Search Results (2,424)

Plastic pollution has recently become a serious environmental problem, since the continuous increase in plastic production and use has generated enormous amounts of plastic waste that decomposes to form micro- and nanoparticles (MPs/NPs). Recent evidence suggests that nanoplastics may be potent toxins because they are able to freely cross biological barriers, posing health risks, particularly to developing organisms. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to investigate the toxic potential of polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-NPs) on the jejunum of immature rats. Two-week-old animals were orally exposed to environmentally relevant dose of small PS-NPs (1 mg/kg b.w.; 25 nm) for 3 weeks. We detected a significant accumulation of PS-NPs in the epithelium and subepithelial layer of the intestine, which resulted in significant changes in the expression of genes related to gut barrier integrity, nutrient absorption, and endocrine function. Moreover, increased expression of proinflammatory cytokines was observed together with decreased antioxidant capacity and increased markers of oxidative damage to proteins. Additionally, in the jejunal extracts of exposed rats, we also noted changes in the metabolite profile, mainly amino acids involved in molecular pathways related to cellular energy, inflammation, the intestinal barrier, and protein synthesis, which were consistent with the observed molecular markers of inflammation and oxidative stress. Taken together, the results of the metabolomic, molecular, and biochemical analyses indicate that prolonged exposure to PS-NPs may disrupt the proper function of the intestine of developing organisms. Full article

Objective: Uncovering the renoprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of atorvastatin treatment in diabetic-and-obese rats by employing traditional renal function indicators (urea and creatinine) and four prototypical cytokines (IL-1β, il-6, IL-17α, TNFα). Method: Twenty-eight male Wistar rats, aged 6 months, 350–400 g, were randomized into four groups. The first group, G-I, the denominated control, were fed standard chow over the whole course of the experiments. The rodents in G-II were exposed to a High-Fat Diet. The last two groups were exposed to Streptozotocin peritoneal injection (35 mg/kg of body weight). A short biochemical assessment was performed before diabetes model induction to ensure appropriate glucose metabolism before experiments. Following model induction, only rodents in group G-IV were gradually introduced to the same High-Fat Diet as received by G-II. Model confirmation 10 days after injections marked the start of statin treatment in group G-IV, by daily gavage of atorvastatin 20 mg/kg of body weight/day for 21 days. At the end of the experiments, the biochemical profile of interest comprised typical renal retention byproducts (urea and creatinine) and the inflammatory profile described using plasma levels of TNFα, IL-17α, IL-6, and IL-1β. Results: Treatment with Atorvastatin was associated with a statistically significant improvement in renal function in G-IV compared to untreated diabetic rodents in G-III. Changes in inflammatory activity showed partial association with statin therapy, TNFα and IL-17α mirroring the trend in urea and creatinine values. Conclusions: Our results indicate that atorvastatin treatment yields a myriad of pleiotropic activities, among which renal protection was clearly demonstrated in this model of diabetic-and-obese rodents. The statin impact on inflammation regulation may not be as clear-cut, but the potential synergy of renal function preservation and partial tapering of inflammatory activity requires further research in severely metabolically challenged models. Full article

Calendula officinalis L. is a widely used medicinal plant whose secondary metabolism and morphology are influenced by light. This study evaluated the effects of 2 and 4 h end-of-day (EOD) red/far-red (R:FR) and green (G) light on the growth, physiology, and phytochemical profile of hydroponically grown C. officinalis under a constant red/blue light background, compared with a red/blue control without EOD treatment. Morphological, physiological (gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence), biochemical (chlorophyll, anthocyanin), and chemical composition (attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)) were evaluated. EOD G 2h enhanced photosynthetic pigments, anthocyanins, and biomass, while control plants showed higher phenolic content. EOD R:FR induced stem elongation but reduced pigment and metabolite accumulation. GC-MS revealed organ-specific metabolic specialization, with flowers displaying greater chemical diversity than leaves. EOD G favored sesquiterpene diversity in flowers, while EOD R:FR increased nitrogen-containing compounds and unsaturated fatty acids. Vibrational data supported these shifts, with spectral signatures of esters, phenolics, and lipid-related structures. Bioactive compounds, including α-cadinol and carboxylic acids, were identified across treatments. These findings demonstrate that EOD light modulates physiological and metabolic traits in C. officinalis, highlighting EOD G as an enhancer of biomass and phytochemical richness for pharmaceutical applications under controlled conditions. Full article

Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages worldwide, primarily due to the stimulating effects attributed to its caffeine content. However, excessive intake of caffeine results in negative effects, including palpitations, anxiety, and insomnia. Therefore, low-caffeine coffee has captivated growing consumer interest, highlighting its significant market potential. Traditional decaffeination methods often lead to non-selective extraction, resulting in a loss of desirable flavor compounds, thereby compromising coffee quality. In recent years, microbial fermentation has emerged as a promising, targeted, and safe approach for reducing caffeine content during processing. Additionally, mixed-culture fermentation further enhances coffee flavor and overcomes the drawbacks of monoculture fermentation, such as low efficiency and limited flavor profiles. Nonetheless, several challenges are yet to be resolved, including microbial tolerance to caffeine and related alkaloids, the safety of fermentation products, and elucidation of the underlying mechanisms behind microbial synergy in co-cultures. This review outlines the variety of microorganisms with the potential to degrade caffeine and the biochemical processes involved in this process. It explores how microbes tolerate caffeine, the safety of metabolites produced during fermentation, and the synergistic effects of mixed microbial cultures on the modulation of coffee flavor compounds, including esters and carbonyls. Future directions are discussed, including the screening of alkaloid-tolerant strains, constructing microbial consortia for simultaneous caffeine degradation for flavor enhancement, and developing high-quality low-caffeine coffee. Full article

Creole goats have adapted to the harsh Andean environment, yet the physiological impacts of high-altitude production systems remain underexplored. This study assessed seasonal and dietary influences on the hematological and biochemical profiles of 45 Creole goats in the Peruvian Andes. The animals were assigned to three diets: D1 (grazing), D2 (grazing + 2000 g hay), and D3 (grazing + 400 g concentrate), across rainy and dry seasons. Biweekly blood sampling measured urea, cholesterol, total protein, albumin, ALP, ALT, WBCL, NeuP, LymP, HGB, and MCV. Season exerted the strongest influence (p < 0.001), with modest dietary effects and a consistent effect of sampling time. Urea, total protein, and albumin increased during the rainy season, though only urea responded significantly to diet. Leukocytosis rose in the dry season and with higher-protein diets, suggesting heightened immune activation under environmental stress. Hemoglobin peaked in the rainy season and early sampling, indicating better oxygenation. MCV and body weight were higher in the dry season, with weight unaffected by diet. These results underscore the complex interplay of environmental and nutritional factors in shaping goat physiology at high altitudes, emphasizing the importance of dynamic modeling in sustainable Andean livestock systems. Full article

Background and Objectives: Despite significant advances in surgical techniques and perioperative care, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) remain a leading cause of postoperative morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting and/or aortic valve replacement. Accurate preoperative risk stratification is essential yet often limited by models that overlook atrial mechanics and underutilized biomarkers. Materials and Methods: This study aimed to develop an interpretable machine learning model for predicting perioperative MACE by integrating clinical, biochemical, and echocardiographic features, with a particular focus on novel physiological markers. A retrospective cohort of 131 patients was analyzed. An Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) classifier was trained on a comprehensive feature set, and SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAPs) were used to quantify each variable’s contribution to model predictions. Results: In a stratified 80:20 train–test split, the model initially achieved an AUC of 1.00. Acknowledging the potential for overfitting in small datasets, additional validation was performed using 10 independent random splits and 5-fold cross-validation. These analyses yielded an average AUC of 0.846 ± 0.092 and an F1-score of 0.807 ± 0.096, supporting the model’s stability and generalizability. The most influential predictors included total atrial conduction time, mitral and tricuspid annular orifice areas, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. These variables, spanning electrophysiological, structural, and metabolic domains, significantly enhanced discriminative performance, even in patients with preserved left ventricular function. The model’s transparency provides clinically intuitive insights into individual risk profiles, emphasizing the significance of non-traditional parameters in perioperative assessments. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the feasibility and potential clinical value of combining advanced echocardiographic, biochemical, and machine learning tools for individualized cardiovascular risk prediction. While promising, these findings require prospective validation in larger, multicenter cohorts before being integrated into routine clinical decision-making. Full article

Background: Riboflavin transporter deficiency type 2 is an ultra-rare, yet treatable, inborn error of metabolism. This autosomal recessive disorder is caused by pathogenic mutations in the SLC52A2 gene leading to progressive ataxia, polyneuropathy, and hearing and visual impairment. The early initiation of riboflavin therapy can prevent or mitigate the complications. To date, only 200 cases have been reported, mostly in consanguineous populations. The p.Gly306Arg founder mutation, identified in patients of Lebanese descent, is the most frequently reported worldwide. It was described in a homozygous state in a total of 21 patients. Therefore, studies characterizing the phenotypic spectrum of this mutation remain scarce. Methods: A retrospective review of charts of patients diagnosed with riboflavin transporter deficiency type 2 at a tertiary-care reference center in Lebanon was performed. Clinical, biochemical, and molecular profiles were analyzed and compared to reported cases in the literature. Results: A total of six patients from three unrelated families were diagnosed between 2018 and 2023. All patients exhibited the homozygous founder mutation, p.Gly306Arg, with variable phenotypes, even among family members. The median age of onset was 3 years. Diagnosis was achieved by exome sequencing at a median age of 5 years, as clinical and biochemical profiles were inconsistently suggestive. The response to riboflavin was variable. One patient treated with high-dose riboflavin recovered his motor function, while the others were stabilized. Conclusions: This study expands the current knowledge of the phenotypic spectrum associated with the p.Gly306Arg mutation in the SLC52A2 gene. Increased awareness among physicians of the common manifestations of this rare disorder is crucial for early diagnosis and treatment. In the absence of a consistent clinical or biochemical phenotype, the use of next-generation sequencing as a first-tier diagnostic test may be considered. Full article

Wild ales represent a diverse category of spontaneously fermented beers, influenced by complex microbial populations and variable ingredients. This study employed an integrated metabolomic profiling approach combining proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) spectroscopy, liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and spectrophotometric assays (DPPH and FRAP) to characterize the molecular composition and antioxidant potential of 22 wild ales from six countries. A total of 53 compounds were identified and quantified using NMR, while 62 compounds were identified by using LC-MS. The compounds in question included organic acids, amino acids, sugars, alcohols, bitter acids, phenolic compounds, and others. Ingredient-based clustering revealed that the addition of dark fruits resulted in a significant increase in the polyphenolic content and antioxidant activity. Concurrently, herb-infused and light-fruit beers exhibited divergent phytochemical profiles. Prolonged aging (>18 months) has been demonstrated to be associated with increased levels of certain amino acids, fermentation-derived aldehydes, and phenolic degradation products. However, the influence of maturation duration on the antioxidant capacity was found to be less significant than that of the type of fruit. Country-specific metabolite trends were revealed, indicating the influence of regional brewing practices on beer composition. Correlation analysis was employed to identify the major contributors to antioxidant activity, with salicylic, dihydroxybenzoic, and 4-hydroxybenzoic acids being identified as the most significant. These findings underscore the biochemical intricacy of wild ales and exemplify metabolomics’ capacity to correlate compositional variation with functionality and authenticity in spontaneously fermented beverages. Full article

Background: Fish escape events from aquaculture facilities are increasing and pose significant ecological, economic, and traceability concerns. Accurate methods to differentiate between wild, cultured, and escaped fish are essential for fishery management and seafood authentication. Methods: This study analyzed muscle tissue from Sparus aurata, Dicentrarchus labrax, and Argyrosomus regius using a multiomics approach. Heavy metals were quantified by ICP-MS, fatty acid profiles were assessed via GC-MS, and metabolomic and lipidomic signatures were identified using 1H NMR spectroscopy. Multivariate statistical models (MDS and PLS-LDA) were applied to classify fish origins. Results: Wild seabream showed significantly higher levels of arsenic (9.5-fold), selenium (3.5-fold), and DHA and ARA fatty acids (3.2-fold), while cultured fish exhibited increased linoleic and linolenic acids (6.5-fold). TMAO concentrations were up to 5.3-fold higher in wild fish, serving as a robust metabolic biomarker. Escaped fish displayed intermediate biochemical profiles. Multivariate models achieved a 100% classification accuracy across species and analytical techniques. Conclusions: The integration of heavy metal analysis, fatty acid profiling, and NMR-based metabolomics enables the accurate differentiation of fish origin. While muscle tissue provides reliable biomarkers relevant to human exposure, future studies should explore additional tissues such as liver and gills to improve the resolution of traceability. These methods support seafood authentication, enhance aquaculture traceability, and aid in managing the ecological impacts of escape events. Full article

This study employs a machine learning approach to identify a small-molecule-based signature capable of predicting Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Utilizing metabolomics data from the plasma of a well-characterized cohort of 94 AD patients and 62 healthy controls; metabolite levels were assessed using the Biocrates MxP^® Quant 500 platform. Data preprocessing involved removing low-quality samples, selecting relevant biochemical groups, and normalizing metabolite data based on demographic variables such as age, sex, and fasting time. Linear regression models were used to identify concomitant parameters that consisted of the data for a given metabolite within each of the biochemical families that were considered. Detection of these “concomitant” metabolites facilitates normalization and allows sample comparison. Residual analysis revealed distinct metabolite profiles between AD patients and controls across groups, such as amino acid-related compounds, bile acids, biogenic amines, indoles, carboxylic acids, and fatty acids. Correlation heatmaps illustrated significant interdependencies, highlighting specific molecules like carnosine, 5-aminovaleric acid (5-AVA), cholic acid (CA), and indoxyl sulfate (Ind-SO₄) as promising indicators. Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), validated using Leave-One-Out Cross-Validation, demonstrated that combinations of four or five molecules could classify AD with accuracy exceeding 75%, sensitivity up to 80%, and specificity around 79%. Notably, optimal combinations integrated metabolites with both a tendency to increase and a tendency to decrease in AD. A multivariate strategy consistently identified included 5-AVA, carnosine, CA, and hypoxanthine as having predictive potential. Overall, this study supports the utility of combining data of plasma small molecules as predictors for AD, offering a novel diagnostic tool and paving the way for advancements in personalized medicine. Full article

Background: The differential effects of post-exercise rehydration beverages on inflammatory processes and organ protection remain incompletely characterized. This study investigated how beverages with distinct compositions influence urinary biomarkers following endurance exercise. Methods: In a randomized crossover design, eight trained male runners performed 6000 m pace running followed by consumption of 500 mL of either: water (Drink 1), hypotonic sports drink (Drink 2, 200 mOsm/L), oral rehydration solution (Drink 3, 270 mOsm/L), or modified hypotonic formulation (Drink 4, 200 mOsm/L). After 60 min, participants completed a 1000 m time trial. Urine samples were collected at baseline, post-6000 m, and post-1000 m for analysis of biochemical parameters and inflammatory cytokines. Results: No significant differences in 1000 m performance were observed between trials. Drink 3 significantly reduced creatinine and uric acid excretion compared to other beverages (p < 0.05), suggesting decreased waste product elimination. Creatinine-corrected intestinal fatty acid-binding protein values were lower with Drinks 2 and 3, indicating potential intestinal protection. Notably, Drink 4 showed modest but significant enhancement of IL-4 excretion (p < 0.05, ηp² = 0.347), demonstrating beverage-specific modulation of anti-inflammatory cytokines with moderate effect sizes. Conclusions: Different beverage formulations exert distinct effects on waste product elimination, intestinal organ damage markers, and inflammatory cytokine profiles. These findings suggest that beverage selection should be tailored to specific recovery priorities and training contexts. Full article

This study examined the effects of rearing, physiological, and processing conditions on the volatile profile of Atlantic salmon. Fish were reared under two different temperature and light conditions, and three harvests were conducted at different time points for male and female fish. Fish were processed to yield fillets with or without skin. Volatiles were analyzed using SIFT-MS headspace analysis. Atlantic salmon reared in cooler temperatures under a 12 h light/dark cycle exhibited significantly lower concentrations of off-odor volatiles compared to those reared in warm conditions under continuous light, suggesting that cooler temperatures with a dark cycle help maintain freshness. A temperature shift from cool to warm further increased volatile accumulation. Longer rearing time resulted in higher volatile concentrations, attributed to greater biochemical products, increased susceptibility to lipid oxidation, protein degradation, and contaminant accumulation from the rearing environment. Males had higher volatile levels at 202 days, while females surpassed males by 242 days, likely due to increased biochemical accumulation associated with reproductive development. Fillets with skin exhibited significantly higher concentration of off-odor volatiles. These findings highlight the role of all studied factors in establishing optimum conditions to minimize spoilage-related volatiles and preserve the freshness of Atlantic salmon, with rearing temperature being the most critical factor. Full article

Investigations of endogenous plant circular RNAs (circRNAs) in several plant species have revealed changes in their circular RNA profiles in response to biotic and abiotic stresses. Recently, circRNAs have emerged as critical regulators of gene expression. The destructive impacts on agriculture due to plant viral infections necessitate better discernment of the involvement of plant circRNAs during viral infection. However, few such studies have been conducted hitherto. Sobemoviruses cause great economic impacts on important crops such as rice, turnip, alfalfa, and wheat. Our current study investigates the dynamics of plant circRNA profiles in the host Arabidopsis thaliana (A. thaliana) during infections with the sobemoviruses Turnip rosette virus (TRoV) and Rice yellow mottle virus (RYMV), as well as the small circular satellite RNA of the Lucerne transient streak virus (scLTSV), focusing on circRNA dysregulation in the host plants and its potential implications in triggering plant cellular defense responses. Towards this, two rounds of deep sequencing were conducted on the RNA samples obtained from infected and uninfected plants followed by the analysis of circular RNA profiles using RNA-seq and extensive bioinformatic analyses. We identified 760 circRNAs, predominantly encoded in exonic regions and enriched in the chloroplast chromosome, suggesting them as key sites for circRNA generation during viral stress. Gene ontology (GO) analysis indicated that these circRNAs are mostly associated with plant development and protein binding, potentially influencing the expression of their host genes. Furthermore, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis showed photosynthesis as the most affected pathway. Interestingly, the non-coding exogenous scLTSV specifically induced several circRNAs, some of which contain open reading frames (ORFs) capable of encoding proteins. Our biochemical assays demonstrated that transgenic expression of scLTSV in A. thaliana enhanced resistance to TRoV, suggesting a novel strategy for improving plant viral resistance. Our results highlight the complexity of circRNA dynamics in plant–virus interactions and offer novel insights into potential circRNA-based strategies for enhancing plant disease resistance by modulating the differential expression of circRNAs. Full article

Copper-based substances have historically been shown to exhibit antimicrobial properties, but the mechanisms by which they interact with bacterial biofilms in pipeline systems remain unclear. This study investigates the effects of copper sulfate and copper nitrate on the growth, biofilm formation, and antibiotic resistance profiles of Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis. Across a wide concentration range (0.00005–100 mg/mL), both salts demonstrated strong antimicrobial activity at higher concentrations, while sublethal levels produced more nuanced effects. Higher concentrations exhibited potent antimicrobial activity, while sublethal concentrations paradoxically enhanced biofilm resistance, particularly in E. faecalis. Growth kinetic assays and spectroscopic analysis were used to better understand how copper interacts with microbes on a biochemical and physical level. Surprisingly, prolonged exposure to sublethal copper concentrations altered the antibiogram profiles of E. faecalis, developing resistance to ceftazidime. The findings confirm the bimodal activity of copper salts as antimicrobial and biofilm-controlling agents, highlighting the critical need for precise concentration optimization in wastewater treatment. This current study contributes to the collective knowledge pool of metal–microbe interactions, shedding light on selecting materials for industrial and environmental applications. Full article

Endophytic bacteria inhabit plant tissues without damaging them and have specialized adaptation capabilities that allow them to establish themselves in this ecological niche. Endophytes produce numerous secondary metabolites with antimicrobial, anticancer, and pesticide properties, among others. In this study, endophytic bacteria were isolated and characterized from cocoa plants in a Brazilian municipality, with the view to evaluate their potential antagonistic activity on clinical bacterial strains. The isolates were identified through phenotypic analysis and molecular characterization. After bacterial isolation, it was possible to verify the presence of 11 different endophytic strains, with a bacterial load of up to 6.3 × 10³ CFU/g in each plant. The morphological and biochemical profile of the isolates varied. At the taxonomic level, these bacteria showed 99% similarity with the genera Microbacterium, Curtobacterium, Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Ralstonia, and Methylobacterium. The strains of the phylum Actinobacteria, which are known for producing natural bioactive compounds with high biotechnological potential, were effective in inhibiting Staphylococcus aureus ATCC and multidrug-resistant clinical strains. This work aims to expand knowledge about endophytes, with the aim of applying them in other sectors, such as the production of compounds against resistant human pathogens. Full article