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Microplastic (MP) contamination is an emerging threat to aquatic ecosystems. However, species-specific bioaccumulation patterns across trophic guilds in tropical river ecosystems remain scarcely understood. This study assessed the occurrence, organ-level distribution, polymer composition, and ecological risk of MPs in 220 fish representing 12 species, spanning across multiple trophic guilds, sampled from four sites along a pollution gradient of the river Yamuna, India. MPs were detected in all examined species, confirming extensive distribution across the river ecosystem. A total 1678 MPs were recovered, with significantly higher abundance in fish from the highly urban Delhi stretch than in those from upstream regions (Kruskal–Wallis, H = 11.03, p = 0.011). The highest species-specific MP load was recorded in omnivorous Oreochromis niloticus from Sonia Vihar (436 MPs), whereas the carnivorous species Xenentodon cancila exhibited the lowest accumulation (37 MPs). Surface- and mid-water herbivores and omnivores accumulated more MPs than benthic carnivores and detritivores. Nonetheless, spatial pollution gradients exerted a stronger influence on MP accumulation, compared to trophic guilds. The gastrointestinal tract exhibited the highest MP abundance (751 MP particles), followed by gills (605) and muscle tissues (322), confirming ingestion as primary uptake route, and suggesting possible tissue translocation. Fibers dominated in the assemblage (77.8%), while transparent (44%) and blue (19.5%) were most abundant colors. ATR–FTIR analysis confirmed 10 diverse polymers, with polyethylene (≈24%) and polypropylene (≈21%) together accounting for nearly half of the identified particles. The Polymer Hazard Index analysis classified the recovered MP mix as Category IV (high ecological hazard). These findings identify the Delhi stretch of the Yamuna as a high MP contamination zone and highlight the combined influence of urban pollution and fish ecology on MP bioaccumulation. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ (25-OH-D3), canthaxanthin (Cx), copper (Cu), and gluco-oligosaccharides (GO) on performance, egg quality, fertility, and hatchability of broiler breeder hens during early production (30 to 41 weeks of age). A total of 210 breeder hens and 21 males were allocated to three dietary treatments. Birds were fed a standard broiler breeder diet (control) or the same diet in which 0.5 kg/MT of an additive premix replaced sand. This premix supplied 16.6–17.7 mg/kg canthaxanthin (Cx) and 3700–4700 IU/kg 25-OH-D3 in Treatment 1, and 9.2–11.1 mg/kg Cx and 4100–4700 IU/kg 25-OH-D3 in Treatment 2. Treatment 2 also included Cu and GO (≥44 mg/g within the additive), with Cu provided at industry-standard levels. Each treatment consisted of seven replicates, with birds housed in floor pens containing 10 females and 1 male per replicate. Hen performance was recorded weekly, while egg quality was assessed at 30, 35, and 41 weeks. Fertility and hatchability were evaluated at 30 and 41 weeks. Treatment 2 improved lay rate, albumen height, Haugh unit, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) at selected time points. Both supplemented diets consistently produced darker yolk color compared with the control. Supplementation consistently enhanced yolk color, whereas effects on albumen height, Haugh unit, shell thickness, and FCR were observed only at specific ages or weeks. Lay rate differed among treatments only at week 40, with a trend observed at week 41. Fertility and hatchability were not significantly affected by dietary treatment. Full article

Spoilage in vacuum-packaged chicken breast is driven by coupled microbial succession and physicochemical changes that cannot be adequately described by a single indicator. In this study, MALDI-TOF MS-based species-level identification of culturable isolates was integrated with microbiological counts (total viable count, lactic acid bacteria, yeasts and molds, and Enterobacteriaceae), physicochemical parameters (pH, water activity, CIE $L^{*}{a}^{*}{b}^{*}$, and total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N)), and sensory evaluation of odor, appearance/color, surface texture/slime and overall acceptability (trained panel, $n=8$) during 15 days of storage at 4 °C. Associations among variables were assessed using Spearman correlation analysis. MALDI-TOF MS identified 625 isolates belonging to 67 species across 19 families. The microbial community shifted from an initially diverse flora toward late-stage dominance by Latilactobacillus sakei, L. curvatus, Hafnia alvei, Serratia spp., Carnobacterium maltaromaticum and Brochothrix thermosphacta, while Candida zeylanoides persisted throughout storage. TVC exceeded 7 log CFU/g, and TVB-N increased from 10.65 to 23.20 mg N/100 g ($p<0.05$). TVB-N showed strong positive correlations with all microbial groups ($r_s\ge 0.90$, $p<0.01$) and with seven microbial families at the family level. Hafniaceae dominance coincided with a transient mid-storage decrease in pH, consistent with the deaminative activity of H. alvei. $b_{in}^{*}$ showed significant associations with four microbial families and with both microbial counts and TVB-N, supporting its value as a practical spoilage indicator. Sensory evaluation identified Day 13 as the rejection point, corresponding to TVC of 6.79 log CFU/g and TVB-N of 20.80 mg N/100 g, with simultaneous deterioration of odor and appearance, in contrast to the sequential pattern typically reported under aerobic conditions. To our knowledge, this is the first study to integrate time-resolved MALDI-TOF MS-based family-level profiling with physicochemical and sensory monitoring in vacuum-packaged chicken breast stored at 4 °C, offering a condition-specific framework for shelf-life assessment. Full article

Improving tenderness in whole-muscle pork products remains a technological challenge, particularly when natural processing strategies are preferred over conventional additives, as texture is regarded as one of the most important quality attributes influencing consumer perception and acceptance of meat products. This study investigated whether two plant proteases, papain and bromelain, incorporated into a red algae-based brine containing Palmaria palmata could enhance the quality of injected pork loin without compromising microbiological safety or sensory acceptance. Seven batches were produced: a control sample and six enzyme-treated samples containing papain or bromelain at 0.015%, 0.030%, and 0.045%. Overall, the enzymatic treatments had a limited effect on proximate composition. However, a modest decrease in fat content was observed, from 3.09% in the control sample to 2.70–2.82% in the samples treated with the highest concentrations of papain and bromelain (0.045%). In contrast, instrumental color and texture were strongly affected. Enzyme-treated samples became lighter, less red, and less saturated, with redness decreasing from 13.07 in the control to 5.19–6.66 in the highest-dose treatments and total color differences reaching 8.66. The most relevant effect was observed in texture, where papain and bromelain markedly reduced shear force, shear work, hardness, gumminess, and chewiness; shear force decreased from 26.22 N/cm² in the control to 10.78 N/cm² and 9.38 N/cm² in the batches treated with the highest enzyme concentrations. During refrigerated storage, total viable counts increased gradually but remained low, with a maximum of 4.56 × 10² CFU/g, while Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Listeria monocytogenes were not detected. Sensory analysis further showed that enzymatic treatment improved perceived tenderness and juiciness without reducing overall acceptability. These findings indicate that papain and bromelain can be used as natural tenderizing tools in injected pork loin, offering a promising route toward cleaner-label meat products with improved texture and preserved microbiological quality. Full article

With the increasing demand for sustainable animal production, the utilization of agricultural and processing by-products as functional feed ingredients has gained growing attention. However, the application of Xiasangju processing residues, a by-product generated during the industrial processing of the traditional Chinese herbal formula Xiasangju, in poultry nutrition remains poorly understood. This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional composition, bioactive components, and potential functional effects of Xiasangju processing by-products as a dietary supplement for late-laying hens. Chemical composition was characterized using LC-MS and conventional nutritional analysis, while potential anti-inflammatory mechanisms were predicted via network pharmacology. A total of 288 Jingfen laying hens (55 weeks old) were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments supplemented with 0, 0.5%, 1.0%, or 1.5% Xiasangju processing by-products for 56 days. Results showed that 11 major active compounds were identified, including relatively high levels of linarin and rosmarinic acid, along with abundant crude protein, fiber, minerals, and amino acids. Dietary supplementation at 1.5% was associated with higher egg production rate, egg weight, and yolk color without obvious adverse effects on organ indices or serum biochemical parameters. This treatment was also associated with lower inflammatory gene expression, including IL-6 and COX-2 in the ileum and NF-κB, IL-6, COX-2, and TNF-α in the cecum. No significant effects were observed on antioxidant status in yolk or liver, or intestinal morphology. Integrated analyses using network pharmacology, molecular docking, and in vitro COX-2 inhibition suggested that anti-inflammatory-related responses may involve COX-2-related pathways, while 16S rRNA sequencing indicated changes in gut microbiota composition. In conclusion, Xiasangju processing by-products may serve as a potential functional feed ingredient for late-laying hens, with 1.5% inclusion showing favorable overall performance under the conditions of this study. These effects may be associated with the combined contribution of residual nutrients and bioactive compounds in the residues. Full article

Background: New Zealand blackcurrant (NZBC) is an anthocyanin-rich supplement with reported ergogenic effects in endurance exercise; however, its effects in resistance-trained adults remain largely unexplored. Objective: This study aimed to examine whether seven days of low- or high-dose NZBC supplementation improves resistance exercise performance, anaerobic capacity, and cognitive function in resistance-trained adults. Methods: Twenty resistance-trained adults completed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial with four conditions: no-capsule control (CON), placebo (PL), low-dose blackcurrant (LDBC; 250 mg·day⁻¹), and high-dose blackcurrant (HDBC; 600 mg·day⁻¹), each for seven days. Outcomes included bench press and leg press 1RM, total lifting volume, Tendo-derived bench press power, 30 s Wingate performance, Stroop Color–Word Test scores, readiness, perceived exertion, hemodynamic responses, and adverse events. Results: LDBC and HDBC increased bench press 1RM versus CON and PL, with increases versus CON of +3.33 kg (ES = 0.72; p = 0.005) and +2.34 kg (ES = 0.49; p = 0.041), respectively. Leg press 1RM was higher in PL, LDBC, and HDBC versus CON, with the largest effects observed for LDBC (+37.2 kg, ES = 1.33; p < 0.001) and HDBC (+25.8 kg, ES = 1.11; p < 0.001). Leg press total lifting volume was substantially higher with LDBC (+2627 kg, ES = 1.56; p < 0.001) and HDBC (+1025 kg, ES = 0.74; p = 0.004) versus CON. Bench press volume showed no significant overall treatment effect (p > 0.05). For Tendo-derived power, HDBC exceeded PL for peak (+79.5 W; p = 0.006) and mean power (+46.2 W; p = 0.026). Wingate outcomes did not differ across conditions (all p > 0.05). LDBC exceeded PL on Stroop Color, Color–Word, and total scores (all p < 0.05); HDBC exceeded PL on Color–Word only. Hemodynamic responses and adverse events were comparable across all conditions. Conclusions: Short-term NZBC supplementation improved selected resistance-exercise and cognitive outcomes, with the strongest evidence observed for outcomes that exceeded both CON and PL. The PL response relative to CON suggests that non-specific capsule, expectancy, repeated testing, or period effects may have contributed to some of the lower-body improvements; therefore, placebo-controlled contrasts should be emphasized when interpreting NZBC-specific efficacy. Wingate performance was unaffected, and both doses were well tolerated over the short-term supplementation period. Full article

Polyurethane synthetic leather is a widely used covering material in automotive interiors, and its surface coating characteristics directly determine the occupant experience. However, the underlying mechanisms by which these characteristics influence visuo-tactile perception in the context of new energy vehicles (NEVs) require further investigation. In this study, a composite experimental matrix was constructed by combining surface textures with distinct roughness gradients and representative colors extracted via data mining within the HSV color space. Targeting these two surface coating characteristics—color and texture—systematic evaluations were conducted across three independent perception stages: purely visual, purely tactile, and combined visuo-tactile. Eye-tracking metrics, specifically pupil diameter and total fixation duration, were extracted and cross-analyzed alongside multidimensional subjective evaluations. The results indicate that surface texture exerts a significant main effect on both perceived tactile softness and pleasantness, whereas the impact of color variation is remarkably weak. Furthermore, highly complex surface textures lead to prolonged fixation durations, reflecting increased exploratory interest and the high perceptual salience of intricate details rather than mere cognitive workload. Moreover, significant differences in pupil diameter were observed across texture conditions, potentially reflecting the combined influence of low-level image properties and higher-order texture perception. Concurrently, an interference effect of visual features on tactile perception was observed; specifically, the introduction of visual cues (encompassing color and texture) significantly diminished the pleasantness experienced during tactile interaction. These findings elucidate the intrinsic connections between surface coating characteristics and users’ visuo-tactile perception, offering important theoretical guidance and practical implications for optimizing the surface design of automotive polyurethane synthetic leather and enhancing the overall occupant experience. Full article

Pre-harvest foliar application of chitooligosaccharide (COS) was evaluated for its impact on the flavor quality of Cabernet Gernischt wines. COS was applied at the young berry (YB) and early veraison (EV) stages across the 2022 and 2023 vintages. Physicochemical parameters, phenolic compounds, color index, volatile composition, and sensory quality were systematically analyzed. In 2022, alcohol content and total acidity increased in both treatment groups, total phenols increased in the EV group but decreased in the YB group. In 2023, alcohol and acidity showed opposite trends between the two treatment groups, while phenolic compounds decreased. COS treatment increased wine lightness and yellow tone but reduced red tone and color saturation. In 2022 vintage, YB treatment increased total volatiles with 8.18% and terpenoids with 138.91%, while esters increasing by 34.72–53.60%. In 2023 vintage, total volatiles decreased by approximately 15%, with esters significantly decreasing by 26.60% (YB) and alcohols by 25.96% (EV), while fatty acids increased by 32.70% (EV). OPLS-DA identified key aroma compounds, including phenethyl acetate, ethyl caprate, heptyl acetate, and isoamyl acetate. Aroma wheel analysis showed that fruity and floral notes were enhanced in 2022 but reduced in 2023, with the EV stage consistently performing better. Overall, COS application at the early veraison stage represents a promising strategy for modulating wine flavor quality. Full article

Background: The total vaginal hysterectomy (TVH) technique has been performed for many gynecological surgeries but is less used than total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH). The purpose of this study was to analyze the outcomes in patients who underwent either TVH or TAH for enlarged diffuse uterine adenomyosis (ADS). Methods: In this retrospective study, 160 hysterectomies with bilateral adnexectomy were scheduled for premenopausal women with diffuse ADS between 2020 and 2024 at a tertiary care center in Romania. The diagnosis was established based on clinical symptomatology, color Doppler transvaginal ultrasound, transabdominal ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging with histopathological confirmation of diffuse uterine ADS post-operatively from the hysterectomy specimen. All surgical procedures were performed by the same surgeon. The patients were divided into two groups: the TVH group (n = 80) and the TAH group (n = 80). Patient characteristics, including age, uterine weight, body mass index (BMI), parity, operative time, intraoperative blood loss, length of hospital stay, medical history, surgical history, intra- and postoperative complications, and the presence of adhesions, were evaluated. Results: No differences were observed between the two groups with regard to uterine weight, BMI, or parity. However, the TVH group was associated with significantly younger age, shorter operative time, lower intraoperative blood loss, and a reduced length of hospital stay (p < 0.001). Additionally, both medical and surgical histories were more frequently observed in the TAH group than in the TVH group. However, intra- (i.e., 3.75%) and postoperative complications (i.e., 13.75% vs. 3.75%) were slightly more frequent in the TAH group, as well as adhesions (i.e., 17.50% vs. 8.75%). Uterine hemisection, tactical myomectomy, or morcellation were frequently employed in the TVH group, being required in 77.5% of cases. Conclusions: In our cohort of patients with enlarged diffuse uterine ADS, TVH was associated with younger age, shorter operative time, reduced intraoperative blood loss, and a shorter length hospital stay compared with TAH, without an observed increase in perioperative complications. These results support the use of TVH as a feasible surgical approach for selected enlarged diffuse uterine ADS. Full article

To identify quality markers (Q-markers) for daodi authenticity evaluation of Lycium barbarum L., a comprehensive strategy integrating appearance trait analysis, multi-component quantification, and chemometrics was developed. Forty-five sample batches were collected from four major producing areas in China, namely Ningxia (NX), Gansu (GS), Qinghai (QH), and Inner Mongolia (NM). Appearance traits (50-fruit weight, moisture, and color) and the contents of polysaccharide, total sugar, betaine, zeaxanthin dipalmitate, and 27 small-molecule compounds, including flavonoids and phenolics, were determined using UV–vis spectrophotometry, HPLC-CAD, and UPLC-MS/MS. Pearson correlation analysis revealed a significant negative association between polysaccharide and total sugar (r = −0.344, p < 0.05), suggesting a possible allocation shift between the two carbohydrate fractions, while zeaxanthin dipalmitate strongly correlated with redness (r = 0.609, p < 0.01). Principal component analysis identified total sugar, polysaccharide, scopoletin, and scopolin as key discriminatory variables. AHP-CRITIC combined weighting highlighted polysaccharide (weight 0.195) and zeaxanthin dipalmitate (weight 0.157) as candidate core Q-markers. Top-ranked comprehensive scores predominantly belonged to samples from NX and GS, chemically supporting the traditional daodi authenticity. This dual-dimensional “efficacy–trait” framework provides a robust, traceable basis for origin authentication and quality standard improvement of L. barbarum. Full article

Bauhinia forficata leaves were subjected to ultrasonic pretreatment and subsequently dried using a refractance window (RW) and tray drying (TD). The physical, chemical, and biological properties of the dried leaves were evaluated under both drying methods, with and without ultrasound. RW combined with ultrasound (RW-US) resulted in the shortest drying time (90 min) and the lowest values of water activity (0.21), color difference (ΔE = 0.61), and maximum shear force (14.72 N), indicating improved drying efficiency and texture preservation. In addition, the RW-US samples exhibited the highest water solubility capacity (13.75%), water absorption capacity (5.56 g water/g dry matter), and swelling power (9.95%). With respect to structural changes, thickness showed the greatest percentage reduction during drying. The RW-US treatment also preserved bioactive compounds more effectively, yielding the highest total polyphenol content (61.96 mg GAE/g extract), flavonoid content (308.44 mg QE/g extract), antioxidant activity (60.50% by DPPH• and 70.15% by ABTS•+), and chlorophyll content (2.65 mg/g), the values of which were closest to those of fresh leaves. None of the extracts showed cytotoxic effects, with respect to hypoglycemic activity, the best treatments were RW, RW-US, and TD, which resulted in glucose reductions of 51.64%, 41.95% and 39.70%, respectively. Overall, RW-US drying preserved most of the physical, chemical, and biological properties, resulting in the production of a potential functional ingredient for foods. Full article

The valorization of winemaking by-products is a sustainable strategy consistent with circular bioeconomy principles and current public health priorities. This study aimed to evaluate residual oenological yeast sediment from local Moldovan grape varieties, Viorica and Fetească Regală, as a multifunctional ingredient and partial fat replacer in muffins. Sunflower oil was replaced with wine lees (WL) at 20%, 35%, and 50%, and the obtained products were analyzed in terms of physicochemical, nutritional, microbiological, colorimetric, and sensory characteristics. WL incorporation reduced the caloric value by up to 10% and decreased lipid content, while contributing to higher protein and dietary fiber levels. Moisture values remained within acceptable limits, whereas titratable acidity increased with the substitution level (p < 0.05). Muffin density showed a slight increase, and water absorption capacity improved markedly, reaching 269%, mainly due to the fiber-rich composition of WL. Color analysis indicated reduced lightness and increased redness, associated with yeast pigments and thermal reactions during baking. Microbiological results showed lower total viable counts with increasing WL addition; however, the 50% substitution level exceeded the permissible limits for yeasts and molds. Sensory evaluation indicated that the muffin with 20% WL was the most acceptable sample. Overall, WL may be considered a promising sustainable ingredient for developing reduced-fat muffins with improved nutritional value. Full article

Light is a critical environmental cue regulating development and quality in edible fungi, yet the effects of dynamic light regimes (for example, transitions from white to blue light) remain poorly understood. We systematically investigated how white-light pretreatment duration (0, 4, 8, or 12 h) and two blue-light regimes—B6 (6 h blue followed by white until harvest) and Bc (continuous blue until harvest)—affect fruiting-body development, yield, color, textural properties, and nutritional quality of Pleurotus pulmonarius. The experiment was conducted at a single commercial production facility in Zhejiang Province, China, using the commercial strain P. pulmonarius (cultivar ‘Jinxiu’). Two-way ANOVA revealed significant interactions between white-light pretreatment and blue-light regime for cap a* value (red-green), cap width, cap hardness and chewiness, stipe hardness, number of fruiting bodies, and several nutrient components. All dynamic light regimes reduced cap L* value (lightness) and b* value (yellow-blue); continuous blue (Bc) produced a darker cap. Yield responses to blue-light duration depended on pretreatment: without white pretreatment, Bc outperformed B6, whereas with 4–12 h white pretreatment B6 produced higher yields. Relative to the control (CK), all dynamic regimes significantly increased total free amino acids and essential amino acids. Except for W4B6 and W12B6, all other treatments significantly increased crude protein; total soluble sugar, crude fat, and crude fiber decreased in most treatments compared to CK. These results indicate that an optimized transition from white to blue light can synergistically improve the color, nutritional quality and yield of P. pulmonarius. The W8Bc regime (8 h white pretreatment followed by continuous blue until harvest) produced the highest cap chewiness (21.65 N·mm) and free amino acid content (3110.44 μg·g⁻¹), the darkest cap color, and the top comprehensive score in the entropy-weighted TOPSIS evaluation, despite ranking second in yield and high-quality rate. Under the conditions tested (single cultivar ‘Jinxiu’ at one production base), we recommend the W8Bc light regime as suitable for industrial cultivation of Pleurotus pulmonarius. However, it should be noted that these findings cannot be generalized to the entire species without further validation across multiple strains and multiple locations. Full article

This study investigates the influence of organic matter properties in surface waters on the efficiency of single- and two-stage coagulation processes in drinking water treatment plants. The research was conducted at three treatment plants supplied by different surface water sources over a 15-month monitoring period. The analyzed parameters included total and dissolved organic carbon (TOC and DOC), biodegradable dissolved organic carbon (BDOC), water color, UV absorbance, zeta potential, and molecular weight distribution of organic substances. The results showed that coagulation efficiency depends strongly on both the concentration and the molecular characteristics of organic matter. The highest removal efficiency was observed for high-molecular-weight fractions (>2.0 kDa), mainly humic substances, whereas low-molecular-weight compounds were removed less effectively. The study also demonstrated that surrogate spectrophotometric parameters, particularly UV₂₅₄ absorbance and color at 410 nm, can be used to monitor and optimize the coagulation process. Given the increasing frequency of extreme climate events and rapid shifts in raw water quality, optimizing single- and two-stage coagulation configurations has become an urgent operational necessity. This work provides a novel direct linkage between simple spectrophotometric indexes and precise chromatographic molecular ranges, delivering an immediate, high-impact predictive tool for real-time dosage optimization in water treatment engineering. Full article

Single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer (smFRET) enables direct measurement of nanoscale conformational dynamics and heterogeneity in biomolecules, but quantitative interpretation of smFRET data critically depends on well-controlled excitation geometry, low background fluorescence, robust calibration, and reproducible data-analysis workflows. Prism-based total internal reflection fluorescence (pTIRF) microscopy provides important advantages for such measurements by physically separating excitation and emission paths and generating a highly confined evanescent field, yet practical guidance for implementing reproducible, quantitative pTIRF systems remains fragmented. Here we present a comprehensive, standardized framework for the design, alignment, calibration, validation, and operation of a prism-based TIRF microscope optimized for single-molecule fluorescence measurements. We describe the complete optical architecture for dual-color excitation and detection, establish alignment invariants that ensure reproducible evanescent excitation and stable donor–acceptor channel registration, and detail surface preparation, flow control, and photostabilization strategies required for reliable long-term imaging. Quantitative benchmarking protocols are introduced to evaluate signal-to-noise ratio, photobleaching kinetics, and spectral crosstalk, providing objective criteria for defining optimal operating conditions and instrument performance limits. Finally, we integrate these experimental procedures with an end-to-end single-molecule data-analysis workflow encompassing channel registration, automated and manual trajectory selection, FRET calculation, and kinetic analysis using hidden Markov modeling. The utility of the platform is demonstrated through smFRET measurements of conformational dynamics in a model nucleic acid system. Together, this work provides a reproducible and accessible methodology for implementing prism-based TIRF microscopy as a robust quantitative platform for single-molecule fluorescence studies across a wide range of biomolecular systems. Full article