Pakistan flora is enriched with potent bioactive compounds that must be explored while Alzheimer's disease (AD) poses a global challenge driven by neurochemical imbalances. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors traditionally alleviate symptoms, but addressing the root cause remains elusive. This gap has led to the exploration of herbal sources for interventions. In this context, we analyzed fifty 50 medicinal plants for their phytochemical composition and antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase inhibition activities. AChE activity was measured using Ellman’s method. Santalum album exhibited significant AChE inhibition (86.2%), surpassing galantamine hydrobromide (81.8%). Promising inhibition was also seen in Bombax ceiba (77.8%), Acacia karoo (52.9%), and Phaseolus lunatus (50.1%). Detailed analysis revealed Santalum album's abundance in terpenoids, flavonoids, tannins, and phenolics, potentially correlating with its antioxidant and AChE inhibitory effects. Acacia karoo demonstrated elevated levels of total alkaloids, antioxidants, terpenoids, and tannins. Both Acacia karoo and Santalum album show promise for AD intervention due to their AChE inhibitory activities and unique phytochemical attributes, warranting further exploration, particularly for Acacia karoo's novel potential in AChE inhibition, to advance targeted AD therapeutics utilizing natural resources. This study contributes to the search for effective AD strategies from nature's pharmacological resources.

Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standley is a food and medicinal plant with a wide range of applica-tions including anti-proliferative, anti-fertility, anti-HIV and anti-cancerous. The current study investigated the phytochemical constituents of L. siceraria fruits using gas chromatog-raphy/mass spectrometry (GC-MS). GC-MS analysis of L. siceraria n-hexane fruits revealed five isoprenoids which were present in all investigated landraces, 1-Dodecene, 2,3-Dimethyldodecane, E-15-Heptadecenal, Eicosane and Tridecane, 6-propyl. Bioactive molecules with a lower carbon number on their chemical structure such as 1-Dodecene and 2,3-Dimethyldodecane with 12 and 14 carbon structures were recorded at a shorter retention rate range of 9.08-16.29 min over a lower relative peak area ranging from 1.09-6.97 %. While com-pounds with longer carbon chains ranging from 16-20 carbons (E-15-Heptadecenal, Eicosane and Tridecane, 6-propyl) had longer retention rate range of 13.42-18.00 mins over a higher relative peak area range of 2.25-11.41%. An agglomerative hierarchical cluster analysis grouped landrac-es into 5 clusters (I -V). Landraces were clustered according to their fruit and seed attributes, and isoprenoid units significant to each cluster. The majority of phytochemicals revealed were terpenoids, these are responsible for attracting pollinators, fruit growth, palatability and attrac-tive aromatic scents. This is the most comprehensive study on the n-hexane fruit phytochemical constituents of different L. siceraria landraces to date.

Circles, semicircles and its derived circular sectors are ubiquitous both in human creations and in the natural realm. However, mathematically speaking they have always represented a certain level of enigma or even mysticism since ancient times for being such a perfect shape that enclosed the irrational value that we now call π. Such figure was relatively unknown until the seventeenth century; polymaths like Guarini even equated it, after so many centuries, to the Archimedes fraction of 22/7 or sometimes 25/8 which, giving a value 3.125 introduces a considerable degree of error; Eventually, Lambert had to demonstrate, well advanced the eighteenth century that π was actually an irrational number. In recent years, the author has worked with sections of spheres and other curved bodies as related to radiative heat transfer and applied to the finding of form factors pertaining to such special geometries, to the point of defining new postulates. The main theorems so far enunciated refer to the radiative exchange between circles and half disks, but recently the possibility to treat circular sectors has arrived, thanks to the research already conducted in which, by virtue of Cabeza-Lainez first postulate, we are able to know the form factor of any spherical segment over itself, discarding in this way, the former uncertainties that appeared when dealing with the inner side of spherical surfaces. As it is known, to find the exact expression of the configuration factor by integration alone is mostly a tedious task and the results are not readily available as it has been frequently proved. In the said problem of the circular sectors, the author could integrate the first two steps of the basic formulation for radiant exchange. Subsequently, the novelty of the procedure lies in introducing a finite differences approximation for the third and fourth integrals which still remain unsolved, once that we have been able to find the first and second integrals of the form factor. This possibility had not been identified by former research. This sole output provides us with an ample variety of scenarios previously unforeseen. As a consequence, we would be able to analyze with more precision but freely, the spatial transference of radiant heat for figures composed of circular sectors such as spherical sectors like quarters or octaves of spheres. Many architectural, industrial or aircraft modules and objects fall into this category. We already know that spherical shapes cannot be discretized with any accuracy as there are no spherical tiles of the same size, therefore we hope to overcome with our finding a persistent extent of error. In this situation we are able to reduce a considerable amount of hindrances in the progress of thermal radiation science, due to the advances hereby presented. As the new formulations found can be adapted for algorithms, they will be integrated in simulation procedures with significant avail. Our achievement may be considered timely in the effort invested to square the elements of mathematics for radiative transfer. Important sequels are already being derived for radiation in the entrance to tunnels, aircraft design, low-energy building construction and also lighting and HVAC industries to cite just a few.

Six solvent fractions isolated from flower bud and leaf ethanolic extracts of Cleistocalyx operculatus were analyzed for their phytochemical contents including phenolics, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, and alkaloids. Antioxidant activities were measured using the ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP assays. The results showed that flower bud aqueous fraction (BAF) and leaf aqueous fraction (LAF) rich in phenolic content (768.18 and 490.74 mg GAE/g dry extract, respectively) exhibited significantly higher antioxidant activities than other fractions. Flower bud hexane fraction (BHF) had remarkably high flavonoid and saponin contents (134.77 mg QE/g and 153.33 mg OA/g dry extract, respectively), followed by that of leaf hexane fraction (LHF) (76.54 mg QE/g and 88.25 mg OA/g dry extract, respectively). BHF and LHF were found to have extremely high antibacterial activity against two H. pylori strains ATCC 51932 and 43504 (MICs of 125 µg/ml). Interestingly, DMC (2’,4’-Dihydroxy-6’-methoxy-3’,5’-dimethylchalcone) isolated from BHF displayed greater antibacterial activity against the bacterial strains (MICs of 25–50 µg/ml) than those of the fractions. In addition, DMC presented potent inhibitory effects on H. pylori-urease (IC50 of 3.2 µg/ml) and α-amylase (IC50 of 83.80 µg/ml), but no inhibition against α-glucosidase. It was also demonstrated that DMC showed its pronounced inhibitory effects on urease activity and biofilm formation of H. pylori, and could increase the membrane permeability of the bacterial cells. Scanning electron micrographs depict that BHF and DMC had strong effects on the cell shape and significantly induced distortion and damage of the cell membrane. The fractions and DMC showed no significant toxicity to four tested human cell lines. Efforts to reduce antibiotic use indicate the need for further researches of the flower buds and DMC as potential products to prevent or treat gastric H. pylori infections.

Zingiber cassumunar Roxb. is a powerful medicinal plant that has been used as traditional medicine to cure respiratory problems, pain, and inflammation in China, Indonesia, Thailand and other Asian countries by using the crude extracts. The objective of this research is to identify phytochemical composition of Z. cassumunar Roxb. and to analyze antibacterial activity of crude extract, purified compounds, and their microencapsulated products of Rhizome Z. cassumunar Roxb. Identification of phytochemical composition in crude extract of rhizome Z. cassumunar Roxb. was achieved by chromatography-mass spectrophotometer. The major phytochemical composition in crude extract of Z. cassumunar Roxb. is essential oils, including terpinen4-ol (37.7%), β-pinene (20.8%), and (E)-1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)but-1-ene (13.3%). Crude extract of Z. cassumunar Roxb. was purified with silica gel flash column chromatography, resulting two purified compounds. The antibacterial activity of crude extract, purified compounds, and their microencapsulated products of Rhizome Z. cassumunar Roxb. were evaluated against agricultural and foodborne pathogens by using disc agar diffusion and broth microdilution techniques. All of the samples studied (crude extracts, purified compounds, and microencapsulated of Z. cassumunar Roxb.) were effective against all the bacteria. Based on the results of the disc-diffusion assay suggested that amongst the samples studied, purified compounds (compound 1 and 2) and microencapsulated purified compounds (compound 1 and 2) exhibited more effective against all the bacteria compared to the crude extracts. Antibacterial activity of the rhizome of Z. cassumunar Roxb. was contributed mainly by the essential oils components as the active compounds. Gram-negative bacteria (X. oryzae, X. translucens, Pseudomonas spp, E. coli, and S. typhimurium) appeared to the most resistant to the crude extracts, purified compounds, and microencapsulated of Z. cassumunar Roxb. compared to the gram-positive bacteria (S. aureus, B. cereus, and L. monocytogenes). Microencapsulated of the tested samples (crude extract, purified compound 1, and purified compound 2) of the rhizome Z. cassumunar Roxb. exhibited high antibacterial activity with no significantly different with the tested samples without microencapsulation. These results suggest potential antibacterial properties of Z. cassumunar Roxb., which useful for agricultural plant health, food preservation, natural therapies, and pharmaceuticals.

Tropical forests constitute prolific sanctuary of unique floral diversity and potential medicinal sources, however, many of them remains unexplored. Herein, seven Mascarene endemic plants leaves were extracted and evaluated for their in vitro antioxidant properties and antiproliferative effects on a panel of cancer cell lines using MTT and clonogenic cell survival assay. Flow cytometry and comet assay were used to investigate the cell cycle and DNA damaging effects, respectively. Bioassay guided-fractionation coupled with LC-Mass spectrometry (MS), gas chromatography-MS, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy analysis were used to identify the bioactive compounds. Among the seven plants tested, Terminalia bentzoë was comparatively the most potent antioxidant extract with significantly (p < 0.05) higher cytotoxic activities. T. bentzoë extract further selectively suppressed the growth of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells and significantly halted the cell cycle progression in G0/G1 phase, decreased the cells replicative potential and induced significant DNA damage. Ten phenolic compounds including punicalagin and ellagic acid were identified and likely contributed to the extract potent antioxidant and cytotoxic activities. These results established a promising basis for further in-depth investigations on the potential use of T. bentzoë as supportive therapy in cancer management.

In 1944 the architect Antonio Gómez Davó designed and built a new house for Mr. Ferrer at Rocafort in the suburbs of Valencia (Spain). In this same year, Europe, America, Russia and even Japan were still at war and Spain was only recovering from its own intestine conflict. Therefore, architectural innovations and influences were scarce as was the circulation of specialized journals on the matter. But in many creations, like the ceramic vaults and the brise-soleil, Le Corbusier himself had declared his profound nostalgia from the Mediterranean, a Sea that he had come to appreciate in his travels to the “orient”. In the case of Gómez Davó, having been born and raised in a prominent family of Valencia he could not remain indifferent to the design features that appeared in the vernacular architecture of the area, specially the type of inclined louvers of Arabic descent, that covered bow-windows and balconies and which have come to be known in Spain as the Majorcan louvers; nowadays even employed by Rafael Moneo for instance at the extension of the Painter Miro Foundation. However, with so many difficult circumstances surrounding him, Gómez Davó could not get to the point of producing a ground breaking design based on solar assumptions for the whole façade of the building, instead when providing an entrance porch apt for spending life, meals and well deserved rest hours outdoors in the pure Mediterranean tradition, he ventured to construct a surprising perforated wall oriented to the South in order to control radiation in winter and provide shade in the summer while affording excellent light and superb conditions of ventilation. By means of our own devised simulation tools we have analyzed the conditions of the house and especially of such innovative brise-soleil at times reminiscent of Alvar Aalto solutions for day-lit roofs, which he was aware intuitively and by his own incipient study of solar geometry, that needed adaptation from so distant latitudes as Finland and Valencia. By outlining such unknown and bold precedent we contribute to revitalize the early and daring pioneers of solar architecture in peripheral Spain and Europe, at the birth of critic regionalism, a fact often disregarded in conventional history of Modern Architecture.

The variations of visibility, PM mass concentration and mixing layer height (MLH) at four major urban-industry regions (Shenyang, Anshan, Benxi and Fushun) in multi-cities of central Liaoning over northeast China were evaluated from 2009-2012 to characterize the dynamics effect on air pollution. The annual mean visibilities were about 13.7±7.8km, 13.5±6.5km, 12.8±6.1km and 11.5±6.8km in Shenyang, Anshan, Benxi and Fushun, respectively. The pollution load (PM×MLH) shown a weaker vertical diffusion in Anshan with a higher PM concentration in the near-surface. High concentrations of fine mode particles may be partially attributed to the biomass burning emissions from September in Liaoning Province and surrounding regions in Northeast China as well as the coal burning during the heating period with lower MLH in winter. The increasing wind speed has a similar change as the increasing of mixing layer height to make the effect on the aerosol vertical diffusion. The visibility on the non haze-fog days was about 2.5-3.0 times higher than that on hazy and fog days. The fine particle concentrations of PM2.5 and PM1.0 on the haze and fog days were ~1.8-1.9 times and ~1.5 times higher than that on no hazy-fog days. The MLH during fog pollution showed more declining trend than haze pollution compared with non haze-fog days. The results of this study could provide the useful information to better recognize the effects of vertical pollutants diffusion on air quality in the multi-cities of central Liaoning over Northeast China.

Ceratonia siliqua L. is a medicinal plant that has long been used in traditional Moroccan medicine to treat many diseases. This study aimed to assess the impact of the stages of the immature phase of carob pulp (M1, M2, M3, M4, and M5) on phytochemical composition, antioxidant activity, and antidiabetic activity of Ceratonia siliqua L. The identification of the phenolic profile by HPLC-UV/MS-MS and the study of the antidiabetic effect by in silico, in vitro, and in vivo studies were carried out for extracts with a high content of phenolic compounds from immature wild carob pulp from the communes of Timoulit (TM), Bin Elouidane (AW), and Ouaouizerth (TG) in the province of Azilal in the Beni Mellal-Khenifra region. The results revealed a gradual increase in total sugar content over the pulp's ripening period, reaching a value of 2134 ±56.23 mg GE/100 g fresh matter (FM) for TG. The three locations showed peak values for total polyphenol content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and total condensed tannin (TCT) at the M2 stage. AW has the highest concentrations of TPC (3819 ± 226.4 mg GAE/100 g FM), TFC (1034 ± 57.08 mg QE/100 g FM), and TCT (1472 ± 28.46 mg CE/100 g FM). The DPPH assay (7892 ± 296.1 mg TE/100 g FM) and the FRAP assay (278.2 ± 7.85 mg TE/100 g FM) both demonstrate that the TG zone is a highly potent antioxidant zone. In contrast, the AW site exhibits a markedly elevated value of 725.4 ± 103.6 mg TE/100 g FM in the ABTS assay. HPLC-UV-MS/MS analysis showed that the methanolic extracts of immature carob pulp (MEICP) from the three areas contained several different chemical compounds. The most prevalent were 3-O-p-coumaroyl-5-O-caffeoylquinic acid, quercetin 3-methyl ether, gallic acid, and galloylquinic acid. Immature carob pulp extract. (ICPE) from AW showed the strongest in vitro inhibition of pancreatic α-amylase (IC50 = 0.405 µg/mL) and TG extracts were most potent against intestinal α-glucosidase (IC50 = 0.063 µg/mL). In vivo, AW, TG, and TM extracts significantly reduced postprandial glycemia in rats, with AW having the greatest effect. These results highlight the antidiabetic potential of ICPE. The 3-O-p-Coumaroyl-5-O-caffeoylquinic acid showed a better affinity for α-amylase compared to acarbose and interacted significantly with several amino acid residues of the enzyme. Similarly, this molecule and 3,4-Dicaffeoylquinic acid demonstrated a strong affinity for α-glucosidase, suggesting their potential as natural inhibitors of enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism. Most of the compounds are not substrates of P-glycoprotein and exhibit high intestinal absorption. Furthermore, the majority of these compounds do not act as inhibitors or substrates of CYP450 enzymes, reinforcing their suitability for development as oral medications. These results underscore the potential of immature carob pulp as a promising antidiabetic agent.

There are not many exhaustive works emphasizing the amount of genetic diversity among the strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) genotypes in Morocco. This work aims to assess the biochemical composition of strawberry tree fruits, as well as to establish the variation of this composition among them. In this study, total phenols, total flavonoids, condensed and hydrolyzable tannins, total anthocyanins and free radical scavenging activity through ABTS were investigated in strawberry tree fruits. Furthermore, qualitative and quantitative analyses of individual phenolic compounds by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were carried out. Color parameters such as lightness (L*), Chroma (c*) and hue angle (h°) were also investigated. All studied variables showed highly significant differences among all samples with the exception of hydrolyzable tannins and chromatic coordinates. Total phenolics varied from 22.63 ± 1.74 to 39.06 ± 2.44 mg GAE/g dry wt, total flavonoids varied from 3.30 ± 0.60 to 8.62 ± 1.10 mg RE/g dry wt and total anthocyanins ranged between 0.12 ± 0.06 and 0.66 ± 0.15 mg cya-3-glu/100g dry wt. In addition, condensed and hydrolyzable tannins amounts were in the range of 10.41 ± 1.07 - 16.08 ± 1.50 mg TAE/g dry wt and 4.08 ± 2.43 - 6.34 ± 3.47 respectively. Moreover, the IC50 value (ABTS) ranged between 1.75 and 19.58 mg AAE/g dry wt. 17 phenolic compounds were detected in strawberry tree fruits. Gallocatechol and catechin were the most abundant phenolic compound. Matrix of correlations revealed significant positive and negative correlations among variables particularly c*, a* and b*. Principal component analysis showed that the first three components formed than 68% of the total inertia. The following variables gallic acid, protocatechuic, gallocatechin, gallic acid derivative, chlorogenic acid, syringic acid, ellagic acid derivative II, L* and h* were the most involved in the total variance explained. Hierarchical clustering classified samples into one main cluster, with a single branch. The results highlight a high biochemical diversity within studied strawberry genotypes, which is probably more genetically related

Hydroalcoholic extracts from Malbec and Torrontés wine pomace (Vitis vinifera L.) originating from the high-altitude vineyards of Argentina's Calchaquí Valleys were characterized. Total phenolics, hydroxycinnamic acids, orthodiphenols, anthocyanins, non-flavonoid phenolics, total flavonoids, flavones/flavonols, flavanones/dihydroflavonols, and tannins were quanti-fied through spectrophotometric methods, with Malbec extract exhibiting higher concentra-tions in most of phytochemical groups when compared to Torrontés. HPLC-DAD identified more than 30 phenolic compounds in both extracts. Malbec displayed superior antiradical ac-tivity (ABTS cation, nitric oxide, and superoxide anion radicals), reduction power (iron, copper and phosphomolybdenum), hypochlorite scavenging, and iron chelating ability, compara-tively to Torrontés. The cytotoxicity assessments revealed that Torrontés affected the viability of HT29-MTX and Caco-2 colon cancer cells by 70% and 50%, respectively, at the highest tested concentration (1 mg/mL). At the same time, both extracts did not demonstrate acute toxicity in Artemia salina or in red blood cell assays at 500 µg/mL. Both extracts inhibited the lipoxygen-ase enzyme, with Malbec also reducing the tyrosinase activity and neither inhibited the xan-thine oxidase. The substantial phenolic content and diverse biological activities in Calchaquí Valleys' pomaces underline their potentialities to be valorized for pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries.

The medicinal herb Centaurium erythraea is well-known for its natural ability to treat digestive issues like dyspepsia and liver insufficiency by promoting the secretions of the liver and esophagus. This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of Centaurium erythraea extracts in treating diabetes. Decoction and Soxhlet procedures were used to examine the extracts, with water serving as the solvent. The extracts were tested for antioxidant capacity, antimicrobial effects, and inhibitory effects on alpha-amylase activity. In comparison to the aqueous extract, the decocted extract had higher levels of polyphenols, total tannins, and anthocyanins, as well as more effective antioxidant capacities. Due to its reduction of alpha-amylase activity and enteric absorption of glucose, Centaurium erythraea has also shown considerable anti-hyperglycemic action.

Terrestrial orchid tubers are an important source of food in some parts of Africa and are traditionally included in the diets of most rural communities in Malawi. However, there is limited information on the nutritional and phytochemical content of the Malawian orchids to substantiate their traditional use. The present study evaluates the nutritional and phytochemical variation of four orchid species: Disa zombica, Satyrium buchananii, Satyrium carsonii, and Satyrium trinerve, collected from the same ecological zone of Malawi. The proximate content, minerals, phytochemicals, and functional properties were analysed using official procedures. Protein ranged from 2.19% to 4.65%, whereas carbohydrate ranged from 65.24% to 80.22%, with S. carsonii and S. trinerve registering the highest protein and carbohydrate contents, respectively. Iron and potassium were highest in D. zombica, while sodium and calcium were highest in S. buchananii. The total phenolics ranged from 228.56 to 500.00 mg GAE/100 g, with D. zombica registering the highest. The water absorption capacity ranged from 4.10 to 10.88 g/g. Albeit variable levels, the study provides evidence that orchid species contain essential nutrients and phytochemicals important for human nutrition and health. Furthermore, the functional properties can be utilised in the development of food products, such as baked products.

Long COVID is the collective term used to describe the persistence of symptoms in individuals who have recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Some people who have healed from COVID-19 continue to experience new or persistent symptoms that last for weeks or months. While Long COVID is becoming more widely recognized, its fundamental causes and effective therapies remain largely unclear. This study aims to explore the potential of phytochemical medications as a cutting-edge therapeutic strategy for treating Long COVID, also known as post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC).G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which play a critical role in cell signaling, were the focus of this study. GPCRs are known to be involved in immunological and inflammatory responses and are considered potential targets for Long COVID therapy. The GPCRs examined included chemokine receptors, serotonin receptors, adrenergic receptors, and histamine receptors. The docking results demonstrated high binding affinity between phytochemical drug structures and these receptors for most drug-receptor combinations.The study consists of three main parts. First, data on receptors and drugs were retrieved from the Protein Data Bank (PDB) and PubChem, respectively. The receptors selected are those predicted to be linked to Long COVID. The structure of the drugs was converted from SDF to PDB format using OpenBabel from ChemInfo. Docking studies were performed to assess the binding affinity between the drugs (ligands) and their respective receptors (binding sites) using iGemDock v2.1.In conclusion, the findings of this study could have significant implications for the development of alternative therapies for Long COVID.

Ehretia laevis Roxb. (Boraginaceae) has been extensively used as a traditional remedy for the treatment of a diverse range of ailments related to the respiratory system, the gastrointestinal tract, the reproductive system, and against several infections. This review critically assesses and documents, for the first time, the fragmented information on E. laevis, including its botanical description, folklore uses, bioactive phytometabolites and pharmacological activities. The goal is to explore this plant therapeutically. Ethnomedicinal surveys reveal that E. laevis has been used by tribal communities in Asian countries for the treatment of various disorders. Quantitative and qualitative phytochemical investigations of E. laevis showed the presence of important phytoconstituents such as pentacyclic triterpenoids, phenolic acids, flavonoids, fatty acids, steroids, alkaloids, aliphatic alcohols, hydrocarbons, amino acids, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Fresh plant parts, crude extracts, fractions and isolated compounds have been reported to exhibit broad spectrum of therapeutic activities viz., antioxidant, antiarthritic, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antiulcer, antidiarrheal, antidysenteric, wound healing and anti-infective activities. E. laevis is shown to be an excellent potential source of drugs for the mitigation of jaundice, asthma, dysentery, ulcers, diarrhea, ringworm, eczema, diabetes, fissure, syphilis, cuts and wounds, inflammation, liver problems, venereal and infectious disorders. Although few investigations authenticated its traditional uses but employed uncharacterized crude extracts of the plant, the major concerns raised are reproducibility of therapeutic efficacy and safety of plant material. The outcomes of limited pharmacological screening and reported bioactive compounds of E. laevis suggest that there is an urgent need for in-depth pharmacological investigations of the plant.

Cultivated adlay or Job’s tear (Coix lacryma-jobi L.) is an important food crop having numerous therapeutic and nutraceutical health benefits. Our study aimed to determine nutrients, minerals, fatty acid composition, and functional groups of seven wild Adlay accessions (brown, black, yellow, grey, green, off-white, and purple) to find out their scope as cereal crops using simple, rapid, and modern analytical techniques. Results revealed variations among bulk densities, specific densities, percent empty spaces, and corresponding grain counts per 10g of sample are valuable characteristics in distinguishing the accessions. Contents of fat, protein, ash, and fibre were found to be comparable to cultivated Adlay. Brown adlay was measured with the highest protein, fat, and fibre contents, 15.82%, 4.76% and 2.37%, respectively. Phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and sodium ranged 0.3% - 2.2%, whereas boron, iron, copper, zinc, and manganese were in the range 1.6mg/kg - 20.8mg/kg. Wild adlay triglyceride composition constituted of polyunsaturated fatty acids as primary fraction followed by olein and palmitic acid as prominent fatty acids. Distinguishing functional groups expressed infra-red frequencies in narrow bands and fingerprint region of proteins associated with out-of-plane region evident structural differences among adlay accessions. Frequency of functional groups in seven accessions indicated black genotype promising for varietal development.

Research into lightweight structural concrete using volcanic tuff is of great importance to the construction industry. These materials have excellent thermal insulation properties, which helps improve the energy efficiency of buildings. A three-factor experimental design was used to build the statistical model. The test methods used were methods for determining the crushability of volcanic tuff, determining the average density, compressive strength and thermal conductivity of lightweight structural concrete. The influence of basalt fiber on the properties of lightweight structural concrete has been determined. The optimal compositions of lightweight structural concrete using tuff have been selected. The compressive strength of lightweight structural concrete reached 32.0 MPa. The average density range is 1754.6-2114.0 kg/m³. Good thermal conductivity values ​​were obtained in the range of 0.653-0.818 W/m·K. The article obtained the optimal compositions of lightweight structural concrete using volcanic tuff as a filler.

Background/Objectives: Phenylketonuria is a hereditary metabolic disorder characterized by a deficiency of phenylalanine hydroxylase. Main treatment for PKU is a phenylalanine-restricted diet. Exclusion of protein rich natural foods and inclusion of low-Phe substitutes may give rise to an imbalanced diet increasing the risk of overweight and obesity in PKU is a cause of concern. We aimed to evaluate the body composition and nutritional biochemical biomarkers in adult PKU patients who are on Phe-restricted and essential amino acids supplemented nutrition therapy and to investigate the relationships, between these parameters and patient gender, adherence to dietary therapy and disease type defined as mild or classic PKU. Methods: The study group comprised 37 PKU patients and 26 healthy siblings as controls. The participants were assessed based on an analysis of anthropometric parameters, body composition and biochemical test results. Results: PKU patients do not have a higher incidence of overweight and obesity than healthy controls, and the proportion of energy derived from carbohydrates in their diets was below the recommended level, and the total energy intake was below the recommended daily allowance. It was remarkable that patients with a treatment adherence ratio of &lt;50% displayed a higher prevalence of overweight and abdominal obesity in comparison to those with a more favorable treatment adherence ratio. Conclusions: In view of the growing prevalence of overweight in the general population, PKU patients should be kept under close long-term follow-up. Particularly in the group with low treatment compliance, more caution should be paid in terms of adverse outcomes.

Taro is an important root vegetable and has several medicinal and therapeutic properties. The two major therapeutic ingredients are flavonoids and triterpenoids, which are of prime importance. Additionally, the plant has antibacterial, antiparasitic, antiallergic, and anti-inflammatory properties. People often use it to treat a number of diseases by prescribing them as medications. Researchers from the pharmaceutical industry can thrive on C. esculenta by using whole-plant extracts. The identification of valuable terpenoids and therapeutics and their preparations are profusely dealt with in this article. Also, the new structural details of connective tissue are also studied as it helps researchers to investigate further uses of taro for humans, it is well known that xanthan can be obtained commercially as stabilizers, thickeners, binders, and more. It is essential to explore this plant for both medicinal and pharmaceutical properties.

Picrasma javanica Blume or also known as Picrasma nepalensis or Picrasma philippinensis is a plant belongs to the Simaroubaceae family, which is known for its secondary metabolites namely quassinoids with various pharmacological properties including antitumor, antimalarial and antiviral. The plant traditionally used as medicine for different diseases in Myanmar, Thailand and Indonesia. The purpose of this study is to discern the phytochemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Picrasma javanica. The background, phytochemical constituents and pharmacological benefits of Picrasma javanica were reviewed and supported from previous studies, including in vivo and in vitro studies. The literature used in the review comprises of published books, journals, reviews and articles published from the year of 1969 to 2018, which are available in ScienceDirect, PubMed, Scopus and GoogleScholar. Chemical structures presented in this paper are either drawn with ACD/ChemSketch. Picrasma javanica possesses several phytochemical constituents, including quassinoids, alkaloids and triterpenoids. Compounds of the plant were isolated and studied for their pharmacological activities such as antimalarial, antiproliferative, antiviral, antimicrobial and membrane stabilising activity. Most importantly, these studies showed that the key players for the pharmacological benefits are quassinoids and alkaloids present in the plant.Picrasma javanica indeed has therapeutic potentials which may be beneficial for people. However, further extensive studies must be done on the plant as the detailed information on its pharmacological activities are still lacking.

This paper introduces an innovative approach that enables automated and precise prediction of the steel's chemical composition based on the desired Jominy curve. The microstructure, and in fact the presence of martensite, is decisive for the hardness of the steel, so the study considered the occurrence of this phase at particular distances from the quenched-end of the Jominy sample. Steels for quenching and tempering and case hardening were investigated. With representative collected dataset of hardness values from quenched-end of Jominy specimen, microstructure and chemical composition of steels, the complex regression model was made using supervised artificial neural networks. The balance between cost and required hardenability can be achieved through optimizing the chemical composition of steel. This model of designing steel with required hardenability can be of great benefit in the mechanical engineering and manufacturing industry. The model is verified experimentally.

In order to establish the formation patterns of the Co–Mg oxide system, samples with different Co:Mg ratios and heat treatment temperatures were synthesized and studied. Study of the sam-ples confirmed the phase transition of MgxCo2–xO4 spinels into corresponding solid solutions at 800–900 °C. The similarity of formation patterns for different compositions is shown. The rock-salt oxide in low-temperature samples is an anion-modified paracrystalline phase that forms a “true” solid solution only upon spinel decomposition. TPR profiles of decomposed Co3O4 spinel show surface Co3O4 peaks and a wide peak corresponding to well-crystallized CoO, while par-tial Co3O4 TPR up to 380 °C results in dispersed and amorphous CoO. High-temperature non-stoichiometric samples are poorly reduced, indicating their low oxygen reactivity. Spinel reoxidation after heat treatment to 1100 °C by calcination at 750 °C showed complete regenera-tion for MgCo2O4–Co3O4 samples and its absence in case of an excess of MgO relative to stoi-chiometry. Based on the data obtained, it can be concluded that the processes governing the formation of Co–Mg oxide systems are determined by both Co:Mg ratio and the heat treatment conditions, potentially providing the possibility of fine tuning for specific catalytic processes.

The present study aims to evaluate the antibacterial activity of five commercially available essential oils (EOs): Lavender (LEO), Clove (CEO), Oregano (OEO), Eucalyptus (EEO), and Peppermint (PEO) against the most-known MDR Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria - Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853) - alone and in various combinations. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis established their complex composition. Then, the antibacterial activity was investigated in vitro by diffusimetric antibiogram method, using sterile cellulose discs with Ø 6 mm impregnated with 10 µl of sample and sterile borosilicate glass cylinders loaded with 100 µl of sample; MIC (µg/mL) for each EO was calculated from IZD values (mm) measured after 24 hours. The following EO combinations were evaluated: OEO+CEO, CEO+EEO, CEO+PEO, LEO+EEO, and EEO+PEO. Then, the influence of each dual combination on 3 conventional antibacterial drugs – Neomycin (NEO), Tetracycline (TET), and Bacitracin (BAC) - activity was investigated. The most active EOs against S. aureus and E. coli were LEO and OEO (IZD = 40 mm). They were followed by the CEO and EEO (IZD = 20-27 mm); PEO exhibited the lowest antibacterial activity (IZD = 15-20 mm). EEO alone showed the highest inhibitory activity on P. aeruginosa (IZD = 25-35 mm). It was followed by the CEO, LEO, and EEO (IZD = 7-11 mm), while PEO proved no antibacterial action against it (IZD = 0 mm). Only one synergic action was recorded (OEO+CEO against P. aeruginosa); EEO+PEO revealed partial synergism against S. aureus and CEO+PEO additive behavior against E. coli. Two triple associations with TET showed partial synergism against E. coli, and the other 2 ones (with NEO and TET) evidenced the same behavior against S. aureus; all contained EEO+PEO or CEO+PEO. Most combinations reported indifference. However, numerous cases were of antagonism between constituents included in double and triple combinations, and EOs with the strongest antibacterial activities belong to the highest antagonistic combinations. A consistent statistical analysis supports our results, showing that EOs with moderate antibacterial activities could generate combinations with higher inhibitory effects based on synergistic or additive interactions.

Plants significantly shape root-associated microbiota, making rhizosphere microbes useful environmental indicator organisms for safety assessment. Here, we report the pyrosequencing of the bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA in rhizosphere soil samples collected from transgenic cry1Ab/cry1Ac Bt rice Huahui No. 1 (GM crop) and its parental counterpart, Minghui63. We identified a total of 2,579 quantifiable bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTUs). Many treatment-enriched microbial OTUs were identified, including 14 NonGM-enriched OTUs and 10 GM-enriched OTUs. The rhizosphere microbiota communities were influenced more strongly by growth in the field than by rice varieties. Furthermore, Huahui No. 1 transgenic Bt rice had a greater impact on the rhizosphere bacterial communities than Minghui63. Early developmental stages of the transgenic Bt rice had a significant impact on many Bacillaceae communities. While soil chemical properties were not significantly altered by the presence of transgenic Bt rice, we found peak expression level of Bt proteins during the seedling stage, which may be an intriguing factor for bacterial diversity variations. Based on these findings, we conclude that transgenic Bt rice has a significant impact on root-associated bacteria. This information may be leveraged in future environmental safety assessments of transgenic Bt rice varieties.

This study investigates the phytochemical profile, cytotoxic effects, and lactogenic activity of Oxystelma esculentum, a plant renowned for its traditional medicinal uses. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed a rich array of secondary metabolites, including alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, and tannins, predominantly in polar solvents such as methanol and ethanol. Spectroscopic analysis further identified key functional groups, suggesting significant bioactivity. The cytotoxic potential was evaluated against ovarian (OVCAR3), breast (T47D), and cervical (HeLa) cancer cell lines, demonstrating a concentration-dependent increase in cytotoxicity, with T47D cells exhibiting the highest sensitivity (IC50 = 42.82 μg/ml). Additionally, the brine shrimp lethality assay indicated low toxicity, while in vivo studies highlighted the extract's ability to enhance milk yield and pup growth in lactating rats, correlating with increased prolactin levels. These findings underscore Oxystelma esculentum as a promising candidate for natural anticancer therapies and lactation enhancement, warranting further exploration of its bioactive compounds and mechanisms of action.

Elevated carbon dioxide (eCO₂) stimulates wheat grain yield, but simultaneously reduces protein (N) concentration. Also other essential nutrients are subject to change. This study is a comprehensive synthesis of wheat experiments with eCO₂, estimating effects on N, minerals (B, Ca, Cd, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, S, Zn), and starch. Analysis was made by i) deriving response functions for the relative effect on element concentration in relation to CO₂ concentration, ii) meta-analysis to test the magnitude and significance of observed effects, and iii) relating CO₂ effects on minerals to effects on N and grain yield. Responses range from zero to strong negative effects of eCO₂ on mineral concentration, with largest reductions for the nutritionally important elements N, Fe, S, Zn and Mg. Together with the positive but small and non-significant effect on starch concentration, the large variation in effects suggests that CO₂-induced responses cannot be explained by a simple dilution model. To explain the observed pattern, uptake and transport mechanisms may have to be considered, along with the link of different elements to N uptake. Our study shows that eCO₂ has a significant effect on wheat grain stoichiometry, with implications for human nutrition in a world of rising CO₂.

Bioactive plant compounds, also known as phytochemicals, are essential for plant resistance, growth, and development. These chemicals often possess therapeutic properties that have been used in traditional medicine for centuries as herbal remedies for a variety of diseases. As a member of the Lamiaceae family, Rydingia (Syn: Otostegia) is found in Asia and northeastern Africa. R. michauxii, is a unique shrub that grows in the Southern region of Iran, Fars province. Rydingia species have been used as traditional herbal medicine in Iran for many years. It seems that R. michauxii offers great potential for in-depth research on its diverse biological properties, especially its antioxidant and lipid-lowering effects. Nevertheless, no clinical investigation has been carried out on the phytochemical characteristics of this plant to date. Therefore, this study aims to contribute to the scientific knowledge on the pharmacological properties of R. michauxii and its phytochemical compounds and encourage researchers to evaluate its biological properties in animal models. In this study, all available scientific literature was compiled and all phytochemical and pharmacological properties of the R. michauxii plant were investigated, including antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antioxidant, antimalarial, cytotoxic, and lipid-lowering effects, which may prove useful in developing novel formulations with greater therapeutic benefits in clinical applications.

Dermatoses are essentially due to infectious or free radical aggression, immunoallergic disor-ders, or can be secondary to general diseases. To investigate new antimicrobial sources against dermatoses, Opilia amentacea crude ethanol extracts and fractions were subjected to phytochemical screening and tested for antioxidant and antimicrobial activities on Gram-positive cocci, Gram negative bacilli and fungi. Phytochemical screening revealed secondary metabolites such as sterols, triterpenes, flavonoids and tannins. Leaves and stem bark of Opilia amentacea exhibited the highest total phenolic contain (65,92 ± 0,93 and 65,71 ± 0,57 mg GAE/g DW respectivily) and flavonoids (38,8 ± 1,05 and 26,81 ± 0,19mg QE/g DW respectively). Dichloromethane fractions of leaves (FDFe) and stem bark (FDET) exhibited the best antioxidant activity with FRAP values of 741,15 and 662,84 mMol AAE/g and IC50 values of ABTS of 88,40 and 36,85 µg/mL respectively. These fractions were also the most active on Gram positive bacilli while Hexane leaves (FHFe) and hexane root bark (FHER) fractions exhibited the best antifungal activity against Candida tropicalis at MIC values of 0.23 mg/mL and 0.43 mg/mL respectively. Gram-negative bacteria were particularly resistant. This study constitutes a solid scientific basis that could justify the traditional uses of Opilia amen-tacea as an antidermatosis plant.

Prunus dulcis is one of the most widely cultivated species in the world. Its fruit (almond) is rich in various nutritious and bioactive compounds that exert several beneficial effects. The aim of this study was to determine the chemical profile and evaluate the biological potential in vitro of almond shell extracts. The chemical analysis of shell extracts led to the identification of 15 com-pounds by HPLC-DAD of which 11 were first detected in the almond plant. Twenty-six volatile compounds were identified by the GC-MS technique, among them; seven were firstly detected in the studied plant. For the biological activities, the extracts demonstrated moderate inhibition potential against the antioxidant, antidiabetic, and cytotoxic activities. The methanol extract at 50 µg/mL showed the highest antioxidant (45%) and antidiabetic activities (45% against alpha-glucosidase and 31% against alpha-amylase extracts), while the cyclohexane and dichloromethane at 50 µg/mL showed the highest cytotoxic activity towards Hela (32.2% with cyclohexane), and RAW 264-7 (45% with dichloromethane). Overall, these findings demonstrate the potential of almond shell extracts as a source of bioactive compounds that could be applied in the pharmaceutical and medical fields.

Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt. (PF) is an annual herbal medicinal, aromatic, functional food and ornamental plant that belongs to the mint family, Lamiaceae. The origin of perilla traces back to East Asian countries (China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam and India), where it has been used as a valuable source of culinary and traditional medicinal uses. Leaves, seeds and stems of P. frutescens are used for various therapeutic applications in folk medicine. In the absence of comprehensive review regarding all aspects of perilla, thus this review aims to present an overview pertaining to the botanical drug, ethnobotany, phytochemistry and biological activity. It was found that the taxonomic classification of perilla species is quite confused, and the number of species is vague. Perilla has traditionally been prescribed to treat depression-related disease, anxiety, asthma, chest stuffiness, vomiting, cough, cold, flus, phlegm, tumour, allergy, intoxication, fever, headache, stuffy nose, constipation, abdominal pain, indigestion, analgesic, anti-abortive agent, and sedative. Until now, 271 natural molecules have been identified in perilla organs including; polyphenols, flavonoids, essential oils, triterpenes, carotenoids, phytosterols, fatty acids, tocopherols and policosanols. In addition to solvent extracts, these individual compounds (rosmarinic acid, perillaldehyde, luteolin, apigenin, tormentic acid, isoegomaketone) have attracted researchers' interest for pharmacological properties. Its bioactivity showed antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-allergic, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, neuroprotection activity. Although the results are promising in preclinical studies (in vitro and in vivo) as well, clinical studies are insufficient, therefore further study needs to be done to validate its therapeutic effects and to ensure its safety and efficacy.

With the increasing interest in CM as a potential source of nutrients and bioactive compounds, there arises a necessity to delve into methods for its processing and drying. Over recent decades, a significant amount of research has been conducted on the chemical composition of CM and its potential health benefits. Consequently, this study is directed towards examining CM drying technology, including an analysis of the influence of different drying methods on its chemical composition and nutri-tional properties. The objective of this review is to systematically summarize the available literature on CM drying processes and their impact on its chemical composition. Special attention is devoted to comparing various drying methods such as freeze-drying, spray drying, and freeze-drying, as well as investigating factors affecting the quality of dried CM. To achieve this goal, we scrutinize a series of studies published between 2003 and 2022 to identify optimal drying methods that promote the maximum preservation of CM's nutritional components and bioactive compounds. Additionally, we explore possibilities for reducing drying time to enhance production efficiency. This research is grounded in the analysis of data from diverse scientific research databases, including Scopus and Google Scholar, encompassing a systematic review of scientific literature and a comparative analysis of the obtained results.

To date, the percentage composition of the lung microbiome in bronchopulmonary cancer has not been summarized. Existing studies on identifying the lung microbiome in bronchopulmonary cancer through 16S rRNA sequencing have shown variable results regarding the abundance of bacterial taxa. Objectives: To identify the predominant bacteria in the lung microbiome of bronchopulmonary cancer from samples collected through bronchoalveolar lavage and to assess their potential role in the diagnosis of bronchopulmonary cancers. Data Sources: A systematic review of English articles using MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science. Search terms included lung microbiome, lung cancer, bronchoalveolar lavage. Study Selection: Randomized clinical trials that investigated the lung microbiome in bronchopulmonary cancer with samples collected via bronchoalveolar lavage. Data Extraction: Independent extraction of articles using predefined data fields, including study quality indicators. Data Synthesis: Nine studies met the inclusion criteria, focusing on those that utilized a percentage expression of the microbiome at the phylum or genus level. There was noted heterogeneity between studies, both in terms of phylum and genus, with a relatively constant percentage of the Firmicutes phylum and the genera Streptococcus and Veillonella being mentioned. Significant differences were also observed regarding the inclusion criteria for study participants, the method of sample collection, and data processing. Conclusions: To date, there is no consistent percentage pattern at the phylum or genus level in bronchopulmonary cancer, with the predominance of a phylum or genus varying across different patient cohorts, resulting in non-overlapping outcomes.

Background: Symmetry is a special kind of balance. This study aims to systematically explore and apply the role of balanced composition in aesthetic judgments by focusing on balanced composition features and employing research methods from computational aesthetics and Neuroaesthetics. Methods: First, experimental materials were classified by quantifying balanced composition using several indices, including symmetry, center of gravity, and negative space. An EEG experiment was conducted with 18 participants, who were asked to respond dichotomously to the same stimuli under different judgment tasks (balance and aesthetics), with both behavioral and EEG data being recorded and analyzed. Subsequently, participants' data were combined with balanced composition indices to construct and analyze various SVM classification models. Results: Participants largely used balanced composition as a criterion for aesthetic evaluation. ERP data indicated that from 300-500ms post-stimulus, brain activation was more significant in the aesthetic task, with unbeautiful and imbalanced stimuli eliciting larger frontal negative waves and occipital positive waves. From 600-1000ms, beautiful stimuli caused smaller negative waves in the PZ channel. The results of the SVM models indicated that the model incorporating aesthetic subject data (ACC=0.9989) outperforms the model using only balanced composition parameters of the aesthetic object (ACC=0.7074). Conclusions: Balanced composition is a crucial indicator in aesthetics, with similar early processing stages in both balance and aesthetic judgments. Multimodal data models validated the advantage of including human factors in aesthetic evaluation systems. This interdisciplinary approach not only enhances our understanding of the cognitive and emotional processes involved in aesthetic judgments but also enables the construction of more reasonable machine learning models to simulate and predict human aesthetic preferences.

This study aimed to determine the impact of a novel formulation of a supplement composed of the natural ingredients: bromelain, quercetin, and Lentinula edodes, on the gut microbiota of healthy adult dogs. Adult healthy female dogs were administered either a placebo (CTR, n = 15) or the supplement (TRT, n=15) over 28 days. Stool samples were collected for 16S rRNA sequencing before supplement administration (T0), at completion of supplement administration (T28), and one week after the end of supplement administration (T35) to characterize changes in the gut microbial communities. QIIME was used to determine both alpha- and beta-diversity and ANCOM-BC was used to identify differences in taxonomic abundances before and after supplementation. We found a significant decrease in overall diversity in CTR group, but no significant differences in overall diversity in the TRT group over time. Furthermore, we found differences in the abundance of several taxa in both CTR and TRT groups but differences in abundance of beneficial bacteria were more pronounced in TRT group. Specifically, we found increases in the abundance of sequences belonging to the genera Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Pediococcus at T28 in the TRT group with significant increases in Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus persisting at T35 when compared to T0. Importantly, members of these genera are known to be pro anti-inflammatory and associated with a healthy gut microbiota in dogs. The results of our study show the potential of our supplement to selectively enhance specific beneficial bacterial taxa, offering a targeted approach to modulating the gut microbiome without causing disruptions to the overall equilibrium.

The paper provides and comments on the results of studies of the effect of sandstone-based abrasives and quartz sand alone on the wear of martensitic surfaces of wear-resistant steels. The wear process was examined on a ring-on-ring test rig seeking to determine the mass decrement parameter which characterised wear. The tests were conducted for three sandstone varieties: Carboniferous, Permian, and Cretaceous, and they made it possible to determine that the most intense process of deterioration of wear-resistant steels took place in the presence of quartz sand grain, while less intense wear was observed in the case of sandstone-based abrasives. The mass decrement values established in the presence of the sandstones in question did not differ significantly between individual sandstone varieties. Based on a surface damage analysis, the basic damage mechanism was found to be micro-scratching, however, with regard to the sandstones examined, it was also determined that individual grains could be pressed into surface irregularities, as well as that films of soft hematite cement developed in the Permian sandstone and that inclusions of carbonaceous matter were formed in the Carboniferous sandstone. With reference to the wear process observations, a wear model was described for the surface of the steels examined in the presence of sandstone-based abrasives.

Carotenoids are common and diverse organic compounds with various functional roles in ani-mals. Except for certain aphids, mites, and gall midges, all animals acquire necessary carotenoids only through their diet. The House fly (Musca domestica) is a cosmopolitan pest insect that populates diverse habitats. Its larvae feed on organic substrates that may vary in carotenoid composition according to their specific content. We hypothesized that the carotenoid composition in the adult House fly’s body would reflect its composition in the larval feed. We reared house fly larvae on substrates that differed in carotenoid composition and characterized the carotenoid composition of the emerging adults. Our results indicate that the carotenoid composition of adult House flies is related to the carotenoid composition in its natal substrate, but does not directly reflect it. We suggest that these findings may be developed to identify sources of House fly in-festations. We also recommend that care should be taken when considering the rearing substrates of House fly larvae used for animal feed.

Soil carbon (C) cycling under anoxic conditions is mechanistically linked to dissimilatory iron (Fe) reduction, which could be regulated by exogenous dissolved organic matter (DOM). However, the impact of complex exogenous DOM on soil microbial activity and C-Fe coupling in paddy soils remains underexplored. With a 100-day microcosm experiment, we determined that the molecular composition of DOM derived from organic fertilizers and biochar on paddy soil affects soil microbial community, Fe reduction, and C emissions. Our results indicated that biochar-DOM significantly promoted Fe reduction and accelerated CH₄ and CO₂ emissions, and organic manure-DOM increased soil CO₂ emissions, which was closely related to the molecular composition of exogenous DOM. DOM molecules with high aromaticity (AI_mod) and high DBE, including lignins-vascular plant-derived polyphenols, lignins-polycyclic aromatics (PA), and condensed aromatics-PA, promoted soil Fe reduction and CH₄ emissions by enriching soil Fe-reducing bacteria (FeRB), reducing methanotrophs, and facilitating r-strategists at the early stage of incubation. Conversely, DOMs with low AI_mod, low DBE and high H/C, such as lignins-highly unsaturated and phenolic compounds and proteins-aliphatic compounds, enhanced CO₂ emissions by facilitating recalcitrant C degradation and CH₄ oxidation at the late stage of incubation. In conclusion, our study highlights the importance of the molecular composition of DOMs derived from organic amendments in regulating soil Fe reduction and C emissions. The findings offer novel insights into the effective utilization of agricultural resources and the mitigation of soil C emissions.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder presenting a dysregulated immune response and derangement of the epidermal barrier lipids. The Th2-type cytokines interleukin IL-4 and IL-13 play a prominent role in AD by activating the Janus Kinase/Signal Transduction and Activator of Transcription (JAK/STAT) intracellular signal axis. This study aimed to investigate the role of JAK/STAT in the lipid perturbations induced by Th2 signaling in 3D-epidermal equivalents. We used tofacitinib, a low-molecular-mass JAK inhibitor, to screen for the JAK/STAT-mediated deregulation of lipid metabolism. Th2 cytokines decreased the expression of elongases 1, 3, and 4, and serine-palmitoyl-transferase and increased that of sphingolipid delta(4)-desaturase, and carbonic anhydrase 2. Th2 cytokines inhibited the synthesis of palmitate and caused a depletion of triglycerides. This depletion was associated with altered PC profiles and fatty acid (FA) metabolism. Overall, the ceramide profiles were minimally affected. Except for most sphingolipids and very long chain FAs, the effects of Th2 on lipid pathways were reversed by co-treatment with tofacitinib. An increase in the mRNA levels of CPT1A and ACAT1, reduced by tofacitinib, suggests that Th2 cytokines promote FA beta-oxidation. In conclusion, pharmacological inhibition of JAK/STAT activation prevents the lipid disruption caused by halted homeostasis of FA metabolism.

The intranasal route of drug administration is characterized by high bioavailability and is considered promising for rapid delivery of drugs with systemic action to the central nervous system, bypassing the blood-brain barrier. This is particularly important for the use of neuroprotective drugs in the treatment of brain tissue damage in infants caused by the effects of intrauterine hypoxia. Creation of new dosage forms for neonatology with the use of software and mathematical technologies in pharmaceutical development allows to create cerebroprotective drugs with controlled pharmaco-technological properties, thus reducing time and resources for necessary research. We developed a formulation of a new nasal gel formulation with Angiolin using Box-Benken experiment design for the therapy of prenatal CNS damage. It was found that the consistency properties of the nasal gel were significantly influenced by the gelling agent and mucoadhesive component - sodium salt of carboxymethylcellulose. We have optimized the composition of nasal gel formulation with Angiolin using the formed models and relationships between the factors. The optimized composition of the obtained nasal gel has satisfactory parameters of thixotropic properties. The developed 1% gel for neuroprotection with Angiolin meets all the requirements for harmlessness and safety to drug forms of this group - low toxicity, absence of local irritant and allergic effect.

Substances derived from herbals are much in demand in doping practices because of their interesting biological properties for physical exercise and sport. This review aimed to investigate anti-fatigue herbals, their properties, analysis methods and toxicity. Data indicate that phytomolecules have beneficial effects on the physiological and biochemical parameters of the body undergoing exercise. They reduce fatigue and promote recovery by improving antioxidant enzyme activities, immune responses, blood pressure, body composition and by reducing the accumulation of toxic metabolites and systemic inflammation. Thus, the use of herbal could provide relief to people who exert intense physical activities such as farmers and athletes; for this, these peoples must do careful, the use of doping herbal must be done in accordance with all the previsions which take into account the need for the use of herbal supplement, the doses. In addition, these benefits attributed to herbals should not conceal the drawbacks of using them in sport.Some phytomolecules are toxic when used in large quantities, and others, in this case alkaloids, should be avoided by athletes.

Zephyranthes citrina Baker is a bulbous herb, commonly known as yellow rain lily belongs to the family Amaryllidaceae. It is a native of tropical and subtropical America but nowadays it is cultivated as a popular ornamental herb in several parts of the world including India. This herb represents one of the richest sources of phytochemicals, especially alkaloids and possesses great potential for pharmaceutical applications. It shows remarkable antiprotozoal, antimicrobial, anti-Alzheimer, cytotoxic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and dye removal activities. This review is an effort to give a detailed study of the literature on the biological activities of Zephyranthes citrina. This review concludes that Zephyranthes citrina has a great potential to treat various diseases and could be used as a source for novel healthcare products in the near future, which requires further experimentation.

Background: Bariatric surgery (BS) has a significant impact on body composition (BC) and con-sequently may affect established sarcopenic obesity (SO) in candidate patients. The aim of this study is to assess the utility of muscle ultrasound (MUS) of rectus femoris thickness (RFT) for the evalua-tion of BC and skeletal muscle function in patients undergoing BS compared to bioimpedance analysis (BIA), dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and dynamometry. On the other hand, we aim to demonstrate how MUS of RFT correlates better with the quality of life (Qol) in this population, likely because it enables the detection of regional quadriceps muscle sarcopenia, in comparison to the other mentioned methods. Methods: This is a prospective pilot study including 77 subjects (64.9% female, mean age: 53.2 ± 8.67 years) who underwent BS. Handgrip strength was measured using a dynamometer, fat-free mass index (iFFM) was assessed by BIA, appendicular muscle index (AMI) was calculated using DEXA and RFT was measured by MUS. Moreover, Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resintance (HOMA-IR) was calculated. All these measurements were conducted 1 month prior to BS and at the 12-month follow-up. QoL was as-sessed using the Moorehead-Ardelt questionnaire. Results: The mean BMI decreased by 12.95 ± 3.56 kg/m2 (p=0.001). Firstly, we observed positive correlation pre-surgery between HOMA and: RFT (r=0.27, p=0.02), iFFM (r=0.36, p=0.001), AMI (r=0.31, p=0.01) and dynamometer (r=0.26, p=0.02). In addition, we found correlation between RFT and iFFM (pre-surgical: r=0.31, p=0.01; post-surgical: r=0.25, p=0.05) and between RFT and lower extremities AMI post-surgical (r=0.27, p=0.04). Secondly, we observed significant reductions in iFFM, AMI and RFT (p=0.001), but not with dynamometer (p=0.94). Finally, a tendency to a positive correlation between QoL question-naire and RFT post-surgery (r=0.23, p=0.079) was observed. Conclusions: Our results suggest that RFT measured by MUS for the evaluation of SO and the follow-up after BS of these patients. Moreover, RFT can provide relevant information about regional sarcopenia and probably has an accurate correlation with QoL in comparison with the other methods.

Lichenochemical composition and antimicrobial, antibiofilm and antioxidant effects of a newly described arctic lichen Placidium doesaiense growing in Pakistan were investigated. HPLC–DAD methods were used for identification of secondary metabolites in acetone and methanol extracts. The total polyphenol and the total flavonoid content was determined spectrophotometrically. The study examined the antioxidant (DPPH scavenging activity and reducing power), antibacterial (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC)) and antibiofilm (inhibition of biofilm formation and reduction of mature biofilm) activities of extracts of the lichen P. doesaiense and isolated parietin. The chemical constituents olivetol, olivetolic acid, haematommic acid, fallacinol and parietin, were identified as major compounds in the tested extracts of the lichen. Parietin was isolated from the acetone extract on a separation column. The methanol extract had higher values of TPC (21.67 mg GA/g) and TFC (377.40 mg RE/g) than the acetone extract. Although the extracts showed the best antibacterial activity (especially against Proteus mirabilis ATCC 12453), parietin demonstrated superior antibiofilm activity (especially against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923). Isolated parietin showed the best antioxidant activity measures according to DPPH scavenging activity (IC50= 51.616 μg/mL) and reducing power. This is the first report on the phytochemical composition of the lichen Placidium doesaiense and the first description of the chemical composition of some of the 28 species of the genus Placidia. This research will pave the way for further exploration of new activities of this lichen and its metabolites, which are important for medicine and pharmacy.

Background: The effect of COVID-19 infection, versus the indirect effect of the pandemic on body composition remains unclear. This study investigates long-term changes in body composition in COVID–19 survivors compared to a contemporary control group. Method: This is a prospective study involving adults who had a pre-pandemic whole-body DXA scan (DXA#1) performed between 2017 and 2019. Participants were asked to return for a repeat whole-body DXA scan (DXA#2) after the pandemic. Detailed data were collected including medical and COVID history. Inflammation markers and fasting lipids were measured. For those participants who had a COVID-19 infection between the 2 DXAs, DXA#2 was acquired at least one year after COVID-19 infection. Results: Overall, 160 adults were enrolled; 32.5% females, 51.8% non-white, with mean age of 43.2 years. Half (n=80) of the participants had documented COVID infection between their 2 DXA scans (COVID+ group), and the other half never had COVID. COVID-negative participants had an increase in annualized trunk fat (g) [922.5 vs. 159.7; P=0.01], total fat (g) [1564.3 vs. 199.9; P=0.2], and LBM (g) [974.9 vs. -64.5; P=0.0002], when compared to COVID+ group. However, among the COVID+ group, no differences were seen in annualized trunk fat, total fat mass, or LBM between those with PASC and without (p>0.05). Conclusion: During the pandemic, both COVID-19-survivors and COVID-negative groups exhibited increases in weight, and total and trunk fat, likely associated with pandemic-linked lifestyle modifications. However, only COVID-19-survivors had a decline in lean body mass over the same period, regardless of PASC symptoms.

Bursera fagaroides popularly used in México possess bioactive lignans. These compounds are low in the bark, and its extraction endangers the life of the trees. The aim of the present investigation was to search for alternative sources of cytotoxic compounds from B. fagaroides as leaves and in vitro callus cultures. The friable callus of B. fagaroides were established using a combination of phytoregulators: 4 mgL-1 of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 1 mgL-1 Naphthaleneacetic Acid (NAA) and 1 mgL-1 Zeatin. The maximum cell growth was at day 28 with a specific growth rate μ= 0.059 days-1 and duplication time td=11.8 days. Scopoletin with a concentration of 10.7 µg/g dry weight was the main compound inducible as a phytoalexin by the addition of high concentrations of 2,4-D, as well as by the absence of nutrients in the culture medium. The com-pounds γ-sitosterol, and stigmasterol were also present. Open column chromatography was used to separate and identify: yatein, acetyl podophyllotoxin and 7'8'-dehydropodophyllotoxin in the leaves of the wild plant. Cytotoxic activity on four cancer cell lines was tested, being PC-3 prostate carcinoma (IC50 of 12.6±4.6) the most sensitive to the wild-type plant extract and HeLa cervical carcinoma (IC50 of 72±5) to the callus culture extract.

This study aimed to examine the chemical makeup and antioxidant properties of hydroalcoholic extracts obtained from Lonicera japonica Thunb. Thunb. (honeysuckle) flowers collected from two geographically distinct regions of Romania: a mountainous region (Făgăraș Mountainous, Brașov) and a coastal region (Black Sea, Constanța). Our research revealed that the extracts from these two regions differed significantly in terms of their total polyphenol, flavone, and phenolic carboxylic acid content, as well as their antioxidant activity. These results suggest that climatic factors play a crucial role in shaping the phytochemical profile and antioxidant activity of Lonicera japonica Thunb. Thunb. extracts. Therefore, these findings could potentially contribute to the development of standardized herbal preparations and nutraceutical products.

This review article seeks to provide relevant information about the applicability of cell-based assays in assessing cytotoxicity of phytochemicals in light of several traditional methods available. Phenolic compounds and other phytochemicals are significant resources for drug discovery and development, thus underlining the enormous potentials of plant-derived natural products for the prevention and management of oxidative stress associated with cancer and other diseases. These effects have been linked to the content of phytochemicals such as phenolic compounds and their antioxidant properties. The abundance and complexity of these bio-constituents highlight the need for well-defined methods for the in vitro characterization and quantification of extracts and/or preparations that can translate to in vivo effects. Cell culture systems provide a useful model for basic research and a wide range of clinical in vitro studies and physiological processes as well as assessing the toxicity and therapeutic potential of compounds including plant extracts with potential medicinal benefits. Their use in cancer research provide a useful insight into possible therapeutic properties of phytochemicals at the cellular level. This approach has been instrumental in the initial stages of developing chemotherapeutic agents where human cancer cell lines are used as experimental models. These models have continued to contribute to elucidating specific requirements for certain biochemical events associated with proliferation, metabolism, loss of cell viability/apoptosis. Cell culture systems remain a promising tool in natural product development.

Leaves of Citrus aurantifolia, Citrus hystrix and Citrus microcarpa collected from Mersing, Johor were selected for this research. The extraction of these samples were carried out using three different polarities of solvents (hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol). Phytochemical screening were done with various test for each of crude extracts. The results showed that C. aurantifolia gave positive result for alkaloids, saponins, reducing sugar and carbohydrates in hexane and ethyl acetate extracts. In contrast to C. hystrix where the presence of alkaloids, steroids, reducing sugar and carbohydrates were proven in all crude extracts. Lastly, C. microcarpa showed positive result for alkaloids, triterpenoids, saponins, flavonoids, reducing sugar, carbohydrates, phenolic content, glycosides and tannins for hexane and ethyl acetate crude extracts. Through antioxidant assays measured at wavelength 234 nm, C. aurantifoliaa has the highest AOA which was 10. The scavenging effect on DPPH radical was done at the wavelength of 517 nm and C. microcarpa has the highest percentage of scavenging effect with 96.41%. Next, the non-enzymatic antioxidant assays on the determination of α-tocopherol and carotenoids showed that C. hystrix has the highest concentration of α-tocopherol (2.30 ± 0.026), while C. microcarpa has the highest concentration of carotenoids (18.40 ± 2.83).

Chaenomeles plants are adapted to diverse ecological zones particularly the temperate areas of Korea, Japan and China. In China, Chaenomeles speciosa mainly planted in Chongqing, Anhui and Hubei provinces. Most of the studies till date have been focused on the anti-inflammatory activities of C. speciosa fractions. The present study aimed to review the maximum literature reported for the presence of various phytochemicals in C. speciosa. In addition, the pharmacological properties of these chemical compounds of this plant shall also be discussed. The extracts of the various parts of the plant are rich in diversity of antioxidants, organic acids, phenolics, terpenoides and many different phytochemicals that bear strong anticancer, antioxidant, anti-viral, antibacterial properties, anti-inflammation, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-hyperglycemic and anti-parkinson properties. C. speciosa fruits have broad scope in industry as well as in medicines. Not only the leaves and fruits of C. speciosa plant, but various other parts including roots, seeds, bark twigs, and flowers all have long history of clinical trials in curing many human ailments. However, the maximum accessible data concerning the chemical composition and their broad pharmacological properties of C. speciosa plant parts is pretty restricted that make it more appealing for indepth investigations.

Leptadenia reticulata (Ritz.) Wight (Asclepiadaceae), a traditional medicinal plant species, is widely used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments such as tuberculosis, hematopoiesis, emaciation, cough, dyspnea, fever, burning sensation, night blindness, cancer, and dysentery. In Ayurveda, it is known for its revitalizing, rejuvenating, and lactogenic properties. This plant is one of the major ingredients in many commercial herbal formulations, including Speman, Envirocare, Calshakti, Antisept, and Chyawanprash. The therapeutic potential of this herb is because of the presence of diverse bioactive compounds such as α-amyrin, β-amyrin, ferulic acid, luteolin, diosmetin, rutin, β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, hentriacontanol, a triterpene alcohol simiarenol, apigenin, reticulin, deniculatin, and leptaculatin. However, most biological studies on L. reticulata are restricted to crude extracts, and many biologically active compounds are yet to be identified in order to claim the traditional uses of L. reticulata into evidence-based uses. At present, L. reticulata is a threatened endangered plant because of overexploitation, unscientific harvesting, and habitat loss. The increased demand from pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and veterinary industries has prompted its large-scale propagation. However, its commercial cultivation is hampered because of the non-availability of genuine planting material and the lack of knowledge on its agronomical practices. In this regard, micropropagation technique will be useful to obtain true-to-type L. reticulata planting materials from an elite germplasm to meet the current demand. Adopting other biotechnological approaches such as synthetic seed technology, cryopreservation, cell culture, and genetic transformation can warrant conservation as well as increased metabolite production from L. reticulata. The present review summarizes scientific information on the botanical, agronomical, phytochemical, pharmacological, and biotechnological aspects of L. reticulata. This comprehensive information will certainly allow better utilization of this industrially important herb towards the discovery of lead drug molecules.

The objective of this study was to detail the monomer composition of resin-based dental materials sold in the market in 2023 and to evaluate the proportion of BPA derivatives in relation with their applications. A search on manufacturers’ websites was performed to reference resin-based dental materials currently on the market. Their monomer composition was determined from material safety data sheets and completed with a search on PubMed database. Among the 543 material compositions exploitable, 382 (70.3%) contained BPA derivatives. Among them, 56.2% contained BisGMA, 28% BisEMA, the most frequently reported. A total of 59 monomers of which 6 BPA-derivatives were found. 309 materials (56.9%) contained UDMA and 292 (53.8%) TEGDMA. Less than one third of materials identified contained no BPA derivatives. These proportions vary a lot depending on their applications with materials dedicated to dental care of young populations containing the highest proportions of BPA-derivatives monomers. The long-term effects on human health of the different monomers identified including BPA-derivatives monomers is a source of concern. For children and pregnant or lactating women arises the question to take a precautionary principle and avoid the use of resin-based dental materials likely to release BPA by opting for alternative materials.

Training schedule is a factor that influences sports performance optimization. In a sport like soccer, there is often significant disparity in training schedules among different teams within the same club, without considering whether this may affect players' performance. The aim of this study was to describe differences in nutrient intake and body composition in elite youth soccer players from the Spanish league with different training schedules (morning and evening). A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine differences in anthropometric variables and dietary assessment in a sample of Spanish young soccer players. A total of 41 players participated in this study. After comparing the groups according to their training schedule, no differences were observed in body composition between both groups; the evening-night training group showed higher consumption of lipids and saturated fats. In summary, more experimental studies are needed to determine the effects on various health and performance parameters of different training schedules in young population.

The purpose of this study was to establish the association between total and segmental body composition (BC) variables and anaerobic performance and to create optimal models that best predict such performance in CrossFit® (CF) athletes. Fifty athletes, 25 males and 25 females (age: 33.26 ± 6.81 years; body mass: 72.57 ± 12.17 kg; height: 169.55 ± 8.71 cm; BMI: 25.06 ± 2.31 kg·m−2) were recruited to participate and underwent BC analysis using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and an all-out laboratory test on a cycle ergometer (Wingate) to determine their anaerobic performance. The results show a significant correlation between BC values and performance, ranging from moderate (r = -0.34, p = 0.015) to near-perfect (r = 0.96, p &lt; 0.01). Furthermore, the created performance prediction models exhibited predictive capacities ranging from 19% (p = 0.017) to 93% (p &lt; 0.001). All prediction models were created using total or segmental lean mass variables, excluding others. BC and performance variables found significant differences between males and females. The findings demonstrate that BC variables are crucial indicators of anaerobic performance in CF athletes. Professionals responsible for athlete performance should use this information to monitor athletes and design training programs.

:Peat substrate is made from peat from drained peatlands, which is a limited resource. A realistic estimate is that 50% of the world’s wetlands have been lost. Peat is used in horticulture, especially for the cultivation of vegetables in greenhouses. The consequences of peatland exploitation are an in-crease in the greenhouse effect and a decrease in carbon stocks. Wood fiber can be used as an al-ternative to peat. The chemical properties of the growing media interact and change continuously due to the small volume of the growing media, which is limited by the growing container. This study aims to gain new knowledge on the impact of nutrient changes in the microbial degradation of carbon compounds in wood fiber and mixtures with peat substrate on the content and uptake of nutrients required by plants. Cucumbers (Cucumis sativus L.) variety “Dirigent H” developed in the Netherlands, were cultivated in growing media of peat substrate and wood fiber: (1) peat substrate (PS); (2) wood fiber (WF); (3) wood fiber and peat substrate 50/50 v/v (WF/PS 50/50); (4) wood fiber and peat substrate 25/75 v/v (WF/PS 25/75). The rates of fertilization were the following: (1) con-ventional fertilization (CF); (2) N13; (3) N23; (4) N30. The experiment was carried out in three repli-cations. As the amount of wood fiber increased, the humidity and pH of the growing medium in-creased. Fertilization of cucumbers with different rates of nitrogen influenced the nutrient uptake. Plants grown in 50/50 and 25/75 growing media had the best Cu uptake when fertilized with N23. When the plants grown in the wood fiber media and the 50/50 media were fertilized with N13, N23, and N30, the Mn content in the growing media at the end of the growing season was significantly lower than the Mn content in the media with conventional fertilization. Thus, nitrogen improved the uptake of Mn by plants grown not only in the wood fiber but also in combinations with peat sub-strate. Growing plants in wood fiber and fertilizing them with N13 can result in optimum uptake of micronutrients. The number and mass of cucumber fruits per plant were influenced by the amount of wood fiber in the growing media and the application of nitrogen fertilizer. The highest number of fruits and mass of fruits per plant was obtained significantly higher when cucumbers were grown on WF/PS 50/50 growing media with additional N13 fertilization.

Climbing is an Olympic discipline in full development and multidisciplinary in nature, in which the influence of body composition and nutritional status on performance has not yet been clarified despite the quest for low weight in anti-gravity disciplines such as climbing. The present study aimed to do a nutritional (3-day dietary diaries) and body composition (ISAK profile) assessment of sport climbing athletes of different genders and sport levels. The mean age of the forty-six Spanish climbers (22 men and 24 women) was 30 years (SD: 9) with 7.66 years of experience (SD: 6.63). The mean somatotype of the athletes was classified as balanced mesomorph. Negative correlations were observed between fat mass variables and climbing level (p<0.01), and positive correlations with forearm circumference (p<0.05). Mean energy availability (EA) was 33.01 kcal-kg FFM1-d1 (SD: 9.02), with 55.6% of athletes in suboptimal EA status and 35.6% in low energy availability (LEA) status. Carbohydrate and protein intakes were below recommendations in 57.8% and 31.1% of athletes, respectively. There were deficient intakes of all micronutrients except phosphorus in males. These findings suggest that climbing athletes are at high risk of developing low energy availability states and concomitant problems. Optimal nutritional monitoring may be advisable in this type of athlete to try to reduce the risk of LEA.

The anthropometric features offer an overall image of the nutritional status. The investigated groups were aged 19 and 21. The anthropometric measurements of height and weight were recorded following standard procedures. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the harmonious body development, the nutrition status and the body composition. The evolution of the stature increases until 20 years after which stagnation follows. The body mass index of subjects was found to be normal. The body fat may vary over time in subjects depending on age and gender. Body water and body muscle mass content increased with age. The harmony of body development was assessed by means of the Amar index. Regarding the constitutional index, the women subjects belong to the leptosome type and the male subjects belong to the picnic type. The status of the investigated subjects is within the average stature.

Abstract: Global ecological concern regarding the transfer of fouling organisms to ship hulls is increasing. This study investigated the species composition, dominant species, distribution patterns, community structure, and life-cycle differences of hull-fouling macroinvertebrates on five research vessels (R/Vs: Isabu, Onnuri, Eardo, Jangmok 1, and Jangmok 2) operated by the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST). Hull-fouling macroinvertebrates were collected three to five times on quadrats from the upper and middle sectors of the hull sides, bottom, and niche areas (the propellers and shafts and the thrusters). A total of 47 macroinvertebrate species were identified, represented by 8,519 individuals(ind.)/m2 and a biomass of 1,967 gWWt/m2 on the five vessels. The number of species, density, and biomass were greater on the coastal vessels the Eardo, Jangmok 1, and Jangmok 2 than on the ocean-going vessels the Isabu and Onnuri. Among the coastal vessels, barnacles were the most abundant and had the greatest density, while mollusks had the highest biomass. Differences between hull sectors showed that the highest species abundance and density appeared on all hulls in ports and bays where the Jangmok 1 operated, while the highest species abundance, density, and biomass were identified in the niche areas of the Eardo, which operated farther from the coast. The hull-fouling macroinvertebrates that exceeded 1% of all organisms were the barnacles Amphibalanus amphitrite, Balanus trigonus, and Amphibalanus improvisus; the polychaete Hydroides ezoensis; the bivalves Magallana gigas and Mytilus galloprovincialis; and the amphipod Jassa slatteryi. The dominant species were cosmopolitan and globally distributed, and many of them were cryptogenic. Six native species were identified: M. gigas, H. ezoensis, the amphipod Melita koreana, the isopod Cirolana ko-reana, and the barnacle B. trigonus and F. kondakovi. Eight non-indigenous species (NIS) were de-tected: barnacles A. amphitrite and A. improvisus, the bivalve M. galloprovincialis, the polychaete Perinereis nuntia, amphipods J. slatteryi and Caprella californica, and bryozoans Bugulina californica and Bugula neritina. Of the fouling macroinvertebrates found on the vessel hulls, 13% were native and 17% were NIS. The nMDS ordination analysis of the five vessels showed four clusters of fouling macroinvertebrate communities: two ocean clusters (the Isabu and Onnuri), one coastal cluster (the Eardo and Jangmok 2), and one local cluster (the Jangmok 1). More diverse communities developed on the hulls of vessels that operated locally rather than globally or in deep oceans. Spearman rank correlation showed that biological indices such as number of species, density, and biomass correlated highly and positively with the numbers of days on coastal operations and negatively with the number days on ocean operations. The species diversity index correlated positively with the total number of anchoring days and coastal operation days and negatively with the total number of operation days and ocean operation days. The macroinvertebrates differed by the area of operation, the port of anchorage, the number of days in operation and at anchor, and the hull sectors. There is no previous research data on hull-fouling macroinvertebrates in the Republic of Korea, and this study provides a basis for future studies to identify introduced species and their differences based on operation area.

Organic fertilizer application in agricultural land is known to improve soil microbial processes, fertility, and yield. In particular, stable changes in soil chemical composition through multi-year fertilization of organic fertilizers are thought to cause changes in the microbial community. Here, the effects of oil cake amendments (OC) on soil bacterial diversity, community profile and enzyme activity were evaluated and compared to those amended with chemical fertilizer (NPK). The comparison of diversity indices between OC and NPK amended soils shows that application of oil cake has increased microbial diversity potentially with an increase in the number of different microbial groups. The ordination plot distinguished and clustered both treatments showing differential effects of soils chemical factors on the microbial communities of each treatment. Proteobacteria, Verrucomicrobia and Bacteriodetes were significantly abundant in OC amended soil than in the NPK received soil, indicating alterations in community structure, composition, and diversity con-current to the changes in pH, Ca and Mg contents of the soil. These shifts in bacterial community structure and composition could also be observed from the phylum to the genus level in both NPK and OC amended soils partially explained by differences in soil chemical factors. The OC soil compared to the NPK amended soil also contain significantly higher abundance of predicted genes corresponding to enzymes related to biogeochemical cycling, decomposition and plant growth promotion. Collectively, these results support the use of an unconventional organic fertilizer positively altering bacterial populations in jujube orchards. The application of oil cake-based organic fertilizer improved microbial diversity and enhanced potential ecosystem functions related to bio-geochemical cycles, mineralization and plant growth promotion.

In the context of sustainable and eco-friendly agriculture, current scientific researches are focusing on plant-based bioproducts to remedy the toxicity caused by chemical fertilizers and pesticides. This study was conducted on cladodes of Opuntia ficus-indicato screen the bioactive molecules and to evaluate the activity againstfungal agentsisolated from tomato fruits. Quantitative analysis of the methanolic extractrevealed its richeness in total polyphenols (86.6 mg GAE/100 g FW), flavonoids (13.4 mg QE/100 g FW), condensed tannins (08.9 mg TAE/100 g FW), and carotenoids(0.9 mg β-CE/100 g FW). DPPH test revealed that the cladodes extract had a high antioxidant potential (0.6 mg/ml). On the other hand, 7 fungal agents were isolated from infected tomato fruits and identifyed asbelonging to the following genera: Rhizoctonia (EC2), Fusarium (EC1 and EC3), Alternaria (EC4), Mucor (EC5), Aspergillus (EC6) and Penicillium (EC7). At a concentration 0.02% of cladodehydro-ethanolic extract, results of the antifungal activity showed aninhibition of mycelial growth up to70% for the isolates ofAlternariaspEC4 (70.91%), Rhizoctonia solaniEC2 (58.49%), Fusarium oxysporiumEC3 (57.63%) and Fusarium solaniEC1 (53.13%). While,inhibitory activities lower than 50% were obtained for fungal isolates MucorspEC6 (31.08%), Aspergillus sp EC5 (35.14%) and Penicillium sp EC7 (28.38%).At 0.04%all thecladode hydro-ethanolic extractwere able to inhibit mycelium growth in more than 50%.Similarly, maximum spore inhibition development were obtained with 0.04 cladode hydro-ethanolicreaching more than 60%. Inhibition percentages of 83.02%, 85.96%, 87.76% and 90.20% were obtained for fungal isolates Fusarium oxysporium EC3, Fusarium solani EC1, Rhizoctonia solani EC2 and Alternaria sp EC4, respectively. All together, the results show that Opuntia ficus-indica extract has potential tobe used effectively as a biopesticide against fungal agents of tomato fruits.

In this work, the first phytochemical analysis ever performed on the whole cone of Araucaria bidwillii Hook is presented. This was carried out by means of column chromatography, NMR spectroscopy and MS spectrometry on the female cone, evidencing the presence of forty metabolites, thirty-three of which are primary metabolites whilst the remaining are secondary metabolites. A chemophenetic evaluation was also performed reporting seven new compounds for the species. These results are important since they provide more information on the phytochemistry of this species and also underline the need to study more of its populations.

Artemisia absinthium (A. absinthium) leaf extract was successfully used to create zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), and their properties were investigated via several techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and UV–Vis spectroscopy. SEM analysis confirmed the spherical and elliptical shapes of the particles. Three different zinc peaks were observed via EDX at energies of 1, 8.7, and 9.8 keV, together with a single oxygen peak at 0.5 keV. XRD analysis identified ZnO NPs as having a hexagonal wurtzite structure with a particle size that decreased from 24.39 to 18.77 nm, and with an increasing surface area (BET) from 4.003 to 6.032 m2/g for the ZnO (without extract) and green ZnO NPs, respectively. FTIR analysis confirmed the groups of molecules that were accountable for stabilizing and minimizing the ZnO NPs, which was apparent at 3400 cm. Using UV–Vis spectroscopy, the band gap energies (Egs) for the green ZnO and ZnO (without extract) NPs were estimated, and the values were 2.65 and 2.79 eV, respectively.

This research focuses on exploring the bioactive and antibacterial properties of extracts from the flowers and bark of four Magnolia species (Magnolia champaca, Magnolia denudata, Magnolia grandiflora, and Magnolia officinalis) for possible cosmetic applications. We used ethanol to extract compounds from these plants and conducted various tests including spectrophotometry, HPLC, GC-MS, and microbiological analyses. The extracts, particularly rich in polyphenols (55.18 mg GAE/g), displayed significant antioxidant capabilities, with IC 50 values ranging between 9.99 mg/mL and 23.23 mg/mL. We quantified different compounds: phenolic acids (6.259 to 27.883 mg/g dry weight), aglycone flavonoids (61.224 to 135.788 mg/g dw), glycosidic flavonoids (17.265 to 57.961 mg/g dw), and lignans (150.071 to 374.902 mg/g dw). We identified 76 volatile compounds, predominantly oxygenated monoterpenes and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, which contribute to the antibacterial effectiveness of the extracts. These extracts showed greater antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria than Gram-positive bacteria. The diverse chemical compounds and their demonstrated activities suggest these extracts could be valuable in cosmetic, pharmaceutical, or food industries.

Research has shown that the consumption of herbal teas is linked with positive effects on the regulation of postprandial blood glucose level. In this study, a comparative analysis of aqueous and ethanol extractions is performed on four herbal teas (Mallotus, Cyclocarya, Rubus, Vine) to evaluate their phytochemical profiles and functional activities. Investigations of phytochemical contents, antioxidant activities, α-glucosidase inhibitory activities and chemical compositions are carried out through colorimetric analyses and UPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS/MS, respectively. Results showed that among the studied herbal teas, Vine exhibited the highest glucose re-gulating abilities under both aqueous and ethanol extractions. Overall, ethanol extracted samples yielded higher phytochemicals content, but the compositions of the phytochemicals varied. Meanwhile, aqueous extracts showed surprisingly strong antioxidant activities and comparable α-glucosidase inhibitory activities with ethanol extracts. Phytochemicals contents presented a positive correlation with antioxidant activities and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities. Nevertheless, antioxidant activities displayed a weak positive correlation with α-glucosidase inhibitory activities. Results from this study provided evidence that aqueous extracts from herbal teas possessed valuable phytochemicals composition for antioxidants and the hyperglycemic populations, and are promising candidates for potential applications as functional ingredients with health promoting effects and as natural additives to boost the nutritional value of herbal food products.

Background: Extra virgin olive oil is a fundamental component of the Mediterranean diet. It contains several molecules that sustain human well-being by modulating cellular metabolism and exerting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-ageing effects to protect normal tissues and can exert anti-angiogenic, and pro-apoptotic effects on cancer cells. Metabolites found in different parts of the olive tree, including leaves, also possess properties that might help in cancer prevention and promote wellness in aging. Olive mill wastewater (OMWW), a liquid residue produced during olive oil extraction, represents an environmental issue. However, it is enriched in phytochemicals with potential beneficial properties. Dietary supplements based on OMWW can be produced for nutritional supplementation with advantages to the ecology. Purpose: This work aims to measure hematochemical, anthropometric and metabolomic parameters in volunteers assuming an OMWW dietary supplement, OliphenoliaⓇ (OMWW-OL). Methods: The supplementation of OMWW-OL 25 mL twice daily for 30 days was tested on a pilot cohort of volunteers with characteristics close to metabolic syndrome. Hematochemical, anthropometric, and metabolomic parameters were analyzed before the intervention, at 30 days and 30 days after stopping consumption. Results: 29 volunteers were enrolled and 23 completed the study. The participants’ parameters at baseline were measured, and then twice daily at 30 days of treatment and 30 days after assumption discontinuation. Although treatment was with an olive derivative, weight and body mass index instead of increasing slightly decreased, particularly in women. Also, hydration increased, especially in women, while blood pressure, glycemia and insulin decreased. Cholesterol, low-density and high-density lipoproteins and triglycerides were stable while vitamin D levels, alongside calcium, sensibly increased. Albumin also increased and parameters related to sarcopenia displayed promising, although not statistically significant, trends toward positive effects. All the values were in support of an equilibrium with no damaging effects. By mass spectrometry analysis, we also found favorable changes in the vitamin D/histamine and homocysteine/methionine ratios, an increase in a new metabolite of unknown formula, and vitamin D/unknown metabolite ratio. Conclusions: Supplementation of OMWW-OL has no detrimental effects and, although with limited potency of a pilot study, might imply the beneficial modulation of several biological parameters, being potentially valuable for people at risk of metabolic syndrome. Some of these parameters could also be relevant as anti-ageing and in cancer prevention.

Utilization of medicine derived from plants has been documented in various traditional systems of medicines throughout the world for different diseases. Therefore, the current research work was carried out to evaluate the phytochemical and biological potential of Ficus carica L ethanolic leaf extract. For this purpose, physicochemical and phytochemical analysis, total phenolic and flavonoids contents was performed. Antioxidant potential was determined by FRAP, DPPH and H2O2 assay. Proteinase inhibition, heat induced hemolysis and BSA denaturation assay was carried out for inflammation. Antiglycation potential was assessed by fructosamine assay, Congo-red assay and estimation of free carbonyl groups. In-vivo antidiabetic, anti-obesity, effect on liver and kidney were investigated by high fat high sugar diet model. FTIR, HPLC and LCMS/MS analysis was performed to find out the compounds. Tablet based formulation was developed using wet granulation method and tested for physicochemical parameters. Results shows that total phenolic and flavonoids content was (333 mg GAE/g) and (123 mg RE/g) respectively, H2O2 assay shows 35.6% free radical inhibition potential, DPPH assay shows (IC50) inhibitory concentration at 0.58 mg/mL, and 88.769 µg/g Fe2SO4 solution FRAP values. Proteinase inhibition assay, Heat induced hemolysis and BSA-denaturation assay shows percentage inhibition of 28 ± 0.01, 55 ± 0.03 and 51.2 ± 0.05 respectively. In Antiglycation activity β-amyloid formation assay shows absorption of 0.017, Fructosamine assay shows inhibition of 19.4±0.06 and free carbonyl group estimation shows inhibition of 17.0±0.03. In in-vivo study FLE at (500 mg/kg) significantly decreased total bilirubin (p ≤ 0.001), decreased (p ≤ 0.05) alanine transferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, decreased blood glucose, triglycerides and total cholesterol (p ≤ 0.01) while HDL (p ≤ 0.01) was significantly increased in comparison to obesity and diabetic-obesity groups. Different functional groups presence was confirmed by FTIR spectrum. HPLC analysis revealed the existence of ferulic acid, rutin, chlorogenic acid, coumarin and thymoquinone and these results are corelated by LC-MS/MS. Pre-compression characterization showed angle of repose (33.04°), bulk density (0.54 g/cm3), tapped density (0.73 g/cm3), compressibility index (35.179 %) and Hausner’s ratio (1.35), while the post-compression characterization showed weight variation 826±4.17 mg, thickness 10.50±0.25 kg/cm2, friability 0.57 %, and disintegration time 8.19 min. From the above results it is concluded that F. carica L. leaves extract has strong antioxidant, antidiabetic and hypolipidemic potential and can be used for an obesity and diabetes treatment.

Euryale ferox, which belongs to the family of Nymphaeaceae, has been widely distributed in China, India, Korea, and Japan. The seeds of E. ferox (EFS) have been categorized as superior food for 2000 years in China, based on its abundant nutrients including polysaccharides, polyphenols, sesquineolignans, tocopherols, cyclic dipeptides, glucosylsterols, cerebrosides, and triterpenoids. These constituents exert multiple pharmacological effects, such as antioxidant, hypoglycemic, cardioprotective, antibacterial, anticancer, antidepression, and hepatoprotective properties. There are very few summarized reports on E. ferox, albeit with its high nutritional value and beneficial activities. Therefore, we collected the reported literatures (since 1980), medical classics, databases, and pharmacopeia of E. ferox, and summarized the botanical classification, traditional uses, phytochemicals, and pharmacological effects of E. ferox, which will provide new insights for the further research and development of EFS-derived functional products.

River estuaries are dynamic and complex ecosystems influenced by various natural processes, including climatic fluctuations and anthropogenic activities. The Pearl River estuary (PRE), one of the largest in China, receives significant land-based pollutants due to its proximity to densely populated areas and urban development. This study aimed to characterize the composition, diversity, and distribution patterns of sediment microbial communities (Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukaryotes) and investigated the connection with environmental parameters within the PRE and adjacent shelf. Physicochemical conditions, such as oxygen levels, nitrogen compounds, and carbon content, were analyzed. The study found that the microbial community structure was mainly influenced by site location and core depth, which together explained approximately 67% of the variation in each kingdom. Sites and core depths varied in sediment properties such as organic matter content and redox conditions, leading to distinct microbial groups associated with specific chemical properties of the sediment, notably C/N ratio and NH4+ concentration. Despite these differences, certain dominant taxonomic groups were consistently present across all sites: Gammaproteobacteria in Bacteria; Bathyarchaeia, Nitrososphaeria, and Thermoplasmata in Archaea; and SAR in Eukaryota. The community diversity index was the highest in the bacteria kingdom, while the lowest values were observed at site P03 across the three kingdoms and were significantly different from all other sites. Overall, this study underscores the critical role of microbial communities in shaping biogeochemical processes in estuarine environments and their sensitivity to environmental changes, providing valuable information for managing and preserving the health of estuaries and coastal ecosystems.

Purpose. This paper aims to present a unique perspective that emphasizes the intricate interplay between energy, dietary proteins, and amino acid composition, underscoring their mutual dependence for health-related considerations. Energy and protein synthesis are fundamental to biological processes, crucial for the sustenance of life and growth of organisms. Methods and Results. We explore the intricate relationship between energy metabolism, protein synthesis, regulatory mechanisms, protein sources, amino acid availability, and autophagy, in order to elucidate how these elements collectively maintain cellular homeostasis. We underscore the vital role this dynamic interplay has in preserving cell life. Conclusion. A deeper understanding of the link between energy and protein synthesis is essential to comprehend fundamental cellular processes. This insight could have wide-ranging impact in several medical fields, such as nutrition, metabolism, and disease management.

The present work was performed to evaluate the levels of phytochemical constituents and the antioxidant and antibacterial properties of marine red seaweed (Kappaphycus alvarezii) and seagrass (Cymodocea serrulata). Quantitative phytochemical analysis, antioxidant activity and antimicrobial activity against 5 potential pathogenic bacteria was investigated. In both cases were found presence of flavonoids, tannins, phenolic compounds, glycosides, steroids, carbohydrates and ashes. Alkaloids were only found in K. alvarezii, buy not in C. serrulata. The antimicrobial properties of both K. alvarezii and C. serrulata chloroform extracts were found to be antagonis-tically effective against the gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis and the gram-negative bacterium Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio alginolyticus, Vibrio harveyi and Klebsiella pneu-moniae. GC‒MS analysis revealed the presence of 94 bioactive compounds in K. alvarezii and 104 C. serrulata, including phenol, decane, dodecane, hexadecane, vanillin, heptadecane, diphenyla-mine, benzophenone, octadecanoic acid, dotriaconate, benzene, phytol, butanoic acid, and 2-hydroxyl-ethyl ether, which played a vital role in antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Thus, in view of the results, both K. alvarezii and C. serrulata could be considered as sources of ingre-dients with appreciable nutritional and medicinal value.

Baobab (Adansonia digitata) leaves are usually used in dry form in the preparation of a soup known as ‘miyan kuka’ in Northern Nigeria. The leaves are believed to have nutritional and medicinal benefits and have been used for those purposes in Africa and Asia. However there has been limited research on the detailed constituents of the dry leaves. In this study, phytochemical, elemental and proximate analyses of stored, sun and shade-dried baobab leaves were conducted. The results revealed a great variation in the nutritional contents of the leaves. The study reveals that the leaves are rich in phytochemicals such as glycosides, saponins, steroids and flavonoids while alkaloids, tannins and resins are absent. Also, they are important source of minerals such as zinc, copper, iron and manganese. In addition, they are rich in fibre, crude protein, nitrogen and ash. Contrasting responses were obtained in the samples studied. The implications of these responses are discussed in relation to crop yield.

Bone metabolism is a complex process which is influenced by the activity of bone cells (e.g., osteocytes, osteoblasts, osteoclasts), the effect of some specific biomarkers (e.g., parathyroid hormone, vitamin D, alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, osteopontin, osteoportegerin, osterix, RANKL, Runx2) and the characteristic signaling pathways (e.g., RANKL/RANK, Wnt/β, Notch, BMP, SMAD). Some phytochemical compounds such as flavonoids, tannins, polyphenols, anthocyanins, terpenoids, polysaccharides, alkaloids and others presented a beneficial and stimulating effect in the bone regeneration process due to pro-estrogenic activity, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and modulation of bone signaling pathways. Lately, nanomedicine has emerged as an innovative concept for new treatments in bone related pathologies envisaged by incorporation of medicinal substances in nanometric systems for oral or local administration, as well as in nanostructured scaffolds with huge potential in bone tissue engineering.

Ephedra alata Decne. (Ephedraceae) is a medicinal species commonly used to treat cancers, respiratory diseases, fever, and hypertension. The present study aimed to establish a phytochemical profile, evaluate the antioxidant potential and estimate the anti-inflammatory activities of .. Aqueous and methanolic extracts of E. alata aerial parts were phytochemically investigated using standard methods. DPPH, phosphomolybdenum total antioxidant capacity and reducing power assays were used to evaluate the antioxidant activity. Antioxidant activity was determined using total antioxidant capacity, the scavenging activity of the stable DPPH free radical and ferric reducing antioxidant power assays. The anti-inflammatory activity was determined using egg albumin membrane denaturation and human red blood cells membrane stabilizing assays. The anti-inflammatory potential of E. alata extracts was evaluated using human red blood cells membrane stabilization, egg albumin and BSA albumin denaturation assays. Quinones, anthraquinones, steroids, phytosteroids, phenols, terpenoids, flavonoids, saponins, glycosides, Cardiac glycosides, reducing sugars and anthocyanins were present in the E. alata’s aqueous extract, in addition to coumarins and proteins in the methanolic extract. The highest total phenolic and flavonoid content was recorded in the aqueous extract with 8.66 ±0.09 mg GA/g and 248.04 ±1.47 mg Q/g, respectively. On the other hand, E. alata methanolic extract had the highest tannin content of 62.12 ±0.10 mg C/g. The best radical scavenging activity (IC50 = 4.63±0.00 mg/ml) and total antioxidant capacity were exhibited by the E. alata aqueous (7.35±0.12 mg/ml AAE), whereas the methanolic extract possessed the highest reducing power activity (1.81±0.00 mg AAE/ml). Regarding the anti-inflammatory activities, E. alata methanolic extract exerted the highest HRBC stabilization of 34.72 ±0.08% whereas the aqueous extract exhibited the highest bovine serum and Egg albumin denaturation inhibition of 99.22 ±0.02% and 73.31 ±0.90, respectively. Taken together, our results suggest that E. alata aerial parts aqueous and methanolic extracts can be utilized as future antioxidants and anti-inflammatory ethnomedicines owing to their rich bioactive molecules content.

This study was designed to assess variation of possible phytochemical compounds in the ethanolic extracts of Gigantochloa scortechinii rhizome. Destructive sampling was done by using selective random sampling method on four consecutive rhizomes from healthy clumps and was conducted at two natural forests and one secondary forest (planted). Homogenized sample were extracted using solvent extraction (70% ethanol) method. Ethanolic extracts of G. scortechinii rhizome were qualitatively analyzed using GC/MS GC2010 Plus, Shimadzu to determine the composition of phytochemical compounds and identified using FFNSC 1.3, NIST11, PMW_tox2, and Wiley229 spectral library. A qualitative variation was observed with a total of 56 compounds were identified and differentiated between study site and rhizome age. Results revealed that G. scortechinii rhizome contains various phytochemical compounds with potential as a plant of phytopharmaceutical importance. This is the first finding on the spatial and age-related effects of phytochemical compounds in a consecutive rhizome and of G. scortechinii rhizome specifically.

Extensive phytochemical and chromatographic analysis of different root fractions of Jatropha pelargoniifolia Courb. (Euphorbiaceae) resulted in the isolation and identification of 22 distinct secondary metabolite compounds. Two new compounds, 6-hydroxy-8-methoxycoumarin-7-O-β-D-glycopyranoside and (3-(2-(methylamino) ethyl)-1H-indol-2-yl) methanol, were isolated and identified for the first time from a natural source. In addition, other known compounds, such as hovetricoside C and N-methyltryptamine were isolated from Euphorbiaceae, and hordenine, N-methyltyramine, their salts, cynaroside and linarin were identified in Jatropha spp. for the first time. Some isolated metabolites, such as β-sitosterol, β-sitosterol glucoside, curcusons D and C, naringenin, apigenin, cleomiscosins B and A, spruceanol, propacin, jatrophadiketone, and uracil were previously identified in various Jatropha species. The structures of the isolated compounds were determined using different spectroscopic techniques. The anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, antipyretic, and antioxidant activities were evaluated for some adequately available isolated compounds. Compounds showed significant antinociceptive activity compared with the standard analgesic drug indomethacin. The edema size was significantly reduced (p< 0.05–0.001) in the animals treated with low doses (5 and 10 mg/kg) of the isolated compounds compared with those treated with a high dose (100 mg/kg) of standard anti-inflammatory drug (phenylbutazone). Furthermore, all tested compounds showed a significant (p< 0.05–0.001) reduction in the rectal temperature of hyper-thermic mice.

The state of Oaxaca, Mexico obtained the “Pluma” designation of origin in 2022 and has stood out for the production of specialty coffee. Within its process, roasting is one of the stages that contributes to the physical, chemical and sensory quality of the coffee bean. Therefore, the microstructure and elemental chemical composition of special medium-roasted Coffea arabica L beans from six locations with this denomination were analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy. The average values of roughness Rz (25.93±2.69-34.18±1.15 and 13.85±1.66-21.85±6.63) and Ra (5.20±0.47- 8.27±0.82 and 6.55±0.94-11.53±1.65) were obtained at 400 and 2000x, respectively. The roasted Coffea arabica L. beans from MAP and HUA are the ones with the greatest roughness and both are located at a lower altitude compared to the rest. PLU and PTO roasted beans showed the highest physical and structural integrity. In all grains, 6C (66.48-81.14%), 8O (18.86-28.69%) and only 20Ca (4.5%) were found on the outside. This research constitutes a standard of authenticity and microstructural and elemental quality of Coffea arabica L. beans with designation of origin "Pluma".

This study evaluated the effect of pig diet supplementation with an Olea europaea L. extract on the muscle fatty acid composition. Ten commercial hybrid pigs (Large White x (Landrace x Duroc)) were randomly assigned to two experimental treatments and fed either a standard diet (C) or diet with olive leaves extract (OL). For 90 days, the OL group received the olive leaf extract (300 mg/head/day), which mainly comprises oleuropein diglucoside, luteolin-7-glucoside, and verbascoside. The phenolic content, antioxidant activity, bioactive molecules’ characterization, and the fatty acids profile of meat and diet were performed. The results indicated that while the OL supplementation did not significantly alter the overall chemical composition of the meat or the pigs' performance, it did modify the lipid profile of the meat. The OL diet results in a significant reduction in SFA and an increase in oleic acid in meat, which correspondingly elevates the total MUFA content. Dietary treatment reduced the sum of n-6 PUFA in the meat of the OL group, and resulted in a significantly lower n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio. Therefore, these findings suggest that incorporating olive leaf extract into the pig diet enhances the nutritional and functional quality of the meat by improving its fatty acid profile.

Senna rugosa is a species found in the Cerrado and used in folk medicine as a vermifuge and in the treatment of poisonous snakebites accidents. In this work, we identified the main secondary metabolites present in ethanolic extracts of the leaves (ELSR) and roots (ERSR) of S. rugosa and evaluated the potential cytoprotective effect against cellular macromolecular damage, as well as the cytotoxic properties of the extracts on the K562 and Jurkat leukemic cell lines. The identification of metabolites was done by liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The antioxidant activities were investigated by direct ABTS•+ and DPPH• radical scavenging methods, protection against oxidative damage in proteins and DNA. The cytotoxic properties were investigated against healthy cells, isolated from human peripheral blood (PBMC) and leukemic cell lines. The leaf extract contains catechin, rutin, epigallocatechin derivatives, kaempferol glycosides, luteolin, and dimeric and trimeric procyanidins, while the root extract profile shows obtusichromoneside derivatives, 2-methoxystypandrone, stilbene derivatives, naphthopyranones, and flavanone derivatives. The extracts showed antioxidant activity, with IC50 of 4.86 ± 0.51 µg/mL and 8.33 ± 0.90 µg/mL in the ABTS assay for ELSR and ERSR, respectively. And in the DPPH• assay, the IC50 was 19.98 ± 1.96 µg/mL for ELSR and 13.37 ± 1.05 µg/mL for ERSR. The extracts protected macromolecules against oxidative damage at concentrations of 5 µg/mL. The cytotoxicity test against leukemic strains was observed after 24 and 48 hours of treatment. After 48 h, results against the K562 cell line demonstrate IC50 of 242.54 ± 2.38 µg/mL and 223.00 ± 2.34 µg/mL for ELSR and ERSR , respectively. While against the Jurkat cell line, these extracts showed IC50 of 171.45 ± 2.25 µg/mL and 189.30 ± 2.27 µg/mL, respectively Results on PBMC viability, demonstrate that the extracts showed selectivity for the leukemic cell lines. Together, our results reveal that the leaves and roots of S. rugosa have completely distinct and complex chemical compositions. This study expands the repertoire of identified chemical compounds and underscores their significant pharmacological potential in conditions related to oxidative stress and leukemia.

Silybum marianum is a therapeutic plant belonging to the family Asteraceae. It contains silymarin, as its principal component, and has been reported to demonstrate hepatoprotective activity. The study was aimed to investigate the phytochemical constituents, synthesis of nanoparticles, antioxidant activity and antimicrobial effects of the leaf extract. Extracts were synthesized from AgNO3 and characterized via FT-IR, U.V and XRD. The antioxidant activity was determined using DPPH, H2O2 and β-carotene assays. Similarly, all extracts expressed significant DPPH inhibition (IC50) of 5.1, 5.0, 4.7, 2.3, 4.3 and 1.1 (ug/mL), H2O2 of 1.3, 2.2, 4.7, 5.6, 4.0 and 1.0 (ug/mL) from the methanol/water extract, nanoparticles, n-Hexane, ETOAC, n-Butanol and Ascorbic acid (standard) respectively. The extract exerted scavenging activity on β-carotene with a significant IC50 inhibition of 1.5, 0.8, 5.2, 0.8, 2.7, 4.8 at 0 hour and 1.5, 0.8, 5.2, 0.8, 2.7 and 4.8 (ug/mL) after 2 hours water bath incubation at 50°C in the order of the extracts above. Additionally, nanoparticles and plant extracts significantly (p<0.0001) inhibited the growth of bacteria with mean zone of inhibition ranging 7-13 mm and 4-11 mm. This study demonstrated that extracts from different solvents of S. marianum possess significant antioxidant activity, as well as antimicrobial effects which are all concentration dependent. Thus, the result suggests that methanolic/water leaf extract of S. marianum could serve as a potential source of antioxidants and can be explored as a therapeutic agent in free radical induced diseases.

Aim: M. oleifera, a tree that have medicinal applications. A.hispidum has been utilized in traditional medicine as a cure for microbial and other infections. The aim of this study is to evaluate the bioactive compounds of A.hispidum and M.oleifera and determination of Antioxidant, Anticancer, Antifungal and Antibacterial for their pharmaceutical importance. Methods: Fresh leaves of these plants were collected from Akinmoorin and Awe in Nigeria. Particles Induced X-Ray Emission method was carried out via a 2.5MeV proton beam. Detection of phytochemicals was carried out by HPLC analysis. Disc diffusion method was used to determine MIC for fungi and MIC for bacteria. DPPH radical scavenging activity of these plant leaves was determined. Cancer cells were cultivated using 5% CO2 with 95% air in 100% relative humidity. The adherent cells were seeded and subjected to treatment with increase concentrations of the plant extracts from 48–72 h for anti-cancer activity. Results: The mean ± S.E. of the mean (S.E.M.) for all data were displayed. Three copies of the invitro experiment data were collected. For unpaired data, the student's t-test was applied at P < 0.05, the differences in the data were deemed significant. The ethanolic extracts showed on the average a 50% reduction in cancer cell viability at 24.5μg mL−1 for MO and 16.0μg mL−1 for AH respectively. Conclusions: The results of this study indicated these two plants have Antioxidant, Antitumor, Antifungal and Antibacterial activity and it is recommended that the active constituents be isolated and formulated into suitable dosage form. Keywords: Phytochemical Screening; pharmacological activities; Acanthospermum hispidum; Moringa oleifera.

The fresh bulbs of Stenomesson miniatum, a plant belonging to Amaryllidaceae family with a poorly investigated phytochemical profile, were traditionally employed by Andean healers to treat tumors and abscesses. The aims of this study were to characterize the alkaloid extract from the bulbs of S. miniatum and test its cytotoxic and antibacterial potential. The alkaloid extract was characterized by dereplication using various techniques (CPC, NMR, UPLC-HRMS) and referring to in-home or online databases for spectroscopic data matching. Cytotoxic activities were evaluated on A431 human epidermoid carcinoma cells through a metabolic assay, and on Jurkat human acute T-leukemia cells through a cell-impermeant fluorescent nuclear probe. Antibacterial assays were carried out against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Streptococcus pyogenes by using a standardized microdilution broth method 96-well plate. Eleven known Amaryllidaceae alkaloids were identified together with another compound determined as being an extraction artefact. The alkaloid extract showed good cytotoxic activity against both the tumor cell lines, reaching an IC50 of 3.3 µg/mL against A431 cells and of 10.9 µg/mL against Jurkat cells. The analysis of the fractions allowed the activity to be attributed to the presence of pretazettine and haemathamine. Conversely, no antibacterial activities were recorded for any of the samples.

The exploration of alternative antimalarial therapeutics is a requisite for the emergence of resistance against Artemisinin. Considering the required cost and time length of classical small molecule drug discovery process, phytochemical screening of traditionally used medicinal plant which are repertoire of active compounds with antimalarial activity has become popular. To investigate the antimalarial property of traditionally used medicinal plants, a number of Erythrina spp have been reviewed systematically where less studied E. fusca has been selected for further analysis. Phytochemical investigation yielded five compounds namely; Phaseolin, Phytol, β-amyrin, Lupeol, and Stigmasterol. In-vitro antimalarial drug sensitivity HRP-II ELISA was carried out against chloroquine (CQ) sensitive 3D7 and CQ-resistant Dd2 strains. Extracts showed significant antimalarial activity against 3D7 and Dd2 strains (IC₅₀ 4.94 – 22 µg/mL) and these compounds have been reported here for the first time. Molecular docking analysis showed high binding energy (−9.0 ± 0.32 kcal/mole) indicating high degree of interaction between Phaseolin and 14 clinically important Plasmodium falciparum proteins at the active site. Stable interaction was also observed between ligand and protein from molecular dynamics simulation analysis with high free energy (−75.156 ± 11.459) that substantiates the potential of Phaseolin as an antimalarial drug candidate.

Abstract Background: Periodontitis is associated with systemic chronic inflammatory diseases. There is limited evidence on the influence of anti-cytokine therapies on the periodontal condition and microbiome in the tooth pocket of such patients, so the aim of this study was to elucidate this issue. Methods: In this observational trial, the periodontal status and the gingival crevicular fluid of 13 patients with different chronic inflammatory diseases were obtained before initiation of anti-cytokine treatment and 14 weeks after. Gingival crevicular fluid was collected for 16S rRNA gene sequencing from a clinically healthy tooth and the deepest measured pocket. Results: In participants with advanced attachment loss at baseline, the clinical attachment level significantly decreased from 2.9 (2.3-3.4) to 2.4 (1.3-3.0) mm (p = 0.04), and the bleeding- on-probing index dropped from 19.4 (10.0-21.0) to 7.3 (6.9-9.9) mm (p = 0.02) without any further periodontal treatment. Shannon’s diversity index significantly increased in the deepest pockets of patients (p = 0.039). Conclusion: The data showed alterations in diversity of the subgingival microbiome and improvement of periodontal parameters over the course of the study, implying a shift towards a healthier condition after starting anti-cytokine therapy. Additional investigations are needed to analyze whether the administration of selective biologicals can improve periodontal conditions in patients with or without chronic inflammatory diseases.

Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) can use food by-products or residues as a growth substrate, and their use is considered a strategic solution to improve the sustainability and efficiency of animal production. BSFL need to be reared under controlled environmental conditions, as temperature can affect the welfare of the larvae and the efficiency of their bioconversion. The goal of this experiment was to test different diets: control, vegetable, carnivorous, omnivorous and to assess their effect on larval growth performance, chemical composition, and substrate temperature. BSFL (6-days-old) were randomly selected and allocated to one of the four diets for the entire experiment (8 days). The temperature in each container was measured twice daily using a thermal imaging camera. The vegetable diet led to significantly lower growth performance (p

The goal of this article was to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory like activities of three species from genus Primula L. growing in Georgia: Primula macrocalyx, Primula woronowii and Primula saguramica . First, fractions containing shoot and root parts were air-dried, grinded and extracted by 80% ethanol followed by condensation and freeze-drying. Second, further chromatographic separations were done on Diaion HP-20 with the following solvents: H2O, methanol (50% and 100 %) and ethylacetate 100% to obtain the expected fractions.

Arthropods, the most abundant group in ecosystems, play crucial roles in human production. Soil physicochemical properties reflect soil health and are linked to arthropods through cascading effects. Gravel-sand mulching, commonly practiced in dry farming regions, initially aids in water retention and temperature regulation. However, long-term cultivation can lead to land degradation and habitat fragmentation. This study aimed to investigate field systems using multiple comparison, linear, and nonlinear correlation analyses to explore the effects of different tillage durations on soil properties and arthropod diversity under gravel-sand mulching. Results indicate that arthro-pod diversity was lower while the fields maintained better soil fertility than the desert steppe. Both soil fertility and arthropod diversity declined significantly with increased years of cultivation. Mantel tests revealed no significant response of desert steppe arthropods to the altered soil properties of gravel-sand mulched fields. However, the Generalized Additive Model analysis indicated significant linear correlations between arthropod occurrence and total nitrogen (positive), available phosphorus, and water content (negative). Arthropod abundance showed significant nonlinear correlations with total potassium, alkali hydrolyzable nitrogen, and organic matter (OM), with OM changes having the most pronounced impact. Thus, gravel-sand mulching can maintain soil fertility over time but at the expense of local arthropod diversity.

Few Sclerophyllous plants from the central coast of Chile have been systematically studied. This work describes the phytochemical composition and antimicrobial properties of Baccharis concava Pers. (sin. B. macraei), a shrub found in the first line and nearby the pacific coast between latitudes 29-38⁰S. B. concava has been traditionally used by indigenous inhabitants of today central Chile for their anthelmintic properties, wound healing properties and as a diuretic. Hydro-alcoholic extracts of B. concava were prepared from leaves and small branches. The qualitative phytochemical characterization indicated presence of alkaloids, steroids, terpenoids, flavonoids, phenolic and tannins compounds. The antimicrobial activity of this extract was assessed in a panel of microorganisms including Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria and pathogenic yeasts. The extract displayed important antimicrobial effects against Gram positive, Candida albicans, and Cryptococcus neoformans, but not against Gram negative, for which an intact Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is apparently the determinant of resistant to B. concava extracts. The hydroalcoholic extract was then fractionated through a sephadex LH-20/methanol-ethyl acetate column. Followed, the fractions were pooled according to a similar composition that was visualized by TLC/UV analysis. Fractions obtained by this criterion were assessed for their antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. The fraction presenting the most antimicrobial activity was HPLC-ESI-MS/MS analyzed obtaining a composition rich in structures derived from caffeoylquinic acid, dicaffeoylquinic acid and quercetin, among others. In conclusion, the extracts of B. concava show a strong antimicrobial activity probably due to their composition rich in metabolites derived from caffeoylquinic acid and quercetin, that in turn could be responsible for helping with wound healing, as reported from its ancient cultural use. In addition, the development of antimicrobial therapies based in the molecules found in B. concava could help to combat infection caused by pathogenic yeasts and Gram-positive bacteria, without affecting the Gram-negative microbiota.

There is proliferation of alcoholic beverages flavoured with herbal-extracts perceived to have medicinal values. Information on the phytochemical and heavy metal contents of these products is scarce. This study assessed the phytochemical properties and heavy metal contents of herbal-extract flavoured alcoholic beverages in major motor parks in Ibadan, Nigeria. The phytochemical properties of the beverages were determined in triplicate using standard methods while the heavy metal contents were assessed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and means were compared using ANOVA at p<0.05. The pH range of the beverages was 3.28-6.57 and the alcohol content was 34.0-51.5%. Detected major phytochemicals and concentration ranges were phytic acid (0.72-2.37 mg/g), alkaloids (0.42-4.11 mg/g), flavonoids (0.22-3.64 mg rutin equivalents/g), total phenols (1.13-3.66 mg gallic acid equivalents/g), anthraquinones ((0.74-1.93 mg/g) and triterpenoids (0.74-1.93 mg/g). The phytochemical contents were within the acceptable limits while the heavy metals were: Pb (2.13-4.70 mg/L), Cd (0.06-0.07 mg/L), Co (0.12-0.23 mg/L), Zn (0.14-0.40 mg/L) and Fe (0.72-4.22 mg/L); all except Pb and Cd were within permissible limits. The herbal-extract flavoured alcoholic beverages contain beneficial phytochemicals and traces of heavy metals. Safety awareness of these products for improved consumers’ health would be of public health importance.

The focus of our study was the changes in the composition of semi-natural dry grasslands in Hungary. Since these valuable habitats were created with the help of humans, their preservation also requires regular treatment. Our mowing experiment aimed to investigate the suppression of the native Calamagrostis epigejos L. Roth. In Hungary, in the Cserhát Mountains, eight permanent plots were mowed twice a year. The vegetation was sampled annually between 2001 and 2011. The effects of mowing were investigated with repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). After 10 years, the C. epigejos cover of the mowed plots decreased significantly, from the initial average of 62.38 to 7.50%. Surprisingly, we also experienced a similar decrease in the control plots. Regular treatment also had a positive effect on the number of species and diversity. Species richness increased continuously in both treatment types, which indicates the combined effect of vegetation succession and treatment. The biomass growth of other Poaceae and Fabaceae species, which are important from a grassland management perspective, was also facilitated by mowing. Our results suggest that long-term in situ experiments and continuous botanical studies are needed to establish a reliable utilization of grasslands.

Pineapple weed (Matricaria discoidea DC.) is a widely spread plant in Europe and North America. In ethnomedicine, it is well known for its anti-inflammatory and spasmolytic activity. The aim of the research was to develop novel methods of M. discoidea herb complex processing for creating the essential oil and the dry extracts and to investigate their phytochemical composition. Moreo-ver, the molecular docking of main substances and in vivo their soporific and analgesic activity were studied. The essential oil and two dry extracts from M. discoidea were prepared. Total 16 phenolic compounds (7 flavonoids, 7 hydroxycinnamic, 2 phenolic acids) in the dry extracts were identified by means of UPLC-MS/MS. In the essential oil 9 main terpenoids were identified by gas chromatography (GC). We showed that the phenolics extraction from the present herb was successful by using 70% ethanol in a triple extraction and in the range of 1:14-1:16. The in-vivo studies with rodents showed analgesic activity of M. discoidea extracts and the improvements in the sleep of animals. The dry extracts of M. discoidea herb did not show any toxicity. The molecular docking showed the high probability of COX-1,2 inhibition and NMDA receptor antagonism induced by the extracts.

The Douro Demarcated Region (DDR) has peculiar edaphoclimatic characteristics that provide a suitable terroir for premium wine production. As climate change effects continue to emerge, ensuring productivity and quality becomes increasingly important for viticulturists, as those directly determine their profits. Cultural approaches, such as the use of biostimulants, are actively being developed to mitigate abiotic stress. The main objective of this work was to assess the effect of foliar sprays of a seaweed (Ascophyllum nodosum) based extract (ANE) and glycine betaine (GB) on grape berry quality, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant activity. A trial was installed in a commercial vineyard (cv. Touriga Franca) in the Douro Superior (Upper Douro) sub-region of the Douro Demarcated Region. In 2020, a total of three foliar sprayings were performed during the growing season, namely at pea-size, bunch closure, and veraison. There was a positive effect of both biostimulants (ANE and GB) on the physiological and biochemical performance of cv. Touriga Franca exposed to summer stress. In general, the GB 0.2% spraying was the most promising treatment for this grape cultivar, as it increased berry quality, the concentration of bioactive compounds (total phenolics, flavonoids and ortho-diphenols), and the antioxidant activities. These results revealed the efficacy of biostimulants sprayings as sustainable viticultural practice, improving berry quality under summer stress conditions.

Nutrient profiling (NP) models that assess nutrient density of foods can help remedy micronutrient deficiencies. We used NP methods to identify the most nutrient-rich foods in the 2019 FAO/INFOODS Western Africa Food Composition Table (WAFCT). The WAFCT had complete data for 909 foods. Three versions of the well-established Nutrient Rich Food (NRF) model were used: 1) the original NRF9.3; 2) a new NRF6.3 based on 6 priority micronutrients (iron, zinc, calcium, folate, vitamin A, vitamin B12); and 3) NRF 15.3, based on 15 nutrients to encourage (NRF6.3 nutrients + vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B6, copper, and magnesium). Data analyses used one-way ANOVAs and independent t-tests, with significance at α=0.05. Animal-source foods were rated higher by NRF6.3 priority micronutrient and NRF15.3 NP models than by the NRF9.3 model. African indigenous vegetables had higher protein content and higher nutrient density compared to non-indigenous vegetables. African indigenous grains had higher nutrient density compared to non-indigenous grains. Though animal-source foods received some of the highest scores, NP models adapted to the West African context showed that African indigenous vegetables and grains were also nutrient rich. Indigenous foods could be important sources of priority micronutrients for the region.

Background/Objectives: The Perilla frutescens plant has historically been used to protect against inflammation and redox stress. This has been attributed in part to the high content of various polyphenols. Despite this, the complement of polyphenolic components in Perilla extract is not yet fully defined. The aim of this study was to characterise the polyphenolic composition in Perilla extract, and its effect on the transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), which during inflammation and oxidative stress binds to the antioxidant response element (ARE) found on the promoter of phase II antioxidant enzymes. Methods: Following extraction using four solvents of different properties, the total phenolic, flavonoid and ortho-diphenolic content of Perilla extract were determined. Individual phenolic compounds were identified and quantified by RP-HPLC. Dual Luciferase assay using a reporter plasmid containing a human NQO1 ARE-luciferase fusion was employed to determine the potential protective effect of the Perilla fractions against redox stress. Results: HPLC analysis revealed that the highest phenolic content was present in the polar extracts. A total of 35 distinct polyphenolic compounds were identified, with rosmarinic acid being the major constituent. On cells in vitro, the methanol Perilla fraction showed protection against redox stress, with the luciferase assay displaying up to 1.5 fold increase in the induction of the human NQO1 ARE-luciferase reporter. Conclusions: While Perilla extract seems to be mainly protecting against inflammation and redox stress through the action of rosmarinic acid, further work is required on the synergystic effects between different polyphenols.

We propose a thermodynamic model describing the thermoelastic behavior of composition graded materials. The compatibility of the model with second law of thermodynamics is explored by applying a generalized Coleman-Noll procedure. We calculate the speeds of coupled first- and second-sound pulses, propagating either trough nonequilibrium or trough equilibrium states. We characterize several different types of perturbations, depending on the value of the material coefficients. Under the assumption that the deformation of the body can produce changes in its stoichiometry, altering locally the material composition, the possibility of propagation of pure stoichiometric waves is pointed out. Thermoelastic perturbations generated by the coupling of stoichiometric and thermal effects are analyzed as well.

German chamomile galenic preparations are used to treat mild skin diseases, inflammation and spasms, and they have also reported to have anxiolytic and sedative effects. The medicinal use of chamomile is well-known in ethnomedicine. Since chamomile has shown to have some adverse effects, there is a need to develop new formulations, such as dry extracts, for the present herb. The aims of this study were (1) to develop a novel method for preparing essential oils and dry extracts from German chamomile flowers, (2) to reveal the phytochemical composition of such extracts, and (3) to verify the analgesic and soporific activity of extracts in vivo with a rodent animal model. Furthermore, our study aims to gain knowledge of the ethnomedical status of chamomile in the past and presence. Essential oils and dry extracts were successfully prepared from the tincture and aqueous extracts obtained after hydrodistillation and from a tincture powder. Total 22 phenolic compounds (7 hydroxycinnamic acids, 13 flavonoids and 2 phenolic acids), were found in the dry extracts by using UPLC-MS/MS. Total 9 main terpenoids were identified in the chamomile oil, and these terpenoids represent the chemotype rich in bisabolol oxides A and B. In the highest yield, the ratio of phenolic compounds and extract was in the range of 1:14-1:16 and triple extraction was performed. In in-vivo studies with mice and rats, the extracts showed analgesic activity and improvements in sleep. The highest sedative effect in rodents was found with the extract prepared by using a 70% aqueous ethanol solution for extraction. The administration of such extract at the dose of 50 mg/kg significantly prolonged the sleeping time in rats.

Siam weed, scientifically known as Chromolaena odorata and belonging to the Asteraceae family, is a fast-growing plant with prolific seed production. Although it is a traditional medicinal plant, it has become an agricultural weed in Africa and Asia, posing a threat to biodiversity and causing environmental damage. Despite this, C. odorata is highly regarded as a medicinal herb in tropical Africa, with anticancer effects on breast, liver, and colorectal cancer. However, it is important to regulate the intake of the plant extract as it can have a hepatotoxic effect on liver cells at higher doses. Further research needs to be conducted on the plant extract, and proper orientation and knowledge of its oral daily administration are necessary. This review summarizes current scientific investigations using ethanolic and methanolic aqueous extracts of C. odorata leaves on various cancer cells, to uncover its potential as an anticancer agent. The investigations were sourced from online databases like Google Scholar, PubMed, and other online-based journals.

Eysenhardtia platycarpa (Fabaceae) is a medicinal plant used in México and it lacks biotechnological studies for its use. The aim of this work was to establish a cell suspension cultures (CSC) of E. platycarpa, determine the phytochemical profile, and evaluate its antifungal activity. Friable callus and CSC were established with 2 mg/L 1-naphthaleneacetic acid plus 0.1 mg/L kinetin. The highest total phenolics of CSC was 15.6 mg GAE/g dry weight and the total flavonoids content ranged from 56.2 to 104.1 µg QE/g dry weight. CG‒MS analysis showed that the dichloromethane extracts of CSC, sapwood and heartwood have a high amount of hexadecanoic acid (22.3 ‒ 35.3 %) and steroids (13.5 ‒ 14.7%). Heartwood and sapwood defatted hexane extracts have the highest amount of stigmasterol (≈ 23.4%) and β-sitosterol (≈ 43%), and leaf extracts presented β-amyrin (16.3%). Methanolic leaves extracts showed mostly sugars and some polyols, mainly D-pinitol (74.3%). Dichloromethane and fatty hexane extracts of CSC exhibited the percentages inhibition higher for Sclerotium cepivorum with 71.5 and 62.0%, respectively. The maximum inhibition for Rhizoctonia solani was with fatty hexane extracts of the sapwood (51.4%). Our study suggest that CSC extracts could be used as a possible complementary alternative to synthetic fungicides.

Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik) is an annual herb that belongs to family Fabaceae, it is one of the most ancient food crops that has been grown in the world, and originated from southwestern Asia as early as 7000 BC. In Spain lentil acreage raised 42,200 ha in 2022, two authonomous regions Castilla-León and Castilla-La Mancha are traditionally the large producers. Lentils have the capacity to fix atmospheric N2 in symbiosis with rhizobia and, additionally it is considered moderately tolerant to drought which in turn makes this pulse a low water and carbon fingerprint crop. The aim of this study was to assess the symbiotic responsiveness to rhizobia strains of several lentil accessions from the Spanish germplasm bank, to determine the nutritional value and mineral seed composition and, to evaluate the agronomic performance of six selected accessions in two regions under rainfed conditions and different management systems. The protein content of all genotypes was higher than 25%, with two outstanding seeds from accessions: BGE025596 and BGE026702 which account for >30% of protein and <2% of fat. Accessions BGE016362 and, BGE026702 had an exceptional Fe content, > 1 g/100 g of seed flour. The agronomic performance varied depending upon the cropping región.

: AlF3 has interesting electrophysical properties, due to which the material is promising for applications in supercapacitors, UV coatings with low refractive index, excimer laser mirrors, and photolithography. The formation of AlF3-based nano- and micro-wires can bring new functionalities to AlF3 material. AlF3 nanowires be used, for example, in functionally modified microprobes for scanning probe microscopy. In this work, we investigate the AlF3 samples obtained by the reaction of initial aluminum with aqueous hydrofluoric acid solution of different concentrations. All the samples were obtained under normal conditions. The morphology of the nanowire samples is studied by scanning electron microscopy. Quantitative energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) spectra are obtained and analyzed with respect to the feedstock and each other.

: AlF3 has interesting electrophysical parameters, due to which the material is promising for applications in supercapacitors, UV coatings with low refractive index, excimer laser mirrors, and photolithography. The formation of AlF3-based nano- and micro-wires can bring new functionalities to AlF3 material. AlF3 nanowires be used, for example, in functionally modified microprobes for scanning probe microscopy. In this work, we investigate the AlF3 samples obtained by the reaction of initial aluminum with aqueous hydrofluoric acid solution of different concentrations. All the samples were obtained under normal conditions. The morphology of the nanowire samples is studied by scanning electron microscopy. Quantitative energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) spectra are obtained and analyzed with respect to the feedstock and each other.

The composition, structure and functionalities of prolamins from highland barley was investigated. These parameters of was compared with the widely applied prolamins (zein). There are more charged and hydrophilic amino acids in prolamins from highland barley than zein. The molecu-lar weight of prolamins from highland barley were between 30 to 63 kDa, which was larger than zein (20 to 24 kDa). β-turn helices is the main secondary structure in prolamins from highland barley, while α-helical structure is the main secondary structure in zein. The water holding capacity, thermal stability, emulsifying capacity and stability of prolamins from highland barley is quite lager than zein, while opposite results can be observed for oil absorption capacity. The diameter of fibers prepared with prolamins from highland barley was almost 6 times that of zein, while ribbon structures rather than fibers were formed by prolamins from highland barley. The results would provide the guidance for application of prolamins from highland barley.