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Chemokine receptor CXCR4 is involved in diverse diseases. A comparative study was conducted on CXCR4 embedded in a POPC lipid bilayer binding with CXCL12 in full and truncated forms, hBD-3 in wildtype, analog, and mutant forms based on in total 63 µs all-atom MD simulations. The initial binding structures of CXCR4 with ligands were predicted using HADDOCK docking or random-seed method, then μs-long simulations were performed to refine the structures. CXCR4&ligand binding structures predicted agree with available literature data. Both kinds of ligands bind stably to the N-terminus, extracellular loop 2 (ECL2), and ECL3 regions of CXCR4; the C2-C3 (K32-R38) region and occasionally the head of hBD-3 bind stably with CXCR4. hBD-3 analogs with Cys11-Cys40 disulfide bond can activate CXCR4 based on the Helix3-Helix6 distance calculation, but not other analogs or mutant. The results provide insight into understanding the dynamics and activation mechanism of CXCR4 receptor binding with different ligands. The chemokine receptor CXCR4 is involved in cancers and diverse diseases, however, molecular details surrounding the binding of different ligands to this receptor remain incomplete. Here, the authors study the binding and interaction between CXCR4 with CXCL12 and hBD-3 in different forms, and find that both ligands can bind with CXCR4 at the same site, and analogs of hBD-3 with a Cys11-Cys40 disulfide bond can activate CXCR4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to estimate the hepatic and immune ameliorating potential of extracted bovine lactoferrin (LF), Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) or their combination (LF/SeNPs) against bleomycin (BLM) induced hepatic injury. Fifty adult male rats (160–200 g) were equally divided into five groups: (1) the saline control group, (2) BLM-injected (15 mg/kg twice a week, ip), and (3–5) groups treated orally with LF (200 mg/kg/day), SeNPs (0.0486 mg/kg/day) or LF/SeNPs combination (200.0486 mg/kg/day) for 6 weeks post BLM-intoxication. Blood and liver samples were subjected to biochemical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical analyses. The results revealed that BLM caused a significant increase in hepatic lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide, as well as serum markers of liver functions (AST, ALT and GGT activities), and levels of GM-CSF, CD4, TNF-α, IL-1β, TGF-β1, fibronectin, triglycerides, cholesterol and LDL-C. Additionally, hepatic glutathione, Na+/K+-ATPase, and glutathione peroxidase, as well as serum HDL-C, total protein and albumin levels were significantly reduced. Moreover, BLM injection resulted in marked histopathological alterations and severe expression of caspase 3. Post-treatment of BLM-intoxicated rats with LF, SeNPs or LF/SeNPs combination obviously improved the BLM-induced hepatic damages; this was achieved from the marked modulations in the mentioned parameters, besides improving the histopathological hepatic architecture. It is worth mentioning that LF/SeNPs exerted the greatest potency. In conclusion, the obtained results demonstrated that LF, SeNPs and LF/SeNPs succeeded in attenuating the BLM-induced hepatic dysfunction. Therefore, these supplements might be used to protect against drug-associated side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of premade beef patty (BBP) with red onion skin powder (OSP) at 0, 1, 2, and 3% levels on color, lipid, and protein oxidative stability, and infection degree of microorganisms during cold storage was investigated. The objective was to determine the effect of color by L*, a*, b*, and the content of MetMb. The inhibitory effect of OSP on the oxidation of lipid and protein was studied based on TBARS and the carbonyl content of protein in samples at different storage times. TVB-N content was used to characterize the degree of infection of microorganisms and their effect on meat quality. The results showed that the addition of OSP reduced the pH, L *, a*, and b * values of BBP, and improved the hardness, springiness, gumminess, and cohesiveness of BBP, but had no significant effect on the chewiness of BBP (p > 0.05). After 12 days of storage, the carbonyl group and TBARS content in the BBP supplemented with 3%OSP was significantly lower than that in the control group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the addition of OSP significantly inhibited the TVB-N increase during beef patty storage. These results indicated that OSP has a good research prospect as a natural antioxidant or preservative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Dyslipidemia is a major health issue worldwide. There is growing interest in understanding the potential role of kimchi consumption on serum lipid profiles. However, there are limited epidemiological studies available on this topic. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the association between kimchi intake and serum lipid profiles. Methods: We conducted an epidemiological study on participants (aged 40–69 years old) selected from the Health Examinees (HEXA) cohort study (n = 61,761). Four types of kimchi, including Baechu kimchi (cabbage kimchi), Kkakdugi (radish kimchi), Nabak kimchi/Dongchimi (a type of water kimchi made with fermented vegetables), and other kimchi, were assessed by a 106-food item semi-quantitative validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Each kimchi intake is the average value calculated from the FFQ of the baseline and follow-up surveys. Fasting blood data were obtained at baseline and follow-up visits. Linear regression was used to examine the relationship between the intake of kimchi and the change in serum lipid profiles. Results: The mean years between the baseline survey and a follow-up survey was 4.97 years. In this study, compared to the lowest category (< 1 serving/day), Baechu kimchi intake (2− < 3 servings/day) had more negative correlations with the change in values of total cholesterol (β: −1.600, 95% confidence interval [CI, −2.744, −0.456]), triglycerides (β: −3.372, 95% CI [−5.414, −1.330]), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (β: −1.155, 95% CI [−2.214, −0.095]) in women. In men, Baechu kimchi intake (2− < 3 servings/day) had a more positive correlation associated with the changes in values of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (β: 0.049, 95% CI [0.031, 0.907]) compared to the lowest intake category (< 1 serving/day). Conclusions: Among Korean adults, consumption of kimchi, particularly Baechu kimchi, was found to be associated with improvements in serum lipid profiles. Further studies are required to conduct additional interventions to confirm the association between kimchi and serum lipid profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The original aim of the study was to determine, in a double-blind 3-arm crossover human trial (n = 7), the effect of supplemental levels of iron (25 mg) and zinc (30 mg) on β-carotene (synthetic) bioavailability (10 h postprandial). However, despite the high dose of supplemental β-carotene (15 mg) consumed with the high fat (18 g), dairy-based breakfast test meal, there was a negligible postprandial response in plasma and triglyceride rich fraction β-carotene concentrations. We then systematically investigated the possible reasons for this low bioavailability of β-carotene. Methods: We determined (1) if the supplemental β-carotene could be micellised and absorbed by epithelial cells, using a Caco-2 cell model, (2) if the fat from the test meal was sufficiently bioavailable to facilitate β-carotene bioavailability, (3) the extent to which the β-carotene could have been metabolised and converted to retinoic acid/retinol and (4) the effect of the test meal matrix on the β-carotene bioaccessibility (in vitro digestion) and Caco-2 cellular uptake. Results: We found that (1) The supplemental β-carotene could be micellised and absorbed by epithelial cells, (2) the postprandial plasma triacylglycerol response was substantial (approximately 75–100 mg dL−1 over 10 h), indicating sufficient lipid bioavailability to ensure β-carotene absorption, (3) the high fat content of the meal (approximately 18 g) could have resulted in increased β-carotene metabolism, (4) β-carotene bioaccessibility from the dairy-based test meal was sixfold lower (p < 0.05) than when digested with olive oil. Conclusion: The low β-carotene bioavailability is probably due to a combination of the metabolism of β-carotene to retinol by BCMO1 and interactions of β-carotene with the food matrix, decreasing the bioaccessibility. Trail registration: The human trail was retrospectively registered (ClinicalTrail.gov ID: NCT05840848). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dyslipidemia is an important and modifiable risk factor for CVD in children with CKD. Methods: In a cross-sectional study of baseline serum lipid levels in a large prospective cohort study of children with stage 3–5 (predialysis) CKD, frequencies of abnormal lipid levels and types of dyslipidemia were analyzed in the entire cohort and in subpopulations defined by fasting status or by the presence of nephrotic range proteinuria. Associated clinical and laboratory characteristics were determined by multivariable linear regression analysis. Results: A total of 681 patients aged 12.2 ± 3.3 years with a mean eGFR of 26.9 ± 11.6 ml/min/1.73 m2 were included. Kidney diagnosis was classified as CAKUT in 69%, glomerulopathy in 8.4%, and other disorders in 22.6% of patients. Nephrotic range proteinuria (defined by a urinary albumin/creatinine ratio > 1.1 g/g) was present in 26.9%. Dyslipidemia was found in 71.8%, and high triglyceride (TG) levels were the most common abnormality (54.7%). Fasting status (38.9%) had no effect on dyslipidemia status. Except for a significant increase in TG in more advanced CKD, lipid levels and frequencies of dyslipidemia were not significantly different between CKD stages. Hypertriglyceridemia was associated with younger age, lower eGFR, shorter duration of CKD, higher body mass index (BMI-SDS), lower serum albumin, and higher diastolic blood pressure. Conclusions: Dyslipidemia involving all lipid fractions, but mainly TG, is present in the majority of patients with CKD irrespective of CKD stage or fasting status and is significantly associated with other cardiovascular risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study examines the phycoremediation potential cum biomass productivity and biomass quality of hitherto uninvestigated five algae in Bold's Basal Medium (BBM) of varying nitrogen (½ to 4 × N), phosphorus (½ to 4 × P), and both together (½ to 2 × NP) with varying N:P. All five algae displayed unique responses in biomass productivity, lipid yield and productivity, and nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) removal efficiency. Chlorolobion braunii exhibited the highest biomass productivity (107 to 109.23 mg/L/ day) in N-rich media (3 to 4 × N in BBM), and Monoraphidium contortum exhibited the highest biomass productivity (103.66 mg/L/day) in P-rich media (2 to 4 × P in BBM). All the algae exhibited a higher lipid yield and productivity in BBM with a reduced ratio of N:P (0.85 to 1.47) from a lesser addition of N (½ × N or NP in BBM). Monoraphidium contortum exhibited significantly higher lipid yield (44.38%) and productivity (35.94 mg/L/day) than other species. The lipid content of four species demonstrated high-quality biofuel properties. Halochlorella rubescens exhibited the maximum nitrogen removal efficiency of 96% (in BBM), and Monoraphidium contortum exhibited the maximum phosphorus removal efficiency of 94.4% (2 × NP in BBM). Overall, the experiments stand as a model for understanding the influence of variations in N and P concerning N:P on biomass productivity, lipid content, lipid productivity, and N and P removal rate and efficiency of algae for initial standardization of the culture protocols for further industrial trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and insulin resistance (IR) are associated with diabetes. Insulin therapy in type 1 diabetes (T1DM) may complicate the diagnosis of both these conditions. Therefore, investigation of the diagnostic efficacy of MetS and IR components is important in paediatric population with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Methods: SCOPUS, Web of Science, and PubMed were searched for studies that have MetS and IR in paediatric populations with T1DM. We assessed the strength of association for MetS and IR components. A random effect model was used for the meta-analysis and the effect size was reported in terms of Hedge's g. Results: A total 30 studies were identified relevant to our systematic search. Insulin dosage and HbA1c, markers for glycemic condition showed very small effect on MetS with T1DM. In the lipid profile, triglyceride (TG) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) showed better effect size than high-density lipoprotein (HDL). In case of IR, heterogeneous nature of studies made it difficult to carry out a meta-analysis. A descriptive review of existing and novel markers is thus provided. Conclusion: In children with T1DM, lack of association between markers of glycemic condition suggested that MetS may develop independent of glycemic level. Other than TG and HDL, LDL may be used in the diagnosis of MetS. A universally accepted diagnosis protocol would enhance accuracy and comparability across research and clinical settings, as observed in the descriptive review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Omentin-1 has been acknowledged as an anti-inflammatory and insulin-sensitizing marker, which is mainly expressed in adipose tissue. Exercise training is a therapeutic intervention that can possibly improve and modify circulating Omentin-1 levels. Objective: To determine the effects of exercise training on circulating Omentin-1, glycemic control, and body composition in adult population. Data sources: Four electronic databases and reference lists of included articles were searched until February 5, 2023. The effect size of outcomes was summarized by calculating the mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Ten RCTs comprising 385 participants were included. The overall model revealed that exercise training increased Omentin-1 compared to the control (MD = 3.57 ng.ml; 95% CI, 1.80 to 5.34 ng.ml; p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis by exercise modalities revealed significant increases in Omentin-1 after isolated aerobic (p = 0.002) and resistance (p < 0.001) training but not after combined training. Subgroup analysis by sex indicated a significant improvement of Omentin-1 in women (p = 0.015) and men (p = 0.007). Furthermore, a significant increase was found in both healthy (p = 0.035) and non-healthy (p = 0.002) participants. Analysis of other outcomes indicated that exercise training significantly reduced glucose, insulin, insulin resistance, body weight, body mass index, and body fat, as well as improved lipid profiles. Conclusion: These findings reveal that isolated aerobic and resistance exercises resulted in an increase in serum levels of Omentin-1 in adults. More high-quality studies are required to clarify the mechanisms underlying the influence of exercise training on Omentin-1 concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stress-protective effect of melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) on plant cells is mediated by key signaling mediators, in particular calcium ions and reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, the links between changes in calcium and redox homeostasis and the formation of adaptive responses of cultivated cereals (including wheat) to the action of high temperatures have not yet been studied. In the present study, we investigated the possible involvement of ROS and calcium ions as signaling mediators in developing heat resistance in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings and activating their antioxidant system. Treatment of 3-day-old etiolated seedlings with melatonin solutions at concentrations 0.01–10 µM increased their survival after exposure to 45 °C for 10 min. The most significant stress-protective effect was exerted by melatonin treatment at 1 µM concentration. Under the influence of melatonin, a transient enhancement of superoxide anion radical (O2•–) generation and an increase in hydrogen peroxide content were observed in roots, with a maximum at 1 h. Four hours after treatment with melatonin, the activity of catalase and guaiacol peroxidase increased in roots, while the activity of superoxide dismutase did not change significantly. After exposure to 45 °C, the activity of catalase and guaiacol peroxidase was higher in the roots of melatonin-treated wheat seedlings, and the indices of ROS generation, content of the lipid peroxidation product malonic dialdehyde, and cell membrane damage were lower than in control seedlings. Melatonin-induced changes in root ROS generation and antioxidant enzyme activities were eliminated by pretreatment with the hydrogen peroxide scavenger dimethylthiourea (DMTU), NADPH oxidase inhibitor imidazole, and calcium antagonists (the extracellular calcium chelator EGTA and phospholipase C inhibitor neomycin). Treatment with DMTU, imidazole, EGTA, and neomycin also abolished the melatonin-induced increase in survival of wheat seedlings after heat stress. The role of calcium ions and ROS, generated with the participation of NADPH oxidase, as signaling mediators in the melatonin-induced antioxidant system and heat stress resistance of wheat seedlings have been demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complex mechanism called hemostasis evolved in living organisms to prevent blood loss when a blood vessel is damaged. In this process, two closely interconnected systems are distinguished: platelet-vascular and plasmatic hemostasis. Plasmatic hemostasis is a system of proteolytic reactions, in which blood plasma proteins called coagulation factors are involved. A key feature of this system is the localization of enzymatic reactions on the surface of phospholipid membranes, which increases their rate by up to 5 orders of magnitude. This review describes the basic mechanisms of coagulation factors binding to phospholipid membranes, the pathways for complex assembly and activation reactions, and discusses the role of membranes in this process, their composition and sources. The binding of coagulation factors to procoagulant membranes leads not only to the acceleration of coagulation reactions, but also to their selective localization in restricted areas and protection from being washed away by the flow. The efficiency of coagulation reactions is regulated by the composition of the outer layer of the membrane, primarily through a special mechanism of mitochondria-dependent necrotic platelet death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atherosclerosis (AS) is one of the most common causes of death from cardiovascular disease, and low folic acid (FA) levels have been reported to be strongly associated with an increased risk of AS. We aimed to obtain causal estimates of the association between FA and AS and to quantify the mediating role of known modifiable risk factors. Based on the largest genome-wide association study (GWAS) from the IEU Open GWAS Project for all human studies, we conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study of genetically predicted FA and AS. A two-step MR design was then used to assess the causal mediating effect of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides (TG) on the relationship between FA and AS. This MR analysis showed that genetically determined FA levels [IVW: Odds Ratio (OR) = 0.623, 95% CI 0.421–0.924, P = 0.018] were associated with a reduced risk of AS. Inverse variance weighted (IVW) MR analysis also showed that genetically predicted FA was positively correlated with HDL-C levels (OR = 1.358, 95% CI 1.029–1.792, P = 0.031) and negatively correlated with LDL-C (OR = 0.956, 95% CI 0.920–0.994, P = 0.023) and TG levels (OR = 0.929, 95% CI 0.886–0.974, P = 0.003). LDL-C, HDL-C, and TG mediate 3.00%, 6.80%, and 4.40%, respectively, of the total impact of FA on AS. The combined effect of these three factors accounts for 13.04% of the total effect. Sensitivity analysis verifies the stability and reliability of the results. These results support a potential causal protective effect of FA on AS, with considerable mediation through many modifiable risk factors. Thus, interventions on levels of LDL-C, HDL-C, and TG have the potential to substantially reduce the burden of AS caused by low FA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitamin D deficiency is increasingly common in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and is associated with the disease activity and proteinuria. Recently, alterations in metabolism have been recognized as key regulators of SLE pathogenesis. Our objective was to identify differential metabolites in the serum metabolome of SLE with vitamin D deficiency. In this study, serum samples from 31 SLE patients were collected. Levels of 25(OH)D3 were assayed by ELISA. Patients were divided into two groups according to their vitamin D level (20 ng/ml). Untargeted metabolomics were used to study the metabolite profiles in serum by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Subsequently, we performed metabolomics profiling analysis to identify 52 significantly altered metabolites in vitamin D deficient SLE patients. The area under the curve (AUC) from ROC analyses was calculated to assess the diagnostic potential of each candidate metabolite biomarker. Lipids accounted for 66.67% of the differential metabolites in the serum, highlighted the disruption of lipid metabolism. The 52 differential metabolites were mapped to 27 metabolic pathways, with fat digestion and absorption, as well as lipid metabolism, emerging as the most significant pathways. The AUC of (S)-Oleuropeic acid and 2-Hydroxylinolenic acid during ROC analysis were 0.867 and 0.833, respectively, indicating their promising diagnostic potential. In conclusion, our results revealed vitamin D deficiency alters SLE metabolome, impacting lipid metabolism, and thrown insights into the pathogenesis and diagnosis of SLE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previously, we constructed engineered M. circinelloides strains that can not only utilize cellulose, but also increase the yield of γ-linolenic acid (GLA). In the present study, an in-depth analysis of lipid accumulation by engineered M. circinelloides strains using corn straw was to be explored. When a two-stage temperature control strategy was adopted with adding 1.5% cellulase and 15% inoculum, the engineered strains led to increases in the lipid yield (up to 1.56 g per 100 g dry medium) and GLA yield (up to 274 mg per 100 g dry medium) of 1.8- and 2.3-fold, respectively, compared with the control strain. This study proved the engineered M. circinelloides strains, especially for Mc-C2PD6, possess advantages in using corn straw to produce GLA. This work provided a reference for transformation from agricultural cellulosic waste to functional lipid in one step, which might play a positive role in promoting the sustainable development of biological industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Data on sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors impact on lipids in patients with diabetes are available and only a handful of studies have explored this effect in individuals with both diabetes and renal impairment; lipid parameters were not the primary focus of those earlier studies. However, there is a significant research gap specifically addressing the influence of SGLT2 inhibitors on cholesterol fractions in patients exclusively with chronic kidney disease. This aim constitutes the central objective in this particular study. Methods: In this 3-month randomized controlled study, 30 patients with stage 3 chronic kidney disease and dyslipidemia were randomly assigned to receive either dapagliflozin 10 mg or placebo. Lipid profiles, renal function, and urinary albumin levels were assessed at baseline and after 3 months. Results: Compared to baseline, patients receiving dapagliflozin for 3 months showed significant improvements in serum creatinine (p <.001) and eGFR (p =.001). Total cholesterol and LDL-C levels decreased significantly (p =.010 and.006, respectively). While albumin-creatinine ratio also decreased, this change was not statistically significant. Additionally, HDL-C and TG not significantly increased. The control group without intervention experienced deterioration in serum creatinine and eGFR (p =.008, and.011, respectively), but no statistically significant lipid changes were observed. Furthermore, post-intervention total cholesterol moderately correlated with BMI (p =.032, R =.554), yet no predictors significantly influenced lipid levels in the multiple linear regression analysis. Conclusions: Dapagliflozin has a favorable effect on cholesterol fractions in stage 3 CKD patients without diabetes mellitus and this effect was different from that observed in patients with diabetes alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this pilot study, we investigated the utility of handheld ultrasound-guided photoacoustic (US-PA) imaging probe for analyzing ex-vivo breast specimens obtained from female patients who underwent breast-conserving surgery (BCS). We aimed to assess the potential of US-PA in detecting biochemical markers such as collagen, lipids, and hemoglobin, and compare these findings with routine imaging modalities (mammography, ultrasound) and histopathology results, particularly across various breast densities. Twelve ex-vivo breast specimens were obtained from female patients with a mean age of 59.7 ± 9.5 years who underwent BCS. The tissues were illuminated using handheld US-PA probe between 700 and 1100 nm across all margins and analyzed for collagen, lipids, and hemoglobin distribution. The obtained results were compared with routine imaging and histopathological assessments. Our findings revealed that lipid intensity and distribution decreased with increasing breast density, while collagen exhibited an opposite trend. These observations were consistent with routine imaging and histopathological analyses. Moreover, collagen intensity significantly differed (P < 0.001) between cancerous and normal breast tissue, indicating its potential as an additional biomarker for risk stratification across various breast conditions. The study results suggest that a combined assessment of PA biochemical information, such as collagen and lipid content, superimposed on grey-scale ultrasound findings could aid in distinguishing between normal and malignant breast conditions, as well as assist in BCS margin assessment. This underscores the potential of US-PA imaging as a valuable tool for enhancing breast cancer diagnosis and management, offering complementary information to existing imaging modalities and histopathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The review highlights the current state of knowledge of the chemical composition of lipids in halophytic plants. The role of lipids and lipophilic substances of halophytes in protecting plants from the effects of stress factors of abiotic and biotic nature is shown. Data on the composition of lipophilic components of halophytic plants growing in the Aral Sea region and other regions of the republic are presented. The rich composition of fatty acids in lipids of seeds and aerial parts of halophytes is shown. The comparative composition of polyprenols of various cotton varieties depending on resistance to stress factors is given. It was revealed that pre-sowing treatment of seeds of cultivated plants with preparations based on the lipid components of halophytic plants increases their adaptive abilities. Based on the data obtained, the prospects of using halophytes as a source of biologically active lipids and lipophilic substances to protect plants from salinity stress are shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the nutritional quality of macrozooplankton is crucial for elucidating energy and matter fluxes in marine food webs and their value as fish prey. This study examines the seasonal (winter, spring, summer) and spatial variability in three quality indicators -energy density (ED), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) content, and DHA/EPA ratio- of Euphausia spp. and Grimothea gregaria. These indicators were analyzed in relation to size and environmental variables (temperature, salinity, and chlorophyll-a concentration) in the San Jorge Gulf (45°–47°S, 65°30′-67°30ʹW; Southwest Atlantic Ocean), a key feeding ground for commercially important fish on the Argentine shelf. Results showed that ED increased with size in Euphausia spp. but decreased in G. gregaria. Seasonal changes were the primary drivers of variations in the nutritional quality, with PUFA content being the index most contributing. For both species, the highest mean PUFA content occurred in winter and the lowest in summer, an inverse pattern to ED. The DHA/EPA ratio also peaked in winter and dropped in spring. Species differences significantly affected PUFA content and the DHA/EPA ratio, with Euphausia spp. exhibiting higher values. Although environmental variables, particularly bottom temperature and chlorophyll-a, varied significantly across sampling areas, no clear spatial patterns emerged in the quality indicators, likely due to the limited sample size. These results provide new and baseline information of zooplankton that can clarify the trophic interactions of many fish and their respective predators along the Argentinean Shelf, and how these relationships may change with environmental variability in the current global change context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, population outbreaks of the annelid Hermodice carunculata (Polychaeta, Amphinomidae) are recurrently detected along the coastal zone of the Salento peninsula (Southern Italy), with impacts on marine benthic ecosystems. Annelida are renowned for their remarkable regeneration potential, enabling them to reform lost body parts. A handful of studies have reported posterior regeneration of H. carunculata, but anterior regeneration has not been fully explored. In this study, we investigated the capacity of H. carunculata collected in shallow coastal areas (Ionian Sea, 40°08'26.9" N 17°58'44.1" E) to regenerate anterior body parts under different temperature conditions (22 and 14 °C) and considering two different body sizes (∼ 4 g and 25 g). In addition, histological analysis and lipid analyses were carried out to detect changes in the reproductive cycle and lipid storage during ongoing regeneration. The results suggest that small and large-sized specimens of H. carunculata can regenerate efficiently anterior body parts in 12–20 weeks post amputation when kept at 22 °C. Small-sized worms kept at 14 °C regenerated slower but died in 24 weeks post amputation before regenerating a mouth, while large-sized worms kept at 14 °C were affected by a 100% mortality during blastema formation. In addition, lipid extraction analyses show that H. carunculata can regenerate during extended periods of starvation by de novo synthesizing lipid reserves and regeneration in H. carunculata does not negatively impact the reproductive cycle, as gametogenesis occurs also during the regenerative processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant-based diets have gained attention for their potential benefits on both human health and environmental sustainability. The objective of this study was to investigate the association of plant-based dietary patterns with the endogenous metabolites of healthy individuals and identify metabolites that may act as mediators of the associations between dietary intake and modifiable disease risk factors. Adherence to plant-based dietary patterns was assessed for 170 healthy adults using plant-based diet indexes (PDI). Individuals with higher healthful PDI had lower BMI and fasting glucose and higher HDL-C, while those with higher unhealthful PDI had higher BMI, triacylglycerol and fasting glucose and lower HDL-C. Unhealthful PDI was associated with higher levels of several amino acids and biogenic amines previously associated with cardiometabolic diseases and an opposite pattern was observed for healthful PDI. Furthermore, healthful PDI was associated with higher levels of glycerophosphocholines containing very long-chain fatty acids. Glutamate, isoleucine, proline, tyrosine, α-aminoadipate and kynurenine had a statistically significant mediation effect on the associations between PDI scores and LDL-C, HDL-C and fasting glucose. These findings contribute to the growing evidence supporting the role of plant-based diets in promoting metabolic health and shed light on the potential mechanisms explaining their beneficial health effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of the lipid extract isolated from the tunic of the marine hydrobiont Halocynthia aurantium was studied. Its administration during hypothermia, hyperthermia, muscle load, introduction of hexenal, and the vertical fixation by the dorsal neck fold, as well as its embryotoxic and teratogenic effects, was evaluated. The impact of stress (vertical fixation of rats by the dorsal neck fold) was accompanied by an increase in the plasma levels of total lipids, total cholesterol, cholesterol/phospholipid ratios, and a decrease in the total phospholipids, as well as by a change in the quantitative characteristics of classes of neutral and phospholipids. A correction of the developed changes by a lipid extract of ascidia and a commercial reference preparation Omega-3 was carried out. The lipid extract of H. aurantium showed a higher efficiency in restoring the lipid composition of the blood plasma under stress impact compared to the preparation Omega-3 due to the wider range of neutral and phospholipid classes, polyunsaturated fatty acids of the n-3 and n-6 families. The tunic of ascidian can be used as a raw material for obtaining preparations with stress-protector and lipid-correcting properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study employed 1-ethyl-3-methyl imidazolium chloride ([EMIM][Cl]) as an additive in an aqueous medium, combined with microwave-assisted extraction (IL-MAE), to extract total lipids and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) from the microalga Nannochloropsis sp. microalgae. The optimization process involved evaluating critical operating parameters, including the type of extraction solvent, solid-loading (i.e., water: microalgae ratio), extraction time, extraction temperature, and the IL/biomass ratio on the extraction of total lipids and as well as its EPA content. Under optimal conditions, IL-MAE significantly enhanced total lipid yield and EPA content by approximately 2.72 times and 8.1 times, respectively, compared to the traditional Soxhlet extraction. The standard Soxhlet procedure resulted in approximately 6.20% total lipids and 4.61 mg g-1 of EPA. Notably, with IL-MAE, the highest lipid and EPA yields were achieved. These reached 16.87% and 37.28 mg g-1, respectively, under optimal conditions: 90 °C for 25 min, using 2 w/w IL/biomass ratio, with 0.5 g of algae and a 3.3% w/v solid-loading. The obtained FAMEs through transesterification of total lipids exhibited high quality, comprising 37.94% wt polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). SEM and FTIR confirmed IL-MAE's superior lipid extraction by disrupting glycosidic linkages in the microalgal cell wall, resulting in a significantly higher yield than Soxhlet extraction. Repeated use of recycled [EMIM][Cl], tested up to four times, did not impact lipid and fatty acids recovery. Cost evaluation revealed that the IL-MAE approach for lipid production from Nannochloropsis sp. is more cost-efficient than the Soxhlet method, considering biomass, chemical and energy consumption. The enhanced extraction performance and accelerated rates of the IL-MAE system demonstrate its efficacy in extracting lipids, EPAs, and PUFAs from microalgae. Furthermore, it emphasizes sustainable, green, and efficient approach for extracting bioactive compounds, offering potential applications in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thalassiosira pseudonana, a fast-growing and nutritionally rich planktonic diatom, has been cultivated on a large scale as high-quality plankton feed. Despite this, studies exploring the impact of light quality on the growth and compositional attributes of this algal species are scarce. This study investigated the effects of five different light qualities—white, red, yellow, green, and blue—on the growth, biomass, fucoxanthin accumulation, and fatty acid composition and content of T. pseudonana. The results indicated that T. pseudonana achieved the highest growth rate and greatest biomass under white and blue light, with the poorest performance observed under red light. Moreover, fucoxanthin accumulation was most pronounced under blue light, reaching 4.729 ± 0.182 mg g-1, followed in descending order by yellow, red, white, and green light. The total lipid content was highest under yellow light at 34%, significantly surpassing the levels observed under other conditions, with the order of effectiveness being blue light > green light ≥ red light ≥ white light. Analysis of fatty acid composition revealed a greater diversity under blue light, with a total of 15 types, whereas green light yielded only 10 types. The proportion of unsaturated fatty acids was highest under blue light at 69.71%, followed by yellow, white, green, and red light. Specifically, the performance of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) varied as follows: yellow light (36.7%) > blue light (34.09%) > white light (33.29%) > green light (23.67%) > red light (17%). The concentration of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) was significantly greater under blue (17.03%) and yellow (16.31%) light compared to other treatments, with the lowest concentration (8.84%) observed under red light. In conclusion, blue light significantly enhances the growth rate of T. pseudonana and fosters fucoxanthin accumulation. Both yellow and blue light are favorable for the accumulation of PUFAs and EPA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green seaweed species of the genus Ulva are promising protein sources for food production. Various factors affect the biochemical composition of Ulva spp. (hereafter Ulva), which can complicate the utilization in a commercial scale food production. This study investigated the composition of Ulva harvested in 2021 in May (dark green/black biomass), June (light green biomass) and August (mixed colored biomass). The August harvest was divided into three different color codes: light green, green, and dark green/black, to explore a relation between color and composition as an indicator for biomass quality. The crude protein (CP) and ash contents were highest in the dark August biomass (16.4±0.4% and 35.9±3.0% of dry matter (DM), respectively) and in the dark biomass harvested in May (20.6±0.5% and 41.2±3.9% of DM, respectively). The light green Ulva harvested in June had a lower CP content (6.5±1.5% of DM) similarly to what was observed for light green biomass in August (7.7±0.1% of DM). The light green biomasses were found to have a higher nitrogen to amino acid (N-to-AA) conversion factor and proportion of essential amino acids (EAA). The lipid content ranged between 1.0-2.2±0.1-0.2% of DM for the different biomasses and a higher lipid content was related with a lighter biomass color. Phosphorus and potassium concentrations were highest in the green fraction, whereas the darker green/black biomass had higher contents of all other elements, including the toxic elements, arsenic and cadmium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our study aimed to investigate the role of lipids in melanoma risk and the effect of lipid-lowering drug targets on melanoma. Using Mendelian Randomization analysis, we examined the genetic agents of nine lipid-lowering drugs and their association with melanoma risk. We found that genetically proxied inhibition of HMGCR, ABCG5/ABCG8, and ANGPTL3 was associated with a reduced risk of melanoma. On the other hand, inhibition of LPL and Apo-B100 was significantly associated with an increased risk of melanoma. Sensitivity analyses did not reveal any statistical evidence of bias from pleiotropy or genetic confounding. We did not find a robust association between lipid traits NPC1L1, PCSK9, APOC3 inhibition, and melanoma risk. These findings were validated using two independent lipid datasets. Our analysis also revealed that HMGCR, ANGPTL3, and ABCG5/ABCG8 inhibitors reduced melanoma risk independent of their effects on lipids. This suggests that these targets may have potential for melanoma prevention or treatment. In conclusion, our study provides evidence for a causal role of lipids in melanoma risk and highlights specific lipid-lowering drug targets that may be effective in reducing the risk of melanoma. These findings contribute to the understanding of the underlying mechanisms of melanoma development and provide potential avenues for further research and therapeutic interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To quantitatively evaluate the morphological parameters of meibomian glands (MGs) and lipid layer thickness (LLT) in patients with keratoconus (KC). Methods: In this prospective, cross-sectional study, 164 eyes of 164 keratoconus patients and 64 eyes of 64 age-matched control subjects were included. An advanced automatic MG analyzer was used to quantitatively measure the morphological and functional parameters of MGs. Morphological and functional parameters of MGs, LLT, and other ocular surface parameters were compared between the control and KC groups. Results: The mean meibomian gland diameter, length, square, and gland area ratio (GA) were all significantly decreased in the KC group (all P < 0.05), while no significant difference was observed in the gland tortuosity index (TI) and gland signal index (SI) between the KC and control groups (all P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the number of total and incomplete blinking among patients with different stages of keratoconus (all P > 0.05). The gland diameter, square, and TI were all negatively associated with KC severity (all P < 0.05), while no significant difference was observed among all stages of KC in gland length, GA, and SI (all P > 0.05). Moreover, the LLTs were positively correlated with the gland diameter, square, GA, and TI and negatively correlated with anterior corneal curvature or KC severity (all P < 0.05). Conclusions: Atrophic morphological changes in the meibomian glands were closely correlated with the severity of keratoconus. Gland diameter may be a sensitive functional morphology metric of meibomian glands in patients with keratoconus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on B. terribilis cultivation have great economic and environmental relevance but are scarcely addressed in the literature. This article analyzes and compares, for the first time, the growth and metabolite productivity of B. terribilis in closed and open systems. The effect of nitrogen and phosphorus reduction on B. terribilis' main metabolites was evaluated with a 22 full factorial design, using 25, 50, and 75% of the standard concentration of these nutrients in the CHU13 medium. Proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, pigments, and hydrocarbons were extracted and quantified. It is the first time that B. terribilis hydrocarbons were extracted and characterized, using an innovative methodology validated by GC-MS. Lipids were characterized by GC-FID. The possible applications of B. terribilis oils were described. The maximum specific growth rate obtained was 0.49 day−1 with raceway cultivation. The stress condition increased lipids and hydrocarbons up to 49% and 29%, respectively, but the percentage of proteins decreased from 32 to 26%. The percentage of carbohydrates (15%) and pigments (0.41–0.86%) remained similar in the stressed and non-stressed cultivation. B. terribilis oils are suitable for biofuel synthesis, as it is composed of long-chain hydrocarbons and a higher amount of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids. This study helps fill the gap of information about cultivation, stress, and composition of B. terribilis, supporting decision-making on the cultivation parameters and applications of this microalgae in a biorefinery context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six Antarctic toothfish (Dissostichusmawsoni) have been analyzed for qualitative and quantitative determination of muscular lipid distribution. The specimens were representative of different physical condition and life stage: two adults in good condition and two adults in poor condition (termed "axe handles" based on their emaciated shape) from the spawning area of the Ross Sea seamounts, and two sub-adults from the continental shelf. Axe handles had lower lipid quantities. Among the individuals in good condition, adults from the seamounts had higher accumulation of lipid in the dorsal portion, maybe related to the neutral buoyancy for the reproductive migration. Thirteen saturated fatty acids (SFA) and three unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) have been identified. Subadults from the shelf had higher SFA/UFA ratios in the anterior part of the body, where they might store somatic lipids for buoyancy. The individuals from the spawning area had higher SFA/UFA ratios in the posterior part of the trunk, indicating after the migration a primary consumption of the somatic fatty acids near the center of buoyancy. SFA uptake from the diet seems to be difficult at the spawning area and they may be replaced by UFA. This translates into a reduced ability to re-acquire neutral buoyancy for a returning migration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 13C-NMR spectra and elemental composition of lipids of gray forest soils (Greyic Phaeozems), dispersed carbonate chernozems (Haplic Chernozem Hypocalcic), and chestnut soils (Kastanazems) of Western Transbaikalia were analyzed. The contribution of carbon in lipids to the total organic carbon was calculated. This is the first characterization of the lipid fraction of organic matter in cold soils of Western Transbaikalia. An analysis of the spectra, including the assignment of signals from ethoxy groups, phenol derivatives, and alkene fragments, as well as an indication of the ranges of chemical shifts characteristic of certain types of carbon nuclei, were carried out. The content of various types of structural elements in the studied lipids was compared. Based on the obtained results, the main part of lipids consisted of esters and fatty acids. Analysis of the composition of lipids showed that the content of carbon and hydrogen atoms was 65‒73 and 8‒10%, respectively. The high concentration of oxygen atoms in lipids indicated that functional groups containing oxygen were concentrated in the aliphatic part of the lipids. The share of lipid carbon in the total reserve of organic carbon was 6.5% for chestnut soils, 5.8% for gray forest soils, and 4.1% for dispersed carbonate chernozems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An extended action fostemsavir (FTR) lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulation prevents human immunodeficiency virus type one (HIV-1) infection. This FTR formulation establishes a drug depot in monocyte-derived macrophages that extend the drug's plasma residence time. The LNP's physicochemical properties improve FTR's antiretroviral activities, which are linked to the drug's ability to withstand fluid flow forces and levels of drug cellular internalization. Each is, in measure, dependent on PEGylated lipid composition and flow rate ratios affecting the size, polydispersity, shape, zeta potential, stability, biodistribution, and antiretroviral efficacy. The FTR LNP physicochemical properties enable the drug-particle's extended actions. An extended action fostemsavir delivered to cells by lipid nanoparticles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A workflow has been evaluated that utilizes a single tissue section to obtain spatially co-registered, molecular, and phenotypical information suitable for AI-enabled image analysis. Desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry imaging (DESI-MSI) was used to obtain molecular information followed by conventional histological staining and immunolabelling. The impact of varying DESI-MSI conditions (e.g., heated transfer line (HTL) temperature, scan rate, acquisition time) on the detection of small molecules and lipids as well as on tissue integrity crucial for integration into typical clinical pathology workflows was assessed in human kidney. Increasing the heated transfer line temperature from 150 to 450 °C resulted in a 1.8-fold enhancement in lipid signal at a scan rate of 10 scans/s, while preserving histological features. Moreover, increasing the acquisition speed to 30 scans/s yielded superior lipid signal when compared to 10 scans/s at 150 °C. Tissue morphology and protein epitopes remained intact allowing full histological assessment and further multiplex phenotyping by immunofluorescence (mIF) and immunohistochemistry (mIHC) of the same section. The successful integration of the workflow incorporating DESI-MSI, H&E, and immunolabelling on a single tissue section revealed an accumulation of ascorbic acid in regions of focal chronic inflammatory cell infiltrate within non-cancerous kidney tissue. Additionally, a strong positive correlation between PI 38:3 and proliferating cells was observed in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) showing the utility of this approach in uncovering molecular associations in disease pathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microalgae are under research focus for the simultaneous production of biomolecules (e.g., carbohydrates, proteins, pigments and lipids) and bioremediation of toxic substances from wastewater. The current study explores the capability of indigenously isolated microalgae (Desmodesmus subspicatus) for the phycoremediation of As(III) and Cr(VI). Variation of biomolecules (carbohydrate, protein, lipid and chlorophyll) was investigated during phycoremediation. D. subspicatus survived up to the toxicity level of 10 mg/L for As(III) and 0.8 mg/L for Cr(VI). A 70% decline in carbohydrate accumulation was observed at 10 mg/L of As(III). An increased content of proteins (+ 28%) and lipids (+ 32%) within the cells was observed while growing in 0.5 and 0.2 mg/L of As(III) and Cr(VI) respectively. A decrease in carbohydrate accumulation was noted with increasing Cr(VI) concentration, and the lowest (− 44%) was recorded at 0.8 mg/L Cr(VI). D. subspicatus showed an excellent maximum removal efficiency for Cr(VI) and As(III) as 77% and 90% respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present investigation has evaluated the use of effluents from a secondary municipal wastewater treatment plant for biomass production and potential of the biomass for biodiesel production. Cultivations of Chlorella vulgaris using wastewater, wastewater with supplementation, and WC medium were carried out. Effect of wastewater collected in different months on biomass productivity (BP) and lipid composition was studied. Methods based on NMR and GC–MS techniques were applied for determining the composition of the lipids and their fatty acid profile including poly unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Lipids extracted are comprised of both neutral (tri acyl glycerides, TAG; free fatty acids, FFA) and polar (glyco glycero/phospho) lipids. The TAG content of the extracted lipids was determined in the range of 22.5–41.3% w/w. The NMR and GC–MS compositional results of microalgal lipids of biomasses cultivated in wastewater without nutrient supplementation, collected in different months, showed potential for biodiesel production. The fatty acid profiles of neutral and polar lipids, which are mainly comprised of saturated and unsaturated long alkyl chain (C16-C22) fatty acids, are potential sources for the biodiesel and food industry. The concentration of nitrates (45–78 mg L−1) in wastewater without supplementation, collected in different months, was found to be optimum to enable cultivation of biomasses with reasonably good BP of 21.5–28.1 mg L−1 day−1. Similar results have been obtained in the present work as well as reported in the literature in the case of WC medium (nitrate, 69 mg L−1) with BP of 25.5–28.2 mg L−1 day−1, thus highlighted the significance of the presented work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The autophagy-lysosomal pathway plays a critical role in the clearance of tau protein aggregates that deposit in the brain in tauopathies, and defects in this system are associated with disease pathogenesis. Here, we report that expression of Tau35, a tauopathy-associated carboxy-terminal fragment of tau, leads to lipid accumulation in cell lines and primary cortical neurons. Our findings suggest that this is likely due to a deleterious block of autophagic clearance and lysosomal degradative capacity by Tau35. Notably, upon induction of autophagy by Torin 1, Tau35 inhibited nuclear translocation of transcription factor EB (TFEB), a key regulator of lysosomal biogenesis. Both cell lines and primary cortical neurons expressing Tau35 also exhibited changes in endosomal protein expression. These findings implicate autophagic and endolysosomal dysfunction as key pathological mechanisms through which disease-associated tau fragments could lead to the development and progression of tauopathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are one of the prime causes of mortality globally. Therefore, concerted efforts are made to prevent or manage disruptions from normal functioning of the cardiovascular system. Disruption in lipid metabolism is a major contributor to cardiovascular dysfunction. This review examines how lecithin impacts lipid metabolism and cardiovascular health. It emphasizes lecithin's ability to reduce excess low-density lipoproteins (LDL) while specifically promoting the synthesis of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles, thus contributing to clearer understanding of its role in cardiovascular well-being. Emphasizing the importance of lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) in the reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) process, the article delves into its contribution in removing surplus cholesterol from cells. This review aims to clarify existing literature on lipid metabolism, providing insights for targeted strategies in the prevention and management of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). This review summarizes the potential of lecithin in cardiovascular health and the role of LCAT in cholesterol metabolism modulation, based on articles from 2000 to 2023 sourced from databases like MEDLINE, PubMed and the Scientific Electronic Library Online. Main body: While studies suggest a positive correlation between increased LCAT activities, reduced LDL particle size and elevated serum levels of triglyceride-rich lipoprotein (TRL) markers in individuals at risk of ASCVD, the review acknowledges existing controversies. The precise nature of LCAT's potential adverse effects remains uncertain, with varying reports in the literature. Notably, gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea and nausea have been sporadically documented. Conclusions: The review calls for a comprehensive investigation into the complexities of LCAT's impact on cardiovascular health, recognizing the need for a nuanced understanding of its potential drawbacks. Despite indications of potential benefits, conflicting findings warrant further research to clarify LCAT's role in atherosclerosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fully targeted mRNA therapeutics necessitate simultaneous organ-specific accumulation and effective translation. Despite some progress, delivery systems are still unable to fully achieve this. Here, we reformulate lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) through adjustments in lipid material structures and compositions to systematically achieve the pulmonary and hepatic (respectively) targeted mRNA distribution and expression. A combinatorial library of degradable-core based ionizable cationic lipids is designed, following by optimisation of LNP compositions. Contrary to current LNP paradigms, our findings demonstrate that cholesterol and phospholipid are dispensable for LNP functionality. Specifically, cholesterol-removal addresses the persistent challenge of preventing nanoparticle accumulation in hepatic tissues. By modulating and simplifying intrinsic LNP components, concurrent mRNA accumulation and translation is achieved in the lung and liver, respectively. This targeting strategy is applicable to existing LNP systems with potential to expand the progress of precise mRNA therapy for diverse diseases. Targeted delivery of mRNA using lipid nanoparticles is currently a challenge. Here, the authors examine the composition of LNPs and report changes to the standard formulation can address issues with liver accumulation and allow for increased tissue specific targeting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microalgae are considered to be more useful and effective to use in biomass production than other photosynthesis organisms. However, microalgae need to be altered to acquire more desirable traits for the relevant purpose. Although neutron radiation is known to induce DNA mutations, there have been few studies on its application to microalgae, and the optimal relationship between irradiation intensity and mutation occurrence has not been established. In this study, using the unicellular red alga Cyanidioschyzon merolae as a model, we analyzed the relationship between the absorbed dose of two types of neutrons, high-energy (above 1 MeV) and thermal (around 25 meV) neutrons, and mutation occurrence while monitoring mutations in URA5.3 gene encoding UMP synthase. As a result, the highest mutational occurrence was observed when the cells were irradiated with 20 Gy of high-energy neutrons and 13 Gy of thermal neutrons. Using these optimal neutron irradiation conditions, we next attempted to improve the lipid accumulation of Euglena gracilis, which is a candidate strain for biofuel feedstock production. As a result, we obtained several strains with a maximum 1.3-fold increase in lipid accumulation compared with the wild-type. These results indicate that microalgae breeding by neutron irradiation is effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a serious complication of diabetes featuring abnormal lipid metabolism. However, the specific lipid molecules associated with onset and progression remain unclear. We used a broad-targeted lipidomics approach to assess the lipid changes that occur before the proliferative retinopathy stage and to identify novel lipid biomarkers to distinguish between patients without DR (NDR) and with non-proliferative DR (NPDR). Targeted lipomics analysis was carried out on serum samples from patients with type I diabetes, including 20 NDRs and 20 NPDRs. The results showed that compared with the NDR group, 102 lipids in the NPDR group showed specific expressions. Four lipid metabolites including TAG58:2-FA18:1 were obtained using the Least Absolute Shrink And Selection Operator (LASSO) and Support Vector Machine Recursive Feature Elimination (SVM-RFE) methods. The four-lipid combination diagnostic models showed good predictive ability in both the discovery and validation sets, and were able to distinguish between NDR patients and NPDR patients. The identified lipid markers significantly improved diagnostic accuracy within the NPDR group. Our findings help to better understand the complexity and individual differences of DR lipid metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oleaginous fungi have attracted a great deal of interest for their potency to accumulate high amounts of lipids (more than 20% of biomass dry weight) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), which have a variety of industrial and biological applications. Lipids of plant and animal origin are related to some restrictions and thus lead to attention towards oleaginous microorganisms as reliable substitute resources. Lipids are traditionally biosynthesized intra-cellularly and involved in the building structure of a variety of cellular compartments. In oleaginous fungi, under certain conditions of elevated carbon ratio and decreased nitrogen in the growth medium, a change in metabolic pathway occurred by switching the whole central carbon metabolism to fatty acid anabolism, which subsequently resulted in high lipid accumulation. The present review illustrates the bio-lipid structure, fatty acid classes and biosynthesis within oleaginous fungi with certain key enzymes, and the advantages of oleaginous fungi over other lipid bio-sources. Qualitative and quantitative techniques for detecting the lipid accumulation capability of oleaginous microbes including visual, and analytical (convenient and non-convenient) were debated. Factors affecting lipid production, and different approaches followed to enhance the lipid content in oleaginous yeasts and fungi, including optimization, utilization of cost-effective wastes, co-culturing, as well as metabolic and genetic engineering, were discussed. A better understanding of the oleaginous fungi regarding screening, detection, and maximization of lipid content using different strategies could help to discover new potent oleaginous isolates, exploit and recycle low-cost wastes, and improve the efficiency of bio-lipids cumulation with biotechnological significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the current study, longitudinal BP and lipid measurements were examined in a NEPTUNE cohort of children with newly diagnosed nephrotic syndrome (cNEPTUNE). We hypothesized that hypertensive BP and dyslipidemia would persist in children with nephrotic syndrome, regardless of steroid treatment response. Methods: A multi-center longitudinal observational analysis of data obtained from children < 19 years of age with new onset nephrotic syndrome enrolled in the Nephrotic Syndrome Study Network (cNEPTUNE) was conducted. BP and lipid data were examined over time stratified by disease activity and steroid exposure. Generalized estimating equation regressions were used to find determinants of hypertensive BP and dyslipidemia. Results: Among 122 children, the prevalence of hypertensive BP at any visit ranged from 17.4% to 57.4%, while dyslipidemia prevalence ranged from 40.0% to 96.2% over a median of 30 months of follow-up. Hypertensive BP was found in 46.2% (116/251) of study visits during active disease compared with 31.0% (84/271) of visits while in remission. Dyslipidemia was present in 88.2% (120/136) of study visits during active disease and in 66.0% (101/153) while in remission. Neither dyslipidemia nor hypertensive BP were significantly different with/without medication exposure (steroids and/or CNI). In regression analysis, male sex and urine protein:creatinine ratio (UPC) were significant determinants of hypertensive BP over time, while eGFR was found to be a determinant of dyslipidemia over time. Conclusions: Results demonstrate persistent hypertensive BPs and unfavorable lipid profiles in the cNEPTUNE cohort regardless of remission status or concurrent steroid or calcineurin inhibitor treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cardiovascular disease remains a significant global health concern, with high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels contributing to an increased risk. Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) further complicates its management, necessitating additional lipid-lowering therapies. Evinacumab, an angiopoietin-like protein 3 monoclonal antibody, has emerged as a potential treatment, particularly for patients with FH, by effectively reducing LDL-C and triglyceride levels. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of evinacumab across diverse patient populations. Methods: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) criteria, relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were systematically retrieved from multiple databases until November 24, 2023. The inclusion criteria were studies comparing evinacumab (at doses of 5 and 15 mg) to placebo, with outcomes focusing on lipid levels and adverse events. Standardized protocols were employed for data extraction and quality assessment, and statistical analysis was conducted using RevMan software. Results: Four RCTs, involving 270 patients, were included in the analysis. The analysis revealed significant reductions in lipid markers, particularly with the 15-mg dose of evinacumab, including triacylglycerols (standard mean difference [SMD] = −6.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] − 14.53 to 2.36, P = 0.16), total cholesterol (SMD = − 6.20, 95% CI − 11.53 to − 0.88, P = 0.02), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (SMD = − 0.79, 95% CI − 1.27 to − 0.31, P = 0.001), LDL-C (SMD = − 4.58, 95% CI − 9.13 to − 0.03, P = 0.05), apolipoprotein (Apo) B (SMD = − 4.01, 95% CI − 7.53 to − 0.46, P = 0.03), and Apo C3 (SMD = − 7.67, 95% CI − 12.94 to − 2.41, P = 0.004). Adverse event analysis revealed no significant association, indicating good tolerability. Conclusion: High-dose evinacumab (15 mg) consistently demonstrated efficacy in reducing cholesterol and other lipid markers, with favorable tolerability. Further research is warranted to comprehensively assess its safety and clinical effectiveness, emphasizing the need for additional data to support its use in managing cardiovascular disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Ethnic and gender differences in plasma lipid composition have been widely reported among the general population, but there are scarce data on athletes. Aim: To assess ethnic and gender differences in lipid profile across a large cohort of Olympic athletes practicing different sport disciplines Methods: We enrolled 1165 Olympic athletes divided into power, endurance, and mixed disciplines according to European Society of Cardiology classification. Sixty-two (5.3%) were Afro-Caribbean. Body composition and fat mass percentage were measured. Blood samples were collected and lipid profile was investigated. Results: Compared to Caucasians, Afro-Caribbeans had better lipid profile characterized by lower LDL (90 ± 25 mg/dL vs. 97.1 ± 26.2 mg/dL, p = 0.032) lower LDL/HDL ratio (1.39 ± 0.5 vs. 1.58 ± 0.6, p = 0.012), lower non-HDL-cholesterol (102.5 ± 27.4 mg/dL vs. 111.5 ± 28.5 mg/dL, p = 0.015) and lower TC/HDL (2.59 ± 0.6 vs. 2.82 ± 0.7, p = 0.010). Female Afro-Caribbeans showed lower TG/HDL ratio (p = 0.045) and TC/HDL ratio (p = 0.028), due to higher HDL (p = 0.005) compared to male Afro-Caribbeans. In Caucasian athletes, females showed even more evident differences with lower TC, LDL, and higher HDL with subsequent lower ratios compared to men. Moreover, endurance Caucasian athletes had lower LDL (p = 0.003) and TG (p = 0.017) plasmatic levels and higher HDL levels compared to non-endurance Caucasian athletes (p< 0.0001) Conclusions: Ethnicity and gender have a significant influence on plasmatic lipid balance in elite athletes and Afro-Caribbeans have favorable lipid profiles compared to Caucasians. Moreover, endurance sports, particularly in Caucasian athletes, are associated with better lipid profile compared to other type of sports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Hibiscus sabdariffa (H. sabdariffa) belongs to the Malvaceae family, and originates from Africa. It is characterized by a high polyphenols content (e.g., quercetin and anthocyanins), and has recognized bioactivity, that makes this plant an interesting resource for possible addition of its extracts to dairy beverages and obtain functional beverages. Nonetheless, it may be observed that many of these phenolic compounds are not stable depending on the environmental conditions. In this work, we propose the use of nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) as a carrier for the loading of H. sabdariffa extracts, for further incorporation in daily beverages. Polyphenols-enriched extracts from H. sabdariffa were obtained using two distinct extraction approaches: by (i) microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), or by (ii) pressurized liquid extraction (PLE). The obtained extracts were then loaded into NLC to obtain two distinct samples identified as: HS-MAE-NLC and HS-PLE-NLC. The developed nanoparticles were then incorporated into a dairy beverage for the production of fortified milks identified with the same names. The long-term stability, texture properties and in vitro release profile were evaluated. The results show that the fortified milks, HS-MAE-NLC and HS-PLE-NLC, were stable under stress conditions attributed to the enhanced stability provided by the protein content present in the milk. The in vitro release profile of quercetin and anthocyanins from NLC-enriched dairy beverage was more prolonged than the milk containing the non-loaded extract, fitting better to the Korsmeyers–Peppas model. From our results, NLC may be considered a potential approach to formulate photoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant bioactives from H. sabdariffa adding the extracts into dairy beverages to increase their bioavailability, and bioactivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The viable but non-culturable (VBNC) state is considered a survival strategy employed by bacteria to endure stressful conditions, allowing them to stay alive. Bacteria in this state remain unnoticed in live cell counts as they cannot proliferate in standard culture media. VBNC cells pose a significant health risk because they retain their virulence and can revive when conditions normalize. Hence, it is crucial to develop fast, reliable, and cost-effective methods to detect bacteria in the VBNC state, particularly in the context of public health, food safety, and microbial control assessments. This research examined the biomolecular changes in Escherichia coli W3110 induced into the VBNC state in artificial seawater under three different stress conditions (temperature, metal, and antibiotic). Initially, confirmation of VBNC cells under various stresses was done using fluorescence microscopy and plate counts. Subsequently, lipid peroxidation was assessed through the TBARS assay, revealing a notable increase in peroxidation end-products in VBNC cells compared to controls. ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and chemomometrics were employed to analyze biomolecular changes, uncovering significant spectral differences in RNA, protein, and nucleic acid concentrations in VBNC cells compared to controls. Notably, RNA levels increased, while protein and nucleic acid amounts decreased. ROC analyses identified the 995 cm− 1 RNA band as a consistent marker across all studied stress conditions, suggesting its potential as a robust biomarker for detecting cells induced into the VBNC state under various stressors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies on the relationship between zinc and metabolic syndrome (MetS) have yielded inconsistent results. This comprehensive study aimed to elaborately explore the impact of zinc on MetS risk factors. The bi-directional Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses were performed to estimate the causal relationship between zinc and MetS risk factors. Additionally, a retrospective cross-sectional study incorporated 4389 subjects to provide a broader perspective in conjunction with the MR analyses. In the MR analyses, genetically instrumented zinc was positively associated with five of the MetS components in Europeans, including BMI, FBG, HbA1c, TC, and LDL-c (β (95%CI) = 0.023 (0.019–0.027), 0.019 (0.013–0.025), 0.041 (0.022–0.060), 0.027 (0.013–0.042), and 0.018 (0.010–0.026), respectively). In the cross-sectional study, higher concentration of zinc was strongly associated with increased BMI, LDL-c, and UA (β (95%CI) = 0.040 (0.010–0.085), 0.026 (0.018–0.035), and 1.529 (0.614–2.445), respectively). Moreover, these unfavorable associations were more obvious in women compared to men, with a borderline significant interaction effect for BMI (P=0.051). Our study showed that higher blood concentration of zinc, an essential trace element, was associated with unfavorable changes of the component metabolic risk factors of MetS, especially with BMI and LDL-c. Notably, these associations seemed to be more pronounced in women rather than in men. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the role of zinc status in the underlying mechanisms of MetS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tea-oil (Camellia oleifera Abel) is an important woody crop for producing high-quality edible oil, which has been extensively cultivated in an unattended manner and exposed to various light stresses. To gain insights into the tea-oil plant's adaption to different light environments, leaf anatomical characteristics, chlorophyll fluorescence quenching kinetics, and antioxidant enzyme activities were investigated under high (HL), medium (ML), and low light intensity (LL) conditions. Metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses were also performed to reveal the changes in secondary metabolites and lipid profiles. The results showed that HL and ML had a rapid NPQ relaxation compared to LL. As light intensity decreased, the chlorophyll fluorescence yields and PSII photochemical efficiency improved during both the light-adapted steady-state and dark relaxation phases. ML and LL exhibited lower PSII activity and higher NPQ compared to HL, as instantaneous light intensity increased. The increased leaf thickness, elevated CAT activity, and the up-regulated synthetic pathways of flavonoids, lignans, tannins, and triterpenoids helped tea-oil plants survive under HL and ML. SOD and POD played an important role in acclimation to LL, resulting in a lower level of lipid oxidation. HL and ML promoted lipid biosynthesis, while LL inhibited fatty acid elongation, enhanced degradation pathways of triacylglycerol and fatty acids, and facilized sphingolipid metabolism. These findings shed light on the adaptive mechanism of tea-oil plant to varying light intensity environments. To further unravel the complex interactions among lipids, secondary metabolites and the antioxidant system, future study should focus on verifying the functions of differentially expressed genes identified in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the effects of sea buckthorn oil (SBO), fish oil (FO) and an enzymatically synthesized structured lipid (SL) on serum, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and intestinal microbiota in Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats were investigated. The results demonstrated that FO, SBO, and SL effectively reduced the levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the serum of SD rats. SBO increased serum triglyceride levels, while FO elevated total cholesterol levels. Furthermore, all three dietary lipids decreased short-chain fatty acid production and enhanced intestinal microbiota diversity. FO increased the abundance of intestinal microbiota including Romboutsia, Lactobacillus, Escherichia-Shigella, and Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group. Conversely, all three dietary lipids reduced the abundance of Klebsiella and Blautia. These findings provide a foundation for understanding the functionality of SBO and FO as well as their potential application in synthesizing novel SLs to regulate intestinal microbiota. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurological condition characterized by impaired cognitive function and behavioral alterations. While AD research historically centered around mis-folded proteins, advances in mass spectrometry techniques have triggered increased exploration of the AD lipidome with lipid dysregulation emerging as a critical player in AD pathogenesis. Gangliosides are a class of glycosphingolipids enriched within the central nervous system. Previous work has suggested a shift in a-series gangliosides from complex (GM1) to simple (GM2 and GM3) species may be related to the development of neurodegenerative disease. In addition, complex gangliosides with 20 carbon sphingosine chains have been shown to increase in the aging brain. In this study, we utilized matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) to interrogate the in situ relationship of a-series gangliosides with either 18 or 20 carbon sphingosine chains (d18:1 or d20:1, respectively) in the post-mortem human AD brain. Here, we expanded upon previous literature and demonstrated a significant decrease in the GM1 d20:1 to GM1 d18:1 ratio in regions of the dentate gyrus and entorhinal cortex in AD relative to control brain tissue. Then, we demonstrated that the MALDI-MSI profile of GM3 co-localizes with histologically confirmed amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques and found a significant increase in both GM1 and GM3 in proximity to Aβ plaques. Collectively, this study demonstrates a perturbation of the ganglioside profile in AD, and validates a pipeline for MALDI-MSI and classic histological staining in the same tissue sections. This demonstrates feasibility for integrating untargeted mass spectrometry imaging approaches into a digital pathology framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The eukaryotic asparagine (N)-linked glycan is pre-assembled as a fourteen-sugar oligosaccharide on a lipid carrier in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Seven sugars are first added to dolichol pyrophosphate (PP-Dol) on the cytoplasmic face of the ER, generating Man5GlcNAc2-PP-Dol (M5GN2-PP-Dol). M5GN2-PP-Dol is then flipped across the bilayer into the lumen by an ER translocator. Genetic studies identified Rft1 as the M5GN2-PP-Dol flippase in vivo but are at odds with biochemical data suggesting Rft1 is dispensable for flipping in vitro. Thus, the question of whether Rft1 plays a direct or an indirect role during M5GN2-PP-Dol translocation has been controversial for over two decades. We describe a completely reconstituted in vitro assay for M5GN2-PP-Dol translocation and demonstrate that purified Rft1 catalyzes the translocation of M5GN2-PP-Dol across the lipid bilayer. These data, combined with in vitro results demonstrating substrate selectivity and rft1∆ phenotypes, confirm the molecular identity of Rft1 as the M5GN2-PP-Dol ER flippase. Whether Rft1 plays a role during M5GN2-PP-Dol translocation has been controversial for over two decades. In this work, a reconstituted in vitro assay demonstrates that purified Rft1 is sufficient to flip M5GN2-PP-Dol across the lipid bilayer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary human hepatocyte (PHH) transplantation is a promising alternative to liver transplantation, whereby liver function could be restored by partial repopulation of the diseased organ with healthy cells. However, currently PHH engraftment efficiency is low and benefits are not maintained long-term. Here we refine two male mouse models of human chronic and acute liver diseases to recapitulate compromised hepatocyte proliferation observed in nearly all human liver diseases by overexpression of p21 in hepatocytes. In these clinically relevant contexts, we demonstrate that transient, yet robust expression of human hepatocyte growth factor and epidermal growth factor in the liver via nucleoside-modified mRNA in lipid nanoparticles, whose safety was validated with mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines, drastically improves PHH engraftment, reduces disease burden, and improves overall liver function. This strategy may overcome the critical barriers to clinical translation of cell therapies with primary or stem cell-derived hepatocytes for the treatment of liver diseases. Primary human hepatocyte (PHH) transplantation could be an alternative to liver transplantation. Here, the authors use the mRNA-LNP platform to express growth factors in the liver in a controlled manner to drastically improve PHH engraftment, thus, reducing disease burden and enhancing overall liver function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]