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Candida auris is an emerging drug-resistant pathogen associated with high mortality rates. This study aimed to explore the metabolic alterations and associated pathogenesis and drug resistance in fluconazole-treated Candida auris–host cell interaction. Compared with controls, secreted metabolites from fluconazole-treated C. auris and fluconazole-treated C. auris–host cell co-culture demonstrated notable anti-Candida activity. Fluconazole caused significant reductions in C. auris cell numbers and aggregated phenotype. Metabolites produced by C. auris with potential fungal colonization, invasion, and host immune evasion effects were identified. Metabolites known to enhance biofilm formation produced during C. auris–host cell interaction were inhibited by fluconazole. Fluconazole enhanced the production of metabolites with biofilm inhibition activity, including behenyl alcohol and decanoic acid. Metabolites with potential Candida growth inhibition activity such as 2-palmitoyl glycerol, 1-tetradecanol, and 1-nonadecene were activated by fluconazole. Different patterns of proinflammatory cytokine expression presented due to fluconazole concentration and host cell type (fibroblasts versus macrophages). This highlights the immune response's complexity, emphasizing the necessity for additional research to comprehend cell-type-specific responses to antifungal therapies. Both host cell interaction and fluconazole treatment increased the expression of CDR1 and ERG11 genes, both associated with drug resistance. This study provides insights into pathogenesis in C. auris due to host cell interaction and fluconazole treatment. Understanding these interactions is crucial for enhancing fluconazole sensitivity and effectively combating C. auris. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The list of standard abbreviations for JDS is available at adsa.org/jds-abbreviations-24. Nonstandard abbreviations are available in the Notes. Typically, Swiss-type cheese is made from cow milk. However, in the present work an attempt to expand the sheep supply chain and product offering in this field was made by developing a new type of cheese using Swiss-type cheese technology. The cheese was manufactured under industrial conditions, and fermentations were carried out using freeze-dried commercial starters that are traditionally used in the production of Swiss cheese. Two experimental "Ewiss cheese" (EC) products were produced using raw milk (RM) and pasteurized milk (PM), respectively. Fourteen microbial groups were investigated by plate counts from curd until ripened cheeses. According to microbiological analyses, no statistically significant differences were found between the 2 productions with respect to the group of lactic acid bacteria (LAB). The curds were mainly characterized by mesophilic LAB cocci (7.45 log 10 cfu/g in RM-EC and 7.33 log 10 cfu/g in PM-EC). However, at the end of the ripening period (9 mo), the cheeses exhibited a higher presence of mesophilic LAB rods. Undesired microbiological groups were found only in the curd of raw milk cheese in the range of 104 to 105 cfu/g, but they were reaching undetectable levels by plate count in the cheese at the end of ripening. The RM-EC and PM-EC were characterized by 76% and 68% of DM, respectively. These cheeses contained 29.30% and 34.36% of protein, and 51.31% and 50.38% of fat, respectively. Textural analysis showed differences in terms of hardness, chewiness, and gumminess between the experimental cheeses and Swiss cheese sold on the market. These differences could be attributed to the higher protein content of ewe milk. The main fatty acids in the cheeses were palmitic acid, myristic acid, oleic acid, and capric acid. Among the organic acids, RM-EC had higher concentrations of lactic acid, whereas PM-EC was higher in propionic acid. The ewe cheeses emitted 46 volatile compounds, including acids, aldehydes, ketones, esters, alcohols, and other compounds. The PM-EC was characterized by the main compounds of Swiss-type cheese: acetic acid, butyric acid, ethyl butyrate, ethyl caproate, propanoic acid, and tetramethylpyrazine. Sensory evaluation showed that the new dairy products were generally appreciated, and PM-EC was the most preferred by the judges. This research has enabled the development of new ewe milk products, which could stimulate the valorization of a sector that has been long neglected and still has a large margin of improvement. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grape seed oil (GSO) is a valuable resource for the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries due to its fatty acid composition, which provides anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties. GSO is also recognized for its sensory attributes and serves as an essential component in our dietary intake, providing vital fatty acids for metabolic reactions. The enzymatic synthesis of structured lipids (SL) using GSO was investigated in this study. The SL was created by incorporating medium chain fatty acids (capric acid – C10) at the sn -1 and sn -3 positions and long chain fatty acids in the internal position of the triacylglycerols (TAG). GSO was selected based on its composition rich in unsaturated fatty acids, mainly linoleic acid. The acidolysis reactions were catalyzed by an immobilized commercial lipase Lipozyme TLIM®. The incorporation degree of C10 into GSO reached 36%. Health lipid indices were calculated to determine the C10 incorporation effect on the improvement of nutritional quality of oil. The SL showed lower oxidative stability index (OSI) values than the original oil and higher degree of fatty acid (DFA) values. The simpler, solvent-free method not only enhances the health benefits of oils but also gives valuable properties to GSO, making it an even more attractive option for food industries. [Display omitted] • Sustainable green processes for valorization of grape seed are proposed. • Enzymatic synthesis of structured lipids enhances GSO with health promoting C10 fatty acids. • Lipozyme TLIM¬Æ achieved a remarkable 36% C10 incorporation in GSO. • Simpler, solvent-free method improves GSO's health lipid indices, making it an ideal choice for food industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research focuses on the development of thermochromic membranes made of cellulose acetate (CA) for temperature monitoring of sensitive food products. Two dual TC membranes developed for the control of different temperature ranges were formulated using a three‐component system: a leuco‐dye membrane (crystal violet lactone, CVL) integrated with an acidic membrane containing the color developer (salicylic acid) and the acidic solvent with different melting points (decanoic acid, DA, or methacrylic acid, MA). The CVL membrane, together with the DA membrane, showed an irreversible color change when exposed to 35°C, which was facilitated by the melting of DA. The CVL membrane also underwent an irreversible color change when exposed to 15°C together with the MA membrane. The membranes were characterized in detail using scanning electron microscopy. The evaluation of color changes, reproducibility, specificity, and stability ensured the practical suitability of these membranes. Overall, this innovative approach has proven to be a reproducible, sustainable, cost‐effective method to produce irreversible colorimetric temperature sensors. These sensors have significant potential for applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries and offer a promising way to improve product safety and quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) is a polyphagous pest with a significant impact on grapevines. This study aimed to characterize the fatty acid composition of the protective wax secreted by M. hirsutus reared on grapevines and potato sprouts using gas chromatography-flame ionization detector. The wax samples from mealybugs and their egg masses revealed a diverse array of methyl esters and hydrocarbons. Key compounds consistently found across all samples included methyl undecanoate, myristoleic acid, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), and erucic acid. Unique to grapevine-reared specimens were methyl palmito-oleate, gondoic acid, eicosadienoic acid, and eicosatrienoic acid (methyl dihomolinolenate), while potato sprout-reared specimens contained methyl decanoate, methyl heptadecanoate, heptadecanoic acid, and octadecanoic acid. These findings indicate a complex and host-dependent profile of fatty acids in M. hirsutus wax, demonstrating the pest's biochemical adaptability. GLA emerged as a predominant component, crucial for protecting mealybugs and their eggs from desiccation, and has potential as a dietary source for humans. Methyl undecanoate likely enhances offspring survival through defence mechanisms. Oleic and gondoic acids suggest protective functions in the mealybug wax. Methyl decanoate has antimicrobial properties and suggests defence against microbial threats. Methyl heptadecanoate (margaric acid) plays a role in insect communication and defence, acting as both attractant and repellent. Methyl linoleic acid is essential for reproductive success through sex pheromone synthesis. Erucic acid, present in small amounts, is toxic to many animals and provides hydrophobic and lubrication properties. This detailed characterization of fatty acids enhances our understanding of M. hirsutus' adaptability and defence mechanisms, offering insights for potential pest control strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens, comes with big promises for industrial purposes since its larvae feed polyphagously on a broad spectrum of organic substrates. However, research focusing on adult flies is scarce, which is inconsistent with their reproductive relevance within the rearing cycle. In particular, directed oviposition is a challenge in artificial systems. Currently, decomposing organic matter is commonly used as oviposition substrate, which has extensive potential for improvement in view of the lack of standardization and the risk of microbial contamination. Here, we identified three fatty acids and one fatty acid methyl ester derived from the surface of old oviposition sites and targeted to elucidate their effect on preference behavior and oviposition site selection using Y‐olfactometry and prepared oviposition sites, respectively. Exposure to tetradecanoic acid attracted gravid females and stimulated oviposition most strongly, while decanoic acid demonstrated a repulsive effect. Females kept in mixed‐sex populations were attracted by tetradecanoic acid, resulting in a higher egg mass found in the compound box (3.0–11.4 fold), a ≥ 2.3 fold reduction of nonspecifically deposited eggs, and the highest total egg mass. Conversely, decanoic and dodecanoic acid caused females to lay a greater proportion of eggs nonspecifically outside both boxes. Our data suggest that fatty acids, especially tetradecanoic acid, are important cues for oviposition site selection in black soldier flies. In order to achieve a directed oviposition behavior, the role of further short‐ and long‐chain fatty acids as attractants should be examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a novel dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) method that employs solidified hydrophobic deep eutectic solvent (DES) with hydrophilic DES acting as the dispersant. The aim is to enrich polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from water samples for subsequent determination by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The effects of both the hydrophobic DES as the extractant and the hydrophilic DES as the dispersant were thoroughly investigated. Optimization of the key factors influencing extraction efficiency was performed, and the method was subsequently validated. Specifically, a hydrophobic DES called DES2, prepared by combining thymol and decanoic acid in a molar ratio of 3:2, was selected as the extraction solvent. Meanwhile, a hydrophilic DES named DES6, prepared from choline chloride and acetic acid in a molar ratio of 1:2, was chosen as a dispersant. Under the optimal extraction conditions, the developed method exhibited excellent linearity over the concentration range of 0.01–5.0 µg/L, low limits of detection ranging from 3.0 to 5.1 ng/L, relative standard deviations less than 4.1%, and enrichment factors between 182 and 204 for PCBs. Finally, the effectiveness of the developed method was successfully demonstrated through residue determination of PCBs in water samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In glucose transporter 1 deficiency syndrome (Glut1DS), glucose transport into brain is reduced due to impaired Glut1 function in endothelial cells at the blood–brain barrier. This can lead to shortages of glucose in brain and is thought to contribute to seizures. Ketogenic diets are the first‐line treatment and, among many beneficial effects, provide auxiliary fuel in the form of ketone bodies that are largely metabolized by neurons. However, Glut1 is also the main glucose transporter in astrocytes. Here, we review data indicating that glucose shortage may also impact astrocytes in addition to neurons and discuss the expected negative biochemical consequences of compromised astrocytic glucose transport for neurons. Based on these effects, auxiliary fuels are needed for both cell types and adding medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) to ketogenic diets is a biochemically superior treatment for Glut1DS compared to classical ketogenic diets. MCTs provide medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs), which are largely metabolized by astrocytes and not neurons. MCFAs supply energy and contribute carbons for glutamine and γ‐aminobutyric acid synthesis, and decanoic acid can also block α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid glutamate receptors. MCTs do not compete with metabolism of ketone bodies mostly occurring in neurons. Triheptanoin, an anaplerotic but also gluconeogenic uneven MCT, may be another potential addition to ketogenic diets, although maintenance of "ketosis" can be difficult. Gene therapy has also targeted both endothelial cells and astrocytes. Other approaches to increase fuel delivery to the brain currently investigated include exchange of Glut1DS erythrocytes with healthy cells, infusion of lactate, and pharmacological improvement of glucose transport. In conclusion, although it remains difficult to assess impaired astrocytic energy metabolism in vivo, astrocytic energy needs are most likely not met by ketogenic diets in Glut1DS. Thus, we propose prospective studies including monitoring of blood MCFA levels to find optimal doses for add‐on MCT to ketogenic diets and assessing of short‐ and long‐term outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myocardial damage significantly impacts the prognosis of patients with cancer; however, the mechanisms of myocardial damage induced by cancer and its treatment remain unknown. We previously reported that medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) improve cancer-induced myocardial damage but did not evaluate the differences in effect according to MCFA type. Therefore, this study investigated the role of inflammatory cytokines in cancer-induced myocardial damage and the effects of three types of MCFAs (caprylic acid [C8], capric acid [C10], and lauric acid [C12]). In a mouse model, the C8 diet showed a greater effect on improving myocardial damage compared with C10 and C12 diets. Myocardial tubes differentiated from H9C2 cardiomyoblasts demonstrated increased mitochondrial oxidative stress, decreased membrane potential and mitochondrial volume, and inhibited myocardial tube differentiation following treatment with high-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) but not interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α cytokines. However, HMGB1 treatment combined with C8 improved HMGB1-induced mitochondrial damage, enhanced autophagy, and increased mitochondrial biogenesis and maturation. However, these effects were only partial when combined with beta-hydroxybutyrate, a C8 metabolite. Thus, HMGB1 may play an important role in cancer-related myocardial damage. C8 counteracts HMGB1's effects and improves cancer-related myocardial damage. Further clinical studies are required to investigate the effects of C8. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this research was to compare the functional differences between azelaic acid and chitosan-coated azelaic acid as cosmetic raw materials in terms of skin absorption efficiency, exfoliation, anti - inflammatory and 5α-reductase inhibition. The results showed that the skin absorption of azelaic acid was significantly higher compared to azelaic-chitosan. In terms of exfoliation, both azelaic acid and azelaic-chitosan had a certain exfoliating efficacy. However, compared to azelaic-chitosan, azelaic acid alone resulted in a 25.86% higher number of detached corneocytes and a 27.80% higher total protein content. In terms of anti-inflammation, azelaicchitosan at the same concentration showed significantly greater inhibitory effects on inflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) compared to decanoic acid. Besides, there was no significant difference in inhibitory activity of 5α-reductase between the two groups. These results suggested that both materials had their advantages in terms of their efficacy as cosmetic ingredients. This study contributed to harnessing the potential benefits of azelaic acid and chitosan coating as cosmetic ingredients while providing valuable reference data for evaluating the application potential of chitosan as a coating material in cosmetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medium‐chain fatty acids (MCFAs), particularly decanoic acid (C10) and octanoic acid (C8), have garnered attention in recent years for their potential antiepileptic properties. A previous study from our laboratory demonstrated that C10 targets the PPARγ nuclear receptor, increasing the activity of the antioxidant enzyme catalase and thereby possibly modulating peroxisomal content. Here, we examined markers of peroxisomal content and activity in response to C10 and C8 exposure in neuronal‐like SH‐SY5Y cells. SH‐SY5Y were treated with 250 mM C10 or C8 for a period of 6 days. Following this, biochemical markers of peroxisomal content and function were assessed, including acyl‐coA oxidase activity, peroxisomal gene expression and peroxisomal VLCFA β‐oxidation. Our findings revealed that C10 treatment augments acyl‐CoA oxidase 1 (ACOx1) activity by 129% in comparison to control cells. An exploration into genes related to peroxisomal biosynthesis showed 23% increased expression of PEX11α upon C10 exposure, implying peroxisomal proliferation. Furthermore, it was observed that C10 exposure not only elevated ACOx1 activity but also enhanced peroxisomal β‐oxidation of docosanoic acid (C22). Our findings bolster the premise that C10 functions as a peroxisome proliferator, influencing peroxisomal content and function. Further investigations are required to fully understand the mechanistic details as to how this may be beneficial in epilepsy and the potential implications with regards to peroxisomal disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: A series of new 68Ga-labeled tracers based on [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-617 were developed to augment the tumor-to-kidney ratio and reduce the activity accumulation in bladder, ultimately minimize radiation toxicity to the urinary system. Methods: We introduced quinoline group, phenylalanine and decanoic acid into different tracers to enhance their lipophilicity, strategically limiting their metabolic pathway through the urinary system. Their binding affinity onto LNCaP cells was determined through in vitro saturation assays and competition binding assays. In vivo metabolic study, PET imaging and biodistribution experiment were performed in LNCaP tumor-bearing B-NSG male mice. The most promising tracer was selected for first-in-human study. Results: Four radiotracers were synthesized with radiochemical purity (RCP) > 95% and molar activity in a range of 20.0-25.5 GBq/μmol. The binding affinities (Ki) of TWS01, TWS02 to PSMA were in the low nanomolar range (< 10 nM), while TWS03 and TWS04 exhibited binding affinities with Ki > 20 nM (59.42 nM for TWS03 and 37.14 nM for TWS04). All radiotracers exhibited high stability in vivo except [68Ga]Ga-TWS03. Micro PET/CT imaging and biodistribution analysis revealed that [68Ga]Ga-TWS02 enabled clear tumor visualization in PET images at 1.5 h post-injection, with higher tumor-to-kidney ratio (T/K, 0.93) and tumor-to-muscle ratio (T/M, 107.62) compared with [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-617 (T/K: 0.39, T/M: 15.01) and [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 (T/K: 0.15, T/M: 24.00). In first-in-human study, [68Ga]Ga-TWS02 effectively detected PCa-associated lesions including primary and metastatic lesions, with lower accumulation in urinary system, suggesting that [68Ga]Ga-TWS02 might be applied in the detection of bladder invasion, with minimized radiation toxicity to the urinary system. Conclusion: Introduction of quinoline group, phenylalanine and decanoic acid into different tracers can modulate the binding affinity and pharmacokinetics of PSMA in vivo. [68Ga]Ga-TWS02 showed high binding affinity to PSMA, excellent pharmacokinetic properties and clear imaging of PCa-associated lesions, making it a promising radiotracer for the clinical diagnosis of PCa. Moreover, TWS02 with a chelator DOTA could also label 177Lu and 225Ac, which could be used for PCa treatment without significant side effects. Trial registration: The clinical evaluation of this study was registered On October 30, 2021 at https://www.chictr.org.cn/ (No: ChiCTR2100052545). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The popularity of royal jelly (RJ) as a functional food has attracted attention from various industries, especially nutraceuticals, due to the increasing demand from health enthusiasts. Sebacic acid, 10‐hydroxy decanoic acid, and trans‐10‐hydroxy‐2‐decanoic acid are the primary medium‐chain fatty acids (MCFAs) within RJ responsible for their health benefits. This review aims to consolidate information on these MCFAs' metabolic relationship and health functionalities in nutraceutical applications. We also investigated the natural characteristics mediated by these MCFAs and their metabolism in organisms. Finally, the production of these MCFAs using conventional (from castor oil) and alternative (from RJ) pathways was also discussed. This review can be a reference for using them as functional ingredients in nutraceutical industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutritional interventions are one focus of sarcopenia treatment. As medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) are oxidized in the mitochondria and produce energy through oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), they are key parts of nutritional interventions. We investigated the in vitro effects of three types of MCFA, caprylic acid (C8), capric acid (C10), and lauric acid (C12), in skeletal muscle cells. Compared with C10 and C12, C8 promoted mitophagy through the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN)-induced kinase 1-Parkin pathway and increased the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-α and dynamin-related protein 1 to reduce mitochondrial oxidative stress and promote OXPHOS. Furthermore, the expression of myogenic differentiation 1 and myosin heavy chain increased in myotubes, thus promoting muscle differentiation and maturation. These results suggest that C8 improves mitochondrial quality and promotes skeletal muscle maturation; in contrast, C10 and C12 poorly promoted mitochondrial quality control and oxidative stress and suppressed energy production. Future animal experiments are required to establish the usefulness of C8 for nutritional interventions for sarcopenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives were to optimize the reaction conditions for C10:0 incorporation into grapeseed (GS) oil, characterize the structured lipid (SL) product, and study the changes in antioxidant activity of the SL. Taguchi method was used to optimize C10:0 incorporation by combining parameters in a total of 9 experiments. Lipozyme® RM IM (Rhizomucor miehei immobilized lipase) and Lipozyme® 435 (Candida antarctica recombinant immobilized lipase) were used as biocatalysts for the acidolysis reactions. C10:0 incorporation and triacylglycerol (TAG) species of the SL were analyzed to determine optimal conditions and enzyme type that gave higher incorporation. The optimal conditions were the same for both enzymes as follows: substrate molar ratio 1:3 (GS oil: C10:0), enzyme load 5% (w/w) of substrates, temperature 65℃, and time 12 h. HPLC analysis of SL gave MLM-type TAG species of 11.51±0.11 mol% and 12.68±0.34 mol% for Lipozyme® RM IM and Lipozyme® 435, respectively. GC analysis indicated that C10:0 incorporated at the sn-1,3 positions of the SL were 46.03±0.55 mol% and 47.28±1.22 mol%, respectively, for Lipozyme® RM IM and Lipozyme® 435. However, the total C10:0 incorporated into TAG species with Lipozyme® RM IM was significantly higher (60.08±0.04 mol%) compared to 50.78±0.44 mol% for Lipozyme® 435. Scaled-up (300 g) acidolysis reaction and characterization were done on SL synthesized using Lipozyme® RM IM. SL reaction product was purified using short path distillation and fully characterized in terms of lipid classes, tocopherol, thermal behavior, and oxidative stability. The yield of purified scaled-up SL after short path distillation (SPD) was 72.96 wt%. The antioxidant in SL was reduced after SPD due to loss of tocopherols. This MLM-type-SL synthesized within 12 h using Lipozyme® RM IM had a high content of C10:0 and may have functional and health benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a method for separating isopropanol from wastewater using hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents (DESs) synthesized from terpenes and capric acid was proposed. The distribution coefficient and selectivity value of isopropanol (IPA) in the solvents were determined by liquid–liquid extraction experiments, and the extraction performances of the solvents at different molar ratios and temperatures were studied. From the perspective of molecular dynamics simulations, the experimental results were verified by mechanism analysis, the contribution of hydrogen bond donors (HBDs) and hydrogen bond acceptors (HBAs) to the selective separation of isopropanol was explained. The interaction energies, radial distribution functions, normal density distribution, and mean square deviations between the atoms were used to analyze the interactions between the components of the DESs and IPA/water. It was observed that the DESs have a good extraction effect on IPA, which verifies the good application prospects of DESs in wastewater solutions containing alcohol compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are acknowledged as a novel class of functional liquid. DESs share similar physical properties with ionic liquids (ILs) and have the potential to be a novel class of lubricants. In this study, two DESs, namely tetrabutylammonium chloride-decanoic acid DES (C4-DES) and methyl tricaprylmethylammonium chloride-decanoic acid DES (C8-DES), were synthesized, and their physico-chemical properties and tribological performances were evaluated. Post-analysis of the rubbing surfaces used multiple techniques to gain insights into the lubrication mechanisms. Results show that the coefficient of friction (COF) and wear were reduced by approximately 29% and 91% for the C4-DES, and 36% and 94% for the C8-DES, compared to an ester base oil. The friction reduction behavior of the DESs is attributed to the monolayer adsorption of the polar group in the decanoic acid (DEAC), whose effectiveness is affected by the component of the ammonium salts in the DESs and the operating temperatures. In addition to the adsorbed film, worn surface analysis revealed that an ultra-thin tribochemical film with a thickness of 3–7 nm was formed on the surfaces lubricated with the C8-DES. The composition of the film was studied, and the lubrication mechanisms of the two DESs were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new derivatives of bis(2‐methyl‐1H‐indol‐3‐yl)methane are synthesized by employing decanoic acid to boost aldehyde reactivity via electrophilic activation. The reactions entail combining 2‐methyl‐1H‐indole with various aromatic, aliphatic, and heterocyclic aldehydes at room temperature for 24 h. The newly synthesized compound 4‐(bis(2‐methyl‐1H‐indol‐3‐yl)methyl)‐3‐bromophenol f) has been characterized through 2D structure elucidation. Chemo selectivity and mono selectivity have been explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The gut microbiota plays a vital role in the development of sepsis and in protecting against pneumonia. Previous studies have demonstrated the existence of the gut-lung axis and the interaction between the gut and the lung, which is related to the prognosis of critically ill patients; however, most of these studies focused on chronic lung diseases and influenza virus infections. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) on Klebsiella pneumoniae-related pulmonary infection via the gut-lung axis and to compare the effects of FMT with those of traditional antibiotics to identify new therapeutic strategies. Methods: We divided the mice into six groups: the blank control (PBS), pneumonia-derived sepsis (KP), pneumonia-derived sepsis + antibiotic (KP + PIP), pneumonia-derived sepsis + faecal microbiota transplantation(KP + FMT), antibiotic treatment control (KP+PIP+PBS), and pneumonia-derived sepsis+ antibiotic + faecal microbiota transplantation (KP + PIP + FMT) groups to compare the survival of mice, lung injury, inflammation response, airway barrier function and the intestinal flora, metabolites and drug resistance genes in each group. Results: Alterations in specific intestinal flora can occur in the gut of patients with pneumonia-derived sepsis caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae. Compared with those in the faecal microbiota transplantation group, the antibiotic treatment group had lower levels of proinflammatory factors and higher levels of antiinflammatory factors but less amelioration of lung pathology and improvement of airway epithelial barrier function. Additionally, the increase in opportunistic pathogens and drug resistance-related genes in the gut of mice was accompanied by decreased production of favourable fatty acids such as acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, decanoic acid, and secondary bile acids such as chenodeoxycholic acid 3-sulfate, isodeoxycholic acid, taurodeoxycholic acid, and 3-dehydrocholic acid; the levels of these metabolites were restored by faecal microbiota transplantation. Faecal microbiota transplantation after antibiotic treatment can gradually ameliorate gut microbiota disorder caused by antibiotic treatment and reduce the number of drug resistance genes induced by antibiotics. Conclusion: In contrast to direct antibiotic treatment, faecal microbiota transplantation improves the prognosis of mice with pneumonia-derived sepsis caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae by improving the structure of the intestinal flora and increasing the level of beneficial metabolites, fatty acids and secondary bile acids, thereby reducing systemic inflammation, repairing the barrier function of alveolar epithelial cells, and alleviating pathological damage to the lungs. The combination of antibiotics with faecal microbiota transplantation significantly alleviates intestinal microbiota disorder, reduces the selection for drug resistance genes caused by antibiotics, and mitigates lung lesions; these effects are superior to those following antibiotic monotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Exposure to different concentration levels of fatty acids (FAs) may have an impact on depression. However, previous studies using individual FAs may not reflect the performance of mixtures of various FAs, and the associations of FA patterns with depression remain unclear. Methods: We conducted the cross-sectional analysis in 792 adults aged 18 and older with available serum FAs and depression screening data in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011–2012. The serum concentrations of thirty FAs were measured using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and their percentage compositions were subsequently calculated. Depression was defined as the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score ≥ 10. We employed principal component analysis to derive serum FA patterns. We examined the association between these patterns and depression in the overall population and various subgroups through survey-weighted logistic regression. Results: Four distinct patterns of serum FAs were identified: 'high eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA); low docosatetraenoic acid (DTA) and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) n-6', 'high long-chain saturated FA and long chain FA', 'low median-chain saturated FA and myristoleic acid' and 'low capric acid and lauric acid; high gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and stearidonic acid (SDA)' pattern. Individuals in the high tertile of 'high EPA and DHA; low DTA and DPA n-6' pattern score had 0.46 (95% CI: 0.22, 0.93) lower odds of developing depression compared to individuals in the lowest tertile after adjusting for confounders such as age, sex, physical activity and total energy intake, etc. The odds ratio (OR) of depression was increased in the population with the highest tertile of 'low capric acid and lauric acid; high GLA and SDA' pattern (OR: 2.45, 95% CI: 1.24, 4.83). In subgroup analyses, we observed that the association between 'high EPA and DHA; low DTA and DPA n-6' and depression persisted among specific demographic and lifestyle subgroups, including females, non-Mexican Americans, non-obese, those aged over 60 years, smokers and drinkers. Similarly, 'low capric acid and lauric acid; high GLA and SDA' showed stable associations in female, non-Mexican Americans and smokers. Conclusions: Serum FA patterns are associated with depression, and their relationships vary across sex, race, BMI, age, smoking and drinking subgroups, highlighting the importance of considering specific FA patterns within these demographic and lifestyle categories. Utilization of combined FA administration may serve as a mitigation measure against depression in these specific populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial degradation of fluorinated compounds raised significant attention because of their widespread distribution and potential environmental impacts. Here, we report a bacterial isolate, Rhodococcus sp. NJF-7 capable of defluorinating monofluorinated medium-chain length alkanes. This isolate consumed 2.29 ± 0.13 mmol L− 1 of 1-fluorodecane (FD) during a 52 h incubation period, resulting in a significant release of inorganic fluoride amounting to 2.16 ± 0.03 mmol L− 1. The defluorination process was strongly affected by the initial FD concentration and pH conditions, with lower pH increasing fluoride toxicity to bacterial cells and inhibiting enzymatic defluorination activity. Stoichiometric conversion of FD to fluoride was observed at neutral pH with resting cells, while defluorination was significantly lower at reduced pH (6.5). The discovery of the metabolites decanoic acid and methyl decanoate suggests that the initial attack by monooxygenases may be responsible for the biological defluorination of FD. The findings here provide new insights into microbial defluorination processes, specifically aiding in understanding the environmental fate of organic semi-fluorinated alkane chemicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermoresponsive drug delivery systems have been used to treat diseases that cause hyperthermia or elevated body tissue temperatures, viz., rheumatoid arthritis and different cancers. The aim of the study was to enhance berberine (BER) release using thermosensitive nanostructured lipid carriers (TNLCs) through intra-articular administration for the management of arthritis. TNLCs were prepared using binary mixtures of stearic acid and decanoic acid as solid and liquid lipids, respectively. Lipid mixtures with an optimum melting point were assessed using differential scanning calorimetry studies. In vitro characterization of the BER TNLCs included particle size, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, and drug release at 37 °C and 41 °C. Joint diameter measurement, real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PC) analysis, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for inflammatory markers, and histological evaluation of the dissected joints were all performed in vivo on rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis. In vitro characterization revealed negatively charged BER-loaded TNLCs with a spherical shape, particle size less than 500 nm, BER entrapment efficiency up to 79%, and a high drug release rate at an elevated temperature of 41 °C. In silico studies revealed the affinity of BER to different formula components and to the measured biomarkers. In vivo assessment of the optimum TNLCs showed that BER TNLCs were superior to the BER solution suspension regarding their effect on inflammatory biomarkers, joint diameter, and histological studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study used next-generation sequencing to assess the impact of combined capric acid (C10) and lauric acid (C12) on the ruminal bacterial composition. Eight Holstein cows were randomly assigned to two groups using a cross-over design. The cows were fed two silage-based diets with the addition of either 100 g of stearic acid per cow per day (control), or 50 g of capric acid and 50 g of lauric acid per cow per day (C10 + C12). On day 18, 250 mL of rumen fluid was collected from each cow, and DNA was isolated, amplified, and sequenced. Treatment did not alter bacterial diversity indices, the relative abundance of archaea, nor the fiber-degrading microorganisms, except for a decrease in Fibrobacter (from 2.9% to 0.7%; p = 0.04). The relative abundance of Prevotellaceae decreased (from 39.9% to 29.6%; p = 0.009), which is notable because some members help to efficiently utilize ammonia by releasing it slowly into the rumen. Furthermore, the relative abundance of Clostridia increased (from 28.4% to 41.5%; p = 0.008), which may have aided the increased ammonia–nitrogen levels in the rumen, as this class contains hyperammonia-producing members. Our study reveals alterations in bacterial abundances with implications for rumen ammonia levels, offering insights into potential strategies for modulating rumen fermentation processes and methane production in ruminant livestock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional distillation methods cannot effectively separate the components of an azeotropic mixture since both phases have the same composition, thereby preventing further separation. Additional techniques such as pressure swing distillation or distillation with entrainers are often employed to overcome this limitation and achieve separation. The aim of this investigation was to select the most effective method for separating n-hexane and ethanol. The feasibility of three methods was analyzed: reduced pressure distillation, extractive distillation, and liquid–liquid extraction. The mutual solubility of n-hexane and prepared deep eutectic solvents (DESs) (nine hydrophilic: choline chloride with glycerol, ethylene glycol, or carboxylic acid (malic, citric, glycolic); tetramethylammonium chloride with glycolic acid; lactic acid with glycerol; K2CO3 with glycerol or ethylene glycol; two hydrophobic: menthol with decanoic or dodecanoic acid) was experimentally determined. Extraction experiments were conducted to test the solubility of DESs in the feed mixture. The effect of changing DES-to-feed mass ratio was further investigated with choline chloride–glycerol (1:2). The same DES and both hydrophobic DESs were able to increase the relative volatility and enhance the separation of ethanol and n-hexane. Based on the obtained results, extraction was selected as the most effective method for the separation of n-hexane and ethanol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhamnolipids (RLs) are highly valuable molecules in the cosmetic, pharmaceutic, and agricultural sectors with outstanding biosurfactant properties. In agriculture, due to their potential to artificially stimulate the natural immune system of crops (also known as elicitation), they could represent a critical substitute to conventional pesticides. However, their current synthesis methods are complex and not aligned with green chemistry principles, posing a challenge for their industrial applications. In addition, their bioproduction is cumbersome with reproducibility issues and expensive downstream processing. This work offers a more straightforward and green access to RLs, crucial to decipher their mechanisms of action and design novel potent and eco-friendly elicitors. To achieve this, we propose an efficient seven-step synthetic pathway toward (R)-3- hydroxyfatty acid chains present in RLs, starting from cellulose-derived levoglucosenone, with Michael addition, Baeyer-Villiger oxidation, Bernet-Vasella reaction, and cross-metathesis homologation as key steps. This method allowed the production of (R)-3-hydroxyfatty acid chains and derivatives with an overall yield ranging from 24% to 36%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two isolates of Roseateles were discovered in soil samples collected from Uiwang-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea. These isolates exhibited rod-shaped morphology and were facultatively anaerobic, non-motile, and tested positive for oxidase and catalase. Designated as strains R3-3T and R3-11, their growth was hindered by NaCl concentrations exceeding 0.5%, while their optimal growth conditions were observed at temperatures ranging from 25 °C to 30 °C and pH levels between 7.0 and 9.0. Both strains exhibited positive results for the hydrolysis of Tween 80 and DNA, but tested negative for starch, casein, chitin, and gelatin hydrolysis. Additionally, they assimilated L-Arabinose, D-mannitol, and D-Maltose, while exhibiting negative results for the fermentation of D-glucose, esculin ferric citrate, D-mannose, N-acetyl-glucosamine, potassium gluconate, capric acid, adipic acid, trisodium citrate, and phenylacetic acid. The DNA G+C content of strain R3-3T was measured at 67.5 mol%. Comparative analysis revealed that the average nucleotide identity (ANI) values between R3-3T and the Roseateles type strains ranged from 75.14% to 78.30% while the digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values ranged from 20.70% to 22.70%. Consequently, based on comprehensive genomic, chemotaxonomic, phenotypic, and phylogenomic evaluations, the isolated strains have been designated as a new species within the genus Roseateles, named Roseateles agri sp. nov. (with type strain R3-3T = KACC 23678T = NBRC 116681T). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore the effect of midchain fatty acid decanoic acid on CD8+ T cell activation and its effect and mechanism in CD8+ T cell-mediated anti-tumor immune response. Methods: Subcutaneous melanoma B16F10 cells tumor-bearing C57BL/6 mouse models were established and randomly divided into the decanoic acid group (10 mg/kg decanoic acid by gavage) and the control group (equal amount of solvent by gavage). The effect of decanoic acid on the growth of mouse tumors and their survival rate were measured. The activation of tumor-infiltrated CD8+ T cells in the tumor microenvironment was detected by flow cytometry. The α-CD8 mAb was used to deplete CD8+ T cells in B16F10 tumor-bearing mice, and the effect on the tumor volume was observed. Mouse primary CD8+ T cells were treated with decanoic acid, and T cell receptor (TCR) activation, effector cytokine production as well as proliferation and metabolism levels were detected by WB, ELISA, qPCR, and flow cytometry. In B16F10 tumor-bearing mouse model, the effects of administration of α-PD-1 mAb combined with decanoic acid on the growth of mouse tumors and mouse survival rate were observed. Results: In the mouse melanoma model, compared with those in the control group the volume of mouse transplanted tumors significantly reduced and mouse survival rate significantly increased in the decanoic acid group. (both P<0.05). The expression levels of IFN-γ and TNF-α in tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells were significantly higher in the decanoic acid group than that in the control group (P<0.01). The killing ability of OT-I T cells against B16F10-OVA cells was significantly elevated after treatment with decanoic acid (P<0.01). The suppressive effect of decanoic acid on transplanted tumors was significantly reduced after CD8+ T cells were depleted with α-CD8 mAb in the melanoma mouse model (P<0.000 1). Mouse-derived primary CD8+ T cells treated with decanoic acid showed significantly higher levels of TCR activation, increased production of cytokines IL-2 and IFN-γ, and significantly up-regulated the mitochondrial metabolic level (all P<0.05). In the melanoma mouse model, decanoic acid in combination with α-PD-1 mAb significantly inhibited tumor growth and increased the survival rate (both P<0.05). Conclusion: Decanoic acid can enhance the anti-tumor immune responses by promoting CD8+ T cell activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People are increasingly using black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) as a sustainable waste management solution. They are high in protein and other essential nutrients, making them an ideal food source for livestock, poultry, and fish. Prior laboratory studies with BSFL developed on pure mushroom root waste (MRW) showed poor conversion efficiency compared to a regular artificial diet. Therefore, we mixed the nutrient-rich soybean curd residues (SCR) with MRW in different ratios (M2–M5). Pure mushroom root waste (M1, MRW 100%) had the lowest survival rate (86.2%), but it increased up to 96.9% with the SCR percentage increasing. M1 had the longest developmental period (31.1 days) and the lowest BSFL weight (7.4 g). However, the addition of SCR reduced the development time to 22.0 and 21.5 days in M4 (MRW 40%, SCR 60%) and M5 (MRW 20%, SCR 80%), respectively, and improved the larval weight to 10.9 g in M4 and 11.8 g in M5. Other groups did not have as much feed conversion ratio (FCR) (8.4 for M4 and M5), bioconversion (M4 5.4%; M5 5.9%), or lipid content (M4 25.2%; M5 24.3%). These mixtures did. Compare this to M1. We observed better results, with no significant differences between the M4 and M5 groups and their parameters. In the present study, our main target was to utilize more MRW. Therefore, we preferred the M4 group in our nutritional and safety investigation and further compared it with the artificial diet (M7). The heavy metals and essential amino acids (histidine 3.6%, methionine 2.7%, and threonine 3.8%) required for human consumption compared to WHO/FAO levels showed satisfactory levels. Furthermore, fatty acids (capric acid 1.9%, palmitic acid 15.3%, oleic acid 17.3%, and arachidonic acid 0.3%) also showed higher levels in M4 than M7. The SEM images and FT-IR spectra from the residues showed that the BSFL in group M4 changed the structure of the compact fiber to crack and remove fibers, which made the co-conversion mixture better. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experiment aimed to investigate the effects of modified Buzhong Yiqi Decoction on the meat quality and immune function. Sixty male lambs of two-month-old small-tailed Han sheep were randomly divided into five groups, with three replicates in each group and four lambs in each replicate. The experimental group was fed with 1%, 2%, and 3% modified Buzhong Yiqi Decoction in the basal diet, the commercial control group was fed with 2% Siweidongli powder in the basal diet, and the blank control group was fed with the basal diet. The pre-test lasted for nine days and the formal test lasted for 107 days. The results showed that the total fatty acid content in 1% dose group was significantly higher than that in other groups (P<0.05). Compared with the blank control group, the concentrations of flavor amino acids and n-heptanal in 2% dose group increased significantly (P<0.05), while the concentrations of n-hexanal and n-nonanal decreased significantly (P<0.05). The concentrations of essential amino acids, total amino acids, and 1-octen-3-ol in 3% dose group increased significantly (P<0.05), while the concentrations of decanoic acid and stearic acid decreased significantly (P<0.05). At the ages of five and six months, the antibody levels against peste des petits ruminants in the serum of lambs in all dose groups significantly increased (P<0.05). The study suggests that modified Buzhong Yiqi Decoction may improve the flavor of mutton by affecting the metabolism of fatty acids and flavor amino acids in the bodies of small-tailed Han sheep, regulating the synthesis of mutton odor substances and volatile flavor substances, and simultaneously enhancing the immunity of mutton sheep to a certain extent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wine aroma is one of the most frequently used and explored quality indicators. Typically, its assessment involves estimating the volatile composition of wine or highly trained assessors conducting sensory analysis. However, current methodologies rely on slow, expensive and complicated analytical procedures. Additionally, sensory evaluation is inherently subjective in nature. Therefore, the aim of this work is to verify the feasibility of using FTIR spectroscopy as a fast and easy methodology for the early detection of some of the most common off-odors in wines. FTIR spectroscopy was combined with partial least squares (PLS) regression for the simultaneous measurement of isoamyl alcohol, isobutanol, 1-hexanol, butyric acid, isobutyric acid, decanoic acid, ethyl acetate, furfural and acetoin. The precision and accuracy of developed calibration models (R2P > 0.90, range error ratio > 12.1 and RPD > 3.1) proved the ability of the proposed methodology to quantify the aforementioned compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, capric acid and myrisic acid were first selected to prepare a capric acid-myrisic acid eutectic mixture using a compounding method. Then, the thermal properties, structural stability and weight loss of capric acid-myrisic acid eutectic mixtures were analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared and thermogravimetry. Finally, the activation energy and reaction order of the capric acid-myrisic acid eutectic mixture during solid-liquid transformation were calculated using the phase change kinetic methods of Kissinger and Ozawa. The results indicate that capric acid-myrisic acid eutectic mixtures have good thermal cycle stability and stable energy storage in practical applications. The activation energies of capric acid-myrisic acid eutectic mixtures were calculated using the phase change kinetic methods of Kissinger and Ozawa, with values of 345.6 kJ/mol and 333.3 kJ/mol, respectively, indicating that both phase change kinetic methods have good accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of dietary supplementation of Eucommia ulmoides leaf extract (ELE) on muscle metabolism and meat quality of pigs with and without preslaughter transportation. Methods: In a 43day feeding experiment, a total of 160 pigs with an initial body weight 60.00±2.00 kg were randomly assigned into four groups in a completely randomized design with 10 replicates. Pigs in groups A and C were fed a basal diet and pigs in groups B and D were fed a basal diet supplemented with 0.5% ELE. Pigs were slaughtered with (group B and D) or without (group A and C) preslaughter transport. Muscle chemical composition, postmortem glycolysis, meat quality and muscle metabolome were analyzed. Results: Dietary ELE supplementation had no effect on the proximate composition of porcine muscle, but increased free phenylalanine, proline, citruline, norvaline, and the total free amino acids in muscle. In addition, dietary ELE increased decanoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid, but decreased heptadecanoic acid, oleic acid, transoleic acid, and monounsaturated fatty acids in muscle. Meat quality measurement demonstrated that ELE improved meat water holding capacity and eliminated the negative effects of preslaughter transport on meat cooking yield and tenderness. Dietary ELE reduced muscle glycolytic potential, inhibited glycolysis and muscle pH decline in the postmortem conversion of muscle to meat and increased the activity of citrate synthase in muscle. Metabolomics analysis by liquid chromatographic tandem mass spectrometric showed that ELE enhanced muscle energy level, regulated AMPactivated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling, modulated glycogenolysis/glycolysis, and altered the metabolism of carbohydrate, fatty acids, ketone bodies, amino acids, purine, and pyrimidine. Conclusion: Dietary ELE improved meat quality and alleviated the negative effect of preslaughter transport on meat quality by enhancing muscle oxidative metabolism capacity and inhibiting glycolysis in postmortem muscle, which is probably involved its regulation of AMPK. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, ultrasound-assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction based on in situ magnetic deep eutectic solvent (UA-DLLME-IM-DES) was considered for the determination of cefixime drug in the biological samples by high-performance liquid chromatography. A deep eutectic solvent magnetized (MDES), [tetrabutylammonium bromide/decanoic acid][FeCl3], was prepared through an in situ combination of the deep eutectic solvent (DES) and FeCl3 in the sample solution. Ultrasonication was performed to increase the generation speed of the magnetic DES in the solution and enhance the mass transfer of the analyte into the magnetic deep eutectic solvent. The characterization of the synthesized component was performed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). Some factors influencing the extraction yield were assessed. Based on following the optimization, the calibration curve for the analyte was in the ranges of 2–1000 µg L−1, with a correlation coefficient higher than 0.9954. The limits of detection (LODs) and limits of quantification (LOQs) were 0.5 and 1.6 µg L−1 in real samples, respectively. The intra-day and inter-day precision was in the range of 33–3.9% and 4.5–5.2%, respectively. The extraction recoveries and enrichment factors of the analyte were acquired to be in the range of 92.1–93.8% and 125, respectively. Ultimately, the method was handled to extract cefixime drug in wastewater, human urine, and plasma samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The protonation state of organic acids and bases in aqueous aerosols has the potential to impact cloud activating properties by altering H+ concentrations, and consequently the aerosol chemistry and water activity, but is currently overlooked in most atmospheric aerosol models. We investigated the impact of organic aerosol acid–base dissociation on the cloud droplet number concentration and short-wave radiative effect from cloud formation in environments with varying aerosol concentrations, incorporating organic acid–base dissociation into the aerosol–chemistry–climate box model ECHAM6.3–HAM2.3. The degree of dissociation has previously been observed for several atmospheric organics with Brönsted acid or base character to be significantly modified in the aqueous surface, compared to the bulk solution. We introduced an empirical account of this mechanism for both acids and bases to explore the potential further impact on aerosol climate effects. Suwanee River Fulvic acid and decanoic acid were used as examples of acidic atmospheric organic aerosols and tributylamine and n-butylamine as examples of atmospheric organic bases. Our results show that accounting for the protonation equilibria of organic aerosol components, and their possible surface modulation, results in enhanced cloud droplet number concentration and a substantial short-wave radiative effect of clouds, in pristine, clean, as well as polluted environments. The dissociation of organic acids and bases leads to enhanced H+ concentrations in the aerosol, which further influences aqueous sulfur chemistry to drastically increase sulfate mass in the whole aerosol population. The increased sulfate mass contributes to a rise in the number of particles within larger size ranges, thereby increasing cloud droplet number concentrations. In addition, increased amounts of H+ ions and the resulting sulfate significantly increase the amount of available solute and water activity, leading to a higher number of cloud condensation nuclei, and consequently cloud droplets. The effect of acid–base dissociation on cloud properties is smaller for the investigated organic bases than for the organic acids in all environments. The surface modulation of the organic acid–base protonation equilibria has the largest effect on cloud properties in clean atmospheric environments. These results emphasize the potential importance of organic acid–base dissociation for aerosol-cloud-climate properties and their consideration in atmospheric models on both regional and global scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three deep eutectic solvents (DESs) were prepared by mixing caprylic acid (C8) with decanoic acid (C10), lauric acid (C12) and myristic acid (C14) at a molar ratio of n(C8):n(C10) = 2:1, n(C8):n(C12) = 5:1 and n(C8):n(C14) = 6:1, respectively. The melting points of the DES mixtures were lower than those of the individual fatty acid components and other prepared DES mixtures with different molar ratios. Using the absorbance-concentration standard curve, the solubility of curcumin in the C8-C10, C8-C12 and C8-C14 DES was determined to be 1.11, 1.24 mmol/L and 1.44 mmol/L, respectively, which were 29, 32 and 38 times higher than those of curcumin in water. Gaussian simulation was used to calculate the Gibbs free energies of the molecular complexes formed by curcumin and the C8, C10, C12 and C14 fatty acid, and the values were determined to be -48.49, -64.27, -91.26, -120.59 kJ/mol, respectively. According to the electrostatic density diagram drawn by Multiwfn and VMD, the association manner between curcumin and the fatty acids was obtained. Curcumin and C14 with the longest alkyl chain formed a "sandwich" typed complex, in which curcumin and C14 had strong hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions, making curcumin show the highest solubility ability, the strongest UV-Vis absorption and fluorescence emission intensities in the C8-C14 DES. The stability and DPPH free radical scavenging ability of curcumin dissolved in DESs were found to be much better than in water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Waxes play an important role in maintaining fruit quality and shelf‐life extension because they are naturally effective in blocking the migration of moisture. In this work, cuticular waxes from Physalis peruviana calyx (PPC) were extracted and characterised as potentially hydrophobic materials. Extraction was carried out using the Soxhlet technique with two non‐polar solvents, hexane and petroleum ether, and one polar solvent, ethanol. The extraction yield, lipid characterisation, and hydrophobic potential of cuticular waxes from PPC were analysed and compared using thin‐layer chromatography (TLC), attenuated total reflectance‐infrared spectroscopy (ATR‐IR), GC–MS chromatogram (FAMES), and wetting contact angle. Extraction using hexane was the most efficient method (yield of 9.61 ± 0.37%) for obtaining cuticular waxes with better hydrophobic properties, characterised by a contact angle of θC = 107.37 ± 1.0° and a hysteresis contact angle of 11° due mainly to the presence of functional groups desirable and characteristic of vegetable waxes. Greater texture homogeneity visualised using optical microscopy and the presence of capric acid (70.97%) as a major component of low‐molecular‐weight fatty acids were observed in this extract. Due to their biodegradable, potentially antifungal, and hydrophobic properties, cuticular waxes from PPC have the potential to replace synthetic waxes in industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Medium-chain triglycerides such as decanoic acid (C10), which is one of the fatty acids that constitute dietary fats, are of substantial interest for their potential therapeutic effects on neuropsychiatric disorders. However, the effects of C10 on attentiondeficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) remain to be studied. We explored the effects of C10 on behavioural activity and antioxidant defences in an experimental animal model of ADHD. Methods: To establish an experimental animal model of ADHD, neonatal rats were subjected to unilateral striatal lesions using 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). The rats sequentially underwent open-field and Y-maze tests before treatment [postnatal day 25 (PN25)]. After the subcutaneous administration of either vehicle or C10 solution (250 mg/kg) for 14 days, the behavioural tests were repeated on PN39. Next, we examined the effects of C10 on the expression of the constitutive antioxidant enzymes catalase and glutathione peroxidase-1/2 and the phase II transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 in four different regions of the rat brain. Results: Injection of 6-OHDA unilaterally into the striatum resulted in elevated locomotor activity on PN39. The administration of C10 for a period of 14 days did not alter the locomotor hyperactivity. Moreover, the administration of C10 had no significant effects on the expression of proteins related to antioxidant defences in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, striatum or cerebellum of both control and lesioned rats. Conclusions: The lack of significant effects of C10 in our study may depend on the dose and duration of C10 administration. Further exhaustive studies are needed to verify the efficacy and effects of different doses and treatment durations of C10 and to explore the underlying mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current research is oriented towards the development and assessment of the properties of the form‐stable phase change materials (PCMs), comprising of the thermoset polymer matrix (polyurethane, PU) enclosing capric acid (CA) as an active thermal energy storage (TES) component. The Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Field‐Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE‐SEM) have been used to characterize the chemical nature and morphological details of the developed PU‐based PCMs (PUPCMs). TES attributes and thermal stability of the resultant PCMs are evaluated by thermo‐analytical techniques such as Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). A thermal reliability test has been conducted to determine the phase change efficiency of the prepared PCMs. PUPCMs have been found to be suitable for TES applications, such as passive space heating or cooling building applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ruminococcus gnavus (R. gnavus) is a gram-positive anaerobe commonly resides in the human gut microbiota. The advent of metagenomics has linked R. gnavus with various diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), obesity, and diabetes mellitus (DM), which has become a growing area of investigation. The initial focus of research primarily centered on assessing the abundance of R. gnavus and its potential association with disease presentation, taking into account variations in sample size, sequencing and analysis methods. However, recent investigations have shifted towards elucidating the underlying mechanistic pathways through which R. gnavus may contribute to disease manifestation. In this comprehensive review, we aim to provide an updated synthesis of the current literature on R. gnavus in the context of IBD, obesity, and DM. We critically analyze relevant studies and summarize the potential molecular mediators implicated in the association between R. gnavus and these diseases. Across numerous studies, various molecules such as methylation-controlled J (MCJ), glucopolysaccharides, ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), interleukin(IL)-10, IL-17, and capric acid have been proposed as potential contributors to the link between R. gnavus and IBD. Similarly, in the realm of obesity, molecules such as hydrogen peroxide, butyrate, and UDCA have been suggested as potential mediators, while glycine ursodeoxycholic acid (GUDCA) has been implicated in the connection between R. gnavus and DM. Furthermore, it is imperative to emphasize the necessity for additional studies to evaluate the potential efficacy of targeting pathways associated with R. gnavus as a viable strategy for managing these diseases. These findings have significantly expanded our understanding of the functional role of R. gnavus in the context of IBD, obesity, and DM. This review aims to offer updated insights into the role and potential mechanisms of R. gnavus, as well as potential strategies for the treatment of these diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tunable solvents represent a new generation of environmentally friendly solvents with potential applications in the effective extraction of bioactive compounds, including supramolecular solvents (SUPRAS). This study aimed to optimize caffeine extraction from coffee processing wastewater (CWW) using SUPRAS of various compositions. An extreme vertices design was employed to evaluate the SUPRAS composition. The synthesis of SUPRAS involved two amphiphiles (1‐hexanol and decanoic acid) in hydro‐organic solutions of tetrahydrofuran (THF). A statistical modeling approach was used to characterize the process and determine the optimal conditions for potential scale‐up within the coffee processing industry. The results indicated that SUPRAS offer a promising alternative to traditional solvents for extracting caffeine from CWW. The highest experimental extraction rate (~ 62%) was achieved using a 15% 1‐hexanol in a hydro‐organic solution of THF (47% v/v). This mixture corresponded to the optimum predicted by a special cubic statistical model (R2 = 0.9367; Adj‐R2 = 0.8608, and RSME = 3.2795). The percentage of caffeine extracted from CWW is considered acceptable, given the compound's affinity for water and the rapid (1 min) and straightforward approach employed. Moreover, the use of SUPRAS reduced solvent consumption, and the proposed statistical model identified conditions that maximized caffeine extraction while minimizing THF usage. This method can potentially lower process costs and solvent consumption. For large‐scale extraction, centrifugation can be substituted with spontaneous sedimentation. Overall, these findings have significant implications for the valorization of CWW, providing a sustainable and efficient method for the extraction of valuable compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Use of mixed-oil (MO) intravenous fat emulsion (IFE) was shown to inhibit Candida albicans biofilm formation and overall rate of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CR-BSIs) compared with soybean-oil (SO) IFE). We aimed to delineate this inhibitory mechanism and impact of IFE choice on distribution of fungal CR-BSIs. Methods Transcriptional profiling was conducted on C. albicans grown in SO-IFE, MO-IFE, or SO-IFE with capric acid. Overexpression strains of shared down-regulated genes were constructed using a tetracycline-off system to assess hypha and biofilm formation in IFEs. A 5-year retrospective multicenter cohort study was performed to assess differences in CR-BSIs caused by Candida species based on the IFE formulation received in pediatric patients. Results Genes significantly down-regulated in MO-IFE and SO-IFE with capric acid included CDC11 , HGC1 , and UME6. Overexpression of HGC1 or UME6 enabled filamentation in capric acid and MO-IFE. Interestingly, only overexpression of UME6 was sufficient to rescue biofilm growth in MO-IFE. MO-IFE administration was associated with a higher proportion of non- albicans Candida versus C. albicans CR-BSIs (42% vs 33%; odds ratio, 1.22 [95% confidence interval,.46–3.26]). Conclusions MO-IFE affects C. albicans biofilm formation and hyphal growth via a UME6 -dependent mechanism. A numerical but not statistically significant difference in distribution of Candida spp. among CR-BSIs was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kombucha is a fermented beverage traditionally made from the leaves of Camelia sinensis. The market has drastically expanded recently, and the beverage has become more elaborated with new, healthy food materials and flavors. Pruning and harvesting during coffee production may generate tons of coffee leaves that are discarded although they contain substantial amounts of bioactive compounds, including those found in maté tea and coffee seeds. This study characterized the changes in volatilome, microbial, and sensory profiles of pure and blended arabica coffee leaf tea kombuchas between 3–9 days of fermentation. Acceptance was also evaluated by consumers from Rio de Janeiro (n = 103). Kombuchas (K) were prepared using black tea kombucha starter (BTKS) (10%), sucrose (10%), a symbiotic culture of Bacteria and Yeasts (SCOBY) (2.5%), and a pure coffee leaf infusion (CL) or a 50:50 blend with toasted maté infusion (CL-TM) at 2.5%. The RATA test was chosen for sensory profile characterization. One hundred volatile organic compounds were identified when all infusions and kombucha samples were considered. The potential impact compounds identified in CL K and CL-TM K were: methyl salicylate, benzaldehyde, hexanal, nonanal, pentadecanal, phenylethyl-alcohol, cedrol, 3,5-octadien-2-one, β-damascenone, α-ionone, β-ionone, acetic acid, caproic acid, octanoic acid, nonanoic acid, decanoic acid, isovaleric acid, linalool, (S)-dihydroactinidiolide, isoamyl alcohol, ethyl hexanoate, and geranyl acetone. Aroma and flavor descriptors with higher intensities in CL K included fruity, peach, sweet, and herbal, while CL-TM K included additional toasted mate notes. The highest mean acceptance score was given to CL-TM K and CL K on day 3 (6.6 and 6.4, respectively, on a nine-point scale). Arabica coffee leaf can be a co-product with similar fingerprinting to maté and black tea, which can be explored for the elaboration of potentially healthy fermented beverages in food industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lipases can catalyze synthesis reactions in a micro aqueous system, producing useful partial glycerides (mono- and diglycerides), and these compounds are commonly utilized in different products as surfactants. Depending on the microbial sources for lipases, immobilization conditions, and starting substrates for synthesis reaction, the composition and yields of the resulting partial glycerides could be variable. These differences could lead to the final efficacy of partial glycerides as surfactants in targeted products. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a group of immobilized lipases from different microbial sources with information about substrate specificity to produce effective partial glycerides for various product types. Here, lipases from thermophilic Geobacillus stearothermophilus and Anoxybacillus flavithermus were prepared with a simple partial purification method, and after immobilization, these lipases were tested to synthesize partial glycerides using different types of decanoic acids. The distinct product patterns were analyzed using HPLC. Both immobilized lipases showed the highest substrate selectivity to decanoic acids in common, producing mainly glyceryl monodecanoate. However, commercial immobilized lipases from Thermomyces lanuginosus produced the largest glyceryl monodecanoate from methyl decanoate. These results indicate the importance of immobilization conditions like different microbial sources and substrates and the need for their optimal combination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The discovery of new natural products has become more challenging because of the re-isolation of compounds and the lack of new sources. Microbes dwelling in extreme conditions of high salinity and temperature are huge prospects for interesting natural metabolites. In this study, the endophytic bacteria Bacillus velezensis 7NPB-3B isolated from the halophyte Salicornia brachiata was screened for its biofilm inhibition against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The fractionation of the crude extract was guided by bioassay and LC-HRMS-based metabolomics using multivariate analysis. The 37 fractions obtained by high-throughput chromatography were dereplicated using an in-house MS-Excel macro coupled with the Dictionary of Natural Products database. Successive bioactivity-guided separation yielded one novel compound (1), a diketopiperazine (m/z 469.258 [M − H]−) with an attached saturated decanoic acid chain, and four known compounds (2–5). The compounds were identified based on 1D- and 2D-NMR and mass spectrometry. Compounds 1 and 5 exhibited excellent biofilm inhibition properties of >90% against the MRSA pathogen at minimum inhibition concentrations of 25 and 35 µg/mL, respectively. The investigation resulted in the isolation of a novel diketopiperazine from a bacterial endophyte of an untapped plant using an omics approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acid dissociation of the organic aerosol fraction has the potential to impact cloud-activating properties by altering aqueous-phase H+ concentrations and water activity but is currently overlooked in most atmospheric aerosol models. We implemented a simple representation of organic acid dissociation in the aerosol–chemistry–climate box model ECHAM6.3–HAM2.3 and investigated the impact on aerosol-forming aqueous sulfur chemistry, cloud droplet number concentrations, and the shortwave radiative effect. Many atmospheric organic acids are also surface-active and may be strongly adsorbed at the surface of small aqueous droplets. The degree of dissociation has recently been observed for several atmospheric surface-active organics with Brönsted acid character to be significantly shifted in the surface, compared to the bulk aqueous solution. In addition to the well-known bulk acidity, we therefore introduced an empirical account of this surface-modulated dissociation to further explore the potential impact on aerosol climate effects. Malonic acid and decanoic acid were used as proxies for atmospheric organic aerosols of different surface-active and acid strengths. Both acids were found to yield sufficient hydrogen ion concentrations from dissociation in an aqueous droplet population to strongly influence aqueous aerosol sulfur chemistry, leading to enhanced cloud droplet number concentrations and a cooling shortwave radiative effect. Further considering the surface modulation of organic acid dissociation, the impact on cloud microphysics was smaller than according to the well-known bulk solution acidity but still significant. Our results show that organic aerosol acid dissociation can significantly influence predictions of aerosol and cloud droplet formation and aerosol–cloud–climate effects and that, even for a well-known bulk solution phenomenon such as acidity, it may be important to also consider the specific influence of surface effects when surface-active acids comprise a significant fraction of the total organic aerosol mass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements to characterize the membrane-disruptive properties of medium-chain fatty acid and monoglyceride mitigants interacting with tethered bilayer lipid membrane (tBLM) platforms composed of E. coli bacterial lipid extracts. The tested mitigants included capric acid (CA) and monocaprin (MC) with 10-carbon long hydrocarbon chains, and lauric acid (LA) and glycerol monolaurate (GML) with 12-carbon long hydrocarbon chains. All four mitigants disrupted E. coli tBLM platforms above their respective critical micelle concentration (CMC) values; however, there were marked differences in the extent of membrane disruption. In general, CA and MC caused larger changes in ionic permeability and structural damage, whereas the membrane-disruptive effects of LA and GML were appreciably smaller. Importantly, the distinct magnitudes of permeability changes agreed well with the known antibacterial activity levels of the different mitigants against E. coli, whereby CA and MC are inhibitory and LA and GML are non-inhibitory. Mechanistic insights obtained from the EIS data help to rationalize why CA and MC are more effective than LA and GML at disrupting E. coli membranes, and these measurement capabilities support the potential of utilizing bacterial lipid-derived tethered lipid bilayers for predictive assessment of antibacterial drug candidates and mitigants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]