Search Results (1,935)

Faba bean (Vicia faba L.), a nutrient-rich legume beneficial to human health, is valued for its high L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) and phenolic content. This study investigated phytochemical diversity and bioactivity across 29 Chinese faba bean varieties. Phenolics were profiled using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS) and quantified via high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Antioxidant capacity was evaluated, including DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), ABTS (2,2-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)) radical scavenging activity, and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), along with α-amylase/α-glucosidase inhibitory effects. Twenty-five phenolics were identified, including L-DOPA (11.96–17.93 mg/g, >70% of total content), seven phenolic acids, and seventeen flavonoids. L-DOPA showed potent enzyme inhibition (IC₅₀ values of 22.45 μM for α-amylase and 16.66 μM for α-glucosidase) but demonstrated limited antioxidant effects. Lincan 13 (Gansu) exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity (DPPH, 16.32 μmol trolox/g; ABTS, 5.85 μmol trolox/g; FRAP, 21.38 mmol Fe²⁺/g), which correlated with it having the highest flavonoid content (40.51 mg rutin/g), while Yican 4 (Yunnan) showed the strongest α-amylase inhibition (43.33%). Correlation analysis confirmed flavonoids as the primary antioxidants, and principal component analysis (PCA) revealed geographical trends (e.g., Jiangsu varieties were particularly phenolic-rich). These findings highlight faba beans’ potential as functional foods and guide genotype selection in targeted breeding programs aimed at enhancing health benefits. Full article

The rise in multidrug-resistant bacterial strains and persistent infections such as Lyme disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi highlights the need for novel antimicrobial agents. The present study explores the antioxidant, antibacterial, and cytotoxic properties of extracts from submerged mycelial biomass of Fomitopsis pinicola, cultivated in synthetic and lignocellulosic media. Four extracts were obtained using hot water and 80% ethanol. The provided analysis of extracts confirmed the presence of various bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, alkaloids, and polyphenols. All extracts showed dose-dependent antioxidant activity (IC₅₀: 1.9–6.7 mg/mL). Antibacterial tests revealed that Klebsiella pneumoniae was most sensitive, with the L2 extract producing the largest inhibition zone (15.33 ± 0.47 mm), while the strongest bactericidal effect was observed against Acinetobacter baumannii (MBC as low as 0.5 mg/mL for L1). Notably, all extracts significantly reduced the viability of stationary-phase B. burgdorferi cells, with L2 reducing viability to 42 ± 2% at 5 mg/mL, and decreased biofilm mass, especially with S2. Cytotoxicity assays showed minimal effects on NIH 3T3 cells, with slight toxicity in HEK 293 cells for S2 and L1. These results suggest that F. pinicola extracts, particularly ethanolic L2 and S2, may offer promising natural antimicrobial and antioxidant agents for managing resistant infections. Full article

Background/Objectives: Unhealthy lifestyles are closely linked to insulin resistance (IR) and adiposity. However, the mediating role of adiposity in the relationship between lifestyle factors and IR is not yet fully understood. Mediation analysis may help clarify the role of adiposity in the relationship between lifestyle factors and IR. Therefore, we aimed to explore the bidirectional relationship between adiposity and IR, and to evaluate the relationship between lifestyle factors and adiposity-mediated IR in Mexican adults. Methods: A longitudinal analysis was conducted using data from the Health Workers Cohort Study, with measurements taken every six years from 2004 to 2018. This study included 1134 participants aged from 18 to 70 years. Lifestyle factors were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. IR was assessed using the Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA). Adiposity was measured through body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and body fat proportion (BFP), and BMI was used as the marker indicator to set the metric of adiposity. We fitted structural equation models with a cross-lagged specification to examine the relationships between adiposity and ln(HOMA). In our analysis, we considered baseline adiposity and ln(HOMA) as mediators of the relation between lifestyle factors and future adiposity and ln(HOMA). Models were stratified by sex and adjusted by baseline age. Results: Results from the cross-lagged panel model showed that, for both men and women, adiposity predicted subsequent increases in HOMA (+5.3% IC95%: 1.8%, 9.0% in men; +6.0% IC95%: 4.2%, 7.8% in women). In men, baseline adiposity acted as a mediator between lifestyle variables (physical activity, tobacco consumption, and sleep duration) and HOMA. Conclusions: Our results suggest that understanding both the relationship between adiposity and HOMA and the mediating effects of adiposity is crucial for developing effective interventions to reduce IR in the Mexican population. Full article

Streptomyces sp. AWH31-250, isolated from a tidal mudflat in the Nakdong River estuary in Busan, Republic of Korea, was found to produce two novel p-aminoacetophenone derivatives, mohangic acid H (1) and mohangiol (2). Their planar structures were established by comprehensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and UV analysis, possessing a shorter carbon-chain with a diene moiety, whereas known mohangic acids A–F bear a longer carbon-chain with a triene moiety. The absolute configurations of the key stereogenic centers were determined via computational DP4+ calculations and bioinformatic analysis of the ketoreductase domain sequence from the biosynthetic gene cluster. Based on the careful gene analysis along with whole-genome sequencing, the first plausible biosynthetic pathway of mohangic acids A–G and mohangiol was proposed. Mohangic acid H (1) and mohangiol (2) displayed moderate inhibitory activity against Candida albicans isocitrate lyase with IC₅₀ values of 21.37 and 21.12 µg/mL, respectively. Full article

Mauritia flexuosa, commonly known as “canangucha,” holds significant nutritional and economic value in the Amazon region. While its pulp is widely utilized in local food products, the seed or kernel is largely underutilized. This study investigated the proximal and phytochemical composition of M. flexuosa, alongside its biological properties, specifically focusing on the hypoglycemic activity of an ethanolic extract from M. flexuosa seeds (MFSs). Proximal analysis revealed that MFSs are a notable source of crude fiber (28.4%) and a moderate source of protein (9.1%). Phytochemical screening indicated a high total polyphenol content (123.4 mg gallic acid equivalents/100 mg dry weight) and substantial antiradical capacity against the ABTS radical (IC₅₀ = 171.86 µg/mL). Notably, MFS ethanolic extracts exhibited significant in vitro antihyperglycemic activity via inhibiting α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes, demonstrating comparable inhibition to acarbose at higher concentrations. This hypoglycemic effect was further corroborated in an in vivo rat model with induced diabetes, where the administration of 100 mg/kg of MFS ethanolic extract significantly reduced blood glucose levels compared to the diabetic control group (p < 0.05). A moderate antihypertensive effect was observed at a concentration of 150 mg/kg, correlating with ACE inhibition. High-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-HRMS) analysis of the seed extract identified phenolic compounds including ellagic, p-coumaric, and chlorogenic acids, as well as flavonoids such as quercetin, myricetin, and epicatechin. This study provides the first evidence of the hypoglycemic activity of MFSs, offering valuable insights into their phytochemistry and potential therapeutic applications. Full article

Due to the limited scientific exploration of Argania spinosa (L.) skeel husk, this study presents the first investigation of the metabolite profile of methanol and acetone extracts analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization and high-resolution multistage mass spectrometry (LC-ESI/HRMSMS). A total of 43 compounds, including hydroxycinnamic acid and flavonoid derivatives, saponins, and triterpenic acids, were identified, some of which have not been previously reported in this species. The total phenols (TPC) and flavonoids (TFC) content were spectrophotometrically determined. A multi-target approach was applied to investigate the antioxidant potential using 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS), β-carotene bleaching, and Ferric Reducing Ability Power (FRAP) tests. Carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes and lipase inhibitory activities were also assessed. The acetone extract exhibited the highest TPC and TFC values, resulting in being the most active in β-carotene bleaching test with IC₅₀ values of 26.68 and 13.82 µg/mL, after 30 and 60 min of incubation, respectively. Moreover, it was the most active against both α-glucosidase and α-amylase enzymes with IC₅₀ values of 12.37 and 18.93 µg/mL, respectively. These results pointed out that this by-product is a rich source of bioactive phytochemicals potentially useful for prevention of type 2 diabetes and obesity. Full article

The pile group-pile cap structure is a key foundation form for deep-water bridges. However, current effective methods for calculating the earthquake-induced hydrodynamic forces on pile caps with arbitrary cross-sections remain insufficient. In this study, the hydrodynamic force is considered as the added mass, and the dynamic equilibrium equations of the isolated pile cap structure (IC model) and the pile group-pile cap structure (PC model) under earthquakes are established, respectively, based on the structural dynamics theory. Correspondingly, the relationships between the hydrodynamic added masses and the fundamental frequencies in the IC model and the PC model are derived, respectively. The fundamental frequencies of the IC model and the PC model are obtained by numerical models built with the ABAQUS (2019) finite element software, and then the added masses on the IC and PC models are calculated accurately. The calculation method proposed in this study avoids the complex fluid–structure interaction problem, which can be applied for the seismic design of deep-water bridge substructures in real practice. Full article

This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the microphysical structures of Meiyu heavy rainfall (near-surface rainfall intensity > 8 mm/h) across different life stages in the Yangtze-Huaihe River Valley (YHRV). We classified the heavy rainfall events into three life stages of developing, mature, and dissipating using ERA5 reanalysis and IMERG precipitation estimates, and examined vertical microphysical structures using Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) data from the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) satellite during the Meiyu period from 2014 to 2023. The results showed that convective heavy rainfall during the mature stage exhibits peak radar reflectivity and surface rainfall rates, with the largest near-surface mass weighted diameter (D_m ≈ 1.8 mm) and the smallest droplet concentration (dBN_w ≈ 38). Downdrafts in the dissipating stage preferentially remove large ice particles, whereas sustained moisture influx stabilizes droplet concentrations. Stratiform heavy rainfall, characterized by weak updrafts, displays narrower particle size distributions. During dissipation, particle breakups dominate, reducing D_m while increasing dBN_w. The analysis of the relationship between microphysical parameters and rainfall rate revealed that convective heavy rainfall shows synchronized growth of D_m and dBN_w during the developing stage, with D_m peaking at about 2.1 mm near 70 mm/h before stabilizing in the mature stage, followed by small-particle dominance in the dissipating stage. In contrast, stratiform rainfall exhibits a “small size, high concentration” regime, where the rainfall rate correlates primarily with increasing dBN_w. Additionally, convective heavy rainfall demonstrates about 22% higher precipitation efficiency than stratiform systems, while stratiform rainfall shows a 25% efficiency surge during the dissipation stage compared to other stages. Full article

Theobroma cacao L. (cocoa) pod husk, a byproduct of the chocolate industry, has potential for commercial applications due to its bioactive compounds. This study aimed to determine the phytochemical composition, biological activity, and clinical efficacy of a standardized extract. This study compared 80% ethanol (CE) and 80% ethanol acidified (CEA) as extraction solvents. The result indicated that CEA yielded higher total phenolic content (170.98 ± 7.41 mg GAE/g extract) and total flavonoid content (3.91 ± 0.27 mg QE/g extract) than CE. Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) identified various phenolic and flavonoid compounds. CEA demonstrated stronger anti-oxidant (IC₅₀ = 5.83 ± 0.11 μg/mL in the DPPH assay and 234.17 ± 4.01 mg AAE/g extract in the FRAP assay) compared to CE. Additionally, CEA exhibited anti-tyrosinase (IC₅₀ = 9.51 ± 0.01 mg/mL), anti-glycation (IC₅₀ = 62.32 ± 0.18 µg/mL), and anti-collagenase (IC₅₀ = 0.43 ± 0.01 mg/mL), nitric oxide (NO) production inhibitory (IC₅₀ = 62.68 μg/mL) activities, without causing toxicity to cells. A formulated lotion containing CEA (0.01–1.0% w/w) demonstrated stability over six heating–cooling cycles. A clinical study with 30 volunteers showed no skin irritation. The 1.0% w/w formulation (F4) improved skin hydration (+52.48%), reduced transepidermal water loss (−7.73%), and decreased melanin index (−9.10%) after 4 weeks of application. These findings suggest cocoa pod husk extract as a promising active ingredient for skin hydrating and lightening formulation. Nevertheless, further long-term studies are necessary to evaluate its efficacy in anti-aging treatments. Full article

Background/Objective: Programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1), which is overexpressed in certain tumors, inhibits the body’s natural immune response by providing an “off” signal that enables cancer cells to evade the immune system. It has been demonstrated that [¹⁷⁷Lu]Lu-DOTA-iPD-L1 (PD-L1 inhibitor cyclic peptide) promotes immune responses. This study aimed to synthesize and evaluate [¹⁸F]AlF-NOTA-iPD-L1 as a novel radiotracer for PD-L1 positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and as a potential theranostic pair for [¹⁷⁷Lu]Lu-DOTA-iPD-L1. Methods: The NOTA-iPD-L1 peptide conjugate was synthesized and characterized by U.V.-vis, I.R.-FT, and UPLC-mass spectroscopies. Radiolabeling was performed using [¹⁸F]AlF as the precursor, and the radiochemical purity (HPLC), partition coefficient, and serum stability were assessed. Cellular uptake and internalization (in 4T1 triple-negative breast cancer cells), binding competition, immunofluorescence, and Western blot assays were applied for the radiotracer in vitro characterization. Biodistribution in mice bearing 4T1 tumors was performed, and molecular imaging (Cerenkov images) of [¹⁸F]AlF-NOTA-iPD-L1 and [¹⁷⁷Lu]Lu-DOTA-iPD-L1 in the same mouse was obtained. Results: [¹⁸F]AlF-NOTA-iPD-L1 was prepared with a radiochemical purity greater than 97%, and it demonstrated high in vitro and in vivo stability, as well as specific recognition by the PD-L1 protein (IC₅₀ = 9.27 ± 2.69 nM). Biodistribution studies indicated a tumor uptake of 6.4% ± 0.9% ID/g at 1-hour post-administration, and Cerenkov images showed a high tumor uptake of both [¹⁸F]AlF-NOTA-iPD-L1 and ¹⁷⁷Lu-iPD-L1 in the same mouse. Conclusions: These results warrant further studies to evaluate the clinical usefulness of [¹⁸F]AlF-NOTA-iPD-L1/[¹⁷⁷Lu]Lu-DOTA-iPD-L1 as a radiotheranostic pair in combination with anti-PD-L1/PD1 immunotherapy. Full article

The efficient synthetic routes and evaluates cytotoxic profiles of denitroaristolochic acids II–V (DAA-II–V) were demonstrated in this study. Based on retrosynthetic analysis, a modular synthetic strategy was developed through Suzuki–Miyaura coupling, Wittig reaction, and bismuth triflate-catalyzed intramolecular Friedel–Crafts cyclization to efficiently construct the phenanthrene core. Process optimization significantly improved yields: aryl bromide intermediate A reached 50.8% yield via bromination refinement, while arylboronic ester intermediate B overcame selectivity limitations. Combining Darzens condensation with Wittig reaction enhanced throughput, achieving 88.4% yield in the key cyclization. Structures were confirmed by NMR and mass spectra. CCK-8 cytotoxicity assays in human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells revealed distinct toxicological profiles: DAA-III and DAA-IV exhibited IC₅₀ values of 371 μM and 515 μM, respectively, significantly higher than the nitro-containing prototype AA-I (270 μM), indicating that the absence of nitro group attenuates but does not eliminate toxicity, potentially via altered metabolic activation. DAA-II and DAA-V showed no detectable cytotoxicity within assay limits, suggesting reduced toxicological impact. Structure–activity analysis exhibited that the nitro group is not essential for cytotoxicity, with methoxy substituents exerting limited influence on potency. This challenges the conventional DNA adduct-dependent toxicity paradigm, implying alternative mechanisms like oxidative stress or mitochondrial dysfunction may mediate damage in denitro derivatives. These systematic findings provide new perspectives for AA analog research and a foundation for the rational use and safety assessment of Aristolochiaceae plants. Full article

The oil and gas industry is subject to significant fire hazards due to the flammability of hydrocarbons and the extreme conditions of operational facilities. Intumescent coatings (ICs) serve as a crucial passive fire protection strategy, forming an insulating char layer when exposed to heat, thereby reducing heat transfer and delaying structural failure. This review article provides an overview of recent developments in the effectiveness of ICs in mitigating fire risks, enhancing structural resilience, and reducing environmental impacts within the oil and gas industry. The literature surveyed shows that analytical techniques, such as thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and large-scale fire testing, have been used to evaluate the thermal insulation performances of the coatings. The results indicate significant temperature reductions on protected steel surfaces that extend critical failure times under hydrocarbon fire conditions. Recent advancements in nano-enhanced and bio-derived ICs have also improved thermal stability and mechanical durability. Furthermore, numerical modeling based on heat transfer, mass conservation, and kinetic equations aids in optimizing formulations for real-world applications. Nevertheless, challenges remain in terms of standardizing modeling frameworks and enhancing the environmental sustainability of ICs. This review highlights the progress made and the opportunities for continuous advances and innovation in IC technologies to meet the ever-evolving challenges and complexities in oil and gas industry operations. Consequently, the need to enhance fire protection by utilizing a combination of tools improves predictive modeling and supports regulatory compliance in high-risk industrial environments. Full article

Wind turbine performance in cold regions is affected by icing which can lead to power reduction due to the aerodynamic degradation of the turbine blade. The development of airfoil shapes applied as blade sections contributes to improving the aerodynamic performance under a wide range of weather conditions. The present study considers inverse design coupled with numerical modelling to simulate the effects of varying airfoil thickness and maximum camber. The inverse design process was implemented in MATLAB R2023a, whereas the numerical models were constructed using ANSYS Fluent and FENSAP ICE 2023 R1. The inverse design process applied the modified Garabedian–McFadden (MGM) iterative technique. Shear velocities were calculated from the flow over an airfoil with slip conditions, and then this velocity distribution was modified according to the prevailing icing conditions to obtain the target velocities. A parameter was proposed to consider the airfoil thickness as well when calculating the target velocities. The airfoil generated was then exposed to various atmospheric conditions to check the improvement in the aerodynamic performance. The ice mass and lift-to-drag ratio were determined considering cloud characteristics under varying liquid water content (LWC) from mild to severe (0.1 g/m³ to 1 g/m³), median volume diameter (MVD) of 50 µm, and two ambient temperatures (−4 °C and −20 °C) that characterize freezing drizzle and in-cloud icing conditions. The ice mass on the blade section was not significantly impacted by modifying the shape after applying the process developed (i.e., <5%). However, the lift-to-drag ratio that describes the aerodynamic performance may even be doubled in the icing scenarios considered. Full article

Due to the limitations of current battery technologies—such as lower energy density and high cost compared to fossil fuels—electric vehicles (EVs) face constraints in applications requiring extended range or heavy payloads, such as refuse trucks. As a midterm solution, hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) combine internal combustion engines (ICEs) and electric powertrains to enable flexible energy usage, particularly in urban duty cycles characterized by frequent stopping and idling. This study introduces a model-based energy management strategy using the Equivalent Consumption Minimization Strategy (ECMS), tailored for a retrofitted series hybrid refuse truck. A conventional ISUZU NPR 10 truck was instrumented to collect real-world driving and operational data, which guided the development of a vehicle-specific ECMS controller. The proposed strategy was evaluated over five driving cycles—including both standardized and measured urban scenarios—under varying load conditions: Tare Mass (TM) and Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM). Compared with a rule-based control approach, ECMS demonstrated up to 14% improvement in driving range and significant reductions in exhaust gas emissions (CO, NO_x, and CO₂). The inclusion of auxiliary load modeling further enhances the realism of the simulation results. These findings validate ECMS as a viable strategy for optimizing fuel economy and reducing emissions in hybrid refuse truck applications. Full article

Lippia multiflora Moldenke is widely used in Angola, on the African continent, and beyond for the treatment of many health conditions such as hypertension, enteritis, colds, gastrointestinal disturbances, stomachaches, jaundice, coughs, fevers, nausea, bronchial inflammation, conjunctivitis, malaria, and venereal diseases. However, there is limited literature about the active compounds linked with the reported biological activities. This study aims to assess the chemical profiles, antioxidant properties, and the cytotoxicity effects of the roots, stem bark, and leaves of L. multiflora. Chemical characterization of the crude extracts was assessed through quantification of total phenolic and flavonoid contents followed by Q exactive plus orbitrap™ ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer (UHPLC-MS) screening. The correlation between the extracts and the correlation between the compounds were studied using the multivariate analysis. Principal component analysis (PCA) loading scores and principal component analysis (PCA) biplots and correlation plots were used to connect specific compounds with observed biological activities. The antioxidant activities of the crude extracts were carried out in vitro using DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging and reducing power assays, while the in vitro toxicology of the crude extracts was evaluated using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. A total of twenty constituents were characterized and identified using the UHPLC–Q/Orbitrap/MS. The methanol leaf extract showed the highest antioxidant activity in the DPPH free radical scavenging activity (IC₅₀ = 0.559 ± 0.269 μg/mL); however, the stem bark extract had the highest reducing power (IC_0.5 = 0.029 ± 0.026 μg/mL). High phenolic and flavonoid content was found in the dichloromethane leaf extract (32.100 ± 1.780 mg GAE/g) and stem bark extract (624.153 ± 29.442 mg QE/g), respectively. The results show the stem bark, methanol leaf, and dichloromethane leaf extracts were well-tolerated by the Vero cell line at concentrations up to 50 µg/mL. However, at 100 µg/mL onward, some toxicity was observed in the root, methanol leaf, and dichloromethane leaf extracts. The UHPLC–Q/Orbitrap/MS profiles showed the presence of terpenoids (n = 5), flavonoids (n = 5), phenols (n = 4), alkaloids (n = 3), coumarins (n = 1), fatty acids (n = 1), and organic acids (n = 1). According to several studies, these secondary metabolites have been reported and proven to be the most abundant for antioxidant potential. The identified flavonoids (catechin, quercitrin, and (−)-epigallocatechin) and phenolic compound (6-gingerol) can significantly contribute to the antioxidant properties of different plant parts of L. multiflora. The research findings obtained in this study provide a complete phytochemical profile of various parts of L. multiflora that are responsible for the antioxidant activity using UHPLC–Q/Orbitrap/MS analysis. Furthermore, the results obtained in this study contribute to the scientific information or data on the therapeutic properties of Lippia multiflora and provide a basis for further assessment of its potential as a natural remedy. Full article