Search Results (9,534)

The hybrid Sechium edule H387 07, commonly known as chayote, has shown potential as an antiproliferative, cytotoxic, and pro-apoptotic agent in the murine leukemia cell lines P388 (macrophagic) and J774 (monocytic) and in the myelomonocytic leukemia cell line WEHI-3. However, despite these reported bioactivities, its pharmacokinetic profile remains largely unexplored. Understanding the absorption, distribution, and elimination of this hybrid is critical for addressing unmet therapeutic needs and for advancing the development of natural product-based therapies. These effects are attributed to the presence of phenols, flavonoids, and cucurbitacins in its organic extracts. In this study, the pharmacokinetic parameters of secondary metabolites from methanolic extracts of Sechium H387 07 were evaluated after oral administration in mice, while its segregant H387 M16 was subjected to complementary phytochemical characterization. Methanolic extracts of Sechium edule H387 07 were orally administered to mice at doses of 8, 125, and 250 mg/kg, and plasma, liver, and urine samples were collected at 1, 6, 24, and 48 h post-treatment. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) identified polyphenols and cucurbitacins, notably cucurbitacin B (CuB) and cucurbitacin IIA (CuIIA), in the biological samples, and pharmacokinetic variables such as the maximum plasma concentration (C_max), time to reach maximum concentration (T_max), half-life (T_1/2), and volume of distribution (V_d) were determined. For instance, CuB exhibited a C_max of 37.56 µg/mL at 1 h post-dose after oral administration of 125 mg/kg, confirming its rapid absorption and systemic distribution. Notably, the presence of CuIIA in plasma was documented for the first time, along with the pharmacokinetic profiles of apigenin, phloretin, CuB, CuE, and CuI. In parallel, the segregant H387 M16 was characterized via colorimetric assays, thin-layer chromatography (TLC), HPLC, and antioxidant activity tests, which revealed high levels of flavonoids, phenols, and cucurbitacins, with an antioxidant activity of approximately 75% at the highest tested dose (1 mg/mL), supporting its suitability for future bioassays. Overall, these findings not only provide novel pharmacokinetic data for key metabolites of the H387 07 hybrid but also establish the phytochemical and antioxidant profile of its segregant H387 M16. This dual characterization strengthens the evidence of the therapeutic potential of Sechium genotypes and provides a valuable foundation for future studies aiming to develop standardized protocols and explore translational applications in drug development and natural product-based therapies. Full article

The Brazil nut production chain, which is reliant on Amazonian environmental conditions, is significantly affected by climate change, particularly extreme droughts, which decrease production and compromise sanitary quality. This study evaluated the influence of severe drought on aflatoxin concentrations and sequence toxigenic fungi in Brazil nuts harvested during the 2023 off-season. Aflatoxins were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography, while fungal sequencing involved DNA extraction, PCR, and sequencing analysis. Findings indicated that all Brazil nut samples collected during extreme drought contained detectable aflatoxins, with 10% exceeding the legal threshold of 10 µg/kg. Phylogenetic analysis identified four isolates as Penicillium citrinum. Additional morphological and sequencing analyses identified Aspergillus species from the Circumdati and Flavi sections, although one isolate could not be taxonomically classified. These results demonstrate the aflatoxin production by fungi in Brazil nuts in an unprecedented way under drought conditions. Furthermore, the diversity of fungal species during drought underscores the risk of contamination, emphasizing the necessity for monitoring future harvests to improve management and ensure product safety. Full article

The paper presents the effect of an organic solvent on the efficiency of vapor condensation from pyrolysis processes applied to agricultural waste, with the intention of optimizing the trapping procedure for more volatile components. Therefore, the effect of the use of acetone in the vapor trapping system on the yield and composition of liquid fractions (bio-oils) obtained from the pyrolysis of selected agricultural waste, including corn, tomato, and tobacco, was investigated. The focus was placed on evaluating how solvents influence the quality, yield, and composition of bio-oil, as well as whether they are necessary in the pyrolysis process. Acetone, a polar solvent with low human toxicity and the possibility of regeneration after pyrolysis, was selected for bio-oil condensation due to its effectiveness in dissolving polar compounds formed during the pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass. Pyrolysis was conducted at 400 and 500 °C for 30 min, to collect light and heavy fractions, which were subsequently analyzed to assess acetone’s influence. The results showed that acetone positively affected corn bio-oil yield (from 44.57% without acetone to 52.13% with acetone) and improved quality by reducing moisture (from 61.82% to 12.83%) and oxygen content (from 86.50% to 47.10%). An increase in calorific value was also observed in both corn varieties, while the effect was minimal in tobacco and nearly negligible in tomato. The obtained parameter values indicated that satisfactory results can also be achieved without the use of a solvent, representing a step toward simplified pyrolysis. GC-MS analysis confirmed that phenols and their derivatives were the dominant compounds, while FTIR analysis verified the presence of functional groups of the identified compounds. Increasing the temperature generally increased both the yield and calorific value of most samples. Light and heavy fractions were separated during condensation to improve collection efficiency and enable better quality control. Although this step adds complexity and potential contamination risks, it allows more effective utilization of the fractions. These results provide a valuable foundation for optimizing the valorization of agricultural waste through pyrolysis-based biofuel production. Full article

Liquid biopsies promise major advantages for cancer screening and diagnosis. By detecting biomarkers in peripheral blood samples, liquid biopsies reduce the need for invasive techniques and provide important genetic information integral to the emerging molecular classification of cancers. Unfortunately, the concentrations of most biomarkers, particularly circulating tumour nucleic acids, are vanishingly small—beyond the sensitivity and specificity of most assays. Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats diagnostics (herein labelled ‘CRISPR-Dx’) use gene editing tools to detect, rather than modify, nucleic acids with extremely high specificity. These tools are commonly combined with isothermal nucleic acid amplification to also achieve sensitivities comparable to high-performance laboratory-based techniques, such as digital PCR. CRISPR assays, however, are inherently well suited to adaptation for point-of-care (POC) use, and unlike antigen-based POC assays, are significantly easier and faster to develop. In this review, we summarise current CRISPR-Dx platforms and their analytical potential for cancer biomarker discovery, with an emphasis on enhancing early diagnosis, disease monitoring, point-of-care testing, and supporting cancer therapy. Full article

Noninvasive liquid biopsy for monitoring circulating tumor cells offers valuable insights for predicting therapeutic responses. We developed TelomeScan^® (OBP-401), based on the detection of telomerase activity as a universal cancer cell marker and an indicator of the presence of viable circulating tumor cells (CTCs) for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This system evaluated CTC subtypes characterized by programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), an immune checkpoint molecule, and vimentin, an epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) marker, using a multi-fluorescent color microscope reader. The prognostic value and therapeutic responses were predicted by dynamically monitoring CTC counts in 79 patients with advanced NSCLC. The sensitivity and specificity values of TelomeScan^® for PD-L1⁽⁺⁾ cells (≥1 cell) were 75% and 100%, respectively, indicating high diagnostic accuracy. PD-L1⁽⁺⁾ and EMT⁽⁺⁾ in CTCs were detected in 75% and 12% of patients, respectively. Detection of PD-L1⁽⁺⁾CTCs and PD-L1⁽⁺⁾EMT⁽⁺⁾ CTCs before treatment was associated with poor prognosis (p < 0.05). Monitoring of reducing and increasing PD-L1⁽⁺⁾ CTC counts in two sequential samples (baseline, cycle 2 treatment) correlated significantly with partial response (p = 0.032) and progressive disease (p = 0.023), respectively. Monitoring PD-L1⁽⁺⁾CTCs by TelomeScan^® will aid in anticipating responses or resistance to frontline treatments, optimizing precision medicine choices in patients with NSCLC. Full article

Endometrial carcinoma (EC) is the most common malignancy of the female reproductive tract, with increasing incidence driven by aging populations and obesity. While molecular classification has improved diagnostic precision, the identification of clinically relevant metabolic biomarkers remains incomplete, and targeted therapies are not yet standardized. In this study, we investigated metabolic alterations in four EC cell lines (AN3-CA, EFE-184, HEC-1B and MFE-296) compared to non-malignant controls under normoxic and stress conditions (hypoxia and lactic acidosis) to identify metabolomic differences with potential clinical relevance. Untargeted gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and targeted liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC/MS) profiling revealed two distinct metabolic subtypes of EC. Cells of metabolic subtype 1 (AN3-CA and EFE-184) exhibited high biosynthetic and energy demands, enhanced cholesterol and hexosyl-ceramides synthesis and increased RNA stability, consistent with classical cancer-associated metabolic reprogramming. Cells of metabolic subtype 2 (HEC-1B and MFE-296) displayed a phospholipid-dominant metabolic profile and greater hypoxia tolerance, suggesting enhanced tumor aggressiveness and metastatic potential. Key metabolic findings were validated via real-time quantitative PCR. This study identifies and characterizes distinct metabolic subtypes of EC within the investigated cancer cell lines, thereby contributing to a better understanding of tumor heterogeneity. The results provide a basis for potential diagnostic differentiation based on specific metabolic profiles and may support the identification of novel therapeutic targets. Further validation in three-dimensional culture models and ultimately patient-derived samples is required to assess clinical relevance and integration with current molecular classifications. Full article

In this study, we used liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) combined with multivariate statistical analysis to conduct comprehensive qualitative and quantitative profiling of amino acids and their derivatives in wild Ophiocordyceps sinensis (O. sinensis) samples from Naqu (NQ) and Xiaojin (XJ), cultivated O. sinensis (RG), and Bailing Capsules (BL). The objective was to systematically characterize amino acid metabolism and assess its correlation with antioxidant functionality. A total of 82 amino acids and their derivatives were identified. XJ had the highest essential amino acids, while BL had significantly lower content (except lysine) (p < 0.05). Antioxidant assays revealed that NQ and XJ samples exhibited superior antioxidant activity in 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays, and this activity showed a correlation to the contents of bioactive components such as total phenols (TPS), total polysaccharide (TPE), and total flavonoids (TF). Further pathway analysis using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) suggested that arginine and proline metabolism, aromatic amino acid biosynthesis, and tryptophan metabolism may be critical pathways that could underpin regional differences in O. sinensis quality, while variation in tyrosine metabolism may account for differences in antioxidant activity. This study provides a systematic comparison of amino acid profiles and antioxidant capacities across O. sinensis and its substitutes, offering a robust theoretical foundation for the development and functional evaluation of these bioresources. Full article

Background/Objectives: Bangkeehwangkee-tang (BHT) is a traditional herbal formula composed of six medicinal herbs: Sinomenii Caulis et Rhizoma, Astragali Radix, Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba, Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, Zizyphi Fructus, and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma. BHT has been widely used for its immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects. This study aimed to develop a reliable analytical method for the simultaneous determination of 22 marker compounds to ensure consistent quality control and to ensure consistent efficacy in both clinical and non-clinical studies of BHT. Methods: An ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS) method based on multiple reaction monitoring was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of 22 marker compounds in BHT. The method was evaluated for selectivity, linearity (coefficient of determination, r²), sensitivity (limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ)), accuracy (recovery), and precision (relative standard deviation (RSD)) in accordance with guidelines. Results: The developed method exhibited excellent selectivity and linearity (r² ≥ 0.9913) for all target compounds. The LOD and LOQ ranged from 0.09 μg/L to 326.58 μg/L and 0.28 μg/L to 979.75 μg/L, respectively. The recovery ranged from 90.36% to 113.74%, and precision (RSD) was ≤15%, confirming the method’s reliability. The application of the method to various BHT samples revealed substantial variations in the marker compound contents, particularly for sinomenine, magnoflorine, and glycyrrhizin. Conclusions: These findings highlight the necessity for standardized quality control of BHT and demonstrate that the developed UPLC–MS/MS method is a practical and reliable tool for performing quality assessment of traditional herbal formulas. Full article

Tuberculosis (TB) is still a significant public health threat, with rising drug resistance and high incidence in multiple areas worldwide. In the search for novel antitubercular agents, this study explores the application of a bioactivity-guided molecular networking approach to identify bioactive compounds from seven plant species (Curatella americana, Davilla nitida, Dipteryx punctata, Indigofera suffruticosa, Quassia amara, Tetradenia riparia, and Zingiber zerumbet) collected in French Guiana. Using ultrasound-assisted extraction followed by liquid–liquid partitioning and UHPLC-HRMS/MS analysis, a library of 72 samples was tested against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The non-polar fractions from Indigofera suffruticosa, Tetradenia riparia, and Zingiber zerumbet showed the highest activity. The integration of metabolomic and bioassay data on molecular networks allowed the prioritization and annotation of active compounds, revealing flavonoids as contributors to the antitubercular activity of the active samples. In addition, the use of computational tools such as GNPS, SIRIUS, and TIMA-R enabled dereplication and increased the confidence in the structural prediction of active metabolites. This approach demonstrated its potential in accelerating the identification of both known and novel bioactive compounds without requiring exhaustive isolation, offering a robust strategy for natural product-based drug development against TB. Full article

The increasing demand for sustainable raw materials in engineered wood production has prompted the evaluation of alternative raw materials. In this context, indigenous black poplar (Populus nigra) was analyzed as a potential alternative, by testing its wettability, characterized by contact angle, determined by the sessile drop method, to predict its adhesion when used as strands for OSB and LSL production. Surface tension was tested on strands with a wide range of surface roughnesses. The results show minor but statistically significant difference in favor of black poplar, which has somewhat lower contact angle values (62.01°) than hybrid poplar (64.71°), based on 300 measurements each. The absorption of the liquid into the strands, evaluated on a smaller sample, follows a logarithmic relation with time. These results also show a slightly faster decrease in contact angle in case of indigenous poplar, compared to hybrid poplar. The results indicate that the adhesion of indigenous poplar strands does not present extra challenges, compared to the currently more frequent hybrid poplar strands. Full article

The 316L stainless steel, uncoated and coated with two types of EB-PVD thin-film deposits, was tested in liquid lead both under oxygen-saturated conditions (~10⁻³ wt.%) for exposure times of 1000 and 2000 h and under low-oxygen conditions (~10⁸ wt.%) for 1000 h. The first coating consisted of a ~1 µm NiCrAlY thin film. At the same time, the second was a NiCrAlY/Al₂O₃ multilayer with a total thickness of ~3 µm, on top of which an additional 100–200 nm metallic Cr layer was deposited. Uncoated specimens tested under oxygen-saturated conditions developed a duplex oxide layer on their surface. SEM-EDS analyses revealed that the inner layer was denser and contained Fe, Cr, and O, whereas the outer layer was more porous and composed mainly of Fe and O. Microscopic examinations indicated that the multilayer-coated specimens exposed to low-oxygen conditions exhibited no signs of material degradation. In contrast, both the uncoated samples and those coated only with a single NiCrAlY layer showed generalised corrosion over the entire surface after exposure to liquid lead at low oxygen concentrations. The austenitic microstructure was degraded to a depth of 100–200 µm. Vickers microhardness indentations performed on the structurally altered regions revealed two distinct corrosion zones with markedly different hardness values. Full article

Intracranial aneurysms (IAs) are potentially devastating cerebrovascular lesions, and predicting rupture risk remains a major clinical challenge. Conventional radiological and clinical scores offer only partial risk stratification, highlighting the need for complementary approaches. Liquid biopsy represents a promising non-invasive strategy to identify circulating biomarkers that reflect aneurysm biology and instability. We conducted a systematic review according to PRISMA 2020 guidelines, screening PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science up to August 2025. Forty-eight eligible studies, encompassing 3515 IA patients, evaluated circulating RNA species, including microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs) in serum, plasma, blood, or cerebrospinal fluid. Multiple candidates emerged as consistently dysregulated: upregulation of miR-21, miR-126, and miR-200a-3p, and downregulation of miR-143 and let-7b-5p were recurrently observed across independent cohorts. LncRNAs, such as MALAT1 and MIAT, and circRNAs, including circ_0000690 and circ_0021001, demonstrated diagnostic and prognostic potential, with some correlating with rupture status and clinical severity indices. Despite encouraging findings, heterogeneity in study design, sample handling, and analytic methods limits reproducibility. Large-scale, multicenter validation studies are essential to translate these biomarkers into clinical practice. Full article

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are highly chemically stable synthetic compounds. They are widely used in industrial and commercial sectors due to their ability to repel water and oil, thermal stability, and surfactant properties. However, this stability results in environmental persistence and bioaccumulation, posing significant health risks as PFASs eventually find their way into environmental media. Key PFAS compounds, including PerFluoroOctanoic Acid (PFOA), PerFluoroOctane Sulfonic acid (PFOS), and PerFluoroHexane Sulfonic acid (PFHxS), have been linked to hepatotoxicity, immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and endocrine disruption. In response to the health threats these substances pose, global regulatory measures, such as the Stockholm Convention restrictions and national drinking water standards, have been implemented to reduce PFAS exposure. Despite these efforts, a lack of universally accepted definitions or comprehensive inventories of PFAS compounds hampers the effective management of these substances. As definitions differ across regulatory bodies, research and policy integration have become complicated. PFASs are broadly categorized as either perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs), precursors, or other fluorinated substances; however, PFASs encompass over 5000 distinct compounds, many of which are poorly characterized. PFAS contamination arises from direct industrial emissions and indirect environmental formation, these substances have been detected in water, soil, and even air samples from all over the globe, including from remote regions like Antarctica. Analytical methods, such as primarily liquid and gas chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry, have advanced PFAS detection. However, standardized monitoring protocols remain inadequate. Future management requires unified definitions, expanded monitoring efforts, and standardized methodologies to address the persistent environmental and health impacts of PFAS. This review underscores the need for improved regulatory frameworks and further research. Full article

Progress in clinical diagnosis increasingly relies on innovative technologies and advanced disease biomarker detection methods. While cell labeling remains a well-established technique, label-free approaches offer significant advantages, including reduced workload, minimal sample damage, cost-effectiveness, and simplified chip integration. These approaches focus on the morpho-biophysical properties of cells, eliminating the need for labeling and thus reducing false results while enhancing data reliability and reproducibility. Current label-free methods span conventional and advanced technologies, including phase-contrast microscopy, holographic microscopy, varied cytometries, microfluidics, dynamic light scattering, atomic force microscopy, and electrical impedance spectroscopy. Their integration with artificial intelligence further enhances their utility, enabling rapid, non-invasive cell identification, dynamic cellular interaction monitoring, and electro-mechanical and morphological cue analysis, making them particularly valuable for cancer diagnostics, monitoring, and prognosis. This review compiles recent label-free cancer cell detection developments within clinical and biotechnological laboratory contexts, emphasizing biophysical alterations pertinent to liquid biopsy applications. It highlights interdisciplinary innovations that allow the characterization and potential identification of cancer cells without labeling. Furthermore, a comparative analysis addresses throughput, resolution, and detection capabilities, thereby guiding their effective deployment in biomedical research and clinical oncology settings. Full article

Williams–Beuren Syndrome (WBS) is a rare neurodevelopmental disease caused by a microdeletion on chromosome 7 (7q11.23) and associated with behavioral disorders such as hypersociability, impaired visuospatial memory, anxiety, and motor disorders. The precise underlying neurobiological bases remain unknown. The CD mouse is a genetic model that reproduces the deletion found in WBS patients on the equivalent mouse locus. Taking into account that monoaminergic systems are known to modulate behaviors that are altered in WBS, we hypothesized that CD mice could present quantitative and qualitative changes in brain noradrenaline, dopamine, and serotonin systems compared to wild-type (WT) littermates. We sampled 10 brain regions in female mice for quantifying monoamines and related compounds by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrochemical detection. We found a decrease in dopamine in the nucleus accumbens and serotonin and its metabolites in the hypothalamus. Using correlative approaches of tissue content across the brain, we found that the relationships between neurotransmitters or their metabolic ratios (metabolite/neurotransmitter) changed in CD compared to WT. Notably, compared to WT, the ratios in CD mice showed striatal correlations for the serotonin/dopamine systems interaction, and cortical, thalamic, and hypothalamic correlations for the noradrenaline/dopamine systems interaction. The data suggest specific alterations of monoaminergic systems across the brain that could sustain the abnormal behavioral responses displayed by CD mice. Full article