Search Results (27,012)

While the Ankom RF system facilitates efficient high-throughput in vitro fermentation studies, its high cost and limited flexibility constrain its broader applicability. To address these limitations, we developed and validated a low-cost, modular gas monitoring system (FerME), assembled from commercially available components. To evaluate its performance and reproducibility relative to the Ankom RF system (Ankom Technology, Macedon, NY, USA), in vitro rumen fermentation experiments were conducted under strictly controlled and identical conditions. Whole rumen contents were collected approximately 2 h post-feeding from individual mid- or late-lactation dairy cows and immediately transported to the laboratory. Each fermenter received 50 mL of processed rumen fluid, 100 mL of anaerobically prepared artificial saliva buffer, and 1.2 g of the donor cow’s diet. Bottles were sealed with the respective system’s pressure sensors, flushed with CO₂, and incubated in a 50 L water bath maintained at 39 °C. FerME (New Taipei City, Taiwan) and Ankom RF fermenters were placed side-by-side to ensure uniform thermal conditions. To assess the effect of filter bag use, an additional trial employed Ankom F57 filter bags (Ankom Technology, Macedon, NY, USA; 25 μm pore size). Trial 1 revealed no significant differences in cumulative gas production, volatile fatty acids (VFAs), NH₃-N, or pH between systems (p > 0.05). However, the use of filter bags reduced gas output and increased propionate concentrations (p < 0.05). Trial 2, which employed filter bags in both systems, confirmed comparable results, with the FerME system demonstrating improved precision (CV: 4.8% vs. 13.2%). Gas composition (CH₄ + CO₂: 76–82%) and fermentation parameters remained consistent across systems (p > 0.05). Importantly, with 12 pressure sensors, the total cost of FerME was about half that of the Ankom RF system. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that FerME is a reliable, low-cost alternative for real-time rumen fermentation monitoring and could be suitable for studies in animal nutrition, methane mitigation, and related applications. Full article

Telomeres are protective DNA sequences located at chromosome ends, essential to maintaining genomic stability. This narrative review examines how maternal lifestyle factors during pregnancy influence fetal telomere length (TL). Positive associations have been identified between offspring’s TL and maternal consumption of nutrients such as vitamins C and D, folate, and magnesium. Additionally, adherence to a Mediterranean diet and regular physical activity during pregnancy are correlated with increased placental TL, supporting fetal genomic integrity. Conversely, maternal dietary patterns high in carbohydrates, fats, or alcohol, as well as exposure to triclosan and sleep-disordered breathing, negatively correlate with offspring’s TL. Maternal infections may also shorten TL through heightened inflammation and oxidative stress. However, evidence regarding the impact of other lifestyle factors—including maternal stress, smoking, caffeine intake, polyunsaturated fatty acid consumption, obesity, and sleep quality—remains inconsistent. Given that shorter telomere length has been associated with cardiovascular, pulmonary, and neurodegenerative diseases, as well as certain types of cancer, these findings highlight the vital importance of maternal health during pregnancy in order to prevent potential adverse effects on the fetus. Further studies are required to elucidate the precise timing, intensity, and interplay of these influences, enabling targeted prenatal interventions to enhance offspring health outcomes. Full article

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) begins with hepatic lipid accumulation and triggers insulin resistance. Hibiscus leaf extract exhibits antioxidant and anti-atherosclerotic activities, and is rich in (−)-epicatechin gallate (ECG). Despite ECG’s well-known pharmacological activities and its total antioxidant capacity being stronger than that of other catechins, its regulatory effects on MASLD have not been fully described previously. Therefore, this study attempted to evaluate the anti-MASLD potential of ECG isolated from Hibiscus leaves on abnormal lipid and glucose metabolism in hepatocytes. First, oleic acid (OA) was used as an experimental model to induce lipid dysmetabolism in human primary hepatocytes. Treatment with ECG can significantly (p < 0.05) reduce the OA-induced cellular lipid accumulation. Nile red staining revealed, compared to the OA group, the inhibition percentages of 29, 61, and 82% at the tested doses of ECG, respectively. The beneficial effects of ECG were associated with the downregulation of SREBPs/HMGCR and upregulation of PPARα/CPT1 through targeting AMPK. Also, ECG at 0.4 µM produced a significant (p < 0.01) decrease in oxidative stress by 83%, and a marked (p < 0.05) increase in glycogen synthesis by 145% on the OA-exposed hepatocytes with insulin signaling blockade. Mechanistic assays indicated lipid and glucose metabolic homeostasis of ECG might be mediated via regulation of lipogenesis, fatty acid β-oxidation, and insulin resistance, as confirmed by an AMPK inhibitor. These results suggest ECG is a dual modulator of lipid and carbohydrate dysmetabolism in hepatocytes. Full article

Avocado (Persea americana), originally from Mesoamerica, has emerged as a focus of intense scientific and industrial interest due to its unique combination of nutritional richness, bioactive potential, and technological versatility. Its pulp, widely consumed across the globe, is notably abundant in monounsaturated fatty acids, especially oleic acid, which can comprise over two-thirds of its lipid content. In addition, it provides significant levels of dietary fiber, fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, E and K, carotenoids, tocopherols, and phytosterols like β-sitosterol. These constituents are consistently associated with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, glycemic regulatory, and cardioprotective effects, supported by a growing body of experimental and clinical evidence. This review offers a comprehensive and critical synthesis of the chemical composition and functional properties of avocado, with particular emphasis on its lipid profile, phenolic compounds, and phytosterols. It also explores recent advances in environmentally sustainable extraction techniques, including ultrasound-assisted and microwave-assisted processes, as well as the application of natural deep eutectic solvents. These technologies have demonstrated improved efficiency in recovering bioactives while aligning with the principles of green chemistry. The use of avocado-derived ingredients in nanostructured delivery systems and their incorporation into functional foods, cosmetics, and health-promoting formulations is discussed in detail. Additionally, the potential of native cultivars and the application of precision nutrition strategies are identified as promising avenues for future innovation. Taken together, the findings underscore the avocado’s relevance as a high-value matrix for sustainable development. Future research should focus on optimizing extraction protocols, clarifying pharmacokinetic behavior, and ensuring long-term safety in diverse applications. Full article

Objectives: Paratubal cysts (PTCs) are embryological remnants and are potentially hormonally responsive. Since hyperandrogenism (HA) is representative of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), we examined whether biochemical hyperandrogenism is associated with PTCs in women with PCOS and if body mass index (BMI) and insulin resistance (IR) mediate this association. Methods: This retrospective study included 577 women diagnosed with PCOS at a tertiary academic center from 2010 to 2018. Clinical data included age at diagnosis, BMI, and diagnoses of hypertension, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and metabolic syndrome. Laboratory measures included total testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin, anti-Müllerian hormone, luteinizing hormone, fasting glucose, insulin, and triglycerides (TG). Derived indices included a free androgen index (FAI), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and fasting glucose-to-insulin ratio. PTCs were identified through imaging or surgical findings. Structural equation modeling (SEM) assessed direct and indirect relationships between FAI, BMI, HOMA-IR, and PTCs, while adjusting for diagnostic age. Results: PTCs were identified in 2.77% of participants. BMI, FAI, TG, and IR indices were significantly higher for women with PTCs than those without PTCs. SEM revealed significant indirect effects of FAI on PTCs via BMI and HOMA-IR. The direct effect was negative, resulting in a non-significant total effect. A sensitivity model using HOMA-IR as the predictor showed a significant direct effect on PTCs without mediation via FAI. Conclusions: Biochemical HA may influence PTC development in PCOS through metabolic pathways, establishing the need to consider metabolic context when evaluating adnexal cysts in hyperandrogenic women. Full article

Sea buckthorn is a vital woody oil species valued for its role in soil conservation and its bioactive seed oil, which is rich in unsaturated fatty acids and other compounds. However, low seed oil content and small seed size are the main bottlenecks restricting the development and utilization of sea buckthorn. In this study, we tested the seed oil content and seed size of 12 sea buckthorn cultivars and identified the key genes and transcription factors involved in seed development and lipid biosynthesis via the integration of UID RNA-seq (Unique Identifiers, UID), WGCNA (weighted gene co-expression network analysis) and qRT-PCR (quantitative real-time PCR) analysis. The results revealed five cultivars (CY02, CY11, CY201309, CY18, CY21) with significantly higher oil contents and five cultivars (CY10, CY201309, CY18, CY21, CY27) with significantly heavier seeds. A total of 10,873 genes were significantly differentially expressed between the S1 and S2 seed developmental stages of the 12 cultivars. WGCNA was used to identify five modules related to seed oil content and seed weight/size, and 417 candidate genes were screened from these modules. Among them, multiple hub genes and transcription factors were identified; for instance, ATP synthase, ATP synthase subunit D and Acyl carrier protein 1 were related to seed development; plastid–lipid-associated protein, acyltransferase-like protein, and glycerol-3-phosphate 2-O-acyltransferase 6 were involved in lipid biosynthesis; and transcription factors DOF1.2, BHLH137 and ERF4 were associated with seed enlargement and development. These findings provide crucial insights into the genetic regulation of seed traits in sea buckthorn, offering targets for future breeding efforts aimed at improving oil yield and quality. Full article

Medium-chain fatty acid triglycerides (MCTs) possess antibacterial, antiviral, nutritional, and other biological activities and have demonstrated significant application potential in humans and terrestrial animals. In recent years, with the development of the green aquaculture industry, MCTs have been gradually applied to aquaculture animals, which can enhance growth performance, improve flesh quality, regulate lipid metabolism, boost immune activity, and modulate the intestinal flora, thereby improving the production efficiency of aquaculture. This paper elaborates in detail on the biological activities of MCTs and their applications in aquatic animals, providing a theoretical and practical basis for the application of MCTs in aquaculture. Full article

In response to the growing demand for clean-label preservatives, this study investigates the potential of Laetiporus sulphureus, an edible polypore mushroom, as a multifunctional additive in cooked sausages. The ethanolic extract of L. sulphureus (LsEtOH) was evaluated for its chemical composition, antioxidant capacity, and antimicrobial activity. Leucine (12.4 ± 0.31 mg/g d.w.) and linoleic acid (68.6%) were identified as the dominant essential amino acid and fatty acid. LsEtOH exhibited strong antioxidant activity, with IC₅₀ values of 215 ± 0.05 µg/mL (DPPH•), 182 ± 0.40 µg/mL (NO•), and 11.4 ± 0.01 µg/mL (OH•), and showed a selective inhibition of Gram-positive bacteria, particularly Staphylococcus aureus (MIC/MBC: 0.31/0.62 mg/mL). In cooked sausages treated with 0.05 mg/kg of LsEtOH, lipid peroxidation was reduced (TBARS: 0.26 mg MDA/kg compared to 0.36 mg MDA/kg in the control), microbial growth was suppressed (33.3 ± 15.2 CFU/g in the treated sample compared to 43.3 ± 5.7 CFU/g in the control group), and color and pH were stabilized over 30 days. A sensory evaluation revealed minor flavor deviations due to the extract’s inherent aroma. Encapsulation and consumer education are recommended to enhance acceptance. This is the first study to demonstrate the efficacy of L. sulphureus extract as a natural preservative in a meat matrix, supporting its application as a clean-label additive for shelf life and safety improvement. Full article

In this study, the effects of water bath and ultrasonic bath systems on bioactive properties, phenolic components and fatty acid profiles of unroasted and roasted pumpkin seeds were investigated. It is thought that determining the bioactive components, phenolic constituents and fatty acid profiles of unroasted and roasted pumpkin seeds will lead to the establishment of usage norms according to their composition characteristics. Total phenolic quantities of the pumpkin seed extracts obtained by water bath extraction of the seeds were defined to be between 7.58 (control) and 11.55 (25 min) and 10.20 (control) and 17.18 mg GAE/100 g (50 min), respectively. Phenolic content increased by 50% after 50 min of ultrasonic extraction, indicating the efficiency of this method. Also, total flavonoid amounts increased about 55% after 25 min of ultrasonic extraction, indicating the efficiency of this method. It was observed that the catechin contents of unroasted pumpkin seeds obtained in water and ultrasonic baths decreased significantly at the 50th minute of extraction compared to the control. The antioxidant activity values (DPPH) of roasted pumpkin seeds treated in water- and ultrasonic bath systems increased by approximately 10% compared to the control at 50 min of sonication in both systems, respectively. Also, the 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid amounts of the extracts obtained by both extraction systems of roasted pumpkin seeds were determined between 9.85 (50 min) and 17.22 mg/100 g (control) and 11.17 (25 min) and 13.74 mg/100 g (50 min), respectively. The linoleic acid amounts of unroasted pumpkin seed oils extracted in water- and ultrasonic baths varied between 52.34 (50 min) and 53.33% (control) to 52.90 (50 min) and 53.04% (control), respectively. The linoleic acid values of the roasted pumpkin seed oils were established to be between 52.30 (50 min) and 52.84 (25 min) and 52.32 (50 min) and 53.46% (25 min), respectively. In general, the phenolic compound amounts of roasted pumpkin seeds were higher than those of unroasted ones. The fatty acid amounts of pumpkin seed oils extracted with an ultrasonic bath were generally slightly higher than those extracted with a water bath. In future studies, changes in the phytochemical and bioactive properties of pumpkin seed oils obtained by applying different roasting techniques and extraction methods will be investigated. Full article

Pistachio nuts are among the 50 best foods with the highest antioxidant potential. They have a balanced content of mono- (~70%) and polyunsaturated (~20%) fatty acids, minerals, and bioactive compounds such as tocopherols, phytosterols, and phenolic compounds, which have shown rapid accessibility in the stomach. Pistachio consumption provides several health benefits, primarily due to its antioxidant properties and high content of essential nutrients. In this study, we analyzed the mineral composition, total phenolic content (TP), antioxidant activity (AA), and UHPLC/MS-MS polyphenolic profile of three Argentinian pistachio crops. Additionally, the physicochemical parameters and the elemental profiles of the growing soils were determined, as they influence mineral uptake and the synthesis of bioactive compounds in pistachio kernels. The TP was not significantly modified by the growing soils, with Crop3 presenting the highest TP content (276 ± 14 mg GA/100 g DW). Crop3 exhibited 18% higher TP content compared to Crop2. Similarly, FRAP values ranged from 28.0 to 36.5 mmol TE/100 g DW, with Crop1 showing a 30% increase compared to Crop2. DPPH values varied from 19.0 to 24.3 mmol TE/100 g DW, with Crop1 displaying 28% higher activity than Crop2. However, the polyphenolic profile was similar for all crops analyzed. Thirty compounds were identified; only Crop 1 contained the flavanone eriodyctiol and the isoflavone genistein, while the flavanone naringenin and the flavone luteolin were identified in Crop1 and Crop3. Regarding mineral content, the pistachio kernels mainly contained K, Ca, and Mg. Multivariate analyses revealed distinct elemental and antioxidant profiles among crops. LDA achieved classification accuracies of 77.7% for soils and 74.4% for kernels, with Pb, Zn, Cu, Rb, Sr, and Mn as key discriminants. CCA confirmed strong soil–kernel mineral correlations (r = 1), while GPA showed higher congruence between antioxidant traits and kernel composition than with soil geochemistry. These findings underscore the importance of soil composition in determining the nutritional quality of pistachio kernels, thereby supporting the beneficial health effects associated with pistachio consumption. Full article

Wild Ganoderma lucidum from Nepal’s high-altitude regions was studied to identify key bioactive compounds and assess the influence of solvent type—water, ethanol, methanol, and acetone—on extraction efficiency and biological activity. Extracts were evaluated for antioxidant potential, cytotoxicity against HeLa cells, and phytochemical composition via gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Solvent type significantly affected both yield and bioactivity. Acetone yielded the highest crude extract (5.01%), while ethanol extract exhibited the highest total phenolic (376.5 ± 9.3 mg PG/g) and flavonoid content (30.3 ± 0.5 mg QE/g). Methanol extract was richest in lycopene (0.07 ± 0.00 mg/g) and β-carotene (0.45 ± 0.02 mg/g). Ethanol extract demonstrated consistently strong DPPH, superoxide, hydroxyl, and nitric oxide radical scavenging activity, along with high reducing power. All extracts showed dose-dependent cytotoxicity against HeLa cells, with ethanol and water extracts showing the greatest inhibition (>65% at 1000 µg/mL). GC-MS profiling identified solvent-specific bioactive compounds including sterols, terpenoids, polyphenols, and fatty acids. Notably, pharmacologically relevant compounds such as hinokione, ferruginol, ergosterol, and geranylgeraniol were detected. These findings demonstrate the therapeutic potential of G. lucidum, underscore the importance of solvent selection, and suggest that high-altitude ecological conditions may influence its bioactive metabolite profile. Full article

The geochemistry of the fatty acids in the modern sediments in the Northern South Yellow Sea is still poorly studied, and studies on the geochemistry of the fatty acids in relatively long-core sediment samples are lacking. Thus, the fatty acids in the core sediments in the Northern South Yellow Sea were separated and identified to study their components and distribution characteristics, and the sources of organic matter and the early diagenetic evolution of the fatty acids in the sediments were discussed. The results show that saturated straight-chain fatty acids (methyl ester) have the highest content in the core sediments in the Northern South Yellow Sea, which account for 83.89% of the total fatty acids (methyl ester). nC_16:0 is dominant, accounting for 30.48% of the n-saturated fatty acids (methyl ester). Unsaturated fatty acids (methyl ester) account for 7.59% of the total fatty acids (methyl ester). Binary unsaturated fatty acids (methyl ester) can only be detected in some samples, which are low in content and dominated by C_18:2. Based on the components and distribution of the fatty acids (methyl ester) in the core sediments in the Northern South Yellow Sea, combined with the characteristics of other lipid biomarker compounds, the actual geological background, and previous research results, it is considered that the sources of organic matter in the core sediments are marine–terrestrial mixed materials, with terrestrial materials dominating. The fatty acids’ (methyl ester) CPI, the relative content of short-chain saturated fatty acids (methyl ester), and the unsaturated fatty acids (methyl ester) in the core sediments show non-obvious variation as the burial depth increases, reflecting that the fatty acids in the core sediments are strongly degraded at the early diagenetic stage, and this degradation is controlled by various complicated factors. Full article

Hydrotreated ester and fatty acids to jet (HEFA-tJ) is presently the most developed and economically attractive pathway to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). An ongoing systematic study of the critical variables of different pathways to SAF has revealed significantly lower greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction potential for the HEFA-tJ pathway compared to competing markets using the same resources for road diesel production. Moderate yield variations between air and road pathways lead to several hundred thousand tons less GHG reduction per project, which is generally not evaluated thoroughly in standard environmental assessments. This work demonstrates that, although the HEFA-tJ market seems to have more attractive features than biodiesel/renewable diesel, considerable viability risks might manifest as HEFA-tJ fuel market integration rises. The need for more transparent data and effort in this regard, before envisaging making decisions regarding the volume of HEFA-tJ production, is emphasized. Overall, reducing the carbon intensity of road diesel appears to be less capital-intensive, less risky, and several times more efficient in reducing GHG emissions. Full article

Fat embolism is a critical medical emergency often resulting from long bone fractures or amputations, leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The NOD-like receptor pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, a key regulator of innate immunity, is activated by reactive oxygen species and tissue damage, contributing to inflammatory responses. This study examines the role of NLRP3 in fat embolism-induced ARDS and evaluates the therapeutic potential of MCC950, a selective NLRP3 antagonist. Fat embolism was induced by fatty micelle injection into the tail vein of Sprague Dawley rats. Pulmonary injury was assessed through lung weight gain as an edema indicator, NLRP3 expression via Western blot, and IL-1β levels using ELISA. Histological damage and macrophage infiltration were evaluated with hematoxylin and eosin staining. Fat embolism significantly increased pulmonary NLRP3 expression, lipid peroxidation, IL-1β release, and macrophage infiltration within four hours, accompanied by severe pulmonary edema. NLRP3 was localized in type I alveolar cells, co-localizing with aquaporin 5. Administration of MCC950 significantly reduced inflammatory responses, lipid peroxidation, pulmonary edema, and histological damage, while attenuating MAPK cascade phosphorylation of ERK and Raf. These findings suggest that NLRP3 plays a critical role in fat embolism-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome, and its inhibition by MCC950 may offer a promising therapeutic approach. Full article

To enhance the effectiveness of sustainable preservation of modified corn wet distillers’ grains plus solubles (mcWDGS), various additives were tested under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. In Experiment I, the mcWDGS was stored under aerobic conditions for 5 days at 25 °C. Treatments included different organic acids applied at 0.3% or 0.6% of fresh matter (FM). In Experiment II, the mcWDGS was ensiled anaerobically for 8 weeks at 25 °C using organic acids, a commercial acid mixture, or a microbial inoculant at 0.2% FM. In aerobic conditions, the best preservability was achieved with propionic and formic acids at 0.6% FM, as indicated by the lowest temperature, pH, and microbial counts on days 3 and 5 (p ≤ 0.01). Under anaerobic storage, the highest lactic acid concentrations were recorded in the control, citric acid, and commercial acid mixture variants (p ≤ 0.01). Acetic acid levels were highest in the control (p ≤ 0.01). The highest NH3-N content was found in the formic acid variant and the lowest in the inoculant variant (p ≤ 0.01). Aerobic stability after ensiling was greatest in the control and propionic acid groups (p ≤ 0.01). Nutritional analysis showed that the citric acid group had the highest dry matter content (p ≤ 0.01), while the control group contained the most crude protein (p ≤ 0.01) and saturated fatty acids (p ≤ 0.05). The propionic acid and commercial acid mixture variants had the highest unsaturated fatty acids (p ≤ 0.05). Antioxidant capacity was also greatest in the control (p ≤ 0.01). In conclusion, mcWDGS can be effectively preserved aerobically with 0.6% FM of propionic or formic acid, and anaerobically via ensiling, even without additives. These findings support its potential as a stable and nutritious feed ingredient. Full article