Search Results (231)

The geochemistry of the fatty acids in the modern sediments in the Northern South Yellow Sea is still poorly studied, and studies on the geochemistry of the fatty acids in relatively long-core sediment samples are lacking. Thus, the fatty acids in the core sediments in the Northern South Yellow Sea were separated and identified to study their components and distribution characteristics, and the sources of organic matter and the early diagenetic evolution of the fatty acids in the sediments were discussed. The results show that saturated straight-chain fatty acids (methyl ester) have the highest content in the core sediments in the Northern South Yellow Sea, which account for 83.89% of the total fatty acids (methyl ester). nC_16:0 is dominant, accounting for 30.48% of the n-saturated fatty acids (methyl ester). Unsaturated fatty acids (methyl ester) account for 7.59% of the total fatty acids (methyl ester). Binary unsaturated fatty acids (methyl ester) can only be detected in some samples, which are low in content and dominated by C_18:2. Based on the components and distribution of the fatty acids (methyl ester) in the core sediments in the Northern South Yellow Sea, combined with the characteristics of other lipid biomarker compounds, the actual geological background, and previous research results, it is considered that the sources of organic matter in the core sediments are marine–terrestrial mixed materials, with terrestrial materials dominating. The fatty acids’ (methyl ester) CPI, the relative content of short-chain saturated fatty acids (methyl ester), and the unsaturated fatty acids (methyl ester) in the core sediments show non-obvious variation as the burial depth increases, reflecting that the fatty acids in the core sediments are strongly degraded at the early diagenetic stage, and this degradation is controlled by various complicated factors. Full article

This study synthesizes and comparatively investigates two squaric acid-based phthalocyanine-like dyes, SNF and its long-chain alkylated derivative LNF, to systematically elucidate the influence of peripheral hydrophobic groups on their third-order nonlinear optical (NLO) properties. The NLO characteristics were comprehensively characterized using femtosecond Z-scan and I-scan techniques at both 800 nm and 900 nm. Both dyes exhibited strong saturable absorption (SA), confirming their potential as saturable absorbers. Critically, the comparative analysis revealed that SNF exhibits a significantly greater nonlinear absorption coefficient (β) compared to LNF under identical conditions. For instance, at 800 nm, the β of SNF was approximately 3–5 times larger than that of LNF. This result conclusively demonstrates that the introduction of long hydrophobic alkyl chains attenuates the NLO response. Furthermore, I-scan measurements revealed excellent SA performance, with high modulation depths (e.g., LNF: 43.0% at 900 nm) and low saturation intensities. This work not only clarifies the structure–property relationship in these D-A-D dyes but also presents a clear strategy for modulating the NLO properties of organic chromophores for applications in near-infrared pulsed lasers. Full article

Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a global health epidemic with rising prevalence within Asian populations, particularly amongst individuals with high visceral adiposity and ectopic organ fat, the so-called Thin-Outside, Fat-Inside phenotype. Metabolomic and microbiome shifts may herald T2D onset, presenting potential biomarkers and mechanistic insight into metabolic dysregulation. However, multi-omics datasets across ethnicities remain limited. Methods: We performed cross-sectional multi-omics analyses on 171 adults (99 Asian Chinese, 72 European Caucasian) from the New Zealand-based TOFI_Asia cohort at 4-years follow-up. Paired plasma and faecal samples were analysed using untargeted metabolomic profiling (polar/lipid fractions) and shotgun metagenomic sequencing, respectively. Sparse multi-block partial least squares regression and discriminant analysis (DIABLO) unveiled signatures associated with ethnicity, glycaemic status, and sex. Results: Ethnicity-based DIABLO modelling achieved a balanced error rate of 0.22, correctly classifying 76.54% of test samples. Polar metabolites had the highest discriminatory power (AUC = 0.96), with trigonelline enriched in European Caucasians and carnitine in Asian Chinese. Lipid profiles highlighted ethnicity-specific signatures: Asian Chinese showed enrichment of polyunsaturated triglycerides (TG.16:0_18:2_22:6, TG.18:1_18:2_22:6) and ether-linked phospholipids, while European Caucasians exhibited higher levels of saturated species (TG.16:0_16:0_14:1, TG.15:0_15:0_17:1). The bacteria Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum, Erysipelatoclostridium ramosum, and Enterocloster bolteae characterised Asian Chinese participants, while Oscillibacter sp. and Clostridium innocuum characterised European Caucasians. Cross-omic correlations highlighted negative correlations of Phocaeicola vulgatus with amino acids (r = −0.84 to −0.76), while E. ramosum and C. innocuum positively correlated with long-chain triglycerides (r = 0.55–0.62). Conclusions: Ethnicity drove robust multi-omic differentiation, revealing distinctive metabolic and microbial profiles potentially underlying the differential T2D risk between Asian Chinese and European Caucasians. Full article

Per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are man-made compounds involved in compositions of many industrial processes and consumer products. The largest-volume man-made PFAS are made up of refrigerants and fluoropolymers. Major concerns for our society related to these substances are their contribution to global warming as greenhouse gasses and the potential for adverse effects on living organisms, particularly by long-chain perfluoroalkyl acid derivatives. Restrictions on manufacturing and applications will increase in the near future. The full remediation of historical and current contaminations of air, soil and water remains problematic, especially for ultra-short PFASs, such as trifluoroacetic acid. Future monitoring of PFAS levels and their impact on ecosystems remains important. PFASs have become integrated in the lifestyle and infrastructures of our modern worldwide society and are likely to be part of that society for years to come in essential applications by closing the fluorine loop. Full article

The presence of recalcitrant organic compounds in oilfield-produced-water poses significant challenges for conventional biological treatment technologies. In this study, an Fe³⁺-augmented composite bioreactor was developed to enhance the multi-pollutant removal performance and to elucidate the associated microbial community dynamics. The Fe³⁺-augmented system achieved efficient removal of oil (99.18 ± 0.91%), suspended solids (65.81 ± 17.55%), chemical oxygen demand (48.63 ± 15.15%), and polymers (57.72 ± 14.87%). The anaerobic compartment served as the core biotreatment unit, playing a pivotal role in microbial pollutant degradation. High-throughput sequencing indicated that Fe³⁺ supplementation strengthened syntrophic interactions between iron-reducing bacteria (Trichococcus and Bacillus) and methanogenic archaea (Methanobacterium and Methanomethylovorans), thereby facilitating the biodegradation of long-chain hydrocarbons (e.g., eicosane and nonadecane). Further metabolic function analysis identified long-chain-fatty-acid CoA ligase (EC 6.2.1.3) as a key enzyme mediating the interplay between hydrocarbon degradation and nitrogen cycling. This study elucidated the ecological mechanisms governing Fe³⁺-mediated multi-pollutant removal in a composite bioreactor and highlighted the potential of this approach for efficient, sustainable, and adaptable management of produced water in the petroleum industry. Full article

The human exposome, including dietary exposures such as pesticides, additives, and environmental contaminants, plays a critical role in shaping the gut microbiota (GM) and long-term health outcomes. While the Mediterranean Diet is known for its health-promoting effects, the role of food quality, specifically organic vs. conventional products, in modulating GM within this dietary pattern remains underexplored. The aim of this study was to evaluate (1) whether an Italian Mediterranean Organic Diet (IMOD) confers additional benefits compared to an Italian Mediterranean non-Organic Diet (IMnOD), and (2) the impact of IMOD and IMnOD versus a free diet (No Diet) on GM and anthropometric parameters. A randomized, controlled trial was conducted on 39 healthy subjects. Eligible subjects were divided into the following groups: (1) 4 weeks No Diet, (2) 4 weeks IMOD, and (3) 4 weeks IMnOD. Microbiota profiling (16S rRNA sequencing), body composition (BIA), and dietary adherence (MEDAS, FFQ) were evaluated. Distinct microbial shifts following both IMOD and IMnOD compared to No Diet were revealed. Several taxa previously associated with short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) biosynthesis (i.e., Anaerobutyricum hallii, Anaerostipes hadrus, and Dorea longicatena) were increased after both Mediterranean Diet interventions, while Parabacteroides distasonis showed a specific increase in the IMOD group. No significant changes in body weight or composition were observed. These findings suggest that adherence to a Mediterranean Diet, regardless of food source, reshapes the gut microbiota, while organic food intake may influence specific microbial trajectories. Our results support the relevance of food quality in dietary interventions. Full article

Anaerobic digestion (AD) for food waste (FW) treatment has faced many challenges, especially ammonia nitrogen, acid, and salinity inhibition at a high organic loading rate (OLR). Therefore, a systematic understanding of the issues arising during the FW AD process is a necessity under a high OLR (over 3 g-VS/L d). Primarily, in terms of ammonia nitrogen inhibition, ammonia ions inhibit methane synthesis enzymes, and free ammonia (FAN) contributes to the imbalance of microbial protons. Regulation strategies include substrate C/N ratio regulation, microbial domestication, and ammonia nitrogen removal. In addition, with regard to acid inhibition, including volatile fatty acid (VFA) and long-chain fatty acid (LCFA) accumulation, the elevated acid concentration can contribute to reactive oxygen species stress, and a solution to this includes the addition of alkaline agents and trace elements or the use of microbial electrochemical and biofortification technology and micro-aeration-based AD technology. Furthermore, in terms of salinity inhibition, high salinity can result in a rapid increase in cell osmotic pressure, which can cause cell rupture, and water washing and bio-electrochemical AD are defined as solutions. Future research directions are proposed, mainly in terms of avoiding the introduction of novel containments into these regulation strategies and applying them in large-scale AD plants under a high OLR. Full article

Bioactive compounds have shown significant potential in the management of obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS). This study investigates the effects of antioxidant lipids (ALω-3), synthetized through enzymatic acidolysis using non-specific lipase B from Candida antarctica under supercritical CO₂ conditions. These lipids were derived from a concentrate of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) belly oil, rich in long-chain polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids (LCPUFAn-3), and cold-pressed maqui seed oil (MO, Aristotelia chilensis (Mol.) Stuntz). Their effects were then evaluated in a murine high-fat diet (HFD) model. The fatty acid profile, tocopherol and tocotrienol content, and thin-layer chromatography of ALω-3 were analyzed. After 8 weeks on an HFD, male C57BL/6 mice were divided into four groups and switched to a control diet (CD) with the following supplements for 3 weeks: Glycerol (G), commercial marine Omega-3 (CMω-3), a mixture of LCPUFAn-3 concentrate + MO (Mω-3), or ALω-3. The total body and organ weights, serum markers, and liver and visceral fat pro-inflammatory marker expression levels were assessed. ALω-3 contained 13.4% oleic, 33.9% linoleic, 6.3% α-linolenic, 10.7% eicosapentaenoic, and 16.2% docosahexaenoic fatty acids. The β, γ, δ-tocopherol, and β, γ-tocotrienol values were 22.9 ± 1.4, 24.9 ± 0.2, 6.8 ± 0.7, 22.9 ± 1.7, and 22.4 ± 4.7 mg·kg⁻¹, respectively, with α-tocopherol detected in traces. ALω-3 supplementation increased serum Trolox equivalent capacity, significantly reduced serum GPT levels (p < 0.01), and enhanced postprandial glucose tolerance (p < 0.001), although it did not alter insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). These findings indicate ALω-3′s potential for mitigating the glucose intolerance, liver damage, and oxidative stress associated with obesity and MetS, highlighting the need for additional research to explore its potential health benefits. Full article

Carnitine is essential for the mitochondrial transport of long-chain fatty acids and thus plays a pivotal role in energy metabolism, particularly in metabolically active organs, such as skeletal and cardiac muscle. In patients with dialysis, carnitine homeostasis is disrupted because of the reduced synthesis, impaired renal reabsorption, and carnitine loss during extracorporeal procedures. Carnitine deficiency is linked to a wide range of clinical manifestations, including muscle weakness, treatment-resistant anemia, intradialytic hypotension, mental disorder, and cardiovascular disease. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the physiological function of carnitine, elucidates the underlying mechanisms of carnitine deficiency in patients with dialysis, and explores the clinical consequences. Furthermore, the efficacy and limitations of L-carnitine supplementation in clinical practice are discussed based on the current literature. A better understanding of the pathophysiological and clinical relevance of carnitine deficiency may help facilitate personalized therapeutic strategies for patients with kidney diseases. Full article

The conversion of carbohydrates into fatty acids is central for energy storage and the development and functioning of organs. Our previous study revealed that Hacd2 deficiency alleviates the fatty liver and diabetes induced by HFD. This study aimed to explore the roles of Hacd2 in organ development and metabolic homeostasis under an LFHCD, which still need to be more deeply explored. We found that the germline deletion of Hacd2 impairs long-chain fatty acid synthesis, which caused embryonic abnormalities after 7.5 days and led to embryonic lethality, as confirmed via photograph and hematoxylin-eosin staining. We next constructed Hacd2LKO mice and found that Hacd2LKO mice were largely normal when fed a chow diet, except for reduced inguinal white adipose tissue formation and glucose metabolism. Meanwhile, under an LFHCD, Hacd2 deletion markedly controlled body weight and white adipose tissue formation, leading to lower cholesterol and triglycerides in serum; however, it unexpectedly resulted in enlarged liver volume, hepatocyte swelling and nuclear abnormalities, and infiltration of inflammatory cells, including macrophages, neutrophils and dendritic cells. Furthermore, inhibition of Hacd2 also reduced triglyceride levels and the expression of related lipogenic genes during adipocyte differentiation, as confirmed via RNA interference analysis. These findings highlight the critical roles of Hacd2 in embryonic development and metabolic diseases, revealing its protective function in maintaining liver homeostasis under an LFHCD. Therefore, targeted interventions involving Hacd2 for metabolic diseases must take into account dietary changes and the functioning of the liver. Full article

The agri-food supply chain and other industries that convert agricultural raw materials into various consumer goods generate large quantities of by-products, most of which end up in landfills. This waste, rich in cellulose, provides a significant opportunity for the conversion of agricultural residues into valuable products. In this paper, soybean hulls and hemp waste were subjected to chemical treatments with alkaline (NaOH 2% w/v) and acidic solutions (HCl 1 M) to remove non-cellulosic components and isolate cellulose. The biomass was characterized after each chemical process through FTIR, SEM, EDX, elemental analysis, TGA, and XRD. Lignin was determined following two different procedures, a conventional TAPPI protocol and a method recently proposed in the literature (CASA method). The results indicated that the chemical treatments favored the removal of organic compounds and minerals, increasing the cellulose content in biomass after each step. The purified product of soybean hulls consists of fibers 35–50 µm long and 5–11 µm thick, containing nearly pure cellulose arranged in crystalline domains. Fibers of variable sizes, rich in crystalline cellulose, were isolated from hemp waste. These fibers have diameters ranging between 2 and 60 µm and lengths from 40 to 800 µm and contain considerable amounts of lignin (~14%). Full article

Currently, the main types of roses circulating in China include Jinbian Rose, Kushui Rose and Pingyin Rose. Each type of rose has slight differences in usage and efficacy. There are many varieties of roses, and the quality of rose essential oils varies greatly. Almost no research has systematically studied the essential oils of various roses. In this experiment, three types of roses (Jinbian Rose, Kushui Rose, and Pingyin Rose) were selected as research subjects based on their efficacy and variety in the market. Essential oils were extracted from the three types of roses using hydrodistillation. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to qualitatively analyze the volatile substances in the essential oils of different varieties of roses. The three types of rose essential oils were identified and differentiated using chemometric methods (including HCA, PCA, PLS-DA, and OPLS-DA). On the one hand, based on the GC-MS analysis results, 40, 48, and 40 volatile components were detected in Jinbian Rose, Kushui Rose, and Pingyin Rose, respectively. The chemical compositions were primarily dominated by macromolecular compounds such as long-chain alkanes, organic acids, and esters. On the other hand, eight markers with significant identification values were identified to distinguish among the three types of roses. In conclusion, based on GC-MS analysis and chemometric methods, this experiment distinguishes and identifies three types of roses from the perspective of essential oil components for developing an effective strategy for the identification of rose varieties. Full article

The search for life beyond Earth currently hinges on the detection of biosignatures that are indicative of current or past life, with terrestrial life being the sole known example. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), which acts as the long-term storage of genetic information in all known organisms, is considered a biosignature of life. Techniques like the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) are particularly useful as they allow for the amplification of DNA fragments, allowing the detection of even trace amounts of genetic material. This study aimed to detect DNA extracted from colonies of an Antarctic black fungus both when (i) alone and (ii) mixed with a Sulfatic Mars Regolith Simulant (S-MRS), after exposure to increasing doses of Fe ions (up to 1 kGy). PCR-based amplification methods were used for detection. The findings of this study revealed no DNA amplification in samples mixed with Sulfatic Mars Regolith Simulant, providing important insights into the potential application of these techniques for in situ DNA detection during future space exploration missions or for their application on the Mars sample return program; it also gives input in the planetary protection discussions. Full article

Background/Objectives: Air pollution is the highest environmental risk factor of mortality and morbidity worldwide, leading to over 4 million deaths each year. Among different air pollutants, ultrafine particles (UFPs) constitute the highest risk factor of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Epidemiological studies have associated UFPs with the short- and long-term imbalance of numerous blood markers. Our objective was to systematically review the short-term and long-term impact of UFP exposure on blood markers of CVDs. Methods: We prepared the systematic review of CVD blood markers and meta-analyses of the short- and long-term effects of UFP exposure on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) concentration. The eligibility criteria were established with the use of the Provider, Enrollment, Chain, and Ownership System (PECOS) model, and the literature search was conducted in Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus databases from 1 January 2013 to 9 January 2025. The risk of bias (RoB) was prepared according to a World Health Organization (WHO) template. Results: The results showed an increase in hsCRP as a result of both short-term and long-term UFPs. Moreover, IL-6 and IL-1β together with other inflammatory markers increased after short-term UFP exposure. In addition, different nucleic acids, among which were miR-24-3p and let-7d-5p, were differentially expressed (DE) as a result of short-term UFP exposure. Chronic exposure to UFPs could lead to a persistent increase in hsCRP and other blood markers of CVDs. Conclusions: Our findings underline that UFPs may lead to the development and/or worsening of cardiovascular outcomes in fragile populations living in air-polluted areas. Full article

Atmospheric intermediate volatile organic compounds (IVOCs) are important precursors of secondary organic aerosols (SOAs), and in-depth research on them is crucial for atmospheric pollution control. This review systematically synthesizes global advancements in understanding IVOC sources, emissions characterization, compositional characteristics, ambient concentrations, SOA contributions, and health risk assessments. IVOCs include long-chain alkanes (C₁₂~C₂₂), sesquiterpenes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, phenolic compounds, ketones, esters, organic acids, and heterocyclic compounds, which originate from primary emissions and secondary formation. Primary emissions include direct emissions from anthropogenic and biogenic sources, while secondary formation mainly results from radical reactions or particulate surface reactions. Recently, the total IVOC emissions have decreased in some countries, while emissions from certain sources, such as volatile chemical products, have increased. Ambient IVOC concentrations are generally higher in urban rather than in rural areas, higher indoors than outdoors, and on land rather than over oceans. IVOCs primarily generate SOAs via oxidation reactions with hydroxyl radicals, nitrate radicals, the ozone, and chlorine atoms, which contribute more to SOAs than traditional VOCs, with higher SOA yields. SOA tracers for IVOC species like naphthalene and β-caryophyllene have been identified. Integrating IVOC emissions into regional air quality models could significantly improve SOA simulation accuracy. The carcinogenic risk posed by naphthalene should be prioritized, while benzo[a]pyrene requires a combined risk assessment and hierarchical management. Future research should focus on developing high-resolution online detection technologies for IVOCs, clarifying the multiphase reaction mechanisms involved and SOA tracers, and conducting comprehensive human health risk assessments. Full article