Search Results (316)

Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) is a quintessential medicinal and edible plant, exhibiting marked differences in therapeutic effects among its various parts. The lotus seed constitutes a key component of this plant. Notably, the entire seed and the plumule display distinct medicinal properties. To investigate the “homologous plants with different effects” phenomenon in traditional Chinese medicine, this study established a Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry Imaging (MALDI-MSI) method. This study employed immature lotus seeds as the experimental material, diverging from the mature seeds conventionally used. Conductive double-sided tape was employed for sample preparation, and complete longitudinal sections of the seeds were obtained, followed by MALDI-MSI analysis to identify and visualize the spatial distribution of characteristic secondary metabolites within the entire seeds. The results unveiled the diversity of metabolites in lotus seeds and their differential distribution across tissues, with pronounced distinctions in the plumule. A total of 152 metabolites spanning 13 categories were identified in lotus seeds, with 134, 89, 51, and 98 metabolites discerned in the pericarp, seed coat, cotyledon, and plumule, respectively. Strikingly, young lotus seeds were devoid of liensinine/isoliensinine and neferine, the dominant alkaloids of mature lotus seed plumule, revealing an early-stage alkaloid profile that sharply contrasts with the well-documented abundance found in mature seeds and has rarely been reported. We further propose a biosynthetic pathway to explain the presence of the detected benzylisoquinoline and the absence of the undetected bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids in this study. These findings present the first comprehensive metabolic atlas of immature lotus seeds, systematically exposing the pronounced chemical divergence from their mature counterparts, and thus lays a metabolomic foundation for dissecting the spatiotemporal mechanisms underlying the nutritional and medicinal value of lotus seeds. Full article

Over 40% of freshwater fish species in Europe are currently at risk of extinction, highlighting the need for improved conservation planning. This study examines whether the threat status is associated with life-history and ecological traits across 580 autochthonous (native and endemic) freshwater fish species in European inland waters. Using data from FishBase and the IUCN Red List, we assessed associations between threat level and both categorical (e.g., migratory behavior, commercial importance, reproductive guild, and body shape) and numerical traits (e.g., maximum length, weight, age, growth parameters, and maturity traits). Significant, though modest, associations were identified between species threat level and migratory behavior and reproductive guild. Non-migratory species exhibited higher median threat levels, while amphidromous species showed a non-significant trend toward higher threat, suggesting that limited dispersal ability and dependence on fragmented freshwater networks may increase extinction vulnerability. Species with unclassified reproductive strategies also showed elevated threat levels, possibly reflecting both actual risk and underlying data gaps. In contrast, body shape and trophic level were not significantly associated with threat status. Critically Endangered species tend to be larger, heavier, and mature later—traits characteristic of slow life history strategies that limit population recovery. Although length at maturity and maximum age did not differ significantly among IUCN categories, age at maturity was significantly higher in more threatened species, and growth rate (K) was negatively correlated with threat level. Together, these patterns suggest that slower-growing, later-maturing species face elevated extinction risk. Overall, the findings underscore that the threat level in European freshwater fish is shaped by complex interactions between intrinsic biological traits and external pressures. Trait-based approaches can enhance extinction risk assessments and conservation prioritization, especially in data-deficient freshwater ecosystems facing multifaceted environmental challenges. Full article

Spontaneous quadriceps tendon rupture is a very rare occurrence, notably for bilateral simultaneous ruptures. Its occurrence is commonly linked to an underlying condition that may weaken the tendons leading to rupture. We report the case of a 68-year-old Caucasian male afflicted with long-term gout who presented a bilateral simultaneous quadriceps tendon rupture (BSQTR). We showcase the clinical presentation, the surgical intervention, rehabilitation program, dynamic sonographic monitoring, and home-based rehabilitation techniques of this injury, which aimed to improve activities of daily living (ADL) and quality of life (QoL). The patient was included in a 9-week post-surgical rehabilitation program and a home-based rehabilitation program with subsequent pain management and gait reacquisition. The outcome measures included right and left knee active range of motion (AROM), pain intensity measured on Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), functioning measured through ADL score, and gait assessment on Functional Ambulation Categories (FAC). All endpoints were measured at different time points, scoring significant improvement at discharge compared to baseline (e.g., AROM increased from 0 degrees to 95 degrees, while VAS decreased from 7 to 1, ADL score increased from 6 to 10, and FAC increased from 1 to 5). Moreover, some of these outcomes continued to improve after discharge, and the effects of home-based rehabilitation program and a single hip joint manipulation were assessed at 6-month follow-up. Musculoskeletal ultrasound findings showed mature tendon structure, consistent dynamic glide, and no scarring. Full article

Rapid vaccine availability is essential for effective epidemic and pandemic response. Building on the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) 100 Days Mission, which aims to have new vaccines ready for initial authorization and manufacturing at scale within 100 days of recognition of a pandemic pathogen, the CEPI has developed a Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls (CMC) Rapid Response Framework to define technical and logistical CMC requirements to enable rapid vaccine availability. Central to this framework is the availability of adaptable vaccine platforms that can be readily tailored to emerging pathogens. To support strategic decision-making and identify gaps in platform capabilities, CEPI has created the Platform Readiness Dashboard. This tool provides a structured, multi-dimensional initial assessment of platform maturity across six key categories: Adaptability, Compatibility, Suitability, Regulatory, Manufacturing, and Facility Readiness. Each category includes specific technical and operational considerations scored using a color-coded system to reflect outbreak response readiness level. This Dashboard aims to enable vaccine developers, manufacturers, funders, and outbreak response teams to evaluate platform strengths and limitations at any given time, informing funding, preparedness and response activities. By offering a dynamic view of essential platform readiness indicators, the dashboard can communicate progress supporting faster responses to future health emergencies. Full article

Untreated sewage sludge (SS) and misused stabilization technologies have contributed to great contamination and the accumulation of various pollutants in agricultural soils. Regarding micro-pollutants’ degradation, scalable and effective technologies are still scarce. Although many attempts at composting adaptations have been discussed, only a few have been tested individually under outdoor conditions. To investigate different composting methods (bioaugmentation and semipermeable cover) for the removal of micro-pollutants frequently found in SS, we performed a set of on-site experiments. Windrows of SS and olive pruning were used as the compostable material and were subjected to (i) bioaugmentation with the fungus Penicillium oxalicum, (ii) covered composting, (iii) covered and bioaugmented composting, and (iv) a conventional composting pile, which was included as a control. The entire experiment lasted 99 days. Bioaugmentation without cover increased the phosphorus content, favored a reduction in heavy metal content, and was the only treatment that reduced carbamazepine at the end of the process. Moreover, the inoculation of P. oxalicum under semipermeable cover increased the richness, diversity, and dominance of specific microbial taxa and total bacterial abundance. The four mature composts obtained met the standards required to be classified in the B fertilizer category, showing that we reduced most of the micro-pollutants, and passed the germination test. Full article

Urban residential design influences local microclimates and human thermal comfort. This study combines empirical microclimate data with remotely sensed data on tree canopy cover, housing lot size, surface permeability, and roof colour to examine thermal differences between three newly built and three established residential suburbs in Western Sydney, Australia. Established areas featured larger housing lots and mature street trees, while newly developed suburbs had smaller lots and limited vegetation cover. Microclimate data were collected during summer 2021 under both heatwave and non-heatwave conditions in full sun, measuring air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) as an index of heat stress. Daily maximum air temperatures reached 42.7 °C in new suburbs, compared to 39.3 °C in established ones (p < 0.001). WBGT levels during heatwaves were in the “extreme caution” category in new suburbs, while remaining in the “caution” range in established ones. These findings highlight the benefits of larger green spaces, permeable surfaces, and lighter roof colours in the context of urban heat exposure. Maintaining mature trees and avoiding dark roofs can significantly reduce summer heat and improve outdoor thermal comfort across a range of conditions. Results of this work can inform bottom-up approaches to climate-responsive urban design where informed homeowners can influence development outcomes. Full article

Wild ales represent a diverse category of spontaneously fermented beers, influenced by complex microbial populations and variable ingredients. This study employed an integrated metabolomic profiling approach combining proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) spectroscopy, liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and spectrophotometric assays (DPPH and FRAP) to characterize the molecular composition and antioxidant potential of 22 wild ales from six countries. A total of 53 compounds were identified and quantified using NMR, while 62 compounds were identified by using LC-MS. The compounds in question included organic acids, amino acids, sugars, alcohols, bitter acids, phenolic compounds, and others. Ingredient-based clustering revealed that the addition of dark fruits resulted in a significant increase in the polyphenolic content and antioxidant activity. Concurrently, herb-infused and light-fruit beers exhibited divergent phytochemical profiles. Prolonged aging (>18 months) has been demonstrated to be associated with increased levels of certain amino acids, fermentation-derived aldehydes, and phenolic degradation products. However, the influence of maturation duration on the antioxidant capacity was found to be less significant than that of the type of fruit. Country-specific metabolite trends were revealed, indicating the influence of regional brewing practices on beer composition. Correlation analysis was employed to identify the major contributors to antioxidant activity, with salicylic, dihydroxybenzoic, and 4-hydroxybenzoic acids being identified as the most significant. These findings underscore the biochemical intricacy of wild ales and exemplify metabolomics’ capacity to correlate compositional variation with functionality and authenticity in spontaneously fermented beverages. Full article

Front-of-pack labels (FOPLs) have been identified as a potential key tool to enable consumers to make healthier and more sustainable food choices. The simplification of complex nutritional, environmental, and processing data into clear and immediate formats is an essential function of FOPLs, which facilitates a more efficient connection between detailed product information and real-world purchasing decisions. This review critically evaluates the three main categories of FOPL—nutritional (e.g., Nutri-Score), environmental (e.g., Eco-Score) and processing-based (e.g., NOVA)—and examines emerging efforts to weave these dimensions into unified labelling frameworks. A bibliometric analysis of 1803 publications from Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar was conducted, using VOS viewer to identify co-occurrence networks and thematic clusters. A narrative synthesis of label design methods, regulatory steps and consumer impact research followed this. Despite the considerable maturation of individual FOPLs, their combined application remains ad hoc. Establishing harmonized, multidimensional criteria is therefore essential to ensure consistent labelling that informs consumers and promotes public health and sustainability goals. Full article

Biodiesel synthesis, particularly through transesterification, is a mature technology in constant evolution and update. These innovative changes should be validated from different points of view: economic, social, and, especially, environmental perspectives. In this sense, life cycle assessment (LCA) is the perfect procedure to verify the sustainability of these advances. This brief review covered the present status and future prospects of life cycle assessment (LCA) applied to biodiesel production. For this purpose, the current energy scenario, along with the foundations of biodiesel production and LCA, has been explained, including current research about the specific application of LCA to biodiesel from various perspectives. As a result, LCA was proven to be a versatile tool that can be easily adapted to biodiesel production, which includes continuous innovative works that should be validated from an environmental perspective. However, the counterpart is the heterogeneity found in LCA studies in general, especially concerning functional units (from 1 MJ to 1 t of biodiesel, for instance) and boundary system selection, mainly due to the wide range of possibilities in biodiesel processing. This fact makes the comparison between works (and general recommendations) difficult, requiring additional research. Nevertheless, further studies will cover the existing gaps in LCA, contributing to completing the outlook on its application to biodiesel. Nevertheless, biodiesel production, compared to diesel, normally presents better environmental impacts in categories like global warming and ozone depletion potential. Full article

Global fruit production is excessive, and fruit wine is a significant outcome of fruit processing. The pigment in fruit wine gives it a vibrant color and affects its quality, taste, and marketing. The pigments in fruit wines are commonly divided into three categories: anthocyanins, carotenoids, and chlorophylls. They are naturally synthesized pigments in plants that undergo complex biochemical changes that eventually tend to be stable in mature fruit wine, showing the color properties desired by consumers. Under normal circumstances, pigment molecules are unstable and have isomers, which makes it difficult to accurately identify and control them. In addition, biochemical changes produce a series of chemical derivatives that affect bioavailability and biological functions. This review summarizes the chemical basis, formation process, influencing factors, identification techniques, bioavailability, and bioactivity of fruit wine pigments, providing an important reference for the utilization of fruit resources and the development of high-quality fruit wine products. Full article

The parathyroid and thymus glands are key components of the endocrine and immune systems, respectively, with intriguing developmental, anatomical, and functional interrelationships. This study starts from the hypothesis that, given their shared embryological origin, it is plausible that the thymus and parathyroid glands interact functionally and may share pathological pathways. The present study explores the developmental pathways, spatial proximity, and potential cross-talk between these glands. Recent studies suggest that parathyroid hormone (PTH) may influence thymic function, including T-cell maturation and immune regulation, while thymic signaling molecules could impact calcium homeostasis and parathyroid activity. Understanding the functional and etiopathogenical relations between these endocrine glands offers new insights into endocrine–immunological crosstalk, and therapeutic approaches targeting disorders such as hypoparathyroidism, thymomas, myasthenia gravis and thymic hypoplasia. Perspectives and conclusion: Future research is essential to discover the molecular mechanisms underpinning this dynamic interrelation and its broader implications for health and disease. Because there is still very little data on this interaction, in-depth studies are necessary on large groups of patients. This research proposes a cross-study of the receptors for the main substances secreted by the two categories of endocrine glands. At the same time, it is essential to carry out an in-depth study on the cervico-pericardial ligaments through the lens of this glandular interaction. These ligaments could contain the main blood and nerve communication pathway between the parathyroids and the glands. Full article

In the context of Industry 4.0 (I4.0), the Asset Administration Shell (AAS) has been gaining significant attention in recent years. The AAS serves as a standardized digital representation of an asset, encapsulating all relevant information about the asset throughout its lifecycle. Since its introduction in 2015, the past decade has seen considerable progress in developing traditional AAS solutions, namely AAS Type 1 and Type 2. As this initial phase reaches maturity, it becomes essential to shift focus toward AAS Type 3 (proactive), a specific category that extends traditional AAS functionalities by incorporating higher levels of autonomy, intelligence, and collaborative capabilities. However, AAS Type 3 is still in its early stages, lacking formal specifications and comprehensive implementation guidelines. In this context, Multi-Agent Systems (MAS) have been investigated as a means to enhance traditional AAS solutions toward the realization of AAS Type 3, particularly by embedding autonomous, intelligent, and collaborative behaviors. Building on this perspective, this paper explores the role of MAS in realizing AAS Type 3 through a comprehensive analysis of existing agent-based AAS approaches in the literature. Furthermore, this paper proposes a reference model based on common patterns found in the literature to support the development of AAS Type 3 solutions, contributing to the discussion on the formalization of specifications and providing greater clarity on this emerging topic. Finally, to better demonstrate key aspects of the model, some illustrative examples are presented to guide its application and facilitate understanding. Full article

Background/Objectives: In research on the relationship between pubertal timing and adolescent health, more attention is typically given to early rather than late maturation, as well as the associated risk of engaging in health-compromising behaviors. The aim of this study was to assess changes in HRQL (health-related quality of life) depending on subjectively perceived pubertal timing, measured in five categories. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in spring 2024 in a western region of Poland (N = 9411; mean age 15.15 ± 1.56 years). Mean KIDSCREEN-27 index scores were compared according to self-reported pubertal timing, and five relevant general linear models were estimated, adjusting analyses for respondents’ age, sex, and the remaining four HRQL scores. Results: In the study group, 49.0% of students assessed their pubertal timing as typical, 28.5% as earlier, and 22.5% as later compared to peers of the same sex. For all five KIDSCREEN-27 dimensions, adolescents who matured at a pace perceived as typical achieved the highest quality-of-life index scores. Significantly earlier or significantly later pubertal timing was associated with a notable decrease in these indices. Some significant interactions were identified between sex or age and pubertal timing as predictors of HRQL. The strongest association with pubertal timing was observed for the Psychological Well-being dimension, where differences unfavorable to older age groups were additionally linked to delayed pubertal timing. Conclusions: Greater awareness of the relationship between perceived pubertal timing and adolescents’ well-being is warranted among preventive care physicians, parents, and school psychologists and educators. Full article

The main goal of this study was to investigate and better understand the evolution of the main non-destructive and destructive quality parameters of peach ‘Redhaven’ during ripening process. This study was conducted from 8 to 21 July 2023, during which peaches ‘Redhaven’ were harvested each second day from a commercial orchard located in Novaki Bistranjski. Maturity categories were defined according to different firmness thresholds: maturity for long-distance chain stores (H1), maturity for medium-distance chain stores (H2), maturity below the defined maximum firmness in order to preserve optimal quality traits (H3), ready to buy (H4), ready to eat (H5), and overripe (H6). The chlorophyll absorbance index was the non-destructive parameter that was mostly distinguished between maturity categories (r = 0.78 with firmness), followed by a* and h° ground colour parameters. During the first three maturity categories (H1–H3), firmness had a notably smaller correlation with titratable acidity and the ratio of total soluble solids and titratable acidity, which is not the case for a* and h° ground colour parameters, chlorophyll absorbance index, and the share of additional colour. During the last three maturity categories (H4–H6), non-destructive parameters are not reliable for maturity prediction. When ground colour parameters are measured near petiole insertion, mostly smaller segregation between maturity categories is obtained compared to when measured at the rest of the fruit. Total polyphenol and flavonoid content in peach juice notably corelated only in the last two maturity categories with L* ground colour parameter. Full article

Green soybean (Glycine max), commonly known as vegetable soybean or edamame, is harvested at reproductive stages 6 to 7 of pod development. At this stage, the seeds are fully grown but still green and not yet mature. Green soybean is a nutritious food high in protein and micronutrients; however, low temperatures negatively impact its production and quality. The mechanisms underlying cold stress in green soybean remain unclear. This study aims to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and key pathways associated with cold tolerance through a comprehensive transcriptomic analysis of cold stress responses in a cold-tolerant green soybean variety at three time points: 3 h, 12 h, and 24 h. We identified 3415 common DEGs across three time points, with significant enrichment in categories such as “rhythmic process”, “response to blue light”, “fatty acid metabolism”, and “fatty acid degradation”. Notably, expression patterns of these pathways were similar after 3 and 24 h of cold exposure. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) revealed 20 distinct modules, with two principal modules—turquoise and blue—correlating with rhythmic processes and fatty acid pathways. Additionally, we analyzed the genetic regulatory networks within these modules and identified four candidate genes (Glyma.04G015200, Glyma.18G202800, Glyma.02G123700 and Glyma.13G266500) potentially linked to cold tolerance. This study enhances our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of cold stress in green soybean and highlights key cold-responsive genes for further research. Full article