Exploring Aesthetic Perception in Impaired Aging: A Multimodal Brain-Computer Interface Study.

In the field of neuroscience, brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) are used to connect the human brain with external devices, providing insights into the neural mechanisms underlying cognitive processes, including aesthetic perception. Non-invasive BCIs, such as EEG and fNIRS, are critical for studying central nervous system activity and understanding how individuals with cognitive deficits process and respond to aesthetic stimuli. This study assessed twenty participants who were divided into control and impaired aging (AI) groups based on MMSE scores.

Praziquantel Fifty Years on: A Comprehensive Overview of Its Solid State.

This review discusses the entire progress made on the anthelmintic drug praziquantel, focusing on the solid state and, therefore, on anhydrous crystalline polymorphs, amorphous forms, and multicomponent systems (i.e., hydrates, solvates, and cocrystals).

Synthesis and controlled drug delivery studies of a novel Ubiquinol-Polyethylene glycol-Vitamin E adduct.

CoQ10 and Vitamin E are used in medicinal applications, but they are both lipophilic molecules and the poor solubility in aqueous media results in an inefficient administration, poor bioavailability and potential toxicity. A mixed conjugate Ubiquinol-Polyethylene glycol-Vitamin E was synthesized and characterized to improve the bioavailability of CoQ10 and Vitamin E. The synthesized mixed PEG conjugate was characterized by H NMR spectroscopy and MALDI spectrometry.

Characterization of Arabica and Robusta volatile coffees composition by reverse carrier gas headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry based on a statistical approach.

Nineteen samples of Arabica and 14 of Robusta coming from various plantation were analysed by dynamic headspace capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to characterize the volatile fraction of green and roasted samples and the relationships of the same species with geographical origin. As concerns green beans, Arabica species appear characterized by high content of -hexanol, furfural and amylformate, while Robusta species by greater content of ethylpyrazine, dimethylsulfone and 2-heptanone. Four variables, 4-methyl-2,3-dihydrofuran, -hexanol, limonene and nonanal, appear involved in the characterization of the geographical origin of the analysed samples.

Polysaccharides from Pleurotus eryngii var. elaeoselini (Agaricomycetes), a New Potential Culinary-Medicinal Oyster Mushroom from Italy.

Three water-soluble glucans (PELPS-A1, PELPS-A2, and PELPS-A3) purified from the hot water extract of the basidiomata of an edible mushroom Pleurotus eryngii var. elaeoselini by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose 32 and Sephadex G-100 column were found to consist of only D-glucose as monosaccharide constituent. Structural investigation was carried out by acid hydrolysis, periodate oxidation, and NMR experiments (1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, DQF-COSY, TOCSY, ROESY, HMQC, and HMBC).

Improvement of Chemical and Physical Properties and Antioxidant Evaluation of Eugenol - PEG adduct.

Eugenol (EU) - PEG adduct was synthesized to improve the chemical and physical properties of eugenol. The phenolic group was covalently bound to the carboxyl group of PEG and the release kinetics were studied in vitro in buffer solution at pH 7.4, in simulated gastric fluid and in mouse plasma.

Lipid Metabolites from the Mushroom Meripilus giganteus.

The phytochemical investigation of the methanolic extract of the white rot fungus Meripilus giganteus resulted in the isolation and identification of complex mixtures of free fatty acids (1), monoacylglycerols (2), cerebrosides (3), ergosterol (4) and ergosterol peroxide (5). The structures of the isolated lipid metabolites (1-5) were determined by chemical and spectroscopic methods. The antioxidant activity of the whole MeOH extract of the fungus was evaluated through in vitro model systems, such as 2,2-diphenyl-l-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and superoxide anion.

Antioxidant Properties of Oak Bracket Mushroom, Pseudoinonotus dryadeus (Higher Basidiomycetes): A Mycochemical Study.

A complex mixture of free fatty acids (1), cerevisterol (2), a sphingosine (3), and a complex mixture of diacylglycerophospholipids (4) were isolated from the fruiting body of the basidiomycete mushroom Pseudoinonotus dryadeus and subjected to spectroscopic analyses. The antioxidant activities of the whole extract of the fungus, of the isolated fractions, and of compounds 1-4 were evaluated in two in vitro model systems: 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) and superoxide anion. In each systems, the extract of fungus and compound 2 showed the same free radical scavenging activity (with SC50 data of 18.

Relationships between volatile compounds and sensory characteristics in virgin olive oil by analytical and chemometric approaches.

Background: The volatile fraction of virgin olive oil is characterised by low molecular weight compounds that vaporise at room temperature. In order to obtain an aroma profile similar to natural olfactory perception, the composition of the volatile compounds was determined by applying dynamic headspace gas chromatography, performed at room temperature, with a cryogenic trap directly connected to a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer system. Samples were also evaluated according to European Union and International Olive Council official methods for sensory evaluation.

PEG-Ursolic Acid Conjugate: Synthesis and In Vitro Release Studies.

A highly water-soluble macromolecular compound of ursolic acid with monomethoxypoly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG) was prepared. The physicochemical properties and stabilities under different conditions were investigated. By PEG conjugation, greatly increased water solubility was obtained, and the results showed that this conjugate was a potential prodrug for the oral delivery of ursolic acid.

Composition of commercial truffle flavored oils with GC-MS analysis and discrimination with an electronic nose.

Truffles are among the most expensive foods and their quality depends on their unique aroma, composed of complex mixtures of lipophilic volatile organic compounds (VOCs). There are many foods flavored with truffle, and oils are particularly common. Using DHS-GC-MS and an electronic nose (MOS), 18 samples of olive oil flavored with white and black truffles from the Italian market were subjected to a blind analysis.

Bioactive lipids metabolites in Amanita virosa.

Thrombin is the key serine proteinase of the coagulation cascade and, therefore, a suitable target for inhibition of blood coagulation. An extract of Amanita virosa considerably inhibited thrombin (48%), but showed no inhibitory activity on trypsin. On the basis of inhibition selectivity between thrombin and trypsin and potency of thrombin inhibition, A.

Chemical composition and functional characterisation of commercial pumpkin seed oil.

Background: Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) seed oil is a common product in Slovenia, Hungary and Austria and is considered a preventive agent for various pathologies, particularly prostate diseases. These properties are related to its high content of carotenoids and liposoluble vitamins.

Cerebrosides with antiproliferative activity from Euphorbia peplis L.

Two new cerebrosides have been isolated from the whole plants of Euphorbia peplis L. The structures were established by FT-IR spectroscopy, FAB MS, EI-MS, ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. The structures of the cerebrosides were characterized as 1-O-beta-d-glycosides of phytosphingosines, which comprised a common long-chain base, (2S, 3S, 4R, 8Z)-2-amino-8 (Z)-octadecene-1,3,4-triol with 2-hydroxy fatty acids of varying chain lengths (C25, C22) linked to the amino group.

Determination of volatile compounds in San Daniele ham using headspace GC-MS.

The volatile fraction of San Daniele hams was evaluated in barrows and gilts belonging to two commercial breeds. A group of 120 pigs, reared under the same conditions, were slaughtered, and the right ham seasoned/cured for 12 months, in accordance with the San Daniele Consortium protocol. At the end of ripening, 16 hams (four of each gender and breed) were selected and analysed for volatile composition, using a dynamic headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (DHS-GC-MS) technique.

Chemoenzymatic synthesis and antimicrobial activity evaluation of monogalactosyl diglycerides.

Monogalactosyl diglycerides with medium to long fatty acid acyl chains, were prepared and examined for antimicrobial activity against Gram positive, Gram negative bacteria and fungi. The study of their in vitro antimicrobial activity confirms the significant activity of some monogalactosyl diacylglycerol analogues and establishes for the galactose series that the 1,2-disubstitution and the octanoyl chain are the proper structural features for the maximum activity.

Chemoenzymatic synthesis and in vitro studies on the hydrolysis of antimicrobial monoglycosyl diglycerides by pancreatic lipase.

Monoglucosyl and monogalactosyl diglycerides (MGDGs) with medium-long length acyl chains, identified as active components in Euphorbiaceae, were synthesized. They were examined for antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria and fungi. MGDGs with two octanoyl groups at both 1- and 2-positions showed the most potent activity.

Chemoenzymatic synthesis and antimicrobial activity evaluation of monoglucosyl diglycerides.

Monoglucosyl diglycerides with medium-long length fatty acid acyl chains were prepared and examined for antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria and fungi. The study of their in vitro antimicrobial activity confirms the significant activity of some monoglucosyl diacylglycerol analogues and establishes for the glucose series that the 1,2-disubstitution and the octanoyl chain are the proper structural features for the maximum activity.

Glycerolipids as selective thrombin inhibitors from the fungus Stereum hirsutum.

A dry extract of Stereum hirsutum exhibited a significant inhibitory activity on thrombin (34%). A bioassay oriented fractionation of the extract of Stereum hirsutum has led to the isolation of two active fractions. On the basis of spectroscopic data, chemical reactions, and GC-MS analysis, complex mixtures of diacylglycerophospholipids (DAGPs) and diacylglycerols (DGs) have been isolated and identified.

Effects of including silage in the diet on volatile compound profiles in Montasio cheese and their modification during ripening.

Effects of including silage in the diet on volatile compound profiles and their modification during ripening of Montasio cheeses were examined. Twelve farms were selected and grouped according the type of forage in the ration: hay-based diets (four farms); hay and corn silage-based diets (four farms); and diets based on hay, corn silage and grass silages (four farms). For cheesemaking, 1000 kg of milk collected from two consecutive milkings was sampled from each farm and processed in the same cheese factory.

Classification of green coffee beans by differences in protein composition obtained by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry.

It is well known that proteins and peptides play an important role in the flavour of roasted coffee, but little is reported in the literature about their characterization. In view of the potential of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry in the analysis of proteins in complex mixtures, two varieties of coffee green beans, Arabicas and Robustas, were analyzed by this technique, in order to obtain fingerprints of their native proteins. Differences were observed between Arabicas and Robustas green beans, and cluster analysis allows differentiation of samples of the same variety from different plantations.

Determination of volatile compounds in cows' milk using headspace GC-MS.

The composition of the volatile fraction of milk from cows was investigated in a survey of milk samples using a headspace sampling technique and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry analysis (GC-MS). Milk samples were collected from 12 farms, selected for similar management, breed and level of production. Farms were also grouped according to the type of forage in the ration: (1) hay; (2) hay and maize silage; (3) hay, maize silage and grass silages.