Level of autistic traits in neurotypical adults predicts kinematic idiosyncrasies in their biological movements.

Introduction: Over the last decade of research, a notable connection between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and unique motor system characteristics has been identified, which may influence social communication through distinct movement patterns. In this study, we investigated the potential for features of the broader autism phenotype to account for kinematic idiosyncrasies in social movements expressed by neurotypical individuals. Methods: Fifty-eight participants provided recordings of point-light displays expressing three basic emotions and completed the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ). We extracted kinematic metrics from the biological movements using computer vision and applied linear mixed-effects modeling to analyze the relationship between these kinematic metrics and AQ scores. Results: Our results revealed that individual differences in the total AQ scores, and the sub-scale scores, significantly predicted variations in kinematic metrics representing order, volume, and magnitude. Discussion: The results of this study suggest that autistic traits may intricately influence the movement expressions at the microlevel, highlighting the need for a more nuanced understanding of the potential endophenotypic characteristics associated with social movements in neurotypical individuals.

Anthropogenic land-use change decreases pollination and male and female fitness in terrestrial flowering plants.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The majority of the earth's land area is currently occupied by humans. Measuring how terrestrial plants reproduce in these pervasive environments is essential for understanding their long-term viability and their ability to adapt to changing environments. METHODS: We conducted hierarchical and phylogenetically-independent meta-analyses to assess the overall effects of anthropogenic land-use changes on pollination, and male and female fitness in terrestrial plants. KEY RESULTS: We found negative global effects of land use change (i.e., mainly habitat loss and fragmentation) on pollination and on female and male fitness of terrestrial flowering plants. Negative effects were stronger in plants with self-incompatibility (SI) systems and pollinated by invertebrates, regardless of life form and sexual expression. Pollination and female fitness of pollination generalist and specialist plants were similarly negatively affected by land-use change, whereas male fitness of specialist plants showed no effects. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that angiosperm populations remaining in fragmented habitats negatively affect pollination, and female and male fitness, which will likely decrease the recruitment, survival, and long-term viability of plant populations remaining in fragmented landscapes. We underline the main current gaps of knowledge for future research agendas and call out not only for a decrease in the current rates of land-use changes across the world but also to embark on active restoration efforts to increase the area and connectivity of remaining natural habitats.

Efficient photocatalytic hydrogen peroxide production over S-scheme In2S3/molten salt modified C3N5 heterojunction.

Graphitic phase carbon nitride (g-C3N5), as a novel n-type metal-free material, is employed as a visible light-receptive catalyst because of its narrow band gap and abundant nitrogen. To overcome the low carrier mobility efficiency of g-C3N5, its modification by K ions was adopted. In addition, In2S3 was selected to couple with modified g-C3N5 to overcome the recombination of photogenerated e-/h+. As a novel photocatalytic material, it was proven to possess a high visible light absorption capacity and a strong H2O2 production ability (up to 3.89 mmol⋅L-1 in 2 h). Moreover, a S-scheme heterojunction structure was successfully constructed between the two materials, which was tested and confirmed to be successful in raising the photogenerated e-/h+ separation efficiency. Ultimately, the primary processes of photocatalytic H2O2 production were summarized by superoxide radical and rotating disc electron measurements. This research provides a fresh perspective for the synthesis of C3N5-based S-scheme heterojunction photocatalysts for producing H2O2.

Multiplex CRISPR-Cas Genome Editing: Next-Generation Microbial Strain Engineering.

Genome editing is a crucial technology for obtaining desired phenotypes in a variety of species, ranging from microbes to plants, animals, and humans. With the advent of CRISPR-Cas technology, it has become possible to edit the intended sequence by modifying the target recognition sequence in guide RNA (gRNA). By expressing multiple gRNAs simultaneously, it is possible to edit multiple targets at the same time, allowing for the simultaneous introduction of various functions into the cell. This can significantly reduce the time and cost of obtaining engineered microbial strains for specific traits. In this review, we investigate the resolution of multiplex genome editing and its application in engineering microorganisms, including bacteria and yeast. Furthermore, we examine how recent advancements in artificial intelligence technology could assist in microbial genome editing and engineering. Based on these insights, we present our perspectives on the future evolution and potential impact of multiplex genome editing technologies in the agriculture and food industry.

Metal-Organic Framework Templated Z-Scheme ZnIn2S4/Bi2S3 Hierarchical Heterojunction for Photocatalytic H2O2 Production from Wastewater.

Metal-organic framework derived materials received a lot of attention due to their significant benefits in photocatalytic reactions. In this work, a Z-scheme ZnIn2S4/Bi2S3 hierarchical heterojunction is first developed by a one-pot method using CAU-17 as a template. The specific preparation method endows an intimate interface contact between these two monomers, and CAU-17-derived Bi2S3 possesses a high surface area and porosity, resulting in an efficient charge separation and O2 capture. Thus, for photocatalytic H2O2 production from the O2 reduction reaction, the ZnIn2S4/Bi2S3 heterojunction can achieve an H2O2 yield of 995 µmol L-1 in pure water and ambient air under visible light, 4.5 and 4 times that of ZnIn2S4 and Bi2S3, respectively. In addition, in tetracycline solution, ZnIn2S4/Bi2S3 can degrade tetracycline with a degradation rate of 95% by photocatalysis, and at the same time, a final H2O2 production yield of 1223 µmol L-1 is reached. Similarly, high yields of H2O2 are also obtained from wastewater containing o-nitrophenol, acid golden yellow, or acid red, and these pollutants are effectively degraded. This work reveals the potential of metal-organic framework-derived materials in photocatalysis, as well as provides insights into H2O2 green synthesis and wastewater treatment.

The Concise Language Paradigm (CLaP), a framework for studying the intersection of comprehension and production: electrophysiological properties.

Studies investigating language commonly isolate one modality or process, focusing on comprehension or production. Here, we present a framework for a paradigm that combines both: the Concise Language Paradigm (CLaP), tapping into comprehension and production within one trial. The trial structure is identical across conditions, presenting a sentence followed by a picture to be named. We tested 21 healthy speakers with EEG to examine three time periods during a trial (sentence, pre-picture interval, picture onset), yielding contrasts of sentence comprehension, contextually and visually guided word retrieval, object recognition, and naming. In the CLaP, sentences are presented auditorily (constrained, unconstrained, reversed), and pictures appear as normal (constrained, unconstrained, bare) or scrambled objects. Imaging results revealed different evoked responses after sentence onset for normal and time-reversed speech. Further, we replicated the context effect of alpha-beta power decreases before picture onset for constrained relative to unconstrained sentences, and could clarify that this effect arises from power decreases following constrained sentences. Brain responses locked to picture-onset differed as a function of sentence context and picture type (normal vs. scrambled), and naming times were fastest for pictures in constrained sentences, followed by scrambled picture naming, and equally fast for bare and unconstrained picture naming. Finally, we also discuss the potential of the CLaP to be adapted to different focuses, using different versions of the linguistic content and tasks, in combination with electrophysiology or other imaging methods. These first results of the CLaP indicate that this paradigm offers a promising framework to investigate the language system.

Associations between Corneal Nerve Structure and Function in a Veteran Population.

Background: We evaluate the relationship between corneal nerve structure and function in a veteran population. Methods: 83 veterans (mean age: 55 ± 5 years) seen at the Miami Veterans Affairs (VA) eye clinic were included in this study. Each individual filled out questionnaires to evaluate ocular symptoms (5-Item Dry Eye Questionnaire, DEQ5; Ocular Surface Disease Index, OSDI) and ocular pain (Numerical Rating Scale, NRS; Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory modified for the Eye, NPSI-Eye). The individuals also underwent an ocular surface examination that captured functional nerve tests including corneal sensation, corneal staining, and the Schirmer test for tear production. Corneal sub-basal nerve analysis was conducted using in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) images with corneal nerve density, length, area, width, and fractal dimension captured. IVCM and functional corneal metrics from the right eye were examined using correlational and linear regression analysis. Results: Most corneal structural metrics were not related to functional metrics, except for weak correlations between various IVCM metrics and tear production. In addition, corneal nerve fiber area was positively related to corneal sensation (r = 0.3, p = 0.01). On linear regression analyses, only the corneal fractal dimension remained significantly related to tear production (ß = -0.26, p = 0.02) and only the corneal nerve fiber area remained significantly related to corneal sensation (ß = 0.3, p = 0.01). Conclusions: Most corneal nerve structural metrics did not relate to functional metrics in our veteran population, apart from a few weak correlations between structural metrics and tear production. This suggests that using corneal nerve anatomy alone may be insufficient for predicting corneal function.

Polymorphisms of CYP7A1 and HADHB Genes and Their Effects on Milk Production Traits in Chinese Holstein Cows.

Our preliminary research proposed the cytochrome P450 family 7 subfamily A member 1 (CYP7A1) and hydroxyacyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase trifunctional multienzyme complex beta subunit (HADHB) genes as candidates for association with milk-production traits in dairy cattle because of their differential expression across different lactation stages in the liver tissues of Chinese Holstein cows and their potential roles in lipid metabolism. Hence, we identified single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the CYP7A1 and HADHB genes and validated their genetic effects on milk-production traits in a Chinese Holstein population with the goal of providing valuable genetic markers for genomic selection (GS) in dairy cattle, This study identified five SNPs, 14:g.24676921A>G, 14:g.24676224G>A, 14:g.24675708G>T, 14:g.24665961C>T, and 14:g.24664026A>G, in the CYP7A1 gene and three SNPs, 11:g.73256269T>C, 11:g.73256227A>C, and 11:g.73242290C>T, in HADHB. The single-SNP association analysis revealed significant associations (p value ≤ 0.0461) between the eight SNPs of CYP7A1 and HADHB genes and 305-day milk, fat and protein yields. Additionally, using Haploview 4.2, we found that the five SNPs of CYP7A1 formed two haplotype blocks and that the two SNPs of HADHB formed one haplotype block; notably, all three haplotype blocks were also significantly associated with milk, fat and protein yields (p value ≤ 0.0315). Further prediction of transcription factor binding sites (TFBSs) based on Jaspar software (version 2023) showed that the 14:g.24676921A>G, 14:g.24675708G>T, 11:g.73256269T>C, and 11:g.73256227A>C SNPs could alter the 5' terminal TFBS of the CYP7A1 and HADHB genes. The 14:g.24665961C>T SNP caused changes in the structural stability of the mRNA for the CYP7A1 gene. These alterations have the potential to influence gene expression and, consequently, the phenotype associated with milk-production traits. In summary, we have confirmed the genetic effects of CYP7A1 and HADHB genes on milk-production traits in dairy cattle and identified potential functional mutations that we suggest could be used for GS of dairy cattle and in-depth mechanistic studies of animals.

Validation of Bos taurus SNPs for Milk Productivity of Sahiwal Breed (Bos indicus), Pakistan.

The aim of the present study was the validation of the already reported Bos taurus SNPs in the Sahiwal breed. A total of nine SNPs of the casein gene were studied. Out of nine, seven Bos taurus SNPs of casein protein genes were found to be significantly associated with milk productivity traits. The genomic DNA was extracted from the mammary alveolar endothelial cells of a flock of 80 purebred Sahiwal lactating dams available at Khizrabad Farm near Sargodha. New allele-specific primers were designed from the NCBI annotated sequence database of Bos taurus to obtain 100 nt-long PCR products. Each dam was tested separately for all the SNPs investigated. Animals with genotype GG for the SNPs rs43703010, rs10500451, and 110323127, respectively, exhibited high milk yield. Similarly, animals with genotype AA for the SNPs rs11079521, rs43703016, and rs43703017 showed high milk yield consistently. For the SNP rs43703015, animals with genotype CC showed high milk productivity. These above-mentioned SNPs have previously been reported to significantly up-regulate casein protein contents in Bos taurus. Our results indicated SNPs that significantly affect the milk protein contents may also significantly increase per capita milk yield. These finding suggest that the above-mentioned reported SNPs can also be used as genetic markers of milk productivity in Sahiwal cattle.

The Risk Factors of Dewclaw Dermatitis in Beef Cattle in the Amazon Biome.

Bovine Dewclaw Dermatitis (BDCD) is a hoof disease characterized by inflammation of the second and fifth accessory digits and the skin in this region. This pathology is poorly described in the literature; however, it has recently been observed in beef cattle in the Amazon Biome, Brazil. The objective of this study was to perform a clinical diagnosis and identify the risk factors associated with BDCD onset in cattle in the studied biome. Samples were collected from eight farms with extensive breeding systems located in Xinguara, Rondon do Pará, Curionópolis, and Ipixuna do Pará in the state of Pará, Brazil. A total of 706 Nellore and Nellore crossbred with taurine bovine of both sexes were evaluated, with males aged between 2 and 4 years and a mean weight of 650 kg, and females aged between 2 and 11 years and a mean weight of 400 kg. Distal extremities were inspected during cattle management, and in cases of dewclaw lesions, a specific examination was carried out after proper restraint. Cattle were diagnosed with BDCD on all farms analyzed. Of the 706 cattle inspected, 49 (6.94%) showed BDCD, of which 19 (38.77%) were Nellore and 30 (61.22%) were crossbred. This was the first study to determine BDCD's occurrence in extensive farming systems in the Amazon region, also showing that pastures with large amounts of stumps and stones, the physical structure of pens, and trauma and injury incidence during animal management are the most important predisposing factors for the onset of BDCD.

Age-Related Variations in the Population of Active Secondary Hair Follicles, Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Parameters in Cashmere Goats.

The objective of this study was to investigate age-related changes in cashmere production and the population of active secondary hair follicles in cashmere goats across different age groups as well as to explore the association between secondary hair follicle activity and oxidative stress. A total of 104 adult Inner Mongolian ewe goats, aged between 2 and 7 years old, were randomly selected as experimental subjects. Skin samples were collected in August 2020 and cashmere samples were collected in April 2021. The cashmere fiber yield, staple length, and diameter showed age-related variations in cashmere goats aged 2 to 7 years (p < 0.05). Cashmere production was higher in goats aged 2-4 years compared to those aged 5-7 years (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the population of primary and secondary hair follicles among goats aged 2 to 7 years. However, the population of active secondary hair follicles varied significantly with age, with the younger group (aged 2-4 years) having a higher population than those aged 5-7 years (p < 0.05). A moderate negative correlation was observed between cashmere fiber diameter and the population of active secondary hair follicles (p < 0.05). Age-related variations in skin antioxidant capacity and oxidative damage were observed among cashmere goats aged 2 to 7 years old (p < 0.05). Goats aged 2 to 4 years exhibited higher antioxidant capacity and lower oxidative damage (p < 0.05). Interestingly, the skin's antioxidant capacity and oxidative damage exhibited significant positive and negative correlations with the population of active secondary hair follicles (p < 0.05). This study presents a novel approach to enhance the activity of secondary hair follicles and improve cashmere production performance through the regulation of oxidative stress.

Contemporary Views of the Extraction, Health Benefits, and Industrial Integration of Rice Bran Oil: A Prominent Ingredient for Holistic Human Health.

Globally, 50% of people consume rice (Oryza sativa), which is among the most abundant and extensively ingested cereal grains. Rice bran is a by-product of the cereal industry and is also considered a beneficial waste product of the rice processing industry. Rice bran oil (RBO) is created from rice bran (20-25 wt% in rice bran), which is the outermost layer of the rice kernel; has a lipid content of up to 25%; and is a considerable source of a plethora of bioactive components. The main components of RBO include high levels of fiber and phytochemicals, including vitamins, oryzanols, fatty acids, and phenolic compounds, which are beneficial to human health and well-being. This article summarizes the stabilization and extraction processes of rice bran oil from rice bran using different techniques (including solvent extraction, microwaving, ohmic heating, supercritical fluid extraction, and ultrasonication). Some studies have elaborated the various biological activities linked with RBO, such as antioxidant, anti-platelet, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic, anti-mutagenic, aphrodisiac, anti-depressant, anti-emetic, fibrinolytic, and cytotoxic activities. Due to the broad spectrum of biological activities and economic benefits of RBO, the current review article focuses on the extraction process of RBO, its bioactive components, and the potential health benefits of RBO. Furthermore, the limitations of existing studies are highlighted, and suggestions are provided for future applications of RBO as a functional food ingredient.

Carob: A Mediterranean Resource for the Future.

For centuries, the carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua L.) has contributed to the economy of the Mediterranean basin, mainly as food for livestock. Nowadays, the value of the carob tree extends far beyond its traditional uses, encompassing a wide range of industries and applications that take advantage of its unique properties and nutritional benefits. Despite its high industrial demand and European indications, there has been a 65% reduction in the area cultivated throughout the Mediterranean area in the 21st century. Given the threats posed by climate change, including reduced water availability and nutrient-depleted soils, there is a growing need to focus on this crop, which is well placed to cope with unpredictable weather. In this review, we use a bibliographic search approach to emphasise the prioritisation of research needs for effective carob tree exploitation. We found enormous gaps in the scientific knowledge of this under-utilised crop species with fruit pulp and seeds of high industrial value. Insufficient understanding of the biology of the species, as well as inadequate agronomic practices, compromise the quantity and the quality of fruits available to the industry. In addition to industrial applications, carob can also be used in reforestation or restoration programmes, providing a valuable crop while promoting biodiversity conservation and soil restoration. The carbon sequestration potential of the trees should be taken into account as a promising alternative in fighting climate change. This bibliographic search has highlighted clusters with different knowledge gaps that require further research and investment. The carob tree has untapped potential for innovation, economic development, and environmental sustainability.

Dissolved trace elements and nutrients in the North Sea-a current baseline.

Primary production is an important driver of marine carbon storage. Besides the major nutrient elements nitrogen, phosphorus, and silicon, primary production also depends on the availability of nutrient-type metals (e.g., Cu, Fe, Mo) and the absence of toxicologically relevant metals (e.g., Ni, Pb). Especially in coastal oceans, carbon storage and export to the open ocean is highly variable and influenced by anthropogenic eutrophication and pollution. To model future changes in coastal carbon storage processes, a solid baseline of nutrient and metal concentrations is crucial. The North Sea is an important shelf sea, influenced by riverine, atmospheric, Baltic Sea, and North Atlantic inputs. We measured the concentrations of dissolved nutrients (NH4+, NO3-, PO43-, and SiO44-) and 26 metals in 337 water samples from various depths within the entire North Sea and Skagerrak. A principal component analysis enabled us to categorize the analytes into three groups according to their predominant behavior: tracers for seawater (e.g., Mo, U, V), recycling (e.g., NO3-, PO43-, SiO44-), and riverine or anthropogenic input (e.g., Ni, Cu, Gd). The results further indicate an increasing P-limitation and increasing anthropogenic gadolinium input into the German Bight.

Effect of Warm-Up Exercise on Functional Regulation of Motor Unit Activation during Isometric Torque Production.

In this study, we tested several hypotheses related to changes in motor unit activation patterns after warm-up exercise. Fifteen healthy young men participated in the experiment and the main task was to produce voluntary torque through the elbow joint under the isometric condition. The experimental conditions consisted of two directions of torque, including flexion and extension, at two joint angles, 10° and 90°. Participants were asked to increase the joint torque to the maximal level at a rate of 10% of the maximum voluntary torque. The warm-up protocol followed the ACSM guidelines, which increased body temperature by approximately 1.5°C. Decomposition electromyography electrodes, capable of extracting multiple motor unit action potentials from surface signals, were placed on the biceps and triceps brachii muscles, and joint torque was measured on the dynamometer. The mean firing rate and the recruitment threshold of the decomposed motor units were quantified. In addition, a single motor unit activity from the spike train was quantified for each of five selected motor units. The magnitude of joint torque increased with the warm-up exercise for all the experimental conditions. The results of the motor unit analyses showed a positive and beneficial effect of the warm-up exercise, with an increase in both the mean firing rate and the recruitment threshold by about 56% and 33%, respectively, particularly in the agonist muscle. Power spectral density in the gamma band, which is thought to be the dominant voluntary activity, was also increased by the warm-up exercise only in the high threshold motor units.

Efficient biosynthesis of transglutaminase in Streptomyces mobaraensis via systematic engineering strategies.

Transglutaminases (TGases) have been widely used in food, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and other industries because of their ability to catalyze deamidation, acyl transfer, and crosslinking reactions between Ƴ-carboxamide groups of peptides or protein-bound glutamine and the Ɛ-amino group of lysine. In this study, we demonstrated an efficient systematic engineering strategy to enhance the synthesis of TGase in a recombinant Streptomyces mobaraensis smL2020 strain in a 1000-L fermentor. Briefly, the enzymatic properties of the TGase TGL2020 from S. mobaraensis smL2020 and TGase TGLD from S. mobaraensis smLD were compared to obtain the TGase TGLD with perfected characteristics for heterologous expression in a recombinant S. mobaraensis smL2020ΔTG without the gene tgL 2020. Through multiple engineering strategies, including promoter engineering, optimizing the signal peptides and recombination sites, and increasing copies of the expression cassettes, the final TGLD activity in the recombinant S. mobaraensis smL2020ΔTG: (PL2020-spL2020-protgLD-tgLD)2 (tgL2020and BT1) reached 56.43 U/mL and 63.18 U/mL in shake flask and 1000-L fermentor, respectively, which was the highest reported to date. With the improvement of expression level, the application scope of TGLD in the food industry will continue to expand. Moreover, the genetic stability of the recombinant strain maintained at more than 20 generations. These findings proved the feasibility of multiple systematic engineering strategies in synthetic biology and provided an emerging solution to improve biosynthesis of industrial enzymes.

Carbon-coated nickel phosphide enhances efficiently electron transfer of cadmium sulfide for photocatalytic hydrogen production.

The capacitance of a co-catalyst can be likened to a "double-edged sword". Α co-catalysts with high capacitance can store photoexcited electrons, thereby facilitating charge separation within the host catalyst. However, this property simultaneously restricts electron release. Both effects are enhanced with an increasing capacitance value, implying that excessively high capacitance can significantly hinder the photocatalytic hydrogen (H2) production reaction. Herein, we have designed a metal-organic framework (MOF) -derived carbon-coated nickel phosphide (C-Ni5P4) as the co-catalyst of cadmium sulfide (CdS). When C-Ni5P4 and CdS are closely interconnected, electrons spontaneously migrate from CdS to C-Ni5P4 under irradiation due to the higher work function (WF) of C-Ni5P4 compared to CdS. Most importantly, although the WF of C-Ni5P4 is 0.1 eV lower than that of Ni5P4, its specific capacitance (1.2 mF/cm2) is also lower than that of Ni5P4 (1.3 mF/cm2). This difference dramatically promotes electron release. Thereby exerting a strong positive effect on capacitance catalysis. Therefore, 7% C-Ni5P4/CdS exhibits exceptional cyclic stability and has a remarkably high activity level of 12283 µmol/h/g and 3.8 times as many as 3.0 %Ni5P4/CdS. This study provides a theoretical basis for the advancement of photocatalysts with high efficiency in H2 production and is expected to be applied in other fields of photocatalysis.

The contribution of natural and anthropogenic causes to soil acidification rates under different fertilization practices and site conditions in southern China.

Excessive application of mineral fertilizers has accelerated soil acidification in China, affecting crop production when the pH drops below a critical value. However, the contributions of natural soil acidification, induced by leaching of bicarbonate, and anthropogenic causes of soil acidification, induced by nitrogen (N) transformations and removal of base cations over acid anions, are not well quantified. In this study, we quantified soil acidification rates, in equivalents (eq) of acidity, by assessing the inputs and outputs of all major cations and anions, including calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, ammonium, nitrate, bicarbonate, sulphate, phosphate and chloride, for 13 long-term experimental sites in southern China. The acidification rates strongly varied among fertilizer treatments and with the addition of animal manure. Bicarbonate leaching was the dominant acid production process in calcareous soils (23 keq ha-1 yr-1) and in non-calcareous paddy soils (9.6 keq ha-1 yr-1), accounting for 80 % and 68 % of the total acid production rate, respectively. The calcareous soils were strongly buffered, and acidification led no or a limited decline in pH. In contrast, N transformations were the most important driver for soil acidification at one site with upland crops on a non-calcareous soil, accounting for 72 % of total acid production rate of 8.4 keq ha-1 yr-1. In this soil, the soil pH considerably decreased being accompanied by a substantial decline in exchangeable base cation. Reducing the N surplus decreased the acidification rate with 10 to 54 eq per kg N surplus with the lowest value occurring in paddy soils and the highest in the upland soil. The use of manure, containing base cations, partly mitigated the acidifying impact of N fertilizer inputs and crop removal, but enhanced phosphorus (P) accumulation. Combining mineral fertilizer, manure and lime in integrative management strategies can mitigate soil acidification and minimize N and P losses.

17-ß-estradiol and phytoestrogens elicit NO production and vasodilatation through PI3K, PKA and EGF receptors pathways, evidencing functional selectivity.

Endothelial cells express multiple receptors mediating estrogen responses; including the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER). Past studies on nitric oxide (NO) production elicited by estrogens raised the question whether 17-ß-estradiol (E2) and natural phytoestrogens activate equivalent mechanisms. We hypothesized that E2 and phytoestrogens elicit NO production via coupling to distinct intracellular pathways signalling. To this aim, perfusion of E2 and phytoestrogens to the precontracted rat mesentery bed examined vasorelaxation, while fluorescence microscopy on primary endothelial cells cultures quantified single cell NO production determined following 4-amino-5-methylamino-2',7'-difluoroescein diacetate (DAF) incubation. Daidzein (DAI) and genistein (GEN) induced rapid vasodilatation associated to NO production. Multiple estrogen receptor activity was inferred based on the reduction of DAF-NO signals; G-36 (GPER antagonist) reduced 75 % of all estrogen responses, while fulvestrant (selective nuclear receptor antagonist) reduced significantly more the phytoestrogens responses than E2. The joint application of both antagonists abolished the E2 response but not the phytoestrogen-induced DAF-NO signals. Wortmannin or LY-294002 (PI3K inhibitors), reduced by 90% the E2-evoked signal while altering significantly less the DAI-induced response. In contrast, H-89 (PKA inhibitor), elicited a 23% reduction of the E2-induced signal while blocking 80% of the DAI-induced response. Desmethylxestospongin-B (IP3 receptor antagonist), decreased to equal extent the E2 or the DAI-induced signal. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) induced NO production, cell treatment with AG-1478, an EGF receptor kinase inhibitor reduced 90% DAI-induced response while only 53% the E2-induced signals; highlighting GPER induced EGF receptor trans-modulation. Receptor functional selectivity may explain distinct signalling pathways mediated by E2 and phytoestrogens.

Phycocyanin from microalgae: A comprehensive review covering microalgal culture, phycocyanin sources and stability.

As food safety continues to gain prominence, phycocyanin (PC) is increasingly favored by consumers as a natural blue pigment, which is extracted from microalgae and serves the dual function of promoting health and providing coloration. Spirulina-derived PC demonstrates exceptional stability within temperature ranges below 45 °C and under pH conditions between 5.5 and 6.0. However, its application is limited in scenarios involving high-temperature processing due to its sensitivity to heat and light. This comprehensive review provides insights into the efficient production of PC from microalgae, covers the metabolic engineering of microalgae to increase PC yields and discusses various strategies for enhancing its stability in food applications. In addition to the most widely used Spirulina, some red algae and Thermosynechococcus can serve as good source of PC. The genetic and metabolic manipulation of microalgae strains has shown promise in increasing PC yield and improving its quality. Delivery systems including nanoparticles, hydrogels, emulsions, and microcapsules offer a promising solution to protect and extend the shelf life of PC in food products, ensuring its vibrant color and health-promoting properties are preserved. This review highlights the importance of metabolic engineering, multi-omics applications, and innovative delivery systems in unlocking the full potential of this natural blue pigment in the realm of food applications, provides a complete overview of the entire process from production to commercialization of PC, including the extraction and purification.