Search Results (1,112)

Due to its appealing composition, grape pomace (GP), the major by-product of the wine industry, could be considered an ideal candidate for innovative functional foods development. In this study, a rice/GP-yogurt alternative, also known as gurt, fermented with selected lactic acid bacteria, was designed. An extensive characterization of the gurts led to the selection of the one fermented with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum T0A10. The strains showed good pro-technological performances (fast acidification and growth up to 9 log cfu/g in the specific plant-based composite substrate), as well as the ability to increase DPPH radical scavenging activity compared to the unfermented control (57% against 40%). Then, an in-depth focus on the effect of fermentation on phenolic compounds and their related antioxidant efficacy on human keratinocytes was provided, elucidating a compound/function relationship. Fermentation significantly modified the phenolic profile of the gurt, reducing glycosylated forms of flavonols and phenolic acids and increasing the content of catechin and pyrogallol (more than 100 mg/kg combined). Such modification was responsible for significantly up-regulating (p < 0.05) the expression of the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase 2, thus protecting NCTC 2544 cells against oxidative stress. Overall, these findings provide a foundation for developing value-added products from GP, supporting both circular economy initiatives and functional ingredient innovation. Full article

Microscopic wood images are vital in wood analysis and classification research. However, the high cost of acquiring microscopic images and the limitations of experimental conditions have led to a severe problem of insufficient sample data, which significantly restricts the training performance and generalization ability of deep learning models. This study first used basic image processing techniques to perform preliminary augmentation of the original dataset. The augmented data were then input into five GAN models, BGAN, DCGAN, WGAN-GP, LSGAN, and StyleGAN2, for training. The quality and model performance of the generated images were assessed by analyzing the degree of fidelity of cellular structure (e.g., earlywood, latewood, and wood rays), image clarity, and diversity of the images for each model-generated image, as well as by using KID, IS, and SSIM. The results showed that images generated by BGAN and WGAN-GP exhibited high quality, with lower KID values and higher IS values, and the generated images were visually close to real images. In contrast, the DCGAN, LSGAN, and StyleGAN2 models experienced mode collapse during training, resulting in lower image clarity and diversity compared to the other models. Through a comparative analysis of different GAN models, this study demonstrates the feasibility and effectiveness of Generative Adversarial Networks in the domain of small-sample image data augmentation, providing an important reference for further research in the field of wood identification. Full article

The study aimed to elucidate compositional changes in free phenolic compounds (fPHEs) during bakery processing of wheat flour supplemented with grape pomace (GP) and to assess dough rheology, bun shape and physical characteristics. Three GP variants were used—two from white cultivars (Rhine Riesling; Rhine Riesling + Muscat of Moravia) and one from a red blend (Saint Laurent and André)—at substitution levels of 5, 10, 20, and 30%. Thirty-four fPHEs were quantified by high-resolution UHPLC-MS-Orbitrap; dough rheology was assessed by Mixolab; and potential fPHE–wheat macromolecule interactions were examined via FTIR spectroscopy. Wheat flour contained only six fPHEs at low concentrations. Both white GP samples had similar profiles of 32 fPHEs, dominated by miquelianin (526–683 µg/g) and hyperoside + isoquercetin (390–476 µg/g). Red GP was highly enriched in anthocyanins (>30,000 µg/g) and generally exceeded white GP in most fPHEs. Even 5% GP substantially increased fPHE concentrations throughout processing. Several compounds (e.g., gallic acid, miquelianin) exceeded theoretical values, suggesting release from bound forms during fermentation and heating, whereas anthocyanins lost at least 30% during baking. Rheological analysis showed shorter dough development and reduced stability with increasing GP. White GP enhanced starch gelatinization (C3), gel stability (C4), and retrogradation, whereas 20% red GP markedly impaired gelatinization. GP additions ≥10% deteriorated bun shape and physical properties. FTIR confirmed spectral shifts likely due to fPHE–protein/starch interactions. In summary, incorporation of just 5% GP enhanced the nutritional profile of wheat buns. Full article

Multidrug resistance (MDR) remains a significant obstacle to effective cancer chemotherapy, primarily due to overexpression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), which reduces intracellular accumulation of cytotoxic drugs. This study evaluated the pharmacological potential of the glycyrrhetinic acid derivative soloxolone N-3-(dimethylamino)propylamide (Sol-DMAP) as a biocompatible P-gp inhibitor with hepatoprotective properties. Using a murine model of P-gp-overexpressing RLS40 lymphosarcoma, we demonstrated that Sol-DMAP significantly enhanced the antitumor efficacy of doxorubicin (DOX) by increasing its intratumoral concentration 4.7-fold without enhancing systemic toxicity. Independently, Sol-DMAP exhibited direct antitumor activity, reducing tumor growth in vivo and inducing apoptosis and G1-phase arrest in RLS40 cells in vitro. In addition, Sol-DMAP mitigated DOX-induced hepatic injury by reducing necrotic and dystrophic changes in liver tissue and restoring heme oxygenase 1 (Hmox1) expression. Further studies in HepG2 cells confirmed that Sol-DMAP activated the NRF2-dependent antioxidant response, upregulating HMOX1, GCLC, GCLM, and NQO1 genes. Molecular docking revealed that Sol-DMAP can disrupt the KEAP1-NRF2 interaction, likely leading to NRF2 activation. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that Sol-DMAP effectively reverses P-gp-mediated MDR while protecting the liver from oxidative stress, highlighting its potential as a multifunctional scaffold for the development of safer and more effective chemotherapeutic adjuvants. Full article

Gut microbiota, through both its species composition and its metabolites, impacts expression and activity of intestinal drug transporters. This phenomenon directly affects absorption process of orally administered drugs and contributes to the observed inter-individual variability in pharmacotherapeutic responses. This review summarizes mechanistic evidence from in vitro and animal studies and integrates clinical observations in which alterations in gut microbiota are associated with changes in oral drug exposure, consistent with potential regulation of key intestinal drug transporters—such as P-glycoprotein (P-gp, ABCB1), Breast Cancer Resistance Protein (BCRP, ABCG2), MRP2/3 proteins (ABCC2/3), and selected Organic Anion-Transporting Polypeptides (OATPs, e.g., SLCO1A2, SLCO2B1)—by major bacterial metabolites including short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), secondary bile acids, and tryptophan-derived indoles. The molecular mechanisms involved include activation of nuclear and membrane receptors (PXR, FXR, AhR, TGR5), modulation of transcriptional and stress-response pathways (Nrf2, AP-1) with simultaneous suppression of pro-inflammatory pathways (NF-κB), and post-translational modifications (e.g., direct inhibition of P-gp ATPase activity by Eggerthella lenta metabolites). The review also highlights the pharmacokinetic implications of, e.g., tacrolimus, digoxin, and metformin. In conclusion, the significance of “drug–transporter–microbiome” interactions for personalized medicine is discussed. Potential therapeutic interventions are also covered (diet, pre-/probiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation, modulation of PXR/FXR/AhR pathways). Considering the microbiota as a “second genome” enables more accurate prediction of drug exposure, reduction in toxicity, and optimization of dosing for orally administered preparations. Full article

Intrusion detection systems (IDSs) must operate under severe class imbalance, evolving attack behavior, and the need for calibrated decisions that integrate smoothly with security operations. We propose a human-in-the-loop IDS that combines a convolutional neural network and a long short-term memory network (CNN–LSTM) classifier with a variational autoencoder (VAE)-seeded conditional Wasserstein generative adversarial network with gradient penalty (cWGAN-GP) augmentation and entropy-based abstention. Minority classes are reinforced offline via conditional generative adversarial (GAN) sampling, whereas high-entropy predictions are escalated for analysts and are incorporated into a curated retraining set. On CIC-IDS2017, the resulting framework delivered well-calibrated binary performance (ACC = 98.0%, DR = 96.6%, precision = 92.1%, F1 = 94.3%; baseline ECE ≈ 0.04, Brier ≈ 0.11) and substantially improved minority recall (e.g., Infiltration from 0% to >80%, Web Attack–XSS +25 pp, and DoS Slowhttptest +15 pp, for an overall +11 pp macro-recall gain). The deployed model remained lightweight (~42 MB, <10 ms per batch; ≈32 k flows/s on RTX-3050 Ti), and only approximately 1% of the flows were routed for human review. Extensive evaluation, including ROC/PR sweeps, reliability diagrams, cross-domain tests on CIC-IoT2023, and FGSM/PGD adversarial stress, highlights both the strengths and remaining limitations, notably residual errors on rare web attacks and limited IoT transfer. Overall, the framework provides a practical, calibrated, and extensible machine learning (ML) tier for modern IDS deployment and motivates future research on domain alignment and adversarial defense. Full article

The article deals with the creation of a calibration model of lactic acid content in an aqueous solution. The research concept included the preparation of a control tool for the process of modifying the properties of the food fraction for methane fermentation bacteria. The thesis was formulated that it is possible to prepare a systemic solution for real-time observation and monitoring of lactic acid secretion during the digestion of a hydrated mixture of food fractions. The scientific aim of the work was to develop and verify a calibration model of lactic acid content in an aqueous mixture with limited transparency for visible light waves. The research methodology was based on near-infrared spectroscopy with multivariate analysis. Stochastic modeling with noise reduction based on orthogonal decomposition was used. A calibration model was created using Gaussian processes (GP) to predict the lactic acid concentration in an aqueous solution or mixture using an NIR-Vis spectrophotometer. The design of the calibration model was based on absorbance spectra and computational data from selected wavelength ranges from 450 nm to 1900 nm. The measurement data in the form of spectra were limited from the initial wider range (400–2250 nm) to reduce interference. The generated calibration model achieved a mean error level not exceeding 2.47 g∙dm⁻³ of the identified lactic acid fraction. The coefficient of determination R² was 0.996. The effect of absorbing the emitter waves was achieved despite the limited transparency of the mixture. Full article

Despite the nutritional importance of sweetpotato, systematic studies on its lipid metabolism remain largely unexplored. To address this gap, this study investigates the dynamic changes in lipid composition during the development of sweetpotato storage roots using a comprehensive lipidomics approach. Through LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis of ‘Guangshu 79’ (G79), an orange-fleshed sweetpotato cultivar, across five developmental stages (S1–S5), 612 lipid species were identified, spanning five major classes: glycerolipids (GL, 57.6%), glycerophospholipids (GP, 24.6%), sphingolipids (SP, 13.9%), fatty acids (FA, 3.6%), and prenol lipids (PR, 0.3%). Early developmental phases (S1–S2) were characterized by upregulation of structural phospholipids (PC, PE) and energy-storage triglycerides (TG), supporting active membrane biogenesis and carbon allocation. Mid-development (S3) showed peak TG accumulation (1439.30 nmol/g), while later stages (S4–S5) exhibited sphingolipid-mediated signaling (Cer, HexCer) and membrane stabilization through glycolipids (MGDG, DGDG). KEGG pathway analysis revealed glycerophospholipid metabolism (25.8%) and sphingolipid metabolism (19.3%) as dominant pathways. These findings systematically characterize the lipid composition and dynamic changes during sweetpotato storage root development, providing a valuable resource for future research on lipid metabolism in root crops. Full article

In 2023, the detection rate of porcine rotavirus (PoRV) surpassed that of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) for the first time, establishing PoRV as the predominant pathogen responsible for viral diarrhea in pigs. To systematically investigate the epidemiology and molecular characteristics of PoRV in Southwest China, a total of 196 diarrheal clinical samples were collected from 29 large-scale pig farms across the region during 2024–2025. RT-qPCR results revealed a high PoRV positivity rate of 57.14% (112/196) with group A porcine rotavirus (PoRVA) being the most prevalent at 46.43%, representing the predominant group. Genotyping and phylogenetic analysis of the VP4 and VP7 genes indicated that the P genotype P[13] was most prevalent (77.78%, 21/27), while the major G genotypes were G4 (39.28%) and G9 (35.71%). The most common G/P combinations were G9P[13] and G4P[13]. Furthermore, a PoRV strain was successfully isolated and identified through whole-genome sequencing, indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The isolate was designated RVA/Pig-wt/SCLS-JW/2024/G1P[7], with a whole-genome constellation of G1-P[7]-I5-R1-C1-M1-A8-N1-T1-E1-H1. The structural proteins VP1-4 and VP6-7, along with nonstructural genes NSP1 and NSP5, shared high sequence identity with porcine strains, whereas the nonstructural genes NSP2–NSP4 clustered more closely with human rotaviruses. These findings indicate a higher prevalence of PoRV in southwestern China compared to other regions; the dominant circulating genotypes have shifted to G9 and G4; the isolated G1P[7] strain is relatively rare in China and might be a genetic recombinant of human and porcine rotaviruses. This study provides valuable data and theoretical support for understanding the current epidemiology of PoRV, and facilitates vaccine development and the formulation of prevention and control strategies. Full article

The transportation phase in off-site construction subjects prefabricated modules to road-induced vibrations, shocks, and handling loads that can degrade structural integrity. Existing monitoring approaches often rely on local data loggers, which not only lack real-time visibility but also fail to link structural responses to their precise spatial and temporal context. To address this gap, this study proposes a GPS-integrated Internet of Things (IoT) framework for real-time monitoring of prefabricated modules during transit. The system comprises distributed inertial sensing nodes wirelessly connected to a central gateway, which aggregates and transmits synchronized sensor and GPS data to a cloud platform for analysis and visualization. Field validation demonstrated stable multi-node data acquisition with sufficient battery life to support extended monitoring under LTE connectivity. The framework supports dual-stream analytics: (i) time- and frequency-domain assessment of structural exposure using peak acceleration, RMS, and FFT metrics, and (ii) causal inference of road events (e.g., potholes, bumps, sharp turns). Vertical acceleration emerged as the most responsive diagnostic channel for capturing road-induced excitations, while gyroscope-derived motion profiles distinguish between driver maneuvers and road irregularities. Through seamless integration of structural and geospatial data in a scalable, low-cost system, this framework enables actionable insights for route planning, condition-based inspection, and improved logistics management in modular construction. Full article

Grazing pressure (GP) was a key factor influencing net primary productivity (NPP) in pasturelands and was characterized by two indicators: grazing intensity (GI) and grazing density (GD). However, current research has not yet clarified whether the mechanisms linking GP to NPP varied by season, or whether seasonal thresholds of grazing pressure existed. This study employed the Carnegie–Ames–Stanford Approach (CASA) model to estimate NPP over eight time periods between 2010 and 2024 for three seasonal pastures (spring–autumn, summer, and winter) in the study area. Estimation accuracy was evaluated by comparing our NPP estimates with existing NPP products. Trends in NPP and their significance were analyzed using the Sen–MK method, followed by further examination of spatiotemporal variations in NPP across the three seasonal pastures. Subsequently, by comparing two grazing pressure indicators (GI and GD), we identified the optimal metric to represent GP and, on this basis, analyzed the spatiotemporal variations and threshold dynamics of pasture NPP across three seasons under the influence of GP. Results indicated that the CASA model achieved R² > 0.90 for multi-year NPP estimation, with RMSE ranging from 27 to 45 g C m⁻² y⁻¹. Spring–autumn and winter pastures exhibited pronounced slope changes and intense spatiotemporal NPP variations, whereas summer pastures showed insignificant slope changes and stable spatiotemporal NPP patterns. Of the two GP indicators, the GD metric developed herein more effectively characterized grazing pressure across the study area. Across the three seasonal pastures, a consistent negative feedback between GD and NPP was evident; however, its strength differed markedly, with spring–autumn and winter pastures exhibiting greater NPP sensitivity to GD. The GD thresholds for spring–autumn, summer, and winter pastures in the study area were approximately 900, 700, and 5000 sheep km⁻², respectively. Exceeding these thresholds led to degradation, while falling below them promoted recovery. The study revealed a threshold-mediated negative feedback between GD and NPP across seasonal pastures, quantified season-specific upper bounds of carrying capacity, and provided an evidence base for zoned rest/rotational grazing and GD regulation along the northern slope of the Tianshan Mountains. Full article

Inherited platelet function disorders (IPFDs) are rare diseases caused by defects in platelet surface receptors, enzymes, granules, or signaling proteins. In humans, GPVI and P2Y12 deficiency cause autosomal recessive bleeding disorders, while TBXAS1 deficiency is related to Ghosal hematodiaphyseal dysplasa, a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by increased long bone density and platelet dysfunction without bleeding. To date, at least 20 patients have been identified with molecular defects in P2RY12, 12 cases with molecular defects in GP6, and 34 cases with molecular defects in TBXAS1. Here, we report a novel nonsense and missense variants in P2RY12, a novel nonsense variant in GP6, and a novel missense variant in TBXAS1. These variants selectively affect the platelet reactivity to ADP and collagen/CRP, predisposing to bleeding. P2RY12 c.835 G>A [p.Val279Met] variant did not affect receptor expression whereas P2RY12 c.44delG [p.Ser15Ilefs*33] lead to decreased levels of the receptor in one of the patients. This was confirmed both by RT-qPCR and immunoblotting analysis. Decreased expression of both GPVI and FcRγ-chain was detected in patients carrying GPVI nonsense variant in heterozygosis. The deleterious effect of these variants was also confirmed in a transfected cell line model. TBXAS1 variant triggered decreased TxA₂ production using a cell line model. These variants expand the genetic landscape of P2RY12, GPVI and TBXAS1 inherited deficiency. Full article

Iron-rich metallurgical slag is an underutilized precursor in alkali-activated materials (AAMs), despite its abundance and potential in sustainable construction and waste immobilization. This study evaluates a binary AAM system (Aachen GP), comprising 50 wt.% blast furnace slag (BFS) and 50 wt.% iron-rich slag (Fe₂O₃ ≈ 24.6 wt.%), against a BFS-only reference (Ref GP). Characterization included isothermal calorimetry, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDX), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area, water permeability, porosity, and compressive strength. Aachen GP showed delayed setting (32.9 h), reduced cumulative heat (∼70 J/g), and lower bound water (4.6% at 28 days), indicating limited gel formation. Compared to Ref GP, it had higher porosity (38.4%), water permeability ($1.42\times {10}^{-10}$ m/s), and BET surface area (12.4 m²/g), but lower 28-day strength (14.4 MPa vs. 43 MPa). Structural analysis revealed unreacted crystalline phases and limited amorphous gel. While Aachen GP meets regulatory strength thresholds (≥8 MPa) for low- to intermediate-level wasteforms in Belgium and Germany, its elevated porosity may impact long-term containment. Further studies on radionuclide leaching and durability under thermal and radiation stress are recommended. Full article

Background: Photoaging, induced by chronic ultraviolet (UV) exposure, is a multifactorial skin disorder characterized by oxidative stress, inflammation, and extracellular matrix degradation. Ganoderma lucidum glycoprotein (Gl-Gp) exhibits potent antioxidant activity, but its topical application is limited by poor transdermal permeability. This study aimed to develop a microemulsion-based system to enhance Gl-Gp delivery and evaluate its anti-photoaging efficacy. Methods: Gl-Gp was extracted and purified from G. lucidum fruiting bodies and structurally characterized for O-glycosidic linkages and O-GlcNAc modifications. Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy further confirmed the polysaccharide–protein complex structure of Gl-Gp. A water-in-oil Gl-Gp microemulsion was prepared and assessed in vitro for antioxidant and cytoprotective effects in HaCaT cells, including reactive oxygen species (ROS) reduction, mitochondrial membrane potential stabilization, and apoptosis inhibition. Transdermal penetration was compared with aqueous Gl-Gp. In vivo efficacy was evaluated in a UV-induced rat model by measuring skin morphology, histology, oxidative stress markers, matrix metalloproteinases, and proinflammatory cytokines. Results: The microemulsion enhanced Gl-Gp stability and transdermal delivery. In vitro, it reduced ROS, preserved mitochondrial function, and decreased apoptosis in HaCaT cells. In rats, topical application attenuated erythema and epidermal hyperplasia, promoted dermal restoration, increased SOD and GSH-Px activities, and decreased MDA, hydroxyproline, MMPs, and inflammatory mediators. Conclusions: The Gl-Gp microemulsion exerts antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-collagen-degrading effects, representing a promising strategy for transdermal delivery and topical prevention of photoaging. Full article

Historic cities facing overtourism require evidence-based visitor dispersal to balance tourism growth with sustainable destination development. Focusing on Kyoto City, Japan, this study proposes an integrated analytical framework that combines objective tourism supply (POIs) and tourism demand (GPS trajectories) with visitor subjective perceptions from online tourist reviews to identify Alternative Attractions for Visitor Dispersal and evaluate their Composite Attractiveness. We (i) map supply–demand patterns to distinguish Hotspot Attractions versus Alternative Attractions (high-supply/low-demand); (ii) quantify Subjective Perceptions via an Aspect-Based Sentiment Analysis pipeline (ABSA) across landscape, experience, service, and transportation; and (iii) embed these sentiments into an improved Two-Step Floating Catchment Area (2SFCA) method that reframes accessibility from “reaching places” to “attaining high-quality experiences.” Kyoto exhibits a marked supply–demand mismatch, with Alternative Attractions concentrated around Fushimi, Sakyo (Nanzen-ji area), and outer Arashiyama. Negative perceptions (e.g., crowding) diminish the attractiveness of central Hotspot Attractions, whereas positive perceptions (e.g., pleasant atmosphere) enhance the attractiveness of peripheral Alternative Attractions, offsetting locational disadvantages. This framework offers not only data-driven support for Kyoto but also a replicable, experience-oriented model for sustainable tourism spatial management in other similarly challenged destinations. Full article