Search Results (113)

The demand for functional foods, particularly probiotics, has increased substantially in recent years. The search for plant-based milk alternatives (PBMA) has also risen, influenced by factors such as lactose intolerance, allergies, veganism, and environmental sustainability. Cashew nut kernels have high nutritional value, and are a suitable alternative for preparing plant-based beverages. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a potentially probiotic cashew nut-based beverage fermented by Lacticaseibacillus casei NRRL B-442. The fermented cashew nut-based beverage was prepared, and its stability was evaluated over a 42-day refrigerated storage period (4 °C). Various parameters were monitored, including pH, viability, and concentration of lactic acid, in addition to sugars. The survival rate of microorganisms following simulated gastrointestinal digestion was also determined. Sensory analysis included word association, hedonic scale, and CATA tests. During fermentation, the microorganism consumed glucose, leading to the production of lactic acid. The fermented drink was stable throughout the refrigerated storage period, with a final viable cell count greater than 12 log CFU/mL. After in vitro digestion, probiotic survival rates were higher than 73% in all the samples analyzed. The sensory analysis showed positive consumer acceptance. No statistically significant difference in overall hedonic acceptance was observed between the CNB sweetened with sucrose and sucralose, although both differed from the commercial fermented milk control in several sensory attributes. These results suggest that the cashew nut-based matrix is a promising alternative for developing functional plant products. This study effectively produced a probiotic beverage from cashew nut kernels with functional potential, providing a new product option for interested consumers. Full article

Bisphenol AF (BPAF), a prevalent bisphenol A (BPA) substitute, raises concerns due to its environmental persistence and endocrine-disrupting potency. While metabolic effects of direct exposure are documented, its intergenerational consequences remain unclear. Here, we demonstrated that perinatal BPAF exposure induced persistent metabolic syndrome in offspring, including glucose intolerance, hepatic steatosis, and adipose hypotrophy. Integrating multi-omics data, we observed that BPAF exposure shaped offspring’s hepatic epigenome, as demonstrated by genome-wide alterations in H3K27ac-marked regulatory elements. This epigenetic rewiring indicated a dual regulatory effect on transcriptomes that suppressed interferon-γ responses while activating sterol biosynthesis, ultimately perturbating hepatic metabolome, including depleted pantothenate levels and accumulation of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids. Our findings suggest that BPAF may act as a developmental toxicant capable of persistently disrupting the immune–metabolic axis through epigenomic mechanisms, highlighting the need for careful re-evaluation of its use as a BPA substitute in consumer products. Full article

Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM), often referred to as environmental or atypical mycobacteria, are opportunistic pathogens phylogenetically as well as clinically distinct from both the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and Mycobacterium leprae. In the pediatric age group, NTM disease manifests with a diverse range of clinical phenotypes. Cervicofacial lymphadenitis stands out as the most common presentation among children who are immunocompetent. Conversely, skin and soft tissue infections, pulmonary disease and disseminated infections constitute less prevalent, yet clinically important, disease forms. Accurate identification is paramount, as differentiating NTM infections from tuberculosis (TB) remains challenging based solely on clinical symptoms, initial laboratory analyses, or standard radiological findings. This distinction is critical because treatment protocols for NTM infections differ substantially from those for tuberculosis. This narrative review offers a comprehensive and up-to-date summary of NTM infections in children. It examines the spectrum of clinical presentations and their prevalence, addresses the complexities of diagnosis and therapy, and underscores the importance of differential diagnosis against tuberculosis. Furthermore, we explore current diagnostic strategies, available therapeutic options, and the link between specific clinical syndromes and tailored management, pointing out existing knowledge gaps and suggesting priorities for future research. The absence of rapid, species-specific diagnostic tools often results in delayed initiation of targeted treatment, while overlapping clinical features with TB can lead to misdiagnosis. Therapeutic management is complicated by the necessity for prolonged drug courses, frequent occurrences of drug intolerance, limited availability of child-appropriate formulations, and the rising tide of antimicrobial resistance. Successfully tackling these issues demands enhanced surveillance, precise species-level identification, the creation of child-friendly drug formats, and the development of evidence-based treatment guidelines specifically designed for the pediatric population. Full article

Background: Chemical Intolerance (CI), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) are conditions with rising incidence rates not fully explained by greater awareness or changes in diagnostic practices. It is now generally accepted that the interaction between genetic and environmental exposures plays a role in all of these conditions. Prior studies show that these conditions co-occur. This study seeks to explore previous findings using an international sample. Methods: A five-country (N = 5000) stratified panel survey was used to assess self-reported CI in themselves, and ASD and ADHD in their children. A generalized linear model was used to estimate Odds Ratios. Age- and sex-adjusted logistic models used CI as a predictor of ASD and ADHD in separate models. Results: Compared to those classified as Low CI, High levels of CI were associated with greater Odds Ratios (OR) of reporting a child with ASD and ADHD in all countries except Japan. Italy, India, and the USA had over twice the OR of reporting a child with ASD. Mexico had over 1.9 times the OR. The results with ADHD are similar to the ASD results. Conclusions: The results of this study are consistent with two prior U.S. studies, showing an association between ASD and ADHD among women who have CI. However, cross-cultural comparisons, especially prevalence estimates for ASD and ADHD, cannot be interpreted as epidemiologic rates due to serious limitations of the survey methodology. No causal relationship should be inferred from this study. Full article

A novel two-in-one sensor for both carbon dioxide and hydrogen detection has been obtained based on a hybrid heterostructure. It consists of a 30 nm thick TiO₂ nanocrystalline film grown by atomic layer deposition (ALD), thermally annealed at 610 °C, and subsequently coated with bimetallic AgAu nanoparticles and covered with a PV4D4 nanolayer, which was thermally treated at 430 °C. Two types of gas response behaviors have been registered, as n-type for hydrogen gas and p-type semiconductor behavior for carbon dioxide gas detection. The highest response for carbon dioxide has been registered at an operating temperature of 150 °C with a value of 130%, while the highest response for hydrogen gas was registered at 350 °C with a value of 230%, although it also attained a relatively good gas selectivity at 150 °C. It is considered that a thermal annealing temperature of 610 °C is better for the properties of TiO₂ nanofilms, since it enhances gas sensor sensitivity too. Polymer coating on top is also believed to contribute to a higher influence on selectivity of the sensor structure. Accordingly, to our previous research where PV4D4 has been annealed at 450 °C, in this research paper, a lower temperature of 430 °C for annealing has been used, and thus another ratio of cyclocages and cyclorings has been obtained. Knowing that the polymer acts like a sieve atop the sensor structure, in this study it offers increased selectivity and sensitivity towards carbon dioxide gas detection, as well as maintaining a relatively increased selectivity for hydrogen gas detection, which works as expected with Ag and Au bimetallic nanoparticles on the surface of the sensing structure. The results obtained are highly important for biomedical and environmental applications, as well as for further development of the sensor industry, considering the high potential of two-in-one sensors. A carbon dioxide detector could be used for assessing respiratory markers in patients and monitoring the quality of the environment, while hydrogen could be used for both monitoring lactose intolerance and concentrations in cases of therapeutic gas, as well as monitoring the safe handling of various concentrations. Full article

Hypoxia is a critical environmental stressor in aquaculture, significantly affecting the survival and growth performance of cultured fish. To explore the genetic basis of hypoxia tolerance in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), we integrated genome-wide association analysis (GWAS) and multi-tissue transcriptome profiling. A total of 2000 grass carp were subjected to hypoxic stress, from which the 150 most hypoxia-intolerant (HI) and 150 most hypoxia-tolerant (HT) individuals were selected based on the time to loss of equilibrium (LOE). GWAS using 3,730,919 SNPs and 851,595 InDels identified 21 SNPs and 6 InDels associated with hypoxia tolerance. Two SNPs on chromosomes 10 and 13 reached genome-wide significance, accounting for 2.7% and 4.8% of the phenotypic variance explained (PVE), respectively. Validation of identified SNPs was performed using kompetitive allele-specific PCR (KASP) analysis. Candidate genes within ±50 kb of these variants were enriched in steroid biosynthesis, insulin signaling, and glycosphingolipid biosynthesis pathways. Transcriptomic analysis of six tissues (brain, gill, intestine, kidney, liver, and spleen) revealed 1620, 1221, 796, 246, 210, and 58 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the HT group compared to the HI group, respectively. DEGs in the brain were primarily enriched in steroid metabolic processes and angiogenesis regulation, while those in kidney and spleen DEGs were associated with oxygen transport and erythrocyte development. Integrated analysis of GWAS and transcriptome data identified 16 shared genes, including usf1 and trpv4. These findings reveal key genomic loci and molecular pathways underlying hypoxia tolerance in grass carp, providing valuable markers for future selective breeding programs. Full article

Copper (Cu) and cadmium (Cd) are common co-occurring environmental pollutants inducing combined stress, which severely harms maize growth. Previous studies have confirmed the involvement of the ascorbate–glutathione (AsA-GSH) cycle in heavy metal stress tolerance, but the regulatory effect of NATCA on this cycle under Cu-Cd combined stress—especially during maize seed germination and root development—remains unelucidated. Exogenous folcisteine (NATCA, 3-acetylthiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid) can enhance plant tolerance to abiotic stress. This study investigated the role of NATCA, a novel plant growth regulator with antioxidant potential, in alleviating Cu-Cd combined stress in maize. Two maize (Zea mays L.) varieties—Jiuyuan 15 (Cu/Cd-tolerant) and Longfuyu 6 (Cu/Cd-intolerant)—were exposed to combined stress (80 mg·L⁻¹ CuSO₄ + 100 mg·L⁻¹ CdCl₂) with/without 20 mg·L⁻¹ NATCA. Germination and hydroponic experiments were conducted to investigate NATCA’s effects on seed germination, growth, root traits, photosynthetic characteristics, reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism, AsA-GSH cycle (ascorbate–glutathione cycle), and endogenous hormones under stress. The results showed that combined Cu/Cd stress inhibited seed germination (reduced vigor, rate, index), while NATCA significantly reversed these declines, increased tolerance index, lowered relative damage rate, and improved seed activity—with more pronounced effects on Longfuyu 6. Stress stunted seedling growth (reduced dry/fresh weight, water content; increased water deficit), whereas NATCA promoted growth (taller plants, less leaf chlorosis, more fibrous roots), enhanced dry matter accumulation, and improved water metabolism. Stress impaired root morphology (shorter length, smaller surface area/volume, fewer tips) and absorption capacity; NATCA improved root traits, stress tolerance, and vitality. Stress weakened ROS scavenging, but NATCA elevated antioxidant enzyme activity and non-enzymatic antioxidant content, strengthened AsA-GSH cycle-mediated ROS clearance, mitigated stress damage, and maintained intracellular ROS balance in maize seedling root. These findings not only reveal a new regulatory role of NATCA in enhancing heavy metal stress tolerance via the AsA-GSH cycle but also provide a potential eco-friendly strategy for improving maize production in heavy metal-contaminated soils. Full article

Background: Parental cognitive characteristics may represent environmental risk factors in obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). This study compared obsessive beliefs, metacognitions, and ruminative thinking in parents of adolescents with OCD and healthy controls (HCs), and examined links with clinical features in patients. Methods: Participants were 45 adolescents with OCD, 45 HCs, and both their mothers and fathers. The Children’s Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (CY-BOCS) assessed symptom severity in adolescents. Parents completed the Obsessive Beliefs Questionnaire (OBQ), Ruminative Thought Style Questionnaire (RTSQ), 30-item Metacognitions Questionnaire (MCQ-30), and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Data were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models, followed by correlation and regression analyses. Results: Parents of patients had higher scores on the importance/control of thoughts, the need to control thoughts, and cognitive self-consciousness (MCQ-CSC). Mothers of adolescents with OCD had the highest scores on inflated responsibility/threat estimation (OBQ-RTE), perfectionism/intolerance of uncertainty (OBQ-PIU), rumination, and cognitive confidence (MCQ-CC). Regression analyses showed that lower maternal MCQ-CC predicted earlier OCD onset, while higher rumination predicted later onset. Obsession severity in adolescents was linked to higher maternal MCQ-CSC, obsessive slowness to maternal OBQ-PIU, and pathological doubt to greater maternal rumination. Children’s indecisiveness correlated with paternal OBQ-RTE and OBQ-PIU. Conclusions: Our findings revealed elevated cognitive vulnerabilities for OCD in mothers of affected adolescents and identified specific associations between parental cognitive characteristics and their children’s symptom profiles. Future longitudinal studies using dyadic parental design with larger samples may further elucidate the role of parental cognitive patterns in the development and course of OCD. Full article

As demand for sustainable protein intensifies, edible crickets offer a promising solution to food insecurity and environmental strain, particularly in regions like Madagascar. This study investigated the effects of two rearing temperatures (28 °C and 30 °C) on life-history traits of three edible cricket species—Gryllus bimaculatus, Gryllodes sigillatus, and Teleogryllus lemur—under controlled laboratory conditions. Growth, survival, development time, and biomass yield were quantified for each species (n = 150 per temperature treatment) and analyzed using t-tests, chi-squared tests, and ANOVA. Results revealed distinct species-specific thermal responses. G. bimaculatus exhibited accelerated development and higher biomass at 30 °C without significant survival loss. G. sigillatus maintained high survival but developed more slowly at 30 °C, suggesting thermal sensitivity. In contrast, T. lemur demonstrated substantial growth gains at 30 °C but suffered a 50% reduction in survival, indicating heat intolerance. Development time and biomass yield varied significantly across species and temperature treatments (p < 0.0001). These findings highlight critical trade-offs between growth efficiency and survival in insect farming systems. G. bimaculatus emerges as a strong candidate for high-yield, thermally resilient farming, while T. lemur requires cooler rearing environments. This work informs species selection and environmental optimization for scalable, climate-adaptive cricket farming in tropical regions. Full article

Background/Objectives: Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a complex environmental illness characterized by intolerance to various environmental chemicals, affecting multiple organ systems. Despite its prevalence, MCS remains poorly understood, with limited recognition by the World Health Organisation amid challenges in diagnosis due to symptom heterogeneity. This study aimed to investigate the oxidative stress status in patients diagnosed with MCS compared to healthy controls, focusing on plasma and erythrocyte markers. Methods: Blood samples from 40 MCS patients and 40 controls were analyzed for lipid peroxidation (LPO), total antioxidant activity (TAA), adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and antioxidant enzyme activities, alongside glutathione cycle components. Results: Results revealed no significant differences in plasma LPO or TAA between groups, with a reduction in 61% ATP levels in MCS subjects. However, erythrocyte analysis showed reduced levels of glutathione (GSH) and total glutathione in MCS patients. Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity also decreased by 15% in erythrocytes of MCS patients, suggesting increased hydrogen peroxide detoxification at the expense of oxidation of GSH to glutathione disulfide (GSSG). Because glutathione reductase activity (GRd) did not change, this GSSG could not be reduced, the GSSG/GSH ratio increased by 46%, indicating heightened intracellular oxidative stress. Catalase (CAT) activity also remained unchanged (reduced by 9%, non-significant). Conclusions: These findings highlight the role of oxidative stress in MCS pathophysiology, particularly the disruption of the glutathione cycle within erythrocytes. The study underscores the need for further research into the molecular mechanisms underlying MCS to improve diagnostic criteria and therapeutic strategies. Understanding intracellular oxidative imbalances may provide insights into the systemic dysfunction observed in MCS patients. Full article

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a progressive and systemic autoimmune disease, characterized by a chronic inflammatory process, affecting the lining of the synovial joints, many body organs/systems, and blood vessels. Its pathological hallmarks are hyperplasic synovium, bone erosion, and progressive joint destruction. Rheumatoid arthritis affects over 20 million people, with a worldwide prevalence of 0.5–1.0%, exhibiting gender, ethnic, and geographical differences. The progressive disability severely impairs physical motion and quality of life and is finally leading to a shortened life span. The pathogenesis of RA is a complex and still poorly understood process in which genetic and environmental factors are principally associated. Current treatment mostly relies on conventional/non-biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (cDMARDs), analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, glucocorticoids, steroids, immunosuppresants, and biologic DMARDs, which only control inflammation and pain. Along with side effects (drug toxicity and intolerance), these anti-rheumatic drugs possess limited efficacy. Therefore, the discovery of novel multi-target therapeutics with an improved safety profile that function as inhibitors of RA-linked signaling systems are in high demand, and this is in the interest of both patients and clinicians. Plant-derived extracts, nutritional supplements, dietary medicine, and molecules with anti-inflammatory activity represent promising adjuvant agents or alternatives for RA therapeutics. This review not only aims to discuss the basic features of RA pathogenesis, risk factors, and signaling pathways but also highlights the research progress in pre-clinical RA in in vitro and in vivo models, revealing new avenues in the management of the disease in terms of comprehensive multidisciplinary strategies originating from medicinal plants and plant-derived molecules. Full article

Background and Objectives: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a health problem all over the world due to its serious complications such as diabetic nephropathy, diabetic neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, cardiovascular diseases, and limb amputation. The risk factors for T2DM are environmental, lifestyle, and genetic. The genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have revealed the linkage of certain loci with diabetes mellitus (DM) and its complications. The objective of this study was to examine the association of genetic loci with diabetic nephropathy (DN) in the Saudi population. Materials and Methods: Whole exome sequencing (WES) and bioinformatics analysis, such as Genome Analysis Toolkit, Samtools, SnpEff, Polymorphism Phenotyping v2, and Sorting Intolerant from Tolerant (SIFT), were used to examine the association of gene variations with DN in 26 Saudi patients (18 males and 8 females). Results: The present study showed that there are loci that are probably linked to DM and DN. The genes showed variations that include COCH, PRPF31, PIEZO2, RABL5, CCT5, PLIN3, PDE4A, SH3BP2, GPR108, GPR108, MUC6, CACNA1D, and MAFA. The physiological processes that are potentially affected by these gene variations include insulin signaling and secretion, the inflammatory pathway, and mitochondrial function. Conclusion: The variations in these genes and the dysregulation of these processes may be linked to the development of DM and DN. These findings require further verification in future studies with larger sample sizes and protein functional studies. The results of this study will assist in identifying the genes involved in DM and DN (for example, through genetic counseling) and help in prevention and treatment of individuals or populations at risk of this disease and its complications. Full article

Due to constantly shifting environmental and personal circumstances, humans have a wide range of thermal comfort needs. Cold intolerance (CI) is a personalized thermoregulation disorder characterized by a persistently cold-feeling problem, regardless of weather conditions. Improvements in clothing thermal comfort can help maintain proper insulation levels, hence reducing excess heat loss brought on by thermoregulation disorders since the wearer’s thermal comfort is impacted by controllable environmental and personal factors. Despite extensive research on cold-proof clothing, no studies have examined the current status of cold protective clothing systems when taking individual considerations into account, particularly those who use them and have cold sensitivity. There is a significant study gap in research on cold intolerance discomfort and advancements in appropriate cold protection apparel applied to individuals with thermoregulation disorders. Accordingly, this paper reviews the occurrence and severity of cold intolerance and its comfort challenges. It also addresses recent developments in cold protective clothing design, aimed at opening pathways for further investigation into adopting this cutting-edge technology for cold intolerance wear design. This review also aims to clarify the existing opportunities for enhancing the thermal insulation capabilities and other comfort factors of cold protection apparel, which are conducted during the stages of garment design and clothing material/textile manufacture. A thorough assessment of the research on introducing novel surface finishing methods in the pretreatment section and modifying the structural properties of garment materials at the fiber/yarn or weaving stage is conducted. Furthermore, we systematically discuss the potential design solutions regarding fit and size as well as stitching technologies during garment development for thermal insulation enhancement of cold protective clothing design. Full article

Robinia pseudoacacia is native to North America and has been introduced into many other countries in Europe, South and South East Asia, South America, Africa, and Oceania. The species has been planted intensively in a large area of these countries because of its ornamental and economic values. However, R. pseudoacacia often infests unintended places, including protected areas, and causes significant ecological impacts. The species is now listed as one of the harmful invasive plant species. The characteristics of its life-history, such as the high growth and reproduction rate and adaptive ability to various environmental conditions, may contribute to the invasiveness of the species. The defense ability against natural enemies such as pathogenic fungi and herbivores and its allelopathic potential against the competitive plant species may also contribute to its invasiveness. The R. pseudoacacia infestation alters the ecological functions of the plant community, including the soil microbe community, and reduces the abundance and diversity of the native plant species, including vertebrates and invertebrates in the introduced ranges. R. pseudoacacia is a shade intolerant and early successional tree species and is replaced by larger and more shade tolerant tree species in the native ranges, while plant succession seems not to occur always in the introduced ranges across the different ages of R. pseudoacacia stands. Several other review articles have summarized the afforestation, utilization, biology, and management of the species, but this is the first review focusing on the invasive mechanism of R. pseudoacacia and its impacts on species diversity. Full article

Global hunger and malnutrition continue to pose significant challenges, entailing innovative and environmentally responsible practices to improve food security. Equine products offer a valuable opportunity to diversify diets and combat nutritional deficiencies. Equine milk, rich in bioavailable nutrients, essential fatty acids, and hypoallergenic properties, serves as an excellent dietary supplement; this aspect could be applied particularly in regions where conventional dairy is inaccessible or unsuitable due to allergies, lactose intolerance, or other health conditions. Similarly, equine meat, known for its high-quality protein content, low fat content, and essential micronutrients like iron and zinc, provides an affordable and sustainable protein source for food-insecure populations. The ability of equines to thrive on marginal lands, coupled with their lower environmental impact compared to traditional livestock (such as ruminants), underscores their potential within sustainable agricultural systems. This review examines the role of equine products in addressing global hunger, highlighting their nutritional benefits, environmental advantages, and the necessity for further research to tackle challenges related to versatility, cultural acceptance, and policy integration. Full article