Search Results (1,374)

β-Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) is an important intermediate in nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) metabolism and has attracted increasing interest as a bioactive compound and biomanufacturing product. In this study, Pseudomonas putida KT2440 was engineered for NMN production using a “block–enhance–transport” strategy. Deletion of nicB impaired nicotinic acid degradation and resulted in the accumulation of 66.2 μM nicotinic acid in cell extracts, whereas additional deletion of the putative NMN-consuming genes pncC and ushA did not lead to detectable NMN accumulation. Coexpression of endogenous pncB and engineered Francisella tularensis nadE* enabled low-level NMN formation through a Preiss–Handler pathway-based route. By contrast, overexpression of endogenous nadA, nadB, and nadC strengthened precursor supply through the NAD⁺ de novo biosynthetic pathway and resulted in approximately 0.17 mM NMN in cell extracts. Chromosomal integration of an engineered Salmonella enterica pnuC* transporter cassette was associated with pronounced extracellular NMN accumulation. Additional overexpression of genes involved in downstream NAD⁺ metabolism or phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate supply did not considerably improve production, possibly because of metabolic competition or expression burden. The best-performing strain, LW10, produced 1.28 mM extracellular NMN, corresponding to approximately 0.43 g/L, after 96 h of shake-flask cultivation in basal salt medium containing glucose and L-aspartate. These results suggest the feasibility of NMN biosynthesis in engineered P. putida KT2440 and highlight the importance of balancing precursor supply, competing reactions, and product transport. Thus, P. putida KT2440 represents an alternative chassis for further pathway balancing and process optimization toward fermentative NMN production. Full article

Depression (major depressive disorder, MDD) is a globally prevalent, highly disabling, and complex mental disorder whose pathogenesis has not been fully elucidated. In recent years, the role of the gut microbiota in depression via the “microbiota–gut–brain axis” (MGB axis) has attracted increasing attention. A large body of evidence indicates that the gut microbiota and its metabolites can engage in bidirectional communication with the central nervous system through three core pathways—neural, immune, and metabolic—thereby profoundly influencing the onset and progression of depression. This article reviews the specific mechanisms by which the gut microbiota affects depression through the aforementioned pathways, including regulating the balance of neurotransmitters (e.g., GABA and 5-HT), mediating neuroinflammatory responses, and adjusting the levels of metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids. This study aims to provide a theoretical basis for an in-depth understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of depression and the development of novel microbiota-based intervention therapeutic strategies. Full article

To address the core industrial bottlenecks of conventional batch tannic acid-based germanium precipitation processes—high reagent consumption, long reaction cycles of several hours, severe impurity co-precipitation as well as the common mismatch between single-channel microreactor throughput and industrial production demands. This work combines numerical simulation with experimental validation to investigate microscale two-phase flow regulation, high-throughput microreactor optimization, and tannic acid precipitation intensification. Two-dimensional two-phase flow models are established for straight and zigzag microchannels, with the level set method applied to track interfacial evolution. The regulatory effects of inlet velocity and channel geometry on flow patterns, droplet behavior and mixing performance are clarified. Zigzag channels induce chaotic convection via periodic corners, achieving an order-of-magnitude improvement in mixing efficiency at low Reynolds numbers (Re < 400), which lays a fundamental basis for reaction intensification. Taking zigzag channels as core units, a bidirectional symmetric superposition scale-up strategy is proposed to break the throughput limitation of single-channel systems, and a 3D-printed high-throughput microreactor integrating 78 parallel zigzag channels is designed. 3D simulations reveal a three-stage mixing mechanism and uniform flow distribution among parallel channels, with total throughput two orders of magnitude higher than a single channel. Single-channel experiments with industrial germanium-bearing raffinate yield 91.81% precipitation efficiency under optimal conditions, reducing the reaction residence time from hours in conventional batch processes to the second scale. Staged reagent addition and two-stage serial configuration further raise the efficiency to ~98%, realizing deep germanium recovery with significantly improved reagent utilization and reduced impurity co-precipitation. This process achieves efficient intensification of the chelation precipitation process while balancing throughput and mixing performance, providing a novel and technically feasible approach for efficient low-consumption germanium recovery, and offering solid technical support for the industrial application of microreactors in the hydrometallurgy field. Full article

This study focuses on the shaping of ZSM–5-based granules using conventional pseudoboehmite as well as aluminum hydroxynitrate precursors obtained by partial thermal treatment of Al(NO₃)₃·9H₂O. The starting materials and nitrate-derived precursors were characterized by X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and low-temperature nitrogen adsorption. Model pseudoboehmite systems were used to evaluate the effects of moisture, peptization equivalent, and HNO₃ concentration in the initial liquid portion on pore volume, apparent density, shrinkage, and axial and radial crushing strength. Acid peptization showed a strongly non-linear effect: small HNO₃ additions increased strength and densification, whereas excess acid promoted structural heterogeneity and granule disintegration during thermal treatment. Even at constant moisture and total acid dosage, strength depended markedly on the initial peptizer concentration. In unpeptized ZSM–5/pseudoboehmite composites, increasing zeolite content reduced pore volume but increased density and strength, indicating formation of a more compact framework. Aluminum hydroxynitrate precursors enabled effective shaping of ZSM–5-containing pastes, demonstrating their potential as alternative binder precursors, while the optimized pseudoboehmite systems provided the most favorable overall balance between porosity and mechanical stability. Full article

Herpetospermum pedunculosum is an endangered cucurbitaceous medicinal plant whose functional genomic and metabolic studies are constrained by the lack of efficient aseptic seedling and genetic transformation systems. Here, we established a rapid aseptic seedling production method and a RUBY-assisted hairy root transformation platform integrated with metabolomic evaluation. The cotton-supported liquid culture method provided a favorable balance between germination performance and experimental operability. Microsyringe-mediated stem-base inoculation with Rhizobium rhizogenes K599 carrying 35S::RUBY enabled rapid visual screening of RUBY-positive hairy roots, with a maximum transformation efficiency of 93.33%. Widely targeted metabolomics identified 242 metabolites and revealed major differences in amino acid/nitrogen and sugar metabolism, lipid-related metabolism, specialized metabolite biosynthesis, hormone-related pathways, and ABC transporters among wild-type, vector-free K599-induced, and RUBY-expressing roots. In addition, 80 HpRHL-like bHLH genes were identified. As a proof of concept, RT-qPCR confirmed HpRHL76 overexpression, which was associated with an increase in mean root hair length from approximately 0.4 to 1.1 mm. Together, this integrated framework provides a practical basis for preliminary candidate gene assessment, functional genomic studies, and future metabolic engineering of medicinally relevant compounds in H. pedunculosum, and may serve as a methodological reference for other difficult-to-transform medicinal plants. Full article

In double-cropping rice regions, soil organic carbon (SOC) levels are crucial for crop yield, and soil fertility drives rice productivity. This study clarified the driving patterns of oxidizable soil organic carbon fractions on rice yields across fertility gradients to guide fertility management. Soil properties and yields were monitored across eight representative double-rice counties in Hunan Province. Total organic carbon was partitioned into four pools (Fractions I–IV) using a modified Walkley–Black acid-gradient oxidation method, and multiple linear regression (MLR) was used for seasonal modeling. High-productivity fields achieved an annual yield of 16.69 t·ha⁻¹ (65% higher than low-productivity fields), consistent with SOC enrichment; the combined proportion of the C_frac1 and C_frac2 decreased significantly from 45.6% in HPPS to 36.8% in LPPS. MLR models (R² = 0.593–0.759) showed that high-productivity early rice was driven by the synergy of C_frac1 with nitrogen/phosphorus, while late rice was driven by C_frac1. Conversely, C_frac2 was the universal driver in low-to-medium productivity fields. Total nitrogen negatively correlated with yield across all productivity levels, highlighting nitrogen inefficiency. Future management must transition to carbon-based nitrogen promotion, optimizing active carbon proportions to balance seasonal and fertility-specific nutrient turnover. Full article

Many genotoxic impurities (GTIs) remain “invisible” to conventional LC-MS due to poor ionization or chemical instability under electrospray ionization, yet their sub-ppm acceptable intake limits under ICH M7(R2) demand exceptional analytical sensitivity. Derivatization—the chemical introduction of ionizable moieties, stable tags, or MS/MS information carriers—offers a powerful strategy to overcome this limitation. This review provides a critical systematic overview of derivatization techniques for LC-MS analysis of GTIs over the past decade (2015–2025, based on a literature search across PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus). We construct a functional-group-based strategic framework covering alkyl halides, nitroaromatics, sulfonyl chlorides, hydroxylamine, alcohols, aldehydes, carboxylic acids, and amines, while placing specific emphasis on typical impurities within these classes such as methyl iodide, methyl chloride, nitrobenzene, and benzenesulfonyl chloride, and discuss the evolution of reagents from simple “reaction tags” to “MS/MS information carriers” that provide characteristic neutral losses or product ions for enhanced selectivity. Quantitative analysis reveals that derivatization typically enhances ESI response by 2–3 orders of magnitude, consistently achieving LODs below 1 ppm—the ICH M7(R2) threshold. Key analytical trade-offs are critically evaluated, including the balance between derivatization efficiency and reaction time, by-product management, and the fundamental kinetic and chromatographic constraints that render post-column derivatization impractical for most GTIs. We conclude with perspectives on high-throughput automation, smart multifunctional reagents, online integration, and green chemistry, aiming to provide a practical roadmap for developing robust, sensitive, and regulatory-compliant LC-MS methods for GTI control. Full article

Purple celery (Apium graveolens L.) is a high-value functional vegetable rich in anthocyanins, but achieving a balanced optimization between biomass accumulation and nutritional quality in plant factories remains challenging due to species-specific spectral trade-offs, and current research lacks integrated light recipes that simultaneously optimize photosynthetic efficiency, antioxidant defenses, and functional quality while suppressing nitrate accumulation. This study evaluated five LED treatments over 30 days: white light (CK), monochromatic red (R), and red-to-blue photon flux density ratios of 5:5, 7:3, and 8:2. Red light induced stem elongation but suppressed root development. Conversely, 8R2B delivered the best performance, significantly elevating leaf, petiole, root, and total fresh biomass and increasing total dry weight by 68.8% over CK. It also markedly enhanced chlorophyll a, b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoids, as well as improved PSII quantum yield (YII), photochemical quenching (qP), and electron transport rate (ETR), while reducing non-photochemical heat dissipation (NPQ) by 61.0%, indicating superior light-use efficiency. Furthermore, 8R2B upregulated CAT and POD activities promoted soluble sugars (up 688.4% in leaves), soluble proteins, and ascorbic acid accumulation, yet reduced leaf nitrate by 28.5%. Principal component analysis confirmed 8R2B as the most effective formulation across all growth, photochemical, defense, and quality traits. These findings provide a novel, evidence-based 8:2 red-to-blue LED light recipe for high-yield, high-quality, and commercially viable purple celery production in controlled environment agriculture. Full article

Bamboo shoot development influences subsequent culm architecture and material properties, but the biological relevance of GWAS-derived candidates remains unclear. A stepwise candidate-prioritization strategy integrated 99 previously reported property-associated candidates with large-scale moso bamboo transcriptome screening, multi-species bamboo shoot transcriptome–metabolome data, and qRT-PCR analysis. The candidates were classified into three functional layers: environmental adaptation/stress signaling, carbohydrate metabolism/carbon allocation, and cell wall biosynthesis/remodeling. A rule-based ranking that balanced candidate representation across the three functional categories retained 44 genes for transcriptomic evaluation, of which 30 showed strong or moderate expression support across 90 comparisons. Cell wall biosynthesis/remodeling genes exhibited the broadest transcriptional responses, whereas carbohydrate- and regulatory-related genes provided complementary metabolic and upstream evidence. Correlation analysis across 24 matched shoot variables and 5059 metabolites prioritized PH02Gene17228, PH02Gene00247, and PH02Gene51360, which were associated with amino acid/nitrogen metabolism, hormone/signaling-like metabolites, and organic acid/central carbon metabolism, respectively. qRT-PCR analysis independently supported their expression patterns in developing bamboo shoots. These results support a working model in which regulatory signaling, carbon allocation, and cell wall remodeling jointly contribute to bamboo property-related variation. The prioritized genes provide targets for functional validation and may inform future marker development and molecular breeding aimed at improving bamboo culm quality and material properties. Full article

Background: Gut microbiota plays a key role in the aging process, with age-related microbial shifts contributing to chronic inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, frailty, and cognitive decline. Despite growing interest, an integrated synthesis of how diet and lifestyle modifications influence gut microbiota remains limited. This overview of reviews summarizes the current evidence on how dietary and lifestyle interventions shape microbial composition and affect aging outcomes. Methods: Following the PRISMA guidelines, we searched PubMed and Scopus for English-language reviews (January 2023–October 2025) including human adults aged ≥ 18 years, evaluating dietary or lifestyle interventions, and reporting gut microbiota with healthy-aging outcomes. Quality of the reviews was appraised using the SANRA tool. Results: Mediterranean and plant-based diets, calorie restriction, and microbiota-targeted approaches such as probiotics, prebiotics, symbiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation were associated with increases in short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria, including Faecalibacterium, Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Akkermansia muciniphila, while reducing pro-inflammatory taxa. These changes were linked to improved metabolic and immune function, reduced inflammaging, lower frailty, and greater physical resilience. Cognitive benefits included decreased neuroinflammation and a lower risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Conclusions: Maintaining microbial balance through targeted dietary strategies may support healthier, more resilient aging, offering practical insights for public health and clinical nutrition planning. Full article

Phanera sirindhorniae (formerly known as Bauhinia sirindhorniae) is a Thai medicinal plant with reported traditional use for the treatment of inflammation; however, its comprehensive phytochemical, biological, and formulation potential remains underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical composition, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities of extracts from the flower (BSFE), stem (BSSE), and leaf (BSLE), and to develop a BSLE-loaded hydrogel sheet for topical application. Among the extracts, BSSE exhibited the highest total phenolic content (503.71 ± 7.56 mg GAE/g) and total flavonoid content (4778.67 ± 255.47 mg EGCG/g), along with strong antioxidant activity, as demonstrated by DPPH (IC₅₀ = 17.05 µg/mL) and FRAP assays. BSLE showed superior anti-inflammatory activity by significantly suppressing nitric oxide and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages, whereas BSSE displayed moderate effects. In antimicrobial evaluation, BSSE exhibited the strongest activity among the extracts, particularly against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus species, although its potency remained lower than that of standard antibiotics. HPLC analysis identified 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid and luteolin as characteristic anti-inflammatory markers in BSLE. Based on its promising anti-inflammatory activity, BSLE was incorporated into hydrogel sheets (BSLE-F1 and BSLE-F2) using HPMC/PVA matrices with varying PEG 600 content. Both formulations demonstrated suitable physicochemical properties and skin-compatible pH. BSLE-F2 showed improved water retention and dimensional stability, whereas BSLE-F1 exhibited superior peelability, swelling capacity, and tensile strength. In conclusion, BSLE-F1 demonstrated a more favorable balance of mechanical and functional properties, suggesting its suitability as a topical anti-inflammatory hydrogel sheet. This study highlights the potential of P. sirindhorniae extracts for developing multifunctional, natural-based topical delivery systems. Full article

Feed efficiency classification based on residual feed intake (RFI) and residual intake and gain (RIG) is widely used to identify biologically efficient animals, yet it remains unclear whether this classification reflects consistent differences in digestive, fermentative, and metabolic processes. This study evaluated the effects of RFI and RIG classification on nutrient intake, apparent digestibility, ruminal fermentation, nitrogen metabolism, microbial protein synthesis, and gaseous emissions in confined lambs. Thirty-eight weaned Texel ewe lambs underwent a 60-day performance test using an automated feed intake system and were classified as high-efficiency, neutral, or low-efficiency based on both indices. Animals were individually housed in respirometric chambers where emissions of methane, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and ammonia were assessed by cavity ring-down spectroscopy; apparent digestibility was determined from total collections of feed, orts, faeces, and urine; microbial protein synthesis was estimated from urinary purine derivatives; and ruminal short-chain fatty acid profiles were determined by gas chromatography. Feed efficiency classification did not significantly affect body weight, nutrient intake, apparent digestibility, ruminal fermentation parameters, nitrogen balance, microbial protein synthesis, or greenhouse gas emissions. Principal component analysis revealed two major biological gradients related to nutrient intake and utilisation (42.9%) and ruminal fermentation and gaseous emissions (23.3%), together explaining 66.2% of total variance, but showing no clear separation among efficiency groups. These findings indicate that the digestive, fermentative, and nitrogen metabolism variables evaluated in this study did not account for the observed variation in feed efficiency. Because the regression underlying RIG explained little additional variation (R² = 0.01), these conclusions primarily reflect feed efficiency as classified by RFI, suggesting that other physiological mechanisms may play a more important role in determining feed efficiency in confined Texel ewe lambs. Full article

Conventional wound dressings suffer from unbalanced tissue adhesion, skin-mismatched mechanical properties, and insufficient long-term bioactivity. Herein, a dual physically cross-linked multifunctional tissue adhesive lentinan–polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)–tannic acid membrane (LPTM) was fabricated via a freeze–thaw-assisted immersion strategy. The optimized LPTM-3 hydrogel patch, with a stable network formed by PVA crystalline cross-linking and hydrogen bond cross-linking, achieved a balanced tensile strength of 16.1 MPa and an elongation at break of 149.3%, robust yet non-damaging porcine skin adhesion of 163.17 kPa, antibacterial activity, and good biocompatibility with a hemolysis rate below 2.24%. Notably, LPTM-3 promoted fibroblast migration and modulated inflammatory cytokine expression in vitro, and achieved 99.06% full-thickness wound closure in rats on day 14, matching a commercial dressing. This work provides a promising candidate for clinical wound repair and a facile design strategy for polysaccharide-based bioadhesive materials. Full article

Black rice wine is a traditional cereal-based fermented beverage valued for its colour, flavour and bioactive constituents. However, product innovation is needed to meet increasing consumer demand for fruit-derived aroma, nutritional quality and functional attributes. To address this demand, we developed an integrated processing strategy combining enzymatic pretreatment of pitaya pulp with stage-specific co-fermentation, an approach that has not been systematically evaluated in rice wine systems. Pitaya pulp was first pretreated with pectinase using an orthogonal design to optimise juice yield and betacyanin retention; the enzymatically pretreated pitaya pulp was then introduced either as pulp or as fermented pitaya wine at the saccharification, tank-flushing or ageing stage. The resulting wines were compared with a pitaya-free control and three commercial black rice wines on the basis of physicochemical indices, phenolic and pigment contents, amino acid composition, mineral composition and fuzzy mathematics-based sensory evaluation. Pitaya pulp added at saccharification (Sample THJ) yielded the strongest functional and nutritional profile, with the highest total phenolic content (629.74 mg/L); high flavonoid content (152.07 mg/L); enrichment in Mg, K and Mn; and a broader taste-active amino acid profile. By contrast, pitaya pulp added during tank flushing (Sample CHJ) achieved the highest sensory score (85.3) and had the highest anthocyanin content. These findings indicate that the timing and form of pitaya addition determine the balance between functional enrichment, pigment retention and sensory quality. Co-fermentation with red-fleshed pitaya, particularly the early addition of enzymatically pretreated pitaya pulp, provides a practical route for the development of fruit-flavoured black rice wine with improved nutritional composition and consumer appeal, suggesting the potential for enhanced functional value. Full article

Puccinellia tenuiflora is a perennial halophytic grass commonly regarded as a pioneer species for the ecological restoration of saline–alkali land. Its adaptive capacity and subsequent utilization value are shaped by interacting structural, physiological, molecular, ecological, and management-related factors. This review summarizes recent studies on saline–alkali tolerance in P. tenuiflora, with emphasis on root structural barriers, Na⁺/K⁺ homeostasis, osmotic adjustment, organic-acid metabolism, antioxidant defense, ion transport, and multi-omics regulation. To better understand the integrated stress response, we propose a functional framework that distinguishes first-line defenses from downstream cellular repair mechanisms. First-line defenses include root apoplastic barriers (Casparian strips and suberization) that restrict Na⁺ entry, plasma-membrane Na⁺/H⁺ antiporters (e.g., SOS1) that mediate active Na⁺ exclusion, and K⁺-retention mechanisms (e.g., AKT1, HKT2;1) that preserve cytosolic K⁺/Na⁺ homeostasis—these operate rapidly to prevent ion imbalance at the onset of stress. Downstream repair and acclimation mechanisms include osmotic adjustment via compatible solutes (e.g., proline, glycine betaine), organic-acid accumulation (especially citric acid) for pH regulation and chelation, ROS scavenging systems, and proteomic/phosphoproteomic reprogramming that repair stress-induced damage and restore metabolic balance. Furthermore, saline–alkali stress involves both short-term osmotic shock and long-term ionic toxicity, and available evidence suggests a temporal shift in the relative importance of these mechanisms: osmotic adjustment and rapid ion exclusion dominate during the initial hours to days of stress, whereas organic-acid metabolism, ROS buffering, and molecular reprogramming become increasingly important during prolonged exposure, sustaining tissue integrity and enabling long-term persistence. Current evidence indicates that saline–alkali tolerance in P. tenuiflora results from the combined action of several processes, including restricted Na⁺ entry, K⁺ retention, organic-acid accumulation, reactive oxygen species homeostasis, and organ-specific molecular responses. This review also discusses the significance of P. tenuiflora in community establishment, saline–alkali land restoration, and post-restoration forage utilization. Field studies and limited feeding trials suggest that P. tenuiflora can provide biomass and utilization potential after community stabilization. However, based on current evidence, it is more appropriate to define its forage value as a post-restoration utilization extension rather than as that of a fully developed specialized forage crop. Further studies are required on nutritional quality, mineral-element safety, long-term field management, and animal feeding validation. Full article