Search Results (22,034)

Gypenoside XLIX is a bioactive saponin with reported diverse biological activities, including antioxidant, regulation of cell growth, immune responses, and metabolic regulatory properties. The increasing global prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) underscores the importance of exploring novel therapeutic agents such as Gypenoside XLIX. NAFLD pathogenesis involves lipotoxicity, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction, in which mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes (MAMs) play a critical role in organelle communication, calcium signaling, and lipid metabolism. This narrative review summarizes current evidence indicating that Gypenoside XLIX may modulate oxidative stress, restore mitochondrial membrane potential, and regulate calcium homeostasis, thereby indirectly influencing MAM integrity and function. These effects can reduce lipid accumulation, improve hepatocellular metabolism, and attenuate inflammatory responses. This review evaluates the mechanistic impact and function of Gypenoside XLIX on MAM integrity and its effects on NAFLD. However, there is limited direct experimental evidence linking Gypenoside XLIX to MAM regulation, and further studies are required to validate its mechanisms and therapeutic potential in clinical settings. Full article

Background: Male college students are at risk for weight gain due to unhealthy dietary habits. This study assessed the dietary habits of undergraduate college males. Methods: Online cross-sectional survey (n = 235) of randomly sampled male undergraduate college students. Results: The mean age was 21.15 ± 3.21. Most were enrolled full-time (91.5%), lived off-campus (77.4%), upper class (59.6%), had a campus meal plan (52.8%), and white (51.9%). Mean body mass index (BMI) was 25.02 ± 4.86. Males gained an average of 10.81 ± 13.01 lbs while in college. Most ate one to two servings of fruits (67.1%) and vegetables (65.1%). Significant differences in weight gained during college and fruit consumed was significant [p = 0.02 *]. Male students reported on 20 different foods and drinks they consumed at least “a few times per week.” Most ate fresh fruits (76.1%), prepared a hot meal at home (72.7%), ate fresh vegetables (68.1%). Males also ate at fast-food restaurants (47.7%) and drank coffee (44.4%). Males that reported they drank alcohol (p = 0.03*), diet soda (p = 0.03 *), coffee (p = 0.01 *), and ate at fast-food restaurants (p = 0.02 *) “a few times per week” were found to have significantly gained more weight. Conclusions: Increased intake and consumption of alcohol, diet soda, and fast-food was associated with increased weight gain among college males. Full article

Chronic oxidative stress and lipid imbalance drive metabolic disorders such as obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, yet few therapies target the upstream redox imbalance in key tissues. Human carbonic anhydrase III (hCA III), a redox-associated enzyme enriched in liver and adipose tissue, has long remained pharmacologically elusive due to its low catalytic activity and lack of modulators. Here, we identify fragment-like nicotinic acid derivatives as non-sulfonamide hCA III modulators and evaluate their associated cellular effects. Using an esterase activity assay, we screened 25 analogues and identified two fragment-like hits, compound 17 (2-thioethyl) and compound 22 (6-morpholino), with IC₅₀ values of 487 and 361 µM, respectively. Orthogonal thermal shift analysis supported compound-protein interaction, and selected hits were subsequently evaluated in HepG2 cells. Both compounds were associated with reduced CA3 mRNA expression after treatment at 1 µM, while their cellular phenotypes diverged, with compound 22 increasing ROS under oxidative stress conditions and compound 17 affecting mitochondrial membrane potential. Taken together, these findings identify tractable nicotinic acid-derived fragment hits and associated cellular phenotypes that warrant further mechanistic investigation. These fragment-like hits provide a practical starting point for studying the redox-linked biology of hCA III. Full article

Background: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), metabolic dysfunction and alcohol-associated liver disease (MetALD), and related fibrosis are increasingly prevalent conditions. The relation of the American Heart Association’s (AHA) cardiovascular health (CVH) metric Life’s Essential 8 (LE8) with MASLD, MetALD, and hepatic fibrosis remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the associations of CVH with MASLD, MetALD, and hepatic fibrosis. Methods: We defined significant hepatic fibrosis as a liver stiffness ≥8.2 kPa measured by vibration-controlled transient elastography. MASLD was defined as steatosis (controlled attenuation parameter of ≥274 dB/m) with ≥1 cardiometabolic risk factor and mild alcohol intake (≤140 g/week [women]; ≤210 g/week [men]). MetALD was defined as steatosis with ≥1 cardiometabolic risk factor and moderate alcohol intake (141–350 g/week [women]; 211–420 g/week [men]). Data from 2962 participants in the Framingham Heart Study (mean age 59 years, 57% women) were used in multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models, accounting for demographic and clinical covariates to relate CVH and liver outcomes. Results: Our study included 2704 participants with mild and 258 with moderate alcohol use. MASLD and MetALD prevalence was 34% and 40%, respectively, and 9% had significant hepatic fibrosis. Each 10-point increase in LE4 score (composite of diet, sleep health, physical activity, and smoking) was associated with 16% lower odds of MASLD (Odds Ratio [OR] 0.84; 95% CI: 0.80–0.90; p < 0.001) but not MetALD. Each 10-point increase in LE8 score was associated with 17% lower odds of hepatic fibrosis (OR 0.83; 95% CI: 0.78–0.89; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Better CVH is related to lower odds of MASLD and significant hepatic fibrosis. Full article

Lignin is an abundant aromatic biopolymer, but its conversion into high-performance fibers remains challenging due to intrinsically poor spinnability, structural heterogeneity, and inefficient stress transfer in lignin-rich systems. In this study, a processing and structure strategy is demonstrated to overcome these limitations by transforming industrial black-liquor kraft lignin into a spinnable and load-bearing fiber component. Kraft lignin recovered from black-liquor waste was extracted and subsequently purified using a hot-water treatment to remove inorganic impurities and thermally unstable fractions, increasing lignin purity to 95.9% through extensive deionized water purification using a water-to-lignin ratio of 300:1. The purified lignin was then blended with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), wet-spun into continuous filaments, and subjected to post-spinning hot drawing to induce molecular orientation. This sequential extraction, purification, blending, spinning, and drawing approach enables stable wet spinning and the continuous formation of lignin-rich lignin/PVA filaments without filament breakage, directly addressing the primary processing bottleneck of lignin-based fibers. Molecular-level miscibility between lignin and PVA is confirmed by the presence of a single glass transition temperature at 88.3 °C, indicating the formation of a homogeneous amorphous phase. SEM observations reveal composition-dependent surface roughness and non-circular cross-sectional morphologies arising from differential coagulation and shrinkage, demonstrating that lignin actively participates in the load-bearing fiber network rather than acting as a passive filler. As a result of purification-enabled spinnability, true blend miscibility, and post-spinning hot drawing, fibers with a lignin-to-PVA composition of 40:60 achieve a maximum tensile strength of 2.8 GPa, approaching the performance range of commercial high-strength polymer fibers. This work establishes a clear relationship between material structure, processing strategy, and resulting properties, highlighting the potential of industrial lignin waste as a sustainable precursor for advanced fiber applications. Full article

An integrated approach combining metabolomics, network pharmacology, and molecular docking was employed to systematically explore the serum-absorbed components of jujube, their potential targets, and regulatory pathways. UPLC-MS/MS was used to characterize the absorbed components, while network pharmacology was applied to predict potential targets associated with alcoholic liver disease (ALD). A total of 10 absorbed components and 323 common targets were identified. Among the key components, quercetin, (-)-epigallocatechin, and methyl gallate exhibited strong binding affinities to eight core targets, including AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 (AKT1) and mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1), with quercetin showing the highest content. Jujube intervention significantly altered the serum metabolic profiles of healthy rats, with distinct differences observed between the control and jujube-treated groups. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that the differential metabolites were mainly enriched in the diterpenoid biosynthesis pathway. These findings provide a systematic and preliminary characterization of the serum-absorbed components of jujube, their potential ALD-related targets, and their regulatory effects on serum metabolism in healthy rats. This study provides a preliminary theoretical reference and direction for further research on the potential role of jujube in ALD. Full article

Poly(vinyl alcohol)/chitosan (PVA/CS) biodegradable films reinforced with acid-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (f-MWCNTs) were fabricated via solution casting to investigate the effects of nanotube incorporation on structural, mechanical, thermal, dielectric, and physicochemical properties. Unlike conventional CNT-reinforced systems, this study focuses on the role of acid functionalization in improving nanotube dispersion and interfacial interactions, enabling simultaneous enhancement of multiple performance characteristics. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis confirmed strong intermolecular interactions between PVA/CS functional groups and carboxyl groups on f-MWCNTs, while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed homogeneous nanotube dispersion at low loadings and partial aggregation at higher contents. X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicated that crystallinity was modified in a non-monotonic manner with increasing nanotube concentration due to competing nucleation and chain-restriction effects, while dielectric measurements showed an increase in dielectric constant from 3.78 to 4.27 as a result of enhanced interfacial polarization. The thermal conductivity improved from 0.195 to 0.247 W·m⁻¹·K⁻¹, and tensile strength increased from 19.8 to 24.5 MPa at 0.2 wt.% f-MWCNT, with elongation at break decreasing from 37.9% to 25.1%, reflecting increased stiffness. The degree of swelling and water solubility decreased with higher nanotube content, indicating reduced hydrophilicity and enhanced structural compactness. The results provide new insights into how surface-functionalized nanofillers can be used to tailor the multifunctional performance of biodegradable polymer nanocomposite films, highlighting their potential in advanced applications such as sustainable packaging, flexible electronics, sensors, and membrane technologies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Korean traditional fermented foods may confer metabolic and anti-inflammatory benefits; however, their high sodium content raises concerns, particularly given age-related differences in sodium sensitivity. This study examined age-specific associations between fermented food intake and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), a marker of low-grade systemic inflammation, and assessed whether sodium intake modifies these associations. Methods: Data from KNHANES 2015–2018 were used to analyze 17,984 adults. Fermented foods were categorized into 10 groups (grains, jang, vinegars, vegetables, fish, fruits, dairy, alcoholic beverages, sauces, and tea/beverages). Intake (% of total energy) was classified into quartiles. Elevated hs-CRP was defined as ≥1 mg/L. Complex-sample multivariable logistic regression was used to assess age-stratified associations and interactions with total sodium and fermented food-derived sodium (SPSS 29.0; p < 0.05). Results: Fermented food intake decreased with age (p < 0.001). In adults aged 20–39, higher intake was associated with lower odds of elevated hs-CRP (Q4 vs. Q1: OR = 0.699, 95% CI 0.542–0.901; p for trend = 0.002). A similar inverse association was observed in those aged 40–64 (Q4: OR = 0.817, 95% CI 0.691–0.967; p for trend = 0.006), which remained significant after adjustment for fermented food-derived sodium. Among adults ≥65, significant interactions were observed for both fermented food-derived sodium (p = 0.040) and total sodium (p = 0.042), indicating variation across sodium intake levels. Conclusions: The association between fermented food intake and systemic inflammation differs by age. In older adults, this relationship appears to be modified by dietary sodium context, highlighting the importance of age-specific dietary considerations. Full article

Type 2 endoleaks (EL2s) are potentially life-threatening complications, defined as persistent arterial perfusion of the excluded aneurysmal sac after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Most EL2s are managed endovascularly, through embolization of the aneurysmal sac and its arterial feeders. During embolization, attention should be given to anatomical variants such as “corona mortis”, an arterial anastomosis connecting external iliac (via inferior epigastric) and internal iliac (via obturator) arteries. We present the case of an 88-year-old male previously treated with EVAR for a left common iliac artery aneurysm (CIAA), complicated by EL2 originating from the ipsilateral ilio-lumbar branch of the internal iliac artery. Successful embolization of the endoleak was achieved through catheterization of the inferior epigastric artery, taking advantage of the “corona mortis” variant. This route allowed access to the sac and embolization with ethylene-vinyl-alcohol-copolymer. This approach represents a safe alternative to direct sac puncture or superior gluteal artery access in patients exhibiting this anatomical variant. Full article

In this work, sodium alginate (NaAlg) membranes were enhanced with synthesized zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoplates to enable efficient pervaporation dehydration of isopropyl alcohol (IPA). A comprehensive suite of characterisation techniques—scanning electron (SEM) and atomic force (AFM) microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), contact angle and liquid uptake measurements—along with density functional theory (DFT) calculations, was employed to establish robust structure–property relationships and to elucidate filler–polymer interactions. Membranes with different ZnO contents were prepared, and membranes based on the optimal NaAlg-ZnO(5%) composite were cross-linked with CaCl₂ to improve stability in aqueous solutions, and supported membranes were developed for prospective applications by applying this composite onto the prepared porous cellulose acetate (CA) substrate. This developed cross-linked supported NaAlg-ZnO(5%)/CA membrane had a permeation flux increased by 2 times or more compared to a dense NaAlg membrane during dehydration of IPA (12–30 wt.% water) with a permeate water content above 99 wt.%. The integrated experimental–theoretical approach provides mechanistic insight into ZnO–NaAlg interactions and demonstrates the strong potential of these mixed matrix membranes for high-efficiency alcohol dehydration, offering a rational design paradigm for next-generation pervaporation membranes. Full article

Background: Although air pollution is increasingly considered an environmental hazard for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), existing evidence predominantly relies on single-pollutant models that fail to capture mixed exposures, with modifying effects of individual lifestyle and residential environments remaining largely unexplored. Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study using UK Biobank data, including 323,608 participants followed for incident IBD. Annual mean concentrations of five air pollutants [nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), nitrogen oxides (NO_x), and PM with aerodynamic diameters of ≤2.5, 2.5–10, and ≤10 μm (PM_2.5, PM_2.5–10, PM₁₀)] and greenspace percentage within 300 m and 1000 m buffers were assigned to each participant’s residential address. A healthy lifestyle score was defined by five factors: smoking status, alcohol consumption, physical activity, sleep patterns, and dietary quality. Cox proportional hazards models with quantile g-computation (QGC) were employed to examine associations between single- and mixed-air-pollutant exposures and IBD risk. Stratified analyses were performed by healthy lifestyle, lifestyle score, and greenspace percentage. Results: During the follow-up period, 1649 and 805 participants developed ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD), respectively. Single-pollutant models suggested that exposures to most air pollutants were substantially associated with increased risk of IBD, and the association strengths were more pronounced for UC than for CD. QGC analyses indicated that the hazard ratios (HR) of IBD risk were 1.068 (95%CI: 1.018–1.121) for each one-quantile increase in the air pollutant mixture, with NO₂ weighted as the largest contributor. High physical activity was significantly linked to an attenuated UC-pollutant mixture association. Conclusions: This study found that exposure to an air pollutant mixture was associated with increased risk of IBD, especially for UC, with NO₂ contributing the largest effect size. The certain attenuated air pollution effects of healthy lifestyles and residential greenspaces underscore the need for integrated public health strategies with environmental management. Full article

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)—including Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and indeterminate colitis—is a chronic immune-mediated condition that primarily affects the intestinal mucosa but often presents with extraintestinal digestive manifestations, which are important yet frequently underrecognized sources of morbidity. These heterogeneous manifestations reflect diverse genetic, microbial, immunologic, and environmental influences, highlighting the value of a personalized medicine approach. Hepatobiliary involvement affects IBD adults patients and is even more common in children, ranging from mild liver enzyme elevations to severe complications such as liver failure, with autoimmune disorders, cholelithiasis, portal vein thrombosis, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease as key considerations. Pancreatic manifestations may include autoimmune or acute pancreatitis, often linked to gallstones, thiopurine exposure, or duodenal Crohn’s disease, while splenic abnormalities, such as granulomatous lesions, splenomegaly, or functional hyposplenism, reflect systemic immune dysregulation. Oral findings—including aphthous ulcers, periodontitis, pyostomatitis vegetans, and granulomatous cheilitis—can serve as early, patient-specific indicators of disease activity. Personalized approaches, encompassing investigations tailored to the individual profile and selected targeted therapies, are essential for improving diagnostic accuracy, preventing complications, and optimizing multidisciplinary care in patients with IBD. Full article

Glutinous rice huangjiu, a non-distilled wine variety unique to China, is rich in nutrients. However, systematic research on the differences in its non-volatile functional components remains scarce, despite these variations being key factors influencing its antioxidant effects. This study employed non-targeted metabolomics to systematically analyze the non-volatile metabolite profiles of 16 glutinous rice huangjiu brands, identifying 1450 metabolites. An alcohol-induced hepatocyte injury model was established, combining cell viability and reactive oxygen species (ROS) level assays to screen for samples (G10 and G11) exhibiting significant efficacy across varying alcohol concentrations. Differential metabolite analysis further identified key bioactive compounds including L-proline, dihydroferulic acid, chalcones, and multiple phenolic derivatives. Using molecular docking technology, we preliminarily revealed that these components may exert antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects either by directly scavenging free radicals or indirectly through mechanisms such as participating in glutathione metabolism and regulating the KEAP1-Nrf2 signaling pathway. This study elucidates the differences among glutinous rice huangjiu at the metabolomic and cellular model levels, providing a scientific basis for evaluating the health benefits and developing new products of huangjiu. Full article

Background and Objectives: One of the strongest early factors influencing later psychoactive substance use is adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Studies investigate a variety of adverse experiences in relation to substance use, yet not all adverse childhood experiences are equal in intensity and harm. Our study aimed to address this gap by examining in detail the associations between individual ACEs, broader ACE categories, and different forms of psychoactive substance use. Materials and Methods: The study included 709 participants who completed self-report questionnaires. ACEs were measured using the MACE questionnaire. Marijuana use was measured using the CUDIT-R, alcohol use using the AUDIT, and heavy psychoactive substance use using the ASSIST. Linear regression analyses were used to predict associations. As expected, only a small part of the sample reported hard drug use; some analyses are limited to substantially fewer observations. Results: All regression models were statistically significant and predicted all three categories of psychoactive substances, but if we count the individual adverse experiences, the results become different. Although the results showed that ACE is a significant predictor of hard drug use and explains 25% of the variance, it is separately only emotional neglect that is associated with hard drug use. The regression analysis also explains 14% of the variance in marijuana use, but when considered separately, we found associations only with emotional neglect. The severity of alcohol use explains 13% of the variance, but only a few ACEs reach statistical significance: peer physical bullying, physical violence, and sexual abuse. Conclusions: The findings of our study suggest that adverse childhood experiences may not be qualitatively equivalent and therefore may not be evaluated only as a cumulative risk score. Separate ACE evaluations, instead of aggregate calculation of ACEs, may be useful to understand better which specific negative experiences have the greatest impact on subsequent use of psychoactive substances. The regression models explain only a small portion of the variance, which suggests that other factors may contribute to a larger share. Full article

This paper provides a comprehensive overview of research findings concerning the acid catalytic effect (ACE) of hot compressed water and water–alcohol mixtures, along with the applications of these solvents. The ACE observed during reactions can be categorized into three types: inherent, associated, and interfering. These ACE types originate from the solvent, solutes, and reactor, respectively. Distinguishing and evaluating these ACEs is crucial for elucidating reaction mechanisms and developing reaction models. Water exhibits inherent ACE in both its dissociated and undissociated forms under hot compressed conditions. Hot compressed water–alcohol mixtures possess the capability to tune the characteristics of solvents, including ACE, through their composition. The application of hot compressed water and water–alcohol is prevalent in a variety of fields, including the conversion of biomass and biomass-derived materials, extraction, biodiesel production, organic synthesis reactions, recycling via the decomposition of polymers, and inorganic material synthesis. In these applications, the utilization of water–alcohol mixtures resulted in a higher yield of target products and/or superior properties of products compared to the use of pure solvents, such as water alone or alcohol alone. The observed results can be attributed to the optimization of the roles of water and alcohol in the reaction through mixing them. Full article