Search Results (6,292)

Macroalgae plays a significant role in the formulation of innovative and environmentally sustainable approaches to address food challenges. Specifically, green macroalgae serve as dietary supplements aimed at improving the health, growth, and feeding efficiency of various species of marine and freshwater fishes, as well as mollusks. The effects of Chaetomorpha linum extract (CLE) on growth performance, physiological responses, and disease resistance are studied in Bellamya bengalensis against Aeromonas hydrophila. In this experiment, adult B. bengalensis (4412 ± 165.25 mg) were randomly divided into 15 rectangular glass aquariums (35 snail/aquaria; 45 L capacity) and their basal diet was supplemented with different levels of CLE, including 0 (CLE0), 1 (CLE1), 2 (CLE2), 3 (CLE3), and 4 (CLE4) g/kg for 60 days. The growth performance in the CLE3 dietary group was significantly higher that of the CLE0 group, exhibiting both linear and quadratic trends in relation to dietary CLE levels (p < 0.05). The activities of pepsin, amylase, and lipase were found to be highest in CLE3 and lowest in CLE0. Both linear and quadratic responses to dietary CLE levels in digestive enzymes were observed (p < 0.05). The activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase in the hepatopancreas were found to be elevated in snails due to the synergistic effect of the supplemented CLE diet. Among different levels of diet given, CLE2-supplemented snails showed an increase in their enzyme activity (p < 0.05). Interestingly, all the CLE-treated snails expressed elevated levels of mucus lysozyme and mucus protein when compared to control (p < 0.05). Additionally, hepatopancreatic acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase activity were elevated in snails consuming CLE3 (p < 0.05). The transcription levels of immune-related genes, including mucin-5ac and cytochrome, were significantly elevated in snails that were fed a diet supplemented with 2–4 g of CLE/kg. Furthermore, the transcription level of the acid phosphatase-like 7 protein gene also increased in snails receiving CLE-supplemented diets. After a 14-day period of infection, snails that consumed a diet supplemented with 3–4 g/kg of CLE exhibited a notable increase in survival rates against virulent A. hydrophila. Based on the above findings, it is suggested that a diet supplemented with 3 g/kg of CLE may enhance growth, antioxidant and immune defense, and disease resistance in the freshwater snail B. bengalensis. Full article

Microplastics (MPs) are prevalent in freshwater systems; consequently, fish ingest them either accidentally or intentionally. Once ingested, MPs can translocate to various organs and cause physiological effects. Most studies have focused on tropical and marine fishes, and many have used mass-based methods that measure exposure only by the total mass of microplastics, ignoring particle number and size. These studies have also rarely examined MP effects or fate after a depuration period, limiting our understanding of MP impacts on temperate fishes, hindering the harmonisation of toxicological studies, and complicating assessments of food safety for cultured and wild fish. This study investigated the physiological impacts of dietary exposure to polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs; 1–10 µm) in Salmo trutta fed a diet with ~5.4 × 10⁶ PS-MPs g⁻¹ feed for 21 days, followed by a 90-day depuration period. PS-MPs translocation from the intestine to the liver and muscle was investigated. Enzymatic biomarkers of oxidative stress and metabolism were analysed in the liver, digestive enzyme activity was assessed in the intestine, and inflammatory enzyme responses were evaluated in both liver and intestinal tissues. In addition, malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, an indicator of lipid peroxidation, was quantified in blood, muscle, and liver samples. Results show that 1–5 µm PS-MPs translocated to the liver and muscle, while 10 µm particles largely remained in the intestine, with a small fraction detected in muscle tissue but not in the liver. Most biochemical markers were unaffected; however, both trypsin and peroxidase activities significantly decreased after 21 days, and lipid peroxidation increased in blood following 90 days of depuration. PS-MPs persisted in muscle following 90 days of depuration. These findings demonstrate that dietary exposure to PS-MPs in the size range 1–10 µm leads to selective physiological alterations in S. trutta and results in persistent accumulation of MPs in organs, especially muscle tissue consumed by humans, highlighting a clear concern for food safety. Full article

This study investigated the optimisation of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) leaf tisane formulation using response surface methodology (RSM), targeting total phenolic content (TPC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and DPPH radical scavenging activity as quality indicators. A face-centred central composite design was employed to evaluate dose effects (0.5–2.5 g) and infusion time (5–15 min). Multi-response optimisation using the desirability function identified 1.81 g dose and 5 min infusion as the optimum condition, yielding predicted values of 24.46 mg GAE/100 mL (TPC), 61.07 µmol Fe²⁺/100 mL (FRAP), and 80.47% (DPPH), with a composite desirability score of 0.64. Validation experiments confirmed strong predictive accuracy, with deviations of 0.80% (FRAP) and 3.92% (DPPH), and a modest deviation of 13.2% (TPC), acceptable within complex food matrices. The findings demonstrate that short infusion times are sufficient to extract key bioactives, ensuring consumer convenience and energy efficiency, while valorising roselle leaves as an underutilised by-product into a sustainable functional beverage. Future studies should address sensory acceptance, stability, and bioavailability to support industrial applications further. Full article

A multifunctional diagnosis and treatment carrier, ZIF-8@CDs, based on carbon quantum dots (CDs) and the zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) metal–organic framework which serves as a core structure for constructing the responsive delivery platform, is developed in this paper. The anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) and Survivin oligo (siRNA) are loaded to form a ZIF-8@CDs/DOX@siRNA dual loading platform. CDs of 5–10 nm are synthesized by the solvent method and combined with ZIF-8. Electron microscopy shows that the composites are nearly spherical particles of approximately 200 nm, and the surface potential decreases from +36 mV before loading CDs to +25.7 mV after loading. The composite system shows unique advantages: (1) It has Fenton-like catalytic activity, catalyzes H₂O₂ to generate hydroxyl radicals, and consumes glutathione in the tumor microenvironment. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the ZIF-8@CDs group is significantly higher than that in the control group. (2) To achieve visual diagnosis and treatment, its fluorescence intensity is superior to that of the traditional Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled vector; (3) It has a high loading capacity, with the loading amount of small nucleic acids reaching 36.25 μg/mg, and the uptake rate of siRNA by liver cancer cells is relatively ideal. The ZIF-8@CDs/DOX@siRNA dual-loading system is further constructed. Flow cytometry shows that the apoptosis rate of HepG2 cells induced by the ZIF-8@CDs/DOX@siRNA dual-loading system is 49%, which is significantly higher than that of the single-loading system (ZIF-8@CDs/DOX: 34.3%, ZIF-8@CDs@siRNA: 24.2%) and the blank vector (ZIF-8@CDs: 12.6%). The platform provides a new strategy for the integration of tumor diagnosis and treatment through the multi-mechanism synergy of chemical kinetic therapy, gene silencing and chemotherapy. Full article

Background and Objectives: Endothelial dysfunction is an early indicator of cardiovascular disease and is commonly assessed using flow-mediated dilation (FMD). Although handheld ultrasound (HHUS) devices improve measurement accessibility, image analysis for conventional flow-mediated dilation (FMD) assessment remains time-consuming and highly operator-dependent. This study aimed to evaluate the between-day test–retest reliability of an AI-assisted brachial artery image analysis workflow integrating HHUS imaging with a YOLO_v12 deep learning model in postmenopausal women. Materials and Methods: Seventeen postmenopausal women aged 55–70 years completed two flow-mediated dilation assessments conducted seven days apart. Brachial artery images were acquired using a standardized FMD protocol with a handheld ultrasound system. An AI-assisted image analysis workflow based on a YOLO_v12 deep learning model was used to automatically measure baseline diameter (D_base), peak diameter (D_peak), absolute FMD (FMD_abs), and relative FMD (FMD%). Between-day reliability was evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), coefficients of variation (CVs), and Bland–Altman analysis. Results: Good between-day repeatability was observed for baseline and peak diameters, with ICCs of 0.81 and 0.76 and low CVs (3.26% and 3.22%), respectively. Functional vascular outcomes also demonstrated good reliability, with ICCs of 0.81 for FMD_abs and 0.87 for FMD%. However, higher CVs were observed for FMD_abs (17.15%) and FMD% (19.09%), indicating substantial inter-individual variability. Bland–Altman analysis showed a small mean difference for FMD% (0.34%), with no evidence of systematic bias. Conclusions: An AI-assisted HHUS image analysis workflow integrating a YOLO_v12 deep learning model demonstrates acceptable between-day reliability for diameter-based and dilation-based measures of flow-mediated dilation in postmenopausal women. While variability in functional responses exists, the proposed system is feasible for research-oriented vascular assessment, providing a methodological foundation for future validation and clinical translation studies. Full article

Functional food plays an increasingly important role in shaping healthy dietary habits by integrating health-promoting components into consumers’ everyday diets and helping reduce food waste. Products developed using by-products and raw material streams from food processing can support the principles of the circular economy (CE) by improving resource efficiency and lowering the environmental footprint of the food system. In Poland, as in many countries worldwide, functional food is a rapidly growing category that can contribute to public health and serve as a driver of economic development. However, the excessive and scientifically unsupported use of the term “functional food” for marketing purposes may mislead consumers and weaken trust in this product group. From a CE perspective, transparent communication and informed consumer choices are essential, as they promote environmentally responsible behaviors and support sustainable production models. The aim of this study was to assess the level of knowledge about functional food among residents of Eastern Poland, which is a less industrialized and predominantly agricultural region. The analysis focused on awareness of health benefits, consumption frequency, consumer attitudes, and interest in educational initiatives promoting functional food within CE principles. The study also examined whether consumers associate functional food with sustainability-oriented practices. The findings offer insights for educational and marketing strategies grounded in scientific evidence and highlight the potential of functional food in building a sustainable, resource-efficient food system. Full article

The study investigates repetitive and time-consuming professional activities performed by occupational health and safety (OHS) specialists in the construction sector in Poland and their attitudes toward the use of modern digital tools, including solutions based on artificial intelligence (AI). The research was conducted using a questionnaire survey, with a purposive sample and a snowball method. A total of 102 individuals participated in the study, of whom 94 valid responses were included in the analysis. The data were examined using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. The results showed that the most repetitive and time-consuming activities include documentation analysis, report preparation, inspections, and communication. Nearly 46% of respondents indicated that selected elements of their work could be automated or supported by digital tools, while 33% reported using AI-based solutions in everyday practice. Statistically significant relationships were identified between respondents’ age and both their level of concern about new technologies and their perception of technological support potential. No significant relationships were found for enterprise ownership or size. The findings indicate substantial potential for the implementation of digital and AI-supported tools in routine OHS activities. Future research should involve larger and more homogeneous samples, incorporate probabilistic sampling, and explore organisational and competence-related factors influencing technology adoption. Full article

Chronic, low-grade inflammation is a characteristic of metabolic diseases like type 2 diabetes. Despite recommendations to select low- or non-fat dairy foods over full-fat dairy foods for metabolic health, recent research suggests potential anti-inflammatory benefits of dairy fat consumption. We aimed to compare the systemic inflammatory tone (i.e., circulating inflammatory biomarker concentrations and ex vivo peripheral blood mononuclear cell inflammatory responses) of individuals with prediabetes after consuming diets with full-fat (3.25%) or non-fat yogurt. We hypothesized that short-term consumption of three daily full-fat yogurt servings beneficially affects inflammatory tone. Thirteen participants aged 45–75 years completed an eight-week randomized, double-masked, controlled crossover study. The two, three-week experimental diets comprised three daily servings of full-fat or non-fat yogurt and were each preceded by a one-week run-in diet. Following each diet, circulating inflammatory biomarkers and cytokine concentrations in the supernatants of peripheral blood mononuclear cells under control or lipopolysaccharide-stimulated conditions were measured. Compared with non-fat yogurt intake, circulating immature granulocyte concentrations were lower following full-fat yogurt intake, but there were no other differences in leukocyte concentrations. Circulating concentrations of cytokines or other inflammatory markers did not differ by diet. Cell supernatant interleukin-1β concentrations were lower following the full-fat yogurt diet under unstimulated conditions but were not different between diets under stimulated conditions. There were no differences by diet in supernatant concentrations of other cytokines under unstimulated or stimulated conditions. Together, minimal differences in inflammatory tone were observed following the short-term consumption of three daily servings of full-fat or non-fat yogurt in individuals with prediabetes. Full article

Background/Objectives: To promote sustainable and healthy diets, increased consumption of pulses (the edible grains of legumes) is recommended. Adolescence is a period in which perceptions and behaviours develop that can impact lifelong dietary behaviours. Therefore, this study aimed to understand how Australian adolescents perceive healthy, sustainable diets and perceive and consume pulses. Methods: Students (11–17 years old, median = 15 years, n = 33) in Brisbane, Australia, participated in school-based face-to-face focus groups and an online survey. Results: Students’ perceptions of healthy and sustainable dietary behaviours largely focused on the health aspects of food and consideration of food waste. The main factors that adolescents identified as influencing the health and sustainability of their diet were a lack of perceived responsibility for the impact of their meal choices and lack of knowledge of what constitutes a healthy and sustainable diet. Most students were unfamiliar with the term ‘pulses’ and lacked a desire to consume pulses more often. Consumption of pulses was below recommendations in national and international dietary guidelines. The main factors that adolescents identified as influencing pulse consumption related to students’ lack of capability to prepare pulses and the limited opportunities to access pulse-based foods. Conclusions: Perceptions of sustainable diets and pulses were very limited, and a lack of knowledge, skills, and limited availability were identified as barriers to their consumption. Education and cooking classes, in conjunction with increased availability of tasty pulse foods, are recommended to increase students’ pulse consumption as part of a healthy and sustainable diet. Full article

Background/Objectives: The overconsumption of animal-derived proteins represents a threat to both the environment and our health. Although there is widespread agreement that reducing meat consumption represents a more sustainable alternative, few studies have explored the implicit relations guiding these food choices. This empirical study explores meat consumption and vegetarianism through the lens of Relational Frame Theory. It is hypothesized that people who eat meat have different relational responses to images of meat and plant-based alternatives than vegetarians. Methods: We used the Implicit Attribute Classification Task (IMPACT) to measure relational responses, testing whether omnivores find plant-based proteins (1) less tasty, (2) less familiar, and (3) more expensive than vegetarians do. We registered the response latencies and calculated D-scores from 110 participants who completed an online test. Results: The study failed to find any statistically significant differences in the IMPACT measures between omnivores and vegetarians, given our specific participants and stimuli. Conclusions: Relational responding measures offer a useful approach to understanding consumer choices. However, they are highly sensitive to the task parameters and could be enhanced by further integration with other consumer behavior models when explaining meat consumption. Full article

Radon is one of the leading causes of lung cancer worldwide. Following the implementation of the European Council Directive 2013/59/EURATOM, regular measurements of radon concentrations in workplaces have been carried out in European countries for approximately ten years. This provides a basis for assessing the exposure of workers and the general population to radon, as well as for determining the need to implement measures aimed at reducing this exposure. In addition to commonly used methods that focus on eliminating radon sources or minimizing its ingress into buildings, there are also temporary measures available, such as using air purifiers to improve indoor air quality. Although they are not recommended as a standalone or definitive solution, they can be useful as an interim measure—until appropriate actions to reduce indoor radon concentrations are implemented. In this study, five commercially available air purifiers were tested under controlled laboratory conditions to assess their impact on radon and its decay products. The results show that none of the tested devices significantly reduced gaseous radon concentrations. However, the air purifiers were highly effective in removing radon progeny, achieving a 95–99% reduction in potential alpha energy concentration (PAEC) and reducing the equilibrium factor from 48 to 76% to 0–2%. From a sustainability perspective, these findings are relevant for public health protection, responsible consumer decision-making, and evidence-based indoor air quality management. By distinguishing between ineffective radon gas removal and effective reduction of dose-relevant decay products, this study supports sustainable risk mitigation strategies and helps prevent the misuse of energy- and resource-intensive technologies for purposes they cannot fulfill. Full article

This study investigates how emotionally structured online interaction networks shape consumer perception of new energy vehicle (NEV) technology. Drawing on discussion forum data from two leading NEV brands, Brand_T and Brand_B, we focus on how users respond to brand technological narratives and how these responses translate into distinct patterns of peer-to-peer interaction. Using a behavioral network analysis framework, we integrate sentiment analysis, topic modeling, and Exponential Random Graph Modeling (ERGM) to uncover the psychological and structural mechanisms underlying consumer engagement. Three main findings emerge. First, users display brand-specific emotional-cognitive profiles: Brand_T communities show broader technological engagement but more heterogeneous emotional responses, whereas Brand_B communities exhibit more emotionally aligned discussions. Second, emotional homophily is a robust driver of interaction ties, particularly in Brand_B forums, where positive sentiment clusters into dense and supportive discussion subnetworks. Third, perceived technological benefits, rather than risk sensitivity, are consistently associated with higher interaction intensity, underscoring the motivational salience of anticipated gains over cautionary concerns in shaping engagement behavior. The study contributes to behavioral science and transportation behavior research by linking consumer sentiment, cognition, and social interaction dynamics in digital environments, offering an integrated theoretical account that bridges the Elaboration Likelihood Model, social identity processes, and behavioral network formation. This advances the understanding of technology perception from static individual evaluations to dynamic, group-structured outcomes. It highlights how emotionally patterned interaction networks can reinforce or recalibrate technology-related perceptions, offering practical implications for NEV manufacturers and policymakers seeking to design psychologically informed communication strategies that support sustainable technology adoption. Full article

The electronic word of mouth (eWOM) has emerged as a communication tool that significantly influences consumers’ attitudes and purchasing behavior in the online market. Research indicates that the effect of eWOM sources, such as (strong ties, weak ties, and influencers) varies in terms of perceived value components (price, quality, emotional, and social value) and purchase intention, particularly with regard to gender. This study, which is based on the SOR framework; examines the role of eWOM as a stimulus affecting student responses and considers the mediating role of perceived value components and the moderate effect of gender. A sample of 901 students from Westbank universities was analyzed using Smart PLS software. The findings reveal that strong ties and influencer eWOM are positively associated with perceived value components and purchase intention, while weak tie eWOM does not directly correlate with purchase intention. Mediation analyses show that perceived quality and social value act as mediators of purchase intent towards eWOM sources, while emotional value specifically mediates strong relationships and influencers. Notably, price value exerts only a mediating effect on purchase intention when communicated through influencers, highlighting the unique role of the influencer in shaping price perceptions and its broad impact on all components of perceived value. Gender differences were observed in students’ responses to eWOM content; particularly in terms of price, quality, and emotional appeal but not in terms of social factors. The outcomes of this study underscore the significance of considering both the source of the message and the characteristics of the audience when formulating targeted marketing strategies. Full article

Ochratoxin A (OTA), a fungal secondary metabolite, is frequently detected in grains, herbal products, and other agricultural commodities, posing potential food safety risks. Among existing detoxification strategies, biological degradation is considered both specific and environmentally sustainable. In this study, a novel OTA-degrading bacterium, Brevibacillus parabrevis S09T2, was isolated from soil using OTA as the sole carbon source. The strain exhibited no hemolytic activity and carried no virulence or antibiotic resistance genes, indicating a favorable safety profile. S09T2 efficiently degraded OTA, removing over 93% of 5–8 μg/mL OTA within 24 h at 37 °C, and almost completely degrading OTA concentrations up to 10 μg/mL within 72 h. UPLC-HRMS analysis identified ochratoxin α (OTα) and phenylalanine as the only degradation products, confirming detoxification via amide bond hydrolysis. The intracellular enzyme responsible for this reaction displayed notable thermostability, achieving near-complete degradation of 1 μg/mL OTA at 50 °C within 6 h. Moreover, the cell lysate significantly reduced OTA levels in Plumeria rubra extract, a widely consumed functional food, demonstrating applicability in complex food matrices. Collectively, these findings highlight S09T2 as a promising candidate for OTA detoxification and support its potential use in food and feed safety applications. Full article

Background: Tribulus terrestris (Tt) is a popular herbal supplement marketed to enhance fitness performance, despite inconclusive evidence regarding its efficacy and safety. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of TT use, awareness, and motivations for its use among recreational athletes in Italy, helping to address the lack of empirical data describing who actually uses Tt, for what purposes, and with what behavioral risks. Methods: A cross-sectional anonymous survey was administered between May and October 2024 across Italian gyms and fitness clubs using Microsoft Forms. A total of 696 individuals initiated the questionnaire; after removal of duplicate, incomplete and ineligible entries, 510 responses were analyzed. Two indicators of Tt consumption were assessed: ever use and current use, with the latter designated as the primary outcome. A multivariable logistic regression evaluated predictors of current Tt use, entering sex, age category (18–24, 25–34, 35–44, ≥45 years), and motivation for supplement consumption. Results: Current Tt use was reported by 7.8% of respondents, while 10.5% declared ever using a Tt-containing product. Motivation was the only independent predictor of Tt consumption (p = 0.012). Individuals reporting performance enhancement as their primary motivation were markedly more likely to currently use Tt, compared with those using supplements for other purposes (adjusted OR ≈ 18.5; p = 0.008). Neither sex (p = 0.918) nor age category (p = 0.519) significantly predicted Tt use. Admission of anabolic steroid use was infrequent but was linked to online purchasing from potentially unregulated sources. Conclusions: Tt consumption in fitness settings is driven predominantly by performance-oriented expectations rather than demographic characteristics. The observed discrepancy between consumer beliefs and scientific evidence suggests a pressing need for educational interventions and regulatory vigilance in sports nutrition. Public health policies should focus on improving label literacy, strengthening consumer protection, and countering misinformation within supplement marketing environments. Full article