Search Results (12,338)

Epilepsy remains one of the most prevalent neurological disorders, characterised by complex aetiology encompassing genetic, structural, metabolic, and inflammatory factors. Despite advances in neuroimaging and neurophysiological diagnostics, there is a persistent lack of sensitive and specific biomarkers to enable early diagnosis, risk stratification, and monitoring of therapeutic efficacy. Key epilepsy biomarkers include neurotransmitters, energy–related compounds, tryptophan pathway metabolites, and choline derivatives. Their determination employs liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS), high–performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with electrochemical or fluorescence detection, gas chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (GC–MS/MS), high–resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H–NMR) spectroscopy, revealing metabolic disturbances in neurotransmission, energy metabolism, and oxidative stress associated with epileptogenesis. Among these techniques, LC–MS/MS currently provides the highest analytical sensitivity and specificity for quantifying low–abundance epilepsy–related metabolites, while HPLC with conventional detection remains a simpler and more cost–effective alternative for routine clinical laboratories. This review presents the current state of knowledge regarding chromatographic techniques applied to the analysis of mentioned metabolites, as well as therapeutic drug monitoring of antiepileptic drugs. Key sample preparation stages are also discussed. Various biological matrices–plasma, serum, urine, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), dried blood spots (DBSs), and brain tissue—are evaluated. Novel approaches are also presented, including hair samples, microsampling techniques, and headspace analysis of volatile metabolites. Chromatographic techniques constitute the foundation of contemporary metabolomic research in epileptology, enabling biomarker identification and supporting personalised medicine. Further standardisation and translational validation remain necessary, as current evidence is insufficient for routine clinical implementation. Full article

Ultrafine dark tea powder (UDTP) was prepared by superfine grinding and sieving through a 200-mesh sieve, and incorporated into cookies to improve their textural properties, sensory acceptability and flavor characteristics. Through single-factor experiments and orthogonal testing, the optimal formulation was determined. The quality of cookies was evaluated by texture analysis, sensory evaluation, electronic nose (E-nose), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results showed that cookies supplemented with 4 g UDTP per 80 g butter exhibited significantly lower hardness and comparable fracturability, along with higher sensory scores in texture, odor and taste compared to basic butter cookies. E-nose and GC-MS analyses revealed that UDTP enrichment promoted the formation of desirable volatile compounds, particularly aldehydes, ketones, and heterocyclic compounds, which contributed to floral, fruity, roasted nutty, and caramel aromas. This study demonstrates that UDTP can effectively improve both the textural and flavor properties of cookies, providing a viable approach for developing tea-fortified baked products with enriched sensory profiles. Full article

In vitro fecal inoculation coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) has been used for evaluating fecal deodorants. However, high cost and complex data interpretation limit its routine application. An electronic nose (eNose) offers a rapid, cost-effective alternative. This study aimed to evaluate the eNose as a screening tool for fecal odor compared with solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (SPME GC-MS) and to examine the in vitro effects of fecal deodorant supplements on fecal odor profiles. Feces from ten healthy cats were serially diluted (1:1 to 1:8) and analyzed using both instruments. Four dietary supplements—Yucca schidigera extract (YSE), Quillaja saponaria extract (QSE), fructooligosaccharides (FOS), and oat beta-glucans (OBG)—were tested at concentrations of 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.8 g/100 mL. The eNose showed comparable performance to GC-MS in discriminating among sample dilutions. In vitro fermentation showed that FOS and OBG significantly increased volatile fatty acid (VFA)-related sensor responses while signals linked to ammonia and sulfur compounds were reduced. QSE had minimal effect, whereas YSE produced moderate changes. The total sensor response intensities did not differ between treatments. These findings indicate that prebiotic supplements exert stronger effects than saponin-based supplements and highlight the potential of eNoses with in vitro fermentation for rapid screening of fecal deodorants. Full article

With the rise of telecommunication systems in recent decades, the implications for human health have prompted a search for ways to reduce the impact of electromagnetic waves in buildings when necessary. A viable and promising solution to realize electromagnetic shielding could be the use of drywall panels coated with a biochar paste, as proposed in this study. Biochar (bio-charcoal), a low-cost and carbon-based material, can be obtained by the thermochemical conversion of different biomass sources. A commercial wood-based biochar thermally treated at 750 °C is considered in this work. Transmission coefficients of several gypsum board elements with a biochar coating are measured in the frequency K-band (18–27 GHz). In addition, the SE of a double panel configuration, obtained by joining two coated boards to form a multilayer structure, is evaluated. The results show that the biochar coating significantly enhances the SE compared to uncoated drywall. At the highest biochar loading investigated (0.20 g/cm²), the shielding effectiveness consistently exceeds 27 dB for single panels and 46 dB for double panels across the entire frequency band. These findings indicate that biochar-coated drywall systems offer a practical and sustainable solution for integrating electromagnetic shielding into building envelopes, paving the way for innovative applications in indoor exposure control. Full article

Allometric equations are essential tools for estimating sustainable biomass and carbon dynamics in riparian tree species. This study derived and validated log–log transformation regression equations that relate diameter at breast height (DBH) to the dry weight, stem volume, and total biomass of Salix chaenomeloides Kimura across five river systems in Korea (Byeongcheon, Andong, Boseong, Topyeong, and Yeongdong). DBH was significantly correlated with biomass components and whole-tree biomass, with explanatory power ranging from 0.47 (Byeongcheon-root) to 0.99 (Topyeong-stem) (R²). Model evaluation metrics (RMSE, MAE, MPE) indicated high predictive accuracy across sites. Using the derived allometric equations, net primary productivity (NPP) of individual was 9.40 kg·tree⁻¹·yr⁻¹ and 2.45 ton C·ha⁻¹·yr⁻¹ at the stand level, with site-specific variability reflecting environmental differences. Biomass conversion coefficients, expansion factors, and root-to-aboveground biomass ratios were also obtained, with mean values of 0.29 (branches/stem), 0.10 (leaves/stem), and 0.25 (roots/AGB), a wood density of 0.63 g·cm⁻³, and a biomass expansion factor of 1.37. Independently derived NPP estimates based on stem analysis were comparable (9.02 kg tree⁻¹ yr⁻¹ and 2.43 t C ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ at individual and stand levels, respectively), supporting the robustness of the approach. These findings provide robust, site-calibrated allometric models for S. chaenomeloides, supporting accurate biomass estimation, carbon accounting, and the evaluation of riparian ecosystems in climate change mitigation and restoration contexts. From a sustainability perspective, these results highlight the development of tools for evaluating the carbon budget of riparian vegetation, which are not yet incorporated into the Korean national IPCC report. They also demonstrate progress in carbon budget assessment by integrating both allometry and stem analysis. Full article

Rapid urbanization in the Egyptian building sector has led to substantial consumption of conventional concrete material (CCM). Therefore, the use of sustainable construction materials has attracted considerable attention among stakeholders seeking to achieve sustainability. This paper investigates the use of green concrete materials (GCMs) in residential buildings to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We employ an assessment-based approach to investigate the relationship between GCMs and SDGs. Green concrete materials sustainability framework (GCM-SF) was developed from a comprehensive literature review and case studies. We analyzed 27 green concrete materials sustainability indicators (GCM-SI) using a five-point scale and a score matrix to define the contributions and relationships among GCMs, SDGs, and the three sustainability pillars. This study shows that the use of GCMs in residential buildings (RBs) makes a significant contribution to achieving SDGs. Results indicate that the highest contributions are 92% for SDG 12, 85% for SDG 11, 85% for SDG 6, 77% for SDG 9, 74% for SDG 8, 70% for SDG 3, and 70% for SDG 7. Additionally, the lowest contributions to GCM’s environmental indicators were observed for SDG4, SDG10, and SDG16. This can help environmental and construction stakeholders apply new rules and regulations for the use of GCMs in future residential projects. Social sustainability of RBs and applying GCMs for different building types needs further investigation in the future. Full article

In vitro studies were conducted in a series to investigate if the ruminal microbes are capable of degrading chlorpyrifos. This in vitro study presents the results from three experiments: Exp. I was conducted without feed, while Exp II and III were conducted with feed, either with or without methanol for dissolving chlorpyrifos, respectively. A basal diet comprising finger millet straw and concentrate was prepared. Incubation medium with feed but without chlorpyrifos served as the control. A total of six replicates each of control and chlorpyrifos spiked were used for the incubation. The pesticide concentration in the incubation medium before and after 24 h of incubation was analyzed using GC-MS/MS. The genomic DNA was isolated from the incubation fluid of the individual samples, and the shotgun metagenomic sequencing was performed. The clean reads were taxonomically classified using the Kraken2 database, and microbial classification at different taxonomic ranks was separated using Pavian v1.0. The microbial genes in the metagenome data were predicted and assigned functional roles using the MetaErg v1.2.3 pipeline. The assigned KEGG Orthology (KO), EC numbers (Enzyme Commission number), Gene Ontology (GO), and corresponding NCBI taxonomy information relevant to chlorpyrifos metabolism/degradation were retrieved. Results from the study revealed that the chlorpyrifos concentration was decreased from 5.78 to 1.64 ppm over 24 h of in vitro incubation with feed. Similar alpha and beta diversity indices between control and chlorpyrifos treatments revealed that the richness and the evenness of the microbial population were not affected by the presence of chlorpyrifos in the rumen fluid. There was no difference in the microbiota affiliated to the major phyla such as Bacteroidota, Fibrobacterota, Bacillota, and Pseudomonadota. The EC 3.1.8.1, EC 3.1.3.1, EC 1.14.13.-, and EC 1.1.1.- reported for chlorpyrifos degradation were not detected in the metagenome, and only EC 3.1.1.1 was identified, which demonstrated that degradation of chlorpyrifos was carried out by the affiliated enzyme carboxylesterase. The presence of GO:0004035, GO:0004364, GO:0019637, GO:0016791, and GO:0042178 in the metagenome strengthens that the chlorpyrifos degradation in the present study was primarily assigned to the rumen microbiota. This in vitro study provided insights into the rumen microbiota involved in the chlorpyrifos degradation and the initial clue that the rumen microbes are capable of degrading chlorpyrifos. Further, the animal studies in different species with the variable levels of chlorpyrifos are also warranted to confirm the efficacy of rumen microbes in mixed syntrophy and determine the threshold capabilities of the ruminal microbes. Full article

Biopolymers are increasingly explored as safer and more sustainable food packaging materials. This study evaluated the migration behavior of intentionally and non-intentionally added substances (IAS and NIAS), as well as the safety of gelatin and xanthan gum blends reinforced with microcrystalline cellulose, with and without oxygen plasma treatment, incorporating glycerol and limonene as plasticizers. Migration tests were conducted according to European Union (EU) Regulation No. 10/2011 using simulants of different polarities, and IAS/NIAS were analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography–quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC–MS and UPLC-QTOF-MS). Films containing limonene were also evaluated for antioxidant activity. Results showed that plasticizer migration is strongly influenced by simulant polarity, glycerol predominantly migrated into hydrophilic media, whereas limonene and its derivatives exhibited higher migration in fatty simulants. Ethanol 95% acted as a conservative worst-case simulant, promoting extensive migration, while substantially lower migration levels were observed in isooctane and tenax plasma treatment resulted in modest changes in volatile compound migration, while significantly enhancing the antioxidant activity of limonene-containing films. Although overall migration levels were low under most of the tested conditions, NIAS formation, particularly from limonene degradation, highlights the need to account for chemical stability and simulant type when assessing bio-based films. Overall, the study demonstrates that film composition, surface modification, and simulant characteristics jointly influence migration behavior and functional performance under the evaluated conditions reinforcing the need to adapt current regulatory frameworks to the specific behavior of biopolymeric packaging materials. Full article

Earth-based materials are increasingly considered as low-carbon alternatives for sustainable building construction. However, the high variability of natural soils and the complex behaviour of their clay fraction remain major barriers to the standardisation of characterisation and formulation methods. This study proposes a methodological and experimental framework based on the fine fraction (<400 µm) of soils to predict the fresh-state and hardened-state performance of earthen construction materials. Two natural soils from southwestern France with contrasted mineralogical compositions were investigated using rheological studies, compaction, linear shrinkage, and unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests. The results show that the fine fraction plays a dominant role in governing material behaviour: smectite-rich soils reach higher dry densities (up to ≈2.10 g·cm⁻³) and compressive strengths (up to ≈6 MPa) but exhibit greater shrinkage sensitivity, whereas kaolinite–illite-rich soils display reduced shrinkage and improved dimensional stability. By demonstrating the predictive capacity of fine-fraction-based indicators for mechanical performance and dimensional stability, this work contributes to the development of simplified, reproducible, and environmentally relevant methodologies for the design of low-carbon earthen building materials using locally sourced soils. Full article

Background: Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.) Roberty (vetiver) is a perennial medicinal grass with deep aromatic roots traditionally used for several ailments. Its root essential oil (CZEO) is rich in phytochemicals with documented antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. Although its anticancer potential remains underexplored, the complex phytochemical profile of CZEO positions it as a promising multi-target therapy, particularly for colorectal (CRC) and lung cancers where resistance and pathway redundancy often limit conventional treatments. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the phytochemical composition and antiproliferative activity of CZEO from Qatar against colorectal (HCT-116) and lung (A549) cancer cells and to elucidate its molecular targets and mechanisms of action in CRC and lung cancer using network pharmacology and in silico approaches. Methods: CZEO was extracted by steam distillation and characterized using GC–MS. In vitro proliferation assays with HCT-116 colorectal and A549 lung cancer cells were conducted using the Alamar Blue assay. The ten most abundant phytochemicals identified by GC–MS were assessed for drug-likeness and ADMET properties and further analyzed through network pharmacology, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to elucidate the molecular targets and mechanisms underlying CZEO’s anticancer activity. Results: GC-MS profiling identified 40 compounds, predominantly sesquiterpenoids (93%), including khusimol, β-eudesmol, α-vetivone, and rosifoliol. CZEO inhibited cancer cell viability in a dose-dependent manner, with IC₅₀ values of 62.95 ± 2.19 µg/mL for HCT-116 and 167.82 ± 6.51 µg/mL for A549 cells, demonstrating greater potency against colorectal cancer. CZEO did not affect the growth of normal human neonatal fibroblasts (HDFn), suggesting potential selectivity for cancerous cells. ADMET predictions indicated favorable pharmacokinetics and low toxicity of CZEO’s top 10 abundant compounds (TACs). Network pharmacology revealed 373 and 394 overlapping gene targets between TACs and lung and colorectal cancer, respectively. The overlapping genes were used to construct a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network to identify hub genes. STAT3 and AKT1 consistently emerged as common top-scoring hub genes in both cancers. Molecular docking of TACs showed strong binding affinities of rosifoliol and α-vetivone to AKT1 (−6.20 and −5.93 kcal/mol, respectively) and STAT3 (−5.19 and −5.09 kcal/mol, respectively), surpassing reference inhibitors. MD simulations confirmed stable ligand–protein interactions and structural stabilization, particularly with α-vetivone. Conclusions: CZEO from Qatar exhibits potent antiproliferative activity against colorectal and lung cancer cells, supported by a sesquiterpenoid-rich phytochemical profile. Integrative computational analyses highlight AKT1 and STAT3 as key molecular targets, with rosifoliol and α-vetivone emerging as promising lead compounds. These findings support CZEO as a natural, multi-target anticancer agent, warranting further mechanistic and in vitro and in vivo validation. Full article

Slovenia preserves one autochthonous pig breed, the Krškopolje pig, whose meat has been reported to exhibit a favourable fatty acid profile compared with that of modern breeds. However, meat quality is not solely determined by genetics; the production system also influences it, as organic and conventional farming differ in feed composition, housing and outdoor access. This study aimed to compare the effects of pig breed (Krškopolje vs. modern) and production system (organic vs. conventional) on the fatty acid composition and volatile organic compound (VOC) profile of pork. Fatty acid composition was determined by GC-FID after methylation, and the VOCs profile was obtained using headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled with GC-MS. Results showed that Krškopolje meat had higher SFA and MUFA, while modern pig meat had higher PUFAs, particularly n-6, reflecting genetic and dietary influences. Modern breeds also showed greater fatty acid response to the rearing system than the Krškopolje breed. Several VOCs were unique to modern breed pigs, indicating breed-specific differences in lipid composition, amino acid metabolism, and microbial activity. Aldehydes were the dominant VOC class in both breeds, slightly higher in Krškopolje meat. OPLS-DA model revealed breed-related differences in VOCs, pinpointing compounds likely responsible for breed-specific aroma and flavour. Full article

(1) Background: Primary metabolism is essential for tea quality formation, however systematic analysis of tea primary metabolites remains limited; (2) Methods: An orthogonal design was used to optimize the pre-column derivatization reaction conditions for the tea matrix. Using the optimized method, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was employed to analyze Longjing green tea (LJGT) samples from different processing stages and regions; (3) Results: Optimal derivatization was achieved with 75 μL of methoxamine hydrochloride pyridine solution at 30 °C for 1.5 h. A total of 52 primary metabolites were identified in LJGT. Processing analysis showed that 8 metabolites associated with carbohydrate metabolism significantly decreased during spreading. Five reducing sugars significantly decreased, while sucrose, turanose, and quinic acid significantly increased due to the thermal action during pan-fixation. Additionally, 15 key differential compounds were identified among three regions (Xihu, Qiantang, and Yuezhou) of LJGT. Quantitative analysis revealed that shikimic and quinic acid contents were significantly higher in the Xihu region compared to other regions; (4) Conclusions: This study established a pre-column derivatization GC-MS method for primary metabolite profiling, elucidated metabolic regulation during LJGT processing, and identified differences in primary metabolite content among LJGT from different geographical origins. Full article

Geopolymers have gained relevance in environmental applications, and in recent years they have been studied as sustainable adsorbent materials. Increasing their porosity remains one of the main challenges. Various methodologies have been applied for the synthesis of porous geopolymers; however, energy efficiency and environmental considerations associated with the synthesis process must be considered. This study compares two synthesis routes for porous metakaolin-based geopolymers using hydrogen peroxide as a foaming agent and two curing methods: conventional oven curing and microwave-assisted curing. Structural, physical, and chemical properties were evaluated using XRD, FT-IR, SEM/EDS, TGA, and density–porosity analyses. Additionally, a quantitative environmental assessment based on the 12 principles of green chemistry was conducted using the DOZN^TM software version 2.0. The results confirmed that the addition of H₂O₂ did not alter the geopolymeric structure, as evidenced by FT-IR and XRD, regardless of curing method. Porosity increased significantly with the foaming agent, reaching up to ~65% for conventionally cured samples and a maximum of 67% for microwave-cured geopolymers at 3 wt% H₂O₂, with a minimum bulk density of 0.79 g/cm³. High-power microwave-assisted curing reduced the synthesis time to 5 min (≈80% reduction) while promoting a more developed and interconnected macroporous structure, as observed by SEM and supported by enhanced water retention behavior in TGA analyses. The green chemistry assessment demonstrated that microwave curing presents a lower overall impact within the DOZN^TM framework, primarily associated with improved energy efficiency (GCP-6), while acknowledging that this assessment does not constitute a full life cycle analysis. Overall, microwave-assisted synthesis emerges as a more sustainable and efficient route for producing highly porous, hydrophilic geopolymers with strong potential for the adsorption of aqueous pollutants in environmental applications. Full article

Flavor is a pivotal determinant of goat meat quality, influenced by multiple factors. This study investigated flavor formation from a lipid perspective by comparing two distinct breeds at two years old and fed the same diet: the high-altitude Xizang goat (XG; n = 6, 26.23 ± 0.72 kg), renowned for its unique meat flavor, and the low-altitude meat-type Jianzhou big-ear goat (JBG; n = 6, 63.93 ± 0.98 kg). Lipid profiles were analyzed using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS), and flavor variations were assessed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). We identified 630 significantly differential lipids (VIP > 1, p < 0.05) between the breeds. The XG group exhibited a distinct lipid composition characterized by a higher proportion of glycerophospholipids (45.1%) and the upregulation of specific species such as PC (13:0_16:0) and PE(16:0_20:5), whereas glycerolipids were markedly more abundant in JBG (24.3%) than in XG (6.4%). A total of 14 key volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were identified as potential drivers of flavor divergence based on the criteria of |log₂(fold change)| ≥ 1, VIP > 1, p < 0.05 and rOAV ≥ 1. Correlation networks revealed significant positive associations (r > 0.8, p < 0.05) between several upregulated glycerophospholipids—including PC (13:0_16:0), PE(16:0_20:5), PE(20:5_16:1), PMeOH(16:0_22:4), and PS(18:2_20:5)—and fruity esters such as ethyl heptanoate and butyl butyrate in XG meat, directly contributing to its more intense fruity sensory profile. Collectively, this study demonstrated that the phospholipid-rich lipidome of high-altitude XG served as a key substrate for generating fruity esters, which fundamentally distinguishes its more complex and preferred sensory profile from the triglyceride-dominated lipidome of JBG meat. These findings establish a potential molecular link between lipid composition and meat flavor, providing a biochemical explanation for traditional flavor preferences and highlighting the importance of lipid metabolism in determining the quality of goat meat. Full article

Mentha are historically important regarding their volatile oils. Since limited accounts exist for Australian species, we document the variation in volatiles across all Australian Mentha species, using the GC/MS of pentane extractions from leaf samples of replicate populations for all known species. Oil yields were consistently poor (<0.2% w/w) for freshly dried and herbarium specimens. Many species uniformly had high percentages of volatiles characteristically attributed to Mentha (viz. Menthone, Pulegone); yet, others—consistently or variably—lacked them. Mentha australis had the highest concentrations of menthone (25%), isomenthone, (9%) and pulegone (24%), and M. diemenica had menthone (32.5%) and pulegone (29.8%). Extracts from M. grandiflora from herbarium specimens produced weak traces, high in menthone and pulegone. Mentha satureioides had the highest menthone (20–30%) and pulegone (22–28%) in populations across the extent of its range; yet, an entirely different chemotype was identified from eastern New South Wales that contained limonene (17%), 1,8-cineole (19%), and α-terpineol (8%). Mentha laxiflora consistently exhibited limonene (27%); yet, the levels of the other main components (e.g., menthone, β-pinene, germacrene-D, and bicyclogermacrene) varied across populations. Mentha atrolilacina exhibited the most unique oil profile, with main components consisting of linalool (21%), β-caryophyllene (14%), germacrene-D (14%), and bicyclogermacrene (23.7%). Commercial samples of M. satureioides were found only to be the chemotype high in limonene (17%) and 1,8-cineole, which warrants further taxonomic research and caution for the industry seeking mint flavours from Australian sources. Full article