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Food Chemistry Jun 2024Quercetin and its glycosides (QG), vitally natural flavonoid, have been popular for health benefits. However, the absorption and metabolism affect their bioavailability,...
Quercetin and its glycosides (QG), vitally natural flavonoid, have been popular for health benefits. However, the absorption and metabolism affect their bioavailability, and the metabolic transformation alters their biological activities. This review systematically summarizes the bioavailability and pathways for the absorption and metabolism of quercetin/QG in vivo and in vitro, the biological activities and mechanism of quercetin/QG and their metabolites in treating glucolipid metabolism are discussed. After oral administration, quercetin/QG are mainly absorbed by the intestine, undergo phase II metabolism in the small intestine and liver to form conjugates and are metabolized into small phenolic acids by intestinal microbiota. Quercetin/QG and their metabolites exert beneficial effects on regulating glucolipid metabolism disorders, including improving insulin resistance, inhibiting lipogenesis, enhancing thermogenesis, modulating intestinal microbiota, relieving oxidative stress, and attenuating inflammation. This review enhances understanding of the mechanism of quercetin/QG regulate glucolipid metabolism and provides scientific support for the development of functional foods.
PubMed: 38944925
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.140262 -
Fish & Shellfish Immunology Jun 2024Astaxanthin (AX) is a carotenoid known to have one of the highest documented antioxidant capacities and has attracted considerable scientific and commercial interest....
Astaxanthin (AX) is a carotenoid known to have one of the highest documented antioxidant capacities and has attracted considerable scientific and commercial interest. The incorporation of AX into aquaculture practices has been associated with improved pigmentation, modulation of the immune and endocrine systems, stress reduction, reproductive efficiency and general fish health. This study describes the effects of dietary AX (0, control, 20, 100 and 500 mg kg AX per kg of diet) for 15 and 30 days on growth performance, immune and antioxidant status, histology and gene expression in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata). Fish fed diets enriched with 500 mg kg of AX for 15 days decreased in skin mucus peroxidase activity while at 30 days of trial, fish fed a diet supplemented with 20 mg kg AX increased the peroxidase activity in serum. In addition, bactericidal activity against Vibrio harveyi increased in the skin mucus of fish fed any of the AX supplemented diets. Regarding antioxidant activities in the liver, catalase and glutathione reductase were decreased and increased, respectively, in fish fed a diet supplemented with 500 mg kg of AX. Finally, although the expression of up to 21 inflammatory and lipid metabolism-related genes was analysed in visceral adipose tissue, only the expression of the interleukin 6 (il6) gene was up-regulated in fish fed a diet supplemented with 20 mg kg of AX. The present results provide a detailed insight into the potent antioxidant properties of AX and its possible modulatory effects on the immune status and lipid metabolism of seabream, which may be of interest to the aquaculture sector.
PubMed: 38944253
DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2024.109731 -
American Journal of Ophthalmology Jun 2024The association between the total macular burden of hyperreflective foci (HRF) in eyes with intermediate AMD (iAMD) and the onset of persistent choroidal...
PURPOSE
The association between the total macular burden of hyperreflective foci (HRF) in eyes with intermediate AMD (iAMD) and the onset of persistent choroidal hypertransmission defects (hyperTDs) was studied using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT).
DESIGN
Post hoc subgroup analysis of a prospective study.
METHODS
A retrospective review of iAMD eyes from subjects enrolled in a prospective SS-OCT study was performed. All eyes underwent 6×6 mm SS-OCT angiography (SS-OCTA) imaging at baseline and follow-up visits. En face sub-retinal pigment epithelium (subRPE) slabs with segmentation boundaries positioned 64-400 µm beneath Bruch's membrane (BM) were used to identify persistent choroidal hyperTDs. None of the eyes had persistent hyperTDs at baseline. The same subRPE slab was used to identify choroidal hypotransmission defects (hypoTDs) attributable to HRF located either intraretinally (iHRF) or along the RPE (rpeHRF) based on corresponding B-scans. A semiautomated algorithm was used by two independent graders to validate and refine the HRF outlines. The HRF area and the drusen volume within a 5mm fovea-centered circle were measured at each visit.
RESULTS
The median follow-up time for the 171 eyes from 121 patients included in this study was 59.1 months (95%CI: 52.0-67.8 months). Of these, 149 eyes (87%) had HRF, and 82 (48%) developed at least one persistent hyperTD during the follow-up. Although univariable Cox regression analyses showed that both drusen volume and total HRF area were associated with the onset of the first persistent hyperTD, multivariable analysis showed that the area of total HRF was the sole significant predictor for the onset of hyperTDs (P<0.001). ROC analysis identified an HRF area ≥ 0.07 mm² to predict the onset of persistent hyperTDs within one year with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.661 (0.570-0.753), corresponding to a sensitivity of 55% and a specificity of 74% (P<0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
The total macular burden of HRF, which includes both the HRF along the RPE and within the retina, is an important predictor of disease progression from iAMD to the onset of persistent hyperTDs and should serve as a key OCT biomarker to select iAMD patients at high-risk for disease progression in future clinical trials.
PubMed: 38944135
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2024.06.023 -
International Journal of Biological... Jun 2024Two chitosan Schiff bases were synthesized by condensation of chitosan with 2-(4-formylphenoxy)-N-phenylacetamide and N-(4-bromophenyl)-2-(4-formylphenoxy) acetamide...
Two chitosan Schiff bases were synthesized by condensation of chitosan with 2-(4-formylphenoxy)-N-phenylacetamide and N-(4-bromophenyl)-2-(4-formylphenoxy) acetamide denoted as Cs-SBA and Cs-SBBr, respectively. The molecular structures of the resulting chitosan derivatives were characterized using FTIR and HNMR and their thermal properties were investigated by TGA. These derivatives were treated with sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) to produce Cs Schiff base nanoparticles. The nanoparticles physicochemical properties were determined by FTIR, XRD, TEM, and zeta potential analysis. The antimicrobial action against Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) was evaluated and the results indicated that the anti-H. pylori activity had minimal inhibitory concentration MIC values of 15.62 ± 0.05 and 3.9 ± 0.03 μg/mL for Cs-SBA and Cs-SBBr nanoparticles (Cs-SBA NPs and Cs-SBBr NPs), respectively. The better biologically active nanoparticles, Cs-SBBr NPs, were tested for their cyclooxygenases (COX-1 and COX-2) inhibitory potential. Cs-SBBr NPs demonstrated COX enzyme inhibition activity against COX-2 (IC 4.5 ± 0.165 μg/mL) higher than the conventional Indomethacin (IC 0.08 ± 0.003 μg/mL), and Celecoxib (IC 0.79 ± 0.029 μg/mL). Additionally, the cytotoxicity test of Cs-SBBr NPs showed cytotoxic effect on Vero cells (CCL-81) with IC = 17.95 ± 0.12 μg/mL which is regarded as a safe compound. Therefore, Cs-SBBr NPs may become an alternative to cure H. pylori and prevent gastric cancer.
PubMed: 38944085
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.133499 -
Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research Jun 2024Most melanomas progress from radial to vertical growth phase before spreading locoregionally and distally. Much is still unknown about the metabolic changes in the tumor...
Most melanomas progress from radial to vertical growth phase before spreading locoregionally and distally. Much is still unknown about the metabolic changes in the tumor cells and their microenvironment during this metastatic progression. We aimed to gain new insight into the molecular characteristics of melanoma in regard to spatial lipidomics to deliver new knowledge regarding tumor metastatic progression. We included 10 fresh tumor samples from 10 patients including two in situ melanomas, two invasive primary melanomas, and six metastatic melanomas (four in-transit metastases and two distant metastases). In addition, we analyzed four healthy skin controls from the same patients. Time-of-flight imaging secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) enabled detailed spatial-lipidomics that could be directly correlated with conventional histopathological analysis of consecutive H&E-stained tissue sections. Significant differences in the lipid profiles were found in primary compared to metastatic melanomas, notably an increase in phosphatidylethanolamine lipids relative to phosphatidylinositol lipids and an increase in GM3 gangliosides in the metastatic samples. Furthermore, analysis of the data from in transit versus distant metastases samples highlighted that specific phospholipids, and a difference in the long versus shorter chain GM3 gangliosides, discriminated the metastatic routes. Further studies are warranted to verify these preliminary findings. Lipidomic changes could serve as a novel biomarker for tumor progression and even serve as a target for novel treatments. Furthermore, analyzing the lipid profiles could help to differentiate between primary and metastatic melanomas in challenging cases.
PubMed: 38943376
DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.13182 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024Anthropological and biophysical processes have shaped livestock genomes over Millenia and can explain their current geographic distribution and genetic divergence. We...
Anthropological and biophysical processes have shaped livestock genomes over Millenia and can explain their current geographic distribution and genetic divergence. We analyzed 57 Ethiopian indigenous domestic goat genomes alongside 67 equivalents of east, west, and north-west African, European, South Asian, Middle East, and wild Bezoar goats. Cluster, ADMIXTURE (K = 4) and phylogenetic analysis revealed four genetic groups comprising African, European, South Asian, and wild Bezoar goats. The Middle Eastern goats had an admixed genome of these four genetic groups. At K = 5, the West African Dwarf and Moroccan goats were separated from East African goats demonstrating a likely historical legacy of goat arrival and dispersal into Africa via the coastal Mediterranean Sea and the Horn of Africa. F, XP-EHH, and Hp analysis revealed signatures of selection in Ethiopian goats overlaying genes for thermo-sensitivity, oxidative stress response, high-altitude hypoxic adaptation, reproductive fitness, pathogen defence, immunity, pigmentation, DNA repair, modulation of renal function and integrated fluid and electrolyte homeostasis. Notable examples include TRPV1 (a nociception gene); PTPMT1 (a critical hypoxia survival gene); RETREG (a regulator of reticulophagy during starvation), and WNK4 (a molecular switch for osmoregulation). These results suggest that human-mediated translocations and adaptation to contrasting environments are shaping indigenous African goat genomes.
Topics: Animals; Goats; Ethiopia; Genome; Phylogeny; Stress, Physiological; Genetic Variation
PubMed: 38942813
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-65303-x -
The Science of the Total Environment Jun 2024In 2020, the European Commission published a regulation that states all producers of white paints containing titanium dioxide (TiO) must provide a warning label on their...
In 2020, the European Commission published a regulation that states all producers of white paints containing titanium dioxide (TiO) must provide a warning label on their products. Exposure during the production and application of products containing TiO can be harmful, and therefore these products must be labeled as "may cause cancer." The paint industry is a major user of TiO pigment. This study focuses on pigment release from three TiO-based paints and discusses the effect of paint formulation, more precisely the Pigment Volume Concentration (PVC), to predict TiO pigment release from the paints during a simulated use phase and at the end of life (EoL). The use phase considered mild abrasion of painted panels that simulated cleaning or touching. The EoL phase was studied using leaching tests simulating landfill disposal. TiO release during both activities was evident with a high discrepancy between the three paints. While dry rubbing was similar for all paints, activities involving water present a high release link to paint matrix degradation. The paint pigment volume concentration and the paint permeability determines the TiO release during wet rubbing and leaching. This work represents an attempt to identify the paint permeability as a matrix-related parameter to predict TiO release and a way to use of this parameter to develop safer products.
PubMed: 38942309
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174155 -
Clinics in Dermatology Jun 2024Melanoma is the deadliest skin cancer, presenting typically with changing pigmented areas and usually treated with surgical removal. As benign cutaneous pigmented...
Melanoma is the deadliest skin cancer, presenting typically with changing pigmented areas and usually treated with surgical removal. As benign cutaneous pigmented lesions are very common in all populations, it can be challenging to identify which areas should be cut out or left untreated. Delayed treatment in melanoma increases the risk of death, but it is not possible to remove all lesions. Dermatoscopy uses polarised light and can be used to help distinguish melanomas from benign lesions. Dermatoscopy images with a confirmed diagnosis can be utilized to develop artificial intelligence as a medical device (AIaMD) tool. This contribution discusses the utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) in melanoma management and describes an AIaMD tool that has been used in current UK clinical practice on over 80,000 patients. This is a springboard for discussing the scope, risks, and mitigations for future AI use by all clinicians involved in managing people with melanoma.
PubMed: 38942155
DOI: 10.1016/j.clindermatol.2024.06.015 -
Marine Pollution Bulletin Jun 2024Since the Industrial Revolution, increasing atmospheric CO concentrations have had a substantial negative impact influence on coastal ecosystems because of direct...
Since the Industrial Revolution, increasing atmospheric CO concentrations have had a substantial negative impact influence on coastal ecosystems because of direct effects including ocean acidification and indirect effects such as extreme rainfall events. Using a two-factor crossover indoor simulation experiment, this study examined the combined effects of acidification and hyposaline stress on Thalassia hemprichii. Seawater acidification increased the photosynthetic pigment content of T. hemprichii leaves and promoted seagrass growth rate. Hyposaline stress slowed down seagrass growth and had an impact on the osmotic potential and osmoregulatory substance content of seagrass leaves. Acidification and salinity reduction had significant interaction effects on the photosynthesis rate, photosynthetic pigment content, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, and osmotic potential of T. hemprichii, but not on the growth rate. Overall, these findings have shown that the hyposaline stress inhibitory effect on the T. hemprichii physiological performance and growth may be reduced by acidification.
PubMed: 38941803
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116642 -
Microbial Ecology Jun 2024The primary purpose of the study, as part of the planned conservation work, was to uncover all aspects of autochthonous biofilm pertaining to the formation of numerous...
The primary purpose of the study, as part of the planned conservation work, was to uncover all aspects of autochthonous biofilm pertaining to the formation of numerous deterioration symptoms occurring on the limestone Rožanec Mithraeum monument in Slovenia. Using state-of-the-art sequencing technologies combining mycobiome data with observations made via numerous light and spectroscopic (FTIR and Raman) microscopy analyses pointed out to epilithic lichen Gyalecta jenensis and its photobiont, carotenoid-rich Trentepohlia aurea, as the origin of salmon-hued pigmented alterations of limestone surface. Furthermore, the development of the main deterioration symptom on the monument, i.e., biopitting, was instigated by the formation of typical endolithic thalli and ascomata of representative Verrucariaceae family (Verrucaria sp.) in conjunction with the oxalic acid-mediated dissolution of limestone. The domination of lichenized fungi, as the main deterioration agents, both on the relief and surrounding limestone, was additionally supported by the high relative abundance of lichenized and symbiotroph groups in FUNGuild analysis. Obtained results not only upgraded knowledge of this frequently occurring but often overlooked group of extremophilic stone heritage deteriogens but also provided a necessary groundwork for the development of efficient biocontrol formulation applicable in situ for the preservation of similarly affected limestone monuments.
Topics: Biofilms; Lichens; Calcium Carbonate; Slovenia; Ascomycota; Mycobiome
PubMed: 38940862
DOI: 10.1007/s00248-024-02404-0