Search Results (4,763)

Aims: Surgery remains the only definitive treatment option for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA), as no conclusive evidence supports drug effectiveness in preventing AAA growth. Although type 2 diabetes (T2D) is an important cardiovascular risk factor, patients with T2D show reduced AAA presence and growth, associated with metformin use. We aimed to investigate the potential benefits of metformin on AAA using proteomics and in vitro experiments. Methods: Proteomics analysis using tandem mass spectrometry was performed on aortic smooth muscle cells (SMCs) from non-pathological controls (C-SMC, n = 8), non-diabetic (ND, n = 19) and diabetic (D, n = 5) AAA patients. Key findings were subsequently validated in aortic tissue using mass spectrometry-based proteomics. SMCs were cultured with/without metformin and analyzed. Results: Comparison of the proteome of SMCs from ND-AAA patients with controls revealed a reduction in proteins associated with metabolic processes and mitochondrial function. Cytoskeletal and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins were elevated in ND-AAA-SMCs versus C-SMCs, with a similar cluster of mechanosensitive proteins being increased in ND-AAA-SMCs versus D-AAA-SMCs. D-AAA-SMCs showed an improved metabolic and antioxidant profile, enriched in pentose phosphate pathway proteins responsible for NAD(P)H generation (G6PD, PGD) and NAD(P)H-dependent antioxidants (NQO1, CBR1, AKR1C1, AKR1B1, GSTM1), all regulated by NRF2, an antioxidant transcription factor. Over half of the proteins identified in the protein–protein interaction network, constructed from proteins with higher expression in D-AAA SMCs versus ND-AAA SMCs, were verified in D-AAA aortic tissue. In vitro, metformin causes a shift from aerobic to anaerobic metabolism, increased AMPK activation and elevated mitochondrial biogenesis, indicated by increased PGC-1α expression. Metformin increased the gene expression of PGD, CBR1 and the protein expression of NQO1, with enhanced translocation of pNRF2 to the nucleus, due to reduced KEAP1 as negative regulator of NRF2. Consequently, metformin enhanced the gene expression of well-known antioxidant regulators SOD2 and CAT. Conclusions: This study identified significant differences in the proteome of SMCs derived from controls, ND-AAA and D-AAA patients. It highlights distinct pathways in relation to mechanosensing, metabolism and redox balance as therapeutic targets of metformin that may underlie its inhibition of AAA progression. Full article

Engaging vulnerable migrants in nature-based activities demonstrates that access to green space can provide a safe place to process trauma, allowing vulnerable forced migrants to enhance their sense of subjective well-being, to breathe and to be. Framed by the feminist ethics of care concept of ‘universal care’, this qualitative study utilised semi-structured interviews, focus group discussion and participant observation to explore asylum seekers’ opportunities for giving and receiving care for people and planet in green spaces outside of institutional international protection accommodation, particularly among those who have access to community gardens. This research contributes to understanding the multigenerational benefits of green space and the potential of forms of horticultural therapy to support the health and well-being of vulnerable forced migrants of all ages. This research has implications for how care for international protection applicants could be enhanced in Ireland and elsewhere through expanding access to safe and inclusive green spaces. It provides a model of a landscape of care support mitigation of pre- and post-migration trauma and mental stress. Full article

The increasing contradiction between ecological conservation and community development is a common challenge faced in most protected areas worldwide. Since 2019, China has used a “sky window” policy to alleviate the dilemma of environmental protection and sustainable production activities in national parks. This policy’s impact on household income in national park communities has received little attention. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the impact of the sky window policy on household income in Wuyi Mountain National Park communities in China and explore its mechanism of action in order to provide policy recommendations for achieving the protection goal of the national park and enabling win–win development of the community. Based on a total of 951 samples, which were collected through face-to-face interviews with 518 households in two periods, we used the difference-in-differences (DID) model to obtain consistent results and conducted robustness tests on the model by employing propensity score matching (PSM). The results showed that the “sky window” policy had a significant negative impact on the income of households in national park communities, which was mainly caused by the relaxation of restrictive regulations on farmers’ planting and breeding activities within national parks. The findings indicate that government departments in China need to further improve the laws and regulations regarding national park construction, establish a dynamic evaluation mechanism to regularly review the effects of the “sky window” policy, and make timely adjustments based on changes in the ecological environment of national parks and the development needs of local communities. At the same time, to ensure a stable source of income for residents, it is also necessary to establish a platform for realizing the value of ecological products, strengthen support for livelihood transformation, and establish long-term benefit linkage mechanisms. This study contributes to the research on the effective management of national parks, community welfare improvement, and sustainable development in developing countries. Full article

Background/Objectives: Ampelopsis grossedentata, a novel food resource (vine tea), is a therapeutically valuable species wherein all parts exhibit bioactive potential. The therapeutic value and health benefits of A. grossedentata are rooted in its metabolomic profile, yet the metabolites in its various parts remain incompletely characterized. In this study, the tissue-specific biochemical properties and metabolic profiles of A. grossedentata were systematically characterized to identify the optimal tissue type for harvesting, with the goal of maximizing the production of bioactive compounds. Methods: The biochemical properties of various A. grossedentata tissues were assessed using a spectrophotometer, and their metabolic profiles were characterized through LC-MS/MS-based untargeted metabolomics. Results: The results demonstrate that, compared with the stems and roots, the tender leaves and floral tissues contained a higher TFC and TPC, correlating with superior antioxidant activity (DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP). A metabolic analysis revealed that the tender leaves accumulated multiple bioactive flavonoids beyond dihydromyricetin, including naringenin 7-O-beta-D-glucoside, (-)-epigallocatechin, tricetin, and cyanidin 3-O-sophoroside. The floral tissues displayed a comparable antioxidant capacity and dihydromyricetin level to the leaves, as well as unique compounds, such as leucodelphinidin, naringenin, epicatechin, dihydroquercetin, astilbin, and myricitrin. A metabolomic analysis further demonstrated a high accumulation of L-glutamine and L-glutamic acid in the floral tissues, potentially contributing to the characteristic umami flavor profile of vine tea made from A. grossedentata flowers. Conclusions:A. grossedentata flowers could be considered a promising raw material for developing novel functional foods and premium herbal tea products, as they possess superior antioxidant activity and abundant flavonoids and amino acids. Full article

Background: Neurodegenerative diseases cause both progressive motor and cognitive impairments for which no curative treatments exist. Virtual reality (VR)-based rehabilitation has emerged as a promising strategy to enhance physical rehabilitation by offering immersive, engaging, and personalized environments. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines, examining studies published between 2020 and 2025 in the Web of Science and Scopus. Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria, focusing on VR-based physical rehabilitation in individuals with neurodegenerative diseases. Results: Most studies reported significant improvements in balance, gait, postural control, and motor function. Some studies also found benefits in processing speed, executive function, emotional well-being, and activities of daily living. Across different levels of immersion, VR interventions showed high usability and were well tolerated, even among older adults. However, methodological limitations, such as small sample sizes, a lack of control groups, and short intervention durations, were prevalent. Conclusions: VR has demonstrated to be an effective and well-tolerated tool for the rehabilitation of individuals with neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis. However, the confirmation of its clinical efficacy and long-term impact necessitates the execution of randomized controlled trials with larger samples and extended follow-up periods. Full article

The need for sustainable and long-term environmental monitoring has driven the development of energy-autonomous sensors, which either operate passively or integrate energy harvesting (EH) solutions. In many applications, the energy cost of data transmission is a critical factor in autonomous sensing systems. To address this challenge, optical passive sensors, which exploit changes in reflectivity to monitor physical parameters, offer self-sustained operation without requiring an external power source. Similarly, RF-based passive sensors, both chipless and with minimal circuitry, enable wireless monitoring with low power consumption. When more energy is available, EH techniques can be combined with active optical sensors. Infrared laser-based CO₂ sensors, as well as drone-mounted optical systems, demonstrate how EH can power precise environmental measurements. Beyond optics, other sensing modalities also benefit from EH, further expanding the range of self-powered environmental monitoring technologies. This review discusses the trade-offs between passive and EH-assisted sensing strategies, with a focus on optical implementations. The outlook highlights emerging solutions to enhance sensor autonomy while minimizing the energy cost of data transmission, paving the way for sustainable and scalable environmental monitoring. Full article

Background: Dental caries remains one of the most prevalent chronic diseases worldwide. Fluoride has long been recognized as a cornerstone of caries prevention through enamel remineralization, inhibition of demineralization, and antibacterial activity. However, controversies persist regarding systemic exposure, potential health risks, and ethical debates over community water fluoridation. Previous reviews often focused on isolated interventions, whereas a critical synthesis of mechanisms, clinical efficacy, safety, and public health perspectives is still lacking. Methods: This narrative review synthesized peer-reviewed publications from 2000 to 2025 retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and leading dental journals. Emphasis was placed on randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and major policy documents. Evidence was thematically appraised across mechanisms of action, clinical applications, comparative efficacy, safety, and sociocultural considerations. Results: Fluoride consistently shows preventive and therapeutic benefits across multiple delivery forms, including toothpaste, varnishes, mouthrinses, supplements, and silver diamine fluoride, with particular advantages for high-risk groups such as children, orthodontic patients, and older adults. Nonetheless, study heterogeneity, variations in protocols, and concerns regarding fluorosis and possible neurodevelopmental effects highlight persistent uncertainties. Comparative analyses reveal trade-offs between efficacy and acceptance, for example, the high caries-arrest rate of silver diamine fluoride compared with its esthetic drawback. Emerging alternatives such as nano-hydroxyapatite, fluoride-containing bioactive glass, and probiotic-based approaches are promising but currently supported by limited clinical data. Conclusions: Fluoride remains central to caries prevention, yet its optimal use requires balancing benefits against risks, addressing cultural and socioeconomic barriers, and tailoring strategies to individual and community contexts. This narrative synthesis underscores the need for well-designed multicenter randomized controlled trials, longitudinal studies to refine safe exposure thresholds, evaluations of novel biomaterials and delivery systems, and the incorporation of patient-reported outcomes to guide future evidence-based policies and clinical practices. Full article

Rice bran represents an exceptional natural source of dietary fiber (DF), and its physicochemical properties and therapeutic potential are closely associated with its origin and processing methods. Herein, rice bran was subjected to extrusion, fermentation, and a combined treatment of fermentation and extrusion to explore the alternations in the structural, physicochemical, and functional properties of the resulting insoluble dietary fiber (IDF). All treatments induced substantial microstructural alterations in IDF, producing fiber matrices with enhanced porosity and looser architectures. The employed processing treatments significantly enhanced the functional properties of rice bran IDF over the unprocessed sample, with 1.37- to 1.78-fold increases in oil-holding capacity, 1.31- to 1.48-fold increases in cholesterol-adsorption capacity, 2.89- to 5.90-fold increases in α-amylase-inhibitory activity, and 2.41- to 3.70-fold increases in glucose-adsorption capacity. Among them, extrusion proved more effective than fermentation in enhancing the water-holding capacity, sodium cholate binding, and cholesterol-adsorption capacity of rice bran IDF. However, fermented rice bran-derived IDF exhibited the optimum α-amylase-inhibitory and glucose-absorption capacities among all employed IDF samples. These findings provide valuable insights for the development of rice bran-based functional foods with enhanced health benefits. Full article

Background/Objectives: Combined physical activity and nutritional interventions may produce synergistic effects on child development, but evidence from school-based programs is still limited. This systematic review investigated the impact of physical activity programs with simultaneous nutritional supplementation in school-aged children. Methods: A systematic search was conducted across five databases (PubMed, ProQuest, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and SPORTDiscus) up to June 2025. Randomized controlled trials examining combined physical activity and nutritional supplementation interventions in children aged 5–12 years recruited from schools were included. Methodological quality was rated using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale. Results: Thirteen studies (n = 3967 participants) were eligible, with program lengths ranging from 2 weeks to 24 months. Methodological quality ranged from fair to good (PEDro scores: 4 to 7/10). Combined interventions showed greater benefits than single interventions. For bone health, 2–3% higher increases in bone mineral content at loaded sites were reported with exercise combined with calcium supplementation. Body composition improvements included significant reductions in fat mass and increases in fat-free mass, with effects most pronounced in girls and slow-growing children. Motor performance, academic achievement, and sleep quality also improved with combined approaches. Effects were consistently greatest in children with baseline micronutrient deficiencies or slower growth velocity. Conclusions: School-based programs combining moderate-to-high impact physical activity with targeted nutritional supplementation yield synergistic health benefits in children. Brief interventions (2–3 sessions/week, ≤60 min) appear sufficient when adequate micronutrient provision is ensured, supporting implementation feasibility within educational settings. Full article

Background/Objectives: Incretin-based therapies have demonstrated benefits in glycemic control and the prevention of long-term complications of diabetes. In addition to glucose-dependent insulin secretion stimulation, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) also inhibits gastric acid secretion, delays gastric emptying, inhibits gut motility and induces satiety. We aimed to understand the modulation of gastric fundus motility by GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA). Methods: We have studied the relaxation to sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and noradrenaline (NA) of gastric fundus isolated from Wistar rats and Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats, an animal model of spontaneous non-obese type 2 diabetes, after Liraglutide treatment (200 μg/kg s.c., b.i.d., 14 days). Results: Decreased relaxation induced by SNP and NA (0.01–889 μM) was observed in treated groups, with no significant changes in SNP maximum relaxation or in nNOS/p-nNOS levels between treated and non-treated rats of both animal models. Accordingly, in rat gastric fundus pre-contracted with 5 µM of carbachol, GLP-1RA (0.05–111.1 nM) induced contractile responses that were GLP-1R-dependent and -independent. Exenatide showed more intrinsic activity, while Liraglutide showed more potency than GLP-1 in Wistar rats. Moreover, GLP-1 showed more intrinsic activity in diabetic rats compared to control ones. Conclusions: Liraglutide-induced increased gastric muscle tone may contribute to the significant decrease in caloric intake and body weight in all treated rats, causing a reduction in gastric accommodation during food intake. Thus, the increased gastric fundus tone induced by GLP-1RA may constitute a peripheral mechanism by which they can reduce food intake and induce satiety. Full article

Sea grape kombucha has been known to exhibit high antioxidant activity due to its elevated total polyphenol content. This study aims to identify and characterize the active microbial community involved in the fermentation of kombucha using sea grapes (C. racemosa) as the primary substrate. Furthermore, it evaluates the effects of different Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast (SCOBY) starter concentrations on the physicochemical properties and antioxidant activity of sea grape kombucha. Our results showed that the pH of the kombucha was higher after 7 days of fermentation compared to later time points. The microbial community was composed of 97.08% bacteria and 2.92% eukaryotes, divided into 10 phyla and 69 genera. The dominant genus in all samples was Komagataeibacter. Functional profiling based on 16S rRNA data revealed that metabolic functions accounted for 77.04% of predicted microbial activities during fermentation. The most enriched functional categories were carbohydrate metabolism (15.70%), cofactor and vitamin metabolism (15.54%), and amino acid metabolism (14.24%). At KEGG Level 3, amino acid-associated pathways, particularly alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism (4.24%), were predominant. The fermentation process in sea grape kombucha is primarily driven by carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism, supported by energy-generating and cofactor biosynthesis pathways. Our findings indicate that different metabolic pathways lead to variations in kombucha components, and distinct fermentation stages result in different metabolic reactions. For instance, early fermentation stages (Day 7) are dominated by amino acid metabolism, whereas the late stages (Day 21) show increased activity in carbohydrate and sulfur metabolism. Metabolomic analysis revealed that increasing the SCOBY starter concentration significantly influenced pH, soluble solid content, vitamin C, tannin, and flavonoid content. These variations suggest that fermentation duration and microbial composition significantly influence the spectrum of bioactive metabolites, which synergistically provide functional benefits such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, and metabolic health-promoting activities. For example, sample K1 produced more fatty acids and simple sugar alcohols, sample K2 enriched complex lipid compounds and phytosterols, while sample K3 dominated the production of polyols and terpenoid compounds. Full article

Crumb rubber used in asphalt modification can generally improve the road performance of asphalt mixture pavement while offering substantial environmental and economic benefits. This study investigates the volatile organic compound emissions from crumb rubber-modified asphalt binders via gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, focusing on the effects of crumb rubber types (e.g., activated crumb rubber, non-activated crumb rubber), contents, and additives (warm-mix agents, deodorants, styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS)). The analysis encompasses total volatile organic compound emissions, compositional variations, secondary organic aerosol and ozone formation potentials, and carcinogenic risks. Results indicate that non-activated crumb rubber increases volatile organic compound emissions initially, peaking at a 15% content (3.99 times higher than base asphalt), dominated by trichloroethylene. The surfactant-based warm-mix additive significantly reduces emissions by 73%, whereas deodorants exhibited limited efficacy. At equivalent contents, activated crumb rubber-modified asphalt emits more volatile organic compounds than non-activated crumb rubber-modified asphalt and leads to a higher ozone formation potential. Activated crumb rubber/SBS-modified asphalt blends reduce emissions by 69%–81% due to synergistic effects. In contrast, non-activated crumb rubber/SBS blends increase emissions, likely due to phase separation. All samples contain carcinogens, primarily trichloroethylene (20%–79%) and benzene (0.1%–9%). These findings underscore the critical importance of crumb rubber activation status and SBS addition in controlling volatile organic compound diffusion. The activated crumb rubber/SBS combination achieves a synergistic reduction exceeding the sum of individual effects (“1 + 1 > 2”). These findings provide valuable insights for designing eco-friendly asphalt. Full article

The incorporation of bioactive compounds from plant-based by-products into staple foods represents a sustainable strategy to enhance both nutritional quality and health benefits. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of buckwheat husk addition (1.5%, 3.0%, 4.5%) on the antioxidant activity, total phenolic content (TPC) and its profile, color parameters, and sensory attributes of wheat and wholemeal breads. Increasing the husk content significantly (p ≤ 0.05) enhanced antioxidant activity, especially in the lipid-soluble fraction, with the highest values observed at 4.5% addition. In terms of TPC, wheat bread showed a significant (p ≤ 0.05) increase (16.5%) only at 3.0% husk addition, while wholemeal breads exhibited consistent TPC growth at all levels, reaching a 35.2% increase at 4.5% enrichment. Phenolic profiling revealed syringic acid as the dominant compound, constituting up to 64.4% of total phenolic acids in wholemeal bread with 4.5% husk. Flavonoids content increased with husk addition, with rutin, catechin, and orientin most prominent. Color analysis indicated a reduction in lightness and hue angle, an increase in browning index and total color difference with higher husk addition. Addition of husk modified aroma, color, and mouthfeel. Wholemeal breads with 1.5% and 4.5% buckwheat husk had the highest acceptability, enhancing nutritional and functional quality without affecting preference. Buckwheat husk effectively enhances bread’s nutritional and functional quality. Full article

This study explores innovative strategic solutions within a sustainability framework, focusing on four viable options for an integrated refrigeration system designed for fish preservation in Tarrafal de Santiago, Cape Verde. Tarrafal is a coastal town on Santiago Island, characterized by its reliance on fishing activities and the challenges posed by limited energy infrastructure and local environmental vulnerabilities. The evaluated solutions range from grid-dependent systems to fully autonomous configurations powered by renewable energy sources, incorporating various refrigeration facility designs adapted to regional conditions. The primary objective is to assess the energy efficiency, economic viability, and environmental impact of these options within the specific geographic and socioeconomic context of Tarrafal de Santiago. Four approaches were analyzed: Strategy A involves two R134a refrigeration systems powered by conventional grid electricity; Strategy B employs a transcritical CO₂ (R744) system combined with grid electricity; Strategy C integrates an R744 refrigeration system powered by autonomous renewable energy sources; and Strategy D utilizes R744 refrigeration combined with seawater-based heat exchange and autonomous renewable energy generation. The results indicate that Strategy D offers the greatest advantages, with emissions amounting to 15,882 kg of CO₂ equivalent and a return on investment within five years. Autonomous electricity generation in Strategy D leads to a 95% reduction in CO₂ emissions. Although Strategy C entails a higher initial cost, it proves financially viable and significantly enhances energy sustainability. Its autonomous energy production results in a reduction of 360,697 kg of CO₂ emissions compared to conventional systems, highlighting the substantial environmental benefits of integrating local renewable energy sources into coastal communities such as Tarrafal de Santiago. Full article

Rice-based co-culture systems offer sustainable agricultural benefits, yet stage-specific impacts on soil properties and grain quality remain underexplored. This study presented the first comprehensive assessment of the stage-specific effects under conventional tillage (CTL), rice-chicken (RC), rice-fish (RF), and rice-chicken-fish (RCF) systems on soil fertility, enzymatic activities, microbial communities, and grain quality. Our novel temporally explicit analysis revealed system- and stage-dependent modulation. RCF increased late-season organic matter by 10.4%, while RC consistently enhanced available potassium. Enzymatic activities exhibited distinct temporal shifts, with RF showing peak catalase activity at heading (0.47 mL g⁻¹ 30 min⁻¹), RC maintaining consistently higher invertase activity, and both RF and RCF displaying delayed urease peaks at filling (0.38 mg g⁻¹ 24 h⁻¹). Microbial communities were significantly restructured (ANOSIM, R² = 0.694, p < 0.001), with increased network complexity in co-cultures, particularly in RCF (95 nodes, 153 edges). Grain quality improvements included higher milling recovery (2.6–5.3%) in RC and elevated protein content (16.6%) in RF and RCF, along with reduced chalkiness (20–30%) across all co-cultures. Integrative analysis established linkages between soil properties (e.g., pH, organic matter, invertase), microbial taxa (e.g., Nitrospira, Syntrophus), and grain quality attributes. These findings provide mechanistic insights into soil-plant-microbe interactions and support the implementation of stage-specific management strategies for sustainable rice production systems. Full article