Search Results (2,845)

Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.) are one of the most important dietary sources of carotenoids, especially lycopene, a bioactive compound associated with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective effects. This review synthesizes recent data on the phytochemical composition of tomatoes, with a focus on lycopene, its main biological mechanisms and health benefits, including the reduction in oxidative stress. The manuscript also highlights the influence of thermal processing and food matrix on the bioavailability of lycopene, as well as the role of innovative formulation and nanoencapsulation systems in increasing its stability and absorption. Modern extraction and analysis methods are also presented, including ultrasound, microwave and supercritical-fluid-assisted techniques, along with HPLC chromatographic methods. A distinctive element is the analysis of lycopene-based food supplements available on the markets in Romania, Europe and the United States, from the perspective of composition, standardization and safety. Current data support the potential of lycopene as a valuable nutraceutical ingredient, but further clinical studies are needed to confirm therapeutic benefits. Full article

This study investigates the mechanical properties and corrosion behavior of a Co-free Fe₄₀Ni₃₀Cr₂₀V₈Mo₂ (at.%) multi-principal elements alloy (MPEA) designed for potential applications in aggressive environments. The alloy exhibits a balanced combination of strength and ductility, with a yield strength of approximately 258 MPa, an ultimate tensile strength of about 647 MPa, and a fracture elongation of around 52%, of which deformation is primarily governed by dislocation-mediated plasticity. In terms of corrosion performance, the alloy demonstrates excellent resistance in chloride-containing environments. Potentiodynamic polarization tests reveal a wide and stable passive region of approximately 1.28 V_SCE and a high pitting potential of about 0.975 V_SCE, indicating exceptional stability of the passive film. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) further confirms the high impedance and protective nature of the surface layer. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis reveals that the superior anti-corrosion property is attributed to the formation of a passive film enriched with protective Cr₂O₃ and V, Mo oxides, which collectively construct an effective barrier against chloride-induced attack by reducing donor density. This work provides valuable insights for the development of alternative alloys to replace Co-containing systems in demanding corrosive applications. Full article

Background: Type 2 inflammatory diseases are among the most common chronic inflammatory conditions in childhood and represent a growing global health burden. Increasing evidence suggests that early-life nutritional exposures may influence immune programming and allergic disease development. This Position Paper aims to summarize the current evidence regarding the immunomodulatory role of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), particularly omega-3 long-chain fatty acids, in the prevention of allergic diseases during early life. Methods: A scoping literature review and consensus process were conducted to map biological mechanisms and clinical evidence linking omega-3 PUFAs with allergic disease prevention. This document analyzed experimental, observational, and randomized controlled studies evaluating maternal prenatal/lactational omega-3 exposure. The clinical evidence was qualitatively appraised using study-design-specific Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Tools. Particular attention was given to immune modulation, inflammatory pathways, epithelial barrier function, gut microbiota interactions, and the ferroptosis–immune–metabolic axis. Results: Omega-3 PUFAs, including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), exert immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects through multiple mechanisms, including specialized pro-resolving mediator production, regulation of T-helper cell responses, cytokine modulation, maintenance of epithelial barrier integrity, and microbiota interaction. Emerging evidence also supports their involvement in oxidative stress and ferroptosis regulation. Current clinical evidence, particularly from higher-quality prenatal randomized trials and evidence syntheses, suggests that adequate maternal omega-3 intake during pregnancy and lactation may reduce the risk of respiratory allergic outcomes, especially wheezing and asthma, in selected offspring. Conclusions: Adequate omega-3 PUFA intake, such as 2 g/die, during critical windows of immune maturation may represent a valuable strategy for the primary prevention of allergic diseases. Current evidence most strongly supports supplementation during pregnancy and lactation, particularly in populations with low dietary omega-3 intake or increased allergic risk. Omega-3 supplementation should be considered within a broader multifactorial preventive approach aimed at promoting immune tolerance and reducing the future burden of allergic diseases. Full article

Drought stress is one of the most prevalent abiotic stressors and severely impairs plant growth and productivity. Therefore, identifying functional genes associated with drought tolerance is essential for the molecular breeding of drought-resistant crops. The RD22 (Responsive to Desiccation 22) gene family encodes conserved BURP domain-containing proteins that participate in plant responses to drought stress. In this study, two RD22 homologs, DsRD22a and DsRD22b, were isolated and characterized from the drought-tolerant ornamental species Dianthus spiculifolius. Sequence analysis showed that both proteins contain a conserved BURP domain and are typical members of the RD22 family. Tissue-specific expression analysis revealed that both genes were predominantly expressed in leaves and stems. Abiotic stress assays demonstrated that the expression levels of DsRD22a and DsRD22b were significantly induced by abscisic acid (ABA), osmotic stress, and salt stress, whereas their transcriptional responses to relatively low-temperature and oxidative stress were relatively weak. Subcellular localization analysis indicated that DsRD22a and DsRD22b proteins are localized in the cytoplasm. Heterologous overexpression assays showed that transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana lines overexpressing DsRD22a or DsRD22b exhibited significantly enhanced tolerance to salt and osmotic stresses compared with wild-type (WT) plants. Soil drought assays further confirmed that the transgenic lines had higher soluble protein contents and improved drought tolerance than WT plants. These findings suggest that DsRD22a and DsRD22b positively regulate plant responses to drought stress, potentially by promoting soluble protein accumulation. Collectively, DsRD22a and DsRD22b represent valuable candidate genes for the genetic improvement of drought tolerance in plants. Full article

Fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) exposure increases the risk of neurodevelopmental abnormalities by disrupting neural stem cell (NSC) proliferation and cell cycle homeostasis, which are critical for normal neurodevelopment. This study investigated the impact of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) on NSC proliferation and cell cycle using a three-dimensional (3D) graphene oxide (GO) scaffold that mimics the NSC microenvironment. PM_2.5 exposure led to concentration-dependent decreases in NSC viability and induced G0/G1 phase arrest via the marked downregulation of Cyclin D1-Cdk4 and Cyclin E-Cdk2, which critically impact G1/S transition. NSCs in 3D GO scaffolds maintained higher expression of key cell cycle regulators (Cyclin A, Cdk1/Cdk2, APC, and Cdc20) and superior cell viability when suffering PM_2.5 exposure, demonstrating the 3D culture environment was beneficial for NSC proliferation. We speculate that the 3D culture environment is more favorable and protective for cell proliferation. Therefore, these findings highlight the utility of the 3D GO scaffold for studying PM_2.5 effects on growing neural stem cells. This work provides a physiologically relevant in vitro platform that captures microenvironment-dependent neurotoxic responses, consequently offering valuable mechanistic insights into PM_2.5-induced developmental neurotoxicity. Full article

Aqueous magnesium-ion batteries (AMIBs) are promising for next-generation energy storage technologies due to their high safety, low cost, high theoretical energy density, and environmental friendliness. In particular, manganese-based oxides have attracted much attention due to the abundant resources, high theoretical capacity, and environmental friendliness. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of manganese-based oxide cathode materials for AMIBs, including the crystal structure, electrochemical performance, optimization strategies, and electrode reaction mechanisms. Meanwhile, recent research progress of AMIB full cells based on Mn-based oxide cathode materials is summarized. Finally, the challenges and future perspectives of Mn-based oxide cathode materials for AMIBs are discussed. This review will provide a valuable reference and source of inspiration for future research of manganese-based oxide cathode materials for AMIBs. Full article

Light irradiance and spectral quality are key environmental factors that influence the growth, photosynthetic performance, and metabolic responses of cyanobacteria. In this study, the effects of increasing white and PAR-red light irradiances on Anabaena variabilis were evaluated in repeated-batch cultures, focusing on photosynthetic efficiency, biomass productivity, and the modulation of antioxidant systems, while cultures maintained under constant irradiance were used as control. Results showed that A. variabilis can maintain photosynthetic efficiency, as indicated by F_V/F_M values, within the optimal range for healthy cultures despite variations in light conditions. PAR-red light, in particular, enhanced biomass productivity and induced stronger photoacclimation responses compared to white light. Moreover, analysis of chlorophyll fluorescence (JIP parameters) revealed that photosynthetic machinery adapts to increased irradiance by modulating energy fluxes. Dissipated energy (DI₀/RC) increases by 4.5-fold under increasing PAR-red light with respect to control cultures, which suggests that PAR-red light promotes thermal dissipation of excess absorbed energy at the phycobilisome level, independently of and complementarily to, the increase in light-harvesting antenna pigments (chlorophylls and phycobiliproteins), thereby reducing the net oxidative pressure in the electron transport chain. The increase in photosynthetic pigments reflects an adaptive adjustment to optimize light harvesting under red light, with a phycocyanin content of 123 mg·g⁻¹ biomass, 30% higher than that obtained in control culture. Overall, A. variabilis demonstrated a robust capacity to acclimate increasing light irradiance and varying light quality through coordinated photoacclimation and antioxidant responses, in repeated-batch cultures. These findings highlight its physiological flexibility, which can be properly driven to maximize the production of valuable bioactive compounds, particularly phycobiliproteins such as phycocyanin, with applications in biotechnology. Full article

Kadsura heteroclita (Roxb.) Craib, commonly known as “Xuetong”, is a traditional Tujia ethnomedicine with anti-rheumatoid arthritis (RA) activity, and schizanlactone E (Xuetongsu) is its major bioactive component whose biosynthetic pathway remains uncharacterized. As a cycloartane-type tetracyclic triterpenoid, Xuetongsu’s biosynthesis is likely to involve multiple oxidation steps. Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) is a versatile monooxygenase encoded by a large and diverse gene superfamily and plays a critical role in various oxidation reactions in plants’ secondary metabolism. In this study, 367 KhCYP450s were identified and systematically analyzed for their physicochemical properties, phylogenetic analysis, conserved motifs, gene structures, collinearity, and cis-acting elements. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) revealed a turquoise module strongly associated with Xuetong root tissue, which had the highest Xuetongsu accumulation; 32 candidate KhCYP450s within this module were screened via correlation analysis between gene expression and xuetongsu content and partially validated by qRT-PCR. Five of these candidates showed significant homology with known triterpenoid biosynthetic genes via protein structure analyses. This study deepened our comprehension of the CYP450 superfamily in Xuetong and provided a valuable reference for further research on the biosynthesis of Xuetongsu. Full article

Naturally fermented tofu whey is a nutrient-rich byproduct of tofu production that harbors diverse lactic acid bacteria (LAB) with potential probiotic properties. However, the antioxidant mechanisms of these LAB, particularly the roles of different cellular fractions and their metabolic basis, remain unclear. This study aimed to isolate LAB from naturally fermented tofu whey and evaluate their antioxidant activities across cellular fractions, combining in vitro assays, 16S rDNA-based identification, metabolomic profiling, and cellular validation to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Six LAB strains were isolated and screened for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and hydroxyl radical scavenging capacity and environmental stress tolerance. Among the identified isolates, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum MCS1903 exhibited the highest extracellular antioxidant activity. Non-targeted metabolomic analysis of cell-free supernatant revealed distinct metabolic profiles compared with the MRS control, with significant enrichment of antioxidant-related metabolites and pathways. In Caco-2 cells, MCS1903 supernatant (<5%, v/v) showed no significant cytotoxicity and effectively alleviated H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress by modulating the Nrf2/Keap1-HO-1 signaling pathway. These findings indicate that tofu whey is a valuable source of functional LAB, and MCS1903 represents a promising candidate for probiotic and functional food applications, supporting the valorization of tofu whey and development of natural antioxidant probiotics derived from fermented food byproducts. Full article

Breast cancer remains one of the most frequently diagnosed malignancies and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women worldwide. The growing interest in natural bioactive compounds has highlighted plant-derived phytochemicals as promising agents for cancer prevention and adjunctive therapy due to their pleiotropic biological activities and relatively low toxicity. In parallel, increasing attention has been directed toward agro-industrial by-products generated during food processing, which represent abundant and sustainable sources of valuable phytochemicals. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in the identification, extraction, and biological evaluation of phytochemicals derived from plants and agro-industrial residues, using pomegranate (Punica granatum) peels, onion (Allium cepa) skins, and citrus by-products as representative examples of phytochemical-rich agro-industrial residues. These by-products are rich in polyphenols, flavonoids, and other secondary metabolites—including punicalagins, ellagic acid, quercetin, hesperidin, and naringin—that have demonstrated significant antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. Recent in vitro and in vivo studies indicate that these compounds can modulate key molecular pathways involved in breast cancer initiation and progression, such as oxidative stress regulation, apoptosis induction, inhibition of cell proliferation, and suppression of signaling cascades including PI3K/Akt, NF-κB, and MAPK pathways. Furthermore, the valorization of agro-industrial waste offers a sustainable strategy to recover high-value bioactive compounds while reducing environmental impact. Overall, phytochemicals obtained from plant materials and food processing by-products represent promising functional agents for breast cancer prevention and therapy, although further studies are required to improve bioavailability, elucidate mechanisms of action, and validate their clinical potential. Full article

Background/Objectives: Atrasentan is a selective endothelin A receptor antagonist (SERA) developed as a potential therapy for chronic renal diseases, including diabetic nephropathy and immunoglobulin A nephropathy. Despite this potential, understanding its metabolic bioactivation is essential for assessing the risks of drug-induced liver injury (DILI). However, the metabolic profile of atrasentan remains poorly characterized, and the mechanisms underlying its potential hepatotoxicity remain underexplored. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the metabolic pathways of atrasentan in human liver microsomes (HLMs) in the presence of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP⁺), uridine diphosphate glucuronic acid (UDPGA), or glutathione (GSH). Methods: A liquid chromatography–high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) coupled with a feature-based molecular networking approach was used to characterize metabolites. Characterization of the major metabolites was achieved through cytochrome P450 (P450) phenotyping with human recombinant P450 isoforms. Results: A total of eighteen metabolites were characterized through phase I and II metabolic reactions, including demethylenation, N-dealkylation, O-demethylation, hydroxylation, dehydrogenation, and glucuronidation. Atrasentan acyl glucuronide (M8) was confirmed as the predominant metabolite, and we also putatively annotated a catechol intermediate (M5) and its corresponding GSH conjugate (M15). Characterizing the GSH conjugate (M15) indicates that catechol intermediate (M5) can be further oxidized to a reactive ortho-quinone intermediate, which is subsequently trapped by GSH, suggesting the potential for a bioactivation mechanism. Reaction phenotyping demonstrated that the formation of M5 is catalyzed almost exclusively by the CYP3A subfamily. However, its direct translation to in vivo oxidative stress or covalent protein binding requires further studies. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that feature-based molecular networking is a valuable strategy for metabolite characterization, underscoring the urgent need for further in vivo metabolism studies to definitively assess hepatotoxic risks associated with these reactive metabolites. Full article

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major global health burden characterized by insulin resistance, progressive pancreatic β-cell dysfunction, and chronic metabolic dysregulation. Marine seaweeds have emerged as a valuable source of bioactive natural products, particularly polyphenols and polysaccharides, with promising potential for diabetes management. This review focuses on three major contributions: first, the structural diversity of seaweed-derived polyphenols and polysaccharides; second, their multi-target mechanisms of glucose regulation; and third, the structure–activity relationships governing their bioactivities. Current evidence shows that these compounds may help manage type 2 diabetes in several ways, including inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase, attenuation of oxidative stress and chronic inflammation, enhancement of insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity, regulation of lipid metabolism, and modulation of gut microbiota. Key structural determinants such as degree of polymerization, hydroxyl group density, sulfation level, molecular weight, and chemical modifications are discussed in relation to their functional properties. By linking chemical structure with biological function, these findings highlight marine seaweeds as a rich reservoir of multi-target therapeutic candidates for T2DM management and provide a scientific basis for their development as functional food ingredients or lead compounds for novel diabetes management drugs. Full article

Background/Objectives: Oxidative stress is a key pathogenic factor in gastric diseases (GDs). Nutraceuticals with antioxidant activity derived from macroalgae represent promising preventive strategies. However, Chilean macroalgae remains poorly explored in the context of GDs, particularly associated with oxidative stress. This study evaluated the antioxidant and cytoprotective properties of crude aqueous and ethanolic extracts from green, brown, and red macroalgae collected along the north–central coast of Chile. Methods: Crude extracts were prepared from green, brown, and red macroalgae and evaluated for antioxidant activity via ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP assays. Using hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress in GES-1 gastric epithelial cells, we assessed cell viability (MTS assay), intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels (time-lapse confocal microscopy), and apoptosis (active caspase-3 detection). Results: All extracts exhibited antioxidant activity; the red macroalgae Gracilaria chilensis displayed the highest flavonoid content (up to 2.24 mg QE/g dw). Notably, extracts from G. chilensis, S. gaudichaudii, and M. canaliculata preserved GES-1 cell viability under hydrogen peroxide-induced stress, outperforming green and brown species, demonstrating the superior cytoprotective capacity of red macroalgae compared to other groups. Furthermore, G. chilensis extracts significantly reduced intracellular ROS levels and attenuated ROS-induced apoptosis. Conclusions: Red macroalgae extracts, particularly G. chilensis, exhibit strong antioxidant and cytoprotective effects. Our findings demonstrate that these species outperform green and brown macroalgae, addressing a gap in knowledge regarding Chilean marine resources. These results support their potential development as nutraceuticals for the prevention of oxidative stress-related gastric diseases and highlight red macroalgae as a valuable source of bioactive compounds for diet-based preventive strategies. Full article

In this article, the authors have experimentally investigated the changes in four key properties of six non-edible low-impact energy carries based on rapeseed oil quality grade HM and viscosity grade VG46, which were used as a filling in the hydraulic system of a round wood sorting and transporting trolley. These oils were enriched with thermo-oxidizing, extreme-pressure additives, anti-foaming, and lubricating additives to enhance performance. Three supervised machine learning prediction algorithms were used to predict key parameters essential for optimizing their performance and RUL (remaining useful life), namely support vector regression (SVR), generalized additive model (GAM), and Gaussian process regression (GPR). The model’s performance was scored from multiple perspectives using metrics such as root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), and coefficient of determination (R²) to state actual values, thereby demonstrating the validity of the models in predicting lubricant lifespan. Based on the collected data, this study demonstrated that it is possible to predict the degradation of hydraulic oil factors to the limit state, integrate these parameters into a comprehensive metric for more accurate remaining useful life (RUL) estimation, and obtain actual operating trends. A negative correlation was found between the remaining useful life (RUL) and parameters such as acid number, kinematic viscosity, peroxide number, and water content. The comparison of modeling algorithms showed that all three algorithms adequately described the degradation patterns. By using these performance criteria, we defined the most accurate and reliable soft-computing model for predicting hydraulic fluid parameters, providing valuable insights into optimizing machine learning models for practical applications. Full article

Ship exhaust emissions have become an increasingly prominent global atmospheric environmental issue, triggering a series of ecological disturbances and adverse public health consequences. However, comprehensive analyses of the research progress and evolution trends in this field remain scarce. This study systematically retrieved 1346 scholarly publications in the ship exhaust emissions field for the period 2011–2025 from the Web of Science Core Collection and carried out a bibliometric analysis encompassing publication outputs, contributing countries/regions, and keyword characteristics. The findings reveal a sustained and robust growth trajectory in global research output, with annual publications increasing nearly fivefold over the 15-year study period. Notably, academic interest in this field has increased significantly since 2020 due to the implementation of the global sulfur cap regulation. Core thematic clusters (mean silhouette S = 0.7205) in this field include source apportionment, numerical modeling analysis, atmospheric criteria pollutants, and technological emission reduction strategies. The geographical distribution of research output shows a significant positive correlation with the importance of regional maritime economies. China, the United States, and Germany are the leading contributors in terms of publication outputs, while frequent research collaborations have been observed among European countries. Since 2021, the emergence of Automatic Identification System data as a keyword with high burst strength (intensity = 3.60) marks a paradigm shift toward a “big data-enabled refined management” framework. Concurrently, the sustained burst activity of keywords including nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, and traffic-related emissions from 2023 to 2025 indicates rapidly growing scholarly attention to secondary aerosol precursors from shipping, and the critical need for coordinated multi-pollutant control strategies. Future research directions for ship exhaust emissions are expected to transition from fundamental characterization research to big data-driven monitoring and estimation methods, as well as advanced emission reduction technologies. The bibliometric insights derived from this study provide a valuable reference framework for subsequent in-depth studies on ship exhaust emissions. Full article