Search Results (8,879)

Objectives: Flavonoids are a class of widely distributed secondary metabolites in plants. Ginkgo biloba leaves are rich in flavonoids and thus are utilized for extracting medicinal components to treat and prevent cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Flavonol synthase (FLS) serves as a key enzyme in the flavonol metabolic pathway. Numerous studies have identified and characterized FLS family genes across various plant species, all of which play crucial roles in regulating the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway. Methods: We measured the flavonoid content in Ginkgo biloba leaves across different months, performed transcriptomic analysis on leaves from months showing an increasing trend, and screened out the GbFLS1045 gene involved in the synthesis of the FLS enzyme. Molecular biology techniques were then employed to explore the function of the GbFLS1045 gene. Results: From June to August, the flavonoid content in Ginkgo biloba leaves exhibited an upward trend, and we found that GbFLS1045 is localized in the cytoplasm, cell membrane, and nucleus through transient transformation in Nicotiana tabacum. Overexpression(OE) of GbFLS1045 in Arabidopsis thaliana resulted in significantly higher levels of total flavonol glycosides, kaempferol, quercetin, and isorhamnetin in OE transgenic plants compared to WT controls. Furthermore, in OE lines of Ginkgo biloba callus, the isorhamnetin content was consistently elevated relative to both WT and Anti lines. Conclusions: GbFLS1045 positively regulates flavonoid synthesis in Ginkgo biloba. Full article

The ontological categorization of the cellular elements of the brain was proposed over a century ago by Santiago Ramón y Cajal (neurons, astroglia) and Pío del Río-Hortega (oligodendroglia, microglia). It combines histochemical observations of morphology with allied inferences about the specialized functions and origins (ectoderm or mesoderm) of each cellular element. This ontology shapes modern neuroscience, with the main non-neuronal cells—astroglia, oligodendroglia and microglia—viewed as having distinct primary roles relating respectively to the metabolic support, myelination and immunoprotection of neurons, the information signaling cells. Yet contemporary techniques, ranging from electrophysiology to single-cell transcriptomics and ultrahigh resolution spectroscopy, are revealing intersecting molecular profiles and functional capacities of these cell groups, for example metabolic support, neuroimmune and signaling functions in oligodendroglia. Here we identify discrepancies in current glial paradigms, from empirical, evolutionary and pragmatic perspectives. We suggest a subset of small, iron-rich glial cells, usually with few processes, often viewed as oligodendroglia with myelin-related primary functions, instead have iron-related primary functions that are central to all aspects of brain activity. We call these ‘ferriglia’. We discuss implications for pathogenesis across the spectrum of neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders, including neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and other less common cognitive, movement and neurobehavioral disorders, stroke and cerebrovascular disease, glioblastoma and other brain cancers and neuroimmune conditions. We also briefly address the question of where ferriglia may reside within existing glial compartments and lineages, implications for the ontological classification of other glial cells, and research challenges that must be overcome going forward. Full article

Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi root is a traditional medicinal resource rich in bioactive isoflavonoids with known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the chemical composition and biological activities of P. lobata root extracts can vary depending on the extraction solvent. In this study, we systematically compared P. lobata root extracts prepared using water, ethanol (30%, 70%, and 100%), and methanol to evaluate the effects of solvent selection on extraction yield, HPLC-based chemical profiles of major isoflavonoids, antioxidant capacity, and cellular responses in vitro. Chemical characterization by HPLC revealed distinct solvent-dependent differences in the relative abundance of key isoflavonoids, including puerarin, daidzin, and daidzein, defining characteristic chemical profiles for each extract. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assays, along with measurements of total polyphenol and flavonoid content. Cell viability was examined in HeLa cells using an MTT assay to define non-cytotoxic concentration ranges. The anti-inflammatory potential of the extracts was further assessed by measuring TNF-α-induced secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines in HeLa cells. The results revealed marked solvent-dependent differences in extraction yield, chemical composition, and functional activity. Notably, methanol and ethanol extracts exhibited enriched isoflavonoid profiles associated with enhanced antioxidant and anti-inflammatory responses. Overall, this integrated chemical and functional evaluation demonstrates that solvent selection plays a critical role in determining the chemical characteristics and bioactivity of P. lobata root extracts. These findings provide a basis for rational solvent selection in the preparation of plant-derived extracts and support the potential use of P. lobata root as a functional source of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds. Full article

Background/Objectives: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the fastest-growing non-communicable diseases globally, with a disproportionate burden in populations undergoing rapid dietary and epidemiological transitions. Beyond traditional clinical risk factors, increasing evidence from nutritional epidemiology suggests that contemporary dietary environments may play a significant role in shaping CKD risk, complications, and progression. This narrative review examines CKD as a potential unintended consequence of global dietary transitions, with particular emphasis on ultra-processed foods and overall diet quality. Methods: A structured narrative review was conducted using evidence from prospective cohort studies, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and mechanistic research. Findings were synthesized within a population-health framework integrating dietary patterns, food processing classification, and biologically plausible pathways relevant to kidney health. Results: Healthier dietary patterns, including Mediterranean, DASH, and plant-forward diets, are consistently associated with lower risk of incident CKD, slower kidney function decline, and reduced mortality. In contrast, Western dietary patterns characterized by high intake of ultra-processed foods are linked to increased CKD risk and adverse cardiometabolic outcomes. Beyond mediators such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity, emerging mechanisms include dietary acid load, gut dysbiosis and uremic toxin production, sodium density, and exposure to highly bioavailable phosphate additives. Conclusions: Dietary transitions toward ultra-processed, low-fiber, sodium- and additive-rich food environments may contribute to the growing global burden of CKD through interconnected metabolic, inflammatory, and gut–kidney pathways. Improving diet quality and addressing food processing at the population level represent promising opportunities for CKD prevention and risk reduction. Full article

Idesia polycarpa ‘Yitong 2’ is a high-oil cultivar widely promoted in central China, yet field evidence on how soil bacterial communities respond during early plantation establishment remains limited. Here, we conducted fixed-site monitoring in a newly established ‘Yitong 2’ plantation in the Luohe River Basin (Henan, China). Bulk soil (0–30 cm) was collected before planting (March 2024) and at 3, 6 and 12 months after planting (June 2024, September 2024 and March 2025). Soil physicochemical properties were measured and bacterial communities were profiled by 16S rRNA gene (V3–V4) amplicon sequencing; functional potential was inferred using PICRUSt2. Available potassium increased significantly, whereas soil organic matter showed a decrease–recovery trajectory. Bacterial richness (Chao1) decreased after planting, while evenness increased; Shannon diversity remained stable. Community composition shifted directionally, with higher relative abundance of Pseudomonadota (formerly Proteobacteria) and reduced Acidobacteriota at later stages. PERMANOVA based on Bray–Curtis distances indicated significant temporal differences in community structure. RDA indicated that soil organic matter and bulk density were the primary drivers of community structural variation. Functionally, the overall metabolic framework remained stable, whereas pathways related to genetic information processing and metabolism exhibited significant differences (p < 0.05). By examining both intra-annual dynamics and inter-annual changes in soil bacteria and physicochemical properties following the planting of ‘Yitong 2’, this study clarifies patterns of soil property variation and trajectories of microbial community structure and functional potential, thereby providing a scientific basis for the establishment of high-quality I. polycarpa plantations and the sustainable development of soil ecosystems. Full article

During hemorrhagic procedures, autotransfusion is one of the main strategies for patient blood management. While conventional cell savers only concentrate red blood cells due to the centrifugation method, the innovative same™ autotransfusion medical device (i-SEP, Nantes, France), based on a hollow-fiber filtration technology, has the ability to preserve red blood cells along with the majority of platelets. Background/Objectives: The present study aimed at comparing the functionality of preserved platelets in the clot formation by using Quantra^® and/or ROTEM^® Point-Of-Care coagulation tests, after blood treatment for autotransfusion with either a standard centrifugation-based system (Xtra^® device, LivaNova, London, UK), or the filtration-based same™ device. Methods: First, coagulation was assessed in an in vitro experiment, where human blood samples were used to obtain ten treated blood products by each autotransfusion device that were evaluated with or without supplementation of plasma poor or rich in platelets. Then, to confirm the potential clinical benefit of the platelet preservation in a surgical context, coagulation was studied in vivo using a massive surgical hemorrhagic model on eight minipigs per device. Samples were collected after reinfusion steps and during a 6 h post-operative follow-up. Results: Both in vitro and in vivo, the same™ device consistently retained more platelets compared to the Xtra^® device. This enhanced preservation resulted in significantly stronger clot formation, likely due to higher platelet concentration and superior functional integrity. Conclusions: These findings highlight the potential clinical benefit of same™-recovered platelets for improving hemostasis during hemorrhagic surgery. Full article

Maize bran is an abundant cereal byproduct and a promising source of ferulated arabinoxylan biopolymers (FAXs). In this study, alkaline hydrolysis was optimized for FAX extraction from maize bran using a design-of-experiments approach evaluating alkali concentration, extraction time, and temperature. Purified FAXs were characterized for their chemical composition, phenolic and ferulic acid content, antioxidant activity, microstructure, and functional properties using GC–MS, HPLC, FT-IR, SEM, and standard antioxidant and functional assays. The FAX yields ranged from 14.7 to 18.9%, producing arabinose- and xylose-rich polymers (A/X ratio 0.68–0.74) with a high proportion of bound ferulic acid. Antioxidant assays (FRAP, ABTS, and DPPH) showed that alkaline-extracted and bound phenolic fractions exhibited substantially higher antioxidant capacity (p ≤ 0.05) than free phenolics, highlighting the importance of phenolic association with the arabinoxylan backbone. The FAX 3 extract also showed high activity in both the alkaline-extracted phenolic compounds (905.0 μg/g TE) and fraction II (286.5 μg/g TE), indicating that specific structural features may contribute to its bioactivity. In addition, FAXs demonstrated high water-holding capacity and favorable emulsifying properties. These results support the recovery of maize bran-derived FAXs as functional, antioxidant-active ingredients for food and related applications. Full article

The global demand for high-quality food is rising due to the increasing population, necessitating intensive farming practices that often involve the extensive use of pesticides, which can accumulate in soils and enter the food chain. This study explores the use of synthesized and commercial graphenes for the removal of kresoxim-methyl (KM), a common strobilurin fungicide, from soil. Adding only 1 wt% of graphene to soil enhanced its partitioning capacity from about 4.77 mg/g for unamended soil to 9.57 mg/g, indicating effective immobilization and reduced environmental risk. The adsorption efficacy was notably higher in materials rich in oxygen-containing functional groups and with a large surface area, highlighting the significance of surface characteristics and porosity. The adsorption followed pseudo-second-order kinetics, underscoring the importance of surface heterogeneity in KM adsorption. Full article

The expansion of tropical specialty livestock farming raises urgent concerns about airborne pathogen and antibiotic resistance dissemination. Ostrich farming, characterized by high-density stocking and feed exposure, yet their microbial ecology remain poorly characterized. This study analyzed 48 bioaerosols samples from an ostrich farm in Hainan, China, across dry and rainy seasons using 16S rRNA sequencing and metagenomics. The bacterial community were dominated by Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria, followed by Staphylococcus, Bacillus, and Acinetobacter as predominant genera, with particle size significantly shaping their structure. Large particles (>7.0 μm) carried higher species richness, while medium particles (2.1–3.3 μm) exhibited the highest diversity and evenness. Notably, small particles (0.65–1.1 μm), which can penetrate deep into the lungs, were enriched with Brevibacillus and Corynebacterium. Metagenomic analysis identified 638 antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), dominated by efflux pump-associated determinants. The detection of clinically relevant ARGs (e.g., mcr-1 and bla_TEM) reflects the genetic potential of the airborne resistome, rather than confirmed resistance phenotypes or active horizontal gene transfer. Functional analysis revealed a strong potential for organic matter degradation, driven by abundant carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) and their corresponding CAZyme genes, as well as a nitrogen cycle dominated by assimilation and reduction pathways, while genes for nitrogen fixation and nitrification were absent. Our findings demonstrate that ostrich farming enhanced airborne microbial diversity and functional potential, facilitating the ARG dissemination and nitrogen transformation. This study provides critical insights into the ecological and health risks of bioaerosols in tropical livestock farms, informing environmental monitoring and risk management strategies. Full article

The development of bioplastic films represents an alternative to conventional plastics and an opportunity for applications in intelligent packaging. The present study aimed to develop a smart material based on poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) incorporated with Clitoria ternatea L. extract, capable of monitoring shrimp freshness through colour changes associated with pH variations. The films were prepared using the casting method and characterised in terms of their physical, mechanical, structural, and functional properties. The incorporation of the anthocyanin extract (EAC) significantly intensified the colouration of the films, decreasing lightness (L*) from 88.7 to 37.1 and modifying the chromatic parameters (b from −0.16 to −22.34). Thickness increased from 109.5 μm to 184 μm as the extract concentration was raised, while water vapour permeability ranged from 0.77 to 1.79 g·m/m²·s·Pa, evidencing modifications in the structure of the polymeric matrix. From a mechanical standpoint, tensile strength decreased from 26.0 MPa to 15.2 MPa, and the elastic modulus was reduced by approximately 75.0 MPa, whereas the percentage elongation at break increased from 75.2% to 92.4%, confirming the plasticising effect of the extract. Functionally, the films exhibited a visible transition from blue to green during the refrigerated storage of shrimp, corresponding to increases in pH from 6.6 to 9.2 and total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) values from 3.92 to 67.7 mg N/100 g. The formation of TVB-N followed first-order kinetics (R² = 0.997), confirming the sensitivity of the system as a freshness indicator. These results demonstrate the potential of PVA–anthocyanin films as intelligent colorimetric sensors for monitoring the freshness of protein-rich foods. Full article

This study evaluates the ecological impact of Robinia pseudoacacia L. (black locust) invasion on native chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) groves on Mount Amiata (Central Italy), focusing on both plant and macrofungal community dynamics. Surveys were conducted over a three-year period (2022–2024) across 16 plots to assess shifts in taxonomic alpha diversity, species richness, and trophic guild structure. Our results demonstrate that while R. pseudoacacia stands exhibit a higher Shannon–Wiener index for plants, native chestnut groves host significantly greater species richness and higher taxonomic distinctiveness across both biological groups. A major shift in fungal functional structure was observed with chestnut-dominated plots characterized by a predominance of ectomycorrhizal species (58.3%), whereas invaded stands were heavily dominated by saprotrophic fungi (73.4%). Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling (NMDS) further confirmed a clear separation in community composition between the two forest types, indicating that R. pseudoacacia invasion leads to a homogenization of the forest biota and a potential decline in ecosystem health, as evidenced by the sharp reduction in mycorrhizal diversity. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring macrofungal communities as sensitive bioindicators of the ecological degradation caused by invasive woody species. Full article

Cliff carvings, as significant art forms bearing historical, cultural, and religious connotations, face dual threats from natural weathering and human-induced damage. Their protection and restoration of the artistic style present pressing challenges. In recent years, the rapid advancement of digital technologies has offered new opportunities for preserving and reproducing cultural heritage. Particularly, 3D style transfer techniques are emerging as crucial tools for digital safeguarding. The advantages of three-dimensional style transfer in cultural heritage applications include dynamic stylized rendering, simulation of styles from multiple historical periods, alternative modes of exhibition, and facilitating a paradigm shift in conservation practices from static digital archiving to dynamic revitalization. This study proposes a novel 3D stylization method for cliff carvings by integrating 3D Gaussian Splatting (3DGS) and Nearest Neighbor Feature Matching (NNFM) loss metric. The method represents ancient cliff carvings as a set of optimizable 3D Gaussians representation, enabling efficient capture and processing of complex geometric structures and rich textural details. By integrating the textural and geometric characteristics of the target artistic style, 3DGS facilitates high-quality transfer of diverse artistic styles while effectively preserving the original intricate details of the carvings. Additionally, we employ the NNFM loss function to transfer 2D visual details into 3D representations while maintaining multi-perspective style consistency. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method exhibits significant advantages in texture fidelity, style consistency, and rendering efficiency. This research showcases the potential of our model for the digital preservation and presentation of cliff-carved cultural heritage, offering an innovative technological approach with theoretical value and practical significance. Full article

Altered extracellular matrix (ECM), a hallmark of solid tumors, affects cellular survival, migration and differentiation. Typically viewed as tumor-suppressive, evidence suggests that apoptosis can also generate pro-tumoral signals. We previously showed that ECM from high-grade astrocytomas induces extensive endothelial anoikis, while a surviving subpopulation fails to form tubular structures (tubulogenesis-defective endothelial cells, or TDECs). We combined functional assays with whole-cell proteomics to investigate this response. Using real-time video microscopy, we found that apoptotic endothelial cells induced by tumor ECM attracted migrating endothelial cells and guided sprouting. Conditioned media from apoptotic endothelial cells contained a 2.8-fold increase in extracellular vesicles (EVs) relative to autologous ECM-primed endothelial cells. Although both EV populations improved TDEC tubulogenesis, only EVs produced upon tumor-ECM stimulation induced TDEC migration—a property lost when using EVs secreted by endothelial cells growing on TN-C-depleted matrices. Proteomic profiling revealed that TDECs shift from an adhesion-anchored to a microtubule-rich and glycolytically rewired phenotype, with upregulation of vesicle-trafficking regulators (ARF1/3/4, ANXA2/5), migration drivers (RAC1/3, RHOA/C, WDR1, FSCN1) and glycolytic enzymes (ENO1, ALDOA, PKM, LDHA), alongside the suppression of integrin- and cytoskeletal-anchoring proteins. Collectively, these findings indicate that tumor-ECM-driven endothelial apoptosis generates reversible reprogramming and an EV-mediated autocrine mechanism that may favor angiogenic balance. Full article

Afrotropical inland waters remain poorly studied for rotifer diversity. Here, we provide new distribution data from Botswana and connect these local patterns to continental-scale biogeography using an Africa–Europe occurrence dataset. In Botswana, we analyzed rotifer species richness, functional traits, and environmental drivers using 37 samples from 15 water bodies spanning natural and anthropogenic habitats. We recorded 107 rotifer taxa: 92 identified to species or subspecies level and 14 to genus. Seventy taxa (~65%) are new records for Botswana, and one species, Donneria sudzukii, is reported for the first time in Africa. Physicochemical gradients explained community structure, with the first two constrained RDA axes accounting for 40.7% and 23.7% of variation. Axis 1 captured a mineralization gradient linked to total dissolved solids and temperature, whereas Axis 2 reflected oxygen concentration and pH. Traits tracked these gradients: warmer, more mineralized waters were associated with specific trophi types, compact body shapes, and intermediate body sizes, whereas less mineralized, better oxygenated sites were related to smaller taxa and alternative feeding morphologies. To place these trait–environment relationships in a broader geographic context, we then analyzed an Africa–Europe dataset (67,170 records) to quantify latitudinal patterns in thermal classes and morphological traits (geometric body shape and trophi type). Diversity showed clear latitudinal structuring: warm-water genera clustered at low latitudes, only Kellicottia and Didymodactylos had mean distributions above 50° N, and bdelloid families were associated with higher latitudes. Morphological traits also varied with latitude, with trilateral truncated pyramid body shapes and malleoramate trophi occurring closest to the equator. Overall, by combining new species-level data from Botswana with continent-scale occurrence patterns, we link local community assembly to macroecological structure in rotifer functional and biogeographical organization. Full article

The growing demand for clean-label, plant-based foods is accelerating the development of vegan emulsified products that avoid synthetic additives while delivering appealing sensory and health-related attributes. We formulated naturally colored, mayonnaise-like oil-in-water emulsions using 55% canola oil and yeast protein extracts (YPEs) as emulsifiers and polyphenol-rich ingredients derived from red cabbage and butterfly pea flower. The resulting systems were characterized for rheological behavior, texture, droplet-size distribution, lipid oxidation (peroxide value) and microbiological stability. Two distinct YPEs produced emulsions with different microstructural and mechanical properties, highlighting the role of protein composition on emulsion architecture. Incorporation of anthocyanin-rich polyphenol matrices (red cabbage extracts characterized by predominantly simple acylations and butterfly pea flower extracts containing complex acylations, both at similar purities) modulated emulsion structuring and stability during storage, beyond color delivery. Overall, polyphenol addition strengthened emulsion structure, as evidenced by a significant increase in plateau modulus from 621 Pa to 1428 Pa in emulsions with complete YPE and butterfly pea extract and mitigated lipid oxidation, supporting their use as partial replacement options for additives such as EDTA in clean-label formulations. These findings provide a practical basis for designing functional, and visually attractive vegan emulsions that align with consumer demand for additive-reduced products. Full article