This study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with 1% dried Schizochytrium limacinum on fatty acid composition and omega-3 (ω-3) enrichment of broiler meat under commercial field conditions. The aim was to assess ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) enrichment across different meat portions and to determine whether the resulting levels may meet criteria for nutritional labeling. A total of 36,905 Cobb 500 broilers were assigned to a control group fed a basal diet and an algae-supplemented group receiving the same diet with added microalgae. Production performance parameters were recorded, and breast, leg, and wing meat samples were analyzed for fatty acid composition using gas chromatography. Supplementation did not affect body weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, or mortality. However, supplemented birds exhibited higher total ω-3 PUFA content in all meat portions, mainly due to enhanced deposition of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and, to a lesser extent, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). DHA increased approximately 11-, 16-, and 13-fold in breast, leg, and wing meat, respectively. Total ω-6 fatty acids were not affected, resulting in lower ω-6/ω-3 and arachidonic acid (ARA)/EPA ratios. The total EPA + DHA content in fresh tissue reached approximately 26 mg/100 g in breast and 90 mg/100 g in leg and wing portions. Leg and wing portions, analyzed with skin, met the criteria for labeling as "high in omega-3 fatty acids," whereas breast meat remained below the threshold required for the "source of omega-3 fatty acids" claim. Overall, the present study suggests that dietary supplementation with 1% Schizochytrium limacinum may enhance ω-3 PUFA content in broiler meat under commercial production conditions without compromising performance, and may contribute to improved nutritional value of poultry products.

Although n-3-rich oils are widely used to improve the fatty acid profile of eggs, their susceptibility to oxidation may reduce their nutritional benefits and adversely affect animal health. However, the effects of naturally oxidized n-3 oil sources in laying Japanese quail remain unclear. This study therefore evaluated the effects of naturally oxidized plant and animal oil sources on productive performance, egg quality, egg yolk fatty acid profile, serum biochemical parameters, and liver histopathology. A total of 160 laying Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) were assigned to four dietary treatments containing 1.5% non-oxidized sunflower oil, naturally oxidized chia oil, naturally oxidized flaxseed oil, or naturally oxidized salmon oil, designated as the Control, CO, FO, and SO groups, respectively. Each treatment consisted of five replicates of eight birds, and the experiment lasted 6 weeks. Egg production and feed conversion ratio were not affected by dietary treatment. However, feed intake decreased in the FO group, whereas egg weight decreased in the FO and SO groups (P < 0.05). Among the egg quality traits, yolk index increased in the CO group, while albumen index decreased in the FO group (P < 0.05); the remaining traits were unaffected. Egg yolk n-3 fatty acid content and the n-3/n-6 ratio increased significantly in the CO and FO groups (P < 0.01), whereas yolk cholesterol concentration and serum biochemical parameters did not differ among treatments. Liver histology was normal in the Control group, while the oxidized oil groups exhibited histopathological alterations, predominantly steatosis, with severity varying among oil sources. These findings indicate that naturally oxidized chia and flaxseed oils can enhance the n-3 fatty acid profile of egg yolk, but their potential effects on performance and liver health should be considered. Therefore, both oil source and oxidative status are important practical considerations when formulating n-3-enriched diets for laying Japanese quail.

Multiple groups have reported on the impact of hydrogel stiffness on vascular network formation in vitro, with overall findings indicating that hydrogels with lower stiffness better support vasculogenesis. However, most of this research utilizes hydrogels with static stiffness, even though vasculogenesis occurs in tandem with changes in extracellular matrix stiffness. To that end, we hypothesized that dynamic modulation of hydrogel stiffness during vasculogenesis would improve vascular network formation. Using a Collagen I/Norbornene-modified hyaluronic acid hydrogel system, we diffused additional crosslinker and photoinitiator into the hydrogel and initiated further UV crosslinking at predetermined time points, while maintaining high cell viability (>90%). We observed that in situ stiffening at early time points, prior to the completion of cell elongation, increased vascular network connectivity and volume fraction relative to unstiffened controls, while stiffening at later time points was associated with reduced network formation. Consistent with these findings, cell-laden hydrogels stiffened at early time points implanted subcutaneously in nude mice showed increased blood perfusion, while late-stiffened hydrogels did not improve perfusion relative to controls. Mechanistically, we found that these time-dependent differences were associated with changes in vinculin volume fraction, suggesting differential mechanotransductive signaling. Consistent with this, Rho kinase inhibition suppressed vinculin volume fraction in stiffened hydrogels and partially rescued vascular network formation following in situ stiffening. These findings indicate that the timing of stiffness modulation is a critical factor in determining vasculogenic outcome, and that early-stage stiffening can enhance vascular network formation beyond what is achieved in static hydrogel systems.

Fusarium solani root rot of tomatoes causes severe production losses, and the development of safe biological management strategies is an urgent core industry need. In this study, the research material of the endophytic bacteria Bacillus endophyticus was used, and the research work was carried out in the following sequence of tests for the core aims of managing this disease and investigating its application value: Firstly, the antagonistic activity of the strain against Fusarium solani was tested by in vitro dual culture assay, and the mycelial growth inhibition rate was up to 68.2%. The strain was also shown to possess three plant growth-promoting features, including synthesis of the auxin indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), phosphorus solubilization, and cellulase production. In this work, a greenhouse experiment was conducted to confirm the effectiveness of the target biocontrol strain in controlling the disease. The test results showed the germination rate of damaged seeds in the treatment group was 88%, far higher than the 57% of the infected control group. The disease severity in plants decreased from 59.7% in the control to 18.3%, and the total biocontrol efficiency reached 69.3%. The treatment group showed a considerable rise in the activity of defense enzymes, suggesting that this strain has great potential for use in the field. These findings evidence the ability of B. endophyticus to enhance tomato growth and control root rot, induced by F. solani, suggesting its potential as a biocontrol agent towards sustainable production of tomatoes in an environmentally safe way.

High concentrations of chloric acid (HClO3) have been detected in the sea-ice-covered Arctic atmosphere. While iodic acid (HIO3) is a confirmed key driver of new particle formation (NPF) in the Arctic, and its analogue iodous acid (HIO2) significantly enhances initial nucleation, NPF events are frequently observed even when HIO3 concentrations are insufficient to explain them. Owing to its strong acidity, we propose that HClO3 participates in aerosol nucleation, bridging this observational gap. Here, we systematically investigate the HIO3-HIO2-HClO3 ternary nucleation mechanism. Molecular-level analysis reveals that within the ternary clusters, HIO2 exhibits distinct basicity and preferentially accepts protons. Concurrently, the strong acidity and halogen-bond-inducing effects of HClO3 enable HIO3 to accept protons transferred from HClO3. Thermodynamic and kinetic stability analyses demonstrate that at typical Arctic temperatures (≤278.15 K), HClO3 significantly enhances HIO3-HIO2 nucleation. Specifically, under relevant atmospheric conditions ([HIO3] ≤ 10[7] cm[-3] and [HClO3] ≥ 10[6] cm[-3]), the incorporation of HClO3 enhances cluster formation rates by up to an order of magnitude. This synergistic enhancement effectively explains the NPF events observed at Arctic sites (e.g., Ny-Ålesund) under iodine-poor conditions. These results indicate that HIO3-HIO2-HClO3 ternary nucleation is a crucial NPF pathway in marine environments with active halogen chemistry, providing a fundamental theoretical basis for understanding the sources, sinks, and climate impacts of marine chlorine-containing components.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have potential applications as probiotics, but the antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and virulence factor genes (VFGs) they carry pose significant public health risks. In this study, eight strains of LAB were isolated from fecal samples of large-scale pig farms, and their probiotic potential and safety were systematically evaluated through in vitro functional assays and whole-genome sequencing. The results showed that Pediococcus pentosaceus R124 exhibited high adhesion to intestinal epithelial cells (54.11%) and strong coaggregation ability (34.9%). Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Z108 demonstrated relatively strong acid resistance (24.18% survival rate at pH 2.0), while Enterococcus faecium F130 showed the highest tolerance to high concentrations of bile salts (6.28%). All strains exhibited a non-hemolytic γ -hemolysis phenotype, but antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed widespread phenotypic multidrug resistance. Interestingly, while P. pentosaceus R124 and L. plantarum Z108 showed resistance to certain antibiotics, genomic analysis indicated they harbored no acquired ARGs or VFGs, suggesting that their observed resistance may stem from intrinsic mechanisms. E. faecium F130 harbored four VFGs and thirteen ARGs, eight of which were located on plasmids. Importantly, the filter-mating experiment indicated that the antibiotic-resistant plasmid PlasmidE and its associated resistance gene ANT(4')-Ib from E. faecium F130 could be horizontally transferred to recipient strains, conferring antibiotic resistance. This study suggests that, while all isolated strains possess certain probiotic potential, their safety varies according to species and strain-specific characteristics. P. pentosaceus R124 and L. plantarum Z108 are promising candidates with both functional and genetic safety, while the risk of resistance spread from E. faecium F130 highlights the necessity of whole-genome safety assessments in probiotic screening.

The physicochemical and bioactive characteristics, fatty acid profile, and sensory attributes (such as odor, taste, and overall acceptability) of cookies produced by mixing 5% and 15% apple peel powder into wheat flour were evaluated. While the L* and b* values of the cookies decreased with cooking, the a* values increased. The L* values of the cookie samples varied between 73.79 (15%) and 85.82 (Control), while the b values were measured between 25.57 (5%) and 28.68 (Control). In addition, the a values of cookies were determined between 0.28 (Control) and 5.21 (15%). While the total phenolic amount of the cookies prepared with the addition of 5% and 15% apple peel powder varied between 18.20 and 46.44 mg/100 g, the total flavonoid amount of the cookies was provided to be between 95.00 mg/100 g and 159.76 mg/100 g. The antioxidant capacities of the cookies varied between 0.15 and 2.35 mmol/kg. The major phenolic compounds in the dried apple peel were identified as catechin, rutin, gallic acid, and hesperidin. The predominant fatty acids of cookies were linolenic, linoleic, oleic, and palmitic acid. Palmitic and oleic acid quantities of cookie oils ranged from 25.07% (5%) and 26.38% (Control) to 4.71% (15%) and 4.89% (5%), respectively. Apple peel incorporation increased the Nutritive Value Index (NVI) of cookie oils from 0.183 (Control) to 0.200 at 5 min, followed by a slight decrease to 0.189 at 15 min. Despite this reduction, NVI values remained above the control, indicating a modest improvement in lipid nutritional quality. The macro element detected in the cookie samples was K in the highest amounts, followed by P, Ca, and Mg in decreasing order. In general, the sensory properties of cookies with 5% apple peel flour concentration had better values than those with 15%.

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a debilitating condition characterized by severe fatigue and post-exertional malaise (PEM). Reported neuropsychophysiological abnormalities suggest ME/CFS is multifactorial, but current knowledge remains fragmented. This study protocol outlines a multimodal investigation designed to (1) compare neuropsychophysiological mechanisms between ME/CFS patients and healthy participants, (2) test an integrative model of ME/CFS, (3) identify neuropsychophysiological subgroups within the patient population, and (4) identify predictors of symptom response during rehabilitation.

The oral cavity and esophagus are contiguous mucosal sites whose microbiomes may jointly influence esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). To address whether microbial alterations are shared across oral and esophageal niches and possess diagnostic potential in ESCC, we performed five-region 16S rRNA sequencing on paired oral swabs and esophageal tissues from 45 patients with ESCC and matched controls. We identified consistent enrichment of Porphyromonas, Fusobacterium, and Treponema, with the depletion of Neisseria, Rothia, and Actinomyces across both sites. These cross-site signatures showed strong diagnostic performance, supporting proof-of-concept non-invasive ESCC prediction using oral swabs. Functional prediction suggested altered microbiome-associated functional profiles, including enrichment of glycan- and amino acid-related pathways and reduced fatty acid metabolism. In a 4-NQO mouse model, P. gingivalis accelerated ESCC development and promoted inflammatory and immune-suppressive responses. Together, these findings identify shared oral-esophageal microbial signatures with potential diagnostic value in ESCC and support further validation of oral microbiome-based detection strategies.

Chronic dietary exposure to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a major threat to ruminant health, but its integrated effects on rumen fermentation, hepatic function, inflammatory-oxidative status, and glucose-lipid metabolism in fat-tailed sheep remain insufficiently characterized. This study evaluated the effects of high-level chronic AFB1 exposure in twenty non-pregnant, non-lactating multiparous Ghezel ewes assigned to either a control diet or the same basal diet supplemented with AFB1-contaminated rice culture providing 500 µg AFB1/kg dry matter for 40 d. Individual dry matter intake was not measured; however, all animals consumed the full daily ration, ensuring uniform nutrient intake. AFB1 reduced ruminal total volatile fatty acid concentration by approximately 16% (P = 0.011), with lower acetate (P = 0.014) and propionate (P = 0.017), and increased ruminal ammonia nitrogen (P = 0.018) and lipopolysaccharide (P = 0.009). Plasma activities of aspartate aminotransferase, γ-glutamyl transferase, and glutamate dehydrogenase increased approximately 2.2-, 2.9-, and 2.8-fold, respectively (all P < 0.001), while albumin and total protein decreased. AFB1 increased TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, nitric oxide, and protein carbonyls, and decreased IL-10, IFN-γ, glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase. During intravenous glucose tolerance testing, AFB1-exposed ewes had lower basal glucose, higher peak glucose, greater incremental glucose area under the curve, prolonged glucose half-life, higher basal non-esterified fatty acids, and attenuated NEFA suppression. These findings indicate that chronic high-level AFB1 exposure disrupts coordinated rumen-liver-immune-metabolic function and reduces glucose-lipid metabolic flexibility in fat-tailed ewes.

Gluten-free corn dough suffers from a significant imbalance between mechanical strength and ductility, a fundamental limitation stemming from the lack of a continuous gluten network. In this study, zein was modified through synergistic microwave-assisted acid and far-infrared-assisted acid treatments to produce high-quality gluten-free corn dough. Compared to the control, the far-infrared-assisted acid modified dough demonstrated a 144% increase in β-sheet content, a 109 - fold rise in storage modulus, a 90.70% enhancement in hardness, and a 19.95% elevation in thermal denaturation peak temperature. These enhancements were attributed to the synergistic effects of disulfide cross-linking and non-covalent interactions (hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions), achieving an optimal balance between strength and ductility with a maximum tensile elongation of 49.70 mm. Furthermore, the microwave-assisted acid modified sample exhibited favorable tensile strength that satisfies the practical requirements for baking. This research presents a straightforward, feasible, and effective strategy for developing high-performance gluten-free cereal products.

Rice false smut caused by Ustilaginoidea virens is a major fungal disease of rice in rice-growing regions throughout the world. However, the key genes and key metabolites related to U. virens resistance in rice remain unclear. Here, we used transcriptomics and metabolomics to determine the gene expression and metabolite accumulation changes in rice at 5, 7, and 9 d after inoculation with U. virens. By comparing the transcriptomes of IR27 (resistant cultivar) and 9311 (susceptible cultivar) spikelets, variable transcriptional responses under control and infection conditions were revealed. In total, 11,235 and 13,453 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in IR27 and 9311, respectively. The results of Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes and co‑expression analyses showed that the DEGs involved in flavonoid biosynthesis, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and plant hormone signal transduction responded to disease resistance. Several WRKY transcription factors were also differentially regulated in the resistant and susceptible cultivars. The metabolome analysis identified 343 and 303 differentially accumulated metabolites in IR27 and 9311, respectively, including salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, gibberellin, d-pantothenic acid, and p-coumaric acid. Many of these are primarily involved in plant hormone signal transduction, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and flavonoid biosynthesis pathways. Furthermore, the combined transcriptome and metabolome analysis revealed that plant hormone signal transduction, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and flavonoid biosynthesis were significantly enriched in resistant rice varieties. Therefore, these results provide valuable information on the molecular mechanisms by which rice defends against U. virens infection, and they will facilitate the development of disease‑resistant rice cultivars.