Search Results (5,073)

Background: In this study, two cocrystals of diclofenac acid (DCA) with the coformers theophylline (THEO) and isonicotinamide (ISNT) were prepared. Subsequently, nanococrystals were generated from these cocrystals using a top-down wet media milling approach. Methods: Critical process parameters such as milling time, milling volume, drug loading percentage, bead volume, and dispersion media were optimized to achieve the desired particle size distribution. The nanococrystals were characterized using dynamic light scattering (DLS), polarized light microscopy (PLM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results: In vitro dissolution studies revealed that nanococrystals of DCA-ISNT (DE_0–120 = 22.5% at pH 1.2 and DE_0–120 = 58.7% at pH 4.5) and DCA-THEO (DE_0–120 = 18.5% at pH 1.2 and DE_0–120 = 48.2% at pH 4.5) exhibited superior dissolution performance compared to DCA nanocrystals (DE_0–120 = 12.5% at pH 1.2 and DE_0–120 = 39.0% at pH 4.5), with the dissolution advantage decreasing as the pH of the medium increased. The improved dissolution behaviour was a complex interplay of factors including particle size distribution, surface wetting kinetics, exposure of hydrophilic/hydrophobic functional groups during dissolution, nanococrystal microenvironmental pH, DCA’s ionization behaviour, lattice energy, and intermolecular interaction strengths. Additionally, nanococrystals exhibited a significantly higher flux rate in simultaneous gastric transfer dissolution and flux studies compared with DCA, likely due to higher apparent solubility and superior diffusion through the unstirred water layer (UWL). Pharmacokinetic studies confirmed that nanococrystals DCA-ISNT NCC (AUC_0–∞ = 3062.65 ± 526.91 ng/mL·h) outperformed DCA nanocrystals (AUC_0–∞ = 2352.53 ± 537.78 ng/mL·h), DCA-THEO NCC (AUC_0–∞ = 2222.96 ± 151.19 ng/mL·h) and the cocrystals in terms of pharmacokinetic performance. Conclusions: The findings indicate that DCA-ISNT NCC exhibited superior pharmacokinetic performance and, together with the enhanced dissolution and flux properties of the nanococrystals, demonstrates their potential for enhanced therapeutic efficacy. Full article

Electrospun zein nanofibers are promising bio-based materials, but producing uniform ultrafine fibers with desirable performance remains challenging. This study examined the effects of process variables and three surfactants on zein fiber formation, diameter, and material properties. Zein solutions (30–40%, w/v) were prepared in glacial acetic acid, and 2% (w/w, based on zein) triethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (TEBAC), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), or span-80 was incorporated into the 30% zein solution. Zein concentration and feed rate yielded fiber diameters of 208.22–1001.90 nm. Surfactants reduced surface tension and increased conductivity, promoting jet stretching and generating uniform fibers with diameters near 100 nm. SDS produced the smallest fibers (98.92 ± 15.20 nm). TEBAC increased tensile strength from 11.08 to 63.26 MPa and improved dimensional retention in water, whereas SDS and span-80 increased elongation at break but reduced strength and stiffness. All surfactants increased wettability and altered intermolecular interactions and secondary structure of zein, although they reduced thermal stability. Overall, surfactants acted as both electrospinning aids and structure-directing modifiers, with TEBAC providing the best balance of fineness, strength, and aqueous stability. These ultrafine, robust, and water-stable nanofibers are promising as functional coating layers for high-moisture food packaging and as carriers for antioxidants or antimicrobial agents. Full article

This study aimed to develop functional gummies enriched with protein from fully ripe (RRP) and green (GRP) Khao Dawk Mali 105 rice. Water in the standard formulation was replaced with protein extracts at 20–100% levels. The final protein content was significantly increased with increasing protein substitution, with a maximum of 12.63 g/100 g in the GRP-100 formulation. Higher protein levels generally decreased gel hardness, but a low substitution level (20%) significantly improved desirable textural properties such as springiness and chewiness. Meanwhile, moderate substitution (40%) maintained optimal structural integrity and achieved the best sensory preference within the RRP group. Bioactive evaluations showed GRP-100 possessed the highest total phenolic and flavonoid contents, alongside superior antioxidant capacity (DPPH and FRAP). Furthermore, GRP-100 achieved the highest overall consumer preference score (8.03). Moreover, electronic nose and tongue evaluations revealed that GRP formulations (especially GRP-100) exhibited the most intense and complex aroma profiles. This robust aroma may have contributed to masking bioactive-related bitterness and astringency, creating a balanced flavor that maximized consumer preference. All formulations showed good microbiological stability after 28 days of storage under refrigeration. GRP-100 provided the greatest improvement in protein enrichment, antioxidant capacity and overall consumer acceptance, whereas moderate substitution levels better preserved textural properties. Full article

Sustainable nutrient management in sweet potato requires matching fertilizer inputs with site-specific soil nutrient supply while maintaining productivity and processing quality. This study characterized site-specific NPK responses and identified fertilization regimes coordinating yield and starch content under contrasting soil nutrient backgrounds. To address this objective, a three-factor, five-level quadratic orthogonal rotatable composite design comprising 23 N–P–K experimental runs was conducted independently at two sites in Beibei and Youyang, Chongqing, China, using the starch-type sweet potato cultivar ‘Yushu 17’. The two sites differed markedly in initial soil nutrient status. Photosynthetic characteristics, nutrient accumulation, dry matter production and partitioning, fresh storage-root yield, and quality were measured. Quadratic regression models combined with a desirability function were used to characterize site-specific nutrient responses and optimize yield and starch content. The effects of N, P, and K differed markedly between sites. In Beibei, fresh storage-root yield was mainly affected by the linear effect of N, while P and K also had positive effects, and the P × K interaction was significant. In Youyang, yield was primarily regulated by the linear effect of K and showed a significant negative quadratic response to P. Photosynthetic performance; N, P, and K accumulation; total dry matter accumulation (TDMA); and root-to-top ratio (R/T) responded mainly to N in Beibei but were more sensitive to K in Youyang. Fresh storage-root yield was positively correlated with net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, chlorophyll content, leaf area index, nutrient accumulation, R/T, and TDMA, but negatively correlated with starch content, indicating a yield–starch trade-off. When yield was prioritized while starch content was maintained, the optimal N–P₂O₅–K₂O rates were 155.02–116.42–300.00 kg·ha⁻¹ in Beibei, predicting 42,800 kg·ha⁻¹ yield and 20.09% starch, and 153.34–75.00–282.90 kg·ha⁻¹ in Youyang, predicting 35,850 kg·ha⁻¹ yield and 24.92% starch. These site-specific optima provide a quantitative basis for more targeted fertilizer allocation while coordinating yield and starch content, thereby supporting sustainable nutrient management of starch-type sweet potato. Full article

Sigmund Freud’s analysis of Shakespeare’s King Lear focuses on how the titular character is driven by repressed desires, fears, and internal conflicts. He believes that the audience grasps this emotional complexity by projecting their unconscious feelings upon him. Freud’s engagement with Shakespeare serves as a natural entry point into questions about how one understands another’s inner life, specifically as it impacts the modern-day conception of empathy. His philosophical compeers Edmund Husserl and Edith Stein propound theories that allow one to access another’s mind. For them, speech, intonation, and facial expressions serve an epistemic function, revealing that person’s motives, desires, and beliefs. Their seminal treatises of empathy expand upon Freud’s theory of projection and thus serve as a vital heuristic tool in explicating King Lear. Just as Freud grounds his theory of empathy in the listener’s response to a comic’s jokes, Shakespeare uses the Fool’s acerbic riddles to express the affectionate knowing between him and Lear. The intelligence underlying these witticisms not only undoes the rigid taxonomy of “fool” and “wise man,” but also brings to light those matters that weigh most heavily upon Lear’s consciousness, proving that “the phenomenon of foreign psychic life is indubitably there.” (On the Problem of Empathy 1989, p. 5) All of these writers espouse a view of empathy that creates a web of shared understanding that explicates how the Fool grasps Lear’s unconscious mind and forges a meaningful connection with him. Full article

Owing to their high nutritional value, functional proteins, and low environmental impact, legume proteins have emerged as sustainable alternatives to animal proteins. However, their broader utilization is constrained by antinutritional factors (ANFs), which can adversely affect protein digestibility, mineral bioavailability, and techno-functional features. Fermentation has appeared as a promising approach to overcoming these limitations. Through microbial and enzymatic activities, fermentation can reduce ANFs, modify protein structures, and promote proteolysis, generating peptides and free amino acids that may improve digestibility, bioavailability, and functional properties. This review critically explores the effects of fermentation on legume proteins, concentrating on ANF reduction, protein degradation and structural modification, proteolysis, and their consequences for nutritional and techno-functional properties. Particular attention is given to protein hydrolysis and peptide generation, as well as the limitations and potential trade-offs of fermentation, including extreme proteolysis, loss of desirable functional properties, unwanted sensory changes, variability among strains and substrates, and prolonged processing. The review also discusses the incorporation of fermented legume proteins into relevant food systems, with emphasis on their functional performance and application potential. Finally, current knowledge gaps and future research priorities are highlighted to support the development of controlled fermentation strategies for nutritionally improved, functionally tailored, and industrially feasible legume protein ingredients. Full article

Cassava is a crop of major socioeconomic and cultural importance in Colombia. One of the main challenges is production seasonality, driven by climatic conditions that constrain planting and harvesting periods. Currently, cultivated varieties exhibit a substantial reduction in root dry matter content (DMC) following the onset of the rains. This study evaluated the agronomic performance of genotype SM2828-28 under semi-commercial field conditions in the departments of Cesar, Bolívar, and Magdalena in the Colombian Caribbean region. This genotype exhibited greater stability and productivity, outperforming commercial checks. The genotype also showed high and stable DMC. Root quality and starch functional properties were also assessed. Starch from SM2828-28 exhibited numerically lower setback values and a relatively consistent rheological profile across harvest ages, indicating greater gel stability during cooling—an attribute desirable for industrial applications requiring consistent textural properties. The genetic progress achieved for key industrial traits highlights the potential of SM2828-28 for extended-harvest systems aimed at reducing seasonality in raw material supply for the cassava starch industry. These results suggest that genetic factors contribute to the stability of DMC under extended-harvest conditions and support the inclusion of this trait as a target in cassava breeding programs. Full article

Background/Objectives: In the search for potent non-sugar α-glucosidase inhibitors with improved safety profiles, a novel flavonoid glycoside was isolated for the first time from the stem bark of Albizia saponaria (Fabaceae). The objective of this study was to elucidate its chemical structure and evaluate its therapeutic potential as an anti-hyperglycemic agent compared to known related flavonoids and a standard clinical drug. Methods: Comprehensive structural elucidation was performed using high-resolution mass spectrometry and multidimensional 1D/2D NMR (¹H, ¹³C, HSQC-DEPT, COSY, and CIGAR). To assess its inhibitory efficacy and pharmacokinetic profiles, an in silico comparative study was conducted against a database of related flavonoids (Quercitrin, Hyperoside, and Isoquercitrin) and the clinical drug Acarbose. This involved molecular docking simulations against human intestinal maltase-glucoamylase (PDB ID: 3TOP) alongside integrated ADMET modeling and toxicological screening. Results: The compound was successfully identified as 4′,7-dihydroxyflavan-3′-O-β-D-glucoside (1). Molecular docking revealed that Compound 1 exhibited a superior predicted binding affinity of −9.5 kcal/mol, outperforming Quercitrin (−9.3 kcal/mol), Hyperoside (−8.3 kcal/mol), Isoquercitrin (−7.9 kcal/mol), and Acarbose (−7.2 kcal/mol). This strong thermodynamic stability is driven by a robust conventional hydrogen-bonding network with key active site residues (Arg1377, Gln1372, and Gly1365), successfully overriding a localized electrostatic strain at Asp1279. Furthermore, ADMET modeling demonstrated a highly desirable local pharmacokinetic framework; its low Caco-2 permeability (−6.432) and low human intestinal absorption (HIA = 0.120) favor targeted luminal retention in the gastrointestinal tract, mirroring Acarbose while minimizing systemic exposure. Crucially, toxicological screening unveiled a significant safety advantage for Compound 1, marked by negligible CYP3A4 interaction (0.004) and a remarkably low risk of Drug-Induced Liver Injury (DILI = 0.213) compared to the high-risk hepatotoxic profile of Acarbose (DILI = 0.882) and the reference flavonoids (DILI > 0.69). Conclusions: These predictive findings establish Compound 1 as a highly promising, low-toxicity natural scaffold for anti-hyperglycemic drug development. Its superior binding affinity and minimized hepatotoxicity risk warrant subsequent in vitro and in vivo functional validation. Full article

A wound is defined as disruption or destruction of tissue integrity. In order to support healing in wound management, a good wound bed free of necrotic tissue and infection is desired, but intensive chemical antiseptics will cause cell destruction and delay healing. In order for wound healing to be rapid, the nature and contamination of the wound should be taken into consideration and appropriate methods should be utilized. Today, many types of algae are frequently preferred as an alternative to medicine and are the subject of research. Since the metabolites contained in algae display several notable biological activities such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant, they are a good option in wound treatment. Algae contain pigments, peptides, fatty acids, and polysaccharides that are crucial for wound healing. These compounds play vital roles at all stages of the healing process by accelerating cell proliferation, promoting collagen deposition, scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS), and regulating key inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, their unique physical and functional properties enable the development of novel bio-inspired wound dressings, hydrogels, and drug-delivery scaffolds. This review discusses the bioactive metabolites found in algae that are effective in wound healing. Full article

Objective: This study aimed to develop and optimize a rapid, eco-friendly microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) process for recovering total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) from garlic (Allium sativum L.), while evaluating the predictive performance of response surface methodology (RSM) versus artificial neural networks (ANNs) and assessing the in vitro gastrointestinal stability of key polyphenols. Methodology: A four-factor, three-level central composite design (CCD) was implemented to evaluate the effects of extraction time, temperature, ethanol concentration, and solvent-to-solid ratio. A second-order polynomial RSM model was benchmarked against a 4-10-2 multilayer perceptron ANN trained by backpropagation. Optimal conditions were derived using the Derringer–Suich desirability function and confirmed experimentally. Individual polyphenols were profiled via LC-MS/MS and monitored across simulated oral, gastric, and intestinal digestion phases. Principal Results: The ANN model demonstrated superior predictive performance (R² = 0.9999 training, 0.9974 validation, 0.9939 testing) compared to the RSM model (R² = 0.9721 for TPC and 0.9925 for TFC). Experimental validation under optimal conditions—1.50 min, 55 °C, 75% ethanol, and a 29 mL/g ratio—yielded a TPC of 2.487 mg GAE/g FW and a TFC of 21.356 mg QUE/g FW. During simulated gastrointestinal digestion, significant degradation occurred during the intestinal phase, resulting in low final recoveries for gallic acid (16.9%), caffeic acid (19.9%), and luteolin (22.6%). Conclusions: MAE coupled with ANN modeling provides a highly accurate, rapid, and green extraction strategy for garlic polyphenols. However, the marked degradation of target compounds during intestinal digestion highlights the necessity of encapsulation or protective delivery systems to preserve their biological functionality in food applications. Full article

The increasing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) has created a growing need for battery systems that can deliver high efficiency, reliable operation, and effective thermal management. This study develops an EV battery model using MATLAB/Simulink and Simscape, with the BYD ATTO 3 specifications used as a reference, to investigate the influence of battery voltage, coolant flow, and battery capacity on four key performance indicators: battery temperature, power loss, state of charge (SOC), and state of health (SOH). Response surface methodology (RSM), combined with a Box–Behnken design (BBD) was employed to develop a quadratic regression model, evaluate the significance of the selected factors through analysis of variance (ANOVA), and identify the optimal operating conditions using the desirability function. The simulation results show that battery voltage and battery capacity have a greater influence on electrical performance, whereas coolant flow was more influential in thermal regulation. Under the optimal operating conditions, the battery achieved a temperature of 21.63 °C, a power loss of 3966.30 W, an SOC of 91.37%, and an SOH of 91.34%. The developed regression models demonstrated excellent predictive capability for all response variables, confirming the suitability of the proposed optimization approach. These findings demonstrate that the proposed optimization framework can balance thermal behavior, energy efficiency, and battery health. The developed methodology also provides a practical foundation for battery management and lookup-table-based control strategies in future EV applications. Full article

Health systems are complex adaptive systems whose structural uncertainty limits prediction-based planning, and generative AI is increasingly proposed to enrich the foresight used to navigate them. Whether cheaper, more fluent scenario production actually improves collective strategic judgement, however, remains largely untested in real organisations. This article reports a research-through-design study of an AI-assisted participatory foresight process run for the planned Girona Health Campus (Catalonia): ten domain workshops with about 250 professionals, 170 AI-assisted scenario drafts, and an organisation-wide SmartDelphi validation. Reconstructing the process abductively from its documentation, three behaviours recur. Generation increased the number of scenarios but not the range of futures they covered, pulling repeatedly toward technological resolution: 80% of the analysed scenarios referenced technology and 61% were legible as techno-optimistic accounts. The decisive work therefore migrated downstream to synthesis, where situated meaning was preserved, diluted, or lost. The characteristic failure mode was not poor output but over-trust in fluent output, which participants countered only when the design required them to contest and restate it. Validation itself functioned as organisational diagnostics, exposing a consistent desirability–feasibility gap that varied with the kind of change each future demanded. We consolidate these findings into five transferable design principles and argue that, once the capacity to imagine futures becomes abundant, methodological attention must shift from producing more scenarios to managing that abundance while safeguarding quality. Full article

Xinjiang ranks among the key domestication origins of horses. Local nomadic ethnic groups have a long-standing tradition of consuming equine dairy products, which endows mare-derived dairy matrices with abundant, distinctive and scarce probiotic resources. Equine colostrum is rich in immunoglobulins and growth factors; nevertheless, its pharmacological activities and micro-ecological composition remain poorly characterized. This study aimed to isolate and screen native strains with cholesterol-lowering potential from Xinjiang equine colostrum and conduct a preliminary investigation into their underlying mechanisms. Following isolation and taxonomic identification, one strain of Lactobacillus helveticus, four strains of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, and two yeast strains including Pichia fermentans and Pichia membranifaciens were obtained. All the aforementioned isolates are indigenous microorganisms naturally inhabiting mare colostrum. In vitro assays demonstrated bile salt hydrolase activity and cholesterol clearance rates ranging from 45.07% to 87.14%, with composite probiotic formulations exhibiting superior efficacy. In vivo results demonstrated that the combination formulation significantly reduced serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p < 0.05), alleviated hepatic lipid deposition, and regulated gut microbiota composition—notably by enhancing the abundance of beneficial bacteria. It also increased fecal short-chain fatty acids and decreased bile acid levels. These findings demonstrate that the native strains isolated from mare colostrum possess desirable probiotic properties and lipid-lowering bioactivities. Their unique source and natural combinatorial characteristics provide candidate-strain resources for the development of novel functional foods and nutritional supplements. Full article

The present exploratory study evaluated egg quality and yolk functional properties in one commercial hybrid (Lohmann Brown^®), two Italian (Livorno and Milanino) and a French (Marans) local laying hen breeds reared under agroecological conditions and fed a diet enriched with 20% whole hemp seed (HS). A total of 120 laying hens (30 per breed) were raised with pasture access and received the experimental diet for nine months. Egg physical traits, yolk composition, cholesterol content, fatty acid profile, nutritional indices, total phenolic content (TPC), and total antioxidant capacity (TAOC) were assessed at 0, 3, 6, and 9 months. Breed significantly influenced egg characteristics, including yolk and albumen proportions, yolk to albumen ratio, yolk pigmentation, and selected fatty acids (p < 0.05). The adopted agroecological management system increased polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly omega-6, omega-3, reduced the n-6/n-3 ratio, improved atherogenic and thrombogenic indices, and enhanced the health promoting index, desirable to undesirable fatty acid ratio, and essential fatty acid content (p < 0.05). TPC and TAOC also increased significantly over time (p < 0.01), indicating enhanced antioxidant properties of the yolk. Overall, the adopted agroecological management characterized by HS enriched diet improved the nutritional and functional quality of eggs. These findings support alternative farming strategies that enhance egg value and promote the conservation of local poultry genetic resources. Full article

Bounded observations occur in a variety of applied scenarios such as reliability probabilities, degradation measures, rates, and other functions defined on the unit interval for which flexible distributional and hazard-rate behavior are desired. This paper presents the Unit Harris Extended Exponential Distribution (UHEED), a three-parameter unit distribution derived from the Harris Extended Exponential Distribution to offer more flexibility in these types of data, including the ability to model bathtub-shaped hazard rates. Several mathematical properties are developed, such as parameter identifiability, quantile elasticity, moments, order statistics, and Shannon entropy. Maximum likelihood estimation is used as classical inference; the squared error and LINEX loss functions are used to develop the Bayesian estimation with a Metropolis–Hastings within Gibbs algorithm. A representative-point approximation is also proposed for evaluating important distributional quantities, including moments and reliability measures. The Monte Carlo results indicate that the more samples, the more accurate the results of the estimation. A useful example of the UHEED is presented with naturally bounded bramble cane spatial-coordinate data, and goodness-of-fit comparisons show that it performs competitively relative to the competing unit distributions used in the analysis. Full article