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Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] contributes to cardiovascular disease risk. A genetically determined size polymorphism in apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)], determined by the number of Kringle (K) repeats, inversely regulates Lp(a) levels. Nongenetic factors including dietary saturated fat influence Lp(a) levels. However, less is known about the effects of carbohydrates including dietary sugars. In this double-blind, parallel arm study among 32 overweight/obese adults, we investigated the effect of consuming glucose- or fructose-sweetened beverages providing 25% of energy requirements for 10 weeks on Lp(a) level and assessed the role of the apo(a) size polymorphism. The mean (±SD) age of participants was 54 ± 8 years, 50% were women, and 75% were of European descent. Following the 10-week intervention, Lp(a) level was reduced by an average (±SEM) of -13.2% ± 4.3% in all participants (P = 0.005); -15.3% ± 7.8% in the 15 participants who consumed glucose (P = 0.07); and -11.3% ± 4.5% in the 17 participants who consumed fructose (P = 0.02), without any significant difference in the effect between the two sugar groups. Relative changes in Lp(a) levels were similar across subgroups of lower versus higher baseline Lp(a) level or carrier versus noncarrier of an atherogenic small (≤22K) apo(a) size. In contrast, LDL-C increased. In conclusion, in older, overweight/obese adults, consuming sugar-sweetened beverages reduced Lp(a) levels by ∼13% independently of apo(a) size variability and the type of sugar consumed. The Lp(a) response was opposite to that of LDL-C and triglyceride concentrations. These findings suggest that metabolic pathways might impact Lp(a) levels.

(1) Background: Clinical results on the effects of excess sugar consumption on insulin sensitivity are conflicting, possibly due to differences in sugar type and the insulin sensitivity index (ISI) assessed. Therefore, we compared the effects of consuming four different sugars on insulin sensitivity indices derived from oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT). (2) Methods: Young adults consumed fructose-, glucose-, high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS)-, sucrose-, or aspartame-sweetened beverages (SB) for 2 weeks. Participants underwent OGTT before and at the end of the intervention. Fasting glucose and insulin, Homeostatic Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), glucose and insulin area under the curve, Surrogate Hepatic Insulin Resistance Index, Matsuda ISI, Predicted M ISI, and Stumvoll Index were assessed. Outcomes were analyzed to determine: (1) effects of the five SB; (2) effects of the proportions of fructose and glucose in all SB. (3) Results: Fructose-SB and the fructose component in mixed sugars negatively affected outcomes that assess hepatic insulin sensitivity, while glucose did not. The effects of glucose-SB and the glucose component in mixed sugar on muscle insulin sensitivity were more negative than those of fructose. (4) Conclusion: the effects of consuming sugar-SB on insulin sensitivity varied depending on type of sugar and ISI index because outcomes assessing hepatic insulin sensitivity were negatively affected by fructose, and outcomes assessing muscle insulin sensitivity were more negatively affected by glucose.

Summary The quality of processed products can be adversely affected by uncontrollable batches of mangoes, which exhibit heterogeneous characteristics. This study aimed to establish predictive models for sugar and organic acid contents (dependent variables) in processed products using the initial compositions of fresh mangoes. Three mango cultivars (cv. ‘Kent’, cv. ‘Keo Romeat’, and cv. ‘Keo Chen’) were classified as low‐density and high‐density groups. Each group of mangoes at the green‐mature, mid‐ripe, and ripe stages was processed into pasteurised purees, dried slices, and mango chips. Prediction models were established using a mix of simple linear regression (SLR) based on the initial content and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to identify the impact of qualitative variables (ripening stage, cultivar‐density, and processing technique). In processed mangoes, 13% sucrose content was estimated to accumulate with the three qualitative variables, whereas glucose and fructose contents decreased from their initial levels by 10% and 7%, respectively. Processing techniques can predict the ratio of sugars/acids (S/A) in processed products, regardless of the ripening stage or cultivar‐density. Similar to S/A, citric acid and malic acid contents in mango products were significantly increased by processing techniques. The initial content and processes were insufficient to predict the final contents of the same parameters in processed mangoes; therefore, some models need to include the effects of ripening stage and cultivar‐density to improve the prediction. These relevant explanatory variables contributed significantly to the development of the models, resulting the accuracy of predictive models with normalised root mean square errors (NRMSEs) lower than 10%, except for malic acid (14.04%). In conclusion, it is feasible to estimate the sugar and acidity levels in processed mangoes, offering promising possibilities for ensuring consistent quality of mango‐based products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial cellulose synthesis from defined media and waste products has attracted increasing interest in the circular economy context for sustainable productions. In this study, a glucose dehydrogenase-deficient Δgdh K2G30 strain of Komagataeibacter xylinus was obtained from the parental wild type through homologous recombination. Both strains were grown in defined substrates and cheese whey as an agri-food waste to assess the effect of gene silencing on bacterial cellulose synthesis and carbon source metabolism. Wild type K2G30 boasted higher bacterial cellulose yields when grown in ethanol-based medium and cheese whey, although showing an overall higher d-gluconic acid synthesis. Conversely, the mutant Δgdh strain preferred d-fructose, d-mannitol, and glycerol to boost bacterial cellulose production, while displaying higher substrate consumption rates and a lower d-gluconic acid synthesis. This study provides an in-depth investigation of two K. xylinus strains, unravelling their suitability for scale-up BC production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using halloysite clay and vitamin B1 hydrochloride, a novel acidic halloysite-dendrimer catalytic composite has been developed for conversion of fructose to 5-hydroxymthylfurfural. To grow the dendritic moiety on halloysite, it was first functionalized and then reacted with melamine, epichlorohydrin and vitamin B1 hydrochloride respectively. Then, the resulting composite was treated with ZnCl2 to furnish Lewis acid sites. Use of vitamin B1 as the cationic moiety of ionic liquid obviated use of toxic chemicals and resulted in more environmentally friendly composite. Similarly, dendritic moiety of generation 2 was also grafted on halloysite and the activity of both catalysts for conversion of fructose to 5-hydroxymthylfurfural was investigated to disclose the role of dendrimer generation. For the best catalytic composite, the reaction variables were optimized via RSM and it was revealed that use of 0.035 g catalyst per 0.1 g fructose at 95 °C furnished HMF in 96% yield in 105 min. Turnover numbers (TONs) and frequencies (TOFs) were estimated to be 10,130 and 5788 h−1, respectively. Kinetic studies also underlined that Ea was 22.85 kJ/mol. The thermodynamic parameters of Δ H ≠ , Δ S ≠ and Δ G ≠ , were calculated to be 23 kJ/mol, − 129.2 J/mol and 72.14 kJ/mol, respectively. Notably, the catalyst exhibited good recyclability and hot filtration approved heterogeneous nature of catalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Diet-related factors are of great significance in the regulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonad (HPG) axes. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of chronic exposure to a high fat diet (HFD), fructose or sucralose on the endocrine functions. Methods: Male, Sprague-Dawley rats received a normal chow diet, HFD, 10% fructose or 0.02% sucralose for 10 weeks. Behavioral changes were assessed by open field (OFT) and elevated plus-maze (EPM) tests at week 8. H&E staining was used to observe pathological changes in adrenal cortex, testis and perirenal adipose tissue. Serum hormone concentrations were quantified via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mRNA expression levels of genes along the HPA and HPG axes were determined using real-time PCR. Results: All types of dietary interventions increased body weight and disturbed metabolic homeostasis, with anxiogenic phenotype in behavioral tests and damage to cell morphology of adrenal cortex and testis being observed. Along the HPA axis, significantly increased corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone (CORT) concentrations were observed in the HFD or 0.02% sucralose group. For HPG axis, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and estradiol (E2) concentrations were significantly increased in all dietary intervention groups, while decreased concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone (T) were also detected. Moreover, transcriptional profiles of genes involved in the synthesis of hormones and corresponding hormone receptors were significantly altered. Conclusion: Long-term consumption of HFD, fructose or sucralose manifested deleterious effects on endocrine system and resulted in the dysregulation of HPA and HPG axes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Levulinic acid (LA) is one of the top bio‐based platform molecules that can be converted into many valuable chemicals. Herein, we report the sustainable synthesis of LA acid from various sugars using heteropolyacid catalysts. By using a Box–Behnken design of experiment, both LA yield (up to 69 mol%) and complete suppression of parasitic humin formation could be achieved within a 5 h reaction time at 140°C using fructose as a substrate. The effects of various reaction parameters like temperature, sugar concentration, addition of organic co‐solvent and reaction time on LA yield and humin formation were examined in a three‐dimensional space. Moreover, the results could be successfully transferred to other sugars like glucose or cellobiose, paving the way for an atom‐efficient and sustainable LA synthesis process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of the use of MFI zeolite as a catalyst modified with tin and iron. Sn‐MFI and Fe‐MFI catalysts were obtained by ion exchange under hydrothermal conditions with and without ammonium exchange. Catalytic materials were characterized with the use of analytical techniques such as X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller method (BET), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy in the ultraviolet‐visible range (DRS UV–visible), hydrogen temperature programmed reduction (H2‐TPR), or Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The one‐pot catalytic conversion of fructose was performed at 220 °C for 1–5 h. Based on the results, the influence of time and material selection on the products obtained can be seen. Lactic acid (LAC) was obtained with a yield of 68.7% (after 2 h) and levulinic acid (LA) with a yield of 70.9% (after 5 h) with the participation of MFI. In turn, formic acid with a yield of 28.5% (after 5 h) was obtained with the participation of Fe‐MFI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inhibiting aldose reductase (ALR2, AR) as well as maintaining a concomitant antioxidant (AO) activity via dual-acting agents may be a rational approach to prevent cellular glucotoxicity and at least delay the progression of diabetes mellitus (DM). This study was aimed at evaluating the dual-acting AR inhibitor (ARI) cemtirestat (CMTI) on tissue oxidative stress (OS) and carbonyl stress (CS) biomarkers in rats exposed to fructose alone (F) or fructose plus streptozotocin (D; type-2 diabetic). D and F rats were either untreated or treated daily with low- or high-dose CMTI, ARI drug epalrestat (EPA) or antioxidant stobadine (STB) for 14 weeks. Malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione S-transferase (GST), nitric oxide synthase (NOS), and catalase (CAT) were increased in the sciatic nerve of F and D. These increases were attenuated by low doses of CMTI and STB in D, but exacerbated by low-dose EPA and high-dose CMTI in F. STB and CMTI and to a lesser extent EPA improved MDA, protein-carbonyl, GST and CAT in the hearts and lungs of F and D. CMTI and STB were more effective than EPA in improving the increased MDA and protein-carbonyl levels in the kidneys of F and especially D. CMTI ameliorated renal GST inhibition in D. In the lungs, hearts, and kidneys of F and D, the GSH to GSSG ratio decreased and caspase-3 activity increased, but partially resolved with treatments. In conclusion, CMTI with ARI/AO activity may be advantageous in overcoming OS, CS, and their undesirable consequences, with low dose efficacy and limited toxicity, compared to ARI or antioxidant alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The overconsumption of added sugars makes people vulnerable to a myriad of diseases. Several biochemical and developmental assays were performed in the current study to assess the effect of fructose on Drosophila melanogaster and to find substitutes for fructose by comparing it to well-known sweeteners. Drosophila was exposed separately to the same ratio of sugar 9.21% (w/v) of several types of sweeteners (sucrose, fructose, glucose syrup, high-fructose corn syrup and stevia). Results revealed that fructose might induce recombination, whereas stevia lacks genotoxic potential. No developmental delay, growth defects, or neurotoxic effects were recorded for any of the sweeteners. We also observed no striking differences in reactive oxygen species levels. Thus, stevia seems to be an alternative sweetener to fructose that can be consumed to reduce fructose-induced anomalies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer is a mysterious disease. Among other alterations, tumor cells, importantly, have metabolic modifications. A well-known metabolic modification commonly observed in cancer cells has been termed the Warburg effect. This phenomenon is defined as a high preference for glucose uptake, and increased lactate production from that glucose, even when oxygen is readily available. Some anti-cancer drugs target the proposed Warburg effect, and some dietary regimens can function similarly. However, the most suitable dietary strategies for treating particular cancers are not yet well understood. The aim of this review was to describe findings regarding the impact of various proposed dietary regimens targeting the Warburg effect. The evidence suggests that combining routine cancer therapies with diet-based strategies may improve the outcome in treating cancer. However, designing individualized therapies must be our ultimate goal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consolidated bioprocessing candidate, Clostridium thermocellum, is a cellulose hydrolysis specialist, with the ability to ferment the released sugars to produce bioethanol. C. thermocellum is generally studied with model substrates Avicel and cellobiose to understand the metabolic pathway leading to ethanol. In the present study, adaptive laboratory evolution, allowing C. thermocellum DSM 1237 to adapt to growth on glucose, fructose, and sorbitol, with the prospect that some strains will adapt their metabolism to yield more ethanol. Adaptive growth on glucose and sorbitol resulted in an approximately 1 mM and 2 mM increase in ethanol yield per millimolar glucose equivalent, respectively, accompanied by a shift in the production of the other expected fermentation end products. The increase in ethanol yield observed for sorbitol adapted cells was due to the carbon source being more reduced compared to cellobiose. Glucose and cellobiose have similar oxidation states thus the increase in ethanol yield is due to the rerouting of electrons from other reduced metabolic products excluding H2 which did not decrease in yield. There was no increase in ethanol yield observed for fructose adapted cells, but there was an unanticipated elimination of formate production, also observed in sorbitol adapted cells suggesting that fructose has regulatory implications on formate production either at the transcription or protein level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exhaled breath tests (BTs) are the main diagnostic method for fructose and lactose malabsorption/intolerance (FI and LI, respectively) and for detecting small intestine bacterial or methanogen overgrowth (SIBO/IMO). Although FI/LI-BTs may provide evidence of the presence of SIBO/IMO, there is limited literature evaluating their reliability for this purpose. The objective of this study was to assess the sensitivity and specificity of FI/LI-BTs in detecting SIBO and their concordance with SIBO-BTs in the identification of IMO. In this retrospective observational study, FI/LI-BTs and SIBO-BTs performed in the same patients within a period of 6 weeks were selected from 652 gas chromatography-based BTs. A total of 146 BTs from 67 eligible adult patients were identified. LI-BTs had higher specificity than FI-BT in detecting SIBO (93.8 % vs. 72.7 %). In contrast, FI-BTs showed higher sensitivity (60.0 % vs. 28.6 %) as FI was more frequently established in SIBO-positive patients (70 % vs. 29 %). With regard to IMO, concordance with LI-BT was 100 %, with a 27 % of false negatives on FI-BTs. Findings suggestive of SIBO or IMO on LI-BTs were highly consistent with those of SIBO-BTs. In contrast, the rate of false positives for SIBO and the rate of false negative for IMO on FI-BTs was 27 % in both cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of mild strategies to transform of fructose to prepare high-purity 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is of great significance for biomass valorization, and the design of an efficient catalytic approach is crucial. Herein, a mild catalytic strategy was developed to achieve the preparation of high-purity HMF from fructose over Amberlyst-15 catalyst in a water-methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) biphasic system under atmospheric pressure and lower temperature (90 °C). The catalytic system was optimized and analyzed by response surface methodology and kinetics study. Results indicated that a 46.6% yield of HMF could be obtained under optimal conditions: 80 wt% Amberlyst-15 catalyst, the mass ratio of MIBK to H2O 10, and the reaction time of 7 h. Furthermore, a simple and efficient purification strategy of HMF was established. High purity (99.0%) and recovery rate (65.5%) of HMF were obtained. This work provides an efficient catalytic strategy to produce high-purity HMF from fructose under atmospheric pressure and lower temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient and selective glucose-to-fructose isomerization is a crucial step for production of oxygenated chemicals derived from sugars, which is usually catalyzed by base or Lewis acid heterogeneous catalyst. However, high yield and selectivity of fructose cannot be simultaneously obtained under mild conditions which hamper the scale of application compared with enzymatic catalysis. Herein, a Li-promoted C3N4 catalyst was exploited which afforded an excellent fructose yield (40.3 wt%) and selectivity (99.5%) from glucose in water at 50 C, attributed to the formation of stable Li--N bond to strengthen the basic sites of catalysts. Furthermore, the so-formed N6--Li--H2O active site on Li--C3N4 catalyst in aqueous phase changes the local electronic structure and strengthens the deprotonation process during glucose isomerization into fructose. The superior catalytic performance which is comparable to biological pathway suggests promising applications of lithium containing heterogeneous catalyst in biomass refinery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the perception of aroma and flavor and their relationship with food preferences, appetite and satiety, and emotional well-being. Topics discussed include phytonutrition, phytoaromatherapy, epigenetics, mental health phytonutrition, gut-brain axis, role of gastrointestinal mechanisms in appetite, relationship of retronasal olfaction, satiation and food consumption, role of neurogastronomy and gastrophysics in facilitating awareness of flavor creation, and elements of flavor.

AbstractA precisely controlled solution-phase approach was employed to synthesize copper nanofluid through the reduction of copper sulfate by fructose in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, utilizing a mixture of water and ethylene glycol in 1:1 ratio as the base fluid. We delved into the nanofluid’s thermal conductivity and rheological properties, with a keen interest on particle size and reaction rates that exhibited significant sensitivity to variations in reaction parameters. The homogeneous dispersion of nanoparticles in the base fluid resulted in an augmentation of thermal conductivity to 2.31 Wm−1K−1 for particle loading fraction of 0.19%, with a never before achieved stability of 9 months. This method has proven to be not only straightforward and dependable but also efficient for the rapid synthesis of highly stable Newtonian nanofluids, underscoring the nanofluid’s potential for highly powerful cooling applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic consumption of a high-fructose diet causes oxidative stress that compromises kidney and liver health. β-sitosterol (Bst), a phytosterol, is a functional nutrient with health benefits. β-sitosterol antioxidant activity protects the liver and kidney from ROS-mediated damage and lipid peroxidation. We evaluated the potential renoprotective and hepatoprotective effects of orally administrated β-sitosterol in high-fructose diet-fed growing female rats. Thirty-five 21-day old female Sprague-Dawley rat pups were randomly assigned to and administered the following treatments for 12 weeks: group I- standard rat chow (SRC) + plain drinking water (PW) + plain gelatine cube (PC); group II- SRC + 20% w/v fructose solution (FS) as drinking fluid + PC; group III- SRC + FS + 100 mg/kg body mass (BM) fenofibrate in gelatine cube; group IV- SRC + FS + 20 mg/kg BM β-sitosterol gelatine cube (Bst) and group V- SRC + PW + Bst. The rats were fasted overnight, weighed then euthanised. Blood was collected, centrifuged and plasma harvested. Livers and kidneys were excised, weighed and samples preserved for histological assessments. Plasma biomarkers of oxidative stress, liver and kidney function and renal tubular injury were assessed. Results: High fructose diet fed rats had increased plasma KIM-1, NGAL (p < 0.001) and MDA levels (p < 0.05). Dietary fructose caused microvesicular and macrovesicular steatosis, and reduced glomerular density, Bowman's capsule area and urinary space. β-sitosterol protected against the high-fructose diet-induced hepatic steatosis and glomerular disturbances without adverse effects on liver and kidney function. Conclusions: β-sitosterol, as a dietary supplement, could potentially be exploited to prevent high-fructose diet-induced NAFLD and to protect against high-fructose diet-induced renal tubular injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The isomerization of glucose to fructose plays a crucial role in the food industry and the production of biomass‐derived chemicals in biorefineries. However, the catalyst used in this reaction suffers from low selectivity and catalyst deactivation due to carbon or by‐product deposition. In this study, MgSnO3 catalyst, synthesized via a facile two‐step process involving hydrothermal treatment and calcination, was used for glucose isomerization to fructose. The catalyst demonstrated outstanding catalytic performance, achieving a fructose equilibrium yield of 29.8 % with a selectivity exceeding 90 % under mild conditions owing to its acid‐base interaction. Notably, spent catalysts can be regenerated by photoirradiation to remove surface carbon, thereby avoiding the changes in properties and subsequent loss of activity associated with conventional calcination regeneration method. This novel approach eliminates the energy consumption and potential structural aggregation associated with traditional calcination regeneration methods. The acid‐base active sites of the catalyst, along with their corresponding catalytic reaction mechanism and photoregeneration mechanism were investigated. This study presents a demonstration of the comprehensive utilization of catalytic material properties, i. e. acid‐base and photocatalytic functionalities, for the development of a green and sustainable biomass thermochemical conversion system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous studies indicate that intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) can predispose individuals to metabolic syndrome (MetS) in adulthood. Several reports have demonstrated that pharmacological concentrations of biotin have therapeutic effects on MetS. The present study investigated the beneficial effects of prenatal biotin supplementation in a rat model of intrauterine caloric restriction to prevent cardiometabolic risk in adult female offspring fed fructose after weaning. Female rats were exposed to a control (C) diet or global caloric restriction (20%) (GCR), with biotin (GCRB) supplementation (2 mg/kg) during pregnancy. Female offspring were exposed to 20% fructose (F) in drinking water for 16 weeks after weaning (C, C/F, GCR/F, and GCRB/F). The study assessed various metabolic parameters including Lee's index, body weight, feed conversion ratio, caloric intake, glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, lipid profile, hepatic triglycerides, blood pressure, and arterial vasoconstriction. Results showed that GCR and GCRB dams had reduced weights compared to C dams. Offspring of GCRB/F and GCR/F dams had lower body weight and Lee's index than C/F offspring. Maternal biotin supplementation in the GCRB/F group significantly mitigated the adverse effects of fructose intake, including hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, hepatic steatosis, glucose and insulin resistance, hypertension, and arterial hyperresponsiveness. This study concludes that prenatal biotin supplementation can protect against cardiometabolic risk in adult female offspring exposed to postnatal fructose, highlighting its potential therapeutic benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractFructose consumption in pediatric subjects is rising, as the prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Despite increasing evidence supporting the detrimental effects of fructose in the development of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) and its related comorbidities, the association between fructose intake and liver disease remains unclear, mainly in youths. The current narrative review aims to illustrate the correlation between fructose metabolism and liver functions besides its impact on obesity and MASLD in pediatrics. Fructose metabolism is involved in the liver through the classical lipogenic pathway via de novo lipogenesis (DNL) or in the alternative pathway via uric acid accumulation. Hyperuricemia is one of the main features of MALSD patients, underlining how uric acid is growing interest as a new marker of disease. Observational and interventional studies conducted in children and adolescents, who consumed large amounts of fructose and glucose in their diet, were included. Most of these studies emphasized the association between high fructose intake and weight gain, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and MASLD/MASH, even in normal-weight children. Conversely, reducing fructose intake ameliorates liver fat accumulation, lipid profile, and weight. In conclusion, fructose seems a potent inducer of both insulin resistance and hepatic fat accumulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rise in food intolerances and celiac disease, along with advanced diagnostic techniques, has prompted health professionals to seek effective and economical testing methods. This study evaluates combining genetic tests with routine carbohydrate-absorption breath tests to classify patients with chronic gastrointestinal disorders into therapeutic groups, enhancing dietary management and improving gut health and quality of life. Forty-nine patients with suspected carbohydrate intolerance underwent genetic testing for lactase non-persistence, hereditary fructose intolerance, and celiac disease risk. Simultaneously, breath tests assessed lactose and fructose absorption. The lactase non-persistence genotype appeared in 36.7% of cases, with one hereditary fructose-intolerance case in a heterozygous condition. Celiac disease risk markers (HLA-DQ2/8 haplotypes) were found in 49.0% of the population. Secondary lactose and/or fructose malabsorption was present in 67.3% of patients, with 66.1% of lactase non-persistence individuals showing secondary lactose malabsorption. Fructose malabsorption was prevalent in 45.8% of patients at risk for celiac disease. Two main treatment groups were defined based on genetic results, indicating primary and irreversible gastrointestinal disorder causes, followed by a sub-classification using breath test results. Genetic testing is a valuable tool for designing dietary management plans, avoiding unnecessary diet restrictions, and reducing recovery times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glucose transporter 5 (GLUT5) overexpression has gained increasing attention due to its profound implications for tumorigenesis. This manuscript provides a comprehensive overview of the key findings and implications associated with GLUT5 overexpression in cancer. GLUT5 has been found to be upregulated in various cancer types, leading to alterations in fructose metabolism and enhanced glycolysis, even in the presence of oxygen, a hallmark of cancer cells. This metabolic shift provides cancer cells with an alternative energy source and contributes to their uncontrolled growth and survival. Beyond its metabolic roles, recent research has unveiled additional aspects of GLUT5 in cancer biology. GLUT5 overexpression appears to play a critical role in immune evasion mechanisms, which further worsens tumor progression and complicates therapeutic interventions. This dual role of GLUT5 in both metabolic reprogramming and immune modulation highlights its significance as a potential diagnostic marker and therapeutic target. Understanding the molecular mechanisms driving GLUT5 overexpression is crucial for developing targeted therapeutic strategies that can disrupt the unique vulnerabilities of GLUT5-overexpressing cancer cells. This review emphasizes the complexities surrounding GLUT5's involvement in cancer and underscores the pressing need for continued research to unlock its potential as a diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target, ultimately improving cancer management and patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uric acid is formed as a consequence of the catabolism of purine nucleotides. The removal of uric acid from the body is mainly carried out by the kidneys via urine and, to a lesser extent, by the intestinal tract via feces. Excretion and reabsorption of uric acid from the intestinal tract, and especially from the kidneys, are carried out by special transporters. Genetic variations in these carriers have been related to increased or decreased serum uric acid levels. Uric acid synthesis increases for various reasons that increase the destruction of purine nucleotides, causing serum uric acid levels to rise. Although hyperuricemia, with a mean serum uric acid level above 6.8 mg/dL, does not always cause gout, if hyperuricemia is not kept under control, it can result in gout; an inflammatory disease characterized by the crystallization of monosodium urate. As well as non-modifiable factors such as age and ethnicity; diet, which is one of the modifiable factors, can promote gout or recurrence of gout flare-ups. Excessive consumption of products with high fructose content can cause hyperuricemia and gout. In addition, the increase in uric acid resulting from excessive consumption of fructose, and overall and sustained high serum uric acid levels have been shown to cause various disorders that will give rise to metabolic syndrome. In this review, the interwoven relationships between hyperuricemia--an increase in serum uric acid levels--and the resulting gout, as well as metabolic syndrome, and the role excessive fructose consumption plays in these, have been investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES Pharmacological postconditioning can protect against myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion injury during cardiac surgery with extracorporeal circulation. The aim of this study was to observe the protective effects of fructose-1,6-bisphosphate (FDP) postconditioning on myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion injury in patients undergoing cardiac valve replacement with extracorporeal circulation. METHODS Patients undergoing elective mitral valve replacement and/or aortic valve replacement were divided into normal saline postconditioning group (NS group) and FDP postconditioning group (FDP group). The primary outcome was the plasma concentration of creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB). The secondary outcomes were the plasma concentrations of lactate dehydrogenase, CK, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, alpha-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase and cardiac troponin I, the spontaneous cardiac rhythm recovery profile, the extracorporeal circulation time and duration of surgery, intensive care unit and postoperative hospitalization. RESULTS Forty patients were randomly assigned to receive intervention and included in the analysis. The serum concentrations of CK-MB, lactate dehydrogenase, CK, cardiac troponin I, alpha-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein at T1∼4 were lower in the FDP group than in the NS group (P  <   0.001). Compared with the NS group, the dosage of dopamine administered 1–90 min after cardiac resuscitation, the spontaneous cardiac rhythm recovery time and the incidence of ventricular fibrillation were lower in the FDP group (P  <   0.001, P  <   0.001 and P  =   0.040, respectively). The values of ST- changes were increased more significantly in the NS group than in the FDP group (median [standard deviation] 1.3 [0.3] mm vs 0.7 [0.2] mm; P  <   0.001). Compared with the NS group, the time of recovery of ST-segment deviations was shorter in the FDP group (50.3 [12.3] min vs 34.6 [6.9] min; P  <   0.001). CONCLUSIONS The FDP postconditioning could improve both myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion injury and the spontaneous cardiac rhythm recovery during cardiac valve surgery with extracorporeal circulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Triokinase/FMN cyclase (Tkfc) is involved in fructose metabolism and is responsible for the phosphorylation of glyceraldehyde to glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate. In this study, we showed that refeeding induced hepatic expression of Tkfc in mice. Luciferase reporter gene assays using the Tkfc promoter revealed the existence of 2 hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α)-responsive elements (HNF4RE1 and HNF4RE2) and 1 carbohydrate-responsive element-binding protein (ChREBP)-responsive element (ChoRE1). Deletion and mutation of HNF4RE1 and HNF4RE2 or ChoRE1 abolished HNF4α and ChREBP responsiveness, respectively. HNF4α and ChREBP synergistically stimulated Tkfc promoter activity. ChoRE1 mutation attenuated but maintained HNF4α responsiveness, whereas HNF4RE1 and HNF4RE2 mutations abolished ChREBP responsiveness. Moreover, Tkfc promoter activity stimulation by ChREBP was attenuated upon HNF4α knockdown. Furthermore, Tkfc expression was decreased in the livers of ChREBP −/− and liver-specific HNF4 −/− (Hnf4α ΔHep) mice. Altogether, our data indicate that Tkfc is a target gene of ChREBP and HNF4α, and Tkfc promoter activity stimulation by ChREBP requires HNF4α. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The 'assimilates inhibition hypothesis' posits that accumulation of nonstructural carbohydrates (NSCs) in leaves reduces leaf net photosynthetic rate, thus internally regulating photosynthesis. Experimental work provides equivocal support mostly under controlled conditions without identifying a particular NSC as involved in the regulation.We combined 3‐yr in situ leaf gas exchange observations (natural dynamics) in the upper crown of mature Betula pendula simultaneously with measurements of concentrations of sucrose, hexoses (glucose and fructose), and starch, and similar measurements during several one‐day shoot girdling (perturbation dynamics). Leaf water potential and water and nitrogen content were measured to account for their possible contribution to photosynthesis regulation.Leaf photosynthetic capacity (A/Ci) was temporally negatively correlated with NSC accumulation under both natural and perturbation states. For developed leaves, leaf hexose concentration explained A/Ci variation better than environmental variables (temperature history and daylength); the opposite was observed for developing leaves.The weaker correlations between NSCs and A/Ci in developing leaves may reflect their strong internal sink strength for carbohydrates. By contrast, the strong decline in photosynthetic capacity with NSCs accumulation in mature leaves, observed most clearly with hexose, and even more tightly with its constituents, provides support for the role of assimilates in regulating photosynthesis under natural conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The impact of three food pasteurisation technologies, namely thermal, high‐pressure and ultra‐shear processing, on the metabolites of beetroot juice was evaluated using a processomics approach with nuclear mass resonance (NMR) as an analytical technique. Two batches of beetroots acquired from different local grocery stores were used for this study. Beetroot juice obtained from these batches was subjected to high‐pressure processing (HPP) at 600 MPa and 25 °C for 5 min, ultra‐shear technology processing (UST) at 400 MPa and 30 °C and thermal processing (TP) at 96 °C for 12 min. Principal component analysis (PCA) for the two batches indicated that both extrinsic factors such as processing parameters (temperature, pressure, shear and holding time) and intrinsic factors such as the origin of the beetroot influenced the PCA plot. When the influence of intrinsic parameters was minimised by studying a single batch processed by TP, HPP and UST, distinct clusters for different processing methods were formed, indicating that processing influenced the metabolites. While processing is not the main factor determining the final composition, as indicated by PCA with different batches, supervised techniques like orthogonal partial least‐squares discriminant analysis (OPLS‐DA) and random forest (RF) demonstrated that processing does impact the beetroot juice metabolome. Seven metabolites (leucine, alanine, valine, glutamine, gamma‐aminobutyric acid, fructose and glucose) were identified as potential process‐induced biomarkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insulin resistance, induced by high fructose consumption, affects cognitive function negatively. Nifedipine may be suggested for neurological disorders. This study aimed to assess the effect of nifedipine with either a normal diet (ND) or a ketogenic diet (KD) in cognitive dysfunction. Male Wistar rats received 10% fructose in drinking water for 8 weeks to induce insulin resistance. Rats received nifedipine (5.2 mg/kg/day; p.o.) later with ND or KD for an additional five weeks. One and two-way ANOVAs were used in analyzing the data. Reversion to the ND improved insulin resistance and lipid profile, besides brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK3β), and insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) levels. Rats fed KD alone and those that received nifedipine with KD did not show similar improvement in the previously mentioned parameters as the ND group. However, nifedipine-ND rats showed improvement in cognitive behavior and insulin resistance. Treatment with nifedipine-KD ameliorated GSK3β, amyloid β (Aβ), and tau protein levels. As the nifedipine-KD combination succeeded in diminishing the accumulated Aβ and tau protein, KD may be used for a while due to its side effects, then nifedipine treatment could be continued with an ND. This conclusion is based on the finding that this combination mitigated insulin resistance with the associated improved behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We investigate the role of galantamine on autonomic dysfunction associated with early cardiometabolic dysfunction in the offspring of fructose-overloaded rats. Methods: Wistar rats received fructose diluted in drinking water (10%) or water for 60 days prior to mating. Fructose overload was maintained until the end of lactation. The offspring (21 days after birth) of control and fructose-overloaded animals were divided into three groups: control (C), fructose (F) and fructose + galantamine (GAL). GAL (5 mg/kg) was administered orally until the offspring were 51 days old. Metabolic, hemodynamic and cardiovascular autonomic modulation were evaluated. Results: The F group showed decreased insulin tolerance (KITT) compared to the C and GAL groups. The F group, in comparison to the C group, had increased arterial blood pressure, heart rate and sympathovagal balance (LF/HF ratio) and a low-frequency band of systolic arterial pressure (LF-SAP). The GAL group, in comparison to the F group, showed increased vagally mediated RMSSD index, a high-frequency band (HF-PI) and decreased LF/HF ratio and variance in SAP (VAR-SAP) and LF-SAP. Correlations were found between HF-PI and KITT (r = 0.60), heart rate (r = −0.65) and MAP (r = −0.71). Conclusions: GAL treatment significantly improved cardiovascular autonomic modulation, which was associated with the amelioration of cardiometabolic dysfunction in offspring of parents exposed to chronic fructose consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fructose bisphosphate aldolases (FBAs) catalyze the reversible cleavage of fructose 1,6‐bisphosphate into dihydroxyacetone phosphate and glyceraldehyde 3‐phosphate. We analyzed two previously uncharacterized cytosolic Arabidopsis FBAs, AtFBA4 and AtFBA5. Based on a recent report, we examined the interaction of AtFBA4 with calmodulin (CaM)‐like protein 11 (AtCML11). AtFBA4 did not bind AtCML11; however, we found that CaM bound AtFBA5 in a Ca2+‐dependent manner with high specificity and affinity (KD ~ 190 nm) and enhanced its stability. AtFBA4 and AtFBA5 exhibited Michaelis–Menten kinetics with Km and Vmax values of 180 μm and 4.9 U·mg−1 for AtFBA4, and 6.0 μm and 0.30 U·mg−1 for AtFBA5, respectively. The flavonoid morin inhibited both isozymes. Our study suggests that Ca2+ signaling and flavanols may influence plant glycolysis/gluconeogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work proposes catalytic systems for fructose dehydration to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural using a series of functionalized carbon nanofibers. The catalysts were synthesized via finely selected covalent grafting in order to include a variety of functionalities like pure Bronsted acid, tandem Brønsted/Lewis acid, and tandem Lewis acid/Lewis base catalysts. After the characterization and evaluation of acidity strength and the amount of acid centers, the catalyst series was screened and related to the product distribution. The best-performing catalyst was also used to optimize the reaction parameters in order to achieve 5-hydroxymethylfurfural yields rounding at 60% without significant humin formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sex differences may play a role in the etiopathogenesis and severity of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), a disorder characterized by excessive fat accumulation associated with increased inflammation and oxidative stress. We previously observed the development of steatosis specifically in female rats fed a high-fat diet enriched with liquid fructose (HFHFr) for 12 weeks. The aim of this study was to better characterize the observed sex differences by focusing on the antioxidant and cytoprotective pathways related to the KEAP1/NRF2 axis. The KEAP1/NRF2 signaling pathway, autophagy process (LC3B and LAMP2), and endoplasmic reticulum stress response (XBP1) were analyzed in liver homogenates in male and female rats that were fed a 12-week HFHFr diet. In females, the HFHFr diet resulted in the initial activation of the KEAP1/NRF2 pathway, which was not followed by the modulation of downstream molecular targets; this was possibly due to the increase in KEAP1 levels preventing the nuclear translocation of NRF2 despite its cytosolic increase. Interestingly, while in both sexes the HFHFr diet resulted in an increase in the levels of LC3BII/LC3BI, a marker of autophagosome formation, only males showed a significant upregulation of LAMP2 and XBP1s; this did not occur in females, suggesting impaired autophagic flux in this sex. Overall, our results suggest that males are characterized by a greater ability to cope with an HFHFr metabolic stimulus mainly through an autophagic-mediated proteostatic process while in females, this is impaired. This might depend at least in part upon the fine modulation of the cytoprotective and antioxidant KEAP1/NRF2 pathway resulting in sex differences in the occurrence and severity of MASLD. These results should be considered to design effective therapeutics for MASLD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND RESULTS CONCLUSION The Maillard reaction involves the interaction of various amino acids and reducing sugars, resulting in food browning. It often produces appealing aromas and flavors. The complexities of the reaction are such that it can be challenging to identify the often numerous and frequently volatile products formed by it. In the present study, we sought to identify and evaluate an unusual product with anti‐oxidant activity arising from a fructose‐histidine Maillard reaction model. The anti‐oxidant profile of this product was assessed by computational means.The fructose‐histidine Maillard reaction products (FH‐MRPs) were generated by heating a 2:1 mixture of the sugar and the amino acid at 140 °C for 2 h. Chromatographically separable fractions, labelled DM‐1 to DM‐8, were obtained using silica gel as the stationary phase and dichloromethane/methanol (DCM/MeOH) mixtures as the mobile one. Fraction DM‐5 exhibited the highest 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, and further bio‐assay guided fractionation led to isolation and identification of 1‐(1H‐imidazo[4,5‐c]pyridin‐4‐yl)ethenone (IMPE) as the active principal, the structure of which was established by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic and mass spectral techniques. A mechanism for the formation of IMPE from its precursors is proposed. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggest this novel heterocyclic compound exerts its anti‐oxidant effects by interacting with DPPH and 2,2'‐Azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radicals. Essentially, IMPE was non‐toxic below 300 ug mL−1, showing a concentration‐dependent free radical clearance capacity and reducing power within the 100–1000 μg mL−1 range, and moreover, exhibiting significant Fe2+ chelating abilities wihin the 50‐200 μg mL−1 range.This study identified the unique FH‐MRP, IMPE, and found that it acts as food antioxidant through the chelation of metal ions. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined the optimization feasibility of frying conditions at 3 phases to produce crisp fried parsnip slices. In the first phase, the time of ultrasound-assisted osmotic dehydration, time of pre-drying by microwave, and frying pressure were considered as response-affecting factors and Taguchi technique effectively used in analyzing multiple parameters. The impact of process parameters (frying time, thermal driving force, & slice thickness) over the quality fried features parsnip slices (crispness, oil uptake, & optical features) was examined in the second phase. Cooling was performed in different conditions in the third phase. The vacuum frying's optimal condition to produce fried parsnip slices was determined (parsnip slice thickness of 4.553 mm, ultrasound-assisted osmotic dehydration (immersed for 60 min in fructose solution), frying at 56.273 °C thermal driving force (146.2 °C) for 2.746 min at 70.1 frying pressure (kPa), & removing surface oil by centrifuging at 1200 rpm for 4 min). In this setting, the breaking force, oil uptake, and total color difference were predicted to be 12.217 %, 21.524 N, and 13.394, respectively. The impact of optimum frying conditions on the frying kinetics of parsnip slices was investigated. According to the findings, the model of Midilli et al. was considered the best. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In multicellular organisms, stem cells are impacted by microenvironmental resources such as nutrient availability and oxygen tension for their survival, growth, and differentiation. However, the accessibility of these resources in the pericellular environment greatly varies from organ to organ. This divergence in resource availability leads to variations in the potency and differentiation potential of stem cells. This study aimed to explore the distinct effects of glucose and fructose, as well as different oxygen tensions, on the growth dynamics, cytokine production, and differentiation of stem cells. We showed that replacing glucose with fructose subjected stem cells to stress, resulting in increased Hif1α expression and stability, which in turn led to a reduction in cell proliferation, and alterations in cytokine production. However, fructose failed to induce differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) as well as mouse fibroblasts into mature adipocytes compared to glucose, despite the upregulation of key markers of adipogenesis, including C/EBPβ, and PPARγ. Conversely, we showed that fructose induced undifferentiated mouse fibroblasts to release cytokines associated with senescence, including IL1α1, IL6, IL8, MCP1, and TNF1α, suggesting that these cells were undergoing lipolysis. Taken together, our results suggest that altering the culture conditions through changes in hexose levels and oxygen tension places considerable stress on stem cells. Additional research is required to further characterize the mechanisms governing stem cell response to their microenvironments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to develop a fermented pistachio beverage as a plant-based alternative to milk-based drinks. For this purpose, a colloidal mill was used to finely grind and homogenize the pistachios to obtain a homogeneous consistency and prevent sedimentation. In addition, lactic acid bacteria fermentation was used to develop unique flavours and characteristics in the final product and to achieve microbiological stability for up to 30 days of storage a 4 °C. The formulated beverages were evaluated for chemical–physical characteristics (pH, organic acid production, and fructose, sucrose, and glucose content), nutritional profile (proximate composition, amino acid and GABA content), and volatile organic composition by HS-SPME-GC/MS analysis. The pistachio-based beverages were characterized by a good source of protein, fat, fiber, and minerals (mainly K and P). The colloidal mill contributed to creating a homogeneous texture and to making the nutrients readily available to the starter microorganisms, which reached concentrations above 108 ufc/mL in the final products. The beverages were characterized by pronounced acidity and some by the presence of acetoin and 2,3-butanedione, volatile components associated with a yogurt- or kefir-like aroma. This innovative approach provides an alternative to traditional milk-based beverages and highlights the role of LAB in the development of nutritious and attractive plant-based beverages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allulose is a rare sugar that provides <10% of the energy but 70% of the sweetness of sucrose. Allulose has been shown to attenuate glycemic responses to carbohydrate-containing foods in vivo. This study aimed to determine the optimal allulose dose for minimizing in vitro glucose release from rice compared to a rice control and fructose. A triphasic static in vitro digestion method was used to evaluate the in vitro digestion of a rice control compared to the co-digestion of rice with allulose (10 g, 20 g, and 40 g) and fructose (40 g). In vitro glucose release was affected by treatment (p < 0.001), time (p < 0.001), and treatment-by-time interaction (p = 0.002). Allulose (40 g) resulted in a reduction in in vitro glucose release from rice alone and rice digested with allulose (10 g), allulose (20 g), and fructose. The incremental area under the curve (iAUC) for in vitro glucose release was lower after allulose (40 g) (p = 0.005) compared to rice control and allulose (10 g) but did not differ from allulose (20 g) or fructose. This study demonstrates that allulose reduces glucose release from carbohydrates, particularly at higher doses, underscoring its potential as a food ingredient with functional benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: The elapsed times to deplete starch concentrations and to reach a null hydraulic safety margin were related to tree seedling mortality under experimental drought. Starch concentration showed an accelerated decline across all species during the early stages of dehydration, while the concentrations of soluble sugars and total nonstructural carbohydrates remained stable. Concomitant carbohydrate depletion and hydraulic failure drive seedling mortality under drought. Context: Current upsurges of drought events are provoking impacts on tree physiology, resulting in forest mortality. Hydraulic dysfunction and nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) depletion have been posited as the main mechanisms leading to plant mortality under drought. Aims: This study explores the dynamics of the two mortality-inducing processes during drought stress using an experimental approach with 12 evergreen tree species. Methods: Seedlings were subjected to drought until 100% mortality was observed. Midday (ΨMD) and predawn (ΨPD) water potentials, xylem pressure leading to a 50% loss of hydraulic conductivity (Ψ50), along with NSC concentrations in different organs (leaves, stems, and roots) were measured regularly during drought. Results: Total NSC concentrations and soluble sugar pools did not decline during drought. However, starch pools showed strong reductions early during drought stress as ΨPD decreased, and the time leading to starch depletion emerged as a strong mortality predictor. Ψ50 alone did not provide an accurate estimate of mortality, while the elapsed time to reach a null hydraulic safety margin (ΨMD—Ψ50 = 0) was related to seedling mortality. Conclusion: Adopting a dynamic approach by estimating the times to consume both starch reserves and hydraulic safety margins is highly relevant to improve predictions of tree mortality under the current context of increasing global drought. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Avocado fruits are considered unusual because of the large amounts of oil and seven-carbon (7-C) carbohydrates (mannoheptulose and perseitol) in the fruit's flesh and skin. The fruit may be held on the tree unripe until required for marketing, and in some producing regions, this may extend past the next flowering period. This prolonged period on the tree is associated with increased oil content and decreased 7-C carbohydrates. There has been relatively less research into soluble hexose sugars and starch. In this research, the inter-relationships between fruit maturation, storage, and ripening have been investigated for both 7-C and six-carbon non-structural carbohydrates using 'Hass' fruit harvested from the same trees between 11 and 14 months after flowering. Significant differences were identified in both fruit flesh and skin for most compounds, affected by maturity, storage, and ripening. It is concluded that the non-structural carbohydrate composition of 'Hass' fruit is variable, with significant changes occurring associated with maturation, storage, and ripening. The compositions of the flesh and skin tissues are not consistently proportionate. Maturation provides the initial baseline composition from which any further change through storage or ripening can occur. The changes with maturation appear to be associated with the tree's phenology, with tree-to-tree differences in the timing or degree of change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of tools to quickly identify the fate of damaged trees after a stress event such as a wildfire is of great importance. In this context, an innovative approach to assess irreversible physiological damage in trees could help to support the planning of management decisions for disturbed sites to restore biodiversity, protect the environment and understand the adaptations of ecosystem functionality. The vitality of trees can be estimated by several physiological indicators, such as cambium activity and the amount of starch and soluble sugars, while the accumulation of ethanol in the cambial cells and phloem is considered an alarm sign of cell death. However, their determination requires time-consuming laboratory protocols, making the approach impractical in the field. Biosensors hold considerable promise for substantially advancing this field. The general objective of this review is to define a system for quantifying the plant vitality in forest areas exposed to fire. This review describes recent electrochemical biosensors that can detect plant molecules, focusing on biosensors for glucose, fructose, and ethanol as indicators of tree vitality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Methods Results Conclusions To evaluate the effects of bariatric arterial embolization (BAE) on gastric emptying of, and the glycaemic response to, an oral glucose load in an obese canine model with impaired glucose tolerance.Eleven male dogs were fed a high‐fat, high‐fructose diet for 7 weeks before receiving BAE, which involved selective embolization of the left gastric artery (n = 5; 14.9 ± 0.8 kg), or the sham (n = 6; 12.6 ± 0.8 kg) procedure. Postprocedural body weight was measured weekly for 4 weeks. Prior to and at 4 weeks postprocedure, a glucose solution containing 13C‐acetate was administered orally for evaluation of the gastric half‐emptying time (T50) and the glycaemic response. The relationship between the changes in the blood glucose area under the curve over the first 60 minutes (AUC0‐60min) and the T50 was also assessed.At 4 weeks postprocedure, BAE reduced body weight (BAE vs. the sham procedure: −5.7% ± 0.9% vs. 3.5% ± 0.9%, P < .001), slowed gastric emptying (T50 at baseline vs. postprocedure: 75.5 ± 2.0 vs. 82.5 ± 1.8 minutes, P = .021 in the BAE group; 73.8 ± 1.8 vs. 74.3 ± 1.9 minutes in the sham group) and lowered the glycaemic response to oral glucose (AUC0‐60min at baseline vs. postprocedure: 99.2 ± 13.7 vs. 67.6 ± 9.8 mmol·min/L, P = .043 in the BAE group; 100.2 ± 13.4 vs. 103.9 ± 14.6 mmol·min/L in the sham group). The change in the glucose AUC0‐60min correlated inversely with that of the T50 (r = −0.711; P = .014).In a canine model with impaired glucose tolerance, BAE, while reducing body weight, slowed gastric emptying and attenuated the glycaemic response to an oral glucose load. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The black/white heart disease mortality disparity began increasing in the early 1980's, coincident with the switch from sucrose to high-fructose-corn-syrup/(HFCS) in the US food supply. There has been more fructose in HFCS than generally-recognized-as-safe/GRAS, which has contributed to unprecedented excess-free-fructose/(unpaired-fructose) in foods/beverages. Average- per-capita excess-free-fructose, from HFCS, began exceeding dosages/(5-10 g) that trigger fructose-malabsorption in the early 1980's. Fructose malabsorption contributes to gut-dysbiosis and gut-in-situ-fructosylation of dietary peptides/incretins/(GLP-1/GIP) which forms atherosclerotic advanced-glycation-end-products. Both dysregulate gut endocrine function and are risk factors for cardiovascular disease/(CVD). Limited research shows that African Americans have higher fructose malabsorption prevalence than others. CVD risk begins early in life. Methods: Coronary-Artery-Risk-Development-in-Adults/(CARDIA) study data beginning in 1985–86 with 2186 Black and 2277 White participants, aged 18–30 y, were used to test the hypothesis that HFCS sweetened beverage intake increases CVD risk/incidence, more among Black than White young adults, and at lower intakes; while orange juice-a low excess-free-fructose juice with comparable total sugars and total fructose, but a 1:1 fructose-to-glucose-ratio, i.e., low excess-free-fructose, does not. Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate hazard ratios. Results: HFCS sweetened beverage intake was associated with higher CVD risk (HR = 1.7) than smoking (HR = 1.6). CVD risk was higher at lower HFCS sweetened beverage intake among Black than White participants. Intake, as low as 3 times/wk, was associated with twice the CVD risk vs. less frequent/never, among Black participants only (HR 2.1, 95% CI 1.2–3.7; P = 0.013). Probability of an ordered relationship approached significance. Among Black participants, CVD incidence jumped 62% from 59.8/1000, among ≤ 2-times/wk, to 96.9/1000 among 3–6 times/wk consumers. Among White participants, CVD incidence increased from 37.6/1000, among ≤ 1.5-times/wk, to 41.1/1000, among 2 times/wk–once/d – a 9% increase. Hypertension was highest among Black daily HFCS sweetened beverage consumers. Conclusion: The ubiquitous presence of HFCS over-the-past-40 years, at higher fructose-to-glucose ratios than generally-recognized-as-safe, may have contributed to CVD racial disparities, due to higher fructose-malabsorption prevalence among Black individuals, unpaired/excess-free-fructose induced gut dysbiosis and gut fructosylation of dietary peptides/incretins (GLP-1/GIP). These disturbances contribute to atherosclerotic plaque; promote incretin insufficiency/dysregulation/altered satiety/dysglycemia; decrease protective microbiota metabolites; and increase hypertension, CVD morbidity and mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metabolic regulation occurs through precise control of enzyme activity. Allomorphy is a post-translational fine control mechanism where the catalytic rate is governed by a conformational switch that shifts the enzyme population between forms with different activities. β-Phosphoglucomutase (βPGM) uses allomorphy in the catalysis of isomerisation of β-glucose 1-phosphate to glucose 6-phosphate via β-glucose 1,6-bisphosphate. Herein, we describe structural and biophysical approaches to reveal its allomorphic regulatory mechanism. Binding of the full allomorphic activator β-glucose 1,6-bisphosphate stimulates enzyme closure, progressing through NAC I and NAC III conformers. Prior to phosphoryl transfer, loops positioned on the cap and core domains are brought into close proximity, modulating the environment of a key proline residue. Hence accelerated isomerisation, likely via a twisted anti/C4-endo transition state, leads to the rapid predominance of active cis-P βPGM. In contrast, binding of the partial allomorphic activator fructose 1,6-bisphosphate arrests βPGM at a NAC I conformation and phosphoryl transfer to both cis-P βPGM and trans-P βPGM occurs slowly. Thus, allomorphy allows a rapid response to changes in food supply while not otherwise impacting substantially on levels of important metabolites. A structural study shows that the enzyme βPGM uses an allomorphically controlled switch that accelerates proline isomerisation to alleviate the wastage of valuable metabolites while allowing the organism to react quickly to changes in food supply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the positive feed-forward regulatory mechanism of nitrate uptake by rice, its responses to various light and carbohydrates were compared. In order to measure nitrate uptake in real time, the non-invasive method was used. The results showed that net nitrate uptake increased in the light and decreased in the dark, and finally reached a steady state after about 5 h. Based on it, carbohydrates effects could be investigated without considering light effects. After sucrose addition for 2 h, net nitrate uptake increased by about 80% without a lag, while glucose, fructose and raffinose had a slight effect with a lag and other sugars had no effect. It provided an evidence that sucrose was a positive feed-forward signal molecule of nitrate uptake by rice roots. To further analyze the effect of sucrose on the expression of high affinity nitrate transporter genes OsNRT2.1, OsNRT2.2, OsNRT2.3a and OsNRT2.3b, qRT-PCR was used to further verify after treated with 10 mM sucrose. The results revealed that these genes expression was immediately up-regulated, which indicated that these genes were post transcriptionally regulated. Further, 15N exchange dynamics analyzed N transport. It is benefit for increasing nitrate uptake by rice and improving its yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Due to an inhibited tryptophan resorption, patients with fructose malabsorption are expected to experience decreased serotonin synthesis. A deficiency of serotonin may cause internalizing mental disorders like depression and anxiety, and a fructose-oriented eating behavior may affect these symptoms. Methods: The parents of 24 children and adolescents with a currently diagnosed fructose malabsorption aged 4;00–13;02  years (M  =  8.10, SD  =  2.05), the parents of 12 patients with a currently confirmed combination of fructose and lactose malabsorption aged 4;00–12;11  years (M  =  8.07, SD  =  2.11) and the parents of a comparative sample of 19 healthy participants aged 5;00 to 17;07  years (M  =  9.06, SD  =  3.04) were interviewed. The interviews were conducted using a screening questionnaire of the German “Diagnostic System of Mental Disorders in children and adolescents based on the ICD-10 and DSM-5 DISYPS-III” and a self-developed questionnaire on eating, leisure and sleeping behavior. Results: On standardized scales parents of children with fructose malabsorption reported higher levels of Depression compared to symptoms of Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorders (ADHD) and Oppositional Defiant and Conduct Disorders (ODD/CD). Compared to healthy controls, for patients with fructose malabsorption, higher symptom levels of Depression and Anxiety were reported. With regard to eating behavior, within the group with a combination of fructose and lactose malabsorption, a strong positive association between an increased fruit sugar consumption and higher levels of Anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders/Tics were found. Discussion: These results suggest a close association between fructose malabsorption and elevated internalizing psychological symptoms in children and adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase (FBA) gene family exists in higher plants, with the genes of this family playing significant roles in plant growth and development, as well as response to abiotic stresses. However, systematic reports on the FBA gene family and its functions in cucumber are lacking. In this study, we identified five cucumber FBA genes, named CsFBA1-5, that are distributed randomly across chromosomes. Phylogenetic analyses involving these cucumber FBAs, alongside eight Arabidopsis FBA proteins and eight tomato FBA proteins, were conducted to assess their homology. The CsFBAs were grouped into two clades. We also analyzed the physicochemical properties, motif composition, and gene structure of the cucumber FBAs. This analysis highlighted differences in the physicochemical properties and revealed highly conserved domains within the CsFBA family. Additionally, to explore the evolutionary relationships of the CsFBA family further, we constructed comparative syntenic maps with Arabidopsis and tomato, which showed high homology but only one segmental duplication event within the cucumber genome. Expression profiles indicated that the CsFBA gene family is responsive to various abiotic stresses, including low temperature, heat, and salt. Taken together, the results of this study provide a theoretical foundation for understanding the evolution of and future research into the functional characterization of cucumber FBA genes during plant growth and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quality of black/red currant products, which are valuable components of a healthy diet, depends on many aspects, e.g., natural variability, climatic conditions, degree of ripeness, processing technology, and recipe. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of the harvest year (2020 and 2021) and different processes (with or without prepress enzymatic treatment) on the chemical composition of 38 laboratory-prepared black/red currant (BC/RC) juices and to compare them with 19 selected commercial products, using 20 compositional and quality markers. Significant differences (p < 0.01) were observed for BC in sucrose, Dp-3-glu, and Cy-3-glu content within the different processes, as well as fructose and ascorbic acid content within the harvest year (p < 0.05). The greatest differences between BC and RC juices were observed in ascorbic acid content (1567 mg/kg in BC and 261 mg/kg in RC), citric acid content (34.6 g/kg in BC and 23.2 g/kg in RC), and in the anthocyanin profile. The major anthocyanins of the currant products were identified as Dp-3-rut (39.1–50.4%), Cy-3-rut (30.1–39.1%), Cy-3-glu (3.6–18.2%), and Dp-3-glu (9.4–13.5%) in BC and Cy-3-glu (59.3–67.2%) and Cy-3-rut (14.2–19.8%) in RC. The chemical composition of commercial products was found to be highly variable and dependent on the recipe used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In MASLD (formerly called NAFLD) mouse models, oversupply of dietary fat and sugar is more lipogenic than either nutrient alone. Fatty acids suppress de novo lipogenesis (DNL) from sugars, while DNL inhibits fatty acid oxidation. How such factors interact to impact hepatic triglyceride levels are incompletely understood. Methods: Using deuterated water, we measured DNL in mice fed 18-weeks with standard chow (SC), SC supplemented with 55/45-fructose/glucose in the drinking water at 30% (w/v) (HS), high-fat chow (HF), and HF with HS supplementation (HFHS). Liver glycogen levels and its sources were also measured. For HS and HFHS mice, pentose phosphate (PP) fluxes and fructose contributions to DNL and glycogen were measured using [U-13C]fructose. Results: The lipogenic diets caused significantly higher liver triglyceride levels compared to SC. DNL rates were suppressed in HF compared to SC and were partially restored in HFHS but supplied a minority of the additional triglyceride in HFHS compared to HF. Fructose contributed a significantly greater fraction of newly synthesized saturated fatty acids compared to oleic acid in both HS and HFHS. Glycogen levels were not different between diets, but significant differences in Direct and Indirect pathway contributions to glycogen synthesis were found. PP fluxes were similar in HS and HFHS mice and were insufficient to account for DNL reducing equivalents. Conclusions: Despite amplifying the lipogenic effects of fat, the fact that sugar-activated DNL per se barely contributes suggests that its role is likely more relevant in the inhibition of fatty acid oxidation. Fructose promotes lipogenesis of saturated over unsaturated fatty acids and contributes to maintenance of glycogen levels. PP fluxes associated with sugar conversion to fat account for a minor fraction of DNL reducing equivalents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]