Search Results (6,896)

Blueberries are widely consumed due to their richness in nutrients, yet they are also prone to quality deterioration after being harvested, even at cold temperatures. Non-thermal physical technology is an important auxiliary method worth considering for maintaining the quality of this fruit while refrigerated. In this study, a static magnetic field (SMF) was applied as a complementary pretreatment strategy prior to cold storage of blueberries. The optimal SMF parameters were identified as 5 mT exposure for 12 h, as this significantly retarded decay and softening. The contents of ascorbic acid, total polyphenols, flavonoids and proanthocyanidins were elevated by 20.0%, 17.7%, 23.9%, and 9.1%, respectively. Concurrently, DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical-scavenging capacity, catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity markedly improved. Targeted metabolomic analysis revealed that SMF pretreatment significantly regulated polyphenol metabolic pathways and redirected polyphenol biosynthesis toward more stable and functional compounds, including three hydroxycinnamic acids, quercetin, dihydromyricetin, glycosylated hesperetin, and acylated delphinidin derivates. The synergistic effect of these SMF-elevated phenolics and the reinforced antioxidant system preserved the overall cold-storage quality of blueberries. These findings underscore the potential of SMF pretreatment as an effective physical technique for reducing postharvest blueberry losses. Full article

Light availability is a key environmental factor regulating nitrogen assimilation, carbon metabolism, and nutritional quality in leafy vegetables grown in controlled environments. However, how practical lighting regimes used in plant factories with artificial lighting (PFALs) influence the coordination between nitrogen assimilation and central carbon metabolism across different lettuce cultivar types remains insufficiently understood. This study investigated how moderate differences in photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) influence nitrogen metabolism and metabolic coordination in hydroponically cultivated lettuce. Two cultivars representing contrasting morphological types, iceberg lettuce (‘Celebration’) and leaf lettuce (‘Sunny’), were grown under LED light intensities of 150 and 200 µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹. Nitrate, nitrite, and ammonium concentrations were measured together with the activities of nitrate reductase (NRA) and nitrite reductase (NiRA), as well as ascorbic acid content. Metabolomic profiling was additionally performed to characterize broader metabolic responses. Higher light intensity enhanced nitrate reduction capacity in both cultivars, but the resulting patterns of nitrogen accumulation were strongly genotype-dependent. The leaf lettuce cultivar ‘Sunny’ exhibited increased NRA and reduced nitrate accumulation under higher light intensity, whereas the iceberg lettuce cultivar ‘Celebration’ accumulated more nitrate under the same conditions. Ammonium responses further suggested differences in downstream nitrogen assimilation processes. Elevated light intensity also increased ascorbic acid levels in both cultivars. Metabolomic analysis revealed contrasting cultivar-specific shifts in central carbon metabolism, particularly involving soluble sugars and tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates, indicating differential coordination between carbon metabolism and nitrogen utilization. Overall, these findings demonstrate that moderate changes in light intensity within the practical PFAL cultivation range can significantly influence the integration of carbon and nitrogen metabolism in lettuce. Importantly, cultivar-specific physiological traits determine how these metabolic responses translate into nitrate accumulation and nutritional quality in controlled-environment production systems. Full article

Background: Globally, colorectal adenocarcinoma (COAD) continues to be one of the most frequent contributors to cancer-associated deaths, pointing out an ongoing demand for robust biomarkers capable of reflecting disease advancement and predicting patient outcomes. Calbindin 2 (CALB2), a calcium-binding protein, has been implicated in tumor progression in several malignancies, but the precise functional involvement of this molecule in COAD remains insufficiently characterized. This study aimed to examine the clinical relevance and functional significance of CALB2 in COAD. Methods: Clinical tissue-based analyses, bioinformatic analyses of publicly available datasets, in vitro and in vivo functional assays, and targeted metabolomic profiling were performed to evaluate CALB2 in COAD. Results: Immunofluorescence analysis of a COAD tissue microarray revealed that CALB2 expression was more frequently detected in stage III tumors and was associated with the proliferation marker Ki67. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort’s bioinformatic analyses revealed an increase in CALB2 expression with advancing pathological T stage, and it was associated with poorer overall survival. Functional experiments demonstrated that CALB2 expression accelerated tumor growth in vivo and promoted the migration and proliferation of colorectal adenocarcinoma cells in vitro. At the molecular level, altered CALB2 expression was associated with changes in epithelial–mesenchymal transition-related markers, p53 Ser33 phosphorylation, and amino acid-related metabolic profiles. Conclusions: Collectively, these findings show a correlation between CALB2 expression and poor clinical outcomes and disease progression in colorectal adenocarcinoma. Full article

Streptococcus agalactiae, also known as Group B Streptococcus (GBS), is a major pathogen responsible for mastitis in dairy cows. It causes persistent and difficult-to-treat mammary infections, leading to reduced milk production. Baicalein, a flavonoid compound, exhibits anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial activities; however, its specific mechanism of action against GBS remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism by which baicalein inhibits GBS invasion of bovine mammary epithelial cells (bMECs). The results showed that baicalein at concentrations of 4 μg/mL or higher effectively inhibited 50% of the invasion of bMECs by GBS strain HB31 and exerted a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect on bacterial adhesion. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of baicalein against HB31 were both greater than 1024 μg/mL. Therefore, the antibacterial effect of baicalein alone may not fully account for its mechanism; other pathways likely contribute to the reduced invasiveness of GBS. To elucidate the mechanism by which baicalein inhibits GBS invasiveness, this study investigated both bacterial metabolism and gene expression. Metabolomic analysis revealed that baicalein treatment led to the downregulation of amino acid metabolites, including alanine and aspartic acid, as well as nucleotide metabolites such as adenine and UMP in GBS HB31. Additionally, the NADH/NAD⁺ ratio increased while ATP levels decreased, indicating that the overall metabolic activity of GBS was suppressed. Transcriptomic analysis focused on changes in invasion-associated virulence genes. The results showed that the expression of pbsP, an invasion-associated virulence gene, was significantly reduced, while the expression of hylB and cfb showed downward trends that did not reach statistical significance. In contrast, the expression of cylE and the two-component system vicKR was upregulated. The upregulation of cylE may be related to baicalein-induced oxidative stress in HB31. Furthermore, HB31 suppressed Nrf2-HO-1 mRNA expression, whereas baicalein activated the Nrf2 signaling pathway and reduced HB31-induced IL-6 and NF-κBmRNA expression. These findings provide new insights for the development of anti-virulence therapeutic strategies targeting GBS. Full article

Steatosis, characterized by excessive fat accumulation in the liver, is a significant precursor to chronic liver disease and hepatocarcinoma. This condition is influenced by multiple contributing factors such as obesity, alcohol consumption, and exposure to chemicals or drugs. Systems biology approaches including transcriptomics and metabolomics can aid in grouping chemicals according to their mode of action. In this study, we analyze transcriptomic and metabolomic data from primary human and transformed hepatocytes, respectively, to differentiate between steatotic and non-steatotic chemicals. Rather than assessing each steatotic compound individually, we pooled several steatotic chemicals in order to minimize compound-specific noise and better identify features associated with the underlying process of steatosis. Differential gene expression analysis revealed established mechanisms involved in steatosis, consistent with the recently updated adverse outcome pathway. Likewise, metabolomic data enabled clear discrimination between steatotic and non-steatotic chemicals. These findings highlight the potential of omics technologies to support chemical grouping based on insights into the molecular mechanisms that drive steatosis development. Full article

Cancer progression is influenced by the dynamic interplay between tumor cells and the surrounding stromal microenvironment. Therapy-induced senescence (TIS) of stromal fibroblasts represents a common outcome of anticancer treatments, contributing to tumor progression through the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). While SASP cytokines promote cancer malignancy, the contribution of secreted metabolites from senescent cells remains poorly understood. Here, we investigate the role of senescent stromal metabolism in regulating prostate and ovarian cancer cell invasion. Conditioned media (CM) from TIS-induced human prostate (HPFs) and ovarian fibroblasts (HOFs) promote enhanced invasion of cancer cells. Invasion is partially preserved after exposure to boiled CM, suggesting a role for heat-stable metabolic factors. Metabolomic profiling of senescent fibroblasts-derived CM reveals a significant increase in Glutamine (Gln) levels, identifying senescent stromal fibroblasts as a previously unrecognized source of extracellular Gln in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Exposure of cancer cells to senescent CM increases Gln uptake, together with upregulation of the transporter SLC1A5 and increased intracellular Gln. This metabolic adaptation is associated with increased malignant phenotype including epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and stemness features. Extracellular Gln depletion, pharmacological inhibition of glutaminase-1 (GLS1) in cancer cells, or Gln synthetase (GS) silencing in fibroblasts markedly impair senescent fibroblasts CM-induced invasion, EMT markers expression, and stemness features in cancer cells. Stromal-derived Gln is associated with increased cancer cell invasion through activation of a redox-dependent NRF2/ETS1 signaling axis. Analysis of patient-derived transcriptomic datasets further suggests chemotherapy-associated upregulation of Gln metabolism and ETS1 expression. These findings identify senescent stromal-derived Gln as a key metabolic driver of prostate and ovarian cancer aggressiveness and reveal a TIS-associated metabolic vulnerability that could be explored in future preclinical studies. Full article

Temperature extremes represent a major constraint for the cultivation of yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims f. flavicarpa), a tropical crop increasingly exposed to heat waves and chilling events under climate change. Glycine betaine (GB) is a widely studied osmoprotectant in plants, yet its influence on metabolic responses of passion fruit under contrasting temperature stresses remains poorly characterized. This study investigated the effects of exogenous GB on primary metabolite profiles of passion fruit seedlings subjected to heat (25, 35, and 45 °C) and cold (25, 15, and 5 °C) conditions. Seedlings were treated with GB (100 mM) or left untreated, and leaf metabolites were quantified using GC–MS-based metabolomics. Heat exposure was associated with pronounced changes in amino acids, organic acids, sugars, polyamines, and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), while GB-treated plants showed altered levels of proline, GABA, polyamines, and selected tricarboxylic acid intermediates. Under cold conditions, several amino acids and organic acids decreased, whereas soluble sugars accumulated, particularly in GB-treated plants. Principal component analysis revealed distinct metabolic configurations under heat and cold treatments and indicated that GB modified metabolite profiles in a stress-dependent manner rather than restoring control-like states. These findings describe how GB is associated with shifts in central carbon and nitrogen metabolism under contrasting temperature regimes, providing a metabolomic perspective on stress-related metabolic adjustments in passion fruit. Full article

Background/Objectives: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality, with colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) being the major determinant of poor prognosis. Tumor metabolic reprogramming and spatial heterogeneity complicate biomarker discovery and clinical management. This study aimed to characterize the spatial metabolomic landscape of CRC and identify progression-associated metabolic alterations and potential metabolic signatures for liver metastasis. Methods: A total of 23 tissue samples were collected from patients with CRC, with and without liver metastasis. Air flow-assisted desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry imaging (AFADESI-MSI) was used to map the spatial metabolite distributions. Region-of-interest analysis guided by histopathology enabled comparative metabolomic profiling across different tissue types. Multivariate statistical analysis, pathway enrichment, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed to identify key metabolic alterations and evaluate potential biomarker performance. Results: Distinct spatial metabolomic profiles were observed across normal mucosa, primary tumors, liver metastases, and normal liver tissues. In primary colorectal tumors, amino acid, purine, and choline metabolism were significantly upregulated, whereas liver metastases were characterized by elevated levels of triglycerides, diglycerides, cholesteryl esters, and acylcarnitines, indicating enhanced lipid synthesis, incomplete fatty acid oxidation, and/or mitochondrial dysfunction. Progression-associated analyses across tissue types revealed consistently increasing trends in glycerides and acylcarnitines, along with heterogeneous alterations in amino acids and phospholipids. Furthermore, 122 differential metabolites were identified between metastatic and non-metastatic CRC, and a four-lipid panel demonstrated strong discriminatory performance. Conclusions: This study provides a spatially resolved characterization of metabolic reprogramming during CRC progression and liver metastasis, highlighting lipid and amino acid metabolism as key features and revealing the metabolic signatures of CRLM. Full article

Uterine microbiome homeostasis and antioxidant capacity are critical for sow fertility. While high-fiber diets and N-carbamylglutamate (NCG) individually enhance sow fertility, their synergistic effects on the antioxidant status, microbiota, metabolites, and transcriptome remain unclear. Here, sows were assigned to the low-fiber (3.73%) or high-fiber (7.46% crude fiber) group, each without or with 0.05% NCG, throughout the 114-day gestation. Sex hormones and antioxidants in serum were detected. Multi-omics approaches were employed to investigate the impact of a high-fiber diet supplemented with NCG (H + N) on uterine microbiota, metabolites, and gene expression profiles. The study revealed that H + N significantly increased total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) level in serum. Metagenomic analysis revealed an increased abundance of Clostridium disporicum in the uterine microbiota. Plasma metabolomics identified hydroxylysine as a key metabolite mediating this effect, and this metabolite was positively correlated with elevated abundance of Clostridium disporicum. Subsequent transcriptomic profiling revealed activation of the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, closely linked to improved T-AOC level. Overall, these findings demonstrated that H + N could modulate the uterine microbiota (specifically Clostridium disporicum), increase hydroxylysine production, and activate the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. These effects further enhanced hormonal activity and antioxidant capacity, ultimately improving sow reproductive efficiency. Full article

Atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition is altering global forest ecosystems, with nitrate rising to rival ammonium as a dominant N form, yet how leaf ontogeny orchestrates carbon–nitrogen (C-N) metabolic coordination under contrasting N forms remains poorly understood. We conducted a field experiment investigating the physiological and metabolic responses of young and old leaves of Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) to ammonium and nitrate addition. Young leaves, functioning as active sinks, exhibited enhanced photosynthetic performance and growth-oriented N assimilation under N addition, with disproportionately stronger responses to nitrate. In contrast, old leaves, acting as source tissues, showed limited photosynthetic plasticity but accumulated higher non-structural carbohydrates and elevated N assimilation enzyme activities, particularly under nitrate addition. Phytohormone profiles supported this ontogenetic divergence, with young leaves showing higher auxin levels while old leaves exhibited increased abscisic acid and salicylic acid contents. Metabolomic analysis further revealed age-dependent reprogramming of amino acid metabolism, identifying key metabolites coordinating C-N balance. These findings demonstrate a leaf ontogeny-mediated spatial division of metabolic labor in Chinese fir, wherein old leaves function as metabolic buffers stabilizing whole-plant C-N homeostasis under fluctuating N supply, providing new insights into plantation responses to contrasting N deposition regimes. Full article

This study focuses on Lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT), a core component of human milk oligosaccharides. Although LNnT has been demonstrated to promote early intestinal development and maintain gut homeostasis, its protective mechanism against D-galactose-induced intestinal injury and associated cognitive impairment remains unclear. This investigation systematically examined the protective effects and underlying mechanisms of LNnT against D-gal-induced colonic damage and cognitive impairment in mice. The results demonstrated that LNnT not only significantly improved systemic physiological phenotypes and upregulated the expression of colonic tight junction proteins to repair the intestinal barrier, but also effectively enhanced learning and memory abilities in mice. Concurrently, LNnT reduced serum proinflammatory factor levels, elevated the anti-inflammatory factor IL-10, and alleviated oxidative stress. Furthermore, LNnT remodeled the gut microbiome structure by increasing microbial diversity, enhancing beneficial bacteria abundance, and promoting short-chain fatty acid production. Untargeted metabolomics analysis further revealed that LNnT corrected metabolic disturbances by regulating key sphingolipid molecules (ceramide, sphingosine, S1P) and the expression of related metabolic enzymes (ACER2, SphK2). In summary, this study suggests that LNnT mitigates intestinal injury and improves cognitive function, potentially through modulation of the gut microbiota–sphingolipid metabolism axis, although further causal validation is warranted. These findings provide a mechanistic foundation for future studies exploring its potential as a functional dietary ingredient. Full article

Severe winter nutritional deficiencies may impair reproductive performance in Mongolian mares, yet optimal protein requirements during late gestation remain undefined. This study aimed to determine the effects of varying protein levels in complementary feed on gestational performance, physiology, and gut health. Seventeen late-gestating mares were assigned to three isocaloric diets differing in crude protein (CP)—high (HCP, 13.25%), medium (MCP, 12.04%), and low (LCP, 10.85%)—for 40 days. Statistical analysis was conducted using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s HSD post hoc test. Mares fed the MCP diet tended to show more favorable growth performance and nutrient digestibility relative to the HCP group (p < 0.05). Blood analysis suggested that MCP mares had comparatively lower serum creatinine and creatine kinase concentrations, along with higher antioxidant capacity (catalase) and interleukin-1β levels (p < 0.001). Fecal microbiota sequencing showed that MCP was associated with comparatively higher microbial diversity, while HCP was characterized by enrichment of Proteobacteria, and LCP by enrichment of Bacteroidetes. Metabolomics identified 533 differential metabolites linked to protein metabolism. The MCP diet may help balance immune function, antioxidant status, and microbial homeostasis. These findings suggest that a complementary feed containing 12.04% CP may be associated with favorable effects on maternal health-related indicators in late-gestating Mongolian mares during winter. Full article

Venom-mediated systemic toxicity is not fully understood. This study explored the dose-dependent effects of Vespa mandarinia venom (VMV) on mice via integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses. Subcutaneous VMV injection induced dose-dependent hypothermia: 80 μg caused severe transient hypothermia and partial mortality, while 40/60 μg led to reversible hypothermia within 24 h. Whole-blood sequencing identified 2400–3281 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) per group, including 1764 shared DEGs. Immune-related pathways were significantly activated, with hub genes validated by qRT-PCR. Serum metabolomics revealed alterations in organic acids, alkaloids, and other metabolites. Integrative transcriptome–metabolome analysis predicted the potential involvement of various pathways in VMV-induced toxicity, including ferroptosis (shared in low-dose VMV groups) and apoptosis. Cumulatively, this study confirms that VMV induces immunometabolic reprogramming, providing a molecular framework for understanding venom-induced systemic toxicity. Full article

The primary processing shapes the taste characteristics of coffee beans, while the regulation pathways remain unclear. Coffee beans processed by five methods—dry processing (DP), wet processing (WP), red honey (RH), black honey (BH) and anaerobic fermentation (AF)—were evaluated using electronic tongue analysis, sensory evaluation, and untargeted metabolomics. Sensory evaluation scores for mouthfeel, balance, and overall were higher in BH and AF. Conversely, the WP and DP exhibited heightened bitterness and astringency responses on the electronic tongue sensors, particularly for the former. The multigroup metabolomic comparison identified 808 DMs, and WGCNA revealed eight sensory-related modules containing 467 hub metabolites, mainly amino acids and derivatives, organic acids, alkaloids, and phenolic acids. KEGG analysis demonstrated that pathways such as caffeine metabolism and glycerophospholipid metabolism were the main pathways responsible for the metabolic differences. Further correlation analysis revealed potential flavor components closely associated with key taste characteristics. 1,3,4,5-tetrahydroxycyclohexanecarboxylic acid and Tyr demonstrated positive associations with bitterness, while TPC, TFC, Gly, and Met exhibited negative correlations with bitterness and astringency. Glu demonstrated a positive correlation with umami. These findings elucidate the material basis by which the primary processing modulates non-volatile compounds and taste perception, offering new insights into enhancing coffee quality. Full article

Negative plant–soil feedback (NPSF) drives yield decline in monocropping systems, yet how intraspecific competition modulates NPSF across planting densities remains unclear. We conducted a two-stage plant–soil feedback experiment using five crops (Triticum aestivum L., Zea mays L., Solanum lycopersicum L., Cucumis sativus L., and Panax notoginseng (Burkill) F.H. Chen) with contrasting NPSF intensities under four planting densities (30 × 30 to 8 × 8 cm). Crops with stronger NPSF (P. notoginseng) showed pronounced density-dependent biomass reductions, whereas those with moderate (S. lycopersicum, C. sativus) or low (Z. mays, T. aestivum) NPSF were largely density-insensitive. Given its sensitivity, P. notoginseng was used to explore mechanisms. High-density planting (8 × 8 cm) intensified NPSF, reducing seedling survival by 88.54% and biomass by 56.08% compared with low-density controls (30 × 30 cm). Microbiome profiling showed enrichment of pathogenic Fusarium spp. and depletion of beneficial Humicola spp. under high density. Metabolomic analysis identified linoleic acid and oleamide as key root exudates upregulated under high-density stress, which selectively stimulated Fusarium growth as preferred carbon sources. Collectively, these results reveal a density-dependent feedback in which intensified competition reshapes root exudation, promotes pathogen proliferation, and suppresses beneficial taxa, thereby amplifying NPSF. This provides mechanistic insights into microbially mediated NPSF under density stress and highlights the importance of optimizing planting density to sustain crop productivity. Full article