Search Results (189)

Introduction: Lutein+Zeaxanthin (L+Z) are the major constituents of macular pigments of the retina. There is a lack of information on the bioavailability of the two compounds in the presence and absence of omega-3 fatty acids in L+Z supplements which are commonly prescribed to treat macular degeneration. Despite growing interest in L+Z supplementation, there remains a limited understanding of their short-term bioavailability dynamics and the potential added value of omega-3 co-supplementation. This pilot study reports on the bioavailability of serum responses to L+Z supplements in the presence of omega-3 fatty acids and evaluates time-resolved analytical approaches using Area Under the Curve. Subjects/Methods: A total of 10 men and six women with an average age of 31.38 ± 1.27 years participated in this randomised, non-blinded, controlled study for a total of 19 days (7-day wash-out period plus 12-day intervention period). The control group (n = 9) consumed the L+Z supplement (12 mg/d) only, while the intervention group (n = 7) consumed the L+Z supplement along with 900 mg/d of an omega-3 supplement (540 mg EPA + DHA 360 mg). Each group adhered to a comprehensive low-carotenoid and omega-3 diet list (LCOD) for the 7-day wash-out period and the 12-day intervention period. The participants reported the foods they consumed daily in their diet logbooks, online logs, and the ASA 24 diet assessment log over the study period. The body composition of each subject in the two groups was assessed before and after the study using a SECA body composition analyser, and the relative serum L+Z response in both groups was determined using Area Under the Curve (AUC and incremental AUC) by trapezoidal approximation. Results: The mean ± SEM baseline serum lutein+zeaxanthin (L+Z) concentrations measured at the end of the wash-out period (Day 7) were 2.23 ± 0.65 µg/mL in the control group and 1.20 ± 0.53 µg/mL in the intervention group. Following wash-out, serum L+Z concentrations increased in both groups, reaching 2.81 ± 0.90 µg/mL (control) and 2.63 ± 1.21 µg/mL (intervention) at Day 13, and 2.98 ± 0.69 µg/mL (control) and 3.02 µg/mL (intervention) at Day 19. Total exposure assessed by AUC_7–13 and AUC_13–19 did not differ significantly between the groups (p > 0.05). Incremental exposure analyses identified the post-wash-out period as the primary biologically responsive window, with higher mean incremental L+Z bioavailability in the intervention group (4.36 µg/day/mL) compared with the control group (3.00 µg/day/mL), although this difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). No significant effect of omega-3 co-supplementation on oxidative stress biomarkers was observed (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Omega-3 co-supplementation did not demonstrate a consistent additional benefit on L+Z bioavailability or oxidative stress markers. Day-resolved analyses using iAUC revealed temporal patterns not captured by conventional AUC measures. These exploratory findings should be interpreted with caution and confirmed in larger, longer-term studies. Full article

In the face of the raw materials crisis and environmental concerns, sustainable waste management has become a priority for current and future generations. Recycling waste from wastewater treatment plants in a closed loop protects natural resources, reduces landfill volumes, and lowers disposal costs. This paper presents the results of tests on the physical, filtration, and mechanical properties of mixtures of washed mineral waste (WMW) from grit chambers with fly ash from the thermal treatment of municipal sewage sludge (SSA) in a fluidized bed furnace. Additionally, radiological tests of the mixture components were conducted. Based on the conducted tests, the possibility of sustainable use in civil engineering, such as soil backfills and embankment construction materials, was assessed. The possibility of safely using waste materials in the indicated construction solutions was demonstrated for mixtures with dominant WMW content (90% and 70% by total weight). The waste mixtures correspond to poorly or medium-grade sands with a small amount of silt (uniformity coefficients of 3.33, 3.50, and 8.00). They are characterized by maximum dry densities of 1.542, 1.770, and 1.780 g/cm³; optimal moisture contents of 12.54, 12.86, and 20.25%; permeability coefficients of 0.08, 0.22, and 0.39 m/d; and internal friction angles of 38.4, 39.5, and 40.1°. The values of the determined parameters of some mixtures are similar to those of natural sands used as construction aggregates. All mixtures meet the geotechnical criteria for use in road embankments, below frost depth, and in flood embankment bodies. Mixtures with a 90% mass fraction of WMW were also approved for application as backfill for installation trenches. However, none of the mixtures met the hydraulic conductivity threshold required for the upper layers of embankments nor for backfill of abutments and retaining structures without the use of an additional binder (cement or lime), which is considered a prerequisite for these applications. Full article

Postbiotics are an emerging ingredient class which have promising potential to support canine gut function by delivering beneficial microbial compounds directly to the gut. We tested a canine immune health postbiotic (CIHP) in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of twenty colony-housed dogs (ten per group) selected for having consistently loose stools but with no diagnosed gastrointestinal disease. After a 5-day wash-in and 5-day baseline, dogs received 12 mg/kg body weight per day of CIHP or a placebo for 28 days mixed with their normal dry diet. The primary outcome was stool consistency (Waltham fecal score), measured on Days 0, 14, and 28; secondary outcomes included fecal gut-health biomarkers and fecal microbiome composition from 16S rRNA sequencing, measured on Days 0 and 28. CIHP improved stool quality (p-value = 0.03), while placebo did not (p-value = 0.5), and CIHP showed a trend toward increasing the odds of individual dogs showing improved fecal scores by Day 28 compared to placebo (p-value = 0.07). Microbiome profiling revealed broader community remodeling with CIHP than the placebo (16 taxa significantly shifted with CIHP vs. 1 with the placebo), consistent with stool quality being impacted by both gastrointestinal and gut microbiome functions. Fecal biomarkers that reflect gut health (pH, dry matter, short-chain fatty acids, dysbiosis index, calprotectin) were within reference ranges at baseline and remained stable in both groups, indicating benefits occurred within a normal physiological window. Together, these findings show that CIHP can improve stool consistency while reshaping the gut microbiome in otherwise healthy dogs prone to loose stools. Future studies in home-environment dogs across breeds, ages, and living conditions are needed to generalize these findings to the broader canine population. Full article

Essential oils (EOs) are well-known in traditional medicine, pharmacy, the food industry, and cosmetics because they are readily available and have proven efficacy across a wide range of applications. They are natural, bio-based, and biodegradable, and when applied accurately, they exhibit effective action against microorganisms, viruses, and fungi. However, most organic EOs are volatile and have hydrophobic surface chemistry, making them unsuitable for direct bio-applications in textiles. Textiles offer a useful platform for applying essential oils to impart functions such as antimicrobial or deodorizing effects. While traditional textiles focused mainly on comfort and protection, the rise of functional textiles has created new opportunities to integrate natural compounds such as essential oils. Recently, a growing body of research has focused on integrating essential oils into textile materials, driven by the increasing demand for sustainable fabrics with added biofunctionality. This review highlights the latest advances in applying essential oils to textile substrates and examines the techniques used and the improvements achieved, including washing cycles, antibacterial efficiency ranges, and durability. We survey recent literature, including research papers, articles, and books, to identify the most common methods and clarify their underlying mechanisms. Full article

Background: Primary peritoneal carcinoma (PPC) is an uncommon malignancy typically diagnosed in postmenopausal women, accounting for less than 1% of all gynecologic cancers. Its occurrence in adolescents is extremely rare. We present a case of a 16-year-old female with low-grade serous carcinoma (LGSC) arising from the anterior rectal peritoneum, highlighting diagnostic challenges and therapeutic considerations. Case Presentation: A 16-year-old girl presented with a 7-day history of lower abdominal pain. Ultrasound revealed an 8 cm mixed cystic–solid pelvic mass anterior to the rectum. Laboratory tests showed elevated CA-125 (106 U/mL). Exploratory laparotomy demonstrated an 8 cm solid mass attached to the anterior rectal wall, extending into the right mesorectum with peritoneal nodules at the bladder reflection. The uterus and adnexa appeared grossly normal. Frozen section analysis revealed adenocarcinoma with psammoma body formation. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry confirmed low-grade serous carcinoma: PAX8(+), WT1(+), CK7(+), ER(60%), PR(40%), CK20(–), and P53 wild-type. Peritoneal washings contained rare malignant cells. Postoperatively, the patient underwent total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and omentectomy. Final pathology confirmed low-grade serous carcinoma involving the anterior rectal wall, bilateral adnexal surfaces, and peritoneum. She completed six cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy (paclitaxel + carboplatin, TC regimen). No recurrence was observed during follow-up. Conclusions: This case underscores the importance of considering PPC in the differential diagnosis of pelvic masses in young females, even when the ovaries appear normal. Full article

Background/Objectives: Influenza B virus infection contributes substantially to annual morbidity and mortality, accounting for 20% to 30% of influenza-associated deaths worldwide. Although vaccination reduces the risk of severe disease, widely used inactivated influenza vaccines are often insufficient to prevent virus transmission. Moreover, influenza B viruses are less susceptible to commonly used antivirals than influenza A viruses. New approaches are therefore required to decrease disease burden and limit virus spread. Neomycin, an aminoglycoside antibiotic, was recently shown to mitigate SARS-CoV-2 transmission in a hamster model. Here, we conducted an exploratory study to assess the effect of neomycin on influenza B virus transmission. Methods: Contact transmission was evaluated using a guinea pig model (n = 4 per group), and aerosol transmission was assessed using a ferret model (n = 6 per group). Animals in the experimental groups received neomycin sulfate (5 mg/guinea pig, 20 mg/ferret) or placebo intranasally, starting one day before exposure to infected animals and continuing for four days thereafter. In the guinea pig study, an additional control group received intranasal interferon alpha. Viral transmission to contact animals was assessed by RT-PCR and virus culture of nasal washes collected over two weeks. Clinical signs and body weight were monitored daily. Results: In the guinea pig model, 75% of contact animals became infected with influenza B virus regardless of treatment. Neither neomycin nor interferon alpha prevented infection, although both delayed the onset of viral shedding in contact animals. In the ferret model, infection occurred in 33% of placebo-treated contact animals, whereas no viral shedding was detected in the neomycin-treated group. Conclusions: Prophylactic intranasal neomycin treatment has the potential to protect exposed individuals from aerosol transmission of influenza B virus during influenza outbreaks. Full article

Pollen acts as both a gametophyte for plant reproduction and a vital nutrient source for bees. Adult honey bees (Apis mellifera) mix pollen with nectar, enzymes, and microbes to create ‘bee bread’, diverting pollen from plant reproduction and re-appropriating it as larval food. However, the point at which corbicular pollen becomes nonviable is largely unknown. This question is important not only because it explicitly addresses pollen viability while bees pollinate, but also because it informs the food vs. fertilization tradeoff at the center of bee–angiosperm mutualisms. Here, we investigated changes in pollen viability during foraging bouts of honey bees. We observed pollen germination across two plant species: Allium tuberosum and Solidago rigida. Bee-collected pollen was contrasted against fresh pollen directly from floral anthers, de-ionized water-soaked pollen, and sucrose solution-washed pollen (a nectar substitute). The bee-collected pollen exhibited significant reductions in germination for both A. tuberosum and S. rigida pollen, compared to controls and the sucrose solution. Pollen viability, therefore, was greatly reduced while the bees in our study were foraging, suggesting that honey bees render pollen nonviable as they pollinate. These findings reveal why corbicular pollen contributes little to plant fertilization, highlighting the importance of non-corbicular ‘body pollen’. Full article

Background: Hemodialysis (HD) patients frequently develop muscle wasting and chronic inflammation, conditions associated with functional decline and reduced quality of life (QoL). Nutritional strategies that provide targeted anabolic support without increasing nitrogen load may offer clinical benefits. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible impact of a food for special medical purposes (FFSMP), composed of free-form branched-chain amino acids, β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate, and zinc, on muscle mass and strength, laboratory parameters, physical performance (PP), and QoL in HD patients. Methods: in this randomized double-blind crossover study, 24 adult HD patients received the FFSMP (10 g/day; two sachets) supplementation or placebo for 12 weeks, separated by an 8-week wash-out (protocol code RS 29.23). Measured outcomes included quadriceps rectus femoris thickness (QRFT) muscle, body composition analysis, inflammatory markers, oxidative stress indices, other routine biochemical parameters, PP, and QoL (SF-36 questionnaire). Results: FFSMP supplementation resulted in significant increases in QRFT and in fat-free mass percentage. Reductions in oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers were observed. Routine biochemical parameters remained stable, with the exception of a decrease in pre-dialysis urea. Functional performance measures did not differ between treatment periods. Improvements were noted in selected SF-36 domains, specifically energy/fatigue and general health. No major adverse events occurred during the study. Conclusions: In HD patients, this FFSMP produced favorable changes in markers of muscle mass and systemic inflammation without affecting short-term physical performance. These findings support the potential clinical utility of targeted amino acid supplementation in this patient population, highlighting the need for larger, longer-term trials. Full article

D-tagatose is a high-value, low-calorie sweetener that can be produced from dairy lactose via a two-step enzymatic route: lactose hydrolysis to galactose followed by galactose isomerization to tagatose. Here, we combined genomics, in silico structural analysis, and biochemical assays to evaluate the lactose-to-tagatose conversion potential of an Antarctic isolate, L47, identified as Ewingella americana (NCBI accession SAMN54554459). Genome mining revealed one L-arabinose isomerase gene (araA) and three β-galactosidase genes (bgaA, bglY, lacZ), an uncommon combination in a single bacterium. Recombinant AraA was produced in Escherichia coli and biochemically characterized, showing Mn²⁺ dependence and measurable D-galactose isomerization, reaching ~18% tagatose from 100 mM galactose after 48 h under the tested conditions. In contrast, the β-galactosidases were predominantly recovered as insoluble aggregates in E. coli; therefore, β-galactosidase activity was assessed using washed inclusion-body preparations. Under these conditions, BgaA displayed the most consistent o-NPG hydrolyzing activity, whereas BglY and LacZ did not yield reproducible activity. Overall, our results identify BgaA as the most tractable lactose-hydrolyzing candidate from L47 in the current workflow and indicate that AraA performance is the principal bottleneck toward an efficient lactose-to-tagatose process, motivating future optimization at the enzyme and process levels. Full article

The distribution of individual body sizes within a population can have substantial impacts on recovery estimates for endangered species. Recent studies have observed a reduction in the size of nesting sea turtles with potential implications for fecundity. To investigate the size of reproductive individuals and subsequent impacts on hatchling production for loggerhead turtles in northwest Florida, we evaluated a seven-year dataset from St. George Island, Florida, USA—the dominant nesting site in this region. Morphometric measurements and GPS locations were collected during nighttime surveys, whereas nest disturbances and hatchling production were reported from morning surveys. Mean minimum curved carapace length (CCL_min) was 94.3 cm ± 5.7 cm SD (range: 80.2–109.1 cm). Out of 232 individuals, 9.1% fell below the 87 cm CCL_min threshold currently adopted by U.S. agencies as the minimum size at maturity. For each 1 cm increase in CCL_min, an increase by 1 egg was observed in clutch size, and wash-out rates increased by 0.52%. Though the largest turtles laid the largest clutches, these nests also had a greater probability of wave wash-out, potentially moderating overall hatchling production from these individuals. These results highlight size-mediated factors related to fecundity—important elements for demographic modeling and management decisions. Full article

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) represent 6.3% of the various complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus, with a risk of development of up to 34%. Several factors contribute to the formation of ulcers, which are very difficult to treat as they hinder efficient wound healing. Patients experience persistent pain, which leads to the consumption of various medications (polypharmacy) due to the lesions not resolving. Conversely, this can increase the risk of various factors, including a chronic inflammatory state, which hinders the body’s own regenerative processes. Until now, treatment options have been limited to washing the wound and stimulating new tissue growth, but this is a painful and unsuccessful process. One of the treatment options is therefore cell therapy with mesenchymal stem cells, which have immunomodulatory characteristics and allow tissue regeneration, although the effect directly in pain is not totally clear. We have previously reported in our working group that patients with ulcers treated with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been able to integrate into their daily lives, although the pain related to the inflammatory state and polypharmacy has not been studied. Objective: This study investigates how the local administration of MSCs improves the condition of an ulcer by inducing tissue regeneration. It also shows how the concentration of systemic inflammatory biomarkers is modified in direct correlation with pain and the consumption of medications over time. Methods: Local administration of MSCs at 7 and 14 days, measuring pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines relative to the healthy control group, evaluating wound healing, and monitoring the medications taken by the patient in conjunction with pain perception. Results: Cell administration showed that inflammatory molecules were reduced and anti-inflammatory molecules increased. This is reflected in the consumption of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) in relation to wound improvement, with a decrease in pain medication consumption of less than 50%. We provide evidence that locally administered mesenchymal stem cells influence systemic inflammatory processes necessary for tissue recovery, impacting patients’ polypharmacy consumption due to reduced perceived pain. Conclusions: This report establishes a direct link between mesenchymal stem cells and pain relief in type 2 diabetes ulcers, potentially paving the way for new pain therapies. Full article

Flexible and wearable thermoelectric devices can convert body waste heat into electricity, showing a new direction to solve the long-lasting issue of energy supply on portable devices. However, thermoelectric fibers are prone to short circuits and failure due to sweat stains and washing practices. Therefore, it is quite necessary to solve this problem to realize the practical thermoelectric device. PDMS, with its excellent insulation and flexibility, can effectively address short-circuit issues by encapsulating the surface of thermoelectric fibers. In this work, hydrophilic nano-silica (H-SiO₂)-modified PDMS that insulates materials was prepared and coated on the surfaces of polyethyleneimine (PEI)- and hydrochloric acid (HCl)-treated dual-surface-modified thermoelectric fibers. The encapsulated fibers were then woven into spacer fabric to prepare thermoelectric textiles (TETs). After 50 water washing cycles, the fibers retained 97% of their conductivity, and the textiles continued to function normally underwater, indicating that the thermoelectric fibers are effectively protected under PDMS encapsulation. Full article

To improve the efficiency of aquatic environmental monitoring, an in-situ solid-phase extraction (SPE) system using amphibious (waterproof) drones was developed and validated using recovery testing with samples containing known concentrations of systemic insecticides in the laboratory and using real samples from natural water bodies. The system used a water-resistant linear actuator for continuous aspiration at 1–10 mL min⁻¹ through a pre-washed hydrophilic–lipophilic balanced SPE cartridge. The system functioned properly during field sampling using vacuum-mode filtration to avoid overpressure, overcurrent, and contamination through repeated filtration. The recovery tests using 10 ng L⁻¹ of each target analyte in ultra-pure water samples produced satisfactory recovery results of 89–96% (relative standard deviation < 10%). In the real sampling of water bodies, the developed system was able to detect target analytes of 0.9–180 ng L⁻¹. The results are comparable to those obtained using in-situ manual SPE from boat sampling, irrespective of differences in the two aspiration systems. These findings suggest that the application of the developed drone-assisted in situ SPE system can improve the efficiency of real-sample monitoring of natural water bodies. Full article

A new species of copepod, Anchimolgus jejuicus n. sp., is described based on specimens collected from the external washings of the scleractinian coral Alveopora japonica Eguchi, 1965, off Jeju Island, Korea. The new species closely resembles A. multidentatus Kim, 2003, associated with Alveopora catalai Wells, 1968, from New Caledonia in having similar body lengths and similar shapes of the antennae, mouth organs, and swimming legs. However, the new species can be distinguished from the New Caledonian species by the shorter female caudal ramus, which is 1.70 times longer than wide; by the shorter third endopodal segment of the female antenna, which is 3.35 times longer than wide; by the reduced second spine of the distal lash of the maxilla, which is less than half as long as the first spine; by the relatively shorter inner distal spine of the second endopodal segment of female leg 4, which is 1.56 times longer than the outer spine; by the shorter exopodal segment of female leg 5, which is 3.39 times longer than wide; and by the exopod of male leg 5 armed with one spine and one seta. The present paper reports the northernmost distribution area of the genus Anchimolgus, near the latitude of 33°24′ N off Jeju Island. In addition, the recent rapid increase in populations of the host coral Alveopora japonica around Jeju Island—likely driven by climate change—highlights the significant ecological consequences for both the scleractinian coral and its newly discovered symbiotic copepod. Full article

Ultrafiltration strips water of bacteria. The common misconception is that the filtrate is thus free of bacteria. This only applies, however, in the case that the filtrate compartment is sterile. In real-world applications, the filtrate is rapidly re-colonized, followed by regrowth. In extreme cases of low water usage, the cell numbers in the filtrate can even exceed those in the feed water, probably due to a combination of the microbial enrichment of the bulk water from surfaces, regrowth in the water body itself, and nutrient enrichment on the filter membrane. Regrowth is made possible because dissolved nutrients can freely pass through the membranes. This explains why the initial decrease in cell numbers in drinking water installation systems with ultrafiltration is often followed by an increase in the periphery of the plumbing system. The extent of actual regrowth hereby depends mostly on water usage behaviours. A shorter frequency of membrane wash cycles is beneficial for reducing cell numbers. Neither frequent wash cycles nor cleaning in place (CIP) in filtration units, however, seem to modulate the maximal regrowth potential. Although the effect of ultrafiltration on cell numbers is not sustainable, it causes profound changes in the bacterial communities, with highly distinct populations in the feed water and the filtrate. The microbiological “reset” is demonstrated using examples both from the fields of drinking water and water reuse. Overall, our results suggest that ultrafiltration has a profound impact on the microbiome, but the cell numbers in filtrates depend mostly on the water usage and operational conditions. Full article