Search Results (1,101)

Most amino acids contain a chiral center and thus, can exist as L- and D-isomers. For many years, it was thought that only the L-isomers were present in mammals. However, in recent decades it has been demonstrated that D-isomers are also present. Three of these amino acids, namely D-serine, D-aspartate, and D-alanine, have been proposed to play a role in the etiology of schizophrenia via interactions with glutamate receptors. D-Serine and D-alanine act at the glycine modulatory site on the NMDA receptor, while D-aspartate acts at the glutamate site on the same receptor. D-aspartate also acts on the mGlu5 receptor and can stimulate glutamate release presynaptically. Preclinical studies have reported that manipulations to reduce brain levels of D-serine, D-aspartate, or D-alanine lead to schizophrenia-relevant behaviors, and clinical studies have reported reduced levels of these D-amino acids in the brain tissue (postmortem) and/or body fluids from schizophrenia patients compared to those noted in controls, although there are some contradictory findings. The possible use of these amino acids and/or the manipulation of their relevant enzymes in the treatment of schizophrenia are described. D-Cysteine has been identified recently in human brain tissue, with the highest values in white matter; demonstration of its involvement in brain development has led to speculation that it could be involved in the etiology of schizophrenia, identifying it as a potential therapy in combination with antipsychotics. Future directions and potential problems that should be considered in studies on D-amino acids and their relevant enzymes in schizophrenia are discussed. Full article

Petroleum-contaminated soils are a major environmental concern worldwide. In Ecuador, extensive oil spills in the Amazon have led to widespread hydrocarbon pollution, threatening ecosystems and posing health risks to nearby communities. Conventional remediation techniques are resource-intensive and may render soil unsuitable for future use. In contrast, mycoremediation—using fungi to degrade toxic contaminants—offers a sustainable alternative. White-rot fungi, known for their ligninolytic enzyme systems such as laccases and peroxidases, are capable of degrading a wide range of organic pollutants, including petroleum hydrocarbons. This study assessed the enzymatic activity of 16 fungal strains from the phyla Ascomycota and Basidiomycota isolated in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Plate-based screening and quantitative laccase activity assays confirmed positive enzymatic activity in all strains. The five strains with the highest enzymatic activity were Ganoderma cf. parvulum QCAM7791, Trametes menziesii QCAM7783, Trametes menziesii QCAM7788, Trametes menziesii QCAM7790, and Trametes meyenii QCAM7785, which were selected for a 60-day soil microcosm experiment under controlled laboratory conditions. These strains removed over 96% of total petroleum hydrocarbons from contaminated soil, demonstrating high biodegradation efficiency. These results highlight the promise of native fungal strains as bioremediation agents for petroleum-contaminated soils. Further studies should focus on evaluating their performance under field conditions and their potential integration into large-scale remediation strategies. Full article

The wide application of light emitting diodes (LEDs) in lighting systems has necessitated the inclusion of spectral tunability by using multi-color LED chips. Since the lighting requirement depends on the specific application, it is very important to have flexibility in terms of the driving conditions. While many applications use single or rather white color, some recent applications require multi-spectral lighting systems especially for agricultural or human-medical treatment applications. These systems are underexplored and pose specific challenges. In this paper, a mixture of red, green, blue, white (RGB-W) LED chips was used to develop a compact light engine specifically for agricultural applications. A computational study was performed to understand the optical distribution. Later, attention was turned into development of prototype light engines followed by experimental validation for both the thermal and optical characteristics. Each LED string was driven separately at different current levels enabling an option for obtaining an infinite number of colors for numerous applications. Each LED string on the developed light engine was driven at 300 mA, 500 mA, 700 mA, and 900 mA current levels, and the optical and thermal parameters were recorded simultaneously. A set of computational models and an experimental study were performed to understand the optical and thermal characteristics simultaneously. Full article

Background/Objectives: Routine preventive care, including physical examinations, mammography, and cervical cancer screening, is critical for long-term health maintenance and recurrence surveillance among breast cancer survivors. Community-based organizations (CBOs) may play a key role in supporting adherence to these services through education, navigation, and survivorship care planning. Methods: A secondary analysis was conducted using data from N = 777 breast cancer survivors who contacted a national cancer-focused CBO for resources, including no-cost patient navigation. Preventive care adherence was measured via a composite index based on self-reported receipt of physical exams, mammograms, and Pap smears at guideline-recommended intervals. Patient-reported outcomes were assessed 30 days post-contact, including Survivorship Care Planning (SCP) receipt and quality of life (QoL). Results: Adherence to all three guideline-based screenings was reported by 66% of BCS, 29% adhered to two, and 6% to one or fewer. Physical exams had the highest adherence rate (97%), followed by mammograms (88%) and Pap smears (73%). Bivariate analyses showed higher adherence among younger survivors (t = 4.59, df = 711, p < 0.001), non-white survivors (t = −3.27, df = 267, p < 0.001), those in partnered relationships (t = 1.76, df = 54, p < 0.05), and individuals with better QoL (r = −0.09, p < 0.01). Receipt of SCP components was associated with a trend toward improved adherence: 56% received a care summary, 64% received follow-up instructions, and 45% received written materials (r = 0.05, p < 0.10). In multivariable regression adjusting for partnership status and SCP receipt, younger age (B = 1.13, p < 0.001), non-white race/ethnicity (B = 1.00, p < 0.01), and higher QoL scores (B = 0.09, p < 0.05) were significantly associated with greater adherence. Conclusions: Engagement with a CBO was associated with high levels of adherence to preventive care among breast cancer survivors—especially those who were younger, non-white, and with better QoL. SCP, particularly when delivered in written form with follow-up instructions, may support improved adherence. These findings highlight the value of CBO-led survivorship support in promoting long-term health maintenance for breast cancer survivors. Full article

Automotive interior lighting has progressed from basic functional illumination to sophisticated aesthetic systems emphasizing chromatic stability under thermal variations. This study enhances an RGB temperature compensation algorithm for LEDs, extending it to an RGBW solution. While several approaches for LED temperature compensation have been proposed in the literature, none have addressed a complete RGBW solution where the white channel is derived and actively adjusted on thermal variations. This research aims to fill this gap by extending an RGB algorithm to RGBW and validating it under realistic automotive conditions. While the proposed compensation strategies are general and may be applied to other LED systems, the automotive interior lighting domain has been selected as a representative case study because it combines stringent chromatic stability requirements ($\Delta u^{\prime }{v}^{\prime }\le 0.01$) and high industrial relevance. Leveraging Infineon’s LITIX™ LED drivers, experimental results show that the algorithm maintains chromatic stability with deviations below $\Delta u^{\prime }{v}^{\prime }=0.00562$ in RGB mode and $\Delta u^{\prime }{v}^{\prime }=0.0067$ in RGBW mode across the tested temperature range. The addition of the white channel improves the color rendering index (CRI) by up to 58.9 points (from 19.7 to 78.6) while preserving color quality. Compared to previous works limited to RGB systems, our approach provides the first practical RGBW compensation algorithm experimentally validated under realistic automotive conditions. Full article

Background: Self-directed lifestyle modifications are essential for managing symptoms in individuals diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This study incorporated longitudinal multi-omics profiling to estimate the mechanisms underlying responses to a nurse-led person-centered self-management intervention in young adults with IBS. Methods: This pre-post study was nested within a 12-week parent randomized controlled trial (NCT03332537). Biospecimens (stool and blood) and clinical outcomes were collected at baseline and post-intervention. Symptoms were assessed using the Brief Pain Inventory and PROMIS^® short forms. Host transcriptomic profiling was performed using RNA sequencing, and gut microbial composition was analyzed via 16S rRNA sequencing. Host transcriptomic co-expression and microbial co-abundance modules were identified via weighted gene co-expression network analysis. Associations between multi-omics modules and symptoms were evaluated using linear mixed-effect models. Results: Among the 20 participants, most were non-Hispanic (75%), White (75%), and female (65%). The intervention significantly reduced self-reported pain severity (p = 0.019) and pain interference (p = 0.013). Decreased associations were observed between pain phenotypes and a microbial module enriched in core metabolic pathways (interference: β = −4.7, p < 0.001; severity: β = −2.4, p = 0.02). Anxiety strengthened associations with host transcriptomic cellular energy metabolism pathways post-intervention (p < 0.05). The intervention attenuated associations between fatigue, sleep disturbance, and immune–inflammatory transcriptomic and microbial adaptation modules (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Findings suggest that the IBS self-management intervention induces symptom-specific biological responses, implicating distinct host–microbe pathways. Larger longitudinal studies are warranted to validate these omics-based symptom signatures. Full article

This study evaluates the impact of two non-Saccharomyces yeasts, Lachancea thermotolerans and Metschnikowia pulcherrima, on the oenological and sensory characteristics of Pedro Ximénez (PX) white wines produced in warm regions of southern Spain. PX wines are particularly affected by climate change, often exhibiting low acidity and limited aromatic complexity. Fermentations were performed using pure and sequential cultures of these yeasts and compared to a control inoculated with Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Wines fermented with L. thermotolerans showed increased titratable acidity (up to 6.83 g/L), reduced pH (down to 3.02), and higher lactic acid concentrations, contributing to improved freshness and microbial stability. The use of M. pulcherrima led to a significant rise in ester production, enhancing fruity and floral aromatic notes. Sequential fermentation using both yeasts produced wines with the highest overall aromatic complexity and superior performance in sensory evaluations. These findings support the use of L. thermotolerans and M. pulcherrima as a promising biotechnological strategy to improve white wine quality under climate change conditions. Full article

Light exposure during incubation can influence hatching characteristics, post-hatch growth, and physiological responses in poultry. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of pre-development exposure to different cold-colored light emitting diode (LED) lights on incubation characteristics, growth performance, stress physiology, and myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs) expression level in the slow-growing native Gerze chicken breed. Fertilized eggs were incubated under red, green, white, or dark conditions. The shortest hatch window was observed under red light (42 h), while the dark condition resulted in the longest (84 h) (p < 0.05). White light exposure reduced hatchability compared to the other groups (p < 0.05), whereas green and red lights enhanced both chick weight at hatch and egg-to-chick conversion efficiency (p < 0.001). Chicks incubated under green light exhibited superior body weight during the first four weeks (p < 0.05), but those from the red light group maintained consistently higher weights thereafter (p < 0.05). The highest serotonin levels were detected in chicks from the dark group, while the lowest were associated with green light exposure. Red light exposure was associated with the lowest corticosterone concentrations (p < 0.05). Gene expression analysis revealed no significant differences in MRFs across groups. In conclusion, the spectral level of light during incubation exerts measurable effects on hatch dynamics, post-hatch growth, and hormonal regulation in Gerze chicken. Full article

The toxicity of glucosinolate, isothiocyanate and sinapin limits canola meal’s use as non-ruminant animal feed. While monoculture microbial biorefining has been explored, the potential and capability of insect-associated microbiomes in this context remain underexplored. Herein, we extracted the gut and frass extracts from canola feeding larvae of Heliothis moth (HP), cabbage white (WCF) and cabbage looper (CL). Canola meal was fermented for one week with these extracts, followed by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-assisted metabolomics analysis. Elevated branched-SCFAs 2-hydroxy butyrate and 3-hydroxy butyrate and propionate were observed in HP and WCF ferments, respectively. Aliphatic glucosinolates and sinapins showed ≥2-fold depletion in the HP and WCF frass ferments. In gut extract and frass-fermented canola meal, particularly of the HP group, tryptophan, tyrosine, and cysteine and glutathione metabolism were the most impactful pathways, aiding biogenic amine and branched-SCFA synthesis. S-adenosyl methionine (SAM) led salvaging, playing a key role in amino acid recycling via mercapturate metabolism, oxidative stress handling via the methionine and cysteine metabolism pathway, and sinapin metabolism through syringate degradation. These findings highlight the metabolic mechanism of brassica herbivore insect gut microbiome in detoxifying and adding value to canola meal. Such microbial communities have the potential to upcycle canola meal into a nutrient-rich feed additive with gut-health-promoting properties. Full article

Aseptic abscess syndrome is a clinical entity that is being increasingly documented. Unfortunately, apart from the French registry, there are no other studies presenting collective data. In this review, we sought to analyze clinical and laboratory data from case reports published from the rest of the world. A total of 107 articles were found through our literature search in PubMed, Scopus, and Google, which contained 108 patients who met our eligibility criteria, including pediatric cases. The mean age at diagnosis was 39.1 years, and 54.6% of the patients were female. Cases were found affecting almost every organ, but the most common abscess locations were the spleen (51.9%), liver (35.2%), and lung (23.1%); 34.3% of the patients had multiorgan disease at diagnosis. An inflammatory syndrome was evident, with fever (79.6%), pain (66.7%), median white blood cell count of 16,200/μL, median C-reactive protein level of 15.5 mg/dL, and mean erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 79 mm/h. In total, 88.9% had an associated disease, with the most frequent being neutrophilic dermatosis (43.5%) and inflammatory bowel disease (31.5%); associated disease was inactive during abscess diagnosis in approximately one-quarter of patients. Moreover, 93.5% received corticosteroids with or without other agents, while 21.3% underwent excision surgery, which led to relapse if immunosuppressants were not concomitantly administered. No deaths were reported due to the syndrome, but 42.4% of cases that provided relevant data relapsed despite the relatively short follow-up period (median 1 year), either in the same or different organs. Combined immunomodulatory treatment, based on subgroup analysis, appeared protective against relapse in females and patients with splenic abscess or C-reactive protein >12 mg/dL (odds ratio 0.16 [95% CI 0.04–0.59]/p = 0.004, 0.09 [95% CI 0.01–0.62]/p = 0.008 and 0.23 [95% CI 0.06–0.92]/p = 0.03, respectively). Infection should always be the working diagnosis in patients with abscesses. However, if the infectious workup is negative, antimicrobials have failed, and no sepsis is present, then aseptic abscess syndrome should be considered; response to high-dose corticosteroids is a therapeutic criterion in almost all cases. Full article

Pitaya (Selenicereus undatus) is a long-day climbing cactus that blooms in waves mostly on 1-year old, succulent leafless shoots called cladodes. Nonetheless, pitaya can also bloom on new-year growth if the buds of the cladodes are mature enough and competent for flower induction. Here, we tested, during two consecutive years, whether early pruning could have a positive effect on promoting more flowering waves, better fruiting, and heavier yield of ‘Korean White’ pitaya cultivated in unheated greenhouses of Southeastern Spain. The results show that pruning in January instead of March did not consistently modify the reproductive behavior of ‘Korean White’ pitaya in our conditions. Therefore, no significant effects on the number of blooming waves, flowering intensity, fruit set, quality or yield were observed. The only positive effect, not always significant, was an increase in fruit size that led to better fruit distribution into commercial categories in one out of the two experimental seasons. The lack of effect of early pruning was attributed to the prevalent low temperatures during winter in Spain. The results, however, suggest it is worthwhile exploring whether greenhouse heating with temperatures above pitaya’s base temperature may have the desired effects on increasing blooming waves. The profitability of this practice have to be carefully assessed. Full article

The genus Curcuma (Zingiberaceae) is a diverse group of plants widely distributed across tropical Asia, with several new species recently described in Thailand. This study documents and clarifies the taxonomic status of a new species, Curcuma nivea Saensouk, P.Saensouk & Boonma sp. nov., discovered in eastern Thailand, and evaluates its horticultural potential. Morphological comparisons were conducted with closely related species in the Curcuma subgenus Hitcheniopsis (Baker) K. Schum., focusing on diagnostic vegetative and floral traits. Curcuma nivea is characterized by its compact habit and white flowers marked with two reddish lines at the base of the labellum, lacking the yellow blotch typical of related species. Additionally, it shows the absence of both epigynous glands and anther spurs, consistent with subgeneric features. Its distinctive morphology and attractive floral display have led to its cultivation as an ornamental pot plant. The discovery of C. nivea contributes to the growing documentation of Curcuma diversity in Thailand and underscores the significance of ongoing botanical exploration and conservation. Furthermore, its compact form and unique floral traits highlight its promise for use in ornamental horticulture and breeding programs. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of a composite coating composed of 150 mg/L ε-Poly-L-lysine (ε-PL) and 5 g/L chitosan (CTS) in extending the shelf life and maintaining the postharvest quality of fresh Tremella fuciformis. Freshly harvested T. fuciformis were treated by surface spraying, with distilled water serving as the control. The effects of the coating on storage quality, physicochemical properties, reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism, and membrane lipid metabolism were evaluated during storage at (25 ± 1) °C. The results showed that the ε-PL/CTS composite coating significantly retarded quality deterioration, as evidenced by reduced weight loss, maintained whiteness and color, and higher retention of soluble sugars, soluble solids, and soluble proteins. The coating also effectively limited water migration and loss. Mechanistically, the coated T. fuciformis exhibited enhanced antioxidant capacity, characterized by increased superoxide anion (O₂⁻) resistance capacity, higher activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, APX), and elevated levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants (AsA, GSH). This led to a significant reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation, alongside improved DPPH radical scavenging activity and reducing power. Furthermore, the ε-PL/CTS coating preserved cell membrane integrity by inhibiting the activities of lipid-degrading enzymes (lipase, LOX, PLD), maintaining higher levels of key phospholipids (phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylcholine), delaying phosphatidic acid accumulation, and consequently reducing cell membrane permeability. In conclusion, the ε-PL/CTS composite coating effectively extends the shelf life and maintains the quality of postharvest T. fuciformis by modulating ROS metabolism and preserving membrane lipid homeostasis. This study provides a theoretical basis and a practical approach for the quality control of fresh T. fuciformis. Full article

Using light-emitting diodes (LEDs), we examined how different light wavelengths influence the hypersensitive response (HR) in tobacco plants infected with Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pst). Pst-infiltrated plants exhibited greater resistance to Pst infection under green and blue light compared to white and red light, as indicated by reduced HR-associated programmed cell death, lower H₂O₂ production, and up to 64% reduction in membrane damage. During the late stage of HR, catalase and ascorbate peroxidase activities peaked under green and blue LEDs, with 5- and 10-fold increases, respectively, while superoxide dismutase activity was higher under white and red LEDs. Defense-related genes CHS1, PALa, PR1, and PR2 were more strongly induced by white and red light. The plants treated with green or blue LEDs during Pst infection prompted faster degradation of phototoxic Mg-porphyrins and exhibited smaller declines in F_v/F_m, electron transport rate, chlorophyll content, and LHCB expression compared to those treated with white or red LEDs. By contrast, the induction of the chlorophyll catabolic gene SGR was 54% and 77% lower in green and blue LEDs, respectively, compared to white LEDs. This study demonstrates that light quality differentially affects Pst-mediated HR, with green and blue light more effectively suppressing HR progression, mainly by reducing oxidative stress through enhanced antioxidative capacity and mitigation of photosynthetic impairments. Full article

Cyanobacteria are a prolific source of bioactive metabolites with expanding applications in sustainable agriculture and biotechnology. This work explores, for the first time in thermotolerant Colombian isolates, the impact of light spectrum, photoperiod, and irradiance on the co-production of exopolysaccharides (EPS) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Six strains from hot-spring environments were screened under varying blue:red (B:R) LED ratios and full-spectrum illumination. Hapalosiphon sp. UFPS_002 outperformed all others, reaching ~290 mg L⁻¹ EPS and 28 µg mL⁻¹ IAA in the initial screen. Response-surface methodology was then used to optimize light intensity and photoperiod. EPS peaked at 281.4 mg L⁻¹ under a B:R ratio of 1:5 LED, 85 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹, and a 14.5 h light cycle, whereas IAA was maximized at 34.4 µg mL⁻¹ under cool-white LEDs at a similar irradiance. The quadratic models exhibited excellent predictive power (R² > 0.98) and a non-significant lack of fit, confirming the light regime as the dominant driver of metabolite yield. These results demonstrate that precise photonic tuning can selectively steer carbon flux toward either EPS or IAA, providing an energy-efficient strategy to upscale thermotolerant cyanobacteria for climate-resilient biofertilizers, bioplastics precursors, and other high-value bioproducts. Full article