Search Results (1,174)

Lychee (Lychee chinensis Sonn.) is a tropical fruit highly appreciated for its vivid red color, sweet flavor, and nutritional properties. However, it is highly perishable, with postharvest losses often due to oxidative browning and dehydration. This study evaluated the organic olive oil coating (OC), a natural lipidic system with the potential to act as a precursor for organogel development, combined with polyamide/polyethylene (PA/PE) packaging under passive modified atmosphere. Fruits were harvested at commercial maturity and divided into two groups: OC-treated and untreated control (CTR). Both groups were stored at 5 ± 1 °C and 90 ± 5% relative humidity and analyzed on days 0, 3, 6, and 9. The OC-treated fruits showed significantly better retention of physical, chemical, microbiological, and sensory qualities. The coating reduced oxidative stress and enzymatic browning, preserving color and firmness. The PA/PE packaging regulated gas exchange, lowering oxygen levels and delaying respiration and ripening. As a result, OC fruits had lower weight loss, a slower increase in browning index and maturity index, and better visual and sensory scores than the CTR group. This dual strategy proved effective in extending shelf life while maintaining the fruit’s appearance, flavor, and nutritional value. It represents a sustainable and natural approach to enhancing the postharvest stability of lychee. Full article

Fistulina hepatica (Schaeff.) With. and Clitocybe nuda (Bull.) H.E. Bigelow & A.H. Sm. are wild edible mushrooms with nutritional and functional potential that remain insufficiently characterized. This study provides the first comparative assessment of their nutritional profiles, phenolic composition, and antioxidant activity, using specimens collected from Montesinho Natural Park (Portugal). Proximate composition, organic and phenolic acids, free sugars, and fatty acids were analyzed by chromatographic methods, and antioxidant capacity was assessed through OxHLIA and TBARS assays. F. hepatica showed higher carbohydrates (9.3 ± 0.2 g/100 g fw) and estimated energy values (43 ± 1 kcal/100 g fw), increased phenolic acids content (2.7 ± 0.1 mg/g extract), and the exclusive presence of p-coumaric and cinnamic acids, along with OxHLIA activity (IC₅₀ = 126 ± 5 µg/mL at Δt = 60 min). C. nuda displayed higher protein (2.5 ± 0.1 g/100 g dw) and quinic acid contents (4.13 ± 0.02 mg/g extract), a PUFA-rich profile, and greater TBARS inhibition (EC₅₀ = 303 ± 17 µg/mL). These findings highlight distinct and complementary bioactive traits, supporting their valorization as natural functional ingredients. Their compositional features offer promising applications in sustainable food systems and nutraceutical development, encouraging further investigations into safety, bioaccessibility, and formulation strategies. Notably, F. hepatica is best consumed at a young developmental stage, as its sensory properties tend to decline with maturity. Full article

The development of active food packaging has evolved rapidly in recent years, offering innovative solutions to enhance food preservation and safety while addressing sustainability challenges. This review compiles and analyzes recent advancements (2019–2024) in release-type active packaging, focusing on essential oils, natural extracts, and phenolic compounds as active agents. Primarily plant-derived, these compounds exhibit significant antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, extending shelf life and enhancing food quality. Technological strategies such as encapsulation and polymer blending have been increasingly adopted to overcome challenges related to volatility, solubility, and sensory impact. Integrating bio-based polymers, including chitosan, starch, and polylactic acid, further supports the development of environmentally friendly packaging systems. This review also highlights trends in compound-specific research, release mechanisms, and commercial applications, including a detailed analysis of patents and case studies across various food matrices. These developments have already been translated into practical applications, such as antimicrobial sachets for meat and essential oil-based pads for fresh produce. Moreover, by promoting the valorization of agro-industrial by-products and the use of biodegradable materials, emission-type active packaging contributes to the principles of the circular economy. This comprehensive overview underscores the potential of natural bioactive compounds in advancing sustainable and functional food packaging technologies. Full article

Restaurants and open markets generate considerable quantities of organic waste. Converting these residues into poultry feed ingredients offers a sustainable disposal route. This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional and sensory viability of a novel feed complement formulated from Bonito fish meal (Sarda chiliensis chiliensis) and Única potato peel flour (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Única). This study was conducted in three phases: (i) production and nutritional characterization of the two by-product flours; (ii) formulation of a 48:52 (w/w) blend, incorporated into broiler diets at 15%, 30%, and 45% replacement levels over a 7-week trial divided into starter (3 weeks), grower (3 weeks), and finisher (1 week) phases; and (iii) assessment of growth performance (weight gain, final weight, and feed conversion ratio), followed by a sensory evaluation of the resulting meat using a Check-All-That-Apply (CATA) analysis. The Bonito fish meal exhibited 50.78% protein, while the Única potato peel flour was rich in carbohydrates (74.08%). The final body weights of broiler chickens ranged from 1872.1 to 1886.4 g across treatments, and the average feed conversion ratio across all groups was 0.65. Replacing up to 45% of commercial feed with the formulated complement did not significantly affect growth performance (p > 0.05). Sensory analysis revealed that meat from chickens receiving 15% and 45% substitution levels was preferred in terms of aroma and taste, whereas the control group was rated higher in appearance. These findings suggest that the formulated feed complement may represent a viable poultry-feed alternative with potential sensory and economic benefits, supporting future circular-economy strategies. Full article

Background: Environmental enrichment is a promising strategy to improve the welfare of dairy goats and sheep. However, studies in this field remain scattered, and its effects on productivity are unclear. Objectives: To evaluate the effects of environmental enrichment on behavioral, physiological, and productive parameters in dairy goats and sheep. Data sources: Scopus and Web of Science were searched for studies published from 2010 to 2025. Study eligibility criteria: Experimental or observational peer-reviewed studies comparing enriched vs. non-enriched housing in dairy goats or sheep, reporting on welfare or productivity outcomes. Methods: This review followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines and the PICO framework. Two independent reviewers screened and extracted data. Risk of bias was assessed with the SYRCLE tool. Results: Thirteen studies were included, mostly with goats. Physical, sensory, and social enrichments showed benefits for behavior (e.g., activity, fewer stereotypies) and stress physiology. However, results varied by social rank, enrichment type, and physiological stage. Only three studies assessed productive parameters (weight gain in kids/lambs); none evaluated milk yield or quality. Limitations: Most studies had small samples and short durations. No meta-analysis was conducted due to heterogeneity. Conclusions: Environmental enrichment can benefit the welfare of dairy goats and sheep. However, evidence on productivity is scarce. Long-term studies are needed to evaluate its cost-effectiveness and potential impacts on milk yield and reproductive performance. Full article

Early rehabilitation is essential for restoring functional recovery in patients with stroke, particularly during the early phase of post-acute care (PAC), or the subacute stage. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a 7-week PAC rehabilitation program in improving muscle strength, physical performance, and functional recovery. A total of 219 inpatients with stroke in the subacute stage were initially recruited from the PAC ward of a regional teaching hospital in Northern Taiwan, with 79 eligible patients—within 1 month of an acute stroke—included in the analysis. The program was delivered 5 days per week, with 3–4 sessions daily (20–30 min each, up to 120 min daily), comprising physical, occupational, and speech–language therapies. Sociodemographic data, muscle strength, physical performance (Berg Balance Scale [BBS], gait speed, and 6-minute walk test [6MWT]), and functional recovery (modified Rankin Scale [mRS], Barthel Index [BI], Instrumental Activities of Daily Living [IADL], and Fugl–Meyer assessment: sensory and upper extremity) were collected at baseline, 3 weeks, and 7 weeks. Generalized estimating equations analyzed program effectiveness. Among the 56 patients (70.9%) who completed the program, significant improvements were observed in the muscle strength of both the affected upper (B = 0.93, p < 0.001) and lower limbs (B = 0.88, p < 0.001), as well as in their corresponding unaffected limbs; in physical performance, including balance (BBS score: B = 9.70, p = 0.003) and gait speed (B = 0.23, p = 0.024); and in functional recovery, including BI (B = 19.5, p < 0.001), IADL (B = 1.48, p < 0.001), and mRS (B = −0.13, p = 0.028). These findings highlight the 7-week PAC rehabilitation program as an effective strategy during the critical recovery phase for patients with stroke. Full article

Diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy (DSPN) is the most prevalent complication of diabetes, affecting nearly half of all persons with diabetes. It is characterized by nerve degeneration, progressive sensory loss and pain, with increased risk of ulceration and amputation. Despite its high prevalence, disease-modifying treatments for DSPN do not exist. Mitochondrial dysfunction and Ca²⁺ dyshomeostasis are key contributors to the pathophysiology of DSPN, disrupting neuronal energy homeostasis and initiating axonal degeneration. Recent findings have demonstrated that antagonism of the muscarinic acetylcholine type 1 receptor (M₁R) promotes restoration of mitochondrial function and axon repair in various neuropathies, including DSPN, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) and HIV-associated neuropathy. Pirenzepine, a selective M₁R antagonist with a well-established safety profile, is currently under clinical investigation for its potential to reverse neuropathy. The transient receptor potential melastatin-3 (TRPM3) channel, a Ca²⁺-permeable ion channel, has recently emerged as a downstream effector of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) pathways, including M₁R. TRPM3 activation enhanced mitochondrial Ca²⁺ uptake and bioenergetics, promoting axonal sprouting. This review highlights mitochondrial and Ca²⁺ signaling imbalances in DSPN and presents M₁R antagonism and TRPM3 activation as promising neuro-regenerative strategies that shift treatment from symptom control to nerve restoration in diabetic and other peripheral neuropathies. Full article

Legumes are vital sources of protein, dietary fibre and nutrients, making them crucial for global food security and sustainable agriculture. However, their widespread acceptance and consumption are often limited by undesirable sensory characteristics, such as “a beany flavour”, bitterness or variable textures. Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive understanding of the complex molecular mechanisms governing appearance, aroma, taste, flavour, texture and palatability in legumes, aiming to enhance their sensory appeal. This review highlights the transformative power of multi-omics approaches in dissecting these intricate biological pathways and facilitating the targeted enhancement of legume sensory qualities. By integrating data from genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics, the genetic and biochemical networks that directly dictate sensory perception can be comprehensively unveiled. The insights gained from these integrated multi-omics studies are proving instrumental in developing strategies for sensory enhancement. They enable the identification of key biomarkers for desirable traits, facilitating more efficient marker-assisted selection (MAS) and genomic selection (GS) in breeding programs. Furthermore, a molecular understanding of sensory pathways opens avenues for precise gene editing (e.g., using CRISPR-Cas9) to modify specific genes, reduce off-flavour compounds or optimise texture. Beyond genetic improvements, multi-omics data also inform the optimisation of post-harvest handling and processing methods (e.g., germination and fermentation) to enhance desirable sensory profiles and mitigate undesirable ones. This holistic approach, spanning from the genetic blueprint to the final sensory experience, will accelerate the development of new legume cultivars and products with enhanced palatability, thereby fostering increased consumption and ultimately contributing to healthier diets and more resilient food systems worldwide. Full article

Background: Post-traumatic trigeminal neuropathic pain (PTTNP) is a chronic condition often caused by dental procedures such as implant placement or tooth extraction. It involves persistent pain and sensory disturbances, negatively affecting the quality of life of patients. Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted at Chosun University Dental Hospital and included 120 patients diagnosed with PTTNP involving the orofacial region. Patient data were collected between January 2014 and December 2023. Among them, 79 patients (65.8%) developed PTTNP following dental implant placement, with a total of 121 implants analyzed. The inferior alveolar nerve was most frequently involved. Clinical factors, including the time to treatment, removal of the causative factor, the Sunderland injury grade, and the type of treatment, were evaluated. Pain intensity and sensory changes were assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS). Results: Treatment initiated within the early post-injury period, commonly regarded as within three months, and implant removal tended to improve outcomes. Pharmacological therapy was the most commonly employed modality, particularly gabapentinoids (e.g., gabapentin, pregabalin) and tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline. However, combined therapy, which included pharmacologic, physical, and surgical approaches, was associated with the greatest sensory improvement. Conclusions: Prompt, multidisciplinary intervention may enhance recovery in patients with PTTNP. Implant-related injuries require careful management, and multimodal strategies appear more effective than monotherapies. Full article

The global rise in urban-related health issues poses significant challenges to public health, particularly in cities facing socio-economic crises. In Lebanon, 70% of the population is experiencing financial hardship, and healthcare costs have surged by 172%, exacerbating the strain on medical services. Given these conditions, improving the quality and accessibility of green spaces offers a promising avenue for alleviating mental health issues in urban areas. This study investigates the psychological impact of nine urban public spaces in Beirut through a comprehensive survey methodology, involving 297 participants (locals and tourists) who rated these spaces using Likert-scale measures. The findings reveal location-specific barriers, with Saanayeh Park rated highest in quality and Martyr’s Square rated lowest. The analysis identifies facility quality as the most significant factor influencing space quality, contributing 73.6% to the overall assessment, while activity factors have a lesser impact. The study further highlights a moderate positive association (Spearman’s rho = 0.30) between public space quality and mental well-being in Beirut. This study employs a hybrid methodology combining Research for Design (RfD) and Research Through Designing (RTD). Empirical data informed spatial strategies, while iterative design served as a tool for generating context-specific knowledge. Design enhancements—such as sensory plantings, shading systems, and social nodes—aim to improve well-being through better public space quality. The proposed interventions support mental health, life satisfaction, climate resilience, and urban inclusivity. The findings offer actionable insights for cities facing public health and spatial equity challenges in crisis contexts. Full article

This study proposes an integrated framework for sustainable tropical agriculture by combining biochemical waste valorization with spatial carbon footprint estimation in ‘Phulae’ pineapple production. Peel and eye residues from fresh-cut processing were enzymatically converted into rare sugar, achieving average conversion efficiencies of 35.28% for peel and 37.51% for eyes, with a benefit–cost ratio of 1.56 and an estimated unit cost of USD 0.17 per gram. A complementary zero-waste pathway produced functional gummy products using vinegar fermented from pineapple eye waste, with the preferred formulation scoring a mean of 4.32 out of 5 on a sensory scale with 158 untrained panelists. For spatial carbon modeling, the Bare Land Referenced Algorithm (BRAH) and Otsu thresholding were applied to multi-temporal Sentinel-2 and THEOS imagery to estimate plantation age, which strongly correlated with field-measured emissions (r = 0.996). This enabled scalable mapping of plot-level greenhouse gas emissions, yielding an average footprint of 0.2304 kg CO₂ eq. per kilogram of fresh pineapple at the plantation gate. Together, these innovations form a replicable model that aligns tropical fruit supply chains with circular economy goals and carbon-related trade standards. The framework supports waste traceability, resource efficiency, and climate accountability using accessible, data-driven tools suitable for smallholder contexts. By demonstrating practical value addition and spatially explicit carbon monitoring, this study shows how integrated circular and geospatial strategies can advance sustainability and market competitiveness for the ‘Phulae’ pineapple industry and similar perennial crop systems. Full article

The insular cortex has emerged as a key region implicated in a wide array of cognitive, emotional, and sensory processes. The anterior part of the insula (AIC) is central to emotional awareness, decision-making, and interoception, while the posterior insula (PIC) is more associated with somatosensory processing. The insula acts as a functional hub within the salience network and integrates homeostatic, affective, and cognitive information; thus, its role in different mental disorders seems to be prominent. Altered structure and connectivity of the insular cortex are evident in several psychiatric conditions. In schizophrenia, reductions in insular volume—especially on the left—correlate with hallucinations, emotional dysregulation, and cognitive deficits. Bipolar and major depressive disorders exhibit AIC volume loss and aberrant connectivity patterns linked to impaired affect regulation and interoceptive awareness. Anxiety disorders show functional hyperactivity of the insula, especially in response to fear-inducing stimuli, though findings on structural changes are mixed. Overall, growing evidence underscores the insular cortex’s central role in psychiatric pathophysiology and highlights its potential as a target for future diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Full article

Cordyceps sinensis (C. sinensis) is widely recognized for its bioactive compounds and associated health benefits. However, due to its delicate nature, conventional chilled storage often results in the rapid degradation of valuable compounds, leading to loss of nutritional value and overall quality. This study integrated and evaluated comprehensive strategies: three gas-conditioning and two light-based preservation methods for maintaining both quality and nutritional integrity during 12-day chilled storage at 4 °C. The results revealed that vacuum packaging significantly inhibited weight loss (3.49%) compared to in the control group (10.77%) and preserved sensory quality (p < 0.05). UV-based interventions notably suppressed polyphenol oxidase and tyrosinase activities by 36.4% and 29.7%, respectively (p < 0.05). Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) with 80% N₂ and 20% CO₂ (MAP-N₂CO₂) maintained higher levels of cordycepin (1.77 µg/g) and preserved energy charge above 0.7 throughout storage. The results suggest that MAP-based treatments are superior methods for the chilled storage of C. sinensis, with diverse advantages and their corresponding shelf lives associated with different gas compositions. Full article

In nature, organisms often rely on the integration of local sensory information and prior experience to flexibly adapt to complex and dynamic environments, enabling efficient path selection. This bio-inspired mechanism of perception and behavioral adjustment provides important insights for path planning in mobile robots operating under uncertainty. In recent years, the introduction of deep reinforcement learning (DRL) has empowered mobile robots to autonomously learn navigation strategies through interaction with the environment, allowing them to identify obstacle distributions and perform path planning even in unknown scenarios. To further enhance the adaptability and path planning performance of robots in complex environments, this paper develops a deep reinforcement learning framework based on the Soft Actor–Critic (SAC) algorithm. First, to address the limited adaptability of existing transfer learning methods, we propose an action-level fusion mechanism that dynamically integrates prior and current policies during inference, enabling more flexible knowledge transfer. Second, a bio-inspired radar perception optimization method is introduced, which mimics the biological mechanism of focusing on key regions while ignoring redundant information, thereby enhancing the expressiveness of sensory inputs. Finally, a reward function based on ineffective behavior recognition is designed to reduce unnecessary exploration during training. The proposed method is validated in both the Gazebo simulation environment and real-world scenarios. Experimental results demonstrate that the approach achieves faster convergence and superior obstacle avoidance performance in path planning tasks, exhibiting strong transferability and generalization across various obstacle configurations. Full article

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of genotype and diet on geese from crossbreeding meat lines Tapphorn (T) and Eskildsen (E). This study was conducted on 240 crossbred geese assigned to two dietary groups: an SBM diet group fed a standard soybean-based diet and an LPS diet group fed a yellow lupin-based diet. Birds were reared under identical management conditions and slaughtered at 17 weeks of age. The following traits were recorded: meat colour (CIELab), pH₂₄, cooking loss, breast and thigh muscle texture (shear force and energy), and sensory traits. The results showed a significant effect of both genotype and diet on meat quality. The LPS diet lowered shear force and energy (by ~11%, p < 0.001), reduced cooking loss in breast muscles (by ~5%, p < 0.001), and improved the juiciness and flavour of thigh muscles. The ET genotype positively influenced the meat colour intensity (lower L*, higher a*), while the lupin-based diet improved technological parameters, especially the water-holding capacity. The results confirm that replacing soybean meal with yellow lupin protein is an effective nutritional strategy that can improve goose meat quality and sustainability without compromising the sensory quality. These outcomes support developing soy-free feeding strategies in goose production to meet consumer expectations and reduce reliance on imported feed. Full article