The mixtures remained within the mass and volume change limits after 12 cycles. SEM observations showed geopolymer reaction products, particle coating, and matrix densification. The findings indicate that soil–RCA geopolymer mixtures can provide suitable performance for pavement base and subbase layers while reducing reliance on cement and virgin aggregates. Full article

The oleaginous yeast Rhodotorula toruloides has emerged as a host for the production of lipids mainly consisting of long-chain fatty acid triacylglycerides as alternative feedstock for oleochemicals and biofuels. The R. toruloides fatty acid synthase (RtFAS) complex contains two acyl carrier protein (ACP) domains within its Fas2 subunit; it remains unclear whether inactivation of one ACP domain can lead to any biological effects, especially for fatty acid biosynthesis. Here, we constructed R. toruloides strains in which either one of the ACP domains was inactivated, and found that there was little difference in terms of cell growth and overall lipid production, suggesting these ACPs are functionally redundant. However, lipids from those strains contained lower contents of palmitic acid (C16:0). When one ACP was replaced with a truncated Escherichia coli thioesterase (‘TesA), known for the premature termination of the chain elongation process of fatty acid synthesis, these strains produced lipids with substantially higher contents of medium-chain fatty acids, corresponding to 6.3-fold and 4.2-fold increases in the relative abundance of C12:0 and C14:0, respectively, compared with the wild-type strain. This work shows that engineering the ACP domain of RtFAS can be explored as a new strategy for modulating fatty acid compositional profiles in oleaginous yeasts. Full article

Introduction: Foix–Alajouanine syndrome (FAS) is a rare, progressive congestive ischaemic myelopathy caused by a spinal dural arteriovenous fistula (SDAVF). Because of its non-specific clinical presentation and subtle imaging features, FAS is frequently misdiagnosed; in particular, perimedullary flow voids—its characteristic imaging hallmark—are readily overlooked on initial MRI, leading to diagnostic delay and potentially harmful interventions. Case Presentation: We report the case of a 66-year-old man who developed progressive myelopathy following revision knee arthroplasty performed under spinal anaesthesia. Initial MRI at another institution demonstrated extensive intramedullary T2 hyperintensity, interpreted as spinal cord infarction, while perimedullary flow voids were present but overlooked. Lumbar puncture and high-dose corticosteroid therapy were followed by marked neurological deterioration. At our centre, re-evaluation of a 3T MRI revealed serpentine perimedullary flow voids, and digital subtraction angiography confirmed an SDAVF at the Th5–Th6 level. Outcome: Transarterial endovascular embolisation with Onyx resulted in neurological stabilisation and partial recovery, with reduced pain and improved bladder control at follow-up. Conclusions: This case highlights the importance of recognising perimedullary flow voids, which may otherwise lead to delayed diagnosis of SDAVF. In patients with unexplained longitudinally extensive myelopathy, particularly when the clinical course is atypical or worsens after lumbar puncture or corticosteroid therapy, the MRI should be carefully reviewed for flow voids and dedicated spinal vascular imaging considered. Full article

Preservation of skeletal muscle is an important consideration when evaluating weight-loss interventions, particularly during menopause, when adverse changes in body composition occur. We investigated the effects of Cimicifuga racemosa extract Ze 450 on skeletal muscle. Differentiated C2C12 myotubes were treated with Ze 450, dexamethasone (DEX), or their combination. Non-ovariectomized female Wistar rats were assigned to one of five groups: standard diet, high-fat diet (HF), HF plus voluntary running, HF plus Ze 450 (130 mg/kg/day), or HF plus Ze 450 and voluntary running. Muscle mass and fiber cross-sectional area (CSA) were assessed in the predominantly glycolytic gastrocnemius and oxidative soleus. Markers of mitochondrial content (COX IV and CS), lipid metabolism (ATGL, HSL, FAS, and SREBP-1c), glucose transport (GLUT4), and myogenic signaling (IGF-1) were analyzed. Ze 450 had limited effects on myotube diameter under basal conditions but significantly attenuated DEX-induced myotube atrophy. In vivo, Ze 450 reduced body weight gain and fat accumulation without reducing muscle mass or fiber CSA. Ze 450 differentially affected metabolic markers in the two muscle types, decreasing markers associated with mitochondrial content in the soleus while increasing mitochondrial markers in the gastrocnemius. Taken together, these findings suggest a potential role for Ze 450 in rebalancing skeletal muscle metabolism in a muscle-type-specific manner while preserving skeletal muscle during reductions in body weight gain and adiposity. Full article

Metabolic endpoint assays enable rapid screening but provide limited information on treatment kinetics, heterogeneity, and recovery. Here, we established a multistep workflow combining MTS-based metabolic screening with electric cell–substrate impedance sensing (ECIS), a label-free cell-based biosensor, to functionally prioritize complex plant extracts in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) models. Seventeen soluble extracts were screened at 50 µg/mL for 24 h in four HNSCC cell lines and human adipose-derived stem cells. Selected candidates were characterized by real-time impedance monitoring, multifrequency analysis, and model-derived barrier resistance. Extract 16 showed the most favorable metabolic selectivity profile. ECIS resolved no growth-inhibitory effects, sustained impedance suppression, heterogeneous responses, and transient suppression followed by partial recovery. Recovery was incomplete (CAL-33) or absent (Detroit 562); modeled barrier resistance became resolvable late (FaDu, PE/CA-PJ15) or not at all (CAL-33). Comparison with the PI3Kα inhibitor Inavolisib revealed partially overlapping but non-identical metabolic response profiles and no consistent enhancement by combination treatment. Extract 16 was associated with junctional redistribution, F-actin remodeling, and cell line-dependent PARP cleavage, whereas caspase 3/7 activation could not be detected. Integrating metabolic endpoint screening with multiparametric ECIS monitoring provides greater functional resolution and supports prioritizing complex bioactive samples for chemical and mechanistic investigation. Full article

Fish oil has traditionally been the primary source of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated FA (n-3 LC-PUFA) in aquafeeds but is increasingly being replaced by alternative lipid sources. However, marine carnivorous fish require dietary n-3 LC-PUFA, particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which these alternative sources lack. This study assessed the long-term impact of graded levels of dietary EPA+DHA from microalgal oil on European seabass growth, feed utilization, immunological and oxidative status, and muscle FA profile. Six isoproteic (47% protein) and isolipidic (17% lipid) diets containing 0.56%, 0.66%, 0.71%, 0.90%, 1.11%, and 1.27% EPA+DHA were fed to fish (107 g initial weight) for 180 days at 23 °C, followed by a 7-day thermal challenge at 30 °C. At the end of the feeding trial, growth performance, feed utilization, organosomatic indices, blood and innate immune parameters, and oxidative stress were unaffected. Muscle FA composition mirrored that of the diets, and linear correlations were observed between muscle and dietary n-3 LC-PUFA levels. In the thermal challenge, no mortalities occurred, but hematological parameters, immune responses, and oxidative stress were intensified. Muscle FA composition remained unchanged, indicating that a dietary EPA+DHA level of 0.56% appears sufficient to meet physiological needs during an acute temperature challenge. Full article

Anthraquinone-fused enediynes (AFEs) are a class of microbial natural products with remarkable cytotoxicity and exhibit promising application prospects in tumor therapy. Taking tiancimycins (TNMs) as an example, this class of compounds holds great potential against triple-negative breast and liver cancers. However, the low production titers of AFEs in actinobacterial hosts make their enrichment and separation processes both cumbersome and costly. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to develop a rapid and reusable magnetic platform for TNM enrichment and recovery. Inspired by the pi-pi stacking interactions between AFEs and their natural binding proteins in the producing strains, this study designed and prepared alizarin- and folic acid-co-modified magnetic nanoparticles (PNMP-AZ-FA). On the one hand, these nanoparticles can directly and specifically adsorb TNMs from the crude extract of Streptomyces sp. CB03234-S, enabling efficient separation. On the other hand, the folic acid modification was explored as a proof-of-concept delivery element for drug-loaded nanoparticles in folate receptor (FR)-expressing tumor models. PNMP-AZ-FA showed loading capacities of 87.8 and 106.7 mg/g for TNM A and TNM D, respectively, and retained high adsorption performance during 20 repeated cycles. Animal experiment results demonstrated that the TNM-loaded nanoparticle (PNMP-AZ-FA@TNM A) improved antitumor activity under the tested conditions, especially in the FR-high KB model; however, receptor-dependent uptake, biodistribution, and pharmacokinetic validation are still required. In summary, this nanoparticle holds great application prospects in the rapid separation and acquisition of AFEs, while its tumor-delivery application should be regarded as preliminary evidence. Full article

Background/Objectives: Falls are a leading cause of morbidity and loss of independence in later life, and more than half are preventable. Health literacy has been proposed as a modifiable determinant of preventive behaviour, but the evidence rests largely on unadjusted associations and on outcomes such as fear of falling rather than on behaviour itself. This study examined how health literacy relates to fall-prevention behaviour in community-dwelling older adults, and whether that relationship holds once sociodemographic and health-related characteristics are considered. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 253 adults aged 65 years and over completed a structured questionnaire comprising the Turkey Health Literacy Scale-32 (THLS-32) and the Falls Behavioural Scale for Older People (FaBS) between December 2023 and March 2024. The primary multivariable analysis used hierarchical multiple linear regression, with covariates selected on theoretical and clinical grounds and no automated variable selection. Results: Health literacy was inadequate or problematic–limited in 73.5% of participants. Health literacy and fall-prevention behaviour were negatively correlated (r = −0.304, p < 0.001). Exploratory subscale analyses showed the strongest inverse estimates for protective mobility (r = −0.388), practical strategies (r = −0.342) and avoidance (r = −0.331), whereas awareness-related subscales were not associated with health literacy. The sociodemographic and health-related covariate block explained 28.1% of the variance; in the final model, male sex, higher educational attainment, and assistive-device use were associated with FaBS scores. THLS-32 did not significantly improve the model (ΔR² = 0.006, p = 0.151). Conclusions: Fall-prevention behaviour was more strongly associated with measured sociodemographic and health-related characteristics than with health literacy. Higher FaBS scores may partly reflect activity restriction as well as protective behaviour. These findings do not support the assumption that higher general health literacy alone is associated with greater use of the behaviours captured by the FaBS. Full article

Background: Andrographolide (AG), a diterpenoid lactone and a major constituent of Andrographis paniculata, has shown promising antiproliferative effect on diverse cancer cell lines, including head and neck cancer. However, a significant anti-proliferative effect is observed only at high micromolar concentrations. Further, AG has been shown to have poor oral bioavailability. Therefore, it is essential to consider mechanism-based combinations that could synergistically enhance the therapeutic potential of this compound so that efficacy can be achieved in concentrations that are systemically achievable. Objective: The present study is aimed to evaluate the anticancer effects and associated molecular alterations of an AG and Chk1/2 inhibitor combination in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (CAL-33) cells since the earlier studies have suggested ATM/ATR/Chk1/2-mediated activation of DNA damage checkpoints. Methods: Normal FHs74int cells and HNSCC cells (CAL-33 and FaDu) were used to assess cell proliferation and cell death. Cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry and Acridine orange/EtBr, respectively, in CAL-33 cells. DNA damage in CAL-33 and FaDu cells was assessed by comet assay. Changes in the expression of proteins implicated in apoptosis, cell cycle progression, and DNA damage signaling were examined using Western blotting. Results: While AG did not show any significant changes in the growth or cell death of normal FHs74int cells, it strongly inhibited proliferation of HNSCC cells, concomitant with G2/M arrest and apoptosis. AG and AZD7762 showed an IC50 of 2.743 μM and 0.02600 μM, respectively, on cell proliferation in CAL-33 cells. Furthermore, AG caused an accumulation of intracellular ROS, which was inhibited by treatment with N-acetylcysteine. Chk1, Chk2 and γH2AX phosphorylation were induced in a dose-dependent manner by treatment with AG. The combination of AG with Chk1/2 inhibitor AZD7762 showed a synergistic effect in inhibiting cell proliferation with a CI of 0.4 through inhibition of DNA repair and premature mitotic entry, ultimately resulting in programmed cell death. Conclusions: These findings provide evidence that AG selectively targets DNA damage and repair in HNSCC CAL-33 cells via cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Further, the anticancer potential of AG can be significantly enhanced by combination with the Chk1/2 inhibitor AZD7762, preventing repair of AG-induced DNA damage and amplifying checkpoint stress responses, resulting in enhanced apoptotic cell death. Together, these findings support the therapeutic potential of AG and highlight checkpoint kinase inhibition as a rational combination strategy for HNSCC treatment. Full article

Lipid metabolism disorder is a common physiological problem in monogastric livestock and aquatic animals which easily leads to excessive fat deposition, poor meat quality, and inhibited growth performance, bringing huge economic losses to the aquaculture and livestock industries. Lactobacilli, as core bacteria found in the gut of animals, play a crucial role in growth and health in monogastric animals, mainly including pigs, poultry, and pets, and even in aquatic animals. Nevertheless, existing relevant reviews mostly provide simple descriptive summaries of phenotypic effects, lacking systematic collation of strain-specific differences and multi-level regulatory mechanisms. Moreover, most mechanistic conclusions are predominantly inferred from rodent studies, while the applicability and specificity of these regulatory pathways in target livestock and aquatic animals remain unclear, forming an important research gap. In view of the above deficiencies, this review summarizes the beneficial effects of different lactobacilli on lipid metabolism in monogastric (including swine, poultry and pets) and aquatic animals. Furthermore, we elucidate the underlying mechanisms in different dimensions: short-chain fatty acid-mediated lipid signal transduction, regulation of liver–adipose axis-related genes (PPARs, SREBP-1c, FAS, etc.), and improvement in intestinal barrier function to inhibit lipid absorption. Also, considering the current limitations that existing mechanistic evidence in livestock and aquatic species is insufficient, this review highlights the bottlenecks of current research and proposes future research priorities, including species-specific mechanism verification, strain functional screening and precise application exploration. This study deepens the comprehensive understanding of lactobacillus-mediated lipid metabolism regulation and provides a reliable theoretical reference for the targeted application of lactobacilli in improving lipid metabolic disorders in monogastric animals and aquaculture animals. Full article

Carbon aerogels are widely used for thermal protection in extreme high-temperature environments under inert atmospheres because of their excellent thermal insulation. However, their high specific surface area and open-pore structure promote moisture uptake, necessitating hydrophobic or low-surface-energy functionalization for practical use. Existing studies have primarily focused on room-temperature wettability after modification, while the high-temperature decomposition of functional layers, elemental evolution, and volatile release remain insufficiently understood. Herein, vapor-phase fluorosilane (FAS)-modified carbon aerogel composites were investigated by combining solid-state chemical characterization with evolved-gas analysis to clarify the thermal evolution of the functional layer under inert high-temperature conditions. FAS modification produced a superhydrophobic surface with an initial water contact angle of approximately 163°. During heating, the FAS-derived functional layer entered a rapid-decomposition stage at approximately 372 °C, followed by the principal fluorinated-volatilization stage near 443 °C. Perfluoroalkyl-chain cleavage progressively removed fluorine from the material through the release of C_xF_y-containing volatile species, accompanied by the disappearance of C–F, CF₂, and CF₃ structures. In contrast, part of the silicon-containing fraction was retained and evolved into a Si–C-related residual structure. Although high-temperature exposure eliminated FAS-derived hydrophobicity, the nanoparticle-assembled nanoporous carbon framework remained intact without obvious structural collapse. These findings establish a selective thermal-failure pathway in which fluorinated chains preferentially decompose and volatilize, whereas silicon-containing species are partially retained and reconstructed on the carbon framework, clarifying the failure mechanism of surface-modified carbon aerogel nanomaterials in extreme thermal environments. Full article