Search Results (3,431)

Selenium is an essential trace element in the body, and supplementing it in production can improve egg quality. Sixty healthy 48-week-old Hy-Line Brown laying hens were randomly assigned to two groups. In this study, the effects of dietary selenomethionine (SeMet) supplementation on the multi-dimensional characteristics of eggshell, egg white, and egg yolk were investigated, including their mechanical properties, mineral distribution, amino acid composition, microstructure, secondary structure, fatty acid composition, and lipidomic profiles. The results showed that compared with the control group (C-group), the air chamber height and egg shape index of the SeMet group (Se-group) were decreased by 21.51% and 1.54%, respectively, after 42 days of feeding. The Haugh units, eggshell strength, and eggshell color of the Se-group were increased by 10.21%, 29.24%, and 31.26%, respectively. This work leverages advanced analytical techniques for systematic sample characterization, including Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, cryogenic scanning electron microscopy (Cryo-SEM), and high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry-based lipidomics. Adding SeMet can increase the essential amino acid content and the total content of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in egg yolk and egg white, thereby maintaining excellent protein patterns and reducing lipid hydrolysis in egg yolk. However, the addition of SeMet did not significantly affect the protein secondary structure or microstructure of egg yolk and egg white. Full article

Background: Neurodynamic techniques are commonly used to improve neural mobility and musculoskeletal function, but their effects on muscle mechanical properties remain unclear. This study investigated the acute effects of femoral nerve slider, femoral nerve tensioner, and static stretching interventions on the rectus femoris and vastus medialis muscles. Methods: Thirty healthy adults (18–35 years) were non-randomly allocated using a predetermined alternating sequence to a femoral nerve slider (n = 10), femoral nerve tensioner (n = 10), or static stretching group (n = 10). No sham or no-intervention control group was included. Muscle mechanical properties were assessed before and immediately after the intervention using the MyotonPRO (Myoton AS, Tallinn, Estonia). Outcomes included muscle tone, stiffness, logarithmic decrement, relaxation time, and creep. A three-way mixed repeated-measures ANOVA was performed. Results: No statistically significant differences in pre–post changes were detected among the three intervention groups for any of the examined mechanical parameters. Significant main effects of time were found for stiffness (p = 0.026) and creep (p = 0.005), indicating overall reductions from pre- to post-assessment. Significant time × muscle interactions were identified for relaxation time (p = 0.029) and creep (p = 0.002), indicating different temporal patterns between the rectus femoris and vastus medialis. Following Holm adjustment of the follow-up comparisons, the pre–post reduction in the vastus medialis remained statistically significant for creep but not for relaxation time. The rectus femoris demonstrated greater stiffness and logarithmic decrement values, whereas the vastus medialis exhibited greater relaxation time values. Conclusions: No statistically significant differences in immediate pre–post changes in quadriceps muscle mechanical properties were detected among the femoral nerve slider, femoral nerve tensioner, and static stretching groups. Temporal and muscle-specific patterns were observed for selected mechanical parameters; however, these findings should not be interpreted as evidence of equivalence between the interventions. Full article

Background/Objectives: Despite the widespread use of essential oils in aromatherapy, objective evidence supporting their neurophysiological effects remains limited. This study evaluated the effects of selected pharmacopoeial-quality essential oils (lavender, rosemary, lemon, and peppermint as well as a blend of these oils) on electroencephalographic (EEG) activity following inhalation and developed and characterized microemulsion formulations guided by exploratory EEG response patterns, with preliminary in vitro cytotoxicity assessment. Methods: EEG recordings were obtained from 28 healthy volunteers following inhalation of the essential oils. Neurophysiological responses were evaluated using exploratory paired comparisons between each oil and its corresponding grape-seed oil control, together with repeated-measures ANOVA of normalized EEG responses. Selected oils were formulated as microemulsions (M1-M3), which were characterized by their physicochemical properties. Cytotoxicity was assessed in HaCaT human keratinocytes using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Results: Exploratory paired comparisons suggested localized EEG changes, particularly in the alpha-1 frequency band. However, these effects did not remain statistically significant after correction for multiple comparisons, and repeated-measures ANOVA of normalized EEG responses did not demonstrate significant overall differences among oil conditions, although the alpha-1 band exhibited the most distinct response pattern. Microemulsions exhibited nanoscale droplet sizes and favorable physicochemical stability. The IC₅₀ values of M1 and M2 were greater than 2000 µg/mL, whereas M3 had an IC₅₀ of approximately 1220 µg/mL. Conclusions: Pharmacopoeial-quality essential oils produced exploratory, region-specific EEG response patterns, with the alpha-1 band showing the most consistent response profile. The developed microemulsion formulations demonstrated suitable physicochemical stability and generally low cytotoxicity, supporting their further evaluation as aromatherapy product prototypes. Full article

The extracellular matrix (ECM) in cancer differs from healthy tissue in structure, composition, and mechanical properties. Matricellular proteins (MCPs) play important roles in shaping ECM architecture during tissue remodeling. This narrative review, combined with a bioinformatics analysis, examines six major MCP families—Fasciclins, Tenascins, Thrombospondins, Small Leucine-Rich Proteoglycans, the SPARC family, and the CCN family—through a mechanobiological lens in bladder cancer. It summarizes current knowledge on the mechanical regulation of MCP expression, their effects on matrix stiffness, and their contributions to bladder cancer progression. Analyses of public datasets reveal that stromal cells are the predominant source of MCPs in the tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, mechanical upregulation and involvement in the formation of stiff ECM highlight MCPs as important players in a mechanotransduction feedback loop. While most MCPs exert pro-tumorigenic effects on bladder cancer cells, several display context-dependent or anti-tumorigenic activities. Existing studies have primarily focused on the isolated effects of MCPs on bladder cancer cell lines in two-dimensional systems or simple subcutaneous xenograft models. Both approaches fail to capture the context-dependent nature of MCPs and their involvement in ECM formation. These findings underscore the need for future studies to investigate the complex effects of MCPs on bladder cancer progression. Full article

As the global population ages rapidly, demand for safe and effective strategies to promote healthy aging grows markedly. Natural bioactive compounds, with favorable biosafety profiles and multi-target regulatory properties, have become a core focus in developing anti-aging functional foods and nutraceuticals. Amid the search for novel sustainable bioresources, insects emerge as promising anti-aging candidates for their rich species diversity, scalable production, low environmental footprint, and abundant unique bioactive components such as functional proteins and bioactive peptides. Based on bibliometric analysis of 500 eligible publications spanning two decades, this review systematically identifies 32 anti-aging insect species across seven orders, classifies their bioactive components into five major categories, summarizes green extraction technologies, and evaluates their in vitro and in vivo anti-aging activities centered on oxidative stress and inflammatory regulation, while outlining the field’s trajectory from basic mechanistic research to functional application. It further highlights core challenges including fragmented research frameworks and insufficient robust in vivo validation. Finally, it recommends integrating established food science and medical methodologies with emerging technologies such as omics, artificial intelligence, and advanced delivery systems to advance future research paradigms. These efforts could provide a strong theoretical foundation for the efficient and sustainable use of insect resources in anti-aging applications. Full article

High-density lipoprotein (HDL)-associated paraoxonase-1 (PON1) contributes substantially to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functions of HDL. Impairment of these protective properties has been associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other forms of dementia, particularly those involving neurovascular dysregulation. In the present study, we investigated for the first time the potential involvement of the putative physiological lactonase activity of PON1 in serum samples from a large cohort of older adults (n = 691), including cognitively healthy controls and patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), AD, vascular dementia (VAD), mixed AD/VAD (MIXED dementia), and other forms of dementia. A difference was observed between controls and MCI patients (−34%, p < 0.001). The next largest differences were observed in the VAD and MIXED dementia groups, both showing a decrease of approximately 25% compared with controls (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively), and in AD patients (−14%, p < 0.05). After adjustment for confounding factors, only MCI and MIXED dementia remained significantly different from controls. These findings suggest that reduced serum PON1 lactonase activity is already detectable at the MCI stage and is particularly evident in conditions combining neurodegenerative and vascular pathology. Longitudinal studies are required to determine whether lower PON1 lactonase activity precedes, accompanies, or follows cognitive decline. Full article

Background: Quality of life (QoL) among university students is an important indicator of overall health and academic success. Although these factors are interrelated, few studies have simultaneously examined their structural associations with QoL among university students in Saudi Arabia. This study investigated the associations among demographic characteristics, lifestyle behaviors, psychological distress, and quality of life using structural equation modeling (SEM). Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among undergraduate students enrolled in public universities in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The survey included demographic characteristics, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF), and measures of sleep quality, sleep duration, and physical activity. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed to evaluate the measurement model. We fitted SEM to examine associations among demographic characteristics, lifestyle behaviors, health status, and quality of life. Results: A total of 198 undergraduate students were included in the analysis. The measurement model demonstrated satisfactory psychometric properties. The SEM demonstrated acceptable model fit (χ²/df = 2.00, Comparative Fit Index = 0.937, Tucker–Lewis Index = 0.914, Root Mean Square Error of Approximation = 0.071, Standardized Root Mean Square Residual = 0.070). Male students reported poorer sleep quality (β = −0.405, p < 0.001), shorter sleep duration (β = −0.208, p = 0.019), and lower physical activity (β = −0.299, p < 0.001) than female students. Students with a GPA of 4.50 or above reported higher physical activity than those with lower GPAs (β = 0.182, p = 0.027). Better sleep quality (β = 0.169, p = 0.024) and very good or excellent self-rated health (β = 0.492, p < 0.001) were positively associated with quality of life, whereas sleep duration was not significantly associated with quality of life (p = 0.225). Conclusions: Quality of life among undergraduate students was associated with multiple interconnected demographic and lifestyle factors. Our findings highlight the importance of integrated university health-promotion strategies that simultaneously address sleep health, healthy lifestyle behaviors, and psychological well-being to improve students’ overall quality of life. Longitudinal studies should be conducted to clarify the temporal relationships among these factors. Full article

Osteoarthritis (OA) causes irreversible cartilage damage, highlighting the need for early and sensitive assessment. Current imaging modalities are limited in detecting early-stage changes. Ultrasound (US) provides a non-invasive and accessible alternative, but its clinical adoption is limited by the lack of standardized protocols and reliable cartilage assessment. Simulations can be used to address these challenges by enabling system design, acquisition optimization and validation by providing ground truth when in vivo ground truth is unavailable. The aim of this study is to develop an in silico framework for realistic US imaging of healthy and OA cartilage by combining accurate acoustic wave modeling with a 2D microstructural cartilage phantom. The model was calibrated to healthy cartilage using first-order speckle statistics and extended to simulate degeneration through changes in structural and acoustic properties. As a proof-of-concept study, simulations were evaluated against limited ex vivo US data from healthy and OA cartilage and compared with literature data. The simulations reproduced key OA-related features and trends, including changes in reflection coefficient (R), integrated reflection coefficient (IRC), apparent integrated backscatter (AIB), and gray level distributions. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of using microstructure-based tissue phantoms to model healthy and OA cartilage. The framework provides a platform for systematic investigation of cartilage microstructure and US-derived features and may support future generation of synthetic datasets for data-driven and AI-based OA assessment. Full article

The black carrot (Daucus carota L.) is a source of anthocyanins (AT), especially acylated forms, valued for their color and antioxidant properties, which are linked to the prevention of diseases caused by oxidative stress. However, their low robustness to pH and temperature limits their application. This work aimed to evaluate the effect of spray-drying microencapsulation of black carrot juice (BCJ) on the stability and bioaccessibility of AT. Spray-drying (SD) was used as an encapsulation technique with conventional (two-nozzle) and three-nozzle spray-drying, and maltodextrin (MD) was used as the encapsulating agent; sodium alginate (SA) was used as the outer layer. The optimal SD conditions were 150 °C and a BCJ:MD ratio of 1:2. Two systems were obtained: BCJ-MD and (BCJ-MD)-SA, both with encapsulation efficiencies above ~90%. During storage for 198 days at 60 °C, both systems significantly reduced the degradation constant compared to free juice, following pseudo-first-order kinetics. However, a critical finding was that in vitro bioaccessibility was significantly higher in the conventional BCJ-MD (~88%) compared to the BCJ-MD-SA system (~44%). These results suggest that maltodextrin alone is a more effective strategy for maximizing the in vitro bioaccessibility of black carrot anthocyanins, thereby providing a stable, highly bioaccessible healthy ingredient for the food industry. Full article

Background: Astilbin is a bioactive flavonoid with documented anti-inflammatory properties; however, its sustained interactions with the gut microbiota remain poorly understood. Fecal samples from three healthy donors were pooled and fermented with astilbin in an in vitro human colonic model over 7 days. This exploratory study aimed to characterize the temporal ecological shifts associated with prolonged astilbin exposure. Methods: Time-resolved 16S rRNA gene sequencing, PICRUSt2 functional prediction, BugBase phenotypic inference, and pseudo-targeted metabolomics were integrated to track microbial-metabolic dynamics. Results: Astilbin exposure was associated with a highly coordinated, three-stage microbial succession. Day 3 (D3) emerged as a putative inflection point, where the enrichment of pioneer degraders (Flavonifractor, Bacteroides) was temporally correlated with the appearance of polyphenol cleavage intermediates. This transition featured an early decrease in markers of proteolytic fermentation alongside a transient in vitro lipid-stress response. By D7, the community shifted toward a stable configuration enriched in butyrogenic taxa (Roseburia, Subdoligranulum, Megamonas), with progressive depletion of potentially opportunistic pathogens (Escherichia-Shigella). Multi-omics integration suggested that these structural successions were strongly associated with marked metabolic shifts. Inflammatory lipid markers (e.g., leukotriene B4) showed a characteristic “D3-burst/D7-clearance” pattern, whereas potentially barrier-protective metabolites, particularly 3-indolepropionic acid (3-IPA, log₂FC = 2.00) and urolithin B (log₂FC = 1.18), accumulated substantially. Conclusions: This exploratory study provides valuable high-resolution insights into astilbin’s potential as a dynamic ecological modulator. It outlines a temporal framework illustrating how the gut microbiota may shift from proteolytic fermentation toward 3-IPA-associated homeostasis. Although limited by a pooled fecal model and the absence of a vehicle control, these hypothesis-generating findings offer a solid foundation for future in vivo studies and mechanistic validations across diverse human cohorts. Full article

Background: Endurance exercise is known to induce the excessive production of reactive oxygen metabolites due to enhanced metabolic activity and inflammation, leading to oxidative stress and related injuries. Sulforaphane (SFN), an isothiocyanate, is broadly acknowledged for its potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, along with other protective functions. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of short-term SFN precursor supplementation on maximal exercise-induced muscle damage, oxidative stress and endurance capacity in healthy adults. Methods: In a double-blind placebo-controlled crossover design, 14 healthy participants (7 males, 7 females; age, 25.07 ± 1.04 years; weight, 65.28 ± 4.13 kg; height, 170.07 ± 3.46 cm; BMI, 22.48 ± 0.91) received SFN glucosinolate capsules (200 µmol/day) or placebo for 2 weeks during the first trial. Following a three-week washout period, the participants crossed over to the alternate treatment. Maximal exercise tests were performed following each supplementation (SFN or placebo) period. Blood samples were collected at baseline (before treatment), pre-exercise, post-exercise and 2 h after each exercise session. Results: SFN supplementation did not alter endurance capacity or blood cell counts; however, it significantly attenuated serum creatine kinase (CK) activity (p = 0.034; SFN, 121.52 ± 16.89; placebo, 291.84 ± 133.07) and the myoglobin (Mb) concentration (p = 0.011; SFN, 15.82 ± 1.95; placebo; 27.31 ± 5.71) following exercise. Analysis of oxidative stress markers showed no significant changes in the absolute values; however, in the d-ROMs (p = 0.038; SFN, 107.42 ± 2.39; placebo; 112.32 ± 2.11) and OXY-adsorbent tests (p = 0.032; SFN, 115.97 ± 4.15; placebo; 107.73 ± 3.88), the percent changes from the baseline showed a significant interaction with the supplement. These findings suggest that short-term SFN supplementation may mitigate exercise-induced muscle damage and oxidative stress, suggesting a modest influence on the circulating biomarkers associated with muscle damage without altering the endurance capacity of healthy people. Conclusion: SFN intake may be a beneficial, non-invasive strategy to modulate acute biochemical responses to exercise via the antioxidant defense system in physically active individuals. Full article

Accurate assessment of joint kinematics is fundamental to biomechanics, rehabilitation, and sports science. Although optical motion capture (OMC) remains the laboratory reference standard for biomechanical validation, its cost, infrastructure requirements, and limited applicability outside controlled environments restrict its broader use. Wearable inertial measurement units (IMUs) and vision-based markerless systems have consequently emerged as complementary alternatives, offering portability, reduced subject preparation, and applicability in ecological settings. Their rapid development, however, has not always been accompanied by an equally rigorous metrological interpretation of performance. This narrative review provides a comparative analysis of IMU- and vision-based approaches for joint kinematics estimation, focusing on biomechanical validation metrics and measurement error. Because the primary literature reports fundamentally different quantities under widely differing experimental conditions, evidence is presented stratified by outcome class, joint, plane of motion, task, and acquisition dimensionality, and values belonging to different outcome classes are not pooled. For sagittal-plane lower-limb angles during level walking in healthy adults, with careful sensor-to-segment calibration and an optoelectronic reference, IMU-based systems show the most consistent performance, with RMSE commonly between 3° and 6°. Vision-based systems achieve comparable accuracy for selected outcomes, particularly spatiotemporal gait parameters and sagittal-plane angles in controlled views, while degrading with occlusion, motion blur, and depth ambiguity. Accuracy is therefore not an intrinsic property of the sensing modality but of the entire measurement chain, including calibration, biomechanical modeling, acquisition geometry, and reporting conventions. Rather than ranking technologies by accuracy alone, the measurement requirements should be derived from the intended application. Full article

Introduction: One of the fundamental principles of modern medicine, including dentistry, is prevention. However, if treatment is not initiated, tooth loss can occur, necessitating the use of dental prostheses to restore the function and aesthetics of the stomatognathic system. The oral microbiome is a complex ecosystem that is sensitive to external factors, including the biomaterials used to manufacture dental prostheses. Objectives: This narrative literature review aims to identify and compare the effects of various metal alloys used in dentistry, specifically high-precious (gold), precious (silver–palladium) and base (cobalt–chromium and nickel–chromium) alloys, as well as titanium, on the balance of the oral microbiome and biofilm formation. Results: The analysis indicates that gold, silver and palladium alloys demonstrate the most favourable biocompatibility and antibacterial properties, significantly reducing biofilm accumulation. Titanium and titanium-based alloys generally exhibit neutral properties under healthy conditions, although their biocorrosion products can alter the microbial environment in pathological states such as peri-implantitis. In contrast, base metal alloys (cobalt–chromium and nickel–chromium) are highly susceptible to biocorrosion in acidic environments, which can encourage the growth of bacteria that cause tooth decay and inflammation, potentially exacerbating oral dysbiosis. Conclusions: The selection of materials plays a critical role in maintaining oral microbial homeostasis and preventing plaque-related diseases. High-noble alloys and titanium are more biocompatible than base metal alloys. However, further long-term clinical trials and multi-species biofilm models are needed to fully understand these interactions between materials and microbes. Full article

Post-weaning diarrhea caused by pathogenic Escherichia coli is a significant economic challenge in global swine production. Rising antimicrobial resistance linked to traditional antibiotics necessitates safe, sustainable alternatives. This study isolated and characterized host-associated Bacillus species from the gastrointestinal tracts of healthy pigs to evaluate their probiotic potential. Fifty-nine Bacillus isolates were screened for safety, gastrointestinal tract survivability, mucosal adhesion, and antimicrobial efficacy. Several isolates demonstrated robust tolerance to simulated gastrointestinal stress (acidic pH and bile salts), non-hemolytic profiles, and strong mucosal adhesion. Multiple isolates displayed inhibitory activity against pathogenic Escherichia coli in vitro. The most promising candidate, Bacillus subtilis 1BP1Co1, underwent Nanopore whole-genome sequencing. Genomic profiling confirmed its safety, revealing a complete absence of known virulence factors and high-risk antimicrobial resistance genes. Furthermore, genome annotation identified multiple biosynthetic gene clusters responsible for the production of antimicrobial secondary metabolites, including surfactin, fengycin, bacillaene, and subtilosin A, which mechanistically supports its pathogen-inhibitory properties. Collectively, these findings highlight indigenous Bacillus strains, particularly Bacillus subtilis 1BP1Co1, as promising probiotic candidates with the potential to be developed to mitigate Escherichia coli-associated enteric disorders in swine production systems. Full article

Different hydrating cosmetic creams were formulated with ulvans obtained by a previously optimized process, consisting of hydrothermal treatment and a solvent-free concentration stage to obtain ulvans with 80% purity in carbohydrates, 34% rhamnose, 11% sulfate and >10 kDa. The incorporation of low-mineralization thermal spring waters in the formulation of hydrating creams with 1% ulvans and green ingredients caused a shear thinning behavior that was more marked than in creams formulated with distilled water. As Burgas thermal spring water caused the largest decay, suggesting an improvement in the cream’s spreadability on the skin. This spring water was selected for formulating and bottling a commercial hydrating cream that was further evaluated regarding both physicochemical and biometric properties with a group of 120 healthy volunteers to assess the performance of both ulvans and As Burgas thermal spring water. The results of both objective and subjective evaluation indicate the enhanced skin hydration provided by ulvan and thermal spring water, as well as their favorable additive effect. A high tolerance was observed because all tested creams decreased the tightness sensation, and scaling was significantly reduced in the ulvan group. The findings confirm the potential additive skin benefits of combining ulvan with thermal spring water in hand cream formulations. Full article