Search Results (14,536)

This study investigates the antioxidant properties of several synthetic peptides derived from milk proteins previously identified in milk permeate, a by-product of the dairy industry. The aim of the research is to identify which peptides present in milk permeate are responsible for its antioxidant activity. A comprehensive experimental strategy was employed to evaluate their antioxidant potential, including in silico selection, in vitro free radical scavenging assays and cellular models using Caco-2 and HCT116 cell lines. The peptides were screened using a molecular docking approach for their potential interaction with the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Keap1/Nrf2) pathway, and eight out of twenty-eight were selected and synthesized for further analyses. In vitro, six of the selected peptides demonstrated significant direct antioxidant activity in the DPPH scavenging assay, and two in the ABTS scavenging test. In cellular environments, three peptides (LPAPELGPRQA, LPIIQKLEPQI and NGQVWEESLKRL) effectively protect cells from oxidative stress induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide, reducing reactive oxygen species production and partially mitigating lipid peroxidation. Further investigation showed that two of them (LPAPELGPRQA and LPIIQKLEPQI) effectively induce the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway, as evidenced by a ∼1.5-fold increase in Nrf2 levels and overexpression of downstream proteins. Permeability studies revealed that these peptides can cross the intestinal monolayer (2–3% in 2 h), suggesting potential systemic effects. Overall, these findings highlight the multifunctional antioxidant properties of the investigated peptides and support their potential application as nutraceuticals or therapeutic agents for oxidative stress-related conditions. Full article

Hybrid rocket technologies are gaining recognition as eco-friendly alternatives to traditional propulsion systems. Utah State University’s Propulsion Research Laboratory has developed a High-Performance Green Hybrid Propulsion (HPGHP) technology, leveraging 3D-printed ABS fuel for reliable, low-energy ignition. Among tested materials, only ABS shows suitable electrical-breakdown properties for arc ignition. Unfortunately, due to the proprietary formulations in commercial ABS blends, and its limited use as a rocket-propellant, related composition and combustion data are limited. This study uses spectroscopic evaluation and bomb calorimetry to estimate material compositions, enthalpies of formation, and combustion energies for multiple commercially available 3-D print feed stock ABS types, finding minimal differences amongst the samples tested. Based on these test results, “representative” ABS properties including chemical formula, mean molecular weight, enthalpy of formation, and Higher Heating Value, is recommended. Follow-on tests with 5 alternative, commonly used, 3D-printable thermoplastic feed stocks demonstrate that ABS has significantly higher energy content. This result supports ABS’s advantages and utility as a conveniently fabricated hybrid rocket fuel. Full article

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a gut-based idiopathic disease characterized by chronic and relapsing inflammatory progression and intricate pathophysiology. It is now known that the key etiologies of IBD include immune dysregulation, imbalances in the gut microbiota, and metabolic disruptions. Probiotics are now the potential treatment for IBD, due to their ability to regulate the host immune system and microbiota of the gut. Methods: The current study analytically tested the preventive benefit of Bacillus licheniformis BL-01 on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) and also expounded on its molecular pathogenesis. Results: Our results demonstrate that supplementation with BL-01 effectively mitigates DSS-induced weight loss, an elevated disease activity index (DAI), and colonic tissue injury in mice. Concomitantly, BL-01 rectifies dysregulated inflammatory cytokine profiles, attenuates oxidative stress, and restores the expression of colonic tight junction proteins as well as the number of goblet cells. Furthermore, BL-01 modulates the gut microbiota diversity by increasing the abundance of beneficial bacterial genera such as Duncaniella and decreasing the abundance of pathogenic genera such as Helicobacter. Notably, BL-01 restores DSS-induced microbial metabolic dysregulation, modulates key metabolic pathways including arachidonic acid metabolism and steroid hormone biosynthesis, and regulates associated metabolites to ameliorate UC. Finally, Bacillus licheniformis BL-01 mitigates oxidative stress, reverses gut dysbiosis and metabolic disorders, and has a protective effect on UC. Conclusions: The findings give new information on the development of probiotic-based therapeutics in the prevention and treatment of IBD. Full article

Salt stress poses a major environmental challenge that leads to ecological imbalance and reduced agricultural productivity globally. Sapium sebiferum, a highly valued ornamental and perennial woody oil species, shows promise for saline land utilization due to its natural salt stress adaptability. However, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unexplored. This study investigated the responses of S. sebiferum to salt stress by integrating RNA sequencing and Non-invasive Micro-test Technology (NMT). Comparative transcriptome analysis identified 693, 1061, and 1851 differentially expressed genes at 1 h, 3 h and 6 h after salt treatment, respectively. Functional analysis of DEGs revealed that genes related to ion binding, transmembrane transport, and signal transduction were significantly enriched. Notably, genes involved in calcium (Ca²⁺) and phytohormone signaling were altered, activating stress-response pathways. Furthermore, the dynamic effects of salt stress on nitrate (NO₃⁻) and ammonium (NH₄⁺) uptake were assessed. After salinity stress (150 mM NaCl), an increase in the net influx of NO₃⁻ was observed under the conditions of the assay, while the net flux of NH₄⁺ did not show a significant change. The differential expression of NRT genes suggests that NO₃⁻ may play a multifaceted role in salinity tolerance, potentially contributing to nutrition, ion homeostasis, and signaling pathways. The coordinated signaling network likely allows S. sebiferum to effectively cope with salinity stress and sustain physiological functions under challenging conditions. These findings provide valuable insights into the molecular basis of salt tolerance in S. sebiferum, thereby supporting sustainable practices in saline environments. Full article

Galeruca daurica (Joannis) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is an oligophagous pest in which both adults and larvae prefer to feed on Allium forage grasses of the Liliaceae family. In this study, we identified gustatory receptor (GR) genes based on the transcriptome data of G. daurica; analyzed the expression profiles of these GR genes across different larval instars and various tissues of male and female adults using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR); detected the electrophysiological responses of the mouthparts of male and female G. daurica adults to flavonoids and carbohydrates using single sensillum recording (SSR); and recorded the changes in food consumption of G. daurica adults after feeding on six host plant-derived metabolites. A total of 26 GR genes were identified from the transcriptome data of adult and larval of G. daurica. Phylogenetic analysis was performed to screen candidate functional gustatory receptor genes, including four sugar receptors (GdauGR7, GdauGR10, GdauGR14 and GdauGR28), seven bitter receptors (GdauGR11, GdauGR16~17, GdauGR22, GdauGR25~26 and GdauGR30), and two CO₂ receptors (GdauGR15 and GdauGR20). Larval expression profiling of GdauGRs in G. daurica revealed that the relative expression levels of 17 genes exhibited dynamic changes during larval growth and development. GdauGRs were expressed to varying degrees in the antennae, mouthparts, brain, gut, and forelegs of adult G. daurica, with sex-specific differences. Notably, the expression levels of GdauGR4, GdauGR9 and GdauGR16 in the gut were extremely significantly higher than those in other tissues. In the SSR test, the six tested flavonoids and one carbohydrate were able to induce robust electrophysiological responses in the gustatory sensilla on the antennae and mouthparts of adult G. daurica at specific concentrations. In addition, the supplementation of several host-derived metabolites altered the food consumption of adult G. daurica. These findings lay a solid foundation for elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying gustatory recognition and host adaptation in G. daurica. Full article

Bovine rotavirus (BRV) poses a major threat to the global cattle industry, driving significant morbidity and mortality in young calves. In Yunnan Province, China, BRV is the primary cause of neonatal calf diarrhea (NCD), yet the molecular epidemiology of circulating strains remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the molecular characteristics of bovine rotavirus strains associated with a severe outbreak of the NCD on a local farm. Fecal samples were collected from 396 calves and screened for BRV by RT-PCR targeting the VP6 gene. Positive samples were subjected to virus isolation in MA104 cells, followed by whole-genome sequencing, phylogenetic analysis, and pathogenicity assessment in suckling mice. Of 396 samples, 85 tested positive for BRV, corresponding to an animal-level prevalence of 21.5% (95% CI: 17.5–25.8%), with four fatalities recorded. A strain designated as BRV-YN1-2021 was successfully isolated, exhibiting characteristic cytopathic effects, specific immunofluorescence, and typical rotavirus morphology by electron microscopy. Genomic analysis revealed the constellation G8-P[¹]-I2-R2-C2-M2-A3-N2-T6-E2-H3, identified as genotype G8P[¹]. BLAST analysis showed that four genomic segments shared the highest identity with deer rotavirus strains, five with human rotavirus strains, and two with bovine rotavirus strains. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated close relationships with US deer strains, Japanese bovine strains, and human strains circulating in China. Experimental infection in suckling mice induced diarrhea and significant intestinal histopathology, degeneration of villous epithelial cells, goblet cell hyperplasia, and inflammatory infiltration. This study reports the first isolation of a G8P[¹] bovine rotavirus from a diarrhea outbreak in Chinese cattle. The multi-host genetic composition provides evidence of interspecies reassortment events, highlighting the zoonotic potential of BRV and emphasizing the need for continuous molecular surveillance to inform effective control strategies. Full article

This study developed a dual-antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on σB protein and genotype 5-specific σC protein of avian reovirus (ARV). First, σB and σC proteins were expressed and purified using recombinant technology. Through optimization of coating conditions, the optimal antigen combination was determined to be a mixture of the two proteins at a 1:3 molecular ratio (total concentration: 0.8 μg/mL). Key parameters of the indirect ELISA were optimized via checkerboard titration. Validation confirmed that the dual-antigen ELISA exhibited a sensitivity of 1:3200 against genotype 5 ARV-positive sera, with no cross-reactivity and a coefficient of variation of 2.9–8.6%, demonstrating excellent reproducibility. In application testing, the method specifically detected serum antibodies against genotype 5 ARV variant strains, achieving a 100% positive detection rate in experimental chickens within the first week post-challenge and effectively monitoring dynamic antibody changes in infected flocks. Furthermore, the detection rate for genotype 5-positive serum samples (100%) was significantly higher than that of a commercial kit (75%). This dual-antigen indirect ELISA overcomes the sensitivity limitations associated with conventional genotype 5 ARV detection methods and provides a reliable tool for epidemiological surveillance and infection monitoring. Full article

This study aimed to investigate whether mixed heavy metal exposure (lead, cadmium, manganese, and arsenic) during pregnancy induces gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)-like phenotypes and to explore the associated molecular alterations. We examined the effects of exposure on metabolic disturbances using a Sprague-Dawley rat model exposed to low- and high-dose mixed heavy metals, with doses selected based on biomonitoring data. The results showed that high-dose mixed heavy metal exposure significantly increased blood glucose levels in rats, elevated the area under the curve (AUC) during the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and induced insulin resistance and dyslipidemia. Concurrently, pathological examinations revealed hepatocyte steatosis, inflammatory cell infiltration, and mitochondrial abnormalities in liver tissues. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses identified significant disruption of the glycerophospholipid metabolic pathway following heavy metal exposure, suggesting the involvement of this pathway in the observed metabolic disturbances. Lasso regression analysis identified Insig1 as a candidate gene associated with lipid metabolic alterations, a finding subsequently validated by qPCR. Overall, mixed heavy metal exposure during pregnancy was associated with GDM-like metabolic abnormalities in rats. Disruption of glycerophospholipid metabolism and altered Insig1 expression likely contribute to these effects, providing molecular evidence linking mixed heavy metal exposure to gestational metabolic dysfunction. Full article

Early diagnosis of ovarian cancer remains one of the most important unmet needs in gynecologic oncology because survival is strongly stage-dependent and most patients still present with disseminated disease. Conventional non-invasive tools, particularly CA-125, transvaginal ultrasound, and composite triage algorithms, remain clinically useful but are limited by suboptimal sensitivity for stage I disease and by reduced specificity in premenopausal women and in benign inflammatory or endometriosis-associated conditions. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has therefore emerged as a candidate biomarker capable of extending liquid biopsy beyond conventional serology. In ovarian cancer, however, ctDNA implementation is constrained by low tumor shedding in early-stage disease, marked biologic heterogeneity across histotypes, clonal hematopoiesis-related background noise, and major pre-analytical and analytical sources of variability. This narrative review, informed by structured searches of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, examines the evolving evidence for ctDNA mutations, methylation-based assays, multi-omic platforms, and machine-learning models across three distinct clinical contexts: population screening, preoperative triage of adnexal masses, and post-treatment assessment of molecular residual disease. We also discuss positive predictive value, false-positive harms, health-economic implications, standardization initiatives, and ongoing prospective studies. Overall, current evidence suggests that the most plausible near-term role for liquid biopsy in ovarian cancer is not as a universal stand-alone screening test, but as an integrated component of risk stratification and disease-monitoring frameworks that combine molecular signals with clinicopathologic and imaging data. Full article

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine–metabolic disorder characterized by interconnected dysregulation of steroidogenesis and insulin signaling. Multi-target therapeutic strategies are increasingly needed to address its heterogeneous pathophysiology. Methods: An integrative approach combining transcriptomic analysis of GSE137684, including stratification of normoandrogenic and hyperandrogenic PCOS subtypes to capture androgen-related heterogeneity, network pharmacology, molecular docking, and in vitro validation was employed. Principal component analysis (PCA), differential expression analysis, and enrichment analyses were used to identify candidate genes and pathways. Molecular docking evaluated interactions between phytochemicals from Cinnamomum burmannii and Myristica fragrans and key PCOS targets. Functional validation was performed in insulin-resistant 3T3-L1 adipocytes and DHEA-induced KGN cells, assessing cell viability, lipid accumulation, glucose uptake, gene expression, and hormone levels. Results: PCA revealed partial separation between PCOS and the control samples, with PC1 and PC2 explaining 44.8% and 12.5% of variance, respectively. No genes remained significant after multiple testing correction; however, nominally significant candidates (p < 0.01) highlighted pathways related to steroidogenesis and metabolic regulation. Network analysis identified key hub genes including CYP17A1, CYP19A1, AKT1, ESR1, and MAPK1. Molecular docking demonstrated strong binding affinities, with top compounds showing binding energies up to −11.4 kcal/mol (CYP17A1) and −10.9 kcal/mol (AKT1). In vitro, cell viability remained above 80% across all tested concentrations, indicating low cytotoxicity. Treatment significantly reduced lipid accumulation and enhanced glucose uptake in insulin-resistant 3T3-L1 cells (p < 0.05). Additionally, expression of AKT1 and MAPK1 was significantly restored (p < 0.05). In KGN cells, testosterone levels were significantly decreased while the estradiol levels increased (p < 0.05), accompanied by the downregulation of CYP17A1 and upregulation of CYP19A1 (p < 0.05). The combination treatment exhibited more consistent effects across metabolic and hormonal endpoints. Conclusions:Cinnamomum burmannii and Myristica fragrans exert multi-target effects on metabolic and steroidogenic pathways relevant to PCOS. This integrative study demonstrates that transcriptomics-guided network pharmacology combined with experimental validation can identify synergistic phytotherapeutic strategies for complex endocrine disorders. Full article

Background: Cognitive and psychiatric disorders are caused by a complex interplay between genetic predisposition, environmental exposures, and dynamic molecular regulation in the brain. Animal models provide a controlled environment for examining these mechanisms, and advances in transcriptome and epigenomic technologies have greatly expanded our knowledge of disease-relevant pathways. Objective: This scoping review systematically maps and synthesizes the epigenetic and transcriptomic findings from the established animal models of four neuropsychiatric conditions—autism spectrum disorder (ASD), schizophrenia, depression, and Rett syndrome—drawing on a PRISMA-ScR-guided literature search. The review characterizes the breadth of evidence, identifies convergent and divergent molecular pathways, and highlights the translational gaps and therapeutic implications. Methods: Research employing chromatin accessibility testing, genome-wide DNA methylation mapping, single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing, histone modification profiling, and multi-omics integration in mouse and other validated animal models was thoroughly reviewed. A quality appraisal of the primary experimental studies (n = 63) was performed using a modified CAMARADES checklist. Results: Beyond generalized cellular stress responses, multi-omics analysis emphasizes the cell-type- and context-dependent nature of epigenetic changes in animal models, including isoform-specific histone modifications and model-dependent binding of HDAC/MeCP2 complexes to genes involved in synaptic plasticity. Single-cell RNA sequencing analyses have uniformly shown transcriptional changes in parvalbumin-positive (PV+) interneurons. Conclusions: The specific convergence of epigenetic disruptions in neural circuits involved in synaptic structure and inhibitory function could play a role in the generation of neuropsychiatric phenotypes in animal models, highlighting the importance of circuit- and cell-type-specific epigenetics while pointing to potential therapeutic avenues. Full article

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) from the edible mushroom Pleurotus tuber-regium (PTR) were investigated with respect to their environmental responsiveness, molecular features, and preliminary functional properties. PTR-EVs were characterized by dynamic light scattering, nanoparticle tracking analysis, and transmission electron microscopy. Proteomic analysis revealed enrichment of ribosomal and proteasomal proteins, redox-related enzymes, and vesicle trafficking components, suggesting non-random molecular representation. Small RNA sequencing identified abundant novel miRNAs with predicted targets involved in nitrogen metabolism, cell wall remodeling, redox regulation, and ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis. Among the tested factors, temperature showed the strongest association with vesicle production, with particle concentration increasing from 1.22 × 10⁹ to 7.31 × 10⁹ particles/mL at 34 °C, approximately six-fold higher than at 30 °C. Transcriptomic profiling showed coordinated repression of cell wall-associated genes and redox enzymes, together with induction of endoplasmic reticulum proteostasis pathways, consistent with stress-associated changes in the cellular context of vesicle release. Ultrasonicated PTR-EVs exhibited enhanced DPPH and ABTS radical-scavenging activities in chemical assays, with DPPH increasing from 59.52% to 71.73% and ABTS from 38.25% to 40.51%. Encapsulation efficiencies reached 32.67% ± 1.3% for proanthocyanidins and 46.01% ± 0.5% for curcumin. PTR-EVs showed the best short-term stability at pH 7 and 4 °C, supporting their further evaluation as an edible fungal vesicle platform for food-related nanoscale delivery. Full article

Background/Objectives: We developed a telehealth-enabled fiber-bundle endomicroscopy platform and evaluated its preclinical feasibility for targeted fluorescence imaging in cervical cancer models. Methods: The platform integrates a portable fiber-bundle endomicroscopy (FBE) system, fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled candidate peptides, and a secure web-based telehealth platform for remote consultation. The FBE probe achieved a field of view of 1,700 µm and a lateral resolution of 4 µm, enabling cellular-level fluorescence imaging in a compact, portable format. Four FITC-labeled peptides (SHS1*, SHS2*, FPP*, and CRL*) were evaluated in A549, SiHa, and CaSki cell lines. Ex vivo testing was performed on commercial cervical tissue-array samples. The telehealth platform was assessed for secure medical-image/video transmission and end-to-end latency in a simulated remote-consultation setting. Results: Among the tested probes, FPP*-FITC and CRL*-FITC showed higher fluorescence-positive fractions in the p16-overexpressing cervical cancer cell lines than in the A549 comparator line, with the strongest signals observed in CaSki cells. In ex vivo testing, CRL*-FITC generated higher fluorescence intensity in malignant cervical tissue-array samples than in non-malignant comparator tissues, with a reported 4.6- to 7.4-fold difference in mean signal intensity (p < 0.001). The telehealth platform supported the secure transmission of medical images and video and demonstrated an end-to-end latency of <500 ms in a simulated remote consultation setting. Conclusions: These results support the technical and preclinical feasibility of integrating targeted fluorescence imaging, portable fiber-bundle endomicroscopy, and telehealth into a single platform. This study should therefore be interpreted as a preclinical feasibility study evaluating optical, molecular, and telehealth integration, rather than as a clinically validated cervical cancer screening test. Full article

Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum L.) is a widely planted ornamental and urban tree valued for its aesthetic and ecological functions. In recent years, declining health of horse chestnut in urban environments has been increasingly reported, often associated with a complex of biotic and abiotic stressors. During a health survey of A. hippocastanum trees growing along an urban road corridor in Warsaw, Poland, extensive bark necrosis and branch dieback were observed. The aim of this study was to identify the causal agent of these symptoms using morphological, cultural, molecular (ITS rDNA), and pathogenicity tests under controlled conditions. Fungal isolates were obtained from necrotic tissues and were consistently identified as Kalmusia variispora based on ITS sequence analysis (99.0–99.6% similarity to GenBank references) and characteristic morphology. Pathogenicity tests fulfilled Koch’s postulates, reproducing necrotic lesions and cambial damage similar to those observed in the field. To our knowledge, this is the first documented report worldwide of K. variispora infecting A. hippocastanum. The findings expand the known host range of this opportunistic Didymosphaeriaceae species and highlight its potential role in bark and wood disease complexes of urban trees. Further research is needed to assess its distribution, genetic diversity, and epidemiological significance in urban forest ecosystems. Full article

Background: Sensors and mass spectrometry (MS) are frequently used in combination for food safety and quality assessment, yet their functional integration lacks a formal methodological framework. This review categorizes the synergies between these technologies into distinct Relational Connections. Methodology: Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, 155 original research articles published between 2015 and 2025 were systematically analyzed. Records were identified via the Scopus database within the food science domain. Experimental meta-data, including extraction protocols, instrumental configurations (ionization source, mass analyzer, cost tier), and chemometric strategies, were extracted to identify core methodological patterns. Statistical associations were quantified using chi-squared tests with Cramer’s V effect sizes. Results: Five Relational Connections were identified: (1) MS as reference for sensor validation (25.2%); (2) MS-sensor correlative analysis (10.3%); (3) MS quantifying data to train predictive sensor models (6.5%); (4) MS identifying targets for sensor detection (7.1%); and (5) MS enabling sensor classification models (51.0%). Technology pairing is governed by a three-level hierarchy: analyte polarity determines the ionization source (V = 0.69), required precision determines the mass analyzer (V = 0.64), and cost/availability constraints shape the practical integration strategy. Gas Chromatography (GC)-MS is predominantly coupled with Electronic Noses for volatile profiling (86% of classification studies), while Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) pairs with biosensors for contaminant analysis (74% of reference validation studies). Systematic analysis of the full pairing matrix reveals that 75% of theoretically possible MS-sensor combinations remain unexplored or underrepresented, identifying both technical boundaries and innovation frontiers. Discussion: The findings clarify the strategic logic behind technology pairings, demonstrating that MS provides the quantitative molecular data required for sensor training. The hierarchical decision framework and identification of underexplored pairings provide an evidence-based guide for designing future integrated food analysis systems. Full article