搜索结果：International journal of food science

The objective of this research was to develop a 3-D coupled electromagnetics, heat transfer, and mass transfer model for transient microwave heating of chilled ready-to-eat (RTE) foods. The effect of power level, multi compartment plastic tray design, and placement angle on the temperature and moisture distributions and the rate of heating were predicted. Then, the energy and the exergy in microwave heating system were analyzed in detail. The model was validated for heating 150 g of steamed rice and 80 g of steamed chicken breast within multi compartment plastic tray for 60 s in 800 W microwave oven on a no turntable. The spatial variation of the top surface temperatures of the chilled RTE foods were captured by an infrared camera, the transient temperatures at eight locations recorded using k type thermocouple sensors. The temperature distribution during heating all showed good agreement with the simulation results. The difference rate of temperature rise (RTR) values between experimental and simulation data were 0.40°C/s-0.57°C/s (for steamed rice) and 0.07°C/s-0.42°C/s (for steamed chicken breast). Results illustrated that the developed model comprehensively explained the phenomena during the microwave heating of chilled RTE foods. The optimum study conditions had the maximum heating efficiency of 1300 W, foods in tray A1, and placement angle of 135°. Additionally, it was found that the multi compartment tray design becomes the most influencing factor to increase exergy efficiency. These findings will contribute to the development of more efficient heating protocols and improved design of microwave heating systems for RTE food applications.

Given the positive correlation between the rise in farmers' markets and foodborne illness cases, it is crucial to assess the impact of personal protective equipment (PPE) use during the COVID-19 pandemic on food microbial quality. This study is aimed at determining the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles of potential foodborne pathogens in a diverse range of food products obtained from farmers' markets in Central Virginia during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 740 food samples, comprising eight fresh produce types and four animal-derived products, were randomly collected in duplicate from 15 registered farmers' markets in Central Virginia (within a 50-km radius of Virginia State University) between August 2020 and December 2021. The samples represented products from 76 farm operations. Campylobacter, E. coli, Listeria, and Salmonella were detected in the samples at 1.5%, 19.2%, 7.3%, and 0.8%. Compared with the previous findings between March-November 2017 (prepandemic), Campylobacter and Listeria prevalence decreased by about 3.6% and 5.5%, whereas E. coli and Salmonella increased by 1.7% and 0.3%. Resistance to ampicillin, streptomycin, nalidixic acid, and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid was most common in 90.9% Campylobacter, 50.4% E. coli, 90.9% Listeria, and 66.7% Salmonella isolates, respectively. Overall, resistance to streptomycin was the most prevalent, seen in 48.8% of isolates, and about 7% exhibited multidrug resistance (MDR). None of the tested antimicrobials was universally effective against all bacterial species. Despite compliance with PPE protocols by vendors and consumers during the pandemic, foodborne pathogens with AMR continue to be detected in food commodities, highlighting the importance of ongoing research and education to address these issues and promote the safe development of farmers' markets.

The 2023 iteration of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) estimated prevalence, incidence, and health burden for 375 diseases and injuries, including 12 mental disorders. We assess past, current, and emerging trends in the prevalence and burden of mental disorders across sexes and age groups, for 21 regions, 204 countries and territories, and by Socio-demographic Index (SDI) quintile, from 1990 to 2023. Mental disorders included in GBD 2023 were anxiety disorders, major depressive disorder, dysthymia, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorders, conduct disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, idiopathic developmental intellectual disability, and a residual category of other mental disorders. A literature review identified epidemiological data for each disorder. These were analysed via a Bayesian meta-regression to estimate prevalence by disorder, sex, age, location, and year. Disorder-specific prevalence was multiplied by disability weights representing the severity of health loss associated with each disorder to estimate years lived with disability (YLDs). Deaths due to anorexia nervosa were assessed with a Cause of Death Ensemble modelling strategy to estimate deaths by sex, age, location, and year, and then multiplied by the standard life expectancy at age of death to estimate years of life lost (YLLs). YLDs equalled disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) for all mental disorders except anorexia nervosa (the only mental disorder considered as an underlying cause of death in GBD), for which DALYs represented the sum of YLDs and YLLs. We presented prevalence, deaths, YLDs, YLLs, and DALYs as counts, age-specific rates per 100 000 population, and age-standardised rates per 100 000 population. We estimated 1·17 billion (95% uncertainty interval 1·06-1·31) prevalent cases of mental disorders globally in 2023, equivalent to an age-standardised prevalence rate of 14 210·7 cases (12 849·5-15 940·1) per 100 000 population. These estimates represented a 95·5% (75·0-121·2) increase in prevalent cases and 24·2% (11·4-41·4) increase in age-standardised prevalence rate between 1990 and 2023. All mental disorders showed increases in prevalent cases between 1990 and 2023, while notable increases were seen in age-standardised prevalence rates for anxiety disorders, major depressive disorder, dysthymia, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, schizophrenia, and conduct disorder. There were an estimated 171 million (127-228) DALYs due to mental disorders globally across sex and age in 2023, equivalent to an age-standardised DALY rate of 2070·5 DALYs (1519·1-2750·5) per 100 000 population. Mental disorders contributed to 6·1% (4·8-7·6) of all-cause DALYs in 2023, making them the fifth leading cause of global DALYs (up from 12th in 1990). DALYs were almost entirely composed of YLDs. Mental disorders were the leading cause of YLDs in 2023 (up from second in 1990), explaining 17·3% (14·8-20·6) of all-cause global YLDs. Leading causes of mental disorder DALYs were anxiety disorders (ranked 11th among the 304 diseases and injuries at Level 4 of the GBD cause hierarchy), major depressive disorder (15th), and schizophrenia (41st). Globally in 2023, mental disorder age-standardised DALY rates were higher among females (2239·6 [1643·7-3014·1] per 100 000) than among males (1900·2 [1399·8-2510·8] per 100 000), and peaked in the 15-19 years age group (2617·3 [1850·6-3696·8] per 100 000). All locations showed increased mental disorder DALY rates in 2023 compared with 1990, ranging across countries and territories from 1302·4 (952·7-1683·7) per 100 000 in Viet Nam to 3555·8 (2661·9-4715·0) per 100 000 in the Netherlands. Across SDI quintiles, DALY rates ranged from 1853·0 (1352·1-2469·3) per 100 000 for middle SDI to 2184·1 (1606·1-2890·3) per 100 000 for high SDI. A significant health burden was imposed by mental disorders in all countries and territories in 2023, irrespective of the health resources available. In some instances, this burden has increased over time and is unevenly distributed across populations. Stronger surveillance systems, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries, are required. Additionally, we need more coordinated and inclusive policies to reduce the burden through early treatment and prevention, tailored to sex and age differences across locations. Responding to the mental health needs of our global population, especially those most vulnerable, is an obligation, not a choice. Gates Foundation, Queensland Health, and University of Queensland.

The introduction of food milling machines has accelerated food processing, improved time efficiency, and reduced processing costs. Although food safety remains a crucial public health issue, concerns have been raised about potential microbial contamination of these machines due to unhygienic practices in the working environment and on the equipment, which can ultimately contaminate food products. This research is aimed at assessing the microbial contamination, hygienic practices, and antimicrobial resistance patterns associated with food milling machines in Somanya, Yilo Krobo Municipality, in the Eastern Region of Ghana. We employed a descriptive cross-sectional design, with sampling conducted from food milling machines in selected areas of Somanya. A total of 129 bacterial species, classified into six (6) groups, were identified using MALDI-TOF. The most prevalent species identified included Klebsiella spp. (41.86%), Enterobacter spp. (23.25%), Acinetobacter spp. (10.08%), Escherichia coli (8.53%), Salmonella spp. (1.55%), and other species (14.73%). The average bacterial load and coliform count in the swab suspensions were 2.7938 × 106 and 2.3709 × 106 CFU/mL, respectively. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing showed high resistance to ampicillin among Enterobacter spp., Klebsiella spp., E. coli, and Acinetobacter spp., while no isolate was resistant to amikacin. The study identified several bacterial species whose presence around these machines raises concerns about hygiene and sanitary practices, calling for stringent hygiene and sanitation regulations among operators and across machines in Somanya, Ghana.

Catechol, a prevalent phenolic pollutant in food products, poses a significant threat to food safety, necessitating the development of rapid and sensitive detection methods. To overcome the limitations of conventional analytical techniques, such as expensive equipment and operational complexity, electrochemical sensors have gained considerable attention owing to their rapid response and facile miniaturization. However, the rational design of sensing materials that exhibit both high sensitivity and selectivity remains a significant challenge. Herein, a series of PdCu bimetallic nanoparticles supported on reduced graphene oxide (PdCu@rGO) composites with varying Pd/Cu molar ratios was synthesized via a one-step liquid-phase reduction method. Owing to the synergistic electronic effects between Pd and Cu and the high electrical conductivity of the rGO support, the resulting nanocomposites exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity toward catechol oxidation. At the optimal Pd/Cu molar ratio of 1:2, the fabricated Pd1Cu2@rGO/SPE sensor demonstrated a broad linear range of 0.5-500 μM, a low limit of detection of 200 nM (S/N = 3), good repeatability (RSD = 4.9%), and robust anti-interference capability. Furthermore, the proposed sensor was successfully applied to the detection of catechol in spiked green tea and fruit juice samples without complex pretreatment, achieving satisfactory recoveries of 91.0-101.4% and 98.6-104.8%, respectively. This work provides a reliable platform for the rapid, on-site screening of catechol in food matrices and offers valuable experimental insights into the rational design of bimetallic alloy-graphene heterostructures.

The absence of a World Health Organization (WHO) international standard for Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) nucleic acid testing has long impeded the comparability of diagnostic results across different assays and platforms. To address this critical gap in quality assurance, we developed and rigorously characterized a national reference material system consisting of a quantified standard and a validation panel for CHIKV molecular detection. These materials were developed using intact, inactivated CHIKV particles to closely mimic clinical extraction and amplification. The assigned value of the standard was determined through a robust multi-laboratory study using eight digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR) platforms, yielding a traceable concentration of 7.60 &#xb1; 0.14 log10 copies/mL (k = 2). Extensive evaluation using nine kits demonstrated 100% concordance for both positive and negative samples. The materials exhibited excellent repeatability (coefficient of variation, CV <5%) and consistent detectability (&#x2265;95% positivity rate) at the claimed limit of detection across all kits. In summary, this study developed a well-characterized reference material system to support the standardization, development, and quality control of CHIKV nucleic acid assays. The availability of this reference material system addresses a longstanding limitation of results across different platforms and geographical regions. Their implementation is expected to facilitate assay optimization and improve the consistency of surveillance data, thereby strengthening preparedness and the accurate identification of cases, especially in non-endemic areas at risk of importation.IMPORTANCEThe absence of a World Health Organization (WHO) international standard for Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) nucleic acid testing has long compromised result comparability and global outbreak response. Here, we established a national reference material system derived from intact, inactivated CHIKV particles-authentically mirroring the entire clinical workflow. Covering both Asian and East/Central/South African (ECSA) genotypes, this system mitigates false-negative risks caused by viral genetic diversity. Assigned via multi-laboratory dPCR and validated across nine commercial kits, it demonstrated 100% concordance, &#x2265;95% detectability at LoD, and coefficient of variation (CV) <5%. This traceable, genotype-inclusive, workflow-authentic benchmark enables, for the first time, unified performance alignment for regulatory review, manufacturer quality control, and inter-laboratory comparison. It fills a critical gap in domestic quality assurance while providing a technical template for future WHO standardization efforts. Widespread adoption will accelerate reliable diagnostics, strengthen surveillance comparability, and support timely clinical decisions in both endemic and importation-prone settings.

Sulfaguanidine (SG), a sulfonamide-based synthetic antimicrobial agent, is widely used in livestock and aquaculture. Due to the presence of N1-guanidinium substitutions in its molecular structure, SG exhibits not only high ecotoxicity but also remarkable stability, making it difficult to degrade in the environment. Consequently, residues of SG can persist in water and soil for extended periods, posing risks of bioaccumulation and biomagnification through the food chain. Therefore, establishing a rapid and sensitive on-site detection method to monitor SG residues is of great significance. However, the unique structure of SG limits the availability of highly sensitive and specific haptens suitable for immunoassays, which hinders the development of rapid immunodetection technologies. To address this challenge, two novel haptens were designed via electrostatic potential, molecular orbitals and immunodeterminant moiety in this study, to optimize the exposure of the unique guanidino group. This approach laid the foundation for establishing a highly sensitive immunoassay for SG. Subsequently, a high-affinity monoclonal antibody, 3G5 (IC50&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.11&#xa0;ng/mL), was obtained via mouse immunization. Based on these findings, a colloidal gold-based visual immunochromatographic assay for SG detection was pioneered. Following simple extraction and dilution procedures, the visual detection limits were 0.2&#xa0;ng/mL in milk and 1&#xa0;ng/mL in fish. The method was further validated using real samples, yielding recoveries ranging from 89.1% to 107.5%, confirming the method's applicability for detecting SG residues in complex matrix samples. The present study introduces a novel approach for the sensitive and precise detection of persistent organic pollutants.

Economic hardship-including poverty, housing insecurity, unemployment, food insecurity, and debt-is among the most consistently documented determinants of mental health. Extensive epidemiologic and social science research shows that adverse economic conditions increase the risk, severity, and persistence of depression, anxiety, suicidality, and severe mental illness. Although social policies can improve mental health outcomes, relatively few interventions within mental health systems target economic determinants. Those that do are often professionally designed and limited in scope. In this perspective article, we argue that advancing effective and equitable interventions that address economic determinants of mental health requires meaningful participation of people with lived experiences of economic hardship and mental health challenges. Drawing on epistemological and empirical literatures, we conceptualize lived experience as a form of expertise and contend that its systematic exclusion constitutes epistemic injustice and a barrier to intervention relevance and effectiveness. Using the International Association for Public Participation's Spectrum of Public Participation, we propose a framework for integrating lived experience expertise across the intervention cycle (i.e., needs assessment, design, implementation, and evaluation). Emphasizing collaboration and empowerment, we illustrate this framework with examples from the literature and highlight both its promise and limitations. We then identify systemic factors underlying these challenges-such as funding structures, governance, regulatory constraints, and capacity gaps-and offer practice-informed recommendations to address them. We conclude with a call to psychiatry and clinical professions to act as allies in redistributing epistemic and decision-making authority, positioning lived expertise as essential to interventions addressing economic determinants of mental health.

Histidine deficiency has been associated with oxidative stress, inflammation, and metabolic diseases, compared with insecure use of a single amino acid supplement; histidine-rich proteins are secure and can make up for the deficiency. Due to the low abundance of these proteins in food sources, there is a need for novel methodologies to effectively isolate histidine-rich proteins. Camellia oleifera fruit shell is discarded as the waste, here used as raw material to make the oxidized cellulose (COC) with modification by aminothioureas (ATU), which further prepare a COC nanoparticle material with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) combined with NiCoMnO4 nanoparticles by a directional freeze-casting technique for the selective separation and purification of histidine-rich proteins. The crystal structure, surface morphology, mechanical properties, and wettability were characterized and analyzed by XRD, SEM, compressive performance test, and contact angle test. The COC nanoparticles were used as a novel affinity material to investigate its adsorption properties for hemoglobin (BHb) and bovine serum albumin (BSA); the maximum adsorption capacity for BHb was determined to be 1970&#x2009;mg/g, whereas the adsorption capacity for BSA was significantly lower, indicating that the material has selective adsorption for BHb. Moreover, the material demonstrated the ability to efficiently adsorb histidine-rich proteins from different foods, and remain 90.2% of their initial adsorption capacity after 5 cycles, which is expected to be used in the enrichment of histidine-rich proteins. This provides a new way for utilization of C. oleifera fruit shell and enrichment of histidine-rich proteins as food nutrient fortifiers.

Cronobacter spp. is a high-risk foodborne pathogen that poses a significant threat to neonates. It can cause severe invasive infections such as meningitis and necrotizing enterocolitis, with a case fatality rate of up to 80%. Therefore, developing rapid and precise detection techniques is critical for effectively preventing and controlling infections caused by Cronobacter spp. This study presents an innovative electrochemical biosensor based on phage-derived tail fiber protein (TFP08) for the rapid and specific detection of Cronobacter spp. in food samples. The biosensor employs a ternary nanocomposite system comprising gold nanoparticles, nickel ions, and graphene oxide to immobilize TFP08 and enhance the electrical signal. It enables sensitive detection of the target bacteria through differential pulse voltammetry. The developed platform achieves detection within 30&#xa0;min over a linear range of 2.3&#xa0;&#xd7;&#xa0;101 to 3.7&#xa0;&#xd7;&#xa0;107&#xa0;CFU/mL, with a limit of detection as low as 23&#xa0;CFU/mL. When tested in spiked infant formula and lettuce samples, the biosensor exhibited excellent recovery rates (99.23-102.46%) and high reproducibility (relative standard deviation &#x2264;1.17%), This demonstrates its reliability and accuracy in complex food matrices. This work presents a rapid and accurate diagnostic platform for detecting Cronobacter spp., providing significant advantages for food safety monitoring and public health protection.

Nowadays, food trends are heading towards gluten-free and healthier food, including cookies, due to the rising prevalence of celiac disease and other gluten-related disorders. One way to keep up with the trend is to use agrowaste flour. However, consumers' acceptance of such cookies may be lower compared to that of cookies made with conventional wheat flour. To enhance both the sensory quality and nutritional value, food additives such as lecithin and low-glycemic sweeteners can be incorporated. Lecithin improves the texture and appearance of crispy cookies, while low-glycemic sweeteners help reduce the glycemic index and glycemic load without compromising consumer preference. The objective of this study was to evaluate and optimize the physical characteristics, sensory attributes, proximate composition, glycemic index, and glycemic load of crispy cookies formulated with durian and papaya seed flours, lecithin, and low-glycemic sweeteners. The research was conducted in two stages: (1) improving texture by determining the optimal concentration of lecithin and (2) replacing refined sugar with an optimal combination of low-glycemic sweeteners such as erythritol, xylitol, and stevia. The optimal concentration of lecithin was found to be 0.5%, while the most effective sweetener formulation based on the De Garmo effectiveness index consisted of 28.10% erythritol and 0.02% stevia. The resulting crispy cookies exhibited improved texture and appearance, a low glycemic index (32.55), and a low glycemic load (4.64), while maintaining good consumer acceptance. These findings highlight the potential of this formulation to be developed further as a functional cookie product suitable for health-conscious consumers.

People living with HIV (PLWH) may be exposed to harmful political, social, economic and environmental factors that exacerbate their risk of mental health conditions. Such factors can interact synergistically to worsen HIV and mental health-related outcomes, creating a syndemic. This study aims to review existing literature on mental health-related syndemics and their impact on HIV and mental health outcomes. CINAHL, Embase, MEDLINE, PsycInfo, Scopus and ProQuest were searched. We included observational studies that investigated a potential mental health-related syndemic and/or reported the impact of a syndemic on HIV outcomes (antiretroviral therapy [ART] adherence or viral suppression), or mental health outcomes (mental health-related quality of life, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder or psychological distress) among PLWH. Screening, data extraction and quality assessment were conducted by two independent reviewers. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to assess the quality and risk of bias. The impact of syndemic count on ART adherence and viral suppression was pooled using random effects using STATA and the remaining findings were synthesised narratively. PRISMA guidelines were followed. 32 studies were included with sample sizes ranging from 51 participants to 14,261. Six studies reported on mental health-related syndemics among PLWH, four of which found depression or distress to be the most influential syndemic factor. Mental health conditions within syndemics often cluster and are significantly associated with socioeconomic factors such as food insecurity, stigma and violence. Fifteen of 16 studies found a significant association between adherence and the number of mental health-related syndemics. Pooled odds ratio of seven studies showed a significant reduction in adherence (OR = 0.73; 95% CI = 0.55 - 0.96); heterogeneity was high (I 2 = 98.58%). Eleven of 13 studies found a significant association between the number of mental health-related syndemics and being virally suppressed. Four studies resulted in a significant pooled odds ratio for having detectable viral load (OR = 1.26; 95% CI = 1.10 - 1.44); heterogeneity was moderate (I 2 = 52.38%). Despite wide variation in how syndemics were defined and measured across studies, our findings suggest that mental health conditions, particularly depression, strongly influence synergising syndemics among PLWH, and mental health-related syndemics negatively impact ART adherence and viral load. These findings underscore the need for syndemic-informed holistic care models to address the intersecting burden of mental health conditions and psychosocial factors among PLWH.

Dried fruits constitute a nutrient-dense part of the everyday diet, providing different bioactive compounds in a convenient form. The aim of the study was to evaluate the antioxidant potential of a wide range of commercially available dried fruits. The analysis included the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), total anthocyanin content (TAC), ability to scavenge DPPH&#x2022; radical (TEACDPPH), and ABTS&#x2022;+ radical cation (TEACABTS). The total of 60 products included 24 different fruits, divided into color-based categories: black, red, and other fruits. Antioxidant capacity varied significantly among fruit groups, with, in general, black fruits showing the highest values; elderberry and honeyberry led in TPC, TFC, and TAC, while elderberry was superior in TEAC values. Among red fruits, rose hip had the highest TPC and the TEAC values, followed by strawberry. Fruits classified as other generally had lower antioxidant capacity, except citrus, which showed relatively high TPC and TFC. The results are useful for food producers engaged in product development and for consumers following a healthy diet, addressing current trends toward functional foods.

The development of sustainable and high-performance biomaterials from agroindustrial byproducts represents a strategic avenue for advancing green materials engineering. This work evaluated and experimentally optimized the physicochemical properties of a pumpkin suspension formulated with modified starch from mango cotyledons. Statistical models were fitted to optimize critical variables such as viscosity (&#x3bc;; to be 1000&#x2009;cP), zeta potential (&#x3b6;; absolute value to be maximized), spectral stability index (R; to be minimized), and particle size distribution (to be minimized). Experimental optimization of multiple responses allowed for the development of a stable colloidal system. Optimal conditions included homogenization for 10&#x2009;min, using a suspension with 6% total pumpkin pulp solids and 2% dual-modified starch. Under these conditions, the suspension achieved a viscosity of 1000&#x2009;cP, a zeta potential of -30.72&#x2009;mV, a spectral stability index of 0.45, and particle sizes of 300&#x2009;&#x3bc;m (D[4;3]) and 99&#x2009;&#x3bc;m (D[3;2]). Verification of the model showed relative&#x2009;error < 20% for most variables, confirming its usefulness for the design of stable functional foods. The findings validated the potential of modified starches from agroindustrial byproducts to create stable, functional, and sustainable food dispersions.

Manganese-doped carbon dots (Mn-CDs) nanozymes were synthesized, which exhibited strong oxidase activity, excellent stability, and good water solubility. Compared to other nanozymes, Mn-CDs could effectively catalyze 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) to generate blue oxidized TMB (oxTMB) without the use of strong oxidant H2O2. With this superior property, an efficient ratiometric colorimetric method was developed. In the presence of nitrite (NO2-), oxTMB was reacted with NO2- to produce diazotized TMB, resulting in a significant visual change from blue to green to yellow. Therefore, the characteristic peak at 652&#xa0;nm significantly decreased, while the characteristic peak at 445&#xa0;nm significantly increased, enabling sensitive detection of NO2- in various samples. It was noteworthy that a new detection method based on Mn-CDs was constructed by using hydrogel as the carrier and protective agent (Mn-CDs@hydrogels). The results were collected and analyzed through a smartphone, and then converted into digital signals, thus achieving real-time on-site detection of NO2-. The shelf life of Mn-CDs@hydrogels could reach 6 months at 4&#xa0;&#xb0;C, and its effectiveness and reliability in various food samples had also been evaluated. The strategy proposed will promote advanced applications of Mn-CDs in the field of sensing in the future.

Malnutrition is a common and serious complication among patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD), leading to poor clinical outcomes, reduced quality of life, and increased mortality. Although current renal dietary guidelines emphasize adequate protein intake, they are predominantly animal based and may exacerbate inflammation and metabolic complications. Emerging evidence suggests that plant-focused diets can improve nutritional and inflammatory profiles without raising serum potassium levels. Increased plant consumption has also been associated with better metabolic control, reduced inflammation, and improved bowel function in patients undergoing PD. However, randomized controlled trials remain limited, and the effectiveness of such diets in malnourished patients undergoing PD is unclear. Hence, further investigation is required to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a plant-focused diet to inform evidence-based dietary recommendations in this population. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of a plant-focused dietary intervention compared with a standard-of-care renal diet on nutritional status, measured by changes in serum albumin, among malnourished patients undergoing PD over 6 months. This is an unblinded, open-label, parallel-group randomized controlled trial conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Klang. A total of 100 adult outpatients undergoing PD will be recruited and randomized (1:1) to receive either a plant-focused diet emphasizing plant-based proteins or a standard renal diet emphasizing animal-based proteins for 6 months. Both interventions will be individualized to meet nutrient requirements and delivered through dietitian-led counseling, educational materials, and regular follow-ups. Data will be collected at baseline and after 3 and 6 months of intervention. Parameters assessed include sociodemographic characteristics; anthropometric and biochemical measures (renal, glucose, lipid, and inflammatory profiles); malnutrition inflammation score; dietary adequacy; physical activity and function; quality of life; and knowledge, attitude, and practices of renal diet. Baseline data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics, with independent t tests (2-tailed) or Mann-Whitney U tests for between-group comparisons. Changes across time points will be analyzed using a generalized linear model for repeated measures, with Bonferroni adjustment for multiple comparisons. Analyses will be adjusted for confounders with significance set at P<.05. Ethics approval has been obtained from the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Research Ethics Committee (JEP-2025-812). This study was funded in 2024 under the Geran Galakan Penyelidik Muda (project code: GGPM-2024-051) by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Participant recruitment began in March 2026, and 9 participants have been recruited as of manuscript submission. Study is expected to be completed by March 2027 Data analysis and manuscript preparation are anticipated to be completed by June 2027. This randomized controlled trial will provide clinical evidence on the nutritional and safety outcomes of a plant-focused diet in malnourished patients undergoing PD, addressing a major evidence gap in renal nutrition management. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT07157397; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07157397 and National Medical Research Register NMRR ID-26-00114-LAK; https://nmrr.gov.my/research-directory/d0aad3f4-46ac-4498-8b75-f82f02209cec. PRR1-10.2196/93558.

Ferroptosis is closely associated with the cytotoxicity of foodborne contaminants, with Transferrin Receptor 1 (TFR1) serving as a critical biomarker. Consequently, the in situ dynamic monitoring of TFR1 is crucial for unraveling the toxicological mechanisms underlying foodborne toxicity. To address the challenges of interference and insufficient sensitivity associated with single-signal detection in complex biological samples, we developed an aptamer-functionalized nanoprobe integrating metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with in situ grown silver nanosheets for high-fidelity imaging of TFR1 in living cells. The probe utilized the Hybridization Chain Reaction (HCR) to trigger long-range DNA assembly, simultaneously amplifying fluorescence and Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) signals upon target recognition, thereby constructing a dual-mode sensing platform. Experimental results demonstrated that this strategy significantly improved the signal-to-noise ratio and detection accuracy. Under optimal conditions, the limits of detection (LOD) for TFR1 were as low as 1.50&#x202f;pg/mL in fluorescence mode and 2.54&#x202f;pg/mL in SERS mode. Further application studies confirmed that the nanosensor could not only precisely capture the upregulation of TFR1 induced by Aflatoxin B1 and Acrylamide but also effectively evaluate the protective effects of Ferulic acid and Curcumin by monitoring signal reversal following antioxidant intervention. This study presented a versatile dual-mode imaging strategy, offering a robust analytical tool for food safety toxicological assessment and the screening of potential dietary protective agents.

Mepiquat chloride (MQ) residues threaten human health and ecological safety, requiring rapid and sensitive monitoring. In this study, five haptens were designed for poorly immunogenic MQ, and MQ-H4/MQ-H5 was identified as the optimal pair via computer-aided analysis and serum validation, generating MQ mAb-5H2 with high affinity and specificity. Based on this mAb, a gold nanoparticle-based lateral-flow immunochromatographic assay was developed for MQ on-site screening, with the calculated limits of detection of 0.034, 0.049, and 0.016 mg/kg in potato, wheat, and soil, respectively. The reliability and accuracy of the method were verified through spiked recovery experiments, showing recoveries from 95.2 to 105.7% and a coefficient of variation of 1.6-7.1%, consistent with the results of high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, providing a practical and reliable tool for MQ monitoring and a hapten-driven strategy for high-performance antibody generation and sensitive immunoassays targeting other quaternary ammonium pesticides.

The increasing consumer attention toward plant-based products having health-promoting benefits has drawn attention to medicinal herbs such as Calendula officinalis and Echinacea purpurea, that are abundant in bioactive compounds exhibiting anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. In this work, four bacterial strains, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 299&#x2009;V, Pediococcus acidilactici IRZ12B, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG, and Bacillus subtilis natto, were used to ferment aqueous extracts of C. officinalis and E. purpurea. All tested strains exhibited robust growth in the herbal substrates, resulting in a marked drop in pH and increased microbial counts. Fermentation enhanced sugar utilization, stimulated organic acid synthesis, and reduced antinutritional compounds such as tannins, while improving the availability of certain minerals. After fermentation, extracts showed an increased total phenolic level, stronger antioxidant activity, and increased antimicrobial effects relative to unfermented controls. These findings indicate that bacterial fermentation, especially performed by lactic acid bacteria, can substantially augment the functional and phytochemical characteristics of C. officinalis and E. purpurea extracts. This approach supports the development of innovative plant-based fermented nutraceuticals with therapeutic potential. Moreover, the optimized fermentation process offers a strategy for incorporating fermented C. officinalis and E. purpurea extracts into plant-based food products, satisfying the increasing interest of consumers for nutrient-rich, health-oriented foods.