Impact of Ultrasound Pre-Treatment on the Drying Kinetics and Quality of Chicken Breast-A Comparative Study of Convective and Freeze-Drying Methods.

Fresh meat has a limited shelf life and is prone to spoilage. Drying serves as a common method for food preservation. Non-thermal techniques such as ultrasound treatment (US) can positively affect the drying processes and alter the final product.

Morpho-Geometric Description of the Skulls and Mandibles of Brown Bears () from the Dancing Bear Belitsa Park.

The present study aimed to describe the skull and mandibles of the brown bear () from the Dancing Bear Belitsa Park using advanced 3D morpho-geometric techniques. The objective was to explore how sexual dimorphism and size influence cranial structures using advanced 3D geometric morphometric methods. Three-dimensional models of the skulls and mandibles of 12 brown bears were used.

Serum Selenium Levels and Lipid Profile: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Observational Studies.

Selenium is a trace element with pivotal roles in metabolic processes. Studies suggested that selenium deficiency could lead to impaired lipid profiles. However, inconsistent results have been reported regarding the association between serum selenium concentrations and lipid profile (triglycerides, LDL, HDL, VLDL, and total cholesterol).

Physicochemical characterization and potential cancer therapy applications of hydrogel beads loaded with doxorubicin and GaOOH nanoparticles.

A new type of hybrid polymer particles capable of carrying the cytostatic drug doxorubicin and labeled with a gallium compound was prepared. These microparticles consist of a core and a hydrogel shell, which serves as the structural matrix. The shell can be employed to immobilize gallium oxide hydroxide (GaOOH) nanoparticles and the drug, resulting in hybrid beads with sizes of approximately 3.

Nitric oxide action in the digestive fluid of Nepenthes × ventrata is linked to the modulation of ROS level.

Nepenthes are carnivorous plants with photoactive leaves converted into jug-shaped containers filled with the digestive fluid. The digestion requires various enzymes and reactive oxygen species (ROS) that facilitate proteolysis. Reactive nitrogen species are present in the digestive fluid of Nepenthes × ventrata, and the increased nitric oxide (NO) formation is associated with protein degradation.

No effect of circulating leptin on energy metabolism in normal weight or overweight/obese lactating mothers: The case-control Breastmilk and the Link to Overweight/Obesity and Maternal diet (BLOOM) study.

Background & Aims: Pregnancy and lactation are associated with metabolic changes, including alterations in energy metabolism, which are closely linked to body mass and composition due to hormonal status. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the energy metabolism in exclusively or predominantly breastfeeding mothers with normal weight (NW) and overweight/obesity (OW/OB) and evaluate its associations with fasting serum leptin.

Methods: This cross-sectional BLOOM study was conducted among 39 mothers (n = 19 NW, n = 20 OW/OB) in 15.

Virulence and host specificity of staphylococci from Staphylococcus intermedius group of pigeon origin with an emphasis on Staphylococcus intermedius.

The Staphylococcus intermedius group (SIG) includes coagulase-positive staphylococci commonly found in animals. The taxonomic classification within the SIG has evolved with molecular techniques distinguishing five species. Despite their similarities, these species exhibit varied host affinities, with unclear implications for virulence and host interaction.

Antimicrobial Activity against of Plant Extracts and Essential Oils in a Matrix of Bacterial Cellulose.

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a biodegradable polymer resembling paper after being dried. It finds a growing number of applications in many branches of industry and in medicine. In the present study, BC was produced after ATCC 23769 strain culture and used as a matrix for plant extracts (tulsi, brahmi, lemon, blackberry, nettle root, and nettle leave) and essential oils (cinnamon, sage, clove, mint, thyme, lemongrass, rosemary, lemon, anise, tea tree, lime, grapefruit, and tangerine), and the antimicrobial properties of these biomaterials was determined.

Supporting Circular Economy Principles by Recycling Window Frames into Particleboard.

The aim of the study was to identify limiting factors for reusing wood through the recycling of window frames by conducting research under fully controlled conditions. The research involved manufacturing new window frames, seasoning them, and then shredding them into wood particles to prepare a three-layer particleboard. The proportion of wood particles in recycling was 0, 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 parts by weight of the manufactured particleboard.

The Influence of Various Modifications of Hazelnut Shell Flour as Potential Filler in Plywood Technology.

This study investigates the potential of utilizing hazelnut shells (HS) as an innovative filler in three-layer plywood technology, addressing the growing need for sustainable, high-performance materials. Traditional plywood production relies on adhesives enhanced with various fillers to improve physical, mechanical, and operational characteristics. This research explores using native, chemically modified, and activated carbon derived from hazelnut shells as fillers in urea-formaldehyde (UF) resin.

Utilization of Fibrous Mat Residues from Upholstered Furniture as Sustainable Fillers in Plywood Production.

Nonwoven upholstery fabric is a waste product which is mainly generated during upholstered furniture production. The polyester composition makes it problematic to recycle and reuse this product. This study examined the manufacturing process of nonwoven fabric-reinforced plywood composites and their selected mechanical and physical properties.

Selected Physical and Mechanical Properties of Particleboards Manufactured from Plantation Willow and Poplar Wood.

This research focuses on producing particleboards from the biomass of plantation willow ( L.) and poplar ( spp.), aiming to explore their feasibility as sustainable materials for various applications.

Thermally Active Medium-Density Fiberboard (MDF) with the Addition of Phase Change Materials for Furniture and Interior Design.

No matter where we reside, the issue of greenhouse gas emissions impacts us all. Their influence has a disastrous effect on the earth's climate, producing global warming and many other irreversible environmental impacts, even though it is occasionally invisible to the independent eye. Phase change materials (PCMs) can store and release heat when it is abundant during the day (e.

Perspectives for Photocatalytic Decomposition of Environmental Pollutants on Photoactive Particles of Soil Minerals.

The literature shows that both in laboratory and in industrial conditions, the photocatalytic oxidation method copes quite well with degradation of most environmental toxins and pathogenic microorganisms. However, the effective utilization of photocatalytic processes for environmental decontamination and disinfection requires significant technological advancement in both the area of semiconductor material synthesis and its application. Here, we focused on the presence and "photocatalytic capability" of photocatalysts among soil minerals and their potential contributions to the environmental decontamination in vitro and in vivo.

Chemical and Thermal Characteristics of PEF-Pretreated Strawberries Dried by Various Methods.

By increasing the permeability of the cell membrane of the treated material, pulsed electric fields (PEF) enhance the internal transport of various chemical substances. Changing the distribution of these components can modify the chemical and thermal properties of the given material. This study aimed to analyze the impact of PEF (1 kV/cm; 1 and 4 kJ/kg) applied to strawberries prior to drying by various methods (convective, infrared-convective, microwave-convective, and vacuum) on the chemical and thermal properties of the obtained dried materials (sugars content, total phenolic content, and antioxidant capacity (ABTS and DPPH assays); thermal properties (TGA and DSC); and molecular composition (FTIR)).

The Comparison of Immunomodulatory Properties of Canine and Human Wharton Jelly-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells.

Although therapies based on mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are being implemented in clinical settings, many aspects regarding these procedures require further optimization. Domestic dogs suffer from numerous immune-mediated diseases similar to those found in humans. This study aimed to assess the immunomodulatory activity of canine (c) Wharton jelly (WJ)-derived MSCs and refer them to human (h) MSCs isolated from the same tissue.

Genomic Analysis of s37: Identification of Resistance and Virulence Genes and Comparison with Other and Closely Related Species.

are environmental commensals that have not been associated with any clinical infections. To date, they are the least understood and described species within the genus. The objective of this study was to use a draft genome sequence (DGS) of the strain s37 to screen for genes encoding for antibiotic resistance, virulence, response to environmental stress, and biofilm formation.

An Insight into Practices Associated with the Control of Internal Parasites in the Dairy Goat Herds of Romania: A Questionnaire Survey.

The widespread and uncontrolled use of anthelmintic products has contributed to the emergence of anthelmintic resistance (AR). This phenomenon globally threatens the productivity and welfare of small ruminants. A questionnaire consisting of 34 questions was handed to 234 goat farmers across Romania to gain insight into control practices against internal parasites and the farmers' perception of the parasitic infections present in their herds and the efficacy of anthelmintic treatments.

Astaxanthin Supplementation Does Not Alter Training-Related Changes in Inflammatory Cytokine Profile in Arabian Racing Horses.

This study aimed to evaluate the oral supplementation of astaxanthin (ATX) on inflammatory markers in 3-year-old Arabian racehorses. Despite the recognized antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of ATX observed in vitro in rodent models and in human athletes, the effects in equine subjects remain unknown. This study involved a controlled trial with 14 horses receiving either ATX (six horses) or a placebo (eight horses), monitored over four months of race training.

AAO2 impairment enhances aldehyde detoxification by AAO3 in Arabidopsis leaves exposed to UV-C or Rose-Bengal.

Among the three active aldehyde oxidases in Arabidopsis thaliana leaves (AAO1-3), AAO3, which catalyzes the oxidation of abscisic-aldehyde to abscisic-acid, was shown recently to function as a reactive aldehyde detoxifier. Notably, aao2KO mutants exhibited less senescence symptoms and lower aldehyde accumulation, such as acrolein, benzaldehyde, and 4-hydroxyl-2-nonenal (HNE) than in wild-type leaves exposed to UV-C or Rose-Bengal. The effect of AAO2 expression absence on aldehyde detoxification by AAO3 and/or AAO1 was studied by comparing the response of wild-type plants to the response of single-functioning aao1 mutant (aao1S), aao2KO mutants, and single-functioning aao3 mutants (aao3Ss).

Identification of genes involved in the tomato root response to Globodera rostochiensis parasitism under varied light conditions.

Understanding the intricate interplay between abiotic and biotic stresses is crucial for deciphering plant responses and developing resilient cultivars. Here, we investigate the combined effects of elevated light intensity and nematode infection on tomato seedlings. Chlorophyll fluorescence analysis revealed significant enhancements in PSII quantum yield and photochemical fluorescence quenching under high light conditions.

The interaction between miR165/166 and miR160 regulates Arabidopsis thaliana seed size, weight, and number in a ROS-dependent manner.

Our data link the miR165/166- and miR160-mediated regulatory modules to ROS and seed formation. Trade-offs of seed size, weight, and number probably require control of the expression of miR165/166 by miR160, modulation of ROS metabolism by miR165/166, and miR160 abundance by ROS-induced oxidative modifications The cycle of plant life and its yield productivity depends fundamentally on the establishment of the trade-offs of seed size, weight, and number. For annual plants, seed number should simply be a positive function of vegetative biomass and a negative function of seed size and/or weight.

Chrysosporium articulatum mimicking Trichophyton spp. infection in a cat: a case presentation and literature review.

Background: Dermatophytosis is a common skin infection of cats and many other animals. A reliable diagnosis is crucial because of the zoonotic potential of dermatophytes. The routine mycological diagnostic procedures for dermatophytosis are widely known, but in the case of some isolates, identification based on phenotypic characteristics may be incorrect.