Search Results (228)

The somatic cell count (SCC) and differential somatic cell count (DSCC) are proxies for the udder health of dairy cattle, regarded as the criterion of mastitis identification with healthy, suspicious mastitis, mastitis, and chronic/persistent mastitis. However, SCC and DSCC are tested using flow cytometry, which is expensive and time-consuming, particularly for DSCC analysis. Mid-infrared spectroscopy (MIR) enables qualitative and quantitative analysis of milk constituents with great advantages, being cheap, non-destructive, fast, and high-throughput. The objective of this study is to develop a dairy cattle udder health status diagnostic model of MIR. Data on milk composition, SCC, DSCC, and MIR from 2288 milk samples collected in dairy farms were analyzed using the CombiFoss 7 DC instrument (FOSS, Hilleroed, Denmark). Three MIR spectral preprocessing methods, six modeling algorithms, and three different sets of MIR spectral data were employed in various combinations to develop several diagnostic models for mastitis of dairy cattle. The MIR diagnostic model of effectively identifying the healthy and mastitis cattle was developed using a spectral preprocessing method of difference (DIFF), a modeling algorithm of Random Forest (RF), and 1060 wavenumbers, abbreviated as “DIFF-RF-1060 wavenumbers”, and the AUC reached 1.00 in the training set and 0.80 in the test set. The other MIR diagnostic model of effectively distinguishing mastitis and chronic/persistent mastitis cows was “DIFF-SVM-274 wavenumbers”, with an AUC of 0.87 in the training set and 0.85 in the test set. For more effective use of the model on dairy farms, it is necessary and worthwhile to gather more representative and diverse samples to improve the diagnostic precision and versatility of these models. Full article

This paper presents three novel sufficient and necessary conditions for the admissibility of singular fractional-order systems (FOSs), a stabilization criterion, and a solution algorithm. The strict linear matrix inequality (LMI) stability criterion for integer-order systems is generalized to singular FOSs by using column-full rank matrices. This admissibility criterion does not involve complex variables and is different from all previous results, filling a gap in this area. Based on the LMIs in the generalized condition, the improved criterion utilizes a variable substitution technique to reduce the number of matrix variables to be solved from one pair to one, reflecting the admissibility more essentially. This improved result simplifies the programming process compared to the traditional approach that requires two matrix variables. To complete the state feedback controller design, the system matrices in the generalized admissibility criterion are decoupled, but bilinear constraints still occur in the stabilization criterion. For this case, where a feasible solution cannot be found using the MATLAB LMI toolbox, a branch-and-bound algorithm (BBA) is designed to solve it. Finally, the validity of these criteria and the BBA is verified by three examples, including a real circuit model. Full article

The aim of this study is to evaluate the apical sealing ability of novel bioceramic-based (BCB) and widely used resin-based (RB) root canal sealers in combination with traditional or bioceramic-coated gutta-percha points. A total of 92 human single-root extracted teeth were endodontically treated and divided into three groups (A, B, and C) of 30 samples based on the endodontic sealer/type of gutta-percha points/obturation method used. One tooth sample was used for the negative and positive controls (each). Group A: BCB sealer BioRoot RCS (Septodont, Saint-Maur-des-Fossés, France)/bioceramic-impregnated gutta-percha TotalFill BC points (FKG Dentaire, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland)/cold hydraulic single-cone. Group B: BioRoot RCS (Septodont, France)/traditional Protaper Gold Gutta-Percha Points (Dentsply Sirona, Charlotte, NC, USA)/cold hydraulic single-cone. Group C: RB sealer AdSeal (Meta Biomed, Cheongju, Republic of Korea)/traditional Protaper Gold Gutta-Percha Points (Dentsply Sirona, USA)/warm vertical condensation. A dye penetration method was applied, and the length of apicocoronal penetration was measured using a surgical microscope. The data were statistically analyzed to evaluate differences at the 0.05 significance level. A significant difference was found between groups A and C, p = 0.0003, and groups B and C, p = 0.003. The data analysis proved that the BCB sealer using the cold hydraulic single-cone method ensured a substantially better seal than the RB sealer using the warm vertical condensation method. The choice of the type of gutta-percha points (bioceramic-coated or regular) appeared to be unimportant. No statistical significance was found between groups A and B, which indicates that using bioceramic-coated gutta-percha points does not bring any considerable benefit in view of a no-gap root canal obturation. Full article

Fibre optic sensors (FOSs) have developed as a transformative technology in healthcare, often offering unparalleled accuracy and sensitivity in monitoring various physiological and biochemical parameters. Their applications range from tracking vital signs to guiding minimally invasive surgeries, enabling advancements in medical diagnostics and treatment. However, the integration of FOSs into biomedical applications faces numerous challenges. This article describes some challenges for adopting FOSs for biomedical purposes, exploring technical and practical obstacles, and examining innovative solutions. Significant challenges include biocompatibility, miniaturization, addressing signal processing complexities, and meeting regulatory standards. By outlining solutions to the stated challenges, it is intended that this article provides a better understanding of FOS technologies in biomedical settings and their implementation. A broader appreciation of the technology, offered in this article, enhances patient care and improved medical outcomes. Full article

The accurate prediction of sewage treatment indicators is crucial for optimizing management and supporting sustainable water use. This study proposes the KAN-LSTM model, a hybrid deep learning model combining Long short-term memory (LSTM) networks, Kolmogorov-Arnold Network (KAN) layers, and multi-head attention. The model effectively captures complex temporal dynamics and nonlinear relationships in sewage data, outperforming conventional methods. We applied correlation analysis with time-lag consideration to select key indicators. The KAN-LSTM model then processes them through LSTM layers for sequential dependencies, KAN layers for enhanced nonlinear modeling via learnable B-spline transformations, and multi-head attention for dynamic weighting of temporal features. This combination handles short-term patterns and long-range dependencies effectively. Experiments showed the model’s superior performance, achieving 95.13% R-squared score for FOss (final sedimentation basin outflow suspended solid, one indicator of our research predictions)and significantly improving prediction accuracy. These advancements in intelligent sewage treatment prediction modeling not only enhance water sustainability but also demonstrate the transformative potential of hybrid deep learning approaches. This methodology could be extended to optimize predictive tasks in sustainable aquaponic systems and other smart aquaculture applications. Full article

Fructooligosaccharides (FOSs) are carbohydrates of high nutritional value with various prebiotic properties. Optimizing their production process is of significant interest for expanding commercial-scale production. This review discusses the properties and potential applications of FOSs, addressing production challenges and providing an economic market analysis. Bibliometric analysis of data concerning the functional properties, production, purification, and applications of FOSs revealed an over 87% increase in the number of worldwide publications from 2012 to 2022, rising from 88 to 165. Furthermore, contributions from ninety-three countries were identified up to 2024, with Brazil ranking first, with 326 publications. Furthermore, Aureobasidium sp. and Aspergillus sp. have shown the best results for FOS production, with reported conversion in the order of 0.66 g FOS/g sucrose. Nevertheless, the formation of by-products or co-products requiring separation from the medium remains a challenge. Activated carbon, cation exchange resins, and zeolites are highlighted as key adsorbents, with the adsorption process achieving FOS purity exceeding 90%. Furthermore, membrane technology is identified as a more efficient and promising separation method. Addressing these limitations will facilitate the further expansion of the growing global FOS market, promoting a sustainable approach and their integration with biorefineries, which can enable the development of a wider range of value-added products. Full article

High potential is attributed to the concomitant use of probiotics and prebiotics in a single food product, called “synbiotics”, where the prebiotic component distinctly favours the growth and activity of probiotic microbes. This study implemented a detailed comparison between the prebiotic effect of Fructooligosaccharides (FOSs) and Raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFOs) on the viable count of bacteria, hydrolysis into monosaccharides, the biosynthesis of short-chain fatty acids and sensory attributes of soymilk fermented with 1% (v/v) co-cultures of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus JCM1136 and Weissella confusa 30082b. The highest viable count of 1.21 × 10⁹ CFU/mL was observed in soymilk with 3% RFOs added as a prebiotic source compared with MRS broth with 3% RFOs (3.21 × 10⁸) and 3% FOS (6.2 × 10⁷ CFU/mL) when replaced against glucose in MRS broth. Raffinose and stachyose were extensively metabolised (4.75 and 1.28-fold decrease, respectively) in 3% RFOs supplemented with soymilk, and there was an increase in glucose, galactose, fructose (2.36, 1.55, 2.76-fold, respectively) in soymilk supplemented with 3% FOS. Synbiotic soymilk with 3% RFOs showed a 99-fold increase in methyl propionate, while the one supplemented with 3% FOS showed an increase in methyl butyrate. The highest acceptability based on the sensory attributes was for soymilk fermented with 2% RFOs + 2% FOS + 2% table sugar + 1% vanillin (7.87 ± 0.52) with high mouth feel, product consistency, taste, and flavour. This study shows that the simultaneous administration of soy with probiotic bacteria and prebiotic oligosaccharides like FOSs and RFOs enhance the synergistic interaction between them, which upgraded the nutritional and sensory quality of synbiotic soymilk. Full article

FOSs are short-chain fructose-based oligosaccharides with notable functional and health benefits. Naturally present in various fruits and vegetables, FOSs are primarily produced enzymatically or microbially from sucrose or long-chain fructans, namely, inulin. Enzymes such as fructosyltransferase, β-fructofuranosidase, and endoinulinase are typically involved in its production. The chemical structure of FOSs consists of an assembly of fructose residues combined with a glucose unit. The increasing consumer demand for healthy foods has driven the widespread use of FOSs in the functional food industry. Thus, FOSs have been incorporated into dairy products, beverages, snacks, and pet foods. Beyond food and feed applications, FOSs serve as a low-calorie sweetener for and are used in dietary supplements and pharmaceuticals. As a prebiotic, they enhance gut health by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria, aid digestion, improve mineral absorption, and help regulate cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Generally recognized as safe (GRAS) and approved by global regulatory agencies, FOSs are a valuable ingredient for both food and health applications. This review provides an updated perspective on the natural sources and occurrence of FOSs, their structures, and physicochemical and physiological features, with some focus on and a critical assessment of their potential health benefits. Moreover, FOS production methods are concisely addressed, and forthcoming developments involving FOSs are suggested. Full article

Breast milk is rich in bioactive components, especially human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), which are crucial for establishing gut microbiota. The 2′-FL (2-Fucosyllactose), one of the most abundant oligosaccharides in breast milk, functions as a selective prebiotic. Objective: To examine the effect of adding 2′-FL (2-Fucosyllactose) to an infant formula containing prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharides (GOSs) and fructo-oligosaccharides (FOSs) on the gut microbiome of healthy formula-fed infants. Methods: This study enrolled infants from three groups: an HMO experimental group (n = 29), a GOS/FOS control group (n = 30), and an exclusively breastfed (breast milk [BM]) reference group (n = 28). Fecal samples from the three groups in the first and fourth months of life were analyzed. The V3 and V4 regions of the 16S rRNA gene were amplified and sequenced on the Illumina MiSeq. ANOVA, Kruskal–Wallis, richness indices (Chao1, Shannon), UniFrac distances, and the Adonis tests were used to perform statistical analyses on the relative abundance of phyla and genera, as well as the alpha and beta-diversity of the gut microbiota. Results: After intervention, Actinobacteriota emerged as the predominant phylum in both the HMO (60.4%) and BM (46.6%) groups. Bifidobacterium and Escherichia-Shigella were identified as the two most abundant bacterial genera in both groups. Nevertheless, the statistical analysis showed that the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium in the HMO formula-fed group after intervention was similar to that in the BM group (p > 0.05). Infants in the HMO and GOS/FOS groups showed higher relative abundance of [Ruminococcus]_gnavus_group bacteria compared to those in the BM group. Groups fed with infant formula demonstrated higher alpha-diversity of gut microbiota compared to breastfed infants (p < 0.05), at the time of admission as well as after the intervention. Beta-diversity was significantly different among the three groups, according to type of feeding. Infants fed a 2′-FL-supplemented infant formula exhibited growth comparable to that of breastfed infants throughout the intervention period, demonstrating that the formula was both safe and well tolerated. Conclusions: Adding 2′-FL to an infant formula containing 4 g/L of GOS + FOS resulted in a stronger bifidogenic effect compared to the formula without 2′-FL. Full article

Background/Objectives: Yacon syrup (Smallanthus sonchifolius) has gained attention due to its high concentration of fructooligosaccharides (FOSs) and associated health benefits. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effects of yacon syrup on metabolic parameters and intestinal health in humans over the last decade. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systematic search in databases, including Medline (PubMed), Science Direct, Embase, Scopus, and SciELO, up to October 2024. Inclusion criteria focused on clinical trials examining the impact of yacon syrup on glycemic control, lipid profile, insulin sensitivity, appetite regulation, and gut microbiota in healthy, overweight, or obese individuals. Seven studies met the inclusion criteria, encompassing 161 participants from diverse populations. Results: Yacon syrup supplementation demonstrated significant reductions in fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, and LDL cholesterol, alongside improvements in satiety and intestinal transit time. Acute supplementation with yacon syrup had inconsistent results for postprandial glycemia and insulin levels, probably due to prior individual gut microbiota composition. Longer interventions with yacon syrup were associated with enhanced microbiota modulation and appetite regulation, particularly in women. Mild gastrointestinal discomfort was reported, but with the continued use of yacon syrup, the symptoms decreased. Yacon syrup presents promising health benefits, including improved insulin sensitivity, weight management, and gut health. However, further research is needed to establish optimal dosing and long-term safety. Conclusions: This review highlights the potential of yacon syrup as a functional supplement for metabolic and gastrointestinal health. Full article

Levansucrases are key enzymes responsible for the synthesis of β-2,6-linked fructans, found in plants and microbes, especially in bacteria. Levansucrases have been applied in the production of levan biopolymer and fructooligosaccharides (FOSs) using sucrose as a substrate as well as in reducing sugar levels in fruit juice. As a result, levansucrases that are active at low temperatures are required for industrial applications to maintain product stability. Therefore, this work firstly reports the novel cold-active levansucrase (SacBPk) isolated from a sucrolytic bacterial strain, P. koreensis HL12. The SacBPk was classified into glycoside hydrolase family 68 subfamily 1 (GH68_1) and comprised a single catalytic domain with the Asp104/Asp267/Glu362 catalytic triad. Interestingly, the recombinant SacBPk demonstrated cold-active levansucrase activity at low temperatures (on ice and 4–40 °C) with the highest specific activity (167.46 U/mg protein) observed at 35 and 40 °C in 50 mM sodium phosphate buffer pH 6.0. SacBPk mainly synthesized levan polymer as the major product (129 g/L, corresponding to 25.8% of total sugar) with a low number of short-chain FOSs (GF2–4) (12.8 g/L, equivalent to 2.5% of total sugar) from 500 g/L sucrose after incubating at 35 °C for 48 h. These results demonstrate the industrial application potential of SacBPk levansucrase for levan and FOSs production. Full article

To enable early identification of failure risks in ship systems and equipment, a dynamic cloud center of gravity model is developed for real-time system-level health assessment. First, the Functional Analysis System Technique (FAST) was applied to decompose the operational functions and dependencies of the intelligent machinery room system, enabling the structured establishment of a hierarchical evaluation index system. The comprehensive weight is derived through synergistic application of the fuzzy set (FS) theory and entropy weight. This process integrated expert-defined functional boundaries with measurable parameters critical to system performance. Then, an improved cloud center of gravity method based on the Gaussian cloud model and sliding time window method is used for the system’s adaptive health value calculation. The dynamic health model can achieve continuous online assessment and track the further evolution of the system. Finally, the proposed model is applied to the Fuel Oil Supply System (FOSS). The integration of system performance output and disassembly inspection results demonstrates that the method proposed in the article more accurately reflects the true health status changes in the system when mapping health values. Full article

Pasta is a staple food consumed worldwide and is made from wholegrain semolina, which is a food rich in dietary fibre, proteins, minerals, vitamins, and bioactive compounds. However, fermentable oligo-, di-, and monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP), part of soluble dietary fibre in pasta, can trigger/worsen irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms and increase the prevalence of gastrointestinal disorders. These dietary fibres include lactose, excess fructose relative to glucose, polyols, fructans (mostly fructooligosaccharides), and galactooligosaccharides. Due to a lack of information on the FODMAP profile for pasta, this research conducted a detailed analysis using high-performance anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection to determine the FODMAP compound content in commercially available pasta, with a focus on wholegrain products. The results showed that fructooligosaccharides (FOSs) are the dominant group of FODMAPs, and kestose is the predominant oligosaccharide in all pasta samples both dry (67.1–95.0%) and cooked (27.1–93.9%). Almost all pasta samples are classified as high-FODMAP foods. The degree of reduction in FODMAP compound content during cooking varies between pasta types and is influenced by the wheat type, cooking time, amount of water used for cooking, pasta shapes, and pasta supplementation. In samples of dry pasta, there are statistically significant differences in the results between all samples, while after cooking, there is evident grouping of the results in four clusters. The reduction in FOS content of pasta after cooking was in the range from 30.9% to 84%. Further research should be focused on higher activity of FODMAP degrading enzymes during pasta production process. Full article

Background: Prebiotics are non-digestible dietary compounds, defined as substrates that are utilised by host microorganisms conferring a health benefit. Although fructo-oligosaccharides (FOSs) and galacto-oligosaccharides (GOSs) are among the most studied prebiotics and support intestinal normobiosis, comprehensive data on their content in foods remain limited. Objectives: The objective was to quantify the content of FOSs (kestose, nystose, and 1 F-β-fructofuranosylnystose) and GOSs (raffinose and stachyose) in 35 foods, including fruit and nuts, legumes, and cereals. We also estimated the intakes of prebiotics in an Italian population. Methods: We analysed the prebiotic content in foods using high-performance anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC-PAD). We estimated the prebiotic intake of 100 healthy controls from a case-control study on colorectal cancer conducted in Italy between 2017 and 2019. We used dietary information collected through a food frequency questionnaire and the prebiotic data quantified in this and a previous study. Results: FOSs were mostly detected in cereal products, with wheat bran and whole-meal rye flour containing the highest amount (around 0.7 g/100 g each). GOSs were most abundant in legumes, especially in dried soy products (around 4.0 g/100 g each). Mean daily intake was 0.236 g for total FOSs and 0.371 g for total GOSs. Wheat bran, raspberries, chestnuts, walnuts, raisins, soy milk, and soy yoghurt overall accounted for 3.9% of kestose, 1.2% of nystose, 0% of 1F-β-fructofuranosylnystose, 15.5% of raffinose, and 8.3% of stachyose total intakes. Conclusions: The present study enables the development of a comprehensive database on prebiotic content in foods through a consistent analytical method. This makes prebiotic intake assessments more accurate than previously available data and facilitates future epidemiological studies investigating their potential effects on health. Full article

The role of prebiotics and probiotics in promoting gut health is increasingly recognized in food development and nutrition research. This study explored the enhancement of probiotic viability in the food industry through microencapsulated synbiotics, focusing on Lactiplantibacillus plantarum NCIMB 11974 with fructooligosaccharides (FOSs) and inulin as prebiotics. The effect of encapsulation in a chitosan-coated alginate matrix on probiotic survival under simulated gastrointestinal conditions showed a significant effect of 2% FOS concentration on the growth of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum NCIMB 11974. The optimization of microencapsulation parameters by the Taguchi method revealed a 2% sodium alginate concentration, a nozzle size of 200 µm, and a concentration of 0.4% chitosan solution as ideal, producing microcapsules with an estimated average diameter of 212 µm. Viability assessments in simulated gastric juice and simulated intestinal juice showed that chitosan-coated alginate microcapsules notably enhanced probiotic survival, achieving log 8 CFU mL⁻¹ viability in both environments, a marked improvement over the uncoated variant. The study emphasizes the importance of microencapsulation, particularly by sodium alginate and chitosan, as a viable strategy to improve the survival and delivery of probiotics through the digestive system. By improving the stability and survivability of probiotics, microencapsulation promises to expand the use of synbiotics in various foods, contributing to the development of functional foods with health-promoting properties. Full article