Search Results (320)

An emerging paradigm in public health focuses on enhancing nutrition in existing food staples to reduce chronic disease at the population scale, rather than relying on individuals to change their behavior. This paradigm leverages plant and animal breeding, production practices, and processing to enhance nutrition, whereby foods consumed by millions can be improved at low incremental cost. This article supports and operationalizes this paradigm, illustrating the potential to improve diets through a case study that increases the arabinoxylan fiber content of commodity wheat through classical plant breeding (a non-GMO technology). The approach described in this article proposes to link agricultural and food science with health system implementation to deliver equitable access, improved healthcare outcomes and cost savings, and improved community health. Based on published dose–response relationships, comparative risk modeling indicates that modest fiber increases achieved by the commodity wheat breeding led to reduced population-level risks of 1–3% for cardiovascular disease, 3–4.5% for type 2 diabetes, and 1–3.5% for colorectal cancer, translating into substantial healthcare cost savings when implemented at a national scale. This article outlines possible low-risk pathways for implementing these nutrition increases at the population scale through commodity supply chains and community-level nutrition improvement efforts and evaluates the ranges of potential population-level impacts. Full article

The consequences of stacking multiple insect-resistance and herbicide-tolerance genes, particularly across the entire plant life cycle, remain inadequately understood. This study investigated the impact of stacked-trait transgenic soybeans on rhizosphere microbial communities across five growth stages (pre-sowing, V3, R3, R5, R8). Using 16S rRNA and ITS sequencing, we compared the rhizosphere microbiome of the transgenic modified soybean (GMO) with its non-transgenic control check (CK). Results showed transient but significant shifts in soil properties (e.g., available nitrogen) and microbial beta diversity during the V3 stages. However, plant developmental stage was the predominant factor shaping microbial succession, with its effect outweighing that of the transgene. No persistent changes in microbial alpha diversity were observed. We conclude that the influence of this stacked-trait soybean on the rhizosphere is growth-stage-specific and represents a minor, recoverable perturbation rather than a sustained ecological impact. These findings contribute to the ecological safety assessment of multi-gene transgenic crops. Full article

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by synovitis. The prevalence of RA is estimated to be 0.5–1% worldwide. Methods: This work investigated the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of blue mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) oil (BMO) on RA in rats, using green-lipped mussel oil (GMO) and Antarctic krill oil (KO) as controls. Results: The results suggested that BMO, GMO, and KO all alleviated paw swelling in rats and reduced serum levels of rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibody, and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-17. Histopathological assessment further revealed that BMO, GMO, and KO prevented synovial fibroplasia, mitigated inflammatory cell infiltration, and improved cartilage damage in ankle joints. Overall, BMO exhibited slightly superior alleviating effects compared with GMO and KO. Plasma lipidomics analysis revealed that the lipid metabolites altered by BMO showed significant correlations with RA-related indicators, particularly pro-inflammatory cytokines. Functional enrichment analysis suggested the involvement of inflammation-related pathways, particularly the NF-$\kappa$B signaling pathway. Further validation demonstrated that BMO effectively suppressed the production of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-$\alpha$, IL-17) and the expression of NF-$\kappa$B p65, JAK2, and STAT3 proteins in synovial tissue. And IL-17 production in footpad tissues is closely associated with CD3-positive T cells. Similar effects were also observed for GMO and KO. Conclusions: Collectively, BMO might ameliorate RA by inhibiting NF-$\kappa$B and JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathways. Full article

The detection of single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) is an important challenge in modern genomics, with broad applications in medicine, diagnostics, and agricultural biotechnology. Current detection approaches include PCR-based techniques with high-affinity probes, ligase-based strategies, and sequencing approaches, each with varying degrees of sensitivity, specificity, and practicality. Despite advances in SNV analysis in the medical field, their implementation in the official control and monitoring of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) remains limited. This challenge has gained priority with the advent of new genomic techniques (NGTs), such as CRISPR-Cas nucleases, which allow precise genome editing, including subtle changes at the nucleotide level without introducing foreign DNA. Therefore, traditional methods of GMO detection targeting transgene sequences may not be sufficient to monitor such GMOs. In the European Union, GMO legislation requires distinguishing between conventionally bred and genetically modified plants. The planned introduction of new regulatory categories of NGT plants (NGT1 and NGT2) with different surveillance requirements emphasizes the need for robust, sensitive, and cost-effective SNV detection methods suitable for distinguishing between GMOs, particularly in the context of food and feed safety, traceability, and compliance. Full article

Consumer demand for organic products has grown substantially in Southern Europe, driven by health, environmental, and ethical concerns. Understanding cross-country differences in attribute preferences and sociodemographic influences is critical to inform marketing strategies and policy interventions targeting organic food consumption. To perform a comparative study across Portugal, Spain, and Greece, regular organic consumers were surveyed (250 per country) using a culturally adapted Best–Worst Scaling questionnaire. Socio-demographic variables and ten organic food attributes were analysed using MANOVA, Kruskal–Wallis tests, PCA, and cluster analysis. Spanish and Portuguese consumers prioritised health, environmental impact, absence of GMOs, and certification, while Greeks emphasised price, appearance, taste expectation, and nutrition. Age, gender, and education influenced attribute importance differently across countries, revealing distinct national consumption patterns and preferences. Findings highlight substantial heterogeneity: health and environmental attributes dominate in Portugal and Spain, reflecting strong certification and sustainability awareness, whereas Greek consumers focus on value, sensory qualities, and nutrition, indicating lower organic uptake and stronger price sensitivity. Older and more educated consumers valued certification and provenance, women emphasised health and environmental benefits, and men responded more to convenience and status cues. These patterns suggest that marketing and policy strategies should combine universal motivators with tailored approaches addressing national, demographic, and cultural differences to enhance organic consumption. Cross-country differences reveal the need for context-specific interventions promoting organic food while leveraging common health and sustainability drivers. Full article

The rapid global expansion of genetically modified (GM) crops requires fast, on-site detection methods. Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats/CRISPR-associated (CRISPR/Cas) systems offer a promising platform for decentralized GM organism (GMO) monitoring. This review focuses specifically on the application of this technology in agriculture and food supply chains, diverging from previous reviews centered on clinical diagnostics. We examine the mechanisms of key CRISPR effectors (e.g., Cas12a, Cas13a) and their integration into diagnostic platforms (e.g., DETECTR, SHERLOCK) for detecting transgenic elements (e.g., CaMV35S promoter). A dedicated comparison of signal readout modalities, including fluorescence, lateral flow, and electrochemical sensing, highlights their suitability for different GMO detection scenarios, from field screening to laboratory confirmation. Finally, we discuss current challenges, including multiplexing and standardization, and outline future directions, such as the engineering of novel Cas variants and integration with smartphone technology. CRISPR-based diagnostics are poised to become indispensable tools for decentralized, efficient, and reliable GMO detection. Full article

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) leads to reduced blood flow, primarily affecting the vessels of lower extremities. Symptoms include pain, cramping and reduced functional capacity, and patients are also at increased risk of cardiovascular complications and mortality. Postoperative medical management in PAD patients includes the use of antiplatelet and antithrombotic medications, which help to prevent postoperative graft and stent thrombosis and associated adverse effects. Despite extensive research, there is little consensus on the best strategy or medication regimen for patients with PAD or on monitoring strategies for the antithrombotic therapies. Thromboelastography, with the adjunct of platelet function assessment, is well established for providing real-time assessment of coagulation and platelet function in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery or cardiovascular procedures. TEG^® PlateletMapping^® assays can assess hypercoagulable changes in pre- and post-intervention in cardiovascular patients, including in patients with PAD and help physicians guide antithrombotic treatments after revascularization. The use of thromboelastography with platelet function analysis provides an opportunity to tailor antithrombotic therapy and personalize care in patients with PAD, which could be integral to improving limb salvage and preventing adverse events in these patients. Full article

Conventional plant breeding relies on the occurrence of chromosomal crossover and spontaneous or non-targeted mutations in the genome induced by physical or chemical stressors. However, constraints exist concerning the number and variation of genotypes that can be achieved in this way, as the occurrence and combination of mutations are not equally distributed across the genome. The underlying mechanisms and causes of reproductive constraints can be considered the result of evolution to maintain the genomic stability of a species while at the same time allowing necessary adaptations. A continuous horizon scan was carried out to identify plants derived from new genomic techniques (NGTs), which show that CRISPR/Cas is able to circumvent at least some of these mechanisms and constraints. The reason for this is the specific mode of action: While physico-chemical mutagens such as radiation or chemicals merely cause a break in DNA, recombinant enzymatic mutagens (REMs), such as CRISPR/Cas, additionally interfere with cellular repair mechanisms. More recently developed REMs even expand the capabilities of NGTs to introduce new genetic variations within the target sequences. Thus, NGTs introduce genetic changes and combinations that are unknown in the current breeding pool and that are also unlikely to occur as a result of any previously used breeding methods. The resulting genotypes may need to be considered as ‘new to the environment’. The technical potential of NGTs should also be taken into account in regulatory provisions. Previously unknown genotypes and phenotypes may negatively impact plant health, ecosystems, biodiversity, and plant breeding. It must further be acknowledged that the different outcomes of NGTs and conventional breeding are not always evident at first sight. As a starting point, within a process-oriented approval process, molecular characterization can inform the following steps in risk assessment and guide requests for further data. Full article

The long-term reliability of catalytic gas sensors is strongly influenced by changes in the chemical state and cleanliness of the catalyst surface. In this work, we investigate the surface composition and stability of the platinum (Pt) nanoparticle catalytic layer in Gas Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (GMOS) sensors under varying environmental conditions. Using X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and High-Resolution (HR) XPS, we compared fresh, aged samples, thermally treated samples, and samples stored with or without a mechanical filter. The results show that prolonged ambient storage leads to the accumulation of adventitious carbon and nitrogen-containing species, as well as partial oxidation of platinum, which reduces the number of active metallic Pt sites. Thermal treatment at 300 °C for 30 min restores metallic Pt exposure by removing surface contaminants and narrowing the Pt 4f peaks. However, recontamination occurs during subsequent storage, with significant differences depending on surface protection. Sensors equipped with a mechanical filter exhibited obvious Pt metallic peaks in HR-XPS analysis, with lower carbon and nitrogen levels, compared to unprotected samples. These findings demonstrate that while heating refreshes catalytic activity, long-term stability requires complementary filtration to prevent re-adsorption of airborne species. The combined approach of heating and filtration is thus essential to ensure reliable performance of GMOS sensors for indoor and outdoor air quality monitoring. Full article

Esters are predominant fragrance components in various traditional fermented foods. Hongqu rice wine, a beverage gaining popularity among young consumers in China, largely owes its aromatic profile to esterases derived from Monascus species. However, research on esterification characteristics of Monascus strains remains limited, constraining efforts to improve the quality and flavor of Hongqu rice wine. To better understand their esterification characteristics of commercial Monascus strains from different regions of China and further develop a high-quality esterifying Monascus strain for the liquor industry, we identified five Monascus isolates from red koji samples used in rice wine fermentation. Their esterification activity was evaluated by preparing red koji through solid-state fermentation of wheat bran under conditions simulating industrial production. Among the isolates, M. purpureus M21 exhibited the highest reported esterification activity to date, reaching 88.5 ± 8.6 U. Through atmospheric and room-temperature plasma (ARTP) mutagenesis breeding, the esterification activity of M. purpureus M21 was further enhanced by 41% to 124.8 U. In summary, this study not only figures out the properties of commercial esterifying Monascus from diverse regional sources but also significantly enhances the esterification performance of a potent esterifying Monascus strain without invoking GMO controversies. This high-performance esterifying Monascus strain presents a promising fermentation starter to enhance the flavor profile of Hongqu rice wine and diverse fermented beverages, thereby meeting evolving consumer preferences. Full article

In recent years, CRISPR-Cas9 technology has become a powerful and indispensable tool for targeted mutagenesis in plants, including applications such as gene knockout, prime-editing, multiplex gene editing, and regulation of gene transcription. As the number of potential genome editing approaches expands at a very fast pace, rapid, efficient, and cost-effective analytical strategies are needed to screen large numbers of mutants, including the detection of off-target events. In this study, we reported a detection method based on High-Resolution Melting (HRM) analysis to discriminate between wild-type (wt) and edited lines of different varieties of Vitis vinifera and grapevine rootstocks. Those edited lines were obtained through Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated transformation of embryogenic calli using the CRISPR/SpCas9 system and targeting VviEPFL9-1 and VviEPFL9-2, two paralogous genes involved in stomata cell fate induction. The method clearly distinguished between the wt allele and the mutated one and was partially effective in distinguishing different types of mutation. Moreover, HRM data elaboration based on a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) allowed one to group populations of lines which originated from the same transformation event. Our study demonstrates the reliability of HRM as a fast and cost-effective diagnostic tool for the screening of edited lines and the evaluation of off-target events. Full article

Background/Objectives: Breast cancer remains the most prevalent malignancy among women worldwide, with letrozole (LZ) serving as a critical aromatase inhibitor for hormone receptor–positive cases. However, long-term oral administration of LZ is often associated with systemic adverse effects and poor patient compliance. To overcome these limitations, new non-aqueous nanoemulgels (NEMGs) were developed for transdermal delivery of LZ. Methods: The NEMGs were formulated using glyceryl monooleate (GMO), Sepineo P600^®, Transcutol, propylene glycol, and penetration enhancers propylene glycol laurate (PGL), propylene glycol monocaprylate (PGMC), and Captex^®. Physicochemical characterization, solubility, stability, and in vitro permeation studies were conducted using Strat-M^® membranes, while in vivo pharmacokinetics were evaluated in rat models. Results: The optimized GMO/PGMC-based NEMG demonstrated significantly enhanced drug flux, higher permeability coefficients, and shorter lag times compared with other NEMGs and suspension emulgels. In vivo, transdermal application of the GMO/PGMC-based NEMG over an area of 2.55 cm² produced dual plasma absorption peaks, with 57% of the LZ dose absorbed relative to oral administration over 12 days. Shelf-life and accelerated stability assessments confirmed excellent physicochemical stability with negligible crystallization. Conclusions: The developed LZ NEMG formulations offer a stable, effective, and patient-friendly transdermal drug delivery platform for breast cancer therapy. This system demonstrates potential to improve patient compliance and reduce systemic toxicity compared to conventional oral administration. Full article

Insect meal can be a valuable component of poultry diets, both during rearing and fattening, as well as for laying hens. Regarding protein feeds, the most commonly used are oil meals from soy and/or rapeseed, along with certain animal-derived feeds like fish meal. Recent years have seen considerable interest in the use of insect products in poultry nutrition. Insect meal has a high protein content with a favourable amino acid profile, similar to that of traditional animal-derived raw materials or soybean meal. The present study aimed to determine the effect of replacing 50% or 100% of soybean meal with black soldier fly (BSF) products, in the form of meal or whole dried larvae, on the performance and slaughter characteristics, blood lipid profile, sensory properties, and fatty acid composition of pheasant muscle, considering gender. The study showed that irrespective of the type of BSF products (e.g., meal or whole dried larvae), they can be successfully used to replace soybean meal, which is most commonly available commercially in the form containing GMOs. Further research is needed into optimising the proportion of BSF products in feed rations and their impact on the performance, as well as the quality of meat and eggs. Full article

Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) are short, synthetic DNA fragments that offer a powerful means of modulating gene expression. By leveraging endogenous regulatory pathways, ASOs enable precise control over gene activity at multiple levels, including genomic DNA, transcription, RNA processing, and translation. Their applications span basic research and translational science, ranging from the generation of epigenetically modified organisms as potential GMO alternatives to the development of therapies for rare or treatment-resistant diseases. This review highlights the molecular mechanisms of ASO action, design and modification strategies, and delivery approaches across diverse cell types. Future directions include elucidating detailed molecular pathways, optimizing experimental conditions, and enhancing the persistence of therapeutic effects. Overall, ASOs represent a versatile and innovative tool in functional genomics, with broad implications for molecular biology, biotechnology, and medicine. Full article

The mass profile of the central galaxy of the Antlia cluster, NGC 3268, is studied through a spherical Jeans analysis, combined with a Bayesian approach. The prior distributions are derived from dark matter simulations. The observational dataset consists of Gemini/GMOS multi-object spectra observed from several programmes, supplemented with the kinematics of a small sample of globular clusters from the literature. An NFW mass profile and several options of constant anisotropy are considered. The analysis indicates a moderately massive halo, with a virial mass of (1.4 – 4.3)$\times {10}^{13}{M}_{\odot }$, depending on the assumed anisotropy. A comparison with the kinematics of the galaxy population from the Antlia cluster suggests that a fraction of galaxies is not yet virialised and may currently be infalling into the cluster. Full article