Pearl Millet Cover Crop Extract Inhibits the Development of the Weed by Inducing Oxidative Stress in Primary Roots and Affecting Photosynthesis Efficiency.

The cover crop (L.) R.Br.

Prohexadione Calcium Improves Rice Yield Under Salt Stress by Regulating Source-Sink Relationships During the Filling Period.

Salt stress is an important factor affecting the growth and development of rice, and prohexadione calcium (Pro-Ca) plays an important role in alleviating rice salt stress and improving rice yield. However, there are few studies on how Pro-Ca improves rice yield under salt stress by regulating the source-sink metabolism. In this study, we used Guanghong 3 (salt-tolerant variety) and Huanghuazhan (salt-sensitive variety) as experimental materials to investigate the dynamic changes in the synthesis and partitioning of nonstructural carbohydrates among source-sink, the dynamic changes in related enzyme activities, the effects of the source-sink metabolism on yield in rice under salt stress and the effect of Pro-Ca during the filling period.

Identification of the Granule-Bound Starch Synthase (GBSS) Genes Involved in Amylose Biosynthesis in Tartary Buckwheat ( (L.) Gaertn.).

Tartary buckwheat is a nutrient-rich pseudo-cereal whose starch contents, including amylose and amylopectin contents, and their properties hold significant importance for enhancing yield and quality. The granule-bound starch synthase (GBSS) is a key enzyme responsible for the synthesis of amylose, directly determining the amylose content and amylose-to-amylopectin ratio in crops. Although one has already been cloned, the genes at the genome-wide level have not yet been fully assessed and thoroughly analyzed in Tartary buckwheat.

Prohexadione-Calcium Reduced Stem and Tiller Damage and Maintained Yield by Improving the Photosynthetic and Antioxidant Capacity of Rice ( L.) Under NaCl Stress.

Salt stress is a vital environmental stress that severely limits plant growth and productivity. Prohexadione-calcium (Pro-Ca) has been extensively studied to regulate plant growth, development, and stress responses. However, the constructive role of Pro-Ca in alleviating damages and enhancing rice tillers' morph-physiological characteristics under salt stress remains largely unknown.

Physical-Chemical Characterization of Fruit Harvested at Different Maturity Stages of Grafted Yellow Pitahaya ( Haw.).

The physicochemical properties of fruits at different maturity stages using grafting technology are of great importance since grafting can alter the nutritional and functional parameters of the fruit. In this study, grafted yellow pitahaya ( Haw.) fruit, grown on live tutors, was evaluated from stages 0 to 5.

Using Quantitative Trait Locus Mapping and Genomic Resources to Improve Breeding Precision in Peaches: Current Insights and Future Prospects.

Modern breeding technologies and the development of quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping have brought about a new era in peach breeding. This study examines the complex genetic structure that underlies the morphology of peach fruits, paying special attention to the interaction between genome editing, genomic selection, and marker-assisted selection. Breeders now have access to precise tools that enhance crop resilience, productivity, and quality, facilitated by QTL mapping, which has significantly advanced our understanding of the genetic determinants underlying essential traits such as fruit shape, size, and firmness.

Adherence and Body Weight with Daily Avocado Consumption Among Latina Women of the Habitual Diet and Avocado Trial (HAT).

The aim of this study was to examine the adherence, changes in weight, and, waist circumference associated with the daily consumption of a culturally preferred food, namely an avocado, among Hispanic/Latina females in the Habitual Diet and Avocado Trial (HAT). HAT was a multisite, randomized controlled trial conducted between 2018 and 2020. Participants in the Avocado-Supplemented Diet Group were provided with and instructed to consume one avocado/day (~2.

Spirulina Supplementation Alleviates Intense Exercise-Induced Damage and Modulates Gut Microbiota in Mice.

Background: , which are filamentous cyanobacteria, have gained significant popularity in the food industry, medicine, and aquaculture.

Methods: In this study, our objective was to explore the influence of on the gut microbiota and exercise capacity of mice undergoing high-intensity exercise. Twenty-four male BALB/c mice were divided into four groups, with six mice in each group.

A Pilot Study Exploring the Relationship Between Milk Composition and Microbial Capacity in Breastfed Infants.

Background: Maternal obesity may contribute to childhood obesity in a myriad of ways, including through alterations of the infant gut microbiome. For example, maternal obesity may contribute both directly by introducing a dysbiotic microbiome to the infant and indirectly through the altered composition of human milk that fuels the infant gut microbiome. In particular, indigestible human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are known to shape the composition of the infant gut microbiome.

Improving Cooking Skills, Lifestyle Behaviors, and Clinical Outcomes for Adults at Risk for Cardiometabolic Disease: Protocol for a Randomized Teaching Kitchen Multisite Trial (TK-MT).

Background/objectives: This protocol describes a study to investigate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a novel Teaching Kitchen Multisite Trial (TK-MT) for adults with cardiometabolic abnormalities. The TK-MT protocol describes a hybrid lifestyle intervention combining in-person and virtual instruction in culinary skills, nutrition education, movement, and mindfulness with community support and behavior change strategies. This 18-month-long randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the feasibility of implementing a 12-month, 24 class program, assess preliminary study efficacy, and identify barriers and facilitators to implementation.

Urinary Fluoride Levels Among Youth in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2015-2016: Potential Differences According to Race.

Background/objectives: Urinary fluoride (UF) is the most well-established biomarker for fluoride exposure, and understanding its distribution can inform risk assessment for potential adverse systemic health effects. To our knowledge, this study is the first to report distributions of UF among youth according to sociodemographic factors in a nationally representative United States (US) sample.

Methods: The study included 1191 children aged 6-11 years and 1217 adolescents aged 12-19 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2015-2016.

Associations of Maternal Prenatal Zinc Consumption with Infant Brain Tissue Organization and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes.

Background/objectives: While studies in rat pups suggest that early zinc exposure is critical for optimal brain structure and function, associations of prenatal zinc intake with measures of brain development in infants are unknown. This study aimed to assess the associations of maternal zinc intake during pregnancy with MRI measures of brain tissue microstructure and neurodevelopmental outcomes, as well as to determine whether MRI measures of the brain mediated the relationship between maternal zinc intake and neurodevelopmental indices.

Methods: Forty-one adolescent mothers were recruited for a longitudinal study during pregnancy.

A Guinea Pig Model of Pediatric Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis: Poor Vitamin C Status May Advance Disease.

Children and teenagers display a distinct metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) phenotype, yet studies of childhood MASH are scarce and validated animal models lacking, limiting the development of treatments. Poor vitamin C (VitC) status may affect MASH progression and often co-occurs with high-fat diets and related metabolic imbalances. As a regulator of DNA methylation, poor VitC status may further contribute to MASH by regulating gene expression This study investigated guinea pigs-a species that, like humans, depends on vitC in the diet-as a model of pediatric MASH, examining the effects of poor VitC status on MASH hallmarks and global DNA methylation levels.

Combined Effects of Spirulina Liquid Extract and Endurance Training on Aerobic Performance and Muscle Metabolism Adaptation in Wistar Rats.

Background: Physical activity, such as running, protects against cardiovascular disease and obesity but can induce oxidative stress. Athletes often consume antioxidants to counteract the overproduction of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species during exercise. , particularly its phycocyanin content, activates the Nrf2 pathway, stimulating antioxidant responses.

Vitamin D: Evidence-Based Health Benefits and Recommendations for Population Guidelines.

Vitamin D offers numerous under-recognized health benefits beyond its well-known role in musculoskeletal health. It is vital for extra-renal tissues, prenatal health, brain function, immunity, pregnancy, cancer prevention, and cardiovascular health. Existing guidelines issued by governmental and health organizations are bone-centric and largely overlook the abovementioned extra-skeletal benefits and optimal thresholds for vitamin D.

Sleep Quality, Nutritional Habits, and Physical Activity in Pediatric Cancer Survivors: A Dyadic Analysis Approach.

Background/objectives: Sleep disturbances are prevalent among pediatric cancer survivors (PCSs) and their caregivers, often leading to poorer dietary choices and reduced physical activity. Additionally, the sleep quality and health behaviors of parents and children can affect each other. This study examined bi-directional associations between PCSs and their parents' sleep quality and health-related behaviors.

Diet Quality, Metabolic Syndrome, and Nativity Status: Elucidating Metabolic Advantage and Disadvantage Among Non-US-Native and US-Native Populations Using NHANES Data (2013-2018).

Background/objectives: Nutrient-poor diet quality is a major driver of the global burden of metabolic syndrome (MetS). The US ranks among the lowest in diet quality and has the highest rate of immigration, which may present unique challenges for non-US-native populations who experience changes in access to health-promoting resources. This study examined associations among MetS, nativity status, diet quality, and interaction effects of race-ethnicity among Hispanic, Asian, Black, and White US-native and non-US-native adults.

Effects of Hydroxyapatite Additions on Alginate Gelation Kinetics During Cross-Linking.

Alginate hydrogels have gathered significant attention in biomedical engineering due to their remarkable biocompatibility, biodegradability, and ability to encapsulate cells and bioactive molecules, but much less has been reported on the kinetics of gelation. Scarce experimental data are available on cross-linked alginates (AL) with bioactive components. The present study addressed a novel method for defining the crosslinking mechanism using rheological measurements for aqueous mixtures of AL and calcium chloride (CaCl) with the presence of hydroxyapatite (HAp) as filler particles.

Multifunctional Biological Performance of Electrospun PCL Scaffolds Formulated with Silver Sulfide Nanoparticles.

Our work describes the green synthesis of silver sulfide nanoparticles (AgS NPs) and their formulation into polycaprolactone fibers (PCL), aiming to improve the multifunctional biological performance of PCL membranes as scaffolds. For this purpose, an extract of rosemary () was employed as a reducing agent for the AgS NPs, obtaining irregular NPs and clusters of 5-60 nm, with a characteristic SPR absorption at 369 nm. AgS was successfully incorporated into PCL fibers by electrospinning using heparin (HEP) as a stabilizer/biocompatibility agent, obtaining nanostructured fibers with a ca.

Improving CO Removal Efficiency with Bio-Cellulose Acetate: A Multi-Stage Membrane Separation Approach.

In this comprehensive investigation, the sustainable production and utilization of gas separation membranes derived from coconut water (CW) waste was investigated. The research focuses on the synthesis of bacterial cellulose (BC) and cellulose acetate (CA) membranes from CW, followed by a thorough analysis of their characteristics, including morphology, ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, tensile strength, and chemical composition. The study rigorously evaluates membrane performance, with particular emphasis on CO/CH selectivity under various operational conditions, including pressure, membrane thickness, and number of stages.

Improved Biomineralization Using Cellulose Acetate/Magnetic Nanoparticles Composite Membranes.

Following implantation, infections, inflammatory reactions, corrosion, mismatches in the elastic modulus, stress shielding and excessive wear are the most frequent reasons for orthopedic implant failure. Natural polymer-based coatings showed especially good results in achieving better cell attachment, growth and tissue-implant integration, and it was found that the inclusions of nanosized fillers in the coating structure improves biomineralization and consequently implant osseointegration, as the nanoparticles represent calcium phosphate nucleation centers and lead to the deposition of highly organized hydroxyapatite crystallites on the implant surface. In this study, magnetic nanoparticles synthesized by the co-precipitation method were used for the preparation of cellulose acetate composite coatings through the phase-inversion method.

Optimization Study of a High-Efficiency Preservative for Ammonia-Free Concentrated Natural Rubber Latex.

Ammonia is commonly used as a preservative in the production of concentrated natural rubber latex (CNRL) and latex products; however, it poses a serious risk to human health and the environment. In this study, we investigated a thioacetamide derivative (TD) as a preservative of ammonia-free CNRL and the optimization of a stabilization system comprising potassium hydroxide (KOH), lauric acid (LA), and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) to enhance its preservation effect. The results revealed that an optimal amount of TD (0.

Synergistic Effect of Strontium Doping and Surfactant Addition in Mesoporous Bioactive Glass for Enhanced Osteogenic Bioactivity and Advanced Bone Regeneration.

Mesoporous bioactive glass (MBG) is an advanced biomaterial widely recognized for its application in bone regenerative engineering. This study synthesized an MBG powder (80 mol% SiO, 5 mol% PO, and 15 mol% CaO) using a facile sol-gel method with the non-ionic surfactant Pluronic P123, which acted as a pore-forming agent. MBGs form bioactive surfaces that facilitate HA formation, and the presence of Pluronic P123 increases the surface area and promotes HA nucleation.

Examining Prenylated Xanthones as Potential Inhibitors Against Ketohexokinase C Isoform for the Treatment of Fructose-Driven Metabolic Disorders: An Integrated Computational Approach.

Fructose-driven metabolic disorders, such as obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), dyslipidemia, and type 2 diabetes, are significant global health challenges. Ketohexokinase C (KHK-C), a key enzyme in fructose metabolism, is a promising therapeutic target. α-Mangostin, a naturally occurring prenylated xanthone, has been identified as an effective KHK-C inhibitor, prompting exploration of its analogs for enhanced efficacy.

The Role of Endogenous Beta-Endorphin and Enkephalins in the Crosstalk Between Ethanol and Morphine.

There is clinical concern about the combined use of alcohol and opiates. Several lines of evidence support an interaction between alcohol and the endogenous opioid system. Thus, we hypothesized that ethanol, by causing the release of opioid peptides, may sensitize the system to the action of exogenous opioids such as morphine.