Uncovering the Antibacterial Potential of a Peptide-Rich Extract of Edible Bird's Nest against Staphylococcus aureus.

The diverse pharmacological properties of edible bird's nest (EBN) have been elucidated in recent years; however, investigations into its antibacterial effects are still limited. In the present study, we explored the antibacterial activity of a peptide-rich extract of EBN against Staphylococcus aureus, a notorious pathogen. The EBN extract (EEE) was prepared by soaking EBN in 80% ethanol for 2 days at 60°C. Biochemical analyses showed that peptides at the molecular weight range of 1.7-10 kDa were the major biochemical compounds in the EEE. The extract exhibited strong inhibition against S. aureus at a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 125 µg/ml and a minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 250 µg/ml. This activity could be attributed to the impact of the extract on cell membrane integrity and potential, biofilm formation, and reactive oxidative species (ROS) production. Notably, the expression of biofilm- and ROS-associated genes, including intercellular adhesion A (icaA), icaB, icaC, icaD, and superoxide dismutase A (sodA), were deregulated in S. aureus upon the extract treatment. Our findings indicate a noteworthy pharmacological activity of EBN that could have potential application in the control of S. aureus.

Confirmation that Monochamol is a Male Produced Aggregation-Sex Pheromone for Monochamus maculosus Haldeman (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae).

The recognition of cerambycids as frequent and damaging invaders led to an increase in the interest in the chemical ecology of the group with the identification of pheromones and pheromone-like attractants for well over 100 species. Pheromone components of the Cerambycidae are often phylogenetically conserved, with a single compound serving as a pheromone component for several related species. In the subfamily Lamiinae, the compound 2-(undecyloxy)ethanol (monochamol) has been identified as an aggregation-sex pheromone for several species of the genus Monochamus. In other species, including Monochamus maculosus Haldeman, field trials have demonstrated that monochamol is a pheromone attractant, but at that point it was still unknown as to whether it was a pheromone for this species. Here we report the identification, and laboratory and field trials of a pheromone component produced by adult male M. maculosus. Chemical analyses of headspace volatile collections sampled from field collected beetles of both sexes revealed the presence of one male-specific compound that was identified as 2-(undecyloxy)ethanol. Electroantennography analyses showed that monochamol elicited responses from the antennae of female beetles. Traps baited with monochamol in the field captured M. maculosus adults of both sexes corroborating the identification of monochamol as the sex-aggregation pheromone of this species. The attractivity of monochamol to adult M. maculosus in our field trapping experiment was synergized by the addition of the host volatile α-pinene.

Quantification of human intravenous immunoglobulin from plasma and in process samples by affinity chromatography.

Advances in affinity chromatography now make it possible to analyze immunoglobulin G from plasma and its fractions with a simple chromatographic method. Ligands derived from camelid antibodies have been developed which have affinity to all 4 subclasses of human IgG without a cross reactivity to other immunoglobulins. The commercially available Capture Select FcXL is the basis for a simple method for direct quantification of immunoglobulin G from plasma or from fractions from cold ethanol precipitation. After direct injection of the sample into the column the unbound proteins are washed out with equilibration buffer and eluted with a pH-step. The elution the peak is integrated, and quantity is derived form a standard curve. The limit of detection with 40 µg/mL, and a linearity up to 250 µg/mL allows an analysis of samples ranging from 0.04 to 50 mg/mL using varying injection volume without further dilution and the two-wavelength detection. A full cycle is completed within five minutes. This method can serve as orthogonal method for in-process control but also for process development.

Protective effects of fermented Rosa roxburghii Tratt juice against ethanol­induced hepatocyte injury by regulating the NRF2­AMPK signaling pathway in AML­12 cells.

Alcohol­related liver disease (ALD) is a major health concern worldwide. In recent years, there has been growing interest in natural products and functional foods for preventing and treating ALD due to their potential antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties. Rosa roxburghii Tratt, known for its rich content of bioactive compounds, has demonstrated promising health benefits, including anti­inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Fermentation has been utilized as a strategy to enhance the bioavailability and efficacy of natural products. In the present study, using a mixture of Rosa roxburghii Tratt juice, lotus leaf extract and grape seed proanthocyanidins fermented by Lactobacillus plantarum HH­LP56, a novel fermented Rosa roxburghii Tratt (FRRT) juice was discovered that can prevent and regulate ethanol­induced liver cell damage. Following fermentation, the pH was significantly decreased, and the content of VC and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were significantly increased, along with a noticeable enhancement in hydroxyl and 2,2­diphenyl­1­picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging abilities. Alpha Mouse liver 12 cells were exposed to ethanol for 24 h to establish an in vitro liver cell injury model. The present study evaluated the effects of FRRT on cell damage, lipid accumulation and oxidative stress markers. The results revealed that FRRT pretreatment (cells were pre­treated with 2.5 and 5 mg/ml FRRT for 2 h) significantly reduced lipid accumulation and oxidative stress in liver cells. Mechanistically, FRRT regulated lipid metabolism by influencing key genes and proteins, such as AMP­activated protein kinase, sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor 1 and Stearyl­CoA desaturase­1. Furthermore, FRRT enhanced antioxidant activity by increasing SOD activity, glutathione and catalase levels, while reducing reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde levels. It also reversed the expression changes of ethanol­induced oxidative stress­related genes and proteins. In conclusion, a novel functional food ingredient may have been discovered with extensive potential applications. These findings indicated that FRRT has antioxidant properties and potential therapeutic benefits in addressing ethanol­induced liver cell damage through its effects on liver lipid metabolism and oxidative stress.

Self-powered wearable biosensor based on stencil-printed carbon nanotube electrodes for ethanol detection in sweat.

Herein we introduce a novel water-based graphite ink modified with multiwalled carbon nanotubes, designed for the development of the first wearable self-powered biosensor enabling alcohol abuse detection through sweat analysis. The stencil-printed graphite (SPG) electrodes, printed onto a flexible substrate, were modified by casting multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), electrodepositing polymethylene blue (pMB) at the anode to serve as a catalyst for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) oxidation, and hemin at the cathode as a selective catalyst for H2O2 reduction. Notably, alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) was additionally physisorbed onto the anodic electrode, and alcohol oxidase (AOx) onto the cathodic electrode. The self-powered biosensor was assembled using the ADH/pMB-MWCNTs/SPG||AOx/Hemin-MWCNTs/SPG configuration, enabling the detection of ethanol as an analytical target, both at the anodic and cathodic electrodes. Its performance was assessed by measuring polarization curves with gradually increasing ethanol concentrations ranging from 0 to 50 mM. The biosensor demonstrated a linear detection range from 0.01 to 0.3 mM, with a detection limit (LOD) of 3 ± 1 µM and a sensitivity of 64 ± 2 µW mM-1, with a correlation coefficient of 0.98 (RSD 8.1%, n = 10 electrode pairs). It exhibited robust operational stability (over 2800 s with continuous ethanol turnover) and excellent storage stability (approximately 93% of initial signal retained after 90 days). Finally, the biosensor array was integrated into a wristband and successfully evaluated for continuous alcohol abuse monitoring. This proposed system displays promising attributes for use as a flexible and wearable biosensor employing biocompatible water-based inks, offering potential applications in forensic contexts.

Preserving Molecular Tuning for Enhanced Electrocatalytic CO2-to-Ethanol Conversion.

Modifying catalyst surface with small molecular-additives presents a promising avenue for enhancing electrocatalytic performance. However, challenges arise in preserving the molecular-additives and maximizing their tuning effect, particularly at high current-densities. Herein, we develop an effective strategy to preserve the molecular-additives on electrode surface by applying a thin protective layer. Taking 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) as an example of a molecular-additive, the hydrophobic protection layer on top of the DMAP-functionalized Cu-catalyst effectively prevents its leaching during CO2 electroreduction (CO2R). Consequently, the confined DMAP molecules substantially promote the CO2-to-multicarbon conversion at low overpotentials. For instance, at a potential as low as -0.47 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode, the DMAP-functionalized Cu exhibits over 80% selectivity towards multi-carbon products, while the pristine Cu shows only ~35% selectivity for multi-carbon products. Notably, ethanol appears as the primary product on DMAP-functionalized Cu, with selectivity approaching 50% at a high current density of 400 mA cm-2. Detailed kinetic analysis, in-situ spectroscopies, and theoretical calculations indicate that DMAP-induced electron accumulations on surface Cu-sites decrease the reaction energy for C-C coupling. Additionally, the interactions between DMAP and oxygenated intermediates facilitate the ethanol formation pathway in CO2R. Overall, this study showcases an effective strategy to guide future endeavors involving molecular tuning effects.

Recent developments in (bio)ethanol conversion to fuels and chemicals over heterogeneous catalysts.

Bioethanol is one of the most important bio-resources produced from biomass fermentation and is an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil-based fuels as it is regarded as renewable and clean. Bioethanol and its derivatives are used as feedstocks in petrochemical processes as well as fuel and fuel additives in motor vehicles to compensate for the depletion of fossil fuels. This review chronicles the recent developments in the catalytic conversion of ethanol to diethyl ether, ethylene, propylene, long-chain hydrocarbons, and other important products. Various heterogeneous catalysts, such as zeolites, metal oxides, heteropolyacids, mesoporous materials, and metal-organic frameworks, have been used in the ethanol conversion processes and are discussed extensively. The significance of various reaction parameters such as pressure, temperature, water content in the ethanol feed, and the effect of catalyst modification based on various kinds of literature are critically evaluated. Further, coke formation and coke product analysis using various analytical and spectroscopic techniques during the ethanol conversion are briefly discussed. The review concludes by providing insights into possible research paths pertaining to catalyst design aimed at enhancing the catalytic conversion of (bio)ethanol.

Total ammonia nitrogen inhibits medium-chain fatty acid biosynthesis by disrupting hydrolysis, acidification, chain elongation, substrate transmembrane transport and ATP synthesis processes.

This study used 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metatranscriptomic analysis to comprehensively illustrate how ammonia stress influenced medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) biosynthesis. MCFA synthesis was inhibited at total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) concentrations above 1000 mg N/L. TAN stress hindered organic hydrolysis, acidification, and volatile fatty acids elongation. Chain-elongating bacteria (e.g., Clostridium_sensu_stricto_12, Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, Caproiciproducens) abundance remained unchanged, but their activity decreased, partially due to the increased reactive oxygen species. Metatranscriptomic analysis revealed reduced activity of enzymes critical for MCFA production under TAN stress. Fatty acid biosynthesis pathway rather than reverse ß-oxidation pathway primarily contributed to MCFA production, and was inhibited under TAN stress. Functional populations likely survived TAN stress through osmoprotectant generation and potassium uptake regulation to maintain osmotic pressure, with NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase potentially compensating for ATP loss. This study enhances understanding of MCFA biosynthesis under TAN stress, aiding MCFA production system stability and efficiency improvement.

Antibacterial Activity of Ethanol Extract from Australian Finger Lime.

Australian finger lime (Citrus australasica L.) has become increasingly popular due to its potent antioxidant capacity and health-promoting benefits. This study aimed to determine the chemical composition, antibacterial characteristics, and mechanism of finger lime extract. The finger lime extracts were obtained from the fruit of the Australian finger lime by the ethanol extraction method. The antibacterial activity of the extract was examined by detecting the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for two Gram-positive and four Gram-negative bacterial strains in vitro, as well as by assessing variations in the number of bacteria for Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) in vivo. GC-MS analysis was used to identify the antibacterial compounds of the extract. The antibacterial mechanisms were investigated by assessing cell permeability and membrane integrity, and the bacterial morphology was examined using scanning electron microscopy. The extract demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and Gram-negative bacterial species, such as Escherichia coli, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Xanthomonas campestris, Xanthomonas citri, and CLas. Among the six strains evaluated in vitro, B. subtilis showed the highest susceptibility to the antimicrobial effects of finger lime extract. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extract against the tested microorganisms varied between 500 and 1000 µg/mL. In addition, the extract was proven effective in suppressing CLas in vivo, as indicated by the lower CLas titers in the treated leaves compared to the control. A total of 360 compounds, including carbohydrates (31.159%), organic acid (30.909%), alcohols (13.380%), polyphenols (5.660%), esters (3.796%), and alkaloids (0.612%), were identified in the extract. We predicted that the primary bioactive compounds responsible for the antibacterial effects of the extract were quinic acid and other polyphenols, as well as alkaloids. The morphology of the tested microbes was altered and damaged, leading to lysis of the cell wall, cell content leakage, and cell death. Based on the results, ethanol extracts from finger lime may be a fitting substitute for synthetic bactericides in food and plant protection.

Electrohydrodynamic-Jet-Printed SnO2-TiO2-Composite-Based Microelectromechanical Systems Sensor with Enhanced Ethanol Detection.

Ethanol sensors have found extensive applications across various industries, including the chemical, environmental, transportation, and healthcare sectors. With increasing demands for enhanced performance and reduced energy consumption, there is a growing need for developing new ethanol sensors. Micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) devices offer promising prospects in gas sensor applications due to their compact size, low power requirements, and seamless integration capabilities. In this study, SnO2-TiO2 nanocomposites with varying molar ratios of SnO2 and TiO2 were synthesized via ball milling and then printed on MEMS chips for ethanol sensing using electrohydrodynamic (EHD) printing. The study indicates that the two metal oxides dispersed evenly, resulting in a well-formed gas-sensitive film. The SnO2-TiO2 composite exhibits the best performance at a molar ratio of 1:1, with a response value of 25.6 to 50 ppm ethanol at 288 °C. This value is 7.2 times and 1.8 times higher than that of single SnO2 and TiO2 gas sensors, respectively. The enhanced gas sensitivity can be attributed to the increased surface reactive oxygen species and optimized material resistance resulting from the chemical and electronic effects of the composite.

Experimental and Density Functional Theory Simulation Research on PdO-SnO2 Nanosheet Ethanol Gas Sensors.

Pure SnO2 and 1 at.% PdO-SnO2 materials were prepared using a simple hydrothermal method. The micromorphology and element valence state of the material were characterized using XRD, SEM, TEM, and XPS methods. The SEM results showed that the prepared material had a two-dimensional nanosheet morphology, and the formation of PdO and SnO2 heterostructures was validated through TEM. Due to the influence of the heterojunction, in the XPS test, the energy spectrum peaks of Sn and O in PdO-SnO2 were shifted by 0.2 eV compared with SnO2. The PdO-SnO2 sensor showed improved ethanol sensing performance compared to the pure SnO2 sensor, since it benefited from the large specific surface area of the nanosheet structure, the modulation effect of the PdO-SnO2 heterojunction on resistance, and the catalyst effect of PdO on the adsorption of oxygen. A DFT calculation study of the ethanol adsorption characteristics of the PdO-SnO2 surface was conducted to provide a detailed explanation of the gas-sensing mechanism. PdO was found to improve the reducibility of ethanol, enhance the adsorption of ethanol's methyl group, and increase the number of adsorption sites. A synergistic effect based on the continuous adsorption sites was also deduced.

Laser Fabrication of Humidity Sensors on Ethanol-Soaked Polyimide for Fully Contactless Respiratory Monitoring.

Humidity-sensor-based fully contactless respiratory monitoring can eliminate the discomfort and infection risks associated with any wearable device. However, challenges in the facile fabrication of highly sensitive humidity sensors continue to hinder their widespread application for fully contactless respiratory monitoring. In this study, we introduce a simple method to fabricate highly sensitive humidity sensors. Our method employs laser-induced graphene (LIG) on an ethanol-soaked polyimide (PI) film as the electrode of the humidity sensor. The ethanol-soaked PI between adjacent LIG electrodes functions as the sensing material, enabling ion-conductive humidity sensing. Compared to the LIG humidity sensors fabricated on untreated PI films, LIG humidity sensors fabricated on ethanol-soaked PI films exhibit superior performance with higher linearity (R2 = 0.9936), reduced hysteresis (ΔH = 5.1% RH), and increased sensitivity (0.65%/RH). Notably, the LIG humidity sensor fabricated on the ethanol-soaked PI film can detect a person's breathing from a distance of 30 cm, a capability not achieved by sensors fabricated on untreated PI films. Moreover, incorporating these LIG humidity sensors into an array further enhances both the detection distance and the sensitivity for respiratory monitoring. Experimental results demonstrate that the LIG humidity sensor array can be employed for fully contactless on-bed respiration monitoring and for continuous, fully contactless monitoring of the respiratory rate during treadmill exercise. These results highlight the great potential of our LIG humidity sensors for various practical applications in medicine and sports.

Synthesis of glucosamine-selenium compound and evaluation of its oral toxicity and in vitro anti-hepatitis B virus activity.

Selenium supplements are beneficial to human health, however, concerns regarding the toxicity of inorganic selenium have stimulated research on safer organic compounds. The main objective of this study was to develop a novel glucosamine-selenium compound (Se-GlcN), clarify its structure, and subsequently investigate its oral toxicity and in vitro anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) activity. Electron microscopy, infrared, ultraviolet spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance and thermogravimetric analyses revealed a unique binding mode of Se-GlcN, with the introduction of the Se-O bond at the C6 position, resulting in the formation of two carboxyl groups. In acute toxicity studies, the median lethal dose (LD50) of Se-GlcN in ICR mice was 92.31 mg/kg body weight (BW), with a 95 % confidence interval of 81.88-104.07 mg/kg BW. A 30-day subchronic toxicity study showed that 46.16 mg/kg BW Se-GlcN caused livers and kidneys damage in mice, whereas doses of 9.23 mg/kg BW and lower were safe for the livers and kidneys. In vitro studies, Se-GlcN at 1.25 µg/mL exhibited good anti-HBV activity, significantly reducing HBsAg, HBeAg, 3.5 kb HBV RNA and total HBV RNA by 45 %, 54 %, 84 %, 87 %, respectively. In conclusion, the Se-GlcN synthesized in this study provides potential possibilities and theoretical references for its use as an organic selenium supplement.

Solvothermal synthesis of PdCu nanorings with high catalytic performance for alcohol electrooxidation.

Two-dimensional (2D) Pd-based nanostructures with a high active surface area and a large number of active sites are commonly used in alcohol oxidation research, whereas the less explored ring structure made of nanosheets with large pores is of interest. In this study, we detail the fabrication of PdCu nanorings (NRs) featuring hollow interiors and low coordinated sites using a straightforward solvothermal approach. Due to increased exposure of active sites and the synergistic effects of bimetallics, the PdCu NRs exhibited superior catalytic performance in both the ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) and the ethylene glycol oxidation reaction (EGOR). The mass activities of PdCu NRs for EOR and EGOR were measured at 7.05 A/mg and 8.12 A/mg, respectively, surpassing those of commercial Pd/C. Furthermore, the PdCu NRs demonstrated enhanced catalytic stability, maintaining higher mass activity levels compared to other catalysts during stability testing. This research offers valuable insights for the development of efficient catalysts for alcohol oxidation.

The Effects of Moderate Prenatal Alcohol Exposure on Performance in Hippocampal-Sensitive Spatial Memory and Anxiety Tasks by Adult Male and Female Rat Offspring.

Moderate prenatal alcohol exposure (mPAE) results in structural alterations to the hippocampus. Previous studies have reported impairments in hippocampal-sensitive tasks, but have not compared performance between male and female animals. In the present study, performance in hippocampal-sensitive spatial memory and anxiety behavior tests were compared across adult male and female saccharin (SACC) control mPAE Long-Evans rat offspring. Two tests of spatial memory were conducted that were aimed at assessing memory for recently acquired spatial information: A delayed spatial alternation task using an M-shaped maze and a delayed match-to-place task in the Morris water task. In both tasks, rats in SACC and mPAE groups showed similar learning and retention of a spatial location even after a 2-hour interval between encoding and retention. A separate group of adult male and female SACC and mPAE rat offspring were tested for anxiety-like behaviors in the elevated plus-maze paradigm. In this test, both male and female mPAE rats exhibited a significantly greater amount of time and a greater number of head dips in the open arms, while locomotion and open arm entries did not differ between groups. The results suggest that mPAE produces a reduction in anxiety-like behaviors in both male and female rats in the elevated plus-maze.

Wireless antenna sensor with CuO@Cu-vertical graphene and cysteine-PDMS composite for ethanol gas detection.

BACKGROUND: Ethanol gas sensors are widely used in driving safety, security, and clinical respiratory monitoring applications. However, most ethanol sensors are large and exhibit poor stability owing to their integrated controller and high-temperature operation. Moreover, the development of wireless controller-free room-temperature ethanol sensors with long-term reliability is challenging. RESULTS: In this study, a wireless room-temperature ethanol gas antenna sensor was developed by combining a Cu radiation electrode with vertical graphene (VG) embedded with CuO@Cu nanoparticles and a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) dielectric substrate filled with cysteine (Cys). In the patch-antenna sensor, changes in the ethanol gas concentration resulted in frequency shift differences in the generation and transmission processes of the synchronized sensing signal. The VG-Cu/Cys-PDMS ethanol gas sensor had a detection range of 50-2100 ppm and a low limit of detection (LOD) of 0.112 ppm, with a response/recovery time of only 20/21 s for 1200 ppm ethanol, thus demonstrating superior long-term stability and satisfactory humidity tolerance. Therefore, the synergistic sensitization mechanism between the VG sensing/radiation layer and Cys-PDMS substrate was investigated. SIGNIFICANCE: This approach effectively addresses the issues of low-temperature operation, miniaturization, and long-term reliability. The proposed patch-antenna gas sensor is suitable for large-scale production owing to its use of industrial chemical vapor deposition technology and could be used to develop Internet-of-Things gas sensor nodes owing to its wireless propagation of electromagnetic waves with sensing information.

Kappa-opioid receptor antagonism in the nucleus accumbens shell distinguishes escalated alcohol consumption and negative affective-like behavior from physiological withdrawal in alcohol-dependence.

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a chronic relapsing disease that is deleterious at individual, familial, and societal levels. Although AUD is one of the highest preventable causes of death in the USA, therapies for the treatment of AUD are not sufficient given the heterogeneity of the disorder and the limited number of approved medications. To provide better pharmacological strategies, it is important to understand the neurological underpinnings of AUD. Evidence implicates the endogenous dynorphin (DYN)/κ-opioid receptor (KOR) system recruitment in dysphoric and negative emotional states in AUD to promote maladaptive behavioral regulation. The nucleus accumbens shell (AcbSh), mediating motivational and emotional processes that is a component of the mesolimbic dopamine system and the extended amygdala, is an important site related to alcohol's reinforcing actions (both positive and negative) and neuroadaptations in the AcbSh DYN/KOR system have been documented to induce maladaptive symptoms in AUD. We have previously shown that in other nodes of the extended amygdala, site-specific KOR antagonism can distinguish different symptoms of alcohol dependence and withdrawal. In the current study, we examined the role of the KOR signaling in the AcbSh of male Wistar rats in operant alcohol self-administration, measures of negative affective-like behavior, and physiological symptoms during acute alcohol withdrawal in alcohol-dependence. To induce alcohol dependence, rats were exposed to chronic intermittent ethanol vapor for 14 h/day for three months, during which stable escalation of alcohol self-administration was achieved and pharmacological AcbSh KOR antagonism ensued. The results showed that AcbSh KOR antagonism significantly reduced escalated alcohol intake and negative affective-like states but did not alter somatic symptoms of withdrawal. Understanding the relative contribution of these different drivers is important to understand and inform therapeutic efficacy approaches in alcohol dependence and further emphasis the importance of the KOR/DYN system as a target for AUD therapeutics.

Successful chemical ablation for intraventricular septal ventricular tachycardia-An alternative approach to the septal branch.

Trans-coronary ethanol ablation for ventricular tachycardia originating from the ventricular septum is effective, but there are cases with no septal perforator from left anterior descending artery. CT and angiography can reveal the optimal vessel.

Effects of elafibranor on liver fibrosis and gut barrier function in a mouse model of alcohol-associated liver disease.

BACKGROUND: Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) is a leading cause of liver-related morbidity and mortality, but there are no therapeutic targets and modalities to prevent ALD-related liver fibrosis. Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) α and δ play a key role in lipid metabolism and intestinal barrier homeostasis, which are major contributors to the pathological progression of ALD. Meanwhile, elafibranor (EFN), which is a dual PPARα and PPARδ agonist, has reached a phase III clinical trial for the treatment of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and primary biliary cholangitis. However, the benefits of EFN for ALD treatment is unknown. AIM: To evaluate the inhibitory effects of EFN on liver fibrosis and gut-intestinal barrier dysfunction in an ALD mouse model. METHODS: ALD-related liver fibrosis was induced in female C57BL/6J mice by feeding a 2.5% ethanol (EtOH)-containing Lieber-DeCarli liquid diet and intraperitoneally injecting carbon tetrachloride thrice weekly (1 mL/kg) for 8 weeks. EFN (3 and 10 mg/kg/day) was orally administered during the experimental period. Histological and molecular analyses were performed to assess the effect of EFN on steatohepatitis, fibrosis, and intestinal barrier integrity. The EFN effects on HepG2 lipotoxicity and Caco-2 barrier function were evaluated by cell-based assays. RESULTS: The hepatic steatosis, apoptosis, and fibrosis in the ALD mice model were significantly attenuated by EFN treatment. EFN promoted lipolysis and ß-oxidation and enhanced autophagic and antioxidant capacities in EtOH-stimulated HepG2 cells, primarily through PPARα activation. Moreover, EFN inhibited the Kupffer cell-mediated inflammatory response, with blunted hepatic exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and toll like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling. EFN improved intestinal hyperpermeability by restoring tight junction proteins and autophagy and by inhibiting apoptosis and proinflammatory responses. The protective effect on intestinal barrier function in the EtOH-stimulated Caco-2 cells was predominantly mediated by PPARδ activation. CONCLUSION: EFN reduced ALD-related fibrosis by inhibiting lipid accumulation and apoptosis, enhancing hepatocyte autophagic and antioxidant capacities, and suppressing LPS/TLR4/NF-κB-mediated inflammatory responses by restoring intestinal barrier function.

The effects of soaking in salted blackcurrant wine on the properties of cheese.

The study assessed the effects of soaking hard cheeses and cheese slices in blackcurrant wine on their antioxidant, microbiological, and sensory properties. Soaking increased weekly, the phenolic content by 40.86 ± 0.3 mg GAE/100 g (gallic acid equivalent) of cheese, and their reached the maximum ethanol content of 1.29 ± 0.08 g/100 g. Soaking reduced the amount of foodborne pathogenic bacteria, enhancing microbiological safety. The lactic acid bacteria count significantly decreased during soaking time. The sensory evaluation shows that 45 % of tasters preferred the soaked cheese. Positive correlations were observed between taste and color (in whole-soaked cheese), while negative correlations were revealed among color, smell, and texture (in soaked quarter cheese). The results suggest that blackcurrant wine, containing a wealth of bioactive constituents, has the capacity to augment the favorable attributes of cheese and presents prospects for developing a novel gastronomic offering.