Search Results (422)

Modulation of cholesterol metabolism and reduction in serum cholesterol are key strategies for preventing cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Functional foods enriched with dietary fiber and phytochemicals have attracted increasing attention for their potential health benefits. In this study, milk tablets containing kale and carrot (KC) were developed and preliminarily evaluated for their cholesterol-lowering potential. KC milk tablets were rich in dietary fiber, contained gallic acid, and exhibited antioxidant properties. They also supported the growth of Lactobacillus casei and Bifidobacterium longum in vitro, accompanied by increased SCFA production. In an open-label, pre–post exploratory study in hypercholesterolemic subjects, daily consumption for 6 weeks was associated with significantly increased HDL-C and reduced LDL-C levels. In addition, circulating ApoB100 and HMGCR levels were reduced, whereas ApoE and TNF-α remained unchanged. Therefore, these preliminary findings suggest that KC milk tablets may accomplish beneficial changes in lipid profiles and support the potential of dietary fiber–phenolic interactions with enhanced SCFA production which might modulate cholesterol metabolism. However, in further studies, randomized controlled trials are required to understand the precise underlying mechanism. Full article

Selenium (Se) biofortification is a promising approach to improve the nutritional value and functional quality of microgreens, although species-specific responses to Se remain insufficiently understood. This study investigated the effects of Se biofortification on physiological status, antioxidant responses, phenolic composition, and molecular changes in four Brassica microgreens: broccoli, kohlrabi, pak choi, and kale, using biochemical analyses, HPLC, and FTIR spectroscopy. The indicators of nutritional quality and stress-related metabolism in Brassica microgreens showed species-specific responses due to selenium treatment. Kohlrabi showed coordinated osmotic and metabolic adjustment involving osmolyte accumulation and enhanced antioxidant response, although moderate membrane sensitivity was observed at the highest selenium concentration. Pak choi maintained tolerance through balanced metabolic adjustment and enzymatic defense, while broccoli responded predominantly through enzymatic antioxidant mechanisms. Kale exhibited pronounced non-enzymatic responses, including anthocyanin accumulation and enhanced radical scavenging capacity. PCA confirmed species-specific response strategies and differential associations among biochemical parameters. Changes in antioxidant functionality were associated with both metabolite accumulation and structural reorganization of phenolic-related compounds. Overall, Se biofortification improved functional and nutritional traits of the investigated Brassica microgreens, although higher selenium concentrations induced moderate oxidative and membrane-related stress in certain Brassica microgreens. These findings highlight the importance of species-specific optimization of Se application to maximize crop quality while minimizing potential effects of Se toxicity. Full article

Background/Objectives: Tuberculosis (TB) treatment adherence remains suboptimal globally, contributing to relapse, transmission, and drug-resistant TB. Adherence is a culturally embedded behavioral process shaped by psychological readiness, social relationships, and structural conditions. This study aimed to validate a culturally grounded counseling model integrating the Sunrise Model of transcultural nursing and the Information–Motivation–Behavioral Skills (IMB) framework for TB treatment adherence in Kupang City, Indonesia. Methods: A cross-sectional study enrolled 172 pulmonary TB patients across all 11 primary healthcare centers in Kupang City (June–September 2025). A validated questionnaire measuring eight transcultural determinants, culturally grounded counseling (mediator), and adherence (outcome) was developed through expert validation, cognitive interviewing, and pilot testing. Structural Equation Modeling–Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) tested structural and mediation relationships via bootstrapped indirect effects (p < 0.05). Results: Reliability (CR: 0.842–0.959; ρA: 0.791–0.957), convergent validity (AVE: 0.577–0.921), and discriminant validity (all HTMT < 0.85) were confirmed. The model showed strong explanatory power (R² = 0.649 for adherence; SRMR = 0.074). Culturally grounded counseling was positively associated with adherence (β = 0.245, p = 0.003) and statistically mediated five antecedent–adherence relationships, including full mediation for economic conditions. Cultural values and lifestyle showed the strongest counseling association (β = 0.345, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Cross-sectional evidence supports a culturally grounded counseling model for TB adherence in diverse settings. Causal conclusions require longitudinal and interventional validation. The model offers a foundation for nurse-led intervention development and multi-site validation. Full article

The search for a healthy diet has increased the consumption of kale, a vegetable recognized for its high nutritional value, mineral content, and antioxidant properties. Phosphorus is an essential nutrient in this context, acting in energy transfer and root development, which favors productivity and product quality. This study evaluated the effect of two phosphorus sources, bone meal (BM) and thermophosphate Yoorin^® (TY), and five phosphorus (P₂O₅) doses (0, 160, 320, 480, and 640 kg ha⁻¹) on kale yield and quality. The experiment used a randomized complete block design with four replications and ten treatments in a 2 × 5 factorial arrangement in a protected environment over a cycle of 155 days after transplanting. Marketable yield with BM reached an estimated maximum of 1.54 kg plant⁻¹ at 525 kg ha⁻¹ P₂O₅ (54% over control), while TY showed a linear increase up to 1.57 kg plant⁻¹ (59%). Photosynthetic pigments, antioxidant activity, ascorbic acid, and total phenolic compounds fitted quadratic models, with gains of up to 36%, 73%, 51%, and 57%, respectively. Contents of P, K, Ca, and Fe increased significantly with P doses, with Fe gains reaching 110–180%. Phosphate fertilization with BM, a renewable P source, increases kale yield and nutritional quality, highlighting its potential for organic farming systems. Full article

Kale is widely recognized as a nutritional superfood. This study investigated the impact of carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentrations (400, 800, and 1200 µmol mol⁻¹) on the growth, yield, physiological responses, and nutritional contents of two kale cultivars (‘Curly Kale’ and ‘Red Ursa’) grown in a plant factory. A completely randomized design was used to evaluate these parameters. Based on the results, increasing the CO₂ concentration to 1200 µmol mol⁻¹ significantly enhanced stem height, shoot, and root fresh weight and dry weight in ‘Curly Kale’ and ‘Red Ursa’, compared to the other CO₂ concentrations. Increasing CO₂ concentration to 1200 µmol mol⁻¹ significantly enhanced net photosynthesis rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, and water use efficiency in ‘Curly Kale’. In addition, compared to ambient CO₂, the increase in the CO₂ concentration to 800 µmol mol⁻¹ significantly increased the vitamin C, soluble protein, and total phenolic contents, while reducing the nitrate accumulation in both cultivars. However, further elevation to 1200 µmol mol⁻¹ CO₂ markedly decreased the vitamin C content and total amino acids, including both the essential and non-essential amino acids. Among the tested concentration gradients, 800 µmol mol⁻¹ CO₂ was identified as the most cost-effective level for maintaining nutrient density, whereas 1200 µmol mol⁻¹ CO₂ increased unit production costs for ‘Red Ursa’ due to a lack of significant yield returns. In conclusion, enriching the CO₂ concentration to 800 µmol mol⁻¹ provided a balance between improved growth, photosynthetic performance, and optimal nutritional quality, while ensuring economic feasibility and preserving the superfood identity of kale. Full article

Sprout vegetables have emerged as functional instant foods, with elevated concentrations of bioactive compounds compared with their mature counterparts. Chinese kale (Brassica oleracea var. alboglabra) is a cruciferous Brassica vegetable particularly rich in phenolic compounds, glucosinolates, and other nutrients, making it a suitable candidate for sprout production. This study aimed to explore the impact of melatonin (MT), calcium chloride (CaCl₂), and their combination on the quality and functional metabolism of Chinese kale. The results showed that MT treatment alone led to significantly higher ferric-reducing antioxidant power and concentrations of chlorophylls, carotenoids, soluble sugar, soluble protein, flavonoid, total phenolic compounds, and glucosinolates than those under CaCl₂ treatment alone. CaCl₂ treatment alone increased ascorbic acid content by 30.5%, but had limited effects on protein accumulation and secondary metabolites. However, the combined treatment did not exert a synergistic effect on ascorbic acid content, which decreased by 19.8% compared with that under the control treatment, significantly (p < 0.05). Overall, MT treatment was effective in boosting nutrient levels, thereby elevating the functional quality of Chinese kale sprouts. Full article

Cellulose is a complex polysaccharide that serves as the primary structural component of plant cell walls. It is highly suitable for packaging films due to its inherent and tunable properties, which offer a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics. In this study, cellulose was extracted from vegetable waste (kale and cabbage) and processed into films using LiCl/N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc) as the solvent system. The regenerated cellulose films were characterized and compared with a film prepared from commercial microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) using the same procedure. The vegetable-waste films showed a lower degree of crystallinity than the MCC film. SEM micrographs revealed that the vegetable-waste films possessed smooth and uniform surfaces. Furthermore, they demonstrated good transparency, ductility, and thermal stability. Biodegradation tests indicated rapid decomposition of the vegetable-waste films, which fully degraded within 10 weeks, whereas the MCC film required 16 weeks. The cabbage-derived film exhibited a smoother surface and slightly better mechanical properties than the kale-derived film, suggesting that differences in the cellulose source can influence the regeneration process and, consequently, the properties of the resulting films. Overall, this work demonstrates that vegetable waste can be effectively upcycled into eco-friendly, low-cost cellulose films with strong potential for use in various sustainable material applications. Nevertheless, for edible applications, cytotoxicity testing is required to confirm the absence of residual health-risk reagents such as LiCl and DMAc in the resulting films. Full article

This study developed and evaluated a cloud-based smart irrigation platform (DSmart Farming) integrating low-cost sensors and IoT technology for automated irrigation control in community greenhouses of Puen Jai Insee, organic group in Sa Kaeo Province. The system combined soil moisture, air temperature, and relative humidity sensors, with a LoRa32-based control unit in each greenhouse and a central web-based management application linked to a MariaDB database on a cloud server. Five vegetable crops, including cherry tomato, broccoli, cabbage, Chinese kale, and kale, were grown over two distinct seasons under four irrigation strategies in a completely randomized design with three replications: three smart irrigation treatments based on soil moisture thresholds (on/off at 40/50%, 45/55%, and 50/60%) and a farmer-managed conventional irrigation control. The smart irrigation system maintained root-zone moisture within the target range (approximately 50–60%) and moderated greenhouse microclimate, preventing daytime temperatures from exceeding 40 °C, in contrast to 40–45 °C peaks in the conventional greenhouses. Across crops, smart irrigation increased yields by 20–29% while reducing water use by 41–60% compared to conventional practice, leading to income increases of 20–56%, depending on the crop. Bacterial soft rot caused by Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum occurred only under conventional irrigation, whereas no soft rot or other major diseases were detected in smart-irrigated greenhouses. These results demonstrate that the DSmart Farming system can enhance water use efficiency, avoid disease incidence, and improve the productivity and profitability of organic greenhouse vegetable production in water-limited smallholder systems. Full article

Microgreens are increasingly promoted as sustainable, nutrient-dense foods, yet their content of potentially harmful specialized metabolites remains poorly explored. Here, we developed and applied a reversed-phase liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization high-resolution mass spectrometry (RPLC-ESI-HRMS) method for the detection of cyanogenic glycosides (CNGs) in edible microgreens. Method optimization, performed using dhurrin and lotaustralin as model standards, showed that positive ion detection of sodium adducts provided the most informative and selective HRMS/MS response, with diagnostic fragmentation patterns suitable for CNG recognition in complex matrices. Quantitative validation for lotaustralin showed excellent linearity (R² = 0.998), low detection/quantification limits (LOD 0.16 mg/L; LOQ 0.53 mg/L), good extraction recovery, and a negligible matrix effect. Application of the method revealed a clear species-dependent profile. No detectable CNGs were found in broccoli raab and kale microgreens, supporting their safety as ready-to-eat products in this respect. In contrast, flax microgreens contained four CNGs: linamarin, lotaustralin, linustatin, and neolinustatin. Monoglycosylated species predominated, with lotaustralin quantified at 5.5 ± 0.6 mg/g dry weight and linamarin estimated at even higher levels. Diglycosylated CNGs were present at much lower concentrations and displayed multiple chromatographic peaks, consistent with the occurrence of structurally related isomeric forms. These quantitative results are specific to the flax microgreen samples analyzed here, obtained by pooling the lyophilized material obtained from several plants; thus, they do not account for biological variability among individual plants. Based on the measured CNG levels, flax microgreens showed a non-negligible cyanogenic potential. Assuming 1, 10 and 25% conversion to hydrogen cyanide, the estimated release would be, respectively, about 3, 33 and 81 mg HCN/kg of fresh flax microgreens, values lower than the current EU limit (150 mg HCN/kg of edible product) for flaxseed intended for direct consumption but comparable to values reported for other foods. These findings highlight the need to complement the nutritional evaluation of novel microgreens with targeted toxicological screening. Full article

The roots of Acridocarpus smeathmannii were identified as a natural source of the benzyl-terpene 2-(5-isopropyl-4-methoxy-2-methylbenzyl)phenol (FAH-01, chamanen), which was isolated and structurally characterized by chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques, including two-dimensional NMR analysis. Functionally, FAH-01 exerted pronounced inhibitory effects on human prostate smooth muscle contractility. In organ bath experiments, it reduced noradrenaline-induced contractions by up to 72% and phenylephrine-induced contractions by up to 63%, without affecting agonist potency (pEC₅₀). During electrical field stimulation (2–32 Hz), FAH-01 suppressed neurogenic contractile responses, indicating interference with adrenergic and nerve-mediated signaling pathways. Beyond smooth muscle modulation, FAH-01 showed antioxidant activity in the DPPH radical-scavenging assay and exhibited early-stage toxicity in the Artemia salina cysts. Collectively, these findings identify FAH-01 as a bioactive natural product with potent inhibitory effects on adrenergic and neurogenic contraction in human prostate smooth muscle, supporting its therapeutic potential in conditions associated with increased smooth muscle tone. Further preclinical studies are needed to elucidate its mechanisms of action, toxicity, and in vivo efficacy. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of different light-emitting diode (LED) spectral qualities on the early growth of kale at the baby-leaf harvest stage in a plant factory with artificial lighting (PFAL) by integrating morphological traits, biomass accumulation, plant quality indices, vegetation indices, and chlorophyll a fluorescence. Two kale (Brassica oleracea L.) cultivars, ‘Jellujon’ and ‘Manchoo Collard’, were grown for four weeks under monochromatic red, green, and blue LEDs, a purple composite LED with far-red wavelengths, and three white LEDs with different correlated color temperatures (3000, 4100, and 6500 K). Blue LED increased shoot height by approximately 14–28%, depending on cultivar and comparison among the white LED treatments, but this elongation did not translate into superior biomass production. In contrast, white LEDs, particularly at 3000–4100 K, increased leaf area to 24.2–24.9 cm² and SPAD units to 47.3–50.2, whereas blue or green LEDs generally resulted in smaller leaves and lower SPAD units. Shoot dry weight under 3000–4100 K white LEDs reached 0.25–0.26 g in ‘Jellujon’ and 0.26–0.29 g in ‘Manchoo Collard’, approximately twofold higher than under blue or green LEDs. Compactness, Dickson quality index, root investment ratio, and leaf efficiency index were also more favorable under white LEDs, indicating improved plant sturdiness and structural stability. Green LED light was associated with lower maximum photochemical efficiency (Φ_Po) and greater energy dissipation (Φ_Do and DI_o/RC), whereas photochemical reflectance index and PI_ABS tended to be more favorable under selected white LED treatments, although these responses were partly cultivar- and treatment-dependent. Taken together, among the LED spectral quality treatments tested, 3000–4100 K white LEDs provided the most consistently favorable conditions for producing structurally robust, high-quality kale at the early growth stage in PFAL systems. The purple LED showed partial advantages in leaf development and selected physiological responses, but these effects were less consistent across cultivars and indices. Full article

Objective: This study aimed to determine the relationship between sigmoid sinus dehiscence (SSD), sigmoid sinus topography, mastoid pneumatization, and adjacent temporal bone structures in patients with pulsatile tinnitus (PT). Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 344 temporal bone cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans (172 PT patients and 172 age- and sex-matched controls). The degree of mastoid pneumatization, presence and size of SSD, sinus topography, and distances between the sigmoid sinus and key landmarks—the lateral semicircular canal (LSCC), jugular bulb (HJB), and external auditory canal (EAC)—were measured. Quantitative and qualitative characteristics were compared between groups, and independent predictors of PT were identified using multivariate logistic regression. Results: Compared to controls, SSD was substantially more common in the PT group (115/172 vs. 44/172, p < 0.001). Patients with PT had significantly larger anteroposterior and vertical sigmoid sinus dehiscence diameters (4.61 ± 0.99 mm vs. 3.87 ± 0.25 mm and 3.37 ± 0.47 mm vs. 2.92 ± 0.14 mm, respectively; both p < 0.01). Additionally, in the PT group, the sigmoid sinus was situated closer to the lateral semicircular canal, jugular bulb (JB), and external auditory canal (all p < 0.01). Conclusions: Venous pulsatile tinnitus was substantially correlated with sigmoid sinus dehiscence, sinus topography, and decreased sinus–EAC distance. Quantitative CBCT evaluation of these anatomical relationships could help with surgical planning and enhance diagnostic evaluation. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of thermocomposting followed by vermicomposting on the physicochemical properties of insect frass and its suitability as a germination and growth substrate for kale, tomato, and bell pepper. Vermicomposting improved frass stability by reducing pH, electrical conductivity, carbon content, and the C/N ratio, while increasing total nitrogen, cation exchange capacity, and calcium and magnesium availability, indicating enhanced maturity and nutrient retention. Peat–frass mixtures (20–100%), increased pH from acidic conditions in the control to near neutral in 100% frass and raised electrical conductivity from 0.67 dS m⁻¹ to the highest values in the pure frass treatment. Tomato seedlings exhibited strong tolerance and enhanced growth at all frass proportions, with seedling heights exceeding 33 cm compared with the control. Kale showed optimal growth at 20–60% frass, while 80–100% reduced early development. In bell pepper, emergence declined at high frass proportions, although seedlings grown with ≥40% frass reached heights of approximately 8.3–8.6 cm. Vermicomposted frass also influenced plant metabolism, increasing flavonoid accumulation and modifying antioxidant activity. These findings demonstrate that stabilized frass can serve as a sustainable substrate component, contributing to organic waste valorization and improved seedling production when applied at crop-specific proportions. Full article

Rapid urbanization and population growth demand sustainable food systems. This study investigated hydroponic vertical farming with LED lighting for Chinese kale (Brassica oleracea var. alboglabra), comparing white LEDs (WL), 20% red + 80% blue (20% RL: 80% BL), and 80% red + 20% blue (80% RL:20% BL). Plants grown under control conditions were assessed at weeks 2, 4, and 6. The 80% RL:20% BL treatment enhanced fresh weight, leaf area, root length, and biomass, while 20% RL:80% BL maximized chlorophyll, anthocyanin, and phenolics. Leaf number and quantum yield remained similar, though stress was evident. The findings of this research highlight red-dominant light for growth and blue-dominant light for phytochemical enrichment. Full article