Search Results (9,801)

Maternal nutrition during the critical period of pregnancy increases the susceptibility of offspring to the development of diseases later in life. This study aimed to analyze metabolite profiles to investigate the effect of maternal diet during pregnancy on changes in offspring plasma metabolites and to identify correlations with metabolic parameters. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to under- and overnutrition compared to controls, and their offspring were fed a standard diet after birth. Plasma metabolism was profiled in offspring at 16 weeks of age using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). We analyzed 80 metabolites to identify distinct metabolites and metabolic and neurodegenerative disease-associated metabolites that were sex-differentially altered in each group compared to controls (p < 0.05, VIP score > 1.0). Specifically, changes in 3-indolepropionic acid, anthranilic acid, linoleic acid, and arachidonic acid, which are involved in tryptophan and linoleic acid metabolism, were observed in male offspring and correlated with plasma leptin levels in male offspring. Our results suggest that fatty acids involved in tryptophan and linoleic acid metabolism, which are altered by the maternal diet during pregnancy, may lead to an increased risk of metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases in the early life of male offspring. Full article

Physiological and environmental fluctuations in the oyster cold chain can lead to quality deterioration, highlighting the importance of monitoring and evaluating oyster freshness. In this study, an electronic nose was developed using ten partially selective metal oxide-based gas sensors for rapid freshness assessment. Simultaneous analyses, including GC-MS, TVBN, microorganism, texture, and sensory evaluations, were conducted to assess the quality status of oysters. Real-time electronic nose measurements were taken at various storage temperatures (4 °C, 12 °C, 20 °C, 28 °C) to thoroughly investigate quality changes under different storage conditions. Principal component analysis was utilized to reduce the 10-dimensional vectors to 3-dimensional vectors, enabling the clustering of samples into fresh, sub-fresh, and decayed categories. A GA-BP neural network model based on these three classes achieved a test data accuracy rate exceeding 93%. Expert input was solicited for performance analysis and optimization suggestions enhanced the efficiency and applicability of the established prediction system. The results demonstrate that combining an electronic nose with quality indices is an effective approach for diagnosing oyster spoilage and mitigating quality and safety risks in the oyster industry. Full article

The suitability of microsilica as a raw material for the production of ceramic mullite–silicate proppants was assessed. The chemical and mineralogical compositions of the initial materials were studied. The mineral composition of bauxite is mainly represented by gibbsite Al(OH)₃ and, to a lesser extent, kaolinite Al₄[Si₄O₁₀](OH)₈, with impurities of hematite and quartz. It is established that, in order to obtain mullite–silicate proppants, compositions containing 10–20% microsilica are optimal. The sintering of these compositions occurs at 1350–1380 °C. A lightweight ceramic proppant was obtained with a bulk density of 1.21–1.41 g/cm³, breaking ratio at 51.7 MPa of 19.1–20.3%, and sphericity and roundness of 0.7–0.9, and the optimal roasting temperature was determined as 1370–1380 °C. Full article

The use of solid waste such as ceramic sludge, ceramic rollers, and magnesite was studied to obtain cheap refractory ceramics at temperatures of 1300 °C based on XRF, XRD SEM, EDX, bending strength, and dielectric properties. The prepared samples were examined. The results showed that the significant crystalline phases formed were mullite, spinel, and corundum. They also showed that mullite hindered the formation of cordierite and enhanced spinel formation. With increased cordierite content, the microstructure varied from fine grained to coarse grained. Bending strength increased with increasing mullite content and bulk density, ranging from 10.80 to 13.50 MPa. Bulk density increased with the increase in mullite content and sintering temperature and ranged from 1.99 to 1.94 g/cm³, while the percentage of porosity and water absorption decreased and ranged from 29.40 to 38.83, respectively. To examine the effect of the produced phases on the dielectric characteristics, the permittivity (ε′), dielectric loss (ε″), and AC conductivity (σ_ac) were measured in the frequency range of 10⁻¹ Hz to 10⁶ Hz. As the concentration of cordierite increased, there was a noticeable drop in ε′ from 35.6 to 8.2 and σ_ac from 10⁻⁸ s/cm to around 10⁻¹¹ s/cm and high values of resistivity from 10⁸ cm/s to about 10¹⁰ cm/s, suggesting that this material might be an excellent insulator. Full article

Recently, cases of antifreeze poisoning in companion animals, particularly cats, have surged in the Republic of Korea. Ethylene glycol (EG), the toxic primary component of antifreeze, is metabolized into glycolic acid (GA), leading to severe metabolic acidosis, acute kidney injury, and death. Traditional detection methods, although effective, are often time-consuming owing to complex sample preparation. This study involved a novel analytical method utilizing GC-MS for EG and LC-MS/MS for GA detection, which streamlined the detection process by eliminating the need for derivatization. The method was validated for accuracy and reliability, enabling the rapid and precise identification of EG and GA in biological samples. This study also included the successful application of this method in a case where initial exposure to antifreeze was not apparent, which highlighted the effectiveness of this method in diagnosing poisoning even in cases where clinical history is unclear. The development of this rapid diagnostic approach addresses the urgent need for the efficient detection of antifreeze poisoning, improving animal welfare and supporting forensic investigations. Full article

Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. (S. chinensis) and Schisandra sphenanthera Rehd. et Wils (S. sphenanthera) are called “Wuweizi” in traditional Chinese medicine, and they have distinct clinical applications. To systematically compare the differential characteristics of S. chinensis and S. sphenanthera, this study employed ultra-performance liquid chromatography–quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to construct chemical profiles of these two species from different regions. In total, 31 non-volatiles and 37 volatiles were identified in S. chinensis, whereas 40 non-volatiles and 34 volatiles were detected in S. sphenanthera. A multivariate statistical analysis showed that the non-volatiles tigloygomisin P, schisandrol A, schisantherin C, and 6-O-benzoylgomisin O and the volatiles ylangene, γ-muurolene, and β-pinene distinguish these species. Additionally, the metabolism of oxygen free radicals can contribute to the development of various diseases, including cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, antioxidant activities were evaluated using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) scavenging assays. The results showed that S. sphenanthera exhibited significantly higher antioxidant potential. A gray relational analysis indicated that the key contributors to the antioxidant activity of S. chinensis were schisandrol A, gomisin G, schisantherin C, pregomisin, gomisin J, and schisantherin B. For S. sphenanthera, the key contributors included gomisin K2, schisantherin B, gomisin J, pregomisin, schisantherin C, schisandrin, gomisin G, schisantherin A, schisanhenol, and α-pinene. The identification of the differential chemical markers and the evaluation of the antioxidant activities provide a foundation for further research into the therapeutic applications of these species. This innovative study provides a robust framework for the quality control and therapeutic application of S. chinensis and S. sphenanthera, offering new insights into their medicinal potential. Full article

Resveratrol (trans-3,5,4′-trihydroxystilbene, RES) is one of the most well-known natural products with numerous health benefits. To explore the nutraceutical potentials of some dietary RES derivatives including isorhapontigenin (trans-3,5,4′-trihydroxy-3′-methoxystilbene, ISO), oxyresveratrol (trans-3,5,2′,4′-tetrahydroxystilbene, OXY) and pterostilbene (trans-3,5-dimethoxy-4′-hydroxystilbene, PTS), their impacts on metabolism and health were assessed in Sprague Dawley rats after a two-week daily oral administration at the dose of 100 µmol/kg/day. Non-targeted metabolomic analyses were carried out with the liver, heart, brain and plasma samples using gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). Notable in vivo health benefits were observed, as the rats received ISO, PTS or RES showed less body weight gain; the rats received OXY or RES displayed healthier fasting blood glucose levels; while all of the tested stilbenes exhibited cholesterol-lowering effects. Additionally, many important metabolic pathways such as glycolysis, pentose phosphate pathway, tricarboxylic acid cycle and fatty acid oxidation were found to be modulated by the tested stilbenes. Besides the reaffirmation of the well-known beneficial effects of RES in diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s disease, the metabolomic analyses also suggest the anti-diabetic, cardio-, hepato- and neuro-protective activities of ISO; the anti-diabetic, cardio-, hepato- and neuro-protective effects of OXY; and the anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, cardio-, hepato- and neuro-protective potential of PTS. Interestingly, although these stilbenes share a similar structure, their biological activities appear to be distinct. In conclusion, similarly to RES, ISO, OXY and PTS have emerged as promising candidates for further nutraceutical development. Full article

Dichloromethane (DCM) is extensively used around the globe in various applications, such as in closed industrial installations for food processing or pharmaceutical extractions (vitamins, antibiotics, etc.). In the coffee sector, it is used as an extraction agent for the decaffeination process of green coffee beans. Due to its low boiling point, ranging at approx. 40 °C, DCM can be easily removed subsequent to caffeine extraction by applying state-of-the-art solvent stripping processes. The intention of this study is to assess how much DCM, if any, is present in decaffeinated coffee packages as sold to the consumer, as well as how much of the extraction solvent residue is transferred into the finally prepared, consumable coffee beverage. This study sets out to highlight DCM contents of decaf coffees, directly taken from six EU countries’ supermarket shelves. In addition, DCM mass transfer rates from roasted coffee matrices into the corresponding, variously prepared beverages (drip percolated coffee, French press) are determined. All analyses were performed applying a Headspace-GC-MS technique. All presented data demonstrate that DCM residues in the 34 coffee samples analysed have contents well below the DCM maximum residue limits for roasted coffee both in the European Union (2 mg/kg) and the USA (10 mg/kg), with an average of 0.127 mg/kg, median value of 0.059 mg/kg and P95 of 0.444 mg/kg. Furthermore, this study shows that DCM mass transfer rates from the coffee matrices into the corresponding beverages have, for drip coffee, an average of 24.7% and median of 26.8%, and for French press, an average mass transfer of 41.9% and median of 43.1%. Full article

Chestnut (Castanea mollissima) is an economically important forest tree species, and its flowers possess functions such as repelling mosquitoes, killing bacteria, and clearing heat. However, the regulatory mechanisms of floral volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in chestnut are still unclear. This study analyzed the contents of major volatile compounds and related gene expression levels in chestnut flowers during the initial flowering stage (IFS) and full-flowering stage (FFS) using metabolomics and transcription techniques. In total, 926 volatile compounds were detected, mainly terpenes, heterocyclic compounds, and esters. Acetylenone, styrene, and β-pinene had contents that exceeded 5% in FFS chestnut flowers. In total, 325 differential metabolites between the IFS and FFS were significantly (p < 0.05) enriched in the biosynthetic pathways of sesquiterpenes and triterpenes, as well as the ethylbenzene metabolic pathway. In total, 31 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were related to terpenoid biosynthesis. There were only two DEGs related to the ethylbenzene metabolic pathway. In summary, we identified the volatile components of chestnut flowers and analyzed the changes in the contents of major volatile compounds in the flowers and the expression patterns of the related genes. The research results are helpful for understanding the regulation of VOCs in chestnut flowers. Full article

An innovative SPME head space GC–MS method, in cooling mode, using a fully automated routine, was developed to detect 2-phenyl-2-propanol, a representative urinary metabolite of cumene. Following an acid hydrolysis and derivatization step with lowered quantities of reagents, acetic anhydride and pyridine, a 30 μm polydimethylsiloxane SPME fiber was used to sample derivatized 2-phenyl-2-propanol, such as benzenemethanol,α,α-dimethyl-acetate, from the headspace. Performances of the method, optimized through experimental design, provide an LOD of 0.034 mg/L and an LOQ 0.10 mg/L, with a short sampling time necessary per sample. The method, developed on standard solutions, will be applied to both occupationally exposed and non-exposed populations. Full article

Background: Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) comprises the majority, approximately 70–80%, of renal cancer cases and often remains asymptomatic until incidentally detected during unrelated abdominal imaging or at advanced stages. Currently, standardized screening tests for renal cancer are lacking, which presents challenges in disease management and improving patient outcomes. This study aimed to identify ccRCC-specific volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the urine of ccRCC-positive patients and develop a urinary VOC-based diagnostic model. Methods: This study involved 233 pretreatment ccRCC patients and 43 healthy individuals. VOC analysis utilized stir-bar sorptive extraction coupled with thermal desorption gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (SBSE-TD-GC/MS). A ccRCC diagnostic model was established via logistic regression, trained on 163 ccRCC cases versus 31 controls, and validated with 70 ccRCC cases versus 12 controls, resulting in a ccRCC diagnostic model involving 24 VOC markers. Results: The findings demonstrated promising diagnostic efficacy, with an Area Under the Curve (AUC) of 0.94, 86% sensitivity, and 92% specificity. Conclusions: This study highlights the feasibility of using urine as a reliable biospecimen for identifying VOC biomarkers in ccRCC. While further validation in larger cohorts is necessary, this study’s capability to differentiate between ccRCC and control groups, despite sample size limitations, holds significant promise. Full article

Soil autotoxic chemosensory substances have emerged as the predominant environmental factors constraining the growth, quality, and yield of Codonopsis pilosula in recent years. Among a vast array of chemosensory substances, benzoic acid constitutes the principal chemosensory substance in the successive cultivation of C. pilosula. However, the exploration regarding the stress exerted by benzoic acid on the growth and development of C. pilosula remains indistinct, and there is a scarcity of research on the mechanism of lobetyolin synthesis in C. pilosula. In the current research, it was discovered that exposure to benzoic acid at a concentration of 200 mmol/L conspicuously attenuated the plant height, root length, total length, fresh weight, root weight, root thickness, chlorophyll content, electrolyte osmolality, leaf intercellular CO₂ concentration (C_i), net photosynthesis rate (P_n), transpiration rate (T_r), and leaf stomatal conductance (G_s) of C. pilosula. Benzoic acid (200 mmol/L) significantly enhanced the activity of root enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and peroxidase (POD), as well as the accumulation of polysaccharides and lobetyolins (polyacetylene glycosides) in the roots of C. pilosula. In this study, 58,563 genes were assembled, and 7946 differentially expressed genes were discovered, including 4068 upregulated genes and 3878 downregulated genes. The outcomes of the histological examination demonstrated that benzoic acid stress augmented the upregulation of genes encoding key enzymes implicated in the citric acid cycle, fatty acid metabolism, as well as starch and sucrose metabolic pathways. The results of this investigation indicated that a moderate amount of benzoic acid could enhance the content of lobetyolin in C. pilosula and upregulate the expression of key coding genes within the signaling cascade to improve the resilience of C. pilosula lobetyolin against benzoic acid stress; this furnished a novel perspective for the study of C. pilosula lobetyolin as a potential substance for alleviating benzoic acid-induced stress. Full article

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative and inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that leads to a loss of myelin. There are three main types of MS: relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and primary and secondary progressive disease (PPMS, SPMS). The differentiation in the pathogenesis of these two latter courses is still unclear. The underlying mechanisms of MS are yet to be elucidated, and the treatment relies on immune-modifying agents. Recently, lipidomics and metabolomics studies using human biofluids, mainly plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), have suggested an important role of lipids and metabolites in the pathophysiology of MS. In this review, the results from studies on metabolomics and lipidomics analyses performed on biological samples of MS patients and MS-like animal models are presented and analyzed. Based on the collected findings, the biochemical pathways in human and animal cohorts involved were investigated and biological mechanisms and the potential role they have in MS are discussed. Limitations and challenges of metabolomics and lipidomics approaches are presented while concluding that metabolomics and lipidomics may provide a more holistic approach and provide biomarkers for early diagnosis of MS disease. Full article

Improved efficacy of probiotics can be achieved by using different strategies, including the optimization of production parameters. The impact of fermentation parameters on bacterial physiology is a frequently investigated topic, but what happens during the formulation, i.e., the step where the lyoprotectants are added prior to freeze-drying, is less studied. In addition to this, the focus of process optimization has often been yield and stability, while effects on bioactivity have received less attention. In this work, we investigated different metabolic activities of the probiotic strain Limosilactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 during formulation with the freeze-drying protectant sucrose. We discovered that the strain consumed large quantities of the added sucrose and produced an exopolysaccharide (EPS). Using NMR, we discovered that the produced EPS was a glucan with α-1,4 and α-1,6 glycosidic bonds, but also that other metabolites were produced. The conversion of the lyoprotectant is hereafter designated lyoconversion. By also analyzing the samples with GCMS, additional potential bioactive compounds could be detected. Among these were tryptamine, a ligand for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, and glycerol, a precursor for the antimicrobial compound reuterin (3-hydroxypropionaldehyde). To exemplify the bioactivity potential of lyoconversion, lyoconverted samples as well as purified EPS were tested in a model for immunomodulation. Both lyoconverted samples and purified EPS induced higher expression levels of IL-10 (2 times) and IL-6 (4–6 times) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells than non-converted control samples. We further found that the initial cultivation of DSM 17938 with sucrose as a sugar substrate, instead of glucose, improved the ability to convert sucrose in the lyoprotectant into EPS and other metabolites. Lyoconversion did not affect the viability of the bacteria but was detrimental to freeze-drying survival, an issue that needs to be addressed in the future. In conclusion, we show that the metabolic activities of the bacteria during the formulation step can be used as a tool to alter the activity of the bacteria and thereby potentially improve probiotic efficacy. Full article

The encapsulation of essential oils (EOs) in nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) represents a modern and sustainable approach within the agrochemical industry. This research evaluated the colloidal properties and insecticidal activity of NLCs loaded with thyme essential oil (TEO-NLC) and rosemary essential oil (REO-NLC) against three common arthropod pests of ornamental flowers: Frankliniella occidentalis, Myzus persicae, and Tetranychus urticae. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis identified the major chemical constituents of the EOs, with TEO exhibiting a thymol chemotype and REO exhibiting an α-pinene chemotype. NLCs were prepared using various homogenization techniques, with high shear homogenization (HSH) providing the optimal particle size, size distribution, and surface electrical charge. A factorial design was employed to evaluate the effects of EO concentration, surfactant concentration, and liquid lipid/solid lipid ratio on the physicochemical properties of the nanosuspensions. The final TEO-NLC formulation had a particle size of 347.8 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.182, a zeta potential of −33.8 mV, an encapsulation efficiency of 71.9%, and a loading capacity of 1.18%. The REO-NLC formulation had a particle size of 288.1 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.188, a zeta potential of −34 mV, an encapsulation efficiency of 80.6%, and a loading capacity of 1.40%. Evaluation of contact toxicity on leaf disks showed that TEO-NLC exhibited moderate insecticidal activity against the western flower thrips and mild acaricidal activity against the two-spotted spider mite, while REO-NLC demonstrated limited effects. These findings indicate that TEO-NLCs show potential as biopesticides for controlling specific pests of ornamental flowers, and further optimization of the administration dosage could significantly enhance their effectiveness. Full article