Search Results (3,728)

Bemisia tabaci is a globally important crop pest and virus vector with widespread resistance to conventional insecticides. We evaluated the insecticidal activity of a soybean-derived lecithin preparation and associated physiological responses. Leaf-surface, dried-residue contact, artificial-diet, and egg bioassays were combined with RNA sequencing, untargeted metabolomics, RT-qPCR, histology, and transmission electron microscopy. Dried-residue exposure yielded a 4 h LC₅₀ of 1.16 mg mL⁻¹ (95% confidence interval, 0.948–1.403 mg mL⁻¹), whereas 10 mg mL⁻¹ lecithin caused 100% adult mortality within 4 h and reduced egg hatchability from 99.44% to 37.78%. No mortality was detected after adults were provided with a sucrose diet containing 10 mg mL⁻¹ lecithin for 24 h. Exposure at the 4 h LC₅₀ was associated with differential expression of 135 genes and changes in 599 metabolic features, including responses related to cuticle organization, lysosomal and autophagy pathways, and amino acid metabolism. Histology and transmission electron microscopy revealed altered abdominal tissue organization and cellular ultrastructure. These findings establish contact-associated and egg-stage activity of lecithin against B. tabaci under laboratory conditions and identify accompanying structural, transcriptional, and metabolic responses. The molecular events responsible for mortality and the contribution of ingestion-mediated exposure remain unresolved. Full article

Water-soluble alanine-functionalized perylene diimide derivatives (PDI-Ala) were synthesized by introducing alanine units at the imide positions of the PDI framework. Their photoluminescence properties and supramolecular aggregation behavior were investigated in solvents of varying polarity. Chiral L-PDI-Ala displayed distinct solvent-dependent emission colors and intensities, whereas the achiral PDI-Ala showed negligible emission under the same conditions. Poor solvents such as acetone and ethyl acetate promoted relatively efficient emission with hypsochromically shifted bands, while good solvents such as N, N-dimethylformamide and dimethyl sulfoxide induced bathochromically shifted emission with much lower quantum yields. The results indicate that strong face-to-face π-π stacking in the solid-state leads to aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ), whereas ordered aggregates formed by intermolecular forces such as hydrogen bonds or stacking in solution can recover luminescence. On the basis of the spectroscopic and structural results, a solvent-regulated emission mechanism involving excimer/exciplex formation together with H-type and J-type aggregation is proposed. This work provides useful insight into the aggregation-controlled optical behavior of chiral amino-acid-modified PDI materials and offers guidance for the design of chiroptical and self-assembled luminescent systems. Full article

The increasing demand and limited availability of fishmeal (FM) have intensified the need for sustainable alternative protein sources in shrimp aquafeeds. This study evaluated high FM replacement in juvenile Penaeus vannamei reared under biofloc technology (BFT), integrating in vitro protein digestibility, growth performance, nutrient utilization and microbiome analyses. Six isoproteic and isolipidic diets combined two FM levels (0% and 7.5%) with animal (A), plant (P), or mixed (AP) protein sources, plus a 15% FM Control diet were assayed. Plant-based diets showed higher in vitro protein digestibility and amino acid release than animal-based diets. However, these differences were not reflected in shrimp performance, as final body weight, SGR and survival were similar among dietary treatments. Apparent feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency, and economic performance were improved in shrimp fed the A7.5 and AP7.5 diets, whereas complete FM replacement resulted in poorer performance. Biofloc and shrimp intestinal microbial community composition was primarily driven by temporal succession, whereas dietary protein source modulated the abundance of specific bacterial families. Biofloc and intestinal communities shared limited taxonomic overlap at the family level, suggesting restricted microbial exchange together with strong habitat and host mediated selection. Overall, these findings indicate that a diet containing 7.5% fishmeal (FM), supplemented with either animal-derived proteins or a combination of animal- and plant-derived protein sources, represents an optimal strategy for juvenile Penaeus vannamei cultured under BFT conditions, maintaining performance while preserving intestinal microbial stability and health. Full article

Human milk is the gold standard for infant nutrition; however, infant formulas (IFs) remain the main alternative when breastfeeding is not possible. Cow and goat milk-based IFs are well established, whereas sheep milk IFs have attracted increasing interest. IFs are among the most studied food products; nevertheless, little is known about the evolution of small molecules during digestion. This study monitored the metabolomic changes in sheep and goat IFs during simulated digestion using the dynamic in vitro gastrointestinal digestion system (DIDGI^®). Using an untargeted GC–MS approach, a total of 51 metabolites were identified in samples collected throughout the digestion process. The results of multivariate statistics indicated that the gastric and the intestinal digestion stages, rather than milk origin, were the primary sources of metabolic variation. However, different sheep and goat IF metabolite fingerprints were detected and persisted throughout digestion. Temporal profile analysis showed limited amino acid release during gastric digestion followed by a rapid increase during intestinal transition, reflecting extensive proteolysis. Similarly, massive lipolysis led to the accumulation in the intestine of free fatty acids, including medium-chain fatty acids derived from milk fat. These findings provide the first untargeted GC–MS characterization of the metabolomic evolution of sheep and goat milk IFs during dynamic in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. Full article

The global seafood industry generates substantial quantities of processing by-products such as heads, viscera, skin, bones, scales, and shells. These residues represent an underutilized resource rich in proteins, lipids, minerals, enzymes, and polysaccharides. Conventional valorization approaches such as chemical extraction, wet rendering, and enzymatic hydrolysis have been used to recover valuable compounds from seafood waste. However, conventional methods often involve high chemical consumption, long processing times, and environmental concerns. Green extraction technologies have emerged as promising alternatives, with subcritical water extraction (SWE) gaining significant attention due to its unique properties and ability to simultaneously extract and convert biomass components. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the valorization of seafood processing wastes using SWE. Particular emphasis is placed on the physicochemical properties of subcritical water, the reaction mechanisms governing the hydrolysis and transformation of proteins, lipids, and polysaccharides, and the key parameters influencing extraction performance. Recent advances in the recovery of value-added products such as amino acids, bioactive peptides, protein hydrolysates, omega-3-rich oils, chitin derivatives, and mineral-rich materials are summarized. In addition, the integration of SWE with complementary technologies such as supercritical CO₂ extraction, enzymatic hydrolysis, and hydrothermal carbonization is examined as a strategy for developing integrated seafood biorefineries. Full article

Gut microbial metabolism links intestinal ecology with systemic physiology and neural pathology, but its effects vary across disease stage, tissue compartment, and host background. This review uses Alzheimer’s disease (AD) as the principal model and compares selected features with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Across the AD continuum, fermentation-related changes appear in prodromal cohorts, whereas broader alterations in amino acid products, host–microbial co-metabolites, bile acids, and lipids accompany mild cognitive impairment and dementia. These group-level patterns do not constitute a fixed patient trajectory. Microbial production, intestinal absorption, hepatic conversion, renal clearance, barrier integrity, and tissue-specific receptors jointly determine biological exposure. Experimental studies connect short-chain fatty acids and indole derivatives with epithelial and neuroimmune homeostasis, while imidazole propionate, trimethylamine N-oxide, selected kynurenine products, and remodeled bile acid pools engage vascular, inflammatory, amyloid, or tau-related pathways. Cerebral pathology can also remodel the intestinal ecosystem, creating reciprocal feedback. Apolipoprotein E4 modifies lipid handling, vascular permeability, and immune responses, helping to explain why comparable metabolic profiles may carry different consequences among individuals. Translation therefore requires more than a change in community composition. Trials must verify microbial function, metabolite target engagement, AD biomarker response, and clinical benefit in appropriately stratified participants. Shared pathways in PD and ALS provide comparison points, but disease-specific cells, proteinopathies, and treatment exposures constrain direct transfer of AD-derived targets. Full article

This study reports the synthesis of a novel methylenebisphosphonic acid calix[4]arene derivative and its application as a receptor layer in a conductometric chemosensor for the highly sensitive detection of L-arginine. The synthesized calixarene contains two methylenebisphosphonic acid fragments at the upper rim of the macrocycle, which serve as recognition sites for L-arginine, and two 3-(methylthio)propoxy groups at the lower rim, which enable immobilization on the gold electrode surface. The sensor based on synthesized calixarene demonstrated a pronounced response to L-arginine, which can be attributed to the cooperative interaction of the protonated amino and guanidinium groups of L-arginine with the methylenebisphosphonic acid groups of the calixarene receptor. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were employed to elucidate the molecular interactions underlying the recognition of L-arginine by the calixarene receptor. The developed chemosensor demonstrated a low limit of detection for L-arginine (5.6 µM); a wide linear range (up to 1000 μM); a short response time (≤80 s); and a high response reproducibility (RSD = 1.3%). The stability constants determined by HPLC depended on the nature of the amino acid and ranged from logK_A = 4.26 for leucine to logK_A = 4.52 for L-arginine. Compared with previously reported L-arginine sensors, the developed conductometric chemosensor exhibits a competitive detection limit, a wider linear detection range, and significantly improved response reproducibility. The proposed calixarene-based chemosensor enables simple, highly sensitive, enzyme-free conductometric detection of L-arginine over a broad concentration range in aqueous solutions. Full article

Background: Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is a prevalent gynecological condition that significantly compromises the quality of life in adolescents and women of reproductive age. Within traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Cold Coagulation and Blood Stasis Primary Dysmenorrhea (CCBS-PD) represents the most frequently observed syndrome pattern of PD. Wenjing Decoction (WJD), a classical TCM formulation, has been extensively employed for the treatment of CCBS-PD. However, given the multi-component and complex nature of WJD, the potential mechanisms underpinning its therapeutic effect have yet to be elucidated. Methods: A rat model of CCBS-PD was induced through ice-water bath stimulation in conjunction with estradiol benzoate and oxytocin. The pharmacological effects of WJD were evaluated by writhing response, hemorheological parameters, uterine index, histopathological examination, and biochemical assays. Serum-exposed constituents of WJD were characterized using UPLC-Orbitrap Exploris 120 MS. To study the mechanisms of WJD, methods from network pharmacology, molecular docking, and off-target metabolomics were used. Western blot analysis examined representative proteins in the signaling pathways predicted by network pharmacology. Network pharmacology and metabolomics were integrated to construct a pathway–metabolite–target–compound network, and representative targets were analyzed by RT-qPCR. Results: WJD treatment reduced writhing responses, improved hemorheological abnormalities, and alleviated uterine pathological changes in CCBS-PD rats. Serum pharmacochemistry identified 62 WJD-derived constituents. Metabolomics analysis indicated that WJD was associated with alterations in nitrogen metabolism, valine/leucine/isoleucine biosynthesis and arginine biosynthesis. Network pharmacology and molecular docking suggested several candidate compounds and targets, including Robinetin, Levistolide A, Pratol, 7,4′-dihydroxyflavone, EGFR, AKT1, ESR1, MMP9, MAPK3, and TNF. RT-qPCR showed that selected genes, including AKT1, EGFR, MAPK3, TNF, ESR1, MMP9 and CASP3, were changed in the model group and partially restored following WJD improvement. Western blot analysis demonstrated that WJD treatment decreased the phosphorylation levels of AKT, ERK1/2, and NF-κB, and down-regulated the protein expression of COX-2. Conclusions: WJD showed beneficial effects in a CCBS-PD rat model. Synthesized assessments indicate a potential link to the actions of serum-exposed constituents, alterations in amino acid metabolism, and modulation of inflammation-related signaling pathways. This research offers initial indications suggesting the multi-component and multi-target pharmacological actions of WJD, although the underlying mechanisms remain to be validated through targeted metabolomics and functional studies. Full article

To realize the high-value valorization of cold-pressed walnut meal, walnut oligopeptides were fabricated via synchronous dual-enzyme hydrolysis combined with activated carbon decolorization and membrane separation purification. We optimized the overall preparation process and systematically characterized the products, including their amino acid profile, in vitro antioxidant capacity, cytoprotective effects against H₂O₂-triggered oxidative injury in PC12 cells, and regulatory activity toward acetylcholinesterase (AChE). The optimal hydrolysis conditions were identified as pH 10.0, total enzyme dosage of 11,000 U/g, a trypsin-to-alkaline protease ratio of 2.1:1, solid–liquid ratio of 1:26, temperature of 51 °C and reaction duration of 4 h, which produced a hydrolysis degree of 33.02%. The optimized decolorization parameters were pH 5.2, activated carbon dosage of 2.3%, treatment at 58 °C for 43 min, with a peptide recovery rate reaching 83.35%. Cold-pressed walnut meal is rich in glutamic acid, arginine and aspartic acid, which lay the molecular foundation for the bioactive properties of the derived oligopeptides. In vitro tests demonstrated that the oligopeptides possessed strong scavenging ability against hydroxyl, DPPH and superoxide anion radicals (clearance rates of 90.18%, 81.72% and 85.80%, respectively), and maintained 73.21% of antioxidant activity after simulated gastrointestinal digestion. Moreover, walnut oligopeptides at 0.8 mg/mL showed no cytotoxicity and afforded a 79.88% protective effect against oxidative damage. The peptides significantly boosted SOD and GSH-Px activities, lowered MDA accumulation, and strongly suppressed AChE activity, performing better than donepezil hydrochloride. This efficient, eco-friendly technique achieves high-value utilization of walnut processing by-products. The obtained oligopeptides possess great potential as natural antioxidants and neuroprotective ingredients for functional food development. Full article

Tryptophan (Trp) metabolism lies at the intersection of nutrition, gut microbiota, mucosal immunology, and systemic inflammation—processes that play key roles in many gastrointestinal and extraintestinal diseases. Trp is an essential amino acid obtained through dietary intake. Beyond its role in protein synthesis, it is metabolized through three principal pathways: the kynurenine pathway, the serotonin/melatonin pathway, and microbial metabolism in the gut leading to indole and related derivatives. The kynurenine pathway represents the primary route of Trp degradation and is strongly linked to inflammatory signaling. The serotonin pathway is particularly important for gastrointestinal physiology, influencing motility, secretion, and visceral sensitivity. In parallel, microbial Trp metabolism produces metabolites that regulate epithelial barrier integrity, modulate mucosal immune responses, and contribute to communication along the gut–organ axes. Across different disease states, several recurring patterns emerge. Inflammatory conditions frequently shift Trp metabolism toward the kynurenine pathway through increased IDO1 or TDO activity, resulting in changes in kynurenine metabolites and in the kynurenine-to-tryptophan (Kyn/Trp) ratio. At the same time, reduced microbial production of indole derivatives may impair aryl hydrocarbon receptor signaling and weaken barrier-protective and immunoregulatory mechanisms. Alterations in the serotonin pathway are also associated with disturbances in gastrointestinal motility and gut–brain communication. Together, these observations highlight Trp metabolism as an important framework for understanding interactions between diet, microbiota, and host responses in health and disease. However, it is important to clarify that much of the currently available evidence remains associative or is derived primarily from preclinical models. This narrative review, based on literature retrieved from major biomedical databases (e.g., PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science), aims to provide an updated synthesis of current knowledge on Trp metabolism in disease pathophysiology. Furthermore, while we highlight potential translational applications—such as proposed biomarker development and targeted therapeutic strategies—these perspectives have been moderated to acknowledge the limited level of clinical validation established to date. Full article

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptides are promising bioactive components for developing blood pressure-regulating functional foods. Idesia polycarpa meal (IPM), an underutilized protein-rich byproduct from oil processing, is currently restricted to low-value applications such as animal feed, and systematic research on its ACE inhibitory peptides remains largely absent. This study hypothesized that controlled enzymatic hydrolysis of IPM protein could release novel ACE inhibitory peptide candidates with high activity. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) confirmed that ultrasonic treatment induced moderate conformational loosening of IPM protein, with thermal denaturation temperature decreasing from 162.20 °C to 158.79 °C, while the core secondary structure remained intact, thereby improving enzymatic hydrolysis efficiency. After sequential purification via ultrafiltration and gel filtration chromatography, the CP3-H3 fraction (molecular weight < 3 kDa) exhibited the highest ACE inhibitory rate of 95.39% at 1.0 mg/mL. Amino acid analysis showed that the active fraction contained 48.92% hydrophobic amino acids and 11.55% aromatic amino acids, which matched the structural requirements for potent ACE inhibition. Eight novel ACE inhibitory peptides were identified via LC-MS/MS combined with multi-round in silico screening, all of which were not recorded in the Database of Food-derived Bioactive Peptides (DFBP). Molecular docking analysis revealed that all eight peptides could stably bind to the active pocket of ACE, among which WDW showed the strongest binding affinity to PTGS2 with a binding free energy of −10.7 kcal/mol. Network pharmacology analysis demonstrated that these peptides exerted antihypertensive effects through synergistic regulation of 142 core blood pressure homeostasis-related targets and multiple key pathways. The core peptide WNWD was chemically synthesized and verified to have an ACE inhibitory IC₅₀ value of 3.529 mM. This study demonstrates that IPM is a promising food-derived source of ACE inhibitory peptides, and provides a theoretical basis for the high-value utilization of Idesia polycarpa processing byproducts. Full article

Deoxynivalenol (DON), a trichothecene mycotoxin commonly found in cereal grains and their derived products, poses significant risks to human and animal health. In previous work, a fusion enzyme composed of the dehydrogenase DADH and the aldo-keto reductase AKR13B3 was engineered to convert DON into the non-toxic 3-epi-DON in a single step. However, the poor thermal stability of this fusion enzyme limited its industrial application. In this study, EVcouplings and the GRAPE-WEB platform were utilized to identify key amino acid residues governing the thermal stability of the fusion enzyme AKR13B3–DADH. Through single-point mutation screening and the combination of beneficial mutation sites, a triple mutant M361L/T508Y/Y603F (M1) was obtained. The half-life of M1 at 50 °C reached about 500 min, representing a 16.4-fold increase compared with the wild type, while its catalytic activity increased by 2.7-fold. The apparent melting temperature increased by approximately 4 °C. Molecular dynamics simulations verified that the improved thermostability results from reduced conformational flexibility in key regions, enhanced structural packing, and a strengthened hydrogen bond network. These results demonstrate the successful development of a thermostable DON-detoxifying fusion enzyme and provide a practical basis for its industrial application. Full article

The Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii, Brandt, 1869) is a potamodromous freshwater species with major ecological and commercial importance. Natural populations across the main Siberian River basins have declined so severely that the species is now classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. This narrative analysis synthesizes current scientific knowledge regarding the ecology, reproductive biology, conservation status, and nutritional value of products derived from A. baerii, with the aim of providing an integrated perspective on this species, which has recently been introduced into Romanian aquaculture and occupies the interface between biodiversity and human consumption needs. The species’ remarkable ecological and morphological plasticity, which underlies its wide natural distribution in the Ob, Irtysh, Yenisei, and Lena River basins, has also made it the dominant species in global sturgeon aquaculture, commercially farmed in Europe, Asia, and South America. Reproductive management in farming systems relies on hormonal induction, non-invasive maturity assessment, and controlled hatchery practices, while emerging no-kill technologies enable repeated caviar harvesting without sacrificing the female, improving both ethical standards and economic efficiency. From a nutritional standpoint, A. baerii yields two high-value products: caviar, a rich source of the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids EPA and DHA, whose dietary intake has been associated with cardiovascular and neurodevelopmental benefits in the broader nutrition literature, and meat, characterized by high-biological-value protein, a favorable amino acid profile, and significant omega-3 content. By-products such as skin, swim bladders, glands, and cartilage contribute to the higher-value utilization of the species within the circular bioeconomy. Still, notable gaps remain in genetics and sex determination methods, in early life behavioral ecology, and in cryopreservation protocols. Future work should also look at more sustainable feed formulations and new value-added products. Full article

Background/Objectives: Interpretation of amino-acid and acylcarnitine results in newborn screening depends on population-appropriate reference intervals (RIs), and no locally derived paediatric RIs have been published for the general Kazakhstan population. We aimed to establish the first age- and sex-specific RIs for a tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) panel measured from dried blood spots (DBSs) by flow injection analysis tandem mass spectrometry (FIA-MS/MS) in a Kazakhstani paediatric population using an indirect (data-mining) approach. Methods: All amino-acid and acylcarnitine results (1 January 2022 to the data freeze on 20 July 2026) were extracted from the consolidated laboratory information system of a 21-branch network; after cleaning, deduplication and selection of conditionally healthy subjects, RIs (2.5th, 50th, 97.5th percentiles with 90% bootstrap confidence intervals) were computed per CLSI EP28-A3c across CALIPER age strata, with the neonatal period split into 0–7/8–14/15–28-day strata, and cross-validated by the canonical refineR package run without flag-based selection, the CLIR/Mayo database and a comparable Turkish study. Results: From 687,726 results in 4198 patients, the conditionally healthy cohort comprised 3589 subjects; the large majority of analyte–age strata permitted full CLSI EP28 computation. Canonical refineR and flag-based estimates agreed within ±30% in 91% of key-marker limits (median relative difference 9.6%), indicating that flag-based selection did not materially bias the upper limits. Reference intervals are reported for all amino acids and all 36 acylcarnitines of the panel. The valine 97.5th-percentile upper limit exceeded its 250 µmol/L decision limit at 0–28 days (275.3 µmol/L). Conclusions: We provide locally derived and internally cross-checked paediatric MS/MS RIs, pending prospective verification, and flag two actionable findings: inter-site harmonisation of several key markers and the overlap of the upper-normal valine limit with its clinical decision limit. Full article

Background: γ-Valerolactone (GVL), a green volatile platform compound derived from lignocellulosic biomass, has recently been identified as one volatile organic compound produced by the plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium Stutzerimonas stutzeri NRCB010. Although our previous transcriptomic and phenotypic studies have verified that exogenous GVL can promote the growth of tomato seedlings, the global metabolic reprogramming behind this promoting effect remains unclear. Methods: Tomato seedlings were subjected to exogenous GVL treatments at three concentrations (0, 0.25, 0.5 g/L) for 24 h and 48 h separately. Combined with physiological growth measurements, ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry-based widely targeted metabolomics was applied to systematically characterize GVL-mediated metabolic reprogramming. Results: GVL remarkably improved seedling height, biomass and root development, with 0.25 g/L GVL showing the strongest promoting effect. A total of 703 metabolites including lipids, flavonoids and alkaloids were identified. Principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis revealed distinct metabolic separation between control and treated groups, verifying time and concentration dependent metabolic shifts. After 24 h, GVL activated primary pathways (the tricarboxylic acid cycle, amino acid and purine metabolism) to supply growth energy; after 48 h, central carbon and secondary biosynthetic pathways were enriched, and 0.5 g/L GVL specifically triggered defensive isoquinoline and indole alkaloid biosynthesis. Conclusions: GVL coordinately remodels primary and secondary metabolic networks to accelerate tomato seedling growth, which provides sufficient metabolomic evidence for developing GVL as a novel bio-based plant biostimulant. Full article