Search Results (1,482)

The development of functional ingredients from perishable tropical fruits supports sustainable food systems by reducing postharvest losses while retaining bioactive compounds. This study developed and optimized black lychee (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) extracted powder (BLEP) by spray drying and evaluated its physicochemical characteristics and antioxidant stability during storage. A 2² factorial design was employed to investigate the effects of maltodextrin concentration (5–30%) and inlet temperature (160–200 °C). Graphical optimization using an overlay plot identified 17.80% maltodextrin and an inlet temperature of 200 °C as the best compromise among the significant responses within the range tested. The optimized BLEP contained vanillic acid and epicatechin as the predominant phenolic compounds together with essential amino acids, including leucine. Degree of glycation (DG) and HMF were measured as indirect indicators of Maillard reaction progress. Over six months at 4, 25, 35, and 45 °C, color parameters, DG, and HMF remained stable, whereas total phenolic content (TPC) declined from 437.11 to 225–252 mg GAE/100 g db and ABTS radical scavenging activity declined progressively. TPC was strongly associated with antioxidant capacity (r = 0.914 with ABTS, p < 0.01), and its degradation followed zero-order kinetics (adjusted R² = 0.931–0.971) with a predicted half-life (L₅₀) of 199–220 days. The optimized powder therefore showed good physical and chromatic stability with partial loss of antioxidant-related compounds over time. Full article

Antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) are structurally complex biopharmaceuticals whose quantitative characterization is often complicated by payload-related interferences and molecular heterogeneity. In this study, two complementary chromatographic methods based on reverse-phase ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-UHPLC) and size-exclusion ultra-performance liquid chromatography (SEC-UHPLC) coupled with diode array detection were developed and comparatively evaluated for quantitative and integrity assessment of Cetuximab (CET) in ADC formulations. The RP-UHPLC method, developed on a C8 stationary phase under denaturing conditions, showed linearity over the range 0.05–5 mg/mL (R² = 0.9979), with LOD and LOQ values of 10 and 40 μg/mL, respectively. The SEC-UHPLC method, optimized under native conditions on a Yarra SEC-3000 column, exhibited linearity within the 0.5–5 mg/mL range (R² = 0.9998), with LOD and LOQ values of 17 and 52 μg/mL, respectively. Both methods showed satisfactory accuracy, precision, and robustness according to a fit-for-purpose validation approach. Application to CET-based ADCs bearing different aminobisphosphonate payloads confirmed reliable quantification. RP-UHPLC enabled sensitive determination of antibody concentration, whereas SEC-UHPLC enabled assessment of monomeric integrity and sample heterogeneity under native conditions. Comparative analysis of aged ADC samples demonstrated that SEC-UHPLC revealed loss of structural integrity and sample heterogeneity that were not detectable by RP-UHPLC or direct UV spectrophotometry. The combined RP-UHPLC/SEC-UHPLC workflow provides a robust, accessible, and complementary platform for routine quantitative analysis and integrity assessment of ADC formulations. Full article

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) used in low-altitude mobility and electric aviation are increasingly required to carry higher payloads, operate for longer durations and maintain reliable performance under constrained installation conditions. In compact power cabins, batteries, controllers, power distribution units and auxiliary actuators are densely arranged, making cabin thermal management a critical design issue. In this study, a full-scale conjugate flow and heat transfer model is developed for the power cabin of a UAV and validated against thermal management experiments. The validated model is then used to examine how a conventional rectangular ram-air inlet and a proposed stepped ram-air inlet affect air capture, internal flow organization and temperature distribution. The inlet area of the rectangular configuration is first varied to establish a baseline, after which the transition arc ratio, spacing ratio and area ratio of the stepped inlet are parametrically investigated. The results show that increasing the rectangular inlet area from 0.002 to 0.008 m² increases the total captured mass flow rate from 0.258 to 1.084 kg/s, whereas the cabin average temperature decreases by 0.34 °C. By contrast, the cabin maximum temperature decreases nonlinearly, with a 27.2% reduction when the area increases from 0.004 to 0.006 m². These results indicate that air capture and the cabin average temperature alone are insufficient to evaluate cooling effectiveness in a compact multi-source cabin. For the stepped inlet, the transition arc ratio controls the turning of the incoming flow, the spacing ratio governs shielding and backflow between adjacent inlet sections, and the area ratio redistributes the dominant inlet sections. The best-performing stepped-inlet configuration among the tested cases increases the captured mass flow rate by 32.8% compared with the rectangular baseline under the same opening constraint and improves the utilization of cooling air around high heat load components. This study demonstrates that ram-air inlet design for UAV power cabins should be treated as a coupled problem of the mass flow capture, internal flow path and component-level thermal response. Full article

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the most lethal malignancies due to limited responsiveness to chemotherapy and the high prevalence of oncogenic Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) mutations. Co-delivery of cytotoxic agents and small interfering RNA (siRNA) is a potential combination strategy, but the two cargos have distinct physicochemical and intracellular-delivery requirements. Here, we developed a chitosan–polyethylene glycol (CP)-based polymeric nanoparticle platform for the cotreatment of paclitaxel (PTX) and small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting KRAS G12D mutation. PTX was first modified to PTX-COOH through an ester-containing succinate linker and then covalently conjugated to the polymer backbone through amide bond formation, enabling stable nanoparticle formation and subsequent electrostatic complexation with siRNA. The CP-PTX-siRNA nanoparticles demonstrated efficient cellular uptake, while luciferase knockdown by CP-siRNA supported functional siRNA delivery by the CP carrier. In KRAS G12D–mutant pancreatic cancer cells, PTX- and KRAS-targeting siRNA-coloaded nanoparticles resulted in enhanced cytotoxicity compared to single-agent treatments and free drug combinations, with combination index values below 1 indicating calculated synergy under the tested in vitro conditions. Because KRAS knockdown and a non-targeting siRNA control were not assessed in PANC-1 cells, the enhanced cytotoxicity cannot be attributed specifically to KRAS silencing. Across multiple drug-to-siRNA ratios, nanoparticle formulations consistently improved treatment potency. Together, these results support CP-PTX-siRNA nanoparticles as a modular and biocompatible platform for combined PTX/siRNA delivery. This approach provides a versatile strategy for combining chemotherapeutic agents with RNA-based therapeutics in PDAC, supporting further development of these polymeric nanocarriers for combination cancer therapy. Full article

Sheep milk and its fermented products are increasingly recognized as valuable functional foods due to their high nutritional value and the presence of biologically active compounds. The aim of this review was to summarize current knowledge on selected bioactive components of sheep milk and fermented sheep milk products, with particular emphasis on their potential application as functional food ingredients and the impact of technological processes on their biological properties. The review focuses on yogurts, kefirs, and cheeses, highlighting key bioactive compounds, including peptides, lactoferrin, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), polar lipids, orotic acid, and probiotic microorganisms. Fermentation and maturation processes contribute to the formation and transformation of bioactive compounds, which may exhibit antioxidant, antimicrobial, antihypertensive, and immunomodulatory activities, as well as support gut health and metabolic regulation. The functional potential of sheep milk products depends on milk composition, microbial activity, and processing conditions. Despite promising findings, their wider application remains limited due to seasonal availability, low production scale, and insufficient knowledge regarding bioavailability and physiological effects. Further in vivo and clinical studies are required to confirm the health-promoting potential and practical applications of fermented sheep milk products as functional food ingredients. Full article

(1) Background: Impaired diabetic wound healing stems from systemic dysregulation of the wound-healing cascade under hyperglycemic conditions, producing a disordered microenvironment marked by sustained inflammation, defective angiogenesis, and aberrant extracellular matrix remodeling, multifactorial, multistage pathological interactions demanding multi-target intervention. (2) Methods: We constructed a multifunctional nanocomposite hydrogel dressing (PGAs@CDV) based on a “drug-carrier integration” strategy, targeting the dysregulated hemostasis, inflammation, and proliferation phases of diabetic wound healing. An amphiphilic micelle carrier (PNO-GA) was synthesized by covalently conjugating Panax notoginseng oligosaccharide with gallic acid, loaded with Anemoside B4 to yield drug-loaded nanomicelles (PGAs), embedded into a carboxymethyl chitosan-dopamine-vanillin hydrogel (CDV) matrix to form PGAs@CDV. We then examined how PGAs@CDV affected diabetic wound healing. (3) Results: In vitro, PGAs@CDV enhanced cell migration and angiogenic capacity, exhibited potent antioxidant activity, and promoted M1-to-M2 macrophage polarization. We tested PGAs@CDV in a streptozotocin-induced diabetic mouse wound model. Wounds treated with PGAs@CDV closed faster than those treated with the control, CDV, PNO@CDV, and AB4@CDV. Four readouts tracked this difference: hemostasis was quicker, inflammation was lower, more blood vessels formed, and collagen deposition was higher. At the pathway level, PGAs@CDV suppressed NF-κB signaling and activated PI3K/AKT/HIF-1α. These two arms map onto the anti-inflammatory and pro-angiogenic effects observed above. (4) Conclusions: This nanocomposite hydrogel integrates a bioactive carrier with a therapeutic payload to enable coordinated intervention across multiple phases of diabetic wound repair. By combining structural support with sustained pharmacological activity, it offers a promising strategy for the treatment of chronic diabetic wounds. Full article

Sulfur(VI) fluoride exchange (SuFEx) chemistry is a powerful click reaction for modular synthesis, distinguished by high chemoselectivity, broad functional-group tolerance and the formation of robust sulfur(VI)-based linkages. These attributes are particularly valuable for polymer functionalization, as S(VI)–F handles on either the polymer or the modifier enable covalent coupling under controlled conditions. This review spans SuFEx-mediated post-polymerization modification and architectural control of synthetic polymers, surface, interfacial and porous-material functionalization, and SuFEx-based conjugation and covalent capture in natural and sequence-defined biopolymers. Across these contexts, we compare the advantages, supporting mechanistic and analytical evidence, current limitations and future opportunities of SuFEx-enabled polymer functionalization. Full article

Fetal bovine serum (FBS) is commonly added to cell culture media, but for cultivated meat production to become truly sustainable, ethical and affordable, an alternative to it is necessary. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate how myoblasts could be cultivated in reduced-serum media using animal-free scaffolds. Novel chitosan/carrageenan hydrogels were developed and conjugated with peptides obtained by digestion of C-phycocyanin from cyanobacteria Arthrospira platensis, their physico-chemical properties were assessed, and their ability to serve as scaffolds for myoblast cultivation in reduced-serum media was examined. These hydrogels were found to possess suitable physical characteristics to serve as scaffolds for cell culture, and it was demonstrated that their use made quail muscle clone 7 (QM7) cell cultivation possible in reduced-FBS media. These hydrogels, therefore, are a promising candidate for use as scaffolds in future cultivated meat production studies. Full article

Substantial dye wastewater from the textile industry poses serious ecological threats. Spent mushroom substrate (SMS) offers a cost-effective and eco-friendly decolorization option, yet traditional methods are hindered by prolonged processing times. This study introduces a column decolorization (CD) method using Auricularia cornea SMS, demonstrating markedly higher efficiency and practicality. The CD method achieved over 50% decolorization for 10 of 12 tested dyes, outperforming conventional approaches for six dyes. Analyses via SEM, FTIR, and isotherm measurements indicated that the high efficiency stems from the SMS microstructure and functional groups, with mechanisms including electrostatic attraction, hydrogen bonding, and π-π conjugation, following Langmuir monolayer adsorption. The process requires no specific conditions, avoids extraction steps, and reduces treatment time to 4% of traditional methods. HPLC analysis further revealed partial biodegradation of Malachite Green, reducing its cytotoxicity. This work provides the first systematic comparison of SMS decolorization methods and a mechanistic analysis, supporting SMS application in dye wastewater treatment. Full article

Reactive aldehydes—formaldehyde (FA), malondialdehyde (MDA), 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), and acrolein—occupy a central role in epigenetic regulation, lipid peroxidation, ferroptosis, and cardiovascular disease, yet their transient nature and low intracellular concentrations have long made them difficult to quantify in living systems. Over the past decade, reaction-based small-molecule fluorescent probes have emerged as the principal tool for addressing this challenge, and this review provides a systematic account of that progress. We compare the six main conjugation chemistries that underlie current probe design—2-aza-Cope/Mannich cascade, hydrazone/oxime formation, Michael addition, Schiff base condensation, and 2-aminothiophenol cyclization—alongside the three photophysical strategies used to convert these reactions into quantitative signals: intensity turn-on, ratiometric dual-emission, and fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM). Attention is given to advances reported between 2020 and 2025, including organelle-targeted ratiometric formaldehyde sensors (MitoRFAP-2, NucRFAP-2), the first ratiometric acrolein probe for visualizing ferroptosis, lysosome-targeted malondialdehyde reporters for atherosclerosis staging, and near-infrared-compatible platforms validated in three-dimensional organoids and in vivo models. This review also critically examines the limitations that continue to constrain the field, including insufficient selectivity testing under physiologically relevant conditions, the pH-dependence of hydrazone equilibria, the frequently overlooked distinction between probes that report free aldehyde concentration and those that report ALDH enzyme activity, and the continued absence of reversible, real-time sensors. Closing these gaps will determine whether aldehyde imaging grows from a set of smart probes into a quantitative, widely trusted platform for studying redox and carbonyl biology in living systems. Reaching that point will depend on three criteria: better NIR fluorophores, effective bioconjugation chemistry, and machine-learning tools that guide probe design. Full article

RNA therapeutics have evolved from passive genetic intermediaries into highly programmable platforms, fundamentally transforming the landscape of precision medicine. This comprehensive review examines the molecular architecture and mechanisms of established platforms in the clinical setting, including mRNA, antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and aptamers, alongside next-generation platforms, such as CRISPR-guided systems and circular RNAs (circRNAs). Moreover, we discuss strategies to overcome systemic delivery bottlenecks and evaluate advanced non-viral systems, emphasizing lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), polymers and tissue-specific ligand conjugates that facilitate precise intracellular targeting. Furthermore, we explore the clinical expansion of these platforms across infectious diseases, rare genetic disorders, oncology and cardiovascular conditions. Finally, we highlight how the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) redefines the limits of individualized, programmable RNA therapies by accelerating sequence optimization and nanoparticle formulation. Full article

The estrobolome, defined as the collection of gut microbial genes encoding enzymes that metabolize estrogens and, by extension, the taxa that harbor them, has emerged as a central node of the new concept of “microbial endocrinology” within the gut–vagina axis. By regulating enterohepatic recirculation of conjugated estrogens, the estrobolome may modulate systemic estrogen availability and thereby may influence the estrogen-dependent biology of gynecological organs and tissues, including ovaries, endometrium, and the vaginal mucosa with its Lactobacillus-dominated ecosystem. In this narrative review, we synthesize current evidence on how gut microbial β-glucuronidases, sulfatases, and related enzymes shape circulating estrogen pools and, in turn, gynecological health. We outline the enzymatic and taxonomic architecture of the estrobolome, describe its major ecological determinants, and integrate these with mechanisms of the gut–vagina axis. We then examine how estrobolome function varies across a woman’s lifespan and how these dynamics intersect with vaginal health, dysbiosis, and conditions such as recurrent vaginitis, endometriosis, and polycystic ovary syndrome. We also review emerging strategies that may modulate the estrobolome as a microbial endocrine organ and discuss their potential downstream effects on gynecological health. Finally, we highlight major research gaps, particularly the need for causal, longitudinal, multi-omics studies explicitly linking estrobolome activity, systemic estrogens, and gynecological outcomes. Overall, available data support a mechanistically plausible but incompletely defined role for the estrobolome as a key microbial endocrine player in the gut–vagina axis and point toward microbiome-informed strategies to preserve and restore gynecological health across a woman’s lifespan. Full article

Background/Objectives: Advanced prostate cancer remains difficult to treat because docetaxel, although clinically important, is limited by systemic toxicity, poor tumor selectivity, and acquired resistance. Camptothecin is a potent anticancer agent, but its clinical application is restricted by poor solubility and instability. This study investigated the synergy between docetaxel and camptothecin and developed transferrin-conjugated, camptothecin-bearing dendrimersomes entrapping docetaxel as a targeted nanocarrier for prostate cancer therapy. Methods: Drug synergy was evaluated in PC3-Luc cells using an MTT assay and combination index analysis. Transferrin-conjugated, disulfide-linked camptothecin-bearing PEGylated DAB dendrimers were synthesized and characterized by ¹H-NMR, critical aggregation concentration analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and entrapment efficiency measurements. pH- and redox-dependent drug release was assessed by dialysis. Cellular uptake and uptake mechanisms were investigated by confocal microscopy, flow cytometry, and inhibitor studies in PC3-Luc, DU145, and LNCaP cells. Anti-proliferative efficacy was determined by an MTT assay. Results: Docetaxel and camptothecin showed marked synergy in PC3-Luc cells, with a minimum combination index of 0.20 ± 0.01 and 88.10 ± 0.41% growth inhibition at low nanomolar concentrations. Transferrin-conjugated dendrimersomes self-assembled into spherical vesicles with a critical aggregation concentration of approximately 250 µg/mL. They had high docetaxel entrapment efficiency (89.10 ± 0.08%) and enhanced drug release under acidic and reductive conditions. They significantly increased cellular uptake of docetaxel relative to non-targeted dendrimersomes (by up to 3-fold) and free drugs (by up to 20-fold), mainly through transferrin receptor-mediated endocytosis, and improved anti-proliferative activity in all three cell lines. Tf-conjugated DPSSC produced the lowest IC₅₀ values among the tested formulations: 11.72 ± 1.02 nM in PC3-Luc, 9.88 ± 1.22 nM in DU145, and 7.88 ± 1.35 nM in LNCaP cells. Conclusions: Transferrin-conjugated camptothecin-based dendrimersomes entrapping docetaxel represent a promising multifunctional nanocarrier for prostate cancer that combines synergistic dual-drug therapy, active targeting, and stimulus-responsive release, supporting further evaluation as a selective delivery strategy in advanced prostate cancer using preclinical models and in vivo studies. Full article

Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) are widely recognized as prebiotic ingredients, whereas their technological role in stabilizing lipid-based systems remains poorly understood. In this study, GOS were synthesized by enzymatic transgalactosylation of lactose and enriched by ethanol precipitation. Carbohydrate composition, glass transition temperature (Tg), and their influence on the formation of primary lipid oxidation were evaluated using freeze-dried lecithin liposomes as a model membrane system. Ethanol precipitation increased the GOS content from 22.8% to 50.7% (w/w) while reducing the proportion of monosaccharides from 40.0% to 15.5% (w/w). Tg was strongly influenced by carbohydrate composition and relative humidity (RH), with GOS-enriched preparations exhibiting higher Tg values than the crude reaction mixture. The formation of primary lipid oxidation products, assessed by UV spectroscopy through conjugated diene formation at 234 nm, was significantly lower in liposomes freeze-dried with GOS-rich preparations or sucrose than in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) controls, particularly under storage conditions in which the carbohydrate matrices remained in the glassy state. At higher RH, transition to the rubbery state was associated with increased conjugated diene formation. These findings suggest that the protective effect of GOS-rich formulations is associated with the physicochemical properties of the carbohydrate matrix and is consistent with the proposed role of the glassy state in limiting molecular mobility, rather than direct antioxidant activity. Beyond their established prebiotic properties, GOS-rich preparations may also contribute to the stability of dehydrated lipid-containing systems, supporting their use as multifunctional food ingredients. Full article

The impact of biochar on N conversion in drought-affected soil with green manure application has not been systematically investigated. Therefore, this study examined the effects of biochar produced at 350 °C, 550 °C, and 750 °C (BC350, BC550, and BC750) on green manure (Medicago sativa L.) decomposition and N turnover in soil (Hapli-Udic Ferralosol) during a 60-day laboratory incubation experiment under different moisture conditions (45% or 65% soil water-holding capacity (WHC)). Due to low-temperature biochar (BC350) possessing hydrophilicity (thereby enhancing water retention) due to its surface oxygen-containing functional groups, while high-temperature biochar (BC750) relies on the aromatic conjugated π-electron system for electron transfer, both BC350 and BC750 promoted green manure decomposition and mineralization. Compared with green manure alone, co-application of BC350 and BC750 with green manure increased soil NH₄⁺–N content by 5.58% and 38.37%, respectively. However, a significant total N loss (>11%) occurred under drought conditions. Partial least squares path modeling was used to elucidate the key driving pathways related to C and N sequestration in drought-affected soil with green manure and biochar co-application. The results indicate that the enhanced soil N loss could be attributed to both the biochar-induced rise in soil pH (>8%) and the drought-driven suppression of stable organic matter (e.g., >20% reduction in humus acid) and macroaggregate formation. This study demonstrates that although biochar addition can promote the decomposition of green manure to release available N, it may also exacerbate total soil N loss. Only under normal moisture conditions can the N released from green manure be converted into humus-associated N. Full article