Search Results (17,409)

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and Parkinson’s disease (PD), primarily affect the central nervous system, leading to progressive neuronal loss and motor and cognitive dysfunction. However, recent studies have revealed that muscle tissue also plays a significant role in these diseases. ALS is characterized by severe muscle wasting as a result of motor neuron degeneration, as well as alterations in gene expression, protein aggregation, and oxidative stress. Muscle atrophy and mitochondrial dysfunction are also observed in AD, which may exacerbate cognitive decline due to systemic metabolic dysregulation. PD patients exhibit muscle fiber atrophy, altered muscle composition, and α-synuclein aggregation within muscle cells, contributing to motor symptoms and disease progression. Systemic inflammation and impaired protein degradation pathways are common among these disorders, highlighting muscle tissue as a key player in disease progression. Understanding these muscle-related changes offers potential therapeutic avenues, such as targeting mitochondrial function, reducing inflammation, and promoting muscle regeneration with exercise and pharmacological interventions. This review emphasizes the importance of considering an integrative approach to neurodegenerative disease research, considering both central and peripheral pathological mechanisms, in order to develop more effective treatments and improve patient outcomes. Full article

Ca- and Cu-decorated TiO₂ microparticles are titanium dioxide nanoparticles that have been decorated with calcium and copper ions. TiO₂, CaO, and CuO are low-cost, non-toxic, and non-hazardous materials. The aim of the present study was the physicochemical characterization of Ca- and Cu-decorated TiO₂ microparticles and the evaluation of their antimicrobial activity. Thus, Ca²⁺ and Cu²⁺ species were incorporated onto TiO₂ surfaces by a two-step wet method. The obtained TiO₂-CaO-CuO composites were characterized by several experimental techniques. The electronic structure and charge properties of the composites were investigated by density functional theory calculations. Furthermore, the composites were successfully tested for inhibitory effects on Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans standard strains. The zeta potential data indicate that the physiological condition of investigated microbial strains was strongly affected in presence of a dispersion of 10 μg/L of composites in a saline phosphate buffer also, the recorded SEM images show a damaged microbial cell surface in the presence of composites. Full article

Corn husk, a by-product of corn starch production and processing, contains high-quality dietary fiber (DF). Our study compares and analyzes the impact of Hericium erinaceus solid-state fermentation (SSF) on the structure and physicochemical characteristics of soluble dietary fiber (SDF) of corn husks. The study also investigates the kinetics of SSF of H. erinaceus in this process. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) results revealed significant structural changes in corn husk SDF before and after fermentation, with a significant elevation in the functional group numbers. The data indicate that the fermented corn husk SDF’s water-holding, swelling, and oil-holding capacities increased to 1.57, 1.95, and 1.80 times those of the pre-fermentation SDF, respectively. Additionally, the results suggest that changes in extracellular enzyme activity and nutrient composition during SSF of H. erinaceus are closely associated with the mycelium growth stage, with a mutual promotion or inhibition relationship between the two. Our study offers a foundation for corn husk SDF fermentation and is relevant to the bioconversion of maize processing by-products. Full article

The burgeoning interest in natural components in personal care products has led to significant research and development of ingredients such as plant extracts, antioxidants, peptides, and probiotics. These components have been recognized for their potential to enhance skin health through various mechanisms, addressing consumer demand for products that are both effective and benign. Plant extracts, known for their rich composition of bioactive compounds, offer a myriad of benefits including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, making them invaluable in skin care formulations. Antioxidants, derived from both plants and other natural sources, play a pivotal role in protecting the skin from oxidative damage, thereby preventing premature aging and promoting skin vitality. Bioactive peptides have garnered attention owing to their multifunctional activities that include promoting collagen synthesis, inhibiting enzymes responsible for skin degradation, and reducing inflammation, thereby contributing to skin regeneration and anti-aging. Probiotics have expanded their utility beyond gut health to skin care, where they help in maintaining skin microbiome balance, thus enhancing skin barrier function and potentially mitigating various skin disorders. The purpose of this review is to explore the individual roles of plant extracts, antioxidants, peptides, and probiotics in personal care products, while emphasizing their synergistic effects when combined. By integrating these natural components, this paper aims to highlight the potential for developing innovative skincare formulations that not only address specific skin concerns but also contribute to overall skin health, aligning with the increasing consumer preference for natural and holistic skincare solutions. Full article

We have investigated the influence of the relative proportions of glass formers in a series of lithium alumino-borosilicate glasses with respect to electrical conductivity (σ) and glass transition temperature (T_g) as functions of glass structure, as determined using Raman spectroscopy. The ternary lithium alumino-borate glass exhibits the highest σ and lowest T_g among all the compositions of the glass series, 30Li₂O•3Al₂O₃• (67−x) B₂O₃•xSiO₂. However, as B₂O₃ is replaced by SiO₂, a shallow minimum in σ, as well as a shallow maximum in T_g, are observed near x = 27, where the Raman spectra indicate that isolated diborate/tetraborate/orthoborate groups are being progressively replaced by danburite/reedmergnerite-like borosilicate network units. Overall, as the glasses become silica-rich, σ is minimized, while T_g is maximized. In general, these findings show correlations among T_g (sensitive to network polymerization), σ (proportional to ionic mobility), and the different borate and silicate glass structural units as determined using Raman spectroscopy. Full article

This study investigated whether pre-treating sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) seeds with a combination of acid-soaking and microwave-heating could significantly enhance the quality of the resulting sesame oil, particularly by increasing its content of functional compounds such as lignans, tocopherol, phytosterol, and squalene. The study revealed that soaking the sesame seeds in a solution of HCl and citric acid, along with microwave-heating, significantly increased the content of these compounds. The detected ranges were sesamin (1365–6927 µg g⁻¹), sesamolin (605–3493 µg g⁻¹), tocopherol (69.31–282.76 µg g⁻¹), asarinin (ND–383.52 µg g⁻¹), sesamol (ND–49.59 µg g⁻¹), phytosterol (3690–6201 µg g⁻¹), and squalene (532−1628 µg g⁻¹). Additionally, the study found that the pre-treatment of sesame seeds had a minimal effect on the fatty acid composition, antioxidant activity (92.94–95.08% DPPH scavenging activity), and oxidative stability (2.13–2.90 mg MDA kg⁻¹ oil). This is the first study to demonstrate that using acid-soaking and microwave-heating to prepare sesame seeds can produce sesame oil enriched with functional compounds, potentially benefiting cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and health applications. Full article

Grafting is a commonly employed technique for enhancing the yield and improving resistance to biotic and abiotic stress of cultivated plants. However, whether and how continuous cropping of grafted plants affects the composition, function, and stability of the soil fungal community remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of planting years (including 0 years (Y0), 2 years (Y2), 10 years (Y10), and 18 years (Y18)) of grafted watermelon on the structure and functional composition of the soil fungal community under field conditions. Compared with the Y0 soil, the Y2, Y10, and Y18 soils exhibited a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the richness, Shannon index, and evenness (56.8–65.7%, 22.4–46.3%, and 3.8–38.1%, respectively) in the alpha diversity of the fungal community, but a significant (p < 0.05) increase (0.4–1.3 times) in the fungal population. The structure, core and unique microbiomes, and functional composition of the soil fungal community differed significantly across different planting years. The Y2, Y10, and Y18 soils exhibited significant increases (p < 0.05) in relative abundances of Ascomycota and saprophytic fungi and the proportion of core OTUs, but significantly decreased abundances of Basidiomycota, Chytridiomycota, Rozellomycota, pathogenic and symbiotic fungi, and the proportion of unique OTUs when compared with the Y0 soil. The types of potential plant pathogens and their relative abundance were also significantly increased alongside the planting years (among Y2, Y10, and Y18 soils). Furthermore, the results indicated that the continuous cropping of grafted watermelon altered the co-occurrence networks, leading to a reduction in the complexity and stability of the fungal community networks. Overall, our findings suggest that continuous cropping of grafted watermelon may adversely affect the structure and functioning of soil microbial community, eventually decreasing the effectiveness of grafting technology disease control. Full article

Photoreduction is recognized as a desirable treatment method for hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)). However, it has been limited by the intermittent solar flux and limited light absorption. In this work, a novel Z-scheme photocatalyst combining a covalent organic framework (COF) with Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ co-doped Sr₂MgSi₂O₇ (Sr₂MgSi₂O₇:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺) is synthesized, which shows the high spectral conversion efficiency and works efficiently in both light irradiation and dark for Cr(VI) reduction. Sr₂MgSi₂O₇:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ serves as both an electron transfer station and active sites for COF molecule activation, thus resulting in 100% photoreduction of Cr(VI) (50 mL, 10 mg/L) with high light stability and over 1 h dark activity. Moreover, the XPS and FT-IR analyses reveal the existence of functional groups (Si-OH on Sr₂MgSi₂O₇:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺, and -NH- on COF_TP-TTA) on the composited catalyst as active sites to adsorb the resultant Cr(III) species, demonstrating a synergistic effect for total Cr removal. This work provides an alternative method for the design of a round-the-clock photocatalyst for Cr(VI) reduction, allowing a versatile solid surface activation for establishing a more energy efficient and robust photocatalysis process for Cr pollution cleaning. Full article

Atherosclerosis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory vascular disease. Dysregulated lipid metabolism, oxidative stress, and inflammation are the major mechanisms implicated in the development of AS. In addition, evidence suggests that gut dysbiosis plays an important role in atherogenesis, and modulation of the gut microbiota with probiotics and phenolic compounds has emerged as a promising strategy for preventing and treating AS. It has been shown that probiotics and phenolic compounds can improve atherosclerosis-related parameters by improving lipid profile, oxidative stress, and inflammation. In addition, these compounds may modulate the diversity and composition of the gut microbiota and improve atherosclerosis. The studies evaluated in the present review showed that probiotics and phenolic compounds, when consumed individually, improved atherosclerosis by modulating the gut microbiota in various ways, such as decreasing gut permeability, decreasing TMAO and LPS levels, altering alpha and beta diversity, and increasing fecal bile acid loss. However, no study was found that evaluated the combined use of probiotics and phenolic compounds to improve atherosclerosis. The available literature highlights the synergistic potential between phenolic compounds and probiotics to improve their health-promoting properties and functionalities. This review aims to summarize the available evidence on the individual effects of probiotics and phenolic compounds on AS, while providing insights into the potential benefits of nutraceutical approaches using probiotic strains, quercetin, and resveratrol as potential adjuvant therapies for AS treatment through modulation of the gut microbiota. Full article

Presently, ethylene oxide (EtO) is posing a significant threat to both human health and the environment due to occasional or deliberate emissions. However, few works so far have focused on this issue. It is urgent to explore novel and effective technology to protect against the threat of EtO. Herein, a series of AC/ZSM-5 composites were prepared to improve the adsorption performance for EtO, evaluated by dynamic breakthrough experiments. Particularly, the AC/ZSM-20% composite demonstrated a more excellent adsorption capacity of 81.9 mg/g at 25 °C and 50% RH than that of pristine AC and ZSM-5 with 32.5 and 52.3 mg/g, respectively. Moreover, the adsorption capacity of the AC/ZSM-20% composite remained constant even after five adsorption-desorption cycles. The adsorption mechanism of EtO on the composite is further revealed by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Full article

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were first employed to achieve the optimal sintering temperature of carboxyl-functionalized graphene (GNS-COOH)-modified polyether ether ketone (PEEK)/polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) composites. A model of GNS-COOH/PEEK/PTFE composites was constructed to simulate the effects of different sintering temperatures on the mechanical and tribological properties, as well as their underlying atomic mechanisms. Samples of PTFE composites were prepared and characterized through experimental methods. Results revealed that the sintering temperature significantly affects the intermolecular forces, mechanical properties, and tribological characteristics of the composites. The agglomeration of the PEEK/PTFE composite matrix was effectively mitigated by introducing GNS-COOH. When the sintering temperature was controlled at 360 °C, the compressive strength of GNS-COOH/PEEK/PTFE composites was improved compared to GNS/PEEK/PTFE composites, albeit with a slight reduction in wear resistance. This study provides a theoretical reference for the preparation process and performance evaluation of new materials. Full article

Trace minerals are essential for biological processes, including enzyme function, immune response, and hormone synthesis. The study assessed the effects of different dietary trace minerals on the gut health, microbiota composition, and immune function of cats. Eighteen adult British Shorthair cats were divided into three groups receiving inorganic trace minerals (ITM), a 50/50 mix of inorganic and organic trace minerals (ITM + OTM), or organic trace minerals (OTM) for 28 days. The OTM showed enhanced immune capacities, reduced intestinal barrier function, and lower inflammation condition. The OTM altered gut microbiota diversity, with a lower Simpson index and higher Shannon index (p < 0.05). Specifically, the abundance of Bacteroidota, Lachnospiraceae, and Prevotella in the OTM group were higher than the ITM group (p < 0.05). Metabolomic analysis identified 504 differential metabolites between the OTM and ITM groups (p < 0.05, VIP-pred-OPLS-DA > 1), affecting pathways related to steroid hormone biosynthesis and glycerophospholipid metabolism (p < 0.05, VIP-pred-OPLS-DA > 2). Additionally, there was a significant correlation between intestinal microbiota and differential metabolites. To conclude, dietary OTM can modulate the gut metabolite and microbiota composition, enhance immune and intestinal barrier function, and mitigate inflammation in cats, highlighting the benefit of using OTM in feline diet to promote the intestinal and overall health. Full article

The consumption of jabuticaba (Plinia cauliflora), a native Brazilian fruit, has shown promising results concerning some metabolic disorders. Therefore, studying it may aid in the development of products capable of preventing or delaying pathological conditions. The objective of the present study was to formulate a functional sourdough bread with the inclusion of jabuticaba peel flour (JPF) and to evaluate the effect on the postprandial response. The proximate composition of the JPF and bread, the stability of the antioxidant compounds after baking, and the functional activity in a clinical trial were carried out to develop the product and guarantee its quality. JPF increased the fiber content of the bread in comparison to the control from 1.0 g/100 g to 2.3–2.9 g/100 g. Also, the antioxidant capacity increased 1.35 to 3.53 times by adding JPF to the bread, as well as the total reducing capacity (1.56 to 2.67 times). The bread’s shelf life was guaranteed for seven days. In the clinical trial, the consumption of control bread resulted in a glycemia peak at 30 min, remaining high until 45 min; for the JPF bread, we noticed a less prominent peak at 45 min and a decrease with less inflection until 180 min. The serum antioxidant capacity of the individuals increased after the 3 h. Although no statistical difference was observed between the groups in the satiety profile, JPF bread presented higher scores after 60 min. Furthermore, a lessened desire to eat other foods and hunger was observed after consuming JPF bread. The inclusion of JPF in the bread manufacturing process promoted a longer shelf life and increased nutritional quality. Full article

Human breast milk (HBM) is the “gold standard” for infant nutrition. When breast milk is insufficient or unavailable, infant milk formula (IMF) can provide a safe and nutritious alternative. However, IMFs differ considerably from HBM in composition and health function. We compared the digestibility and potential health functions of IMF containing low cream (LC-) or high cream (HC-) with pooled HBM. After simulated infant digestion of these samples, the bioavailability of key nutrients and immunomodulatory activities were determined via cell-based in vitro assays. A Caenorhabditis elegans leaky gut model was established to investigate cream effects on gut health. Distinct differences were observed in peptide diversity and sequences released from HC-IMF compared with LC-IMF during simulated digestion (p < 0.05). Higher levels of free fatty acids were absorbed through 21-day differentiated Caco-2/HT-29MTX monolayers from HC-IMF, compared with LC-IMF and HBM (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the immune-modulating properties of HC-IMF appeared to be more similar to HBM than LC-IMF, as observed by comparable secretion of cytokines IL-10 and IL-1β from THP-1 macrophages (p > 0.05). HC-IMF also supported intestinal recovery in C. elegans following distortion versus LC-IMF (p < 0.05). These observations suggest that cream as a lipid source in IMF may provide added nutritional and functional benefits more aligned with HBM. Full article

Historical sheep farming in the Patagonian drylands has led to reduced grass cover, soil erosion, and shrub encroachment, compromising ecosystem function. Effective restoration requires managing shrub cover, bare soil, and patch connectivity through various strategies. This study evaluates rehabilitation interventions in a grass-steppe ecosystem, comparing grazed and ungrazed areas. Over three years, we tested the following: (a) mechanical shrub cutting with biomass redistribution, and (b) enhancing patch connectivity with Pinus spp. branch piles, alongside controls, in eighteen 5 m × 5 m plots invaded by Mulinum spinosum. Half of the plots were fenced to exclude grazing, resulting in six treatment combinations. We monitored soil properties, vegetation cover, and species composition. The treatments explained twice as much of the variation in community composition as the annual climatic variations (0.26 vs. 0.13). Livestock exclusion increased perennial grass cover more than the grazed plots did (2.14 vs. 1.42 times the initial measure). All treatments reduced the amount of bare soil except the grazed controls. Shrub cutting, especially with grazing, increased the lasting litter coverage by 5–10% and decreased the bare soil equivalently. Organic matter increased except in the non-intervened interpatches (0.95 times). The enclosures with cut shrubs trapped erodible particles, showing a 5% increase. Our study highlights that grazing destabilizes communities, while enclosures stabilize them, with interventions improving soil fertility and mitigating erosion. Full article