Search Results (1,032)

Heracleum sosnowskyi is considered to be a dangerous invasive plant species that has successfully naturalized within a variety of plant communities across numerous countries. As a result of its superior competitiveness, the alien species is able to displace the indigenous species from their native habitats, thus changing the ecosystems and decreasing biodiversity. The phytochemicals present in the H. sosnowskyi aqueous extracts were revealed using GC/MS and HPLC/DAD/TOF techniques. Isopsoralen, methoxsalen, (iso)pimpinellin and/or bergapten were determined to be major compounds in the leaf, inflorescence and root extracts. Glutaric, quinic, linolenic, (iso)chlorogenic and other polyphenolic acids were identified in the extracts. Furthermore, a number of furanocoumarins, including hermandiol, bakuchicin, candinols (A and C) and candibirin F, and coumarins, umbelliferone and yunngnins (A and B), were identified in the roots. Additionally, the presence of flavonoids, including astragalin, quercetin 7,3,4-trimethyl ether, nicotiflorin and rutin, has been detected in the flower and leaf extracts. Allelopathic effects of H. sosnowskyi aqueous extracts were tested on four model plants, lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and three native Lithuanian meadow herbs, perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), timothy (Phleum pratense L.) and white clover (Trifolium repens L.), using the Petri dish method. H. sosnowskyi flower and leaf extracts demonstrated the strongest inhibitory effects on the germination and growth of the tested plant seeds. At the highest relative concentrations, 0.5 and 1.0, extracts of Sosnowsky’s hogweed inflorescences inhibited timothy seedling growth by 95.47% (from 19.64 ± 2.57 mm to 0.89 ± 0.73 mm) and 100%, respectively. The leaf extracts exhibited the strongest inhibitory effects on white clover seedlings. The highest relative concentrations tested (0.5 and 1.0) suppressed clover seedling growth by 94.66% (from 41.22 ± 2.53 mm to 2.20 ± 0.63 mm) and 100%, respectively. Additionally, the germination rate and vigor index of model plants were assessed. The research is of significance for the regulation and monitoring of the spreading of aggressive H. sosnowskyi plants. Moreover, it is important for the development of natural herbicides based on active phytotoxic compounds from these plants. Full article

The aim of this study was to evaluate different doses of bacterial inoculants and the inclusion of 8% ground corn grain (GCG) on fermentative characteristics, chemical composition, and in situ ruminal degradability of low-DM elephant grass (cv. BRS Capiaçu) silage. The experiment followed a completely randomized design in a 6 × 3 factorial arrangement (six treatments × three fermentation periods). Treatments were a control without additive (CTR); 0.5 or 1 g/ton of Lentilactobacillus buchneri (LBU0.5 and LBU1); 1 or 2 g/ton of a Lactiplantibacillus plantarum + Pediococcus acidilactici inoculant (LPP1 and LPP2); and 8% GCG. After 60 d of fermentation, in situ ruminal degradability was evaluated using rumen-fistulated lactating cows with incubation times from 0 to 240 h. The GCG treatment increased DM, CP, and ether extract concentrations and reduced NDF, ADF, and lignin contents. Additionally, GCG silage exhibited lower pH, butyric acid, and ammonia nitrogen concentrations, along with higher lactic acid levels. No treatment effects were observed for water-soluble carbohydrates or total DM losses. The effective NDF degradability, degradation rate of the slowly degradable fraction, and undigested NDF after 240 h were not affected by treatments. In conclusion, the inclusion of GCG improved the fermentative profile of low-DM elephant grass silage, whereas bacterial inoculants did not significantly enhance the silage quality under the conditions evaluated. Full article

This study investigated the effects of different additives on the fermentation quality and bacterial community of silage prepared from Giant Juncao grass (Cenchrus fungigraminus) grown in saline–alkali soil. Four treatments were compared: a control group (CK), wheat bran (WB), fermented Juncao grass juice (FJGJ), and a combined wheat bran + fermented Juncao grass juice treatment (WB + FJGJ). Dynamic changes in physicochemical characteristics—including dry matter (DM), pH, lactic acid (LA), acetic acid (AA), propionic acid (PA), and total volatile fatty acids (TVFA)—were monitored together with shifts in bacterial community structure. Quantitative results showed that FJGJ and WB + FJGJ significantly improved fermentation performance. Compared with the control, the WB + FJGJ treatment reduced the final pH to 3.61 (p < 0.05) and increased lactic acid concentration to 48 g/kg DM. Concentrations of acetic acid and TVFA were also higher in additive-treated silages than in the control. Redundancy analysis indicated that pH and lactic acid were the main environmental factors associated with changes in bacterial community composition, whereas ether extract and acetic acid showed weaker but detectable effects. Bacterial community profiling revealed that genera such as Secundilactobacillus and Lacticaseibacillus dominated in the additive-treated groups, and that the additives significantly altered microbial community structure compared with the control. Overall, the combined application of wheat bran and fermented Juncao grass juice improved the fermentation quality of Giant Juncao grass silage grown on saline–alkali soil and promoted a bacterial community dominated by beneficial lactic acid–producing taxa. Full article

Glycerol fatty acid esters (GFAEs) exhibit potential applications in ruminant production, including enhancing animal performance, improving nutrient utilization, and modulating rumen function. However, studies on indigenous Dabieshan beef cattle are lacking. This study aimed to evaluate GFAE’s effects on their performance, meat quality, and rumen function. Thirty 2-year-old cattle (294.73 ± 3.21 kg; mean ± SD), were randomly divided into three groups (n = 10): on a dry matter (DM) basis, CON (basal diet), 0.05 GFAE (basal + 0.05% GFAE), 0.1 GFAE (basal + 0.1% GFAE), fed for 60 days. The crude protein (CP) digestibility of the 0.05 GFAE group showed a significant 4.55% increase compared with the CON group, while that of the 0.1 GFAE group was significantly elevated by 2.76% relative to the CON group. For key meat quality indices of Dabieshan beef cattle, compared with the CON group, the 0.05 GFAE and 0.1 GFAE groups showed increases in L value by 10.14% and 7.11%, respectively (p = 0.042); decreases in shear force by 5.24% and 1.48%, respectively (p = 0.024); and increases in ether extract(EE) content by 10.91% and 2.33%, respectively (p = 0.019). Compared with the CON group, the 0.05 GFAE and 0.1 GFAE groups showed significant alterations in key serum biochemical indices of Dabieshan beef cattle: TP (total protein) levels elevated significantly by 6.44% and 13.04%, respectively (p = 0.010); total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) increased significantly by 33.96% and 46.23%, respectively (p = 0.001); UREA concentrations decreased significantly, by 22.67% and 33.53%, respectively (p = 0.002); superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity rose significantly, by 7.30% and 7.99%, respectively (p = 0.020); and malondialdehyde (MDA) content declined significantly, by 20.25% and 28.03%, respectively (p = 0.040). Relative to the CON group, dietary supplementation with GFAE significantly increased ruminal butyrate concentrations, with the 0.05 GFAE and 0.1 GFAE supplemented groups exhibiting respective increments of 17.38% and 18.03% (p = 0.025). Both Groups 0.05 GFAE and 0.1 GFAE reduced CH4 emissions (p = 0.005) and elevated Prevotella abundance (p = 0.001). The study findings revealed that dietary supplementation with GFAE at concentrations of 0.05% and 0.1% of dry matter resulted in substantial decreases in daily methane emissions, representing respective reductions of 6.91% and 11.63% compared to the control group (p = 0.005). At the species level of the rumen microbial community, the relative abundance of the genus Prevotella_sp. was significantly elevated by 60.52% and 38.48% in the 0.05 GFAE and 0.1 GFAE groups, respectively, when contrasted with the CON group (p = 0.001). Collectively, these results demonstrate that the inclusion of dietary 0.05% GFAE supplementation conferred multifaceted benefits to Dabieshan beef cattle, thereby highlighting its potential as a viable strategy to enhance the sustainability of beef cattle production systems. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of replacing corn with defective jujube (DJ) on growth, digestibility, blood biochemical indices, meat performance, and the presence of Alternaria toxin residues in Karakul lambs. Thirty-six lambs were split into groups given 0%, 15%, or 30% DJ, replacing 0%, 45.45%, and 90.91% of corn. The trial lasted 75 days, with 15 days for adaptation and 60 days for measurement. Digestibility for crude protein and ether extract of male lambs increased in the DJ30 group over CON (p < 0.05). High-density lipoprotein decreased in DJ30 (p < 0.01), while triglycerides and total cholesterol in DJ30 dropped (p < 0.05). Blood urea nitrogen and aspartate aminotransferase decreased in DJ15 and DJ30 (p < 0.01). Superoxide dismutase and catalase rose in DJ30 (p < 0.01), while malondialdehyde declined (p < 0.05). Growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-1 increased in DJ30 (p < 0.01). Feeding DJ did not affect meat production or quality. No Alternaria toxins were detected in rumen, liver, or meat. Feeding 15–30% DJ improved nitrogen utilization, lipid metabolism, and blood antioxidant levels in lambs and reduced the risk of liver damage, while no Alternaria toxin remained in organs. A 30% DJ substitution for corn is a safe strategy for lamb feeding. Full article

Wheat germ (WG) oil is highly used in cosmetics and pharmaceutics for its high tocopherol content. The present study explored and optimized the ultrasound-assisted extraction of oil and bioactive compounds from stabilized wheat germ at a laboratory scale. Optimum conditions were 15 s, 36% amplitude, and 10:1 solvent-to-solid ratio. The yield (5.1%) and the ether-soluble fraction (87.92%) obtained were remarkable considering the short extraction time, and the solvent used was absolute ethanol. Sonication did not have a significant impact on oil oxidation parameters (acidity and peroxide value), tocopherol content (1499 μg toc/g extract), and antiradical scavenging activity of the extracts (71% DPPH loss). The total fiber content (16%) and type of the remaining solids were not affected as well. Protein solubility increased with sonication. Altogether, these findings propose ultrasound-assisted extraction of oil from wheat germ as a promising alternative to conventional techniques. Full article

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the intestinal permeation behaviors of andrographolide (AG) and 14-deoxy-11,12-didehydroandrographolide (DDAG), diterpene lactones from Andrographis paniculata extract (APE), pure AG, and three distinct source APEs. The effects of different solvents were also investigated. Methods: Solubility investigation was performed using APE. APEs and pure AG were prepared as liqui-masses, cohesive mixtures of APE, solvents, and solid carriers. PXRD, in vitro release, and ex vivo intestinal permeation using the non-everted gut sac method were investigated. Results: Solubility of AG and DDAG in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) > NMP/diethylene glycol monoethyl ether (DG) mixtures > DG. PXRD indicated that crystallinity loss of liqui-mass was affected by solvent’s solvency capacity. The release behaviors of AG and DDAG in phosphate buffer from pure AG and APEs varied depending on their solid state. The release efficiencies of AG and DDAG from liqui-mass systems increased significantly. The apparent permeability (P_app) of AG from pure AG was 0.11 ± 0.05 ×10⁻⁵ cm·s⁻¹, which was 11–25 times less than that of APEs. The P_app of DDAG from various APEs was comparable, ranging between 5.95 and 7.37 × 10⁻⁵ cm·s⁻¹. The presence of a solvent, specifically NMP, in liqui-mass significantly enhanced the release rate and permeation flux. The P_app of AG and DDAG from liqui-mass increased by factors of 1.0–2.3 and 1.1–2.7, respectively. Conclusions: This study is the first to emphasize the differences in the release and intestinal permeation characteristics of AG and DDAG from APEs. These findings offer essential insights into the intestinal permeation behavior of diterpene lactones, along with a straightforward mechanistic strategy for enhancement. Full article

Salt stress is a major agricultural issue. A promising modern agriculture method is the foliar treatment of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs). This approach has shown promise in boosting challenged tomato yields, fruit quality, and leaf extract antibacterial activity against pathogens. A greenhouse experiment was conducted. The previously synthesized and characterized ZnONPs were used to alleviate the harmful effects of NaCl stress. Tomato fruit weight from different treatments was determined, and the gas–liquid chromatography device was used to observe the changes in fatty acid production. The antimicrobial activities of the aqueous and diethyl ether extracts from tomato leaves were determined against six bacterial and six fungal strains. The plants that were salinity-stressed and sprayed with 0.075 and 0.15 g/L ZnONPs showed a better improvement compared to the salinity-stressed plants. Also, the sprayed plants that were not stressed at all showed promising results compared to the control and the other different treatments. Through the process of molecular docking, it was shown that caffeic acid, ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, sinapic acid, and apigenin-7-glucoside are essential chemicals that possess antibacterial and antifungal effects against the DNA Gyrase inhibitor and the sterol 14-alpha demethylase (CYP51) enzyme, respectively. It is concluded that salt stress can negatively affect the growth, quality, and variant plant features. However, the foliar application of ZnONPs is able to overcome those adverse effects in the stressed plants, and enhance the non-stressed as well. Full article

This study aimed to develop a sustainable approach for isolating bioactive lipophilic components from Taraxacum officinale flowers using supercritical carbon dioxide extraction (SFE-CO₂) and to assess the effect of adding 5% ethanol (EtOH) as a co-solvent on extraction yield, in vitro antioxidant capacity in CUPRAC and ABTS assays (TEAC_CUPRAC and TEAC_ABTS), total phenolic (TPC) and flavonoid (TFC) content, β-carotene concentration, and photoprotective potential, expressed as the sun protection factor (SPF). SFE-CO₂ at 35 MPa and 40 °C resulted in 50% of the total yield within 15 min, with equilibrium reached after 120 min (final yield of 4.6 g/100 g flowers). Co-solvent addition increased yield by ~50% and shortened extraction time. The EtOH-modified extract exhibited markedly higher antioxidant activity, with a 2-fold increase in TEAC_CUPRAC (167 mg TE/g E), an 11-fold increase in TEAC_ABTS (194 mg TE/g E), and a 3-fold increase in TPC (91 mg GAE/g E), along with improved recovery of flavonoids and β-carotene. Volatile profiling revealed monoterpenoids, aldehydes, and esters as dominant groups, with carvone (14.0–16.5%) and dill ether (4.2–5.8%) as major contributors to aroma. The SFE-CO₂ + 5% EtOH extract achieved the highest SPF value (49.5 at 1 mg/mL; SPF > 6 at >0.1 mg/mL), indicating strong photoprotective potential and potential suitability for natural antioxidant and cosmetic applications. Full article

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of silage inoculants (FJ) and natural fermentation (CK) on the quality and microbial community of whole-plant corn silage under different fertilization treatments, including conventional fertilization (CK), liquid microbial inoculant and conventional fertilization (JJ), and microbial organic fertilizer and conventional fertilization (YJ). After 30 days of room-temperature fermentation, parameters including pH, LA, CP, starch, ADF, NDF, and the microbial community were determined. The results showed that after 30 days of ensiling, silage inoculants significantly affected the nutritional components and fermentation parameters of whole-plant corn silage under different fertilization treatments. Furthermore, the two factors (silage inoculants and different fertilization treatments) exhibited a significant interaction effect. Simple effects analysis revealed that the significant interaction was mainly driven by a more pronounced differential effect of fertilization treatments on the nutritional indicators (starch, CP, ADF, and NDF) under silage inoculant (FJ) addition than under natural fermentation (CK) (p < 0.05). Among all silage treatments, the silage inoculants + microbial solution drip irrigation and conventional fertilization (FJJJ) group exhibited relatively superior silage quality. Specifically, the FJJJ group had the lowest contents of pH, ADF, and NDF, along with the highest contents of lactic acid (LA) and ether extract (EE). The addition of silage inoculants under different fertilization treatments consistently increased the abundance and reinforced the dominance of Lactobacillus in the microbial community. This effect was most pronounced in the FJJJ group, which showed the highest relative abundance. In contrast, the relative abundance of genera such as Pantoea, Acinetobacter, Klebsiella, and Pseudomonas decreased significantly. In summary, appropriate fertilization treatments combined with the addition of silage inoculants contribute to enhancing the quality of whole-plant corn silage and improve the fermentation microbial community of the silage. These findings provide a theoretical basis for producing high-quality corn silage. Full article

The present work provides a detailed study of Convolvulus cantabrica L., a plant belonging to the family Convolvulaceae and the genus Convolvulus. The selection of this plant was based on the long-standing ethnobotanical relevance of its genus, which was attributed to the richness of its species in phenolic and flavonoids compounds. Moreover, this species as remained unexplored to date. Our investigation includes both chemical and biological aspects. To assess the chemical composition of the hydroalcoholic extract of the plant, High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analysis was performed. Rosmarinic Acid (161.9 ppm) and Chlorogenic Acid (153.8 ppm) had the highest concentrations. Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis demonstrated the presence of Fatty Acids and Esters (70.81%), sesquiterpene and diterpenes (19.51%) and fatty alcohols (6.02%). In addition, the ethyl acetate extract exhibited the highest phenolic contents (606.42 µg/mL) and flavonoid contents (363.75 µg/mL). The tested extracts, especially the ethyl acetate and butanol extracts, exhibited strong antioxidant capacity in DPPH (IC₅₀: 13.60 ± 1.30 µg/mL for ethyl acetate extract and 17.69 ± 1.17 µg/mL for butanol extract), ABTS (IC₅₀: 7.26 ± 0.01 µg/mL for ethyl acetate extract and 6.90 ± 0.18 µg/mL for butanol extract) and FRP (IC₅₀: 14.89 ± 0.90 µg/mL for ethyl acetate extract and 23.14 ± 0.60 µg/mL for butanol extract) assays compared with extracts from other species of this genus. Moreover, the petroleum ether extract demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity (IC₅₀: 419.30 ± 4.48 µg/mL). Regarding antibacterial activity, the plant extracts, especially the ethyl acetate, hydroalcoholic and petroleum ether extracts, inhibited the growth of Bacillus cereus. Overall, our data indicate that Convolvulus cantabrica L., is rich in secondary metabolites, particularly polyphenols, and exhibits significant biological activities, especially antioxidant properties. These results validate the traditional use of C. cantabrica and position it as a promising source of natural antioxidants with potential pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications. Full article

Background/Objectives: Different oxylipin subtypes have unique biological properties, requiring effective analytical protocols. However, establishing a complete pathway detection protocol for comprehensive oxylipin analysis is challenging. This study aimed to evaluate the adaptability and specificity of oxylipin subtypes under different extraction schemes and to develop a robust analytical platform for clinical biomarker investigation. Methods: We revealed the adaptability and specificity of oxylipin subtypes based on different single-step extraction schemes. A high-throughput quantitative automated solid-phase extraction coupled with a liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (aSPE–LC–MS/MS) analytical platform was established for a broad panel of complex oxylipins. The method was applied to serum samples of patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Results: Our results verified that oxo-oxylipins, resolvin, and eicosanoids showed the best extraction efficiency under SPE protocol. Most hydroxy-oxylipins, dihydroxy-oxylipins, and HOTrEs are suitable for methanol protocol, HDHA for acetonitrile protocol, and epoxy-oxylipins for the methyl tert-butyl ether protocol, while medium-chain HETE is suitable for ethyl acetate protocol. Importantly, a novel sensitive fast method with wide coverage by the aSPE–LC–MS/MS analytical platform with satisfying sensitivity, accuracy and precision, extraction efficiency, low matrix effect, and linear calibration curves was obtained. Furthermore, we have successfully applied this method and found that 5-HETE, 11-HETE, and 15-HETE can serve as integrated biomarkers for patients with CHD, with high diagnostic performance. Conclusions: The study provides the best protocol for the clinically targeted detection of oxylipins and provides an important means for studying biomarkers of diseases. Full article

This study was conducted to evaluate the comparative efficacy of graded levels of dietary organic selenium (OS) on the health, productivity, and egg quality of commercial laying hens. A total of 240 hens (26 weeks old) were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments in a completely randomized design: a control basal diet (0 ppm OS) and three diets supplemented with OS from selenium yeast (SY-2000 or SY-3000) to achieve levels of 0.20, 0.30, and 0.45 ppm, respectively. The experiment lasted for 72 days. Performance metrics were recorded weekly, and samples were collected at two time points to assess physiological responses. The results demonstrated that supplementation with 0.30 and 0.45 ppm OS significantly improved key productivity parameters. Egg production (p < 0.05), egg weight (p < 0.001), and cumulative egg mass (p < 0.001) were higher in these groups compared to the control. Nutrient digestibility, including dry matter, crude protein, and ether extract, was also significantly enhanced (p < 0.001) at the higher OS levels. The antioxidant defense system was strengthened, as evidenced by the increased serum activity of the glutathione peroxidase (p < 0.001), superoxide dismutase (p < 0.01), and diphenyl picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging capacity (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the humoral immune response against Newcastle disease showed a significant, dose-dependent improvement (p < 0.001). In contrast, feed intake, various egg quality parameters (shell thickness, specific gravity, and Haugh unit), and serum mineral profiles remained unaffected (p > 0.05) by OS supplementation. In conclusion, dietary OS supplementation at 0.30–0.45 ppm effectively enhances laying performance, nutrient utilization, systemic antioxidant capacity, and specific immunity, with the 0.45 ppm level demonstrating the most consistent and comprehensive benefits under the conditions of this study. Full article

Background: Drug-induced cardiotoxicity poses a major challenge in drug development and clinical safety. Although machine learning (ML) methods have shown potential in predicting cardiotoxic risks, prior research has largely focused on specific mechanisms such as human Ether-à-go-go-Related Gene (hERG) inhibition. This scoping review systematically examined studies applying ML models to predict a broad range of drug-induced cardiotoxicity outcomes. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, and Web of Science identified studies developing ML models for cardiotoxicity prediction. Extracted data included sources, feature types, algorithms, and performance metrics, categorized by evaluation method (training, testing, cross-validation, or external validation). Results: Twenty-five studies met inclusion criteria, addressing outcomes such as arrhythmia, cardiac failure, heart block, hypertension, and myocardial infarction. Structured resources such as SIDER (Side Effect Resource) were the most common data sources, with features including molecular descriptors, fingerprints, and occasionally, target-based or transcriptomic data. Support vector machines (SVM) and random forest (RF) were the most common algorithms, showing robust predictive performance, with externally validated area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC) values above 0.70 and accuracy exceeding 0.75 in several studies. Despite variability and limited external validation, ML approaches demonstrate substantial promise for predicting diverse cardiotoxic outcomes. Conclusions: This review underscores the importance of integrating heterogeneous data and rigorous validation for improving cardiotoxicity prediction. Full article

This study evaluated the efficacy of an environmentally friendly degreasing agent formulated from orange peel extract as both a cleaning agent and corrosion inhibitor for surgical instruments manufactured from 316LVM stainless steel. The extract was obtained via microwave-assisted hydrodistillation and subsequently blended with biodegradable surfactants. Its performance was compared against a benchmark commercial cleaner (West Oxyclean^®) through Tafel polarization, Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of terpenic compounds, predominantly limonene, alongside ethers, alcohols, and unsaturated structure characteristics of citrus essential oils. Polarization and EIS results showed that the formulation containing 0.12% extract exhibited the highest charge-transfer resistance and the lowest corrosion current density (0.093 μA/cm²), achieving an inhibition efficiency of 81.29%, whereas the 0.08% formulation showed greater corrosive response than the commercial cleaner. SEM imaging demonstrated a progressive decline in both the severity and density of localized corrosion attacks with increasing extract concentration, while XRD diffractograms indicated a marked reduction in corrosion-product formation—completely absent at the optimal concentration. These findings demonstrate that orange peel extract functions as an effective and environmentally sustainable corrosion inhibitor, capable of preserving the structural and surface integrity of surgical-grade steel. Its technical performance, combined with its biodegradable profile, positions it as a promising alternative to conventional industrial cleaners within medical and hospital applications. Full article