Search Results (486)

The assessment of donor corneas is currently based solely on central endothelial cell (EC) density, which potentially overlooks the transition zone (TZ) regenerative potential. Therefore, the present study characterizes TZ using multimodal imaging techniques to understand its regenerative potential and refine the assessment of donor tissue. Ex vivo donor corneas (n = 41) were examined using phase-contrast microscopy for EC counting and reflectance confocal microscopy (HRTII/RCM) for non-invasive visualization of the TZ. A subset of eight of these corneas underwent ultrastructural analysis using field-emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and immunostaining analysis using confocal microscopy. We observed a significant decrease in central EC density (p < 0.001) with increasing storage duration and donor age, while TZ width and TZ surface cell count remained stable. HRTII/RCM and SEM revealed distinct morphological differences (small, polygonal cells, irregular arrangement) in the TZ compared to the peripheral endothelium (PE). Immunostaining revealed elevated expression of progenitor markers (Nestin, ABCG2, SOX2, Lgr5, Vimentin) and reduced expression of endothelial markers (ZO1 and Na/K-ATPase) in the TZ compared to the PE, indicating the presence of a stem cell-like population. These findings suggest that TZ may contribute to endothelial cell regeneration, and HRTII/RCM could serve as a novel tool for TZ evaluation in low EC count donor corneas. Full article

Background/Objectives: The global syndemic of obesity, undernutrition, and climate change highlight the complex health and environmental challenges faced by young adults. These challenges may intensify during the transition to university. As a matter of fact, limited budgets, time constraints, and insufficient culinary skills often lead to unbalanced diets and increased risk of obesity. University cafeterias, serving large numbers of students, represent an ideal setting to promote healthier and more sustainable eating behaviors. The FOOD-HACK Project aimed to design and implement a cafeteria-based intervention using nudging strategies to promote healthier and more sustainable lunch choices among university students. Methods: This pilot study employed a pre–post design with two independent phases in the Polo Cravino cafeteria at the University of Pavia. Food consumption was assessed over 12 non-consecutive days across four weeks. During the intervention, three nudging strategies were implemented: (1) choice architecture, (2) salient labeling, highlighting healthy and sustainable options, and (3) educational prompts. Results: Across both phases, 2400 tray photographs were collected. Post-intervention, the proportion of trays aligned with the Harvard Healthy Eating Plate and EAT-Lancet Planetary Diet models increased, reflecting higher consumption of vegetables and fruit. Legume-based first courses increased; however, legumes did not substantially replace animal proteins as the main protein source, and meat remained predominant in second courses. Reductions in trays containing multiple carbohydrate sources were also observed. Conclusions: The nudging intervention improved overall meal quality, demonstrating that subtle environmental modifications can guide students toward healthier dietary choices, particularly by increasing fruit and vegetable intake. However, the persistent preference for animal proteins highlights the challenge of shifting protein consumption toward more sustainable sources. These findings suggest that nudging can be an effective tool to promote healthier and more balanced eating behaviors in university settings, though complementary strategies may be needed to foster substantial changes in protein choices. Full article

Rapid industrialization in peri-urban centers has accelerated the accumulation of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in agricultural soils, with implications for food safety and public health concerns. This study quantified PTEs (Cu, Cd, Cr, Pb, and Zn) in soils and yam (Colocasia esculenta) tubers from Kampala’s Luzira Industrial Area. Soil contamination levels were evaluated using the geoaccumulation index (I_geo), contamination factor (CF), and pollution load index (PLI), while soil-to-crop transfer of the PTEs was assessed using the biological accumulation factor (BAF). Statistical analyses (One Way Analysis of Variance, Pearson bivariate correlation, and Principal Component Analysis) were applied to identify relationships among PTEs and sampling sites. Soils exhibited marked industrial influence, with PTE concentrations in the order Zn > Pb > Cu > Cr > Cd. The PLI values above unity confirmed cumulative pollution, with hotspots dominated by Zn, Pb, and Cu. Yam tubers contained lower PTE concentrations but reflected a similar contamination pattern as in the soils. The BAF values were <1 for all the PTEs except Zn, pointing to its greater solubility and mobility in the area’s acidic soils. Health risk assessment indicated that yam consumption was the dominant exposure pathway, with hazard indices (HI) for children exceeding the safe threshold at all industrial sites (HI = 1.14–2.06), and total cancer risks (TCR) ranging from 1.27 × 10⁻⁴ to 5.83 × 10⁻⁴, well above the US EPA limit. For adults, the TCR also surpassed 1 × 10⁻⁴ at sampling points SP3 and SP4. These results found potential transfer of the PTEs from soils into yam tubers, with Cd and Cr being the key drivers of dietary risk. Full article

The poultry industry is continually seeking efficient, practical strategies to control infectious diseases. Among these new alternatives are essential oils (EOs), naturally occurring compounds with antimicrobial properties. Their effectiveness has been demonstrated in various studies that focus on their broad antiviral properties. The present experiment evaluated the antiviral efficacy of an EOs formulation against the H7N3 subtype of avian influenza virus (AIV) by directly mixing virus and EOs (virus/EOs mixture) through an in vitro model in cultured Madin-Darby canine kidney cells (MDCKs). The experiment used a focus reduction neutralization test (FRNT) to determine the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) by virus/EOs mixture, as well as the application of EOs 24 h before infection, through a viral inhibition test using a chicken embryo (CE) in ovo model. The results demonstrated the antiviral activity of the EOs formulation against the H7N3 in vitro model (IC₅₀ values of 20.4 and 38.3 ppm and selective index (SI) values of 9.4 and 5.1) and in ovo model (decreasing hemagglutination titers to 1 HA unit, 10^5.28 embryo infectious dose 50% (EID₅₀) per mL, and viral loads to approximately 10^11.4 copies/mL) when applied in CE, 24 h before viral infection, representing the lowest replication indicators recorded during the experiment. According to the results, the EOs formulation demonstrated antiviral activity against AIV H7N3 both as a virus/EOs mixture and through application in ovo 24 h before infection. Application 24 h before infection in CE showed a significant effect compared with the virus/EOs mixture, demonstrating an antiviral effect in the ovo infection model. This study demonstrates both the virucidal and antiviral capacity of the compounds in the EOs formulation against AIV H7N3 and their efficacy when applied 24 h before infection in the in ovo model. Full article

Engaging in unethical behaviours, such as cheating, lying, stealing and fraud, holds significant consequences for individuals and the broader community. Drawing on self-determination theory, we posit that in a consumer-centric society, where one’s worth is often linked to wealth, celebrity status, and appearance, individuals who adopt extrinsic values might be motivated to engage in unethical behaviour in pursuit of financial gains. Study 1 surveyed university students in Macao, China (n = 566), and crowdsourcing workers from the UK (n = 605), demonstrating that extrinsic values were linked to unethical decision-making in vignette-based scenarios. This association was held in both societies, suggesting a culture-independent connection between unethicality and values. To establish causal relationships, we conducted experiments manipulating extrinsic cues participants received in Macanese (Study 2, n = 170) and British (Study 3, n = 197) participants. Results revealed a significant impact of these cues on behavioural measures of unethicality, with those in the extrinsic-cues condition more likely to lie for financial gains compared to those in the control groups. Together, these findings highlight the influence of extrinsic values on unethical behaviour across cultural contexts. This research underscores the urgent need to address societal norms and consumerist cues that focus on extrinsic values, which may erode ethical standards and threaten collective well-being. Full article

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), comprising Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), arises from complex genetic and environmental interactions. Here, we integrate genome-wide association study (GWAS) meta-analyses with tissue-specific expression data from GTEx to map the polygenic architecture of IBD and its systemic implications. We identified 69 genome-wide significant single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across 26 genes shared by CD and UC, revealing an almost equal partition of subtype-specific (50.7%) and shared (49.3%) risk variants. IL23R exhibited the highest allelic heterogeneity—three UC-specific, one CD-specific, and three shared SNPs—while ATG16L1′s four CD-specific variants underscored autophagy’s pivotal role in CD. Chromosomal mapping revealed distinct regulatory hotspots: UC-only loci on chromosomes 1 and 6, CD-only loci on chromosomes 10 and 16, and shared loci on chromosomes 7 and 19. Pathway enrichment emphasized IL-23/IL-17, Th17 differentiation, NF-κB, and JAK–STAT signaling as central to IBD pathogenesis. GTEx analyses showed uniformly high expression of IBD genes in gastrointestinal tissues, but pronounced heterogeneity across brain regions, including the cerebellum, frontal cortex, and hippocampus. This neuro-expression, together with enrichment of neurotrophin and neurodegeneration pathways and a nearly two-fold gene overlap with autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, and depression (FDR < 0.05), provides integrative evidence for gut–brain axis involvement in IBD. These findings consolidate prior work while extending perspectives on systemic disease implications. This study consolidates and systematizes dispersed genetic and transcriptomic findings into a unified reference framework. Our results highlight recurrent immune-regulatory and neuro-inflammatory pathways shared between gut and brain, offering a resource to guide future mechanistic, clinical, and translational investigations in IBD and related disorders. Full article

Asynchronous flowering between male and female date palms (Phoenix dactylifera L.) makes pollen storage a practical necessity for growers, especially for cultivars like ‘Mejhoul’, which require artificial pollination. This study examined the stainability of pollen as an indicator of cytoplasmic integrity, from four male date plant pollen donor genotypes (‘Mejhoul’, ‘Deglet Nour’, ‘Khadrawy’, and ‘Zahidi’) stored at 4 °C for different durations (fresh, one-year, and two-year storage) and their effects on fruit set and physical fruit characteristics of the Mejhoul cultivar in Mexico. Pollen stainability was assessed in vitro using 1% acetocarmine. Fruit and seed set percentages were evaluated as indicators of the practical effectiveness of stored pollen under field conditions, but not as direct measures of viability. Results showed that fresh pollen exhibited the highest stainability (91.2–95.6%), followed by one-year-stored pollen (59.4–68.3%), and two-year-stored pollen (38.8–45.4%). Fruit set percentages were highest with fresh pollen (63.8–81.7%), decreasing with storage duration. ‘Deglet Nour’ pollen consistently showed superior compatibility with ‘Mejhoul’ females. Physical fruit characteristics (weight, length, diameter) and seed traits were minimally affected by reduced pollen stainability, indicating that there were enough viable grains for effective pollination. The study also observed Metaxenia and Xenia effects, where pollen genotypes influenced fruit and seed size. Overall, these findings suggest that pollen stored at 4 °C for short and medium terms can be used in Mejhoul production, but longer storage significantly reduces efficacy, recommending sub-zero temperatures for extended preservation. Full article

The aim was to evaluate if purple yam starch esterification with octenyl succinic anhydride (PYS-OSA) enhances the properties of purple yam starch (PYS)-based films in a blend with tara gum (TG). PYS was isolated from purple yam tubers (PYTs) with distilled water; then, starch was dual-modified by ultrasound (as a pretreatment) and esterification (PYS-OSA). The films PYS:TG and PYS-OSA:TG were characterized through physicochemical and mechanical characterization. The thermal properties (T_o, T_c, T_p, and ΔH) of PYS-OSA decreased in the range of 3.4–7.6% compared to PYS. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed esterification, revealing two new absorption bands at 1563.0 and 1726.5 cm⁻¹, and the degree of substitution (DS) was 0.023. The moisture content and solubility in water were 50.7 and 40.5% greater, respectively, for PYS-OSA:TG films compared to PYS:TG ones, but both films exhibited similar optical properties. The tensile strengths of PYS-OSA:TG films were higher than those of PYS:TG ones; however, the elongation at break was lower. PYS:TG and PYS-OSA:TG films were disintegrated by more than 70% after 13 days of being buried in soil. This work contributes to a better understanding of the starch isolated from purple yam tuber, with potential relevance for sustainable packaging applications. Full article

Dioscorea polystachya (Chinese yam) is a crop valued for both medicinal and edible purposes, and exhibits rich genetic diversity. However, research into its germplasm resources remains understudied, and molecular breeding efforts lag behind. To bridge this gap, this study employed an integrated approach, combining the analysis of 23 phenotypic traits (17 qualitative and 6 quantitative) with genotyping using 19 polymorphic SSR markers. This combined strategy was applied to 53 accessions collected across 16 Chinese provinces to assess genetic diversity, population structure, and marker–trait associations. Phenotypic analysis revealed high diversity, with the Shannon diversity index (I) ranging from 0.09 to 1.15 for qualitative traits and from 1.45 to 1.79 for quantitative traits. Tuber traits exhibited the highest variability (with a CV up to 71.45%), indicating significant potential for yield improvement. Principal component analysis distilled phenotypic variation into eight principal components (accounting for 73.13% of the cumulative variance), and elite germplasm (e.g., DP24, DP52) was selected for breeding based on this analysis. Stepwise regression prioritized eight core evaluation traits (e.g., flowering rate, tuber length). SSR markers amplified 80 alleles (mean 4.211/locus), showing moderate genetic diversity (He = 0.529, PIC = 0.585). Population structure analysis divided accessions into two subpopulations, correlated with geographic origins: Group 1 (northern/southwestern China) and Group 2 (central/eastern China), reflecting adaptation to local climates and human selection. Association analysis identified 10 SSR loci significantly linked (p < 0.01) to key traits, including YM07_2 (flowering, R² = 13.94%), YM37_2 (leaf margin color, R² = 19.03%), and YM19_3 (leaf width, R² = 19.34%). This study establishes a comprehensive genetic framework for Chinese yam, offering molecular tools for marker-assisted breeding and strategies to conserve high-diversity germplasm, thereby enhancing the utilization of this orphan crop. Full article

Expanded polystyrene (EPS) waste was chemically modified by sulfonation to obtain sulfonated EPS (sEPS), which was subsequently blended with virgin polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) at concentrations ranging from 10 to 50% to elaborate hollow fiber membranes for dye removal. The membranes were elaborated by non-solvent-induced phase separation and characterized by scanning electron microscopy, mechanical properties, antifouling, water flux measurements, and dye rejection performance. Scanning electron microscopy images of PPSU/sEPS blends showed well-defined membrane cross-sections with no polymer segregation up to 30% recycled EPS content, indicating improved compatibility due to EPS sulfonation. The HFMs present mean pore radii ranging from 4.2 ± 0.5 to 11.1 ± 1.0 nm with porosity up to 80%. Water flux improved significantly from 3.1 to 21.2 L m⁻² h⁻¹ at 2 bar as sEPS content increased. Dye rejection performance was promising, with Reactive Black 5 rejection ranging from 77% to 99%. The 80/20s PPSU/sEPS membrane showed the highest Reactive Black 5 rejection at 98.3% and revealed a 70.3% rejection in a 24 h dye mixture test. Furthermore, the 70/30s displayed superior anti-fouling properties, achieving a 99.3% flux recovery ratio in a xanthan gum solution at 2 bar. This study demonstrates a novel approach to transform EPS waste into high-performance hollow fiber membrane with competitive antifouling and dye separation properties. Full article

Background: Hypertension is a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Taxifolin has shown cardiovascular benefits, but its antihypertensive mechanisms remain poorly defined. This study aimed to comprehensively elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying Taxifolin’s blood pressure-lowering effects by integrating network pharmacology, molecular docking, ex vivo functional studies, and in vivo validation. Methods: Network pharmacology and molecular docking prioritized targets. Ex vivo thoracic aortas were obtained from healthy male Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats, and rings (3–4 mm) were prepared for vasorelaxation studies. Pathway-specific inhibitors, Western blotting, and ELISA were used to investigate mechanisms. In vivo, spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) received oral Taxifolin 15, 30, or 60 mg/kg once daily for 28 days; propranolol (80 mg/kg) served as the positive control. Results: Taxifolin produced robust vasorelaxation in endothelium-intact rings (Rmax ≈ 121%), falling to ~72% after denudation. Relaxation was attenuated by LY294002, ODQ, indomethacin, and glibenclamide. In SHR aorta, Taxifolin increased NO by ~132% and cGMP by ~1.9-fold and upregulated p-Akt and eNOS; LY294002 abolished these effects. In vivo, Taxifolin reduced systolic blood pressure by ≈60 mmHg without adverse changes in hematology, biochemistry, or body weight. Conclusions: Taxifolin lowers blood pressure through multiple vascular mechanisms consistent with PI3K/Akt/eNOS, NO–sGC–cGMP, COX-2/PGI₂ and calcium-handling pathways, supporting its potential as a safe antihypertensive candidate. Full article

Background/Objectives: Dioscoreae Rhizoma, commonly known as yam, has long been used in East Asia as a medicinal food for gastrointestinal (GI) health. This systematic review aimed to assess the GI-related benefits of Dioscoreae Rhizoma by synthesizing findings from both human clinical trials and in vivo experimental studies. Methods: A structured search of eight major databases—including PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science—was conducted through April 2025. This systematic review includes both human and in vivo animal studies that investigated the effects of Dioscoreae Rhizoma on gastrointestinal function. Studies such as in vitro experiments, non-original articles and studies involving multi-herbal formulations were excluded. Risk of bias was assessed with three different tools including the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 (RoB 2) tool. Results: Twenty-seven studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising two human trials and twenty-five animal experiments. Clinical trials reported improvements in gut-microbiota balance, glycemic control, and postsurgical recovery, including enhanced wound healing and reduced infection rates. In animal models, yam-derived interventions attenuated inflammatory responses, enhanced antioxidant defenses, preserved mucosal-barrier integrity, and favorably modified gut-microbiota composition. Discussion and Conclusions: Accumulating evidence supports the GI-beneficial effects of Dioscoreae Rhizoma, mediated through diverse biological pathways, including immunomodulation, antioxidation, and microbiota regulation. This study has limitations on lack of high-quality human studies, small sample size and heterogeneity among studies regarding different plant parts used, extraction processes, and dosage. Further rigorously designed studies are warranted to clarify the mechanisms, standardize intervention protocols, and validate clinical efficacy. Full article

Urban areas face a significant challenge with water pipeline leaks, resulting in resource wastage and economic consequences. The application of noise logger sensors, integrated with ensemble machine learning, emerges as a promising real-time monitoring solution, enhancing efficiency in Water Distribution Networks (WDNs) and mitigating environmental impacts. The paper investigates the integrated use of Noise Loggers with machine learning models, including Support Vector Machines (SVMs), Random Forest (RF), Naïve Bayes (NB), K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), Decision Tree (DT), Logistic Regression (LogR), Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP), and YamNet, along with ensemble models, for effective leak detection. The study utilizes a dataset comprising 2110 sound signals collected from various locations in Hong Kong through wireless acoustic Noise Loggers. RF model stands out with 93.68% accuracy, followed closely by KNN at 93.40%, and MLP with 92.15%, demonstrating machine learning’s potential in scrutinizing acoustic signals. The ensemble model, combining these diverse models, achieves an impressive 94.40% accuracy, surpassing individual models and YamNet. The comparison of various machine learning models provides researchers with valuable insights into the use of machine learning for leak detection applications. Additionally, this paper introduces a novel method to develop a robust ensemble leak detection model by selecting the most performing machine learning models. Full article

In this study, the effects of non-thermal pretreatment such as corona discharge plasma (CDP-21 kV), dielectric barrier discharge plasma (DBDP-32 kV), and ultrasonic waves of different powers (US-180 W, 210 W, 240 W) on hot-air drying of ferruginous yam were compared. The regulatory effects of ultrasonic and cold plasma pretreatment on the drying characteristics and quality of yam were systematically evaluated by determining the drying kinetic parameters, physicochemical indexes, volatile components, and energy consumption. The results showed that ultrasonic pretreatment significantly improved the drying performance of yam compared with different cold plasma treatments, with the highest drying rate and effective moisture diffusion coefficient in the US-180 W group. In terms of quality, this treatment group exhibited better color retention, higher total phenol content (366 mg/100 g) and antioxidant activity, and optimal rehydration performance. Low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses showed a more homogeneous water distribution, and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) identified 55 volatile components. This study confirms that the US-180 W ultrasonic pretreatment technology can effectively improve the drying efficiency and product quality of yam and at the same time reduce the energy consumption. The results of this study provide a practical solution for the optimization of a process that can be replicated in the food drying industry. Full article

Crops of cocoa, avocado, cassava, yam, and maize are of utmost importance to the economy of the Colombian Caribbean, as they serve as the primary source of income for many families. However, establishing these crops requires the replacement of natural ecosystems, with limited understanding of how these areas contribute to biodiversity conservation. This study analyzed the diversity of dung beetles in both transitory and permanent crops within a landscape in San Jacinto, Bolívar, to assess their contribution to the conservation of diversity within this insect group. Dung beetle communities were sampled in permanent crops of avocado and cocoa, transitory crops (cassava, yam, and maize), and a forest fragment. The forest fragment exhibited high levels of species richness, abundance, and diversity regardless of the sampling period; these values were only matched by those of the permanent cocoa crop, and only during the rainy season. Our findings highlight the necessity of preserving forest fragments for biodiversity conservation, while also indicating that certain permanent crops may contribute to this effort. Full article