Search Results (4,665)

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a highly toxic and carcinogenic compound produced by certain fungi (e.g., Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus). Rapid and ultra-sensitive detection methods for AFB1 in various commodities are in high demand. This study aimed to enhance the sensitivity of a competitive lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) for AFB1 detection by leveraging a previously developed experimental design strategy, named 4S. This approach comprises four phases—START, SHIFT, SHARPEN, and STOP—and involves the analysis of two reference conditions: NEG (0 ng/mL AFB1) and POS (1 ng/mL AFB1). By generating and overlaying response surfaces, regions of optimal NEG signal and POS/NEG signal ratio (IC%) were identified. Four variables were optimized: two related to the labeled antibody (its concentration and antibody-to-label ratio) and two to the competitor antigen (its concentration and hapten-to-protein ratio). An initial design defined the parameter space, while three subsequent designs did not yield further improvements in sensitivity. A strong anti-correlation was observed between the IC% and competitor parameters. The optimized LFIA-1 exhibited enhanced sensitivity, achieving a limit of detection of 0.027 ng/mL compared to 0.1 ng/mL for the original device. Additionally, the amount of expensive antibody required for device fabrication was reduced by around a factor of four. Full article

To facilitate easy accessibility to the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) and GRACE Follow-On (GRACE-FO) results for the geoscientific community, multiple institutions have successively developed mass anomaly grid products including mass concentration (mascon) grids; these were provided at the Gravity Information Service (GravIS) portal. However, an assessment of their consistency for studying large-scale mass redistribution and transport in Earth’s system is still not available. Here, we compare three major mascon solutions separately from the Center for Space Research (CSR), the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) and GravIS products based on the Combination Service for Time-variable Gravity fields (COST-G) by analyzing the Antarctic Ice Sheet (AIS) mass changes in four aspects. Our results demonstrate that: (1) the four datasets exhibit strong consistency on the entire AIS mass change time series, with the largest difference occurring in the Antarctic Peninsula; (2) mass trend estimates show better agreement over longer periods and larger regions, but differences with a percentage of 20–40 exist during the late stage of GRACE and the whole GRACE-FO timespan; (3) notable discrepancies arise in the annual statistics of the Eastern AIS in 2016, leading to inconsistency on the sign of annual AIS mass change; (4) good agreement can be seen among these interannual mass variations over the AIS and its three subregions during 2003–2023, excluding the period from mid-2016 to mid-2018. These findings may provide key insights into improving algorithms for mascon solutions and grid products towards refining their applications in ice mass balance studies. Full article

Antioxidants play a crucial role in preventing oxidative damage and are therefore integral to various sectors, including healthcare, food preservation, cosmetics, and industrial applications. Their capacity to enhance overall health and improve the quality and shelf life of products in these domains underscores their significance. Two powerful antioxidant dendrimers were synthesized using D-mannitol as the core and syringaldehyde as the antioxidant-producing phenolic unit. The generation 1 (G1) dendrimer features 12 syringic units on its surface, while the generation 2 (G2) dendrimer has 24. Antioxidant capacities were assessed using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and the β-carotene bleaching assays. Based on IC50 values, the G2 (0.7 μM) and G1 (1.36 μM) dendrimers show 371- and 191-fold higher antioxidant activity, respectively, compared to the starting compound, syringaldehyde (260 μM). They are also 1,251- and 647-times more effective than butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) (880 μM). Overall, G2 is twice as potent as G1. The dendrimers also provide strong protection against β-carotene bleaching. At concentrations between 3.75 and 60 μM, G2 preserves 75% to 88% of β-carotene after 16 h at 45 °C, while G1 maintains 51% to 84%. In comparison, syringaldehyde and BHT provide significantly less protection, with ranges of 21% to 47% and 22% to 36%, respectively. Their greatly enhanced antioxidant capabilities are due to the numerous free-radical-scavenging sites created by phenolic hydroxyl groups, which have electron-donating groups at the ortho and para positions. In cell viability assays using macrophages, G1 caused a decrease in cell viability at ≥31 µM. Conversely, G2 exhibited a gradual reduction in cell viability across the concentration range of 0.1 µM to 111 µM, with viability declining from 11.1% to 96.3%, indicating that the larger G2 is more cytotoxic than the smaller G1. Full article

Gleichenella pectinata, known as ‘Star fern’, is a species traditionally used by Amazonian indigenous communities to treat various diseases. The objective of this study was to evaluate the bioactive compounds and antioxidant, antimicrobial, antitumor, and anti-inflammatory activities of G. pectinata leaves. The study included the determination of physicochemical parameters (pH, soluble solids, titratable acidity, moisture, and ash), phytochemical screening, mineral analysis by atomic absorption and quantification of bioactive compounds (vitamin C, organic acids, carotenoids, chlorophylls, and phenols) by liquid chromatography (RRLC). Antioxidant (ABTS and DPPH), antimicrobial (ATCC bacteria and fungi, and multi-resistant strains), antitumor and anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated. The results showed the presence of acetogenins, high concentrations of malic acid (56,559.7 mg/100 g DW), β-carotene (266.6 mg/100 g DW), chlorophyll b (684.7 mg/100 g DW), ferulic acid (3163.5 mg/100 g DW) and quercetin glucoside (945.9 mg/100 g DW). The freeze-dried ethanolic extracts showed greater efficacy against Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC (12.0 mg/mL) and multidrug-resistant strains of E. coli (6.6 mg/mL) and P. aeruginosa (6.6 mg/mL). In addition, the extract exhibited moderate antiproliferative activity (IC₅₀: 0.98–1.98 mg/mL) in hepatocellular and cervical carcinoma cell lines. In conclusion, this study provides the first evidence of the antitumor and bioactive potential of G. pectinata, supporting its value as a natural source of functional compounds with potential pharmacological applications. Full article

Lycium barbarum L. (abbreviated to L. barbarum), a traditional dual-use plant as food and medicine, contains polysaccharides from Lycium barbarum L. (LBPs) as its key bioactive component. This study aimed to examine the phenotypic characteristics, polysaccharide content, and their correlation with activity across various commercial grades of L. barbarum. Five commercial grades of L. barbarum were selected for analysis to determine their phenotypic characteristics and polysaccharide content. High-performance liquid chromatogram-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) and ¹H NMR were employed to analyze the monosaccharide composition of LBPs, of which their hypoglycemic activity was further valuated. Results revealed significant differences in fruit weight and diameter among different grades (p < 0.05), while floating rate and bulk density remained unaffected by grades. Variations were observed in the chromaticity coordinates, with the c values showing notable differences (p < 0.01). Polysaccharide content tended to increase with higher grades and smaller fruit sizes, ranging from 1.94% to 5.69%. The polysaccharides in different contained monosaccharides of Man, Rha, Ara, Gal, Glc, GalA, GlcA and Xyl, with Ara and Gal being predominant. Identified through ¹H NMR spectra, the peak intensity of Ara increased from lower to higher grades, and the arrangement of the chemical shifts reflected distinct commercial grade characteristics. The inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) against α-amylase and α-glucosidase ranged from 0.418 to 1.345 mg/mL, and 0.474 to 1.052 mg/mL, respectively, indicating good hypoglycemic activity within this range. The main monosaccharide groups Ara, Gal, and GalA were identified as key contributors to enzyme inhibition. Collectively interpreting the phenotypic features, polysaccharide content, monosaccharide composition, NMR data and activity profiles, Ara, Gal and GalA emerge as signature monosaccharide components of LBPs. These results provide novel theoretical insights for L. barbarum quality assessment. Full article

Medicinal plants are widely used in traditional medicine because of their bioactive compounds with therapeutic potential. The semidesert Mexican species Flourensia cernua, Artemisia ludoviciana, and Phoradendron californicum have been traditionally employed as infusions for gastrointestinal disorders. In this study, chemical composition, infusion extraction, phytochemical profiling, antioxidant capacity, and antiparasitic and antibacterial activity were evaluated. The extracts were characterized via HPLC–MS, encapsulated in agar–agar beads, and subjected to in vitro simulated digestion. A. ludoviciana presented the highest content of hydrolysable and condensed tannins (5473.33 ± 305.5 mg GAE/100 g; 959.58 ± 14.6 mg CE/100 g, respectively). F. cernua presented the highest flavonoid concentration (582.67 ± 16.90 mg CE/100 g). The highest antioxidant activity was observed in P. californicum (IC₅₀ 74.18 ± 18.43 μg TE/mL in DPPH; IC₅₀ 333.38 ± 56.36 μg TE/mL in ABTS). In terms of antiparasitic effects, A. ludoviciana extracts presented the lowest IC₅₀ value (0.51 ± 0.01 mg/mL), indicating the highest antiparasitic activity. Antibacterial assays revealed that F. cernua had the greatest inhibitory effect on E. coli (79.60%) and S. aureus (78.40%). Encapsulation preserved extract integrity, although simulated digestion resulted in limited compound release, with hydrolysable tannins being the most released. Overall, P. californicum presented the strongest antioxidant response, and encapsulation was confirmed as an effective strategy to preserve extract integrity. Full article

The use of conventional fuels for heat, energy, or motion production is largely determined by the concentration of water in the fuel. Therefore, the knowledge of the moisture content is of particular importance for combustion efficiency. Specifically, the presence of water in fuels can cause corrosion, and during preheating the water vapor can cause extinguishing of the flame, while at low temperatures it can cause blockage of the network by ice that can be formed. In general, the presence of water can contribute to the development of organic and inorganic substrates that may contribute to fuel turbidity, a fact that is addressed by the addition of chemical additives. In the present work, the possibility of removing moisture from heating diesel fuel through the properties of ionic and non-ionic organic polymers, namely polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyethylene oxide (PEO), was studied. The experimental data obtained by the addition of the polymers to the diesel showed that the fuel’s physicochemical properties were within the suitability limits, while the moisture content was decreased from 62 mg/kg to 50 mg/kg and 53 mg/kg, respectively, for PVA and PEO polymers. A mathematical expression of adsorption was used to simulate the experimental findings. In addition, the sulfur content was decreased from 941 mg/kg to 937 mg/kg when PVA was used. The methodology proposed for improving the physicochemical properties of heating diesel through organic polymers can optimize its combustion behavior to be more environmentally friendly. Full article

The freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens) is a promising aquaculture species due to its strong environmental adaptability, tolerance to low temperatures, rapid growth rate, high nutritional value, high-quality texture (garlic-clove-shaped flesh), and absence of intermuscular bones. Nevertheless, processing technologies related to freshwater drum remain largely unexplored. Salting pretreatment serves as a viable strategy for enhancing the quality attributes of frozen fish products. This study investigated the effects of different sodium chloride (NaCl) pickling concentrations (0.25, 1, and 3 mol/L) on the physicochemical properties and quality attributes of frozen–thawed freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens). Results indicated that elevated NaCl concentrations (1–3 mol/L) significantly (p < 0.05) shortened the transit time through the maximum ice crystal formation zone during freezing, effectively mitigating structural damage to myofibrillar networks. As the NaCl concentration increased from 0 to 3 mol/L, the water content decreased from 71.26 ± 0.22% to 68.64 ± 0.50%, while the salt content increased from 0.31 ± 0.01% to 8.46 ± 0.12%. Pickling pretreatment markedly enhanced water-holding capacity and improved texture profiles, including hardness, springiness, gumminess, and chewiness. Histological analysis revealed preserved myofibril integrity in high-salt-treated samples, supported by reduced fluorescence intensity of myofibrillar proteins, indicating mitigated freeze-induced denaturation. Low-field NMR confirmed salt-induced redistribution of water states, with decreased free water proportion. Our results identify that pretreatment with NaCl at concentrations ≥ 1 mol/L is an effective strategy to preserve the post-thaw quality. Due to 3 mol/L NaCl resulting in a relatively high salt content, 1 mol/L NaCl pretreatment is more suitable for maintaining the quality of freeze–thawed freshwater drums. Full article

Background: Fusarium solani (Fs), a drug-resistant phytopathogenic fungus, is a major cause of severe infections in both plants and humans. Artemisia annua and its derivatives exhibit antimicrobial, antiviral and anticholesterolemic activities, yet their clinical use has been dominated by potent antimalarial and anticancer effects. Artemisinin (ART), a sesquiterpene lactone isolated from A. annua, is well recognized for its antimalarial efficacy but remains underexplored as an antifungal agent. Methods: Conidia of Fs were treated with increasing concentrations of ART (75–500 μM) for 0 and 24 h. Fungal viability was assessed using viability assays. Membrane permeability was examined using confocal laser scanning microscopy with propidium iodide (PI) staining. Protein carbonylation assays were performed to quantify oxidative damage induced by ART. Results: A 24 h, ART exposure reduced Fs viability in a dose-dependent manner, with an IC₅₀ of 147.5 μM. At 500 μM, ART achieved fungicidal activity with 99% growth inhibition. Confocal microscopy confirmed extensive membrane disruption in ART-treated conidia, while carbonylation assays demonstrated marked protein oxidation, supporting a mechanism involving free radical generation from the peroxide bridge of ART. ART exhibits potent antifungal activity against Fs, mediated by oxidative stress, membrane disruption and protein carbonylation. Conclusions: These findings highlight ART as a promising candidate for antifungal drug development against resistant Fusarium species. Full article

The increasing prominence of blade icing in wind power generation within cold regions has positioned anti-icing coating technology as a key research focus. This study synthesised phase-change microcapsules using bio-wax as the core material and isophorone diisocyanate as the shell material via interfacial polymerisation. These microcapsules were then compounded with polyurethane to form an anti-icing coating, whose properties and anti-icing performance were systematically investigated. Key findings indicate that a 1% emulsifier concentration yielded microcapsules with a concentrated particle size distribution (≈20 μm). Microcapsules with a core-to-shell ratio of 7:3 exhibited optimal thermal storage performance, characterised by a melting enthalpy of 49.73 J/g and an encapsulation efficiency of 78%, establishing this as the optimal formulation. Icing wind tunnel tests demonstrated enhanced anti-icing efficacy with increasing microcapsule concentration. At 36% concentration, the coating achieved an anti-icing efficiency of 65.80% under conditions of −15 °C and 3 m/s wind speed, and 64.05% at −10 °C and 6 m/s. The coating maintained its effectiveness under high wind speeds, though its performance diminished with increased water spray flux. The coating functioned by delaying ice formation through phase-change heat release. It consistently demonstrated an anti-icing efficiency exceeding 60% across operational conditions −15 °C to −5 °C and wind speeds of 3–9 m/s. This work provides an efficient and environmentally friendly anti-icing solution for wind turbine blades in cold regions. Full article

Camphora tenuipilis, a unique aromatic plant in the traditional Xishuangbanna dish “Duo Sheng” (raw minced meat dish), lacks scientific evidence to support its traditional use and potential application as a natural preservative/antioxidant. This study aims to fill this gap by analyzing the chemical composition and bioactivities of its leaf essential oils (EOs), verifying its traditional use, and exploring the bioactivities specific to different chemotypes. Leaf samples were collected from the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG), Chinese Academy of Sciences, and local markets. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis identified 53 compounds, leading to the classification of the EOs into five chemotypes: linalool, geraniol, citral, elemicin, and methyl cinnamate. Notably, the elemicin-type EO (YC02, with an elemicin content of 94.56 ± 0.98%) exhibited the strongest antioxidant properties. The EOs demonstrated antibacterial activity against four foodborne pathogens: Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus; except for YC04, the other EOs effectively inhibited pathogen growth to varying extents. Cytotoxicity tests revealed half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀) for HaCaT cells ranging from 0.163 to 0.847 mg/mL. This study scientifically validates the traditional use of C. tenuipilis in “Duo Sheng” and supports its potential as a natural food preservative, antioxidants, and antimicrobial agents. Full article

Improper use of drugs in both animal and human therapy, such as doxycycline (DOX), lead to the accumulation of residues in edible animal tissues as well as in the environment. Plant-derived compounds reduce the adverse effects of drugs. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of cannabidiol (CBD) in two concentrations: lower (1.56 µg/mL) (DOX + C1) and higher (3.125 µg/mL) (DOX + C2) on the cytotoxicity of doxycycline in human cells. The toxicity of DOX and its CBD-containing mixtures was assessed after 72 h of exposure in three human cell lines: neural (SH-SY5Y), hepatic (HepG2), and kidney (HEK-293). The exposure to DOX resulted in inhibition of mitochondrial activity (SH-SY5Y) and inhibition of DNA synthesis (HepG2 and HEK-293). IC₅₀ values for DOX ranged from 9.8 to >200 µg/mL in SH-SY5Y cells, 13.4 to 200 µg/mL in HepG2 cells, and 8.9 to 30.4 µg/mL in HEK-293 cells. The nature of the interaction depended on both the cell lines and the concentration of CBD in the mixture. Both CBD mixtures demonstrated a synergistic interaction in neuronal cells. In HepG2 cells, both mixtures showed additive and antagonistic interactions. In HEK-293 cells, the DOX + C1 mixture exhibited an antagonistic (protective) effect, while the DOX + C2 mixture showed an additive effect. There were no changes in oxidative stress levels; however, alterations in apoptosis levels and cell morphology were observed following exposure to the mixtures. The presence of doxycycline in the diet and the environment poses a health risk to consumers. The increasing consumption of CBD-containing products may reduce the risk associated with the presence of this drug in food. It is worth emphasizing the need for research aimed at minimizing the adverse effects of pharmaceuticals on the health of humans and animals. Full article

Background/Objectives: The global rise in antibiotic resistance necessitates the development of novel antimicrobial agents. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), key components of innate immunity, are promising candidates. This study aimed to develop novel therapeutic peptides with enhanced properties through the mutagenesis of natural AMPs and high-throughput screening. Methods: We constructed mutant libraries of three broad-spectrum AMPs—melittin, cecropin, and Hm-AMP2—using mutagenesis with partially degenerate oligonucleotides. Libraries were expressed in Escherichia coli, and antimicrobial activity was assessed through bacterial growth kinetics and droplet serial dilution assays. Candidate molecules were identified by DNA sequencing, and the most promising variants were chemically synthesized. Antimicrobial activity was determined by minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) against E. coli and Bacillus subtilis, while cytotoxicity was evaluated in human Expi293F cells (IC₉₀) viability. The therapeutic index was calculated as the ratio of an AMP’s cytotoxic concentration to its effective antimicrobial concentration. Results: Mutant forms of melittin (MR1P7, MR1P8) showed significantly reduced cytotoxicity while retaining antimicrobial activity. Cecropin mutants exhibited reduced efficacy against E. coli, but variants CR2P2, CR2P7, and CR2P8 gained activity against Gram-positive bacteria. Mutagenesis of Hm-AMP2 generally decreased activity against E. coli, though two variants (A2R1P5 and A2R3P6) showed retained or enhanced efficacy against B. subtilis while maintaining low cytotoxicity. Conclusions: The proposed strategy successfully generated peptides with improved therapeutic profiles, including reduced toxicity or a broader spectrum of antimicrobial activity, despite not improving all parameters. This approach enables the discovery of novel bioactive peptides to combat antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Full article

Background/Objective: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer (BC) lacking targeted therapies and characterized by high tumor heterogeneity. In this study, we evaluated the anticancer activity and mechanistic profile of Simalikalactone D (SKD), a quassinoid compound derived from the endemic Puerto Rican tree Simarouba tulae, in three TNBC cell lines, MDA-MB-468, MDA-MB-231, and SUM-149. Methods: MDA-MB-468, MDA-MB-231 and SUM-149 TNBC cells were evaluated for cell viability, proliferation and migration following SKD treatment. Phospho-antibody array, proteomics, and Western blot analyses were used to explore the SKD mechanism of action in MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines. Molecular docking was performed to assess SKD’s interaction with potential intracellular targets. Results: SKD exerted a concentration-dependent effect on the three cell lines. However, MDA-MB-468 cells exhibited an IC₅₀ of 67 nM, while the IC₅₀ values for MDA-MB-231 and SUM-149 were 422 nM and 598 nM, respectively. In MDA-MB-468 cells, 100 nM of SKD induced apoptosis, evidenced by the activated caspase-3 activity, PARP-1 cleavage and decrease in Bcl-2 and survivin protein levels. Sublethal SKD (25 nM) impaired migration in MDA-MB-231 cells and reduced proliferation and motility in SUM149 cells. A 6 h SKD treatment markedly reduced phosphorylation of apoptosis-related proteins (p53, BAD, DAXX, AKT1, JUN) and Jak/STAT pathway components, indicating early disruption of intracellular signaling prior to phenotypic changes. Proteomic profiling showed distinct pathway alterations in both MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231 cells, with reduced Integrin β1 (ITGB1) levels emerging as a shared effector. This suggests that SKD broadly disrupts cell adhesion and migration independently of apoptosis-driven cell death. Western blot validation confirmed reduced ITGB1 protein levels across all three TNBC cell lines examined. In silico docking confirmed favorable binding affinities of SKD to both EGFR (ΔG = −6.718 kcal/mol) and STAT4 (ΔG = −8.481 kcal/mol). Conclusions: Overall, our findings suggest that SKD is a potent anticancer agent in a subgroup of TNBC cells. Full article

The cashew apple (Anacardium occidentale L.) is rich in antioxidant bioactive constituents that have anti-aging and wound healing properties. The objective of this study is to evaluate the biological activities of cashew apple extract (CAE) and to improve the issue involving the instability of ascorbic acid, the principal active compound, by encapsulating the extract in liposomes in order to enhance its stability and skin permeation for cosmetic applications. CAE was obtained from fresh cashew apple via ethanol maceration, solvent evaporation, and freeze-drying. Ascorbic acid content, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and total caffeoylquinic acid content (TCQAC) were determined. The ascorbic acid content and its tautomer in the extract were quantified using the LC-MS/MS method. Biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-tyrosinase, fibroblast collagen synthesis, cytoprotection against oxidative stress, wound healing, and cytotoxicity, were assessed. CAE was encapsulated in liposomes to enhance the stability of its inherent ascorbic acid and improve its skin in comparison to free-CAE. The CAE and liposomal-CAE were incorporated and formulated into a solution, and their physicochemical stability was assessed after storage. CAE appeared as a brown, viscous liquid with a characteristic sweet, fruity scent. Each gram of CAE contained 0.90 ± 0.05 mg of ascorbic acid, TPC, 81.40 ± 7.14 mg of gallic acid equivalents (GAE), TFC, 3.73 ± 0.30 mg of rutin equivalents (RE), and TCQAC, 4.48 ± 0.05 mg of chlorogenic acid equivalents (CGAE). CAE exhibited antioxidant properties (IC₅₀ = 282.19 ± 11.16 and 963.66 ± 3.95 µg/mL for DPPH and ABTS assay, respectively) and weak anti-tyrosinase activity (IC₅₀ = 4213.77 ± 138.97 µg/mL). It was non-cytotoxic to fibroblast and monocyte cells at a concentration of less than 1 mg/mL. In vitro wound healing assays demonstrated that CAE stimulated collagen production in a dose-dependent manner at CAE concentrations above 250 µg/mL. Additionally, CAE exhibited cytoprotective effects against H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress and did not induce inflammatory responses in immune cells. The liposomal formulation containing CAE achieved high encapsulation efficiency (79.75–84.55%) based on ascorbic acid content. In skin permeation studies, CAE-loaded liposomes demonstrated an enhancement ratio approximately two-fold greater than that of free-CAE. Stability testing over 3 months showed that the ascorbic acid content in CAE-loaded liposomes remained significantly higher than that in the free-CAE under both refrigerated and long-term conditions (30 °C/75% RH). CAE demonstrated potential anti-aging properties for improving aging skin. Liposomal incorporation markedly improved ascorbic acid stability and skin permeability. Full article