Search Results (18,891)

Background: Obesity and its complications have increased in both adults and children, with pediatric populations developing metabolic disorders at earlier ages. Long non-coding RNAs, particularly MEG3, are involved in obesity through regulation of lipogenic genes including ATF4, FTO, SREBP1, FASN, and ACACA. However, data on MEG3 expression in pediatric obesity are limited. This study evaluated MEG3, FTO, and ATF4 expression in PBMCs from children with obesity and their associations with added sugar intake and lipid metabolism genes. Methods: In this cross-sectional study 71 children within the age range of 6 to 12 years were included (28 normal weight and 43 with obesity). Anthropometrical and clinical parameters and dietary added sugar consumption were analyzed. Real-time PCR was performed to assess MEG3, FTO, ATF4, SREBP1, FASN, and ACACA gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Results: The expression of MEG3, ATF4, FTO, SREBP1, FASN, and ACACA was decreased in children with obesity. MEG3 and FTO showed sex-dependent expression in children without obesity, while additional sex-related differences were observed for SREBP1, FASN, ACACA, FTO, and MEG3 in children with obesity. MEG3 was associated with the expression of SREBP1, FASN, ACACA, FTO, and ATF4. In insulin-resistant (IR) children, MEG3, ATF4, FTO, ACACA, and SREBP1 were reduced, while FASN was increased. Added sugar intake negatively correlated with FTO, SREBP1, and ACACA. Conclusions: The MEG3, FTO, and ATF4 expression was altered in children with obesity, showing sex- and IR-related differences. Added sugar intake correlated negatively with lipogenic gene expression. Full article

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) are the most common pregnancy-related conditions resulting in adverse maternal and fetal complications. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), particularly miR-182-3p and miR-24-3p, are promising biomarkers as they act as regulatory elements in various diseases; however, their roles in GDM and IDA are unclear. The present study aimed to analyze the expression and functional relevance of miR-182-3p and miR-24-3p in GDM and IDA. Experimental validation via RT-PCR revealed significant upregulation of both miRNAs in GDM and IDA samples. We identified common target genes and signaling pathways associated with these miRNAs, using a combination of data mining, bioinformatic tools (miRDB, TargetScan, miRTarBase, and miRWalk), and differentially expressed gene (DEGs) analysis using the GEO, OMIM, MalaCards, and GeneCards datasets. GO and KEGG pathway analyses revealed that the shared miRNA–mRNA in target genes were enriched in insulin signaling, apoptosis, and inflammatory pathways—key mechanisms implicated in GDM and IDA. Furthermore, hub genes such as IRS1, PIK3CA, CASP3, MAPK7, and PDGFRB were identified, supporting their central role in metabolic dysregulation during pregnancy. These findings demonstrate the potential of miR-182-3p and miR-24-3p as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in managing GDM and IDA, offering new insights into the molecular interplay underlying pregnancy complications. Full article

Due to the stroke-protective effects of dietary fiber and anthocyanin together with the synergistic interaction, we hypothesized that the functional drink containing the anthocyanins and dietary fiber-enriched functional ingredient from banana and germinated black Jasmine rice (BR) should protect against ischemic stroke. BR at doses of 300, 600, and 900 mg/kg body weight (BW) was orally given to male Wistar rats weighing 290–350 g once daily for 21 days, and they were subjected to ischemic reperfusion injury induced by temporary occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCAO/IR) for 90 min. The treatment was prolonged for 21 days after MCAO/IR. They were assessed for brain infarction volume, neuron density, Nrf2, MDA, and catalase in the cortex together with serum TNF-α and IL-6. Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium spp. in feces were also assessed. Our results showed that BR improved the increase in brain infarcted volume, MDA, TNF-α, and IL-6 and the decrease in neuron density, Nrf2, catalase, and both bacteria spp. induced by MCAO/IR. These data suggest the stroke-protective effect of the novel functional drink, and the action may involve the improvement of Nrf2, oxidative stress, inflammation, and the amount of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium spp. Full article

Background/objectives: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) are common co-morbidities in women of reproductive age. PCOS is highly heterogeneous and is, therefore, divided into four phenotypes. MASLD leads to numerous systemic complications. Studies to date have shown an association between PCOS and MASLD. This study was designed to compare the FIB-4 score (based on age, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and platelet count) and the results of shear wave elastography in assessing the risk of developing MASLD by patients with PCOS divided by phenotypes. Methods: The study enrolled 242 women age 18–35 years with PCOS diagnosed according to Rotterdam criteria, hospitalized at the Department of Gynaecological Endocrinology of the University Clinical Centre in Katowice. The study subjects were assigned to phenotypes A to D. Clinical and biochemical assessments were performed (including androgens and metabolic parameters), and the FIB-4 index was calculated. Liver fibrosis was evaluated by shear wave elastography. To balance the group sizes of phenotypes, oversampling with replacement was applied (PROC SURVEYSELECT, SAS), increasing the number of observations for phenotypes B, C, and D fivefold. Statistical analyses were performed based on data distribution (Shapiro–Wilk test), using ANOVA or the Kruskal–Wallis test with Dunn’s correction. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: The FIB-4 score was the highest in phenotype B patients (0.50 ± 0.15), and the lowest in phenotypes A and C (0.42 ± 0.14). The highest rate of positive elastography findings was recorded in phenotype A patients (34.7%) and the lowest in phenotype C group (13.5%). Significant differences between the phenotypes were also found in terms of androgen levels, insulin, HOMA-IR, and the lipid profile. Among patients with positive elastography, the highest FIB-4 scores were recorded in phenotype C group (0.44 ± 0.06), but the differences between the phenotypes were not statistically significant. Conclusions: The FIB-4 score was the highest in phenotype B patients and differed significantly from phenotypes A, C and D. In the elastography exam, the fibrosis index was statistically significantly higher in phenotype A compared to other phenotypes. No correlation was detected between the FIB-4 index and positive elastography. The findings suggest that the FIB-4 index may be used for MASLD screening, but its usefulness as a predictor of eligibility for elastography requires more research. Full article

Iridium, with its excellent high-temperature chemical inertness, is a preferred cladding material for radioisotope batteries. However, its inherent room-temperature brittleness severely restricts its application. In this research, pure Ir and six Ir-W solid solutions (Ir₃₁W₁ to Ir₂₆W₆) were modeled. The effects of W on the elastic properties, generalized stacking fault energy, and bonding properties of Ir solid solution alloys were investigated by first-principles simulation, aiming to find a way to overcome the intrinsic brittleness of Ir. With the W concentration increasing from 0 to 18.75 at %, the calculated Cauchy pressure (C₁₂–C₄₄) increases from −22 to 5 GPa, Pugh’s ratio (B/G) increases from 1.60 to 1.72, the intrinsic stacking fault energy reduces from 337.80 to 21.16 mJ/m², and the unstable stacking fault energy reduces from 636.90 to 547.39 mJ/m². According to these results, it is predicted that the addition of W improves the toughness of iridium alloys. The alloying of W weakens the covalency properties of the Ir-Ir bond (the ICOHP value increases from −0.8512 to −0.7923 eV). These phenomena result in a decrease in the energy barrier for grain slip. Full article

Sprouted grains are gaining attention as a natural and sustainable source of bioactive compounds with potential benefits in managing insulin resistance (IR), a hallmark of obesity-related metabolic disorders. This review aims to synthesize current findings on the biochemical changes induced during grain germination and their relevance to metabolic health. We examined recent in vitro, animal, and human studies focusing on how germination enhances the nutritional and functional properties of grains, particularly through the synthesis of compounds such as γ-aminobutyric acid, polyphenols, flavonoids, and antioxidants, while reducing anti-nutritional factors. These bioactive compounds have been shown to modulate metabolic and inflammatory pathways by inhibiting carbohydrate-digesting enzymes, suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines, improving redox balance, and influencing gut microbiota composition. Collectively, these effects contribute to improved insulin sensitivity and glycemic control. The findings suggest that sprouted grains serve not only as functional food ingredients but also as accessible dietary tools for preventing or alleviating IR. Their role in delivering multiple bioactive molecules through a simple, environmentally friendly process highlights their promise in developing future nutrition-based strategies for metabolic disease prevention. Full article

The habenula (Hb) of the epithalamus is formed of the medial (MHb) and lateral (LHb) parts. The improper functioning of the Hb may lead to depression and anxiety. The glutamate excitotoxicity is accompanied by astroglia reactivity and leads to the damage of nervous system structures. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of monosodium glutamate (MSG) administrated subcutaneously to rats in doses of 2 g/kg b.w. (I) and 4 g/kg b.w. (II), on astroglia in the MHb and LHb. Based on immunohistochemical reactions, the morphology, number of astrocytes immunoreactive for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP-IR) and S100β protein (S100β-IR), and their surface area, perimeter, number and length of processes, and cytoplasmic-nuclear immunostaining intensity for the studied proteins were assessed. In the MHb of animals receiving MSG, especially at a high dose, hypertrophy and an increase in the number of GFAP-IR and S100β-IR cells were demonstrated. In the LHb, only hypertrophy of processes in S100β-positive glia was observed. The immunostaining intensity increased in GFAP-IR glia and decreased in S100β-IR cells only in animals from group I. The results revealed that astroglia respond to MSG depending on its dose and the Hb part. This different behavior of glia may indicate their different sensitivity and resistance to damaging factors. Full article

Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are short fructans with different degrees of polymerization (DP) and bonds in their structure, generated by the distinct activities of fructosyltransferase enzymes, which produce distinct types of links. FOS are in high demand on the market, mainly because of their prebiotic effects. In recent years, depending on the link type in the FOS structure, prebiotic activity has been shown to be increased. Studies on β-fructanofuranosidases (Ffasa), enzymes with fructosyltransferase activity in yeasts, have reported the production of ¹F-FOS, ⁶F-FOS, and ⁶G-FOS. The aims of this investigation were to evaluate the capability of fifteen different yeasts to grow in Agave sp. juices and to determine the potential of these juices as substrates for FOS production. Additionally, the research aimed to corroborate and analyze the fructosyltransferase activity of enzymatic extracts obtained from agave yeasts by distinct induction media and to identify the role and optimal parameters (time and sucrose and glucose concentrations) for FOS and disaccharides production through Box–Behnken designs. To carry out such a task, different techniques were employed: FT-IR, TLC, and HPAEC-PAD. We found two yeasts with fructosyltransferase activity, P. kudriavzevii ITMLB97 and C. lusitaniae ITMLB85. In addition, within the most relevant results, the production of the FOS 1-kestose, 6-kestose, and neokestose, as well as disaccharides inulobiose, levanobiose, and blastose, molecules with potential applications, was determined. Overall, FOS production requires suitable yeast species, which grow in a medium under optimal conditions, from which microbial enzymes with industrial potential can be obtained. Full article

Diabetes mellitus, both type 1 (T1D) and type 2 (T2D), has become the epidemic of the century and a major public health concern given its rising prevalence and the increasing adoption of a sedentary lifestyle globally. This multifaceted disease is characterized by impaired pancreatic beta cell function and insulin resistance (IR) in peripheral organs, namely the liver, skeletal muscle, and adipose tissue. Additional insulin target tissues, including cardiomyocytes and neuronal cells, are also affected. The advent of stem cell research has opened new avenues for tackling this disease, particularly through the regeneration of insulin target cells and the establishment of disease models for further investigation. Human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have emerged as a valuable resource for generating specialized cell types, such as hepatocytes, myocytes, adipocytes, cardiomyocytes, and neuronal cells, with diverse applications ranging from drug screening to disease modeling and, importantly, treating IR in T2D. This review aims to elucidate the significant applications of iPSC-derived insulin target cells in studying the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and T2D. Furthermore, recent differentiation strategies, protocols, signaling pathways, growth factors, and advancements in this field of therapeutic research for each specific iPSC-derived cell type are discussed. Full article

Effective water infrastructure planning and management is key to sustainable water supply globally. This research assesses water infrastructure planning and management in Gauteng, South Africa, amid growing challenges from rapid urbanisation, high water demand, climate change, and resource scarcity. These challenges threaten the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals 6 and 11; hence, an integrated approach is required for water sustainability. The study responds to a gap in the literature, which often treats planning and management separately, by adopting an integrated, multi-institutional approach across the water value chain. A mixed-methods triangulation strategy was employed for data collection whereby surveys provided quantitative data, while two sets of structured interviews were conducted: the first round to determine causal relationships among the critical success factors and the second round to validate the proposed framework. The findings reveal a misalignment between infrastructure planning and implementation, contributing to infrastructure backlogs and a short- to medium-term focus. Infrastructure management is further constrained by inadequate system redundancy, leading to ineffective maintenance. External factors such as delayed adoption of 4IR technologies, lack of climate resilient strategies, and fragmented institutional coordination exacerbate these issues. Using Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) analysis, the study identified Strategic Alignment and a Value-Driven Approach as the most influential critical success factors in water asset management. The research concludes by proposing an integrated water infrastructure and planning framework that supports sustainable water supply. Full article

Nutrition plays a fundamental role in promoting health and preventing chronic diseases, with bioactive food components offering a therapeutic potential in biomedical applications. Among these, edible oils are recognised for their functional properties, which contribute to disease prevention and metabolic regulation. The proposed study aims to evaluate the quality of four bioactive oils (olive oil, sunflower oil, tomato seed oil, and pumpkin seed oil) by analysing their thermal behaviour through infrared (IR) imaging. The study designed a customised electronic system to acquire thermographic signals under controlled temperature and humidity conditions. The acquisition system was used to extract thermal data. Analysis of the acquired thermal signals revealed characteristic heat absorption profiles used to infer differences in oil properties related to stability and degradation potential. A hybrid deep learning model that integrates Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) with Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) units was used to classify and differentiate the oils based on stability, thermal reactivity, and potential health benefits. A signal analysis showed that the AI-based method improves both the accuracy (achieving an F1-score of 93.66%) and the repeatability of quality assessments, providing a non-invasive and intelligent framework for the validation and traceability of nutritional compounds. Full article

The most prevalent growth of Candida cells is based on biofilm development, which causes the intensification of antifungal resistance against a large range of chemicals. Nanoparticles can be synthesized using green methods via various biological extracts and reducing agents to control Candida biofilms. This study aims to compare copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) synthesized through chemical methods and those synthesized using Cinnamomum verum-based green methods against Candida infections and their biofilms isolated from Iraqi patients, with the potential to improve treatment outcomes. The physical and chemical properties of these nanoparticles were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR,) scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Four strains of Candida were isolated and characterized from Iraqi patients in Tikrit Hospital and selected based on their ability to form biofilm on polystyrene microplates. The activity of green-synthesized CuONPs using cinnamon extract was compared with both undoped and doped (Fe, Sn) chemically synthesized CuONPs. Four pathogenic Candida strains (Candida glabrata, Candida lusitaniae, Candida albicans, and Candida tropicalis) were isolated from Iraqi patients, demonstrating high biofilm formation capabilities. Chemically and green-synthesized CuONPs from Cinnamomum verum showed comparable significant antiplanktonic and antibiofilm activities against all strains. Doped CuONPs with iron or tin demonstrated lower minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values, indicating stronger antibacterial activity, but exhibited weaker anti-adhesive properties compared to other nanoparticles. The antiadhesive activity revealed that C. albicans strain seems to produce the most resistant biofilms while C. glabrata strain seems to be more resistant towards the doped CuONPs. Moreover, C. tropicalis was the most sensitive to all the CuONPs. Remarkably, at a concentration of 100 µg/mL, all CuONPs were effective in eradicating preformed biofilms by 47–66%. The findings suggest that CuONPs could be effective in controlling biofilm formation by Candida species resistant to treatment in healthcare settings. Full article

Resveratrol (RSV), a polyphenol found in a variety of berries and wines, is known for its anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antioxidant properties. It has been suggested that RSV may play a role in the regulation of metabolic disorders, including diabetes and insulin resistance. However, in recent years, it has been reported to completely inhibit Akt kinase function in liver cells. Akt is a central protein involved in the metabolic function of insulin and is regulated by the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) pathway. In this study, we examined the effect of RSV on insulin-induced insulin receptor (IR) phosphorylation and proteins involved in the PI3K/Akt pathway in a hepatic cell model, clone 9 (C9), and in hepatoma cells, Hepa 1-6 (H1-6). In both cell lines, RSV inhibited tyrosine phosphorylation of IR and insulin-induced activation of Akt. We also evaluated the effect of RSV on the activation of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), which is associated with IR dephosphorylation, and found that RSV increased PTP1B-Tyr¹⁵² phosphorylation in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, we found that the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors BIM and Gö6976 prevented the inhibition of Akt phosphorylation by RSV and increased the phosphorylation of Ser/Thr residues in IR, suggesting that PKC is involved in the inhibition of the insulin pathway by RSV. Thus, classical PKC isoforms impair the PI3K/Akt pathway at the IR and GSK3 and GS downstream levels; however, IRS-Tyr⁶³² phosphorylation remains unaffected. These results suggest that RSV can lead to insulin resistance by activating PTP1B and PKC, consequently affecting glucose homeostasis in hepatic cells. Full article

Hydrogen-rich water (HRW) has shown neuroprotective effects in acute brain injury, but its role in chronic radiation-induced brain injury (RIBI) remains unclear. This study investigated the long-term efficacy of HRW in mitigating cognitive impairment and neuronal damage caused by chronic RIBI. Fifty male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups: control, irradiation (IR), IR with memantine, IR with HRW, and IR with combined treatment. All but the control group received 20 Gy whole-brain X-ray irradiation, followed by daily interventions for 60 days. Behavioral assessments, histopathological analyses, oxidative stress measurements, ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT imaging, transcriptomic sequencing, RT-qPCR, Western blot, and serum ELISA were performed. HRW significantly improved anxiety-like behavior, memory, and learning performance compared to the IR group. Histological results revealed that HRW reduced neuronal swelling, degeneration, and loss and enhanced dendritic spine density and neurogenesis. PET/CT imaging showed increased hippocampal glucose uptake in the IR group, which was alleviated by HRW treatment. Transcriptomic and molecular analyses indicated that HRW modulated key genes and proteins, including CD44, CD74, SPP1, and Wnt1, potentially through the MIF, Wnt, and SPP1 signaling pathways. Serum CD44 levels were also lower in treated rats, suggesting its potential as a biomarker for chronic RIBI. These findings demonstrate that HRW can alleviate chronic RIBI by preserving neuronal structure, reducing inflammation, and enhancing neuroplasticity, supporting its potential as a therapeutic strategy for radiation-induced cognitive impairment. Full article

Background: Restrictive lung disease (RLD) is a potential complication in type 2 diabetes (T2D), but its relationship with insulin resistance and liver-related metabolic dysfunction remains unclear. This study evaluated the association between lung function and metabolic markers in T2D and retrospectively assessed whether metabolic improvements from dietary intervention were accompanied by changes in lung function. Methods: This cross-sectional analysis included 184 individuals (101 with T2D, 33 with prediabetes, and 50 glucose-tolerant individuals). Lung function parameters—vital capacity (VC), total lung capacity by plethysmography (TLC-B), and diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (TL_CO)—were assessed alongside metabolic markers including HOMA2-IR, fatty liver index (FLI), NAFLD score, and Fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4). In a subset of 54 T2D participants, lung function was reassessed after six months following either a fasting-mimicking diet (FMD, n = 14), Mediterranean diet (n = 13), or no dietary intervention (n = 27). Results: T2D participants had significantly lower VC and TLC-B compared to glucose-tolerant and prediabetic individuals, with 18–21% falling below clinical thresholds for RLD. Lung volumes were negatively correlated with HOMA2-IR, FLI, NAFLD score, and FIB-4 across the cohort and within the T2D group. Although the FMD intervention led to significant improvements in HOMA2-IR and FLI, no corresponding changes in lung function were observed over the six-month period. Conclusions: Restrictive lung impairment in T2D is associated with insulin resistance and markers of liver steatosis and fibrosis. While short-term dietary interventions can improve metabolic parameters, their effect on lung function may require a longer duration or additional interventions and targeted follow-up. These findings highlight the relevance of pulmonary assessment in individuals with metabolic dysfunction. Full article