Impact of feeding age on cognitive impairment in mice with Disrupted-In-Schizophrenia 1 (Disc1) mutation under a high sucrose diet.

A combination of genetic predisposition and environmental factors contributes to the development of psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder. Previous studies using mouse models suggested that prolonged high sucrose intake during puberty can serve as an environmental risk factor for the onset of psychiatric disorders. However, the impact of both the duration and timing of high sucrose consumption during different developmental stages on pathogenesis remains poorly defined. We therefore investigated the effects of a long-term high sucrose diet on cognitive deficit, a core symptom of psychiatric disorders, using Disrupted-in-Schizophrenia 1 locus-impairment heterozygous mutant (Disc1het) mice as a model for genetic predisposition. First, Disc1het mice and their littermate control (WT) were fed either a high sucrose diet or a control starch diet for nine weeks starting at weaning (postnatal day 24), and tested for cognitive performance in the object location test (OLT) and the novel object recognition test (NORT) (assessing spatial and recognition memory, respectively). Only Disc1het mice on a high sucrose diet displayed deficits in OLT (p < 0.0001), demonstrating impaired hippocampus-dependent spatial memory. This behavioral abnormality was accompanied by a decreased proportion of the high parvalbumin-expressing interneurons (High-PV neurons) in the ventral hippocampus, a cell type that regulates neural activity and a variety of learning and memory processes such as spatial and working memory. We further explored the critical developmental period for high sucrose intake to cause cognitive deficits in adulthood by comparing specific feeding periods during puberty (P24-P65) and post-puberty (P65-P90). Compared to those on a standard chow diet, high sucrose intake caused deficits in spatial memory in both WT and Disc1het mice, with more pronounced effects in Disc1het mice. In particular, Disc1het mice on a sucrose diet during adolescence showed more pronounced cognitive deficit than those fed after adolescence. Our results suggest that adolescence is particularly vulnerable to nutritional environmental risk factors, and that high sucrose consumption may cause hippocampus-dependent memory deficits via decreased High-PV interneuron function when combined with Disc1-related genetic predisposition.

Quantifying the sweetness intensity and impact of aroma in honey from four floral sources.

Unlike many commercial sweeteners for which sweetness dose-response curves have been constructed, honey's sweetness has yet to be quantified. Honey differs from most commercial sweeteners in that it has a robust aroma; this aroma may impact its perceived sweetness. This study quantified the sweetness intensity and the impact of aroma on the perceived sweetness of four different honey varieties (clover, wildflower, alfalfa, and orange) compared to sucrose. Each sweetener evaluated was diluted to six concentrations in water ranging from 12.5 g/L to 125 g/L. Panelists (n = 55) rated the sweetness intensities with and without aroma, in replicate, on the Global Sensory Intensity Scale. Additionally, the volatile organic compounds in the honey samples were profiled using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis. Honey and sugar were equivalently sweet at a given concentration (g/L), with aroma present (p = 0.251). Additionally, honey and sugar were not equivalently sweet without aroma; aroma significantly increased sweetness intensities for all sweeteners (p = 0.042) and especially honeys. In a 100 g/L solution, the aromas in honey increased its sweetness by 23%-43%, depending on the floral source. Compounds with sweet aroma characteristics were identified at high concentrations in all honey samples using GC/MS analysis, including furfural, benzaldehyde, benzene acetaldehyde, and dimethyl sulfide. Additionally, (S)-limonene and toluene were present in high quantities in the orange and alfalfa samples. This study can inform appropriate honey usage levels and identify major volatiles that may enhance sweetness. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Honey sweetness has not been determined quantitatively, despite the widespread use of honey among consumers and product formulators. Sweetness enhancement by honey aroma volatiles may support a reduction in added sugars while maintaining sweetness intensity.

Trehalulose: Exploring its benefits, biosynthesis, and enhanced production techniques.

The increasing concern over sugar-related health issues has sparked research interest in seeking alternatives to sucrose. Trehalulose, a beneficial structural isomer of sucrose, is a non-cariogenic sugar with a low glycemic and insulinemic index. Besides its potential as a sugar substitute, trehalulose exhibits high antioxidant properties, making it attractive for various industrial applications. Despite its numerous advantages and potential application in various sectors, the industrial adoption of trehalulose has yet to be established due to lack of studies on its characteristics and practical uses. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the properties of trehalulose, emphasizing its health benefits. The industrial prospects of trehalulose as sweetener and reducing agent, particularly in food and beverages pharmaceutical, and cosmeceutical sectors, are explored. Additionally, the review delves into the sources of trehalulose and the diverse organisms capable of producing trehalulose. The biosynthesis of this sugar primarily involves an enzyme-mediated process. Thus, these enzymes' properties, mechanisms, and the heterologous expression of genes associated with trehalulose production are explored. The strategies discussed in this review can be improved and applied to establish trehalulose bio-factories for efficient synthesis of trehalulose in the future. With further research and development, trehalulose holds promise as a valuable component across various industries.

The link between the risk of cardiovascular diseases and the intake of different types of dietary carbohydrates in Iranian adults.

Background: The risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) may be influenced by dietary carbohydrates. The aim of this study was to investigate the link between CVDs and the intake of carbohydrates. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, data was extracted from the Prospective Epidemiologic Research Studies in Iran (PERSIAN) cohort in Sabzevar, Iran. A total of 4241 adults, including 1535 patients with CVDs and 2706 people without CVDs, were included. A validated 237-item food frequency questionnaire was used to estimate the intake of different types of dietary carbohydrates. Results: A positive association was found between stroke and dietary intake of starch (OR = 1.108; 95% CI, 1.005-1.220; P = 0.039). Additionally, a negative association was found between stroke and dietary intake of sucrose (OR = 0.97; 95%CI, 0.94-0.99; P = 0.037). No association was found between other types of CVDs and the intake of different types of carbohydrates. Conclusion: This study provided some evidence for the association between CVDs and different types of dietary carbohydrates. Consumption of starch may increase the risk of stroke, while a higher intake of sucrose may decrease the risk of stroke. Further studies are warranted.

Complete genome sequences of sucrose non-fermenting non-O1/non-O139 Vibrio cholerae isolated from human soft tissue infection.

This paper describes the hybrid genome assembly of sucrose non-fermenting non-O1/non-O139 Vibrio cholerae isolated from human soft tissue infection. The hybrid assembled genome comprises two circular chromosomes with lengths of 3,001,999 bp and 1,264,051 bp, respectively, with a G + C content of 47.38%.

Validation of drug-nondrug choice procedure to model maladaptive behavioural allocation to opioid use in rats.

Increased allocation of behaviour to substance abuse at the expense of personal and social rewards is a hallmark of addiction that is reflected in several of DSM-5 criteria for diagnosis of substance use disorder. Previous studies focused on refining the self-administration (SA) model to better emulate an addictive state in laboratory animals. Here, we employed concurrent SA of sucrose pellets and morphine as two competing natural and drug rewards, respectively, to validate the feasibility of capturing pathological behavioural allocation in rats. A custom-made three-lever operant chamber was used. With one active and one inactive lever presented, rats were trained to self-administer morphine (0.5 mg/kg/infusion; 2 h/day) under a fixed-ratio 1 (FR-1) schedule until a stable response was achieved. Next, they were trained to self-administer morphine in the presence of a third lever dispensing sucrose pellets (20 mg) under FR-1. Concurrent morphine-sucrose SA sessions (2 h/day) were continued until stable morphine taking behaviour was re-established. In another experiment, rats first established stable sucrose pellet SA (2 h/day, FR-1) and then were trained to take morphine (0.5 mg/kg/infusion; 2 h/day). Subsequently, all rats underwent extinction training, in which morphine was replaced with saline while sucrose pellets were still available upon lever pressing, followed by cue-induced reinstatement of morphine seeking behaviour. Results showed that rats retained morphine SA when sucrose pellets were also available, but they showed binge-like sucrose intake when morphine was removed during the extinction sessions. However, morphine SA did not develop in rats that had previously established sucrose pellet SA. In conclusion, morphine SA developed even in the presence of a potent competing nondrug reward in rats. Adding an effort-based contingent delivery of a natural reward to the standard SA model, this protocol may provide an improved model of drug addiction in laboratory animals.

TLC-NOSF dressings as a first-line local treatment of chronic wounds: a systematic review of clinical evidence.

OBJECTIVE: Several national and international guidelines recommend lipidocolloid technology with a nano-oligosaccharide factor (TLC-NOSF) dressings (UrgoStart dressing range, Laboratoires Urgo, France) for treating patients with chronic wounds. However, these dressings are still often reported as second-line options, potentially leading to loss of opportunity for patients and additional costs for payers. This review aimed to explore the reported wound healing and patient outcomes as well as the related costs when the dressings were used as first-line treatment in patients with different types of chronic wounds. METHOD: A systematic review of the literature was conducted. Databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Emcare, and Google Scholar) were searched up to 1 February 2024, without any language or time period limitations. Studies were eligible if the evaluated dressings had been used as a first-line treatment for chronic wounds, that is, as an integral part of the standard of care (SoC) at the patient's first presentation and/or in recent wounds. The main evaluation criteria included: wound healing rate; time to reach wound closure; change in patients' quality of life (QoL); and associated costs. The quality of evidence of the included studies was appraised using well-recognised risk-of-bias tools suitable for different study designs. A narrative synthesis describes the findings in three sections depending on the type of comparison. This report followed the principles of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. RESULTS: A total of 17 studies published between 2017 and 2024 met the eligibility criteria. A comparative analysis between TLC-NOSF dressings and standard dressings, both of which were used as first-line treatment, was reported in nine studies. A comparative analysis between the use of TLC-NOSF dressings as first-line and second-line treatments was reported in eight studies, and five studies reported a systematic use of the TLC-NOSF dressing as first-line treatment without a control group. Overall, the included studies had a relatively low risk of bias for the respective types of evidence. Data of 10,191 patients of both sexes and different age groups with a total of 10,203 wounds (diabetic foot ulcers, leg ulcers, pressure injuries, and other types of chronic wounds) were included in the analysis: 7775 treated with the evaluated dressing and 2428 treated with a comparator dressing. The data suggested that using TLC-NOSF as a first-line treatment for chronic wounds consistently resulted in significantly higher healing rates, shorter healing times, and cost savings compared with standard dressings used under similar conditions. Real-life evidence confirmed the results obtained in clinical trials and economic models, within similar ranges, regardless of the settings involved or of the characteristics of the patients and wounds treated. The wound healing rates ranged around 70-80% by week 20/24 and time-to-heal was reported on average around seven weeks, with slightly longer times reported in wounds with a more severe prognosis. Furthermore, the dressings were shown to improve patient QoL, and were well tolerated and accepted, supporting a wider adoption approach. CONCLUSION: The results of this review are aligned with the current guidelines recommending the use of TLC-NOSF dressings in the treatment of patients with chronic wounds. They support its wider implementation as a first-line treatment and as an integral part of SoC for these wounds in the daily practice of all centres involved in their management.

Ethanol and 2-phenylethanol production by bee-isolated Meyerozyma caribbica strains.

Investigating the biotechnological potential of wild microorganisms is paramount for optimizing bioprocesses. Given this premise, we looked for yeasts in Brazilian native stingless bees, considering the recognized potential of pollinating insect-associated microorganisms for the production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Two yeast strains of the species Meyerozyma caribbica were isolated from bees Scaptotrigona postica and evaluated for their fermentative capacity. Both yeasts were capable of fermenting sucrose (the main sugar used in the Brazilian ethanol industry) with over 90% efficiency and yields of up to 0.504 g/g. Through an experimental design analysis (CCD), it was verified that the ethanol productivity of these yeasts can also benefit from high concentrations of sucrose and low pH values, desirable traits for microorganisms in this biofuel production. At the same time, CCD analyses also showed the great capacity of these M. caribbica strains to produce another alcohol of broad biotechnological interest, 2-phenylethanol. Interestingly, the statistical analyses demonstrated that greater production of this compound can occur at high sugar concentrations and low availability of nitrogen sources, which can be easily achieved using residual low-cost feedstocks. Thus, our results suggest that these M. caribbica strains may be efficiently used in both ethanol and 2-phenylethanol production.

Harnessing de novo transcriptome sequencing to identify and characterize genes regulating carbohydrate biosynthesis pathways in Salvia guaranitica L.

Introduction: Carbohydrate compounds serve multifaceted roles, from energy sources to stress protectants, found across diverse organisms including bacteria, fungi, and plants. Despite this broad importance, the molecular genetic framework underlying carbohydrate biosynthesis pathways, such as starch, sucrose, and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis in Salvia guaranitica, remains largely unexplored. Methods: In this study, the Illumina-HiSeq 2500 platform was used to sequence the transcripts of S. guaranitica leaves, generating approximately 8.2 Gb of raw data. After filtering and removing adapter sequences, 38 million reads comprising 210 million high-quality nucleotide bases were obtained. De novo assembly resulted in 75,100 unigenes, which were annotated to establish a comprehensive database for investigating starch, sucrose, and glycolysis biosynthesis. Functional analyses of glucose-6-phosphate isomerase (SgGPI), trehalose-6-phosphate synthase/phosphatase (SgT6PS), and sucrose synthase (SgSUS) were performed using transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana. Results: Among the unigenes, 410 were identified as putatively involved in these metabolic pathways, including 175 related to glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and 235 to starch and sucrose biosynthesis. Overexpression of SgGPI, SgT6PS, and SgSUS in transgenic A. thaliana enhanced leaf area, accelerated flower formation, and promoted overall growth compared to wild-type plants. Discussion: These findings lay a foundation for understanding the roles of starch, sucrose, and glycolysis biosynthesis genes in S. guaranitica, offering insights into future metabolic engineering strategies for enhancing the production of valuable carbohydrate compounds in S. guaranitica or other plants.

Combined transcriptome and physiological analysis reveals exogenous sucrose enhances photosynthesis and source capacity in foxtail millet.

Foxtail millet (Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv.) is an environmentally friendly crop that meets the current requirements of international food security and is widely accepted as a photosynthesis research model. However, whether exogenous sucrose treatment has a positive effect on foxtail millet growth remains unknown. Here, we employed physiological and molecular approaches to identify photosynthesis and source capacity associated with exogenous sucrose during the growth of Jingu 21 seedlings. RNA-seq analysis showed that some differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to photosynthesis and carotenoid biosynthesis were induced by exogenous sucrose and that most of these genes were up-regulated. An increase in gas exchange parameters, chlorophyll content, and chlorophyll fluorescence of Jingu 21 was noted after exogenous sucrose addition. Furthermore, exogenous sucrose up-regulated genes encoding sucrose and hexose transporters and enhanced starch and sucrose metabolism. More DEGs were up-regulated by sucrose, the nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) content in the leaves increased and energy metabolism and sucrose loading subsequently improved, ultimately enhancing photosynthesis under normal and dark conditions. Further analysis revealed that WRKYs, ERFs, HY5, RAP2, and ABI5 could be key transcription factors involved in growth regulation. These results indicate that exogenous sucrose affects the normal photosynthetic performance of foxtail millet by increasing NSC transport and loading. They improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of the effects of exogenous sucrose on photosynthesis in foxtail millet, providing an effective measure to enhance source-sink relationships and improve yield.

Screening Germplasms and Detecting Quantitative Trait Loci for High Sucrose Content in Soybean.

Sucrose is a desirable component of processed soybean foods and animal feed, and thus, its content is used as an important characteristic for assessing the quality of soybean seeds. However, few studies have focused on the quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with sucrose regulation in soybean seeds. This study aims to measure the sucrose content of 1014 soybean accessions and identify genes related to high sucrose levels using QTL analysis. Colorimetric analysis based on the enzymatic reaction of invertase (INV) and glucose oxidase (GOD) was employed to test the germplasms. A total of six high-sucrose genetic resources (IT186230, IT195321, IT263138, IT263276, IT263286, and IT276521) and two low-sucrose genetic resources (IT025668 and IT274054) were identified. Two F2:3 populations, IT186230 × IT025668 and Ilmi × IT186230, were then established from these germplasms. QTL analysis identified four QTLs (qSUC6.1, qSUC11.1, qSUC15.1, and qSUC17.1), explaining 7.3-27.6% of the phenotypic variation in the sugar content. Twenty candidate genes were found at the four QTLs. Notably, Glyma.17G152300, located in the qSUC17.1 QTL region, exhibited a 17-fold higher gene expression in the high-sucrose germplasm IT186230 compared to the control germplasm Ilmi, confirming its role as a major gene regulating the sucrose content in soybean. These results may assist in marker-assisted selection for breeding programs that aim to develop soybean lines with a higher sucrose content.

Synthesis of an Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid-like Ligand Based on Sucrose Scaffold and Complexation and Proton Relaxivity Studies of Its Gadolinium(III) Complex in Solution.

Sucrose constitutes a non-toxic, biodegradable, low-cost and readily available natural product. To expand its utility, we developed total synthesis for a ligand based on a sucrose scaffold for potential use as a metal chelation agent. The designed target (compound 2) has a metal-chelating functionality at both the C-6 and C-6' positions, which can provide a first coordination sphere of eight valencies. The designed total synthesis was highly efficient. To demonstrate the utility of the ligand, we studied its complexation with Gd(III). Using potentiometric titration and high-resolution mass spectrometry, we confirmed the formation of a 1:1 complex with Gd(III), which has a respectable formation constant of ~1013.4. Further NMR relaxivity studies show that the Gd(III) complex has a relaxivity (r1) of 7.6958 mmol-1 s-1.

Metabolome and Transcriptome Joint Analysis Reveals That Different Sucrose Levels Regulate the Production of Flavonoids and Stilbenes in Grape Callus Culture.

To reveal the effect of sucrose concentration on the production of secondary metabolites, a metabolome and transcriptome joint analysis was carried out using callus induced from grape variety Mio Red cambial meristematic cells. We identified 559 metabolites-mainly flavonoids, phenolic acids, and stilbenoids-as differential content metabolites (fold change ≥2 or ≤0.5) in at least one pairwise comparison of treatments with 7.5, 15, or 30 g/L sucrose in the growing media for 15 or 30 days (d). Resveratrol, viniferin, and amurensin contents were highest at 15 d of subculture; piceid, ampelopsin, and pterostilbene had higher contents at 30 d. A transcriptome analysis identified 1310 and 498 (at 15 d) and 1696 and 2211 (at 30 d) differentially expressed genes (DEGs; log2(fold change) ≥ 1, p < 0.05) in 7.5 vs. 15 g/L and 15 vs. 30 g/L sucrose treatments, respectively. In phenylpropane and isoflavone pathways, DEGs encoding cinnamic acid 4-hydroxylase, chalcone synthase, chalcone isomerase, and flavanone 3-hydroxylase were more highly expressed at 15 d than at 30 d, while other DEGs showed different regulation patterns corresponding to sucrose concentrations and cultivation times. For all three sucrose concentrations, the stilbene synthase (STS) gene exhibited significantly higher expression at 15 vs. 30 d, while two resveratrol O-methyltransferase (ROMT) genes related to pterostilbene synthesis showed significantly higher expression at 30 vs. 15 d. In addition, a total of 481 DEGs were annotated as transcription factors in pairwise comparisons; an integrative analysis suggested MYB59, WRKY20, and MADS8 as potential regulators responding to sucrose levels in flavonoid and stilbene biosynthesis in grape callus. Our results provide valuable information for high-efficiency production of flavonoids and stilbenes using grape callus.

Sucrose induces flowering by degradation of the floral repressor Ghd7 via K48-linked polyubiquitination in rice.

Sucrose functions as a signaling molecule in several metabolic pathways as well as in various developmental processes. However, the molecular mechanisms by which sucrose regulates these processes remain largely unknown. In the present study, we demonstrate that sucrose promotes flowering by mediating the stability of a regulatory protein that represses flowering in rice. Exogenous application of sucrose promoted flowering by inducing florigen gene expression. Reduction of sucrose levels in the phloem through genetic modifications, such as the overexpression of the vacuolar invertase OsVIN2 or the mutation of OsSUT2, a sucrose transporter, delayed flowering. Analysis of relative transcript levels of floral regulatory genes showed that sucrose activated Ehd1 upstream of the florigen, with no significant effect on the expression of other upstream genes. Examination of protein stability after sucrose treatment of major floral repressors revealed that the Ghd7 protein was specifically degraded. The Ghd7 protein interacted with the E3 ligase IPA INTERACTING PROTEIN1 (IPI1), and sucrose-induced K48-linked polyubiquitination of Ghd7 via IPI1, leading to protein degradation. Mutants defective in IPI1 delayed flowering, confirming its role in modulating proteins involved in flowering. We conclude that sucrose acts as a signaling molecule to induce flowering by promoting Ghd7 degradation via IPI1.

Investigating the existence of an osmotic barrier between xylem fibres and vessels in sugar maple (Acer saccharum) using microCT.

Sugar maples (Acer saccharum Marshall) develop elevated stem pressures in springtime through the compression and expansion of gas bubbles present within xylem fibres. The stability of this gas within the fibres is hypothesised to be due to the elevated sugar concentration of maple sap and the presence of an osmotic barrier between fibres and vessels. Without this osmotic barrier gas bubbles are predicted to dissolve rapidly. In this work we investigated the existence of this osmotic barrier. We quantified the fraction of the xylem occupied by gas-filled fibres using synchrotron based microCT. After imaging fresh stem segments we perfused them with either a 2% sucrose solution or water, imaging again following perfusion. In this way we directly observed how total gas present in the fibres changed when an osmotic pressure difference should be present, with the 2% sucrose solution, and when it is absent, with the water. Following a first round of perfusion we perfused stem segments with the other perfusate, repeating this multiple times to observe how switching perfusates affected gas-filled fibres. We found that perfusing stem segments with water resulted in a significant reduction in the xylem fibre gas, but perfusing stem segments with a sucrose solution did not significantly reduce the gas in the fibres. These results support the hypothesis that an osmotic barrier exists between fibres and vessels.

The role and mechanism of TgCWIN2-mediated changes of photo-assimilates in modulating early development of Torreya grandis seeds.

Early seed development is vital for plant reproduction, but the processes behind this in gymnosperms like Torreya grandis, which has a low rate of normal early-developed seeds, are not well understood. To fill this knowledge gap, we embarked on a comprehensive investigation encompassing the morphology and phenology of seed development in T. grandis. Using the 13C labelling analysis, coupled with leaf removal and seed thinning treatments, we observed a substantial increase in the content of photo-assimilate, an almost 10% increase in sucrose content under seed thinning treatments, thereby leading to an increase in the proportion of normal early-developed seeds, reaching 15%. Concurrently, through the integration of multi-omics analyses and transient overexpression validation, we identified cell wall invertase coding gene, TgCWIN2, which plays a pivotal role in sucrose cleavage during the early development of T. grandis seeds. Further gene co-expression, dual-luciferase assay, and yeast one-hybrid assay revealed that TgWRKY31 was a candidate regulator of TgCWIN2, positively influencing its expression by direct binding to the TgCWIN2 promoter. Notably, TgWRKY31 transient overexpression substantially enhances the expression of TgCWIN2, thereby contributing to a higher proportion of normal early-developed seeds. Our findings not only provide a comprehensive understanding of the underlying mechanisms governing the early development of T. grandis seeds, but are also essential for establishing strategies to enhance early seed development and improve yield.

Anxiolytic and Antianhedonic-like Effects of Psidium guajava Leaf in Alcohol-Withdrawn Mice.

Objectives: Alcohol withdrawal syndrome manifests through a range of symptoms, including anxiety and anhedonia, significantly affecting the quality of life of those affected. This study investigates the potential therapeutic effects of the methanolic extract of Psidium guajava leaves (MPG) on anxiety and anhedonia in Swiss albino female mice undergoing alcohol withdrawal. Methods: Four groups of mice underwent alcohol withdrawal, with one group undergoing saline withdrawal as a control. On the test day, behavioral assessments were conducted to evaluate anxiety and anhedonia. Groups I and II received sodium carboxymethylcellulose, Group III received diazepam, and Groups IV and V received varying oral doses of MPG. Results: The results indicate significant anti-anhedonic and anxiolytic effects of MPG. These effects were observed through changes in parameters measured in the Open Field test, Elevated Plus Maze test, Marble Burying test, and Sucrose Preference test. Mice treated with MPG displayed reduced anxiety-like behaviors and increased sucrose preference compared to untreated mice undergoing alcohol withdrawal. Conclusion: These findings suggest that Psidium guajava leaf extract may have therapeutic potential in alleviating anxiety and anhedonia associated with alcohol withdrawal. The observed effects indicate that MPG could serve as a promising adjunct therapy for managing alcohol withdrawal symptoms, thereby enhancing the overall well-being of individuals undergoing alcohol cessation.

Genistein mitigates diet-induced obesity and metabolic dysfunctions in gonadectomized mice with some sex-differential effects.

Background: Obesity is associated with insulin resistance (IR) and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Genistein, an isoflavone, is a promising natural compound for preventing and treating obesity and metabolic dysfunctions. We aimed to investigate the sex-specific protective effects of genistein on obesity, IR, and MASLD in a murine model of sex hormone deprivation with diet-induced obesity (DIO), mimicking postmenopausal women or aging men with metabolic syndrome. Methods: Gonadectomized and sham-operated C57BL/6NJcl mice were fed a high-fat high-sucrose diet for 4 weeks to induce obesity (7 mice per group). In gonadectomized mice, genistein (16 mg/kg/day) or vehicle (7.5% dimethyl sulfoxide) was orally administered for 45 days. We assessed glucose homeostasis parameters, hepatic histopathology, and hepatic gene expression to investigate the effects of gonadectomy and genistein treatment. Results: Gonadectomy exacerbated adiposity in both sexes. Ovariectomy diminished the protective effects of female gonadal hormones on the homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), serum alanine transaminase levels, hepatic steatosis score, and the expression of hepatic genes associated with MASLD progression and IR, such as Fasn, Srebf1, Saa1, Cd36, Col1a1, Pck1, and Ppargc1a. Genistein treatment in gonadectomized mice significantly reduced body weight gain and the hepatic steatosis score in both sexes. However, genistein treatment significantly attenuated HOMA-IR and the expression of the hepatic genes only in female mice. Conclusion: Genistein treatment mitigates DIO-related MASLD in both male and female gonadectomized mice. Regarding hepatic gene expression associated with MASLD and IR, the beneficial effect of genistein was significantly evident only in female mice. This study suggests a potential alternative application of genistein in individuals with obesity and sex hormone deprivation, yet pending clinical trials.

Recurrence rates after healing in patients with neuroischemic diabetic foot ulcers healed with and without sucrose octasulfate-impregnated dressings: A 1-year comparative prospective study.

To compare recurrence rates after a 1-year follow-up period of healed neuroischemic diabetic foot ulcers after treatment with or without sucrose octasulfate impregnated dressing. A 1-year prospective study with two arms was conducted between April 2021 and April 2023 on 92 patients with healed neuroischemic diabetic foot ulcers. Patients were divided into two groups; the treatment group, that includes patients healed with a sucrose octasulfate-impregnated dressing, and the control group, which includes patients treated with other local treatments different from sucrose octasulfate-impregnated dressings. After healing, patients were prospectively followed up during 1-year and assessed monthly in the specialised outpatient clinics. The main outcome of the study was ulcer recurrence after wound healing within 1 year follow-up. Secondary outcomes were minor or major amputation and all causes of death. Fifty patients in the treatment group and 42 patients in the control group were included. Fourteen (28%) patients suffered from a reulceration event in the treatment group compared to 28 (66.7%) in the control group, p < 0.001. Time to recurrence in the treatment group was 10 (16.26-2.75) and 11.50 (30.75-5.25) weeks in the control group, p = 0.464. There were no observed differences in the minor amputation rates between the two groups: 15.2% (n = 7) in the treatment group and 7.1% (n = 3) in the control group (p = 0.362). Major amputations and death outcomes were exclusively observed in the treatment group. Specifically, four major amputations (8.7%) in the treatment group were complications arising from recurring events complicated by infection during the SARS-CoV-2 period. Seven patients died due to complications not related with local therapy. The relative risk of recurrence was 20.18 times higher in the control group compared with those treated with octasulfate dressing (p < 0.001). Treatment with sucrose octasulfate-impregnated dressings can decrease recurrence rates of neuroischaemic diabetic foot ulcers more effectively than neutral dressings. Besides, it may enhance the foot's clinical properties in patients with poor microcirculation, which could aid in preventing future recurrences.

Astaxanthin improves lipotoxicity, lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress in kidney of sucrose-rich diet-fed rats.

Metabolic Syndrome (MS) is a cluster of metabolic risk factors, characterized by abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, insulin resistance, among others. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the astaxanthin (AXT) effects extracted from freshwater crab (Dilocarcinus pagei) at the Paraná Basin on lipotoxicity, lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress in the kidney of rats fed with a sucrose-rich diet (SRD). We hypothesized that daily administration of AXT prevents kidney damage by reducing lipotoxicity, lipid peroxidation, and reactive oxygen species (ROS), and by improving antioxidant enzyme defenses and crosstalk between NrF2 and NF-ĸB transcription factors. Male Wistar rats were fed a reference diet (RD), RD+AXT, SRD and SRD+AXT [AXT daily oral dose: (10 mg/kg body weight)] for 90 days. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, biochemical assays in serum and urine were evaluated. Renal cortex samples were taken for histological analysis, determination of triglyceride content, ROS, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR) enzyme activities and glutathione content (GSH). 4-HNE, NrF2, and NF-ĸB p65 expression were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. We demonstrated that daily oral supplementation of AXT to animals fed a SRD reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure, histological renal damage, lipid accumulation, ROS and lipid peroxidation, and increased CAT and GPx activities. NrF2 protein expression in renal cortex was increased, whilst NF-ĸB p65 was reduced. AXT extracted from freshwater crabs (Dilocarcinus pagei) may be promising nutritional strategy for the prevention of renal alterations present in this model.